Abstract: In this reviewwe will present the results of recent beta-decay studies using the total absorption technique that cover topics of interest for applications, nuclear structure and astrophysics. The decays studied were selected primarily because they have a large impact on the prediction of (a) the decay heat in reactors, important for the safety of present and future reactors and (b) the reactor electron anti-neutrino spectrum, of interest for particle/nuclear physics and reactor monitoring. For these studies the total absorption technique was chosen, since it is the only method that allows one to obtain beta-decay probabilities free from a systematic error called the Pandemonium effect. The total absorption technique is based on the detection of the. cascades that follow the initial beta decay. For this reason the technique requires the use of calorimeters with very high. detection efficiency. The measurements presented and discussed here were performed mainly at the IGISOL facility of the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland) using isotopically pure beams provided by the JYFLTRAP Penning trap. Examples are presented to show that the results of our measurements on selected nuclei have had a large impact on predictions of both the decay heat and the anti-neutrino spectrum from reactors. Some of the cases involve beta-delayed neutron emission thus one can study the competition between gamma – and neutron-emission from states above the neutron separation energy. The gamma-to-neutron emission ratios can be used to constrain neutron capture (n, gamma) cross sections for unstable nuclei of interest in astrophysics. The information obtained from the measurements can also be used to test nuclear model predictions of half-lives and Pn values for decays of interest in astrophysical network calculations. These comparisons also provide insights into aspects of nuclear structure in particular regions of the nuclear chart.

Abstract: The next core-collapse supernova in the Milky Way or its satellites will represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to obtain detailed information about the explosion of a star and provide significant scientific insight for a variety of fields because of the extreme conditions found within. Supernovae in our galaxy are not only rare on a human timescale but also happen at unscheduled times, so it is crucial to be ready and use all available instruments to capture all possible information from the event. The first indication of a potential stellar explosion will be the arrival of a bright burst of neutrinos. Its observation by multiple detectors worldwide can provide an early warning for the subsequent electromagnetic fireworks, as well as signal to other detectors with significant backgrounds so they can store their recent data. The supernova early warning system (SNEWS) has been operating as a simple coincidence between neutrino experiments in automated mode since 2005. In the current era of multi-messenger astronomy there are new opportunities for SNEWS to optimize sensitivity to science from the next galactic supernova beyond the simple early alert. This document is the product of a workshop in June 2019 towards design of SNEWS 2.0, an upgraded SNEWS with enhanced capabilities exploiting the unique advantages of prompt neutrino detection to maximize the science gained from such a valuable event.

Abstract: The existence of monopoles is a characteristic signature of Kaluza-Klein multidimensional theories. The topology of these solutions is extremely interesting. The existence of a dipole solution, which we have associated to a monopole-anti-monopole bound state, is the leitmotiv of this investigation. The dipole in its lowest energy state, which we here call also monopolium, is electromagnetically inert in free space interacting only gravitationally. Monopolium when interacting with time dependent magnetic fields acquires a time dependent induced magnetic moment and radiates. We have analyzed the most favorable astrophysical scenario for radiative monopolium and found that the amount of radiation is so small that is not detectable by conventional equipments. These findings suggest that Kaluza-Klein monopolium, if existent, would be a candidate for a primordial dark matter constituent.

Abstract: The CKM angle gamma is measured for the first time from mixing-induced CP violation between Bs0 -> Ds -/+ K pi +/- pi -/+ and Bs0bar -> Ds +/- K -/+ pi -/+ pi +/- decays reconstructed in proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb(-1) recorded with the LHCb detector. A time-dependent amplitude analysis is performed to extract the CP-violating weak phase gamma – 2 beta (s) and, subsequently, gamma by taking the Bs0-Bs0bar mixing phase beta (s) as an external input. The measurement yields gamma = (44 +/- 12) degrees modulo 180 degrees, where statistical and systematic uncertainties are combined. An alternative model-independent measurement, integrating over the five-dimensional phase space of the decay, yields gamma = (44 -13+20) degrees modulo 180 degrees. Moreover, the Bs0-Bs0bar oscillation frequency is measured from the flavour-specific control channel Bs0 -> Ds- pi+ pi+ pi- to be m(s) = (17.757 +/- 0.007(stat) +/- 0.008(syst)) ps(-1), consistent with and more precise than the current world-average value.

Abstract: In this paper we discuss the combination of the usual renormalization and factorization scale uncertainties of Higgs-pair production via gluon fusion with the novel uncertainties originating from the scheme and scale choice of the virtual top mass. Moreover, we address the uncertainties related to the top-mass definition for different values of the trilinear Higgs coupling and their combination with the other uncertainties.