Expected constraints on the generalized Chaplygin equation of state from future supernova experiments and gravitational lensing statistics.
This paper aims to study the use of future Supernova/Acceleration Probe data, together with the result of searches for strong gravitational lenses in future large quasar surveys to constrain the generalized Chaplygin gas (GCG) model, with equation of state p = -A/ρα, where A is a positive constant and 0 < α ≤ 1. The GCG is considered a possible unification scheme for dark matter-dark energy. It is found that both experiments should be able to place important constraints on the model, especially when both tests are used together.

title: Fitting BOOMERANG and MAXIMA-1 data with a Einstein–Yang–Mills cosmological model
abstract: We analyse the implications of recent Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data for a specific cosmological model, based on the higher-dimensional Einstein–Yang–Mills system compactified on a R × S 3 × S d topology and conclude that the model parameters are tightly constrained by CMB spectra. Moreover, the model predicts a relationship between the deceleration parameter at present, q 0 , and some characteristic features of CMB spectra, namely, the height of the first peak and the the location of the second peak, that is consistent with the observations and which can be further tested by future CMB and other experiments.

title: Gamma-ray Bursts as Dark Energy Probes
abstract: We discuss the prospects of using Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) as high-redshift distance estimators, and consider their use in the study of two dark energy models, the Generalized Chaplygin Gas (GCG), a model for the unification of dark energy and dark matter, and the XCDM model, a model where a generic dark energy fluid like component is described by the equation of state, $p= \omega \rho$. We find that this test yields rather disappointing results for the GCG model, being mainly sensitive to the total amount of matter present in the Universe in the case of the XCDM model. We also find that, within the framework of the XCDM model, a large sample of GRBs ($\geq 200$) may turn out to be quite useful to improve the forthcoming type Ia supernovae data.

title: Latest Supernova data in the framework of Generalized Chaplygin Gas model
abstract: We use the most recent Type-Ia Supernova data in order to study the dark energy - dark matter unification approach in the context of the Generalized Chaplygin Gas (GCG) model. Rather surprisingly, we find that data allow models with $\alpha>1$. We have studied how the GCG adjusts flat and non-flat models, and our results show that GCG is consistent with flat case upto 68% confidence level. Actually this holds even if one relaxes the flat prior assumption. We have also analysed what one should expect from a future experiment such as SNAP. We find that there is a degeneracy between the GCG model and a XCDM model with a phantom-like dark energy component.

title: Beyond the Standard Model searches with the top quark at the Large Hadron Collider
abstract: Top quark events resulting from proton-proton collisions at high energies in the new Large Hadron Collider will be collected by the ATLAS and CMS experiments and have the potential to probe New Physics beyond the Standard Model. The study of the production and decay of the Top quarks might reveal high-mass resonances, extra-dimensions, new flavor dynamics, and evidence for a 4 th generation, among other possibilities. Specific experimental techniques for event reconstruction and for the control of the background are required to increase the reach for New Physics. An overview of some of these techniques is given along with the expected sensitivity of the ATLAS and CMS experiments for some scenarios.

title: Precision measurements in the top quark sector with the CMS experiment at the LHC
abstract: A review of the measurements of the t production cross section (inclusive and differential) performed by the CMS experiment at the LHC is given. The results are used to constrain the magnitude of most of the relevant systematics affecting precision measurements in the top quark sector. In addition from the determination of the top quark pair production cross section it is possible to determine the strong coupling constant as ?S(mZ) = 0.1178+0.0046?0.0040 in agreement with the current world average. After the combination of several channels and techniques explored to measure the top quark mass in data, a precise determination of this quantity is made at CMS: mt = 173.4?0.4stat ? 0.9syst GeV. The measurement of the difference ?mt = mt ? m is also presented.

title: Performance of the CMS cathode strip chambers with cosmic rays
abstract: The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in 
the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray 
run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 
1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 µm to 
243 µm. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction 
were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns.

title: On the rise of proton-proton cross-sections at high energies
abstract: The rise of total, elastic and inelastic hadronic cross sections at high energies is investigated by means of an analytical parametrization, with the exponent of the leading logarithm contribution as a free fit parameter. Using derivative dispersion relations with one subtraction, two different fits to proton–proton and antiproton–proton total cross section and ρ parameter data are developed, reproducing well the experimental information in the energy region 5 GeV–7 TeV. The parametrization for the total cross sections is then extended to fit the elastic (integrated) cross section data in the same energy region, with satisfactory results. From these empirical results we extract the energy dependence of several physical quantities: inelastic cross section, ratios elastic/total, inelastic/total cross sections, ratio total-cross-section/elastic-slope, elastic slope and optical point. All data, fitted and predicted, are quite well described. We find a statistically consistent solution indicating: (1) an increase of the hadronic cross sections with the energy faster than the log-squared bound by Froissart and Martin; (2) asymptotic limits 1/3 and 2/3 for the ratios elastic/total and inelastic/total cross sections, respectively; a result in agreement with unitarity. These indications corroborate recent theoretical arguments by Azimov on the rise of the total cross section.

title: Critical coupling for dynamical chiral-symmetry breaking with an infrared finite gluon propagator
abstract: We compute the critical coupling constant for the dynamical chiral-symmetry breaking in a model of quantum chromodynamics, solving numerically the quark self-energy using infrared finite gluon propagators found as solutions of the Schwinger-Dyson equation for the gluon, and one gluon propagator determined in numerical lattice simulations. The gluon mass scale screens the force responsible for the chiral breaking, and the transition occurs only for a larger critical coupling constant than the one obtained with the perturbative propagator. The critical coupling shows a great sensibility to the gluon mass scale variation, as well as to the functional form of the gluon propagator.