Predictions for supersymmetric particle masses using indirect experimental and cosmological constraints
In view of the imminent start of the LHC experimental programme, we use the available indirect experimental and cosmological information to estimate the likely range of parameters of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM), using a Markov-chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique to sample the parameter space. The 95% confidence-level area in the (m0, m1/2) plane of the CMSSM lies largely within the region that could be explored with 1 fb−1 of integrated luminosity at 14 TeV, and much of the 68% confidence-level area lies within the region that could be explored with 50 pb−1 of integrated luminosity at 10 TeV. A same-sign dilepton signal could well be visible in most of the 68% confidence-level area with 1 fb−1 of integrated luminosity at 14 TeV. We discuss the sensitivities of the preferred ranges to variations in the most relevant indirect experimental and cosmological constraints and also to deviations from the universality of the supersymmetry-breaking contributions to the masses of the Higgs bosons.

title: Performance and operation of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter
abstract: The operation and general performance of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter using cosmic-ray muons are described. These muons were recorded after the closure of the CMS detector in late 2008. The calorimeter is made of lead tungstate crystals and the overall status of the 75 848 channels corresponding to the barrel and endcap detectors is reported. The stability of crucial operational parameters, such as high voltage, temperature and electronic noise, is summarised and the performance of the light monitoring system is presented.

title: PAT: The CMS Physics Analysis Toolkit
abstract: The CMS Physics Analysis Toolkit (PAT) is presented. The PAT is a high-level analysis layer enabling the development of common analysis efforts across and within Physics Analysis Groups. It aims at fulfilling the needs of most CMS analyses, providing both ease-of-use for the beginner and flexibility for the advanced user. The main PAT concepts are described in detail and some examples from physics analyses are given.

title: Search for supersymmetry in events with b-quark jets and missing transverse energy in pp collisions at 7 TeV
abstract: Results are presented from a search for physics beyond the standard model based on events with large missing transverse energy, at least three jets, and at least one, two, or three b-quark jets. The study is performed using a sample of proton-proton collision data collected at sqrt(s)=7 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC in 2011, with the missing transverse energy distribution as the principal search variable. The integrated luminosity of the sample is 4.98 inverse femtobarns. The observed number of events is found to be consistent with the standard model expectation, which is evaluated using control samples in the data. The results are used to constrain cross sections for the production of supersymmetric particles decaying to b-quark-enriched final states in the context of simplified model spectra.

title: Performance Study of the CMS Barrel Resistive Plate Chambers with Cosmic Rays
abstract: In October and November 2008, the CMS collaboration conducted a programme of cosmic ray data taking, which has recorded about 270 million events. The Resistive Plate Chamber system, which is part of the CMS muon detection system, was successfully operated in the full barrel. More than 98% of the channels were operational during the exercise with typical detection efficiency of 90%. In this paper, the performance of the detector during these dedicated runs is reported.

title: Measurement of the differential q**2 spectrum and forward-backward asymmetry for B ---> K* l+ l-

title: High statistics measurement of the underground muon pair separation at Gran Sasso
abstract: We present a measurement of the underground decoherence function using multi-muon events observed in the MACRO detector at Gran Sasso at an average depth of 3800 hg/cm**2. Muon pair separations up to 70 m have been measured, corresponding to parent mesons with P_t mu + N + mu- + mu+, can be experimentally studied. The measured decoherence function is compared with the predictions of the hadronic interaction model of the HEMAS Monte Carlo code. Good agreement is obtained. We interpret this agreement to indicate that no anomalous P_t components in soft hadron-Nucleus and Nucleus-Nucleus collisions are required by the MACRO experimental data.

title: Measurement of mechanical vibrations excited in aluminium resonators by 0.6 GeV electrons
abstract: We present measurements of mechanical vibrations induced by 0.6 GeV electrons impinging on cylindrical and spherical aluminum resonators. To monitor the amplitude of the resonator’s vibrational modes we used piezoelectric ceramic sensors calibrated by standard accelerometers. Calculations using the thermo-acoustic conversion model agree well with the experimental data, as demonstrated by specific variations of the excitation strengths with the absorbed energy, and with the traversing particles’ track positions. For the first longitudinal mode of the cylindrical resonator we measured a conversion factor of 7.4±1.4 nm/J, confirming the model value of 10 nm/J. Also, for the spherical resonator, we found the model values for the L=2 and L=1 mode amplitudes to be consistent with our measurement. We thus have confirmed the applicability of the model, and we note that calculations based on the model have shown that next generation resonant mass gravitational wave detectors can only be expected to reach their int...

title: Experimental study of high energy electron interactions in a superconducting aluminum alloy resonant bar
abstract: Peak amplitude measurements of the fundamental mode of oscillation of a suspended aluminum alloy bar hit by an electron beam show that the amplitude is enhanced by a factor ∼3.5 when the material is in the superconducting state. This result is consistent with the cosmic ray observations performed by the resonant gravitational wave detector NAUTILUS, made of the same alloy, when operated in the superconducting state. A comparison of the experimental data with the predictions of the model describing the underlying physical process is also presented.

title: The JEM-EUSO Mission: Status and Prospects in 2011
abstract: Contributions of the JEM-EUSO Collaboration to the 32nd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Beijing, August, 2011.

title: Atmospheric Neutrinos
abstract: The results of experiments on atmospheric neutrinos are summarized, with the important exception of Su-perkamiokande. The main emphasis is given to the Soudan-2 and MACRO experiments. Both experiments observe atmospheric neutrino anomalies in agreement with νµ → ντ oscillations with maximum mixing. The νµ → νs oscillation is disfavored by the MACRO experiment.