arXiv subjects

Francesco Dettori

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Dettori.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A digital twin for microwave liver treatment replanning

Purpose: MicroWave Ablation (MWA) modeling and simulation bear great potential for loco-regional treatment of liver tumors. However, accurately positioning the antenna according to a planned orientation/location is technically challenging. In cases of misplacement, maintaining the original plan may cause incomplete ablation, while repositioning the antenna may induce tumor seeding. In this work, we propose (i) a digital twin of MWA that simulates ablation outcomes, and (ii) an optimizer that suggests corrections to MWA parameters without antenna reinsertion, while ensuring complete tumor ablations. Methods: A finite element scheme was used to solve the coupled microwave propagation and heat transfer equations governing MWA, with personalized dielectric and thermal properties determined from preoperative CT and MRI images. We then proposed an optimization algorithm able to adjust power input, ablation duration, and antenna position to correct for antenna misplacement. Results: The simulator and optimizer were evaluated against in vivo swine experimental data. Three ablations were performed in liver regions with varying vascularization. The simulations accurately predicted the ablation zones despite the presence of large vessels near the antenna, achieving Dice scores of 0.82, 0.81, and 0.79. In the case of replanning scenarios, our optimizer predicted new parameter sets that led to Dice scores of 0.83, 0.83, 0.80, a corresponding improvement of 20.3%, 40.7% and 48.1% in average over the initial ablation result. Conclusion: This paper is the first to address intra-operative replanning of thermal ablation therapy. It demonstrates that optimal ablation results can be achieved without requiring antenna reinsertion by optimizing specific ablation parameters.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2026

Tracking charged $b$-hadrons: feasibility study of the use of inner trackers to improve $B^{+}_{(c)}$ reconstruction

A method to improve the reconstruction of charged b-hadron decays is proposed that uses energy deposits left by the hadron in tracking detectors close to the production point. Performances are shown for different detector configurations and different number of deposits reconstructed, as obtained in simulation, for $b$-hadrons produced in high energy proton-proton collisions. It is shown that up to few percent of the $B^+$ mesons could leave two deposits before decaying, depending on the detector configuration. The presented results can inform the design of future inner detectors. This method could increase significantly the physics reach of flavour physics at hadron colliders, opening it to decays with missing particles and vertex information that are otherwise unreconstructable.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Do You Understand How I Feel?: Towards Verified Empathy in Therapy Chatbots

Conversational agents are increasingly used as support tools along mental therapeutic pathways with significant societal impacts. In particular, empathy is a key non-functional requirement in therapeutic contexts, yet current chatbot development practices provide no systematic means to specify or verify it. This paper envisions a framework integrating natural language processing and formal verification to deliver empathetic therapy chatbots. A Transformer-based model extracts dialogue features, which are then translated into a Stochastic Hybrid Automaton model of dyadic therapy sessions. Empathy-related properties can then be verified through Statistical Model Checking, while strategy synthesis provides guidance for shaping agent behavior. Preliminary results show that the formal model captures therapy dynamics with good fidelity and that ad-hoc strategies improve the probability of satisfying empathy requirements.

cs.CL↗

arXiv2025

Kaon Physics: A Cornerstone for Future Discoveries

The kaon physics programme, long heralded as a cutting-edge frontier by the European Strategy for Particle Physics, continues to stand at the intersection of discovery and innovation in high-energy physics (HEP). With its unparalleled capacity to explore new physics at the multi-TeV scale, kaon research is poised to unveil phenomena that could reshape our understanding of the Universe. This document highlights the compelling physics case, with emphasis on exciting new opportunities for advancing kaon physics not only in Europe but also on a global stage. As an important player in the future of HEP, the kaon programme promises to drive transformative breakthroughs, inviting exploration at the forefront of scientific discovery.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

New Physics Searches at Kaon and Hyperon Factories

Rare meson decays are among the most sensitive probes of both heavy and light new physics. Among them, new physics searches using kaons benefit from their small total decay widths and the availability of very large datasets. On the other hand, useful complementary information is provided by hyperon decay measurements. We summarize the relevant phenomenological models and the status of the searches in a comprehensive list of kaon and hyperon decay channels. We identify new search strategies for under-explored signatures, and demonstrate that the improved sensitivities from current and next-generation experiments could lead to a qualitative leap in the exploration of light dark sectors.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

On the effective lifetime of $B_s \to μμγ$

We consider the $B^0_s \to μ^{+} μ^{-} γ$ effective lifetime, and the related CP-phase sensitive quantity $A_{ΔΓ_s}^{μμγ}$, as a way to obtain qualitatively new insights on the current $B$-decay discrepancies. Through a fit comparing pre- to post-Moriond-2021 data we identify a few theory benchmark scenarios addressing these discrepancies, and featuring large CP violation in addition. We then explore the possibility of telling apart these scenarios with $A_{ΔΓ_s}^{μμγ}$, once resonance-modeling and form-factor uncertainties are taken into account. We do so in both regions of low and high invariant di-lepton mass-squared $q^2$. For low $q^2$, we show how to shape the integration range in order to reduce the impact of the $ϕ$-resonance modelling on the $A_{ΔΓ_s}^{μμγ}$ prediction. For high $q^2$, we find that the corresponding pollution from broad-charmonium resonances has a surprisingly small effect on $A_{ΔΓ_s}^{μμγ}$. This is due to a number of cancellations, that can be traced back to the complete dominance of semi-leptonic operator contributions for high $q^2$ -- at variance with low $q^2$ -- and to $A_{ΔΓ_s}^{μμγ}$ behaving like a ratio-of-amplitudes observable. Our study suggests that $A_{ΔΓ_s}^{μμγ}$ is -- especially at high $q^2$ -- a potentially valuable probe of short-distance CP-violating effects in the very same Wilson coefficients that are associated to current $b \to s$ discrepancies. Its discriminating power, however, relies on progress in form-factor uncertainties. Interestingly, high $q^2$ is the region where $B^0_s \to μ^{+} μ^{-} γ$ is already being accessed experimentally, and the region where form factors are more accessible through non-perturbative QCD methods.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Prospects for kaon physics at LHCb

Despite not being designed for it, the LHCb experiment has given world-leading contributions in kaon and hyperon physics. In this contribution I review the prospects for kaon physics at LHCb exploiting the already acquired data and the current and future Upgrade scenarios.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

Testing the HyperCP anomaly at LHCb: evidence for the $Σ^+ \to p μ^+ μ^-$ decay

A search for $Σ^+ \to p μ^+ μ^-$ decays with LHCb Run 1 data is presented, yielding an evidence for this decay and a measurement of a branching fraction compatible with the Standard Model. The HyperCP anomaly in the dimuon invariant mass distribution is not confirmed, and its branching fraction central value is excluded at 95\% CL. Prospects for the future of this measurement in LHCb are also presented.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

On the model dependence of measured Bs-meson branching fractions

The measurement of $B_s$-meson branching fractions is a fundamental tool to probe physics beyond the Standard Model. Every measurement of untagged time-integrated $B_s$-meson branching fractions is model-dependent due to the time dependence of the experimental efficiency and the large lifetime difference between the two $B_s$ mass eigenstates. In recent measurements, this effect is bundled in the systematics. We reappraise the potential numerical impact of this effect -- we find it to be close to 10% in real-life examples where new physics is a correction to dominantly Standard-Model dynamics. We therefore suggest that this model dependence be made explicit, i.e. that $B_s$ branching-fraction measurements be presented in a two-dimensional plane with the parameter that encodes the model dependence. We show that ignoring this effect can lead to over-constraining the couplings of new-physics models. In particular, we note that the effect also applies when setting upper limits on non-observed $B_s$ decay modes, such as those forbidden within the Standard Model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Search for new physics in $b \to q \ell \ell$ decays

Recent results obtained in experiments at the LHC in the field of rare $b$-hadron decays are reviewed in this contribution, with a focus on $b\to q\ell\ell$ processes. A general status is presented as well as recently completed measurements.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Bs to mu mu gamma from Bs to mu mu

The Bs to mu mu gamma decay offers sensitivity to a wider set of effective operators than its non-radiative counterpart Bs to mu mu, and a set that is interesting in the light of present-day discrepancies in flavour data. On the other hand, the direct measurement of the Bs to mu mu gamma decay poses challenges with respect to the Bs to mu mu one. We present a novel strategy to search for Bs to mu mu gamma decays in the very event sample selected for Bs to mu mu searches. The method consists in extracting the Bs to mu mu gamma spectrum as a "contamination" to the Bs to mu mu one, as the signal window for the latter is extended downward with respect to the peak region. We provide arguments for the actual practicability of the method already on Run-2 data of the LHC.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Evidence for the rare decay $Σ^+ \to p μ^+ μ^-$ at LHCb

A search for the rare decay $Σ^+ \to p μ^+ μ^-$ is performed using $pp$ collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s} = 7$ and $8$ TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3 fb^{-1}$. An excess of events is observed with respect to the background expectations with a signal significance of 4.0 standard deviations. No significant structure is observed in the dimuon invariant mass distribution.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Properties of frequentist confidence levels derivatives

In high energy physics, results from searches for new particles or rare processes are often reported using a modified frequentist approach, known as $\rm{CL_s}$ method. In this paper, we study the properties of the derivatives of $\rm{CL_s}$ and $\rm{CL_{s+b}}$ as signal strength estimators if the confidence levels are interpreted as credible intervals. Our approach allows obtaining best fit points and $χ^2$ functions which can be used for phenomenology studies. In addition, this approach can be used to incorporate $\rm{CL_s}$ results into Bayesian combinations.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2012

Rare charm decays: an experimental review

Indirect searches, and in particular rare decays, have proven to be a fruitful field to search for New Physics beyond the Standard Model. While the down-quark sector (B and K) have been studied in detail, less attention was devoted to charm decays due to the smaller expected values and higher theoretical uncertainties of their observables. Recently a renewed interest is growing in rare charm searches. In this article we review the current experimental status of searches for rare decays in charmed hadrons. While the Standard Model rates are yet to be reached, current experimental limits are already putting constraints on New Physics models.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2010

First minimum bias physics results at LHCb

We report on the first measurements of the LHCb experiment, as obtained from $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ TeV and 7 TeV recorded using a minimum bias trigger. In particular measurements of the absolute $K^0_S$ production cross section at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ TeV and of the $\barΛ/Λ$ ratio both at $\sqrt{s} = 0.9$ TeV and 7 TeV are discussed and preliminary results are presented.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2009

Production measurements at LHCb with the first data

We report on the perspective measurements of inclusive particle production in high-energy p-p collisions with data to be collected by the LHCb experiment at CERN's LHC. These include V0 and D meson production studies, which can be based on a minimum bias sample, as well as charmonia production studies, which need a muon-triggered samples. Using reconstructed $J/ψ\to μ^+ μ^-$ decays, both the prompt $J/ψ$ and $b\to J/ψ$ production cross-sections will be determined, in the forward pseudo-rapidity range of 2-5 covered by LHCb. Due to the large production rate, such analyses will be possible with very small integrated luminosities of the order of a few $\mathrm{pb}^{-1}$. Other charmonia related measurements will also be discussed, such as that of the $J/ψ$ polarization at production or of the production of some of the new X, Y and Z states.

hep-ex↗