Computing Matveev's complexity via crystallization theory: the boundary case

The notion of Gem-Matveev complexity has been introduced within crystallization theory, as a combinatorial method to estimate Matveev's complexity of closed 3-manifolds; it yielded upper bounds for interesting classes of such manifolds. In this paper we extend the definition to the case of non-empty boundary and prove that for each compact irreducible and boundary-irreducible 3-manifold it coincides with the modified Heegaard complexity introduced by Cattabriga, Mulazzani and Vesnin. Moreover, via Gem-Matveev complexity, we obtain an estimation of Matveev's complexity for all Seifert 3-manifolds with base $\mathbb D^2$ and two exceptional fibers and, therefore, for all torus knot complements.Comment: 27 pages, 14 figure

Calculating the 3D magnetic field of ITER for European TBM studies

The magnetic perturbation due to the ferromagnetic test blanket modules (TBMs) may deteriorate fast ion confinement in ITER. This effect must be quantified by numerical studies in 3D. We have implemented a combined finite element method (FEM) -- Biot-Savart law integrator method (BSLIM) to calculate the ITER 3D magnetic field and vector potential in detail. Unavoidable geometry simplifications changed the mass of the TBMs and ferritic inserts (FIs) up to 26%. This has been compensated for by modifying the nonlinear ferromagnetic material properties accordingly. Despite the simplifications, the computation geometry and the calculated fields are highly detailed. The combination of careful FEM mesh design and using BSLIM enables the use of the fields unsmoothed for particle orbit-following simulations. The magnetic field was found to agree with earlier calculations and revealed finer details. The vector potential is intended to serve as input for plasma shielding calculations.Comment: In proceedings of the 28th Symposium on Fusion Technolog

Avaliação de protocolos para extração de DNA de Larvas individuais de helmintos.

A genotipagem de helmintos, parasitas do trato gastrintestinal de ruminantes, permite o conhecimento de polimorfismos moleculares relacionados a características adaptativas, dentre as quais se destaca a resistência a produtos anti-helmínticos. Uma vez que a determinação da freqüência gênica e da freqüência aléIica para os polimorfismos de interesse requer a avaliação individual dos helmintos, dificuldades técnicas têm sido encontradas para a recuperação de quantidade suficiente de DNA a partir de larvas para a aplicação de técnicas moleculares. Dessa maneira, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar diferentes protocolos para a extração de DNA de larvas individuais de helmintos Haemonchus contortus e Trichostrongylus colubriformis no estádio L3. Após cultura de fezes de ovinos, por sete dias, as larvas de helmintos foram recuperadas e destinadas á extração de DNA

Resonant electron heating and molecular phonon cooling in single C60_{60} junctions

We study heating and heat dissipation of a single \c60 molecule in the junction of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) by measuring the electron current required to thermally decompose the fullerene cage. The power for decomposition varies with electron energy and reflects the molecular resonance structure. When the STM tip contacts the fullerene the molecule can sustain much larger currents. Transport simulations explain these effects by molecular heating due to resonant electron-phonon coupling and molecular cooling by vibrational decay into the tip upon contact formation.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev. Let

Exploring the properties of the phases of QCD matter - research opportunities and priorities for the next decade

This document provides a summary of the discussions during the recent joint QCD Town Meeting at Temple University of the status of and future plans for the research program of the relativistic heavy-ion community. A list of compelling questions is formulated, and a number of recommendations outlining the greatest research opportunities and detailing the research priorities of the heavy-ion community, voted on and unanimously approved at the Town Meeting, are presented. They are supported by a broad discussion of the underlying physics and its relation to other subfields. Areas of overlapping interests with the "QCD and Hadron Structure" ("cold QCD") subcommunity, in particular the recommendation for the future construction of an Electron-Ion Collider, are emphasized. The agenda of activities of the "hot QCD" subcommunity at the Town Meeting is attached.Comment: 34 pages of text, 254 references,16 figure

Astrophysical S factor for the radiative capture 12N(p,gamma)13O determined from the 14N(12N,13O)13C proton transfer reaction

The cross section of the radiative proton capture reaction on the drip line nucleus 12N was investigated using the Asymptotic Normalization Coefficient (ANC) method. We have used the 14N(12N,13O)13C proton transfer reaction at 12 MeV/nucleon to extract the ANC for 13O -> 12N + p and calculate from it the direct component of the astrophysical S factor of the 12N(p,gamma)13O reaction. The optical potentials used and the DWBA analysis of the proton transfer reaction are discussed. For the entrance channel, the optical potential was inferred from an elastic scattering measurement carried out at the same time with the transfer measurement. From the transfer, we determined the square of the ANC, C^2(13Og.s.) = 2.53 +/- 0.30 fm-1, and hence a value of 0.33(4) keVb was obtained for the direct astrophysical S factor at zero energy. Constructive interference at low energies between the direct and resonant captures leads to an enhancement of Stotal(0) = 0.42(5) keVb. The 12N(p,gamma)13O reaction was investigated in relation to the evolution of hydrogen-rich massive Population III stars, for the role that it may play in the hot pp-chain nuclear burning processes, possibly occurring in such objects.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, 3 tables submitted to Phys. Rev.

Towards detection of early response in neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer using Bayesian intravoxel incoherent motion

Copyright \ua9 2023 Cheung, Wu, Senn, Sharma, McGoldrick, Gagliardi, Husain, Masannat and He. Introduction: The early identification of good responders to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) holds a significant potential in the optimal treatment of breast cancer. A recent Bayesian approach has been postulated to improve the accuracy of the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model for clinical translation. This study examined the prediction and early sensitivity of Bayesian IVIM to NACT response. Materials and methods: Seventeen female patients with breast cancer were scanned at baseline and 16 patients were scanned after Cycle 1. Tissue diffusion and perfusion from Bayesian IVIM were calculated at baseline with percentage change at Cycle 1 computed with reference to baseline. Cellular proliferative activity marker Ki-67 was obtained semi-quantitatively with percentage change at excision computed with reference to core biopsy. Results: The perfusion fraction showed a significant difference (p = 0.042) in percentage change between responder groups at Cycle 1, with a decrease in good responders [−7.98% (−19.47–1.73), n = 7] and an increase in poor responders [10.04% (5.09–28.93), n = 9]. There was a significant correlation between percentage change in perfusion fraction and percentage change in Ki-67 (p = 0.042). Tissue diffusion and pseudodiffusion showed no significant difference in percentage change between groups at Cycle 1, nor was there a significant correlation against percentage change in Ki-67. Perfusion fraction, tissue diffusion, and pseudodiffusion showed no significant difference between groups at baseline, nor was there a significant correlation against Ki-67 from core biopsy. Conclusion: The alteration in tumour perfusion fraction from the Bayesian IVIM model, in association with cellular proliferation, showed early sensitivity to good responders in NACT. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03501394, identifier NCT03501394

How unique is the Asymptotic Normalisation Coefficient (ANC) method?

The asymptotic normalisation coefficients (ANC) for the vertex $^{10}$B $\to$ $^9$Be + p is deduced from a set of different proton transfer reactions at different energies. This set should ensure the peripheral character of the reaction and availability of data for the elastic channels. The problems associated with the characteristics of the data and the analysis are discussed. For a subgroup of the set of available data, the uniqueness property of the extracted ANC is fulfilled. However, more measurements are needed before a definite conclusion can be drawn.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, to be published in Phys Rev