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The mass of $^{109}$Ag isotope was measured with respect to $^{110}$Cd with the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique using the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap at the IGISOL facility. By combining this new result with the known spectroscopic information, the $Q_\beta$ value of $405(135)$ eV between the $6^+$ isomer of $^{110}$Ag and the $5^+_2$ state in $^{110}$Cd was determined. This is the lowest $Q_\beta$ for any allowed transition observed to date. The nuclear shell-model results were performed with the {\sc kshell} code employing the \textit{jj45pnb} interaction, and combined with the state-of-the-art atomic calculations. The theoretical partial half-life, $2.23^{+5.24}_{-1.28} \times 10^7$ years, and the resulting branching ratio, $3.07^{+4.16}_{-2.15} \times 10^{-8}$, combined with a viable production method, thermal-neutron capture on stable $^{109}$Ag, make $^{110}$Ag$^{m}$ as a promising candidate for future antineutrino mass measurement experiments., Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 1 additional figure and 3 tables in Supplemental material

In recent years, it has become possible to measure not only the magnitude of the electric ($G_E$) and magnetic ($G_M$) form factors of spin $\frac{1}{2}$ baryons, but also to measure the relative phases of those quantities in the timelike kinematic region. Aiming to interpret present $|G_E/G_M|$ data on hyperons of the baryon octet, as well as to predict future data, we present model calculations of that ratio for large invariant 4-momentum square $q^2$ in the timelike region ($q^2>0$). Without any further parameter fitting,we extend to the timelike region a covariant quark model previously developed to describe the kinematic spacelike region ($q^2 \le 0$) of the baryon octet form factors. The model takes into account both the effects of valence quarks and the excitations of the meson cloud which dresses the baryons. This application to the timelike region assumes an approximation based on unitarity and analyticity that is valid only in the large $q^2$ region. Using the recent data from BESIII we establish the regime of validity of this approximation. We report here that our results for the effective form factor (combination of $|G_E|$ and $|G_M|$) are in good agreement with the data already for $q^2$ values above 15 GeV$^2$. In addition, a more conservative onset of the validity of the approximation is provided by the newly available $|G_E/G_M|$ data which suggest that our predictions may be compared against data for $q^2 \ge $ 20 GeV$^2$. This is expected in the near future, when the range of the present measurements is expanded to the 20--50 GeV$^2$ region., Comment: Version accepted for publication at Phys. Lett. B. 11 pages, 5 figures + supplementary material

We study the axial-vector and the induced pseudoscalar form factors associated with the weak transitions between the octet baryon members in nuclear medium, using a covariant constituent quark model. We extend previous calculations of the axial transition form factors from the vacuum (free space) to the nuclear medium (symmetric nuclear matter). The extension of the model to the nuclear medium takes into account the modifications of the properties of hadrons in the medium (masses and coupling constants), as determined by the quark-meson coupling model. The axial-vector ($G_A$) and the induced pseudoscalar ($G_P$) form factors are evaluated for different values of the nuclear density $\rho$ in terms of the square transfer momentum $q^2= -Q^2$. We conclude that in general the $G_A$ and $G_P$ form factors are reduced in the nuclear medium. The reduction is stronger for light baryons and high densities. The medium modifications are milder for the heavier octet baryons, particularly at large $Q^2$. The calculations presented here can be used to estimate the cross sections of neutrino and antineutrino scattering with nucleus, and neutrino and antineutrino scattering with hyperons bound to a nucleus, as well as those in the cores of compact stars., Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures and 6 tables

A direct measurement of the ground-state-to-ground-state electron-capture decay $Q$ value of $^{95}$Tc has been performed utilizing the double Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. The $Q$ value was determined to be 1695.92(13) keV by taking advantage of the high resolving power of the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique to resolve the low-lying isomeric state of $^{95}$Tc (excitation energy of 38.910(40) keV) from the ground state. The mass excess of $^{95}$Tc was measured to be $-$86015.95(18) keV/c$^2$, exhibiting a precision of about 28 times higher and in agreement with the value from the newest Atomic Mass Evaluation (AME2020). Combined with the nuclear energy-level data for the decay-daughter $^{95}$Mo, two potential ultra-low $Q$-value transitions are identified for future long-term neutrino-mass determination experiments. The atomic self-consistent many-electron Dirac--Hartree--Fock--Slater method and the nuclear shell model have been used to predict the partial half-lives and energy-release distributions for the two transitions. The dominant correction terms related to those processes are considered, including the exchange and overlap corrections, and the shake-up and shake-off effects. The normalized distribution of the released energy in the electron-capture decay of $^{95}$Tc to excited states of $^{95}$Mo is compared to that of $^{163}$Ho currently being used for electron-neutrino-mass determination., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures

Quantum computing has existed in the theoretical realm for several decades. Recently, quantum computing has re-emerged as a promising technology to solve problems that a classical computer could take hundreds of years to solve. However, there are challenges and opportunities for academics and practitioners regarding software engineering practices for testing and debugging quantum programs. This paper presents a roadmap for addressing these challenges, pointing out the existing gaps in the literature and suggesting research directions. We discuss the limitations caused by noise, the no-cloning theorem, the lack of a standard architecture for quantum computers, among others. Regarding testing, we highlight gaps and opportunities related to transpilation, mutation analysis, input states with hybrid interfaces, program analysis, and coverage. For debugging, we present the current strategies, including classical techniques applied to quantum programs, quantum-specific assertions, and quantum-related bug patterns. We introduce a conceptual model to illustrate concepts regarding the testing and debugging of quantum programs and the relationship between them. Those concepts are used to identify and discuss research challenges to cope with quantum programs through 2030, focusing on the interfaces between classical and quantum computing and on creating testing and debugging techniques that take advantage of the unique quantum computing characteristics., Comment: Extending the paper submitted to FSE 2024 (SE2030. Software Engineering in 2030 Workshop)

The masses of $^{84}$Br, $^{105}$Mo, $^{115,119,121}$Pd, $^{122}$Ag, $^{127,129}$In, $^{132}$Sb and their respective isomeric states have been measured with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer using the phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique. The excitation energies of the isomeric states in $^{132}$Sb and $^{119}$Pd were experimentally determined for the first time, while for $^{84}$Br, $^{115}$Pd and $^{127,129}$In, the precision of the mass values was substantially improved. In $^{105}$Mo and $^{121}$Pd there were no signs of a long-lived isomeric state. The ground-state measurements of $^{119}$Pd and $^{122}$Ag indicated that both are significantly more bound than the literature values. For $^{122}$Ag, there was no indication of a proposed third long-lived state. The results for the $N=49$ nucleus $^{84}$Br and isomers close to doubly magic $^{132}$Sn have been compared to the shell-model and the microscopic quasiparticle-phonon model calculations., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures

In this paper, we propose a methodology for the analysis of questionnaire data along with its application on discovering insights from investor data motivated by a day trading competition. The questionnaire includes categorical questions, which are reduced to binary questions, 'yes' or 'no'. The methodology reduces dimensionality by grouping questions and participants with similar responses using clustering analysis. Rule discovery was performed by using a conversion rate metric. Innovative visual representations were proposed to validate the cluster analysis and the relation discovery between questions. When crossing with financial data, additional insights were revealed related to the recognized clusters., Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures

The first direct determination of the ground-state-to-ground-state ${\beta^{-}}$-decay $Q$-value of $^{77}$As to $^{77}$Se was performed by measuring their atomic mass difference utilizing the double Penning trap mass spectrometer, JYFLTRAP. The resulting $Q$-value is 684.463(70) keV, representing a remarkable 24-fold improvement in precision compared to the value reported in the most recent Atomic Mass Evaluation (AME2020). With the significant reduction of the uncertainty of the ground-state-to-ground-state $Q$-value and knowledge of the excitation energies in $^{77}$Se from $\gamma$-ray spectroscopy, the ground-state-to-excited-state $Q$-value of the transition $^{77}$As (3/2$^{-}$, ground state) $\rightarrow$ $^{77}$Se$^{*}$ (5/2$^{+}$, 680.1035(17) keV) was refined to be 4.360(70) keV. We confirm that this potential low $Q$-value ${\beta^{-}}$-decay transition for neutrino mass determination is energetically allowed at a confidence level of about 60$\sigma$. Nuclear shell-model calculations with two well-established effective Hamiltonians were used to estimate the partial half-life for the low $Q$-value transition. The half-life was found to be of the order of 10$^{9}$ years for this first-forbidden non-unique transition, which rules out this candidate a potential source for rare-event experiments searching for the electron antineutrino mass., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures

The $\gamma^\ast N \to N(1520)$ transition has a property that differs from the other low-lying nucleon resonance amplitudes: the magnitude of the transverse helicity amplitudes.The transition helicity amplitudes are defined in terms of square-transfer momentum $q^2$, or $Q^2=-q^2$. Near the photon point ($Q^2=0$) there is a significant difference in the magnitude of the transverse amplitudes: $A_{3/2}$ is very large and $A_{1/2}$ is very small. This atypical behavior contrasts with the relation between the amplitudes at the pseudothreshold [the limit where the nucleon and the $N(1520)$ are both at rest and $Q^2 <0$], where $A_{3/2} = A_{1/2}/\sqrt{3}$, and also in the large-$Q^2$ region, where theory and data suggest that $A_{3/2}$ is suppressed relative to $A_{1/2}$. In the present work, we look for the source of the suppression of the $A_{1/2}$ amplitude at $Q^2=0$. The result is easy to understand in first approximation, when we look into the relation between the transverse amplitudes and the elementary form factors, defined by a gauge-invariant parametrization of the $\gamma^\ast N \to N(1520)$ transition current, near $Q^2=0$. There is a partial cancellation between contributions of two elementary form factors near $Q^2=0$. We conclude, however, that the correlation between the two elementary form factors at $Q^2=0$ is not sufficient to explain the transverse amplitude data below $Q^2 = 1$ GeV$^2$. The description of the dependence of the transverse amplitudes on $Q^2$ requires the determination of the scale of variation of the elementary form factors in the range $Q^2=0$...0.5 GeV$^2$,a region with almost non existent data. We conclude at the end that the low-$Q^2$ data for the transverse amplitudes can be well described when we relate the scale of variation of the elementary form factors with the nucleon dipole form factor., Comment: Published at Phys. Rev. D. 11 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. Minor extension

In the present paper we treat the second-forbidden non-unique (2nd-nu) ground-state-to-ground-state $\beta^-$ decay $^{99}\textrm{Tc}(9/2^+)\to\,^{99}\textrm{Ru}(5/2^+)$, with a 100$\%$ branching ratio, within the framework of the nuclear shell model (NSM). The energy spectrum of the electrons emitted in this $\beta$-decay transition ($\beta$-electron spectrum) is sensitive to the wave functions of the involved initial ($9/2^+$) and final ($5/2^+$) nuclear ground states through the many involved nuclear matrix elements (NME). The $\beta$-electron spectrum of this transition is potentially indicative of the effective value, $g_{\rm A}^{\rm eff}$, of the weak axial coupling, $g_{\rm A}$, of crucial importance for extraction of information on beyond-the-standard-model physics from the results of the present and future rare-events experiments. We describe the $\beta$ spectral shape of this decay by using a state-of-the-art $\beta$-decay formalism and compute the many involved NME using the well established NSM Hamiltonians $jj45pnb$ and $glekpn$. We have found a strong dependence of the $\beta$ spectral shape on the value of $g_{\rm A}$ making it a good candidate for determination of the value of $g_{\rm A}^{\rm eff}$ through comparison with the corresponding experimental $\beta$ spectral shape. We have also found an interesting dependence of the $\beta$ spectral shape on the value of the so-called small relativistic vector NME, sNME, used to match the computed half-life with the measured one., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. Submitted to MAYORANA (2023) conference proceedings

Recent years have witnessed an expanding interest in experimental studies of $\beta$ electrons (electrons emitted in $\beta^-$ decay transitions) and their energy distributions, the so-called $\beta$-electron spectra. These experiments are interested mainly in $\beta$ transitions with electron spectra sensitive to the effective value of the weak axial coupling $g_{\rm A}$. In the present paper we make an extensive search for $g_{\rm A}$ sensitive $\beta$ spectral shapes in the $A=86-99$ region using the nuclear shell model with the well established Hamiltonians $\textit{glekpn}$ and $\textit{jj45pnb}$, designed to render a good description of the spectroscopic properties of nuclei in this mass region. We have found eight $\beta^-$ decay transitions with various degrees of $g_{\rm A}$ sensitivity. Moreover, these transitions are also important in pinning down the value of the so-called small relativistic vector nuclear matrix element, sNME. In addition, some of the corresponding mother nuclei are important contributors to the antineutrino flux from nuclear reactors. All this means that the found $\beta$ transitions are potentially of great interest for future rare-events experiments., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures

With the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, an increasing number of individuals and organizations have begun exploring its potential to enhance productivity and improve product quality across various sectors. The field of education is no exception. However, it is vital to notice that artificial intelligence adoption in education dates back to the 1960s. In light of this historical context, this white paper serves as the inaugural piece in a four-part series that elucidates the role of AI in education. The series delves into topics such as its potential, successful applications, limitations, ethical considerations, and future trends. This initial article provides a comprehensive overview of the field, highlighting the recent developments within the generative artificial intelligence sphere.

We study the role of the meson cloud on the electromagnetic transitions from decuplet ($B'$) to octet ($B$) baryons in terms of the squared four-momentum transfer $q^2$. In the quark model framework, the meson cloud dressing of the quark cores gives important contributions to the $\gamma^\ast N \to \Delta(1232)$ transition form factors. In the present work, we estimate the meson cloud contributions of all decuplet to octet baryon transitions ($\gamma^\ast B \to B'$ or $B' \to \gamma^\ast B$). Models that combine valence quark effects with pion and kaon cloud dressing provide a fair description of the radiative decays of decuplet to octet baryons, namely the $\Sigma^0(1385) \to \gamma \Lambda (1116)$ and $\Sigma^+(1385) \to \gamma \Sigma^+ (1193)$ decays. Previous studies indicated the relevance of the pion cloud effects on the $B^\prime \to \gamma^\ast B$ transition, but also suggested that the kaon cloud contributions may be important in the timelike region. We combine then the contributions of the bare core, estimated by a covariant quark model, with $q^2$-dependent contributions of pion and kaon clouds. We use the framework to calculate the Dalitz decay rates and the Dalitz decay widths of decuplet baryons in octet baryons with di-electrons ($B' \to e^+ e^- B$) or di-muons ($B' \to \mu^+ \mu^- B$). We conclude, based on the magnitude of our results, that most estimates of the $B' \to e^+ e^- B$ Dalitz decay widths may be tested at HADES and PANDA (GSI) in a near future. We discuss also the possibility of measuring the $\Delta (1232) \to \mu^+ \mu^- N$ and $\Sigma^0 (1385) \to \mu^+ \mu^- \Lambda (1116)$ decay widths in some facilities, based on the estimated branching ratios., Comment: Published at Phys. Rev. D. 28 pages, 8 figures, 11 tables. More compacted version. Appendix removed. Updated bibliography

The dynamic vehicle dispatching problem corresponds to deciding which vehicles to assign to requests that arise stochastically over time and space. It emerges in diverse areas, such as in the assignment of trucks to loads to be transported; in emergency systems; and in ride-hailing services. In this paper, we model the problem as a semi-Markov decision process, which allows us to treat time as continuous. In this setting, decision epochs coincide with discrete events whose time intervals are random. We argue that an event-based approach substantially reduces the combinatorial complexity of the decision space and overcomes other limitations of discrete-time models often proposed in the literature. In order to test our approach, we develop a new discrete-event simulator and use double deep q-learning to train our decision agents. Numerical experiments are carried out in realistic scenarios using data from New York City. We compare the policies obtained through our approach with heuristic policies often used in practice. Results show that our policies exhibit better average waiting times, cancellation rates and total service times, with reduction in average waiting times of up to 50% relative to the other tested heuristic policies., Comment: 42 pages, 22 figures