Abstract: Three different correction factors for measurements with the parallel-plate ionization chamber PTW T34013 on the Esteya electronic brachytherapy unit have been investigated. This chamber type is recommended by AAPM TG-253 for depth-dose measurements in the 69.5 kV x-ray beam generated by the Esteya unit. Monte Carlo simulations using the PENELOPE-2018 system were performed to determine the absorbed dose deposited in water and in the chamber sensitive volume at different depths with a Type A uncertainty smaller than 0.1%. Chamber-to-chamber differences have been explored performing measurements using three different chambers. The range of conical applicators available, from 10 to 30 mm in diameter, has been explored. Using a depth-independent global chamber perturbation correction factor without a shift of the effective point of measurement yielded differences between the absorbed dose to water and the corrected absorbed dose in the sensitive volume of the chamber of up to 1% and 0.6% for the 10 mm and 30 mm applicators, respectively. Calculations using a depth-dependent perturbation factor, including or excluding a shift of the effective point of measurement, resulted in depth-dose differences of about +/- 0.5% or less for both applicators. The smallest depth-dose differences were obtained when a shift of the effective point of measurement was implemented, being displaced 0.4 mm towards the center of the sensitive volume of the chamber. The correction factors were obtained with combined uncertainties of 0.4% (k = 2). Uncertainties due to chamber-to-chamber differences are found to be lower than 2%. The results emphasize the relevance of carrying out detailed Monte Carlo studies for each electronic brachytherapy device and ionization chamber used for its dosimetry.

Abstract: The paradigm for compartment models in epidemiology assumes exponentially distributed incubation and removal times, which is not realistic in actual populations. Commonly used variations with multiple exponentially distributed variables are more flexible, yet do not allow for arbitrary distributions. We present a new formulation, focussing on the SEIR concept that allows to include general distributions of incubation and removal times. We compare the solution to two types of agent-based model simulations, a spatially homogeneous one where infection occurs by proximity, and a model on a scale-free network with varying clustering properties, where the infection between any two agents occurs via their link if it exists. We find good agreement in both cases. Furthermore a family of asymptotic solutions of the equations is found in terms of a logistic curve, which after a non-universal time shift, fits extremely well all the microdynamical simulations. The formulation allows for a simple numerical approach; software in Julia and Python is provided.

Abstract: A search for the lepton-flavor violating decays B+ -> K+ mu(+/-)e(-/+) is performed using a sample of proton-proton collision data, collected with the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1). No significant signal is observed, and upper limits on the branching fractions are set as B(B+ -> K+ mu(+/-)e(+)) < 7.0(95) x 10(-9) and B(B+ -> K+ mu(+/- )e(-)) < 6.4(8.8) x 10(-9) at 90% (95)% confidence level. The results improve the current best limits on these decays by more than one order of magnitude.

Abstract: We determine the gravitational interaction between two compact bodies up to the sixth power in Newton's constant, G(N), in the static limit. This result is achieved within the effective field theory approach to general relativity, and exploits a manifest factorization property of static diagrams which allows us to derive static post Newtonian (PN) contributions of (2n + 1) order in terms of lower order ones. We recompute in this fashion the 1PN and 3PN static potential, and present the novel 5PN contribution.

Abstract: The production of charged hadrons within jets recoiling against a Z boson is measured in proton-proton collision data at root s = 8 TeV recorded by the LHCb experiment. The charged-hadron structure of the jet is studied longitudinally and transverse to the jet axis for jets with transverse momentum p(T) > 20 GeV and in the pseudorapidity range 2.5 < eta< 4. These are the first measurements of jet hadronization at these forward rapidities and also the first where the jet is produced in association with a Z boson. In contrast to previous hadronization measurements at the Large Hadron Collider, which are dominated by gluon jets, these measurements probe predominantly light-quark jets which are found to be more longitudinally and transversely collimated with respect to the jet axis when compared to the previous gluon dominated measurements. Therefore, these results provide valuable information on differences between quarks and gluons regarding nonperturbative hadronization dynamics.