Behavior of physical observables in the vicinity of the QCD critical end point

Using the SU(3) Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model, we study the chiral phase transition at finite $T$ and $\mu_B$. Special attention is given to the QCD critical end point (CEP): the study of physical quantities, as the pressure, the entropy, the baryon number susceptibility and the specific heat near the CEP, will provide complementary information concerning the order of the phase transition. We also analyze the information provided by the study of the critical exponents around the CEP.Comment: Talk given at Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum VII, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, 2-7 Sep 200

Quantum Applications In Political Science

Undergraduate Research ScholarshipThis paper will show the current state of quantum computation and its application as a political science research method. It will look at contemporary empirical literature to assess the current state of the method in both political science and computer science. Then, by assessing the state of quantum computation, this paper will make predictions concerning quantum computation as a research tool and also assess its capability as a catalyst for international diplomacy and discourse. Quantum computation is an emerging technology with increasing scientific attention. This paper will use IBM’s quantum computer, accessed through the cloud, to model and execute quantum algorithms that show the utility for political science research. Furthermore, through the base mathematics of common quantum algorithms, this paper will show how these algorithms can be expanded. This paper finds that quantum computation is a valuable tool with remarkable potential. However, quantum computing has its limitations and currently resides in an important juncture that will decide whether technology involving it will be resigned as a niche theoretical tool or be continued to be developed into a mainstream technology.No embargoAcademic Major: World Politic

Influence of the vector interaction and an external magnetic field on the isentropes near the chiral critical end point

The location of the critical end point (CEP) and the isentropic trajectories in the QCD phase diagram are investigated. We use the (2+1) Nambu$-$Jona-Lasinio model with the Polyakov loop coupling for different scenarios, namely by imposing zero strange quark density, which is the case in the ultra relativistic heavy-ion collisions, and $\beta$-equilibrium. The influence of strong magnetic fields and of the vector interaction on the isentropic trajectories around the CEP is discussed. It is shown that the vector interaction and the magnetic field, having opposite effects on the first-order transition, affect the isentropic trajectories differently: as the vector interaction increases, the first-order transition becomes weaker and the isentropes become smoother; when a strong magnetic field is considered, the first-order transition is strengthened and the isentropes are pushed to higher temperatures. No focusing of isentropes in region towards the CEP is seen.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures; PRD versio

On the Potential of the Excluded Volume and Auto-Correlation as Neuromorphometric Descriptors

This work investigates at what degree two neuromorphometric measurements, namely the autocorrelation and the excluded volume of a neuronal cell can influence the characterization and classification of such a type of cells. While the autocorrelation function presents good potential for quantifying the dendrite-dendrite connectivity of cells in mosaic tilings, the excluded volume, i.e. the amount of the surround space which is geometrically not accessible to an axon or dendrite, provides a complementary characterization of the cell connectivity. The potential of such approaches is illustrated with respect to real neuronal cells.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure