The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will enable a series of measurements at unprecedented energies and luminosities, providing new opportunities to investigate the microscopic structure of nucleons and nuclei at small $x_B$. Exclusive processes such as Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) offer unique access to the three-dimensional structure of hadrons through Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs), while polarized electron and ion beams further enable detailed studies of spin-dependent structure. A model for coherent DVCS on polarized $^3$Heis developed and applied to simulations of for $9\times166$-GeV $e^3$He collisions at the EIC. Using this framework, the statistical precision achievable is estimated for measurements of beam-spin asymmetries and for the extraction of the Compton Form Factors (CFFs) $\mathcal H_{^3\mathrm{He}}$ and $\tilde{\mathcal H}_{^3\mathrm{He}}$. Early EIC data are found to enable precise differential measurements of the unpolarized CFF $\mathcal H_{^3\mathrm{He}}$ and to provide significant constraints on its real and imaginary components. By contrast, meaningful constraints on the polarized CFF $\tilde{\mathcal H}_{^3\mathrm{He}}$ require substantially larger integrated luminosities. The kinematics of the recoil $^3$He nucleus are also examined, and the far-forward detector capabilities at the EIC required to tag the intact nucleus and perform fully exclusive measurements of coherent nuclear DVCS are discussed.

The quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is a deconfined state of strongly interacting matter formed at extreme temperature and energy density in ultra-relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions at RHIC and the LHC. High transverse momentum jets, produced in initial hard scatterings, traverse the QGP and lose energy via elastic and radiative processes, an effect known as jet quenching. The nuclear modification factor, $R_{\mathrm{AA}}$, defined as the ratio of the Pb+Pb jet yield to the $pp$ cross section scaled by the nuclear thickness function, is widely used to quantify jet quenching. However, its value depends strongly on both the $pp$ jet spectral shape and the strength of the quenching, complicating comparisons across jet selections. The fractional energy loss, $S_{\text{loss}}$, quantifying the average medium-induced momentum shift of jets, is designed to mitigate this dependence. In central Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=5.02~\mathrm{TeV}$, we compile and compare published ATLAS and ALICE measurements of jet suppression for inclusive single-jet and dijet selections across multiple jet radii, considering (i) the ratio of the nuclear modification factor at a given radius to that at a reference radius of 0.2, and (ii) the fractional energy loss. The radius dependence of this ratio differs between single-jet and dijet measurements, and between ATLAS calorimeter jets and ALICE charged-particle jets, reflecting differences in kinematic event selections and jet constituents. Expressing the results in terms of $S_{\text{loss}}$ allows direct, radius-differential comparisons across experiments with reduced sensitivity to the $pp$ spectral slope. Combining these approaches enables constraints on the radius dependence of jet modification that account for selection biases, and facilitates cross-experiment benchmarking of jet quenching models.

We investigate $J/\psi$ photoproduction off the proton, $\gamma p \to J/\psi p$, to elucidate the nonexistence of hidden-charm pentaquark signals reported by the GlueX and CLAS12 experiments. Within a coupled-channel rescattering mechanism, we employ the transition amplitudes from a previous coupled-channel analysis that dynamically generates the $P_{c\bar{c}}$ states. The kernel amplitudes for the transition to the $J/\psi N$ channel include both $t$-channel heavy-meson exchange and $u$-channel heavy-baryon exchange. We find that the rescattering contributions from the $\bar{D}^{(*)}\Sigma_c$ channels -- indispensable for the formation of the $P_{c\bar{c}}$ resonances -- are about one order of magnitude smaller than those from $\bar{D}^{(*)}\Lambda_c$, since $g_{\bar{D}^{(*)}N\Sigma_c}$ is roughly five times smaller than $g_{\bar{D}^{(*)}N\Lambda_c}$. Since the $P_{c\bar{c}}$ resonances couple to the $J/\psi N$ channel predominantly through the $\bar{D}^{(*)}\Sigma_c$ intermediate states, their suppression prevents the pentaquark signal from appearing in photoproduction. With only a single parameter controlling the overall normalization, the present work describes the GlueX and CLAS12 cross sections well. These results suggest that the null result from photoproduction need not be in conflict with the pentaquark signals observed by the LHCb Collaboration.

The Schiff moment of a nucleus is a symmetry-violating nuclear moment that indicates new physics beyond the Standard Model. We place the limit, $|\mathscr{S}({}^{153}$Eu)$| < 1.7 \times 10^{-8}$ $e\,$fm$^3$ (95\% confidence), on the Schiff moment of the $^{153}$Eu nucleus, using nuclear spin resonances in two ensembles of oppositely-polarized $^{153}$Eu$^{3+}$ ions in a Y${}_2$SiO${}_5$ crystal. This measurement using octupolar nuclei in a mm-scale crystal constrains new physics at the TeV energy-scale.

In this review, we discuss the most recent developments and applications of the Subtracted Second RPA (SSRPA), an extension of the Second RPA (SRPA), which overcomes its pathological issues encountered within the Energy Density Functional theory. After recalling the formal properties of the SRPA and SSRPA, the anomalous behavior of SRPA is shown and discussed by presenting several applications with different kinds of nuclear interactions. The most recent pathology-free SSRPA studies are then presented both for charge-conserving and charge-exchange nuclear excitations. The comparison with experimental data is presented to assess and quantify the improvement introduced by the SSRPA with respect to the RPA and SRPA. The impact of beyond-mean-field correlations induced in SSRPA is also qualitatively estimated in connection with the modeling of the nuclear equation of state. We conclude by discussing the future perspectives of the SSRPA, focusing on its potential connections with some current experimental challenges and outlining necessary theoretical extensions and numerical developments.

Contemporary theoretical descriptions of nuclear structure rely mainly on microscopic, single-particle frameworks often in competition with collective degrees of freedom, especially when deformation plays a dominant role. Such phenomena are prominent in the rare-earth region, where rotational band structures and enhanced electric quadrupole transitions are systematically examined. The Confined beta-Soft (CBS) rotor model, introduced by N. Pietralla and O.M. Gorbachenko, bridges the gap between the X(5) critical point and the rigid-rotor limit in the region where the R_4/2 = E(4+)/E(2+) ratio lies between 2.904 and 3.333. In the present work, the CBS framework is employed to calculate ground-state band energies, associated B(E2) transition rates, and beta-band excitations of even-even nuclei in the rare-earth region. The theoretical results are systematically compared with available experimental data, and predictions are provided for nuclear observables that have not yet been measured, offering guidance for future experimental investigations.

Background: Lithium is of broad interest in nuclear astrophysics, fusion energy research, and nuclear technology. From a theoretical perspective, the nucleus $^7$Li presents a remarkable challenge, as its bound and resonant states can exhibit contributions from both the $^4$He + $^3$H cluster configuration and configurations involving a neutron or proton coupled to a $^6$Li or $^6$He core, respectively. Purpose: We aim to achieve a unified ab initio description of bound-state and continuum properties of $^7$Li by explicitly including simultaneously the coupled mass/charge partitions $^4$He + $^3$H, $^6$Li + $n$, and $^6$He + $p$. Specifically, we investigate the effect of inter-partition coupling on the spectrum of $^7$Li and calculate cross sections for the $^6$Li($n,p)^6$He, $^6$He($p,n)^6$Li, and $^6$He($p,t)^4$He reactions. Method: We employ the no-core shell model with continuum for the first time in a calculation that couples three mass/charge partitions of the aggregate nucleus $^7$Li, using a chiral nucleon-nucleon interaction as input. Results: The calculated spectrum reproduces all the experimentally observed states of $^7$Li in the correct order and predicts additional resonances. The calculation also reproduces the overall energy dependence of the $^6$Li$(n,p)^6$He cross section. Improved agreement with measured cross sections is obtained after phenomenological adjustment of resonance energies. Conclusions: The present results show that coupling the relevant mass/charge partitions is important for a consistent description of the $^7$Li spectrum and reaction cross sections, and offers a useful framework for interpreting existing data and guiding future measurements.

Measurements of SIDIS multiplicities for $\pi^+$ and $\pi^-$ from proton and deuteron targets are reported on a grid of hadron kinematic variables $z$, $P_{T}$, and $\phi^{*}$ for leptonic kinematic variables in the range $0.3<x<0.6$ and $3<Q^2<5$ GeV$^2$. Data were acquired in 2018-2019 at Jefferson Lab Hall C with a 10.6~GeV electron beam impinging on 10-cm-long liquid hydrogen and deuterium targets. Scattered electrons and charged pions were detected in the HMS and SHMS spectrometers, respectively. The multiplicities were fitted for each bin in $(x,~Q^2,~z,~P_{t})$ to extract the $\phi^{*}$ independent $M_0$ and the azimuthal modulations $\langle \cos(\phi^{*}) \rangle$ and $\langle \cos(2\phi^{*}) \rangle$. The $P_t$-dependence of the $M_0$ results was found to be remarkably consistent for the four cases studied: $ep\rightarrow e \pi^+ X$, $ep\rightarrow e \pi^- X$, $ed\rightarrow e \pi^+ X$, $ed\rightarrow e \pi^- X$ over the range $0<P_t<0.4$ GeV, as were the multiplicities evaluated near $\phi^* = 180^\circ$ over the extended range $0<P_t<0.7$ GeV. The Gaussian widths of the $P_t$-dependence exhibit a quadratic increase with $z$. The $\cos(\phi^{*})$ modulations were found to be consistent with zero for $\pi^+$, in agreement with previous world data, while the $\pi^-$ moments were, in many cases, significantly greater than zero. The $\cos(2\phi^{*})$ modulations were found to be consistent with zero. The higher statistical precision of this dataset compared to previously published data should allow improved determinations of quark transverse momentum distributions and higher twist contributions.

We present a novel method for accurately measuring the absolute electric quadrupole moments of light transition elements $(23 \leq Z \leq 30 )$. Our approach is based on performing precision muonic x-ray spectroscopy of the $2s-2p$ manifold, which is also referred to as the Lamb shift. These transitions are too weak to be detected with dispersive methods and too overlapping to be resolved by solid-state detectors. Here, we propose the use of cryogenic microcalorimeters, which possess high efficiency and excellent energy resolution in the relevant energy regime, coupled with state-of-the-art theoretical calculations. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by performing extensive calculations and realistic simulations. In this way, we establish that the uncertainty in the absolute moment, which is transferred to the quadrupole moments of all isotopes in the chain, could be reduced by up to an order of magnitude within a day of measurement. These precise reference quadrupole moments serve as valuable inputs for nuclear structure studies and for benchmarking state-of-the-art quantum chemistry calculations in open-shell elements.

Directly probing light-quark Yukawa couplings and their flavor structure remains a major challenge due to their smallness and overwhelming QCD backgrounds. In this Letter, we propose a theoretical framework to access these couplings at lepton colliders through transverse spin dependent azimuthal modulations in dihadron fragmentation. These modulations arise from the interference between Higgs mediated and standard model amplitudes in $e^-e^+\to q\bar{q}Z$, producing angular structures that are linearly sensitive to the Yukawa couplings $y_q$, in contrast to conventional observables that scale as $y_q^2$. By combining channels with an identified accompanying single hadron, $h^\prime=\pi^\pm,K^\pm$, and $p/\bar{p}$, this approach cleanly disentangles the up- and down-quark Yukawa contributions, yielding typical limits at the $\mathcal{O}(10^{-4}\sim 10^{-3})$ level and establishing fragmentation dynamics as a novel and complementary probe of the Higgs flavor structure.

Recently, new quark mass dependent three-nucleon (3N) forces have been identified, whose contributions in nuclear matter exceed expectations of Weinberg power-counting arguments. In this work, we investigate the impact of the most dominant new interaction term, characterized by the coupling $F_2$, in ab initio calculations of medium-mass nuclei. For this, we combine the new $F_2$ interaction with established 3N interactions up to next-to-next-to-leading order (N$^2$LO) and next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N$^3$LO) in chiral effective field theory. We explore two fit strategies for the low-energy couplings. The first is based only on few-body observables, while the second also incorporates information from $^{16}$O. Generally, we find that the $F_2$ interaction has a significant impact on energies and radii, however mainly due to changes in the short-range couplings. Overall, we do not find systematic improvements in the reproduction of medium-mass nuclei when the additional $F_2$ interaction is included.

We introduce a no-reaction-plane (no-RP) method for extracting directed (\(v_1\)) and elliptic (\(v_2\)) flows in heavy-ion collisions, which eliminates the need for event-plane reconstruction. %by scanning over fixed test angles and using simple count asymmetries. The method is validated with PHSD model simulations of Au+Au collisions at \(\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 9.2\) GeV at freeze-out (for impact parameters \(b = 4-8\) fm). We demonstrate that the two asymmetries for each harmonic contribute equally, i.e., \(\langle A_{\mathrm{ud}}^2\rangle \approx \langle A_{\mathrm{lr}}^2\rangle\) and \(\langle A_1^2\rangle \approx \langle A_2^2\rangle\), so that a single asymmetry measurement suffices for a good flow estimate. Event-by-event comparisons with direct calculations using the true reaction plane yield Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.956 for \(v_2\) and 0.834 for \(v_1\), confirming that the no-RP method captures flow fluctuations well enough.

A method for selecting and/or rejecting leptons from charm semileptonic decays based on the tagging of the secondary vertex using a hadron track is introduced. The method is developed for dimuon Drell-Yan measurements in LHCb using full simulations in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13.6$ TeV. We focus on the invariant mass range between 2.9 and 5 GeV/$c^2$ with single muon transverse momentum larger than 1 GeV/$c$. A novel strategy is detailed for background rejection, achieving an improvement of the signal over background of a factor $\sim 4$ at an efficiency of 81% while maintaining the Drell-Yan kinematic distributions largely unbiased except at the acceptance edges. Moreover, a second approach is presented for the construction of unbiased background-pure samples of single muons from charm decays, achieving a charm efficiency of 21.4% at a Drell-Yan efficiency of 1.1%.

The structure of the ground $(2^+)$ and excited $(1^+)$ bound states of the $^8$B and $^8$Li nuclei is studied within the framework of the $\alpha+^3$He($^3$H)+$p(n)$ three-body potential cluster model based on the hyperspherical Lagrange-mesh method. The two-body realistic potentials have been applied from the literature. Convergent theoretical estimates for the three-body binding energy and matter radius have been obtained with the maximal hypermomentum $K_{max}=22$ and 28 for the ground and excited $1^+$ states, respectively. The ANC value of the virtual transition of the $^8$B nucleus is estimated self-consistently by matching the overlap integral of the $^8$B three-body and the $^7$Be two-body wave functions with it's asymptotics. The obtained values are $0.211$~fm$^{-1/2}$ and $0.739$~fm$^{-1/2}$ in the spin 1 and spin 2 channels, respectively. For the ANC values of the $^8$Li nucleus the estimates $0.220$~fm$^{-1/2}$ and $0.774$~fm$^{-1/2}$ are extracted. The ratio $C^2(^8 {\rm B})/C^2(^8 {\rm Li})=0.912$ implies a breaking of the mirror symmetry of the strong nuclear forces of order 27\% due to the Coulomb interaction and the dynamical three-body effects. For the $S_{17}(0)$ -factor an estimate $22.492\pm0.014$ eV b was obtained based on the asymptotic theory developed by D. Baye [Phys. Rev. C {\bf 62},065803 (2000)]. The spin 2 channel contributes with $S^{(2)}_{17}(0)=20.838 \pm 0.014$ eV b, while the spin 1 channel yields $S^{(1)}_{17}(0)=1.654 \pm 0.003$ eV b. These results for $S_{17}(0)$ are in a good agreement with the estimate $20.8\pm0.7{\rm(th)}\pm1.4{\rm(exp)}$ eV b of the SF II, but larger than the recommended value $20.5\pm0.70$ eV b of the SF III. At the same time, our estimate is very close to the value 22.4 eV b used in the most successful Solar Model BAR2M [W.~Yang and Z.~Tian, AJ {\bf 970} (2024), 38].