We compute solutions to the Hermitian Yang-Mills equations on holomorphic vector bundles $\textit{V}$ via an alternating optimisation procedure founded on geometric machine learning. The proposed method is fully general with respect to the rank and structure group of $\textit{V}$, requiring only the ability to enumerate a basis of global sections for a given bundle. This enables us to compute the physically normalised Yukawa couplings in a broad class of heterotic string compactifications. Using this method, we carry out this computation in full for a heterotic compactification incorporating a gauge bundle with non-Abelian structure group.

United Kingdom

Challenger Mishra

Justin Tan

Hermitian Yang-Mills connections on general vector bundles: geometry and physical Yukawa couplings

Chaotic motion near black holes has recently been examined through the lens of the Maldacena-Shenker-Stanford (MSS) chaos bound, but reported violations remain contradictory. A significant source of ambiguity stems from treating the particle angular momentum as an independently adjustable parameter instead of as a quantity fixed by the circular-orbit conditions. We develop a constrained framework in which the angular momentum is determined self-consistently from the geometry. Applied to the charged Kiselev black hole, this framework shows that certain previously reported violations of the chaos bound can be attributed to inconsistent parameter choices rather than to intrinsic curvature effects. By extending the analysis to geometries containing higher-order curvature terms, we find genuine chaos-bound violations at large charge-to-mass ratios, originating from curvature corrections rather than orbital parameters. Our approach, therefore, provides a systematic means to distinguish between parameter-induced (apparent) and curvature-induced (physical) violations in Einstein gravity and its extensions.

Japan

Nigeria

Terkaa Victor Targema

Kazuharu Bamba

Pakistan

Riasat Ali

Usman Zafar

Physical constraints on the Maldacena-Shenker-Stanford chaos bound in black hole spacetimes

We compute the contour integral for the partition function of an $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 SU(2) topologically twisted theory on $$ {\mathbbm{CP}}^2 $$ , dimensionally reducing from an $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 theory on $\textit{S}$ . Earlier works presented the partition function as a sum over three equivariant fluxes, one for each toric divisor of $$ {\mathbbm{CP}}^2 $$ . Our result depends only on a single physical flux, assigned to the non-trivial two-cycle of the manifold. The reduced summation over fluxes is compensated by a contour of integration, arising from a different solution of the BPS equations, which captures more poles in each topological sector. As our observable involves a position-dependent Yang-Mills coupling, we compute new equivariant invariants of $$ {\mathbbm{CP}}^2 $$ , which reduce to Donaldson invariants in the non-equivariant limit. Stability conditions of gauge bundles over $$ {\mathbbm{CP}}^2 $$ appear intrinsically via the dimensional reduction.

Italy

Lorenzo Ruggeri

Contour integral for the partition function of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 topologically twisted on $$ {\mathbbm{CP}}^2 $$ and physical fluxes

We analyze Morris Thorne-type traversable wormhole solutions in endowed with a topological global monopole charge and a cosmological constant, by adopting an anisotropic fluid source in the context of <italic>D</italic>-dimensional Einstein gravity. To continue our systematic investigation, we consider two trigonometric-hyperbolic shape functions. The geometric analysis (2D/3D embeddings and flare-out conditions) confirms regular, traversable throat geometries. From the field equations, we derive explicit expressions for the energy density and directional pressures and show that the radial null energy condition is generically violated at the throat, signaling the presence of exotic matter, while this condition tangentially can remain nonnegative for suitable parameter choices. The active gravitational mass shows negative values near the throat, indicating a localized exotic matter contribution; however, the anisotropy parameter is positive in representative configurations, producing outward directed stresses that assist throat stability. The stability is further supported by an adiabatic index approach that exceeds the relativistic threshold in the explored parameter regimes, and to measure the total exotic matter budget, we utilize the volume integral quantifier approach within considered gravity scenario. This work offers valuable theoretical insights into wormhole solutions in higher-dimensional Einstein gravity, contributing to the broader understanding of hypothetical traversable wormholes in modified gravitational theories.

Azerbaijan

M. Yousaf

Saudi Arabia

Saad Aljaber

China

M. Zeeshan Gul

Jordan

Faisal Javed

A. Eid

Uzbekistan

Farkhod Botirov

Farruh Atamurotov

Physical features of global monopole charged traversable wormholes

We compute the complex, long-distance two-photon-exchange amplitude which contributes to the rare <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>K</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">L</mi></msub><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><msup><mi>μ</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>μ</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math> decay from lattice QCD. We use a <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mn>24</mn><mn>3</mn></msup><mo>×</mo><mn>64</mn></math> physical-pion-mass gauge field ensemble at an inverse lattice spacing of 1.023 GeV and a <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>QED</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>∞</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></math>-based formalism. Our implementation strategies for all five non-SU(3)-flavor-suppressed diagram topologies are given in detail. We achieve a 25% statistical precision on the dispersive part of this long-distance amplitude. This calculation is carried out with <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mn>2</mn><mo>+</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></math> quark flavors and therefore requires the addition of counterterms to compensate for the absence of the Glashow-Iliopoulos-Maiani mechanism. These counterterms are not included in the current calculation and will be the subject of a second paper. Although a direct comparison to experiment cannot yet be made because of those omitted counterterms, the present exploratory calculation allows one to identify principal sources of statistical uncertainty in this calculation. The precision of our results is limited by the reconstruction of the physical contribution of the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>η</mi></math> intermediate state, for which various strategies are tested and compared.

United States

Peter Boyle

En-Hung Chao

Norman Christ

Ceran Hu

Luchang Jin

Yidi Zhao

Exploratory calculation of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>K</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">L</mi></msub><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><msup><mi>μ</mi><mo>+</mo></msup><msup><mi>μ</mi><mo>−</mo></msup></math> decay from lattice QCD at physical pion mass

A crucial step in extracting physical predictions from lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) simulations is the scale setting, i.e., the determination of the lattice spacing (<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>a</mi></math>) in physical units. Herein, the relative scale setting for different <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>β</mi></math>’s is discussed, using the Landau gauge gluon propagator computed with large statistical ensembles. After setting the relative scales, finite size effects are observed in the ultraviolet regime and handled in an effective description, inspired in perturbation theory. The new devised procedure is efficient in handling the finite size effects, linking the lattice simulations with continuum perturbation theory for the high momenta regime. Furthermore, the procedure can be extended to handle other Green’s functions computed within lattice QCD simulations.

Portugal

Orlando Oliveira

Paulo J. Silva

Using the Landau gauge gluon propagator to set the lattice physical scales and understanding the finite size effects

We compute the phase of the Euclidean gravity partition function on manifolds of the form $\textit{S}$ × $\textit{M}$ . We find that the total phase is equal to the phase in pure gravity on $\textit{S}$ times an extra phase that arises from negative mass squared fields that we obtain when we perform a Kaluza-Klein reduction to $\textit{S}$ . The latter can be matched to the phase expected for physical negative modes seen by a static path observer in $\textit{dS}$ . In the case of $\textit{S}$ × $\textit{S}$ the answer can be interpreted in terms of a computation in the static patch of $\textit{dS}$ or $\textit{dS}$ . We also provide the phase when we have a product of many spheres. We clarify the procedure for determining the precise phase factor. We discuss some aspects of the interpretation of this phase.

Victor Ivo

Juan Maldacena

Zimo Sun

Physical instabilities and the phase of the Euclidean path integral

Guided by the flipping principle, we propose a novel extension of the Standard Model based on a double right-handed <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>U</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> gauge symmetry. In this framework, all left-handed fermions are neutral, while right-handed fermions of the third generation carry charges distinct from those of the first two generations. This structure provides an explanation for the observed Standard Model fermion mass hierarchy; the heavy masses of the third generation are generated at tree level, while the lighter masses of the first and second generations arise radiatively at the one-loop level. For the active neutrino sector, the tiny masses are generated through a combination of tree-level and two-loop seesaw mechanisms. Crucially, this approach successfully reproduces the observed neutrino mass hierarchy, with the atmospheric mass-squared difference generated at tree level and the solar neutrino mass squared difference emerging at the two-loop level. These hierarchical patterns stem from the interplay between gauge invariance and a residual parity symmetry that survives the spontaneous breaking of the extended gauge group. The same residual symmetry stabilizes a viable scalar singlet dark matter candidate, which we show can reproduce the observed relic abundance while remaining consistent with current direct detection bounds. After addressing constraints from electroweak precision tests and flavor-changing neutral currents, we explore the discovery prospects for the new neutral bosons at existing and future colliders, including the LEP, LHC, and a future ILC.

Vietnam

Duong Van Loi

Chile

A.E. Cárcamo Hernández

N.T. Duy

D.T. Binh

Cao H. Nam

Physical implications of a double right-handed gauge symmetry

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) started physics data taking on 26 August 2025. JUNO consists of a 20-kton liquid scintillator central detector, surrounded by a 35 kton water pool serving as a Cherenkov veto, and almost 1000 m$^{2}$ of plastic scintillator veto on top. The detector is located in a shallow underground laboratory with an overburden of 1800 m.w.e. This paper presents the performance results of the detector, extensively studied during the commissioning of the water phase, the subsequent liquid scintillator filling phase, and the first physics runs. The liquid scintillator achieved an attenuation length of 20.6 m at 430 nm, while the high coverage PMT system and scintillator together yielded about 1785 photoelectrons per MeV of energy deposit at the detector centre, measured using the 2.223 MeV $\textit{γ}$ from neutron captures on hydrogen with an Am-C calibration source. The reconstructed energy resolution is 3.4% for two 0.511 MeV $\textit{γ}$ at the detector centre and 2.9% for the 0.93 MeV quenched $^{214}$Po alpha decays from natural radioactive sources. The energy non-linearity is calibrated to better than 1%. Intrinsic contaminations of $^{238}$U and $^{232}$Th in the liquid scintillator are below 10$^{-16}$ g/g, assuming secular equilibrium. The water Cherenkov detector achieves a muon detection efficiency better than 99.9% for muons traversing the liquid scintillator volume. During the initial science runs, the data acquisition duty cycle exceeded 97.8%, demonstrating the excellent stability and readiness of JUNO for high-precision neutrino physics.

Angel Abusleme

France

Thomas Adam

Germany

Kai Adamowicz

David Adey

Shakeel Ahmad

Rizwan Ahmed

Finland

Timo Ahola

Sebastiano Aiello

Fengpeng An

Guangpeng An

Costas Andreopoulos

Giuseppe Andronico

João Pedro Athayde Marcondes de André

Russia

Nikolay Anfimov

Vito Antonelli

Tatiana Antoshkina

Thailand

Burin Asavapibhop

Didier Auguste

Margherita Buizza Avanzini

Slovakia

Andrej Babic

Jingzhi Bai

Weidong Bai

Nikita Balashov

Roberto Barbera

Andrea Barresi

Davide Basilico

Eric Baussan

Beatrice Bellantonio

Marco Bellato

JeanLuc Beney

Marco Beretta

Antonio Bergnoli

Enrico Bernieri

Nikita Bessonov

David Biaré

Daniel Bick

Lukas Bieger

Svetlana Biktemerova

Thilo Birkenfeld

David Blum

Simon Blyth

Sara Boarin

Manuel Boehles

Anastasia Bolshakova

Mathieu Bongrand

Aurélie Bonhomme

Clément Bordereau

Matteo Borghesi

Augusto Brigatti

Timothee Brugiere

Riccardo Brugnera

Riccardo Bruno

Jonas Buchholz

Antonio Budano

Max Buesken

Mario Buscemi

Severino Bussino

Jose Busto

Ilya Butorov

Marcel Büchner

Anatael Cabrera

Barbara Caccianiga

Boshuai Cai

Hao Cai

Xiao Cai

Yanke Cai

Yi-zhou Cai

Zhiyan Cai

Stéphane Callier

Steven Calvez

Antonio Cammi

Agustin Campeny

Dechang Cai

Chuanya Cao

Dewen Cao

Guofu Cao

Jun Cao

Yaoqi Cao

Rossella Caruso

Aurelio Caslini

Cédric Cerna

Vanessa Cerrone

Daniele Cesini

Chi Chan

Jinfan Chang

Yun Chang

Milo Charavet

Tim Charissé

Auttakit Chatrabhuti

Chao Chen

Guoming Chen

Haitao Chen

Haotian Chen

Jiahui Chen

Jian Chen

Jing Chen

Junyou Chen

Lihao Chen

Mali Chen

Mingming Chen

Initial performance results of the JUNO detector * We acknowledge financial and institutional supportfrom the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National KeyR&D Program of China, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the Tsung–Dao Lee Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.We appreciate the contributions from the Institut Na-tional de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Partic-ules (IN2P3) in France, the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in Italy, the Fonds de la Recherche Sci-entifique (F.R.S.–FNRS) and the Institut Interuni-versitaire des Sciences Nucléaires (IISN) in Belgium, and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico eTecnológico (CNPq) in Brazil.We also acknowledge the support of the AgenciaNacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID) and the ANID–Millennium Science Initiative Program (ICN2019044) in Chile; the European Structural and In-vestment Funds, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the Charles University Research Center inthe Czech Republic; the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinsch-aft (DFG), the Helmholtz Association, and the Cluster ofExcellence PRISMA+ in Germany; and the Joint Insti-tute for Nuclear Research (JINR) and Lomonosov Mo-scow State University in Russia.We further thank the Slovak Research and Develop-ment Agency in the Slovak Republic, the National Science and Technology Council (NSCT) and MOE, China, the Program Management Unit for Hu-man Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU–B), Chulalongkorn University, and Suranaree University of Technology in Thailand, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in the United Kingdom, and the University of California atIrvine and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States

We revisit the renormalization of the gauge coupling in massless QED coupled to a scaleless quadratic theory of gravity. We compare two alternative prescriptions for the running of the electric charge: (i) the conventional <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>μ</mi></math> running in minimal subtraction, and (ii) a physical running extracted from the logarithmic dependence of amplitudes on a hard scale <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></math> (e.g., <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msup><mi>p</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></math> or a Mandelstam invariant) after removing IR effects. At one loop, using dimensional regularization with an IR mass regulator <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>m</mi></math>, we compute the photon vacuum polarization. We find a clean separation between UV and soft logarithms: the former is gauge and process independent and fixes the beta function, whereas the latter encodes nonlocal, IR-dominated contributions that may depend on gauge parameters and must not be interpreted as UV running. In the quadratic-gravity sector, the photon self-energy is UV finite—the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mi>ln</mi><msup><mrow><mi>μ</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math> pieces cancel—leaving only <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>ln</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><msup><mi>Q</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>/</mo><msup><mi>m</mi><mn>2</mn></msup><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math> soft (IR) logs, which do not contribute to the running of the coupling once IR effects are consistently removed. Consequently, quadratic gravity does not modify the one-loop UV coefficient and thus does not alter <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>β</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>e</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math>. Therefore, the physical running coincides with the <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>μ</mi></math> running in QED at one loop. Our analysis clarifies how to extract a gauge and process independent running in the presence of gravitational interactions and why soft logs from quadratic gravity should not contribute to <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>β</mi><mo stretchy="false">(</mo><mi>e</mi><mo stretchy="false">)</mo></math>.