On the mapping class group of a genus 2 handlebody

A complex of incompressible surfaces in a handlebody is constructed so that it contains, as a subcomplex, the complex of curves of the boundary of the handlebody. For genus 2 handlebodies, the group of automorphisms of this complex is used to characterize the mapping class group of the handlebody. In particular, it is shown that all automorphisms of the complex of incompressible surfaces are geometric, that is, induced by a homeomorphism of the handlebody.     

A complex of incompressible surfaces for handlebodies and the mapping class group

For a genus g handlebody H _g a simplicial complex, with vertices being isotopy classes of certain incompressible surfaces in H _g , is constructed and several properties are established. In particular, this complex naturally contains, as a subcomplex, the complex of curves of the surface ${\partial H_{g}}$ . As in the classical theory, the group of automorphisms of this complex is identified with the mapping class group of the handlebody.     

Two-loop QCD amplitude for gg-->h, H in the minimal supersymmetric standard model

We present the two-loop QCD amplitude for the interaction of two gluons and a CP-even Higgs boson in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). We apply a novel numerical method for the evaluation of Feynman diagrams with infrared, ultraviolet, and threshold singularities. We discuss subtleties in the ultraviolet renormalization of the amplitude with conventional dimensional regularization, dimensional reduction, and the four dimensional helicity scheme. Finally, we show numerical results for scenarios of supersymmetry breaking with a rather challenging phenomenology in which the Higgs signal in the MSSM is suppressed in comparison to the standard model.     

A survey on algorithmic approaches for solving tourist trip design problems

The tourist trip design problem (TTDP) refers to a route-planning problem for tourists interested in visiting multiple points of interest (POIs). TTDP solvers derive daily tourist tours, i.e., ordered visits to POIs, which respect tourist constraints and POIs attributes. The main objective of the problem discussed is to select POIs that match tourist preferences, thereby maximizing tourist satisfaction, while taking into account a multitude of parameters and constraints (e.g., distances among POIs, visiting time required for each POI, POIs visiting days/hours, entrance fees, weather conditions) and respecting the time available for sightseeing on a daily basis. The aim of this work is to survey models, algorithmic approaches and methodologies concerning tourist trip design problems. Recent approaches are examined, focusing on problem models that best capture a multitude of realistic POIs attributes and user constraints; further, several interesting TTDP variants are investigated. Open issues and promising prospects in tourist trip planning research are also discussed.     

A model for the high energypp and¯pp diffraction scattering

The high energy elasticpp and¯pp scattering is studied within the framework of a specific model for the diffractive background. The double Pomeron exchange as well as secondary trajectory contributions are properly taken into account. The total cross section, the phase of the forward amplitude and the angular distribution are computed and compared with the existing experimental data.