An A Posteriori Error Estimator for Hp-Adaptive Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for Elliptic Eigenvalue Problems

In this paper we present a residual-based a posteriori error estimator for hp-adaptive discontinuous Galerkin methods for elliptic eigenvalue problems. In particular, we use as a model problem the Laplace eigenvalue problem on bounded domains in ℝd, d = 2, 3, with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Analogous error estimators can be easily obtained for more complicated elliptic eigenvalue problems. We prove the reliability and efficiency of the residual-based error estimator also for non-convex domains and use numerical experiments to show that, under an hp-adaptation strategy driven by the error estimator, exponential convergence can be achieved, even for non-smooth eigenfunctions

Globalization and Competition Among Systems Regulatory Capitalism and Administrative Cooperation: The Case of Social Rights

The paper looks at the possible role of administrativelaw and regulation in a period of economic crisis when theprevious systems in place to protect social values have failedbecause their primary interest was in the market. The intersystemicperspective highlights the role that regulation can havein balancing the needs of the market and those of citizens even ina globalized perspective in which must be reconsidered the role ofadministrative cooperation. The specific case of social rights isanalysed as it can be understood as a cyclic quadrilateral whosevertex are represented by sustainability, feasibility, executabilityand capability of being judged and lie in the same circle that isthe “legal reasonableness”, and the challenges that it has to facein a situation of economic crisis magnify the risks, underminingthe very existence of the binomial titularity/effectivity of therights and the consideration and balance of the fundamentalvalues of the system can avoid that the imperfect duties of whichthe state is titular might be at the basis of a dangerousdismantling of the idea of the welfare state

Dualisation of the D=7 Heterotic String

The dualisation and the first-order formulation of the D=7 abelian Yang-Mills supergravity which is the low energy effective limit of the D=7 fully Higssed heterotic string is discussed. The non-linear coset formulation of the scalars is enlarged to include the entire bosonic sector by introducing dual fields and by constructing the Lie superalgebra which generates the dualized coset element.Comment: 20 page

Recurrent Pericarditis in Children and Adolescents

Recurrent pericarditis (RP) is a clinical syndrome characterized by recurrent attacks of acute pericardial inflammation. Prognosis quoad vitam is good, although morbidity might be significant, especially in children and adolescents. Multiple potential etiologies result in RP, in the vast majority of cases through autoimmune or autoinflammatory mechanisms. Idiopathic RP is one of the most frequent diagnoses, that requires the exclusion of all known etiologies. Therapeutic advances in the last decade have been significant with the recognition of the effectiveness of anti IL1 therapy, but a correct diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm is of key importance. Unfortunately, most of evidence comes from studies in adult patients. Here we review the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of RP in pediatric patients

Endothelial Hyper-Permeability Induced by T1D Sera Can be Reversed by iNOS Inactivation

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis that is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Endothelial hyperpermeability, a feature of endothelial dysfunction, is an early step of atherogenesis since it favours intimal lipid uptake. Therefore, we tested endothelial leakage by loading the sera from T1D patients onto cultured human endothelial cells and found it increased by hyperglycaemic sera. These results were phenocopied in endothelial cells cultured in a medium containing high concentrations of glucose, which activates inducible nitric oxide synthase with a consequent increase of nitric oxide. Inhibition of the enzyme prevented high glucose-induced hyperpermeability, thus pointing to nitric oxide as the mediator involved in altering the endothelial barrier function. Since nitric oxide is much higher in sera from hyperglycaemic than normoglycaemic T1D patients, and the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase prevents sera-dependent increased endothelial permeability, this enzyme might represent a promising biochemical marker to be monitored in T1D patients to predict alterations of the vascular wall, eventually promoting intimal lipid accumulation

Weight Loss and Hypertension in Obese Subjects

Arterial hypertension is strongly related to overweight and obesity. In obese subjects, several mechanisms may lead to hypertension such as insulin and leptin resistance, perivascular adipose tissue dysfunction, renal impairment, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system activation and sympathetic nervous system activity. Weight loss (WL) seems to have positive effects on blood pressure (BP). The aim of this review was to explain the mechanisms linking obesity and hypertension and to evaluate the main studies assessing the effect of WL on BP. We analysed studies published in the last 10 years (13 studies either interventional or observational) showing the effect of WL on BP. Different WL strategies were taken into account-diet and lifestyle modification, pharmacological intervention and bariatric surgery. Although a positive effect of WL could be identified in each study, the main difference seems to be the magnitude and the durability of BP reduction over time. Nevertheless, further follow-up data are needed: there is still a lack of evidence about long term effects of WL on hypertension. Hence, given the significant results obtained in several recent studies, weight management should always be pursued in obese patients with hypertension

GIANO-TNG spectroscopy of red supergiants in the young star cluster RSGC3

The Scutum complex in the inner disk of the Galaxy has a number of young star clusters dominated by red supergiants that are heavily obscured by dust extinction and observable only at infrared wavelengths. These clusters are important tracers of the recent star formation and chemical enrichment history in the inner Galaxy. During the technical commissioning and as a first science verification of the GIANO spectrograph at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, we secured high-resolution (R=50,000) near-infrared spectra of five red supergiants in the young Scutum cluster RSGC3. Taking advantage of the full YJHK spectral coverage of GIANO in a single exposure, we were able to measure several tens of atomic and molecular lines that were suitable for determining chemical abundances. By means of spectral synthesis and line equivalent width measurements, we obtained abundances of Fe and iron-peak elements such as Ni, Cr, and Cu, alpha (O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti), other light elements (C, N, F, Na, Al, and Sc), and some s-process elements (Y, Sr). We found average half-solar iron abundances and solar-scaled [X/Fe] abundance patterns for most of the elements, consistent with a thin-disk chemistry. We found depletion of [C/Fe] and enhancement of [N/Fe], consistent with standard CN burning, and low 12C/13C abundance ratios (between 9 and 11), which require extra-mixing processes in the stellar interiors during the post-main sequence evolution. We also found local standard of rest V(LSR)=106 km/s and heliocentric V(HEL)=90 km/s radial velocities with a dispersion of 2.3 km/s. The inferred radial velocities, abundances, and abundance patterns of RSGC3 are very similar to those previously measured in the other two young clusters of the Scutum complex, RSGC1 and RSGC2, suggesting a common kinematics and chemistry within the Scutum complex

IIA/IIB Supergravity and Ten-forms

We perform a careful investigation of which p-form fields can be introduced consistently with the supersymmetry algebra of IIA and/or IIB ten-dimensional supergravity. In particular the ten-forms, also known as "top-forms", require a careful analysis since in this case, as we will show, closure of the supersymmetry algebra at the linear level does not imply closure at the non-linear level. Consequently, some of the (IIA and IIB) ten-form potentials introduced in earlier work of some of us are discarded. At the same time we show that new ten-form potentials, consistent with the full non-linear supersymmetry algebra can be introduced. We give a superspace explanation of our work. All of our results are precisely in line with the predictions of the E(11) algebra.Comment: 17 page

Lines and continuum sky emission in the near infrared: observational constraints from deep high spectral resolution spectra with GIANO-TNG

Aims Determining the intensity of lines and continuum airglow emission in the H-band is important for the design of faint-object infrared spectrographs. Existing spectra at low/medium resolution cannot disentangle the true sky-continuum from instrumental effects (e.g. diffuse light in the wings of strong lines). We aim to obtain, for the first time, a high resolution infrared spectrum deep enough to set significant constraints on the continuum emission between the lines in the H-band. Methods During the second commissioning run of the GIANO high-resolution infrared spectrograph at La Palma Observatory, we pointed the instrument directly to the sky and obtained a deep spectrum that extends from 0.97 to 2.4 micron. Results The spectrum shows about 1500 emission lines, a factor of two more than in previous works. Of these, 80% are identified as OH transitions; half of these are from highly excited molecules (hot-OH component) that are not included in the OH airglow emission models normally used for astronomical applications. The other lines are attributable to O2 or unidentified. Several of the faint lines are in spectral regions that were previously believed to be free of line emission. The continuum in the H-band is marginally detected at a level of about 300 photons/m^2/s/arcsec^2/micron, equivalent to 20.1 AB-mag/arcsec^2. The observed spectrum and the list of observed sky-lines are published in electronic format. Conclusions Our measurements indicate that the sky continuum in the H-band could be even darker than previously believed. However, the myriad of airglow emission lines severely limits the spectral ranges where very low background can be effectively achieved with low/medium resolution spectrographs. We identify a few spectral bands that could still remain quite dark at the resolving power foreseen for VLT-MOONS (R ~6,600).Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysic