The dilute A_L models and the integrable perturbations of unitary minimal CFTs

Recently, a set of thermodynamic Bethe ansatz equations is proposed by Dorey, Pocklington and Tateo for unitary minimal models perturbed by \phi_{1,2} or \phi_{2,1} operator. We examine their results in view of the lattice analogues, dilute A_L models at regime 1 and 2. Taking M_{5,6}+\phi_{1,2} and M_{3,4}+\phi_{2,1} as the simplest examples, we will explicitly show that the conjectured TBA equations can be recovered from the lattice model in a scaling limit.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

Machine learning for cloud detection of globally distributed sentinel-2 images

In recent years, a number of different procedures have been proposed for segmentation of remote sensing images, basing on spectral information. Model-based and machine learning strategies have been investigated in several studies. This work presents a comprehensive overview and an unbiased comparison of the most adopted segmentation strategies: Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forests, Neural networks, Sen2Cor, FMask and MAJA. We used a training set for learning and two different independent sets for testing. The comparison accounted for 135 images acquired from 54 different worldwide sites. We observed that machine learning segmentations are extremely reliable when the training and test are homogeneous. SVM performed slightly better than other methods. In particular, when using heterogeneous test data, SVM remained the most accurate segmentation method while state-of-the-art model-based methods such as MAJA and FMask obtained better sensitivity and precision, respectively. Therefore, even if each method has its specific advantages and drawbacks, SVM resulted in a competitive option for remote sensing applications

Shannon entropy approach reveals relevant genes in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. Since complex diseases are often the result of combinations of gene interactions, microarray data and gene co-expression analysis can provide tools for addressing complexity. Our study aimed to find groups of interacting genes that are relevant in the development of AD. In this perspective, we implemented a method proposed in a previous work to detect gene communities linked to AD. Our strategy combined co-expression network analysis with the study of Shannon entropy of the betweenness. We analyzed the publicly available GSE1297 dataset, achieved from the GEO database in NCBI, containing hippocampal gene expression of 9 control and 22 AD human subjects. Co-expressed genes were clustered into different communities. Two communities of interest (composed by 72 and 39 genes) were found by calculating the correlation coefficient between communities and clinical features. The detected communities resulted stable, replicated on two independent datasets and mostly enriched in pathways closely associated with neuro-degenative diseases. A comparison between our findings and other module detection techniques showed that the detected communities were more related to AD phenotype. Lastly, the hub genes within the two communities of interest were identified by means of a centrality analysis and a bootstrap procedure. The communities of the hub genes presented even stronger correlation with clinical features. These findings and further explorations on the detected genes could shed light on the genetic aspects related with physiological aspects of Alzheimer's disease

Evaluation of the colorimetric tetrazolium assay for the cytotoxicity testing a commercial vanilla flavouring

The tetrazolium colorimetric assay (MTT-assay) has been used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a vanilla flavouring found on the market. It was characterised by the use of 1,2-propylene glycol and glycerol as diluents and by the presence of vanillin, heliotropine and the corresponding 1,2-propylene and glycerol acetals. The method developed by Mosmann (J. Immunol. Methods 65, 55\u201363-1983) was used with some modifications. The same assay was applied to the diluent 1,2-propylene glycol in order to verify its possible influence on the toxic effect. This technique proved useful for preliminary screening useful to evidence doubts relating to the safety of flavouring preparations

Identification of 1,3-dioxolanes in coffee-like flavorings

This paper concerns a number of commercially available coffee-like flavoring preparations, identifying certain dioxolane structures of particular interest. The research was carried out by GC/MS, and spectral characterization was performed on the compounds in question, and especially of the acetals and ketals produced from compounds with carbonyl functions and 1,2-propylene glycol. Some determiations by means of chiral gas chromatography and by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) have been useful in improving the analytical characterization of certain dioxolanes

Orbifolded Konishi from the Mirror TBA

Starting with a discussion of the general applicability of the simplified mirror TBA equations to simple deformations of the AdS_5 x S^5 superstring, we proceed to study a specific type of orbifold to which the undeformed simplified TBA equations directly apply. We then use this set of equations, as well as Luscher's approach, to determine the NLO wrapping correction to the energy of what we call the orbifolded Konishi state, and show that they perfectly agree. In addition we discuss wrapping corrections to the ground state energy of the orbifolded model under consideration.Comment: 26 pages, 5 figures, v2: corrected typos, added a short discussion on the ground state of the model; as submitted to J. Phys.

Detection of Antibodies to Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) among Women of Child-Bearing Age in the Apulia Region (South-Eastern Italy):

In this study the authors investigated the presence of serum antibodies to Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) in a group of women of child-bearing age in the Apulia region (South Eastern Italy). A seroprevalence of 16.8% was observed, increasing, although non significantly, with the age of the women (10.6% in women between 19 and 25 years, 25.3% in women aging more than 35 years). The presence of antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) was significantly associated to the detection of antibodies to HHV-8. Possible mother-to-child transmission of HHV-8 as well as the outcome of fetuses or children born to HHV-8 positive mothers are still a matter of debate. This study, showing the wide diffusion of HHV-8 infection in healthy women of child-bearing age in our geographical area, highlights the urgency of studies aimed to better clarify these relevant topics

GC/MS-MID Determination of Safrole in Soft Drinks

Safrole [1,3-benzodioxole, 5-(2-propenyl)-] is a limited substance according to the CE Directives N. 88/388 and 91/71 concerning \u201cflavourings for use in foodstuffs and to source materials for their production\u201d. At today the GC analytical methods proposed for the quantitative determination of safrole are critical as far as concerning reproducibility, recovery values and detection limits. This note describes an improved analytical method to quantify safrole in \u201csoft\u201d drinks. Average recoveries of safrole from samples spiked at levels from 30.0 to 80.0 microg/L ranged from 80 to 93% with good reproducibility (RSD=2.7 at 30.0 microg/Ll). Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 10.0 microg/L and 30.0 microg/L respectively. The proposed method is also suitable for routine analysis