On the spectrum of the AdS(5) x S-5 string at large lambda

archiveprefix: arXiv primaryclass: hep-th reportnumber: HU-EP-10-85 slaccitation: %%CITATION = ARXIV:1012.4471;%%archiveprefix: arXiv primaryclass: hep-th reportnumber: HU-EP-10-85 slaccitation: %%CITATION = ARXIV:1012.4471;%

A note on the integral equation for the Wilson loop in N = 2 D=4 superconformal Yang-Mills theory

We propose an alternative method to study the saddle point equation in the strong coupling limit for the Wilson loop in $\mathcal{N}=2$ D=4 super Yang-Mills with an SU(N) gauge group and 2N hypermultiplets. This method is based on an approximation of the integral equation kernel which allows to solve the simplified problem exactly. To determine the accuracy of this approximation, we compare our results to those obtained recently by Passerini and Zarembo. Although less precise, this simpler approach provides an explicit expression for the density of eigenvalues that is used to derive the planar free energy.Comment: 12 pages, v2: section 2.5 (Free Energy) amended and reference added, to appear in J. Phys.

A dual output polarimeter devoted to the study of the Cosmic Microwave Background

We have developed a correlation radiometer at 33 GHz devoted to the search for residual polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). The two instruments`s outputs are linear combination of two Stokes Parameters (Q and U or U and V). The instrument is therefore directly sensitive to the polarized component of the radiation (respectively linear and circular). The radiometer has a beam-width oif 7 or 14 deg, but it can be coupled to a telescope increasing the resolution. The expected CMB polarization is at most a part per milion. The polarimeter has been designed to be sensitive to this faint signal, and it has been optimized to improve its long term stability, observing from the ground. In this contribution the performances of the instrument are presented, together with the preliminary test and observations.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, in print on the Proc. SPIE Conf. - August 200

Developments in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma: targeting the anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Francesca Farina, Alessandra Stasia, Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy Abstract: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase protein implicated in a variety of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. ALK contributes to the development of cancers in different cell lineages through a variety of genetic mechanisms: gene fusions, activating point mutations, and possibly gene amplification. Recent developments led to significant therapeutic advances, including efficient diagnostic tests and ALK-targeting agents. This review addresses some therapeutic considerations with regard to the use of ALK inhibitors in ALK-positive lymphomas where, in spite of the advanced stage of the disease, long-lasting responses could be obtained in a substantial portion of heavily pretreated patients. Data and mechanisms for the development of resistance to ALK inhibitors will also be presented and discussed. Keywords: ALK, lymphoma, tyrosine kinase, targeted therapy, crizotini

Bipartite quantum states and random complex networks

We introduce a mapping between graphs and pure quantum bipartite states and show that the associated entanglement entropy conveys non-trivial information about the structure of the graph. Our primary goal is to investigate the family of random graphs known as complex networks. In the case of classical random graphs we derive an analytic expression for the averaged entanglement entropy $\bar S$ while for general complex networks we rely on numerics. For large number of nodes $n$ we find a scaling $\bar{S} \sim c \log n +g_e$ where both the prefactor $c$ and the sub-leading O(1) term $g_e$ are a characteristic of the different classes of complex networks. In particular, $g_e$ encodes topological features of the graphs and is named network topological entropy. Our results suggest that quantum entanglement may provide a powerful tool in the analysis of large complex networks with non-trivial topological properties.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Application Of Safety And Security Principles To Flood Event Management In Highly Populated Urban Areas

This paper refers to non-structural actions which are to be carried out on the Arno river basin (Italy). In particular the town of Florence is considered where 56 catastrophic flood events have been recorded in the last 1000 years, the latter in 1966 with damages estimated at 10,000 billion euros. A huge system of structural works is presently being carried out planned to the 200-year return period event in the next ten years. To manage the present and future residual risk, specific safety plans have been provided at the scale of single buildings in order to give residents an effective instrument to prevent and protect them from the major flooding risk. This paper illustrates how safety and security principles can be applied to the management of a flood event at the scale of several thousands of square kilometres. A specific Security Plan and, if needed, a Recovery Plan is linked to each building which is potentially subject to flooding. Based on analytical hazard assessment and mapping, techniques to improve or increase the safety-level as well as appropriated information are described. These local scale plans are interfaced with civil protection and disaster management plans at the regional scale by suitable procedures. Keywords: risk assessment, flood event, security plan, recovery plan, signs, procedures, building. 1 Introduction A study for a plan in order to provide the residents of the area of the Arno River basin (and in future perspective all the residents) with one useful instrument t

Observations of the Cosmic Background Radiation: Search for spectral distortions and residual polarization

We discuss observations of the CBR presently underway in Milano. We are trying to detect polarization with a sensitivity level of 1/106 and search distortions in the Rayleigh Jeans portion of the frequency spectrum

Investigation of the Stability of the Poly(ethylene oxide) | LiNi1‐x‐y_{1‐x‐y}Cox_xMny_yO2_2 Interface in Solid‐State Batteries

While solid-state batteries (SSBs) comprising poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) based electrolytes are successfully commercialized already for operation at elevated temperature, the selection of the cathode active material (CAM) has so far been limited to LiFePO$_4$. When using high-voltage CAMs such as LiNi$_{1-x-y}$Co$_x$Mn$_y$O$_2$ (NCM), the cells experience fast capacity fading – the cause of which is not consistently understood in literature. In this study, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements in a three-electrode setup are applied to confirm that the NCM|PEO interface is indeed the Achilles\u27 heel in PEO-based SSBs at high voltages. In this regard, the interfacial stability on the cathode side depends not only on the upper cut-off voltage, but also on the molecular weight of PEO, strongly affecting the cell performance. Scanning electron microscopy images of the cathodes after cycling suggest that at high voltages interfacial degradation leads to fragmentation of the polymer backbone and to a decrease in viscosity of the solid polymer electrolyte. Overall, the results help to understand the detrimental processes occurring in PEO-based SSBs in combination with high-voltage cathodes