11,755 research outputs found
Bounding the gap between a free group (outer) automorphism and its inverse
For any finitely generated group , two complexity functions and
are defined to measure the maximal possible gap between the norm of
an automorphism (respectively outer automorphism) of and the norm of its
inverse. Restricting attention to free groups , the exact asymptotic
behaviour of and is computed. For rank ,
polynomial lower bounds are provided for and , and the
existence of a polynomial upper bound is proved for .Comment: 24 pages; To appear in Collectanea Mathematic
The puzzle of metallicity and multiple stellar populations in the Globular Clusters in Fornax
We examine the photometric data for Fornax clusters, focussing our attention
on their horizontal branch color distribution and, when available, on the RR
Lyr variables fraction and period distribution. Based on our understanding of
the HB morphology in terms of varying helium content in the context of multiple
stellar generations, we show that clusters F2, F3 and F5 must contain
substantial fractions of second generation stars (~54-65%). On the basis of a
simple chemical evolution model we show that the helium distribution in these
clusters can be reproduced by models with cluster initial masses ranging from
values equal to ~4 to ~10 times larger than the current masses. Models with a
very short second generation star formation episode can also reproduce the
observed helium distribution but require larger initial masses up to about
twenty times the current mass. While the lower limit of this range of possible
initial GC masses is consistent with those suggested by the observations of the
low metallicity field stars, we also discuss the possibility that the
metallicity scale of field stars (based on CaII triplet spectroscopy) and the
metallicities derived for the clusters in Fornax may not be consistent with
each other. The reproduction of the HB morphology in F2,F3,F5 requires two
interesting hypotheses: 1) the first generation HB stars lie all at "red"
colours. According to this interpretation, the low metallicity stars in the
field of Fornax, populating the HB at colours bluer than the blue side
((V-I)o<=0.3 or (B-V)o<=0.2) of the RR Lyrs, should be second generation stars
born in the clusters;a preliminary analysis of available colour surveys of
Fornax field provides a fraction ~20% of blue HB stars, in the low metallicity
range; 2) the mass loss from individual second generation red giants is a few
percent of a solar mass larger than the mass loss from first generation stars.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Topological mass mechanism and exact fields mapping
We present a class of mappings between models with topological mass mechanism
and purely topological models in arbitrary dimensions. These mappings are
established by directly mapping the fields of one model in terms of the fields
of the other model in closed expressions. These expressions provide the
mappings of their actions as well as the mappings of their propagators. For a
general class of models in which the topological model becomes the BF model the
mappings present arbitrary functions which otherwise are absent for
Chern-Simons like actions. This work generalizes the results of [1] for
arbitrary dimensions.Comment: 11 page
Nonrenormalization theorems for N=2 Super Yang-Mills
The BRST algebraic proofs of the the nonrenormalization theorems for the beta
functions of N=2 and N=4 Super Yang-Mills theories are reviewed.Comment: 3 pages, contribution to SUSY 2000 Encyclopedi
Lymphocyte Subsets and Inflammatory Cytokines of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Multiple Myeloma
Almost all multiple myeloma (MM) cases have been demonstrated to be linked to earlier monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Nevertheless, there are no identified characteristics in the diagnosis of MGUS that have been helpful in differentiating subjects whose cancer may progress to a malignant situation. Regarding malignancy, the role of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines at the beginning of neoplastic diseases is now incontestable. In this review, we have concentrated our attention on the equilibrium between the diverse lymphocyte subsets and the cytokine system and summarized the current state of knowledge, providing an overview of the condition of the entire system in MGUS and MM. In an age where the therapy of neoplastic monoclonal gammopathies largely relies on drugs capable of acting on the immune system (immunomodulants, immunological checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T), detailed knowledge of the the differences existing in benign and neoplastic forms of gammopathy is the main foundation for the adequate and optimal use of new drugs
Impact of communicative and informative strategies on influenza vaccination adherence and absenteeism from work of health care professionals working at the university hospital of palermo, Italy: A quasi-experimental field trial on twelve influenza seasons
Every year, about 20% of health care workers (HCWs) acquire influenza, continuing to work and encouraging virus spreading. Influenza vaccination coverage rates and absenteeism from work among HCWs of the University Hospital (UH) of Palermo were analyzed before and after the implementation of several initiatives in order to increase HCWs’ awareness about influenza vaccination. Vaccines administration within hospital units, dedicated web pages on social media and on the UH of Palermo institutional web site, and mandatory compilation of a dissent form for those HCWs who refused vaccination were carried out during the last four influenza seasons. After the introduction of these strategies, influenza vaccination coverage went up from 5.2% (2014/2015 season) to 37.2% (2018/2019 season) (p<0.001), and mean age of vaccinated HCWs significantly decreased from 48.1 years (95% CI: 45.7–50.5) to 35.9 years (95% CI: 35.0–36.8). A reduction of working days lost due to acute sickness among HCWs of the UH of Palermo was observed. Fear of adverse reactions and not considering themselves as a high-risk group for contracting influenza were the main reasons reported by HCWs that refused vaccination. Strategies undertaken at the UH of Palermo allowed a significant increase in vaccination adherence and a significant reduction of absenteeism from work
Integrated methodologies for 3D deformation analysis at Ischia Island (Italy): state of the art, prospectives and modelling.
Ischia Island, located SW of Naples (Italy), has been characterized by both explosive and effusive activity with the last eruption occurred in 1302. Subsequent dynamics, characterized by seismic activity with the strongest events occurred in 1881 and 1883 and a diffuse hydrothermal phenomena, shows a significant subsidence in the S and NW sectors. The presence of the active volcanoes in a very densely area needs continuous monitoring of the dynamics related to the pre-eruptive processes. Ground deformation studies are an important precursor because are linked to magma overpressure and migration. In particular, the geodetic monitoring system is mainly based on GPS and Precise levelling techniques. Here, we present a study of the surface deformation occurring in the island based on Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) referred to as Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) technique. Levelling surveys carried out between 1990 and 2003 on the Mt Epomeo resurgent block record negative dislocations on the northern and southern flanks with a maximum subsidence rate of 1.27 cm/yr. This deformation is not associated with cooling, crystallization or lateral drainage of magma and cannot be explained by a pressure point or prorate ellipsoid source. The data show that between 1990 and 2003 Mt Epomeo has been affected by a subsidence with two maxima located on its northern and southern sectors. Then, the 1992–2003 time interval and SAR data acquired by the European Remote Sensing (ERS) satellites from ascending and descending orbits have been used, thus allowing us to discriminate the vertical and east–west components of the displacements. A validation of the DInSAR results has been carried out first by comparing the vertical deformations estimated from the SAR data with those measured from the spirit levelling network that is present in the area. The deformation is due to the closure of cracks associated with ENE–WSW to E–W preexisting faults along which degassing processes occur. We propose that the recorded dislocations reflect a decrease in the fluid pressure within these cracks
Subsidence due to crack closure and depressurization of hydrothermal systems: a case study from Mt Epomeo (Ischia Island, Italy)
Levelling surveys carried out between 1990 and 2003 on the Mt
Epomeo resurgent block (Ischia Island) record negative dislocations
on its northern and southern flanks with a maximum
subsidence rate of 1.27 cm yr)1. This deformation is not
associated with the cooling, crystallization or lateral drainage
of magma and cannot be explained by a pressure point or
prolate ellipsoid source. Results from dislocation models and
the available structural and geochemical information indicate
that the subsidence is due to crack closure processes along two
main ENE–WSW and E–W preexisting faults, which represent the
preferred pathway of CO2 degassing from the hydrothermal
system located beneath Mt Epomeo. The monitoring of the
dislocations and CO2 flux along these faults could give useful
information on the dynamics of the hydrothermal system
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