13,506 research outputs found
Yangians, Grassmannians and T-duality
We investigate the Yangian symmetry of scattering amplitudes in N=4 super
Yang-Mills theory and show that its formulations in twistor and momentum
twistor space can be interchanged. In particular we show that the full symmetry
can be thought of as the Yangian of the dual superconformal algebra,
annihilating the amplitude with the MHV part factored out. The equivalence of
this picture with the one where the ordinary superconformal symmetry is thought
of as fundamental is an algebraic expression of T-duality. Motivated by this,
we analyse some recently proposed formulas, which reproduce different
contributions to amplitudes through a Grassmannian integral. We prove their
Yangian invariance by directly applying the generators.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure; v2: minor correction
IL GIOCO DEGLI SCACCHI NELL\u2019APPRENDIMENTO DELLE ABILITA\u2019 VISUO-SPAZIALI: UN INTERVENTO SPERIMENTALE NELLA SCUOLA PRIMARIA
Pu\uf2 un corso strutturato di scacchi migliorare la percezione e la manipolazione degli elementi geometrici?
Se s\uec, in che modo? Questo \ue8 stato l\u2019interrogativo che ha accompagnato l\u2019intero percorso sperimentale,
realizzato all\u2019interno di una Scuola Primaria di Palermo e discusso di seguito. Prendendo in considerazione
alcune delle difficolt\ue0 che i bambini di Scuola Primaria hanno nei confronti della geometria, discusse in
letteratura, \ue8 stato pianificato un progetto didattico che sviluppasse le potenzialit\ue0 di un artefatto come gli
scacchi. Ci\uf2 soprattutto in riferimento allo sviluppo delle capacit\ue0 visuo-spaziali e quale importante fattore
trasversale di motivazione all\u2019apprendimento. Tale attivit\ue0 di ricerca, frutto di un\u2019intensa collaborazione tra
un\u2019insegnante di scuola primaria, autrice di questo paper e un Maestro di Scacchi e Istruttore Giovanile
Qualificato della Federazione Scacchistica Italiana, coautore del paper, ha visto come protagoniste due
classi quarte di scuola primaria, una sperimentale e l\u2019altra di controllo. L\u2019attivit\ue0 di ricerca iniziata con la
somministrazione in entrambi i gruppi, di un questionario socio-culturale e di un pre-test sulle capacit\ue0 e
competenze in ambito geometrico \ue8 poi proseguita con l\u2019applicazione di un protocollo sperimentale
realizzato ad hoc che ha permesso una prima definizione di alcuni risultati significativi sul potenziamento
delle abilit\ue0 visuo-spaziali sottese all\u2019attivit\ue0 scacchistica.
Il presente lavoro si inserisce in quadro di riferimento pi\uf9 ampio relativo al progetto di ricerca condotto dal
G.R.I.M. di Palermo \u201cEdutainment\u201d (EDUCAZIONE E INTRATTENIMENTO NELLA DIDATTICA
LABORATORIALE PER COMPETENZE) finalizzato allo studio delle abilit\ue0 logico-spaziali e matematiche
attraverso il gioco degli scacchi
Detection of delta Scuti-like pulsation in H254, a pre-main sequence F-type star in IC 348
We present time series observations of intermediate mass PMS stars belonging
to the young star cluster IC 348. The new data reveal that a young member of
the cluster, H254, undergoes periodic light variations with delta Scuti-like
characteristics. This occurrence provides an unambiguous evidence confirming
the prediction that intermediate-mass pre-main sequence (PMS) stars should
experience this transient instability during their approach to the
main-sequence. On the basis of the measured frequency f=7.406 c/d, we are able
to constrain the intrinsic stellar parameters of H254 by means of linear, non
adiabatic, radial pulsation models. The range of the resulting luminosity and
effective temperature permitted by the models is narrower than the
observational values. In particular, the pulsation analysis allows to derive an
independent estimate of the distance to IC 348 of about 320 pc. Further
observations could either confirm the monoperiodic nature of H254 or reveal the
presence of other frequencies.Comment: 7 pages, including 7 postscript figures, accepted for publication on
A&
Comparison between Airborne Pollen and Aeroallergen Quantification with the ChemVol Impact Sampler. Olive pollen vs Ole e 1
Comparison between Airborne Pollen and Aeroallergen Quantification with the ChemVol Impact Sampler. Olive pollen vs Ole e 1.
Torres M.C.1, C. Antunes2, M.J. Velasco1, R. Ferro2, H. García-Mozo1, R. Ribeiro2, R.Brandao3, Galán, C1 and the HIALINE team4
1Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba
2Department of Chemistry, University of Évora, Portugal
3Department of Biology, University of Évora, Portugal
4J.T.M. Buters, Germany, M. Thibaudon, France, M. Smith, Great Britain, C. Galan, Spain, R. Brandao and C. Antunes, Portugal, G. Reese, Germany, R. Albertini, Italy, L. Grewling, Poland, A. Rantio-Lehtimäki, Finland, S. Jäger and U. Berger, Austria, I. Sauliene, Lithuania, L. Cecchi, Italy
Nowadays, pollinosis is affecting a large percentage of population in the countries with a western life style. The existence of allergenic activity in the atmosphere is not only associated to pollen grains and fungal spores, but also to submicronic and paucimicronic biological particles. The origin of these allergens can be due to the rupture of pollen transported in the atmosphere or to the presence of allergens from other parts of the plant making amorphous material with an allergen load.
Olive pollen is recognized as one of the main causes of allergic disease in the Mediterranean area. In this study we have tried to compare olive pollen count in the air and Ole e 1 as major allergen of this species, at two different localities in South of Europe: Evora (Portugal) and Córdoba (Spain). At each location both samplers were placed side-by-side.
Pollen grains have been sampled using a volumetric Hirst type spore trap. Chemvol high-volume cascade impactor equipped with stages PM>10µm, 10 µm>PM>2.5µm were used for detecting aeroallergens. Ole e 1 major allergen was determined using allergen specific ELISA´s.
Similar behaviour between pollen and the total allergenic load was observed during the pollen season. Nevertheless, at some occasions, during the previous and later period of the pollen season, airborne allergenic load was detected in South Spain, due to the contributions from other Oleaceae species. For this reason the use of these two different methodologies allow a better understanding of the allergenic load in the atmosphere.
This work was supported in part by the European Agency for Health and Consumers EAHC, Luxembourg, under the grant agreement 20081107
Comparison between Poaceae Airborne Pollen Counts and Phl p5 Aeroallergen Quantification in South Europe
The European project HIALINE: Comparison between Poaceae Airborne Pollen Counts and Phl p5 Aeroallergen Quantification in South Europe
C. Antunes1,2, R. Ferro2, R. Ribeiro2, Torres M.C.4, M.J. Velasco4H. García-Mozo4, Galán, C4 , R.Brandao1,3, M.Thibaudon5, R. Albertini6 Ugolotti. M.6, Usberti I.6, Dall’Aglio P.6 and the HIALINE team7
1DInstitute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences –ICAAM, University of Évora, Portugal
2Department of Chemistry, University of Évora, Portugal
3Department of Biology, University of Évora, Portugal
4Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba
5Réseau National de l Surveillance Aerobiologique, Saint-Genis-l’Argentière, France
6Department of Clinical Medicine, Nephrology and Health Sciences, University of Parma, Italy
7J.T.M. Buters, Germany, M. Thibaudon, France, M. Smith, Great Britain, C. Galan, Spain, R. Brandao and C.M. Antunes, Portugal, G. Reese, Germany, R. Albertini, Italy, L. Grewling, Poland, A. Rantio-Lehtimäki, Finland, S. Jäger and U. Berger, Austria, I. Sauliene, Lithuania, L. Cecchi, Italy
Introduction: Nowadays, pollinosis is affecting a large percentage of population in countries with a western life style. The existence of allergenic activity in the atmosphere is not only associated to pollen grains and fungal spores, but also to submicronic and paucimicronic biological particles. The origin of these allergens can be due to the rupture of pollen transported in the atmosphere or to the presence of allergens from other parts of the plant making amorphous material with an allergen load. Poaceae pollen is recognized as one of the main causes of allergic disease in all Europe. In this study we have tried to compare Poaceae pollen counts in the air and Phl p 5, one of the major allergens of this family, through the use of a high-volume cascade impactor (Chemvol). This study was done in the frame of the European project HIALINE and it compares the results obtained in 2009 by 4 different partners participating in this project: in Córdoba (Spain), Évora (Portugal), Lyon (France) and Parma (Italy).
Methodology: Pollen grains were sampled using a 7-day volumetric Hirst type spore trap. Chemvol high-volume cascade impactor equipped with stages PM>10µm, 10 µm>PM>2.5µm was used for detecting aeroallergens. In each stage polyurethane filters were use as an impacting substrate. Phl p 5 allergen was determined using an allergen specific ELISA. Antibodies for analysis were delivered by Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG, the industrial partner in this project. At each location both samplers were placed side-by-side.
Results: Most of the allergen was collected in the PM>10µm fraction. Similar profiles between airborne pollen and the total allergenic load was observed during the pollen season. A good correlation was obtained between pollen count and allergen content of the air and a value of 2.5 pg/pollen grain of Poaceae was estimated.
Discussion: This is the first year of this project. Nevertheless, results suggest that the allergenic load in outdoor air might be mainly due to pollen bursts. It supports the hypothesis that monitoring the allergens itself in ambient air might be an improvement in allergen exposure assessment.
This work was supported in part by the European Agency for Health and Consumers EAHC, Luxembourg, under the grant agreement 2008110
The European project HIALINE: Comparison between Poaceae Airborne Pollen Counts and Phl p5 Aeroallergen Quantification in SW Europe
The European project HIALINE: Comparison between Poaceae Airborne Pollen Counts and Phl p5 Aeroallergen Quantification in SW Europe
C. Antunes1*, R. Ferro1, R. Ribeiro1, Torres M.C.3, M.J. Velasco3H. García-Mozo3, Galán, C3 , R.Brandao2, M.Thibaudon4 and the HIALINE team5
1Department of Chemistry, University of Évora, Portugal
2Department of Biology, University of Évora, Portugal
3Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba
4Réseau National de l Surveillance Aerobiologique, Saint-Genis-l’Argentière, France
5J.Buters, Germanny, M. Thibaudon, France, M. Smith, Great Britain, C. Galan, Spain, R. Brandao and C.M. Antunes, Portugal, R. Albertini, Italy, L. Grewling, Poland, A. Rantio-Lehtimäki, Finland, S. Jäger and U. Berger, Austria, I. Sauliene, Lithuania, L. Cecchi, Italy
* Presenting Author:
Antunes, C. Department of Chemistry, University of Évora, Portugal.
Phone +351 266745319 ; email: [email protected]
Introduction: Nowadays, pollinosis is affecting in a large percentage of population in the developed countries. The existence of allergenic activity in the atmosphere is not only associated to pollen grains and fungal spores, but also to submicronic and paucimicronic biological particles. The origin of these allergens can be due to the rupture of pollen transported in the atmosphere or to the presence of allergens from other parts of the plant making amorphous material with allergenic load. Poaceae pollen is recognized as one of the main causes of allergic disease in all Europe. In this study we have tried to compare Poaceae pollen counts in the air and Phl p 5, one of the major allergens of this family, through the use of a high-volume cascade impactor (Chemvol). This study was done in the frame of the European project HIALINE and it compares the results obtained in 2009 by 3 different partners participating in this project: in Córdoba (Spain), Évora (Portugal) and Lyon (France).
Methodology: Pollen grains have been taken out using a 7-day volumetric Hirst type spore trap. Chemvol high-volume cascade impactor equipped with stages PM>10µm, 10 µm>PM>2.5µm were used for detecting aeroallergens. In each stage polyurethane filters were applied. Phl p5 allergen was determined using allergen specific ELISA´s. Antibodies for analysis are delivered by Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG, the industrial partner in this project. Both samplers were placed side-by-side.
Results: Most of the allergen was collected in the PM>10µm fraction. Similar profiles between airborne pollen and the total allergenic load was observed during the pollen season. A good correlation was obtained and a value of 2.5 pg/pollen grain of Poaceae was estimated.
Discussion: These results suggest that the allergenic load in outdoor air might be mainly due to pollen bursts. It supports the hypothesis that monitoring the allergens itself in ambient air might be an improvement in allergen exposure assessment.
This work was supported in part by the European Agency for Health and Consumers EAHC, Luxembourg, under the grant agreement 2008110
Adjuvants : an essential component of neisseria vaccines
Adjuvants may be classified into delivery systems and immune potentiator or modulator molecules based on their mechanism of action. Neisseria vaccines containing traditional adjuvants such as aluminium salts have existed for long time, but meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups, particularly serogroup B, continues to be a global health problem. Novel strategies have applied in silico and recombinant technologies to develop "universal" antigens (e.g. proteins, peptides and plasmid DNA) for vaccines, but these antigens have been shown to be poorly immunogenic even when alum adjuvanted, implying a need for better vaccine design. In this work we review the use of natural, detoxified, or synthetic molecules in combination with antigens to activate the innate immune system and to modulate the adaptive immune responses. In the main, antigenic and imune potentiator signals are delivered using nano-, micro-particles, alum, or emulsions. The importance of interaction between adjuvants and antigens to activate and target dendritic cells, the bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems, will be discussed. In addition, nasal vaccine strategies based on the development of mucosal adjuvants and Neisseria derivatives to eliminate the pathogen at the site of infection provide promising adjuvants effective not only against respiratory pathogens, but also against pathogens responsible for enteric and sexually transmitted diseases
Yangian Symmetry for the Tree Amplituhedron
17 pages, 4 figures; v2: extended discussion of results, minor typos corrected, version published in Journal of Physics ATree-level scattering amplitudes in planar N=4 super Yang-Mills are known to be Yangian-invariant. It has been shown that integrability allows to obtain a general, explicit method to find such invariants. The uplifting of this result to the amplituhedron construction has been an important open problem. In this paper, with the help of methods proper to integrable theories, we successfully fill this gap and clarify the meaning of Yangian invariance for the tree-level amplituhedron. In particular, we construct amplituhedron volume forms from an underlying spin chain. As a by-product of this construction, we also propose a novel on-shell diagrammatics for the amplituhedron.Peer reviewe
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