Four-point boundary connectivities in critical two-dimensional percolation from conformal invariance

We conjecture an exact form for an universal ratio of four-point cluster connectivities in the critical two-dimensional $Q$-color Potts model. We also provide analogous results for the limit $Q\rightarrow 1$ that corresponds to percolation where the observable has a logarithmic singularity. Our conjectures are tested against Monte Carlo simulations showing excellent agreement for $Q=1,2,3$.Comment: 29 pages, 9 Figures. Published version: improved discussion, additional numerical tests and reference

the bartolomeo ammannati s fountain an artifact in progress

Abstract Artifacts are not only fundamental evidences of our history and culture, but they are even entities having a proper "life". The present research focuses on Bartolomeo Ammannati's Juno Fountain (1555) – a Late-Renaissance masterpiece whose eventful story made it moving around from its planned site, the "Sala Grande" in Florentine Palazzo Vecchio, to Pratolino Park, then to Boboli Garden. Finally, current fragments re-assembling and museography staging under the vaults of the National Museum of Bargello court in Florence has been set up a few years ago on the 5th centenary of Ammannati's birthdate – after careful historical research about the many vicissitudes of the Fountain. Although there isn't any location change expected for this Ammannati's artwork, investigations and researches are going on. Namely, the seismic performance of the reconstructed Fountain is to be checked with reference to the seismic hazard of the site, as provided by the Italian Code classification. To this objective, the previously done laser scanning which allowed a three-dimensional digital modeling to help re-assembling the Fountain, has been now adopted to perform the structural analysis. Consequently, a structural evaluation to check the setting's seismic behavior is currently under process. The research, developed by joining different knowledges and fields, is an example of the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for preserving artifacts and museums' collections

Beyond the skin: disease parameters in pemphigus

Pemphigus represents a group of rare autoimmune bullous diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. This group has a chronic course leading to high morbidity and mortality. Because of the painful chronic-recurring blisters and/or erosions on skin and mucosa, pemphigus can impair quality of life (QOL). Therapeutic modalities, anxiety and depression can also have an additional negative impact in the QOL of the pemphigus patients. Since the nature and course of the pathology and the fact that pemphigus worsens the quality of life of affected patients, scoring systems to objectively evaluate the clinical activity of the disease and to correlate that with the QOL are needed. Nowadays the most used global scales to assess the clinical activity of pemphigus are the Autoimmune Bullous Skin Disorder Intensity Score (ABSIS), the Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) and the Pemphigus Visual Activity Scale (PVAS). To evaluate the patient's generic QOL the most used score is the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), but all the sponsered clinical trials in pemphigus are using ABQOL this rather than DLQI

Acne fulminans following isotretinoine therapy

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory disease, provoked by several factors, including hormonal influences, follicular plugging, Propionibacterium acnes (PA) colonization, and increased sebum production