Completely contractive projections on operator algebras

The main goal of this paper is to find operator algebra variants of certain deep results of Stormer, Friedman and Russo, Choi and Effros, Effros and Stormer, Robertson and Youngson, Youngson, and others, concerning projections on C*-algebras and their ranges. (See papers of these authors referenced in the bibliography.) In particular we investigate the `bicontractive projection problem' and related questions in the category of operator algebras. To do this, we will add the ingredient of `real positivity' from recent papers of the first author with Read.Comment: To appear Pacific J Math; several corrections and small improvements. Keywords Operator algebra, completely contractive map, projection, conditional expectation, bicontractive projection, real positive, noncommutative Banach-Stone theore

The Engel elements in generalized FC-groups

We generalize to FC*, the class of generalized FC-groups introduced in [F. de Giovanni, A. Russo, G. Vincenzi, Groups with restricted conjugacy classes, Serdica Math. J. 28 (2002), 241-254], a result of Baer on Engel elements. More precisely, we prove that the sets of left Engel elements and bounded left Engel elements of an FC*-group G coincide with the Fitting subgroup; whereas the sets of right Engel elements and bounded right Engel elements of G are subgroups and the former coincides with the hypercentre. We also give an example of an FC*-group for which the set of right Engel elements contains properly the set of bounded right Engel elements.Comment: to appear in "Illinois Journal of Mathematics

Different domains cooperate to target the human ribosomal L7a protein to the nucleus and to the nucleoli.

The human ribosomal protein L7a is a component of the major ribosomal subunit. We transiently expressed in HeLa cells L7a-β-galactosidase fusion proteins and studied their subcellular localization by indirect immunofluorescence staining with anti-β-galactosidase antibodies. We have identified three distinct domains responsible for the nuclear targeting of the protein: domain I, amino acids 23-51; domain II, amino acids 52-100; domain III, amino acids 101-220, each of which contains at least one nuclear localization signal (NLS). Through subcellular localization analysis of deletion mutants of L7a-β-galactosidase chimeras, we demonstrate that domain II plays a special role because it is necessary, although not sufficient, to target the chimeric β-galactosidase to the nucleoli. In fact, we demonstrate that the nucleolar targeting process requires the presence of domain II plus an additional basic domain that can be represented by an NLS or a basic stretch of amino acids without NLS activity. Thus, when multiple NLS are present, each NLS exerts distinct functions. Domain II drives nucleolar accumulation of a reporter protein with the cooperative action of a short basic amino acid sequence, suggesting a mechanism requiring protein-protein or protein-nucleic acid interactions

Constraints and Period Relations in Bosonic Strings at Genus-g

We examine some of the implications of implementing the usual boundary conditions on the closed bosonic string in the hamiltonian framework. Using the KN formalism, it is shown that at the quantum level, the resulting constraints lead to relations among the periods of the basis 1-forms. These are compared with those of Riemanns' which arise from a different consideration.Comment: 16 pages, (Plain Tex), NUS/HEP/9320

Non-Major Chamber Music, April 26, 2017

This is the concert program of the Non-Major Chamber Music performance on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 8:00 p.m., at the Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Avenue. Works performed were I. Morning Mood and IV. In the Hall of the Mountain King from "Peer Gynt Suite" No. 1 by Edvard Grieg, arranged by Ray Thompson, I. Lustig from Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24 No. 2 by Paul Hindemith, Overture to "The Barber of Seville" by Gioachino Rossini, arranged by Fabio Barnaba, "Sinfonico" Op. 12 by Anton Reicha, "Berceuse"by Armas Jarnefelt, arranged by George F. Roach, "Star Wars" (medley) by John Williams, arranged by Juan A. Pérez, "Cantina Band" by J. Williams, arranged by Alex Russo, "Quidditch" by J. Williams, "Providebam Dominum" by Orlande de Lassus, and 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago. Digitization for Boston University Concert Programs was supported by the Boston University Humanities Library Endowed Fund

Resource Reviews

Reviews of Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible, by James Vanderkam. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2012. 188 pp. $17.00; ISBN 0-8028-6679-0. Reviewed by Robert Burgess, Head, Acquisitions, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. Jerusalem Testament Palestinian Christians Speak, 1988-2008, by Melanie A. May. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2010. 180 pp.$16.00; ISBN 0-8028-6485-7. Reviewed by Robert Burgess, Head, Acquisitions, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind, by Mark A. Noll. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2011. 180 pp. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8028-6637-0. Reviewed by Jane Scott, Public Services Librarian, George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon. Romans: Interpreted by Early Christian Commentators. Translated and edited by J. Patout Burns Jr. and Father Constantine Newman. Edited by Robert Louis Wilken. The Church Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2012. 428 pp.$30.50; ISBN 978-0-8028-2575-9 (Hardcover). Reviewed by J. Craig Kubic, Director of Library Services, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. Sunday School That Really Works: A Strategy for Connecting Congregations and Communities, by Steve R. Parr. Grand Rapids: Kregal, 2010. 218 pp. $11.10; ISBN 978-0-8254-3567-6 (Softcover). Reviewed by J. Craig Kubic, Director of Library Services, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. Tasting Heaven on Earth: Worship in Sixth-Century Constantinople, by Walter D. Ray. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2012. 158 pp. ISBN: 978-0-8028-6663-9. Reviewed by Rebecca Russo, Instruction Librarian, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California. Unlocking the Growth: You Will Be Amazed at Your Church’s Potential, by Michael Harvey. Grand Rapids: Monarch, 2012. 191 pp.$26.30; ISBN 978-0-8572-1198-9 (Softcover). Reviewed by J. Craig Kubic, Director of Library Services, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. A Week in the Life of Corinth, by Ben Witherington III. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press Academic, 2012. 158 pp. $16.00; ISBN 978-0-8308-3962-9. Reviewed by Kathleen Kempa, Reference and Electronic Services Librarian, Steelman Library, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida