Higher U(1)-gerbe connections in geometric prequantization

We promote geometric prequantization to higher geometry (higher stacks), where a prequantization is given by a higher principal connection (a higher gerbe with connection). We show fairly generally how there is canonically a tower of higher gauge groupoids and Courant groupoids assigned to a higher prequantization, and establish the corresponding Atiyah sequence as an integrated Kostant-Souriau infinity-group extension of higher Hamiltonian symplectomorphisms by higher quantomorphisms. We also exhibit the infinity-group cocycle which classifies this extension and discuss how its restrictions along Hamiltonian infinity-actions yield higher Heisenberg cocycles. In the special case of higher differential geometry over smooth manifolds we find the L-infinity-algebra extension of Hamiltonian vector fields -- which is the higher Poisson bracket of local observables -- and show that it is equivalent to the construction proposed by the second author in n-plectic geometry. Finally we indicate a list of examples of applications of higher prequantization in the extended geometric quantization of local quantum field theories and specifically in string geometry.Comment: Title changed. Exposition revised. 55 page

A note on boundedness of operators in Grand Grand Morrey spaces

In this note we introduce grand grand Morrey spaces, in the spirit of the grand Lebesgue spaces. We prove a kind of \textit{reduction lemma} which is applicable to a variety of operators to reduce their boundedness in grand grand Morrey spaces to the corresponding boundedness in Morrey spaces. As a result of this application, we obtain the boundedness of the Hardy-Littlewood maximal operator and Calder\'on-Zygmund operators in the framework of grand grand Morrey spaces.Comment: 8 page

Reliability of Early Fetal Echocardiography for Congenital Heart Disease Detection: A Preliminary Experience and Outcome Analysis of 102 Fetuses to Demonstrate the Value of a Clinical Flow-Chart Designed for At-Risk Pregnancy Management

Early fetal echocardiography (EFEC) is a fetal cardiac ultrasound analysis performed between the 12th and 16th week of pregnancy (compared with the usual 18-22 weeks). In the last 10 years, the introduction of “aneuploidy sonographic markers” in screening for cardiac defects has led to a shift from late second to end of the first trimester or beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy for specialist fetal echocardiography. In this prospective study, early obstetric screening was performed between January 2014 and October 2015, using “aneuploidy sonographic markers” following SIEOG Guidelines 2014. These parameters were then collected and strategically combined in an evaluation score to select the group of pregnancies for performing EFEC, in accordance with the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines for fetal Echocardiography. All second-level examinations were performed transabdominally using a 3D convex volumetric probe with frequency range of 4-8 MHz (Accuvix – Samsung). The outcome data included transabdominal fetal echocardiography from 18 weeks to term and after birth. Overall, 99 pregnant women in the first trimester underwent EFEC (95 singleton and 4 twin pregnancies). Specifically, 30 fetuses were evaluated for extra-cardiac anomalies evidenced by obstetric screening (30%), 25 for family history of congenital heart diseases (25%), 8 for family history of genetic-linked diseases (8%), 4 for heart diseases suspected by obstetric screening (4%) and 19 by normal screening (19%). Was detected 11 (10.7%) CHD, when EFEC detected CHD, were compared to those performed later in pregnancy (18 weeks GA-term), a high degree of diagnosis correspondence was evidenced. The higher sensitivity value of EFEC vs late-FE, in comparison with the post-natal value, coupled with the high EFEC specificity shown vs both the end points, enabled us to consider it as a really reliable diagnostic technology, at least in perienced hands. The introduction of a key combination of the more sensitive obstetric and cardiologic variables should facilitate the formulation of a possible flow-chart as a guide for CHD at-risk pregnancies

Almost formality of manifolds of low dimension

In this paper we introduce the notion of Poincaré DGCAs of Hodge type, which is a subclass of Poincaré DGCAs encompassing the de Rham algebras of closed orientable manifolds. Then we introduce the notion of the small algebra and the small quotient algebra of a Poincaré DGCA of Hodge type. Using these concepts, we investigate the equivalence class of (r-1)-connected (r > 1) Poincaré DGCAs of Hodge type. In particular, we show that an (r-1)-connected Poincar ́e DGCA of Hodge type A* of dimension n <= 5r - 3 is A-infinity-quasi-isomorphic to an A_3-algebra and prove that the only obstruction to the formality of A* is a distinguished Harrison cohomology class [μ3] in Harr^3-1(H*(A*), H*(A*)). Moreover, the cohomology class [μ3] and the DGCA isomorphism class of H*(A*) determine the A-infinity-quasi-isomorphism class of A*. This can be seen as a Harrison cohomology version of the Crowley- Nordstrom results on rational homotopy type of (r - 1)-connected (r > 1) closed manifolds of dimension up to 5r -3. We also derive the almost formality of closed G2 -manifolds, which have been discovered recently by Chan-Karigiannis- Tsang, from our results and the Cheeger-Gromoll splitting theorem

The Evolution of and Starburst-AGN Connection in Luminous and Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies and their Link to Globular Cluster Formation

The evolutionary connection between nuclear starbursts and active galactic nuclei (AGN) in luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs; 1011o Using new spectrophotometric data, I classify the primary source of IR radiation as being a nuclear starburst or a type of AGN by using the Baldwin-Phillips-Terlevich (BPT) diagrams. I show that for the U/LIRGs in my sample the properties that describe their nuclear starbursts and AGN (e.g. star formation rate (SFR), L[O III], optical D parameter, D4000, and EW(Hδ)) are independent of one another, ensuring that no biases affect correlations between these properties and objects\u27 locations on the BPT diagrams. I then derive evolutionary paths on the BPT diagram involving [N II]/Hα that are based on how these properties vary between two U/LIRGs positioned at the end-points. The paths involve U/LIRGs that decrease in SFR and increase in AGN activity. Paths with U/LIRGs that evolve into high luminosity AGN likely do so due to recent, strong starbursts. Second, to study how the properties of the IR power sources in U/LIRGs vary, I use a combination of photometric data points that I carefully measure (using photometry from SDSS, 2MASS, WISE, and Spitzer) and that I retrieve from catalogues (IRAS, AKARI, and ISO) to perform UV to FIR SED-fitting with CIGALE (Code Investigating GALaxy Emission) for 34 U/LIRGs from the IRAS 2 Jy Redshift Survey with 0.01 \u3c z \u3c 0.16. CIGALE allows for the estimation of numerous physical properties by means of a Bayesian-like analysis, but for this work I focus on derived outputs for the SFR, AGN contribution, D4000, stellar mass (Mstar), young stellar population age (i.e. the age of the most recent starburst activity), starburst mass fraction, luminosity absorbed by dust, and stellar mass-weighted age. Comparing the properties of the IR power sources in U/LIRGs with age-related properties provides clues as to which type of IR power source forms first and how starburst age varies with starburst/AGN strength. I find evidence that the nuclear starburst forms first in U/LIRGs, and also find that U/LIRGs with relatively similar SFRs show increased AGN activity if they are older. However, I also find that a young U/LIRG can show a relatively large amount of AGN activity if a very large starburst is present. Then, I quantify the timescales at which the starburst activity in my U/LIRGs evolves with the use of the Tukey-Kramer method of statistical analysis, and fit an exponential curve to the data to describe the expected amount of decrease in SFR seen for a U/LIRG in my sample over a given change in starburst age. Finally, I find evidence that the stellar mass and starburst mass fractions influence whether a U/LIRG in my sample will have a strong AGN and SFR, respectively. I compare the SFR-Mstar relationship seen in my sample with those predicted by models and found from previous observations. I find that the U/LIRGs with older starbursts (\u3e125 Myr) agree with previous results, while those with younger starbursts show a large dispersion in Mstar. I conclude that this is supporting evidence that the star formation histories and timescales at which the IR power sources in U/LIRGs evolve are responsible for the scatter found for the SFR-Mstar relationship. U/LIRGs that form from merging gas-rich disk galaxies could also represent a stage of galaxy evolution involving heavy formation of globular clusters (GCs). It has been suggested that a large number of stellar clusters form during the merging of two gas-rich disk galaxies, leading to open and young massive clusters with the latter likely evolving into GCs. Furthering our understanding of GC formation can uncover the connection between GCs and their host galaxies, which could, at some point during their formation or evolution, be U/LIRGs. To understand GC formation in the context of hierarchical galaxy formation, it is necessary to understand the origin of their abundance patterns. To this effort, I use SDSS spectra from Data Release 8 and 9 to estimate carbon (C) abundances for five GCs by matching synthetic spectra, created with TURBOSPECTRUM using atmospheric parameters derived from the Segue Stellar Parameter Pipeline, with observed spectra at the CH G-band feature. I find large spreads in the C abundances throughout the color magnitude diagrams of the GCs, which serves as evidence for multiple stellar populations, in contrast to standard models of GC formation

Exploring the photothermo-catalytic performance of brookite tio2-ceo2 composites

The thermocatalytic, photocatalytic and photothermo-catalytic oxidation of some volatile organic compounds (VOCs), 2-propanol, ethanol and toluene, was investigated over brookite TiO2-CeO2 composites. The multi-catalytic approach based on the synergistic effect between solar photocatalysis and thermocatalysis led to the considerable decrease in the conversion temperatures of the organic compounds. In particular, in the photothermo-catalytic runs, for the most active samples (TiO2-3 wt% CeO2 and TiO2-5 wt% CeO2). the temperature at which 90% of VOC conversion occurred was about 60◦ C, 40◦ C and 20◦ C lower than in the thermocatalytic tests for 2-propanol, ethanol and toluene, respectively. Furthermore. the addition of cerium oxide to brookite TiO2 favored the total oxidation to CO2 already in the photocatalytic tests at room temperature. The presence of small amounts of cerium oxide allowed to obtain efficient brookite-based composites facilitating the space charge separation and increasing the lifetime of the photogenerated holes and electrons as confirmed by the characterization measurements. The possibility to concurrently utilize the photocatalytic properties of brookite and the redox properties of CeO2, both activated in the photothermal tests, is an attractive approach easily applicable to purify air from VOCs

Short- or long-rest intervals during repeated-sprint training in soccer?

The present study compared the effects of two repeated-sprint training (RST) programs, differing in duration of the between-sprint rest intervals, on various soccer-related exercise performances. For 5 weeks during the competitive season, twenty-nine young trained male soccer players either replaced two of their habitual fitness conditioning sessions with RST characterized by short (5-15; n = 9) or long (5-30; n = 10) rest intervals, or served as control (n = 10). The 5-15 and 5-30 protocols consisted of 6 repetitions of 30-m (~5 s) straight-line sprints interspersed with 15 s or 30 s of passive recovery, respectively. 5-15 improved 200-m sprint time (2.0±1.5%; p<0.05) and had a likely positive impact on 20-m sprint performance, whereas 5-30 lowered the 20-m sprint time (2.7±1.6%; p<0.05) but was only possibly effective for enhancing the 200-m sprint performance. The distance covered during the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 increased following 5-15 (11.4±5.0%; p<0.05), which was possibly better than the non-significant 6.5% enhancement observed in 5-30. Improvements in the total time of a repeated-sprint ability test were possibly greater following 5-30 (3.6±0.9%; p<0.05) compared to 5-15 (2.6±1.1%; p<0.05). Both RST interventions led to similar beneficial (p<0.05) reductions in the percentage decrement score (~30%) of the repeated-sprint ability test as well as in blood lactate concentration during submaximal exercise (17-18%). No changes occurred in the control group. In soccer players, RST over a 5-week in-season period is an efficient means to simultaneously develop different components of fitness relevant to match performance, with different benefits induced by shorter compared to longer rest intervals

Selective aqueous oxidation of aromatic alcohols under solar light in the presence of TiO2 modified with different metal species

A set of metals modified TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared starting from titanium tetraisopropoxyde and different metal precursors to study the influence of the addition of the various foreign agents on the physico-chemical and photocatalytic properties of the catalysts. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence, temperature programmed desorption after CO2 adsorption. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated using as probe reactions the partial oxidation of three aromatic alcohols: benzyl alcohol (BA), 4-methoxy benzyl alcohol (4-MBA), and 4-hydroxy benzyl alcohol (4-HBA) under simulated solar light irradiation. Different oxidation and selectivity values were obtained for the three substrates depending not only on the type of metals but also on the nature and position of the substituent in the phenyl ring of benzyl alcohol. As a general behaviour, the doped samples allowed the achievement of a greater selectivity especially for 4-MBA even if sometimes with minor conversions. The presence of W or Nb was beneficial for both conversion and selectivity for all the substrates with respect to bare TiO2. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Lack of p53 function promotes radiation-induced mitotic catastrophe in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells

BACKGROUND: We have demonstrated that in some human cancer cells both chronic mild heat and ionizing radiation exposures induce a transient block in S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. During this delay, cyclin B1 protein accumulates to supranormal levels, cyclin B1-dependent kinase is activated, and abrogation of the G2/M checkpoint control occurs resulting in mitotic catastrophe (MC). RESULTS: Using syngenic mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) with wild-type or mutant p53, we now show that, while both cell lines exhibit delays in S/G2 phase post-irradiation, the mutant p53 cells show elevated levels of cyclin B1 followed by MC, while the wild-type p53 cells present both a lower accumulation of cyclin B1 and a lower frequency of MC. CONCLUSION: These results are in line with studies reporting the role of p53 as a post-transcriptional regulator of cyclin B1 protein and confirm that dysregulation of cyclin B1 promote radiation-induced MC. These findings might be exploited to design strategies to augment the yield of MC in tumor cells that are resistant to radiation-induced apoptosis

A solar photothermocatalytic approach for the CO2 conversion: Investigation of different synergisms on CoO-CuO/brookite TiO2-CeO2 catalysts

The photoactive features of the least common polymorph of TiO2, i.e. brookite, were combined with the thermocatalytic redox ones of cerium oxide, focusing on the effects of the addition of small amounts of Co-Cu oxides for the solar CO2 conversion. By considering the characterization data, a surface segregation of the hosted metal oxides on the TiO2-CeO2 composite was evidenced, and their presence increased the amount of oxygen vacancies and improved the charge carriers separation. The bimetallic oxides-based sample was the most performing one in the photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction at room temperature. The formation of carbon monoxide and methane was 5 and 0.5 μmol g−1h−1, respectively, i.e. about 10 times higher than that found with bare brookite. A further enhancement was obtained with the same CoO-CuO/TiO2-CeO2 catalyst applying the photothermal approach. The CO2-TPD and the FTIR measurements highlighted the high interaction between CO2 and the surface sites