On the isometric composition operators on the Bloch space in C^n

Let phi be a holomorphic self-map of a bounded homogeneous domain D in C^n. In this work, we show that the composition operator C_phi is bounded on the Bloch space B of the domain and provide estimates on its operator norm. We also give a sufficient condition for phi to induce an isometry on B. This condition allows us to construct non-trivial examples of isometric composition operators in the case when D has the unit disk as a factor. We then obtain some necessary conditions for C_phi to be an isometry on B when D is a Cartan classical domain. Finally, we give the complete description of the spectrum of the isometric composition operators in the case of the unit disk and for a wide class of symbols on the polydisk

Isometries and spectra of multiplication operators on the Bloch space

In this paper, we establish bounds on the norm of multiplication operators on the Bloch space of the unit disk via weighted composition operators. In doing so, we characterize the isometric multiplication operators to be precisely those induced by constant functions of modulus 1. We then describe the spectrum of the multiplication operators in terms of the range of the symbol. Lastly, we identify the isometries and spectra of a particular class of weighted composition operators on the Bloch space.Comment: accepted to the Bulletin of the Australian Mathematical Societ

Preliminary validation of an indirect method for discharge evaluation of Pertuso Spring (Central Italy)

This paper deals with the results of the first year of the Environmental Monitoring Plan, related to the catchment project of Pertuso Spring, which is going to be exploited to supply an important water network in the South part of Roma district. The study area is located in the Upper Valley of the Aniene River (Latium, Central Italy), in the outcrop of Triassic-Cenozoic carbonate rocks, and belong to an important karst aquifer. Pertuso Spring is the main outlet of this karst aquifer and is the one of the most important water resource in the southeast part of Latium Region, used for drinking, agriculture and hydroelectric supplies. Karst aquifer feeding Pertuso Spring is an open hydrogeological system aquifer characterized by complex interactions and exchanges between groundwater and surface water which influence the aquifer water budget. Thus, evaluation of groundwater discharge from this karst spring can be affected by difficulties in performing measurements because of the insufficient knowledge about water transfer processes in the hydrological cycle and geometry of drainage conduits. The aim of this paper is to assess the interactions between karst aquifer feeding Pertuso Spring and Aniene River based on stream discharge measurements and water geochemical tracer data in order to validate an indirect method for karst spring discharge evaluation. As a matter of fact, in this paper, there are presented the results of the application of Magnesium as a reliable tracer of karst spring discharge. This indirect method is based on the elaboration of surface water discharge measurements in relationship with Mg2+ concentration values, determined as for groundwater, coming from Pertuso Spring, as for surface water sample, collected upstream and downstream of Pertuso Spring, along Aniene River streamflow. The application of Magnesium as an environmental tracer provides a means to evaluate discharge of Pertuso Spring, as it came up to be a marker of the mixing of surface water and groundwater. On the other hand, the Magnesium ion concentration provides information for the identification of groundwater flow systems and the main hydrogeochemical processes affecting the composition of water within the karst aquifers

Histamine’s vasoactive properties improving response rates in solid tumor treatment

Soft tissue sarcomas account for approximately 5000 new cases per year in Europe. 60% of them occur in the extremities and are often large at first diagnosis with a high propensity for hematogenic spread so that half of the patients die of disseminated disease. The use of aggressive approaches, such as amputation has no positive impact in survival rates, as compared to conservative approaches. In this sense, Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) plays a major role, consisting of the regional administration of high doses of drugs to an isolated limb. TNF/melphalan (TM-ILP) leads to overall response rates of circa 100% for melanoma patients and circa 70% for sarcoma patients, with a limb salvage index of approximately 75%. The mechanism of action of TNF is first a higher tumor drug uptake and secondarily the destruction of the tumor associated vasculature (TAV). Based on this success, there was a renewed interest in organ perfusion, unfortunately, the use of TNF in t! hese settings remains controversial with lack of confirmatory positive or synergistic responses in lung perfusion and with unacceptable hepatotoxicity in liver perfusion. In the Experimental Surgical Oncology experimental rat models of ILP and Isolated Hepatic Perfusion (IHP) were developed for a better understanding of the mechanism of action of these techniques and for the evaluation of new drugs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential use of Histamine, IL-2 and their combination, in the regional setting as an alternative to TNF. Hi showed a synergistic effect, when combined to doxorubicin in the experimental ILP, and when combined to melphalan in the experimental ILP and IHP. IL-2 also had a synergistic effect when combined to melphalan in the experimental ILP. Yet, the combination of Hi and IL-2 to melphalan in the ILP led to decreased response rates as compared to each agent alone combined to melphalan. The mechanism of action of Hi in the regional setting was very similar to the mechanism of action of TNF with a better tumor drug uptake, TAV destruction, and best responses seen with its combination to chemotherapeutic drugs.! Additionally, Hi had a direct cytotoxic effect against both tumor cells and TAV

Real-time virtual sonography in gynecology & obstetrics. literature's analysis and case series

Fusion Imaging is a latest generation diagnostic technique, designed to combine ultrasonography with a second-tier technique such as magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography. It has been mainly used until now in urology and hepatology. Concerning gynecology and obstetrics, the studies mostly focus on the diagnosis of prenatal disease, benign pathology and cervical cancer. We provided a systematic review of the literature with the latest publications regarding the role of Fusion technology in gynecological and obstetrics fields and we also described a case series of six emblematic patients enrolled from Gynecology Department of Sant ‘Andrea Hospital, “la Sapienza”, Rome, evaluated with Esaote Virtual Navigator equipment. We consider that Fusion Imaging could add values at the diagnosis of various gynecological and obstetrics conditions, but further studies are needed to better define and improve the role of this fascinating diagnostic tool

Multiplication operators on the Bloch space of bounded homogeneous domains

In this paper, we study the multiplication operators on the Bloch space of a bounded homogeneous domain in C^n. Specifically, we characterize the bounded and the compact multiplication operators, establish estimates on the operator norm, and determine the spectrum. Furthermore, we prove that for a large class of bounded symmetric domains, the isometric multiplication operators are those whose symbol is a constant of modulus one

Weighted composition operators from H∞H^\infty to the Bloch space of a bounded homogeneous domain

Let $D$ be a bounded homogeneous domain in $\mathbb{C}^n$. In this paper, we study the bounded and the compact weighted composition operators mapping the Hardy space $H^\infty(D)$ into the Bloch space of $D$. We characterize the bounded weighted composition operators, provide operator norm estimates, and give sufficient conditions for compactness. We prove that these conditions are necessary in the case of the unit ball and the polydisk. We then show that if $D$ is a bounded symmetric domain, the bounded multiplication operators from $H^\infty(D)$ to the Bloch space of $D$ are the operators whose symbol is bounded

A fifty year record of winter glacier melt events in southern Chile, 38°–42°S

Little is known about the frequency and potential mass balance impact of winter glacier melt events. In this study, daily atmospheric temperature soundings from the Puerto Montt radiosonde (41.43°S) are used to reconstruct winter melting events at the glacier equilibrium line altitude in the 38°–42°S region of southern Chile, between 1960 and 2010. The representativeness of the radiosonde temperatures to near-surface glacier temperatures is demonstrated using meteorological records from close to the equilibrium line on two glaciers in the region over five winters. Using a degree-day model we estimate an average of 0.28 m of melt and 21 melt days in the 15 June–15 September period each year, with high inter-annual variability. The majority of melt events are associated with midlatitude migratory high pressure systems crossing Chile and northwesterly flows, that force adiabatic compression and warm advection, respectively. There are no trends in the frequency or magnitude of melt events over the period of record, but the annual frequency of winter melt days shows a significant, although rather weak and probably non-linear, relationship to late winter and early spring values of a multivariate El Niño Southern Oscillation Index (MEI)

Inherent Dangers in Orogenital Sex During Pregnancy

Coitus and cunnilingus during pregnancy are generally safe; whereas orogenital sex involving vaginal air insufflations can be very dangerous, causing even the death of the women. We carried out a search of case reports and reviews concerning air embolism during pregnancy due to orogenital sex. Physicians consultations must cover all the rules of safe sexual behavior, including avoidance of vaginal air insufflations in the third trimester.Keywords: Air embolism, cunnilingus, orogenital sex, pregnanc

Folate-based single cell screening using surface enhanced Raman microimaging

Recent progress in nanotechnology and its application to biomedical settings have generated great advantages in dealing with early cancer diagnosis. The identification of the specific properties of cancer cells, such as the expression of particular plasma membrane molecular receptors, has become crucial in revealing the presence and in assessing the stage of development of the disease. Here we report a single cell screening approach based on Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) microimaging. We fabricated a SERS-labelled nanovector based on the biofunctionalization of gold nanoparticles with folic acid. After treating the cells with the nanovector, we were able to distinguish three different cell populations from different cell lines (cancer HeLa and PC-3, and normal HaCaT lines), suitably chosen for their different expressions of folate binding proteins. The nanovector, indeed, binds much more efficiently on cancer cell lines than on normal ones, resulting in a higher SERS signal measured on cancer cells. These results pave the way for applications in single cell diagnostics and, potentially, in theranostic