Proper modifications of generalized p−p-K\"ahler manifolds

In this paper, we consider a proper modification $f : \tilde M \to M$ between complex manifolds, and study when a generalized $p-$K\"ahler property goes back from $M$ to $\tilde M$. When $f$ is the blow-up at a point, every generalized $p-$K\"ahler property is conserved, while when $f$ is the blow-up along a submanifold, the same is true for $p=1$. For $p=n-1$, we prove that the class of compact generalized balanced manifolds is closed with respect to modifications, and we show that the fundamental forms can be chosen in the expected cohomology class. We get some partial results also in the non-compact case; finally, we end the paper with some examples of generalized $p-$K\"ahler manifolds.Comment: 22 pages, revised extended versio

Holomorphic submersions onto K\"ahler or balanced manifolds

We study many properties concerning weak K\"ahlerianity on compact complex manifolds which admits a holomorphic submersion onto a K\"ahler or a balanced manifold. We get generalizations of some results of Harvey and Lawson (the K\"ahler case), Michelson (the balanced case), Popovici (the sG case) and others.Comment: 14 pages; second revised version; in press, Tohoku Math. J. vol 68, n.4 (2016

Transforms of currents by modifications and 1-convex manifolds

One aim of the paper is the study of the strict transform and the total transform of a current T on X via a modification f. Let T be a current of order zero on X: The authors give conditions concerning the existence and the unicity of a strict transform of T. Now, let T be a pluriharmonic (1, 1)-current of order zero on X. For such currents, the authors get sufficient conditions on T to admit a total transform, and prove that this transform is (always) unique. Finally, the main goal of the paper is the following theorem: Let X be a 1-convex manifold of dimension n ≥ 3 and f from X to Y its Remmert reduction, where Y is a Stein quasi-projective space. Let N be a compactification of Y such that N is projective and Sing(N) = Sing(Y ). Let M be a smooth compactification of X. If the map i from H2(X,R) to H2(M,R) induced by the inclusion is injective, then the following properties are equivalent: (a) X is Kähler. (b) X is embeddable. (c) M is projective

An Integrated Approach to Design Fluoro Substituted “Smart” Polymers for Protection of Monumental Buildings

Introduction of fluorinated groups in the structure of either fully acrylic or acrylic - vinyl ether copolymers, is achieved through the use of commercially available or specifically synthesized fluorinated acrylic comonomers. If suitably selected, these fluoroacrylates can allow both control on the macromolecular structure and tailoring of material properties that are relevant for coating applications, such as film-forming behavior, adhesion, water repellency and intrinsic photostability. Several copolymers of fluorinated acrylates and methacrylates with not-fluorinated methacrylates and vinyl ethers have been evaluated in terms of chemical stability under accelerated photoaging conditions, and their behavior as protective coating materials has been studied after application to various stone substrates that are commonly found in ancient buildings and objects of cultural significance

Industrial air pollution and mortality in the Taranto area, Southern Italy: A difference-in-differences approach.

Background: A large steel plant close to the urban area of Taranto (Italy) has been operating since the sixties. Several studies conducted in the past reported an excess of mortality and morbidity from various diseases at the town level, possibly due to air pollution from the plant. However, the relationship between air pollutants emitted from the industry and adverse health outcomes has been controversial. We applied a variant of the "difference-in-differences" (DID) approach to examine the relationship between temporal changes in exposure to industrial PM10 from the plant and changes in cause-specific mortality rates at area unit level. Methods: We examined a dynamic cohort of all subjects (321,356 individuals) resident in the Taranto area in 1998–2010 and followed them up for mortality till 2014. In this work, we included only deaths occurring on 2008–2014. We observed a total of 15,303 natural deaths in the cohort and age-specific annual death rates were computed for each area unit (11 areas in total). PM10 and NO2 concentrations measured at air quality monitoring stations and the results of a dispersion model were used to estimate annual average population weighted exposures to PM10 of industrial origin for each year, area unit and age class. Changes in exposures and in mortality were analyzed using Poisson regression. Results: We estimated an increased risk in natural mortality (1.86%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.06, 3.83%) per 1 μg/m3 annual change of industrial PM10, mainly driven by respiratory causes (8.74%, 95% CI: 1.50, 16.51%). The associations were statistically significant only in the elderly (65+ years). Conclusions: The DID approach is intuitively simple and reduces confounding by design. Under the multiple assumptions of this approach, the study indicates an effect of industrial PM10 on natural mortality, especially in the elderly population. Keywords: Air pollution, Mortality, PM10, Steel industry, Confounding, Difference-in-difference