Norm Estimates for Weighted Composition Operators on Spaces of Holomorphic Functions

This paper shows that the boundedness of a weighted composition operator on the Hardy–Hilbert space on the disc or half-plane implies its boundedness on a class of related spaces, including weighted Bergman spaces. The methods used involve the study of lower-triangular and causal operators.     

Polypeptide composition of an adenovirus type 5 used in cancer gene therapy.

For cancer gene therapy, a recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 named RPR/INGN201 has been constructed by susbtitution of the E1 region with human tumor suppressor gene p53. The protein components of RPR/INGN201 virions were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and were individually identified by electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing, both on intact proteins and on their proteolytic fragments after trypsin digestion. Twenty-five peptide components of the proteome (including fiber) with greater than 0.25-0.5% contribution to the protein content of the virus were identified and characterized. Fiber was confirmed to be partially glycosylated (both the non-glycosylated and the monoglycosylated states were identified), and two proteins were isolated and identified as phosphorylation derivatives, namely protein V (non-phosphorylated and monophosphorylated) and protein IIIa (mono- and diphosphorylated). This new analytical tool proved to be very useful not only for refining our current knowledge of the polypeptide repertoire of purified infectious virions but also for monitoring and very rapidly identifying structural modifications resulting from changes in the manufacturing process. It was also used successfully for the characterization of various adenoviral constructs.     

Preparation of a polyacrylonitrile/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization on a stainless steel wire for solid-phase microextraction

We report on the fabrication and performances of a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber based on a stainless steel wire coated with a covalently attached polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite. This new coating is obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylonitrile mixed with MWCNTs. ATRP is initiated from 11-(2-bromo-2-methylpropionyloxy)-undecyl-phosphonic acid molecules grafted on the wire surface via the phosphonic acid group. The extraction performances of the fibers are assessed on different classes of compounds (polar, non-polar, aromatic, etc.) from water solutions by headspace extraction. The optimization of the parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the target compounds was studied as well as the reproducibility and the repeatability of the fiber. The fibers sustain more than 200 extractions during which they remain chemically stable and maintain good performances (detection limits lower than 2 μg/l, repeatability, etc.). Considering their robustness together with their easy and inexpensive fabrication, these fibers could constitute promising alternatives to existing products.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of α-ethoxycarbamates

An efficient and reproducible synthesis of various α-ethoxycarbamates is described via a microwave heating mode. Compared to the thermal process, the microwave dielectric heating induces a dramatic reduction of the reaction time and the improvement of the yields. The reaction is general since applicable to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes with various primary amines. Several examples involving chiral aldehydes have also been considered.     

Enantioselective hydrogenation of indoles derivatives catalyzed by Walphos/rhodium complexes

The enantioselective hydrogenation of indole esters has been carried out efficiently in the presence of a rhodium catalyst modified by Walphos-type chiral ligands. The addition of a base can be beneficial in some catalytic conditions.     

Purcell enhancement of spontaneous emission from quantum cascades inside mirror-grating metal cavities at THz frequencies

Quantum cascade devices processed into double metal cavities with subwavelength thickness and a grating on top are studied at terahertz frequencies. The power extracted from the devices as a function of the device thickness and the grating period is analyzed owing to electrodynamical modeling of dipole emission based on a modal method in multilayer systems. The experimental data thus reveal a strong Purcell enhancement, with Purcell factors up to approximately 50.     

Local Dispersive and Strichartz Estimates for the Schrödinger Operator on the Heisenberg Group

It was proved by Bahouri et al. [9] that the Schrödinger equation on the Heisenberg group $\mathbb{H}^d,$ involving the sublaplacian, is an example of a totally non-dispersive evolution equation: for this reason global dispersive estimates cannot hold. This paper aims at establishing local dispersive estimates on $\mathbb{H}^d$ for the linear Schrödinger equation, by a refined study of the Schrödinger kernel $S_t$ on $\mathbb{H}^d.$ The sharpness of these estimates is discussed through several examples. Our approach, based on the explicit formula of the heat kernel on $\mathbb{H}^d$ derived by Gaveau [19], is achieved by combining complex analysis and Fourier-Heisenberg tools. As a by-product of our results we establish local Strichartz estimates and prove that the kernel $S_t$ concentrates on quantized horizontal hyperplanes of $\mathbb{H}^d.$     

Marfan syndrome in Europe

OBJECTIVES: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a relatively frequent systemic connective tissue disorder with an important physical morbidity and mortality. The influences of MFS on physical problems, perception of severity, and impact on the quality of life and psychosocial well-being have been studied only limitedly. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the severity derived from the reported symptoms and subjectively experienced severity of MFS (expressed as a global judgment), with special emphasis regarding impact on relationships and pregnancies, psychosocial adjustment, and differences between the seven European countries. METHODS: A questionnaire designed specifically for this study and translated in each of the native languages was sent to 2,080 members of one of the patient support groups in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. 857 MFS patients of 13 years and older completed the questionnaire and were included in the data analysis. RESULTS: Physical impairments were scored by perception of severity of physical symptoms by the patients (physical severity perception score) and by their perception of the influence of MFS on their life (subjective severity score). Main discrepancy between physical severity perception and subjective severity score was the higher percentage of patients scoring in physical severity perception as severe (53.5%) compared to subjectively severe (26.5%). 61% of those who scored on the physical severity score as severely affected were designated as being mildly-moderately affected on subjective scoring. Both severity scores increased significantly with age. Two hundred-twenty women have carried 430 pregnancies (1.95 pregnancies/woman), with cardiovascular complications in 1.6%. Prenatal studies for MFS were rejected by 7.6% of MFS patients of 25 years and older, 33.6% were undecided, and 48.5% favored prenatal diagnosis for MFS if available. A positive general self-image was reported by 91.5% of patients. However, more than 90% stated that MFS had a negative influence on their sexual relationships, which they ascribed to negative perception of their body image. CONCLUSIONS: MFS has significant impact on daily life activities, but the majority of patients come to terms with their condition. Acceptance is mainly determined by subjective severity, and less by physical symptoms as reported by the patients themselves. It is important to stimulate a positive attitude towards MFS.