Totally smooth renormings (Q1729726)

Let $X$ be a real Banach space, canonically embedded in its bidual $X^{\ast\ast}$. By a classical notion due to R. R. Phelps, a closed subspace $Y \subset X$ is called a $U$-subpace if every functional in $Y^\ast$ has a unique norm-preserving extension in $X^\ast$. In an earlier work [Stud. Math. 238, No. 1, 91--99 (2017; Zbl 1382.46008)], the first author et al. called a Banach space $X$ totally smooth if every closed subspace $Y \subset X$ is a $U$-subspace of $X^{\ast\ast}$. Thus, this notion is stronger than the well studied notion of Hahn-Banach smoothness, which requires only $X$ to be a $U$-subspace of $X^{\ast\ast}$. \par This interesting paper deals with renorming techniques for producing new examples of totally smooth spaces. Using a classical renorming approach, the authors show that, if $X$ is a weakly compactly generated Banach space which is Hahn-Banach smooth, then $X$ admits a totally smooth renorming. \par Professor Oja has contributed enormously towards the enrichment of the theory of the geometry of Banach spaces. Her passing away leaves a void in this area.