Lobohedleolide and (7Z)-lobohedleolide,new cembranolides from the soft coral lobophytum hedleyi whitelegge

The structures of lobohedleolide (1) and (7Z)-lobohedleolide (2), two new cembranolides containing the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid system isolated from the Japanese soft coral Lobophytum hedleyi Whitelegge, were elucidated from spectral and chemical evidence, and the absolute configuration of (1) was determined by X-ray analysis of its p-bromophenacyl ester (9). Lobohedleolide (1) showed growth inhibition of the in vitro Hella cells.     

Regeneration of small eddies by data assimilation in turbulence

The effect of data assimilation of large-scale eddies on small-scale eddies in turbulence is studied by direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of Navier-Stokes turbulence with Taylor microscale Reynolds numbers up to 179. The DNSs show that even if the data of small-scale eddies are lost at some initial instant, they can be regenerated from the data of large-scale eddies under the condition that Fourier modes with wave number less than a critical wave number k(*) are continuously assimilated, where k(*) approximately 0.2eta(-1) with eta identical with(nu(3)/epsilon)(1/4), epsilon the mean energy dissipation rate, and nu the viscosity.     

High-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a 3-mm-thick periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 device

We have demonstrated high-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a 3-mm-thick periodically poled 5-mol. % MgO-doped LiNbO3 device with a 32.1-microm grating period and a 30-mm length. With a large-spot-size pump laser of 2.2-mm diameter, we obtained a total output pulse energy of 22 mJ for both the signal (wavelength 1.82 microm) and the idler (2.56 microm) waves at an input pump energy of 46 mJ.     

Plasma production by helicon and slow waves

The observation of slow-wave sustained (SW) discharge in a whistler- or helicon-wave range of frequency is made using high-frequency and very-high-frequency bands of rf. The SW discharge occurs at an extremely low rf power and plasma density, which are lower than a capacitive-coupling discharge region.     

Detection and evaluation of the depth of surface cracks in conductive materials by using a loop antenna

A new method is developed for detection and evaluation of the depth of surface cracks in conductive materials. The main components of the measurement equipment are a conductive wire and a loop antenna, both of which are located as close as possible to the surface of the investigated material, while the antenna loop is perpendicular to the surface and parallel to the wire. Supplying of electrical potential with microwave frequency f and amplitude |_s| to the wire results in spreading of induced current close beneath the surface of the material. The induced current redistributes in the vicinity of surface cracks, and some of the current paths flow along the crack walls. This leads to generation of a time-variable magnetic field mostly within the volume of the crack, which is detected by the loop antenna. A theoretical analysis is presented of the contributions of the different types of generated magnetic fields to the potential drop with amplitude |U_s| measured by the antenna. The distribution of the ratio R(dB)=|U|/|U_s| is measured for specimens of paramagnetic and ferromagnetic steel which contain three artificial cracks with depths of 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm, and frequency f=300 MHz of the supplied electrical potential. It turns out that artificial cracks with a depth of d 0.5 mm, located at distances from x=3 mm to x=15 mm from the wire, can be detected. The largest sensitivity of crack detection is achieved for x4 mm when the long axis of a crack is perpendicular to the wire. The crack response of the measured ratio R is proportional to the crack depth when the loop of the antenna is located above or slightly outside an artificial crack, and at least 4 mm from the wire. This relation could be used for evaluation of the depth of real surface cracks. The notable decrement of the crack response outside the crack can indicate the location of the crack tips on the surface of the specimen. It is shown that a loop antenna with a diameter of 7 mm provides the largest crack response, as well as that the developed method can be applied to both paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials. An example of the detection of a real crack by an antenna is reported for the first time. PACS 81.70.Ex; 84.40.Ba; 84.32.Ff     

Application of high pressure induced by water-freezing to the direct catalytic asymmetric three-component List-Barbas-Mannich reaction

High pressure induced by water-freezing has been successfully applied to the direct catalytic asymmetric-three component List-Barbas-Mannich reaction, in which higher yield and better enantioselectivity can be realized than those from the reaction at room temperature under 0.1 MPa.     

Retardation of water evaporation by less-defective mixed monolayers spread from bulk solids onto water surface

From AFM observation of transferred films on mica, it has been found that mixed monolayers of hexadecanol with poly(vinyl stearate) give a film with a less-defective and flat surface by spreading from bulk solids of those mixtures onto a water surface without using any organic solvent. As a result, those mixed monolayers have a considerably larger effect on retardation of water evaporation in comparison with those spread from the solution of the mixtures. After the saturated surface pressure of the mixed monolayer spread from the bulk solids, an enhanced effect on retardation of water evaporation was found, accompanied by the preferential spreading of hexadecanol and the gradual reduction of defects in the mixed monolayer.