Double solid twistor spaces: the case of arbitrary signature

In a recent paper ([9]) we constructed a series of new Moishezon twistor spaces which are a kind of variant of the famous LeBrun twistor spaces. In this paper we explicitly give projective models of another series of Moishezon twistor spaces on n CP ² for arbitrary n≥3, which can be regarded as a generalization of the twistor spaces of ‘double solid type’ on 3CP ² studied by Kreußler, Kurke, Poon and the author. Similarly to the twistor spaces of ‘double solid type’ on 3CP ², projective models of the present twistor spaces have a natural structure of double covering of a CP ²-bundle over CP ¹. We explicitly give a defining polynomial of the branch divisor of the double covering, whose restriction to fibers is degree four. If n≥4 these are new twistor spaces, to the best of the author’s knowledge. We also compute the dimension of the moduli space of these twistor spaces. Differently from [9], the present investigation is based on analysis of pluri-(half-)anticanonical systems of the twistor spaces.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans olefins by the reaction of Wittig reagents with selenium. Formation of selenocarbonyl compounds.

Wittig reagents were successfully changed to symmetrical olefins when treated with elemental selenium. The reaction proceeds through a selenocarbonyl intermediate, which existence was confirmed by Diels-Alder reaction.     

Determination of rare earth elements in hot spring water and crater lake water samples by neutron activation analysis incorporating coprecipitation process using aluminium as a collector

Hot spring water and crater lake water samples were analyzed for their rare earth elements: (REE's) by neutron activation method, which, in the irradiation, sample preparation, incorporated a coprecipitation process in which aluminium was used as a collector. Ten REE's, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Tm, Yb and Lu, were consequently detected and determined at the ppb level with satisfactory precision. It was shown that the aluminium coprecipitation is effective in enhancing concentrations of the REE's and reducing the amounts of interfering nuclides before neutron irradiation.     

The effect of gas injection on a thermal argon plasma flow in a water-cooled tube

The effect of gas injection on an atmospheric thermal argon plasma flow in a water-cooled tube was investigated experimentally and numerically. The injection gas is argon, helium, or nitrogen. The static pressure with helium injection increases greatly because of its high thermal conductivity, while little increase occurs for nitrogen injection because of the dissociation. The increasing rate of the static pressure depends on the ratio of the momentum term to the viscosity term. The heat flux to the tube wall with gas injection changes less than that without injection. The numerical results showed variations similar to the experimental ones.     

Trypanocidal constituents of Dracocephalum komarovi

Trypanocidal constituents of Dracocephalum komarovi were investigated. Under guidance of the in vitro trypanocidal activity against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, two new diterpenes, dracocequinones A (1) and B (2), and two known triterpene acids, ursonic acid and ursolic acid, were isolated as trypanocidal constituents, in addition to previously reported diterpenes, cyclocoulterone (4), komaroviquinone (5), dracocephalone A (6) and komarovispirone (7). Furthermore a new diterpene, komarovinone A (3), was isolated, together with four known terpenes. Among these compounds, komaroviquinone (5) showed the most potent activity with minimum lethal concentration of 0.4 μM. Structure elucidation of the new diterpenes 1-3 was described.     

Influence of nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl' on the environmental radioactivity in Toyama

The environmental radioactivity caused by the reactor accident at Chernobyl' was investigated from May 7 to May 31 of 1986 in Toyama. Measurement of radioactivities in airborne particles, rain water, drinking water, milk, and mugwort are carried out by gamma-ray spectrometry (pure Ge detector; ORTEC GMX-23195). Ten different nuclides (103Ru, 106Ru, 131I, 132Te-I, 134Cs, 136Cs, 137Cs, 140Ba-La) are identified from samples of airborne particles. In the air samples, a maximum radioactivity concentration of each nuclide is observed on 13th May 1986. The time of the reactor shut-down and the flux of thermal neutron at the reactor were calculated from 131I/132I and 137Cs/134Cs ratio. The exposure dose in Toyama by this accident is given as follows: internal exposure; [thyroid] adult-59 microSv, child-140 microSv, baby-130 microSv, [total body] adult-0.2 microSv, child, baby-0.4 microSv, external exposure; 7 microSv, effective dose equivalent; adult-9 microSv, child-12 Sv, baby-11 microSv.     

Purification of boron nitride nanotubes through polymer wrapping

An effective method was proposed to remove obstinate boron nitride phase impurities in boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The method is based on strong interactions between BNNTs and a conjugated polymer wrapping them and significant weight and size difference between BNNTs and impurities. The as-grown samples and purified samples were compared through detailed characterization, using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The results reveal that impurities are effectively removed and resultant BNNTs possess perfect crystallization.     

Catalytic Enantioselective Reaction of α‐Phenylthioacetonitriles with Imines Using Chiral Bis(imidazoline)–Palladium Catalysts

The catalytic enantioselective reaction of α‐phenylthioacetonitriles with imines has been developed. The reaction of various imines proceeds in good yields and diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities in the presence of chiral bis(imidazoline)–palladium catalysts. The obtained products can be converted into β‐aminonitrile or β‐aminoamide compounds without loss of enantiopurity.