Generation of angular momentum of fission fragments in a cluster model

Based on the dinuclear system concept, the role of bending vibrations in creation of the angular momentum of primary fission fragments is investigated. For ²⁵²Cf spontaneous fission, the angular momenta of the fragments are calculated as a function of the neutron multiplicity and compared with available experimental data. Different cluster compositions of the ²⁵²Cf fission modes at the scission point are considered.     

Some 3-manifolds with 2-generated fundamental group

We describe a family of graph manifolds that have 2-generated fundamental group but do not admit a Heegaard splitting of genus 2. They are closely related to the examples provided by Boileau and Zieschang if these are considered as (non-proper) graph manifolds.Received: 14 August 2002     

Effective nonchain HF laser excited by a self-sustained discharge

Lasing and discharge in mixtures of SF₆ with hydrogen and hydrocarbons are investigated. If the chemical reaction is initiated by a self-sustained discharge (a generator with both an inductive and capacitive energy storage can be used), the maximum lasing efficiency is attained at high values of the ratio E/p (where E is the electric field intensity and p is the pressure in the mixture) if shaped electrodes and preionization of the discharge gap are employed. For the first time, the lasing efficiency obtained in a nonchain HF laser is as high as 10% of the energy deposit and 4.5% of the stored energy for a specific radiation energy of ≈140 J/(l atm). At high efficiencies, the emission spectrum of the nonchain HF laser significantly broadens and cascade lasing at P(3-2) → P(2-1) → P(1-0) vibrational transitions for several rotational lines is realized.     

Relaxor properties of Fe-doped TlInS<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The relaxor properties of Fe-doped TlInS₂ crystals are investigated. It is shown that Fe-doped TlInS₂ compounds exhibit all features inherent in relaxor ferroelectric materials. The temperature range of existence of the microdomain (relaxor) state and the temperature of the transition from this state to a macro-domain state are determined.     

Mild and efficient synthesis of propargylamines by copper-catalyzed Mannich reaction

Terminal alkynes undergo mild and efficient aminomethylation with aqueous formaldehyde and secondary amines under CuI catalysis. In most cases high to nearly quantitative yields of tertiary propargylamines are obtained in DMSO solution at room temperature. Aromatic, aliphatic and silylated acetylenes as well as alkynols can be used. Primary amines are less reactive and satisfactory yields of secondary propargylamines are obtained only with phenylacetylene.     

Appearance of anomalous phase in <Superscript>4</Superscript>He crystal in the presence of small <Superscript>3</Superscript>He impurity

The kinetics of formation of an anomalous phase from a solution with a small ³He impurity was studied in the temperature range 0.2–0.7 K up to a supersaturation of ～30 mbar. The phase diagram was determined for normal and anomalous growths. It is found that, in the presence of impurities, the formation of a fast-growing state is retarded. This experimental fact indicates that the dissipative processes in fluids have an appreciable effect on the phase formation kinetics. The retardation is, possibly, caused by the direct interaction of an impurity with the crystal surface.     

Preparation of colloidal solutions of noble metals stabilized by polyoxometalates and supported catalysts based on these solutions

Conditions for the preparation of stable aqueous monometallic and bimetallic colloidal solutions (sols) of noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir, Ag, and Au) in the presence of polyoxometalates containing W, Mo, V, and Nb were found. The stability of sols against coagulation at room temperature was studied. The metal/C samples prepared by metal adsorption from sols were studied by powder X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The following factors of importance for the preparation of a stable sol are discussed: (1) the formation of a sol of a metal polyhydroxo complex stabilized by a polyoxometalate (preliminary stage) and (2) the formation of polyoxometalate-metal clusters in the course of reduction of polyhydroxo complexes.Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 45, No. 6, 2004, pp. 921–929.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Maksimova, Chuvilin, Moroz, Likholobov, Matveev.     

Indoor radon measurements in dwellings of four Saudi Arabian cities

An indoor radon survey of a total of 269 dwellings, with one dosimeter per house, distributed in four Saudi Arabian cities was carried out. The objective of this survey was to carry out indoor radon measurements of two cities in the Eastern Province, Khafji and Hafr Al-Batin and to compare this with two cities in the Western Province, Al-Madina and Taif. The survey provides additional information about indoor radon concentrations in Saudi Arabia. The results of the survey in these cities showed that the overall minimum, maximum and average radon concentration were 7,137 and 30 Bqm⁻³, respectively. The lowest average radon concentration (20 Bqm⁻³) was found in Hafr Al-Batin, while the highest average concentration was found in Khafji (40 Bqm⁻³).     

The spline collocation method for parabolic boundary integral equations on smooth curves

Summary. We consider the spline collocation method for a class of parabolic pseudodifferential operators. We show optimal order convergence results in a large scale of anisotropic Sobolev spaces. The results cover the classical boundary integral equations for the heat equation in the general case where the spatial domain has a smooth boundary in the plane. Our proof is based on a localization technique for which we use our recent results proved for parabolic pseudodifferential operators. For the localization we need also some special spline approximation results in anisotropic Sobolev spaces. Received May 17, 2001 / Revised version received February 19, 2002 / Published online April 17, 2002