The Kirwan Map for Singular Symplectic Quotients

Let M be a Hamiltonian K-space with proper moment map µ.The symplectic quotient X = µ^–1(0)/K is a singularstratified space with a symplectic structure on the strata.In this paper we generalise the Kirwan map, which maps the Kequivariant cohomology of µ^–1(0) to the middle perversityintersection cohomology of X, to this symplectic setting. The key technical results which allow us to do this are Meinrenken'sand Sjamaar's partial desingularisation of singular symplecticquotients and a decomposition theorem, proved in Section 2 ofthis paper, exhibiting the intersection cohomology of a ‘symplecticblowup’ of the singular quotient X along a maximal depthstratum as a direct sum of terms including the intersectioncohomology of X.     

Mapping Plasma Chemistry in Hydrocarbon Fuel Processing Processes

A role of plasma chemistry and relative contribution to the overall reaction is explained. Considering relative contribution of thermo chemistry and plasma chemistry, reactions are classified into three different regimes. The way plasma affects kinetic pathways differs according to these regimes. This review introduces how plasma chemistry affects overall reaction and determines kinetic pathways based on the classified regimes. Among these three regimes, In the case of weakly exothermic reactions, discernible role of plasma chemistry is most confusing because plasma chemistry provokes both electron and excited species induced activation and thermal activation that are competitive and interactive. This review introduces the way how to understand the discern plasma chemistry in these reactions. There is possibility of misleading in evaluation of thermal efficiency of process if the concept of warm plasma is not defined correctly. Efficiency and process design also should be based on the classification of the regimes and this review can provide the insight on the understanding specific role and function of plasma chemistry in diverse plasma applied processes.     

Cohomology pairings on singular quotients in geometric invariant theory

In this paper we shall give formulas for the pairings of intersection cohomology classes of complementary dimensions in the intersection cohomology of geometric invariant-theoretic quotients for which semistability is not necessarily the same as stability (although we make some weaker assumptions on the action). We also give formulas for intersection pairings on resolutions of singularities (or more precisely partial resolutions, since orbifold singularities are allowed) of the quotients.     

Interactions Between Helium Plasma Jets and Electrolytes at Different Driving Voltages

This study reports the effects of the driving voltage on interactions between plasma jets and electrolytes. Plasma jets over electrolytes, which were generated using five kinds of driving voltages, were characterized by distinct optical emissions from the gas region and the gas–liquid interface with unique electrical characteristics. The generated plasma jets over electrolytes resemble the characteristics of dielectric barrier discharges; the plasma–liquid interactions are affected by external driving voltages that vary the surface charge at the gas–liquid interface because of the conductive and dielectric nature of the electrolyte. The findings suggest that selecting an adequate driving voltage waveform is critical for specific applications utilizing plasma–liquid interactions.     

Desingularizations of the moduli space of rank 2 bundles over a curve

Let X be a smooth projective curve of genus g3 and M₀ be the moduli space of rank 2 semistable bundles over X with trivial determinant. There are three desingularizations of this singular moduli space constructed by Narasimhan-Ramanan [NR78], Seshadri [Ses77] and Kirwan [Kir86b] respectively. The relationship between them has not been understood so far. The purpose of this paper is to show that there is a morphism from Kirwans desingularization to Seshadris, which turns out to be the composition of two blow-downs. In doing so, we will show that the singularities of M₀ are terminal and the plurigenera are all trivial. As an application, we compute the Betti numbers of the cohomology of Seshadris desingularization in all degrees. This generalizes the result of [BS90] which computes the Betti numbers in low degrees. Another application is the computation of the stringy E-function (see [Bat98] for definition) of M₀ for any genus g3 which generalizes the result of [Kie03].Young-Hoon Kiem was partially supported by KOSEF R01-2003-000-11634-0 and SNU; Jun Li was partially supported by NSF grants.Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 14H60, 14F25, 14F42     

Product Vectors in the Ranges of Multi-Partite States with Positive Partial Transposes and Permanents of Matrices

In this paper, we consider a system of homogeneous algebraic equations in complex variables and their conjugates, which arise naturally from the range criterion for separability of PPT states. We examine systematically these equations to get sufficient conditions for the existence of nontrivial solutions. This gives us possible upper bounds of ranks of PPT entangled edge states and their partial transposes. We will focus on the multi-partite cases, which are much more delicate than the bi-partite cases. We use the notion of permanents of matrices as well as techniques from algebraic geometry through the discussion.     

Inhibitory effect of ammonium tetrathiotungstate on tyrosinase and its kinetic mechanism

Tyrosinase requires two copper ions at the active site, in order to oxidize phenols to catechols. In this study, the inhibitory effect of the copper-chelating compound, ammonium tetrathiotungstate (ATTT), on the tyrosinase activity was investigated. ATTT was determined to inactivate the activity of mushroom tyrosinase, in a dose-dependent manner. The kinetic substrate reaction revealed that ATTT functions as a kinetically competitive inhibitor in vitro, and that the enzyme-ATTT complex subsequently undergoes a reversible conformational change, resulting in the inactivation of tyrosinase. In human melanin-producing cells, ATTT evidenced a more profound tyrosinase-inhibitory effect than has been seen in the previously identified tyrosinase inhibitors, including kojic acid and hydroquinone. Our results may provide useful information for the development of whitening agent.     

Application of Plasma Fuel Reformer to an On-Board Diesel Burner

A conventional diesel burner has arisen several shortcomings, such a large supply of air for a stoichiometric combustion, and a long heat-up time to reach the light-off temperature of catalyst in a diesel after-treatment system. This study shows a promising potential of using a plasma reformer for staged diesel combustion with minimized air and fuel consumption, and increased the flame stability with low NOx emission. A working principle of a plasma fuel reformer for staged combustion is explained in detail by both visualizing the plasma-assisted flame and analyzing the gas products. The concentrations of H₂, CO, NOx and the unburned total hydrocarbons were measured by gas chromatography and a commercial gas analyzer. Considering the operating condition of diesel exhaust gas is too harsh to maintain a stable diesel flame with a conventional diesel burner, plasma fuel reformer has distinctive advantages in stable flame anchoring under the condition of low oxygen concentration and fast flow speed. The re-ignition and stable flame anchoring by entrapment of oxygen in exhaust gas is mainly attributed to the low ignition energy and high diffusion velocity of hydrogen molecule. From an economic point of view, plasma reformer is also the only technology which can use only 1/3–1/8 of the air required for the stoichiometric burning of a conventional diesel burner. A conventional burner was simulated and analyzed to consume up to 30 % more fuel compared to the plasma reformer with the staged combustion to get the same level of temperature elevation in a real diesel engine scale.     

Landau-Ginzburg/Calabi-Yau Correspondence via Wall-Crossing

Landau-Ginzburg/Calabi-Yau correspondence claims the equivalence between the Gromov-Witten theory and the Fan-Jarvis-Ruan-Witten theory.The authors survey recently developed wall-crossing approach to the Landau-Ginzburg/Calabi-Yau correspondence for a quintic threefold.     

Cyanide ion selective solid contact electrode based on nickel complex of N,N′-bis-(4-phenylazosalicylidene)-o-phenylene diamine ionophore

A cyanide ion selective poly(aniline) solid contact electrode based on nickel complex of N,N′-bis-(4-phenylazosalicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine ionophore was successfully developed. The electrode exhibits a good linear response of 58.7 mV/decade (at 20 ± 0.2°C, r ² = 0.998) with in the concentration range of 1 × 10^?1.0-1 × 10^?6.0 M cyanide. The composition of this electrode was: ionophore 0.300, polyvinylchloride 0.300, 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether 0.670 (mass). This 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether plasticizer provides the best response characteristics. The electrode shows good selectivity for cyanide ion in comparison with any other anions and is suitable for use with aqueous solutions of pH 4.6–6.3. The standard deviations of the measured emf difference were ±1.92 and ±1.87 mV for cyanide sample solutions of 1.0 × 10^?2 M and 1.0 × 10^?3 M, respectively. The stabilization time was less than 183 s and response time was less than 38 s.