Complex contact manifolds and S1 actions

We prove rigidity and vanishing theorems for several holomorphic Euler characteristics on complex contact manifolds admitting holomorphic circle actions preserving the contact structure. Such vanishings are reminiscent of those of LeBrun and Salamon on Fano contact manifolds but under a symmetry assumption instead of a curvature condition.     

Classification of positive quaternion-Kähler 12-manifoldsClassification de variétés Kähleriennes quaternioniques positives de dimension 12

We prove that the 12-dimensional complete quaternion-Kähler manifolds with positive scalar curvature belong to the list of symmetric spaces given by Wolf [12]. To cite this article: H. Herrera, R. Herrera, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 334 (2002) 43–46     

Rigidity and vanishing theorems for almost quaternionic manifolds

We prove the rigidity under (compatible) circle actions of several twisted Dirac operators on almost quaternionic manifolds, and the vanishing of the indices of some of them as a consequence.      

Physicochemical Characterization of Resistant Starch Type-III (RS3) Obtained by Autoclaving Malanga (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) Flour and Corn Starch

The feasibility of obtaining resistant starch type III (RS3) from malanga flour (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), as an unconventional source of starch, was evaluated using the hydrothermal treatment of autoclaving. The physicochemical characterization of RS3 made from malanga flour was carried out through the evaluation of the chemical composition, color attributes, and thermal properties. In addition, the contents of the total starch, available starch, resistant starch, and retrograded resistant starch were determined by in vitro enzymatic tests. A commercial corn starch sample was used to produce RS3 and utilized to compare all of the analyses. The results showed that native malanga flour behaved differently in most of the evaluations performed, compared to the commercial corn starch. These results could be explained by the presence of minor components that could interfere with the physicochemical and functional properties of the flour; however, the RS3 samples obtained from malanga flour and corn starch were similar in their thermal and morphological features, which may be related to their similarities in the content and molecular weight of amylose, in both of the samples. Furthermore, the yields for obtaining the autoclaved powders from corn starch and malanga flour were similar (≈89%), which showed that the malanga flour is an attractive raw material for obtaining RS3 with adequate yields, to be considered in the subsequent research.     

A phase-consistent derivation of the electromagnetic multipole operators

The aim of this work is to draw attention to the precise formulation of theelectromagnetic-multipole transition operators and moments, especially the electric ones. Their precise structure fixes their transformations under some operations, as time reversal and hermitian conjugation, and in this way they play an important role as far as properties of their matrix elements are concerned.Another point of discussion is the consistent use of a well-defined phase convention for the angular-momentum eigenfunctions and their role in the development of the BCS formalism. A numerical example proves the importance of the use of well-defined phase-consistent eigenfunctions, operators, occupation probabilities, etc.     

Advances in materials for room temperature hydrogen sensors

Hydrogen (H(2)), as a source of energy, continues to be a compelling choice in applications ranging from fuel cells and propulsion systems to feedstock for chemical, metallurgical and other industrial processes. H(2), being a clean, reliable, and affordable source, is finding ever increasing use in distributed electric power generation and H(2) fuelled cars. Although still under 0.1%, the distributed use of H(2) is the fastest growing area. In distributed H(2) storage, distribution, and consumption, safety continues to be a critical aspect. Affordable safety systems for distributed H(2) applications are critical for the H(2) economy to take hold. Advances in H(2) sensors are driven by specificity, reliability, repeatability, stability, cost, size, response time, recovery time, operating temperature, humidity range, and power consumption. Ambient temperature sensors for H(2) detection are increasingly being explored as they offer specificity, stability and robustness of high temperature sensors with lower operational costs and significantly longer operational lifetimes. This review summarizes and highlights recent developments in room temperature H(2) sensors.