Three-Chromophore Compounds I. Reductive Transformations of the 3,5-diaryl-2-cyclohexen-1-ones

The preparation of three 3,5-diarylcyclohexanones by rhodiumchlorotris(triphenyl-phosphine)—catalyzed reduction of the parent olefines (IIa—IIc) is described. Other reducing agents produced several intermediate products of the total hydrogenolysis.     

Electrochemical behavior of Sn8Hg (gamma-2) and dental amalgam in a phosphate buffer solution

The gamma-2 phase (Sn₈Hg) and a dental amalgam in phosphate buffer have been studied by means of potentiostatic and galvanostatic techniques, along with a rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE). The analysis of results has shown that phosphate ions play an important role in the corrosion of amalgam. The anodic reaction leads to the formation of soluble species and a passivating film, which is probably composed of tin hydroxide and tin phosphate.     

Function of sulfur dioxide in the kinetic mechanism of oxidation of carbon

Retardation of the gasification reaction of carbon with oxygen by SO₂ was observed. Rates of oxidation were determined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of a nuclear graphite in the temperature range of 550–700°C, and of a coconut charcoal in the temperature range of 400–505°C. The oxidant gases were dry air containing 0–6% SO₂. Reduction of the rate by SO₂ varied with burn-off. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was also applied to detect the retardation effect of SO₂. The technique of infrared internal reflection spectroscopy (IRS) was used to examine the surface species of reacted charcoal samples. Absorption bands were assigned to surface carbonyls, lactones, and a chemisorbed SO₂ in the form of sulfate. Chemisorption of SO₂ was attributed to cause the retardation of the oxidation reaction.     

On the mechanical performance of closed cell Al alloy foams

The mechanical properties of three different commercially available closed cell Al alloys all made by foam casting are examined. The objective is to assess the roles of cell morphology and of imperfections in governing the basic properties: stiffness, yield strength and fracture resistance. This assessment provides goals for manufacturing strategies that enable attainment of good mechanical performance with affordable process technologies. A prevalent role of curves and wiggles in the cell walls on stiffness and strength (anticipated by models) is affirmed by the present measurements. Systematically larger stiffnesses and yield strengths found in tension than in compression are consistent with a prominent role exerted by such imperfections. Moreover, foam casting is apparently capable of cell morphologies that impart properties approaching the best achievable values for an isotropic closed cell solid, devoid of imperfections. There are associated implications for performance and affordability. Fracture measurements indicate crack growth occurring along the cell walls by a mechanism analogous to the plastic tearing of thin sheets. The crack growth resistances are in the range of 1 kJm⁻². This mechanism infers a toughness that scales with the cell wall thickness and its yield strength.     

Filtering Multi‐Layer Shadow Maps for Accurate Soft Shadows

In this paper, we introduce a novel technique for pre‐filtering multi‐layer shadow maps. The occluders in the scene are stored as variable‐length lists of fragments for each texel. We show how this representation can be filtered by progressively merging these lists. In contrast to previous pre‐filtering techniques, our method better captures the distribution of depth values, resulting in a much higher shadow quality for overlapping occluders and occluders with different depths. The pre‐filtered maps are generated and evaluated directly on the GPU, and provide efficient queries for shadow tests with arbitrary filter sizes. Accurate soft shadows are rendered in real‐time even for complex scenes and difficult setups. Our results demonstrate that our pre‐filtered maps are general and particularly scalable.     

Displaying a boundary in graphic and symbolic “wait” displays: Duration estimates and users’ preferences

Two experiments assessed the effect of displaying a boundary on duration estimates and preference ratings for dynamic displays that were shown while users waited for the system's response. Displays were either symbolic (changing numbers) or graphic (increasing rectangles) and could contain a boundary that indicated when the interval was expected to be over. Duration estimates were similar for symbolic and graphic displays and for displays with and without a boundary. However, when the displays were encountered successively, participants assessed the graphic displays as having shorter durations than the symbolic displays. Faster rates of change in both types of displays led to increased duration estimates. Although displaying a boundary did not affect duration estimates, participants preferred displays in which a boundary was shown and preferred the graphic displays over the symbolic displays. Hence, bounded graphic displays are recommended as “wait” displays for computerized applications.     

Toward a programming theory for rational agents

An important problem in agent verification is a lack of proper understanding of the relation between agent programs on the one hand and agent logics on the other. Understanding this relation would help to establish that an agent programming language is both conceptually well-founded and well-behaved, as well as yield a way to reason about agent programs by means of agent logics. As a step toward bridging this gap, we study several issues that need to be resolved in order to establish a precise mathematical relation between a modal agent logic and an agent programming language specified by means of an operational semantics. In this paper, we present an agent programming theory that provides both an agent programming language as well as a corresponding agent verification logic to verify agent programs. The theory is developed in stages to show, first, how a modal semantics can be grounded in a state-based semantics, and, second, how denotational semantics can be used to define the mathematical relation connecting the logic and agent programming language. Additionally, it is shown how to integrate declarative goals and add precompiled plans to the programming theory. In particular, we discuss the use of the concept of higher-order goals in our theory. Other issues such as a complete axiomatization and the complexity of decision procedures for the verification logic are not the focus of this paper and remain for future investigation. Part of this research was carried out while the first author was affiliated with the Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information, Radboud University Nijmegen.     

Molecular structures and conformational studies of triarylcyclopropyl and related nonsteroidal antiestrogens

Molecular structures and conformational characteristics of a series of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,3-triarylcyclopropanes (DTACs), which were reported previously to be distinctly antiestrogenic and inhibitors of the estrogen-receptor-positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in culture, are reported. In addition, structural and conformational features of the DTACs were compared to the first-known nonsteroidal antiestrogen, MER25, and the clinically useful antiestrogen Tamoxifen. The molecular structures of four DTAC compounds were determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic structures show that the DTAC molecules have nearly the same relative conformation for the three aryl rings which is designated as a "nonpropeller" conformation in contrast to the observed "propeller" conformation for the three rings in all known triarylethylenes. Systematic conformational searches were performed to find the conformational preferences of DTACs, MER25, and Tamoxifen using idealized model compounds built from their respective crystal structure. Energy-minimization and conformational-search studies demonstrated that all DTAC molecules have a common, single global minimum energy conformer for their central core containing the dichlorotriarylcyclopropyl system, which is similar to that found in their crystal structures. Conformational search of MER25 showed that the molecule can assume a number of low-energy conformers of which two, one anti (A1) and one gauche (G1A), have about the same energy. The anti conformation is similar to the one observed in its crystal structure and resembles the estrogenic E-isomer of Tamoxifen, while the lowest energy gauche conformer of MER25 resembles more closely the antiestrogenic Z-isomer of Tamoxifen. NMR spectroscopic analysis of MER25 showed that the molecule exists predominantly in the anti conformation in solution. A comparative review of the structural features and bioactivities of Tamoxifen, DTACs, and MER25 provides a possible explanation for their low estrogen receptor binding affinity which is common to these compounds together with their antiestrogenic activity.     

The necessity of conducting to the end the activities of vector control in the onchocerciasis control program in west Africa: recall of the stakes and proposal of a minimum budget for the period 1998-2002

After a brief presentation of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP), the authors realize the health and socioeconomic consequences that could follow a cessation of larvicide treatment before 2002 in the south-eastern and western extensions of the Programme. Taking into account that OCP activities are theoretically supported until 1997, but aware of financial constraints that will probably increase from now to 2002, this paper proposes an a minima estimation of the residual vector control activities for a "phasing out" spread out for five years (1998-2002). These estimations essentially concern the larvicide coverage, the insecticides used, the entomological surveillance, the logistical support and their financial aspects. As far as 48 U.S. $ million amount for 5 years are concerned, the budget allocated for vector control activities should not exceed the third of the global amount allocated to OCP for the actual fourth financial phase of the Programme (1992-1997).     

Retrospective correction of intensity inhomogeneities in MRI

Medical imaging data sets are often corrupted by multiplicative inhomogeneities, often referred to as nonuniformities or intensity variations, that hamper the use of quantitative analyses. The authors describe an automatic technique that not only improves the worst situations, such as those encountered with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surface coils, but also corrects typical inhomogeneities encountered in routine volume data sets, such as MRI head scans, without generating additional artifact. Because the technique uses only the patient data set, the technique can be applied retrospectively to all data sets, and corrects both patient independent effects, such as rf coil design, and patient dependent effects, such as attenuation of overlying tissue experienced both in high field MRI and X-ray computed tomography (CT). The authors show results for several MRI imaging situations including thorax, head, and breast. Following such corrections, region of interest analyses, volume histograms, and thresholding techniques are more meaningful. The value of such correction algorithms may increase dramatically with increased use of high field strength magnets and associated patient-dependent rf attenuation in overlying tissues.