Derivation techniques on the Hermitian surface

We discuss derivation‐like techniques for transforming one locally Hermitian partial ovoid of the Hermitian surface H(3,q²) into another one. These techniques correspond to replacing a regulus by its opposite in some naturally associated projective 3‐space PG(3,q) over a square root subfield. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 478–486, 2007     

Pure adaptive search in monte carlo optimization

Pure adaptive search constructs a sequence of points uniformly distributed within a corresponding sequence of nested regions of the feasible space. At any stage, the next point in the sequence is chosen uniformly distributed over the region of feasible space containing all points that are equal or superior in value to the previous points in the sequence. We show that for convex programs the number of iterations required to achieve a given accuracy of solution increases at most linearly in the dimension of the problem. This compares to exponential growth in iterations required for pure random search.     

Pure adaptive search in global optimization

Pure adaptive seach iteratively constructs a sequence of interior points uniformly distributed within the corresponding sequence of nested improving regions of the feasible space. That is, at any iteration, the next point in the sequence is uniformly distributed over the region of feasible space containing all points that are strictly superior in value to the previous points in the sequence. The complexity of this algorithm is measured by the expected number of iterations required to achieve a given accuracy of solution. We show that for global mathematical programs satisfying the Lipschitz condition, its complexity increases at mostlinearly in the dimension of the problem.This work was supported in part by NATO grant 0119/89.     

General and selective isolation procedure for high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of anabolic steroids in tissues

A multi-residue method has been developed for the determination of anabolic steroids in animal tissue. The analytes are extracted from tissue with methanol and the extract is subjected to two solid-phase extractions, one using a non-specific adsorbing material, such as graphitized carbon black (Carbopack B), and the other Amberlite CG-400 I in the OH form. This procedure allowed the neutral anabolics (testosterone, trenbolone and progesterone) to be isolated and separated from the acidic type (phenolic group), such as diethylstilbestrol, oestradiol, zeranol/zearalenone and their respective metabolites. The determination was effected using high-performance liquid chromatography with different detectors (ultraviolet, fluorimetric and electrochemical). Several analytical parameters were studied: chromatographic conditions, recoveries, evaporation step, solvent flow-rate, cartridges reusability, interference of plastic cartridges. For all the anabolics investigated the recoveries were greater than 83.6%.     

Hemithio-analogues of meisenheimer complexes and sulphide group activation of aromatic substitution by alkoxides

EtO^? in DMSO adds to ethylthiopicrate at C-3 to generate an ephemeral

-adduct which ends into 1-ethylthio-4-ethoxy-2,5-dinitrobenzene, whilst ethyl picrate gives two adducts of attack of EtS^? at C-3 or C-1.     

The direction of the dipole moments of furan,thiophen, and pyrrole: A controversial question

The report that the dipole moment in the five-membered heterocyclic rings, furan, thiophene, and pyrrole has the positive pole on the heteroatom is contradicted with arguments based on reactivity data, theoretical calculations and moment values of substituted derivatives. In actuality, the dipole moment in furan and thiophene is directed from the ring (positive pole) to the heteroatom (negative pole).     

Thermal properties of some complexes of quinolinic acid with divalent metal ions

Studies of the complexes of pyridinecarboxylic acids with divalent metal ions as a function of the position of the carboxyl groups were extended. The thermal properties of the complexes of quinoline acid (pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) with several divalent metal ions were determined by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). A correlation between these compounds and others obtained by reaction between the studied metal ions with similar acids (lutidinic acid (pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid) and isocinchomeronic acid (pyridine-2,5-di-carboxylic acid) is discussed in terms of the position of the carboxyl group far from the aza group. The thermal stability of the metal complexes is in the order Mn(II) > Fe(II) > Zn(II) ? Co(II) > Ni(II) > Cu(II).     

Electrochemical investigations of cationictrans-haloarylisocyanidebis(tertiaryphosphino)platinum (II) complexes

Summary The electrochemical behaviour of a series of cationic platinum(II) isocyanide complexes has been studied in acetonitrile. All the tested compounds are oxidized at a platinum electrode via a two-electron process and reduced at a platinum or mercury electrode via two successive one-electron steps. The anodic step involves the formation of platinum(IV) complexes. The main reduction product formed in correspondence to the first cathodic process is a stable dimer platinum(I) containing bridging isocyanide ligands. Platinum(0) species are formed in the subsequent reduction step.     

Free radical-scavenging activity of indolic compounds in aqueous and ethanolic media

Indolic compounds are a broad family of substances present in microorganisms, plants and animals. They are mainly related with tryptophan metabolism, and present particularities that depend on their respective chemical structures. The most important members of the family are the plant hormone, indole-3-acetic acid, and the animal hormone, melatonin. An important characteristic of some indolic compounds is that they may be useful as chemical preventive agents against diseases such as cancer, oxidative stress, etc. For this reason, the possible antioxidant activities (free radical-scavenging activity) of several indoles were studied. The2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid /H(2)O(2)/HRP decoloration method was applied to determine both hydrophilic (in buffered media) and lipophilic (in organic media) antioxidant properties of the indolic compounds. Also, a study of the hydrophilic antioxidant activities of indoles at different pH values (between 4.5 and 8.5) was made. Finally, their possible role as diet plant antioxidants is discussed.