Synthesizing choir singing

Analysis by synthesis is a method that has been successfully applied in many areas of scientific research. In speech research, it has proven to be an excellent tool for identifying perceptually relevant acoustical properties of sounds. This paper reports on some first attempts at synthesizing choir singing, the aim being to elucidate the importance of factors such as the frequency scatter in the fundamental and the formants. The presentation relies heavily on sound examples.     

Ab initio calculations of electrostatic potentials and deformation densities for a series of choline ester model systems

Ab initio LCAO-MO-SCF calculations using a double zeta basis set have been performed for the methyl esters of acetic acid, carbamic acid, methylcarbonic acid, and trifluoracetic acid, in order to model the corresponding choline esters. The systems have been compared by means of population analyses, electron density differences, electrostatic potentials and potential differences. The significance of the electrostatic potential in connection with crystal structure and packing has been studied. The differences in the proton affinity of the compounds have been correlated to differences in the potentials.     

The crystal structure of LSbOF

LSbOF is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, with a = 8.873, b = 4.099 and c = 5.483 Å. Four anions are bonded to Sb³⁺, all to one side, and such polyhedra form chains by edge sharing along c. Evidence is given for an ordered arrangement of fluorine and oxygen anions. The lone pair of electrons is described as taking a certain volume, the centre of which is derived. Relationships with other structures are discussed.     

A new program for CI calculations in molecules

Based on the formalism developed in a recent note, we have worked out a program for CI calculations in molecules. In the present note, the details of the program are discussed. The usefulness of the program has been illustrated using some calculations. On leave from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India.     

Photodissociation of bromobenzene, dibromobenzene, and 1,3,5-tribromobenzene

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed on the ground state and several low-lying excited states of bromobenzene, ortho-, meta-, and para-dibromobenzene, and 1,3,5-tribromobenzene using high-level ab initio and hybrid density-functional methods. Experimental observations of ultrafast predissociation in these molecules are clarified from extensive theoretical information about all low-energy potential-energy curves together with symmetry arguments. The intriguing observation that o- and m-dibromobenzene have two ultrafast predissociation channels while bromobenzene, p-dibromobenzene, and 1,3,5-tribromobenzene only have one such channel is explained from the calculated potential-energy curves. These show that the lowering of point-group symmetry from C2v to Cs along the main photodissociation reaction coordinate, which only occurs in o- and m-dibromobenzene, opens up a new predissociation channel. Dynamical quantum simulations based on the calculated potential-energy curves are used to estimate the coupling strength at the intersystem crossing point in bromobenzene.     

Gas chromatographic subsystem for fast on-line concentration profile measurements for advanced distillation column control

An automated gas chromatographic subsystem for the provision of fast and reliable concentration profile data for distillation column control is presented. The subsystem consists of a gas chromatograph, equipment for sample conditioning and a PC/AT compatible computer communicating with the supervisory process computer. A fast separation time is obtained through the use of a liquid chromatographic packing material and a high pressure drop across the column. Preliminary results show separation times below 10 s for the water-methanol-isopropanol system. Peak areas are quantified by use of parameter estimation in the frequency domain, a method that does not demand complete peak separation.     

Configuration interaction calculations on the propane radical cation,C3H 8 +

Summary Proton isotropic hyperfine coupling constants have been calculated for three low-energy nuclear conformations on the ground state potential surface of the propane cation, using a multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MR-SDCI) wave function. The lowest point found on the potential surface hadC _2v symmetry and the electronic wave function at this point had²B₂ symmetry. At this point, the largest isotropic coupling constant is calculated to be 88.6 G, which is in fair agreement with the experimental value of 98 G obtained in an SF₆ matrix at 4 K. No support is found for a long-bond ground state of lower symmetry thanC _2v . AnotherC _2v minimum on the ground state potential energy surface was found at which the wave function had² B ₁ symmetry. At this point, two large coupling constants of 198 G and 35 G were calculated. AC _2v stationary point was also found on the ground state potential surface at which the wave function had² A ₁ symmetry. At this point, couplings of 86 G and 25 G were obtained. None of these agree closely with the other experimental result of couplings at both 100–110 G and 50–52.5 G which was obtained in freon matrices. It is suggested that the latter spectra might correspond to a dynamical average of two distorted² A' states inC _s symmetry.     

CUSP conditions in extended SCF methods

It is shown that the cusp conditions for the ordinary Hartree-Fock orbitals are not applicable in extended SCF methods, contrary to what has been stated in the literature. The correct cusp condition for a singlet state of a two-electron atom is given.     

Structural relationships in tetrahedral frameworks: Reflections on cristobalite

Twinning on the unit cell level of the idealized cristobalite structure, using a mirror plane as the twin and composition plane, provides a simple relationship between 14 tetrahedral frameworks. Of these, 9 are found among the aluminosilicates with examples ranging from (stuffed) silicas to zeolites and include the framework types of nepheline hydrate I, zeolite LiA(BW), gismondine, phillipsite, merlinoite, tridymite, paracelsian, and monoclinic CaAl₂Si₂O₈. Similar twinning relates the frameworks of natrolite, thomsonite, and edingtonite.