Bis[2,3-bis-(thio-phen-2-yl)pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine]-silver(I) perchlorate methanol disolvate.

The title compound, [Ag(C15H9N3S2)2]ClO4·2CH3OH, is monoclinic. The AgI atom is coordinated by pyrido N atoms and is two-coordinate; however, the AgI atom has nearby O atoms that can be assumed to be weakly bonded - one from the perchlorate anion and one from the methanol solvate molecule. One of the thienyl groups on a 2,3-bis-(thio-phen-2-yl)pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine is flipped disordered and was refined to occupancies of 68.4 (6) and 31.6 (6)%.

Refractive sphere and light point source: shortcut to the zero wavefronts.

A somewhat basic way to find an expression for the zero wavefront of a given illuminated refractive medium starts from a wavefront arbitrary point E, belonging to this medium, whose position analytical expression is already known. Then, one derives a new virtual wavefront-the zero wavefront-equivalent to the point source of light. The spatial path length of the resulting direct equivalent ray between E and the corresponding point E0, belonging to the zero wavefront, equals the optical path length of the more or less complicated succession of ray segments, caused by refraction and/or reflection, between E and the point source. Moreover, the ray direction of the equivalent direct ray, between E and E0, and that of the real ray at E must coincide. In the shortcut to the zero wavefront, one considers an arbitrary point E belonging rather to the entry interface of the optical medium and whose position analytical expression is already known. In the case of the refractive sphere illuminated by a point source, the internal progression of the ray implies, at each internal reflection point, two new media and two new zero wavefronts: one corresponding to the reflected fraction inside and the other corresponding to that refracted fraction outside. The analytical expression of the zero wavefront resulting from the shortcut, at least for the case of the refractive sphere, is not only much simpler, but as complete as the basic one. Indeed, the expression of any equivalent ray or wavefront can be obtained from the zero wavefront either through the basic way or through the shorter one.

Supernumerary bows: interference theory with the zero wavefront as a basic element.

This study relates to the prediction of the angular positions of supernumerary screenbows and rainbows, in the case of a refractive sphere illuminated by a point source placed at a distance of h from its center; for h→∞, the incident light beam becomes parallel. The screenbow appears on a spherical screen whose center is that of the sphere and which intercepts the tangential caustic surface. The rainbow, specific to the water drop, but here generalized to any refractive sphere, corresponds to a screenbow produced on a "screen" placed at an infinite distance. This paper uses exact graphical representations of the wavefronts associated with rainbows resulting from k internal reflections to illustrate how the angular positions of the supernumerary rainbows and the positions of the corresponding supernumerary bows on screens are to be calculated. All considerations are made within the framework of geometrical optics being, on the one hand, the limit of the electromagnetic theory as the wavelength goes to 0, and, on the other hand, complemented by the Gouy phase shift theory.

Supernumerary bows: caustics of a refractive sphere and analysis of the relative overall Gouy phase shift of supernumerary rays.

The modified Young's theory of interference related to supernumerary rainbows is based on a difference of 90° in the Gouy phase shifts for the parallel rays producing these bows. An observation screen placed at a given distance from a refractive sphere illuminated by a point source of light should also show supernumerary screen bows. An extensive description and analysis of the caustics involved are given. For any k order, k being the number of reflections inside the sphere, a procedure is established to determine the number of Gouy phase shifts encountered by any ray along its path from the source to the screen. Special consideration is given to the order k=0. For any k supernumerary bow, on any spherical screen whose center is that of the sphere, the difference in the Gouy phase shifts for the two rays producing a bow always amounts to 90°. An indirect proof of this characteristic is given. All considerations are made within the framework of geometrical optics being, on the one hand, the limit of the electromagnetic theory as the wavelength goes to 0, and being, on the other hand, complemented by the Gouy phase shift theory.

A Phase II, Randomized, Multicenter Study Comparing 10 Months versus 4 Months of Degarelix Therapy in Prolonging the Off Treatment Interval in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer Receiving Intermittent Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Biochemical Recurrence following Radical Local Therapy.

PURPOSE: Clinical trials in men initiating intermittent androgen deprivation therapy have used a range of induction durations between 3 and 12 months. We sought to determine whether the duration of induction androgen deprivation therapy would influence the duration of the off treatment interval and the recovery of serum testosterone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, open label study. Men with biochemical recurrence after local therapy for prostate cancer and a negative bone scan were randomized to 4 and 10 months of monthly degarelix. The first dose was 240 mg and subsequent doses were 80 mg per month. Quality of life was evaluated by the I-PSS (International Prostate Symptom Score), the PAS-SFI (Problem Assessment Scale of the Sexual Function Index) and the FACT-P (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate). RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were randomized, including 43 to 4 months and 47 to 10 months of treatment. There was no difference in any relevant baseline laboratory parameter, including prostate specific antigen and testosterone. There was no difference between the 2 treatment groups in time off treatment (HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.60-3.84, p = 0.38). Actuarial median time to testosterone recovery to 8.0 nmol/l or greater was 8.05 months (95% CI 4.34-39.89) in the 10-month treatment arm and 6.24 months (95% CI 5.45-15.90) in the 4-month treatment arm. The log rank test showed no statistical significance between the 2 treatment groups in time to testosterone recovery (p = 0.8392). There was no difference in the testosterone recovery rate between the 2 arms. Men younger than 65 years had a considerably shorter interval off treatment and time to testosterone recovery. There was a lesser adverse effect on quality of life at the end of treatment in the 4-month than in the 10-month arm. CONCLUSIONS: In men with biochemical recurrence who initiated intermittent androgen deprivation therapy with degarelix no difference was observed in the duration of the off treatment interval or the rate of testosterone recovery whether they received 4 or 10 months of induction androgen deprivation therapy.

Geometric optics of a refringent sphere illuminated by a point source: caustics, wavefronts, and zero phase-fronts for every rainbow "k" order.

This study relates to a refringent sphere illuminated by a point source placed at a distance h from its center; for h→∞ the light beam becomes parallel. A selection of variables, principally angular with the center of the sphere as a common point, allows a global, straightforward, and geometrically transparent way to the rays, caustics, and wavefronts, internal as well as external, for every k order, k being the number of internal reflections. One obtains compact formulas for generating the rays and the wavefronts.