Liquid coordination complexes: a new class of Lewis acids as safer alternatives to BF3 in synthesis of polyalphaolefins

Liquid coordination complexes (LCCs) are a new class of liquid Lewis acids, prepared by combining an excess of a metal halide (e.g. GaCl3) with a basic donor molecule (e.g. amides, amines or phosphines). LCCs were used to catalyse oligomerisation of 1-decene to polyalphaolefins (PAOs). Molecular weight distribution and physical properties of the produced oils were compliant with those required for low viscosity synthetic (Group IV) lubricant base oils. Kinematic viscosities at 100 °C of ca. 4 or 6 cSt were obtained, along with viscosity indexes above 120 and pour points below −57 °C. In industry, to achieve similar properties, BF3 gas is used as a catalyst. LCCs are proposed as a safer and economically attractive alternative to BF3 gas for the production of polyalphaolefins.

Nuclear disasters and health: lessons learned, challenges, and proposals

Past nuclear disasters, such as the atomic bombings in 1945 and major accidents at nuclear power plants, have highlighted similarities in potential public health effects of radiation in both circumstances, including health issues unrelated to radiation exposure. Although the rarity of nuclear disasters limits opportunities to undertake rigorous research of evidence-based interventions and strategies, identification of lessons learned and development of an effective plan to protect the public, minimise negative effects, and protect emergency workers from exposure to high-dose radiation is important. Additionally, research is needed to help decision makers to avoid premature deaths among patients already in hospitals and other vulnerable groups during evacuation. Since nuclear disasters can affect hundreds of thousands of people, a substantial number of people are at risk of physical and mental harm in each disaster. During the recovery period after a nuclear disaster, physicians might need to screen for psychological burdens and provide general physical and mental health care for many affected residents who might experience long-term displacement. Reliable communication of personalised risks has emerged as a challenge for health-care professionals beyond the need to explain radiation protection. To overcome difficulties of risk communication and provide decision aids to protect workers, vulnerable people, and residents after a nuclear disaster, physicians should receive training in nuclear disaster response. This training should include evidence-based interventions, support decisions to balance potential harms and benefits, and take account of scientific uncertainty in provision of community health care. An open and joint learning process is essential to prepare for, and minimise the effects of, future nuclear disasters.

Pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines:a new class of apoptotic agents

Some members of a series of novel pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines (PBOXs) potently induce apoptosis in a number of human cancerous cell lines including HL-60 cells and the drug-resistant chronic myelogenous leukaemia cell line, K562. The apoptotic induction seems to be independent of the mitochondrial peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), which binds these PBOXs with high affinity, due to a lack of correlation between their affinities for the receptor and their apoptotic potencies and their high apoptotic activity in PBR-deficient cells. PBOX-6, a potent member of the series, induces a transient activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in a dose-dependent manner, which correlates with induction of apoptosis. Expression of a cytoplasmic inhibitor of the JNK signal transduction pathway, Jip-1, prevents JNK activity and significantly reduces the extent of apoptosis induced by PBOX-6. This demonstrates the requirement for JNK in the cellular response to this apoptotic agent. In addition, PBOX-6 activates caspase-3-like proteases in K562 and HL-60 cells. The caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone (z-DEVD-fmk), blocks caspase-3-like protease activity in both cell types but only prevents PBOX-6-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells, suggesting that the requirement for caspase-3-like proteases in the apoptotic pathway is dependent on the cell type.

Socialized credit and the working-class family economy: a comparative history of Britain and France 1900-2000

This paper provides a comparative analysis of working class consumer credit in Britain and France from the early twentieth century through to the 1980s. It indicates a number of similarities between the two nations in the earlier part of the period: in particular, in the operation of doorstep credit systems. For the British case study, we explore consumer finance offered by credit drapers (sometimes known as tallymen) whilst in France the paper explores a similar system that functioned in the coalmining communities around the city of Lens. Both methods operated on highly socialised relationships that established the trust on which credit was offered and long-term creditor/borrower relationships established. In the second part of the paper, we analyse the different trajectories taken in post-war France and Britain in this area of working class credit. In France this form of socialized credit gradually dwindled due to factors such as ‘Bancarisation’, which saw the major banks emerge as modern bureaucratized providers of credit for workers and their families. In contrast, in Britain the tallymen (and other related forms of doorstep credit providers) were offered a new lease of life in the 1960s and 1970s. This was a period during which British credit providers utilised multiple methods to evade the hire purchase controls put in place by post-war governments. Thus, whilst the British experience was one of fragmented consumer loan types (including the continuation of doorstep credit), the French experience (like elsewhere in Europe) was one of greater consolidation. The paper concludes by reflecting on the role of these developments in the creation of differential experiences of credit inclusion/exclusion in the two nations and the impact of this on financial inequality.

A class of efficient short-chain fluorinated catanionic surfactants

There have been many attempts to find suitable replacements for fluorinated surfactants due to problems related to their bioaccumulation and resistance to biodegradation. Meeting the exceptional performances of these compounds, however, remains largely an unaccomplished challenge. Currently, a solution might be found through the synthesis of new classes of fluorinated compounds that possess reduced environmental impact by following the recommended strategies for their greener and safer design. In this article we report a novel approach by designing a family of catanionic fluorinated surfactants that shows potential for improved degradation, good water solubility, and low Krafft points. Furthermore, these surfactants exhibit excellent fluorine efficiency and effectiveness of surface tension reduction.