Alkene aminations catalysed by transition metals

Amines, especially long chain tertiary alkylamines, are industrially useful compounds with a relatively high commercial value. They are currently synthesised by a variety of multi-step processes, but a simple "one pot" catalytic synthesis is a highly desirable alternative with considerable potential advantages over existing methods. This thesis is concerned with possible routes to alkylated amines via amination of alkenes promoted by transition metals. The chemistry of transition metal alkene complexes relevant to amination of the alkene, is reviewed in detail. A search is made for complexes suitable for use as models with which to study the catalytic process. In an attempt to minimise nucleophilic attack at the metal centre, but maximise attack at coordinated alkenes, attempts were made to synthesise complexes containing strongly σ-donating anionic groups. In this context, reactions of palladium compounds with the dianion of N,N'-diphenyloxamide (PhNCOCONPh) are reported, which relate to the synthesis of previously unknown palladium alkene complexes. Also reported are some attempted reactions of amines with known metal alkene complexes

A Fragmented Diaspora? Online Communities and ‘Exiled’ Soccer Fans.

Generally speaking, sociological studies of soccer fans have labelled specific fan practices as ‘authentic’ or ‘inauthentic’, often doing so on the basis of a subjective prioritisation of ‘traditional’ forms of soccer fandom. Consequently, computer mediated communication (CMC) has become stigmatised and fan interactions via the internet have been widely regarded as one of the many negative consequences of the globalisation of the sport. An unhelpful dichotomy has thus emerged, which divorces CMC from ‘authentic’ fan practices and excludes those that interact online from ‘genuine’ fandom. Thorough research, therefore, into the nature of such interactions, and the distinct communities that emerge from this, has been largely neglected. Ironically, several studies, which have used online fan interactions as a source of data, have reported the replication of (or potential for) several forms of traditional soccer fandom within online settings – most notably, the centrality of geographic identity and origin, as well as the establishment of meaningful relationships and genuine communities of soccer fans. The results of such studies also suggest that it is precisely those fans engaged in traditional practices who are the most likely to converse via the internet. The central aim of this paper is to address the dearth of research on CMC between soccer fans and, more specifically, to provide conceptual outline for our understanding of online communities and the nature and consequences of online interactions. A case study on ‘exiled’ fans, based on a netnographic observation of an online forum, analyses the use and membership of online communities by soccer fans who are no longer connected, in geographic terms, to the club they affiliate with. Despite this, such fans are able to express their identity to a club (and/or place), establish relationships with other fans, and form a distinct community of soccer fans – features considered hallmarks of authentic fandom

Asset allocation approach to understanding stock market dynamics

Equity portfolio managers typically convey instructions to their traders in the form of target portfolio weights for the various shares in their portfolio. We present a set of differential equations that allows the calculation of the share prices, number of shares, and value of each manager's portfolio over time, in terms of share weights. It is also necessary to know the amount of cash flowing into each portfolio and the number of each type of shares outstanding. We suggest some potentially useful information that might be derived from this formalism, such as a quantitative estimate of the main driver of share price changes, the influence of index investing on the market, and the origin of the equity premium. We believe that this realistic method could be the basis for a better understanding of how financial markets operate, as compared with the conventional academic approach. In our view standard asset pricing theory makes implausible assumptions about the existence of stochastic processes, the ability of participants to foretell the future, and their capacity to make sound deductions from the information they have. Even an imperfect alternative should be better than that house of cards.

Flaw in the fund skill/luck test method of Cuthbertson et al

Cuthbertson et al have recently described a method that is claimed to be able to identify individual fund managers who exhibited skill over a long period in the past. The only input to the process is monthly fund returns. We suggest that a critical step in the Cuthbertson method is flawed. This step involves the study of the order statistics of period average fund returns. We construct a simple model to which the Cuthbertson method should apply. Simulations with the model conclusively demonstrate that the method fails to detect many funds with skill, and also erroneously identifies many funds as having skill they do not possess.

An Agent Based Simulation of Smart Metering Technology Adoption

Based on the classic behavioural theory “the Theory of Planned Behaviour”, we develop an agent-based model to simulate the diffusion of smart metering technology in the electricity market. We simulate the emergent adoption of smart metering technology under different management strategies and economic regulations. Our research results show that in terms of boosting the take-off of smart meters in the electricity market, choosing the initial users on a random and geographically dispersed basis and encouraging meter competition between energy suppliers can be two very effective strategies. We also observe an “S-curve” diffusion of smart metering technology and a “lock-in” effect in the model. The research results provide us with insights as to effective policies and strategies for the roll-out of smart metering technology in the electricity market

Next Steps for Hydrogen - physics, technology and the future

Hydrogen has been proposed as a future energy carrier for more than 40 years. In recent decades, impetus has been given by the need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. In addition, hydrogen has the potential to facilitate the large-scale deployment of variable renewables in the electricity system. Despite such drivers, the long-anticipated hydrogen economy is proving to be slow to emerge. This report stresses the role that physics and physics-based technology could play in accelerating the large-scale deployment of hydrogen in the energy system. Emphasis is given to the potential of cryogenic liquid hydrogen and the opportunities afforded by developments in nanoscience for hydrogen storage and use. The use of low-temperature liquid hydrogen opens up a technological opportunity separate from, but complementary with, energy applications. The new opportunity is the ability to cool novel materials into the superconducting state without the need to use significant quantities of expensive liquid helium. Two of the authors have previously coined the term “hydrogen cryomagnetics” for when liquid hydrogen is utilised in high-field and high-efficiency magnets. The opportunity for liquid hydrogen to displace liquid helium may be a relatively small business opportunity compared to global transport energy demands, but it potentially affords an opportunity to kick-start the wider commercial use of hydrogen. The report considers various important factors shaping the future for hydrogen, such as competing production methods and the importance of safety, but throughout it is clear that science and engineering are of central importance to hydrogen innovation and physics has an important role to play

Identifying the Host Galaxy of Gravitational Wave Signals

One of the goals of the current LIGO-GEO-Virgo science run is to identify transient gravitational wave (GW) signals in near real time to allow follow-up electromagnetic (EM) observations. An EM counterpart could increase the confidence of the GW detection and provide insight into the nature of the source. Current GW-EM campaigns target potential host galaxies based on overlap with the GW sky error box. We propose a new statistic to identify the most likely host galaxy, ranking galaxies based on their position, distance, and luminosity. We test our statistic with Monte Carlo simulations of GWs produced by coalescing binaries of neutron stars (NS) and black holes (BH), one of the most promising sources for ground-based GW detectors. Considering signals accessible to current detectors, we find that when imaging a single galaxy, our statistic correctly identifies the true host ~20% to ~50% of the time, depending on the masses of the binary components. With five narrow-field images the probability of imaging the true host increases to ~50% to ~80%. When collectively imaging groups of galaxies using large field-of-view telescopes, the probability improves to ~30% to ~60% for a single image and to ~70% to ~90% for five images. For the advanced generation of detectors (c. 2015+), and considering binaries within 100 Mpc (the reach of the galaxy catalogue used), the probability is ~40% for one narrow-field image, ~75% for five narrow-field images, ~65% for one wide-field image, and ~95% for five wide-field images, irrespective of binary type.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Nuclear Energy in the UK: Safety Culture and Industrial Organisation

In this paper we seek to explore the relationship between professionalism and nuclear safety in the UK. We consider the history of civil nuclear energy in Britain and the near complete shift in emphasis from state owned enterprises to the private sector. We show how in recent years government has acknowledged that a truly liberalised electricity industry is unable to deliver the construction of new nuclear power stations as part of a future low carbon electricity system. Throughout, however, the intention has been for policy merely to incentivise the private sector rather than to steer industry strategy directly. Having said that, the line between strong incentives and weak control can be hard to see. We present illustrative examples, real and fictional, that give insight into the UK nuclear safety culture and we discuss the wider nature of UK society with respect to corruption. We conclude that the unique basis of safety regulation in the UK, essentially permissive rather than prescriptive, has a key role to play in promoting and maintaining nuclear professionalism

New Electricity Technologies for a Sustainable Future

There is a growing concern over our reliance on conventional electricity sources and their long-term environmental, climate change, and security of supply implications, and much hope is vested in the ability of future technological progress to tackle these issues. However, informed academic analysis and policy debates on the future of electricity systems must be based on the current state, and prospects of, technological options. This paper is the introductory chapter in the forthcoming book Future Electricity Technologies and Systems. The book comprises contributions from leading experts in their respective technology areas. The chapters present state of the art and likely progress paths of conventional and new electricity generation, networks, storage, and end-use technologies. In this paper we review the growth trend in electricity demand and carbon emissions. We then present a concise overview of the chapters. Finally, we discuss the main contextual factors that influence long-term technological progress