Michael Wittenberg

Liquid crystalline derivatives of oligoethylene-amines and -amino ethers with amide, ester, urea or urethane functions

The mesomorphism of diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine derivatives, substituted with the 3,4-bis(decyloxy)benzoyl group (‘two chain’ substituent)via amide, ester, urea or urethane moieties, is described. Furthermore, different examples of related linear and cyclic oligoethyleneamino ethers are investigated and compared with the mesomorphism of the first group. Both lamellar smectic A and hexagonal columnar mesophases can be observed in linear compounds, depending on the length of the linear unit. A cyclic derivative displays a cubic phase. The conclusion is emphasized that the mesomorphism of these classes of compounds is caused by microphase separation.

A re-entrant Col ho phase

The formation of a re-entrant columnar discotic hexagonal ordered phase (re-entrant Col ho phase) is reported for the asymmetrically substituted triphenylene 3,6,7,10,11-penta- pentyloxytriphenylene-2-yl pivaloate (pivaloate) and its structural and dynamic properties described. The re-entrant phase behaviour is strongly modified by doping the pivaloate with the electron acceptor 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF).

A novel class of mesogens: liquid-crystalline derivatives of linear oligoalkylene amides

Different members of a novel class of liquid crystals, linear oligoalkylene amides with 3, 4-bis(alkoxy)benzoyl substituents, are described. We have synthesized relevant derivatives of diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine. The flexibility of the central alkylene amidic part causes very unusual mesogenic properties. Lamellar, columnar and cubic mesophase structures are displayed, depending on the length of the linear unit and of the alkoxy side-chains.

Revising the ECRIN standard requirements for information technology and data management in clinical trials

The pilot phase of the ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network) certification programme for European data centres, in late 2011, led to a substantial revision of the original ECRIN standards, completed by June 2012. The pilot phase, the conclusions drawn from it and the revised set of standards are described. Issues concerning the further development of standards and related material are discussed, as are the methods available to best support that development. A strategy is outlined based on short-lived specific task groups, established as necessary by a steering group drawn from ECRIN-ERIC. A final section discusses possible future developments.