The quality approach and fundamental research: Working towards a constructive alliance (Part II)

 An appropriate Quality approach in fundamental research should have its roots in the very principles of the "scientific method". Quality and fundamental research could thus reconcile at the condition, on the one hand, that Quality practioners understand and take into account the reality of the "science in action" and, on the other hand, that scientists improve their awareness of the new deal which is being made between science, technology and society as well as of the actual issues of Quality. A modern Quality approach, well adapted to this specific activity, should help both scientists, decision-makers and the public face the issues concerning the role of science in society in the future. In this context, I specify a number of practical proposals concerning, in particular, the adaptation of the requirements of the quality approach to the type of research, the distinction between the three major steps of a research programme (i.e. quality of the objective, the process and the results) and the encouragement of experience feedback. Received: 8 March 1998 / Accepted: 8 December 1998     

Isokinetic Relationships in Alcohol Oxidation with Chromic Acid

The activation parameters for the oxidation of 13 secondary alcohols with chromic acid have been determined. Application of a statistical treatment of Exner [9] shows that the reactions are isoentropic with an average entropy of activation (ΔS^≠) of ?24.0 e. u.     

Nitroxydes 91 : β-Cétoénolates nitroxydes

β-Ketoaldehyde derivatives of simple piperidine and pyrrolidine nitroxides as spin labelled ligands give paramagnetic three-electron copper complexes.     

Erratum

Peculiar transitions in the optical spectra of Mn atoms isolated in argon matrices confirm the existence of Mn₂ molecule. The temperature variation of the absorption and MCD intensity in the range 13-27 K demonstrate that the Mn₂ molecule is antiferromagnetic and allows a precise determination of its ground-state exchange energy: J = ?10.3 ± 0.6 cm^?1.