Hydrocarbon media based metalation procedures involving “deficiency catalysis” are described for the ortho-lithiation of anisole (A), p-chloroanisole (p-ClA), o-, m-, p-methylanisoles (o-, m-, p-MA), the three dimethoxybenzenes (DMB’s), dimethylaniline (DMA), dimethybenzylamine (DMBA), m-methoxydimethylaniline (m-MeODMA), and tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (p-TMPDA). These procedures involve certain mechanistic considerations, which must be fine-tuned to maximize the extent of metalation (EoM). Our working hypothesis is that a controlled deoligomerization of the n-BuLi hexamer found in hydrocarbon media will afford a “sweet spot” of deoligomerization such that a maximally efficient metalation medium can be formed. In many cases, a substoichiometric ratio of equivalent TMEDA to n-BuLi is 0.1–0.2:1.0, but certain substrates suffer multiple sites of metalation under these conditions, so different promoted hydrocarbon media systems incorporating measured equivalents of an ether have been formulated. This paper represents the summary of our successful efforts to render ortho-lithiations safer, greener, and more atom-economical by use of hydrocarbon solvent media. EoM’s of 11 of the 12 substrates under these atom-economical conditions range from 87 to 97%.

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Sub-sea pipeline free spans occurring from inadequate seabed support can lead to static and vortex induced loading which results in pipeline failure. At best, this could effectuate a small crack at overstressed welded field joints, at worse, pipeline rupture. The latter may have significant safety, environmental and business impacts, and as a consequence free span management is necessary for incident avoidance and operational reliability. This paper describes a risk based approach to the management of multiple free spans that exist on the 30" gas pipeline that traverses the Malacca Straits from the NSO-A offshore platform to the gas processing facility at PT Arun, Aceh, northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It draws from an intensive data collection campaign and technical assessment allowing characterization of exposure and tolerances. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and Metocean surveys, together with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) conducted on more than one occasion since pipeline commissioning in 1999, has provided the necessary base data inputs. Pivotal to the analysis is utilization of industry best practices (in particular the DNV Recommended Practice F-105 Free Spanning Pipelines), together with risk assessment tools. Several dozen critical length spans have an elevated risk of fatigue cracking due to duration exposure. Span management recommendation identifies grout bag pipeline supports as being the most affective remediation solution, amongst others considered. The literature for actual case trial publications on sub-sea pipeline free span management is limited. This paper is considered to contribute to the emerging understanding of static loading and vortex induced vibrations impacting on the fatigue life of critical assets.

This article explores the relationship between censorship and comic cinema in Italy in the late 1940s and 1950s through Mario Monicelli's films starring the legendary Neapolitan actor Antonio De Curtis (Totò). Although key figures in the Christian Democrat administration and the Catholic Church expressly discouraged the production of neo-realist films, restrictions on film content also hindered the development of Italian comedy by limiting the extent to which film-makers could reference pressing social issues or satirize Italian institutions. This study closely considers the case of Totò e Carolina/Totò and Carolina (Monicelli, 1955), one of the most heavily censored films in the history of Italian cinema, and the effects of modifications to the film on the social criticism in the version approved for public screening. Despite the fact that the censors mangled Totò e Carolina, they did not entirely eliminate its attack on hypocrisy and prejudice or prevent the film from setting the stage for the bitter comedies of the commedia all'italiana/Italian style comedy associated with the economic boom that began towards the end of the decade.

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