Chemistry International
1999, Volume 21
Index
1999
Issues
No. 1 (January)
IUPAC-AAPAC
Joint Meeting on Chemistry in the Development of Africa
On the occasion of the Seventh International Chemistry Conference in Africa,
5-10 July, 1998 the current Presidents of IUPAC (Prof. Joshua Jortner) and
AAPAC (Prof. E. D. Bekoe) convened a conference of African chemistry leaders
with representatives of IUPAC. In the extraordinarily effective one-day meeting,
held on July 11, 1998, the participants discussed problems facing the African
chemical enterprise and suggested solutions that could be implemented jointly
by IUPAC and AAPAC.
No. 2 (March)
Bioinformatics
and the Internet
At the turn of the millennium, two young technologies can be singled out
which have a major impact on science, industry, and society: recombinant DNA
and information technology. As they combine in the field of bioinformatics,
they are transforming the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and food industries
and, as a consequence, university education. Much of today's information in
the life sciences is generated by collaborative efforts at different locations
worldwide, and effective communication is essential for success. Thus, the
huge amount of data generated by large-scale genome sequencing activities,
e.g., the human genome project, depends heavily on computing and telecommunications
and stimulates further efforts in this area.
No. 3 (May)
Historical
Overview of the South African Chemical Industry: 1896 - 1998
In a limited sense, a chemical industry has been in existence
in South Africa for many centuries. Dyes, fragrances, flavorings, and medicinals
were extracted from plants, and animal fats were used in soap making and leather
preserving. These activities were carried out on a limited scale; just enough
was made to meet the immediate needs of small groups of people. As time passed,
some substances, particularly fragrances, dyes, and medicinals, became articles
of trade and, when in short supply, commanded high prices. However, it was
not until the Industrial Revolution that chemicals were manufactured in sufficient
quantities to talk about a chemical industry as we know it today.
No. 4 (July)
Election
of Officers and Bureau Members
Nominations for the various positions that fall vacant at the
end of 1999 must be received by the Secretary General at the IUPAC Secretariat
before 13 June 1999, i.e., two months before the start of the Council meeting
(Bylaw 2.221). The situation for each position (as this issue went to press
on 18 June) is set out.
No. 5 (September)
President's
Report on the State of the Union
(To view this file, leave CI and enter IUPAC
News Section).
The future message of IUPAC should rest on:
- Openness to the fast expansion of the borders of the chemical sciences;
- Response to conceptual and structural changes in chemical research
and technology;
- Perpetuation of interdisciplinary unification, high quality, relevance,
and the global dimension in activities;
- Contribution to the globalization of the scientific endeavor;
- Recruiting "Human Capital" for IUPAC;
- Adherence to the principles, norms, values, and ethics of science.
No. 6 (November)
Chemistry
in Today's Brazil
This article surveys the birth and development of the chemical community
in Brazil over the last 50 years. Chemistry in Brazil has had its ups
and downs over the years. The institutionalization of chemistry took
considerable time and still is irregular, depending in part upon the
whims of the government at any given time. Starting from humble beginnings,
a vigorous chemistry community developed and rapidly expanded the scope
of its activities across the country. Many problems remain unsolved,
however, and to these have now been added dismal government policies
that threaten to negate many of the accomplishments achieved thus far.
Brazilian chemistry is at the threshold of a new age that will differ
greatly from the previous half-century.