bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solution, thermal and optical properties of novel poly(pyridinium salt)s derived from conjugated pyridine diamines
Authors: Nedeltchev Alexi K. , Han Haesook , Bhowmik Pradip K. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSeveral novel poly(pyridinium salt)s with heterocyclic pyridine moieties in their backbones with tosylate and triflimide counterions were prepared by either ring‐transmutation polymerization reaction of phenylated‐bis(pyrylium tosylate) with isomeric pyridine diamines of 4‐phenyl‐2,6‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)pyridine in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 48 h at 130–140 °C or by metathesis reaction of the respective tosylate polymers with lithium triflimide in DMSO at about 60 °C. Their chemical structures were characterized by FTIR, 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Their number‐average molecular weights (Mn) were in the range of 8,000–51,000 and their polydispersities in the range of 1.18–2.13 as determined by gel permeation chromatography. They had excellent thermal stabilities of 340–458 °C and high glass transition temperatures >200 °C. As they showed good solubilities in common organic solvents, their solution properties were also characterized for their lyotropic liquid‐crystalline properties with polarizing optical microscopy (POM) studies. Their photoluminescent properties were examined by using a spectrofluorometer in both solution and solid states. Their quantum yields were rather low, which were in the range of 1.3–2.0%. Additionally, hand‐drawn fibers from the melts were examined to determine their morphologies with a number of microscopic techniques including POM, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Flocculation‐resistant multimolecular micelles with thermoresponsive corona from dendritic heteroarm star copolymers
Authors: Zheng Yongli , Zhong Ling , Huang Wei , Zhou Yongfeng , Yan Deyue 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this article, we report the self‐assembly of flocculation‐resistant multimolecular micelles with thermoresponsive corona from novel dendritic heteroarm star copolymers. The micelles have a core‐shell‐corona structure at room temperature according to pyrene probe fluorescence spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering measurements. Increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), the micelles show high flocculation‐resistant ability resulting from a structure transition from core‐shell‐corona to core‐shell confirmed by a quantitative variable temperature 1H NMR analysis method using potassium hydrogen phthalate as an external standard. A big volume change of the micelles is observed during the LCST transition. The drug loading and temperature‐dependent release properties of the micelles are also investigated by using coumarin 102 as a model drug, which displays a rapid drug release at a temperature above the LCST. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
High‐rate crystallization of polycarbonate in spincast thin film
Authors: Ata Seisuke , Oka Toshitaka , He Chun‐Qing , Ohdaira Toshiyuki , Suzuki Ryouichi , Ito kenji , Kobayashi Yoshinori , Ougizawa Toshiaki 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSurface morphology of bisphenol‐A polycarbonate (BAPC) thin films, with thickness ranging from 30 to 1000 nm on silicon substrates was studied by atomic force microscopy. The films were prepared by spincasting from 1,2‐dichloroethane solutions of 0.25–5.0 wt % BAPC. Even though longer annealing than 250 h was necessary for complete crystallization for bulk BAPC, high crystallinity was observed for 30 nm thick film after annealing at 200 °C for 48 h in vacuum. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy measurements showed that the free volume hole size in 30 nm thick film was larger than that of bulk at 200 °C. Comparison of the BAPC concentration in the precursor solution with the overlap concentration suggests that the high crystallinity of the 30 nm BAPC film is due to less entangled chains caused by rapid removal of the solvent from the dilute solution. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Confinement effect of polystyrene on the relaxation behavior of polyisobutylene
Authors: Wu Jinrong , Huang Guangsu , Wang Xiaoan , He Xiaojun , Lei Hangxin 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe dynamic mechanical loss tangent (tan δ) peak of polyisobutylene (PIB) reveals an asymmetrical broad structure with a maximum on the high‐temperature side and a shoulder on the low‐temperature side. By comparing with the literature results, it is suggested that the shoulder and the maximum originate from local segmental motion and Rouse modes, respectively. Blending polystyrene (PS) with PIB has two effects on the relaxation behavior of PIB. One effect is that the maximum and the shoulder are both suppressed, but the maximum is suppressed to a higher extent. After PS forms the continuous phase, the maximum becomes lower than the shoulder, and even almost disappears when the weight ratio of PIB/PS is under 20/80. The other effect is that, before PS forms the continuous phase, the temperature position of the maximum (Ts) and that of the shoulder (Tα) remains constant, but after PS forms the continuous phase, both of them are reduced with decreasing particle size of the PIB phase, in a way similar to nano‐confinement effect on the depression of glass transition temperature. The depression amplitude of Ts is larger than that of Tα. The aforementioned two effects can be interpreted in terms of the limited expansion of free volume of the PIB phase exerted by the PS phase, which affects the maximum to a higher extent than the shoulder because Rouse modes are more sensitive to the free volume than local segments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Micromechanical modeling of the elastic properties of semicrystalline polymers: A three‐phase approach
Authors: Sedighiamiri A. , Van Erp T. B. , Peters G. W. M. , Govaert L. E. , van Dommelen J. A. W. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe mechanical performance of semicrystalline polymers is strongly dependent on their underlying microstructure, consisting of crystallographic lamellae and amorphous layers. In line with that, semicrystalline polymers have previously been modeled as two and three‐phase composites, consisting of a crystalline and an amorphous phase and, in case of the three‐phase composite, a rigid‐amorphous phase between the other two, having a somewhat ordered structure and a constant thickness. In this work, the ability of two‐phase and three‐phase composite models to predict the elastic modulus of semicrystalline polymers is investigated. The three‐phase model incorporates an internal length scale through crystalline lamellar and interphase thicknesses, whereas no length scales are included in the two‐phase model. Using linear elastic behavior for the constituent phases, a closed form solution for the average stiffness of the inclusion is obtained. A hybrid inclusion interaction model has been used to compute the effective elastic properties of polyethylene. The model results are compared with experimental data to assess the capabilities of the two‐ or three‐phase composite inclusion model. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Pervaporation performance of novel chitosan‐POSS hybrid membranes: Effects of POSS and operating conditions
Authors: Xu Dan , Loo Leslie S. , Wang Kean 
Published: August 2010

AbstractFour types of polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS)–octaanion, octaammonium, octanitrophenyl, and octaaminophenyl–were incorporated into chitosan (CS) to fabricate inorganic–organic hybrid membranes. The hybrid membranes were employed for the pervaporation dehydration of ethanol aqueous solutions. The performance of the hybrid membranes was found to be influenced by the type and loading amount of POSS. In comparison with the neat CS membranes which showed a separation factor of 65.2 for 10 wt % water in the feed at 303 K, the hybrid membranes containing 5 wt % of octaanion and octaaminophenyl POSS showed high separation factors of 305.6 and 373.3, respectively. The effects of the operating conditions such as the feed composition and temperature on the pervaporation performance of the membranes were investigated. Activation energies for permeation in the membranes were estimated from Arrhenius relationship. The activation energies for ethanol permeation in the hybrid membranes were much higher than that in the CS membrane, which may account for the large enhancements in the selectivity of the hybrid membranes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Properties of fracture surfaces of glassy polymers: Chain scission versus chain pullout
Authors: Fischer Hartmut 
Published: August 2010

AbstractFresh fracture surfaces formed by tensile failure of craze in molded polystyrene (PS) bars have been compared with the molded surfaces of the same bars, using an atomic force microscope with a thermal probe and operated in local thermal analysis. The results indicate that molecular weight is much higher in the interior of the sample than at the surface. No evidence was found for degradation of the PS chains via chain scission during crazing. Alternative explanations for the low‐molecular weights at the molded surface are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Annealing induced electrical conductivity jump of multi‐walled carbon nanotube/polypropylene composites and influence of molecular weight of polypropylene
Authors: Pan Yongzheng , Cheng Henry Kuo Feng , Li Lin , Chan Siew Hwa , Zhao Jianhong , Juay Yang Kay 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMulti‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by a micro melt mixing process. As‐prepared composites had relatively low electrical conductivity due to the disruption of MWCNT network by strong shear. The electrical conductivity jumped to high values throughout an annealing process above the melting temperature of PP. The significant enhancement of electrical conductivity was influenced by annealing time, temperature, and content of MWCNTs. In particular, molecular weight of PP played an important role in affecting the conductivity enhancement. The molecular weight of PP was varied from 190,000 to 340,000 to examine its effect on the electrical conductivity. By comparing the conductivity enhancement behavior of composites with different molecular weight PPs and observing the morphology evolution during annealing, it was found that reaggregation of MWCNTs and the subsequent formation of MWCNT network during annealing are the main reasons for the jump of electrical conductivity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Prognostic value of health‐related quality‐of‐life parameters in early‐stage breast cancer: an 8‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Bredal Inger Schou , Sandvik Leiv , Karesen Rolf , Ekeberg Oivind 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: The purpose was to investigate whether self‐reported health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQOL) parameters at time of diagnosis and/or 1‐year follow‐up are prognostic for disease‐free survival (DFS) in early‐stage breast cancer patients.Methods: Data from 195 women, diagnosed with early‐stage breast cancer, who had filled in the EORTC QLQ‐C30 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at time of diagnosis and 1 year after surgery, were analyzed.Results: After a median follow‐up of 8.2 years (range 0.09–9.45), 27 (14.1%) deaths and 22 (11.5%) recurrences were observed. Using Cox multivariate regression analysis, appetite loss reported 1‐year following surgery (HR 2.92, 95% CI 1.50–5.66),p=0.002) was significantly predictive for shorter DFS, even after controlling for age and depression. None of the clinical or biological prognostic factors was found to have a confounding effect.Conclusion: The findings indicate that loss of appetite probably is of prognostic value in addition to well‐recognized clinical and biological data, in early‐stage breast cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of patient and patient–oncologist relationship characteristics on communication about health‐related quality of life
Authors: Rodriguez Keri L. , Bayliss Nichole K. , Alexander Stewart C. , Jeffreys Amy S. , Olsen Maren K. , Pollak Kathryn I. , Garrigues Sarah K. , Tulsky James A. , Arnold Robert M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: To test the effects of patient and patient–oncologist relationship factors on the time spent communicating about health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) during outpatient clinic encounters between oncologists and their patients with advanced cancer.Methods: Using mixed methods, we coded for duration of HRQOL talk in a subset of audio‐recorded conversations from the Study of Communication in Oncologist–Patient Encounters (SCOPE) Trial. Multivariable linear regression modeling was used to investigate the relationship between duration of HRQOL talk and gender concordance, race concordance, patient education status, patient marital status, and length of the patient–oncologist relationship (i.e. number of previous visits).Results: Sixty‐six encounters were analyzed that involved 63 patients and 34 oncologists. Patients were more likely to be female (51%), white (86%), married (78%), and possess a college or more advanced degree (33%). Most oncologists were male (82%) and white (82%). Mean ages were 58.8 years for patients and 44.9 years for oncologists. Regression results showed that the number of a patient's previous visits with their oncologist was significantly associated with a longer duration of HRQOL talk during their audio‐recorded clinic visit. The remaining independent variables, gender concordance, race concordance, patient education status, and patient marital status were not significant predictors of duration of HRQOL talk.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that length of the patient–oncologist relationship is related to duration of HRQOL talk. Improvements in HRQOL communication may best be achieved through efforts directed at those in earlier stages of the doctor–patient relationship. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction patterns between parents with advanced cancer and their adolescent children
Authors: Sheehan Denice Kopchak , Draucker Claire Burke 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: Advanced cancer profoundly affects those with the illness and their families. The interaction patterns between parents with advanced cancer and their adolescent children are likely to influence how a family experiences a parent's dying process. There is little information on such interactions. This study aimed to develop an explanatory model that explains interaction patterns between parents with advanced cancer and their adolescent children and to identify strategies to prepare children for their lives after a parent dies.Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 9 parents with advanced cancer, 7 of their spouses/partners, and 10 of their adolescent children. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a constructionist grounded theory approach.Results: Twenty‐six family participants were interviewed. Their main concern was not having enough time together. In response, they described a four‐stage process for optimizing the time they had left together: coming to know our time together is limited, spending more time together, extending our time together, and giving up our time together to end the suffering. The adolescents and their ill parents did not change their interaction patterns until they realized their time together was limited by the advanced cancer. Then they spent more time together to make things easier for each other.Conclusions: Time was of great importance to the parents and adolescents; all the participants structured their stories in relation to the concept of time. The model reflects the dynamic process by which families continuously adapt their relationships in the face of advanced cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The link between value motives, value success, and well‐being among people diagnosed with cancer
Authors: Ciarrochi Joseph , Fisher Danielle , Lane Lisbeth 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: This study investigated the relationship between cancer patient's values and cancer related distress.Method: A total of 107 patients with cancer diagnoses completed an anonymous questionnaire.Results: Less self‐regulating motivation for health values was significantly related to poorer well‐being. Greater success at living one's values was significantly related to improved well‐being and distress‐related outcomes. Sex difference analysis suggested that success at friendship values was linked to less cancer‐related distress among women, but not men, whereas success at romantic relationship values was linked to less distress among men, but not women.Conclusion: The results have important implications for values focused interventions, highlighting the importance of facilitating success at valued living and attending to sex differences among cancer patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distress levels in patients undergoing chemotherapy in Brazil
Authors: Decat Cristiane Sant'Anna , de Araujo Tereza Cristina Cavalcanti Ferreira , Stiles Jessica 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: The objective of this study was to measure distress at three points during the course of chemotherapy: beginning, middle, and the last day of therapy in a private cancer center in Brazil.Methods: One hundred patients were assessed at three points during chemotherapy using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The data were analyzed with the support of SPSS 15.0 software.Results: At the beginning of chemotherapy, patients mean scores were distress (82%), anxiety (78%) and depression (55%). In the middle of treatment, the percentages of distress, anxiety and depression decreased to 36.4, 25 and 25.3%, respectively. On the last day, the levels were 18.2% for distress and 14.3% for both anxiety and depression.Conclusion: Distress is highest in these patients at the beginning of chemotherapy, suggesting that evaluation of patients for psychosocial needs is important. Screening with a simple rapid instrument such as the DT is feasible and useful. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical activity in women with ovarian cancer and its association with decreased distress and improved quality of life
Authors: Beesley Vanessa L. , Price Melanie A. , Butow Phyllis N. , Green Adèle C. , Olsen Catherine M. ,   Australian Ovarian Cancer Study Group,   Australian Ovarian Cancer Study — Quality of Life Study Investigators, Webb Penelope M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjectives: To document levels of and changes in physical activity before and after ovarian cancer diagnosis and explore associations with psychosocial outcomes.Methods: Of 1207 eligible Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS) participants, 798 participated in an additional prospective Quality of Life (QoL) Study which measured anxiety, depression and QoL at 3–6 monthly intervals for 2 years beginning 3–48 months after diagnosis. AOCS asked about physical activity before diagnosis and 530 women also completed a one‐off lifestyle questionnaire 7–64 months after diagnosis which assessed activity during their first and, if relevant, second‐to‐third and fourth‐to‐sixth years following diagnosis. Analysis of variance was used to relate physical activity to psychosocial outcomes.Results: Almost 40% of women decreased their physical activity in the first year after diagnosis. Approximately 25% still had lower levels after 2–3 and 4+years. Recent physical activity level was inversely associated with depression and positively associated with QoL (P<0.05). Also, women who maintained or increased their physical activity after diagnosis had better mean depression and QoL scores than women who decreased physical activity or remained inactive (P<0.05). Among women who received chemotherapy shortly prior to completing the lifestyle questionnaire, high versus low or medium physical activity was associated with significantly lower mean depression scores during both periods of treatment and non‐treatment (P<0.05).Conclusions: Many women did not regain their pre‐morbid physical activity levels several years after ovarian cancer diagnosis. Low physical activity may simply be a consequence of poor well‐being but, alternatively, physical activity may improve psychosocial health of this group. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of communication skills training of nurses on the quality of life and satisfaction with healthcare professionals among newly diagnosed cancer patients: a preliminary study
Authors: Fukui Sakiko , Ogawa Keiko , Yamagishi Akemi 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIntroduction: The importance of effective communication skills to sustain the cancer patient quality of life (QOL) and their satisfaction with healthcare professionals is well documented. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of communication skills training (CST) of nurses for patient QOL and their satisfaction with healthcare professionals just after being diagnosed with cancer.Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Eight nurses, who mainly provide psychological and informational support for patients soon after they were informed of their cancer diagnosis by physicians at a cancer screening center, were randomly assigned to an experimental group attending a CST program (four nurses) or to a control group (four nurses). Eighty‐nine patients with gastric, colorectal, or breast cancer were supported and assessed by either group of nurses during the study period. The effectiveness for patient QOL and their satisfaction with healthcare professionals was assessed by administering the Short Form‐8 Health Survey (SF‐8) and a single‐item VAS three times (1 week after diagnosis: T1; 1 month after diagnosis: T2; and 3 months after diagnosis: T3).Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a group‐by‐time significant increase of the mental aspects of SF‐8 (F=3.48; P=0.03) and satisfaction with the nurse (F=3.18; p=0.04)Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of CST for healthcare professionals to improve the QOL of patients as well as their satisfaction with these professionals. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meltwater infiltration into the frozen active layer at an alpine permafrost site
Authors: Scherler Martin , Hauck Christian , Hoelzle Martin , Stähli Manfred , Völksch Ingo 
Published: August 2010

AbstractA coupled heat and mass transfer model simulating mass and energy balance of the soil‐snow‐atmosphere boundary layer was applied to simulate ground temperatures, together with water and ice content evolution, in the active layer of an alpine permafrost site on Schilthorn, Swiss Alps. Abrupt shifts and subsequent fluctuations in ground temperature observed in alpine permafrost boreholes at the beginning of the zero curtain phase in summer were explained by snowmelt and meltwater infiltration. Simulated water contents were compared to values derived from inverted electrical resistivity measurements and yielded a further independent validation of the model results. The study shows that infiltration into frozen soil takes place as an oscillating process in the model. This process is constrained by initial ground temperatures, infiltrability and the availability of meltwater from the snow cover. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.