Spectroscopic study of the polymerization of intercalated anilinium ions in different montmorillonite clays

The polymerization of the intercalated aniline ions was studied in three different clays, Swy2-montmorillonite (MMT), synthetic mica-montmorillonite (Synl) and pillarized Swy2-montmorillonite (PILC). PANI is formed between the MMT and Syn1 clay layers, being confirmed by the shift of d(001) peak in the X-ray pattern. X-ray Absorption near to Si K edge (Si K XANES) data show that the structures of clays are preserved after the polymerization process and in addition to the SEM images show that morphologies of the clays are maintained after polymerization, indicating no polymerization in their external surface. UV-vis-NIR and resonance Raman data display that the PANI formed in Syn1 galleries has higher amount of phenazinic rings than observed for PANI intercalated in montmorillonite (MMT) clay. No polymer formation was detected in the PILC. N K XANES and EPR spectroscopies show the presence of azo and radical nitrogen in intercalated PAN! chains. Hence, the results are rationalized considering the structural differences between the clays for understanding the role of the anilinium polymerization within the clays galleries. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the light polymerization efficiency of copolymers used in dental formulations by differential scanning calorimetry

Different compositions of visible-light-curable triethylene glycol dimethacrylate/bisglycidyl methacrylate copolymers used in dental resin formulations were prepared through copolymerization photoinitiated by a camphorquinone/ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate system irradiated with an Ultrablue IS light-emitting diode. The obtained copolymers were evaluated with differential scanning calorimetry. From the data for the heat of polymerization, before and after light exposure, obtained from exothermic differential scanning calorimetry curves, the light polymerization efficiency or degree of conversion of double bonds was calculated. The glass-transition temperature also was determined before and after photopolymerization. After the photopolymerization, the glass-transi-tion temperature was not well defined because of the breadth of the transition region associated with the properties of the photocured dimethacrylate. The glass-transition temperature after photopolymerization was determined experimentally and compared with the values determined with the Fox equation. In all mixtures, the experimental value was lower than the calculated value. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphological differences in the prepared copolymer structures. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An insight into the beginning stage of the aqueous ring opening metathesis polymerization of exo,exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid with Ru(III) compounds: the consumption of Ru(III) species in the presence of carboxylic acids monitored by ESR spectroscopy

The presence of paramagnetic species in the aqueous ring opening metathesis polymerizations of the exo,exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid monomer with RuCl(3) and K(2)[RuCl(5)H(2)O] compounds was studied using ESR techniques. It was observed that the intensities of the Ru(III) signals in the ESR spectra decrease on the time scale of the induction period so that the ROMP can take place. The intensity of the Ru(III) signal almost disappeared 50 min after reacting with K(2)[RuCl(5)H(2)O] and after 100 mm in the case of RuCl(3). Reactions of the cis-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2)](tfms)(3) and [Ru(NH(3))(5)H(2)O](tfms)(3) complexes with the monomer and different organic compounds representing the organic functions in the monomer (furan, norbornene, but-2-ene-1,4-diol and formic, acetic, oxalic and maleic acids) were also monitored by ESR and UV/vis spectra. It was deduced that the organic acids provide the disappearance of the Ru(III) signal. The proton NMR relaxation times of the residual water in D(2)O for reactions with oxalic acid suggested that the presence of paramagnetic ions in the solution decreases along with

What is important for you? A qualitative interview study of living with diabetes and experiences of diabetes care to establish a basis for a tailored Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for the Swedish National Diabetes Register

OBJECTIVES: There is a growing emphasis on the perspective of individuals living with diabetes and the need for a more person-centred diabetes care. At present, the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR) lacks patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) based on the perspective of the patient. As a basis for a new PROM, the aim of this study was to describe important aspects in life for adult individuals with diabetes. DESIGN: Semistructured qualitative interviews analysed using content analysis. SETTING: Hospital-based outpatient clinics and primary healthcare clinics in Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: 29 adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=15) and type 2 DM (n=14). INCLUSION CRITERIA: Swedish adults (≥18 years) living with type 1 DM or type 2 DM (duration ≥5 years) able to describe their situation in Swedish. Purposive sampling generated heterogeneous characteristics. RESULTS: To live a good life with diabetes is demanding for the individual, but experienced barriers can be eased by support from others in the personal sphere, and by professional support from diabetes care. Diabetes care was a crucial resource to nurture the individual's ability and knowledge to manage diabetes, and to facilitate life with diabetes by supplying support, guidance, medical treatment and technical devices tailored to individual needs. The analysis resulted in the overarching theme 'To live a good life with diabetes' constituting the two main categories 'How I feel and how things are going with my diabetes' and 'Support from diabetes care in managing diabetes' including five different categories. CONCLUSIONS: Common aspects were identified including the experience of living with diabetes and support from diabetes care. These will be used to establish a basis for a tailored PROM for the NDR.

Unlicensed personnel administering medications to older persons living at home : a challenge for social and care services

BACKGROUND: Administration of medication to care recipients is delegated to home-care assistants working in the municipal social care, alongside responsibility for providing personal assistance for older people. Home-care assistants have practical administration skills, but lack formal medical knowledge. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore how home-care assistants perceive administration of medication to older people living at home, as delegated to them in the context of social care. METHODS: Four focus groups consisting of 19 home-care assistants were conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: According to home-care assistants, health and social care depends on delegation arrangements to function effectively, but in the first place it relieves a burden for district nurses. Even when the delegation had expired, administration of medication continued, placing the statutes of regulation in a subordinate position. There was low awareness among home-care assistants about the content of the statutes of delegation. Accepting delegation to administer medications has become an implicit prerequisite for social care work in the municipality. CONCLUSIONS: Accepting the delegation to administer medication was inevitable and routine. In practice, the regulating statute is made subordinate and consequently patient safety can be threatened. The organisation of health and social care relies on the delegation arrangement to meet the needs of a growing number of older home-care recipients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This is a crucial task which management within both the healthcare professions and municipal social care needs to address, to bridge the gap between statutes and practice, to create arenas for mutual collaboration in the care recipients' best interest and to ensure patient safety.

Assisted Living: The Politics of Medicaid and Medicare

In this paper I examine the structure of the current assisted living industry in order to explain how and why it is appealing and effective, as well as look at its limitations. I discuss the politics of Medicaid and Medicare, and how through these programs the federal and state governments are failing to provide adequate care for the nation’s senior population. Like the rest of our health care system, these two public health insurance systems are fragmented, and consequently, financing long-term care is complicated and insufficient. Ultimately, this paper will function as a policy report and I will propose: standardized requirements for assisted living facilities; a stricter and new way to regulate assisted living on the state level; restructured models for the public insurance programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

November 2008: Friends Festival, Living Abundantly

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Living on the Fringe

Just when you thought the news could not get any worse for libraries, a new twist emerges on an old theme. When I saw the headline, I couldn't help clicking: “Books Are Becoming the Fringe Media.”

Novel catalyst systems based on Ni(II), Ti(IV), and Cr(III) complexes for oligo-and polymerization of ethylene

The complex of Brookhart Ni(α-diimine)Cl2 (1) (α-diimine = 1,4-bis(2,6- diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine) has been characterized after impregnation on silica (S1) and MAO-modified silicas (4.0, 8.0 and 23.0 wts.% Al/SiO2 called S2, S3 and S4, respectively). The treatment of these heterogeneous systems with MAO produces some active catalysts for the polymerization of the ethylene. A high catalytic activity has been gotten while using the system supported 1/S3 (196 kg of PE/mol[Ni].h.atm; toluene, Al/Ni = 1000, 30ºC, 60 min and atmospheric pressure of ethylene). The effects of polymerization conditions have been tested with the catalyst supported in S2 and the best catalytic activity has been gotten with solvent hexane, MAO as cocatalyst, molar ratio Al/Ni of 1000 and to the temperature of 30°C (285 kg of PE/mol[Ni].h.atm). When the reaction has been driven according to the in situ methodology, the activity practically doubled and polymers showed some similar properties. Polymers products by the supported catalysts showed the absence of melting fusion, results similar to those gotten with the homogeneous systems by DSC analysis. But then, polymers gotten with the transplanted system present according to the GPC’s curves the polydispersity (MwD) varies between 1.7 and 7.0. A polyethylene blend (BPE/LPE) was prepared using the complex Ni(α-diimine)Cl2 (1) (α-diimine = 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine) and {TpMs*}TiCl3 (2) (TpMs* = hydridobis(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)(5-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)) supported in situ on MAO-modified silica (4.0 wts. -% Al/SiO2, S2). Reactions of polymerization of ethylene have been executed in the toluene in two different temperatures (0 and 30°C), varying the molars fraction of nickel (xNi), and using MAO as external cocatalyst. To all temperatures, the activities show a linear variation tendency with xNi and indicate the absence of the effect synergic between the species of nickel and the titanium. The maximum of activity have been found at 0°C. The melting temperature for the blends of polyethylene produced at 0 °C decrease whereas xNi increases indicating a good compatibility between phases of the polyethylene gotten with the two catalysts. The melting temperature for the blends of polyethylene showed be depend on the order according to which catalysts have been supported on the MAO-modified silica. The initial immobilization of 1 on the support (2/1/S2) product of polymers with a melting temperature (Tm) lower to the one of the polymer gotten when the titanium has been supported inicially (1/2/S2). The observation of polyethylenes gotten with the two systems (2/1/S2 and 1/2/S2) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the spherical polymer formation showing that the spherical morphology of the support to been reproduced. Are described the synthesis, the characterization and the catalytic properties for the oligomerization of the ethylene of four organometallics compounds of CrIII with ligands ([bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)ethyl]amine] chromium (III) chloride (3a), [bis[2-(3,5- dimethyl-l-pyrazolyl)ethyl]benzylamine] chromium (III) chloride (3b), [bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-lpyrazolyl) ethyl]ether] chromiun(III)chloride (3c), [bis[2-(3-phenyl-lpyrazolyl) ethyl]ether]chromiun(III)chloride (3d)). In relation of the oligomerization, at exception made of the compounds 3a, all complex of the chromium showed be active after activation with MAO and the TOF gotten have one effect differentiated to those formed with CrCl3(thf)3. The coordination of a tridentate ligand on the metallic center doesn't provoke any considerable changes on the formation of the C4 and C6, but the amount of C8 are decrease and the C10 and C12+ have increased. The Polymers produced by the catalyst 3a to 3 and 20 bar of ethylene have, according to analyses by DSC, the temperatures of fusion of 133,8 and 136ºC respectively. It indicates that in the two cases the production of high density polyethylene. The molar mass, gotten by GPC, is 46647 g/mols with MwD = 2,4 (3 bar). The system 3c/MAO showed values of TOF, activity and selectivity to different α-olefins according to the pressure of ethylene uses. Himself that shown a big sensibility to the concentration of ethylene solubilized.

Dreaming up the right career: an exploratory study of the career aspirations of low-income adolescents living in urban São Paulo

No Brasil, os jovens de baixa renda estão propensos ao desemprego, o que é particularmente problemático em uma economia emergente onde a desigualdade de renda é relativamente alta, e onde o desenvolvimento socioeconômico futuro pode depender do crescimento e da estabilidade de uma classe média já vulnerável. Além disso, o desemprego entre os jovens, especialmente em cidades urbanas, está associado a elevada incidência de violência, comportamento ilegal, aumento da desigualdade e instabilidade sociopolítica. Este estudo complementa tentativas existentes de promover as perspectivas de emprego da juventude brasileira, investigando as aspirações profissionais de 25 adolescentes que vivem em comunidades de baixa renda na zona urbana de São Paulo. A pesquisa foi realizada através de grupos de foco durante o período de quatro encontros nas comunidades paulistanas de Vila Albertina, Heliópolis, Vila Prudente e Vila Nova Esperança. Os resultados da pesquisa repetem, em grande parte, o conhecimento existente que diz respeito a adolescentes; eles confirmam o papel importante que o mérito individual, o microambiente e os modelos exemplares (isto é, familiares, colegas e educadores locais) têm de moldar e possibilitar (ou impedir) os planos de carreira de jovens adultos, e destacam a flexibilidade e a diversidade de interesses profissionais nesta faixa etária. Ademais, os resultados revelam atitudes paradoxais face às comunidades de baixa renda em São Paulo. Todos os participantes pareciam empoderados por elementos dentro de seu microambiente, exibiam sentimentos de orgulho e que faziam parte de sua comunidade; porém, muitos pareciam perturbados pela maneira como pessoas de fora estereotipam ou estigmatizam os moradores da "favela". Ao todo, o estudo destaca tendências que sustentam razões para maiores investimentos no desenvolvimento profissional dos jovens de baixa renda. Na qualidade de um ecossistema com potencial para desenvolvimento socioeconômico, as comunidades de baixa renda podem constituir uma fonte rica não apenas de recursos humanos, mas também de oportunidades comerciais e empregos.

New bacterial cellulose nanocomposites prepared by in situ radical polymerization of methacrylate monomers

Bacterial cellulose/polymethacrylate nanocomposites have received attention in numerous areas of study and in a variety of applications. The attractive properties of methacrylate polymers and bacterial cellulose, BC, allow the synthesis of new nanocomposites with distinct characteristics. In this study, BC/poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (BC/PGMA) and BC/poly(ethyleneglycol)methacrylate (BC/PPEGMA) nanocomposites were prepared through in situ free radical polymerization of GMA and PEGMA, respectively. Ammonium persulphate (APS) was used as an initiator and N,N’methylenebisacrilamide (MBA) was used as a crosslinker in BC/PGMA. Chemical composition, morphology, thermal stability, water absorption, mechanic and surface properties were determined through specific characterization techniques. The optimal polymerization was obtained at (1:2) for BC/PGMA, (1:2:0.2) ratio for BC/GMA/MBA and (1:20) for BC/PPEGMA, with 0.5% of initiator at 60 ºC during 6 h. A maximum of 67% and 87% of incorporation percentage was obtained, respectively, for the nanocomposites BC/PGMA/MBA and BC/PPEGMA. BC/PGMA nanocomposites exhibited an increase of roughness and compactation of the three-dimensional structure, an improvement in the thermal and mechanical properties, and a decrease in their swelling ability and crystallinity. On the other hand, BC/PPEGMA showed a decrease of stiffness of three-dimensional structure, improvement in thermal and mechanical properties, an increase in their swelling ability and a decrease the crystallinity. Both BC/polymethacrylate nanocomposites exhibited a basic surface character. The acid treatment showed to be a suitable strategy to modifiy BC/PGMA nanocomposites through epoxide ring-opening reaction mechanism. Nanocomposites became more compact, smooth and with more water retention ability. A decrease in the thermal and mechanical proprieties was observed. The new nanocomposites acquired properties useful to biomedical applications or/and removal of heavy metals due to the presence of functional groups.