Continuous Illumination of a Conjugated Polymer Causes Strong Enhancement of Photoluminescence.

We present measurements of absorbance and photoluminescence (PL) for films of poly(3-(2,5-dioctylphenyl)thiophene) (PDOPT) as a function of temperature () and time () of illumination. While having no detectable influence on absorbance of this conjugated polymer, our experiments clearly revealed that illumination of PDOPT caused a significant increase in the PL intensity ((,)), that is, the emission probability of PDOPT. Without illumination, we always observed a decrease in with time.

Direct observation of backbone planarization via side-chain alignment in single bulky-substituted polythiophenes.

The backbone conformation of conjugated polymers affects, to a large extent, their optical and electronic properties. The usually flexible substituents provide solubility and influence the packing behavior of conjugated polymers in films or in bad solvents. However, the role of the side chains in determining and potentially controlling the backbone conformation, and thus the optical and electronic properties on the single polymer level, is currently under debate.

Anisotropic Photophysical Properties of Highly Aligned Crystalline Structures of a Bulky Substituted Poly(thiophene).

The photophysical properties of a phenyl-substituted poly(thiophene), poly(3-(2,5-dioctylphenyl)thiophene) (PDOPT), were studied as a function of polarization and degree of orientation of the crystalline structure. Under well-chosen controlled conditions, large-sized spherulitic crystals of PDOPT were successfully prepared from the melt. From polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, the molecular orientation of PDOPT within the spherulite was determined, indicating that the fastest growth direction of the spherulite was the -axis.

Nickel Catalyst with a Hybrid P, N Ligand for Kumada Catalyst Transfer Polycondensation of Sterically Hindered Thiophenes.

A highly active nickel catalyst with a hybrid P,N ligand is successfully used for the first time for the polymerization of a thiophene monomer with sterically very demanding side groups. The performance of this catalyst is by far not achievable with commercially available standard catalysts. Polythiophenes with special side chain patterns can thus be made with predetermined molecular weight, low dispersity, and high regioregularity, which enable the preparation of various large crystalline superstructures for the investigation of anisotropic optoelectronic properties in the absence of π-π interactions.

Long term effects of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in an inpatient and outpatient setting.

Objectives: To compare the long-term effects of comprehensive outpatient versus inpatient rehabilitation with respect to morbidity and mortality, as well as to changes in physical performance and physical activity.

Design: A total of 163 consecutive patients were enrolled for comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CCR) following a recent coronary event, to outpatient or inpatient CCR according to treatment preference because randomisation was accepted by only 4 patients. CCR was six hours per day for 4 weeks and consisted of exercise training, education, psychological support, and nutritional and occupational advice.

High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support in first-line treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma - results of a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported conflicting results on the impact of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation in the first-line treatment of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods: We performed a systematic meta-analysis to assess the efficacy HDCT compared to conventional chemotherapy in aggressive NHL patients with regard to complete response (CR), overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), toxicity, and impact of the age-adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) risk factors. We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and other databases (1/1990 to 1/2005).