Teaching Old Polymers New Tricks: Improved Synthesis and Anomalous Crystallinity for a Lost Semi-Fluorinated Polyaryl Ether via Interfacial Polymerization of Hexafluoroacetone Hydrate and Diphenyl Ether.

A practical and direct electrophilic polymerization of hexafluoroacetone hydrate with diphenyl ether toward the preparation of semi-fluorinated polyaryl ethers (PAE) is reported. Electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) polymerization under interfacial conditions with phase transfer catalyst (Aliquat 336) proceeds in trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride by generation of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and the protonated hexafluoroacetone (HFA) in situ affording 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) PAE with high regioselectivity (4,4'-DPE) and high molecular weight (≈60 kDa). Although first reported in a 1966 US Patent by DuPont using harsh conditions, improved synthetic methods or modern characterization has not been disclosed until now.

Ring-Forming Polymerization toward Perfluorocyclobutyl and -Diynylarene-Derived Materials: From Synthesis to Practical Applications.

Many desirable characteristics of polymers arise from the method of polymerization and structural features of their repeat units, which typically are responsible for the polymer's performance at the cost of processability. While linear alternatives are popular, polymers composed of cyclic repeat units across their backbones have generally been shown to exhibit higher optical transparency, lower water absorption, and higher glass transition temperatures. These specifically include polymers built with either substituted alicyclic structures or aromatic rings, or both.

Return to the Primary Acute Care Service Among Patients With Multiple Myeloma on an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.

Background: Pancytopenia, immunosuppression, and other factors may place patients with multiple myeloma at risk for medical complications. These patients often require inpatient rehabilitation. No previous studies have looked at risk factors for return to the primary acute care service of this patient population.

Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Reducing Misconceptions Among Ethnic Minorities With Complicated Mild to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to reduce traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related misconceptions among blacks and Latinos with complicated mild to severe TBI.

Design: Randomized controlled trial with masked 1-month follow-up.

Setting: Community.

Symptom Burden and Functional Gains in a Cancer Rehabilitation Unit.

Background/aims: To determine if there is a relationship between patient symptoms and functional improvement on inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods: Retrospective review of medical records at an American tertiary referral-based cancer center of all patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit between 3/1/2013-5/20/2013. Main outcome measures included the Edmonton Symptom and Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM).

Utilization of a Meldrum's acid towards functionalized fluoropolymers possessing dual reactivity for thermal crosslinking and post-polymerization modification.

New thermally cross-linkable and/or post-functionalizable perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers containing Meldrum's acid moieties have been successfully prepared via the thermal cyclopolymerization of a new Meldrum's acid functionalized aromatic trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) monomer.

Association between the summer season and body fatness and aerobic fitness among Hispanic children.

Background: Few studies have investigated changes in adiposity and fitness during the academic year (AY) and summer season (SS) in minority children. This study aimed to assess if adiposity indicators and fitness change during the school AY and SS in Hispanic children.

Methods: One hundred nineteen low-income Hispanic children (9.

Frequency and reasons for return to the primary acute care service among patients with lymphoma undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.

Objective: To assess the frequency and risk factors for return to the primary acute care service among patients with lymphoma undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral-based cancer center.

A comparison of polymer substrates for photolithographic processing of flexible bioelectronics.

Flexible bioelectronics encompass a new generation of sensing devices, in which controlled interactions with tissue enhance understanding of biological processes in vivo. However, the fabrication of such thin film electronics with photolithographic processes remains a challenge for many biocompatible polymers. Recently, two shape memory polymer (SMP) systems, based on acrylate and thiol-ene/acrylate networks, were designed as substrates for softening neural interfaces with glass transitions above body temperature (37 °C) such that the materials are stiff for insertion into soft tissue and soften through low moisture absorption in physiological conditions.

Summer and follow-up interventions to affect adiposity with mothers and daughters.

Background: The development of effective obesity interventions to reduce adiposity indicators in Latina girls is a public health priority because of their increased risk for becoming overweight. Research indicates that the summer season may be a critical time to intervene because summer exacerbates children's risk for excessive weight gain and increased body fat development.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine if summer and follow-up interventions reduce adiposity in Latina girls; (2) to assess if such interventions reduce adiposity in Latina girls after controlling for their mothers' adiposity measures.

High Performance and Multipurpose Triarylamine-Enchained Semifluorinated Polymers.

Transparent, film-forming fluorinated arylene vinylene ether (FAVE) polymers with enchained triarylamine (TAA) moieties were prepared and characterized. Control over fluoro-olefin content within the backbone, as a function of base, was confirmed and postpolymerization dehydrofluorination was shown to increase fluoroolefin content from 5 to 31 mol %. Thermal cross-linking was found to occur approximately 100 °C lower than in traditional FAVE polymers (ca.

An exploration of transactional states and cessation-related social variables within adolescent smokers.

Background: Given the high rate of adolescent smoking, cessation remains a vital public health priority. This study explored archival data using a structured phenomenological framework known as Reversal Theory (RT). In order to better understand aspects of adolescent tobacco use we compared the transactional, psychological states described by RT to the factor structure of adolescents' self-reported social environment influencing tobacco use.

Frequency and reasons for return to acute care in patients with leukemia undergoing inpatient rehabilitation: a preliminary report.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and reasons for return to the primary acute care service among patients with leukemia undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.

Design: This is a retrospective study of all patients with leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia, or myelofibrosis admitted to inpatient rehabilitation at a tertiary referral-based cancer center between January 1, 2005, and April 10, 2012. Items analyzed from patient records included return to the primary acute care service with demographic information, leukemia characteristics, medications, hospital admission characteristics, and laboratory values.

Return to primary service among bone marrow transplant rehabilitation inpatients: an index for predicting outcomes.

Objective: To assess rehabilitation inpatient risk of return to primary (RTP) service in patients with bone marrow transplant (BMT).

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation unit within a tertiary referral-based cancer center.

Perfluorinated polymer colloids: controlling the size, shape, and surface charge.

The first report of perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymer colloids is presented herein. The biphenyl rings were post-functionalized with chlorosulfonic acid modification in the backbone of the perfluoropolymer, thereby changing the zeta potential (ζ) of the colloids across the pH range (2-12). Self-assembly of the colloids was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on four separate surfaces which led to different morphological changes for each surface; spherical on Al substrate, clover-like on Cr substrate, flower-like on carbon substrate, and "squalloid" on Si substrate.

Hispanic maternal and children's perceptions of neighborhood safety related to walking and cycling.

This study examined neighborhood safety as perceived by children (mean age=10 years) and their mothers, and its association with children's physical activity. For all eight safety items examined, children perceived their environment as less dangerous than mothers (p<0.05).

Comparing high and low acculturated mothers and physical activity in Hispanic children.

Background: Parents represent a key ecological component in influencing their child's physical activity. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between maternal acculturation and physical activity in Hispanic children.

Methods: 102 Hispanic mothers (mean age 36.

Comparing High and Low Acculturated Mothers and Physical Activity in Hispanic Children.

Background: Parents represent a key ecological component in influencing their child's physical activity. The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the relationship between maternal acculturation and physical activity in Hispanic children.

Methods: 102 Hispanic mothers (mean age 36.

Synthesis of internal fluorinated alkenes via facile aryloxylation of substituted phenols with aryl trifluorovinyl ethers.

Nucleophilic addition-elimination of ortho- or para-substituted phenols to aryl trifluorovinyl ethers (TFVEs) in N,N-dimethylformamide was studied. Using sodium hydride as a base afforded vinyl substitution products R-Ar-O-CF=CF-O-Ar-R', where R or R' = H, Br, OMe, tert-Bu, or Ph. The vinyl substitution products produced mixtures of (Z)/(E)-isomers and this isomer ratio was influenced by substitution with more sterically encumbered phenol nucleophiles.

Common misconceptions about traumatic brain injury among ethnic minorities with TBI.

Objective: To investigate common TBI misconceptions among ethnic minorities with TBI.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

Comparison of functional outcomes in low- and high-grade astrocytoma rehabilitation inpatients.

Objectives: To compare inpatient rehabilitation outcomes between patients with low- and high-grade astrocytoma.

Design: A retrospective review of medical records for patients admitted from September 1, 1996, to June 30, 2008, to the inpatient rehabilitation unit at a tertiary care cancer center. A high-grade (21 of 443 patients) and low-grade astrocytoma (21 of 24 patients) group were matched on three of five criteria in the order of importance: area of brain involvement (divided into left cerebral, right cerebral, midline and/or bilateral cerebral, and infratentorial), single vs.

BOUNCE: an exploratory healthy lifestyle summer intervention for girls.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of the BOUNCE parent-daughter intervention in promoting selected physical fitness measures and activity.

Methods: Thirty-seven Latino and African American parent-daughter pairs participated. The intervention entailed physical activities, nutrition classes, and self-esteem activities.

Long-range surface plasmon polariton waveguides embedded in fluorinated polymer.

Low-attenuation waveguides based on the propagation of long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LRSPPs) along thin Au stripes embedded in low absorption perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymer are presented. A new low in propagation loss of <2.0 dB/cm was achieved for a 4 microm wide waveguide by optimizing the cladding material and fabrication process.

Confirming the structure of the Why Do You Smoke? Questionnaire: a community resource for adolescent tobacco cessation.

In response to the problem of adolescent smoking and limited appropriate cessation resources, this study examined the pattern and structure of the American Lung Association, Why Do You Smoke? (WDS) to determine its appropriateness for use in youth smoking cessation programs. The WDS is used to help smokers identify primary motivations for using tobacco and is comprised of eight subscales, each with three items representing primary smoking motivations ("Stimulation," "Handling," "Pleasure," "Crutch," "Psychological," "Habit," "Peer," and "Independence"). Study participants were all minors enrolled in a tobacco cessation program (n = 251).