Single-chain-in-mean-field simulations of weak polyelectrolyte brushes.

Structural properties of brushes which are composed of weak acidic and basic polyelectrolytes are studied in the framework of a particle-based approach that implicitly accounts for the solvent quality. Using a semi-grandcanonical partition function in the framework of the Single-Chain-in-Mean-Field (SCMF) algorithm, the weak polyelectrolyte is conceived as a supramolecular mixture of polymers in different dissociation states, which are explicitly treated in the partition function and sampled by the SCMF procedure. One obtains a local expression for the equilibrium acid-base reaction responsible for the regulation of the charged groups that is also incorporated to the SCMF sampling.

Ordering block copolymers with structured electrodes.

We study the kinetics of alignment and registration of block copolymers in an inhomogeneous electric field by computer simulations of a soft, coarse-grained model. The two blocks of the symmetric diblock copolymers are characterized by different dielectric constants. First, we demonstrate that a combination of graphoepitaxy and a homogeneous electric field extends the maximal distance between the topographical guiding patterns that result in defect-free ordering compared to graphoepitaxy alone.

[Healthcare structures in palliative care medicine : Flowchart for patients with incurable cancer].

Background: In Germany the structures of generalized and specialized palliative care services have considerably increased over the last decade with respect to the number, quality and differentiation. The goal is to improve or to maintain the quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses.

Aim: The current structures of generalized and specialized palliative care services in Germany are presented.

Can we identify people at risk of non-recovery after acute occupational low back pain? Results of a review and higher-order analysis.

Purpose: To identify prognostic factors in the literature that may predict a poor recovery from acute occupational low back pain (LBP).

Methods: Four international databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO) were reviewed, searching all articles indexed up to November 2007 with the term low back pain combined with the terms prognostic, prospective, or cohort. Following application of inclusion criteria, 10 articles were found to be appropriate for data extraction.

Switching immunosuppression from cyclosporine to tacrolimus improves long-term kidney function: a 6-year study.

To improve long-term kidney graft function, acute graft rejection, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and toxic influences must be avoided because they may contribute to chronic allograft nephropathy. Many studies have demonstrated greater efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus compared with cyclosporine with regard to these conditions. Our study investigated whether 30 patients with deteriorating renal function benefitted from conversion to tacrolimus based upon a retrospective analysis using data recorded from 3 years before to 3 years after conversion.