Clicking ferrocene to halogenated boron-doped diamond surfaces

The halogenated boron-doped diamond (BDD) surfaces were reacted with sodium azide through a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The resulting azide-terminated BDD surfaces were used to trigger the "click" reaction. Because of the attractive electrochemical properties of ferrocene-containing molecules, such as fast electron transfer rates, reversible redox activities, and favorable redox potentials, we show that ferrocene derivatives can be grafted onto non-oxidized diamond surfaces by click"chemistry". These redox-active ferrocene-containing layers on a BDD surface, because of their ability to store and release charges reversibly, have the potential to be used as hybrid molecular/semiconductor memory devices.     

Daily recovery experiences: The role of volunteer work during leisure time.

This study focused on the role of volunteer work for daily recovery from work. In a 1-week diary study with 166 employees, we assessed the amount of time spent on volunteer work during leisure time, and the recovery facets of psychological detachment from work (i.e., mentally switching off from work), mastery experiences (i.e., pursuing challenging activities), and community experiences (i.e., cultivating relationships) every day before participants went to bed. Results from hierarchical linear modeling (n = 529 days) showed volunteer work during leisure time to be positively related to mastery experiences and community experiences suggesting volunteer work to contribute to successful recovery by creating new resources. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conductive radical anion salts of poly(butadiene-b-4-vinylpyridine) blockcopolymers

Summary Poly (1,4-butadiene-b-4-vinylpyridine) blockcopolymers are made conductive by formation of the complex salt of the 4-VP-block with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). Microphase separated morphologies are obtained where the conductive 4-VP phase is continous or forms a network on a submicron scale in a continous elastomer phase. While the absolute value of the conductivity of 10^-3–10^-4 Scm^-1 depends on the morphology the activation energy typical for an electron hopping process is approximately the same as in the low molecular weight complex with ethylpyridine.     

Recovery, work engagement, and proactive behavior: A new look at the interface between nonwork and work.

This study examined work-related outcomes of recovery during leisure time. A total of 147 employees completed a questionnaire and a daily survey over a period of 5 consecutive work days. Multilevel analyses showed that day-level recovery was positively related to day-level work engagement and day-level proactive behavior (personal initiative, pursuit of learning) during the subsequent work day. The data suggest considerable daily fluctuations in behavior and attitudes at work, with evidence that these are related to prior experience and opportunity for recovery in the nonwork domain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Screening of phenylalanine ammonia lyase in plant tissues,and retention of activity during dehydration

BACKGROUND: Oral therapy with phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), naturally encapsulated in plant cells, may provide a potential alternative treatment for hyperphenylalaninemic patients, including those with phenylketonuria. Therefore different sources of plant tissue were investigated for PAL activity. RESULTS: Enzyme activity was highest in grain seedlings, with maximal enzyme activity in 7‐day‐old red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. The PAL activities of leaves and roots/endosperm of wheat seedlings were 11.90 ± 2.64 and 6.48 ± 1.59 µmol h^?1 g^?1 dry weight respectively. Three PAL‐related polypeptides with molecular weights of 74, 83 and 103 kDa were identified in wheat seedling leaf tissues, while only the 74 kDa polypeptide was detected in root/endosperm tissues. Dehydration was investigated as a method of concentrating PAL in wheat seedlings. Freeze‐drying was found to retain the most PAL activity (>90% recovery on a dry weight basis) compared with air drying and vacuum microwave drying for both leaf and root/endosperm samples. CONCLUSION: This study has led to a better understanding of PAL activity and stability in plant tissues and provides the basis for developing a natural plant preparation as a dietary supplement for the treatment of hyperphenylalaninemia. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Relations Among Work-Home Culture, the Utilization of Work-Home Arrangements, and Work-Home Interference.

In the present study, we examined the associations among work-home culture (WHC), the utilization of work-home arrangements (WHAs), and work-home interference (WHI) among 638 workers from a Dutch financial consultancy firm. We (a) developed a typology of WHC, (b) examined whether the utilization of 6 WHAs differed for various types of WHC, (c) determined whether various types of WHC and the utilization of WHAs were related to WHI, and (d) studied these associations for subgroups of workers. Results showed that WHCs can be characterized by 2 dimensions, i.e., support and hindrance. More supportive and less hindering WHCs were not associated with a higher utilization of WHAs, but did covary with lower levels of WHI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychometric properties of the Questionnaire on Stress in patients with Diabetes—Revised (QSD-R).

This study reports the psychometric properties of a 45-item diabetes-specific questionnaire, the Questionnaire on Stress in Patients with Diabetes—Revised (QSD-R), a modified and shortened version of the QSD (G. Duran et al; see record 1996-18805-001). The QSD-R was filled out by 1,930 individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Eight consistent scales were identified (values of Cronbach's α: .69–.81). The test-retest reliability for the total score after a 5-week interval was rtt?=?.63. The results provide evidence for the reliability and validity of this instrument. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthese und charakterisierung von stationären phasen auf der basis von mit epoxidiertem polybutadien (PBDE) modifizierten polykieselsäuren. III. Untersuchungen zur synthese aminofunktionalisierter trenn-und trägermaterialien

The synthesis of aminofunctionalized stationary phases by heterogeneous polymeranalogous reactions of epoxidized polybutadienes with the surface of silicas by means of the reaction of epoxide groups of the polymer with diamines is described. The comparison of the properties of reaction composites, obtained by different methods, on variation of the conditions for their synthesis, opens possibilities of fitting the properties of the resulting materials like polymer and amine content or the ratio of primary and secondary amino groups to special applications.