Dynamics and structure formation in thin polymer melt films

The stability of thin liquid coatings plays a fundamental role in everyday life. We studied the stability conditions of thin (3 to 300 nm) liquid polymer films on various substrates. The key role is played by the effective interface potential φ of the s

Oncological and functional outcome after laryngectomy for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: a population-based analysis in Germany from 2001 to 2020

Abstract Prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) dependency, and long-term speech rehabilitation via voice prosthesis (VP) after laryngectomy for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer were investigated in a retrospective population-based study in Thuringia, Germany. A total of 617 patients (68.7% larynx; hypopharynx; 31.3%; 93.7% men; median age 62 years; 66.0% stage IV) from 2001 to 2020 were included. Kaplan–Meier and Cox multivariable regression analyses were performed. 23.7% of patients received a PEG. 74.7% received a VP. Median OS was 131 months. Independent factors for lower OS were stage IV (compared to stage II; hazard ratio [HR] = 3.455; confidence interval [CI] 1.395–8.556) and laryngectomy for a recurrent disease (HR = 1.550; CI 1.078–2.228). Median time to PEG removal was 7 months. Prior partial surgery before laryngectomy showed a tendency for independent association for later PEG removal (HR = 1.959; CI 0.921–4.167). Postoperative aspiration needing treatment was an independent risk factor (HR = 2.679; CI 1.001–7.167) for later definitive VP removal. Laryngectomy continuously plays an important role in a curative daily routine treatment setting of advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer in Germany. Long-term dependency on nutrition via PEG is an important issue, whereas use of VP is a stable long-term measure for voice rehabilitation

Graphite Oxide as a Dehydrative Polymerization Catalyst: A One-Step Synthesis of Carbon-Reinforced Poly(phenylene methylene) Composites

The synthesis and characterization of poly(phenylene methylene) (PPM) and carbon composites thereof are described. The materials were prepared using graphite oxide (GO), which was discovered to function in two distinct roles. First, the GO was found to facilitate the dehydrative polymerization of benzyl alcohol (BnOH) to form PPM. Second, the residual carbon from the GO catalyst, having undergone thermal deoxygenation during the polymerization reaction, served as a graphene-like-additive in the resulting composite. While pure (i.e., additive free) PPM was found to be mechanically compliant (E' = 40 MPa), inclusion of 0.1 wt % GO in the starting reaction mixture improved the material's mechanical properties significantly (E' = 320 MPa). Homogeneous dispersion of the additive in the matrix was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The carbon additive was separated from the PPM via trituration in dichloromethane, and the GO starting material (C:O ratio = 2.0:1; sigma = 445 x 10(-5) S m(-1)) was found to have undergone significant reduction during the polymerization reaction (C:O ratio = 12.3:1; sigma = 801 S m(-1)). Moreover, the recovered carbon did not assemble into graphite-like aggregates, as determined by PXRD, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM, which indicated that the PPM matrix was able to effectively disperse the additive