Synthesis of conducting PPy/pTHF copolymers

Living polytetrahydrofuran (pTHF) was terminated with the potassium salt of pyrrole to yield polymers with pyrrole end groups. Copolymerization of THF and pyrrole with short and long I,THF segments was achieved by constant potential electrolysis. Syntheses of the block copolymers were performed using tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, sodium pel:chlorate, and sodium p-toluenesulfonate as the supporting electrolytes. Characterization of the block copolymers were based on scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetry analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and FTIR studies. No significant effect of the chain length on the properties of the copolymers was observed; however, use of different dopants resulted in different thermal and electrochemical behaviors, surface morphologies, and conductivities. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc

Conducting copolymers of polypyrrole/polytetrahydrofuran

Bifunctional living polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) was terminated with potassium salt of pyrrole to yield polymers with electrochemically active end groups. These polymers were employed in the second stage to obtain conducting polypyrrole/polytetrahydrofuran block copolymers with short and long polytetrahydrofuran segments by potentiostatic anodic polymerization of pyrrole in different electrolytic media. Syntheses of block copolymers were achieved in media where tetrabutylammonium fluoroborate, sodium perchlorate and sodium p-toluenesulfonate were used as the supporting electrolytes. Characterizations were based on DSC, TGA, SEM, FTIR and CV analyses. No significant effect of the chain length of polytetrahydrofuran segments on the properties of the copolymers was observed; however, thermal, electrochemical behaviors, and surface morphologies of the films were greatly affected by the supporting electrolytes

A prospective analysis of sexual functions during pregnancy

The aim of the study was to evaluate the sexual functions during pregnancy using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Pregnancies were recorded in a prospective cohort study comprising 40 healthy pregnant women. Pregnant women who had a stable relationship with their partner were enrolled in the study when were first diagnosed to be pregnant. During their antenatal visits, subjects were asked to complete the FSFI questionnaire and other information about their sexual life in each trimester. Each FSFI domain score was calculated and mean scores in each domain were compared according to the trimesters of pregnancy. Data of 37 subjects for the first, 36 for the second and 34 for the third trimesters of pregnancy were eligible for the analysis. The mean age was 25.5 +/- 4.5 y; mean parity was 0.4 +/- 0.7 and mean gravity was 1.6 +/- 0.9. The frequency of intercourse attempts during the last 4 weeks was 8.6 +/- 3 before pregnancy, and 6.9 +/- 2.5, 5.4 +/- 2.6 and 2.5 +/- 1.4 in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. In all domains of FSFI, significant decline in domain scores was determined during pregnancy. The comparison of satisfaction and pain domain scores between first and second trimesters showed significant differences. All of the domain scores significantly decreased in the third trimester of pregnancy. Our results showed that sexual functions are significantly decreased during pregnancy and worsen as the pregnancy progresses. Childbearing couples should be given information about the sexual problems and fluctuations in the patterns of sexuality during pregnancy