This first study of Arabic-speaking, predominantly Muslim Jordanian cancer patients using the FACIT-Sp indicates that it is a psychometrically sound instrument for detailed assessment of the spiritual well-being of Arabic-speaking cancer patients. The three-factor model appears to allow for discrimination among factors that are most highly associated with different aspects of HrQoL.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended with starch (S) in presence of glacial acetic acid as crosslinking agent. The effect of blend ratio and molecular weight of PVA on the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of PVA/S blends were investigated using various techniques such as DSC, TGA, SEM, tensile strength, and solubility tests. Furthermore, biodegradability of the blend films was also studied. In addition, FTIR spectroscopy was used to check the hydrogen bonding interaction between PVA and S in the blends. The obtained results showed that the physico-mechanical properties are strongly dependent on the molecular weight and PVA content in PVA/S blends. DSC and SEM analyses of PVA/S blend showed a single glass transition temperature indicating the formation of completely miscible blends with a single phase due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups of PVA and starch. In addition, PVA/S blend films exhibited good mechanical properties, thermal stability as compared with the pure PVA. More interestingly, the results showed enhancement in biodegradability of PVA/S blend films and particularly in moist soil, which can be exploited for manufacturing of biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging materials at low cost.

No abstract

No abstract

The FACIT-Sp distinguishes between domains of HrQoL and patient characteristics. Further study on the unique contribution of the FACIT-Sp's Peace and Meaning subscales to HrQoL is needed.