The first quantitative model for the partially reversible thermochromism in Langmuir-Blodgett films of the polymerized Cd2+ salts of 10,12-tricosadiynoic acid (TCDA) and 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCD A) is presented. The visible spectrum as a function of temperature provides evidence for two parallel processes, one of which is reversible. The following kinetic model is proposed which qualitatively and quantitatively accounts for the observed reversible thermochromism: B R (kf, fer); P -* R (fe2). B and P stand for two distinct forms of the blue polymer, and R stands for the red form of the polymer. Activation barriers of E{ = 22.5 kcal/mol, Et = 21.4 kcal/mol, and E2 -23.0 kcal/mol are obtained from the TCDA spectra as a function of temperature using a "normal" preexponential factor of 1012 s-1 and Et and Et as adjustable parameters. The same model can be fit to films of PCDA and gives activation barriers of Et = 21.5 kcal/mol, Et = 21.0 kcal/mol, and E2 = 22.5 kcal/mol.

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This study sought to examine various factors that may prevent transplant candidates from completing their transplant workup prior to listing. We reviewed the records of 170 subjects (cases = 100, controls 70) who were either on dialysis or had less than 20 mL/min creatinine clearance and were therefore candidates for preemptive transplantation. Approximately, 56% of preemptive patients completed their workup, while only 36% of patients on dialysis completed their workup. Our data revealed that factors contributing toward completion of workup included intrinsic motivation (four times more likely), lack of specific medical comorbidities (three times more likely), and preemptive status (two times more likely). Among patients on dialysis, intrinsic motivation (five times more likely) and absence of cardiovascular complications (four times more likely) were associated with completion. When comparing patients on dialysis to patients not on dialysis, there were significant differences between the two groups in distance from home to the transplant center, level of education, and presence of medical comorbidities. We believe that targeted interventions such as timely referral, providing appropriate educational resources, and development of adequate support systems, have the potential to improve workup compliance of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, including those on dialysis.

This paper presents findings on developing and globally deploying a platform for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of social investment (SI) at one of the world's largest integrated oil and gas companies. This global SI M&E platform has been designed to track the performance of more than $200 million in annual social investment spending and to measure the progress of SI projects against both business and social objectives. This paper illustrates how an SI M&E process and tool can help ensure that all field locations meet the expectation that social investments be managed and deliver results at a highly strategic level comparable to other business functions. Through the presentation of case study findings, this paper also provides practical insights into developing meaningful standardized metrics, coordinating with the field on piloting a process, and working with a third-party to build an online solution.