Blends of conjugated polymers are frequently used as the active semiconducting layer in light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic devices. Here we report the use of scanning near-field optical microscopy, scanning force microscopy and nuclear-reaction analysis to study the structure of a thin film of a phase-separated blend of two conjugated polymers prepared by spin-casting. We show that in addition to the well-known micrometre-scale phase-separated morphology of the blend, one of the polymers preferentially wets the surface and forms a 10-nm-thick, partially crystallized wetting layer. Using near-field microscopy we identify unexpected changes in the fluorescence emission from the blend that occurs in a 300-nm-wide band located at the interface between the different phase-separated domains. Our measurements provide an insight into the complex structure of phase-separated conjugated-polymer thin films. Characterizing and controlling the properties of the interfaces in such films will be critical in the further development of efficient optoelectronic devices.

Service industries are undeniably important in the USA. They account for 72 percent of GNP and 76 percent of employment. In recent years, service firms have been experiencing a changing and increasingly competitive market place. Until now, few top management teams (TMTs) of service businesses have accorded all three aspects of market orientation (customer‐orientation, competitive orientation, and interfunctional co‐ordination) as much importance as have their colleagues in manufacturing. Using data obtained from a diverse set of service industries, e.g. law firms, accounting firms, automobile glass replacement specialists, medical group practices, and advertising companies, a structural equations model was developed and analyzed. Results revealed: a strong positive relationship between top management team (TMT) cohesiveness and market orientation; a strong positive relationship between both low environmental munificence and high dynamism with market orientation, and most significantly, a strong positive relationship between market orientation and organizational performance. The implications for service firms are clear: cohesive top management teams committed to implementing the marketing concept will have a competitive advantage ‐ no matter how unstable the competitive environment.

In this paper we present a unified view on charge-driven structural transitions in the electrical double layer in ionic liquids and summarise molecular-scale mechanisms of the ionic liquid structural response to the surface charge.

A new series of solid polymer electrolyte materials based on the poly(organophosphazene) system has been designed and synthesized. The new polymers contain linear or branched oligoethyleneoxy side chains. The polymers were characterized by 31 P, 13 C, and 1 H-NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and elemental analysis. The ambient temperature (25°C) ionic conductivities of the polymers complexed with lithium triflate were measured by complex impedance analysis. The polymers that bear linear oligoethyleneoxy side chains [NP{O(CH2CH2O)n-CH3}2], have low glass transition temperatures that range from -84 to -75°C. These polymers have properties that are similar to those of the classical counterpart poly[bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)-phosphazene. They have low dimensional stabilities and undergo viscous flow even at room temperature. The polymers with branched oligoethyleneoxy side chains (podands) have similar glass transition temperatures, in the range of -82 to -79°C. However, the bulk dimensional stabilities of the branched polymers are significantly higher than those of the corresponding linear side chain series. The branched side chain polymers resist viscous flow and readily form thin, free-standing films. The podand polymers also dissolve lithium triflate to form ionically conducting materials with conductivity levels similar to those of the polymers bearing linear side chains.

PurposePatients with lung cancer frequently suffer psychological distress and guidelines in the United Kingdom recommend screening of all cancer patients for this problem. The audit investigated use of the Distress Thermometer in terms of staff adherence to locally developed guidelines, patient willingness to use the tool, its impact on referral rates to clinical psychology services and concordance between the tool and the clinical assessment.MethodUse of the Distress Thermometer was audited over a 3-month period in one lung cancer outpatient clinic. Referrals to clinical psychology services in response to clearly delineated referral indicators were assessed. Patient-reported outcomes were compared with practitioner assessment of need during clinical consultations to see whether the tool was measuring distress effectively.ResultsThirty three of 34 patients used the Distress Thermometer during the audit period. Ten reported distress levels above 4 in the emotional or family problems domains. On ten occasions, the clinical interview identified problems not elicited by the Distress Thermometer. Guidelines were adhered to by staff, and patients were offered information about local support services and referral to clinical psychology services where indicated. Whilst all patients were happy to receive written information about further sources of support, none wanted to be referred to psychological services at that time.ConclusionsThe Distress Thermometer is acceptable to patients with lung cancer in outpatient settings but it did not increase referrals for psychological support. Staff found it to be a useful tool in opening up communication about patient issues although it should not replace a comprehensive clinical interview.