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An ecological strategy is discussed in this study, concerning the synthesis of a novel family of soluble conjugated polymers obtained by the copolymerization of thiophene with para-cholorobenzaldehyde. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions using a catalyst of clay origin (Maghnite-H+). This catalyst was prepared by creating active sites in the form of hydronium ions between the layers of the smectite-type clay, this was achieved by a light treatment with an acid. In order to identify the nature of the material obtained, it has been characterized by 1H NMR, UV–Vis, FTIR spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. The conjugated polymer obtained is a candidate for small-bandgap conducting copolymers based on poly(heteroarylene methine)s, and could serve as a useful model system which is the subject of sufficient research on the impacts of π-conjugation length on the electronic properties of the conjugated polymers. The measurement of the electrical conductivity of the synthesized polymer was made by spin coating technique, it is in the range of 1.864 × 10–7 Ω/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Antipsychotics are believed to be over-used in the control, the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Hospitals are encouraged to audit antipsychotic use in people with dementia. The objectives of this study are to describe antipsychotic use in inpatients with dementia between 2010 and 2012 and to understand the impact of clinical and socio-demographic factors on their use. Design Retrospective and longitudinal analysis of antipsychotics dispensed to people with dementia in 34 English hospitals between January 2010 and October 2012. The unit of analysis was the period during which an inpatient was under the continuous care of one or more hospitals. Results Among the inpatients, 16.6% (10,440/63,079) with dementia received an antipsychotic in 13.9% of periods of care (13,643/97,902). Antipsychotic use was higher in inpatients with dementia and schizophrenia (57%) and in those inpatients with dementia and the symptoms and signs involving emotional state (38.2%). Antipsychotic use decreased between 2010 and 2012 (15.9% versus 12.1%, P < 0.001). In people with dementia without schizophrenia, the absence of cerebrovascular or ischaemic heart disease (OR 1.16 [1.12–1.21]), the presence of signs or symptoms of emotional state (OR 3.71 [3.29–4.19]), increasing deprivation (OR 1.02 [1.01–1.03]) and male gender (OR 1.10 [1.06–1.15]) were significantly associated with increased antipsychotic use ( P < 0.001 in all cases). Increasing age (OR 0.88 [0.87–0.89]) was significantly associated with decreased antipsychotic use ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Antipsychotic use in inpatients with dementia is declining but still more than one in eight periods of care are associated with use of an antipsychotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]