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Prior investigations of scotopic sensitivity or Meares-Irlen syndrome have identified several features also found in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and a subtype of dyslexia in which visual recognition is the primary deficit. In particular, anomalies in lipid metabolism, including low essential fatty acid status and decreased serum cholesterol, have been identified in all three disorders. Genetic expression of the transporter molecule apolipoprotein B-100 (APOB) has been correlated with abnormal lipid metabolism, particularly in relation to levels of cholesterol. Cholesterol esters are important carriers of essential fatty acids entering the retina. The APOB gene coding for apolipoprotein B-100 is located on the short arm of Chromosome 2, and closely neighbours a gene (DYX3) known to confer susceptibility to dyslexia. The APOB locus is also recognised as being one of the most highly polymorphic regions of the human genome, and thus provides a promising tool for genetic researchers. In this pilot study, certain allelic variants of the APOB gene were more common in participants diagnosed with Meares-Irlen syndrome than in individuals without the condition. This study appears to be a first in which a condition known to cause reading difficulties has been associated with the APOB gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, ring-disubstituted 2-phenyl-1,1-dicyanoethylenes, RC6H3CH=C(CN)2 (where R is 2,3-dimethoxy, 2,4-dimethoxy, 2,5-dimethoxy, 3,4-dimethoxy, 3-ethyl-4-methoxy), were synthesized by piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-disubstituted benzaldehydes and malononitrile, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator (AIBN) at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 290-450°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylene monomers, dialkoxy ring‐substituted methyl 2‐cyano‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propenoates, RC 6 H 3 CH&dbnd;C(CN)CO 2 CH 3 , (where R is 2,3‐, 2,4‐, 2,5‐, 3,4‐, 3,5‐dimethoxy, and 3‐ethoxy‐4‐methoxy), were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring‐substituted benzaldehydes and methyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN elemental analysis, IR, 1 H‐ and 13 C‐NMR. Novel copolymers of the ethylenes and styrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator (AIBN) at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. High T g of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. The gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 272–400°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsaturated polyesters are prepared by transesterification polymerization of diethyl fumarate and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The structure of the polyesters was characterized by FT-IR and 1 H- and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. Semicrystalline morphology of the polymers is suggested by DSC analysis with T g at 21°C and melting at 140°C. The thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the onset of degradation takes place at 300°C. The polyester's structure has significant impact on the properties of the composites prepared by crosslinking the fumarate double bonds with N-vinyl pyrrolidone in the presence of an inorganic filler, calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the addition of a radical initiator, benzoyl peroxide, at ambient temperatures. The compressive strength and hydrolytic stability of the cement compositions was correlated with structure of the polyesters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylenes, ring-substituted ethyl 2-cyano-3-phenyl-2-propenoates, RC6H4CH[dbnd]C(CN)CO2C2H5 (where R is 2-CH3, 3-CH3, 4-CH3, 2-OCH3, 3-OCH3, and 4-OCH3) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene (ST). The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and ethyl cyanoacetate, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with ST (M1) in solution with radical initiation (AIBN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r1) for the monomers is 3-OCH3 (0.88) > 4-CH3 (0.71) > 2-OCH3 (0.68) > 3-CH3 (0.55) > 2-CH3 (0.47) > 4-OCH3 (0.40). Higher Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates a decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the TSE structural unit. Gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the 257–287°C range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrophilic trisubstituted ethylenes (TSE), halogen ring-substituted ethyl 2-cyano-1-oxo-3-phenyl-2-propenylcarbamates, RC6H4CH[dbnd]C(CN)CONHCO2C2H5 (where R is 3-Br, 4-Br, 3-Cl, 4-Cl, 2-F, 3-F, and 4-F) were prepared and copolymerized with styrene (ST). The monomers were synthesized by the piperidine catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation of ring-substituted benzaldehydes and N-cyanoacetylurethane, and characterized by CHN analysis, IR, 1H, and 13C NMR. All the ethylenes were copolymerized with ST (M1) in solution with radical initiation (AIBN) at 70°C. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from nitrogen analysis and the structures were analyzed by IR, 1H, and 13C NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r1) for the monomers is 2-F (3.81) > 3-Cl (1.36) > 4-Br (1.31) > 3-Br (1.13) > 4-F (0.90) > 3-F (0.63) > 4-Cl (0.37). Higher Tg of the copolymers in comparison with that of polystyrene indicates decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the TSE structural unit. Gravimetric analysis indicated that the copolymers decompose in the range 303–319°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the role of intelligence gathering in strategic planning of public administration. Comparison of intelligence gathering in the public and private sectors; Description of how formalized environmental scanning is done; Mind mapping and scenario building as tools for scanned information.