We present a systematic study of the morphology and absorption properties of a typical donor–acceptor polymer (PCPDTBT) with semicrystalline behavior in solution and in thin films. In-situ ...spectroelectrochemical data give information about the evolution of the absorption spectra from neutral to charged species. The experimental data are supported by theoretical calculations in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT). Regarding thin film structures, we show that the choice of the solvent has significant influence on the morphology in thin films: whereas CS2 and CHCl3 give rather structureless (amorphous) morphologies, films from 1-CN exhibit a clear crystalline nanofiber morphology. Accompanying UV/vis/NIR spectra of films are highly dependent on the morphology and therefore on the choice of the processing solvent. The absorption of fiber morphologies is strongly red-shifted compared to the structureless films.
Summary Background Lowering of blood pressure prevents stroke but optimum target levels to prevent recurrent stroke are unknown. We investigated the effects of different blood-pressure targets on the ...rate of recurrent stroke in patients with recent lacunar stroke. Methods In this randomised open-label trial, eligible patients lived in North America, Latin America, and Spain and had recent, MRI-defined symptomatic lacunar infarctions. Patients were recruited between March, 2003, and April, 2011, and randomly assigned, according to a two-by-two multifactorial design, to a systolic-blood-pressure target of 130–149 mm Hg or less than 130 mm Hg. The primary endpoint was reduction in all stroke (including ischaemic strokes and intracranial haemorrhages). Analysis was done by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT 00059306. Findings 3020 enrolled patients, 1519 in the higher-target group and 1501 in the lower-target group, were followed up for a mean of 3·7 (SD 2·0) years. Mean age was 63 (SD 11) years. After 1 year, mean systolic blood pressure was 138 mm Hg (95% CI 137–139) in the higher-target group and 127 mm Hg (95% CI 126–128) in the lower-target group. Non-significant rate reductions were seen for all stroke (hazard ratio 0·81, 95% CI 0·64–1·03, p=0·08), disabling or fatal stroke (0·81, 0·53–1·23, p=0·32), and the composite outcome of myocardial infarction or vascular death (0·84, 0·68–1·04, p=0·32) with the lower target. The rate of intracerebral haemorrhage was reduced significantly (0·37, 0·15–0·95, p=0·03). Treatment-related serious adverse events were infrequent. Interpretation Although the reduction in stroke was not significant, our results support that in patients with recent lacunar stroke, the use of a systolic-blood-pressure target of less than 130 mm Hg is likely to be beneficial. Funding National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH-NINDS)
Servant Leadership emphasizes employee’s development and growth within a context of moral and social concern. Nowadays, this management change towards workers´ wellbeing is highlighted as an ...important issue. The aims of this paper are to adapt to Spanish speakers the Servant Leadership Survey (SLS) by van Dierendonck and Nuijten (2011), and to analyze its factorial validity through confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance in three countries. A sample of 638 working people from three Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Argentina and Mexico) participated in the study. In all three countries, confirmatory factor analyses corroborate the eight factor structure (empowerment, accountability, standing back, humility, authenticity, courage, forgiveness and stewardship) with one second order factor (servant leadership) (in all three samples, CFI, IFI > .92, TLI > .91, RMSEA < .70). Also, factor loadings, reliability and convergent validity were acceptable across samples. Furthermore, through measurement invariance analysis, we detected model equivalence in all three countries including structural residual invariance (ΔCFI = .001). Finally, cultural differences in some dimensions were found and discussed, opening the way for future cross-cultural studies.