University of Oklahoma

About: University of Oklahoma is a education organization based out in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Radar. The organization has 25269 authors who have published 52609 publications receiving 1821706 citations. The organization is also known as: OU & Oklahoma University.

Nucleation of Polypropylene Crystallization by Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract: Nonisothermal and isothermal crystallization experiments were performed on polypropylene mixed with carbon nanotubes produced by disproportionation of CO on Co-Mo catalysts. Functionalization of the nanotubes with octadecylamine made the tubes hydrophobic and allowed the tubes to be solubilized in an organic solvent. Mixing of the nanotubes with the polymer was accomplished by adding the nanotubes to a Decalin solution that contained dissolved polypropylene, followed by evaporation of the solvent. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated very little difference in the small-strain mechanical properties between filled and unfilled polymers at the very low solid levels that were tested. By contrast, the crystallization behavior of the filled and unfilled polymer was quite different. Nanotubes promoted growth of the less-preferred beta form of crystalline polypropylene at the expense of the alpha form. In nonisothermal crystallization, the total amount of crystalline material in the sample was the same for the filled and unfilled materials. However, for isothermal crystallization experiments, the percent crystallinity in the filled materials was slightly higher. Most importantly, the rate of crystallization was substantially higher in the filled system. The results presented in this paper clearly show that carbon nanotubes nucleate crystallinity in polypropylene.

Job Satisfaction, Burnout, and Turnover: A National Study

Abstract: A national study found similarities in levels of job satisfaction, burnout, and intent to change jobs among child welfare, community mental health, and family service workers, although the determinants varied by field of practice. The data suggest that a universal approach aimed at increasing job satisfaction and reducing burnout is likely to be of minimal value; interventions must be conducted within each setting and must attend to the idiosyncracies of each group.

Antibiotics and respiratory infections: are patients more satisfied when expectations are met?

Abstract: Background Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for respiratory infections, even though most of these infections are viral. To understand why physicians do so, we studied patients' and physicians' expectations for antibiotics and the effects of the patient-physician interaction on patient satisfaction. Methods Patients with a respiratory infection were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after visiting with physicians at three family medicine centers. Physicians completed a questionnaire following the visit. Results Sixty-five percent of the 113 patients with respiratory infection expected antibiotics. Physicians had some ability to perceive this expectation and frequently prescribed antibiotics for patients who expected them. Antibiotics were prescribed to over 75% of patients with sinusitis or bronchitis and to 18% of those diagnosed with only viral infections. No association was found between a prescription for antibiotics and patient satisfaction; however, patient satisfaction did correlate with the patients' report that they understood the illness and that the physician spent enough time with them. Conclusions Physicians frequently prescribe antibiotics for upper respiratory infections when they believe patients expect it, but receiving a prescription for antibiotics is not in and of itself associated with increased patient satisfaction.