Our findings indicate that, despite the AAP policy and national efforts to improve developmental screening in the primary care setting, few pediatricians use effective means to screen their patients for developmental problems. It is uncertain whether standardized screening, as it is practiced currently, is associated with an increase in the self-reported identification of children with developmental disabilities.

The tensile mechanical properties and fracture toughness of a Bisphenol‐A type difunctional epoxy resin, cured with different amounts of metaphenylene diamine, using two cure cycles, were determined over a range of temperature. The tensile modulus in the glassy state was seen to be predominantly related to intermolecular packing, while in the rubbery state crosslink density was the important factor. Yielding appeared to be due to an increase in free volume as a result of dilatation during the tensile test and was related to a critical shear stress. The large strain properties like tensile strength, elongation‐to‐break, and toughness showed a more complex dependence on chemical structure, molecular architecture, intermolecular packing, and crosslink density. The roles played by the relaxation processes in determining mechanical properties are highlighted.

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The reduction in fiber length during extrusion and injection molding of two commercial glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene products containing 30 percent by weight of glass fibers was studied. The first product had very small fibers of average length around 0.5 mm and also contained a coupling agent. The second product contained relatively longer glass fibers of 9 mm length and no coupling agent. In both cases, fiber attrition occurs predominantly at the solid-melt interface in the melting zone of the extruder. However, in the short fiber granules, the maximum of the length distribution, which for the initial sample is around 0.5 mm, moved to shorter fiber lengths along the screw channels further from the hopper. In the long fiber granules, a bimodal length distribution was obtained in the intermediate channels; the first maximum was around the original length of 9 mm and the second centered around 0.5 mm. Thus, the forces at the solid-melt interface result in fiber breakage to lengths which are predominantly around 0.5 mm. The fiber attrition was observed to be more severe in injection molding apparently because of higher shear rates and also because the fibers had to pass through narrow channels. The measured distributions of fiber length along the screw channels for the two products are presented, and the possible mechanisms of fiber breakage are discussed. The mechanical properties of samples containing different fiber length distributions and the effects of fiber length and interfacial adhesion on properties are presented and discussed in Part 11. , FEBRUARY 1989, Yo/. 10, No. 1 POLYMER COMPOSITES

SynopsisThe moisture transport characteristics of a difunctional epoxy resin cured with different amounts of metaphenylene diamine, using two cure cycles, are reported. Besides studying the kinetics of moisture sorption at 20, 50, 75, and lWC, the investigations also included measurement of thermal expansion coefficients and dynamic mechanical transition of the dry and wet samples. The moisture sorption of the sample is shown to be related to its specific volume and hence to its fractional free volume. In the glassy state, the free volume is apparently in the form of frozen voids, and moisture sorption/desorption at this temperature is of the Langmuir type with little or no bond formation. At higher temperatures the free volume is generated predominantly through segmental motion of the a transition. The Henry's Law mode becomes operative, and the moisture can now form bonds. "he possible effect of nonuniform crosslink density on moisture sorption is also considered.

SynopsisWe report structural changes in commercial multifilament poly(ethy1ene terephthalate) (PET) yarn when it is heat set in silicone oil over a range of temperatures between 100 and 220°C for times ranging from 1 min to 1 hr, while the yarn was (1) free to relax, and (2) held taut at constant length. In one case, viz., a sample heat treated for 1 hr, the cooling time was also varied to study the effect of rate of cooling. The free-annealed and taut-annealed samples showed considerable differences. The predominant role of the temperature of heat setting on structure is discussed in detail. There are considerable changes in the amount and orientation of the amorphous phase, and these will be shown to have important influence on mechanical properties in subsequent reports.

SynopsisHigh-density polyethylene up to about 30% by weight was melt-mixed with polypropylene and short-glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene. The presence of high-density polyethylene and glass fibers in the polypropylene matrix affects its crystallization characteristics, which were studied with the help of differential scannihg calorimetry. The blend and composite samples have a large number of polypropylene domains apparently due to an abundance of surface nuclei; as a result, the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and toughness are enhanced. The temperature dependence of shear modulus and logarithmic decrement indicate that high-density polyethylene can have plasticizing effect below the glass transition temperature of polypropylene. The scanning electron micrographs of fractured ends show the presence of dispersed domains in the composite samples.

Aloe vera has long been used as a traditional medicine for inducing wound healing. It is a natural product that now a days is used in cosmetic industry. Benefits associated with Aloe vera have been attributed to the polysaccharides contained in the gel of the leaves though there are various indications for its use. Biological activities include promotion of wound healing, antifungal activity, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and immunomodulatory. Gingival fibroblasts play an important role in oral wound healing. Double blind-controlled trials are needed to determine its real efficacy in oral health.