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Previous research has indicated that treatment staff often underestimate the informational needs of cancer patients. In this study, the authors determined the total number of information sources obtained and used to influence treatment decisions, and the clinical and demographic factors associated with the use of specific sources of information in cancer patients. Participants were identified by the statewide cancer registry and diagnosed in 2004 with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer. A self-administered mailed questionnaire elicited cancer treatments, demographics, and information sources used to make treatment decisions. Of those surveyed, 1,784 (66%) participated and responded to all questions regarding information use. Over 69% of study participants reported obtaining information from a source other than the treatment staff. Significant predictors of using additional information sources included younger age, higher income, higher education, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, and reporting shared decision making (all p values

The reaction of tetramethyl-1,2-dioxetane (1) and triphenylphosphine (2) in benzene-d6 produced 2,2-dihydro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2,2,2-triphenyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (3) in ˜90% yield over the temperature range of 6–60°. Pinacolone and triphenylphosphine oxide (4) were the major side products [additionally acetone (from thermolysis of 1) and tetramethyloxirane (5) were noted at the higher temperatures]. Thermal decomposition of 3 produced only 4 and 5. Kinetic studies were carried out by the chemiluminescence method. The rate of phosphorane was found to be first order with respect to each reagent. The activation parameters for the reaction of 1 and 2 were: Ea ≅ 9.8 ± 0.6 kcal/mole; ΔS≠ = −28 eu; k30° = 1.8 m−1sec−1 (range = 10–60°). Preliminary results for the reaction of 1 and tris (p-chlorophenyl)phosphine were: Ea ˜ 11 kcal/mole, ΔS≠ = −24 eu, k30° = 1.3 M−1sec−1 while those for the reaction of 1 and tris(p-anisyl)phosphine were: Ea ˜ 8.6 kcal/mole, ΔS≠ = −29 eu, k30° = 4.9 M−1 sec−1.