Robust singlet dimers with fragile ordering in two-dimensional honeycomb lattice of Li2_2RuO3_3

When an electronic system has strong correlations and a large spin-orbit interaction, it often exhibits a plethora of mutually competing quantum phases. How a particular quantum ground state is selected out of several possibilities is a very interesting question. However, equally fascinating is how such a quantum entangled state breaks up due to perturbation. This important question has relevance in very diverse fields of science from strongly correlated electron physics to quantum information. Here we report that a quantum entangled dimerized state or valence bond crystal (VBC) phase of Li2RuO3 shows nontrivial doping dependence as we perturb the Ru honeycomb lattice by replacing Ru with Li. Through extensive experimental studies, we demonstrate that the VBC phase melts into a valence bond liquid phase of the RVB (resonating valence bond) type. This system offers an interesting playground where one can test and refine our current understanding of the quantum competing phases in a single compound.Comment: Scientific Reports (in press

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Analysis of Vertical Stiffness Characteristics Based on Spoke Shape of Non-Pneumatic Tire

Recently, research regarding non-pneumatic tires that are resistant to punctures has been actively conducted, and the spoke structure design of non-pneumatic tires has been found to be a crucial factor. This study aimed to analyze the vertical stiffness characteristics of a non-pneumatic tire based on the shape of the spoke under the application of a vertical load. The three-dimensional model of a commercial non-pneumatic tire was obtained from the manufacturer (Kumho Tire Co., Inc., Gwangju, Korea), and the vertical stiffness characteristics of the three tire models with modified spoke shapes were compared and analyzed based on a reference tire model. Results show that the vertical stiffness of the fillet applied model is most appropriate. Furthermore, the vertical stiffness characteristics of the analyzed tire models indicate that if fillets with a minimum size are applied to the spokes, the stability of the non-pneumatic tire is expected to improve

A Novel Curriculum for Internal Medicine Residents to Care for High-Need, High-Cost Patients

ObjectivesHigh-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients represent a small proportion of patients in the US, but result in disproportionately higher healthcare utilization. Teaching Internal Medicine (IM) resident trainees to provide high value care for HNHC patients is critical. We sought to improve resident attitudes and increase clinical skills associated with treating HNHC patients by creating a curriculum that leveraged the UCLA Extensivist Program, a patient-centered medical home for HNHC patients.MethodsWe developed a curriculum for PGY-2 and PGY-3 IM residents centered on caring for HNHC patients over the course of 6, 4h sessions during 1 academic year. Participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys assessing self-rated attitudes and skills associated with caring for an HNHC patient population.ResultsTwenty-one IM residents completed the curriculum and 41 were in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in assessed attitudes and skills, but there were trends of improvement, including a decrease in participants who agreed or strongly agreed they felt overwhelmed when seeing patients for posthospital discharge follow up (45.0% pre- to 41.7% post-intervention) and an increase in participants who agreed or strongly agreed they have the skills to successfully transition HNHC patients between inpatient and ambulatory settings (20.0% pre- to 33.3% post-intervention). Participants reported better understanding of resources available to HNHC patients, effective coordination of transitions of care, and comprehensive assessment of social determinants of health.ConclusionA curriculum to improve resident attitudes and skills associated with caring for HNHC patients was successfully implemented in an IM program at a large academic medical center. The curriculum may be adapted for other training programs; long-term training woven throughout training may be important to significantly improve resident education on how to care for HNHC patients

Antiferromagnetic ordering in Li2MnO3 single crystals with a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice

Li 2MnO 3 consists of a layered Mn honeycomb lattice separated by a single layer of LiO 6 octahedra along the c-axis. By using single crystal Li 2MnO 3 samples, we have examined the physical properties and carried out both powder and single crystal neutron diffraction studies to determine that Mn moments order antiferromagnetically at T N=36K with an ordered magnetic moment of 2.3μ B perpendicular to the ab plane. We have also discovered that about 35% of the full magnetic entropy is released in the supposedly simple paramagnetic phase, indicative of unusual spin dynamics at higher temperature. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd.115131sciescopu

Development and validation of the quality care questionnaire –palliative care (QCQ-PC): patient-reported assessment of quality of palliative care

Abstract Background In this study, we aimed to develop and validate an instrument that could be used by patients with cancer to evaluate their quality of palliative care. Methods Development of the questionnaire followed the four-phase process: item generation and reduction, construction, pilot testing, and field testing. Based on the literature, we constructed a list of items for the quality of palliative care from 104 quality care issues divided into 14 subscales. We constructed scales of 43 items that only the cancer patients were asked to answer. Using relevance and feasibility criteria and pilot testing, we developed a 44-item questionnaire. To assess the sensitivity and validity of the questionnaire, we recruited 220 patients over 18 years of age from three Korean hospitals. Results Factor analysis of the data and fit statistics process resulted in the 4-factor, 32-item Quality Care Questionnaire-Palliative Care (QCQ-PC), which covers appropriate communication with health care professionals (ten items), discussing value of life and goals of care (nine items), support and counseling for needs of holistic care (seven items), and accessibility and sustainability of care (six items). All subscales and total scores showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha range, 0.89 to 0.97). Multi-trait scaling analysis showed good convergent (0.568–0.995) and discriminant (0.472–0.869) validity. The correlation between the total and subscale scores of QCQ-PC and those of EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL, MQOL, SAT-SF, and DCS was obtained. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the QCQ-PC can be adopted to assess the quality of care in patients with cancer