Positional, Reorientational and Bond Orientational Order in DNA Mesophases

We investigate the orientational order of transverse polarization vectors of long, stiff polymer molecules and their coupling to bond orientational and positional order in high density mesophases. Homogeneous ordering of transverse polarization vector promotes distortions in the hexatic phase, whereas inhomogeneous ordering precipitates crystalization of the 2D sections with different orientations of the transverse polarization vector on each molecule in the unit cell. We propose possible scenarios for going from the hexatic phase, through the distorted hexatic phase to the crystalline phase with an orthorhombic unit cell observed experimentally for the case of DNA.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Effects of a hospital-wide physician communication skills training workshop on self-efficacy, attitudes and behavior

Hospital systems interested in improving patient experience and physician engagement may look to physician communication skills training (CST) as a means of improving both. This study examines a 7.5-hour, multi-specialty, hospital-wide physician CST workshop in a large academic hospital system and its effects on participants’ self-efficacy, attitudes, and behaviors related to communicating with patients. Data was gathered from October 2014 through June 2016 through a web-based questionnaire sent to participants 6-weeks post-workshop which focused on skills taught in the course, attitudes toward communication training, and provider behaviors when communicating with patients. Along with demographic questions, a ten question retrospective pre-post format was used with a 5-point scale for the domains measured. Retrospective pre-post methodology may provide a more accurate assessment of a learners’ self-assessment of skills acquisition. A paired t-test was used to examine changes in participants’ self-efficacy, attitudes, and behaviors toward communicating with patients prior to and 6-weeks post-workshop. Linear regression was used to determine if there were any covariates that explained these changes. A total of 161 responses from 490 participants (21 medical specialties) were collected for a response rate of 32.8%. In 9 out of 10 domains measured, a significant change in self-efficacy, attitudes, and behaviors related to communicating with patients occurred (p\u3c. 05). There was no significant change in perceived time management/efficiency during visits. Our conclusion is that a 7.5 hour hospital-wide, multi-specialty physician CST can be effective in improving participants’ self-efficacy, attitudes, and behaviors toward communicating with patients