ABSTRACT
Surface tension and interfacial tension are crucial to the study of nanomaterials. Herein, we report a solubility method using magnesium oxide nanoparticles of different radii (1.8-105.0 nm, MgO NPs) dissolved in pure water as a targeted model; the surface tension and interfacial tension (and their temperature coefficients) were determined by measuring electrical conductivity and combined with the principle of the electrochemical equilibrium method, and the problem of particle size dependence is discussed. Encouragingly, this method can also be used to determine the ionic (atomic or molecular) radius and Tolman length of nanomaterials. This research results disclose that surface/interfacial tension and their temperature coefficients have a significant relationship with particle size. Surface/interfacial tension decreases rapidly with a radius <10 nm (while the temperature coefficients are opposite), while for a radius >10 nm, the effect is minimal. Especially, it is proven that the value of Tolman length is positive, the effect of particle size on Tolman length is consistent with the surface/interfacial tension, and the Tolman length of the bulk does not change much in the temperature range. This work initiates a new era for reliable determination of surface/interfacial tension, their temperature coefficients, ionic radius, and Tolman length of nanomaterials and provides an important theoretical basis for the development and application of various nanomaterials.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the relationship between communication skills, health service quality, and patient trust in primary health services. METHOD: This study was conducted in village clinics in rural China. A simple random sampling method was used to select volunteer village clinics and patients. In total, 574 participants from 25 village clinics were selected with the help of local health officers and village doctors. The response rate was 90%. Statistical analyses (hierarchical linear regression analysis and a structural equation model) were performed to analyze the data. RESULTS: Patient trust in doctors in rural primary health was influenced by patient perceptions of doctors' communication skills and health service quality. However, health service quality fully mediated the relationship between doctors' communication skills and patient trust in village clinics. In other words, doctors' communication skills indirectly influence patients' trust in doctors. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a link between doctors' communication skills and patient trust. The findings suggest that health managers and doctors should attach great value to communication skills and health service quality in promoting the rural doctor-patient relationship. Moreover, the relationship between doctors and patients should be considered when reforming the primary health system.
Subject(s)
Physician-Patient Relations , Trust , Communication , Health Services , Humans , Perception , Primary Health CareABSTRACT
This study explored the effects of community environment on older adults' attitudes toward retirement based on a sample survey of 1,979 retired workers in a suburban district of Beijing, China. After controlling for demographic characteristics, it is found that older people's satisfaction with the community environment has a positive and direct effect on their retirement attitudes; community participation plays a mediating role in the relationship; and the mediating effect of community participation is moderated by a higher level of self-efficacy. Our results have practical significance for improving the quality of retirement life among older adults.
