Designed synthesis, structure, and properties of a family of ferecrystalline compounds [(PbSe)(1.00)](m)(MoSe2)(n).

The targeted synthesis of multiple compounds with specific controlled nanostructures and identical composition is a grand challenge in materials chemistry. We report the synthesis of the new metastable compounds [(PbSe)1.00]m(MoSe2)n using precursors each designed to self-assemble into a specific compound. To form a compound with specific values for m and n, the number of atoms within each deposited elemental layer was carefully controlled to provide the correct absolute number of atoms to form complete layers of each component structural unit. On low-temperature annealing, these structures self-assemble with a specific crystallographic orientation between the component structural units with atomically abrupt interfaces. There is rotational disorder between the component structural units and between MoSe2 basal plane units within the MoSe2 layers themselves. The lead selenide constituent has a distorted rock salt structure exactly m bilayers thick leading to peaks in the off-axis diffraction pattern as a result of the finite size of and rotational disorder between the crystallites. The in-plane lattice parameters of the PbSe and MoSe2 components are independent of the value of m and n, suggesting little or no strain caused by the interface between them. These compounds are small band gap semiconductors with carrier properties dominated by defects and exhibit extremely low thermal conductivity as a result of the rotational disorder. The thermal conductivity can be tuned by varying the ratio of the number of ordered PbSe rock salt layers relative to the number of rotationally disordered MoSe2 layers. This approach, based on controlling the local composition of the precursor and low temperature to limit diffusion rates, provides a general route to the synthesis of new compounds containing alternating layers of constituents with designed nanoarchitecture.

Transitional Care Partners: a hospital-to-home support for older adults and their caregivers.

PURPOSE: To describe the development, implementation, and preliminary results of the Transitional Care (TLC) Partners, a clinical demonstration program that supports the transition from hospital to home of older veterans. DATA SOURCES: Hospital records of TLC patients to track their hospital and emergency department visits before and after the TLC Partners enrollment. Caregivers of patients completed Preparedness in Caregiving and the Short Form Zarit Burden Scale during the first week of the TLC Partners enrollment and on the week when the services ended. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients with one or more emergency department visits and rehospitalization is consistently lower among TLC patients compared to non-TLC patients at 30 and 60 days of hospital discharge. The mean preparedness and burden scores before and after the program essentially remained the same. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The description of the implementation of the TLC Partners offers an example of how nurse practitioner-led interprofessional care models can be adapted to the needs of specific healthcare systems, and how they can be monitored to evaluate their reach, effectiveness, and fidelity to the core components of proved care models.