First-Principles Based Matrix-Green's Function Approach to Molecular Electronic Devices: General Formalism

Transport in molecular electronic devices is different from that in semiconductor mesoscopic devices in two important aspects: (1) the effect of the electronic structure and (2) the effect of the interface to the external contact. A rigorous treatment of molecular electronic devices will require the inclusion of these effects in the context of an open system exchanging particle and energy with the external environment. This calls for combining the theory of quantum transport with the theory of electronic structure starting from the first-principles. We present a rigorous yet tractable matrix Green's function approach for studying transport in molecular electronic devices, based on the Non-Equilibrium Green's Function Formalism of quantum transport and the density-functional theory of electronic structure using local orbital basis sets. By separating the device rigorously into the molecular region and the contact region, we can take full advantage of the natural spatial locality associated with the metallic screening in the electrodes and focus on the physical processes in the finite molecular region. This not only opens up the possibility of using the existing well-established technique of molecular electronic structure theory in transport calculations with little change, but also allows us to use the language of qualitative molecular orbital theory to interpret and rationalize the results of the computation. For the device at equilibrium, our method provides an alternative approach for solving the molecular chemisorption problem. For the device out of equilibrium, we show that the calculation of elastic current transport through molecules, both conceptually and computationally, is no more difficult than solving the chemisorption problem.Comment: To appear in Chemical Physic

Description of small and large-scale cross laminated timber fire tests

A large-scale fire test was conducted on a compartment constructed from cross laminated timber (CLT). The internal faces of the compartment were lined with non-combustible board, with the exception of one wall and the ceiling where the CLT was exposed directly to the fire inside the compartment. Extinction of the fire occurred without intervention. During the fire test, measurements were made of incident radiant heat flux, gas phase temperature, and in-depth temperature in the CLT. In addition, gas flow velocities and gas phase temperatures at the opening were measured, as well as incident heat fluxes at the facade due to flames and the plume leaving the opening. The fuel load was chosen to be sufficient to attain flashover, to achieve steady-state burning conditions of the exposed CLT, but to minimize the probability of uncertain behaviors induced by the specific characteristics of the CLT. Ventilation conditions were chosen to approximate maximum temperatures within a compartment. Wood cribs were used as fuel and, following decay of the cribs, self-extinction of the exposed CLT rapidly occurred. In parallel with the large-scale test, a small scale study focusing on CLT self-extinction was conducted. This study was used to establish: the range of incident heat fluxes for which self-extinction of the CLT can occur; the duration of exposure after which steady-state burning occurred; and the duration of exposure at which debonding of the CLT could occur. The large-scale test is described, and the results from both the small and large-scale tests are compared. It is found that self-extinction occurred in the large-scale compartment within the range of critical heat fluxes obtained from the small scale tests

Siblings of Those With and Without Mental Illness: Differences in Life Decisions and Depressive Symptoms

Young adulthood is a difficult period - individuals begin to separate from their families and transition into adulthood, focusing more on themselves and the future. This study aimed to better understand psychosocial and individual differences that contribute to different well-beings for young adults that have siblings without (n=156) and with (target sibling) (n=121) mental illness. Target siblings reported more depressive symptoms and less positive influence of siblings on life decisions. Closeness was related to well-being, but did not interact with sibling type to influence well-being. Both sibling types reported little support and unsupport, and did not differ in coping. Target siblings reported little sibling influence on life decisions at lower levels of perfectionism, but a strong impact at higher levels. This study: confirmed previous findings that sibling types differ in depression; extended findings to include differences in life decisions; and identified factors that did and did not influence well-being

Robert Schumann\u27s Piano Sonata no. 1 in f-sharp minor, op. 11–style and structure

Robert Schumann\u27s music reflects the complexity of his life and psyche. Even Schumann himself acknowledged the challenges this presented to anyone attempting to understand his music, and the Piano Sonata no. 1 in F-sharp minor, op. 11 is an example of the complex inter-relationship between Schumann\u27s music and life. This document will have a three-fold approach to discussing Schumann\u27s Sonata. I will outline the literary characteristics of German Romantic authors, discuss how Schumann musically interprets these characteristics while reflecting other composers, and show how these techniques help add extra-musical significance to op. 11, particularly in connection with Clara. Robert Schumann\u27s compositional style reveals a wide range of influences, such as Romantic authors Jean Paul Richter and E. T. A. Hoffmann and fellow composers Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Johann Sebastian Bach. While these people were influential in Schumann\u27s life, perhaps no one was more important to Schumann than Clara Wieck. During the composition of the Sonata op. 11, Clara\u27s father, Friederick Wieck, attempted to end their relationship by sending Clara far away. Schumann used this Sonata as a means of communicating with Clara. These elements give op. 11 an additional level of meaning. I believe that this Sonata accurately reflects Schumann\u27s influences, compositional style, and his life and that understanding this diverse spectrum of elements can be invaluable to anyone attempting to interpret this great work

Evaluating pediatrics residents’ ethics learning needs using multisource interprofessional feedback

Background: Ethics education is a required component of pediatric residency training. Limited instructional time requires educators to identify and prioritize learning needs. This is the first study to identify pediatric residents’ ethics learning needs using a multisource (360 degree) assessment. We hypothesized that pediatricians or allied health care professionals would identify unperceived ethics learning needs.Methods: Pediatric residents, pediatricians, respiratory therapists (RTs), and registered nurses (RNs) working at a university children's hospital rated the importance of twelve ethics themes as learning needs for trainees using a Likert-type scale. One-way ANOVA was used to determine differences between the groups, followed by post-hoc testing.Results: Response rates were 65%, 70%, 57%, and 47% for residents, pediatricians, RTs, and RNs, respectively. Themes were categorized into three priority groupings based on mean importance ratings. Where significant differences existed between residents and other respondent groups, pediatric residents rated the theme as being more important. Conclusion: This study provides an interprofessional assessment of pediatric residents’ perceived ethics learning needs. High priority ethics topics were identified, allowing for targeted teaching. Pediatricians and allied HCPs did not rate any ethics themes higher than residents. Medical educators may consider using methods inspired by multisource feedback for program evaluation

Starstruck - Investigating the Screen Actors' Guild's Relationship with Stars, Labor, and the Consumer During the 1960 Strike

By analyzing articles in Screen Actor, Variety, Fan Magazines, and Newspapers, I investigate how the 1960 Screen Actors Guild strike was communicated to various audiences. These include industry audiences (actors, producers, and others with direct stakes in the well-being of the industry) and public audiences (the consuming public). Using Marxist analysis, this essay argues that the majority of publications covering the strike were inclined towards unfavorable portrayals of the Guild and the Strike.Purchase College SUNYCinema StudiesBachelor of ArtsHolmes, Natha

Fashionable curiosities: extreme footwear as wearable fantasies

This paper considers an aspect of the material culture fashion, focusing on shoes. Like clothes, shoes are used every day: they are essential objects that primarily allow people to perform daily and socially accepted activities, walk comfortably and adorn the body in a fashionable way. Furthermore, shoes are associated with the idea of individuality and can be highly practical or decorative, depending on their design and fashion style. With regard to their style, one phenomenon emerging in high fashion is that of the “impossible-to-wear shoes”: exhibitions and fashion shows staging designers’ bizarre shoes are becoming more frequent. During these shows, the spectators are presented with an unusual variety of footwear (e.g. heelless shoes; shoes without soles; fish-shaped shoes). These shoes are not made to fit the individual. On the contrary, their shape and forms are imposed on the individuals. This paper explores the extreme, impossible-to-wear shoes and considers the visual statements they make about contemporary society, women and femininity. I will argue that impossible-to-wear shoes are puzzling yet charming objects, epitomizing a spectacle-centered society: they are part of unexpected and personal performances, which blend the boundaries of fashion and art and allow the wearers to shift from an ordinary “self” to the extraordinary “other”