E-Learning for Teachers and Trainers : Innovative Practices, Skills and Competences

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Effect of polar discontinuity on the growth of LaNiO3/LaAlO3 superlattices

We have conducted a detailed microscopic investigation of [LaNiO3(1 u.c.)/LaAlO3(1 u.c.)]N superlattices grown on (001) SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 to explore the influence of polar mismatch on the resulting electronic and structural properties. Our data demonstrate that the initial growth on the non-polar SrTiO3 surface leads to a rough morphology and unusual 2+ valence of Ni in the first LaNiO3 layer, which is not observed after growth on the polar surface of LaAlO3. A newly devised model suggests that the polar mismatch can be resolved if the perovskite layers grow with an excess of LaO, which also accounts for the observed electronic, chemical, and structural effects.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure

The Relationship Between Grit and Growth Mindset in Professional Athletic Training Students

Purpose: The demands of athletic training students are substantial between academic and clinical responsibilities creating problems with commitment and retention. Grit and growth mindset have been associated with academic achievement and success; however, little research has assessed the presence of grit and growth mindset within athletic training students. Therefor the purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in grit and growth mindset between athletic training students and non-athletic training students majoring in general health sciences and to assess the relationship between grit and growth mindset in both athletic training students and non-athletic training students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing a web-based survey to assess demographics, grit and growth mindset in undergraduate students. Univariate analyses and correlations were conducted to determine group comparisons and relationships between variables. Results: A total of 96 undergraduate students participated. Of the respondents 56% were athletic training students, 75% were female, and 83% were Caucasian. There was a significant difference in grit (U=800.50, p=.014) between groups with athletic training students (M=3.70, SD=.408) reporting lower levels of grit than non-athletic training students (M=3.93, SD=.413). Intelligence and talent growth mindset yielded no significant differences. A weak, positive correlation was found between grit and intelligence growth mindset (r=.341, p=.001) as well as between grit and talent growth mindset (r=.342, p=.001). Conclusion: The current study indicated differences in grit between athletic training and non-athletic training students, but not in growth mindset. Further research is needed to identify how these factors influence success and retention within athletic training programs

Method for serial passage of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in rainbow trout

Transmission is a fundamental component of pathogen fitness. A better understanding of pathogen transmission can greatly improve disease management. In particular, controlled studies of multiple rounds of natural transmission (i.e. serial passage) can provide powerful epidemiological and evolutionary inferences. However, such studies are possible in only a few systems because of the challenges in successfully initiating and maintaining transmission in the laboratory. Here we developed an efficient and reproducible cohabitation method for conducting controlled experiments investigating the effects of serial passage on infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in rainbow trout. This method was used to investigate the transmission efficiency and kinetics of viral shedding of IHNV over 3 serial passages. Transmission efficiency decreased from 100 to 62.5% over the passage steps and was associated with a decrease in virus shedding into water. A shift in the peak of viral shedding was also observed, from Day 2 post immersion for passage 0 to at least 24 h later for all subsequent passages. Finally, the characterization of viruses after 1 round of transmission and propagation on cells showed no change in glyco protein (G gene) sequences or viral virulence compared to the ancestral virus stock. The methods developed provide valuable tools for reproducible population-level studies of IHNV epidemiology and evolution

Strain-mediated metal-insulator transition in epitaxial ultra-thin films of NdNiO3

We have synthesized epitaxial NdNiO$_{3}$ ultra-thin films in a layer-by-layer growth mode under tensile and compressive strain on SrTiO$_{3}$ (001) and LaAlO$_3$ (001), respectively. A combination of X-ray diffraction, temperature dependent resistivity, and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been applied to elucidate electronic and structural properties of the samples. In contrast to the bulk NdNiO$_{3}$, the metal-insulator transition under compressive strain is found to be completely quenched, while the transition remains under the tensile strain albeit modified from the bulk behavior.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Orbital control in strained ultra-thin LaNiO3_3/LaAlO3_3 superlattices

In pursuit of rational control of orbital polarization, we present a combined experimental and theoretical study of single unit cell superlattices of the correlated metal LaNiO$_3$ and the band insulator LaAlO$_3$. Polarized x-ray absorption spectra show a distinct asymmetry in the orbital response under strain. A splitting of orbital energies consistent with octahedral distortions is found for the case of compressive strain. In sharp contrast, for tensile strain, no splitting is found although a strong orbital polarization is present. Density functional theory calculations including a Hubbard U term reveal that this asymmetry is a result of the interplay of strain and confinement induces octahedral rotations and distortions and altered covalency in the bonding across the interfacial Ni-O-Al apical oxygen, leading to a charge disporportionation at the Ni sites for tensile strain.Comment: 4 pages. 5 figure

Sub-monolayer nucleation and growth of complex oxide heterostructures at high supersaturation and rapid flux modulation

We report on the non-trivial nanoscale kinetics of the deposition of novel complex oxide heterostructures composed of a unit-cell thick correlated metal LaNiO3 and dielectric LaAlO3. The multilayers demonstrate exceptionally good crystallinity and surface morphology maintained over the large number of layers, as confirmed by AFM, RHEED, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. To elucidate the physics behind the growth, the temperature of the substrate and the deposition rate were varied over a wide range and the results were treated in the framework of a two-layer model. These results are of fundamental importance for synthesis of new phases of complex oxide heterostructures.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

The B_s and D_s decay constants in 3 flavor lattice QCD

Capitalizing on recent advances in lattice QCD, we present a calculation of the leptonic decay constants f_{B_s} and f_{D_s} that includes effects of one strange sea quark and two light sea quarks. The discretization errors of improved staggered fermion actions are small enough to simulate with 3 dynamical flavors on lattices with spacings around 0.1 fm using present computer resources. By shedding the quenched approximation and the associated lattice scale ambiguity, lattice QCD greatly increases its predictive power. NRQCD is used to simulate heavy quarks with masses between 1.5 m_c and m_b. We arrive at the following results: f_{B_s} = 260 \pm 7 \pm 26 \pm 8 \pm 5 MeV and f_{D_s} = 290 \pm 20 \pm 29 \pm 29 \pm 6 MeV. The first quoted error is the statistical uncertainty, and the rest estimate the sizes of higher order terms neglected in this calculation. All of these uncertainties are systematically improvable by including another order in the weak coupling expansion, the nonrelativistic expansion, or the Symanzik improvement program.Comment: 4 page

Production of the cylinder head and crankcase of a small internal combustion engine using metal laser powder bed fusion

This effort investigates the use of metal additive manufacturing, specifically laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) for the automotive and defense industries by demonstrating its feasibility to produce working internal combustion (IC) engine components. Through reverse engineering, model modifications, parameter selection, build layout optimization, and support structure design, the production of a titanium crankcase and aluminum cylinder head for a small IC engine was made possible. Computed tomography (CT) scans were subsequently used to quantify whether defects such as cracks, geometric deviations, and porosity were present or critical. Once viability of the parts was established, machining and other post-possessing were completed to create functional parts. Final X-ray CT and micro-CT results showed all critical features fell within ±0.127 mm of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. This allowed reassembly of the engine without any issues hindering later successful operation. Furthermore, the LPBF parts had significantly reduced porosity percentages, potentially making them more robust than their cast counterparts

Discipline in Context: Suspension, Climate, and PBIS in the School District of Philadelphia

The report details a two-year exploratory, mixed-methods research study on the disciplinary practices and climate of schools serving K–8 students in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP). Findings reveal that SDP schools are making efforts to reduce suspensions and improve climate, but critical barriers to these efforts include resource limitations and philosophical misalignments between teachers and school leaders. The study identified three profiles among SDP schools serving K–8 students based on information about disciplinary practices and climate, and found that these profiles are predictive of suspension and academic outcomes. Students attending schools with collaborative climates and less punitive approaches to discipline have lower risk of being suspended and better academic outcomes. The report offers a series of recommendations for strengthening the implementation of climate initiatives, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), in challenging urban settings