Magnetic and electric phase control in epitaxial EuTiO3_3 from first principles

We propose a design strategy - based on the coupling of spins, optical phonons, and strain - for systems in which magnetic (electric) phase control can be achieved by an applied electric (magnetic) field. Using first-principles density-functional theory calculations, we present a realization of this strategy for the magnetic perovskite EuTiO$_3$.Comment: Significantly revised for clarit

Bayesian comparison of latent variable models: Conditional vs marginal likelihoods

Typical Bayesian methods for models with latent variables (or random effects) involve directly sampling the latent variables along with the model parameters. In high-level software code for model definitions (using, e.g., BUGS, JAGS, Stan), the likelihood is therefore specified as conditional on the latent variables. This can lead researchers to perform model comparisons via conditional likelihoods, where the latent variables are considered model parameters. In other settings, however, typical model comparisons involve marginal likelihoods where the latent variables are integrated out. This distinction is often overlooked despite the fact that it can have a large impact on the comparisons of interest. In this paper, we clarify and illustrate these issues, focusing on the comparison of conditional and marginal Deviance Information Criteria (DICs) and Watanabe-Akaike Information Criteria (WAICs) in psychometric modeling. The conditional/marginal distinction corresponds to whether the model should be predictive for the clusters that are in the data or for new clusters (where "clusters" typically correspond to higher-level units like people or schools). Correspondingly, we show that marginal WAIC corresponds to leave-one-cluster out (LOcO) cross-validation, whereas conditional WAIC corresponds to leave-one-unit out (LOuO). These results lead to recommendations on the general application of the criteria to models with latent variables.Comment: Manuscript in press at Psychometrika; 31 pages, 8 figure

“Give us this day our daily bread” – Clergy’s lived religion in Pretoria central areas

The aim of this article is to reflect on how clergy, working in Pretoria central areas, live out (the external dimension) and experience (the internal dimension) their faith in their everyday life. Thirteen clergy were briefly interviewed on an individual basis and then asked to keep a diary for two months. Four of the interviewed clergy completed the diary project. Based on the interviews and the diaries, the main themes that could be identified in relation to faith in their everyday lives, are responding to the challenges associated with urban ministry, including poverty and trauma, and dealing with the sometimes overwhelming experience of stress that the demands of this ministry can create. Distancing from the different aspects of their tasks, attending to personal needs, and focusing on individual experiences of faith are the main identified strategies the participants employ in dealing with the daily pressures they are exposed to

Piezoelectric control of the magnetic anisotropy via interface strain coupling in a composite multiferroic structure

We investigate theoretically the magnetic dynamics in a ferroelectric/ferromagnetic heterostructure coupled via strain-mediated magnetoelectric interaction. We predict an electric field-induced magnetic switching in the plane perpendicular to the magneto-crystalline easy axis, and trace this effect back to the piezoelectric control of the magnetoelastic coupling. We also investigate the magnetic remanence and the electric coercivity

Strain-induced ferroelectricity in CaTiO3_3 from first principles

First principles calculations are used to investigate the effects of epitaxial strain on the structure of the perovskite oxide CaTiO$_3$, with particular focus on the stabilization of a ferroelectric phase related to a polar instability hidden in the orthorhombic equilibrium bulk $Pbnm$ structure but found in previous first-principles studies of the ideal cubic perovskite high-symmetry reference structure. At 1.5% strain, we find an epitaxial orientation transition between the $ab$-$ePbnm$ phase, favored for compressive strains, and the $c$-$ePbnm$ phase. For larger tensile strains, a polar instability develops in the $c$-$ePbnm$ phase and an epitaxial-strain-induced ferroelectric phase is obtained with polarization along a $$ direction with respect to the primitive perovskite lattice vectors of the square substrate.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Location, location, location, the impact of registered sex offenders on home sale prices: A case study of McLean County, Illinois

Borrowing from the broken windows theory, this paper addresses the impact of sex offenders’ residences on neighborhood’s property values in McLean County, Illinois. Three data sets were combined to explore the relationship: the addresses of registered sex offenders (RSOs) in McLean County, Illinois, the location and property characteristics of homes sold in McLean County between December 2012 to December 2013, and variables from the 2010 U.S. Census. ArcGIS was utilized to create buffers up to 0.2 of a mile around a sold home to measure the concentration of RSOs and sexual predators (SPs) and to calculate the distance from the nearest RSO and SP. The results indicate that as RSO and SP concentration increased, home selling prices decreased by $6,586 for each RSO and$9,098 for each SP within the buffer. In regards of distance, RSOs and SPs negatively impacted home selling prices the closer they were to a home sale transaction. These findings inform the debate surrounding the requirements placed on sexual offender registration, community notification, and residency restrictions

The Financial Impact of Registered Sex Offenders on Home Sale Prices: A Case Study of McLean County, Illinois

This study extends the current sex offender and housing literature by examining whether the presence of registered sex offenders (RSOs) and sexual predators (SPs) influenced home sale values in a mixed rural/agricultural and urban community. Using ArcGIS, the residences of RSOs in McLean County, Illinois, and home sale transactions, along with property and neighborhood characteristics were geocoded. The associations of home sale values to the distance to the nearest RSO and SP, as well as, the concentrations of RSOs and SPs were examined. Results revealed that each foot increase between the sold home to the residence of the nearest RSO and SP was associated with an increase in home sale prices of 17.03 and 15.25 U.S. dollars, and the concentrations of two or more RSOs and SPs was associated with a reduction in home sale prices of 12,750 and 17,797 U.S. dollars. These findings inform the debate surrounding the requirements placed on sexual offender registration, community notification, and residency restrictions

Conflict Between Doing Well And Doing Good? Capital Budgeting Case Study - Coors

Considering the paradox of drinking what you drive and driving what you drink, Coors Brewing Company’s conversion of spilt beer into ethanol is interesting and timely because of today’s intensified need for alternate fuels. The decision of investment in a sustainable project was present in 1996 as well as today. It is evident that Coors considered sustainability before it became popular. Their ethanol project allows an examination of several business issues that pertain to finance, accounting, operations management and environmental management students. This case has provided students sufficient information to practice the whole capital budgeting process which includes identifying and forecasting cash flows, applying capital budgeting tools and performing sensitivity and scenario analysis. Finance students will focus on cash flows and the capital budgeting aspect of the case. The potential reduction of waste disposal cost and generation of revenues from ethanol production will also be of interest to cost accounting students who focus on cutting costs in the production process. From a management standpoint, the Coors Brewing Company and Merrick’s ethanol project serves as an example of how a company can make a profit while engaging in environmentally safe projects. This illustrates the coexistence of company performance and ethicality.&nbsp