Multibondic Cluster Algorithm

Inspired by the multicanonical approach to simulations of first-order phase transitions we propose for $q$-state Potts models a combination of cluster updates with reweighting of the bond configurations in the Fortuin-Kastelein-Swendsen-Wang representation of this model. Numerical tests for the two-dimensional models with $q=7, 10$ and $20$ show that the autocorrelation times of this algorithm grow with the system size $V$ as $\tau \propto V^\alpha$, where the exponent takes the optimal random walk value of $\alpha \approx 1$.Comment: 3 pages, uuencoded compressed postscript file, contribution to the LATTICE'94 conferenc

My Experience as Editor-In-Chief of Stemosphere

Working as the editor in chief of the Stemosphere website, I started with a plan to make posters of a Stemosphere logo and use them to attract new website users. Plans changed due to unforeseen circumstances, and instead, I focused on working on the website layout and making a blog posting guide while providing content with the help of various University of Iowa organizations. Throughout the semester, I wrote blog posts on a variety of science related subjects and adapted my writing style to make them sound interesting to non-scientists. We finished the logo to end off the semester, so future Stemosphere editors and managers must work with future Latham Fellow to agree on a logo for the website

Need-based heroism : the motivation to assign heroic status to others

This study was looking to determine whether people are more likely to look for heroic qualities in others in an emergency situation where a hero is needed, compared to a situation where nothing is wrong. This study also sought to find whether strangers in non-emergency situations will be seen as more villainous and more threatening than strangers in emergency situations. The hypotheses were supported. Participants found an ambiguous stranger to be more heroic in an emergency scenario, compared to a nonemergency. Additionally, in the situation where no hero was needed, the participants found an ambiguous stranger more threatening than in a situation where a hero was needed

Integrating BIM to the Construction Industry: The Hardships, Benefits, and an Unyielding Educational Gap between Technology and Field Application

In recent years, Building Information Modeling has taken the construction industry by storm and revolutionized the construction process entirely. It allows for trades to coordinate more efficiently and effectively, while providing a hands-on, 3D overview of a structure being built. Certain characteristics are more easily adoptable by existing companies than others, but there are vast fallacies of hype in the concept. This study will examine the effects as BIM, positive and negative, and its current usage in industry. In addition it will identify the gap developing between students exiting the university setting that has a strong emphasis on technological integration, and the actual implementation of technology associated with field activities from a superintendent stand-point and a superintendent’s proficiency with the software

Estimation of microscopic averages from metadynamics

With the help of metadynamics it is possible to calculate efficiently the free energy of systems displaying high energy barriers as a function of few selected "collective variables". In doing this, the contribution of all the other degrees of freedom ("microscopic" variables) is averaged out and, thus, lost. In the following, it is shown that it is possible to calculate the thermal average of these microscopic degrees of freedom during the metadynamics, not loosing this piece of information

Diabetic Prevention the Hard Way: Modified Diet and Increased Exercise

Background and Purpose: In the United States, 79 million people are pre-diabetic: most have no symptoms. If left untreated, 37% will develop diabetes within 4 years. Fourteen percent of United States health care expenditures are related to diabetic complications. This Evidenced Based Project (EBP) involved a behavioral lifestyle change with the purpose of 7% weight loss and a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity a week. It was also designed to reduce risk factors and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c) levels. Methods: The interventional approach was modeled after the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Group Lifestyle Balance Program. Participants were identified based on high risk factors and HgA1c levels. Bi-monthly meetings were conducted over 12 weeks. Participant education and monitoring of weight loss and activity level were provided. Conclusion: Changing a person’s behavior is complex and multi-factorial. Although participants had a significant increase in healthy behavior modifications, knowledge, awareness, and activity, they were unsuccessful in reducing HgA1c levels in this particular study. Implications for practice: Reducing high risk and pre-diabetic populations may lower health costs, provide a healthier patient population, and decreased cardiovascular incidents related to diabetes. Findings could be used in conjunction with decreasing the rates of metabolic syndrome

Adjustment Differences in Teenage Children: Foster Care versus Group Homes

The number of adolescents who are in the social welfare system is growing yearly due to a variety of family circumstances such as inadequate care for the adolescents, physical or mental abuse, and drug use or charges of some type. The purpose of this study was to explore the adjustment differences with adolescents who have been placed in foster care versus group homes. Using the qualitative design, six social work volunteers were interviewed regarding their general knowledge about the struggles of teenagers in foster care or group homes. Data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive approaches in which categories were first developed from the interview responses and then were linked to literature review. The findings indicate that out of foster care and group homes, therapeutic foster care is the most cost effective placement for teens. Group homes were found to have stricter rules and more expensive than foster care placement. In the foster care and group home settings, adolescence had a harder time adjusting to structure/rules. They also had a harder time accepting support by pushing away from the caregivers. With set rules/guidelines, support from foster from foster families or group homes therapist along with staff, made it easier for the adolescence to adjust knowing the rules and boundaries. If these teens did not revive any emotional support from their settings or have hope for a better future, they can end up in multiple placements