Basin-Size Mapping: Prediction of Metastable Polymorph Synthesizability Across TaC-TaN Alloys.

The sizes of the basins of attraction on the potential energy surface are helpful indicators in determining the experimental synthesizability of metastable phases. In principle, these basins can be controlled with changes in thermodynamic conditions such as composition, pressure, and surface energy. Herein, we use random structure sampling to computationally study how alloying smoothly perturbs basin of attraction sizes.

Probabilistic prediction of material stability: integrating convex hulls into active learning.

Active learning is a valuable tool for efficiently exploring complex spaces, finding a variety of uses in materials science. However, the determination of convex hulls for phase diagrams does not neatly fit into traditional active learning approaches due to their global nature. Specifically, the thermodynamic stability of a material is not simply a function of its own energy, but rather requires energetic information from all other competing compositions and phases.

All "Roads" Lead to Rocksalt Structure.

Rocksalt is the most common crystal structure among binary compounds. Moreover, no long-lived, metastable polymorphs are observed in compounds with the rocksalt ground state. We investigate the absence of polymorphism via first-principles random structure sampling and transformation kinetics modeling of three rocksalt compounds: MgO, TaC, and PbTe.

Beyond the serotonin deficit hypothesis: communicating a neuroplasticity framework of major depressive disorder.

The serotonin deficit hypothesis explanation for major depressive disorder (MDD) has persisted among clinicians and the general public alike despite insufficient supporting evidence. To combat rising mental health crises and eroding public trust in science and medicine, researchers and clinicians must be able to communicate to patients and the public an updated framework of MDD: one that is (1) accessible to a general audience, (2) accurately integrates current evidence about the efficacy of conventional serotonergic antidepressants with broader and deeper understandings of pathophysiology and treatment, and (3) capable of accommodating new evidence. In this article, we summarize a framework for the pathophysiology and treatment of MDD that is informed by clinical and preclinical research in psychiatry and neuroscience.

Harnessing technology to improve sleep in frontline healthcare workers: A pilot study of electronic noise-masking earbuds on subjective and objective sleep measures.

This pilot study assessed the effects of electronic noise-masking earbuds on subjective sleep perception and objective sleep parameters among healthcare workers (HCWs) reporting sleep difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a pre-post design, 77 HCWs underwent 3 nights of baseline assessment followed by a 7-night intervention period. Participants wore an at-home sleep monitoring headband to assess objective sleep measures and completed subjective self-report assessments.

The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in depression across the female reproductive lifecycle: current knowledge and future directions.

The aim of this narrative review is to consolidate knowledge on the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression pathophysiology at different reproductive stages across the female lifespan. Despite growing evidence about the impact of gonadal hormones on mood disorders, no previous review has examined the interaction between such hormonal changes and the HPA axis within the context of depressive disorders in women. We will focus on HPA axis function in depressive disorders at different reproductive stages including the menstrual cycle (e.

Childhood stress, gender, and cognitive control: Midline theta power.

The emergence of psychiatric symptoms is a common consequence of childhood stress exposure. However, there are a dearth of reliable clinical hallmarks or physiological biomarkers to predict post-trauma symptom emergence. The objective of this study was to examine if childhood stressors and stress-related symptoms are associated with altered midline theta power (MTP) during cognitive control demands, and how these associations interact with gender and early adversity.

Cognitive Problems in Perimenopause: A Review of Recent Evidence.

Purpose Of Review: To review recent research regarding cognitive problems during perimenopause, including which menopause-related symptoms, demographic variables, stress exposures, and neural biomarkers are associated with cognitive problems and which interventions demonstrate efficacy at improving cognitive performance.

Recent Findings: Cognitive problems are common during perimenopause and have a significant impact on a substantial proportion of women. Evidence continues to indicate that verbal learning and verbal memory are the cognitive functions that are most negatively affected during perimenopause, and new research suggests that perimenopause may also be associated with deficits in processing speed, attention, and working memory.

Fabrication-robust silicon photonic devices in standard sub-micron silicon-on-insulator processes.

Perturbations to the effective refractive index from nanometer-scale fabrication variations in waveguide geometry plague high index-contrast photonic platforms; this includes the ubiquitous sub-micron silicon-on-insulator (SOI) process. Such variations are particularly troublesome for phase-sensitive devices, such as interferometers and resonators, which exhibit drastic changes in performance as a result of these fabrication-induced phase errors. In this Letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a design methodology for dramatically reducing device sensitivity to silicon width variations.

Effect of progesterone administration in male and female smokers on nicotine withdrawal and neural response to smoking cues: role of progesterone conversion to allopregnanolone.

Background: Progesterone administration has therapeutic effects in tobacco use disorder (TUD), with females benefiting more than males. Conversion of progesterone to the neurosteroid allopregnanolone is hypothesized to partly underlie the therapeutic effects of progesterone; however, this has not been investigated clinically.

Methods: Smokers (n = 18 males, n = 21 females) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 200 mg progesterone daily across 4 days of abstinence.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Pregnancy: An Updated Review on Risks to Mother, Fetus, and Child.

Purpose Of Review: To provide an updated summary and appraisal of work from 2019 to 2022 examining risks of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use in pregnancy.

Recent Findings: Perinatal SSRI exposure does not increase risk of major malformations or gestational diabetes after accounting for underlying maternal illness. SSRIs are associated with small increase in risk of pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm delivery, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and neonatal intensive care unit admissions, though absolute risk of these outcomes is low.

Technology-Based Approaches for Supporting Perinatal Mental Health.

Purpose Of Review: This review explores advances in the utilization of technology to address perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Specifically, we sought to assess the range of technologies available, their application to PMADs, and evidence supporting use.

Recent Findings: We identified a variety of technologies with promising capacity for direct intervention, prevention, and augmentation of clinical care for PMADs.

Progesterone Increases Nicotine Withdrawal and Anxiety in Male but Not Female Smokers During Brief Abstinence.

Introduction: Although exogenous progesterone may hold promise as a treatment for nicotine use disorders, it is unclear whether it is similarly effective in males and females. This study examined the effects of progesterone on nicotine use disorder comprehensively using behavioral, psychological, and neural measures in male and female smokers exposed to brief abstinence.

Aims And Methods: Thirty-three male and 33 female non-treatment-seeking smokers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study of 200 mg of progesterone or placebo daily over a four-day abstinence period.

Gifts From Unexpected Places.

When I was a new social worker, a series of events changed my clinical practice. I believed academic pursuits and scholarly work were the key components to cultivating my clinical skills. My education had elucidated the importance of taking the time to listen to the patient's narrative to optimize their care.

Discontinuation of hormonal contraception due to changes in mood and decreases in sexual desire: the role of adverse childhood experiences.

Purpose: To evaluate if adverse childhood experiences are associated with hormonal contraception discontinuation due to mood and sexual side effects.

Materials And Methods: Women, ages 18-40 ( = 826), with current and/or previous hormonal contraceptive use completed surveys on demographics, contraceptive history, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. We characterised women into high (≥2 adverse experiences) and low (0 or 1) adverse childhood experience groups.