New class of 3D topological insulator in double perovskite

We predict a new class of three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) in which the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) can more effectively generate a large band gap at $\Gamma$ point. The band gap of conventional TI such as Bi$_2$Se$_3$ is mainly limited by two factors, the strength of SOC and, from electronic structure perspective, the band gap when SOC is absent. While the former is an atomic property, we find that the latter can be minimized in a generic rock-salt lattice model in which a stable crossing of bands {\it at} the Fermi level along with band character inversion occurs for a range of parameters in the absence of SOC. Thus, large-gap TI's or TI's comprised of lighter elements can be expected. In fact, we find by performing first-principle calculations that the model applies to a class of double perovskites A$_2$BiXO$_6$ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Br, I) and the band gap is predicted up to 0.55 eV. Besides, more detailed calculations considering realistic surface structure indicate that the Dirac cones are robust against the presence of dangling bond at the boundary with a specific termination.Comment: submitted; title changed and new references added; see DOI for published versio

Alibaba's strategic drift

It is fundamental in both a theoretical and practical sense, to analyse the strategies of successful e-businesses who were formulated and operated alongside incumbent competitors. Thus, there have been an array of strategic arguments concerning the rapidly-burgeoning virtual powerhouse Alibaba, who amidst a sea of fortified competitors, found their ground to become one of the most prominent e-businesses of the decade. At the commencing stages, Alibaba lacked a specific strategic goal, aside from the ethnic-originated ecology scheme. Further mishaps arose even after the take-off stage, when Alibaba opted to adhere to the diversification strategy, an evidently unusual phase for a virtual firm. Hence, it is the subject of common debate as to whether Alibaba cited a definitive strategic goal which guided their progress, or whether they were merely the product of a breakneck growth in the Chinese economy. This research will show how a leading e-Commerce company Alibaba has built B2B/C2C business portal Taobao/TMall and has transformed its transaction system from zhifubao into yuerbao and how it propelled Alipay to become a leading financial institution in the thriving digital market. In addition, strategic diversification on Chinese digital business will be examined through Alibaba case

Taiwan Oscillation Network

The Taiwan Oscillation Network (TON) is a ground-based network to measure solar intensity oscillations to study the internal structure of the Sun. K-line full-disk images of 1000 pixels diameter are taken at a rate of one image per minute. Such data would provide information onp-modes withl as high as 1000. The TON will consist of six identical telescope systems at proper longitudes around the world. Three telescope systems have been installed at Teide Observatory (Tenerife), Huairou Solar Observing Station (near Beijing), and Big Bear Solar Observatory (California). The telescopes at these three sites have been taking data simultaneously since October of 1994. Anl – v diagram derived from 512 images is included to show the quality of the data

Ontology-based Fuzzy Markup Language Agent for Student and Robot Co-Learning

An intelligent robot agent based on domain ontology, machine learning mechanism, and Fuzzy Markup Language (FML) for students and robot co-learning is presented in this paper. The machine-human co-learning model is established to help various students learn the mathematical concepts based on their learning ability and performance. Meanwhile, the robot acts as a teacher's assistant to co-learn with children in the class. The FML-based knowledge base and rule base are embedded in the robot so that the teachers can get feedback from the robot on whether students make progress or not. Next, we inferred students' learning performance based on learning content's difficulty and students' ability, concentration level, as well as teamwork sprit in the class. Experimental results show that learning with the robot is helpful for disadvantaged and below-basic children. Moreover, the accuracy of the intelligent FML-based agent for student learning is increased after machine learning mechanism.Comment: This paper is submitted to IEEE WCCI 2018 Conference for revie

Developing Global Workforce: An Integrative Intercultural Effectiveness Model for International Human Resource Development

Globalization has a significant impact on the field of human resource development (HRD), especially on international HRD (IHRD). The challenge of developing global workforce with intercultural competencies has received extensive attention. It is necessary to reexamine the structure and content of IHRD programs that facilitate individual to be interculturally competent. This paper attempts to propose an integrative intercultural effectiveness (ICE) model, modified from Han‘s (2011) study, as the guidelines for IHRD to identify the process and content in developing intercultural competencies. Keywords: Intercultural Effectiveness (ICE) Competencies, Human Resource Development (HRD), International HRD (IHRD), Cross-cultural Learning, Transformative Learnin

Fermion Pairing Dynamics in the Relativistic Scalar Plasma

Using many-body techniques we obtain the time-dependent Gaussian approximation for interacting fermion-scalar field models. This method is applied to an uniform system of relativistic spin-1/2 fermion field coupled, through a Yukawa term, to a scalar field in 3+1 dimensions, the so-called quantum scalar plasma model. The renormalization for the resulting Gaussian mean-field equations, both static and dynamical, are examined and initial conditions discussed. We also investigate solutions for the gap equation and show that the energy density has a single minimum.Comment: 21 pages, latex, 4 postscript figures, new sections, some literary changes, notation corrections, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev