Nematic Fermi Fluids in Condensed Matter Physics

Correlated electron fluids can exhibit a startling array of complex phases, among which one of the more surprising is the electron nematic, a translationally invariant metallic phase with a spontaneously generated spatial anisotropy. Classical nematics generally occur in liquids of rod-like molecules; given that electrons are point-like, the initial theoretical motivation for contemplating electron nematics came from thinking of the electron fluid as a quantum melted electron crystal, rather than a strongly interacting descendent of a Fermi gas. That such phases exist in nature was established by dramatic transport experiments in ultra-clean quantum Hall systems in 1999 and in Sr3Ru2O7 in a strong magnetic field in 2007. In this paper, we briefly review the theoretical considerations governing nematic order, summarize the quantum Hall and Sr3Ru2O7 experiments that unambiguously establish the existence of this phase, and survey some of the current evidence for such a phase in the cuprate and Fe-based high temperature superconductors.Comment: 30 pages, 7 figures (some in color); to appear in Annual Reviews of Condensed Matter Physics. Edited version

A Study Of Passenger Perception And Sensitivity To Airport Backscatter X-Ray Technologies

Because of September 11, security continues to be a concern in the airline business.  Enhancing airport security is one of the highest considerations of the federal government, which is currently employing electromagnetic screening systems and metal detection portal technologies, in order to screen airline passengers for hazardous metallic objects.  Improving security is considered critical in mitigating the perceived risk of terrorism and threat, though privacy sensitivity is frequently a consideration if not a concern of passengers.  This study analyzes factors of public acceptability of airport backscatter screening systems, in a current survey of passengers in New York City and in Tel Aviv.  The study furnishes findings that may benefit administrators in the federal government in the implementation of x-ray screening systems that are cognizant of not only the risk of terrorism but also of public sensitivity to intrusive technologies

Seasonal changes in metabolic rates in muskoxen following twenty- four hours of starvation

Timing of seasonal trends in post-prandial energy expenditure (EE) was measured in muskoxen (2 males and 1 female) given a standardized meal followed by a 24-26 h starvation during 10 months over the course of a year. EE was significantly lower in winter than summer. CH4 production (EctM) was reversed with winter highs and summer lows. Ratio of ECH4:EE indicates a change in dietary efficiency but this difference was not associated with a seasonal shift in RQ which was constant. The main increase in EE from winter to summer occurred between April and May and the summer to winter decrease between August and Septembet

Special Section on Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying should be a concern for any college or university. Cyberbullying is behavior done through digital media by a student or groups of students, communicating aggressive or hostile messages continually and intending to inflict discomfort or harm on another student or groups of students. Cyberbullying is bullying done through the Internet � an issue confronting students of a post-secondary institution. The literature on cyberbullying is focused frequently on middle and high school students, not college students. Increased incident reporting by students in post-secondary institutions may nevertheless be indicating the increased seriousness of cyberbullying in those institutions

A Comprehensive Survey On Student Perceptions Of Cyberbullying At A Major Metropolitan University

Cyberbullying is a concern for any college or university.  Digital harassment incidents are featured daily in the news.  The authors of this study examine the perceptions of students on cyberbullying at a major metropolitan university.  From the findings of a student survey, the authors learn of high levels of perceptions on incidents as an issue but low levels of perceptions on institutional methods of response and sensitivity at the university.  This study will be beneficial as cyberbullying is considered an issue more frequent in high schools than in colleges and universities

Improved Log(gf) Values for Lines of Ti I and Abundance Determinations in the Photospheres of the Sun and Metal-Poor Star HD 84937 (Accurate Transition Probabilities for Ti I)

New atomic transition probability measurements for 948 lines of Ti I are reported. Branching fractions from Fourier transform spectra and from spectra recorded using a 3 m echelle spectrometer are combined with published radiative lifetimes from laser-induced fluorescence measurements to determine these transition probabilities. Generally good agreement is found in comparisons to the NIST Atomic Spectra Database. The new Ti I data are applied to re-determine the Ti abundance in the photospheres of the Sun and metal-poor star HD 84937 using many lines covering a range of wavelength and excitation potential to explore possible non-local thermal equilibrium effects. The variation of relative Ti/Fe abundance with metallicity in metal-poor stars observed in earlier studies is supported in this study.NSF AST-1211055, AST-0908978, AST-1211585NSF REU grant AST-1004881ESO Science Archive Facility 073.D-0024, 266.D-5655NASA NAS 5-26555Astronom

Agile Methodology In Offshore Outsourcing

Firms have to be cognizant of appropriate methods to deploy when managing offshore outsourcing.  As industry continues to deploy agile methodology, such methodology may not be the best approach in offshore outsourcing.  Managers may benefit from more disciplined application development methodologies.  The case study examines risk factors of offshore outsourcing of software projects and the appropriateness of agile methodologies in these projects. The findings contribute important insight into the benefits and limitations of agile methods in offshore outsourcing