Novel Quantum Criticality in Two Dimensional Topological Phase transitions

Topological quantum phase transitions intrinsically intertwine self-similarity and topology of many-electron wave-functions, and divining them is one of the most significant ways to advance understanding in condensed matter physics. Our focus is to investigate an unconventional class of the transitions between insulators and Dirac semimetals whose description is beyond conventional pseudo relativistic Dirac Hamiltonian. At the transition without the long-range Coulomb interaction, the electronic energy dispersion along one direction behaves like a relativistic particle, linear in momentum, but along the other direction it behaves like a non-relativistic particle, quadratic in momentum. Various physical systems ranging from TiO${}_2$-VO${}_2$ heterostructure to organic material $\alpha$-(BEDT-TTF)${}_2$ I${}_3$ under pressure have been proposed to have such anisotropic dispersion relation. Here, we discover a novel quantum criticality at the phase transition by incorporating the 1/r long-range Coulomb interaction. Unique interplay between the Coulomb interaction and electronic critical modes enforces not only the anisotropic renormalization of the Coulomb interaction but also marginally modified electronic excitation. In connection with experiments, we investigate several striking effects in physical observables of our novel criticality.Comment: 12 pages + 31 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, published versio

International Student Transitions After Yale (iSTAY): Career Development and Post-Graduation Transition Program for International Students

International mobility is a significant aspect of internationalization with international student enrollment increasing exponentially on U.S campuses. A major motivator for studying in the U.S. is the correlation between international education and employment prospects. Through pursuing quality education in a globalized context, students, along with many other stakeholders, strive to be competitive in the globalizing workplace and accomplish social mobility through gaining intercultural competence and cultural capital. However, a review of literature and research indicates a void in scholarly understanding and comprehensive programs for international student support in career development and post-graduation transitions. The research demonstrated a need for career development resources and practices that is reflective of international student-specific challenges through a collaborative structure between international student services and career offices. Yale University, an elite, Ivy, research university in New Haven, Connecticut is no exception to these trends and challenges. A needs assessment of current programs and institutional visibility of international students revealed a need for a comprehensive program that promotes post-graduation international student success. The proposed program, International Student Transitions at Yale (iSTAY) will use the experiential learning theory as a foundation to create a program that helps students develop career efficacy while building the capacity for self-authorship in their personal and professional plans after graduation. The academic year-long program for international undergraduate students will not only equip students with practical tools to get a job in the U.S., but also create a space for students to reflect upon their cross-cultural experience and international identity and be able to approach the transition from student to professional in a holistic and experiential way

Topological Phase Transitions in Line-nodal Superconductors

Fathoming interplay between symmetry and topology of many-electron wave-functions has deepened understanding of quantum many body systems, especially after the discovery of topological insulators. Topology of electron wave-functions enforces and protects emergent gapless excitations, and symmetry is intrinsically tied to the topological protection in a certain class. Namely, unless the symmetry is broken, the topological nature is intact. We show novel interplay phenomena between symmetry and topology in topological phase transitions associated with line-nodal superconductors. The interplay may induce an exotic universality class in sharp contrast to that of the phenomenological Landau-Ginzburg theory. Hyper-scaling violation and emergent relativistic scaling are main characteristics, and the interplay even induces unusually large quantum critical region. We propose characteristic experimental signatures around the phase transitions in three spatial dimensions, for example, a linear phase boundary in a temperature-tuning parameter phase-diagram.Comment: 4 + 23 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; the first two authors contributed equally to this wor

Reducing Confusion about Grounded Theory and Qualitative Content Analysis: Similarities and Differences

Although grounded theory and qualitative content analysis are similar in some respects, they differ as well; yet the differences between the two have rarely been made clear in the literature. The purpose of this article was to clarify ambiguities and reduce confusion about grounded theory and qualitative content analysis by identifying similarities and differences in the two based on a literature review and critical reflection on the authors’ own research. Six areas of difference emerged: (a) background and philosophical base, (b) unique characteristics of each method, (c) goals and rationale of each method, (d) data analysis process, (e) outcomes of the research, and (f) evaluation of trustworthiness. This article provides knowledge that can assist researchers and students in the selection of appropriate research methods for their inquiries

Activation of two types of brain glutamate dehydrogenase isoproteins by gabapentin

AbstractThe stimulatory effects of gabapentin on the activities of two types of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) isoproteins homogeneously purified from bovine brain have been studied at various conditions. When the effects of different gabapentin concentrations on GDH activities were studied in the direction of reductive amination of 2-oxoglutarate with NADPH as a coenzyme, a marked activation was observed for both isoproteins, whereas both isoproteins showed activation to a lesser extent with NADH as a coenzyme. Stimulatory effects of gabapentin on GDH activities in the direction of the oxidative deamination of glutamate were also observed, but to a much lesser extent than reductive amination. There were big differences between the two GDH isoproteins in their sensitivity to the action of gabapentin. The largest activation was observed with GDH II when NADPH was used as a coenzyme. Half-maximal stimulation was reached at around 1.5 mM. Gabapentin relieved the inhibition of GDH isoproteins by GTP and this resulted in an increase in the apparent activation by gabapentin in the presence of GTP. 2-Oxoglutarate was found to give rise to high substrate inhibition and gabapentin reduced the substrate inhibition in the presence of 0.2 mM NADH. Since there are neurodegenerative disorders in which GDH activity is decreased, the therapeutic modulation of the activity of this enzyme may be clinically useful

Impact of the surrounding built environment on energy consumption in mixed-use building

While a mixture of residential and non-residential uses in urban development has advantages in reducing transportation energy consumption and improving efficiency of land utilization, the patterns of energy consumption in mixed-use buildings are largely unknown. To understand associations between the built environment and energy consumption and to find effective strategies for energy saving, this study aims to examine how the gas and electricity energy consumption of mixed-use properties is influenced by the characteristics of the immediate surroundings of the building as well as by the building's attributes. The sample for this study is 22,109 mixed-use buildings in Seoul, Korea and the main source of outcome is electricity and gas energy consumption data retrieved from the open system of building data in 2015 and 2016. The regression results showed that a higher proportion of non-residential uses in mixed-use buildings was positively associated with higher electricity consumption overall but that it reduced gas energy use during the winter. In particular, increased restaurant and service use significantly influenced electricity consumption in the buildings. With regard to surrounding built environment, higher impervious surfaces and dense development near the buildings increased the electricity consumption of the buildings but it reduced gas energy consumption. Our results imply that, through the mediating effects of UHIs, the built environment characteristics of immediate surroundings may have indirect effects on energy consumption in mixed-use buildings

Case of chronic indolent pheochromocytoma that caused medically controlled hypertension but treatment-resistant diabetes mellitus

No abstract available

Impactful by design: exploring a New Product Development (NPD) framework for socially responsible technology

Researchers observed that digital products and services, such as social networking sites and online and mobile games, play a role in enticing users in ways that ensure increases in revenue of their providers. At the same time, with the advent of several disruptive new technology products in the not-so-distant future,including artificial intelligence-powered robots, drones and virtual reality, the boundary of ethically acceptable practices for the society by the technology companies is becoming an increasing topic of concern. Recent evidences show that technology companies and public organisations often find themselves in disagreement about what innovative features should be rolled out. This practice-based MPhil thesis explores the potential of integrating a social stakeholder into a cross-functional New Product Development (NPD) team that comprises stakeholders in viability, feasibility, desirability and social responsibility. The public adoption and the commercial potential of the project outcome shows that the proposed NPD framework would be useful for the production of socially responsible technology products. In order to inform the technology and design communities as well as public services, the research looks at participants’ gains raised by mutual exchanges of the participating stakeholders as well as identifying building blocks for the successful execution of such an NPD practice. These are: managing uncertainties, knowledge-brokering,managing conflicts of interests, locating knowledge and talent and raising awareness of digital technologies