Theory for incongruent crystallization: application to a ZBLAN glass

Equations which describe incongruent nucleation and subsequent crystal growth are derived. A ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN) glass was used to test the validity of these equations. Nucleation rate measurements were fitted to theory and some growth rate measurements were in reasonable agreement with theor. predictions. Both nucleation theory and crystal growth theory were used for computer simulations of the crystn. behavior during heat treatments. Some heat treatments were performed in a DSC app. to verify the theories. The exptl. results were in good agreement with the numerical data. Using these theor. results it is possible to est. fiber scattering losses due to crystn. Depending on drawing temp., estd. losses can vary from 0.014 (310 Deg) to >=25 decibel/km (320 Deg). [on SciFinder (R)

The paradox in international cooperation: Institutionally embedded universities in a global environment

As a response to processes of globalisation and regional integration, internationalisation activities in universities have changed. Flows have become more massive, the range of activities has broadened, and internationalisation has shifted from a marginal activity to a central institutional issue with strategic importance (van der Wende 2001, European Journal of Education 36(4), 431-441). These shifts can also be observed in international cooperation among universities. One of the manifestations of this shift is the increase and change of inter-organisational arrangements in higher education. One type of such arrangements - higher education consortia - are analysed in detail in the study. This analysis takes inter-organisational diversity as a starting point (Parkhe 1991, Journal of International Business Studies 22(4), 579-601). The basic thesis is that partners need to be similar, yet different, or in other words, there needs to be sufficient complementarity as well as sufficient compatibility among the participating universities. The article also explores the ways in which the management of consortia can improve the levels of complementarity and compatibility and thus the success of such consortia. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Institutional Mergers in Ireland

The importance of knowledge as a driver of social and economic growth and prosperity, and the increasingly competitive “global race for knowledge and talent” (Hazelkorn, Higher Educ Manage Policy 21(1):55–76, 2009) have combined to transform the higher education landscape, forcing national governments and higher education institutions (HEIs) to pursue new ways of addressing the challenges of a multi-polar world order. Rising demand for higher education (HE), as part of the broader shift from elite to mass to universal participation, has led to the emergence of new models of provision. At the same time, many governments face restrictions on public resources due to high levels of public and private debt; accordingly, system-level and institutional restructuring has been contemplated as a way to enhance quality, performance and efficiency

Higher education in Indonesia: Contemporary challenges in governance, access, and quality

This chapter presents the development of Indonesian higher education since its origins to current challenges in the fields of governance, autonomy, access, equity, quality, and internationalization. Indonesia has a massive and diversified tertiary education, including experiments in community colleges and online programs. The higher educational system remains mainly centralized, with the exception of some reforms towards financial autonomy. Insufficient public funding hinders the capacity to provide adequate teaching, research, and facilities among other aspects. The consequential rise in student fees contributes to an overrepresentation of students from Java, urban centers, and higher social classes

Prevenção da formação de hidratos em gasodutos submarinos

Ao longo do processo de transporte do gás natural em gasodutos submarinos até as Unidades de Processamento, a indústria petrolífera pode enfrentar diversos problemas, dentre eles, a formação de hidratos. O ambiente submarino possui condições propicias de pressão (alta) e temperatura (baixa) para que estas estruturas sólidas se formem. Os hidratos são problemas críticos para a garantia de escoamento, pois podem causar entupimento das tubulações, prisão e problemas de acionamento em equipamentos, podem comprometer a produtividade das operações, aumentar custos de produção e consumo de energia, além de gerar danos aos equipamentos e as estruturas, comprometendo a segurança das atividades e em casos mais extremos, causando a paralisação completa da produção. Por isso, faz-se necessário adotar medidas de controle, planejamento e monitoramento das condições termodinâmicas as quais o gás natural está sendo transportado. Neste trabalho são simuladas as condições próximas das reais enfrentadas durante o transporte do gás natural produzido na Unidade de Produção de Petróleo e Gás Natural FPSO Cidade de Vitória até a Unidade de Tratamento de Gás de Cacimbas. Para verificar as propriedades de fluxo do sistema, a temperatura e a pressão de formação dos hidratos, e dimensionar de forma otimizada o uso de métodos químicos (inibidores) e métodos térmicos (aquecedores) de prevenção será utilizado o software HYSYS. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficiência do inibidor termodinâmico metanol na prevenção da formação do hidrato e as vazões necessárias para realizar este controle. Além disso, indica-se a quantidade de energia necessária para que um aquecedor elétrico forneça calor suficiente à tubulação para prevenir a formação de hidratos, mostrando que este método térmico pode substituir a injeção do metanol, porém é necessário avaliar o requisito energético, que pode ser elevado. Palavras-chave: transporte de gás natural; escoamento transiente; hidrato; inibidores de hidrato

Management of cultural differences under various forms of China–UK higher education strategic alliances

International strategic alliances are notorious for their high failure rate. Increased inter-partner conflict resulting from ineffective cross-cultural management is perceived to be one of the key reasons for unsatisfactory alliance performance. Driven by globalization, universities are extending into foreign markets through the establishment of various types of strategic alliances (SAs). Through an empirical investigation, this study reveals that although cultural differences (CDs) exist in China–UK higher education (HE) SAs their impact depends on the structure of the SA. Although cultural conflicts occur more frequently in equity joint ventures than in non-equity modes, the impact of conflict arising from CDs is more serious and significant in non-equity arrangements. Moreover, partners perceive CDs as sources of mutual interest. The findings imply that the negative impact of CDs can be ameliorated to varying degrees depending on the type of China–UK HE SA