e-Venture: The Making of 21st Century European Learning Regions

In: A.J. Kallenberg and M.J.J.M. van de Ven (Eds), 2002, The New Educational Benefits of ICT in Higher Education: Proceedings. Rotterdam: Erasmus Plus BV, OECR ISBN 90-9016127-9Within the context of the evolution of 'Europe of the regions' this paper examines the role of higher education in the information age. It contrasts two perspectives on contemporary society in relation to higher education. Ritzer's (1998: 151-163) Post modern perspective which positions McUniversity in the Consumer Society of mega-malls, fast food restaurants, television shopping networks and infomercials. And Postman's (1999) perspective, derived from the eighteenth century, which re-examines our values and calls for a 'future connected to traditions that provide sane authority and meaningful purpose.' Paradoxically, the world-wide information explosion and increasing global competition has resulted in the most enduring competitive advantage being created on the local level within the 'triple helix' (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2001), that is the emerging clustering of inter-connected firms, institutions of higher education and government (Porter 1998). A new feature of the triple helix is the increased need for higher education to connect and relate with industries and the government and exchange knowledge for funding. It requires the fostering of new partnerships and the adoption of new and better higher education strategies to identify potential 'complementors' with whom to co-evolve towards a value net, that generates a relation rent. The operation of the resulting system is e-Venture designed to support the rapidly emerging field of event management, a medium which responds to the needs of the consumer society and the values that provide meaningful purpose and contribute to the creation of cosmopolitan citizenship. The focus of the e-Venture project is on the critical linkage of both e-content in higher education and relationship management that enables the Triple Helix to support and realise ‘The Making of European Learning Regions'

Quantum circuit for security proof of quantum key distribution without encryption of error syndrome and noisy processing

One of the simplest security proofs of quantum key distribution is based on the so-called complementarity scenario, which involves the complementarity control of an actual protocol and a virtual protocol [M. Koashi, e-print arXiv:0704.3661 (2007)]. The existing virtual protocol has a limitation in classical postprocessing, i.e., the syndrome for the error-correction step has to be encrypted. In this paper, we remove this limitation by constructing a quantum circuit for the virtual protocol. Moreover, our circuit with a shield system gives an intuitive proof of why adding noise to the sifted key increases the bit error rate threshold in the general case in which one of the parties does not possess a qubit. Thus, our circuit bridges the simple proof and the use of wider classes of classical postprocessing.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures. Typo correcte

Quantum receiver beyond the standard quantum limit of coherent optical communication

The most efficient modern optical communication is known as coherent communication and its standard quantum limit (SQL) is almost reachable with current technology. Though it has been predicted for a long time that this SQL could be overcome via quantum mechanically optimized receivers, such a performance has not been experimentally realized so far. Here we demonstrate the first unconditional evidence surpassing the SQL of coherent optical communication. We implement a quantum receiver with a simple linear optics configuration and achieve more than 90% of the total detection efficiency of the system. Such an efficient quantum receiver will provide a new way of extending the distance of amplification-free channels, as well as of realizing quantum information protocols based on coherent states and the loophole-free test of quantum mechanics.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Experiments on Lunar Core Composition: Phase Equilibrium Analysis of A Multi-Element (Fe-Ni-S-C) System

Previous geochemical and geophysical experiments have proposed the presence of a small, metallic lunar core, but its composition is still being investigated. Knowledge of core composition can have a significant effect on understanding the thermal history of the Moon, the conditions surrounding the liquid-solid or liquid-liquid field, and siderophile element partitioning between mantle and core. However, experiments on complex bulk core compositions are very limited. One limitation comes from numerous studies that have only considered two or three element systems such as Fe-S or Fe-C, which do not supply a comprehensive understanding for complex systems such as Fe-Ni-S-Si-C. Recent geophysical data suggests the presence of up to 6% lighter elements. Reassessments of Apollo seismological analyses and samples have also shown the need to acquire more data for a broader range of pressures, temperatures, and compositions. This study considers a complex multi-element system (Fe-Ni-S-C) for a relevant pressure and temperature range to the Moon's core conditions

CRANKITE: a fast polypeptide backbone conformation sampler

Background: CRANKITE is a suite of programs for simulating backbone conformations of polypeptides and proteins. The core of the suite is an efficient Metropolis Monte Carlo sampler of backbone conformations in continuous three-dimensional space in atomic details. Methods: In contrast to other programs relying on local Metropolis moves in the space of dihedral angles, our sampler utilizes local crankshaft rotations of rigid peptide bonds in Cartesian space. Results: The sampler allows fast simulation and analysis of secondary structure formation and conformational changes for proteins of average length

Unstable particles as open quantum systems

We present the probability preserving description of the decaying particle within the framework of quantum mechanics of open systems taking into account the superselection rule prohibiting the superposition of the particle and vacuum. In our approach the evolution of the system is given by a family of completely positive trace preserving maps forming one-parameter dynamical semigroup. We give the Kraus representation for the general evolution of such systems which allows one to write the evolution for systems with two or more particles. Moreover, we show that the decay of the particle can be regarded as a Markov process by finding explicitly the master equation in the Lindblad form. We also show that there are remarkable restrictions on the possible strength of decoherence.Comment: 11 pp, 2 figs (published version

Implementation Of Good Governance And “Mapalus” Cultural Values Of Minahasa Tribe In Village Financial Management

Abstract – The implementation of regional autonomy provides an opportunity for local governments, including village governments to regulate their own government according to village characteristics. The Minahasa tribal community has a high cultural value, namely "Mapalus". "Mapalus" is a form of cooperative activity in social life that upholds harmony and peace to achieve mutual prosperity. However, if it is not supported by a government based on the principles of Good Governance, then the cultural value of "Mapalus" will actually harm the community. The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze the role of Good Governance and the cultural value of “Mapalus” in village financial management. This research was conducted for four months in Kolongan Village, Talawaan District, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province. The results of the study indicate that in implementing Good Governance, the government must involve the community in the regional financial management process, starting from the planning, implementation, reporting, and accountability stages. Then, the community must maintain the cultural value of "Mapalus" while actively participating in government administration activities through giving aspirations, supervising, and daring to criticize the government to create a clean government and prevent misuse of village funds