608 research outputs found
The Management of Research and Development (Selected papers from a conference in Wroclaw, Poland, September 1978)
This paper is one of two IIASA Collaborative Papers containing papers presented at the Third International Conference on the Management of Research, Development and Education held at Wroclaw, Poland in September 1978. The conference was, on this occasion, jointly organized by Dr. Karol Pelc, Director of the Forecasting Research Center of the Technical University of Wroclaw and by Professor Gennady Dobrov, Deputy Director, Institute of Cybernetics, Kiev and at that time a member of the staff of the Management and Technology Area of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Formally, it was jointly sponsored by the Wroclaw Technical University and IIASA.
It is always difficult to decide what to do about conference proceedings. The greatest value of such conferences is usually the meeting between minds -- the exchange of information and understanding between people from different cultures and academic backgrounds. This was particularly true at the Wroclaw conference where there was strong representation from ten countries, both East and West. It was a rare opportunity for scientists to identify potential collaborators and discover who was working in which field. Such opportunities are too few. Nevertheless, the Conference Scientific Committee felt that a number of the papers should be made available for reference in a more accessible form, and with their help, we have made a selection for issue as IIASA Collaborative Papers. A complete list of the 40 papers read at the conference are given as an Appendix to this collection -- copies of individual papers can be obtained by request from the Forecasting Research Center, Technical University of Wroclaw.
The introductory paper to the conference was on "Main Problems in the Control of Scientific and Technological Creative Activities, Application of Innovations and Education of Scientific Staff" and was given by Professor Jan Kaczmarek, Scientific Secretary of the Polish Academy of Sciences and a member of the IIASA Council. We felt that this was of sufficient interest for a separate issue, and appears as IIASA CP-80-19. For the rest we have selected thirteen papers for issue in this volume, and have divided them into three groups.
The first group of five papers is concerned with problems of strategic decision making in the field of science and technology. The first, by Petrasek, provides a new method of classifying the tasks in a forecasting problem which should help in improving the relevance of the results to real-life decisions. Baworowski emphasizes the importance of technology forecasting in developing a producers strategy, and the importance of matching the forecasting procedure to needs at all levels. Two papers, by Schulze and Pelc, are then concerned with the analysis of factors determining national strategy for science and development. Finally, we have a paper by Dierkes and Thienen which discusses the problems of getting a satisfactory debate over science policy issues, and considers the "Science Court" -- proposed originally by Kantrowitz -- as a possible solution.
The next group of papers is concerned with structural changes in science and technology and their impact on the management of interdisciplinary research. The first of these is by Albrecht and Otto who discuss, on the basis of extensive historical studies, the dangers of generalizing over the science-technology-production cycle without making clear differentiation between different classes of technology, as well as other factors. Eto shows some of the problems arising from the development of new sciences -- both basic and mission oriented sciences -- and discusses the implications. Glowiak and Winnicki follow this theme in discussing the managerial action needed to stimulate new fields of technological expertise, such as environmental engineering. Finally, Dobrov, Randolph and Nurminski present some work undertaken at IIASA relating to technological change in agriculture, and in particular draw attention to the problems introduced by the rapidly decreasing output-input energy ratio.
The third group of papers deals with broader questions of management of R&D and of technological change. Bobryshev and Chereshkin discuss, in particular, the development of a planned management information system for research and development in the USSR. Wasniowski considers four questions related to the management of long range programs, namely: What is a long range program? What are the problems of formulation and management? Why is technology assessment needed? Why is systems analysis needed? He discusses the use of computer conferencing and the use of gaming. Ball, Miller and Pearson then give a detailed study of the development of single cell protein, and pay particular attention to the problem of matching technology to market needs. Finally, Jermakowicz and Ruszkiewicz undertake a study of the machinery industry in Poland which enable them to identify some of the major organizational factors influencing the effectiveness of the Science-Technology-Production cycle in industrial enterprises.
All the papers are presented here as given at the conference. In the interests of economy we have not attempted to edit them in any way.
We would like to take this opportunity of thanking the members of the Scientific Committee of the conference for their help with regard to the conduct of the conference and the subsequent selection of papers for publication. It was another example of successful international collaboration
Geometry Analysis of an Inverse-Geometry Volumetric CT System With Multiple Detector Arrays
An inverse-geometry volumetric CT (IGCT) system for imaging in a single fast rotation without cone-beam artifacts is being developed. It employs a large scanned source array and a smaller detector array. For a single-source/single-detector implementation, the FOV is limited to a fraction of the source size. Here we explore options to increase the FOV without increasing the source size by using multiple detectors spaced apart laterally to increase the range of radial distances sampled. We also look at multiple source array systems for faster scans. To properly reconstruct the FOV, Radon space must be sufficiently covered and sampled in a uniform manner. Optimal placement of the detectors relative to the source was determined analytically given system constraints (5cm detector width, 25cm source width, 45cm source-to-isocenter distance). For a 1x3 system (three detectors per source) detector spacing (DS) was 18deg and source-to-detector distances (SDD) were 113, 100 and 113cm to provide optimum Radon sampling and a FOV of 44cm. For multiple-source systems, maximum angular spacing between sources cannot exceed 125deg since detectors corresponding to one source cannot be occluded by a second source. Therefore, for 2x3 and 3x3 systems using the above DS and SDD, optimum spacing between sources is 115deg and 61deg respectively, requiring minimum scan rotations of 115deg and 107deg. Also, a 3x3 system can be much faster for full 360deg dataset scans than a 2x3 system (120deg vs. 245deg). We found that a significantly increased FOV can be achieved while maintaining uniform radial sampling as well as a substantial reduction in scan time using several different geometries. Further multi-parameter optimization is underway
Upconversion of optical signals with multi-longitudinal-mode pump lasers
Multi-longitudinal-mode lasers have been believed to be good candidates as
pump sources for optical frequency conversion. However, we present a
semi-classical model for frequency conversion of optical signals with a
multimode pump laser, which shows that fluctuations of the instantaneous pump
power limit the conversion efficiency. In an experiment, we upconverted a 1550
nm optical signal in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide using with
a multi-longitudinal-mode laser, an observed a maximum conversion efficiency of
70%, in good agreement with our theoretical model. Compared to single-mode
pumping, multimode pumping is not a suitable technique for attaining stable
near-unity-efficiency frequency conversion. However, the results obtained here
could find application in characterization of the spectral or temporal
structure of multi-longitudinal-mode lasers.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, comments are welcome
Chaos and Correspondence in Classical and Quantum Hamiltonian Ratchets: A Heisenberg Approach
Previous work [Gong and Brumer, Phys. Rev. Lett., 97, 240602 (2006)]
motivates this study as to how asymmetry-driven quantum ratchet effects can
persist despite a corresponding fully chaotic classical phase space. A simple
perspective of ratchet dynamics, based on the Heisenberg picture, is
introduced. We show that ratchet effects are in principle of common origin in
classical and quantum mechanics, though full chaos suppresses these effects in
the former but not necessarily the latter. The relationship between ratchet
effects and coherent dynamical control is noted.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Nonlinear interaction between two heralded single photons
Harnessing nonlinearities strong enough to allow two single photons to
interact with one another is not only a fascinating challenge but is central to
numerous advanced applications in quantum information science. Currently, all
known approaches are extremely challenging although a few have led to
experimental realisations with attenuated classical laser light. This has
included cross-phase modulation with weak classical light in atomic ensembles
and optical fibres, converting incident laser light into a non-classical stream
of photon or Rydberg blockades as well as all-optical switches with attenuated
classical light in various atomic systems. Here we report the observation of a
nonlinear parametric interaction between two true single photons. Single
photons are initially generated by heralding one photon from each of two
independent spontaneous parametric downconversion sources. The two heralded
single photons are subsequently combined in a nonlinear waveguide where they
are converted into a single photon with a higher energy. Our approach
highlights the potential for quantum nonlinear optics with integrated devices,
and as the photons are at telecom wavelengths, it is well adapted to
applications in quantum communication.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Anisotropic Strain Induced Soliton Movement Changes Stacking Order and Bandstructure of Graphene Multilayers
The crystal structure of solid-state matter greatly affects its electronic
properties. For example in multilayer graphene, precise knowledge of the
lateral layer arrangement is crucial, since the most stable configurations,
Bernal and rhombohedral stacking, exhibit very different electronic properties.
Nevertheless, both stacking orders can coexist within one flake, separated by a
strain soliton that can host topologically protected states. Clearly, accessing
the transport properties of the two stackings and the soliton is of high
interest. However, the stacking orders can transform into one another and
therefore, the seemingly trivial question how reliable electrical contact can
be made to either stacking order can a priori not be answered easily. Here, we
show that manufacturing metal contacts to multilayer graphene can move solitons
by several m, unidirectionally enlarging Bernal domains due to arising
mechanical strain. Furthermore, we also find that during dry transfer of
multilayer graphene onto hexagonal Boron Nitride, such a transformation can
happen. Using density functional theory modeling, we corroborate that
anisotropic deformations of the multilayer graphene lattice decrease the
rhombohedral stacking stability. Finally, we have devised systematics to avoid
soliton movement, and how to reliably realize contacts to both stacking
configurations
The role of affective characteristics in the effective leadership of elementary school principals
The purpose of this research was to explore the role affective characteristics play in the effective leadership of elementary school principals. The themes of effective leadership, the effective principal, and affective characteristics (feelings and emotions) with emphasis on the male-female dichotomy were reviewed. A conceptual framework placing the three themes in a context to aid fuller understanding was developed. Qualitative methodology utilizing observations and unstructured interviews was the research paradigm followed in the study. Portraits were drawn of three elementary school principals whose students scored in the top 25$ of those in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools on the California Achievement Test, whose schools were among the 25% most requested by parents for student transfers, and who were recommended by Central Office administrators because they had consistently received very positive evaluations. An analysis of the portraits showed that although affective characteristics were not displayed identically by all three effective principals, they did play an important role in the leadership of each
Rendezvous of Distance-aware Mobile Agents in Unknown Graphs
We study the problem of rendezvous of two mobile agents starting at distinct
locations in an unknown graph. The agents have distinct labels and walk in
synchronous steps. However the graph is unlabelled and the agents have no means
of marking the nodes of the graph and cannot communicate with or see each other
until they meet at a node. When the graph is very large we want the time to
rendezvous to be independent of the graph size and to depend only on the
initial distance between the agents and some local parameters such as the
degree of the vertices, and the size of the agent's label. It is well known
that even for simple graphs of degree , the rendezvous time can be
exponential in in the worst case. In this paper, we introduce a new
version of the rendezvous problem where the agents are equipped with a device
that measures its distance to the other agent after every step. We show that
these \emph{distance-aware} agents are able to rendezvous in any unknown graph,
in time polynomial in all the local parameters such the degree of the nodes,
the initial distance and the size of the smaller of the two agent labels . Our algorithm has a time complexity of
and we show an almost matching lower bound of
on the time complexity of any
rendezvous algorithm in our scenario. Further, this lower bound extends
existing lower bounds for the general rendezvous problem without distance
awareness
- …