Impact of Knowledge Based Information Systems on Organisations

This paper investigates the impact of knowledge based information systems (KBIS) on commercial organisations. A questionnaire and interview format was used to gather information from eleven commercial organisations developing KBIS. Three prime areas were considered, namely knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and KBIS development methodologies. For each of these areas, the normative position as expressed in the literature is presented and then compared to the survey findings. Problems involved in the development of KBIS are mentioned as well as developers’ perceptions of the future directions for KBIS within their organisations. Additional information on each organisation is presented in an Appendix in order to provide a richer picture and background to the study. The main preliminary findings are that KBIS have made an impact on organisations in Australia who are willing to make a considerable investment of resources in this new venture. While most organisations are treating this technology as research and development, they believe that the technology will be absorbed into their mainstream information systems in the future. These systems are seen as providing a competitive edge to those organisations willing to make the investment

Human Services Training in Tribal Colleges

Tribal colleges are providing interdisciplinary education and professional training for human services occupations at the undergraduate level. These programs also promote cultural competence as a result of required courses in tribal languages, history, culture and law. The Sinte Gelska University program is described as an example of the role of tribal college education in emphasizing cultural identity using a culture-specific instructional style and teaching method. These programs in tribal colleges will augment the availability of competent service to native Americans

Absolute Intensities of the Discrete and Continuous Absorption Bands of Oxygen Gas at 1.26 and 1.065 µ and the Radiative Lifetime of the 1Δg State of Oxygen

Laboratory measurements have been made of the absolute intensities of the discrete-line absorption band at 1.26 µ, and of the continuous bands at 1.26 and 1.065 µ in oxygen gas at pressures up to 4.3 atm. It has been shown that discrete and continuous absorptions are quite independent features, the one being a measure of the intrinsic transition probability in isolated molecules, the other of its enhancement in collision complexes. In the former the lines show significant pressure broadening, but the integral molecular absorption coefficients are constant; in the latter they are proportional to pressure and continuous absorption dominates in the 1.26-µ region at about ½ atm oxygen pressure.The radiative half-life of isolated 1Δg oxygen molecules is estimated to be 45 min, and the effect of gas pressure on the rate of decay has been predicted