TOFIR: A tool of facilitating information retrieval – introduce a visual retrieval model

The paper introduces a new method for the visualization of information retrieval. Angle attributes of a document are used to construct the angle–angle-based visual space. The retrieved documents are perceived, several traditional information retrieval evaluation models are visualized and interpreted, and new non-traditional retrieval control means based on the model are explored in the two-dimensional angle display space. The impacts of different metrics on the visualization of information retrieval are discussed. Ambiguity, future research directions and other relevant issues are also addressed.     

Organisational sustainability modelling—An emerging service and analytics model for evaluating Cloud Computing adoption with two case studies

Cloud Computing is an emerging technology which promises to bring with it great benefits to all types of computing activities including business support. However, the full commitment to Cloud Computing necessary to gain the full benefit is a major project for any organisation, since it necessitates adoption of new business processes and attitudes to computing services in addition to the immediately obvious systems changes. Hence the evaluation of a Cloud Computing project needs to consider the balance of benefits and risks to the organisation in the full context of the environment in which it operates; it is not sufficient or appropriate to examine technical considerations alone.In this paper, we consider the application of CAPM, a well established approach used for the analysis of risks and benefits of commercial projects to Cloud adoption projects and propose a revised and improved technique, OSM. To support the validity of OSM, two full case studies are presented. In the first, we describe an application of the approach to the iSolutions Group at University of Southampton, which focuses on evaluations of Cloud Computing service improvement. We then illustrate the use of OSM for measuring learning satisfaction of two cohort groups at the University of Greenwich. The results confirm the advantages of using OSM. We conclude that OSM can analyse the risk and return status of Cloud Computing services and help organisations that adopt Cloud Computing to evaluate and review their Cloud Computing projects and services. OSM is an emerging service and analytics model supported by several case studies.     

A model for assessing the coherence of companies’ knowledge strategy

This paper proposes a strategic model for assessing the coherence between companies’ knowledge strategies and their business strategies as well as in their competitive and organisational contexts. In analysing knowledge management literature, we locate three principal strategies: (1) knowledge development (internal or external), (2) knowledge sharing (codification or personalisation) and (3) knowledge exploitation (internal or external). We then position the three strategies and six related policies in the context-content-process dimensions of Pettigrew's model to create a useful framework for strategic analysis and a model to assess the coherence of companies’ knowledge strategy. The model can be used to evaluate how an existing knowledge strategy aligns with a company's characteristics and to formulate and implement a coherent knowledge strategy based on the current competitive environment, organisational context and business strategy.     

Replication studies in economics—How many and which papers are chosen for replication,and why?

We investigate how often replication studies are published in empirical economics and what types of journal articles are replicated. We find that between 1974 and 2014 0.1% of publications in the top 50 economics journals were replication studies. We consider the results of published formal replication studies (whether they are negating or reinforcing) and their extent: Narrow replication studies are typically devoted to mere replication of prior work, while scientific replication studies provide a broader analysis. We find evidence that higher-impact articles and articles by authors from leading institutions are more likely to be replicated, whereas the replication probability is lower for articles that appeared in top 5 economics journals. Our analysis also suggests that mandatory data disclosure policies may have a positive effect on the incidence of replication.     

Bias–variance analysis in estimating true query model for information retrieval

The estimation of query model is an important task in language modeling (LM) approaches to information retrieval (IR). The ideal estimation is expected to be not only effective in terms of high mean retrieval performance over all queries, but also stable in terms of low variance of retrieval performance across different queries. In practice, however, improving effectiveness can sacrifice stability, and vice versa. In this paper, we propose to study this tradeoff from a new perspective, i.e., the bias–variance tradeoff, which is a fundamental theory in statistics. We formulate the notion of bias–variance regarding retrieval performance and estimation quality of query models. We then investigate several estimated query models, by analyzing when and why the bias–variance tradeoff will occur, and how the bias and variance can be reduced simultaneously. A series of experiments on four TREC collections have been conducted to systematically evaluate our bias–variance analysis. Our approach and results will potentially form an analysis framework and a novel evaluation strategy for query language modeling.     

A Sino-US center for eco-environment research inaugurated in Beijing

The signing ceremony for the framework agree- ment on the establishment of a China-US Joint Research Center for Ecosystem and Environ- mental Changes was held on July 20 on the campus of the CAS Institute of Geographic Sciences & Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) in Beijing. Hosted by CAO Jie from the CAS Bureau of Inter- national Cooperation, the ceremony was attended by celebrities of the two sides in the field, including Direc- tor of the UT-ORNL Joint Institute for Biol…     

Organizing for radical innovation — A multi-level behavioral approach

Based on Self-Determination-Theory, Group-Effectiveness-Theory, and Cognitive-Network Theory a multi-level model is developed that explains two research questions. First, how can management motivate individuals to generate novel ideas? Second, how should management organize groups in order to facilitate creativity and implement radical innovations? From Self-Determination-Theory, propositions for the design of a reward system are derived. Arguments from Group-Effectiveness-Theory lead to the conclusion that permanent work groups with low social cohesion should emphasize idea generation, while cross-functional project teams with high social cohesion are best suited for radical innovation implementation. Effective group behavior modes for each kind of group and management practices for producing these modes are described based on Cognitive-Network-Theory. Implications of the model with regard to innovation management in different cultural settings and to group composition are discussed.     

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on oxidative energy metabolism in rat liver mitochondria—A comparative study of early and late effects

The reports in the literature on effects of diabetes on mitochondrial energy-linked functions are conflicting. Hence we carried out systematic studies to evaluate the effects at the early and the late stages of the disease using STZ-diabetic rat as a model. At the end of one week, after induction of diabetes, respiration rates with glutamate and succinate as the substrates increased; respiration rates with other substrates e.g. β-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate + malate and ascorbate + TMPD were not affected despite substantial decrease in the β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity and cytochrome b and c+c₁ contents. Insulin treatment brought about increase in the cytochrome contents beyond control values. The ATPase activity was generally low in the diabetic animals and was not restored by insulin treatment. At the end of one month, the respiratory activities with all the substrates were generally low. Insulin treatment either restored or stimulated the respiration rates beyond control values. The content of cytochromes was differentially affected in the diabetic animals, but insulin treatment caused significant increase beyond control levels. The pattern for ATPase activity was similar to the early effects. At both the stages i.e. early and late stages of diabetes the mitochondria were tightly coupled. The ADP/O ratios were in normal expected ranges and the respiratory control ratios were comparable with the control groups. Insulin treatment resulted in apparent restoration of respiratory activity. However, the effects on the cytochromes and dehydrogenases activities were differential. Taken together the two observations would suggest that the mitochondria were not re-instated to normality despite apparent restoration of respiratory function.     

A unified superatomic-molecule theory for local aromaticity in π-conjugated systems

Aromaticity is one of the most important concepts in chemistry.However,there is still no unified chemical insight for various systems with conjugated sp² carbon.Herein,we proposed a superatomic-molecule theory to build a generalized electron rule for polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons,fullerenes and 2D periodic materials.Taking benzenoid units as 2D superatoms,polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons and C₆₀can be seen as superatomic molecules consisting of bonded superatoms,resu...     

The Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies——A New Type of Science Academy

The Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies is committed to the outlined goals of the older science academies, but is also trying to look beyond them to find its own course.     

Some Research Results Achieved by CAS Scientists in 2010——PHG： A Toolbox for Developing Parallel Adaptive Finite Element Programs

In this section, we introduce some outstanding research achievements made by CAS scientists in 2010, as listed in the Chinese version of Science Development Report published in March 2011.     

Some Research Results Achieved by CAS Scientists in 2010——PHG： A Toolbox for Developing Parallel Adaptive Finite Element Programs

In this section, we introduce some outstanding research achievements made by CAS scientists in 2010, as listed in the Chinese version of Science Development Report published in March 2011.     

A new idea on almost sure permanence and uniform boundedness for a stochastic predator–prey model

The existence and uniqueness of stationary distribution and ergodic properties of a stochastic system are obtained. Especially, different from the existing methods, a new method is introduced to analyze almost sure permanence and uniform boundedness of the stochastic predator–prey model. This new idea is based on geometric structure of invariant set for a stochastic system. More specifically, we obtain our main conclusions by showing the invariant set for the stochastic population system lies in the interior of the first quadrant. It is interesting and surprising that the stochastic population model can guarantee a uniform boundedness almost surely. Some numerical simulations are carried out to support our results.     

The use of material transfer agreements in academia: A threat to open science or a cooperation tool?

The transfer of scientific material and data, which are scientific inputs, is fundamental to knowledge creation dynamics. This transfer is being controlled, more and more, by the use of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs). Therefore, the effect of MTAs on the dynamic of knowledge creation is an important concern. The aim of this research is to characterise the restrictions imposed by MTAs, and their determinants. We consider MTA diversity based on a comprehensive analysis of the clauses included in 171 MTAs signed by two French universities. We show that the clauses included in MTAs depend on several factors such as kind of material involved, research field, patenting and collection of material. We find that the presence of an industry actor is not associated to more restrictions on publication and intellectual property. We propose a typology of MTAs corresponding to different transfer situations. We discuss the role of MTAs as collaborative tools and the influence of the legal, scientific, political and organisational context.     

University libraries as a model for the determination of the need for information specialists in knowledge industries? An exploratory analysis of the information sector in Austria

In our paper we present an experimental study which investigated the possibility to project the need for information specialists serving knowledge workers in knowledge industries on the basis of an average university library serving their counterparts at a university. Information management functions, i.e. functions and processes related to information evaluation, acquisition, metadata creation, etc., performed in an average university library are the starting point of this investigation. The fundamental assumption is that these functions do not only occur in libraries but also in other contexts like, for instance, in knowledge industries. As a consequence, we try to estimate the need for information professionals in knowledge industries by means of quantitative methods from library and information science (Library Planning Model) and economics (input output analysis, occupational analysis). Our study confirms the validity of our assumption. Accordingly, the number of information specialists projected on the basis of university libraries is consistent with their actual number reported in national statistics. However, in order to attain a close fit, we had to revise the original research model by dismissing the split-up of information specialists into reader services and technical services staff.