The relations between qualitative theory and scientometric methods in science and technology studies

This issue ofScientometrics originated from a Workshop of the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST). In this introduction the relations between qualitative theory and the use of scientometric methods is placed in the historical perspective of the emergence of science and technology studies over the last decades. The differences among various theories in terms of dimensions, units of analysis and levels of aggregation are elaborated. Thereafter, the various contributions to the issue are discussed within this framework.     

Nuclear-physical methods of monitoring sealed radionuclide sources based on highly active radionuclide <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co

Two basic methods for measuring exposure dose capacity (EDC) and of determining the activity of gammaradiation sources based on the radionuclide ⁶⁰Co are considered, namely, direct measurements and relative measurements (the comparator method), and also a system for transferring the dimensions of the units of EDC and its equivalent activity from measuring instruments of the 1st category to commercial sources of the 3rd category.     

Analysis of work climate perceptions and performance of research and development units

This paper reports findings from a study on the perceptions of work climate and the patters of relationships between work climate dimensions and performance of research and development units in six countries. The study is based on the analysis of the subset of date collected in Argentina, Egypt, India, Republic of Korea, Poland and UkSSR for the second round of International Comparative Study on the Organization and Performance of Research Units. The following dimensions of work climate have been usec: morale, openness, job satisfaction, work contacts, career opportunities, satisfaction with supervisor, information on research plans, research autonomy. Stepwise regression analyses were carrier out separately for each country and also on global sample to find out the important dimensions of work climate in explaining the variations in the performance of R&D units. The set of work climate dimensions are related separately for two different measures of performance of research units, viz. (1) scientific effectiveness; and (2) user-oriented effectiveness. The implications of this study for management of research and development groups are discussed.Presented at the XI world Conpress of Sociology August 18–22, 1987, New Delhi, India.     

Production of the unit of capacitance

Conclusion The perfection of the complex of measuring means that are presently a state primary standard of the farad of the USSR have as their purpose a further decrease in the error of reproducing the farad, which must be decreased and brought to between 1·10^–7 and 2·10^–7. An important role, namely the perfection of indirect methods and an increase in the precision of reproducing still other electromagnetic units, was assigned to the primary standard of the unit of capacitance in the course of perfecting the system of standards of units of electrical magnitudes [4], These units include resistance, inductance, magnetic flux, and magnetic induction, whose reproduction error in the new system of standards will be decreased to between one-third and one-half.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 4, pp. 76–78, April, 1976.     

Quantitative Analysis of Colour Rendering in Graphic Arts with Three-Colour Printing by Way of Various Photographic Techniques

Various methods of reproduction usual in the graphic arts industry are compared as to their colour-rendering qualities. The methods of reproduction examined differ according to the nature and the number of their intermediate photographic steps. Colour rendering results were obtained by a combination of experimental methods and calculation. The reproduction methods are compared for the case of a perfect grey reproduction, wherein use is made of a definite set of three-colour printing inks.     

The Theory of Screenless Lithography in Relation to Plate Grain Structure

The function of the grain structure of a lithographic plate is examined in relation to the production of an image by a continuous-tone film. A theory is presented describing the mechanism of the partial distribution of light-hardened coating material on a grain surface, and is developed to provide a graphical method of constructing an ideal grain profile for facsimile reproduction. Negative and positive processes are considered, and theory shows that the ideal grain structure for facsimile reproduction is composed of a uniform distribution of precisely defined geometric units. Attention is drawn to two important conclusions of commercial significance, viz. whilst a uniform grain structure serves with advantage to increase the tonal range available for reproduction, this same factor introduces a possible disadvantage if moiré effects must be considered.     

State primary standard of the unit of relative permittivity and unit of relative permeability in the frequency range 1 MHz – 18 GHz

The composition and generalized block diagram of the State Primary Standard of the unit of relative permittivity and unit of relative permeability in the frequency range 1 MHz – 18 GHz and methods of reproduction and transfer of the unit are considered. Measurement equations for all the standard devices and a brief analysis of the errors that arise in reproduction of the unit are presented.     

Increasing the accuracy of gauge-block measurements of linear dimensions

The first stage in increasing the accuracy of measurements of the linear dimensions of precision parts the exact reproduction of a certified gauge block, is investigated. Recommendations are made on the use of a new method to evaluate the increase in the accuracy of evaluation of unmonitored lapping-in and contact deformations during measurements. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 1, pp. 40–42, January, 1997.     

阿伏加德罗常数测量与千克重新定义

当千克用固定普朗克常数h的方法定义时,X射线晶体密度法(XRCD)即被用来定义和复现千克,它采用对浓缩²⁸Si原子计数的方法来测量阿伏加德罗常数N_A,已将N_A和h的测量不确定度达到2×10^-8,并反过来确定硅球的质量实现对千克的量值复现。阐述了晶格常数、同位素、浓缩硅、硅球直径及表面氧化层等阿伏加德罗常数测量的关键技术的研究进展。介绍了原子计数法千克定义及其量值复现方法,该方法将为国际单位制改制之后我国质量量值复现提供参考。     

Status of angular units

Conclusions Angles should be considered as relative, i.e., dimensionless derived quantities.It is only by accepting the condition that angles are dimensionless that it is possible to maintain the generally accepted system of equations relating angles to other quantities, the accepted form of transcendental-function expansions in powers of angles, etc., as well as the normal system of dimensions.The angle units are relative, i.e., they belong to the category of derived units and, therefore, the coherent angle units, the radian and steradian, must be included in the category of derived SI units.The question of referring the angle units to the category of derived SI units should be proposed for discussion by the Consulting Committee on Units and an appropriate draft resolution should be presented to the forthcoming General Conference on Weight and Measures.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 9, pp. 30–33, September, 1978.     

Comparison of the dimensions of electrical resistance units, supported on the basis of the hall quantum effect, in the All-Russia Research Institute of Metrological Service and the Czech Metrological Institute

VNIIMS (Russia) and CMI (Czech Republic) quantum Hall resistance standards are compared using a VNIIMS portable resistance standard of 1 and 10 kΩ. Conformity is established for the dimensions of units within the limits of relative expanded (k = 2) uncertainty of 10⁻⁷. Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 12. pp. 58–61, December, 2008.     

Assessment of a CRT Display System

The use of cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and graphics cards for the display of pictorial images is common. Certain applications require the characteristics of the display device or medium to be accurately understood. One such application is the use of CRT based displays in experiments involving subjective analysis of viewed images. In this paper we describe a series of experiments performed to characterize a display device used in our laboratories prior to its use in a subjective assessment experiment. The tone reproduction characteristics are studied using transfer functions and gamma. Colour reproduction is studied in temporal and spatial dimensions. Finally, spatial effects are characterized by use of modulation transfer function (MTF) analysis.     

Development of compact heat exchangers for CO2 air-conditioning systems

Compact and lightweight heat exchangers are needed for motor vehicle air-conditioning systems and for several types of unitary equipment. The high-pressure natural refrigerant CO₂ is now being evaluated for use in such applications, and efficient heat exchangers are being developed and investigated. Carbon dioxide heat exchangers are designed for high refrigerant mass flux and use small-diameter tubes or extruded flat microchannel tubes. Refrigerant-side heat transfer coefficients are higher than with fluorocarbons, and reduced internal surface areas can therefore be tolerated. Both small-diameter mechanically expanded round-tube heat exchangers and brazed microchannel-type units have been built and tested successfully. Results show that compact heat exchangers optimized for CO₂ are very competitive with baseline HFC/HCFC units in terms of physical dimensions, exchanger mass and thermal performance. Smaller tube and manifold dimensions can give reduced size compared with HFC-134a equipment. The temperature approach between air inlet and refrigerant outlet is much lower in CO₂ gas coolers than in baseline system condensers of equal size and capacity, and the reduced refrigerant exit temperature has a marked influence on the coefficient of performance, Microchannel heat exchangers give the best overall efficiency. Refrigerant distribution in multiport manifolds and heat transfer tubes does not seem to be a problem.     

Publication, cooperation and productivity measures in scientific research

The literature on publication counting demonstrates the use of various terminologies and methods. In many scientific publications, no information at all is given about the counting methods used. There is a lack of knowledge and agreement about the sort of information provided by the various methods, about the theoretical and technical limitations for the different methods and about the size of the differences obtained by using various methods. The need for precise definitions and terminology has been expressed repeatedly but with no success. Counting methods for publications are defined and analysed with the use of set and measure theory. The analysis depends on definitions of basic units for analysis (three chosen for examination), objects of study (three chosen for examination) and score functions (five chosen for examination). The score functions define five classes of counting methods. However, in a number of cases different combinations of basic units of analysis, objects of study and score functions give identical results. Therefore, the result is the characterization of 19 counting methods, five complete counting methods, five complete-normalized counting methods, two whole counting methods, two whole-normalized counting methods, and five straight counting methods. When scores for objects of study are added, the value obtained can be identical with or higher than the score for the union of the objects of study. Therefore, some classes of counting methods, including the classes of complete, complete-normalized and straight counting methods, are additive, others, including the classes of whole and whole-normalized counting methods, are non-additive. An analysis of the differences between scores obtained by different score functions and therefore the differences obtained by different counting methods is presented. In this analysis we introduce a new kind of objects of study, the class of cumulative-turnout networks for objects of study, containing full information on cooperation. Cumulative-turnout networks are all authors, institutions or countries contributing to the publications of an author, an institute or a country. The analysis leads to an interpretation of the results of score functions and to the definition of new indicators for scientific cooperation. We also define a number of other networks, internal cumulative-turnout networks, external cumulative-turnout networks, underlying networks, internal underlying networks and external underlying networks. The networks open new opportunities for quantitative studies of scientific cooperation.     

Modernized state primary standards of the units of thermal quantities

The content and results of efforts to modernize the three State Primary Standards of the units of temperature in the 0–3000°C range and also of the standards of thermal conductivity and coefficient of linear expansion of solids, stored at the Mendeleev Research Institute of Metrology, are described. It is shown that, simultaneously with the modernization of the standards, the systems of transmitting the dimensions of the units of the standards to working measuring instruments have also been improved.     

Metrological complex for transmission of length units in the range of 0.001–50 m

A metrological complex for reproduction and transmission of the length units in the range of 0.001 to 50 m (MKD-50) with a total error of 0.2+0.25L μm, where L is the measured length in meters, is described. The MKD-50 complex has been entered into the State Register of Measurement Standards of Ukraine as a working standard for length units of 1–50 m (VETU 01-03-05-98). Ukraine. Translated from Izmeritel’naya Tekhnika, No. 12, pp. 31–33, December, 1999.     

Unified measurements of electrical capacitance in the member countries of the economical mutual aid council (Comecon)

Conclusion The joint work of specialists in metrological institutes of Comecon member-countries in the field of measuring capacitance, having continued over a comparatively short period of time (roughly five years), has permitted the solution of several essential problems. Among these are: increasing the accuracy by approximately one or two orders, and the correctness of reproduction of electrical units (capacitance, resistance, inductance), and ensuring uniformity in the transfer of the magnitude of units within an adequately wide range of nominal values and frequencies.All this was, undoubtedly, of great importance for increasing the accuracy of measuring the parameters of electrical circuits in the Comecon member-countries.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 6, pp. 9–12, June, 1972.     

Computer synthesis of antennas

This paper proposes that computer synthesis of antennas considers field and current distributions over a given radiation pattern with a numerical method. We introduce necessary constraints associated with visible angles and finiteness of antenna dimensions; these constraints assure practical realization of the amplitude-phase distributions found and assure high-precision reproduction of the radiation pattern. Computational results are presented graphically. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 6, pp. 27–28, June, 1996.     

Standard equipment for checking field intensity meters having ferrite antennas

Conclusion The developed equipment permits reproduction of a uniform magnetic field in the frequency range of 10 kHz to 30 MHz with an error of 4.2–5.3%. It can be used as a standard measure during the checking of FIM the error of which is not less than 15%. The volume of the antenna in this case should not exceed the volume of an imaginary cylinder having these dimensions: a radius not greater than 0.05 R and a length of no more than 0.75 R. For antenna dimensions exceeding these the antennas should be checked in Helmholtz rings having some-what larger dimensions. It is necessary to certify such rings by experimental means.Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 9, pp. 74–76, September, 1973.