Knowledge Workers for Information Support: Executives' Perceptions and Problems

Traditional executive information systems (EIS) user support tends to focus on technical support rather than information support. Letting executives use EIS directly for strategic information has not been successful. Adopting a combined method of case study and survey, this study explored and examined the role of information support functions from U.K. executives' point of view. It found that the use of information specialists for external information scanning, information refining, and information reporting has been perceived as important to support executives in acquiring strategic information. However, information specialists' knowledge and capability in sensing and interpreting information, executive culture, the cost of establishing such a support role are the main concerns of executives. the paper suggests that EIS users need information support, as opposed to technical support. To be effective and successful, managers' knowledge in sensing, interpreting, and using information should be elicited and shared among information specialists in light of knowledge management.     

Processing, physical and thermal properties of BlackglasTM matrix composites reinforced with NextelTM fabric

The cure and pyrolysis behavior of a BlackglasTM resin and NextelTM 440 impregnated with BlackglasTM resin were studied. Cure of the BlackglasTM resin is an exothermic process and DSC studies indicate that with an increase of catalyst content from 0.1 to 1.0%, the onset and peak temperature of cure are decreased coupled with an increase in the enthalpy of cure indicating a greater extent of cross linking. However, pyrolysis char yield of the pyrolyzate is relatively insensitive to cure conditions.Cure pressure and pyrolysis environment are variables in the processing of BlackglasTM matrix composite reinforced with NextelTM 440 Plain weave fabric. Variations in cure pressure from 30 to 80 psi had no discernible effect on the chemistry of the pryrolyzate. However, the higher cure pressure resulted in top and bottom ply damage. Pyrolysis in an Ar environment resulted in incorporationj of up to 12 wt % C of which 8 wt % as graphitic in nature in the ceramic matrix. Pyrolysis in NH3 resulted in 3.9 wt % nitrogen and 1.5 wt % carbon in the matrix, with all the nitrogen and carbon bonded to Si. The cured panels have to be pyrolyzed/densified between 6–7 times to achieve required density and porosity content. Oxidation behavior of the composites at 1000°C indicate that the argon pyrolyzed CMC's lose more weight due to decomposition of the pyrolytic carbon, whereas, NH3 pyrolyzed CMC's are stable as both the N and C are bonded to Si in the matrix. Dielectric constants K and K measured at 1 GHz in the as-processed condition are high in the argon pyrolyzed CMC, (K = 11–28) due to the presence of pyrolytic carbon. On the other hand NH3 pyrolyzed CMC exhibit low dielectric constant (K = 4). On oxidation, the dielectric constant in both the Ar and NH3 pyrolyzed panels is approximately 4.0.     

Nouveau type structural dans la chimie des phosphures : Le compose ternaire Ni20Zr6P13. Preparation,structure et proprietes

Two new compounds Ni₁₂Zr₂P₇ and Ni₂₀Zr₆P₁₃ were synthesized in the NiZrP system by reacting the constituent elements. Ni₁₂Zr₂P₇ is of the Fe₁₂Zr₂P₇-type while Ni₂₀Zr₆P₁₃ appears as a new structural type in the chemistry of transition metal phosphides. Its unit cell is hexagonal with space group P6̄ and contains one formula unit. The X-ray structure was studied from three-dimensional single-crystal counter data and was refined down to R = 0.040 for 221 independent reflections. The structure of Ni₂₀Zr₆P₁₃ can be described as built up by two groups of three phosphorus trigonal prisms occupied by the zirconium atoms. In each group, the |ZrP₆| prisms are linked together by common edges in order to generate triangular phosphorus sites occupied by nickel atoms. In addition, nickel atoms are also in tetrahedral and square-planar pyramidal phosphorus sites. A comparative study with the Fe₂P- and Co₄Hf₂P₃-type structures having the same metal/non metal ratio as in Ni₁₂Zr₂P₇ and Ni₂₀Zr₆P₁₃ is also discussed. A nearly temperature independent paramagetism and a metallic conduction deducted from magnetic and electrical measurements exhibit the metallic behavior for these new compounds.     

Surface spectroscopic studies of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and modified PMMA surfaces

Multitechnique surface characterization of plasma and chemically modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is reported using Low Energy Ion Scattering Spectrometry (LEIS or ISS) and angular-dependent X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA). A complete picture of the depth, extent, and mechanism of modifications developed. ISS yields results, which especially complement ESCA because of the sensitivity to functional group arrangement due to shadowing and shielding of atoms in the topmost layer.     

Magnet Plunging System for the Bevatron External Proton Beam

As part of a recent 9.6-million-dollar improvement and modernization program, an external proton beam was created for the Bevatron. During the period 1960 to 1963, the equipment necessary to produce this beam was designed, fabricated, and installed. The first external beam emerged from the Bevatron in February 1963.