Interest In New Technologies Research Articles

Vibrational Raman spectroscopy of polyconjugated organic oligomers and polymers

AbstractNew classes of polymers and oligomers whose backbone consists of a network of delocalized π electrons have recently been synthesized and show electrical and non‐linear optical properties of great interest for new technologies. The vibrational spectra of these materials show peculiar features which, if properly interpreted, can provide unique structural information. The interpretation of the spectra requires the development of new theoretical tools. The theoretical and experimental aspects of the problem are presented. It is also shown that the nuclear relaxation following the excitation of the electrons by an intense electromagnetic field can be described in terms of the vibrational modes and can be related to the nuclear contributions to the non‐linear optical responses of the material. In this case Raman intensities play a determining role.

Reflections on the development of teaching information and communication technology in secondary education

This paper starts with a short overview of the Austrian school system and of the main impacts that informatics has had on it. Characteristic of the new curriculum in information and communication technology is that what everybody should know and be able to do in this field, is covered in all subjects. This is called “the integrative approach”. There are two general philosophies, which play a role in the development of education: the technocratic/centralistic approach and the approach based on confidence in the creative powers of individual schools. In-service training is discussed, as are other forms of support. The computer is used in education as a tool for writing, as a spreadsheet and for computer assisted design. This use entails: — new ways of writing and correcting — new approaches to language teaching — learning the difference between human language and artificial machine language — reflecting on individual use of the computer as a tool and on personal working habits — a need of time, crucial for learning the use of the new tool. The paper further discusses the role of computer aided learning, of which too high expectations have been formed. Experiences with computers in school a give basis for interest in new technologies and their social consequences.

Group monitoring, a basis for decision making and technology transfer on sheep and beef farms

Group farm monitoring is a team approach to technology transfer involving farmers, consultants and researchers. Biological and financial components of farm production are monitored to provide data for decision making and a knowledge of the farm which is shared among the group.Scientists from the Whatawhata Research Centre (WRC) provide comparative information and relevant technology. Production gains on the monitor farms have been achieved within 3 years and further gains are possible. Group farmers benefit from renewed enthusiasm in farming and an increased interest in new technology. Key success factors are group ownership of decisions and outcomes and the credibility of consultants and scientists who are seen to stand by the technology delivered. MAF Technology consultants initiated farm monitoring in the Northland area and have benefited as have farmers through the WRC contact, which provides a broad spectrum of information from a multi-disciplined research group. Based on the Northland success, group farm monitoring has been accepted as a model for technology transfer throughout New Zealand. Keywords group farm monitoring, information, decision making, technology transfer

An Ear to the Past, An Eye to the Future

Music educators often find themselves competing with students' interest in new technology instead of taking advantage of it. Here, Sandy Feldstein, president and chief executive officer of CPP/Belwin, Inc. in Miami, discusses the merits of a progressive attitude.

Inheritance effects in the new media environment

Despite recent interest in new technologies, media researchers have not examined the impact of remote control devices, VCRs, and cable television on inheritance effects. In this study, inheritance effects in network primetime programming were found to have increased between 1979 and 1982, a period of rapid growth in cable television penetration, and then to have decreased between 1982 and 1985, as the sales of remote control tuning devices jumped. These results were discussed in the context of the changing composition of the network primetime television audience.

The changing face of CAD

In line with the current interest in New Technology and automated manufacturing, an outline of the existing status of CAD systems is given; with attention paid to their path of development, and their applicability to Design and in the Drawing Office. In the process, areas requiring further investigation and development are highlighted. These include the need to take a fundamental look at ways of aiding the designer; the need for a thorough analysis of the total benefits provided by a CAD system and the development of some means of measuring them; and the need for further investigation into the interaction of man and machine. It is concluded that present systems, developed and applied in a piecemeal fashion, are still a long way from achieving the total integration and automation of the design and manufacturing process.

Technological Change in the National Press

Two sets of factors stimulated widespread interest in new technology in the national newspaper industry in 1975: the worsening economic situation of the press, discussed fully in the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on the Press, published in March 1976, and the expanding use of computerised photo‐composition systems abroad, especially in the United States. The overall economic situation of national newspapers, both quality and popular, in 1975 was weak, and was expected to worsen; between 1970 and 1975 the quality dailies made a total profit of £380,000 on an annual turnover of £50 millions, the heaviest losses occurring in 1975. At the same time, increasing awareness of American experience suggested that the use of computerised photo‐composition techniques could lead to major savings in production costs.