Knowledge-driven Development Research Articles

Affordances and Constraints of Automation and Augmentation

Human-AI collaboration is becoming increasingly prevalent in workplaces, and is considered to be an important model for the future of work. Consequently, AI is no longer seen merely as a tool but as a teammate working alongside humans. Currently, the design of AI in team collaboration, particularly human-AI collaboration patterns, has become a focal point for organizations. However, users' perceptions of the affordances and constraints of different collaboration patterns remain insufficient. Therefore, this study introduces a human-AI collaboration business simulation platform, used to simulate a future work environment that has two distinct human-AI collaboration patterns: automation and augmentation. In the unique context of the case enterprise platform, we further investigated the impact of task types (structured and unstructured tasks) on people's perceptions of automation and the influence of knowledge sources (AI designers' and end-users' knowledge-driven development) on people's perceptions of augmentation.

Enhanced Formic Acid Oxidation over SnO2-decorated Pd Nanocubes

The formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) is one of the key reactions that can be used at the anode of low-temperature liquid fuel cells. To allow the knowledge-driven development of improved catalysts, it is necessary to deeply understand the fundamental aspects of the FAOR, which can be ideally achieved by investigating highly active model catalysts. Here, we studied SnO2-decorated Pd nanocubes (NCs) exhibiting excellent electrocatalytic performance for formic acid oxidation in acidic medium with a SnO2 promotion that boosts the catalytic activity by a factor of 5.8, compared to pure Pd NCs, exhibiting values of 2.46 A mg–1Pd for SnO2@Pd NCs versus 0.42 A mg–1Pd for the Pd NCs and a 100 mV lower peak potential. By using ex situ, quasi in situ, and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods (namely, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy), we identified that the initially well-defined SnO2-decorated Pd nanocubes maintain their structure and composition throughout FAOR. In situ Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy revealed a weaker CO adsorption site in the case of the SnO2-decorated Pd NCs, compared to the monometallic Pd NCs, enabling a bifunctional reaction mechanism. Therein, SnO2 provides oxygen species to the Pd surface at low overpotentials, promoting the oxidation of the poisoning CO intermediate and, thus, improving the catalytic performance of Pd. Our SnOx-decorated Pd nanocubes allowed deeper insight into the mechanism of FAOR and hold promise for possible applications in direct formic acid fuel cells.

Discovery of Unforeseen Energy-Transfer-Based Transformations Using a Combined Screening Approach

Summary The discovery of novel (catalytic) transformations and mechanisms is commonly based on rational design. However, many discoveries have resulted directly from experimental serendipity. Building on this, we report a two-dimensional screening protocol, combining “mechanism-based” and “reaction-based” screening and its application to the field of visible light photocatalysis. To this end, two energy-transfer-based cycloaddition reactions could be realized: a notably endergonic energy transfer process allows for the dearomative cycloaddition of benzothiophenes and related heterocycles. Moreover, by sensitization of enone moieties, a [2+2]-cycloaddition to alkynes and an unexpected cycloaddition-rearrangement cascade were discovered. Advanced spectroscopic techniques (in particular transient absorption spectroscopy and pulse radiolysis) were utilized to investigate the underlying photophysical processes and gain insight into reaction kinetics. Combining these results with further mechanistic analysis can eventually turn out to be helpful upon knowledge-driven development of improved systems. Such screening approaches can thus provide complementary access toward novel and more efficient catalytic protocols.

Identifying and Ranking Development Drivers of Knowledge-based Technology-Driven Companies (Case study: Fars Province Science and Technology Park)

The purpose of this Study study is to identify and rank the development drivers of knowledge-based, technology-driven businesses. This work is conducted as a case study in Fars Province Science and Technology Park. It is a descriptive survey in terms of purpose since a part of its data is collected through questionnaires and is of surveying type because it describes the existing conditions. The population of the study includes all the knowledge-based, technology-driven companies located in the mentioned Science and Technology Park. At the stage of identifying the drivers, 201 employees were randomly assigned by stratified sampling. For the prioritization of these drivers, 30 of the senior managers of those companies were deliberately consulted and the collected data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis as well as fuzzy hierarchy process analysis. The findings showed 37 drivers in five economic and legal, marketing and foreign relations, technological, cultural and human relationships and, ultimately, structural and informational dimensions. Drivers of communication with the world market, the world web as a factor for enhancing the world knowledge and a means for knowledge-driven development; ease of access to the technology and technical consulting; ease of access to the suppliers and providing public subsidies to knowledge-based companies while taking note of regional policy were considered as the most important drivers in the development of knowledge-based, technology-driven companies. Also, the dimensions of marketing and foreign relations, technological, economic and legal dimensions were identified as the most important dimensions respectively.

Globalization and Pest Control: Equipping Nigerian Entomologists for Global Impact.

Globalization is defined as the integration of economic, political, and cultural systems around the world and it is recognized as a force for economic growth. It is powerfully driven by advances in science and technology, information and communication technology, anthropogenic activities of which the most dynamically expanding in frontiers are commerce, tourism, and humanitarian aids. As a consequence, trans-boundary insect pest species are increasing. We enumerate the consequences, economic, ecological and environmental impacts of insect pests on a global scale and posit that the competitiveness of the Nigerian Entomologist as a key player in the knowledge economy that drives national and international trade policies and regulations, national, regional, international pest management programmes is still at a very low ebb. To equip the Nigerian Entomologist for global impact requires designing educational programmes to enhance ability to shape, evaluate and implement policies designed to mitigate challenges of globalization; build both research and management capacity; strengthen and make more impactful contributions to national, regional, and international legal framework on phytosanitation; create and uphold public awareness; and promote international co-operation. We advocate commencement of an Entomology 1st degree programme premised on education for knowledge-driven development and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the National Executive Council of the Entomological Society of Nigeria is urged to expedite action on the legal framework required to establish the Nigerian Institute of Entomology for the regulation and control of the profession.

Catch-up models of science and technology: A theorization of the Asian experience from bi-logistic growth trajectories

This paper attempts to examine the strategies of national innovation system that shaped the science and technology cycles of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and China by theorizing the science and technology (proxied by papers and patents) trajectories of these economies using Meyer's taxonomy of bi-logistic growth. The findings suggest that the strategic catch-up models of South Korea and Taiwan have resulted in a much longer pulse in the growth trajectories during the transition towards knowledge-based economy than countries that are dependent on FDI for learning and acquiring technology during the early catch-up period such as China and Malaysia, while the results are mixed for Singapore. The catch-up strategy of supporting new start-ups for pioneering technology facilitated the development of capabilities of indigenous firms in the case of South Korea and Taiwan. This provides a policy lesson for transition from industrial-based to knowledge-driven development through the formation of evolving dynamic propagating behavior in science and technology.