Energy modelling: A new challenge for management science

The Arab oil embargo in 1973 and the subsequent price rises and production restrictions have given birth to a distinct branch within Management Science: energy modelling. This paper gives a critical and selective review on energy modelling, an industry which though thriving in an era of general economic anxiety, is showing signs of arrogant immaturity. After giving a historical background, the paper classifies energy models into three groups: open loop demand or supply models; energy closed loop models; energy-economy closed loop models. For each group the problem area is analysed and some illustrative examples are described. In the last sections, an attempt is made to sum up the experience that has been gained with energy modelling: the basic deficiencies, the impact of this activity on policy formulation and its position within Management Science. It is concluded that energy models, though very poor forecasting devices, can be very useful to policy makers as tools for analysis; energy model developers must convince potential model users and for that purpose they can benefit immensely from the 35-year-long experience accumulated by their colleagues in Management Science.     

Large scale communication networks—Design and analysis

The paper discusses the problem of design and analysis of large scale communication systems. An iterative process, composed of a minimum cost network design algorithm and a network performance algorithm, is presented for the solution of these problems. Computational considerations, using these algorithms, are discussed.     

Learning about radon's risk

This article reports the results of an evaluation of the effectiveness of different types of information materials in communicating the risk from exposure to radon, a naturally occurring indoor air pollutant. The study involved a panel of 2300 homeowners who actually experienced risks from radon, and the information program used to explain these risks. The analysis considered information transfer and performance on specific tasks requiring information on the risk from radon to measure learning. The results suggest a systematic learning process, but indicate that the process can be influenced by how risk information is presented.     

The use of strategic planning techniques in the United Kingdom

In this paper some of the techniques available for strategic planning are reviewed. Four techniques are presented, the experience curve, the growth-share matrix, the directional policy matrix and the PIMS program. The results of a survey into the use of these techniques in the United Kingdom are also presented.     

The effects of traffic noise on tadpole behavior and development

Urban Ecosystems - Traffic noise is known to negatively affect many wildlife species by interfering with foraging behavior. Frogs often lay their eggs in roadside ditches because they are...     

近四十年来韩国《史记》研究综述（1971—2010）

《史记》是中国史学中一部继往开来的不朽巨著,作者司马迁开创的以人物为中心的纪传体,在汉代以后一直是历代王朝正史所沿用的体制。司马迁修《史记》,不仅尊重历史事实,秉笔直书,而且还注意语言文字的锤炼,文句优美。他将叙事、抒情、说理的不同文体有机地综合起来,达到思想上、艺术上的高度统一,为后代文史创作提供了范例。《史记》不仅是中国纪传体史书的开创者,而且对后世的散文、小说、戏曲都产生了深远的影响。同时它也早已流传至国外,在汉文化圈国家中亦有不小的影响。其中,《史记》传入韩国,特别受到韩国知识界人士的关心和推崇,为韩国学术界所重视。到了1960年代中期,随着国家经济的发展,韩国整个社会的发展进入了一个历史的新时期,不仅国家面貌发生了根本性变化,学术文化事业也步入正轨,同时韩国学术界对中国学术文化的关心及研究也重新得到了高度重视。正是在这样的基础上,韩国学者对《史记》的翻译和研究有了较大的进展,在传播、普及和通俗化方面作出了积极的贡献。本文除简述《史记》在韩国的流传背景外,还分别论述自1971年至2010年近四十年来《史记》在当代韩国的翻译介绍与研究现状,并对其研究成果上存在的一些不足和空缺作一番客观的评价。