New Technology & Science News

How good is your maintenance to ward your car? Same as any other vehicle, your car requires proper vehicle maintenance to keep boosting its performance. Think of the performance of your car, it is not always about the exterior and interior looks. Your car machine is something you should think of also.

Hot air will surely ruin the works of your car. If you like to have your car humming nicely you shall find proper cold air intake for your car. Luckily, Carid.com has wide options of this for every vehicle. So, no matter what car you have, you can always find one for your car. Proper maintenance will keep perfection lasts long.

To have smooth operation, your car needs to have a less-restricting air filter and clearer path from intake to the engine. More oxygen, more crisp clean air, and also more performance are attainable if you can pick the right cold air intake. There are some high-quality intakes for your car. Brands such as Airaid, K7N, Dub Air, Injen, and also Weapon-R are ready to support the performance of your car. Maximum horsepower definitely belongs to your car if you can truly find the best air intake for your car.

Large workspaces can really benefit from having a paper shredder that can be used by multiple people. One of the best shredders for this type of situation is the Fellowes Powershred C-480C. Take a look at its incredible features:

• The C-480C can shred more than just paper. Since it has such a durable cutting mechanism, it can destroy CD’s, credit cards, and paper clips and staples. The machine can start shredding automatically to help you save time.
• This machine is a cross-cut shredder with a Level 3 security rating. It offers great protection so you can confidently shred private documents.  Up to 26 sheets can be shredder at one time.
• The C-480C has an automatic oiler so maintenance is completely hassle-free. Emptying the 37.5-gallon waste bin is also a snap because it slides out like a drawer.
• This shredder has SafeSense technology so you’re unlikely to be injured while using it. SafeSense prevents the machine from running if it detects hands near the feed openings.
• Finally, the C-480C comes with a lifetime warranty on the cutting mechanism. Everything elsey is covered for three years.

The Fellowes Powershred C-480C is the perfect paper shredder for departmental use. Get it for your workplace today so you can start shredding!

Founded in 1964 as a way to encourage the “inventiveness” of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s staff, Yissum Research and Development Company seeks to support and encourage research, development and education in their efforts to turn science into commercial products for society. Yissum is charged with the not insignificant task of protecting HU’s inventions, products and technologies. Serving as the Technology Transfer Services for the university, Yissum focuses on the ongoing assessment, protection and commercial optimization of the university’s intellectual property.

In their 40-plus year history, Yissum has perhaps surpassed expectations, with reported annual revenues in excess of million, mostly from royalties, and properties ranging from long-shelf-life tomatoes to treatments for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, placing the Hebrew University in the world’s top 15 academic institutions as measured by revenues from intellectual property sales.

Protect, Partner, Perform

As the Technology Transfer University for HU, Yissum serves not only to protect the university’s intellectual properties, but also to partner with researchers and worldwide businesses to develop commercial markets, and through licensing, establishing companies, joint ventures and collaborative research, enhance the market value and performance of HU’s discoveries, increasing their availability to a global marketplace.

The arrangement has a track record of success. Hebrew University generates approximately billion in annual sales from products in its IP base and Yissum represents over 250 licensed technologies and 60 spin-off companies. The numbers keep adding up with over 3,000 ongoing research projects, 1,200 researchers, 1,400 registered patents and 5 Nobel laureates, all representing 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research. The range of intellectual properties includes a diverse mix of industrial and therapeutic areas, including biotechnology, nanotechnology, medical research and technologies, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and nutrition, water and environmental technologies, computer science and software development, homeland security and more.

The seemingly endless supply of promising research projects come from the university’s research base; supported by an annual budget of over million, allowing Yissum to take advantage of Technology Transfer Opportunities by identifying appropriate commercial partners, negotiating license agreements, creating spin-off companies and working closely with local and global commercial partners.

Recent news items focus on the medical arena, with HU’s concept of using cellular technology to send X-rays and other medical diagnostics. The new technology would allow for the use of a smaller, less expensive and easier to use Data Acquisition Device (DAD) at remote patient sites, which would be connected via cell technology with advanced image reconstruction at a central site. The implications are far-reaching and could serve to bring advanced medical technology into areas that otherwise could not afford to have it at their disposal; bringing MRIs, X-Rays and other medical diagnostics into rural and third-world areas.

Technologies Supported

Reading through Yissum’s list of products and companies is like reading a Who’s Who directory of the medical and technological worlds. The lists are full of recognized names, successful products and companies that make headlines on a regular basis.

Products from Yissum include Alzheimer and dementia treatment Exelon, dry-eye treatments Cationorm and LO2A (Lacrycon, Dropyal), ovarian cancer treatment Doxil (Caeylx), UV-protection product UV-Pearls-already adopted by major companies for sunscreens and cosmetics, and a variety of other pharmaceutical products. Oh, remember those long-shelf-life tomatoes? That would thanks to BonTom Vegetable Breeding and Research Group, from HU, of course. Another agricultural product from Yissum and Hazera Genetics is the Ram Onion. On the software side, there is Making Better Career Decisions, an interactive, Internet based career-guidance and information system.

Looking over a partial list of companies shows even more diversity, touching on pharmaceuticals, biotech, agriculture and irrigation, water treatment, software development, safety, nanotechnology, and medical technologies, research, development and devices.

Water treatment technologies like En Gibton Ltd and Treatec 21 Industries Ltd; agricultural endeavors Leafsen Irrigation Systems Ltd, Kovax Ltd-vaccines for the aqua culture world, Avian Tech Ltd, and Ravgalai Ltd-detection of antibiotic residues in milk, meat and food products are just the start of the list. Technology and software development come into play with Ex Libris Ltd-high-performance applications for libraries, Mobileeye Vision Technologies Ltd-with automated, on-board driver assist systems and MusicGenome Inc-a system of identifying musical taste based on artificial intelligence.

Perhaps the heaviest area of development is in the medical and pharmaceutical arenas with a long list of companies researching and developing treatments for cancer-including Algen Pharmaceuticals Inc-basically “tricking” cancer cells into “committing suicide.” Other treatment technologies focus on infectious and autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and improving the efficacy of vaccines; even delving into the “nutraceutical” field with carriers for nutraceuticals to be incorporated in food systems and cosmetic formulations.

Technology Transfer Services

Yissum serves the Hebrew University, protecting its intellectual properties and moving forward with innovations and technologies into commercial endeavors, ultimately, serving the world community as well as the university through applied chemistry, physics, life science and biotechnologies, water technologies, nanotechnologies, and even veterinary medicine and agricultural technologies. It’s easy to see why Yissum is so highly regarded in the scientific and academic communities and ranks among the top Technology Transfer Services in the world.

Running Head: Breaking the Technology Barrier

Breaking the Technology Barrier: Using Technology in Education

Patrick Wellert

ETC 558

Northern Arizona University

Abstract

It has long been difficult for teachers to effectively communicate the objectives and goals in a fun and exciting way that reaches the students.  In the changing times teachers need to find ways to include students into the lesson using the technology made available to them. It has long been believed that teachers need to get over their fear and use technology openly with students in order to meet their educational needs. By including students into the lessons teachers will experience a more positive classroom experience.

 Breaking the Technology Barrier: Using Technology in Education

            Technology and education have always seemed to go together. In order to prepare students for the workplace or college they need to be able to be exposed to it. Teachers in the classroom use technology believing that the students are gaining valuable information and retaining the concepts taught but in reality the students need to be involved in the lesson and actively participating in activities that include technology. Student engagement is critical to student motivation during the learning process. The more students are motivated to learn, the more likely it is that they will be successful in their efforts. (Beeland, 2002).

Uses of Technology

            There are numerous uses of technologies that are available to teachers to include students into the classroom’s lesson. These include Interactive Whiteboards, Proximas, PowerPoint games, interactive DVDs, Ventrilo chat software, Myspace, Blackboard, and scavenger hunts. To put the uses of technology into an effective practice, teachers need to help students set achievable goals; encourage students to assess themselves and their peers; help them to work co-operatively in groups and ensure that they know how to exploit all the available resources for learning (Hall, 2006). The following are how some technology is used to help students learn.

Interactive Whiteboards

            There are two different types of whiteboards. The first is a virtual version of a dry erase board. It allows students to see what the instructor or other students write or draw using a special pen. The second functions similar to a normal whiteboard but also contains a projector screen, an electronic copy board or as a computer projector screen on which the computer image can be controlled by touching or writing on the surface of the panel instead of using a mouse or keyboard. They function by connecting a projector to the whiteboard panel with the use of a computer and software. It is important to know the different functions in order to determine which whiteboard is right for the educator. By knowing the difference you can also learn the terminology and understand the basic functions of each.

Proximas and PowerPoint

            PowerPoint is a software program that is being used in the classroom as a tool to incorporate learning activities into the curriculum. PowerPoint enables teachers and students to actively create presentations with graphics, charts, diagrams, and pictures in their slideshows to help make often complicated ideas and lessons more manageable and understandable. It is a way for students to engage in research, and present information to their peers. When students are actively learning, taking an active role in the learning process, they seem to understand the information better, and enjoy the lesson. The use of a game also allowed Jones and Mungai to directly address the learning style needs of the visual (58%) and tactile learner (22%), which represents eighty-percent of those involved in the content related courses. When constructed with different learning styles in mind, games can often accelerate the learning process (Jones & Mungai, 2003). By itself PowerPoint is not a cure-all remedy, but rather a tool that needs to be understood and used properly for it to be effective as an active learning tool. It also has shown that students that did use PowerPoint as a learning tool were more engaged in the discussions (Rowcliffe, 2003). This will encourage teachers to use PowerPoint as a way to involve students into a lesson by stimulating discussion. For PowerPoint to take place in a classroom an Interactive Whiteboard or a Proxima is needed. A Proxima displays a computer screen onto a screen much like a projector at a movie theater. The user is able to display items such as websites, PowerPoint, and interactive games. A way for students to interact using this technology is through games created by teachers and used in the PowerPoint lesson. Games such as Hollywood Squares, Jeopardy, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire are created using slides and links to answer the questions. Teachers may use a blank template and fill them with different answers for the students to use as a review. Teachers may even let the students create their own review using the blank templates. This activity can also be used in a small group or team setting.

 Advantages to the Students

Learning sciences research tells us that students learn much better “by doing” rather than “by listening.” This means that passive learning – the traditional lecture – is being replaced in our classrooms by more active learning activities that emphasize student problem solving, discussion, presentation and other “authentic” learning-by-doing-activities. (Day, 2004). By including students into the lesson it opens up a realm of possibilities because students can retain roughly only 10% of what they write down.

Teacher Apprehension

            So why are teachers not using technology that engages and interacts more frequently with students? There are many reasons why teachers feel apprehensive or uncomfortable using an interactive whiteboard, proxima and PowerPoint. The first of which could be the length of time from their college prep program until now. Teachers often get exposed to and learn new technologies in their teacher prep courses. Some might not have been prepared enough upon entering the workforce. Although the availability of technology in American schools has increased (US Department of Education, 2000), information released by The National Education Association (2004) indicates that less than 35% of public school teachers feel they are “well prepared” or “very well prepared” to use this technology effectively.

            The second reason is blockage from the school’s control or security system. Teachers claim that the firewalls and filtering systems create blockage in their attempts to educate and communicate with others with technology (Murray, 2004). The teachers and other users can become frustrated when they do not understand why a certain item like a website used for a scavenger hunt or a hyperlink in a PowerPoint are not available.

            The inconsistency from school to school is another reason. At one site there may be access to all different types of technology while at another the absence is very evident. The general public perception is that our schools are using technology and managing our resources in that area well. In several surveys done some schools do show nearly 100 percent use of technology while in others the use of technology is nonexistent (Starr, 2003).

Summary

The research has shown that there are proven benefits to using technology in the classroom. The ability to integrate technology into the classroom can add valuable information and ideas to our students.

By facilitating Proximas, PowerPoint, and interactive whiteboards our teachers will be able to reach a broader audience of learners.    

References

Beeland, W.D. (2002). Student engagement, visual learning and technology: can interactive

whiteboards help? Retrieved May 31, 2008, from www.apexavsi.com

Day, J. (2004). Enhancing the classroom learning experience with web lectures. Retrieved May 31, 2008 from http://smartech.gatech.edu/dspace/handle/1853/65

Hall, B. (2008, March 4). Explorations in learning. Message posted to Student Centered Learning, archived at http://secondlanguagewriting.com/explorations/Archives/2006/Jul/Studentcent

eredLearning.html

Jones, D. C. & Mungai, D. (2003). Technology-enabled teaching for maximum learning.

International Journal of Learning, (10), 3491-3501.     

Murray, C. (2004). Teachers: Limited time, access cut school tech use [Electronic version] e School news, 1-5

National Education Association. (2004): Technology in Schools. Retrieved May 31, 2008 from

http://www.nea.org/cet/

Rowcliffe, S. (2003) Using PowerPoint effectively in science education: lessons

from research and guidance for the classroom. School Science Review 84 (309).

Starr, L. (2003). Encouraging teacher technology use [Electronic Version] Education World, pg 1

US Department of Education. (2000). Internet access in public schools. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistic.

Information Technology and the move to a computerized infrastructure model are bringing great changes to many industries. Often it is the CIO of the company who escort this fundamental shift in the business revenue stream. Leading others through modernization, revolutionize and transformation means you must be able to make changes yourself.

Forget about asking whether technology drives business or business drives technology. Stop perturbing about whether or not technology is strategic. Silence all the confusions about how advance this technology is to that technology. In technology, there are numerous questions that if you have to ask, you probably already know and don’t like the answer. A more satisfying line of inquiry is how much of your technological horsepower is actually being used to turn the wheels of innovation.

Some people says that Technology drives business modernization, novelty, success & Innovations that opens up new doors of opportunities, improves the company’s performance on the whole, sharpens the company’s market intelligence, and makes new things possible for the clients. Another school of thought is that the Business Drives Technology, as such integration is about assisting business to facilitate their profitability by utilizing technology and other resources available to the enterprise. But realistically speaking, the driving force comes from the CEO and CIO of the company, who both endeavor to leverage technology to its fullest potential.

In a society that has become entirely dependent on computers and immediate communications, technology is becoming the heartbeat in the process of office design as decisions on layout and services. Some aspects of technology, like the computer animation & communication, are highly visible demonstration devices. But more of it is in the largely unseen infrastructure, with the emphasis on sophisticated wiring and smart communication devices to provide for an ever greater flow, and on communications and power facilities to keep operations running through almost any anticipated calamity.

In the modernization of the today’s businesses, Common business drivers include; Mergers and Acquisitions, Internal Reorganizations, Application and System Consolidation, Inconsistent/Duplicated/Fragmented Data, New Business Strategies, Compliance with Government Regulations, Streamlining Business Processes. To achieve the success in the accommodation of these business drivers, the sturdy and smart input would be required from both the parties i.e. the business as well as the technology.

In a company, you could cover every surface in your office with how to manage change. But one aspect of change management that often dodges IT Managers is how to better influence corporate colleagues. If information technology drives business decisions, the IT executives must communicate and be persuasive with other department heads on key project management issues.

Strategic planning for Information Technology is one component of an overall company vision for success. This psychoanalysis facilitates IT professionals to successfully define short and long-term goals and ascertain the resources necessary to apprehend such goals. To ensure success, the strategic plan should be developed in a thorough but rapid manner, consist of a brief, succinct compilation of analyzed data, and provide opportunities by which additional planning and analysis can occur.

Several important benefits occur as the result of a successful strategic IT plan. First, employees are provided with an understanding of how their role fits in with the overall company structure. Also, this planning allows managers to realize additional opportunities for growth and success. Finally, important relationships between technology investment and positive outcomes, such as increased market share, are revealed.

It’s now become the industry dilemma that IT people need to know more about business. They need to understand the disciplines and the lingo of business process management, business performance management, customer relationship management, supply chain management, financial management, human resources management, operations management, etc. Lacking that knowledge, communication with business people and understanding of business requirements will forever be troubled.

On the other hand the Business people should also drive their efforts to know more about information technology. As with all communication and relationship issues, this is not a prejudiced problem. Just as IT people need to become more business-oriented, business people need to be more IT-oriented. They need to understand the roles and relationships among the many different kinds of technology upon which their information systems depend, and they need to understand the dependencies among those technologies. Business people need to have a working knowledge of the technology stack as it affects their capability to get information, perform business analysis, and make informed business decisions.

Beyond the relatively straight-forward needs of business becoming IT-oriented and technologists becoming business-oriented, there lies a new challenge. We must develop common understanding and shared perspective of value, an issue that is both a business concern and a technology consideration. When business and IT have different meaning and outlook for value, conflicts are certain to arise.

Business and IT organizations often have two evidently different perspectives of value. IT expert generally take a data-to-value approach. Where Data produces information, information enhances knowledge, knowledge drives action, action produces outcomes, and favorable outcomes deliver value. Business management typically uses a goals-to-value system. Business drivers and goals determine strategies, strategies drive tactics, which in turn produce results, and positive results produce value.

Effective business/IT relationships are ultimately a question of alignment. New IT skills, new business skills, and new perspectives that sets the stage for business/IT alignment. But it doesn’t assure alignment. To achieve genuine association there are several things that must be done; some by IT, some by the business, and some collectively.

Conflicts between business and IT organizations have existed from the very beginning of automated Information Systems. We have accelerated in so many ways both in business and in technology. However, the problem still pestilences most of the businesses. The Business/IT crack must go away. The cost is high; the value is null; and the barriers that it crafts grow bigger each moment. The problem can be fixed, and the time to fix it is now!

PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY
A Reflection
By
VIKRAM KARVE

In our everyday lives most of us use a number of words which we assume have a universal, agreed-upon, and accepted meaning for all people in all contexts.

Often, the more frequently the word is used more we take for granted that our usage is the only possible usage of the term.

One word which belongs in this category is “technology.”

The vast majority view technology as machines, computers and other forms of modern hardware – the province of the scientist, engineer or specialist professional.

We have to transcend this narrow view of technology since every technology starts from a human purpose, from the intention to satisfy some human need or behaviour.

Indeed, technology is the manipulation of nature for human purpose.

Now man is also a part of nature and by manipulating nature man is manipulating himself.

Thus, technology manipulates man and influences, even governs, human behaviour and in turn societal behaviour.

It is therefore imperative to reconceptualise the concept of technology by viewing it though the philosophical lens in order to understand the “soft” social, cultural, individual, psychological, behavioural and intellectual dimensions of technology in contrast to the “hard” technical dimension.

Language is a “soft” technology, an invented system of communication. Alvin Tofler specifically discussed “political technologies” in his description of “Third Wave” changes in our world environment. Indeed, “soft” technologies take many forms. They include the invention of social institutions – methods of organizing people for the achievement of particular ends.

Arthur Harkins defines “culture” as the metasystem or system of systems of human-invented and hereditarily transmitted technologies, and further emphasizes that human have codified technologies into what anthropologists call culture.

Even more fundamentally, or expansively, technologies are philosophies, ideologies. Ways of thinking, or world-views (Weltanschauungen). The key realization is that technologies are way of structuring and ordering the world.

This philosophical reconceptualisation of technology entails a broader image wherein technologies are viewed not merely as physical or technical apparatuses but as inseparably interconnected with the fabric of social policy, values and desires and are in fact complex constellations of devices, processes, beliefs and mechanisms which are perceived as a system of interrelated innovations comprising a coherent nexus pertaining to the systematic manipulation of nature.

Technologies reconceptualised from the philosophical viewpoint are mutually supportive and harmonically attuned process and philosophies for synergistically aiding the individual or society to reach specific, hopefully preferred, future states; they are instruments for attaining and integrating the proposal future with the perceived present.

Since technology is essentially invented rather than discovered, such a reconceptualisation would help to introduce a premium for creativity and divergent thought into the academic world alongside the traditional emphasis on scholarly research and the quest for truth and would encourage cross-fertilization across disciplinary boundaries.

It may be apt to conclude with a comment by RM Pirsig, who states that: “The way to solve the conflict between human values and technological needs is not to run away from technology. That’s impossible. The way to resolve the conflict is to break down the barriers of dualistic thought that prevent a real understanding of what technology is… not an exploitation of nature, but a fusion of nature and the human spirit into a new kind of creation that transcends both”.

PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY
A Reflection
By
VIKRAM KARVE

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com/

INTRODUCTION Science according to Enger and Smith in their book called a study of interrelationships defined it as a method of gathering and organizing information that involves observations, asking questions about observation, Testing hypothesis, critical information so that others can evaluate the process and conclusions.

Scientific fields are commonly divided into two major groups: natural sciences, which study natural phenomena (including biological life), and social sciences, which study human behavior and societies. These groupings are an empirical sciences, which means the knowledge must be based on observable phenomena and capable of being tested for its validity by other researchers working under the same conditions. There are also related disciplines that are grouped into interdisciplinary and applied sciences, such as engineering and health science. Within these categories are specialized scientific fields that can include elements of other scientific disciplines but often possess their own terminology and body of expertise. Technology is the process by which humans modify the nature to meet their needs and wants. Technology includes the entire infrastructure necessary for the design, manufacture, operation, and repair technological artifacts from corporate headquarters and engineering schools to manufacturing plants and maintenance facilities. The knowledge and processes used to create and operate technological artifacts—engineering know-how manufacturing expertise and various technological skills—are equally important of technology.

Natural resources according to Enger and Smith are defined as those structures ans process that can be used by humans for their own purposes but can not be created by them. Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity existent in various ecosystems. Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival while others are used for satisfying our wants. According to Alan Deardorff, in his book called Deardorff’s Glossary of International Economics define Economic development as an increase in the standard of living in a nation’s population with sustained growth from a simple, low-income economy to a modern, high-income economy. Its scope includes the process and policies by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people.

Our first application of technology was probably using wood or stone tools for building fires. This has profoundly affected the life on earth by transforming what would have being relatively weak and puny species into dominant members of many communities. For then 95% of history, most humans have been nomadic hunters and gathers. The habitats, attitudes and physical characteristics developed during the millennia that our ancestors lived by hunting and gathering probably still affect us. About 10 thousands years ago, the agricultural revolution began as people started domesticating animals and began cultivating crops plants.

We generally assume that agriculture spread rapidly once it was discovered because it provided a larger and more stable food supply than did hunting and gathering or pastoral herding of livestock. Although the people have done useful work with mechanical devices for thousands of years another dramatic change has occurred in the past two or three centuries as machines have become increasingly important in our lives. The industrial revolution was made possible by advances in science and technology that have given us tremendous power to understand and to change our world. The knowledge that a resource exists plays an important factor governing its exploitation.

Technology plays an important role here in making it possible to find and exploit an accumulation of matter and/or energy as a resource. Some accumulations may not be recognised as a resource until there is an advance in technology, which may be driven by market forces. In his treatment of non-renewable resources, Hotelling (1931) did not consider the possibility of replacement of a resource by exploration for new sources. Instead, the resource was treated as a fixed stock. In fact, over much of the modern era, non-renewable resources have been discovered at faster rates than they have been depleted, which has made them appear more like renewable resources. The role of technology in exploiting resources is of fundamental importance to the economics of resources. As a particular resource becomes scarce, market forces should operate to raise its price. While it has been claimed that there is little evidence for this (Barnett and Morse 1963; Barnett 1979), experience following the oil price rise of 1973 would seem to corroborate this view. As oil was made artificially scarce by cuts in production by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its price rose, more effort was devoted to finding substitutes for it in certain uses.

Technology provides the means to exploit new resources as they are discovered. As the world moves on, human knowledge is extended and technology improves, accumulations of matter and/or energy, which were previously overlooked as resources, may become ‘useful’. Oil occurred in surface deposits in parts of the ancient world, such as modern day Iraq, but was regarded as a concentrated pollutant in that it had no use and was potentially harmful. In the same way barytes, which was once discarded from lead mines has now become a useful resource in the process of oil drilling. Knowledge of the existence of an accumulation and of its potential use as a resource is of obvious importance economically. Clearly it is a prerequisite of natural resource exploitation that knowledge of the existence of a resource must obtain before a resource can be exploited.

The technology to enable that exploitation must also be available. There are many examples of potential resources that are not currently exploited because the technology to do so economically does not yet exist. In the past, oil from beneath the seabed has been just such an example. Currently, it is well known that oil exists in shales in abundance, but it is not economic to Science and technology play crucial roles in any process affecting the exploration, utilization and conservation of natural resources. Hence the need to harness this capacity to meet the projected higher needs for these resources, associated with future development and population growth, as well as their conservation for future generations. Not only that they provide the cutting edge for exploiting known resources, but also provide basis for new knowledge of potentials.

As new techniques will result in reduced costs per unit of output, they would also help ensure the sustainability of development and thereby contribute to averting the otherwise ominous prospects of depletion of/or serious degradation of natural resources which, if it occurs, would seriously impair future growth and development. While there are a number of ways that science and technology could contribute to the effective exploitation of natural resources, priority should be given to areas where efficiency, increased availability and sustainability could be ensured.

In the minerals sector, for example, competitivity, irreplacebility and environmental issues merit particular emphasis. Likewise, in the water sector, attention would need to be placed on issues of availability, safety and on the issues of shared water resources. Similarly, in the area of energy, technological advances could be targeted in particular to ensuring most economic approaches to exploiting existing sources and exploring new sources as well as intensification of efforts to render non-conventional energy sources more economical and dependable. In agriculture, advanced knowledge and applications in biotechnology carry particular hope for realizing a green revolution in Africa.

One of the major constraints inhibiting the development and utilization of natural resources is lack of adequate data and information on the magnitude, quality, range and geographic incidence of these resources. The quality of the data will critically depend on the techniques used and the resources committed to this effect. Hence the importance of using advanced techniques of data gathering and standardization. A complementary aspect is the assembly of the information presently scattered in the countries themselves, kept by foreign companies and institutions or maintained in the databases of international institutions and organizations. Such data however need to be classified, evaluated and regularly updated. An essential prerequisite for the suitability of the application of science and technology in the development and utilization of natural resources is the establishment of a critical mass of science and technology-based institutions. These institutions will be able to act as think-tanks, as well as instruments of dissemination of technical information to society at large. Through training, they would also contribute to building a critical mass of trained personnel. The 30 odd ECA-sponsored institutions were established with precisely this objective in mind.

However, these Centres of Excellence need to be strengthened and better utilized. The horizon of technological advances is extending by the day and likewise their applications. The micro-chip technologies have provided humanity with tools for almost infinite theoretical explorations and practical possibilities that could intensely examine possible approaches to their utilization in the area of science and technology. They could therefore improve our insights in the working of the physical system and mankind’s understanding of nature. Such revolution should make it

Introduction

More than 80% of all the content that insurers have available to them throughout their various internal and external value chains is unstructured. Semantic technologies are emerging to analyze unstructured content, much as business intelligence software capabilities have historically been applied to structured content.

Scope

*Life and Non-Life insurance companies
*This report profiles six semantic technology vendors
*This report discusses insurance analytical applications each vendor could support

Highlights

The number and nature of potential insurance business applications using semantic technology is limited only by an insurer’s imagination, resource availability and desire to include as much unstructured content as possible into the analytical applications.

Semantic Technology firms need to assist insurers to understand this emerging technology, bundle training in their products and offer easy-to-use solutions.

Reasons to Purchase

*This research makes insurers aware about six semantic technology vendors
*This research identifies specific insurance semantic technology analytical applications
*This research opens insurers to ideas about semantic technology analytical applications

Table Of Contents :

SUMMARY 2
Catalyst 2
Ovum view 2
Key messages 3
SIX SEMANTIC TECHNOLOGY VENDORS TAKING DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE MARKET 4
Rationale for selecting the six semantic technology vendors 4
The six semantic technology firms are private, venture-capital backed and horizontal 5
The profiles of the six semantic technology firms focus on what they bring to the market 5
Four themes are woven through the profiles of the six semantic technology vendors 6
THE SIX SEMANTIC TECHNOLOGY FIRMS OFFER INSURERS DIFFERENT CAPABILITIES 7
Attivio offers a common access platform combining unstructured and structured content 7
Cambridge Semantics wants to help companies quickly obtain practical results 8
Lexalytics has a ‘laser-focus’ on sentiment analysis 9
Linguamatics finds the nuggets hidden in plain sight 10
MetaCarta identifies location references in unstructured documents in real-time 11
SchemaLogic enables information to be found and shared more effectively using semantic technologies 12
RECOMMENDATIONS 15
Recommendations for insurance companies 15
Insurers must prepare detailed questions for the due diligence involved with selecting a semantic technology vendor 15
Insurers should start small when applying semantic technologies 16
Recommendations for vendors 17
Semantic technology vendors should provide capabilities to minimize the ‘rabbit warren’ effect 17
Semantic technology vendors should provide solutions that insurers can deploy either on-premise or as software as a service 17
APPENDIX 19
Ask the analyst 19
Further reading 19
Methodology 19

To know more about this report & to buy a copy please visit :
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Information technology has been defined by the Information Technology Association of America, or the ITAA as being the study, design, development, implementation support and/or management of any computer based information systems. Information technology training for IT managers and systems analysts may seem superfluous – these folks are usually well-learned in their areas of expertise.

Now the organization has to have an Information Technology Landscape plan, based on its current and future business landscape. Information Technology department consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere.In fact, information technology is all of these things, and more.It’s hardly new, however. Information technology is as old as the brain itself, if you think of the brain as an information processor.  

As frightening as this task is, the best way to be successful is to be humble. Senior executives must accept the fact that full investigation of the features and functionality of clinical information technology.One of the early steps that many organizations take is to hire an information technology consultant. Boston-area businesses benefit from using a consultant to perform a review of the business’s information technology currently being utilized.

The study of computer information science has become widespread to meet the demand for information technicians, and there are many online information technology schools in operation around the US and Canada. The degree centers on problem-solving skills and methods needed to provide computer-based and web-based IT solutions in our world ecommerce based economy. The millennium Development Goals are the world’s answer and targets for addressing extreme poverty in various dimensions; such as income poverty; lack of adequate shelter, hunger; and disease among others.

If you are looking for that great career, or if you are looking for a career change then you should really consider looking at information technology jobs. Information technologies (IT) are quickly becoming an integral part of our community. Technology can mean many different things to people. In a broad sense, technology encompasses a process. Information Technology management jobs exist at many levels within an organization. In a large organization, you could serve as an IT manager in just one portion of an IT department (network, help desk, or application development manager, etc).

It needs to be mentioned here that it wasn’t too long ago when the departments dealing with information technology were composed of one computer operator. The profession of information technology focuses on computer processes. Proper training teaches students how to manage all the aspects of information in conjunction with technology. With the help of IT more work can be done by individuals, businesses, services and government organisations. Function enhancement programs such as word processors.

The world is very much dependent on information technology because this is where businesses can get all of their information to customers or other consumers. One of the trends that is being put to use right now is semiconductor technology. This is where microchips are being used to transmit information quickly. Computers are at the center of information technology. Information is what computers process, transmit and store.

Education is available at every level including the option to complete a certificate program. Students are taught to work with a businesses technological component to ensure accessibility and security. Mostly businesses today create data that can be stored and processed on computers. In some cases the data must be input to computers using devices such as keyboards and scanners.

Regarding previously said, a problem of information note and form of description ,extrovert and inner ,introvert world is based upon existence of information code ,as subject determination basic feature in the moment of “technological “ description ,which is related to certain object, or substantive analytical examination in relation with the same object. What appears to be essential is whether the information evolved from technological advancement or it has been defined by its own existence .For instance, Is the informational capacity ,measured in bytes and regarding technological advancement and subject of research taken randomly, more determinate to analyst rather than to its inventor? Informational determination capacity is proportional to analytical decoding , just as the content of dream is to conscious. Technical measurement ,which is to determinate the subject informational more precisely ,directly affects the informational code reproduction. Informational chain code appears to be essentially divergent in relation to any subject being analysed ; its selfdetermination is unconditional only if out of experimental or any form of perceptive range .The problem resembles subquantum paradox which results in experimental conception –experimenter causes the result of experiment ,while on the grounds of experimental action technical substratum treats its own field of analysis as artificial

Subquantum technology basics

Principles of quantum mechanics are based on the claim that the fundamental entity concerning all interactions in nature is quantum, defined as form of indivisible unit carrying an absolute minimum of energy .In a word,any process of interaction, emission or absorbing of all materials energetic conditions is exclusively possible in form of infinitesimal quantum continuance .According to theoretical implications method , metaphysics and physics matches.

As a subject of research , subquantum level of nature is being realistic ,not only metaphysicist, but also to physicist , regarding theoretical concepts. This aspect of nature excels any range of scientific or any other form of perception .Basic reason is most simple: considering the fact that perception sphere is being modified inside the quantum instance of nature , in order to implement any form of knowledge, it must be based upon quantum “behaviour” of natural interactions. Realization of subquantum instance theoretically implied, although its practical significance or experimental induction are impossible .

Solid form of technological advancement interpretation and the way it emanates from nature ,speaking in terms of idealists, it shapes into a classical model of synthetic explanations, which defines the technological circle as formal, secondary characteristic of individual interactions with nature. Structure of technological image is exclusively based upon domain of interactive, process related, although its peculiarity absolutely can’t possibly be derived from natural substratum. The aspect o technological determination is added to natural domain ,regarding synthetic interaction with nature ,relation between technology and nature is,a s for these concepts of explanation ,immanent,e ssentially impracticable.A possibility stems from shaping, factual ,state which subject reduces from nature influenced by technology.

Specification of technological advancement is concentrated to reducing the practical domain of technical implementation considering the sphere of reality and perceptiveness.

Realization ,practicable and technical is in direct connection to expectation of scientific theory principle which proves itself. Technology evolved in just a few decades .Considering the fact that technology raised, for instance, in nineteen forties the size limit was 10-5 milimetres, while nowdays contemporary science moved the limits towards 10-10 meters or 10 -7 milimetres.T his is the domain of very popular nanotechnology .Quantum physics concept in a pretty self-confident way pleads with absolute influence to the real world of subatomic entity of nature ,although the theoretical concept itself, regarding analytical method used for its definition, seems to be very self –destructive and fragile. Subquantum aspect of natural interactions, like absolute foundation of visible and invisible is theoretically and implicitly unpredictable in its adherence, which should be considered as variable; subquant world is not a subject to laws of existing world, so should any discerning reader notice that ,according to conceptual explanations of interactive manifestations, certain processes should be assigned to a cathegory of principles semantics. In a word, It is necessary to find some law in illegal. Such conclusion is a mind’s need, like a compromising relief in a visible defining process, but also a fundamental self-deceit of our own world of phenomena is in mind navigating to functionality exclusively referring to cathegories of relational .Pointing this problem in a theoretical manner of explaining the subatomic, it is inevitable to say that our model of perception points out to specific “behaviour” of invisible world of subatomic level of nature. Related to our concept, this world has its own rules, essentially Imperceptible. It is possible to presume its ” intensity “,inner essential determination ,although, according to its constitution, it is impracticable ,for it is not connected with factual world.

Poetical sentence says: a shape whose appearance exclusively stands for itself , has no appearance at all. This problem is going to be mentioned later on,regarding analysis of multidimensional concept relation and relation of selfhood and the instance of consciousness.

Let’s make an assumption that result of technology advance is ,as mentioned, based upon structural minimization, deeper penetrating the natural infinity, regarding as macro as mini entity, even though the practicality of technical advancement incorporates into substantial minimization, or division of manifesting world .As to this, what is the final result of technological advancement? Provided that subquantum world represents fundamental entity of factual world, is the subquantum world itself a metaresult of technological circle?

Being incorporated into the fundamental range of natural, technology would turn the full the circle as non-spreading shape .Its inner substance would excel the result of the very evolution. Speaking of metaphysical poetry, it would be amazed by technology, not by its complexity, but for it excels the semantic of pure determination as a concrete being of practical world .From the starting point, which is originally referring to practical approach to nature , it finds its own realization in substantive influence on absolute entity of – world, to subquantum entity. By this process technology would , closing the evolutionary circle, abandon the originality of physical world. Each form of its prediction or attempt on complementary defining would appear to be unsuccessful. Synthetic form of metaphysical incarnation of technology would strengthen; nevertheless, this analyse intention is not to establish the horizon of its (technological) final revolution as meta-aspect. Subquantum technology should ,by surpasing the applicable value, and regarding qualitative peculiarity towards efficiency within natural complex, make transcendence superior to categorizing. Forms of quantity and quality ,equalizing technological relation and natural ,become completely useless. Assumption of taking initiative action implicates a huge possibility of technological meta determination of natural flow; every interaction, causal relation,any natural manifestation are being modified by subquantum technology. Countless options of nanotechnology in virtual, parallel reality construction appears to be essential regression concerning subquantum technology. Quality proportion would be enormously bigger between these two evolution aspects, than between microprocessor and prehistoric stone axe. Provided that nanotechnological field “resource” is 10-10 meters, the aspect of subquantum might be extensively measurable by theoretical models. Essentially and structurally ,microdimensions of subquantum technology would not be determinate, according to upper definition, and intensity would not follow extension. This final” level “of technology would appear to sphere of perception identical to entering the singularity.To our categories of cognition it seems to be incomprehensible , whereas it could be predicative according to existing theoretical models. Example of singularity,I n this case ,ought to be seen as compromising analogy, although regarding the hypothetical case of final technological revolution ,it would be absolutely incomprehensible. Exceeding the quant limit would mean that technology in multidimensional frame absolutely alters space and time continuum ,even the genealogy concept og Universe would be absolutely changed, although this theoretical implication totally unacceptable in its essence .

Finalization of technological evolution understands ontological surpassing the world. Problem appears here, in state section ,on condition that finalization of evolution process understands own starting point transcendence ,sublimated in visible macroplan of nature ,which is fundamental to changing the essential form of existence. In a word, how can a form, defined by technological semantic ,practicable realization ,outdoes own form of existential determination placing itself into the aspect of absolute, subquantum. Metaphysical conflict is in the notion and also in the semantic of subquantum. If this entity himself