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Are large-scale research programmes that include many projects more productive than smaller ones with fewer projects? This problem of economies of scale is relevant for understanding recent mergers, in particular in the pharmaceutical industry. We present a quantitative theory based on the characterization of distributions of discounted sales S resulting from new innovations. Assuming that these complementary cumulative distributions have fat tails with approximate power law structure S −α, we demonstrate that economies of scales are realized if and only if α

Studies of the topography of grain boundary thermal grooves in nickel rich NiAl by atomic force microscopy are reported. It is demonstrated how the processes of grain boundary sliding and surface faceting modify the shape of the grooves. A quantitative theory of grain boundary grooving that takes into account the above complications is developed. A high potential of grooving studies for the analysis of microstructure evolution is demonstrated.

A new type of cooperative chiral order has been observed in polyisocyanates composed of a mixture of opposite enantiomers. The chiral order of the copolymer, measured by optical activity, is dominated by whichever enantiomer is in the majority. We present a quantitative theory for this cooperative chiral order, using a mapping of the random copolymer onto the random-field Ising model. Using this theory, we predict how the sharpness of the majority-rule curve can be controlled for applications in a optical switch. We also consider how this theory could be applied to chiral order in DNA.

Prior research has focused on Gorgias of Leontini's epistemology and his stylistic/artistic uses of language; while little attention has been paid to the pragmatics of his speech making. An analysis of the Gorgianic corpus reveals that throughout each level of his discourse, Gorgias displayed what appears to be a discernible theory of rhetorical arrangement. The four basic speech parts (introduction, narration, argument and conclusion) are apparent in his speeches, and in addition to generating this quantitative theory of arrangement, it can be shown that Gorgias’ arguments were almost identical in their logical presentation of the claims supported.

We survey some of the extensions and ramifications of Weierstrass' theorem in the twentieth century, discussing first qualitative theory (can we approximate?) and then quantitative theory (how fast can we approximate?).

The quantitative theory of multiphoton vibrational relaxation of a molecule in a host crystalline matrix is developed. A simple closed formula for the relaxation rate is obtained. Interpretations of several experimental results based on this formula are discussed.

A study of the influence of non-locality in the spatial response function of a medium on the excitation probability of a STEM electron is presented. At small (less than 10 A) distances from the surface, where many specific features related to the surface itself might be observed, dispersion effects must be accounted for in any quantitative theory of inelastic STEM.

A quantitative treatment of the frequencies and intensities of lines in infrared spectra of diatomic molecules is outlined, with particular reference to HC1. The relationship of classical and quantum-mechanical approaches to the analysis of such spectra and to ideas of molecular structure is discussed.

Most studies of imperfect solids concentrate on the properties of individual isolated defects. These include electronic structure, formation energies and diffusion parameters of point defects and point defect aggregates. Many physical phenomena are determined by defect processes, in which defects interact or the defect state of the lattice evolves. Such phenomena include the radiation damage process and subsequent development of microstructure, the matter and charge transport in the growth of oxide films, the recombination—or ionization—assisted diffusion in many systems, and a range of degradation mechanisms. These and other examples are discussed. The emphasis is on those cases where quantitative theory can unravel phenomena which experiment alone cannot easily do, notably those situations where the time scales are inconvenient or the system too complex for easy experimental analysis.

Existing theories that predict the stress-strain rate relationship in a rapidly sheared granular flow can only treat materials that are made of single-size particles. However, granular flows usually involve materials of mixed sizes. It has been observed in many laboratory studies that size distribution has a significant effect on the flow of a granular material. Despite its importance, there has been no quantitative theory that can explain the effect of size distribution. An analytical model is developed here to quantify the stresses in a mixture of spheres with two different sizes and identical material properties. Binary collisions between adjacent particles are considered as the dominating stress-generating mechanism. Comparisons between the theoretical results and the existing laboratory data show good agreement.

Summary The effects of different elements on the A4 and A3 transformation points of iron are described, and a discussion given of the way in which this leads to different types of equilibrium diagram. The importance of the relative sizes of the constituent atoms in determining the structure of the alloys is emphasized, and it is shown how some of the structural characteristics are related to the relative positions of solvent and solute in the Periodic Table, although quantitative theory is lacking. The useful properties of steels generally involve structures which are not those of the equilibrium state, and some of the transformations concerned are briefly outlined.

A quantitative theory of the g factors of aromatic free radicals is presented, and is applied to hydrocarbon and semiquinone ions. The parameters required in the theory are obtained empirically, and the agreement with experiment is very satisfactory. The g factors of aromatic hydrocarbons are given by g=2·00257 - (19 × 10-5)λ, where α + λβ is the energy, in the Huckel approximation, of the molecular orbital occupied by the odd electron.

Summary The hypothesis that the change in the c/a ratio in magnesium solid solutions is due to the changes in the Fermi energy, arising from the distortion of the Brillouin zone, is developed into a more general and quantitative theory. The case of monovalent solutes is considered, and agreement with experiment is shown to be not unsatisfactory. The experimental results enable deductions to be made regarding the density of electronic states in pure magnesium.

Resume Le “sens du sentiment” est defini pour comprendre toute l'experience “sentie,” l'experience affective et emotive non exceptees, et une theorie neuralogique est offerte pour le sens qui ne comprend pas le concept de “qualite”. On fait la correlation de pression-douleur avec l'intensite et les autres variables sont la duree, la densite, et l'extension. Chaud-froid varie d'une maniere caracteristique des formes non-thermales de l'experience mais ne comprend pas de difference fondamentale. La localisation est un processus appris dependent du locus cortical. Nulle experience n'est simple. Des objets semblables de stimulus, de temps en temps, etablissent de semblables conditions dans les tissus et celles-ci sont accompagnees de semblables experiences psychologiques. Ainsi on generalise et nomme les types les plus frequents. Les experiences sont plus compliquees par les activites reflexes etablies, surtout les elements effectifs et emotifs de l'experience. L'evidence psychologique donnee est completee par...

A model structure for regenerated cellulose that was proposed in an earlier paper is used to account in a quantitative way for the rate of loss in strength of cellulose filaments on hydrolysis by acid. A comparison between theoretical and observed values of loss in strength resulting from acid hydrolysis shows the two sets of values to be in good agreement.

This is an extremely brief and incomplete summary of a somewhat voluminous study that I have conducted in response to the current unrest in academe. My purpose has been to treat the subject as objectively as possbile, stressing scientific evidence rather than emotional epithets and political polemics. Most of my data have been secured from numerous past and present educational systems, as well as from the history of virtually all major sciences.

A theory of the photographic process (external image) is put forward in which uniform grains are regarded as similar and without discrete sensitivity centres before exposure, differences after exposure being attributed to random photon distribution. The theory accounts for a wide range of qualitative and quantitative results.