An analysis of how the government can and cannot use research and development (R&D) policy to improve the nation's industrial posture suggests four guidelines for federal R&D policy. These guidelines are outlined and discussed. Areas analyzed include federal role; competition from Japan; support for university research, immigration policy,…

Discusses structure and function of enzymes, design of new enzymes and enzyme substitutes, and enzyme uses in industry, medicine, and wastewater treatment. The latter is a low-cost method which can remove as much as 99 percent of toxic substances found in many industrial wastewater streams. (JN)

Many proposals have been made for new universities in U.S. research and development (R&D) systems. However, current foundations and strengths should be examined before attempting untried approaches. Areas addressed include the supporting environment, university research system, industrial R&D capability, defense-related R&D, and…

Trends in and factors related to the nuclear industry and nuclear fuel production are discussed. Topics addressed include nuclear reactors, survival of the U.S. uranium industry, production costs, budget cuts by the Department of Energy and U.S. Geological survey for resource studies, mining, and research/development activities. (JN)

Reports that a Texas advocacy group discovered thousands of errors in U.S. history textbooks. Notes that the books underwent the review after drawing favorable reactions from Texas education officials. Identifies possible explanations for the errors and steps being taken to reduce errors in the future. (SG)

Solar photovoltaic cells have been called the ultimate energy technology, environmentally benign and without moving parts, solar cells directly convert sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic energy conversion is fundamentally different from all other forms of electricity generation. Without turbines, generators or other mechanical equipment, it…

The New York newspaper strike of 1978 was the direct result of a series of events that started in 1923 when the pressmen's union established a system that provided a minimum fixed number of pressmen per press unit and legitimized a loose labor pool. From that time, the number of pressmen increased through family-dominated union management that…

A civil engineering professor would like to see civil engineers spend less time looking at broken structures and more time testing construction materials, and has founded a research center for that purpose. (MSE)

The Foundation Center is a non-profit, independent organization formed and funded by grant-makers to keep track of how foundations use their money and to make the information available to the public. It will soon expand to publishing books to increase public understanding of philanthropy, develop electronic communication and computer-based…

Industrial development agencies (IDAs) around the globe are luring potential developers to Europe, the Far East, and the Caribbean. Programs in each of these geographic areas and types of incentives offered are discussed. These incentives include tax holidays, free-trade zones, free land, and grants of cash. (DH)

Guidelines for successful university ties with industry are discussed. Topics covered include publication rights, patents, copyrights, confidentiality, research units, faculty consultants, faculty entrepreneurs, international agreements, sharing personnel/equipment, and model research agreements. Advocates that success lies in anticipating…

Describes changes in the design of products and in planning, managing, and coordinating their manufacture. Focuses on discrete-products manufacturing industries, encompassing the fabrication and assembly of automobiles, aircraft, computers and microelectric components of computers, furniture, appliances, foods, clothing, building materials, and…

Summarizes viewpoints on the science policy, including those (1) of Harvey Brooks in "Science and Technology Policy for the 1980's"; (2) in the National Science Foundations'"Five Year Outlook"; and (3) of Christopher Wright, Director of Science Policy Program at Carnegie Institute of Washington. (SK)

The purpose of this article is to provide current publication information on journals in the special education field. Data reported are derived from 39 responses to a survey of editors of special education journals and include frequencies of article types, exceptionalities included, content emphases, stylistic formats, and review processes.…

Describes problems with monoculture tree plantations and explores industry claims about environmentally sound practices. The pulp plantation boom is likely to encourage a dangerous complacency in industrialized societies--an ignorance of the true costs of paper production. (PVD)