Bounds on quantum information storage and retrieval

We present certain universal bounds on the capacity of quantum information storage and on the time scale of its retrieval for a generic quantum field theoretic system. The capacity, quantified by the microstate entropy, is bounded from above by the surface area of the object measured in units of a Goldstone decay constant. The Goldstone bosons are universally present due to the spontaneous breaking of Poincare and internal symmetries by the information-storing object. Applied to a black hole, the bound reproduces the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy. However, the relation goes beyond gravity. The minimal time-scale required for retrieving the quantum information from a system is equal to its volume measured in units of the same Goldstone scale. For a black hole, this reproduces the Page time as well as the quantum break-time. Again, the expression for the information retrieval time is very general and is shared by non-gravitational saturated states in gauge theories including QCD. All such objects exhibit universal signatures such as the emission of ultra-soft radiation. Similar bounds apply to non-relativistic many-body systems. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Quantum technologies in particle physics’.

Development of a New Research Methodology Tool ‘Pearsons Visual Relationship Framework’

Academics and researchers are often faced with reading significant numbers of publications to identify and extract the relevant information that is required for their research, which can be time consuming and difficult to keep track of. The aim of this study was to find an alternative solution to current research methodologies used for publication review information storage and retrieval. The objectives were to develop a system utilising a relationship management format, that is visual and easy to create, providing access to documents, notes, abstracts and other relevant information at the click of a button. Following extensive research into methods of achieving this, it became apparent that there was a gap in the knowledge on how to achieve it efficiently. The visual relationship tool was developed and evaluated in practical use in academia and manufacturing, with extremely positive results as to its suitability in both fields. The conclusions were that the tool is not limited to academic research but can also be used in manufacturing, industry and small business management as well.

LIS research across 50 years: content analysis of journal articles

PurposeThis paper analyses the research in Library and Information Science (LIS) and reports on (1) the status of LIS research in 2015 and (2) on the evolution of LIS research longitudinally from 1965 to 2015.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a quantitative intellectual content analysis of articles published in 30+ scholarly LIS journals, following the design by Tuomaala et al. (2014). In the content analysis, we classify articles along eight dimensions covering topical content and methodology.FindingsThe topical findings indicate that the earlier strong LIS emphasis on L&I services has declined notably, while scientific and professional communication has become the most popular topic. Information storage and retrieval has given up its earlier strong position towards the end of the years analyzed. Individuals are increasingly the units of observation. End-user's and developer's viewpoints have strengthened at the cost of intermediaries' viewpoint. LIS research is methodologically increasingly scattered since survey, scientometric methods, experiment, case studies and qualitative studies have all gained in popularity. Consequently, LIS may have become more versatile in the analysis of its research objects during the years analyzed.Originality/valueAmong quantitative intellectual content analyses of LIS research, the study is unique in its scope: length of analysis period (50 years), width (8 dimensions covering topical content and methodology) and depth (the annual batch of 30+ scholarly journals).

Possibility of information encoding/decoding using the memory effect in fractional-order capacitive devices

In this study, we show that the discharge voltage pattern of a supercapacitor exhibiting fractional-order behavior from the same initial steady-state voltage into a constant resistor is dependent on the past charging voltage profile. The charging voltage was designed to follow a power-law function, i.e. $$v_c(t)=V_{cc} \left( {t}/{t_{ss}}\right) ^p \;(0<t \leqslant t_{ss})$$ v c ( t ) = V cc t / t ss p ( 0 < t ⩽ t ss ) , in which $$t_{ss}$$ t ss (charging time duration between zero voltage to the terminal voltage $$V_{cc}$$ V cc ) and p ($$0<p<1$$ 0 < p < 1 ) act as two variable parameters. We used this history-dependence of the dynamic behavior of the device to uniquely retrieve information pre-coded in the charging waveform pattern. Furthermore, we provide an analytical model based on fractional calculus that explains phenomenologically the information storage mechanism. The use of this intrinsic material memory effect may lead to new types of methods for information storage and retrieval.

Experience shapes future foraging decisions in a brainless organism

The ability to change one’s behaviour based on past experience has obvious fitness benefits. Drawing from past experience requires some kind of information storage and retrieval. The acellular slime mould Physarum polycephalum has previously been shown to use stored information about negative stimuli. Here, we repeatedly exposed the slime mould to three stimuli with differing levels of potential risk: light, salt and lavender. We asked if the slime mould would change its foraging behaviour depending on the level of risk. In our experiment, taking risk yielded better food. We consistently selected individuals that made the same foraging decision (accepting risk or avoiding risk) over multiple trials. Hence, the same individuals were tested over a period of time, but only individuals that continued to make the same decision were allowed to continue. Regardless of selection regime, slime moulds in the light became more likely to select the food in the light over time, while those exposed to salt became more salt averse. Lavender had no effect. Our results can cautiously be interpreted as examples of non-associative learning, adding to a growing body of work showing that the absence of a central nervous system is no impediment to possessing sophisticated information processing.

The influence of ethical leadership and team learning on team performance in software development projects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of team learning processes (information acquisition, information processing and information storage and retrieval) on team performance in software development projects and to assess the effect of ethical leadership and its influence on these processes. Design/methodology/approach The authors examined 354 software development project teams in Thailand. A quantitative study was conducted through a Web-based survey, with structural equation modelling used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results of this study revealed that ethical leadership is positively correlated with the team learning processes of information acquisition, information processing and information storage and retrieval. However, only information processing and information storage and retrieval are positively related to team performance. The results indicate that ethical leadership has a positive direct effect on team performance. The results also show that the positive relationship between ethical leadership and team performance is partially mediated by team learning processes, namely, information processing and information storage and retrieval. Research limitations/implications This study highlights the importance of ethical leadership and guides managers towards considering the characteristics of both ethical leadership and team learning processes for enhancing team performance in software development projects. Originality/value This is the first study to the best of authors’ knowledge to examine the role of team learning processes in mediating the relationship between ethical leadership and team performance, particularly concerning software development projects. The present research contributes to the literature on team performance management, emphasising the manner in which ethical leadership can result in team learning and team performance. The findings of this study can be used to encourage organisations to develop ethical leadership behaviours and team learning processes in software development projects.

H-Rotation: Secure Storage and Retrieval of Passphrases on the Authentication Process

Passwords/passphrases can be either system generated or user-selected. A combination of both approaches is also possible—encryption created by the system and assigned to the user by the information system meeting the policy requirements. Policy rules can be designed to increase security and usability factors, such as information storage and retrieval. This paper proposes an algorithm dedicated to the security of passphrases in an online authentication, so the passphrase entered will be stored in a remote database. Through an SHA-3 hash function, the system must hash the pass phase. Before storage, the system must apply random rotations on the already generated HASH while eliminating any traceability performed on the different transactions performed. To prevent the hacker from using them recurrently if he wants to attack our database. Then the system must recover the real HASH and then the passphrase based on the data provided by the user in the form of codes.

Document Description and Coding as Key Elements in Knowledge, Records, and Information Management

Document description and coding are key operations to information storage and retrieval systems. Description makes it possible for users to obtain information about the documents while coding provides unique numbers to described documents, and enables users to locate, retrieve and store documents manually or electronically. Consequent upon the mass production of information and attendant information explosion, modern libraries and other information dissemination institutions, attached to various institutions, were established. A need therefore arose to put in place systems of achieving bibliographic control over the information produced and collected to facilitate its identification and location wherever it may be found. Among the major systems or tools that information professionals developed to achieve bibliographic control and organization of information include: cataloguing, classification, indexing and abstracting. Using largely documentary sources, the chapter makes a case on the critical role of document description and coding systems in information and knowledge management.