On the shortage of engineering in recent information systems research

In this paper we argue that the so-called 'positivism'-versus-'interpretivism' conflict raised by some constructivist, postmodernist, relativist philosophers and methodologists in information systems research is merely a pseudo problem which has no basis in reality. This pseudo problem of so-called 'positivism' versus 'interpretivism' only distracts from the genuine problem of the information systems discipline, namely the design and construction of reliable devices from reasonable specifications, for well-defined purposes, on the basis of scientifically acceptable principles. In contrast to those relativist 'philosophies' we show that information systems research actually belongs to the domain of engineering which already has its time-tested methodology and epistemology, including a trinity of scientific-nomothetic, hermeneutic-idiographic, as well as pragmatic-normative elements. By accepting fact that information systems research is a specific instance of engineering research, which also includes (and has always included) the un-quantifiable 'human dimension', a number of fruitless debates can be terminated for the sake of genuine progress in information systems' theory, design and deployment.National Research Foundatio

On the shortage of engineering in recent information systems research

In this paper we argue that the so-called 'positivism'-versus-'interpretivism' conflict raised by some constructivist, postmodernist, relativist philosophers and methodologists in information systems research is merely a pseudo problem which has no basis in reality. This pseudo problem of so-called 'positivism' versus 'interpretivism' only distracts from the genuine problem of the information systems discipline, namely the design and construction of reliable devices from reasonable specifications, for well-defined purposes, on the basis of scientifically acceptable principles. In contrast to those relativist 'philosophies' we show that information systems research actually belongs to the domain of engineering which already has its time-tested methodology and epistemology, including a trinity of scientific-nomothetic, hermeneutic-idiographic, as well as pragmatic-normative elements. By accepting fact that information systems research is a specific instance of engineering research, which also includes (and has always included) the un-quantifiable 'human dimension', a number of fruitless debates can be terminated for the sake of genuine progress in information systems' theory, design and deployment.National Research Foundatio

Applications of hybrid and digital computation methods in aerospace-related sciences and engineering

The computing equipment in the engineering systems simulation laboratory of the Houston University Cullen College of Engineering is described and its advantages are summarized. The application of computer techniques in aerospace-related research psychology and in chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering is described in abstracts of 84 individual projects and in reprints of published reports. Research supports programs in acoustics, energy technology, systems engineering, and environment management as well as aerospace engineering

Sounds, acoustic behaviour and gillnet entanglement of Hector's dolphin.

Vocalisations of free-ranging Hector's dolphins were recorded with wide-band recording equipment. Preliminary analyses of these sounds showed them to be high-frequency clicks centred around 120-125kHz. Digital signal processing methods were used to automatically measure many features of the sounds and, in combination with multivariate statistical methods, to provide a quantitative analysis of the acoustic repertoire of Hector's dolphins. Almost all of the sounds made were narrowband, high-frequency clicks of comparatively simple structure. Hector's dolphins make very few audible sounds, the most common of which is made up of high-frequency clicks emitted at such high repetition rates that the repetition rate is audible as a tonal "cry" or "squeal". Multivariate analyses of the automatically measured data revealed different types of high-frequency clicks according to their frequency and timing characteristics. The sounds are described in detail, as are the techniques used to automate the digital measurement process. To gain an insight into the possible role of these signals as echolocation signals, the ambiguity functions of different types of click are presented. With any simple sonar signal, the structural demands of range measurement and resolution of target velocity are in conflict. These analyses show that Hector's dolphin sonar signals are poorly suited to determining target velocity, but are well suited to resolving target range. Information about target velocity is accessible to the dolphin only from the trend of range measurements during a sequence of clicks. To explore whether click types have different communicative meaning, I analysed whether certain click types were used disproportionately in different behavioural contexts. Hector's dolphin clicks do not appear to be used solely in sonar. Click types with complex spectra were used more often in large groups than in small ones, and double pulses (in the time domain) were used more often in "surface active" groups than in "long-diving" ones, suggesting they have some social significance. High repetition rate sounds ("cries") were much more commonly associated with aerial behaviours than with feeding, and appear to indicate excitement. I conclude that there is a general association between sounds and behaviour, and hypothesise that dolphins may have developed a communication system based on the ability to interpret each other's sonar echoes. Several workers have suggested that gillnet entanglement is essentially an acoustic problem, as the dolphin's sonar apparently fails to detect the nets. The Pegasus Bay/Canterbury Bight gillnet fishery was studied to investigate gillnet entanglement. Over the four years of the study, 230 Hector's dolphins were reported killed in gillnets. Most dolphins (89%) were caught within four miles of the shore, and over the summer months of November to February (91%). The acoustic aspects of this problem were explored in an analysis of proposals to reduce entanglement by modifying gillnets. I show that neither making the nets more reflective to dolphin sonar nor warning of their presence by attaching sound emitters has proved successful, and argue that they are unlikely to be successful because of logical and practical difficulties with the concepts. I conclude that the best management strategy for the reduction of gillnet entanglement is the closure of specific areas to gillnetting

Characterizing radio channels : the science and technology of propagation and interference, 1900-1935

Thesis (Ph. D. in History and Social Study of Science and Technology (HASTS))--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Science, Technology and Society, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 409-429).Guglielmo Marconi's trans-Atlantic wireless experiment in 1900 marked the beginning of a communication revolution that transformed the open space above the earth into channels of information flow. This dissertation grapples with the historical conditions that gave rise to such a transformation: the studies of radio-wave propagation and the treatments of radio interferences in early twentieth-century America and Western Europe. The part on propagation examines the debate between the surface diffraction theory and the atmospheric reflection theory for long waves, the development of the ionic refraction theory for short waves, the evidential quests for the existence of the ionosphere, and the studies of the geomagnetic effects on propagation. The part on interferences focuses on the engineering efforts toward the characterization of atmospheric noise and signal-intensity fluctuations, the policies of radio-channel allocation for fighting man-made interference, and the scientific research into electronic tube noise. By the mid-30s, the results from these endeavors had considerably improved the quality of radio communication. Characterizing Radio Channels builds a bridge between the history of science and the history of technology by inspecting an immaterial engineering entity--radio channels--whose control required significant scientific research. In the history of science, it contributes to an integrated study of electrical physics and geophysics. In the history of technology, it enriches radio history, epistemology of engineering knowledge, consumer studies, and the studies of technological policies. Combining both fields with the concept of radio channels enables a new understanding of the historical conditions that made the information society(cont.) social factors that facilitated the modern research organizations in academia, industry, governments and the military.by Chen-Pang Yeang.Ph.D.in History and Social Study of Science and Technology (HAST

Coupled structural, thermal, phase-change and electromagnetic analysis for superconductors, volume 2

Two families of parametrized mixed variational principles for linear electromagnetodynamics are constructed. The first family is applicable when the current density distribution is known a priori. Its six independent fields are magnetic intensity and flux density, magnetic potential, electric intensity and flux density and electric potential. Through appropriate specialization of parameters the first principle reduces to more conventional principles proposed in the literature. The second family is appropriate when the current density distribution and a conjugate Lagrange multiplier field are adjoined, giving a total of eight independently varied fields. In this case it is shown that a conventional variational principle exists only in the time-independent (static) case. Several static functionals with reduced number of varied fields are presented. The application of one of these principles to construct finite elements with current prediction capabilities is illustrated with a numerical example

Coupled structural, thermal, phase-change and electromagnetic analysis for superconductors, volume 1

This research program has dealt with the theoretical development and computer implementation of reliable and efficient methods for the analysis of coupled mechanical problems that involve the interaction of mechanical, thermal, phase-change and electromagnetic subproblems. The focus application has been the modeling of superconductivity and associated quantum-state phase-change phenomena. In support of this objective the work has addressed the following issues: (1) development of variational principles for finite elements; (2) finite element modeling of the electromagnetic problem; (3) coupling of thermal and mechanical effects; and (4) computer implementation and solution of the superconductivity transition problem. The research was carried out over the period September 1988 through March 1993. The main accomplishments have been: (1) the development of the theory of parametrized and gauged variational principles; (2) the application of those principled to the construction of electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical finite elements; and (3) the coupling of electromagnetic finite elements with thermal and superconducting effects; and (4) the first detailed finite element simulations of bulk superconductors, in particular the Meissner effect and the nature of the normal conducting boundary layer. The grant has fully supported the thesis work of one doctoral student (James Schuler, who started on January 1989 and completed on January 1993), and partly supported another thesis (Carmelo Militello, who started graduate work on January 1988 completing on August 1991). Twenty-three publications have acknowledged full or part support from this grant, with 16 having appeared in archival journals and 3 in edited books or proceedings