Action Research and Critical Rationalisationism: A Virtuous Marriage

The increasing influence of socio-organizational issues in information systems poses serious challenges to the applicability of most traditional research approaches, since the mechanisms from which they derive their rigor and validity become more and more unrealistic in the new contexts. Indeed, traditional problem decomposition, standardization of procedures, and rigorous quantitative measurement under the control of independent researchers often lose sense in such contexts. We analyze action-research as an alternative approach, bearing in mind that its adoption requires careful consideration of the epistemological foundations that legitimate its use. In particular, we address the legitimacy of generalizing from the researcher’s findings, bearing in mind Karl Popper’s critical rationalism, to conclude that a virtuous relationship exists between critical rationalism and the mechanisms from which action-research draws its rigor and validity

Information Systems Design Under a Different Light

This paper presents a new information systems design method conceived to accommodate emerging design trends and face the increasing complexity of information systems. It takes into account the growing business pressures that are put upon IS designers, the rising appeal of ready-made software (such as ERP and CRM systems), the growing weight of intranets and extranets, the need to account for legacy, and the call for effective management of the evolving portfolio of heterogeneous solutions that the information systems of the present day have become. It follows an approach that is quite different from those found in traditional information systems planning, in that it does without detailed information systems architectures and uses instead an identification of organizational entities whose responsibilities towards their environment may be supported by a variety of systems alternatives. The results thus produced enable a clear view of the present and future direction of the information system, while retaining a close relationship to the original business needs and the actual deployment options. A quick reference is made to a tool developed to support the method

Quality Management Systems and Information Systems: Getting More than the Sum of the Parts

Companies are increasingly concerned with quality management of their products and services. Holding a quality certification, such as ISO 9001:2000, is becoming a compulsory requirement to play in selected markets. Designing a quality management system requires the extensive involvement of staff and managers and the analysis and redesign of business procedures. Interestingly enough, very similar requisites and tasks characterize enterprise systems design. However, the two endeavors are systematically conducted as separate projects, which are handled by different teams, equipped with unconnected methodologies. We present the first results of an approach we are developing to simultaneously address the design of the Quality Management System and of the Enterprise System. We identify the important synergies between the two initiatives, with the ultimate goal of creating a streamlined match between business processes and information system support, so that, when the project is finished, we can get both a fully operational information system and an officially certified quality audit for the whole enterprise

A Tale of Action-Research in Information Systems: Memories of a Ph.D. Student

This paper tells the tale of a Ph.D. student who used action-research to establish an information systems design methodology. It describes how he initiated his project, how he came across action-research, and how he slowly evolved in his search for coherence until he felt he could progress confidently. The paper is mainly intended to offer to readers who are unfamiliar with action-research a context where they can become aware of some of the difficulties of its use how they can be solved, and recognize some criteria that can be met to ensure that the results obtained are scientifically valid. The paper concludes by reflecting on the close relationship between action-research and the epis¬temology of the information systems field, suggesting that this relationship should be the object of further exploration

Bacteriophages in dentistry : State of the art and perspectives

Bacteriophages, viruses capable of killing bacteria, were discovered in 1915, but the interest in their study has been limited since the advent of antibiotics. Their use in dentistry is still very limited. The authors reviewed studies about bacteriophage structure, mode of action, uses in oral health, and possible future uses in dentistry associated with their possible action over biofilm, as well as the advantages and limitations of phage therapy

Influence of hot forging parameters on a low carbon continuous cooling bainitic steel microstructure

Thermomechanical processing of low carbon bainitic steels is used to obtain a bainitic microstructure with good strength and toughness by continuous cooling after forging without the need of further heat treating, hence reducing manufacturing costs. However, hot forging parameters can significantly influence the microstructure in the forged material. A series of heat treating and forging experiments was carried out to analyze the effect of austenitizing time and temperature on the grain growth and the effect of forging temperature on the Prior Austenite Grain Size (PAGS) and continuously cooled microstructure. The forged microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy, microhardness tests, and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that at 1200 ◦C austenitizing temperature abnormal grain growth takes place. Forging temperature significantly affects the PAGS and the subsequently formed microstructure. At high forging temperature (1200 ◦C), an almost fully bainitic microstructure was obtained. As the forging temperature was reduced to 1100 and 1000 ◦C, the PAGS refined, while the polygonal ferrite faction increased and the amount of retained austenite decreased. Further evaluations showed that a decrease in the forging temperature results in a higher carbon concentration in solution in the retained austenite leading to a stabilization effect

In vitro antibacterial activity of a silicone-based endodontic sealer and two conventional sealers

: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the modification in the silver component is capable of providing GuttaFlow 2 with antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis compared with epoxy resin-based (AH Plus) and zinc oxide and eugenol-based (Endofill) sealers. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using a reference strain of E. faecalis (ATCC 29212). Freshly mixed sealers were subjected to the agar diffusion test (ADT), while the direct contact test (DCT) was performed after materials setting. ADT results were obtained through measurements, in millimeters, of the inhibition zones promoted by the materials, using a digital caliper. In DCT, values of CFU/mL promoted by the three sealers were compared in three experimental periods (1 min, 1 h, and 24 h). The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn post-hoc tests (p < 0.05). In both ADT and DCT, GuttaFlow 2 presented no effect against E. faecalis, while Endofill and AH Plus showed similar inhibition zones. Endofill was the only material capable of reducing bacterial growth in DCT. In conclusion, modifications in the silver particle of GuttaFlow 2 did not result in a sealer with antibacterial effect against E. faecalis

Surgical excision of a residual cyst in a patient with previous history of jaw osteonecrosis associated with oral bisphosphonate: A case report

Residual cyst is an inflammatory odontogenic cyst resultant from pulp necrosis, where the tooth has already been removed. Bisphosphonates are drugs used in the prevention and treatment of bone metabolism diseases with intense resorption activity, and they have been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaws, an important side effect. The aim of this study was to report a successful surgical treatment of a residual cyst in a patient who had previously developed jaw osteonecrosis associated with sodium alendronate use. We emphasize here the importance of safe preoperative procedures when approaching these patients.