WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE METHODS? - AN EXAMINATION ON THE FREQUENCY OF RESEARCH METHODS FOR IS CONFERENCES FROM 2006 TO 2010

The objective of this study was to analyze, which research methodologies are currently being used in the field of Information Systems (IS). To analyze research activities from different parts of the world, the proceedings of five conferences ?on Information Systems? were included over a five year period from 2006 to 2010. In addition to the ?International Conference on Information Systems? (ICIS), papers were also taken from the regional Americas (AMCIS), Australasian (ACIS), European (ECIS) and Pacific Asia (PACIS) conferences on information systems. The results of this study indicated that two methods were most popular at conferences by far: ?survey? and ?concept implementation / proof of concept?. Both at conferences and in journals in the IS field, researchers concentrated on only a few research methods, which meant that many other research methods were rarely used. Across all conferences, a trend towards methods orientation could be observed. Only few conference-specific differences in method usage could be found. Across all conferences, researchers noted a slightly increasing trend towards using combinations of methods. Some differences in preferred method combinations could be identified among regional conferences and ICIS. Compared to recent journal-based studies, the favored research methods were quite similar

Relokalisierung von Erdbeben im südlichen Wiener Becken und angrenzenden Gebieten im Rahmen des Carpathian Basins Project

Zwischen April 2007 und August 2008 waren 15 Breitband Seismometer Stationen in Ostösterreich im Rahmen des Carpatian Basins Project in Betrieb. Die Daten dieser Stationen wurden verwendet um Erdbeben im Mur-Mürztal und dem südlichen Wiener Becken zu lokalisieren. In diesem Gebiet wird auch das höchste seimische Risiko Ostösterreichs erwartet (Hammerl und Lenhardt, 1997). Das Ziel dieser Diplomarbeit ist die Verbesserung der von der Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG) ermittelten Lokationen durch eine auf den neu erhobenen seismischen Daten basierende Relokalisierung. Die von der ZAMG publizierten Lokationen beruhen auf den Daten der Permanentseismometernetze Österreichs und angrenzender Länder. Da diese Netzwerke im Untersuchungsgebiet keine hohe Stationsdichte aufweisen, können kleinere Erdbeben nur mit hoher Unsicherheit lokalisiert werden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt, dass die Lokationsgenauigkeit durch die Verwendung des temporären Netzwerks deutlich erhöht werden kann. Durch die Verwendung eines kalibrierten 3D Geschwindigkeitsmodells zur Laufzeitberechnung kann eine weitere Verbesserung der Hypozentren erzielt werden (Hausmann et al., 2010). Um ein besseres Verständnis für die aktive Tektonik und das seismische Risiko zu erlangen ist eine gute Kenntnis der Erdbebenlokationen Voraussetzung.Between April 2007 and August 2008 15 Broadband Seismometer stations had been deployed in Eastern Austria in the framework of the Carpathian Basins project. The data of these stations was used to relocate seismic events in the Mur-Mürz valley and the southern Vienna Basin. This is also the region with the highest expected seismic risk in Eastern Austria (Hammerl and Lenhardt, 1997). The aim of this work is to enhance the locations determined by the Austrian Central Institute for Metrology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) through a relocation based on the newly acquired additional seismological data. The original locations published by ZAMG are based on data from the permanent seismic networks in Austria and adjacent countries. Since these networks are not very dense in the region of interest, small events can only be located with great uncertainty. I can show in this thesis that location accuracy is significantly improved by the addition of the temporary seismic stations. Hypocenters are even further improved by using a calibrated 3D velocity model for traveltime calculation (Hausmann et al., 2010). To gain a better understanding of current tectonics and ultimately the seismic hazard of the region a good knowledge of earthquake locations is essential

A culture of greed:Bubble formation in experimental asset markets with greedy and non-greedy traders.

This study investigates the relationship between the motive of greed and various asset market indicators, such as trading activity and bubble formation (i.e., mispricing, overpricing, and price amplitude). We ran experimental asset markets that allowed us to measure individuals’ greed in order to create markets populated with greedy individuals and markets with non-greedy individuals. Regarding trading activity, we found that greedier individuals had higher trading activity on the individual level but not on the market level. On the market level, high-greed markets exhibited less frequent and smaller price bubbles than markets with less greedy traders. If our findings translate to actual markets, greed itself might not contribute to asset market bubbles

A culture of greed: Bubble formation in experimental asset markets with greedy and non-greedy traders

This study investigates the relationship between the motive of greed and various asset market indicators, such as trading activity and bubble formation (i.e., mispricing, overpricing, and price amplitude). We ran experimental asset markets that allowed us to measure individuals’ greed in order to create markets populated with greedy individuals and markets with non-greedy individuals. Regarding trading activity, we found that greedier individuals had higher trading activity on the individual level but not on the market level. On the market level, high-greed markets exhibited less frequent and smaller price bubbles than markets with less greedy traders. If our findings translate to actual markets, greed itself might not contribute to asset market bubbles

Differential expression of protein kinase C isoforms in coronary arteries of diabetic mice lacking the G-protein Gα11

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diabetes mellitus counts as a major risk factor for developing atherosclerosis. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is commonly known to take a pivotal part in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, though the influence of specific PKC isozymes remains unclear. There is evidence from large clinical trials suggesting excessive neurohumoral stimulation, amongst other pathways leading to PKC activation, as a central mechanism in the pathogenesis of diabetic heart disease. The present study was therefore designed to determine the role of G_q-protein signalling via Gα₁₁in diabetes for the expression of PKC isozymes in the coronary vessels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The role of Gα₁₁in diabetes was examined in knockout mice with global deletion of Gα₁₁compared to wildtype controls. An experimental type 1-diabetes was induced in both groups by injection of streptozotocin. Expression and localization of the PKC isozymes α, βII, δ, ε, and ζ was examined by quantitative immunohistochemistry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>8 weeks after induction of diabetes a diminished expression of PKC <b>ε </b>was observed in wildtype animals. This alteration was not seen in Gα₁₁knockout animals, however, these mice showed a diminished expression of PKCζ. Direct comparison of wildtype and knockout control animals revealed a diminished expression of PKC δ and ε in Gα₁₁knockout animals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study shows that expression of the nPKCs δ and <b>ε </b>in coronary vessels is under control of the g-protein Gα₁₁. The reduced expression of PKC ζ that we observed in coronary arteries from Gα₁₁-knockout mice compared to wildtype controls upon induction of diabetes could reduce apoptosis and promote plaque stability. These findings suggest a mechanism that may in part underlie the therapeutic benefit of RAS inhibition on cardiovascular endpoints in diabetic patients.</p