Information systems effectiveness: research designs for causal inference

Abstract. This paper examines the capacity of the research designs of 37 empirical studies of information systems (IS) effectiveness to provide a basis for the development of theories about behaviour related to IS effectiveness. The power of each study to support causal inference was evaluated in terms of (a) its handling of the time dimension, (b) its ability to weigh differences and (c) its resistance to internal validity threats that pose alternative explanations for its reported findings. Of the reviewed studies, 29.7% could account for the time dimension, 32.4% employed a comparison group and 16.2% were not susceptible to any internal validity threats. Only 13.5% of the studies combined an accounting for the time dimension with the use of a comparison group. Of these, however, only 5.4% were also invulnerable to internal validity threats. The research designs of nearly 95% of these published studies were deficient in supporting causal inference. In those studies, suggestions that one variable was causally related to another variable could not be substantiated. Encouragement for the future capacity of IS effectiveness research to support causal inference was found in a trend towards the use of quasiexperimental designs. Recommendations are made regarding ways to increase the inferential capacity of research designs employed in the study of IS effectiveness.     

An exploration of the problems of using function points mark II

Abstract. This paper examines critically the function point analysis mark II (FPA mark II) method of measuring the functionality of information systems. Although the focus of the paper is on FPA mark II as devised by Symons, both this and the Albrecht method, from which the FPA mark II was developed, are briefly discussed. The published attempts to validate FPA mark II are reviewed and then the problems encountered by the author in applying the approach are described. The final part of the paper is concerned with the fit between SSADM and FPA mark II.     

TJ10—74与GBJ10—89规范受弯构件正截面抗力转换系数

分析了 TJ10—74规范受弯构件正截面诸修订因素(砼强度“双改方案”、设计表达式、正截面计算方法……).在此基础上推演出 TJ10—74与GBJ10—89两规范关于受弯构件抗力转换系数.可供结构设计使用.     

输入——输出迭代算法中松弛因子的确定

本文利用变分的手段提示了输入—输出迭代算法中松弛因子的取值规律。     

Measurements of Stress Intensity Factors of an Interface Crack Under Mixed Mode Loading

The optical method of caustics has been utilised to measure both the stress intensity factor for a crack lying along the interface of an aluminium/epoxy bimaterial specimen, and the mode mixity arising from the difference in the elastic properties across the interface. Measurements were carried out by using a novel modification to the method whereby caustics are produced and measured from both sides of the specimen, so compensating automatically for the distortion induced in the specimen due to misaligned loading fixtures. A flat reflective surface across the interface was obtained by adhering a reflective coating to the specimen. Verification that this coating does not affect measurement accuracy was obtained by comparing stress intensity factors measured from coated and uncoated monolithic aluminium specimens where good agreement was found to exist between both measurements.     

Distributed memory systems for simulating artificial neural networks

In executing tasks involving intelligent information processing, the human brain performs better than the digital computer. The human brain derives its power from a large number [O(10¹¹)] of neurons which are interconnected by a dense interconnection network [O(10⁵) connections per neuron]. Artificial neural network (ANN) paradigms adopt the structure of the brain to try to emulate the intelligent information processing methods of the brain. ANN techniques are being employed to solve problems in areas such as pattern recognition, and robotic processing. Simulation of ANNs involves implementation of large number of neurons and a massive interconnection network. In this paper, we discuss various simulation models of ANNs and their implementation on distributed memory systems. Our investigations reveal that communication-efficient networks of distributed memory systems perform better than other topologies in implementing ANNs.     

强度调制／直接检测（IM／DD）光纤通信系统色散限制的研究

通过引入归一化脉宽Ｐ和相对脉冲展宽因子ｑ，提出了一个适用于ＩＭ／ＤＤ系统中各种眼图恶化量ｘ和归一化脉宽Ｐ的色散限制改进公式。通过与其它理论的比较、计算机仿真和对实验数据的分析，验证了该公式的正确性，并给出了其它结果的限制条件。研究表明：当眼图恶化量ｘ为１ｄＢ左右时，对２．５Ｇｂ／；外调制信号（α＝０）而言，非色散位移光纤ＩＭ／ＤＤ系统的色散因子γ约等于０．７９，所对应的系统再生中继距离约为９００余公里。     

辨识时变系统遗忘因子算法的收敛性分析

著名的递推遗忘因子算法（ＲＦＦＡ）可以用辨识时变系统参数，具有良好的跟踪性能，本文借助于随机过程理论分析了ＲＦＦＡ的收敛性和稳定性，给出了参数跟踪误差的上下界。     

钻井平台电站无功功率动态补偿技术的应用

论述了海洋钻井平台的功率因数及改善功率因数的重要意义和必要性，对实时无功功率动态补偿装置作了介绍，并对实施功率补偿后取得的效果和经济测算作了分析，提出了提高功率因数，进行功率补偿的推广应用建议。     

免棱镜全站仪检测建筑缺陷

本文介绍免棱镜全站仪及免棱镜测距原理,结合一个实例阐述工程应用——检测建筑缺陷。最后对其它应用和需要注意的问题作了简要说明。