Web-based systems design: a study of contemporary practices and an explanatory framework based on “method-in-action”

This paper reports the findings of a detailed study of Web-based systems design (WBSD) practices in Ireland based on data collected over a 3-year period (2002–2005), the objectives of which were to (1) contribute towards a richer understanding of the current “real-world” context of WBSD by characterising the profile of a typical project (team size, timeframe, nature of requirements, etc.) and identifying the key challenges, constraints, and imperatives (i.e. “mediating factors”) faced by Web-based system designers, and (2) understand how those contextual parameters and mediating factors influence the activity of WBSD as regards the selection and enactment of whatever design practices are therefore engaged (i.e. the use of methods, procedures, etc.). Data was gathered through a survey which yielded 165 usable responses, and later through a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews. Using grounded theory, an explanatory conceptual framework is derived, based on an extension of the “method-in-action” model, the application of which to WBSD has not been previously investigated in depth. It is proposed that this framework of WBSD issues is valuable in a number of ways to educators, researchers, practitioners, and method engineers.     

The prospects of non-volatile phase-change RAM

Phase-change read-and-write memory (PRAM) is a promising memory that can solve the problems of conventional memory—scalability, read/write speed, and reliability. We will review the opportunities and technical challenges of PRAM. The most important challenge of PRAM is the reduction of the writing current. Various approaches to reduce the writing current will be reviewed and the prospects of PRAM are discussed.     

Alternating,all-trans polyenynes: Model compounds for poly(diacetylene)s with defined conjugation length

The syntheses of polyenynes as model compounds for poly(diacetylene)s (PDAs) are described. Variation of properties (UV–VIS, Raman, NMR and bond geometries) as a function of the chain length was investigated. After extrapolation to infinite chain length these data were compared to those for PDAs. From UV–VIS spectra a value of λ = 551 nm (2.25 eV) was calculated corresponding to the electronic transition of a single polyenyne chain. This energy is located at the low energy end of a yellow PDA solution spectrum. From Raman scattering v_(C?C) = 2108–2128 cm^?1 and v_(C?C) = 1505–1532 cm^?1 were calculated after extrapolation. Similarly sp-C¹³C NMR data yielded a shift of δ = 100 ppm. These data are almost identical to data known for yellow PDA solutions. Bond geometries are almost identical to those of poly(diacetylene)s and theoretical data.