Emphasizing the communication aspects for the successful development of electronic business systems

In order to be successful, web-based electronic business systems have to be developed in such a way that both the customers needs and the business intentions of the provider are met. As human-to-human interaction is partly replaced by human-computer interaction in such systems, this requires anticipating the users behaviour and paying a lot of attention to the communication aspects.In this article a development method is suggested that emphasizes the communication aspects in web-based systems. It is based on user profiling and story boarding. User profiles can be used to classify user needs as well as the various kinds of system support for them. The story board describes stories, i.e. navigation paths of users through the system, which can be used to model the behaviour of users.To discover user profiles and stories, two interleaved activities are suggested: communication analysis and linguistic analysis. Communication analysis addresses typical human-to-human interaction in the application domain and classifies typical communication barriers. We argue that using localisation abstraction and metaphors can help to overcome communication barriers, implying that their use may enhance the users understanding and successful navigation through a web site. Linguistic analysis addresses how the activities of the users would be described in natural language. Analysing the used word fields and metaphorical structures may provide guidance for centering the story board around the central activities. We use a typical banking application, on-line loan systems, as an example to illustrate our method.Acknowledgement The research reported in this article is supported by the Massey University Academy of Business Research Fund (Project Story boarding for web-based services, 2002/03). The authors would like to thank Bernhard Thalheim and Heinrich Mayr for their helpful and constructive comments on preliminary versions of this article.     

Investigation of microstructural processes during ultrasonic wedge/wedge bonding of AlSi1 wires

The wedge microstructure of AlSi1 wire bonds as well as the interface between the bonding wire and the Cu/Ni/Au metallization layer especially for chip on board (COB) assemblies was investigated by focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and microhardness measurements. The as-received wires were characterized by fiber texture of 〈111〉 and 〈100〉 orientation. With increasing ultrasonic (US) power, the results indicate recrystallization of the grain structure and decreasing microhardness inside the bonded wedge contacts. The interface between the AlSi1 wire and the Cu/Ni/flash-Au metallization layer of the optimized bonds consists of a closed crystalline Au layer. Above this Au layer, a second zone consisting of intermetallic phases was analyzed and identified by electron diffraction as Au₈Al₃.     

Axiomatizing functional dependencies in the Higher-Order Entity-Relationship Model

A finite axiomatization of functional dependencies on conceptual database schemata is presented which naturally generalizes the well-known Armstrong axioms. The underlying conceptual data model is the Higher-Order Entity-Relationship Model.     

Photoinduced-electron-transfer chemistry: from studies on PET processes to applications in natural product synthesis

The application of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) for the construction of heterocyclic ring systems is an appealing route in synthetic organic photochemistry. Electronically excited carbonyl chromophors in ketones, aldehydes, amides, or imides are strong electron acceptors that oxidize alkenes, amines, thioethers, or carboxylates. In subsequent steps, the radical anions formed thereof either are operating as secondary electron donors and initiate a photon-driven chain reaction or combine with electrophilic species and form products. These reactions are applied in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. The basic structures of these target molecules are bicyclic tertiary amines from the pyrrolizidine, benzopyrrolizidine, and indolizidine families, cyclic oligopeptides, macrocyclic ring systems, and many more.     

A new approach for the production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid by in situ oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural starting from fructose

The production of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) starting with fructose as substrate via acid-catalyzed formation and subsequent oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) was investigated. It was shown that an effective separation of the oxidation catalyst from fructose in combination with extraction and derivatization of formed HMF in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) leads to formation of FDCA as final product. Two systems were developed to realize the concept, one by phase separation with a membrane, the other by encapsulating the oxidation catalyst in silicone beads. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Der Substituenteneinfluß auf IR-Spektrenparameter von 4′-phenylsubstituierten (E)-Styryl-methyl-sulfonen

The Influence of Substituents on the I.R. Spectral Parameters of 4′-Phenylsubstituted (E)-Styryl-methyl-sulphones The positions and integrated intensities of the bands corresponding to characteristic vibrations of eight 4′-phenylsubstituted (E)-styryl-methyl-sulphones were determined and correlated with substituent constants. The results demonstrate a linear dependence of the wavenumbers of vSO₂ and VCC vibrations, respectively, with the electrophilic substituent constants σ. Otherwise the square roots of the integrated intensities A^1/2 (v^sso₂) and σ gave no linear correlation. The influence of the substituents on the i.r. spectral parameters is discussed and compared with π-bond orders and π-electron densities. These magnitudes reflect qualitatively the behaviour of i.r. frequencies and intensities of selected absorption bands.     

Safe transport of cyanamide

For many years cyanamide (CAS no. 420-04-2) was not commercially available due to its unstable nature. Since about 1965 the former “Süddeutsche Kalkstickstoffwerke AG” (current name: AlzChem Trostberg GmbH) developed a special stabilizing system. It was to be investigated to which Class (e.g. “Corrosive Substances”, Class 8) or Division (e.g. “Self-reactive Substances”, Division 4.1) of the International Regulations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods cyanamide (pure or as a 50% solution in water) should be assigned and based on this which maximum quantities are allowed to transport e.g. in tanks. Cyanamide is used for the synthesis of pharmaceutical and agrochemical actives, biocides, dyestuffs and fine chemicals.During the last years cyanamide was tested at BAM and AQura. The results and an appraisal are presented in this paper. Thus, cyanamide should be classified according to the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in Class 8, UN number 2922 (50% solution in water) and UN number 2923 (pure substance) respectively, packaging group III, danger labels 8 + 6.1. Cyanamide, 50% solution in water, can be transported in portable tanks under specific conditions.