Methodological implications of critical realism for mixed-methods research

Building on recent developments in mixed methods, we discuss the methodological implications of critical realism and explore how these can guide dynamic mixed-methods research design in information systems. Specifically, we examine the core ontological assumptions of CR in order to gain some perspective on key epistemological issues such as causation and validity, and illustrate how these shape our logic of inference in the research process through what is known as retroduction. We demonstrate the value of a CR-led mixed-methods research approach by drawing on a study that examines the impact of ICT adoption in the financial services sector. In doing so, we provide insight into the interplay between qualitative and quantitative methods and the particular value of applying mixed methods guided by CR methodological principles. Our positioning of demi-regularities within the process of retroduction contributes a distinctive development in this regard. We argue that such a research design enables us to better address issues of validity and the development of more robust meta-inferences.

Application of axial discontinuity factors for high conversion water reactors

The paper shows that generating cross sections using three-dimensional geometry and application of axial discontinuity factors are essential requirements for obtaining accurate prediction of criticality and zone average reaction rates in highly heterogeneous RBWR-type systems using computer codes based on diffusion theory approximation. The same methodology as presented here will be used to generate discontinuity factors for each axial interface between fuel assembly zones to ensure preservation of reaction rates in each zone and global multiplication factor. The use of discontinuity factors and three-dimensional cross sections may allow for a coarser energy group structure which is desirable to simplify and speed up transient calculations.

Precracked reinforced concrete t-beams repaired in shear with prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer straps

The results of an experimental and numerical investigation involving unstrengthened reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams and precracked RC T-beams strengthened in shear with prestressed carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) straps are presented and discussed. The results provide insights into the influence of load history and beam depth on the structural behavior of both unstrengthened and strengthened beams. The strengthened beams exhibited capacity enhancements of 21.6 to 46% compared to the equivalent unstrengthened beams, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of the prestressed CFRP strap system. Nonlinear finite element (FE) predictions, which incorporated the load history, reproduced the observed experimental behavior but either underestimated or overestimated the post-cracking stiffness of the beams and strap strain at higher load levels. These limitations were attributed to the concrete shear models used in the FE analyses.

Evolutionary Conservation of Dazl Genomic Organization and its Continuous and Dynamic Distribution Throughout Germline Development in Gynogenetic Gibel Carp

To investigate germline development and germ cell specification, we identified a Dazl homolog (CagDazl) from gynogenetic gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Its cDNA sequence and BAC clone sequence analyses revealed the genomic organization conservation and conserved synteny of the Dazl family members and their neighborhood genes among vertebrates, especially in fish. Moreover, a polyclonal antibody specific to CagDazl was produced and used to examine its expression and distribution throughout germline development at protein level. Firstly, ovary-specific expression pattern of CagDazl was confirmed in adult tissues by RT-PCR and Western blot. In addition, in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence localization demonstrated its specific expression in germ cells, and both its transcript and protein were localized to germ plasm. Then, co-localization of CagDazl and mitochondrial cloud was found, confirming that CagDazl transcript and its protein are germ plasm component and move via METRO pathway during oogenesis. Furthermore, the CagDazl is abundant and continuous throughout germline development and germ cell specification including primordial germ cell (PGC) formation, oogonium differentiation, oocyte development, and embryogenesis, and the dynamic distribution occurs at different development stages. The data suggest that maternal CagDazl might play an important role in gibel carp PGC formation. Therefore, CagDazl is a useful and specific marker for tracing germ plasm and germ cell development in the gynogenetic gibel carp. In addition, in comparison with previous studies in sexual reproduction species, the continuous and dynamic distribution of CagDazl protein in the germ plasm throughout the life cycle seems to have significant implication in sex evolution of vertebrates. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Deu. Euol.) 312B:855-871, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Quantum confinement of phonon modes in GaAs quantum dots

Phonon modes in spherical GaAs quantum dots (QDs) with up to 11,855 atoms (8 nm in size) are calculated by using an empirical microscopic model. The group theory is employed to reduce the computational intensity, which further allows us to investigate the quantum confinement of phonon modes with different symmetries and reveals a phenomenon that phonon modes with different symmetries have different quantum confinement effect. For zinc-blende structure, the modes with the A(1) symmetry has the strongest quantum confinement effect and the T-1 modes the weakest. This could cause a crossover of symmetries of the highest frequency from A(1) to T-2 when the size of QDs decreases. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.

Radiation response of partially-depleted MOS transistors fabricated in the fluorinated SIMOX wafers

Ionizing radiation response of partially-depleted MOS transistors fabricated in the, fluorinated SIMOX wafers has been investigated. The experimental data show that the, radiation-induced threshold voltage shift of PMOSFETs and NMOSFETs, as well as the radiation-induced increase of off-state leakage current of NMOSFETs can be restrained by implanting fluorine ions into the buried oxide of SIMOX wafers.

运动发酵单胞原生质球的形成和再生

运动发酵单胞(Zymomonas mobilis)ATCC29191菌株在含1～3g/L甘氨酸的液体培育12小时的菌体，用含20g/L的溶菌酶溶液处理12小时，可以稳定得到80%～90%的原生质球。原生质球稀释后在底层再生培养基上涂布，上面复盖一层半固体培养基，30℃培养5～7小时，再生率可达10~(-2)水平。

取代环戊二烯基稀土有机氯化物的合成及其反应

本文通过无水LnCl_3(Ln = Pr.Nd.Gd)与两倍摩尔的叔丁基环戊二烯基碱金属盐在THF中60－80℃反应，分离到一类新的二（叔丁基环戊二烯基）稀土氯化物（T-DuCp）_2 2net.nTHF (Ln = Pr,Nd,n = 2 Ln = Gd,n = 1)，对它们进行了元素分析。红外光谱及水鲜色质谱的表征。对于配合物（t-BuCp）_2PrCl·2THF的单晶，测定了它的晶体结构，晶体层单斜晶系P21/C空间群，晶胞参数为：a = 15.080 b = 8.855 c = 21.196A, β = 110.34°V = 2653.9A~3 δ = 4，结构分析表明此配合物是一中性的单分子配合物。最后的R = Rw = 0.058平均Pr-C.2.81 Pr-Cent 2.53A, Pr-Cl及Rr-O键长分别为2.72与2.62A。本文通过Lnel_3(Ln = Nd.Pr.Ga)与等摩尔的叔丁基环戊二烯基碱金属盐在THF中60－80℃反应，分离到一类中性的单(叔丁基环戊二烯基)稀土二氯化物，并对它们进行了元素分析，红外光谱及水鲜色质谱的表征。本文通过轻稀土元素La,Pr的三氯化物与带基钠以1:2摩尔比在THF中70－80℃反应，分离到了二带基轻稀土氯化物（CaH_7）_2LaCl.2THF及[(CqH_7)_2PrCl.THF]_2。并且对此二配合物进行了元素分析。红外光谱及水鲜色质谱的表征。对于[(CuH_7)_2PrCl.TH]_2配合物，测定了它的晶体结构，这是第一个得到结构表征的茚基稀土氯化物，晶体层于单斜晶系，P_(21)/C空间群，晶胞参数为a = 7.808 b = 17.796 c = 14.070A β = 93.97°v = 1950.31A. E = 2最后的R = 0.045. Rw = 0.039结构分析表明此配合物以中性的二聚体形式存在。平均的Pr-C.2.81 Pr-Cent 2.53. Pr-Cl.2.84H Pr-O钻长2.54A。为了进一步研究不同配体对配合物结构的影响，我们还研究了Gael_3与Nae_5Mes以1:1摩尔比在THF中的反应，分离到了两种配合物[(NaTHF)(C_5MesGd.THF)_2Cl_5]_2.6THF(I)及L_5Me_5GdCl2.3THF(II)并且对配合物（I），测定了它的晶体结构，晶体层于三斜晶系。Pi空间群。晶胞参数a = 12.183 b = 13.638 c = 17.883A, α = 110.38 β = 94.04 γ = 99.44°, V = 2721.20A, E = 1。结构分析表明，此配合物是一种以两个Na原子通过THF中的O原子而桥联的金层有机配合物，在结构上有十分新颖的特点。在此配合物分子中含有四个Gd原子及二个Na原子，Na及Gd间以Cl桥键相联结，Gd-Gd_2 = 4.033 Gdll-Na = 2.818A。最后的R = 0.04M Rw = 0.042。本文还对（t-BuCp）_2P_2Cl.2THF与NaH及LiAlH4的反应进行了初步的研究，分离到（t-Bucp）_2PrH.2THF及(t-Bucp)_2P_2RIH_4.3THF两种新的氢化物，并且对它们进行了元素分析，红外光谱的表征，对于它们水鲜产物的气相分中的H_2，用气相色谱法进行了定性表征。

竹叶青（Trimeresurus steinegeri）蛇毒凝血酶样酶研究

用MS-Sephadex C-25分离竹叶青粗毒，再经DEAE - Sephadex A-50和CM-Sephadex C-25纯化得到凝血酶样酶组分I。用DEAE-Sephadex A-50分离竹叶青粗毒，再经DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B纯化得到凝血酶样酶组分II。用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检查，组分I在两种电泳中均为一条带；组分II在两种电泳中均为二条带（靠得很近）。用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳切割法证明了组分II的二条带都是凝血酶样酶。理化性质测定证明：组分I分子量为54，500，大约由261个氨基酸残基组成，其中Asp和Glu含量较高，含有14%的中性已糖，13.1%的已糖胺和14.7%的唾液酸，等电点为3.5，在230nm波长处有典型的蛋白质吸峰，在280nm处的消光系数为OD_(1cm)~(0.1%) = 0.855，组分I对温度对酸碱都有较好的稳定性。组分II用SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测定，其分子量分别为54，000和47，000两种。凝胶电泳后用过碘酸-Schiff's试剂染色，证明组分II与组分I都是糖蛋白。

提高二极管激光阵列外腔锁相效率的实验研究

采用1/4 Talbot外腔实现宽条二极管激光阵列的锁相,在工作电流是35 A时,获得7.56 W的锁相输出功率,输出光束的远场图像是多瓣结构,锁相前后输出光的光谱宽度从2.0 nm压缩到0.2 nm.腔内插入焦距大约为5倍腔长的柱透镜,在相同电流下获得8.75 W的锁相输出功率,输出光的远场图像是多瓣结构,输出超模的数目有所减少,能量向中部集中,输出光的光谱宽度是0.2 nm.