bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MAINTAINING THE TRUTH OF SPECIFICATIONS IN EVOLUTIONARY SOFTWARE
Authors: RAMAMOORTHY C.V. , COOKE DANIEL E. , BARAL CHITTA
Published: November 2004

In this paper we explore how methods of truth maintenance and nonmonotonic reasoning may be applied in the engineering of integrated, dynamic systems. In the life of a large system, it is not possible to foresee every significant event which may affect the behavior of the system. Truth maintenance techniques may prove useful in the production and maintenance of these large systems. We discuss how it is that the decision making aspects of a system which change. Both the information on which we base our decisions and our strategies for decision making change. We discuss truth maintenance with respect to preserving the models of specifications and the models of programs. We discuss nonmonotonic reasoning and the need to have nonmonotonic program specification languages for evolutionary programs. We also discuss the relation between knowledge combination and software development.
THE C++ EMBEDDABLE RULE SYSTEM
Authors: MIRANKER DANIEL P. , BURKE FREDERIC H. , STEELE JERI J. , KOLTS JOHN , HAUG DAVID R.
Published: November 2004

Most the execution environments, having been derived from LISP, inference on internally defined data-types and come packaged with stand-alone development environments. Data derived from outside these systems must be reformatted before it can be evaluated. This mismatch leads to a duplicate representation of data, which, in turn, introduces both performance and semantic problems.

This paper describes a C++ Embeddable Rule System (CERS) which avoids this mismatch. CERS is a compiled, forward-chaining rule system that inferences directly on arbitrary C++ objects. CERS can be viewed as an extension of C++, where the methods associated with a ruleset class can be defined either procedurally or declaratively. CERS is unique in that rules may match against and manipulate arbitrary, user-defined C++ objects. There is no requirement that the developer anticipated using CERS when defining the class. Thus CERS rules can inference over data objects instantiated in persistent object stores and third-party. C++ abstract data-type libraries.
HISTORICAL RETE NETWORKS TO SUPPORT THE DEBUGGING OF FORWARD-CHAINING RULE-BASED PROGRAMS
Authors: TUTTLE SHARON M. , EICK CHRISTOPH F.
Published: November 2004

Forward-chaining rule-based programs, being data-driven, can function in changing environments in which backward-chaining rule-based programs would have problems. But, degugging forward-chaining programs can be tedious; to debug a forward-chaining rule-based program, certain ‘historical’ information about the program run is needed. Programmers should be able to directly request such information, instead of having to rerun the program one step at a time or search a trace of run details. As a first step in designing an explanation system for answering such questions, this paper discusses how a forward-chaining program run’s ‘historical’ details can be stored in its Rete inference network, used to match rule conditions to working memory. This can be done without seriously affecting the network’s run-time performance. We call this generalization of the Rete network a historical Rete network. Various algorithms for maintaining this network are discussed, along with how it can be used during debugging, and a debugging tool, MIRO, that incorporates these techniques is also discussed.
AN EVENT-BASED REAL-TIME LOGIC FOR THE SPECIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF REAL-TIME SYSTEMS
Authors: CHEN HORNG-YUAN , TSAI JEFFREY J.P. , BI YAODONG
Published: November 2004

Research on real-time systems now focuses on formal approaches to specify and analyze the behavior of real-time systems. Temporal logic is a natural candidate for this since it can specify properties of event and state sequences. However, “pure” temporal logic cannot specify “quantitative” aspect of time. The concepts of eventuality, fairness, etc. are essentially “qualitative” treatment of time. The pure temporal logic makes no reference to absolute time. For real-time systems, the pure qualitative specification and analysis of time are inadequate. In this paper, we present a modification of temporal logic—Event-based Real-time Logic (ERL), based on our event-based conceptual model. The ERL provides a high-level framework for specifying timing properties of real-time systems, and it can be implemented using Prolog programming language. In our approach to testing and debugging of real-time systems, the ERL is used to specify both expected behavior (specification) and actual behavior (execution traces) of the target system and to verify that the target system achieves the specification. In this paper, a method is presented to implement the ERL using Prolog programming language for testing and debugging real-time systems.
DYNORAII: A REAL-TIME PLANNING ALGORITHM
Authors: HAMIDZADEH BABAK , SHEKHAR SHASHI
Published: November 2004

There has been a recent rise in research on real-time planning algorithms. Most of these algorithms address either the issue of response-time constraints or the issue of dynamic environments. We propose a new real-time planning algorithm, DYNORAII, to address both of these issues simultaneously. DYNORAII is structured as a sequence of “partial planning and execution” cycles to avoid obsolescence of planned solutions at the time of execution. DYNORAII uses a stopping criterion to balance planning cost and execution cost to achieve near optimal response times. DYNORAII was used for the routing problem to optimize total cost in both static and dynamic environments. It shows better average-case time complexity than traditional real-time algorithms.
THE USE OF VERSION SPACE CONTROLLED GENETIC ALGORITHMS TO SOLVE THE BOOLE PROBLEM
Authors: REYNOLDS ROBERT G. , MALETIC JONATHAN I.
Published: November 2004

The Version Space Controlled Genetic Algorithms (VGA) uses the structure of the version space to cache generalizations about the performance history of chromosomes in the genetic algorithm. This cached experience is used to constrain the generation of new members of the genetic algorithms population. The VGA is shown to be a specific instantiation of a more general framework, Autonomous Learning Elements (ALE). The capabilities of the VGA system are demonstrated using the Boole problem suggested by Wilson [Wilson 1987]. The performance of the VGA is compared to that of decision trees and genetic algorithms. The results suggest that the VGA is able to exploit a certain set of symbiotic relationships between its components, so that the resulting system performs better than either component individually.
A HYBRID ELECTRO-OPTICAL ARCHITECTURE FOR CLASSIFICATION TREES AND ASSOCIATIVE MEMORY MECHANISMS
Authors: ISRAEL P. , KOUTSOUGERAS C.
Published: November 2004

An architecture is presented here which can be used for some important paradigms of intelligent systems. This architecture targets applications which require real time processing of stream inputs with versatile hardware which exploits parallelism. The architecture is particularly suited for pattern recognition paradigms which are based on the use of decision trees. Artificially intelligent systems based on decision trees interestingly present some common computational requirements which can be served very efficiently by a Data Flow architecture. A small set of different functions is computed repeatedly with simple result tokens passed from one computation to successive ones. Developments in optical processing have introduced elements which are particularly suited to the computational requirements of some of these systems, and therefore they can be effectively employed in this architecture. The architecture presented here is based on Data Flow design principles and is enhanced with optical processing elements. The function of the architecture is illustrated by discussing the mapping of two specific AI paradigms—a pattern classifier and an associative recall mechanism.
A RULEBASE MODEL FOR DATA AND KNOWLEDGE INTEGRATION IN MULTIPLE SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: BOUZIANE M’HAMED , HSU CHENG
Published: November 2004

There are three aspects of integration that a computerized enterprise using multiple systems must address: (1) data integration (among, e.g., product design databases, shop floor control databases, and production planning databases), (2) knowledge integration (across various knowledge-based systems that share common enterprise facts, operating rules, or decision logic), and (3) data and knowledge integration (as as to, at least, calibrate databases with factbases and data models with knowledge models).

A key issue in this integration problem is the global representation of knowledge (including data semantic constraints and application processing logic) in a form compatible with that of data resources. This paper develops a rulebase model to address this need. In particular, the model combines production rule and relation into a structure that allows (1) full factbase management, (2) inclusion of complete logic (both condition and action), and (3) efficient rulebase processing. It contributes directly to the problem of trigger management (or more generally, rule and event management) in both single-site and multiple-site data and knowledge systems. The model is implemented as a part of the Metadatabase system at Rensselaer.
PARALLEL IMPLEMENTATIONS OF NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: SHAMS SOHEIL , GAUDIOT JEAN-LUC
Published: November 2004

Neural network models have attracted much attention recently by demonstrating their potential at being an effective paradigm for implementing human-like intelligent processing. Neural network models, applied to “real-world” problems, demand high processing rates. Fortunately, neural network models contain several inherently parallel computing structures which can be utilized for high throughput implementations on parallel processing architectures. In this paper we describe the basic computational requirements and the various interconnection structures that are used by neural network models. A number of inherently parallel aspects of neural computing are described in detail along with a description of their specific demands on the supporting parallel processing architecture. The main obstacle in achieving efficient parallel implementations of neural networks is shown to be associated with the difficulty in efficiently supporting the complex and widely differing interconnection structures used by various neural network models. In this paper we survey several proposed implementation techniques organized based on a taxonomy of neural network interconnection structures.
BEYOND OBJECTS: OBJECTS
Authors: TSICHRITZIS DENNIS , NIERSTRASZ OSCAR , GIBBS SIMON
Published: November 2004

Object-orientation offers more than just objects, classes and inheritance as means to structure applications. It is an approach to application development in which software systems can be constructed by composing and refining pre-designed, plug-compatible software components. But for this approach to be successfully applied, programming languages must provide better support for component specification and software composition, the software development life-cycle must separate the issues of generic component design and reuse from that of constructing applications to meet specific requirements, and, more generally, the way we develop, manage, exchange and market software must adapt to better support large-scale reuse for software communities. In this paper we shall explore these themes and we will highlight a number of key research directions and open problems to be explored as steps towards improving the effectiveness of object technology.
INTEGRATED SUPPORT FOR DATA ARCHAEOLOGY
Authors: BRACHMAN RONALD J. , SELFRIDGE PETER G. , TERVEEN LOREN G. , ALTMAN BORIS , BORGIDA ALEX , HALPER FERN , KIRK THOMAS , LAZAR ALAN , McGUINNESS DEBORAH L. , RESNICK LORI ALPERIN
Published: November 2004

Corporate databases increasingly are being viewed as potentially rich sources of new and valuable knowledge. Various approaches to “discovering” or “mining” such knowledge have been proposed. Here we identify an important and previously ignored discovery task, which we call data archaeology. Data archaeology is a skilled human task, in which the knowledge sought depends on the goals of the analyst, cannot be specified in advance, and emerges only through an iterative process of data segmentation and analysis. We describe a system that supports the data archaeologist with a natural, object-oriented representation of an application domain, a powerful query language and database translation routines, and an easy-to-use and flexible user interface that supports interactive exploration. A formal knowledge representation system provides the core technology that facilitates database integration, querying, and the reuse of queries and query results.
A REFLECTIVE APPROACH FOR DATA-DRIVEN RULES
Authors: ETZION OPHER
Published: November 2004

This paper presents an alternative to the E-C-A approach adopted by most active database models, in which, whenever a given event occurs the database triggers some actions. A reflective paradigm is implemented in a dependency-oriented fashion. According to this paradigm, data driven rules are specified as invariants. The invariants are translated to a dependency graph and the execution logic is being self-determined at run-time using this dependency graph. This architecture is presented and discussed as a solution for data-driven rules with an extension to support event-driven rules.
LINK POLYNOMIALS AND A GRAPHICAL CALCULUS
Authors: KAUFFMAN LOUIS H. , VOGEL PIERRE
Published: November 2004

This paper constructs invariants of rigid vertex isotopy for graphs embedded in three dimensional space. For the Homfly and Dubrovnik polynomials, the skein formalism for these invariants is as shown below.

Homfly. [Formula: see text]

Dubrovnik. [Formula: see text]
LINK INVARIANTS ASSOCIATED TO TQFT’S WITH FINITE GAUGE GROUPS
Authors: FERGUSON KENNETH
Published: November 2004

It has already been rigorously established that if G is a finite group and α∈H4(G; ℤ), there is an associated 2+1-dimensional topological quantum field theory. In the case α=0, there is a Hopf algebra [Formula: see text] associated to the theory. We give an intuitive geometric solution to the Yang-Baxter equation for [Formula: see text] and go on to show that [Formula: see text] is a modular Hopf algebra. We also prove a structure theorem concerning the Verlinde algebra which is seen to correspond to an algebra structure on the space of finite dimensional representations of [Formula: see text]. A knowledge of this structure aids the development of the skein theory for the link invariants of Reshetikhin and Turaev which are associated to [Formula: see text].
REIDEMEISTER MOVES FOR SURFACE ISOTOPIES AND THEIR INTERPRETATION AS MOVES TO MOVIES
Authors: CARTER J. SCOTT , SAITO MASAHICO
Published: November 2004

A movie description of a surface embedded in 4-space is a sequence of knot and link diagrams obtained from a projection of the surface to 3-space by taking 2-dimensional cross sections perpendicular to a fixed direction. In the cross sections, an immersed collection of curves appears, and these are lifted to knot diagrams by using the projection direction from 4-space. We give a set of 15 moves to movies (called movie moves) such that two movies represent isotopic surfaces if and only if there is a sequence of moves from this set that takes one to the other. This result generalizes the Roseman moves which are moves on projections where a height function has not been specified.

The first 7 of the movie moves are height function parametrized versions of those given by Roseman. The remaining 8 are moves in which the topology of the projection remains unchanged.
LINK COBORDISM IN RATIONAL HOMOLOGY 3-SPHERES
Authors: GILMER PATRICK M.
Published: November 2004

We define the 2-signatures, 2-nullities and Arf invariants (when possible) for links which are null-homologous modulo two in a rational homology three-sphere. We define these invariants using the Goeritz form on non-oriented spanning surfaces. We develop their cobordism properties from this point of view. We give a good way to index these invariants. We also define d-signatures and d-nullities for links which are null-homologous modulo d in a rational homology sphere from the point of view of branched covers. We index d-signatures and d-nullities and develop their cobordism properties. Finally we define Arf invariants (when possible) in a general closed 3-manifold using spin structures.
HIGHER DERIVATIVE QUANTUM GRAVITY WITH TORSION IN THE CONFORMALLY SELF-DUAL LIMIT
Authors: ELIZALDE E. , ODINTSOV S.D.
Published: November 2004

The path integral for higher-derivative quantum gravity with torsion is considered. Applying the methods of two-dimensional quantum gravity, this path integral is analyzed in the limit of conformally self-dual metrics. A scaling law for fixed-volume geometry is obtained.
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM SCATTERING OF MAXIMALLY CHARGED DILATON BLACK HOLES
Authors: SHIRAISHI KIYOSHI
Published: November 2004

The classical and the quantum scattering of two maximally-charged dilaton black holes which have low velocities are studied. We find a critical value for the dilaton coupling, a2=1/3. For a2>1/3, two black holes are always scattered away and never coalesce together, regardless of the value of the impact parameter.
A FIRST STUDY OF GENERIC CUBIC TERMS IN GRAVITATION THEORIES
Authors: CAPRASSE H. , DEMARET J. , HOUBA P.
Published: November 2004

The generic cubic contributions to the Lagrangian of gravitation theory are considered. Field equations are determined and put in their simplest form. In the framework of Bianchi I cosmological models with a metric which is power-like in time, algebraic equations are obtained and their exact solutions are derived exploiting computer algebra techniques. These solutions are fully discussed. The analysis is, presently, essentially restricted to a space-time dimension equal to four but results obtained here open the way to an analysis in any dimension.
SCALE FACTOR DUALITY AND GENERAL TRANSFORMATIONS FOR STRING COSMOLOGY
Authors: CAPOZZIELLO SALVATORE , DE RITIS RUGGIERO
Published: November 2004

We adopt a general point of view to obtain the scale factor duality for a class of nonminimally coupled gravitational Lagrangians which comprises the tree-level effective Lagrangian of string-dilaton cosmology. We show that in a new system of coordinates the duality is a reflection and the Lagrangians become cyclic with respect to a coordinate. When this is the situation, the dynamics is simplified and it is easier to obtain exact solutions.
PRIMORDIAL NUCLEOSYNTHESIS CONSTRAINTS ON NEUTRINO DEGENERACY
Authors: KANG HO-SHIK
Published: November 2004

Based on the work by Kang and Steigman, I review the effects of neutrino degeneracy on big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN). Since the electron-neutrino degeneracy and the non-electron-neutrino degeneracy play a different role in the synthesis of the light elements ( D , 3 He , 4 He , 7 Li ), besides the baryon asymmetry (the nucleon-to-photon ratio; η ≡ nB/nγ) there are two additional free parameters in our scenario of degenerate BBN. An extended range of these parameters has been explored. It is shown that at a given η value, the agreement of the predicted primordial abundances of the light elements with those observationally inferred abundances restricts the permitted range of neutrino degeneracies, particularly the electron-neutrino degeneracy. Furthermore, we find that a large baryon density, even baryon-dominated, critical density (ΩB=1) Universe successfully provides the consistency between the predicted and observed abundances of all the light elements if neutrinos are degenerate enough. For an ΩB=1 Universe, for example, η10=80 is permitted if the electron-neutrino degeneracy and the expansion rate due to the non-electron-neutrino degeneracies fall in the ranges 1.2 ≲ ξνe ≲ 1.5, 17 ≲ S (ξνμ,τ) ≲ 33, respectively.
COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT AND GRAVITATIONAL REPULSION EFFECT I: HOMOGENEOUS MODELS WITH RADIATION
Authors: CHUONG NGUYEN HONG , HOANG NGUYEN VAN
Published: November 2004

Within the framework of the minimum quadratic Poincare gauge theory of gravity in the Riemann-Cartan spacetime, we study the influence of gravitational vacuum energy density (a cosmological constant) on the dynamics of various gravitating systems. It is shown that the inclusion of the cosmological term can lead to gravitational repulsion. For some simple cases of spatially homogeneous cosmological models with radiation, we obtain nonsingular solutions in the form of elementary functions and elliptic integrals.
THE PERIODIC CONTINUOUS EFFECT IN TERMS OF THE ALGEBRAIC RELATIONAL THEORY
Authors: LEGUIZAMÓN C.A.
Published: November 2004

An algebraic relational theory is being developed in order to represent biological systems. As a result, it is possible to explain, in terms of qualitative relationships, the behaviors of such systems. This paper deals with the periodic continuous responses of a new state derived from the interaction between low energies and matter. This effect was predicted by categoric developments of the algebraic relational theory.
A THEORY AND A MODEL FOR PATTERN GENERATION IN PLANTS
Authors: JEAN ROGER V.
Published: November 2004

This article introduces a systemic theory of phyllotaxis (study of primordial patterns on plants) and updates a mathematical model which is central in the theory. The theory deals with the descriptive and the functional aspects of phyllotaxis, and studies the origins of patterns as well. The article concentrates on the formal aspects of the model and on its explanatory values. The model possesses biological foundations which will not be recalled here. It supposes a principle of optimal design and the representation of phyllotactic patterns with control hierarchies. These hierarchies can be generated with irreducible matrices and L-systems. In the hierarchies, parameters can be identified representing important characteristics of growth that is complexity, stability and rhythm. A formula linking those parameters allows us to calculate the numerical cost of each one of the phyllotactic patterns and to order the costs. The various types of patterns come out, including whorled patterns which are seen as special cases of spiral patterns. The model proposes predictions which can be compared to observations. It predicts the existence of improbable patterns which have been later identified and it possesses explanatory values which have been interestingly put to contribution in difficult problems of pattern recognition in botany. It also possesses mathematical by-products in the theory of growth functions of L-systems, thus related to Perron-Frobenius spectral theory.
NON-CONNECTED BRANCHES OF ALTERNATIVE STATIONARY STATES IN THE 6-PHOSPHOFRUCTOKINASE/FRUCTOSE 1, 6-BISPHOSPHATASE MODEL CYCLE
Authors: HERVAGAULT J.-F. , SCHELLENBERGER W.
Published: November 2004

In a previous paper [26] the emergence of irreversible transitions between alternative branches of stationary states in a bistable dynamical regime of the phosphofructokinase/fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase model cycle was shown to exist in addition to reversible hysteretic transitions. In the case of irreversible transitions, all these transitions lead to only one of the branches of stationary states, and hence no hysteretic loop can take place. In the present report we demonstrate that for some parameters a situation may arise where, in a bistable dynamic regime, both limit points are not accessible by changes of the respective parameters. Then the system behaves like a monostable device although, depending upon its history, alternative stationary states related to distinct functional properties, e.g., the direction of fluxes or the energetic charge of the states, may be approached. Transitions from one branch of stationary solutions to another one would require adequate tuning of other parameters which could drive the system out of the domain in which non-connected bands of stationary states arise. In the investigated model system, the adenylate energy charge influx and the rate of the influx in the hexosemonophosphates may serve as parameters causing the emergence of non-connected bands of stationary solutions.
A DYNAMICAL THEORY OF HETEROCHRONY: TIME-SEQUENCING CHANGES IN ECOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION
Authors: ANTONELLI P. , BRADBURY R. , KŘIVAN V. , SHIMADA H.
Published: November 2004

This work provides a foundation for a quantitative dynamical theory of heterochronic processes in the evolution of colonial invertebrate animals including Bryozoans, Siphonophores and Ants. These processes are environmentally induced changes in the time-sequencing of growth and development which can produce alterations in the morphotypes or castes within an individual colony. Motivation comes from Křivan’s theory of environmentally induced constraints on population densities for ecological interactions, but the present theory is second order with allometric production variables xi and population densities for morphotypes, Ni. We are able to unite ecological theory and the allometric form of the Wilson Ergonomic Theory via projective differential geometry and Wagner spaces which provide a natural description of environmentally induced time-sequencing changes altering the allometric curve of a species. Such changes define a model of heterochronic processes important in paleontology.
EXTREMAL PROPERTIES OF BELIEF MEASURES IN THE THEORY OF EVIDENCE
Authors: DUBOIS DIDIBR , RAMER ARTHUR
Published: November 2004

An extension of Shannon entropy to the theory or belief and evidence is analyzed. Expressed as the weighed sum of logarithms of beliefs, it is termed an index of confusion. It is shown to exhibit a pathological behavior when reaching its maximum. The alternative, linear version of this index is shown to behave properly, reaching its extremum for a natural extension of the uniform distribution. Lastly, the consonant case of nested supports of evidence, is studied thoroughly, both in the finite setting, and when the frame of discernment is a real line.
FUZZY IF-THEN-UNLESS RULES AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: DOHERTY PATRICK , DRIANKOV DIMITER , HELLENDOORN HANS
Published: November 2004

We consider the possibility of generalizing the notion of a fuzzy If-Then rule to take into account its context dependent nature. We interpret fuzzy rules as modeling a forward directed causal relationship between the antecedent and the conclusion, which applies in most contexts, but on occasion breaks down in exceptional contexts. The default nature of the rule is modeled by augmenting the original If-Then rule with an exception part. We then consider the proper semantic correlate to such an addition and propose a ternary relation which satisfies a number of intuitive constraints described in terms of a number of inference rules. In the rest of the paper, we consider implementational issues arising from the unless extension and propose the use of reason maintenance systems, in particular TMS's, where a fuzzy If-Then-Unless rule is encoded into a dependency net. We verify that the net satisfies the constraints stated in the inference schemes and conclude with a discussion concerning the integration of qualitative IN-OUT labelings of the TMS with quantitative degree of membership labelings for the variables in question.
THE ADOPTION OF IT BY SMEs: THE DUTCH CASE
Authors: STROEKEN JAN H. M.
Published: November 2004

IT has become a major source of innovation, innovation that is crucial for the competitive strength of enterprises. This applies to large as well as to small enterprises. Small companies that follow technological trends are, however, confronted with a number of specific constraints that impede the application of IT. The aim of this article is to show that there are plenty of opportunities for SMEs to stimulate innovation by the implementation of IT. The second aim is to make clear what are the bottlenecks in the implementation of IT in SMEs, with the ultimate goal to formulate policy recommendations to stimulate the introduction of IT in SMEs. The structure of this article is as follows. First, we will sketch the role of IT in innovation processes. The introduction of IT first of all leads to process innovation (internal and external), followed by product innovation in the sense of more diverse, cheaper and customer specific products. Process innovation can best be described in terms of standardisation, differentiation, specialisation and (vertical and horizontal) integration. Subsequently, we will discuss the empirical results of several reports we made for the Dutch Council for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (RMK). We will make an inventory of the bottlenecks that occur during the innovation processes and the implementation of the required IT. The problem is that small enterprises often lack the necessary knowledge of the innovative possibilities of IT or find it difficult to apply it in practice. The latter is usually the case when there are considerable organisational consequences or when strategic vision is required with respect to the possible uses of IT. Finally, we will make a number of policy related recommendations.
THE FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DYNAMIC SMALL ENTERPRISES: PREDICTING SUCCESS AND FAILURE
Authors: HUTCHINSON PATRICK J. , MENGERSEN KERRIE
Published: November 2004

This paper deals with dynamic small enterprises which grow to achieve stock market quotation and comprises three main sections: a review of theoretical arguments concerning the effects of growth on small enterprises’ financial characteristics; a consideration of the predictability of small enterprise failure and success; and an assessment of development of predictive models. Results of empirical work in the UK and Australia are reported.

The first section of the paper deals with the development of a prior arguments concerning the effects of growth on financial characteristics. This links financial characteristics in the form of profitability, liquidity and leverage with stage of development of enterprises including that of growth. This includes consideration of the ‘finance gap’ and the effect of stock market flotation on small enterprises’ financial characteristics. The purpose of this theorising is to make explicit what might be expected in terms of the effects of growth on the financial characteristics of small enterprises. The section concludes with an explanation of the methodology for the empiricial studies carried out at the University of New England on this topic.

The second section of the paper deals with the predictability of small enterprise success and failure. This includes: consideration of the financial characteristics of dynamic small enterprises as they approach and go past stock market flotation; a review of previous work on predictive models in general and those for small enterprises in particular; and discussion of the issue of the problem of distinguishing between success and failure.

The third section deals with the issues involved in the development of predictive models. These include: statistical and theoretical issues; the reliability of financial statement data; and the incorporation of non-financial variables.

The conclusions consider the implications for relationships with providers of finance, particularly banks, and for owner-managers of the dynamic small enterprise. The finding that dynamic small enterprises have financial characteristics in common with bankrupt enterprises raises questions as to the effectiveness of credit scoring techniques which make use of accounting data. This in turn raises the prospect of small enterprises being denied finance and the creation of a new ‘finance gap’. Finally, consideration given to the implications of the findings for financial institutions, small enterprise owner-managers and for future research.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF SMALL FIRM FORMATION AND EXPANSION FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC WELL-BEING
Authors: DAVIDSSON PER , LINDMARK LEIF , OLOFSSON CHRISTER
Published: November 2004

Entrepreneurship, understood as the formation and growth of small, autonomous firms, is increasingly believed to be an important determinant of national and regional economic development. While several empirical studies in recent years have suggested that small firm formation is a major source of net new job creation, most studies that take on a regional perspective focus only on (gross) formation of new firms. The further development of these firms is thus neglected, and the positive relationship between small firm dynamics and economic well-being remains an assumption.

In this study, a unique and comprehensive data set is used for examining how gross dynamics-births, turbulence, and growth-among establishments in small versus large firms relate to regional economic development. The results suggest the following: firstly, high gross birth rates lead to high net birth rates. This relationship is not self-evident, since high birth rates could be accompanied by high death rates. The results also show that the net effect of gross firm births is contingent on current small firm density and on the sectoral distribution of the start-ups. Secondly, out of the net dynamics measures tested (net formation and expansion surplus of small firm and large firm establishments) net small firm formation appears to be the most important predictor of growth in economic well-being. Thirdly, measures of gross business dynamics can explain more of the changes in regional economic well-being than can measures of net dynamics.

In all, the results suggest that gross dynamics are important both for creating a net surplus of new firms and for reallocating resources for better use. They also suggest that for regional economic well-being, the vitality of the small firm sector is of great importance.
A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR DEPICTING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN SINGAPORE
Authors: WONG SOKE-YIN , WONG CHARMAINE LAI-YEEN , KWAN RICKY YUET-KEE , GANSHAM VATVANI CHANDRA
Published: November 2004

The degree to which environmental factors foster/hinder entrepreneurship is unique to each individual entrepreneur. It is hence not possible to describe the “average” entrepeneur and the “typical” process of venture creation and management.

As such, in this paper, a new model conceptualising the relationship between entrepreneurship and environmental factors is proposed. In this model, entrepreneurship (E) is conceptualised as being a function of the environmental factors (Ef) and personal attributes of the entrepreneur (Pa). Hence, E=f(Ef, Pa). The environmental factors affecting E are further categorised into a set of internal factors (Fin) and a set of external factors (Fex).

Several studies have already been undertaken to examine the personal attributes of entrepreneurs in Singapore which explains for their success/failure. This study focuses on Ef in Singapore to assess the favorability of Singapore’s environment in promoting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship development. A set of questionnaire designed for this purpose was sent to over 100 entrepreneurs, from which we received 44 usable responses. Environmental factors surveyed include financing, government assistance schemes, availability of labour, opportunity cost, competition by multi-national and government-related companies, the education system, social and cultural factors, technological advances and market opportunities. A detailed case study was also conducted with a successful local entrepreneur to further refine and validate our findings.

Our findings appear to indicate that in Singapore, external factors are more conducive in fostering entreneurship than the internal factors.
THE NATURE AND FUNCTION OF FINANCIAL REFERENCE POINTS IN JOINT VENTURES BETWEEN ANGLO-AMERICAN AND CHINESE PARTNERS
Authors: GEURSEN GUS M , RODRIGO ELAINE
Published: November 2004

This paper presents empirical research, which identifies financial reference points in Western business and joint ventures between Western and Chinese partners. The paper draws conclusions about the use, purpose and function of financial documents and reference points in this relationship. A theory is developed about differences in the perception of purpose between partners from these differing cultures. The Chinese culture appears to have little regard for the acquisition of items that can be cashed at a future time but instead value material contribution in the present. It therefore considers its assets, not in terms of exchange for material assets, but as the achievement of material goals through "Guanxi" credits.
SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED RETAILERS' PROMOTION STRATEGIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION - A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: KIM SHYAN FAM , MERRILEES BILL
Published: November 2004

This paper examines and compares the promotion strategies used by clothing and shoe retailers in the Asia Pacific region, namely Hong Kong, New Zeal and Australia. To undertake this study, we postal surveyed the clothing and shoe retailers' perceptions of the importance of various promotion tools across the three countries. The results show that there are significant differences among the three countries in terms of promotion mix usage. Our main conclusion is that there are two approaches to strategic promotion, namely traditional and new age marketing. The paper ends by isolating the managerial implications of the research and identifies related areas that might be fruitfully exploited by international retailers.
RESISTING TECHNICAL CHANGE — THREE CASE STUDIES
Authors: HALONEN RAIJA
Published: November 2004

This article investigates the form and nature of resistance to technical change in implementing information systems. The data come from three different case studies in different environment. The first case comes from a factory where work is done to support technological development but the development is not seen in direct throughout this process. The second case comes from an environment where the nature of work is highly human and social; technology is serving only as a tool. The third case is directly connected with technological development and change and the workers are the developers. Each environment has its special technology and relation. A human being is a part of an organization and tends toward inertia and stability. Resistance to change is always related to the angle of view that is used. The information system with its required technology is a part of the organization where it is used. The implementation of an information system influences on the functions in the organization and any changes in the organization result in some resistance. The resistance can be known or unknown and the influences of the resistance can be dramatic on the success of the implementation. In every case in this article the new information system is more technical and more complex than its predecessor. One purpose of this article is to consider the nature of resistance to technical change in different environments and to consider its influence on the implementation in that culture. It seems that there will be resistance to change and it is independent of the branch and culture of the environment. Another purpose of this article is to find out, how to affect on the possible resistance to technical change. This article consists of a literature review, a review of three different information system implementations, and the phenomena of resistance to change in the implementations. The user role is emphasized in the paper. At the end of this article there is a discussion about how the resistance to technical change was managed in the implementations in their very different working cultures and how it was seen in the success of the implementations.
The Bessel‐Struve intertwining operator on ℂ and mean‐periodic functions
Authors: Gasmi A. , Sifi M.
Published: November 2004

We give a description of all transmutation operators from the Bessel‐Struve operator to the second‐derivative operator. Next we define and characterize the mean‐periodic functions on the space ℋ of entire functions and we characterize the continuous linear mappings from ℋ into itself which commute with Bessel‐Struve operator.
Hypersymmetric functions and Pochhammers of 2 × 2 nonautonomous matrices
Authors: Antippa A. F.
Published: November 2004

We introduce the hypersymmetric functions of 2 × 2 nonautonomous matrices and show that they are related, by simple expressions, to the Pochhammers (factorial polynomials) of these matrices. The hypersymmetric functions are generalizations of the associated elementary symmetric functions, and for a specific class of 2 × 2 matrices, having a high degree of symmetry, they reduce to these latter functions. This class of matrices includes rotations, Lorentz boosts, and discrete time generators for the harmonic oscillators. The hypersymmetric functions are defined over four sets of independent indeterminates using a triplet of interrelated binary partitions. We work out the algebra of this triplet of partitions and then make use of the results in order to simplify the expressions for the hypersymmetric functions for a special class of matrices. In addition to their obvious applications in matrix theory, in coupled difference equations, and in the theory of symmetric functions, the results obtained here also have useful applications in problems involving successive rotations, successive Lorentz transformations, discrete harmonic oscillators, and linear two‐state systems.
Relationship between Prescribing and Risk of Opiate Overdose among Drug Users in and out of Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Man Lan-Ho , Best David , Gossop Michael , Stillwell Garry , Strang John
Published: November 2004

Opiate users (n = 135) from southern England, Glasgow and Edinburgh were interviewed about opiate overdose (lifetime). Fifty-six percent had overdosed. The majority (66%) reported mixing opiates with at least one other drug (mainly alcohol and/or benzodiazepines) at their last overdose. Patients identified misjudgements of purity, mixing drugs and misjudgements of tolerance as causes of overdose. The sample was divided into groups: (1) ‘no prescription’, (2) prescribed ‘diazepam only’, (3) prescribed ‘methadone only’ and (4) prescribed ‘methadone + diazepam’. The ‘methadone + diazepam’ group reported more lifetime and deliberate overdoses, the ‘methadone only’ group were more likely to have used several drugs at the time of their last overdose and the ‘no prescription’ group to have used only heroin. Drug users’ overdose risk may vary as a result of their prescribed and non-prescribed drug use. Interventions should be developed and tailored according to clients’ needs and current use patterns.
Tactile Foveation in the Star-Nosed Mole
Authors: Catania Kenneth C. , Remple Fiona E.
Published: November 2004

Star-nosed moles have a specialized somatosensory system with 22 mechanosensory appendages surrounding the nostrils. A pair of appendages (the 11th pair on the ventral midline) acts as the tactile fovea and is used for detailed investigations. Here we used a high speed video camera to document movements of the star while moles searched for small prey items. Mole foraging behavior was very fast; the star, which is just over a centimeter in diameter, was touched to different areas of the environment approximately 13 times per second. This suggests that a mole foraging without interruption could potentially investigate 46,000 cm2 of surface area per hour. In 100% of 526 trials in which prey was identified and eaten, star-nosed moles made rapid, saccadic movements of the star to investigate the contacted prey with the foveal appendages. The movements of the star were similar to visual saccades in other species. Maximum velocity of the star during saccades was approximately 40 cm/s, and most saccades were between 30 and 60 ms in duration. As in the primate visual system, small corrective saccades were often needed to accurately foveate. We quantified the number of contacts different appendages made with prey items of various sizes during each encounter and compared this distribution to a previously proposed simulation of star movements during prey encounters. The behavior pattern and the simulation produced similar distributions of contact between the appendages and prey, and both distributions were closely correlated with the degree of cortical magnification of the appendage representations in primary somatosensory cortex (S1).
A Strong Correlation Exists between the Distribution of Retinal Ganglion Cells and Nose Length in the Dog
Authors: McGreevy Paul , Grassi Tanya D. , Harman Alison M.
Published: November 2004

The domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, is a subspecies of the gray wolf, Canis lupus, with almost identical mitochondrial DNA. The dog is the most diverse species on earth, with skull length varying between 7 and 28 cm whereas the wolf skull is around 30 cm long. However, eye size in dogs does not appear to vary as much. For example, small dogs such as the chihuahua appear to have very large eyes in proportion to the skull. Our aim was to examine eye size and retinal cell numbers and distribution to determine whether the dog eye exhibits as much variation as the skull. We found a correlation between eye radius and skull dimensions. However, the most surprising finding was that the distribution of ganglion cells in the eye varied tremendously from a horizontally aligned visual streak of fairly even density across the retina (as seen in the wolf) to a strong area centralis with virtually no streak (for example, as observed in a pug from the current series). This variation in ganglion cell density within a single species is quite unique. Intriguingly, the ratio of peak ganglion cell density in the area centralis to visual streak was highly negatively correlated with skull length (r = –0.795, n = 22) and positively correlated with cephalic index (r = 0.687, n = 22). The orientation of eyelid aperture was also correlated with cephalic index (r = 0.648, n = 22). Therefore, the genetic manipulation of selective breeding, which has produced an abnormal shortening of the skull and eyelids with less lateral apertures, has also produced a considerably more pronounced area centralis in the dog.
In Vivo Tracking of Stem Cells for Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Frangioni John V. , Hajjar Roger J.
Published: November 2004

Various stem cells hold promise for the treatment of human cardiovascular disease. Regardless of stem cell origin, future clinical trials will require that the location and number of such cells be tracked in vivo, over long periods of time. The problem of tracking small numbers of cells in the body is a difficult one, and an optimal solution does not yet exist. We review the many contrast agents and detectors that have been proposed for stem cell tracking during clinical trials, define the characteristics of an ideal imaging technology, and suggest future directions for research.
Does the Quality of the Computer Graphics Matter when Judging Distances in Visually Immersive Environments?
Authors: Thompson William B. , Willemsen Peter , Gooch Amy A. , Creem-Regehr Sarah H. , Loomis Jack M. , Beall Andrew C.
Published: November 2004

In the real world, people are quite accurate in judging distances to locations in the environment, at least for targets resting on the ground plane and distances out to about 20 m. Distance judgments in visually immersive environments are much less accurate. Several studies have now shown that in visually immersive environments, the world appears significantly smaller than intended. This study investigates whether or not the compression in apparent distances is the result of the low-quality computer graphics utilized in previous investigations. Visually directed triangulated walking was used to assess distance judgments in the real world and in three virtual environments with graphical renderings of varying quality.