bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computation of Equilibrium Vortex Structures for Type-II Superconductors
Authors: Jones Mark T. , Plassmann Paul E.
Published: March 2007

A model of the vortex structure and configuration for homogeneous type-II superconductors can be deter mined by minimization of the Ginzburg-Landau free energy functional. A generalization of this formulation, the Lawrence-Doniach model, can be used for layered systems. A finite-dimensional approximation of this functional leads to a very large, sparse optimization problem. A number of algorithms have been used to attempt to solve this problem. The most successful of these is a damped, inexact Newton algorithm. Its com putational kernel is the iterative solution of a large, sparse, linear system that is nearly singular. We present computational results for solving these three- dimensional problems on the Intel DELTA. Using a general-purpose, scalable, iterative solver based on the preconditioned conjugate gradient method, we ob tained sustained computational rates of up to 4.26 GFLOPS on 512 processors. We find improvements of over a factor of 100 in the total execution time when compared with the same problem run on the CRAY-2. This computational tool has given us the first compu tational view of three-dimensional vortex phenomena such as vortex locking.
A Concurrent Adaptive Conjugate Gradient Learning Algorithm On Mimd Shared-Memory Machines
Authors: Adeli H. , Hung S.L.
Published: March 2007

A concurrent adaptive conjugate gradient learning al gorithm has been developed for training of multilayer feed-forward neural networks and implemented in C on a MIMD shared-memory machine (CRAY Y-MP/8- 864 supercomputer). The learning algorithm has been applied to the domain of image recognition. The per formance of the algorithm has been evaluated by ap plying it to two large-scale training examples with 2,304 training instances. The concurrent adaptive neural networks algorithm has superior convergence property compared with the concurrent momentum back-propagation algorithm. A maximum speedup of about 7.9 is achieved using eight processors for a large network with 4,160 links as a result of microtask ing only. When vectorization is combined with micro tasking, a maximum speedup of about 44 is realized using eight processors.
Visualizing Complex Patterns in the Spread of Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Gray Lincoln , Klasky Scott , Byers Robert
Published: March 2007

A predictable pattern in the spread of head and neck cancers has been derived from multidimensional scal ing (MDS). MDS places points in an abstract space such that distances between points are proportional to differences in the occurrence of tumor in different clus ters of lymph nodes. The purpose of the present work is to visualize the predictions of this model. Ellipses are expanded in the abstract space to represent the spreading cancer. Lymph nodes on an image of a real head are made to change color as their corresponding points are encountered by the expanding ellipse in the abstract space. Correlations between the actual and predicted patterns of metastases are high (r = .963 to .999), and experienced surgeons believe these depic tions of metastatic spread are accurate. Such transfor mations of pathological processes between real and abstract spaces could assist surgeons in locating tu mors and in other medical decisions.
Computational Issues in the Statistical Design and Analysis of Experimental Games
Authors: EI-Gamal Mahmoud A. , McKelvey Richard D. , Palfrey Thomas R.
Published: March 2007

One goal of experimental economics is to provide data to identify models that best describe the behavior of experimental subjects and, more generally, human economic behavior. We discuss here what we think are the three main steps required to make experimen tal investigations of economic games as statistically informative as possible: finding the solution of the ex perimental game under the postulated equilibrium or other economic models, selecting from a potential class of experimental designs the optimal one for dis criminating between those models, and choosing an optimal stopping rule that indicates when to stop sam pling data and accept one model as the best explana tion of the data. Each step can be computationally in tensive. We offer an algorithmic presentation of the necessary computations in each of the three steps and illustrate these procedures by examples from our re search on learning models in experimental games with incomplete information. These three steps of experi mental design and analysis are not limited to experi mental games, but the computational burden of imple menting these algorithms in other experimental envi ronments—for example, market experiments—requires further considerations with which we have not dealt.
Crpc Research Into Linear Algebra Software for High Performance Computers
Authors: Choi Jaeyoung , Dongarra Jack J. , Pozo Roldan , Sorensen Danny C. , Walker David W.
Published: March 2007

In this paper we look at a number of approaches being investigated in the Center for Research on Parallel Computation (CRPC) to develop linear algebra soft ware for high-performance computers. These ap proaches are exemplified by the LAPACK, templates, and ARPACK projects. LAPACK is a software library for performing dense and banded linear algebra computa tions, and was designed to run efficiently on high-per formance computers. We focus on the design of the distributed-memory version of LAPACK, and on an ob ject-oriented interface to LAPACK.
Recent Enhancements To Pvm
Authors: Beguelin Adam , Dongarra Jack , Geist Al , Manchek Robert , Sunderam Vaidy
Published: March 2007

This paper presents new features of PVM, a popular standard for writing parallel programs that execute over networks of heterogeneous machines. Although PVM has become an important infrastructure for paral lel programmers, we continue to develop the system based both on user feedback and our own research interests. In this paper we present new communica tions routines and briefly characterize their perfor mance. We describe new extensible services that allow advanced users to customize certain aspects of the de fault PVM functionality. An overview of shared-mem ory PVM optimizations is presented. PVM's new trac ing facility and a graphical console that utilizes this capability are described. Finally, we discuss future ex tensions to PVM now under investigation.
Programming Environments for Parallel and Distributed Computing: a Comparison of P4, Pvm, Linda, and Tcgmsg
Authors: Mattson Timothy G.
Published: March 2007

Parallel programmers must choose from a confusing array of parallel programming environments. When success has to be measured by the success of applica tion-software development rather than theoretical re search, the choice must be made quickly without the luxury of experimentation.

In this paper, we help the programmer make this choice by looking closely at four of the most heavily used portable programming environments—p4, PVM, TCGMSG, and Linda. For each of these programming environments, we look at three different programs: one that computes π by numerical integration and two that benchmark communication performance. The four programming environments are analyzed in terms of performance, support, ease of coding, and ease of debugging.
High Performance Spectral Simulation of Turbulent Flows in Massively Parallel Machines With Distributed Memory
Authors: Cortese Thomas A. , Balachandar S.
Published: March 2007

Here we have demonstrated the possibility of very high performance in the implementation of a global spectral methodology on a massively parallel architec ture with distributed memory. Spectral simulations of channel flow and thermal convection in a three-dimen sional Cartesian geometry have yielded a very high performance—up to 26 Gflops/s on a 512-node CM5. In general, implementation of spectral methodology in parallel processors with distributed memory requires nonlocal interprocessor data transfer that is not re stricted to being between nearest neighbors. In spite of their increased communication overhead, better per formance is possible in global methodologies owing to their dense matrix operations and organized data com munication. In this paper we outline a general method ology for the data-parallel implementation of spectral methods on massively parallel machines with distrib uted memory. Following the steps presented here, very high performance can be obtained on a wide vari ety of massively parallel architectures.
Overview of the I-Way: Wide-Area Visual Supercomputing
Authors: DeFanti Thomas A. , Foster Ian , Papka Michael E. , Stevens Rick , Kuhfuss Tim
Published: March 2007

This paper discusses the I-WAY project and provides an overview of the papers in this issue of IJSA. The I-WAY is an experimental environment for building distributed vir tual reality applications and for exploring issues of distrib uted wide-area resource management and scheduling. The goal of the I-WAY project is to enable researchers to use multiple internetworked supercomputers and ad vanced visualization systems to conduct very large scale computations. By connecting 12 ATM testbeds, 17 super computer centers, 5 virtual reality research sites, and over 60 applications groups, the I-WAY project has created an extremely diverse wide-area environment for exploring advanced applications. This environment has provided a glimpse of the future for advanced scientific and engineer ing computing.
Exploring Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Models Using Vis5D
Authors: Hibbard William L. , Anderson John , Foster Ian , Paul Brian E. , Jacob Robert , Schafer Chad , Tyree Mary K.
Published: March 2007

A distributed client/server system can be used to visualize very large simulation data sets. An example of a very large simulation data set is a 100-year simulation of the Earth's coupled atmosphere-ocean system. This model run was produced by an Argonne National Laboratory/University of Wisconsin collaborative project that is studying atmosphere-ocean coupling dynamics to understand the intrinsic low-frequency variability of the climate system. This understanding is crucial for the prediction and detec tion of human impacts on the Earth's climate. To visually explore this simulation, an IBM SP-2 is used as a data server and a pair of SGI Onyxes driving a CAVE are used as a graphics client. The SP-2 server divides the data set into sections that will fit in the memory of the graphics client. The data set is divided along the time axis. One data set section covers the entire 100-year span of the simula tion at reduced-time resolution, while the other data set sections cover short subintervals at full-time resolution. The visualization user interface allows users to switch between low and high time resolution.
Radio Synthesis Imaging: a Grand Challenge HPCC Project
Authors: Crutcher Richard M. , Baker M. Pauline , Baxter George , Pixton John , Plante Raymond , Ravlin Harold , Roberts Douglas , Sharpe Randall
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the technique of radio synthesis imaging and its computational requirements. The radio synthesis imaging project at the National Center for Su percomputing Applications (NCSA) is addressing these requirements in four areas: real-time transfer of data from remotely located telescopes to NCSA and archiving of these raw data; production of software for calibration, image formation, and image improvement on NCSA par allel processor supercomputers; development of a system for archiving of final processed images in a digital library; and production of sophisticated tools for image visualiza tion and analysis. At Supercomputing '95 in San Diego the authors demonstrated an observation of the center of the Milky Way galaxy, data processing on the remote NCSA SGI Power Challenge Array, accessing complementary data in the NCSA Digital Image Library, and visualization of the galactic center data sets.
Performance of a Fully Parallel Sparse Solver
Authors: Heath Michael T. , Raghavan Padma
Published: March 2007

The performance of a fully parallel direct solver for large sparse-symmetric positive definite systems of linear equations is demonstrated. The solver is designed for distributed-memory, message-passing parallel computer systems. All phases of the computation, including sym bolic processing as well as numeric factorization and triangular solution, are performed in parallel. A parallel Cartesian-nested dissection algorithm is used to compute a fill- reducing ordering for the matrix and an appropriate partitioning of the problem across the processors. The separator tree resulting from nested dissection is used to identify and exploit large-grain parallelism in the remaining steps of the computation. The parallel performance of the solver is reported for a series of test problems on the Thinking Machines CM-5 and the Intel Touchstone Delta. The parallel efficiency, scalability, and absolute perfor mance of the solver, as well as the relative importance of the various phases of the computation, are investigated empirically
Can Users Play an Effective Role in Parallel Tools Research?
Authors: Pancake Cherri M.
Published: March 2007

Commercial experiences have shown that involving users in the software design cycle is a cost-effective way of improving both the quality and the acceptability of tool products. This paper addresses the issue of whether users also should be involved in the research activities that lay the foundation for parallel tool design. Integrating users changes the basic nature of the software process in sev eral ways, as illustrated with examples from recent Parallel Tools Consortium projects. Tool designers must invest additional time to prepare example scenarios or proto types for user discussions, identify alternatives that can serve as points of departure for user-derived meta phors or models, and analyze user responses. By iden tifying user suggestions consistently throughout the de sign process, however, the development time for research prototypes is actually shortened.
Sowing Mpich: a Case Study in the Dissemination of a Portable Environment for Parallel Scientific Computing
Authors: Gropp William , Lusk Ewing
Published: March 2007

MPICH is an implementation of the MPI specification for a standard message-passing library interface. This paper focuses on the lessons learned from preparing MPICH for diverse parallel computing environments. These lessons include how to prepare software for configuration in un known environments; how to structure software to absorb contributions by others; how to automate the preparation of man pages, Web pages, and other documentation; how to automate prerelease testing for both correctness and performance; and how to manage the inevitable problem reports with a minimum of resources for support.
Real-Time Statistical Clustering for Event Trace Reduction
Authors: Nickolayev Oleg Y. , Roth Philip C. , Reed Daniel A.
Published: March 2007

Event tracing provides the detailed data needed to under stand the dynamics of interactions among application resource demands and system responses. However, cap turing the large volume of dynamic performance data inherent in detailed tracing can perturb program execution and stress secondary storage systems. Moreover, it can overwhelm a user or performance analyst with potentially irrelevant data. Using the Pablo performance environ ment's support for real-time data analysis, we show that dynamic statistical data clustering can dramatically reduce the volume of captured performance data by identifying and recording event traces only from representative proc essors. In turn, this makes possible low overhead, interac tive visualization, and performance tuning.
Netsolve: a Network-Enabled Server for Solving Computational Science Problems
Authors: Casanova Henri , Dongarra Jack
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a new system, called NetSolve, that allows users to access computational resources, such as hardware and software, distributed across the network. The development of NetSolve was motivated by the need for an easy-to-use, efficient mechanism for using compu tational resources remotely. Ease of use is obtained as a result of different interfaces, some of which require no programming effort from the user. Good performance is ensured by a load-balancing policy that enables NetSolve to use the computational resources available as efficiently as possible. NetSolve offers the ability to look for compu tational resources on a network, choose the best one available, solve a problem (with retry for fault tolerance), and return the answer to the user.
Parallelization of the Samcef Finite Element Software Through Domain Decomposition and Feti Algorithm
Authors: Geradin Michel , Coulon Danielle , Delsemme Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the implementation of a parallel solver into the commercial finite element software SAM CEF The method implemented combines a direct solution on subdomains with an iterative solution of the dual prob lem on the global interface (finite element tearing and interconnecting [FETI] method). The presentation is lim ited here to its application in the context of linear statics and modal analysis of structures. The performance of the method is demonstrated through representative examples.
Rolling Bearing Simulation On Mimd Computers
Authors: Fritzson Dag , Fritzson Peter , Nordling Patrik , Persson Tommy
Published: March 2007

Rolling bearing simulations are very computationally in tensive. Serial simulations may take weeks to execute, and there is a need to use the potential of parallel comput ing. The specific structure of the rolling bearing problem is used to develop suitable scheduling strategies. The authors discuss the system of stiff ordinary differential equations arising from a bearing model and show how to numerically solve these ordinary differential equations on parallel computers. Benchmarking results are presented for two test cases on three platforms.
Parallel Sar Image Enhancement
Authors: Addison C. , Appiani E. , Cook R. , Corvi M. , Howard P.G.N. , Stephens B.
Published: March 2007

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) offers the possibility of imaging the earth's surface independent of time of day or weather conditions. SAR images differ from optical images in that they contain speckle, multiplicative noise with a poor signal-to-noise ratio of about 1 to 1. Several routines for noise despeckling and segmentation were ported to distributed memory platforms within the EUROPORT-2 PULSAR project. Excellent parallel speedup was ob served for ANNEAL, the most promising despeckling rou tine. Reasonable but limited parallel performance was obtained on RWSEG, a segmentation routine, because relatively large overlap regions were involved. The nature of these operations means that there is no one correct result to which output images can be compared. However, differences between images obtained from sequential and parallel implementations were encouragingly small.
Bulk Synchronous Parallelization of Industrial Electromagentic Software
Authors: Dracopoulos Mike C. , Glasgow Craig , Parrott A. Kevin , Janssen Rick , Alotto Pergiorgio , Simkin John
Published: March 2007

The parallelization of existing/industrial electromagnetic software using the bulk synchronous parallel (BSP) com putation model is presented. The software employs the finite element method with a preconditioned conjugate gradient-type solution for the resulting linear systems of equations. A geometric mesh-partitioning approach is ap plied within the BSP framework for the assembly and solution phases of the finite element computation. This is combined with a nongeometric, data-driven parallel quad rature procedure for the evaluation of right-hand-side terms in applications involving coil fields. A similar parallel decomposition is applied to the parallel calculation of electron beam trajectories required for the design of tube devices. The BSP parallelization approach adopted is fully portable, conceptually simple, and cost-effective, and it can be applied to a wide range of finite element applica tions not necessarily related to electromagnetics.
An Experimental Study to Analyze and Optimize Hartree-Fock Application's I/O with Passion
Authors: Kandaswamy Meenakshi A. , Kandemir Mahmut T. , Choudhary Alok N. , Bernholdt David E.
Published: March 2007

Many scientific applications tend to perform high-volume data storage, data retrieval, and data processing, all of which demand high performance from the I/O subsystem. The focus and contribution of this work is to study the I/O behavior of the Hartree-Fock (HF) method using PAS SION. HF's I/O phases can contribute up to 62.34% of the total execution time. The authors reduce the execution time and I/O time up to 54% and 6%, respectively, of that of the original case through PASSION and its optimiza tions. Additionally, the authors categorize the factors that affect the I/O performance of HF into key application- related parameters and key system-related parameters. Based on extensive empirical results and within the ex perimental space presented in this paper, the authors orderthe parameters according to the their impact on HF's I/O performance as follows: efficient interface, prefetching, buffering, number of I/O nodes, striping factor, and striping unit. The authors conclude that application-related factors have a more significant effect on HF's I/O performance than the system-related factors within the experimental space presented in this paper.
Parents, schools and markets: The repositioning of youth in United Kingdom education
Authors: Ball Stephen J.
Published: March 2007

The epistemic and the incentive arguments for the markets, especially when taken together, are overwhelming. They show us why and how prosperity in a modern economy can be achieved only through the medium of market institutions. These arguments are nevertheless deficient. As they stand, they are morally virtually empty, even if they have some ethical implications and presuppositions. They tell us that only the market can deliver the goods to us, but they leave moral criticism of the market economy unanswered. (Gray, 1993: 75)
Parental power and gender revolution
Authors: Bengtsson Margot
Published: March 2007

Imagine a scale with two opposite poles: at the one end, there are rigid rules and strict taboos, at the other, relativism and a lack of boundaries - 'anything goes'.

The modernisation of our society can be described as a movement along this scale, away from restrictions, impositions, rules and taboos. We have gained greater tolerance and greater individual freedom. Authorities are questioned, not just those with power in society but also parents and adults in general. In today's society, maturation is no ideal; youth is what is celebrated.

To a large extent, these changes have been for the better; but how are standards transferred from generation to generation in a society obsessed with youth, where nothing is taken for granted and nothing impossible?
Global teen soaps go local: Beverly Hills 90210 in Denmark
Authors: Povlsen Karen Klitgaard
Published: March 2007

In Århus four female students in their twenties share a flat. Each Wednesday evening they buy some beer, dress up like truckers and watch Beverly Hills 90210 as if they were male truckers in their fifties. They have great fun. On Wednesdays, when the series is not broadcast they look at favorite old episodes on video-tape.
A Higher Degree by Part-Time Research: Some Observations
Authors: Shaw W.N.
Published: March 2007

A contribution is made to the ongoing debate about maagement research by highlighting a number of behavioural issues relating to researching part-time for a higher degree. The author has identified and discussed those elements of the research process of greatest relevance to the part-time researcher. The social relations impinging on the research process are analysed by using the concepts of role and relationship to build a role relationship model. It is emphasised in the conclusion that the issues raised throughout the paper have been discussed at both a theoretical and a practical level.
5. Middle East
Authors: Racy J.
Published: March 2007

W. BAZZOUI noted differences, based on observations made in a mental hospital and in private practice in Iraq, in the symptomatology of manic-depressive illness on comparison of patients under his care with patients in the West. K. W. BASH and J. BASH-LIECHTI applied Zulliger's modification of the Rorschach test (known as Z test) to representative samples of a rural group and of a nomadic group in Iran. Significant differences on comparison of the two groups were found. One of their goals was to identify with the Z test individuals susceptible to psychopathology.
2. South Pacific
Authors: Lefebvre P.
Published: March 2007

R. I. LEVY endeavors to relate the import of shame and guilt to the varying world views of Tahitians living in a traditional village in contrast to Tahitians living in an urbanized enclave. Shame and guilt are presented as motives for self-control linked with different levels of sociocultural integration. J. D. HOSKIN, M. I. FRIEDMAN, and J. E. CAWTE report on the exceedingly high suicide rate among aborigines of the Kandrian district of Southwest New Britain in New Guinea. According to these authors, the severity of societal fragmentation and the cultural reinforcement of close interpersonal ties in this population could be considered as determining factors of suicide.
Review : Nursing the preterm surgical neonate
Authors: Hancock Julia
Published: March 2007

■ The preterm neonate's response to surgery manifests in all body systems.

■ Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC) is an acute gastro-intestinal emergency requiring surgical intervention.

■ Severe NEC may require the removal of infarcted bowel.

■ Examining the response to surgery in the preterm neonate with NEC offers nurses a rationale for their post-operative care.

■ Both physiological and psychological responses need to be understood in the light of family centred care.
Review : Enhancing the state of play in children's nursing
Authors: Hall Carol , Reet Mary
Published: March 2007

■ Play is recognised as an essential component of a child's life.

■ Playing with children in hospital can aid nurses in assessing, communicating and providing nursing care.

■ Play workshops can facilitate nursing students' understanding of the importance and benefits of play.

■ Play can benefit children, health carers and parents in the hospital setting.

■ Play workshops encourage children's nurses to view play as an integral part of their role.
Quality counts: auditing day-surgery services
Authors: Feasey Sue
Published: March 2007

■ Clinical audit is a valuable tool in the drive towards quality.

■ Day-case surgery is designed to keep children within their families.

■ Parents of children having day-case surgery must be adequately informed and supported.

■ A telephone call following day-case surgery appears to give parents effective support.

■ Children experience few problems immediately following day-case surgery
Reflections of a novice researcher
Authors: Martin Linda
Published: March 2007

■ Nurses can benefit from active participation in research activities.

■ Involvement in research is not just an academic pursuit but is essential for effective, quality care.

■ Nurses should actively seek the support of colleagues and research support structures to enable involvement in research.

■ Clinical nurses are capable of making an important research contribution.
Evaluating preceptorship arrangements in a paediatric setting
Authors: Farrell Mike , Chakrabarti Angela
Published: March 2007

■ Preceptorship can be a valuable support mechanism for newly qualified nurses.

■ Both preceptors and preceptees need support to ensure effective preceptorship arrangements.

■ Maintaining effective preceptorship arrangements can be challenging for preceptees, preceptors and the organisation.

■ Further research is required to explore the full potential of preceptorship.
Review : Informed consent? A child's right to autonomy
Authors: Drake Claire
Published: March 2007

■ There is a need for legal clarification of the concept of informed consent in minors.

■ Paediatric nurses need to take a more active role in advocating for the 'Gillick competent' minor.

■ The concept of informed consent continues to provide challenges for practice in paediatric nursing.

■ Informed willing consent in 'Gillick competent' minors requires working effectively in partnership with the child, family and multidisciplinary team.
Review : A model for implementing the "Scope of Professional Practice"
Authors: Chippendale Melanie , Gardner Helen
Published: March 2007

■ Safe and effective administration of intravenous therapy to children is essential.

■ The training, education and assessment (TEA) programme aimed to integrate the essence of the Scope of Professional Practice with a competency based approach to teaching and assessing essential skills.

■ The TEA programme was developed to reflect the Scope of Professional Practice, individual accountability, and current best evidence.

■ A significant part of the programme is the development of an innovative assessment document providing individuals with documented evidence of related knowledge and skills which can form part of their Professional Portfolio.

■ The TEA programme has been implemented within the trust in line with trust clinical governance strategy.

■ The framework for implementing this programme has also been used for developing TEA for other expanded roles within the trust.

■ Further comprehensive evaluation of the programme through areas such as audit of practice and clinical incidence analysis is needed.

■ Further research to broaden the evidence base for practice is also needed. These will be initiated through established clinical governance frameworks.
Globalization, South Asian Agriculture and the WTO
Authors: Bullion Alan
Published: March 2007

This article explores the largely deleterious impact that globalization and trade liberalization is having on agricultural trade in developing Asian countries such as India. Although Asian countries cannot be treated as a homogeneous bloc, it is argued that the hegemonic 'Quad' powers (the European Union, US, Canada and Japan) advocate liberalization for developing countries while practising protection ism in their home markets. This article suggests the way forward is for Indian proposals put to the WTO for reform to be taken seriously by the developed world.
The WTO and Nepal: Compatibility and Contradiction between the Agreements and the Acts
Authors: Pant Bhubanesh
Published: March 2007

Nepal is currently in the process of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The accession process and negotiations are intricate and the commitments to conform to the rules and disciplines of WTO agreements have far-reaching re percussions on the economy of a least-developed country such as Nepal. Against this backdrop, this paper attempts to pinpoint the areas of compatibility and contra diction of the various agreements of the WTO with Nepal's relevant Acts and policies. The paper concludes that though most of the acts are compatible with the agreements, some of them need to be amended.
Financial Liberalization in India and the Bank Lending Channel of Monetary Transmission†
Authors: Chavan Abhaysingh , Vaidya Rajendra R.
Published: March 2007

The financial reform process has given banks in India a great deal of freedom on both the assets and liabilities (or sources and uses of funds) sides of their balance sheets. To the extent that, financial liberalization has opened up new non-reservable and non-insured sources of funds (like Certificates of Deposits and new issue of equity), any attempts by the central bank to influence bank lending by withdrawing reserves (leading to a fall in deposits) from the banking system could be countered by raising money from these alternate sources leaving bank lending unchanged. It is in this liberalized regime that the 'bank lending channel', which emphasizes the presence of asymmetric information in the financial markets, becomes particularly relevant. In this article we attempt to verify if bank lending is constrained by the availability of insured deposits and whether there exist subgroups of banks that are less constrained. We find that banks in general are constrained in their lending by the availability of insured deposits and these constraints are more severe for those banks that lend predominantly against collateral. In India more than 85 per cent of bank lending is against collateral. This implies a potentially important influence of the bank lending channel.
Dividend Policy and Agency Theory: Evidence from Indian Firms
Authors: Manos Ronny
Published: March 2007

In this article, the cost minimization model of dividends, which is underpinned by agency theory, is estimated and tested on data from 882 private sector firms listed on the Mumbai Stock Exchange for the period 1994 to 1998. Specifically, the hypothesis implied by the model is that private sector firms in India set their target payout ratios so as to minimize the sum of agency costs and the costs associ ated with raising external finance. Cross-sectional weighted least squares method ology is used, and squared and interaction terms are introduced into the model, along with a number of novel explanatory variables. It is found that government ownership, insider ownership, risk, debt, and growth opportunities, have a negative impact on the payout ratio. In contrast, institutional ownership, foreign ownership and dispersed ownership have a positive impact on the payout ratio. These results are consistent with the predictions of the cost minimization model of dividends in the context of listed companies in India.
Microfinance and the Poverty of Financial Services: A Perspective from Indian Experience †
Authors: Sinha Sanjay , Patole Meenal
Published: March 2007

The vast network of banking and co-operative finance institutions in India has failed to provide low-income families with significant access to financial services. In this situation, the non-governmental microfinance institutions have attempted to provide an alternative to the high-cost informal financial services that most low-income clients must rely on. The extent to which such service provision is appropriate is discussed in this article using information from the financial histories of low-income families in the slums of Delhi and two villages of one of the more economically backward areas of India. The analysis in the article shows that the needs of low-income clients would be best served by highly flexible financial services that enable the conduct of frequent transactions both for small savings and for borrowing at irregular intervals. In relation to this, both microfinance and formal financial institutions do not fully meet the needs of low-income families. The article concludes with practical suggestions for the design of products and delivery systems to meet these needs.
The Blytheville story: The challenge of changing demographics
Authors: Lowery Sandra , Harris Sandra
Published: March 2007

The superintendency of a public school system is an increasingly complex position that has been described as a focal point for any discontent with the schools. Regardless of the size of the school district, the superintendent of schools bears the responsibility for leading schools that are devoted to students, exemplified by decisions that reflect learner centered values. This case describes a community that was changing rapidly demographically, politically, and philosophically. Superintendents and board relationships were challenged to overcome discord and begin a united community ideology.
Resistance to TGF-β1 correlates with aberrant expression of TGF-β receptor II in human B-cell lymphoma cell lines
Authors: Chen Gang , Ghosh Paritosh , Osawa Hiroshi , Sasaki Carl Y. , Rezanka Louis , Yang Jiandong , O'Farrell Thomas J. , Longo Dan L.
Published: March 2007

Resistance to transforming growth factor (TGF)–β1–mediated growth suppression in tumor cells is often associated with the functional loss of TGF-β receptors. Here we describe two B-cell lymphoma cell lines (DB and RL) that differ in their sensitivity to TGF-β1–mediated growth suppression. The TGF-β1–resistant cell line DB lacked functional TGF-β receptor II (TβRII) in contrast to the TGF-β–responsive cell line RL, whereas both cell lines had comparable levels of receptor I (TβRI). Lack of functional TβRII was correlated with the lack of TGF-β1–induced nuclear translocation of phospho-Smad3 and phospho-Smad2, the lack of nuclear expression of p21Cip1/WAF1, and the down-regulation of c-Myc in DB cells. Transfection of wild-type, but not a C-terminal–truncated, form of TβRII rendered the DB cell line responsive to TGF-β1–mediated growth suppression. Analysis of the TβRII gene in DB cells revealed the absence of TβRII message, which was reversed upon 5′-azacytidine treatment, indicating that the promoter methylation might be the cause of gene silencing. Promoter analysis revealed CpG methylations at −25 and −140 that correlated with the gene silencing. These data suggest that promoter methylation plays an important role in TβRII gene silencing and subsequent development of a TGF-β1–resistant phenotype by some B-cell lymphoma cells.
Singlet Oxygen Production in the Reaction of Potassium Superoxide with Chlorine
Authors: Li Qingwei , Chen Fang , Zhao Weili , Xu Mingxiu , Fang Benjie , Zhang Yuelong , Duo Liping , Jin Yuqi , Sang Fengting
Published: March 2007

The study of singlet oxygen (1O2) emission showed that the 1O2 could be efficiently produced in the reaction of solid potassium superoxide (KO2) particles with chlorine gas (Cl2), which only occurred on the surface of solid KO2 particles. The liquid water may accelerate the reaction of Cl2 with KO2 and make a complete conversion of KO2 to 1O2. The KO2 had a similar efficiency for 1O2 production as the alkali metal peroxides (such as Li2O2 and Na2O2) as reacting with Cl2.
Grafting of Ethylene Glycol Chains in Lignin during the Solvolysis for Biomass Conversion Using Ethylene Carbonate/Ethylene Glycol System
Authors: Kubo Satoshi , Yamada Tatsuhiko , Hashida Koh , Ono Hirokuni
Published: March 2007

Solvolysis using mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethylene glycol (EG) was applied to softwood. In this solvolysis, EG was substituted for hydroxy groups in the lignin molecules. Chain extension reaction of substituted EG occurred during the solvolysis, and DP = 3.0 of oligo EG chains are grafted by 60-min reaction. Linear EG chains are introduced into lignin molecules during the biomass conversion process without additional chemical modification.
A Neurocognitive Model of Advertisement Content and Brand Name Recall
Authors: Chessa Antonio G. , Murre Jaap M. J.
Published: March 2007

We introduce a new (point process) model of learning and forgetting, inspired by the structures of the brain, that we apply to model long-term memory for advertising and brand name recall. Recall-probability functions derived from the model are tested with classic data by Zielske [Zielske, H. A. 1959. The remembering and forgetting of advertising. J. Marketing 23 239–243], as well as advertisement content and brand name recall data of a Dutch study that tracked over 40 campaigns of TV commercials. Data fits and cross-validation results indicate that the recall functions serve as a good first approximation for aggregate behavior. The shapes of optimal GRP schedules, which are obtained by maximizing a recall measure, are strongly related to the model parameters and corresponding memory processes. Comparisons with existing models in the literature indicate that a neurobiologically motivated model may give a more realistic description of memory for advertisements.
Product Line Design and Production Technology
Authors: Netessine Serguei , Taylor Terry A.
Published: March 2007

In this paper we characterize the impact of production technology on the optimal product line design. We analyze a problem in which a manufacturer segments the market on quality attributes and offers products that are partial substitutes. Because consumers self-select from the product line, product cannibalization is an issue. In addition, the manufacturer sets a production schedule in order to balance production setups with accumulation of inventories in the presence of economies of scale. We show that simultaneous optimization of the product line design and production schedule leads to insights that differ significantly from the common intuition and assertions in the literature, which omits either the demand side or the supply side of the equation. In particular, we demonstrate that more expensive production technology always leads to lower product prices and may at the same time lead to higher quality products. Further, a less efficient production technology does not necessarily increase total production costs or reduce consumer welfare. We also demonstrate that in the presence of production technology, the demand cannibalization problem may distort product quality upward or the number of products upward, which is contrary to the standard result.
Service Escape: Profiting from Customer Cancellations
Authors: Xie Jinhong , Gerstner Eitan
Published: March 2007

This paper explores the benefits of letting customers escape from prepurchased service contracts by offering refunds for cancellations. We show that such a policy creates opportunities for multiple selling in a capacity-constrained service—i.e., collecting cancellation fees from advance buyers who cancel, and then reselling the freed slots. The better the alternative that motivates a cancellation, the more profitable is a refund-for-cancellations policy compared with a no-refund policy that “locks in” customers. In contrast to previous research on money-back guarantees for durable goods, we show that offering refunds for service cancellations can be profitable (1) without charging a higher price compared with a no-refund policy, and (2) even when advance buyers would be willing to abandon the service for no refund. Also, service providers should decrease rather than increase the customer hassle cost of cancellations. Our research also suggests a new profit advantage of advance selling, i.e., capturing some of the consumer-added surplus created when customers find new alternatives (and are therefore willing to pay a fee to terminate the prepurchased contract). Finally, yield-management research typically assumes exogenous “no shows” by advance buyers. We suggest that offering refunds for cancellation reduces the need to reserve capacity for high-paying customers and improves capacity utilization.
Maximal Ca2+ i stimulation of cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchange requires simultaneous alkalinization and binding of PtdIns-4,5-P2 to the exchanger
Authors: Posada Velia , Beaugé Luis , Berberián Graciela
Published: March 2007

Using bovine heart sarcolemma vesicles we studied the effects of protons and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2) on the affinity of the mammalian Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX1) for intracellular Ca2+. By following the effects of extravesicular ligands in inside-out vesicles, their interactions with sites of NCX1 facing the intracellular medium were investigated. Two Na+-gradient-dependent fluxes were studied: Ca2+uptake and Ca2+release. PtdIns-4,5-P2 binding to NCX1 was investigated in parallel. Without MgATP (no ‘de novo’ synthesis of PtdIns-4,5-P2), alkalinization increased the affinity for Ca2+and the PtdIns-4,5-P2 bound to NCX1. Vesicles depleted of phosphoinositides were insensitive to alkalinization, but became responsive following addition of exogenous PtdIns-4,5-P2 or PtdIns plus MgATP. Acidification reduced the affinity for Ca2+ev; this was only partially reversed by MgATP, despite the increase in bound PtdIns-4,5-P2 to levels observed with alkalinization. Inhibition of Ca2+uptake by increasing extravesicular [Na+] indicates that it is related to H+iand Na+isynergistic inhibition of the Ca2+iregulatory site. Therefore, the affinity of the NCX1 Ca2+iregulatory site for Ca2+was maximal when both intracellular alkalinization and an increase in PtdIns-4,5-P2 bound to NCX1 (not just of the total membrane PtdIns-4,5-P2) occurred simultaneously. In addition, protons influenced the distribution, or the exposure, of PtdIns-4,5-P2 molecules in the surroundings and/or on the exchanger protein.
Specific inhibition of interleukin-13 activity by a recombinant human single-chain immunoglobulin domain directed against the IL-13 receptor α1 chain
Authors: Knackmuss Stefan , Krause Sebastian , Engel Kathrin , Reusch Uwe , Virchow J. Christian , Mueller Thomas , Kraich Michael , Little Melvin , Luttmann Werner , Friedrich Karlheinz
Published: March 2007

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a T-cell-derived pleiotropic cytokine of particular medical importance because of its critical role in the development of allergic asthma. The effects of IL-13 on its target cells are mediated through a dimeric transmembrane receptor (IL-13R), which shares the IL-4Rα subunit with the IL-4R system, but contains as a specific component the IL-13Rα1 chain. We have generated a set of single-chain Fv fragments with specific binding capacity to the extracellular domain of the human IL-13Rα1 receptor. Bacteriophage clones displaying receptor-binding antibody domains were selected from both naive and synthetic libraries by repetitive panning on recombinant and cell surface-expressed recombinant IL-13Rα1. Their specific reactivity with native human IL-13Rα1 expressed on the surface of transfected cells was demonstrated by flow cytometry. One binder that specifically interfered with cell activation by IL-13 was extensively characterized. This scFv inhibited IL-13-driven gene transcription and cell proliferation in test cell lines, as well as IL-13-induced activation of primary human monocytes in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50below 300 nM. This novel reagent thus constitutes a valuable tool for the further elucidation of IL-13 function in disease and offers potential therapeutic perspectives.
Role of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1/CXCL12) in regulating anterior pituitary function
Authors: Barbieri Federica , Bajetto Adriana , Porcile Carola , Pattarozzi Alessandra , Schettini Gennaro , Florio Tullio
Published: March 2007

Chemokines are key factors involved in the regulation of immune response, through the activation and control of leukocyte traffic, lymphopoiesis and immune surveillance. However, a large number of chemokines and their receptors are expressed in central nervous system (CNS) cells, either constitutively or induced by inflammatory stimuli, playing a role in many neuropathological processes. Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) is a chemokine whose extra-immunological localization and functions have been extensively studied. SDF1 and its receptor CXCR4 were identified in both neurons and glia of many brain areas, including the hypothalamus, as well as at the pituitary level. Importantly, SDF1 and CXCR4 expression is increased in brain tumors in which their activity induced tumor cell proliferation and brain parenchyma invasion. Despite their localization, to date very few reports addressed the role of CXCR4 and SDF1 in the modulation of the hypothalamus/pituitary axis and their possible involvement in the development of pituitary adenomas. In this review, we discuss previous literature data on the role of chemokines in normal and adenomatous pituitary cells, focusing on recent data from our group showing that CXCR4 activation controls proliferation and both prolactin and GH release in the pituitary adenoma cell line GH4C1 through a complex network of intracellular signals. Thus, the SDF1/CXCR4 system together with other chemokinergic ligand–receptor pairs, may represent a novel regulatory pathway for pituitary function and, possibly, be involved in pituitary adenoma development. These lines of evidence suggest that the inhibition of chemokine receptors may represent a novel pharmacological target for the treatment of pituitary adenomas.