bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multi‐Line Insurance Fraud Recognition System: A Government‐Led Approach in Korea
Authors: Kim Hunsoo , Jean Kwon W.
Published: October 2006

Abstract

This article introduces a government‐led insurance fraud detection program in Korea. The Insurance Fraud Recognition System (IFRS) uses policy and claims data from multi‐lines of insurance (life, automobile, and fire), employs a three‐stage statistical and link analysis to identify presumably fraudulent claims by claimant or by group, and generates system reports that the government regulator draws on to make decisions. The authors evaluate the system based on the fraud statistics and IFRS results for 2004, and offer recommendations for system improvement. This article examines existing studies about fraud, industry experiments using advanced technology, and government assistance to the insurance industry's fight against fraud in selected countries. It also provides a brief overview of the Korean insurance market, especially after the recent Asian economic crisis.
Opaqueness in the Insurance Industry: Why Are Some Insurers Harder to Evaluate than Others?
Authors: Pottier Steven W. , Sommer David W.
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Many articles have investigated various tools used to evaluate the financial strength of insurers. This is the first study to investigate whether certain insurers are simply inherently more difficult to evaluate than others, regardless of the tool used. The article identifies certain specific insurer characteristics that are associated with greater difficulty in financial strength evaluation, as proxied for by the level of rating disagreement by Moody's and Standard and Poor's. Specifically, the empirical results indicate that insurers that exhibit the following characteristics are more difficult to assess in terms of financial strength: smaller insurers, stock insurers, insurers with a history of reserving errors, insurers that use less reinsurance, insurers with greater levels of investment in stocks and low‐grade bonds, and insurers that are more geographically diversified.
Performance Evaluation of Pension Funds Management Companies with Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Barros Carlos Pestana , Garcia Maria Teresa Medeiros
Published: October 2006

Abstract

This article uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the performance of Portuguese pension funds management companies from 1994 to 2003, combining operational and financial variables. We evaluate how close the pension funds management companies are to the best practices frontier, also analyzing how they manage their funds. Implications of this research for managerial purposes are then drawn.
The Downfall of Equitable Life in the United Kingdom: The Mismatch of Strategy and Risk Management
Authors: O'Brien Chris
Published: October 2006

Abstract

This article considers the downfall of Equitable Life Assurance Society in the United Kingdom, founded in 1762 and the first life insurer to operate on an actuarial basis. Its failure to manage the risks implicit in guaranteed annuity options led to a financial crisis, and it ceased to write new business in 2000. We analyze the Society's risk management practices, and find that they were inconsistent with its strategy, which highlighted customer focus. It lacked the discipline to balance short‐term advantage to customers with the long‐term needs of the organization. We also highlight the use of participating policies, and the way in which they were used to transfer risk to policyholders. Finally, we draw some lessons for other life insurers from Equitable Life's experience.
Response of female melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, to host‐associated visual and olfactory stimuli
Authors: Piñero Jaime C. , Jácome Isabel , Vargas Roger , Prokopy Ronald J.
Published: October 2006

In a series of studies conducted in Hawaii under seminatural conditions, we quantified the response of sexually mature, host‐seeking female melon flies, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to different types of visual and chemical host‐associated stimuli with the main aim of developing a monitoring device for females. Experiments were conducted using Tangletrap‐coated fruit mimics of either spherical (8 cm diameter) or cylindrical (4.3 cm diameter; 15 cm length) shapes coated with different artificial color pigments both at the ground level and at the tree‐canopy level so as to take into account the foraging behavior of adult melon flies. Females were particularly attracted to objects of spherical shape colored either yellow, white, or orange; these three pigments offered the highest reflectance values. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (Cucurbitaceae) odor was more attractive to females than odors of three other cultivated host fruit [zucchini, Cucurbita pepo L. var. medullosa Alef. (Cucurbitaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae); or tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae)] or of ivy gourd [Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt (Cucurbitaceae)], one of the major wild hosts of melon fly in Hawaii. A combination of both visual and olfactory stimuli was needed to elicit high levels of response compared to each stimulus offered alone. We discuss our results in relation to the potential implementation of improved female monitoring and/or attract‐and‐kill strategies for melon flies in Hawaii.
Study design, recruitment, and baseline characteristics: the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Diabetes Study
Authors: Jones Judith A. , Miller Donald R. , Wehler Carolyn J. , Rich Sharron , Krall Elizabeth , Christiansen Cindy L. , Rothendler James A. , Garcia Raul I.
Published: October 2006

Objectives: We are conducting a clinical trial of the efficacy of periodontal therapy in the improvement of glycaemic control in veterans with poorly controlled diabetes. This report describes study design, recruitment and randomization and compares baseline characteristics of the sample frame with those randomized into study groups.

Methods: Veterans with poorly controlled diabetes were randomized in two groups: immediate periodontal therapy (“early treatment”) or usual care followed by periodontal therapy (“deferred treatment”). Half of each group continued care for 12 months; the other half returned to their usual care. We studied baseline patient characteristics, self‐reported health measures, and clinical examination data. We examined means for continuous variables, frequencies for categorical variables and compared groups using t‐tests and χ2 tests (α=0.05 for both).

Results: The 193 randomized participants were younger (58 years) and had slightly higher HbA1c (10.2%) than the 2534 non‐randomized participants (64 years, HbA1c =9.8%). The deferred treatment group was more likely than the early treatment group to have a history of stroke, transient ischaemic attacks, and less likely to be current or former smokers.

Conclusions: The mechanism for randomization was largely successful in this study.
Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Complex: Contributions to, and Turnover by, Autophagy
Authors: Mijaljica Dalibor , Prescott Mark , Devenish Rodney J.
Published: October 2006

The degradation of cytoplasmic contents, especially organelles [mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi complex (GC)], cannot be accomplished solely by the cytosolic degradation machinery, of which the most prominent component is the proteasome. However, it is possible that such organelles (or portions thereof) can be degraded by the cell’s autophagic machinery. In this manner, organelles can be either specifically or non‐specifically targeted to the vacuole/lysosome for degradation. These processes can be triggered in response to different environmental cues. Here, we focus on two particular organelles, the ER and the GC, and their relationship with the autophagic process. Firstly, we briefly consider how these two organelles contribute to the synthesis and delivery of hydrolytic enzymes involved in autophagy as well as how they may potentially contribute to their own degradation by addressing the origin of the autophagic membrane. Secondly, we summarize the evidence for the turnover of these two organelles by autophagic processes in different organisms.
The Persistence of Wives’ Income Advantage
Authors: Winslow‐Bowe Sarah
Published: October 2006

Recent reports using cross‐sectional data indicate an increase in the percentage of wives who outearn their husbands, yet we know little about the persistence of wives’ income advantage. The present analyses utilize the 1990 – 1994 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (N= 3,481) to examine wives’ long‐term earnings advantage. Although a significant minority of women outearn their husbands in 1 year, considerably fewer do so for 5 consecutive years. The presence and persistence of wives’ income advantage vary by demographic characteristics, economic and human capital measures, and over the individual and marital life course. The findings suggest caution in interpreting women’s relative economic gains as signaling absolute progress toward eliminating gender inequality within marriages.
Mexican American Fathers’ Occupational Conditions: Links to Family Members’ Psychological Adjustment
Authors: Crouter Ann C. , Davis Kelly D. , Updegraff Kimberly , Delgado Melissa , Fortner Melissa
Published: October 2006

To examine the implications of fathers’ occupational conditions (i.e., income, work hours, shift work, pressure, workplace racism, and underemployment) for family members’ psychological adjustment, home interviews were conducted with fathers, mothers, and two adolescent offspring in each of 218 Mexican American families. Results underscored the importance of acculturation as a moderator. Fathers’ income was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in highly acculturated families but not in less acculturated families. In contrast, fathers’ reports of workplace racism were positively associated with depressive symptoms in less acculturated families but not in more acculturated family contexts. These findings were consistent across all 4 family members, suggesting that the “long arm” of the jobs held by Mexican American fathers extends to mothers and adolescent offspring.
Gender Differences in Restricting Work Efforts Because of Family Responsibilities
Authors: Maume David J.
Published: October 2006

In egalitarian families, we might expect that men and women similarly prioritize work and family obligations. Yet, prior research examining gender differences in work‐family priorities often use measures that imperfectly reflect those priorities. Drawing two samples of full‐time married workers from the 1992 National Study of the Changing Workforce, this article analyzed the determinants of placing restrictions on work efforts (reducing work hours, refusing to travel, etc.) for the sake of family life. Results showed that women imposed more job trade‐offs in response to husband’s work efforts, whereas men’s work restrictions were largely unresponsive to familial characteristics. In conclusion, prioritizing work and family obligations is governed more by gender traditionalism than by egalitarianism.
Household Work Complexity, Intellectual Functioning, and Self‐Esteem in Men and Women
Authors: Caplan Leslie J. , Schooler Carmi
Published: October 2006

Using data from a U.S. longitudinal investigation of psychological effects of occupational conditions (a project of the National Institute of Mental Health’s unit on Socioenvironmental Studies), we examined the relationship between the complexity of household work and 2 psychological variables: intellectual flexibility and self‐esteem. Longitudinal reciprocal effects analyses revealed that for men (n = 351) and women (n = 355), more complex household work was associated with increased intellectual flexibility. For women, complex household work was also associated with increased self‐confidence and decreased self‐deprecation. For men, complex household work was associated with decreased self‐confidence. The results are discussed in terms of theories of the cognitive and neurological effects of environmental complexity and of theories of self‐esteem.
Latinas’ Transition to First Marriage: An Examination of Four Theoretical Perspectives
Authors: Lloyd Kim M.
Published: October 2006

National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and census data are used to examine the effect of both individual‐ and contextual‐level determinants on Latinas’ transition to first marriage (n= 745). Hypotheses derived from 4 leading theories of marriage timing are evaluated. Discrete‐time event‐history models that control for clustering within Labor Market Areas suggest that foreign‐born Latina and Anglo women have virtually identical marriage trajectories. Analyses further demonstrate that Latinas’ individual human capital, and residence in areas characterized by a relatively large supply of single foreign‐born Latino men, are associated with higher probabilities of marriage, whereas women’s aggregate economic opportunities are correlated with the predicted postponement of first marriage.
Effects of Parental Monitoring and Peer Deviance on Substance Use and Delinquency
Authors: Barnes Grace M. , Hoffman Joseph H. , Welte John W. , Farrell Michael P. , Dintcheff Barbara A.
Published: October 2006

From socialization theory, it was hypothesized that parental support and monitoring as well as peer deviance would influence individual trajectories of alcohol misuse, other substance use, and delinquency. Six waves of data were analyzed using interviews with 506 adolescents in a general population sample. Results from multilevel modeling showed that monitoring significantly predicted adolescents’ initial levels (intercepts) of alcohol misuse and delinquency. Parental monitoring strongly predicted the rates of increase (slope) in all 3 problem behaviors. Peer deviance significantly predicted initial levels of all problem behaviors and the rates of increase in them. This study provides evidence that both effective parenting and avoidance of associations with delinquent peers are important factors in preventing adolescent problem behaviors.
Diversity of human U2AF splicing factors
Authors: Mollet Inês , Barbosa‐Morais Nuno L. , Andrade Jorge , Carmo‐Fonseca Maria
Published: October 2006

U2 snRNP auxiliary factor (U2AF) is an essential heterodimeric splicing factor composed of two subunits, U2AF65 and U2AF35. During the past few years, a number of proteins related to both U2AF65 and U2AF35 have been discovered. Here, we review the conserved structural features that characterize the U2AF protein families and their evolutionary emergence. We perform a comprehensive database search designed to identify U2AF protein isoforms produced by alternative splicing, and we discuss the potential implications of U2AF protein diversity for splicing regulation.
New Melanocortin 1 Receptor Binding Motif Based on the C‐Terminal Sequence of α‐Melanocyte‐Stimulating Hormone
Authors: Schiöth Helgi B. , Muceniece Ruta , Mutule Ilga , Wikberg Jarl E. S.
Published: October 2006

Abstract: The C‐terminal tripeptide of the α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH11‐13) possesses strong antiinflammatory activity without known cellular target. In order to better understand the structural requirements for function of such motif, we designed, synthesized and tested out Trp‐ and Tyr‐containing analogues of the α‐MSH11‐13. Seven α‐MSH11‐13 analogues were synthesized and characterized for their binding to the melanocortin receptors recombinantly expressed in insect (Sf9) cells, infected with baculovirus carrying corresponding MC receptor DNA. We also tested these analogues on B16‐F1 mouse melanoma cells endogenously expressing the MC1 receptor for binding and for ability to increase cAMP levels as well as on COS‐7 cells transfected with the human MC receptors. The data indicate that HS401 (Ac‐Tyr‐Lys‐Pro‐Val‐NH2) and HS402 (Ac‐Lys‐Pro‐Val‐Tyr‐NH2) selectively bound to the MC1 receptor and stimulated cAMP generation in a concentration dependent way while the other Tyr‐ and Trp‐containing α‐MSH11‐13 analogues neither bound to MC receptors nor stimulated cAMP. We have thus identified new MC receptor binding motif derived from the C‐terminal sequence of α‐MSH. The tetrapeptides have novel properties as the both act via MC‐ergic pathways and also carry the anti‐inflammatory α‐MSH11‐13 message sequence.
Nasal melanosis in three dogs
Authors: De Lorenzi D. , Bonfanti U. , Masserdotti C. , Caldin M. , Furlanello T. , Bertolini G.
Published: October 2006

Cytologically and histologically confirmed nasal melanosis was detected by rostrocaudal rhinoscopic evaluation of three dogs with unilateral nasal discharge caused by a chronic and severe odontopathic rhinitis. The extraction of affected teeth and prolonged antibiotic therapy led to a complete resolution of nasal disease. The nasal melanosis could be considered a partial metaplastic transformation of mucosal respiratory cells with accumulation of intracytoplasmic melanin.
A Strategy for Rapid Thermal Cycling of Molds in Thermoplastic Processing
Authors: Yao Donggang , Nagarajan Pratapkumar , Li Lei , Yi Allen Y.
Published: October 2006

Thermal cycling of molds is frequently desired in thermoplastic processing. Thermal cycling of the entire mold with a large mass, however, requires an exceedingly long cycle time. A processing strategy for mold rapid heating and cooling, involving a thin-shell mold and two thermal stations (one hot and one cold), was investigated. Because of its low thermal mass, the shell mold can be rapidly heated and cooled through heat conduction by selectively contacting with the two stations. Numerical simulations were performed to study the effect of different design parameters, including thermal contact resistance, shell material, and shell thickness, on the thermal response at the mold surface. Experimental studies showed aluminum shell molds with a thickness of 1.4mm can be rapidly heated from room temperature to 200°C in about 3s using a hot station at 250°C. The method was used for thermal cycling of embossing tools. Surface microfeatures can be rapidly transferred from thin metallic stamps to polymer substrates with cycle times less than 10s.
Going Wild: Lessons from Naturally Occurring T-Lymphotropic Lentiviruses
Authors: VandeWoude Sue , Apetrei Cristian
Published: October 2006

Over 40 nonhuman primate (NHP) species harbor species-specific simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). Similarly, more than 20 species of nondomestic felids and African hyenids demonstrate seroreactivity against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antigens. While it has been challenging to study the biological implications of nonfatal infections in natural populations, epidemiologic and clinical studies performed thus far have only rarely detected increased morbidity or impaired fecundity/survival of naturally infected SIV- or FIV-seropositive versus -seronegative animals. Cross-species transmissions of these agents are rare in nature but have been used to develop experimental systems to evaluate mechanisms of pathogenicity and to develop animal models of HIV/AIDS. Given that felids and primates are substantially evolutionarily removed yet demonstrate the same pattern of apparently nonpathogenic lentiviral infections, comparison of the biological behaviors of these viruses can yield important implications for host-lentiviral adaptation which are relevant to human HIV/AIDS infection. This review therefore evaluates similarities in epidemiology, lentiviral genotyping, pathogenicity, host immune responses, and cross-species transmission of FIVs and factors associated with the establishment of lentiviral infections in new species. This comparison of consistent patterns in lentivirus biology will expose new directions for scientific inquiry for understanding the basis for virulence versus avirulence.
Coinfections Acquired from
Ixodes
Ticks
Authors: Swanson Stephen J. , Neitzel David , Reed Kurt D. , Belongia Edward A.
Published: October 2006

The pathogens that cause Lyme disease (LD), human anaplasmosis, and babesiosis can coexist in
Ixodes
ticks and cause human coinfections. Although the risk of human coinfection differs by geographic location, the true prevalence of coinfecting pathogens among
Ixodes
ticks remains largely unknown for the majority of geographic locations. The prevalence of dually infected
Ixodes
ticks appears highest among ticks from regions of North America and Europe where LD is endemic, with reported prevalences of ≤28%. In North America and Europe, the majority of tick-borne coinfections occur among humans with diagnosed LD. Humans coinfected with LD and babesiosis appear to have more intense, prolonged symptoms than those with LD alone. Coinfected persons can also manifest diverse, influenza-like symptoms, and abnormal laboratory test results are frequently observed. Coinfecting pathogens might alter the efficiency of transmission, cause cooperative or competitive pathogen interactions, and alter disease severity among hosts. No prospective studies to assess the immunologic effects of coinfection among humans have been conducted, but animal models demonstrate that certain coinfections can modulate the immune response. Clinicians should consider the likelihood of coinfection when pursuing laboratory testing or selecting therapy for patients with tick-borne illness.
Developmental Biology of Sporozoite-Host Interactions inPlasmodium falciparumMalaria: Implications for Vaccine Design
Authors: Garcia Javier E. , Puentes Alvaro , Patarroyo Manuel E.
Published: October 2006

ThePlasmodium falciparumsporozoite infects different types of cells in a mosquito's salivary glands and human epithelial and Kuppfer cells and hepatocytes. These become differentiated later on, transforming themselves into the invasive red blood cell form, the merozoite. The ability of sporozoites to interact with different types of cells requires a wide variety of mechanisms allowing them to survive in both hosts: mobility, receptor-ligand interactions with different cellular receptors, and transformation and development into other invasive parasite forms, which are vitally important for parasite survival. Sporozoite complexity is reflected in the large quantity of proteins that can be expressed. Some of them have been extensively studied, such as CSP, TRAP, STARP, LSA-1, LSA-3, SALSA, SPECT1, SPECT2, MAEBL, and SPATR, due to their importance in infection and their potential use as vaccines. Our work has been focused on the search for the molecular mechanisms of parasite-host cellular receptor-ligand interactions by identifying amino acid sequences and the critical binding residues from these proteins relevant to parasite invasion. Once such sequences have been identified, it will be possible to modify them to induce a strong immune response againstP. falciparumin the experimentalAotusmonkey model. This all leads towards developing multistage, multicomponent, subunit-based vaccines that will be effective in eradicating or controlling malaria caused byP. falciparum.
Differential Telomere Processing byBorreliaTelomere Resolvases In Vitro but Not In Vivo
Authors: Tourand Yvonne , Bankhead Troy , Wilson Sandra L. , Putteet-Driver Adrienne D. , Barbour Alan G. , Byram Rebecca , Rosa Patricia A. , Chaconas George
Published: October 2006

Causative agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever, includingBorrelia burgdorferiandBorrelia hermsii, respectively, are unusual among bacteria in that they possess a segmented genome with linear DNA molecules terminated by hairpin ends, known as telomeres. During replication, these telomeres are processed by the essential telomere resolvase, ResT, in a unique biochemical reaction known as telomere resolution. In this study, we report the identification of theB. hermsii resTgene through cross-species hybridization. Sequence comparison of theB. hermsiiprotein with theB. burgdorferiorthologue revealed 67% identity, including all the regions currently known to be crucial for telomere resolution. In vitro studies, however, indicated thatB. hermsiiResT was unable to process a replicatedB. burgdorferitype 2 telomere substrate. In contrast, in vivo cross-species complementation in which the nativeresTgene ofB. burgdorferiwas replaced withB. hermsii resThad no discernible effect, even thoughB. burgdorferistrain B31 carries at least two type 2 telomere ends. TheB. burgdorferiResT protein was also able to process two telomere spacing mutants in vivo that were unresolvable in vitro. The unexpected differential telomere processing in vivo versus in vitro by the two telomere resolvases suggests the presence of one or more accessory factors in vivo that are normally involved in the reaction. Our current results are also expected to facilitate further studies into ResT structure and function, including possible interaction with otherBorreliaproteins.
Cell Envelope Stress Response inBacillus licheniformis: Integrating Comparative Genomics, Transcriptional Profiling, and Regulon Mining To Decipher a Complex Regulatory Network
Authors: Wecke Tina , Veith Birgit , Ehrenreich Armin , Mascher Thorsten
Published: October 2006

The envelope is an essential structure of the bacterial cell, and maintaining its integrity is a prerequisite for survival. To ensure proper function, transmembrane signal-transducing systems, such as two-component systems (TCS) and extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factors, closely monitor its condition and respond to harmful perturbations. Both systems consist of a transmembrane sensor protein (histidine kinase or anti-σ factor, respectively) and a corresponding cytoplasmic transcriptional regulator (response regulator or σ factor, respectively) that mediates the cellular response through differential gene expression. The regulatory network of the cell envelope stress response is well studied in the gram-positive model organismBacillus subtilis. It consists of at least two ECF σ factors and four two-component systems. In this study, we describe the corresponding network in a close relative,Bacillus licheniformis. Based on sequence homology, domain architecture, and genomic context, we identified five TCS and eight ECF σ factors as potential candidate regulatory systems mediating cell envelope stress response in this organism. We characterized the corresponding regulatory network by comparative transcriptomics and regulon mining as an initial screening tool. Subsequent in-depth transcriptional profiling was applied to define the inducer specificity of each identified cell envelope stress sensor. A total of three TCS and seven ECF σ factors were shown to be induced by cell envelope stress inB. licheniformis.We noted a number of significant differences, indicative of a regulatory divergence between the twoBacillusspecies, in addition to the expected overlap in the respective responses.
A MANIFESTLY GAUGE INVARIANT AND UNIVERSAL CALCULUS FORSU(N) YANG–MILLS
Authors: ROSTEN OLIVER J.
Published: October 2006

Within the framework of the Exact Renormalization Group, a manifestly gauge invariant calculus is constructed for SU (N) Yang–Mills. The methodology is comprehensively illustrated with a proof, to all orders in perturbation theory, that the β function has no explicit dependence on either the seed action or details of the covariantization of the cutoff. The cancellation of these nonuniversal contributions is done in an entirely diagrammatic fashion.
EXPLORING THE DILEMMAS OF SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH - THE CASE OF RURAL FOOD-PROCESSING MICRO FIRMS
Authors: KAIKKONEN VIRPI
Published: October 2006

The study discusses the development and growth of rural food-processing micro firms, and whether such firms are growth-oriented and under which conditions they are growth-oriented. The study shows that there are micro firms that are growth-oriented in rural areas. However, rural micro firm owners want to achieve their firm's growth by using their own and the family's resources and capabilities, and by avoiding risks. Furthermore, the study shows that when a small-scale firm wants to grow and seeks new market opportunities, bottlenecks in production begin to hold back the development of the firm. It seems that micro firm owners try to find machinery that is more automated than what they have, but of a size that is suitable for their production and their short-term expansion plans. The position of micro firms in the food sector makes production planning a challenge for them; small firms need to be flexible in production, and at the same time they must pay attention to cost elements. Therefore, production should become more automated and still stay flexible.
AN EMPIRICAL COMPARISON OF THE MANAGERIAL DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY AND NON-FAMILY SMEs FROM AUSTRALIA'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR
Authors: SMITH MAX
Published: October 2006

This study utilises data derived from the responses of 871 manufacturing SMEs between 1995/96 and 1997/98. The firms were segmented according to McMahon's (2001) taxonomy of low, moderate and high growth SMEs and then divided into family and non-family businesses. The study then empirically compares seven characteristics of managerial development across the two groups. The findings indicate there are significant differences in the managerial development of family and non-family businesses. In general, family businesses have more working proprietors, partners or directors; major decision-makers with less tertiary qualifications and are slower to adopt some management practices as they grow. Similarities include the size of their management teams, the practices of comparing performance and budget forecasting, and the evolution process itself. From a methodological perspective the findings indicate that the context of firms sampled needs to be controlled if meaningful comparisons are to be made.
A teddy-bear-based robotic user interface
Authors: Shimizu Noriyoshi , Koizumi Naoya , Sugimoto Maki , Nii Hideaki , Sekiguchi Dairoku , Inami Masahiko
Published: October 2006

A robotic user interface (RUI) is part of a concept in which a robot is used as an interface for human behavior. Our RUI is a system for interpersonal exchange that uses robots as agents for physical communication. In this article we propose a new type of RUI for interactive entertainment. This RUI enables people to directly interact with the information world.
Exploiting the replication cache to improve cache read bandwidth cost effectively
Authors: Allu B. , Zhang W. , Kandala M.
Published: October 2006

Cache bandwidth and reliability are both of great importance for microprocessor design. Recently, the replication cache has been proposed to enhance data cache reliability against soft errors. The replication cache is a small fully associative cache to store the replica(s) for every write to the L1 data cache. In addition to enhancing reliability, this paper proposes to make use of the replication cache in order to improve the performance of multiple-issue superscalar microprocessors by enlarging the cache read bandwidth effectively. Our experimental results show that exploiting a replication cache with only 8 entries can improve the performance of a 4-issue superscalar microprocessor by 9.4% on average without compromising the enhanced data integrity.
An efficient synchronization technique for multiprocessor systems on-chip
Authors: Monchiero Matteo , Palermo Gianluca , Silvano Cristina , Villa Oreste
Published: October 2006

This paper explores optimization techniques of the synchronization mechanisms for MPSoCs based on complex interconnect (Network-on-Chip), targeted at future mobile systems. We suggest the architecture of the memory controller optimized to minimize synchronization overhead. The proposed solution is based on the idea of performing synchronization operations which require the continuous polling of a shared variable, thus featuring large contention (e.g. spin locks), locally in the memory. We introduce a HW module, which augments the memory controller, the Synchronization-operation Buffer (SB), which queues and manages the requests issued by the processors. Experimental validation has been carried out by using GRAPES, a cycle-accurate performance/power simulation platform. For an 8-processor target architecture, we show that the proposed solution achieves up to 40% performance improvement and 25% energy saving with respect to synchronization based on the caching of the synchronization variables and directory-based coherency protocol. Furthermore, we prove the scalability of the proposed approach when the number of processors increases.
NPCryptBench
Authors: Yue Yao , Lin Chuang , Tan Zhangxi
Published: October 2006

Network processors (NPs), a type of multicore, multithread system that exploits system-on-chip techniques, usually adopt a distributed, shared memory hierarchy to scale up network processing. Network applications running on NP often display distinct characteristics on memory subsystem compared with traditional processors with multilevel cache. As security, especially cryptography, has become indispensable in today's networks, we present a benchmark suite called NPCryptBench. It is the first benchmark specially designed to evaluate cryptographic performance on NPs, particularly that of processor and memory subsystem. By running NPCryptBench on Intel IXP network processors, we provide quantitative evidence that performance bottlenecks under such a highly parallel environment reside in memory hierarchy and prolonged access latency, instead of limited computing resources described in recent literature. To alleviate this memory-wall effect, we suggest several software optimizations, which averagely boost the benchmark throughput by 145% on Intel IXP2800. Our analysis and optimizations are also suitable for other NPs with similar architectures.
Core algorithms in the CLEVER system
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Raghavan Prabhakar , Rajagopalan Sridhar , Tomkins Andrew
Published: October 2006

This article describes the CLEVER search system developed at the IBM Almaden Research Center. We present a detailed and unified exposition of the various algorithmic components that make up the system, and then present results from two user studies.
Optimal real-time sampling rate assignment for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Liu Xue , Wang Qixin , He Wenbo , Caccamo Marco , Sha Lui
Published: October 2006

How to allocate computing and communication resources in a way that maximizes the effectiveness of control and signal processing, has been an important area of research. The characteristic of a multi-hop Real-Time Wireless Sensor Network raises new challenges. First, the constraints are more complicated and a new solution method is needed. Second, a distributed solution is needed to achieve scalability. This article presents solutions to both of the new challenges. The first solution to the optimal rate allocation is a centralized solution that can handle the more general form of constraints as compared with prior research. The second solution is a distributed version for large sensor networks using a pricing scheme. It is capable of incremental adjustment when utility functions change. This article also presents a new sensor device/network backbone architecture---Real-time Independent CHannels (RICH), which can easily realize multi-hop real-time wireless sensor networking.
Multi-site cooperative data stream analysis
Authors: Douglis Fred , Branson Michael , Hildrum Kirsten , Rong Bin , Ye Fan
Published: October 2006

System S is a large-scale distributed streaming data analysis environment. Ultimately, we envision that there will be multiple sites running the System S software, each with their own administration and goals. However, cooperation between these sites can frequently be of mutual benefit. We are designing the framework to support numerous sites that can work both independently and in cooperative fashions, with a variety of interaction models such as peer-to-peer or federated. Depending on the degree of site autonomy and the relationships between any given pair of sites, the sites would be able to share data, perform processing on behalf of one another, or even take over tasks of a failed site. Interoperability is complicated by the degree of site autonomy as well as differences in execution environments and security policies. This paper surveys System S, describes its models for site interoperability, and discusses particular design issues such as site failover and heterogeneity.
An effective role administration model using organization structure
Authors: Oh Sejong , Sandhu Ravi , Zhang Xinwen
Published: October 2006

Role-based access control (RBAC) is a well-accepted model for access control in an enterprise environment. When we apply RBAC model to large enterprises, effective role administration is a major issue. ARBAC97 is a well-known solution for decentralized RBAC administration. ARBAC97 authorizes administrative roles by means of role ranges and prerequisite conditions, where prerequisite conditions effectively work as a restricted pool for administrative roles to pick users or permissions. Although attractive and elegant in their own right, these mechanisms have significant shortcomings. In this paper, we propose an improved role administration model named ARBAC02 to overcome the weaknesses of ARBAC97. ARBAC02 introduces the concept of organization structure for defining user and permission pools independent of roles and role hierarchies, with a refined prerequisite condition specification. In addition, we present a bottom-up approach of permission-role administration in contrast to the top-down approach in ARBAC97. As a general solution, we illustrate the applications of organization structured-based security administration with other access control models, such as access control list model and lattice-based access control model.
Humble beginnings, uncertain end
Authors: Ferrari Domenico
Published: October 2006

One of the pioneering efforts to obtain guaranteed performance from the Internet was born out of sheer curiosity. The question "Can it be done, and, if so, how?" came unexpectedly to the mind of a researcher who had never been active in the field of networking, and kept tormenting him until it became a personal challenge. Also due to many other researchers (with a lot more networking credentials), the topic was for several years quite a popular one in the community, and various protocols were designed, some even implemented, to incarnate some of the results of research. Will any of those protocols ever be deployed on the Internet? Only the future will tell.
Network monitors and contracting systems
Authors: Laskowski Paul , Chuang John
Published: October 2006

Today's Internet industry suffers from several well-known pathologies, but none is as destructive in the long term as its resistance to evolution. Rather than introducing new services, ISPs are presently moving towards greater commoditization. It is apparent that the network's primitive system of contracts does not align incentives properly. In this study, we identify the network's lack of accountability as a fundamental obstacle to correcting this problem: Employing an economic model, we argue that optimal routes and innovation are impossible unless new monitoring capability is introduced and incorporated with the contracting system. Furthermore, we derive the minimum requirements a monitoring system must meet to support first-best routing and innovation characteristics. Our work does not constitute a new protocol; rather, we provide practical and specific guidance for the design of monitoring systems, as well as a theoretical framework to explore the factors that influence innovation.
LIME
Authors: Murphy Amy L. , Picco Gian Pietro , Roman Gruia-Catalin
Published: October 2006

LIME (Linda in a mobile environment) is a model and middleware supporting the development of applications that exhibit the physical mobility of hosts, logical mobility of agents, or both. LIME adopts a coordination perspective inspired by work on the Linda model. The context for computation, represented in Linda by a globally accessible persistent tuple space, is refined in LIME to transient sharing of the identically named tuple spaces carried by individual mobile units. Tuple spaces are also extended with a notion of location and programs are given the ability to react to specified states. The resulting model provides a minimalist set of abstractions that facilitates the rapid and dependable development of mobile applications. In this article we illustrate the model underlying LIME, provide a formal semantic characterization for the operations it makes available to the application developer, present its current design and implementation, and discuss lessons learned in developing applications that involve physical mobility.
Peer assessment in the algorithms course
Authors: Chinn Donald
Published: October 2006

Peer assessment has the potential to encourage and enhance critical thinking skills and to help students progress toward a learning model where evidence, rather than the proclamations of an Authority, is the basis for understanding. This paper describes the use of peer assessment in the algorithms course. Our results indicate that students are able to apply assessment skills to more complex problems as the course proceeds, that there is a high correlation between the quality of their assessments and their performance in non-peer assessment course activities, and that in their assessments students tend to identify high-level errors more frequently than low-level errors.
WIPE
Authors: Efopoulos Vassilios , Dagdilelis Vassilios , Evangelidis Georgios , Satratzemi Maya
Published: October 2006

This paper presents an overview of the design principles and the evaluation of a new programming environment, WIPE (Web Integrated Programming Environment), designed specifically to teach novices the fundamentals of programming. The environment is designed for use in secondary education as a first programming course, in order to help students become familiar with the main programming concepts.
Active-learning activities that introduce students to software engineering fundamentals
Authors: Ludi Stephanie
Published: October 2006

First-year students select a program of study for a variety of reasons. As a result, many students are not familiar with the basic concepts and career opportunities that exist. At the Rochester Institute of Technology, first-year Software Engineering students participate in a seminar to orient them to the discipline. The course has been redesigned from a lecture format to an active-learning format. The new format uses a set of hands-on and community-building activities to demonstrate basic concepts, with little programming. The more engaging format enables students to explore concepts, gain experience working in teams, and have ownership over their own learning. The seminar structure and activities will be discussed, along with an analysis of student feedback, and lessons learned. The value of the seminar's approach can be used to introduce computing students to fundamental software engineering concepts in a variety of contexts.
Experiments in the automatic marking of ER-diagrams
Authors: Thomas Pete , Waugh Kevin , Smith Neil
Published: October 2006

In this paper we present an approach to the computer understanding of diagrams and show how it can be successfully applied to the automatic marking (grading) of student attempts at drawing entity-relationship (ER) diagrams. The automatic marker has been incorporated into a revision tool to enable students to practice diagramming and obtain feedback on their attempts.
New challenges in computer science education
Authors: Cardoso João M. P.
Published: October 2006

It is predicted that by the year 2010, 90% of the overall program code developed will be for embedded computing systems. This fact requires urgent changes in the organization of the current computer science curriculums, as advocated by a number of academics. The changes will help students deal with the idiosyncrasies of embedded systems, which requires knowledge about the computation engine, its energy consumption model, performance, interfaced artifacts, reconfigurable hardware programming, etc. This paper discusses some important issues to be included in modern computer science programs, in order to prepare students to be able to program future embedded computers. In particular, we present an approach we are attempting to implement at our institution. We also illustrate infrastructures that permit students to implement complex examples and gain deep knowledge about the topics being taught. Finally, with this paper we hope to foment a fruitful discussion on those issues.
Extreme programming promotes extreme learning?
Authors: Loftus Chris , Ratcliffe Mark
Published: October 2006

Extreme programming (XP) is an agile methodology claimed to promote the rapid development of software systems, enabling the accommodation of changing customer requirements during the project lifecycle without excessive cost penalties. The mechanisms used to achieve this require the software development team to maintain accurate tacit knowledge through extensive face-to-face communication and peer learning. This characteristic of XP, the authors argue, makes it a suitable tool in the teaching of new technologies to software engineering students. This is borne out by feedback from a group of fourth-year Master of Engineering (MEng) software engineering undergraduate students who undertook an XP-based project as part of their course. Furthermore, the authors argue that the methodology is best taught in its full form through group project work. This is most effective when undertaken in the latter years of a computer science or software engineering course, after the students have been exposed to more traditional, plan-based methodologies.
A visual and interactive automata theory course emphasizing breadth of automata
Authors: Verma Rakesh M.
Published: October 2006

Teaching Theory of Computation and learning it are both challenging tasks. Moreover, students are not sufficiently interested/motivated to learn this material since: (
i
) they believe that the material is dated and of little use and (
ii
) it is too abstract and difficult. To counter the first perception, we have developed materials to illustrate the breadth of finite automata concepts. To overcome the second problem we have: enhanced and integrated visualization software and historical background into newly-devloped materials including homeworks and slides for lectures. Most of the materials are available at a web site for the course that we developed. Our preliminary experience is positive overall, but there are some remaining concerns.
Advanced programming in java workshop
Authors: Benaya Tamar , Zur Ela
Published: October 2006

This paper describes the Advanced Programming in Java Workshop given in the Computer Science (CS) department of the Open University of Israel (OUI). The workshop is based primarily on J2EE technologies. We will describe the methodology of the workshop which combines several academic skills which we believe every university graduate must be exposed to.