bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hedging, liquidity, and the competitive firm under price uncertainty
Authors: Wong Kit Pong 
Published: May 2004

AbstractIn this paper, the behavior of the competitive firm under price uncertainty when the firm has access to an intertemporally unbiased futures market is examined. Futures contracts are marked‐to‐market and thus require interim cash settlement of gains and losses. The firm is subject to a liquidity constraint in that it is forced to prematurely close its futures position on which the interim loss incurred exceeds a threshold level. It is shown that the liquidity constrained firm optimally opts for an under‐hedge should it be prudent. Furthermore, the prudent firm cuts down its optimal level of output in response to the presence of the liquidity constraint. As such, the liquidity risk created by the interim funding requirement of a futures hedge adversely affects the hedging and production decisions of the competitive firm under price uncertainty. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:697–706, 2004
Determinants of the relative price impact of unanticipated information in U.S. macroeconomic releases
Authors: Hess Dieter 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe intraday response of T‐bond futures prices to surprises in headline figures of U.S. macroeconomic reports is investigated. Analyzing the time series properties and the information content of the macroeconomic news flow, the answer to the question, “What determines the relative price impact of releases?” is sought. Several types of information regarding inflation and economic strength are distinguished and the explanatory power of the type of information is tested against the alternative hypothesis that the timeliness of a release determines its impact. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:609–629, 2004
The impact of electronic trading on bid‐ask spreads: Evidence from futures markets in Hong Kong, London, and Sydney
Authors: Aitken Michael J. , Frino Alex , Hill Amelia M. , Jarnecic Elvis 
Published: May 2004

AbstractDuring 1999 and 2000, three major futures exchanges transferred trading in stock index futures from open outcry to electronic markets: the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE); the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE); and the Hong Kong Futures Exchange (HKFE). These changes provide unique natural experiments to compare relative bid‐ask spreads of open outcry vs. electronically traded markets. This paper provides evidence of a decrease in bid‐ask spreads following the introduction of electronic trading, after controlling for changes in price volatility and trading volume. This provides support for the proposition that electronic trading can facilitate higher levels of liquidity and lower transaction costs relative to floor traded markets. However, bid‐ask spreads are more sensitive to price volatility in electronically traded markets, suggesting that the performance of electronic trading systems deteriorates during periods of information arrival. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:675–696, 2004
Pricing credit spread options under a Markov chain model with stochastic default rate
Authors: Kang Jangkoo , Kim Hwa‐Sung 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis paper studies a Markov chain model that, unlike the existing models, has a stochastic default rate model so as to reflect real world phenomena. We extend the existing Markov chain models as follows: First, our model includes both the economy‐wide and the rating‐specific factors, which affect credit ratings. Second, our model allows both continuous and discrete movements in credit spreads, even when there exist no changes in credit ratings. Under these assumptions, we provide a valuation formula for a credit spread option, and examine its effects. This paper suggests a parsimonious model. As in J. Wei (2003), we find that rating‐specific factors are important. Also, discrete movements seem to play a larger role depending on the firm's credit rating. Finally, we show that a model, like the Kodera model, that uses only a common factor without allowing for discrete movements, may overprice credit spread put options. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:631–648, 2004
Mapping of a candidate colorectal cancer tumor‐suppressor gene to a 900‐kilobase region on the short arm of chromosome 8
Authors: Flanagan James M. , Healey Sue , Young Joanne , Whitehall Vicki , Trott Deborah A. , Newbold Robert F. , Chenevix‐Trench Georgia 
Published: May 2004

AbstractLoss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 8p occurs at high frequencies in many tumor types, including colorectal carcinoma (CRC). We previously used microcell‐mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT) into the CRC cell line SW620 to map a ∼7.7‐Mb colorectal cancer–suppressor region (CRCSR) at 8p22–23.1. In the current study, we transferred small fragments of this CRCSR into SW620 to refine the region further. Two microcell hybrids containing a 321‐ to 898‐kb region around the D8S552 marker at 8p23.1 showed suppression of soft agar clonicity and tumorigenicity in athymic mice when compared to control cell lines. These data suggest that the putative colorectal tumor–suppressor gene is within this small region. We analyzed two candidate genes within this region: FLJ23749 and KIAA1456. Expression of both genes was detected in normal colonic crypt cells and in mucosa. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed downregulation of KIAA1456 in 9 of 12 primary colorectal tumors compared to matching normal mucosa, but normal or increased expression of FLJ23749. FLJ23749 was expressed in all CRC cell lines tested; however, KIAA1456 was downregulated in three cell lines, including SW620, and was restored in the suppressed microcell hybrids. 5′aza‐2′Deoxycytidine treatment of the downregulated cell lines restored expression of KIAA1456, but bisulfite genomic sequencing did not show a correlation between promoter methylation and expression. Forty percent of the primary tumors showed LOH at this CRCSR locus, and mutation analysis revealed somatic mutations in 1 of 88 primary colorectal tumors for both KIAA1456 and FLJ23749. Despite the rarity of somatic mutations, the expression data suggest that KIAA1456 is still a candidate for the putative 8p colorectal cancer tumor‐suppressor gene. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two independent RB1‐inactivating mutations in peripheral blood DNA of a hereditary retinoblastoma patient
Authors: Alonso Javier , Menéndez Ibis , López Andrés , Frayle Helena , Ruisánchez Nora , Pestaña Ángel 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe report the presence of a hemizygous inactivating germ‐line RB1 mutation (a recurrent g.78250C→T transition, resulting in a stop codon in exon 17) in peripheral blood DNA from a patient with hereditary bilateral retinoblastoma. Hemizygosity was established by sequencing that showed no traces of the wild‐type C nucleotide and by quantitative real‐time PCR, which showed loss of one copy of exon 17. Genotyping of the RB1 locus with several polymorphic markers delineated a maximal deletion region between g.76875 and g.99426, including exons 15–17 and a large piece (21 kb) of intron 17. The heterozygosity for the mutation found in skin fibroblasts proves that the intragenic RB1 deletion probably took place in the definitive hematopoietic lineage of the patient. The presence of a null Rb−/− genotype in the hematopoietic cell lineage suggests that the white blood cells of the proband could be useful in the investigation of the role of complementary RBI family proteins in the control of the cell cycle. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicobacter pyloriinfection activatesFOSand stress‐response genes and alters expression of genes in gastric cancer–specific loci
Authors: Myllykangas Samuel , Monni Outi , Nagy Bálint , Rautelin Hilpi , Knuutila Sakari 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWe studied human gene expression changes caused byHelicobacter pyloriinfection by using an in vitro model and 13k cDNA microarrays. A gastric cancer cell line was infected withH. pyloristrain NCTC 11637.H. pyloriinfection was found to induce differential expression of genes in chromosomal locations known to contain frequent chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations specific to gastric cancer. Based on the results of time series experiments, the primary transcription target of the infection seemed to beFOS, the expression of which significantly increased afterH. pyloriinfection.H. pyloriinfection also activated transcription of several stress‐response genes.H. pyloriinfection may predispose the host cell to DNA damage in the chromosomal locations specific to gastric cancer by activating transcription and promoting histone removal from these sites, thus exposing its target DNA to mutations. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhanced cognitive performance and cheerful mood by standardized extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava‐kava)
Authors: Thompson Richard , Ruch Willibald , Hasenöhrl Rüdiger U. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe acute effects of the herbal anxiolytic Kava‐kava (Piper methysticum G. Forster) on emotional reactivity and cognitive performance were investigated in a double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial involving healthy volunteers. Subjects' reports of mood change were assessed with the state‐trait‐cheerfulness‐inventory, which measures the three concepts of cheerfulness, seriousness and bad mood as both traits and states. Cognitive performance was examined with the Sperling partial report and the Sternberg item recognition task, which were used as an index for visual attention and short‐term memory processing. The intake of a single dose of Kava extract (300 mg; p.o.) led to an increase in state cheerfulness, while the phytopharmacon did not influence state seriousness and bad mood. The mood‐elevating effects of Kava were most prominent in trait cheerful subjects, indicating that trait cheerfulness moderated the drug‐induced increase in cheerful mood. Furthermore, Kava improved the accuracy and the speed of performing the partial report and the item recognition task, indicative of a beneficial effect of the phytopharmacon on visual attention and short‐term memory retrieval, respectively. Thus, unlike conventional benzodiazepine‐type anxiolytics, which tend to impair cognitive performance and to increase the occurrence of negative affective states, Kava is a potent anxiolytic agent, which, additionally, can facilitate cognitive functioning and can increase positive affectivity related to exhilaration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decrease of the platelet 5‐HT2A receptor function by long‐term imipramine treatment in endogenous depression
Authors: Gómez‐Gil Esther , Gastó Cristóbal , Carretero Marta , Díaz‐Ricart Maribel , Salamero Manel , Navinés Ricard , Escolar Ginés 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBackgroundAnimal studies have found that many antidepressants induce decreases in both the density and the functional activity of the serotonin 2A (5‐HT2A) receptor subtype. However, the extrapolation of findings to humans has been inconclusive. A physiological platelet response mediated by this receptor, the serotonin‐amplified platelet aggregation, was measured to study whether long‐term antidepressant treatment induces changes in 5‐HT2A receptor functioning in endogenous depressed patients.MethodThe percentage of serotonin‐amplified platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was studied in 15 untreated patients with major depressive disorder (DSM‐IV) with endogenous features (Newcastle scale). This index was used as an indirect measurement of the functional status of platelet 5‐HT2A receptors. Aggregation studies were repeated once remission of the symptoms was achieved during treatment with imipramine (150–300 mg/day). A group of 15 concurrent normal subjects was used as a control.ResultsA statistically significant decrease (p = 0.038) in the percentage of serotonin‐amplified platelet aggregation to ADP was observed when remission was achieved (after 145 ± 27 days).ConclusionsThe results showed a decrease in a platelet functional response mediated by 5‐HT2A receptors following effective imipramine treatment, suggesting that desensitization or down‐regulation of the 5‐HT2A receptor function could be linked to the therapeutic effect of some antidepressants. The data also support the use of platelet aggregometry as a surrogate measurement of antidepressant action, particularly in intra‐subject designs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A preliminary study of the comparative effects of olanzapine and risperidone on cognition in schizophrenia
Authors: Kim Yang‐Tae , Kang Byung‐Jo 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of olanzapine and risperidone on cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. The subjects were schizophrenic outpatients, all meeting DSM‐IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and already treated with risperidone. In the experimental group (15), risperidone was changed to olanzapine to be administered for 8 weeks. Risperidone was maintained without a change in the daily dose in the control group (13). The assessment of clinical symptoms and cognitive functions in both groups was made at baseline and at 8 weeks. The experimental group relative to the control group showed significant improvement in five items such as immediate and delayed recall of verbal memory, verbal fluency, visual memory and total error of executive function. Although these data are preliminary, they could suggest the possibility of cognitive benefits from treatment with olanzapine relative to risperidone. These findings did not appear to be mediated by changes in clinical symptoms and side effects. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drug utilization review of risperidone for outpatients in a tertiary referral hospital in Singapore
Authors: Luo Nan , Koh Yvonne , Tan Chay Hoon , Kua Ee Heok , Li Shu Chuen 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBackgroundRisperidone has been used in Singapore for schizophrenia since 1996. However, little information is available on its utilization pattern.ObjectiveTo examine the risperidone utilization pattern in the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic of the National University Hospital.MethodMedical records of all outpatients with schizophrenia prescribed with risperidone from 1 September1999 to 31 August 2000 were reviewed.ResultsA total of 417 risperidone prescriptions were dispensed for 130 outpatients (50 male, 80 female) during the study period. The mean ± SD daily doses for prescriptions and for patients were 2.3 ± 1.3 mg and 2.1 ± 1.1 mg, respectively. Among these patients, 28 (21.5%) received at least one concomitant conventional antipsychotic and 71 (54.6%) received a concomitant anti‐Parkinsonian agent. Logistic regression analysis suggested that a higher risperidone dose was associated with the greater probability of anti‐Parkinsonian agent usage.ConclusionsThe mean risperidone dose during the study period was towards the lower end of recommendation for schizophrenia. Further study is warranted to confirm and explain the pattern of low‐dose risperidone, and the high use of concomitant conventional antipsychotics and anti‐Parkinsonian agents in Singapore. Elucidation of these would provide a valuable insight for the management of Asian patients with schizophrenia using risperidone. However, the current data indicate that the practice of using a lower dose of risperidone could represent better affordability and an improved cost‐effectiveness ratio of risperidone compared with conventional antipsychotics in Asian patients. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Verbal working memory deficits in current and previous users of MDMA
Authors: Wareing Michelle , Fisk John E. , Murphy Philip , Montgomery Catharine 
Published: May 2004

AbstractPrevious research suggests that MDMA users are impaired in various aspects of cognitive functioning, however, it remains unclear whether they might experience deficits in established measures of verbal working memory functioning. In the present study current and previous MDMA users were compared with non‐users on verbal working memory measures including reading and computation span. Both user groups were found to be impaired on the computation span measure while current users also exhibited impairment in reading span. The MDMA‐related deficit on the computation span measure remained significant following the introduction of statistical controls for the potentially confounding effects of cannabis and other drugs. The results are discussed in the context of recent research on executive processes. It is suggested that MDMA may produce differential effects on specific components within a fractionated executive system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of dietary caffeine on mood when rested and sleep restricted
Authors: James Jack E. , Gregg M. Elizabeth 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAn Erratum has been published for this article in Human Psychopharmacology 20(5), 2005, 376.Prolonged use of caffeine can lead to physical dependence evidenced by characteristic withdrawal symptoms during abstinence. Debate exists as to whether mood enhancement by caffeine represents a net effect or merely the restoration of abstinence‐induced mood decrements. One aim of this study was to determine the net effects on mood of dietary caffeine compared with prolonged abstinence. In addition, the study aimed to determine whether caffeine restores mood degraded by a non‐caffeine source, namely, sleep restriction. A double‐blind placebo‐controlled cross‐over design was employed in which 48 male and female volunteers alternated weekly between ingesting placebo and caffeine (1.75 mg/kg) three times daily for 4 consecutive weeks, while being either rested or sleep restricted. Mood was assessed using a computerized version of the profile of mood states (POMS), giving scores for overall mood and six mood dimensions. Gender had small effects on mood, whereas all mood dimensions were markedly adversely affected by sleep restriction. Caffeine had no significant net enhancing effects on mood when participants were rested, and produced no net restorative effects when mood was degraded by sleep restriction. On the contrary, caffeine‐induced decrements in mood were observed during both conditions of rest and sleep restriction. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmarking performance in the irrigation and drainage sector: a tool for change
Authors: Malano Hector , Burton Martin , Makin Ian 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWith increasing pressure on available water resources, irrigation systems in many countries are having to find ways to improve performance. As often the main consumptive user, irrigation systems are having to release water for other uses and to produce “more crop per drop”. Benchmarking is a valuable tool that has proven itself in the business and commercial sector, as well as in public sector enterprises. This paper describes and defines the benchmarking process, and goes on to outline its current application in the irrigation and drainage (I&D) sector. The paper highlights the difficulty of benchmarking in the I&D sector given the complexity and site‐specific nature of irrigation and drainage systems, and emphasises the need for careful identification of which processes to benchmark. Preliminary benchmarking indicators are discussed, and attention drawn to efforts currently under way to apply and test this preliminary set. Emphasis is placed on the effort and resources required to bring about the required changes identified by the benchmarking exercise, and the role of change management as an integral part of the benchmarking process. The paper concludes that benchmarking provides a feasible mechanism for performance improvement in the I&D sector, but requires the active involvement of motivated individuals with support from the wider environment, encompassing an enabling socio‐political environment and support from key stakeholders. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conceptualizing irrigation project modernization through benchmarking and the rapid appraisal process
Authors: Burt Charles M. , Styles Stuart W. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractBenchmarking is defined as a systematic process for achieving continued improvement in the irrigation sector through comparisons with relevant and achievable internal or external goals, norms, and standards. The three aspects of benchmarking are: evaluation of technical indicators (both internal and external); appraisal of the system processes; and an evaluation of service to users and their satisfaction with that service.The authors have incorporated all three components into a training program in which project staff learn the concepts of modernization and then evaluate their own project in a systematic rapid appraisal process (RAP). At the end of the training, internal and external indicators are developed for the project, and the local staff develop a priority list for modernization of the project. This paper will present the concepts of the RAP. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying benchmarking and data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques to irrigation districts in Spain
Authors: Díaz J. A. Rodríguez , Poyato E. Camacho , Luque R. López 
Published: May 2004

AbstractIn this research, the application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is proposed as a methodology to overcome the problems related to the lack of methodology to assign the correct weightings for the calculation of indexes and to the subjectivity of the interpretations of results. DEA is a linear programming technique to determine the relative efficiencies of a company when the inputs and outputs of production units within the company are known, but the productive process itself is not. In this way, quantitative efficiencies and the weighting of any performance indicator can be assessed and compared, permitting managers to obtain a well‐defined performance ranking. This is especially important when managers dispose of a limited budget. The results of the application of this methodology to Andalusian irrigation districts (Spain) are presented and discussed here. This study was used to select the most representative irrigation districts in Andalusia which were then studied in greater depth by applying the performance indicators selected by IPTRID for use by the benchmarking international program. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Present practices and opportunities for performance improvement of irrigation schemes in Maharashtra state of India (POPIIS)
Authors: Sodal S. V. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMaharashtra state has created approximately 3.7 Mha of irrigated potential since independence in 1947. However, the season wise utilization remains low with only 1.3 Mha being irrigated in 2000–01. In the ongoing efforts to increase utilization and improve service provision the state government has introduced a series of policies and procedures directed at improving rural livelihoods. Annual performance assessment has been a feature of irrigation management for the past 25 years based on five key parameters. Developing from these basic performance measures the state has joined national and international benchmarking programmes in the search for performance improvements.The paper presents a summary of the development of performance assessment into benchmarking in Maharashtra state with examples of key indicators. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.