Equivalent Conditions for Convergence of Splittings of Non-Hermitian Indefinite Matrices

We present some sufficient and necessary conditions for convergent splitting of a non-Hermitian indefinite matrix. Some sufficient conditions to determinate a matrix with a (strongly) dominant symmetric part for a class of boundary value problem are also obtained. These results are applicable to identify the convergence of iterative methods for solving large sparse systems of linear equations.     

The prospects of non-volatile phase-change RAM

Phase-change read-and-write memory (PRAM) is a promising memory that can solve the problems of conventional memory—scalability, read/write speed, and reliability. We will review the opportunities and technical challenges of PRAM. The most important challenge of PRAM is the reduction of the writing current. Various approaches to reduce the writing current will be reviewed and the prospects of PRAM are discussed.     

Organizational determinants of IT adoption in the pharmaceutical distribution sector

The aim of this paper is to propose new organizational factors that might explain the differences in the extent and the speed of IT adoption. With this in mind, we carried out an analysis of 16 cases in the pharmaceutical distribution sector in Spain. The results indicate that there are certain intangible assets that favour the introduction and development of IT. Among these are a frank and fluid communication between departments and members of the organization, low levels of conflict, the explicit support of top management towards IT adoption and learning and creative skills of IT-staff. In addition to these factors, we found others that we propose as catalysts of IT adoption. Among these we might mention the special relationship between the member-clients and the company in the case of cooperative firms.     

Outcome of treatment for bilateral congenital cataracts

The outcome of treatment for bilateral congenital cataracts was studied retrospectively in a group of 51 patients. Two major categories of lens opacities were identified. In the first category, the opacities were extensive and visual impairment was evident early in the first year. These cataracts often occurred in eyes with small corneal diameters and poorly dilating pupils. Postoperative strabismus was nearly universal; nystagmus developed in over 50%; and late onset open-angle glaucoma developed in 8 of the 29 patients studied. Early surgery did not seem to abort the development of nystagmus in this group of patients. In the second category, the lens opacities were partial, often lamellar in configuration, and visual impairment was less severe. Surgery was usually performed after 3 years of age, with good visual results if the opacities were symmetrical and there was no nystagmus. No deprivation amblyopia developed in this group, even when surgery was delayed into the second decade. Strabismus developed postoperatively in about a third, but so far, no delayed open-angle glaucoma has been identified.