Price Criteria Research Articles

Surgical management of unstable both-bone forearm fractures in children

We evaluated the results of two different surgical methods for the treatment of unstable both-bone forearm fractures in children. Thirty-five children with unstable both-bone forearm fractures were retrospectively evaluated. Of these, 14 patients (group 1; 4 girls, 10 boys; mean age 13 years; range 10 to 15 years) underwent open reduction and plate-screw fixation, and 21 patients (group 2; 5 girls, 16 boys; mean age 11.5 years; range 8 to 13 years) underwent closed reduction and intramedullary fixation. All the fractures in group 1 were closed, while, in group 2, there were 15 closed and six type 1 open fractures. The mean time to surgery was 4.3 days in group 1, and 3.1 days in group 2. The results were assessed using the criteria of Price et al. The mean follow-up was 34 months in group 1, and 37 months in group 2. Nonunion was observed in only one patient in group 1. The mean time to union was 7.2 weeks (range 6 to 11 weeks) in group 1, and 6.5 weeks (range 6 to 10 weeks) in group 2. According to the criteria of Price et al., the results in group 1 were perfect in 11 patients (78.6%), good in two patients (14.3%), and fair in one patient (7.1%). In group 2, 18 patients (85.7%) had excellent, three patients (14.3%) had good results. Complications were major in three patients (21.4%) and minor in two patients (14.3%) in group 1, compared to one major (4.8%) and eight minor (38.1%) complications in group 2. None of the patients had limb-length discrepancy, joint deformity, angular or rotational deformity, or complications such as synostosis and infection. It was concluded that intramedullary nailing was safe, effective, and easy to perform in the management of unstable both-bone forearm fractures in children.

Accounting and pricing: a forecast of the scenario of the next generation Internet

The Internet is becoming a multi-service network. This transformation makes it necessary to differentiate both network services and tariffs, according to the types of applications and customers' willingness to pay. Significant changes to existing architectures, procedures and protocols are necessary in order to turn the Internet into a multi-service network and a platform to develop business solutions efficiently. This evolution will favor the realization and deployment of advanced architectures to support routing, Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning, pricing, billing, accounting, and security functions. The flat-rate pricing model, commonly applied by Internet Service Providers, may become inadequate when added value IP services have to be charged. Hence, the need to define new pricing criteria, based on an appropriate combination of current usage of network resources and on the amount of the reserved resources, is expected. Other issues specifically related to these aspects are QoS-and-price based inter-domain routing, transport and content accounting models and architectures. The paper aims at introducing these problems, by describing and evaluating the solutions proposed in literature from the point of view of scalability and flexibility of market offers, and by identifying possible short-medium term trends in the field.

Learning While Searching for the Best Alternative

This paper delivers the solution to an optimal search problem where the searcher faces more than one search alternative and is learning about the attractiveness of the respective alternatives during the search process. The optimal sampling strategy is characterized by simple reservation prices that determine which of the search alternatives to sample and when to stop searching. The reservation price criterion is optimal for a large class of learning rules, including Bayesian, nonparametric, and ad-hoc learning rules. The considered search problem contains as special cases many earlier contributions to the search literature and thereby unifies and generalizes two directions of research; search with learning from a single search alternative and search without learning from several search alternatives. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D81, D83.

Epidemiología de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal crónica en Gijón. Asturias

To determine several aspects of the epidemiology of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including distribution of the various forms of IBD, sex, age at diagnosis considering lag-time to diagnosis, criteria used in the diagnosis, the relationship between educational level and activity, familial aggregation, phenotype (site and clinical type), number of admissions and mean hospital stay/year, surgical requirements and mortality. We carried out a retrospective (1954-1993) and prospective (1994-97) descriptive epidemiologic population study, in the fifth health district of Gijón in Asturias (Spain), with 225,798 inhabitants. A total of 595 patients diagnosed with chronic IBD according to the diagnostic criteria described by Lennard-Jones and Truelove for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and according to Ashley B. Price's criteria for indeterminate colitis (IC) were studied. In all patients a complete clinical follow-up was performed. During the study period, we diagnosed 595 patients with IBD [305 patients with UC (51.3%), 272 (45.7%) patients with CD and 18 (3%) with IC]. Sex distribution was 287 females (48.2%) and 308 males (51.8%), with a male/female ratio of 1.07. Mean age at presentation was 38.79 +/- 17.44 years (UC: 43.37 +/- 17.55; CD: 33.98 +/- 16.16; IC: 33.73 +/- 13.48), p = 0.000. Age at onset prior to diagnosis was as follows: UC: 42.03; CD: 30.47; IC: 30.99 (p = 0.000). Diagnostic criteria used in UC was symptomatic in 99.01% (p = ns), endoscopic in 95.04% (p = 0.000), and pathologic in 87.21% (p = 0.000); in CD diagnostic criteria used was radiologic in 85.29% (p = 0.000). A total of 29.1% of patients with UC and 66.7% of those with CD had higher education (p = 0.0005). Family history was found in 9.8%. Anatomical site was as follows: in UC: rectum 21%, 28.2% rectum and sigmoid, 22.3% left colitis, 4.2% distal to hepatic flexure and 24% pancolitis; in CD: 32.72% terminal ileum, 19.11% colon, 37.13% ileo-colon, 11.02% extensive intestinal and 3.67% gastro-duodenal. A total of 8.37% of patients with UC and 14.51% of those with CD had been hospitalized during the previous 4 years; mean hospital stay was 1.63 days in UC and 2.27 days in CD. The mean surgical requirements were 0.54 +/- 1.08 (31.59%); UC: 0.11 +/- 0.36 (10.2%); CD: 1.04 +/- 1.38 (56.25%), p = 0.000. The mortality rate was 48.73 deaths/1,000 inhabitants (UC: T = 65.57; CD: T = 33.08; IC:T= 0) p = ns. The standardized mortality ratio was 4.83 (UC: 6.51; CD: 3.28). We highlight the uniformity of the distribution of IBD in relation to types of disease and sex. Patients with CD had a higher level of education. Genetic components play an important role in these diseases and familial aggregation was high, especially in CD. Complicated situations are infrequent in this group of patients. Morbidity was higher in patients with CD as reflected by surgical requirements and hospital stay. Mortality was lower in CD than in UC.

A GENERAL METHODOLOGY TO PRICE AND HEDGE DERIVATIVES IN INCOMPLETE MARKETS

We introduce and discuss a general criterion for the derivative pricing in the general situation of incomplete markets, we refer to it as the No Almost Sure Arbitrage Principle. This approach is based on the theory of optimal strategy in repeated multiplicative games originally introduced by Kelly. As particular cases we obtain the Cox–Ross–Rubinstein and Black–Scholes in the complete markets case and the Schweizer and Bouchaud–Sornette as a quadratic approximation of our prescription. Technical and numerical aspects for the practical option pricing, as large deviation theory approximation and Monte Carlo computation are discussed in detail.

Option pricing with hedging at fixed trading dates

We introduce trading restrictions in the well known Black-Scholes model and Cox-Ross-Rubinstein model, in the sense that hedging is only allowed at some fixed trading dates. As a consequence, the financial market is incomplete in both modified models. Applying Schweizer's (and Schäl's) variance-optimal criterion for pricing and hedging general claims, we first analyse the dynamic consistency of the strategies which minimize the variance of the total loss due to hedging a given claim. Then we establish some convergence results, when the number of trading dates is either kept fixed or increases to infinity.

Customer‐supplier relationships in the UK trade of rice

Deals with some issues associated with relationship‐forming patterns within the UK trade of rice. In particular examines the importance of 16 variables, through a telephone survey, at three levels of the distribution chain, millers/ importers, manufacturers and retailers. The results indicate an overall uniformity in the importance of the variables between the channel intermediaries. In relative terms, finds soft/ personal variables to be perceived as less important than hard/product‐related variables. Furthermore, consistent with existing literature, identifies the following relationship‐forming groups of variables: interpersonal or intanintegrative criteria, relationship monitoring criteria, price criteria and product criteria.

The Effect of Communication On the Linkage Between Manufacturers and Suppliers in a Just‐in‐Time Environment

INTRODUCTION The importance of communication is confirmed by scholars and practitioners when describing an organization's just-in-time (JIT)/total quality management (TQM) performance. One researcher has recently suggested that communication is actually the key to JIT success.[1] She argues that efforts made to simplify communication and open information channels must parallel structural and organizational changes associated with JIT implementation. JIT partnering, an important link in the value chain, facilitates better management of supply risk and reduces demands on organizational resources by cutting non-value added activities.[2] In the past, supply risk was managed by holding buffer inventories to avoid problems caused by part shortages, defective inputs, and lengthy setup times. Traditional competitively oriented purchasing-supplier relationships usually are conditioned by the lowest bid price criterion. JIT partnering relations, on the other hand, are ideally described as cooperative partnerships in which one of the main goals is to obtain mutually beneficial results. In a win-win cooperative relationship, communication is an essential ingredient for developing successful supplier relations. Partnering arrangements the basis for supplier delivery of quality materials on a JIT basis as required by the manufacturer. Realization of the resulting benefits[3] depends on the opening of channels of communication between manufacturers and their supplier partners. New or enhanced communication patterns include: 1. More freely exchanged cost, schedule, and quality control information 2. The elimination of purchase orders for each shipment 3. Involving suppliers in the development of design specifications 4. The formation of joint task forces to resolve concerns 5. The use of supplier and manufacturer plant visits 6. The use of electronic data interchange (EDI) Opening channels of communication fosters the development of trust between a manufacturer and its supplier, thereby facilitating openness in the exchange of information. This exchange helps reduce opportunistic behavior and improves the free flow of important operating information.[4] The communication link in supplier partnerships thus contributes beyond immediate information transfer needs, reinforcing longer term mutual benefits affecting both manufacturer and supplier partners. One group of researchers discusses the need for organizations to provide a structured foundation for relationships, supported by processes which mutual benefits.[5] This article examines one of the foundations of the interorganizational JIT relationship: that of the communication experience of JIT manufacturers with JIT suppliers. RESEARCH DESIGN The data used in this study were drawn from a broader study examining the JIT purchasing relationship. The purpose of the study was to determine empirically the factors contributing to a cooperative, as opposed to a traditional, relationship between a manufacturer and a supplier. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of 1,315 purchasing personnel. Participants were purchasing managers, procurement officers, buyers, purchasing supervisors, and materials managers. Respondents were employed by original equipment manufacturing firms in such industries as fabricated metal products, machinery, electric and electronic equipment, transportation equipment, instruments and related products, and miscellaneous manufacturing. A second mailing was made to encourage participation in the study. The sample was partitioned into early and late responding groups to test for nonresponse bias - none was found. Of the 535 respondents, 218 were involved with JIT purchasing. These 218 responses were used to test the relationship between supplier communication and JIT outcomes. JIT outcomes were operationalized using perceptions of performance adapted from Ansari's earlier work. …

Rate structures in nuclear and non-nuclear US electric utility jurisdictions

This study investigates whether the structure of customer rates for US electric utilities with nuclear power generation is significantly different from the rate structure of non-nuclear utilities. Using previous estimates of the marginal costs of generation by nuclear and fossil-fuel plants, and of transmission and distribution, tests are made to determine if pricing practices are similar in nuclear and non-nuclear jurisdictions. The results show that the rate structure for the nuclear utilities is inefficient, with industrial rates significantly higher than first-best or second-best pricing criteria allow, whereas the rates for non-nuclear utilities are second-best efficient, with a slight favouritism toward the industrial class.

On the use of duality and pricing criteria in the generalized-simplex method

On the use of duality and pricing criteria in the generalized-simplex method

On the Use of Duality and Pricing Criteria in the Generalized‐simplex Method

Some results connected to the generalized‐simplex method and several of its main features are discussed. The duality information and pricing criteria of the classical simplex method will be incorporated in this new approach. An analogy between the generalized‐simplex method and the hybrid techniques (that combine interior point methods with the classical simplex method) is presented.

COMPARISON OF MARKETING SURVEY RESPONSES BETWEEN GARDEN SHOW AND GARDEN CENTER SAMPLES

Correctly anticipating consumer preferences for goods and services can have a large impact on profitability. Surveying patrons at individual retail outlets does insure the sampling is taken from a customer base, but such surveys are time and labor intensive. A survey sample, taken from attendees at Flower, Lawn and Garden Shows, offers the possibility of large sample sizes, of potential purchasers of horticultural goods and services, with reduced time and labor requirements. A survey to measure the influence of plant size, packaging and price on consumer purchasing habits was conducted at garden shows and garden centers. On the criteria of price and quality of nursery plant materials responses from the two samples were similar. Plant size and packaging appeared to be more influential criteria to the garden show sample.

Instrumental Valuation Indicators for Natural Resources and Ecosystems

Beldon Daniels, in the early draft of his latest book, which has a working title of Rediscovering America, 1992,1 has written that there have been four major eras in human history. The fourth, into which we are now evolving, according to Daniels, is the age of intelligence. Although the intelligence activity of the modem age both uses and directs the development of large quantities of data, information, and knowledge; a measurement concept, or unit for valuation has yet to be developed. The industrial age from which we are evolving, consistent with the technology of that era, has used industrial production (or a proxy for production such as money value) as the basic measurement unit for valuation. This article is intended as a step toward the realization of a measurement concept consistent with Daniels's ideas. The purpose of this article is to present a general instrumental methodology for determining value indicators with an application to natural resources and ecosystems. The article is guided by the work of four instrumentalists; John Dewey, Fagg Foster, James Swaney, and Richard Mattessich, who reject the possibility of valuation via a market price criterion and who support transactional valuation. All four have offered overarching criteria and principles for valuation. In addition the article uses the knowledge base of the Social Fabric Matrix (SFM) and the principles of General System Analysis (GSA).

Naïve theories of price: A developmental model

AbstractA model of the development of naïve theories of price is presented and tested. The criterion used to account for price variations within a product category is product features at age five, product features and quality at age ten, product quality and buyer utility at age thirteen, and a combination of supply considerations and buyer utility/demand in adulthood. Five‐year‐olds do not justify their use of product features as a price criterion; however, older respondents all justify their price criterion by referring to a source of value. At age ten, variation in the amount of manufacturing inputs is the source of value which justifies the use of product features as a price criterion; at age thirteen, variations in the quality of manufacturing inputs justify the use of product quality as a price criterion; and in adulthood, relative scarcity and buyer preferences justify the use of cost and demand as price criteria.

A review of solid waste management by composting in Europe

A survey of the waste disposal situation in the Federal Republic of Germany and the role of composting is given. A description of the technique of composting, and a representation of the Duisburg-Huckingen composting plant as an example for the application of composting technique follow. Other aspects of this review are the economics of composting as well as marketing and sales, distribution and pricing criteria for compost.

Efficiency in nuclear power pricing

This study investigates whether the rate structure for electric utilities with nuclear and fossil fuel generation is efficient and perhaps equitable. Data were collected on fossil and nuclear steam generation and transmission to estimate costs. Tests were performed to determine if efficient pricing practices were being followed. The results indicate that the marginal cost of nuclear generated power is less than that of power generated from fossil fuel sources. Also, the rate structure for the nuclear utilities is inefficient, with industrial rates significantly higher than first-best or second-best pricing criteria would indicate.

Eliminating columns in the simplex method for linear programming

We propose a column-eliminating technique for the simplex method of linear programming. A pricing criterion is developed for checking whether a dual hyperplane corresponding to a column intersects a simplex containing all of the optimal dual feasible solutions. If the dual hyperplane has no intersection with this simplex, we can eliminate the corresponding column from further computation during the course of the simplex method.

Proliferative kinetics of the leukemic cells in meningeal leukemia

The proliferative kinetics of leukemic cells was investigated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the leptomeninges of 5 patients with meningeal leukemia (ML) and 15 selected autopsies showing meningeal involvement. The 3H-thymidine labeling index (TLI), mitotic index (MI) and 3H-uridine labeling index (ULI) of leukemic cells in the CSF at the time of diagnosis were 0.7 ± 0.2, less than 0.01 and 96.2 ± 0.7%, respectively. The TLI was found to be higher at the time of recurrence than at the initial diagnosis of meningeal leukemia. The grade of leukemic cell infiltration was classified according to Price's criteria. The mitotic index was also estimated on the histologic sections. An infiltration of Grade 2 or greater was observed in all 4 patients who had not received an intrathecal administration of methotrexate (MTX). The clinical course of 2 patients with a higher MI (0.88 and 0.32%) was shorter than the other 2 (0.03 and 0.01%). In the patients who did not show clinical manifestations of ML, the infiltration of leukemic cells in the leptomeninges was mild in degree, and the MI was less than 0.01%. Likewise, mild infiltration and low MI was observed in 8 cases treated with an intrathecal administration of methotrexate. These findings seem to support the general concept that the proliferation of leukemia cells infiltrating leptomeninges is remarkably slow at an incipient stage of ML; then it undergoes a gradual acceleration, possibly slowing down again at an advanced stage of the disease.

Efficiency Criteria for Nationalised Industries.

1. Diagnosis 2. Micro-economics and the Real World 3. The Argument applied to Eastern Europe 4. The Relation of Theory to Practice 5. Pricing and Investment Criteria 6. Duty, Purpose, Supervision 7. Theory, Nationalised Industries and Socialism

Metering Costs and Marginal Cost Pricing in Public Utilities

This paper examines a welfare criterion for marginal cost pricing in the presence of metering costs. The good examined is local telephone service, which is viewed as two separate commodities: a connection to the system, and a charge for the telephone services actually used. The empirical results suggest that the rate structures of North American telephone utilities appear more consistent with rational pricing in the face of metering costs than with Averch-Johnson behavior.