bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Consumers Purchase Too Much Health Insurance? The Role of Market Power in Health‐Care Markets
Authors: WIGGER BERTHOLD U. , ANLAUF MARKUS
Published: June 2007

Several authors have suggested that consumers purchase too much health insurance in private markets. We readdress this issue within a model that combines excess health‐care demand due to health insurance with market power due to monopolistic production of health‐care services. We evaluate the market equilibrium in terms of consumer welfare and social welfare. The consumer welfare criterion suggests that in the market equilibrium consumers in fact purchase too much health insurance coverage. The social welfare criterion, in contrast, suggests that because profits of the health‐care industry are properly accounted for, consumers should purchase more insurance coverage than they choose to do in the market equilibrium.
Promoting Accountability in Multilevel Governance: A Network Approach
Authors: Harlow Carol , Rawlings Richard
Published: June 2007

Abstract:  This article addresses problems of accountability in the system of multilevel governance, organised around networks, as it exists in the EU. An ‘accountability deficit’ arises when gaps are left by the accountability machinery of the several levels of government, supranational and national. This article suggests a new evaluative framework based on the concept of ‘accountability network’, questioning the hierarchical and pyramidal assumptions that presently underpin accountability theory in the EU context. Using case studies of the Community courts and European Ombudsman, the article suggests that ‘accountability networks’ may be emerging, composed of agencies specialising in a specific mode of accountability, which come together or coalesce in a relationship of support, fortified by shared professional expertise and ethos. At present fragmentary and imperfect, these might ultimately be capable of providing effective machinery for accountability in network governance systems.
Performance of a World Health Organization first‐line regimen (stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine) in antiretroviral‐naïve individuals in a Western setting
Authors: Tam LWY , Hogg RS , Yip B , Montaner JSG , Harrigan PR , Brumme CJ
Published: June 2007

Objectives

In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) introduced the ‘3 by 5 Initiative’ to treat 3 million individuals by the end of 2005. This study evaluates the time to treatment termination, viral load suppression, and detection of drug resistance among antiretroviral‐naïve individuals initiating stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine (d4T/3TC/NVP) in British Columbia, Canada, to provide a context for future programme planning.

Methods

Primary outcome was time to treatment termination. Secondary outcome was time to viral suppression. Accumulation of drug resistance mutations was followed systematically in the first 145 individuals over 30 months. Cox proportional hazard regression identified factors associated with termination and suppression.

Results

312 antiretroviral‐naïve individuals initiated d4T/3TC/NVP between August 1996 and September 2003. Median follow‐up time was 26.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] 6.8–46.5). At a median of 12.4 months (IQR 4.3–33.3), 132 (42.3%) patients switched treatment, 53 (17.0%) stopped therapy and 26 (8.3%) died. Of 308 subjects with baseline viral load >500 copies/mL, 223 (72.4%) suppressed to ≤500 copies/mL at a median of 2.0 months. Among 145 (46.5%) individuals followed longitudinally, resistance mutations to NNRTI, 3TC, or other NRTI were detected in 11 (7.6%), six (4.1%) and four (2.8%) individuals after 12 months of therapy; and in 23 (15.9%), 17 (12.0%), and six (4.1%) individuals after 30 months.

Conclusions

The population requiring second‐line treatment was 30% at 12 months and 40% at 24 months; 20% had detectable drug resistance mutations by 30 months. While these results are from a Western setting, they illustrate the need to consider second‐ and third‐line approaches as antiretroviral treatment scale‐up continues in the developing world.
Hepatitis B virus and HIV coinfection: relationship of different serological patterns to survival and liver disease
Authors: Osborn MK , Guest JL , Rimland D
Published: June 2007

Objectives

Eighty per cent of HIV‐positive patients show evidence of past or current infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The impact of chronic HBV infection or the presence of isolated HBV core antibody on survival in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has not been well studied.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included patients from the HIV Atlanta Veterans Affairs Cohort Study (HAVACS). This cohort comprises 2818 HIV‐positive patients followed since 1982. For this analysis, 1685 patients with available HBV serologies were included, based on laboratory records available since 1992. Adjusted survival analyses were performed for patients showing any of four serological patterns for HBV: (1) surface antigen positive (chronic HBV infection), (2) isolated core antibody, (3) surface antibody with or without core antibody (resolved/vaccinated) and (4) no HBV markers (negative group). Risk factors for liver disease were identified.

Results

A trend was seen for a lower survival rate from AIDS to death in the chronic HBV infection group compared with the negative group [hazard ratio (HR) 1.43; P=0.118]. The only independent predictor of lower survival rate was hepatitis C virus positivity (HR 1.62; P=0.008). Protective factors were use of HAART (HR 0.40; P=0.0003), use of lamivudine (HR 0.36; P<0.0001) and use of tenofovir (HR 0.23; P<0.0001). Survival from HIV diagnosis to death was not different among the HBV groups. Isolated core antibody patients did not have a lower survival rate compared with those with resolved HBV infection. Patients with chronic HBV infection were 3.5 times more likely to have liver disease than those with no HBV infection (P<0.02).

Conclusions

There is a trend towards a lower survival rate in patients with HIV and chronic HBV infection, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The presence of isolated core antibody was not associated with a lower survival rate.
Poor efficacy of intradermal administration of recombinant hepatitis B virus immunization in HIV‐infected individuals who fail to respond to intramuscular administration of hepatitis B virus vaccine
Authors: Shafran SD , Mashinter LD , Lindemulder A , Taylor GD , Chiu I
Published: June 2007

Objective

It is recommended that hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐susceptible, HIV‐infected persons be immunized for HBV. However, 44–76% of HIV‐infected persons fail to respond to a standard series of recombinant HBV vaccine. Intradermal (i.d.) administration of HBV vaccine has been effective in nonresponders to intramuscularly administered vaccine among healthcare workers, haemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. We evaluated the immunogenicity of HBV vaccine given by the intradermal route in HIV‐infected individuals who failed to respond to two series of HBV vaccine given intramuscularly.

Methods

Recombinant HBV vaccine [10 μg HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)/mL] was administered as 0.25 mL i.d. every 2 weeks for four doses in 12 HIV‐infected adults who failed to respond to six doses of HBV vaccine administered by the intramuscular route. Anti‐HBs was tested at least 2 weeks following the fourth dose of i.d. administered vaccine, and if the anti‐HBs titre was negative or <30 IU/L, a second series of four i.d. doses were administered every 2 weeks. Anti‐HBs was measured at least 2 weeks following the second series of i.d. administered HBV vaccine and 6 and 12 months after the last dose.

Results

Protective levels of anti‐HBs (>10 IU/L) were achieved in six subjects (50%) after four doses. Administration of four additional i.d. doses to the six nonresponders did not result in any additional seroconverters. Five of the six responders had no detectable anti‐HBs at 12 months after the last dose of i.d. administered vaccine.

Conclusions

The i.d. route of administration of recombinant HBV vaccine does not appear to be immunogenic in HIV‐infected adults who fail to respond to six doses of intramuscularly administered vaccine.
The treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV‐infected patients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim AI , Dorn A , Bouajram R , Saab S
Published: June 2007

Objective

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease progression appears to be accelerated in patients coinfected with HIV. The impact of HCV on coinfected patients is being realized as patients are now living longer. The objective of our study was to further elucidate incremental improvement and safety concerns with combinations of pegylated interferon (peginterferon), interferon and ribavirin based on data obtained from prospective randomized controlled trials.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane database for material published between 1966 and 29 August 2005 and a hand search of abstracts from national meetings held between 2001 and August 2005 were performed. Trials comparing the use of peginterferon plus ribavirin vs peginterferon or interferon plus ribavirin were assessed.

Results

In six randomized controlled trials, 1756 patients were randomized. Sustained virological response was greater for patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin compared with patients treated with interferon plus ribavirin [odds ratio (OR) 3.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27–3.96]. This increased sustained virological response with peginterferon and ribavirin was found for patients with HCV genotype 1 or 4 (OR 4.40; 95% CI 2.75–7.03) and genotype 2 or 3 (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.71–3.85). Sustained virological responses were also higher with peginterferon and ribavirin as compared with peginterferon monotherapy (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.84–3.67). Severe adverse effects (OR 1.09; 95% CI 0.74–1.4) and withdrawal rates (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.75–1.25) were similar between patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin and patients treated with interferon plus ribavirin.

Conclusions

Patients with chronic HCV/HIV coinfection have a greater likelihood of achieving a sustained virological response with peginterferon plus ribavirin. The likelihoods of serious adverse effects and study withdrawal were similar.
Development of microsatellite markers in the common fig, Ficus carica L.
Authors: BANDELJ D. , JAVORNIK B. , JAKSE J.
Published: June 2007

We present a new set of 15 polymorphic microsatellite primer sequences developed from Ficus carica L. The variability of specific microsatellite regions was assessed in wild population of figs from the northern Adriatic coast and all 15 primer pairs showed single‐locus amplification with a total of 65 alleles and an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.285 to 0.863. The 15 new microsatellite loci represent a significant tool for population genetic structure studies and will be further used to investigate the origin and maintenance of genetic variation within and between populations of figs along the Adriatic coastal region.
Foraging habitat selection by Little Terns Sternula albifrons in an estuarine lagoon system of southern Portugal
Authors: PAIVA VITOR H. , RAMOS JAIME A. , MARTINS JORGE , ALMEIDA ANA , CARVALHO ANA
Published: June 2007

We assessed the effects of environmental variables on the distribution and feeding behaviour of adult Little Terns Sternula albifrons in Ria Formosa Natural Park, Algarve, southern Portugal, in different foraging habitats (main lagoon, salinas and sea) during the breeding seasons, April–July, of 2003–05. Foraging density was higher in the lagoon than in the sea, and at low tide. The number of foraging individuals at sea was independent of tide. Individual Little Terns foraged further from the nearest breeding colony in April and May (courtship feeding and incubation) than in June and July (chick‐rearing). During intermediate tidal phases, individuals foraged further from the nearest colony, and followed main lagoon channels, perhaps because stronger currents increased prey availability. Diving activity and foraging success were higher in 2003 than 2004 or 2005, perhaps because of greater availability of marine prey in 2003. Diving rate was higher in July (when independent juveniles began learning how to forage) but diving success was higher in June (chick‐rearing) than in other months. The variables selected by the final logistic models reflected four basic needs for the selection of feeding habitats by Little Terns: (1) association between foraging individuals, (2) areas with abundant feeding resources, (3) entrance channels and main lagoon channels with strong currents, and (4) the proximity to areas with alternative feeding resources, the salinas. Areas subjected to strong human pressure were avoided by foraging Little Terns.
Managing Bone Parameters in Dialysis Patients: International Guideline Conflicts
Authors: Faull Randall J.
Published: June 2007

The linkage between bone parameters (calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone) and cardiovascular death in dialysis patients has led to a major resurgence in interest in this area of nephrological practice. Two major groups have recently published extensive guidelines for clinical practice in this area—the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative from the United States, and the Caring for Australasians with Renal Impairment group from Australia and New Zealand. There are some important differences in their recommendations, which reflect variations in local clinical practice, reimbursement systems, and interpretation of the medical literature. Two areas of divergence are highlighted in this editorial—use of vitamin D and its analogs, and use of phosphate binders. Readers of guidelines such as these need to be careful to interpret such recommendations in the context of the realities of their local clinical practice and availability of therapies.
Withholding and Withdrawal from Dialysis: What We Know About How Our Patients Die
Authors: Germain Michael J. , Cohen Lewis M. , Davison Sara N.
Published: June 2007

Withholding and withdrawal of dialysis has been a reality since dialysis was invented. Only in the past 20 years has it been formally studied, and we still have a great deal to learn. The nephrology community has slowly come to accept that, for some of our patients, not having dialysis is a better option than continuing or initiating therapy. The principles of palliative care throughout the disease trajectory and hospice care at end of life are germane to this population due to its high symptom burden and mortality rate. We review what is currently known concerning patients who choose to withhold or withdraw from dialysis, and the current barriers (and solutions) to providing them with optimal palliative care.
Reflections on Diabetes, Clinical Trials, and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Sica Domenic A.
Published: June 2007

Hypertension and diabetes are commonly found conditions, which predispose to premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A strong consensus has emerged in support of aggressive blood pressure reduction in order to forestall the almost inevitable complications that follow from being a hypertensive diabetic. As of yet though it is not clearly determined as to what represents the best class(es) of antihypertensive medications to effect such blood pressure reduction. In this regard, considerable debate has arisen as to the cost/benefit ratio of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in the hypertensive diabetic. Although studies such as the Fosinopril vs. Amlodipine Cardiovascular Events Trial and the Appropriate Blood Pressure Control in Diabetes study would seem to argue against the use of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in the diabetic hypertensive, other studies such as the subset analyses of the Syst‐Eur and the Syst‐China and the Hypertension Optimal Treatment study provide almost compelling evidence for the safety of low to moderate doses of a dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in this population. Safety issues of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers will remain unresolved until the release of the Antihypersensitive and Lipid Lowering Study to Prevent Heart Attack results at which time a resolution to this question should be forthcoming.
A Hemodynamic Approach to Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Taler Sandra J. , Augustine Jo Ellen , Textor Stephen C.
Published: June 2007

Resistant hypertension affects a minority of treated hypertensive patients, yet the resulting target organ damage causes disproportionate morbidity and increased risk of cardiovascular events. The clinical features and efforts to adjust drug treatment in a resistant hypertensive patient are described. As demonstrated, serial hemodynamic measurements using thoracic bioimpedance may provide a rationale for selection of effective combination antihypertensive therapy.
Emergence of Electronic Home Monitoring in Chronic Heart Failure: Rationale, Feasibility, and Early Results With the HomMed Sentry™‐Observer™ System
Authors: Mehra Mandeep R. , Uber Patricia A. , Chomsky Don B. , Oren Ron
Published: June 2007

Electronic home monitoring for chronic heart failure is emerging as an available option to add to our armamentarium as a vital part of the multidisciplinary care process. This investigation describes the early clinical results of a multicenter study which suggests that important trends in medical resource utilization may be attained by the use of this modality.
Effective Treatment of Severe Acute Myocarditis with Intravenous Immune Globulin and Pulse Corticosteroids in a 32‐Year‐Old Patient
Authors: Delgado Reynolds M. , Razeghi Peter , Radovancevic Branislav
Published: June 2007

We describe a 32‐year‐old patient with acute myocarditis resulting in severe heart failure with hemodynamic compromise who improved significantly after treatment with immune globulin and pulse steroids. Six weeks after termination of the immunosuppressive therapy the patient developed symptoms of heart failure again and his ejection fraction decreased to 30%–34%. Treatment with immune globulin resulted in resolution of symptoms and return of left ventricular function.
The National Heart Failure Project: A Health Care Financing Administration Initiative to Improve the Care of Medicare Beneficiaries with Heart Failure
Authors: Masoudi Frederick A. , Ordin Diana L. , Delaney Richard J. , Krumholz Harlan M. , Havranek Edward P.
Published: June 2007

This is the second in a series describing Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) initiatives to improve care for Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure. The first article outlined the history of HCFA quality‐improvement projects and current initiatives to improve care in six priority areas: heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes, and breast cancer. This article details the objectives and design of the Medicare National Heart Failure Quality Improvement Project (NHF), which has as its goal the improvement of inpatient heart failure care.
Ventricular Resynchronization in Refractory Heart Failure
Authors: Ali Omar , Ventura Hector O. , Stapleton Dwight D. , Smart Frank W.
Published: June 2007

The use of a multisite transvenous pacemaker in a patient with refractory heart failure who experienced short‐term symptomatic improvement is described. The improvement in heart failure symptoms was most likely related to resynchronization of atrioventricular and interventricular asynchrony. Large, multicenter, randomized trials of this technology are being performed to evaluate the importance of this therapeutic modality in the treatment of heart failure.
The AHF SCENE II Preceptorship Program: Rationale and Design of an Educational Program to Optimize Management of Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Ventura Hector O. , Piña Ileana L.
Published: June 2007

Advanced heart failure requires specialized treatment to improve symptoms, increase survival, and reverse or slow disease progression. The Advanced Heart Failure Shared Clinical Experiences Network, or AHF SCENE, was founded in 1995 to provide small groups of health care professionals with better advanced heart failure management strategies by sharing clinical experiences from centers treating large numbers of patients. The original AHF SCENE program has since been modified to provide health care professionals with more information on current strategies for advanced heart failure management and to better serve the educational needs of professionals who care for these patients. AHF SCENE II promotes new methods, programs, procedures, and pharmacologic interventions and also describes strategies for tracking and improving clinical and economic outcomes in the management of advanced heart failure. AHF SCENE II supports the understanding that rapid, aggressive medical management is essential and is more effective in the context of a well designed program that spans the continuum of care.
Acoustic Cardiographic Parameters and Their Relationship to Invasive Hemodynamic Measurements in Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: Roos Markus , Toggweiler Stefan , Zuber Michel , Jamshidi Peiman , Erne Paul
Published: June 2007

Data obtained at cardiac catheterization were used to evaluate the utility of acoustic cardiographic data in assessing the hemodynamic abnormalities associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Thirty‐seven patients (mean age, 62.6 years) underwent catheterization, and hemodynamic data were recorded. Acoustic cardiographic recordings were obtained using a system that records and algorithmically interprets diastolic heart sounds and parameters analogous to traditional systolic time intervals. Seventeen patients had LVSD (defined as ejection fraction <50%). The 17 patients with LVSD composed the cohort for analysis. There were strong associations between acoustic cardiographic parameters and left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure, ejection fraction, and maximum contractility. Heart rate tended to influence the strength of these correlations. The authors conclude that acoustic cardiographic data can be used in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected LVSD, and specifically in the selection of patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy and the optimization of the settings of implanted resynchronization devices.
Intrauterine use of hyperconcentrated platelet concentrates collected with Trima Accel in a case of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Ringwald Juergen , Schroth Michael , Faschingbauer Florian , Strobel Julian , Strasser Erwin , Schild Ralf L. , Goecke Tamme W.
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Due to the threat of serious or fatal bleedings, fetuses with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) may need intrauterine platelet (PLT) transfusions. To prevent a volume overload or an ABO minor mismatch, standard PLT concentrates need to be washed to increase the PLT concentration and to reduce the plasma content. Hyperconcentrated single‐donor PLT concentrates (HCPs) are a therapeutic alternative. The first case of NAIT successfully treated with HCPs collected with the Trima Accel (TA; Gambro BCT) is reported.

CASE REPORT: A 31‐year‐old woman with a history of NAIT in the preceding pregnancy underwent cordocentesis three times during her third pregnancy (30th, 31st, and 32nd weeks of gestation). NAIT was confirmed by marked fetal thrombocytopenia, a maternal anti‐human PLT antigen (HPA)‐1a–immunoglobulin G (titer 1:128), and the appropriate HPA genotype of the fetus and the parents. On each cordocentesis procedure, a distinct volume of a HPA‐1a‐negative HCP with a PLT concentration of 3 × 106 PLTs per µL was transfused resulting in high corrected count increments after 2 hours. The HCPs were transfused within 10 hours after collection. One day after the last cordocentesis procedure, a cesarean section was performed. The newborn did not show any bleeding signs, and the PLT count remained on normal levels and no further PLT transfusions were needed.

CONCLUSION: HCPs collected with TA are a useful alternative to washed standard PLT concentrates without the need for further manipulation of the product after collection. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed, however, to make definite recommendations for the shelf life of these HCP.
PROFIT PLANNING AND CONTROL FOR DECENTRALIZED CORPORATIONS
Authors: PEGELS C. C. , SOUTHWICK L.
Published: June 2007

Managers of profitable firms frequently have a great deal of latitude in their decisions on resource allocation. Because they are often not the owners of their firms, their objectives may not be the maximum profit goal envisioned by classical economics. A more likely objective may involve a combination of profit and personal power. It is thus likely that some profits will be sacrificed to excess staff expenditures. For a large, decentralized firm such as a conglomerate, the adverse effect on profits caused by such motives in the subunit managers may be severe. However, direct intervention in subunit management may cause other deleterious effects. This paper utilizes the assignment of central office overhead as a motivating force and develops a formula for the optimal allocation of this overhead. Thus, direct intervention is minimized and the goals of subunit managers are utilized to achieve the desired result of higher profits.
AN EXPLORATION IN STORE IMAGE MEASUREMENT
Authors: PETERS WILLIAM S. , KUHN RICHARD
Published: June 2007

The authors believe that marketing applications of the semantic differential have not sufficiently explored the potential of the standard scales developed by the initiators of the semantic differential. The current study was undertaken to test the feasibility of a standard semantic differential instrument in store image measurement. The sets of scale evaluations of five department stores by forty female subjects were subjected to principle component analyses followed by a rotation for simple structure. The separate analyses for each store suggested certain similarities in the semantic space employed by subjects to judge quite dissimilar stores. A single analysis over subjects and stores simultaneously revealed a strong evaluative factor, a potency factor and a novelty factor, but no separate activity factor. These factors appear closely identified with honesty, femininity, and novelty as judgmental attributes of stores. This semantic structure is regarded as highly suggestive, but its utility in an ongoing managerial framework has yet to be proven.
STATISTICAL CONTROL CHARTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION
Authors: HUBBARD CHARLES L.
Published: June 2007

Professional examples of a p‐chart and a c‐chart are presented as illustrations of a rather underdeveloped technique for administrative decision under risk. Each example shows preparation of the control chart, signals for review of strategy, appropriate management analysis, and results of action taken. A broad range of administrative control areas is suggested for each type of chart. In addition, sufficient computational formulas, information, and theory is included in compact form for the preparation and operation of five types of basic control charts.
BEFORE THE INDUCTIVE LEAP: EIGHT STEPS TO SYSTEM SIMULATION
Authors: SEXTON DONALD E.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this article is to critically describe when and how one applies simulation to business systems.

Throughout, the discussion is based on a realistic example of a grocery checkout counter. The construction of both a deterministic and a stochastic simulation are explained and illustrated. Important topics covered include: the advantages and disadvantages of simulation, the formulation of system simulations, the methods of moving time, the concept and use of random numbers, tests of validity, and the analysis of results.
SOME DATA BASED MODELS FOR ANALYZING SALES FLUCTUATIONS
Authors: MORRISON DONALD , PERRY ARNON
Published: June 2007

The models developed in this paper can be used to study period to period fluctuations in sales. They allow for a heterogenious population of consumers; that is, frequent and infrequent buyers and for one package and multiple package buyers. The data needed for the models are readily available from many sources, particularly consumer panel data. Methods for estimating parameters and detailed numerical examples are given. These models allow a manager to answer the following question: “Which type(s) of consumer is most responsible for the fluctuations in my total sales volume.” Some new results in Bayesian inference are also developed.
COGNITIVE FRUSTRATION AND LEARNING*
Authors: CANGELOSI VINCENT E. , USREY GERALD L.
Published: June 2007

The emphasis of this study is on the mechanism through which man structures and restructures his impression of a contention in a problem‐solving situation with which he is faced. Concept formation being an integral part of the individual's cognitive activities, this paper attempts to clarify the role which cognitive frustration plays in the individual's concept formation or learning.

The method of inquiry is that of generating primary data from a laboratory experimental situation in which individual subjects are confronted with a learning situation demanding a sophisticated use of conceptual insight. The results of the experiment show that cognitive frustration tends to regulate the development of problem‐solving behavior. In short, the study concludes that cognitive frustration is the psychological mechanism which provides the motivational impetus to man's inherent inclination to conceptualize and, thus, to categorize the feedbacks of his environmental interaction. This frustration augments his learning process.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS: AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK
Authors: CHERVANY NORMAN L. , DICKSON GARY W.
Published: June 2007

This paper provides a framework for analyzing the ingredients involved in the economic evaluation of computer based management information systems (MIS). The approach presented revolves around viewing the development of MIS configurations as a series of economic decisions. These decisions are categorized into analysis decisions – what information should the MIS provide to management – and design decisions – what technology should the MIS employ to provide this information. Using this decision dichotomy, the types and sources of benefits and costs can be more accurately identified and evaluated.
AN ANALYTICAL MODEL OF BUYER‐SELLER BEHAVIOR
Authors: GIACOLETTO L. J. , LAZER WILLIAM
Published: June 2007

A purchase acceptability function is first developed for both buyers and sellers which includes emotional and rational product factors such as price, age, style, and color. In this context, the buyer‐seller negotiating process is described and analyzed. The result is the determination of a threshold price. Given the threshold price, the analysis proceeds to the discussion of an acceptance function with a third variable considered, product age. A three dimensional surface depicting the situation is discussed. This model can be extended to the n dimensional case.

The analysis then proceeds to the development of a model approximating services to represent the acceptance functions of both buyers and sellers. This is handled by Taylor series expansion. The resulting planes represent buyer‐seller negotiation positions.

Buyers are often in a position of considering trade‐offs between various product attributes. Therefore, an acceptability transformation is introduced and normalized using ordinal scaling to arrive at a scaled acceptability function which relates product attributes to trade‐offs in price.

It is noted that this analysis can be readily extended to include the interaction of acceptance functions for a number of products, the negotiation process in non‐product situations, and the introduction of time as a variable, where dynamic changes are considered.
DECOMPOSITION OF PLANNING SYSTEMS
Authors: KIM CHAIHO
Published: June 2007

While Dantzig and Wolfe have formulated the decomposition algorithm as a computational device, it was subsequently recognized that the principle underlying the algorithm may also be utilized by a planning system to achieve a centralized planning within the framework of a decentralized organizational structure. This paper illustrates the workings of such a planning system and, at the same time, explores some of the problems connected with its actual implementation. The planning system under the study is called the decomposed planning system in order to distinguish it from either the centralized planning or the decentralized planning.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF A STUDENT FLOW COMPUTER SIMULATION MODEL IN EVALUATING THE FEASIBILITY OF AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM*
Authors: KACZKA EUGENE , LEININGER WAYNE , WILLIAMS GEORGE
Published: June 2007

The article presents the development of a computer simulation model that was used in evaluating the feasibility of proposed curricular changes in a school of education. A discussion of the educational setting and the changes proposed is followed by a presentation of the simulation model. Each component of the model is examined and related to the proposed educational system. Present limitations of the model and future directions are probed. An appendix focuses specifically on construction of the Fortran computer program used in the simulation.
STUDY PROGRAM DETERMINATION BY DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING*
Authors: PEGELS C. CARL
Published: June 2007

The problem this paper deals with is the selection of an optimal study program or curriculum, tailored to an individual student, by maximizing educational potential. Educational potential in a subject area is defined as a non‐linear function of the number of courses taken in the respective subject area. Parameters of the educational potential function include a type of learner parameter, a type of teaching parameter, and a subject area parameter. The latter is a function of the number of courses available in the subject area.

The educational potential or learning function is based on a body of empirical data accumulated by experimental psychologists, and has the shape of a stretched‐out letter S.

The optimal study program is obtained by finding the maximum sum of the subject areas' educational potentials. The technique used to find this maximum sum is called dynamic programming. A computer program was written to perform the solution procedure on a digital computer.
THE EFFECT OF RETAIL PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES ON SALES*
Authors: FRANK RONALD E. , MASSY WILLIAM F.
Published: June 2007

This article reports the formulation and results of a multiple equation econometric model to relate retail sales by brand and package size to retail promotional variables for a branded, frequently purchased grocery product. Primary emphasis is placed on the formulation of the model as opposed to the results obtained from its use.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS OF PERT
Authors: SWANSON LLOYD A. , PAZER HAROLD L.
Published: June 2007

PERT, as an aid in planning for project managers, has been widely accepted, but as yet there appears to be a wide gap between the user's apparent impression of the underlying assumptions and the theoretical assumptions. This paper points out some of the more common misconceptions and their implications upon the total project. The Beta distribution as the underlying probability distribution is evaluated as to first, the overall effects of the inherent errors that are imposed by the basic PERT assumptions, and second, the effects, from a probability distribution viewpoint, of some of the more common PERT misconceptions. Finally, several alternatives to the basic PERT methodology are explored, both from the theoretical and practical viewpoints.
AN INDEX FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF CONSUMER LOYALTY*
Authors: BURFORD ROGER L. , ENIS BEN M. , PAUL GORDON W.
Published: June 2007

The concept of consumer “loyalty” (i.e., preference for a particular store or brand) is intriguing to marketing scholars and practitioners. Research in this area would be enhanced by the acceptance of an operational measure of consumer loyalty. Loyalty appears to be a tri‐dimensional concept; per cent of budget, allocated to the store or brand, amount of switching, and number of alternatives explored have been used to measure loyalty. Consequently, the authors propose a “loyalty index” which combines these three measures. An empirical test of the proposed index showed that the index did discriminate among degrees of consumer loyalty, and was related to consumer psychological characteristics in a manner similar to that of the generally used single measures of consumer loyalty.
A CONCEPTUAL DESCRIPTION OF A FINANCIAL PLANNING MODEL FOR COMMERCIAL BANKS
Authors: SPRAGUE RALPH H.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a conceptually sound and powerful model to aid bank managers in short and long range decision making for the management of the financial performance of the bank. The planning model is a key element in an integrated computer‐based planning system which includes a forecast of economic, monetary, and loan market conditions, an analysis of internal relationships, and a system of reports which provide management with access to historical data and planning summaries.

The planning model at the heart of the system, contains an imbedded linear programming algorithm to optimize “balance sheet management” decisions within liquidity and capital adequacy constraints. The model recognizes the interaction between assets and liabilities, it recognizes the time value of money, and it accommodates the difference between the net marginal yield for decision making, and the gross average yield used for determining revenue. Finally, the model recognizes the crucial role of liquidity with an important treatment of gross cash flows from normal asset turnover as a major source of liquidity, and the liquidity aspects of liabilities, as well as the more traditional concept of asset marketability.
A REVIEW OF HEURISTIC PROGRAMMING
Authors: Michael George C.
Published: June 2007

This article presents some of the basic concepts and definitions of the technique of heuristic programming. An analysis and criticism of the heuristic programming methodology is made. A survey of the existing literature demonstrates the power and the generality possible of heuristic programming. Furthermore, a look forward reveals likely future developments of teh technique.

For several years now, impressive and extensive applications of heuristic programming have been made of various decision situations. Yet, seminars and discussions of heuristic programming continue to find the heuristic programming experts fielding basic questions such as the following: Where did heuristic programming originate? Does heuristic programming have a lexicon? What are some examples of heuristics? What is the heuristic approach? Hasn't the validity of heuristic programming been questioned? What progress has been made in using heuristic programming? What basic approaches have evolved in using heuristic programming? Is heuristic programming compatible with other research now being carried out? And what is the future of heuristic programming?

This article brings the answers to these questions together for easy reference for researchers in the decision sciences of all areas.
THE SIGNIFICANCE AND INTERPRETATION OF CANONICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Tatham Ronald L. , Dornoff Ronald J.
Published: June 2007

With the increasing complexities involved in analyzing marketing problems, it is often necessary to use complex multivariate‐statistical techniques. Although canonical analysis in many respects is similar to other multivariate techniques, it is not as easy to interpret the results as in the case of the more familiar techniques of multiple regression and discriminant analysis. This article provides insights into the problems which arise in interpreting the results of canonical analysis. Specifically, it deals with the two tests of significance and the three analytical phases–canonical correlation, extracted variance, and redundancy.
INFORMATION THROUGH SAMPLING FROM A BINOMIAL DISTRIBUTION*
Authors: Philippatos George C. , Gressis Nicolas
Published: June 2007

Lindley's measure of experimental information is utilized to determine the optimal sample‐size that is required to obtain a prescribed level of accuracy about the parameter of a binomial distribution. The measure is expressed through its approximate limiting relationship to the posterior variance of the parameter, and a simple application of the methodology is presented.
DIMENSIONS OF UTILITY IN A REGIONAL PLANNING CONTEXT*
Authors: Davidson Fredrick
Published: June 2007

City and regional planners exist in an environment where they must satisfy numerous contending pressure groups. This paper illustrates an application of utility and decision theory in one such situation: the selection of a “land‐use plan” for a large rural area in a southeastern state. The planning group was required to generate a utility matrix for a set of alternative plans consistent with their perceived hierarchy of needs for the region in question. Subsequently, expected value calculations were used to determine the optimal plan. The examination concludes with a discussion of the reliability and sensitivity of this approach, along with an exploration of areas for possible utilization and the problems attendent thereto.
MULTIPERIOD SEARCH MODELS FOR AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF VALUABLE OBJECTS
Authors: Luss Hanan
Published: June 2007

In this paper we examine multiperiod search models for cases in which the number of valuable objects is unknown. The objective is to maximize the expected total returns during the planning horizon, subject to an effort constraint. Using a Bayesian approach, we examine the model for three different priors for the number of valuable objects, and we show that the different priors (binomial, Poisson and negative binomial) lead to such conceptually different results as adaptive and nonadaptive optimal policies. The models can be applied to many areas including mineral explorations, marketing promotion activities and intelligence information.
A HEURISTIC ALGORITHM FOR RESOURCE LEVELING IN MULTI‐PROJECT, MULTI‐RESOURCE SCHEDULING
Authors: Woodworth Bruce M. , Willie Charles J.
Published: June 2007

The utility of conventional project management techniques, such as PERT and CPM, is hampered by significant and realistic network attributes and managerial considerations. There are many situations which involve more than one project and numerous resources. Of major concern in such situations is the reduction of the maximum quantity of each required resource. The algorithm presented here is capable of scheduling the individual activities in multiple projects with multiple resources and leveling the overall quantity of each resource which is required. The basis of the algorithm is a sequencing procedure for examining various combinations of activity start times. The measure of effectiveness for each combination is the sum of the squares of the required quantity of each resource in each time period.
DECISION MAKING WITH FUZZY SETS
Authors: Yager Ronald , Basson David
Published: June 2007

When goals and constraints are stated imprecisely, decision problems grow in importance, particularly in the investigation of complex and social systems. In this paper the methodology of Zadeh's fuzzy set theory is summarized and applied to fuzzy decision making.
A REGRESSION ESTIMATION METHOD FOR COLLINEAR PREDICTORS
Authors: Churchill Gilbert A.
Published: June 2007

This paper addresses the important and pervasive condition of multicollinear predictors in regression analysis. The paper discusses the rudiments of a recently proposed “improved estimation” procedure (ridge regression analysis) to be used when the predictors are not orthogonal and compares the empirical performance of the ridge technique in estimating some known coefficients with the traditional estimation methods of least squares and stepwise regression.
THE REAL AND ILLUSORY VIRTUES OF ENTROPY‐BASED MEASURES FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Horowitz Ann R. , Horowitz Ira
Published: June 2007

The entropy measure H=−σpi log pi is being used with increasing frequency in the analysis of business and economic data. It is, however, simply another measure of dispersion which can be related to the moments of the probability function. Its virtues stem from its decomposition and interpretative properties. This paper surveys the uses to which the measure has been put in the literature, and discusses whether its use has been appropriate and innovative.
THE IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET MARKETS
Authors: Doyle Peter , Hutchinson Peter
Published: June 2007

This paper demonstrates the use of computer‐based multivariate techniques in analysing survey data and segmenting markets. Such techniques are increasingly used to deal with the vast amounts of data currently being collected by market researchers. Three techniques are illustrated and compared in detail‐regression analysis, AID, and cluster analysis. These methods have wide application in marketing. A simple data set is used to illustrate their principles and comparative advantages.
QUANTIFYING MARKETING TRADE–OFFS IN PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION POLICY DECISIONS
Authors: Perreault William D. , Russ Frederick A.
Published: June 2007

The physical distribution management process involves dual, but conflicting objectives: (1) the minimization of system costs and (2) the maximization of service levels. Most physical distribution research focuses on cost minimization and treats service levels as constraints. This paper, however, highlights the service aspect of distribution. It reports an experiment with purchasing agents designed to test three alternative approaches for evaluating customers' (dollar) trade‐offs between service levels received and cost. Two of the approaches indirectly derive trade‐off values; the other approach relies on directly reported trade‐off information. In this experiment all three of the approaches were quite accurate in modeling customers' preferences for different physical distribution mixes, but the indirect procedures were more accurate than the direct approach.
STRUCTURING THE LEISURE MARKET—A MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS
Authors: Ritchie J. R. Brent
Published: June 2007

The derivation of an empirically based classification scheme for the leisure market is discussed from both a substantive and methodological viewpoint. The substantive findings relate to the manner in which respondents structured relationships among 12 leisure activities and to the criteria they used in doing so. Based on the apparent structure, a number of activity types were identified. The methodological thrust of the article provides one example of how a variety of multivariate methods (multidimensional scaling, property fitting, cluster analysis and factor analysis) can be employed to form a system of complementary techniques aimed at providing an in‐depth understanding of data and the phenomena they describe.
AN INTEGRATED WORK SHIFT SCHEDULING SYSTEM
Authors: Buffa Elwood S. , Cosgrove Michael J. , Luce Bill J.
Published: June 2007

An integrated work shift scheduling system is developed and applied in the scheduling of 2600 telephone operators in 43 locations of the General Telephone Company of California. The system involves the forecasting of calls on a half‐hourly basis, the conversion to operator requirements, the scheduling of tours by a heuristic algorithm, the assignment of operators to tours, and the operation of the system.
FIELD EXPERIMENTS WHICH COMPARED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DESIGN METHODS*
Authors: Nutt Paul Charles
Published: June 2007

The influence of “method” on the design of services was investigated in three organizational settings. Models of “Systems,”“Behavioral,” and “Heuristic” design approaches were used to plan several service programs. These plans were compared using measures of their “quality,”“acceptance,” and “innovation.” Service plans designed by the Systems approach were found to have high quality (p < .05), and service plans designed by the Behavioral approach were found to be innovative (p < .05). These findings are employed to provide guides to select a Design Method and to suggest some research issues.