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Selected AbstractsCompetition and Cost Accounting: Adapting to Changing Markets,CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, Issue 2 2002Ranjani Krishnan Abstract The relation of competition and cost accounting has been the subject of conflicting prescriptions, theories, and empirical evidence. Practitioner literature and textbooks argue that higher competition generally requires more accurate product costing. Theoretical economic analysis, in contrast, predicts that the optimal level of product-costing accuracy is sometimes higher at lower levels of competition. Results of survey research are inconsistent, suggesting a need for further identification of conditions under which higher competition leads to more accurate product costing. This study shows experimentally that individuals' choices of the level of product-costing accuracy depend not only on the current level of competition but also on the previous level of competition , that is, on an interaction between market structure (monopoly, duopoly, and four-firm competition) and market history (increasing versus decreasing competition). In the experiment, subjects decide on the quantity of data to collect at a pre-set price per datum to support more accurate product-cost estimates. Subjects collect the most cost data (i.e., choose the most accurate product costing) in monopoly, collect the least in duopoly, and an intermediate amount in the four-firm market, consistent with the pattern of optimal cost-data collection in Hansen's 1998 model. The process of convergence to the optimum differs significantly across market types and market histories, however. Subjects who begin in four-firm competition adapt more successfully to change than those who begin in monopoly. The lowest levels of decision performance occur when ex-monopolists face their first competitor: they overreact to this first encounter with competition and overspend on cost data. [source] Dynamic pharyngeal collapse in racehorsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006A. G. BOYLE Summary Reason for performing study: Dynamic pharyngeal collapse (PC) is a condition seen in racehorses that can be career-ending. Objectives: To characterise and grade PC and describe the effects of PC on athletic performance. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for 828 horses, of which 49 (6%) records were identified as horses with a primary diagnosis of PC. Tapes of video-endoscopy of the pharynx during exercise were reviewed. Each video recording was assigned a grade (0,4) reflecting the degree of PC and a classification for severity of upper airway obstruction. Earnings per race prior to diagnosis of PC were compared to earnings per race after diagnosis of PC for all horses, as well as performance index (PI). Available exercising arterial blood gases were reviewed for horses with PC. Results: There were 35 (80%) Thoroughbreds (TB), and 9 (20%) Standardbreds (STD). 32 (73%) had a history of making an upper respiratory noise. 4 (9%) grade 1 PC, 8 (18%) grade 2 PC, 26 (59%) grade 3 PC, and 6 (14%) grade 4 PC. Seven (16%) horses were classified as mild PC, 18 (41%) as low-moderate PC, 14 (32%) as high-moderate PC, and 5 (11%) as severe PC. Of 30 horses 11 had abnormally decreased PaO2 and 8 horses had abnormally elevated PaCO2. A significant decrease was found in earnings per race prediagnosis when compared to post diagnosis earnings per race in horses ?4 years of age (P = 0.003). A significant decrease was also observed for earnings per race prediagnosis when compared to post diagnosis earnings per race in horses with grade 3 PC (P = 0.03) No significant differences were observed in PI before or after diagnosis of PC. Conclusions: There was a trend for PC to be observed in more TB than STD, and more males than females compared to the general hospital population. Horses with PC significant had decreases in arterial oxygenation. Racing records after a diagnosis of PC in all horses ?4 years of age suggesting that older horses have a guarded prognosis for continued success. Potential relevance: This study provides a classification system for dynamic pharyngeal collapse and suggests that older racehorses (?4 years of age) diagnosed with PC and all horses with grade 3 PC have a poor prognosis for return to previous level of performance. [source] A novel search method to reduce PAPR of an OFDM signal using partial transmit sequencesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 2 2007Hao-Chung Tu Abstract One of the main drawbacks of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the transmitted OFDM signal. Partial transmit sequence (PTS) technique can improve the PAPR statistics of an OFDM signal. As ordinary PTS technique requires an exhaustive search over all combinations of allowed phase factors, the search complexity increases exponentially with the number of sub-blocks. In this paper, we propose a novel PTS technique with reduced complexity that each level inverts twice of phase factor bits from previous level. Then we also use initial random phase sequence to find the better search way of PAPR reduction. Numerical results show that the proposed method can achieve significant reduction in search complexity with little performance degradation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A multilevel finite element method in space-time for the Navier-Stokes problem,NUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 6 2005Yinnian He Abstract A multilevel finite element method in space-time for the two-dimensional nonstationary Navier-Stokes problem is considered. The method is a multi-scale method in which the fully nonlinear Navier-Stokes problem is only solved on a single coarsest space-time mesh; subsequent approximations are generated on a succession of refined space-time meshes by solving a linearized Navier-Stokes problem about the solution on the previous level. The a priori estimates and error analysis are also presented for the J -level finite element method. We demonstrate theoretically that for an appropriate choice of space and time mesh widths: hj , h, kj , k, j = 2, ,, J, the J -level finite element method in space-time provides the same accuracy as the one-level method in space-time in which the fully nonlinear Navier-Stokes problem is solved on a final finest space-time mesh. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005 [source] Symptomatic and functional outcome 12 months after a first episode of psychotic mania: barriers to recovery in a catchment area sampleBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 3 2006Philippe Conus Objective:, Recent studies have shown that outcome in mania is worse than previously thought. Such studies have been conducted in selected samples with restrictive measures of outcome. We aimed to explore outcome and its predictors in a catchment area sample of first-episode psychotic mania of DSM-III-R bipolar I disorder. Methods:, Prospective 6 and 12 months follow-up was conducted with 87 DSM-III-R first-episode psychotic mania patients admitted to Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre between 1989 and 1997. Syndromic and symptomatic outcome were determined with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; functional outcome with the Quality of Life Scale and Premorbid Adjustment Scale subitems. Results:, Symptomatic outcome was assessed in 67 patients at 6 months and 61 patients at 12 months, and functional outcome in 56 patients at 6 months and 49 patients at 12 months. Logistic regressions were conducted on 46 and 43 patients, respectively, to explore predictors of outcome. While 90% of patients achieved syndromic recovery at 6 and 12 months, 40% had not recovered symptomatically at 6 and 12 months, still presenting with anxiety or depression. A total of 66% of patients at 6 months and 61% of patients at 12 months failed to return to previous level of functioning. Age at intake, family history of affective disorder, illicit drug use and functional recovery at 6 months predicted functional outcome at 12 months. Conclusions:, This study confirms poor symptomatic and functional outcome after first-episode psychotic mania. It suggests possible usefulness of early intervention strategies in bipolar disorders and need for developing specific interventions addressing anxiety, depression and substance abuse comorbidity. [source] Nasal high-frequency ventilation for premature infantsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 11 2008Tarah T Colaizy Abstract Aim: To assess the use of nasal high-frequency ventilation (HFV) to provide noninvasive ventilatory support for very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. Study Design: VLBW infants, >7 days of age on nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), were placed on nasal HFV for 2 h using the Infant Star high-frequency ventilator (Mallinckrodt, Inc., St. Louis, MO, USA). Mean airway pressure was set to equal the previous level of CPAP, and amplitude was adjusted to obtain chest wall vibration. Capillary blood was sampled before starting HFV and after 2 h to determine change in pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2). Results: Fourteen subjects were studied, 10 males and 4 females. Gestational age was 26,30 weeks (median 27). Age at study was 18,147 days (median 30). Median birth weight was 955 g; median weight at study was 1605 g. Nasal CPAP pressure was 4,7 cm H2O (mean 5). Amplitude was 30,60 (median 50). After 2 h, PCO2 (mean 45 torr) was significantly lower than initial PCO2 (mean 50 torr) (p = 0.01), and pH had increased significantly (7.40 vs. 7.37, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Nasal HFV is effective in decreasing pCO2 in stable premature infants requiring nasal CPAP support. Long-term use of nasal HFV requires further study. [source] BETTER GUN ENFORCEMENT, LESS CRIME,CRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 4 2005JENS LUDWIG Research Summary: Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which for the past several years has been the major federal initiative to combat gun violence, includes several elements (such as gun locks and other efforts to reduce gun availability) that research suggests are likely to have at best modest effects on gun crime. In general, enforcement activities targeted at the "demand side" of the underground gun market currently enjoy stronger empirical support. However much of PSN's budget has been devoted to increasing the severity of punishment, such as by federaliz-ing gun cases, which seems to be less effective than targeted street-level enforcement designed to increase the probability of punishment for gun carrying or use in crime. Policy Implications: PSN and other enforcement activities could be made more effective by redirecting resources toward activities such as targeted patrols against illegal gun carrying. Given the substantial social costs of gun violence, an efficiency argument can also be made for increasing funding beyond previous levels. [source] Effect of Losartan on Sodium Appetite of Hypothyroid Rats Subjected to Water and Sodium Depletion and Water, Sodium and Food DeprivationEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2001D. Badauê-Passos Jr The involvement of angiotensin AT1 receptors in sodium appetite was studied in hypothyroid rats treated with the angiotensin II antagonist losartan. Losartan was administered chronically by the oral route or acutely by the subcutaneous route after water and sodium depletion or water, sodium and food deprivation. Three days after addition of losartan to the food at the dose of 1.0 mg g,1, the rats significantly reduced (P < 0.02) their spontaneous intake of 1.8% NaCl. Increasing the dose of losartan to 2.0 and 4.0 mg g,1 did not reduce NaCl intake; in contrast, the intensity of the sodium appetite gradually returned to previous levels. The simultaneous administration of captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and losartan significantly increased (P < 0.05) NaCl intake and after captopril removal NaCl intake returned to the levels observed with losartan treatment alone. The administration of losartan 4 days after the beginning of captopril treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) NaCl intake. Following acute administration of losartan, water- and sodium-depleted rats significantly reduced their NaCl and water intake (P < 0.001). The administration of losartan also induced a significant reduction in NaCl and water intake in water, NaCl and food-deprived rats (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The present results show that chronic treatment with oral losartan inhibited spontaneous sodium appetite in hypothyroid rats. Continuation of treatment rendered rats resistant to the blockade of AT1 receptors. Water and sodium depletion and water, NaCl and food deprivation induced sodium appetite, which in the short term depends on cerebral angiotensinergic activity mediated by the activation of AT1 receptors. [source] Performance of multi level-turbo coding with neural network-based channel estimation over WSSUS MIMO channelsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 3 2009Ersin Gose Abstract This paper presents the performance of the transmit diversity-multi level turbo codes (TD-MLTC) over the multiple-input,multiple-output (MIMO) channels based on the wide sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS). The multi level-turbo code (ML-TC) system contains more than one turbo encoder/decoder block in its structure. At the transmitter side, the ML-TC uses the group partitioning technique that partitions a signal set into several levels and encodes each level separately by a proper component of the encoder to improve error performance. The binary input sequence is passed through the MLTC encoder and mapped to 4-PSK and then fed into the transmit diversity scheme for high data transmission over wireless fading channels. At the receiver side, distorted multi-path signals are received by multiple receiver antennae. WSSUS MIMO channel parameters are estimated by using an artificial neural network and an iterative combiner. Input sequence of the first level of the MLTC encoder is estimated at the first level of MLTC decoder. Subsequently, the other input sequences are computed by using the estimated input bit streams of the previous levels. 4-PSK two-level turbo codes are simulated for 2Tx,1Rx and 2Tx,2Rx antenna configurations over WSSUS MIMO channels. Here, TD-MLTC and its efficient implementations are discussed and simulation results are given. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Performance of multilevel-turbo codes with blind/non-blind equalization over WSSUS multipath channelsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 3 2006Osman N. Ucan Abstract In this paper, in order to improve error performance, we introduce a new type of turbo codes, called ,multilevel-turbo codes (ML-TC)' and we evaluate their performance over wide-sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) multipath channels. The basic idea of ML-TC scheme is to partition a signal set into several levels and to encode each level separately by a proper component of the turbo encoder. In the considered structure, the parallel input data sequences are encoded by our multilevel scheme and mapped to any modulation type such as MPSK, MQAM, etc. Since WSSUS channels are very severe fading environments, it is needed to pass the received noisy signals through non-blind or blind equalizers before turbo decoders. In ML-TC schemes, noisy WSSUS corrupted signal sequence is first processed in equalizer block, then fed into the first level of turbo decoder and the first sequence is estimated from this first Turbo decoder. Subsequently, the other following input sequences of the frame are computed by using the estimated input bit streams of previous levels. Here, as a ML-TC example, 4PSK 2 level-turbo codes (2L-TC) is chosen and its error performance is evaluated in WSSUS channel modelled by COST 207 (Cooperation in the field of Science & Technology, Project #207). It is shown that 2L-TC signals with equalizer blocks exhibit considerable performance gains even at lower SNR values compared to 8PSK-turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM). The simulation results of the proposed scheme have up to 5.5 dB coding gain compared to 8PSK-TTCM for all cases. It is interesting that after a constant SNR value, 2L-TC with blind equalizer has better error performance than non-blind filtered schemes. We conclude that our proposed scheme has promising results compared to classical schemes for all SNR values in WSSUS channels. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Putting a Human Face on DevelopmentINTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 166 2000Rubens Ricupero The century is ending with failure to solve two major threats to the future: mass unemployment and growing inequality. Furthermore, in the poor parts of the world, the very possibility of sustainable development has been questioned by the economic crisis that started in Asia two years ago. This monetary and financial crisis truly deserved to be called a "crisis of development", for three main reasons. First, it hit almost exclusively most of the developing countries, at the same time sparing and even benefitingthe industrial economies. Second, paradoxically, it was much more destructive in the most advanced of the developing nations. Third, it has created uncertainties and questions regarding the possibility of regaining the previous levels of economic performance that characterised "the Asian tigers". Competition is very analogous to games. Both need fair rules and impartial arbiters. Governments and trade negotiators think that these are sufficient, forgetting a third and fundamental element. To play a game, you have to learn how to play it; through education and time to train. A key to success will be access to information. [source] Valuing food-borne risks using time-series data: The case of E. coli O157:H7 and BSE crises in JapanAGRIBUSINESS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006Shunji Oniki This study evaluates changes in consumers' concerns on food safety after the outbreaks of E. coli O157 and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Japan using household consumption time-series data. A food demand system for Japanese households is estimated using the linear approximate almost-ideal demand system (AIDS) model to evaluate the willingness to accept (WTA) compensation for risk. The Kalman filtering method is applied to produce estimates without a priori assumption regarding timing of the changes. The WTA value rises immediately after a food safety crisis occurs and declines in a short time. However, it does not return to previous levels for an extended period. A possible explanation for remaining effects of a crisis might be that they are the results of habit formation and learning effects of consumption. [EconLit citations: D12, D18, Q13]. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 22: 219,232, 2006. [source] Donor quality of life before and after adult-to-adult right liver live donor liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2006See Ching Chan Donor right hepatectomy for adult-to-adult live donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) is a major surgical operation for the benefit of the recipient. Justification of procedure mandates knowledge of the possible physical and psychological negative effects on the donor. We prospectively and longitudinally quantified donor quality of life using generic and condition-specific questionnaires up to 1 year. The generic questionnaires were the Karnofsky Performance Status scale and the Chinese (Hong Kong) version of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Survey, which measures 8 health concepts: 4 physical components and 4 mental components. Within 1 year, 30 consecutive donors were included. These 11 male and 19 female donors (36.7% and 63.3%, respectively) had a median age of 35 years (range, 21-56 years). There was no donor mortality or major complications. Donor quality-of-life worsening was most significant in the first 3 postoperative months, particularly among the physical components. The physical and mental components returned to the previous levels in 6 to 12 months' time, though the Karnofsky performance scores were slightly lower at 1 year (P = 0.011). Twenty-six (86.7%) donors declared that they would donate again if there were such a need and it were technically possible. It was noticed that older donors were more likely to express unwillingness to donate again. In conclusion, the temporary worsening of donor quality of life substantiates ALDLT as an acceptable treatment modality. Liver Transpl 12:1529,1536, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source] Diversity in academic medicine no. 3 struggle for survival among leading diversity programsMOUNT SINAI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE: A JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2008A. Hal Strelnick MD Abstract Since efforts to increase the diversity of academic medicine began shortly after the Civil War, the efforts have been characterized by a ceaseless struggle of old and new programs to survive. In the 40 years after the Civil War, the number of minority-serving institutions grew from 2 to 9, and then the number fell again to 2 in response to an adverse evaluation by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For 50 years, the programs grew slowly, picking up speed only after the passage of landmark civil rights legislation in the 1960s. From 1987 through 2005, they expanded rapidly, fueled by such new federal programs as the Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity Programs. Encompassing majority-white institutions as well as minority-serving institutions, the number of Centers of Excellence grew to 34, and the number of Health Careers Opportunity Programs grew to 74. Then, in 2006, the federal government cut its funding abruptly and drastically, reducing the number of Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity Programs to 4 each. Several advocacy groups, supported by think tanks, have striven to restore federal funding to previous levels, so far to no avail. Meanwhile, the struggle to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in the health professions is carried on by the surviving programs, including the remaining Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity Programs and new programs that, funded by state, local, and private agencies, have arisen from the ashes. Mt Sinai J Med 75:504,516, © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine [source] Individual variations of serum testosterone in patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapyBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2009Juan Morote OBJECTIVE To analyse individual variations in serum testosterone level, the cumulative rate of ,breakthrough' increases over castrate levels, and to evaluate whether the increases can be predicted. PATIENTS AND METHODS Serum testosterone levels were determined every 6 months over 3 years in 73 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who were medically castrated, prospectively enrolled in a single tertiary academic centre. Patients recruited for this study were being treated with a 3-monthly depot of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist over 6,48 months. Serum testosterone was measured using a chemiluminescent assay with a lower sensitivity level of 15 ng/dL and interassay coefficient of variation of 25% at low testosterone concentrations. RESULTS Individual variations could not be explained by the interassay variation coefficient in 26% of the patients. The rate of breakthrough increases >50 ng/dL increased from 12.3% at the first determination to 24.7% at the third, then remaining stable. The rate of breakthrough increases of 20,50 ng/dL increased from 27.4% at the first determination to 31.5% at the second, and then remained stable. A first determination of <20 ng/dL provided an 11.4% probability for future increases of >50 ng/dL, with a 5.7% probability if two consecutive determinations were <20 ng/dL and a null probability when three consecutive determinations were <20 ng/dL. CONCLUSIONS Individual variations in serum testosterone level cannot be explained by the coefficient of variation of the assay in a quarter of patients who are medically castrated. Breakthrough increases over castrate levels increase over time and those of >50 ng/dL can be predicted from the previous levels. [source] Visual outcome and corneal aberrometry after implantation of intracorneal ring segments (INTACS) for keratoconusACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2007J HERNANDEZ VERDEJO Purpose: To analyze corneal aberrometry and visual outcome after implantation of intracorneal ring segments (INTACS) in keratoconus patients. Methods: Corneal aberration was measured in 15 keratoconus eyes pre and post implantation of INTACS. Root Mean Square values (RMS), (Total, RMS for corneal astigmatism and RMS for coma) where recorded for 5, 6 and 7 pupil diameters, and where divided into two groups due to their previous levels of coma and total RMS. Comatic aberration was divided in vertical (Z3-1) an horizontal (Z3+1) Zernicke Coeficcients. All data was recorded pre-op and three months after surgery. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent and astigmatism where also analyzed. Results: We found statistically significant decrease in spherical equivalent (p<0,01) and increase of UCVA (p<0,01). Significant increase (p=0,04) in coma and total RMS in patients with lower previous values for 5 and 6mm and significant decrease in patients with higher previous values for 7mm (p=0,03) Conclusions: INTACS implantation for keratoconus reduces the mean spherical refractive error, increases UCVA and improves keratoconus aberrations for 7mm pupil diameter in patients with previous high levels of coma and total RMS. [source] | |||||||||||||