bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arthroscopically Assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Patellar Tendon Autograft
Authors: Bach Bernard R. , Tradonsky Steven , Bojchuk John , Levy Matthew E. , Bush-Joseph Charles A. , Khan Nazeer H.
Published: July 2017

We retrospectively reviewed the results of 97 patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using an arthroscopically assisted two-incision technique without extraarticular augmentation at an intermediate followup of 5 to 9 years postoperatively. Evaluation included detailed history, physical examination, functional testing, KT-1000 arthrometer measurements, multiple scoring systems, and radiographs. The results were compared with those from a previous study that evaluated a smaller patient cohort using the identical surgical technique at a 2- to 4-year followup. The post-operative physical examination and KT-1000 arthrometer results were statistically improved when compared with preoperative findings. A negative pivot shift result was noted in 83% of patients, and a 1 result in 17% of patients. Seventy percent of patients had 3 mm difference on manual maximum side-to-side testing. Functional testing averaged less than 2% asymmetry for vertical jump, single-legged hop, or timed 6-meter hop. The Tegner activity level was significantly improved from prereconstruction ratings and similar to preinjury ratings. The mean Lysholm score was 87. The modified Hospital for Special Surgery scores resulted in good or excellent results in 82% of the patients (mean, 87 points). The mean Noyes sports function score was 89, and the reoperation rate for a symptomatic knee flexion contracture was 12%. Ninety-seven percent of patients indicated that they would undergo the procedure again. When compared with this same population at 2 to 4 years, we saw no deterioration in scoring scale results.
The Outcomes of Two Knee Scoring Questionnaires in a Normal Population
Authors: Demirdjian Anna M. , Petrie Scott G. , Guanche Carlos A. , Thomas Kevin A.
Published: July 2017

The Noyes and Lysholm knee scoring questionnaires, commonly used for follow-up assessment after knee surgery, were developed based on knees with preexisting pathologic changes and have not been standardized to normal knees. We administered both questionnaires to normal subjects. Any subject reporting a history of injury or surgery to either knee, or preexisting knee pathologic changes, was excluded. From a total of 492 knees evaluated, 418 knees (253 male, 165 female) qualified for statistical analysis. The average age of the group was 17.6 years (range, 13 to 25). For male subjects, the total Noyes and Lysholm scores averaged 99.10 (range, 68 to 100) and 99.10 (range, 77 to 100), respectively. For female subjects, the average Noyes and Lysholm scores were 97.82 (range, 72 to 100) and 97.16 (range, 75 to 100), respectively. The 95% confidence interval computed for each of these groups did not contain the maximal value of 100. The female athletes reported significantly lower total scores than the male athletes on both questionnaires. For the Lysholm questionnaire, the male athletes scored significantly lower than the maximum in all categories except support and stair climbing, and the female athletes scored significantly lower than the maximum in all categories except limp and thigh atrophy. The range of scores found in this highly selected, “normal” population exemplifies the need for more accurate instruments in the evaluation of knee surgical outcomes.
Ankle Sensorimotor Control and Eversion Strength after Acute Ankle Inversion Injuries
Authors: Konradsen Lars , Olesen Susanne , Hansen Henrik M.
Published: July 2017

We performed this study to monitor changes in ankle eversion strength and sensorimotor control functions after acute ankle inversion injury. Forty-four patients with clinical grade II to III first-time ankle inversion sprains were tested for 1) pathologic talar tilt and anterior talar translation at 1 and 12 weeks after injury; 2) isometric eccentric ankle eversion strength and 3) peroneal reaction time to sudden ankle inversion at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after injury; and 4) accuracy of inversion position assessment 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks after injury. Not all patients could perform all tests at the early follow-up visits. There was mechanical instability in 19 of 40 tested patients at 1 week and in 4 patients at 12 weeks after injury. Eversion strength was 88% of the contralateral side 3 weeks after injury, rising to 96% after 12 weeks. The magnitude of error of inversion position sense was 190% of the contralateral side 1 week after injury; this was still affected after 12 weeks, but fell to 133%. Patients with pathologic talar tilt or anterior talar translation, or both, at 1 week after injury did not show significantly greater error in position assessment or reduction in eversion strength when compared with patients with ankles that remained stable after injury.
Osteoarthrosis of the Hip in Women and Its Relationship to Physical Load from Sports Activities
Authors: Vingård Eva , Alfredsson Lars , Malchau Henrik
Published: July 2017

In a case-control study, the relationship between sporting activities and osteoarthrosis of the hip in women was investigated. The study base comprised Swedish women 50 to 70 years of age between 1991 and 1994. Case subjects (N 230) had had total hip replacements because of primary osteoarthrosis of the hip, and control subjects (N 273) were randomly selected women without hip problems from the study base. All women were interviewed about sports activities to the age of 50, health status, smoking habits, occupational history, and work in the home. Three exposure classes were defined based on total hours of sports activities aggregated to the age of 50. The relative risks of developing osteoarthrosis of the hip leading to total hip replacement was 2.3 (confidence interval, 1.5 to 3.7) for those with high sports exposure and 1.5 (0.9 to 2.5) for those with medium sports exposure compared with those with low exposure. The relative risks were adjusted for age, occupational physical load, body mass index, hormone therapy, and smoking. Physical load from sporting activities seems to be a moderate risk factor for women for the development of severe osteoarthrosis of the hip. Participation in sports was low, and therefore individual risk estimates for different sports activities were not possible to obtain.
Arthroscopic Repair of Meniscal Tears that Extend into the Avascular Zone
Authors: Rubman Marc H. , Noyes Frank R. , Barber-Westin Sue D.
Published: July 2017

We assessed the results of 198 meniscal tears that had a major segment in the central avascular region repaired with an arthroscopically assisted inside-out technique. There were 177 patients whose mean age was 28 years. Eighty-two percent were injured during sports, and 71% also required anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The menisci were evaluated by clinical examination (180 repairs) a mean of 42 months postoperatively, by follow-up arthroscopic evaluation (91 repairs) a mean of 18 months postoperatively, or both. At followup, 159 (80%) of the 198 tears were asymptomatic for tibiofemoral joint symptoms, and 39 (20%) required repeat arthroscopic surgery for these symptoms. Of the 91 repairs evaluated arthroscopically, 23 (25%) were classified as healed, 35 (38%) as partially healed, and 33 (36%) as failed. We recommend repair of meniscal tears that extend into the avascular region for select patients, including those in their 20s and 30s and highly competitive athletes. This study's reoperation rate of 20% should not be interpreted as the rate of meniscal healing, but as the incidence of tibiofemoral joint symptoms. Even though this is a higher rate than that reported for the repair of peripheral meniscal tears, we believe the benefits of a potentially functional meniscus outweigh the risks of reoperation.
Glenohumeral Joint Translation after Arthroscopic, Nonablative, Thermal Capsuloplasty with a Laser
Authors: Tibone James E. , McMahon Patrick J. , Shrader Todd A. , Sandusky Matthew D. , Lee Thay Q.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are changes in anterior and posterior glenohumeral translation after arthroscopic, nonablative, thermal capsuloplasty with a laser. Two anteriorly and two posteriorly directed loads were sequentially applied to the humerus of nine cadaveric glenohumeral joints, and anterior and posterior translation of the humerus on the glenoid was measured. The glenoid was rigidly fixed, and the glenohumeral joint was positioned simulating 90° of shoulder abduction and 90° of external rotation. Using the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, thermal energy was then applied to the anterior capsuloligamentous structures and anterior and posterior translation measurements were then repeated. The results showed a significant reduction in anterior and posterior translation after laser anterior capsuloplasty. Anterior translation decreased from 10.9 2.0 mm (mean SEM) to 6.4 1.5 mm with the 15-N load; and from 13.4 2.1 mm to 8.9 1.8 mm with the 20-N load. Posterior translation decreased from 7.2 1.2 mm to 4.4 0.6 mm with the 15-N load and from 10.4 1.4 mm to 6.5 0.9 mm with the 20-N load. These results indicate that the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser can be used to decrease glenohumeral joint translation and may be an effective treatment for glenohumeral joint instability.
The Arthroscopic Classification and Treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum
Authors: Baumgarten Thomas E. , Andrews James R. , Satterwhite Yvonne E.
Published: July 2017

This study was done to determine the results of the arthroscopic treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in a young population. A retrospective review of 16 patients (17 elbows) was performed by follow-up examination and radiographs. The average follow-up was 48 months, with a minimum of 24 months. All patients underwent abrasion chondroplasty of the lesion and removal of any loose bodies and osteophytes when present. Postoperatively, the average flexion contracture decreased by 14°, and the average extension contracture decreased by 6°. Two of nine patients gave up participation in throwing sports, and one of five gave up gymnastics. All others returned to their preoperative levels of activity. Radiographs showed some slight residual flattening of the capitellum in eight patients. Two patients required re-operation: one for arthrofibrosis and one for a suspected loose body. The results of this study suggest that arthroscopic abrasion chondroplasty and treatment of any accompanying pathologic lesions in the affected elbow gave good results in most patients. This is a short-term study in a young population. Further follow-up will be needed to determine any long-term problems with this type of treatment. An arthroscopic classification system has also been proposed.
A Comparative Mechanical Analysis of the Pointe Shoe Toe Box
Authors: Cunningham Bryan W. , DiStefano Andrea F. , Kirjanov Natasha A. , Levine Stuart E. , Schon Lew C.
Published: July 2017

Dancing en pointe requires the ballerina to stand on her toes, which are protected only by the pointe shoe toe box. This protection diminishes when the toe box loses its structural integrity. The objectives of this study were 1) to quantify the comparative structural static and fatigue properties of the pointe shoe toe box, and 2) to evaluate the preferred shoe characteristics as determined by a survey of local dancers. Five different pointe shoes (Capezio, Freed, Gaynor Minden, Leo's, and Grishko) were evaluated to quantify the static stiffness, static strength, and fatigue properties (cycles to failure) of the shoes. Under axial loading conditions, the Leo's shoe demonstrated the highest stiffness level, and the Freed shoe exhibited the least strength. Under vertical loading conditions, the Leo's and Freed shoes demonstrated the highest stiffness levels, and the Gaynor Minden and Freed shoes exhibited the highest strength. Fatigue testing highlighted the greatest differences among the five shoes, with the Gaynor Minden demonstrating the highest fatigue life. Dancers rated the top five shoe characteristics, in order of importance, as fit, comfort, box/platform shape, vamp shape, and durability and indicated that the “best” shoe is one that “feels right” and permits artistic maneuvers, not necessarily the strongest or most durable shoe.
Effect of a Neoprene Sleeve on Knee Joint Position Sense During Sitting Open Kinetic Chain and Supine Closed Kinetic Chain Tests
Authors: Birmingham Trevor B. , Kramer John F. , Inglis J. Tim , Mooney Colleen A. , Murray Lisa J. , Fowler Peter J. , Kirkley Sandy
Published: July 2017

The primary objective of the present study was to compare the effect of a neoprene sleeve on knee joint position sense during a sitting open kinetic chain test and a supine closed kinetic chain test. Young (24 2 years old), healthy subjects (18 men and 18 women) performed knee joint angle replication tests during open kinetic chain knee extension (sitting) and closed kinetic chain leg press (supine with an axial load of 15% body weight) before and after application of a neoprene sleeve over the dominant knee. The improvement in ability to replicate joint angles after application of the sleeve (sleeve effect) was significantly less during the supine closed kinetic chain test (0.3° 1.4°) than during the sitting open kinetic chain test (1.2° 1.1°). The sleeve effect was inversely related to subjects' performance without the sleeve during both the sitting open kinetic chain and supine closed kinetic chain tests, suggesting that some people may derive greater benefit from the sleeve than others. Although the sleeve effects were small, particularly during the supine closed kinetic chain test, 72% of subjects felt that the sleeve improved their overall test performance. Future research is needed to establish the functional relevance of the small sleeve effects observed and to identify the characteristics of people who might derive greatest benefit from sleeve use.
Intramuscular Pressure in the Leg and Thigh Related to Tensile Strap Force During Knee Brace Wear
Authors: Lundin Olof , Styf Jorma R.
Published: July 2017

The effects of a functional knee brace on intramuscular pressure in the leg and thigh were measured in eight subjects with a mean age of 32 years. Pressures in the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscles were recorded without a knee brace and with a brace applied with strap tensile force of 25 N, 50 N, and a force preferred by the subject. External compression caused by the brace significantly increased intramuscular pressures at rest and muscle relaxation pressure during exercise in the leg and thigh muscles. Pressure in the tibialis anterior muscle increased 3 to 10 times, to mean values between 17.5 and 41 mm Hg, depending on the tensile force of the straps used at brace application. Corresponding mean pressure values in the rectus femoris muscle were between 17.5 and 32.5 mm Hg. Mean pressures in the standing subject varied between 37 and 62 mm Hg. Our study showed that intramuscular pressure at rest and muscle relaxation pressure during exercise in the tibialis anterior and the rectus femoris muscles increased significantly in the braced limb. Local blood perfusion pressure in the supine subject decreased significantly, by 16% to 42%, in the compressed muscles.
Perinatal Risks of Untreated Depression during Pregnancy
Authors: Bonari Lori , Pinto Natasha , Ahn Eric , Einarson Adrienne , Steiner Meir , Koren Gideon
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To review the literature on the perinatal risks involved in untreated depression during pregnancy.

Method:

We searched Medline and medical texts for all studies pertaining to this area up to the end of April 2003. Key phrases entered were depression and pregnancy, depression and pregnancy outcome, and depression and untreated pregnancy. We did not include bipolar depression.

Results:

While there is wide variability in reported effects, untreated depression during pregnancy appears to carry substantial perinatal risks. These may be direct risks to the fetus and infant or risks secondary to unhealthy maternal behaviours arising from the depression. Recent human data suggest that untreated postpartum depression, not treatment with antidepressants in pregnancy, results in adverse perinatal outcome.

Conclusion:

The biological dysregulation caused by gestational depression has not received appropriate attention: most studies focus on the potential but unproven risks of psychotropic medication. No in-depth discussion of the role of psychotherapy is available. Because they are not aware of the potentially catastrophic outcome of untreated maternal depression, this imbalance may lead women suffering from depression to fear teratogenic effects and refuse treatment.
Testing the Goodness-of-Fit of a Multifaceted Preventive Intervention for Children at Risk for Conduct Disorder
Authors: Realmuto George M , August Gerald J , Egan Elizabeth A
Published: July 2017

Objective:

To determine the importance of parents' global adaptive functioning as a predictor of participation rate and subsequent child social competence outcome in 3 program components of an evidence-based, multifaceted, preventive intervention for at-risk children.

Method:

Families of program children ( n = 124, mean age 6.6 years at recruitment) were offered 3 program components that continued for 3 years: a 6-week summer program, a biweekly family program that included concurrent parent and child education and skills training groups, and a flexibly tailored home visitation family support program. We used structural equation modelling to test hypotheses about the effects of parental characteristics on program attendance in each of the program components over 3 years, as well as their relation to children's social competence.

Results:

Predictors of attendance included child IQ, socioeconomic status (SES), and single-parent status for some components but not others, depending on parents' global adaptive functioning. Predictors of child social competence outcome were mediated by attendance in specific program components and were dependent on parent global adaptive functioning. Some components contributed decisively to social competence outcomes, and others did not, despite subjects' participation.

Conclusions:

Common family characteristics (that is, child IQ, SES, and single-parent status) predict program attendance differently, depending on parents' global adaptive functioning. Parents' global adaptive functioning determined whether attendance in specific program components mediated children's social competence. In this preventive intervention, as in clinical practice, only knowledge of the goodness-of-fit between participant characteristics and program attributes can ensure optimum benefit.
Factors Affecting Medical Students' Selection of Canadian Psychiatric Residency Programs: Part I—A Comparison with American Peers
Authors: Leverette John , Massabki Albert , Peterson Heather
Published: July 2017

Objective:

The introduction of a national process to match Canadian medical students to postgraduate year-one (PGY-1) positions in psychiatry created for the first time a cohort of subjects whose choices of a particular training program could be evaluated and compared with American peers. The primary goal of this study was to determine the factors affecting the students' selection of the specific postgraduate programs in which they would train and to compare the findings with those in the American literature.

Method:

A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 110 trainees who began training in July 1994 identified in the 16 Canadian university departments of psychiatry.

Results:

Canadian trainees, like their American counterparts, relied heavily on nonprogrammatic factors in program choice, but differed in emphasizing vocational prospects after residency.

Conclusion:

When competing for enrolment within a reduced pool of applicants, program directors need to recognize how programs are evaluated, what factors are controllable, and how best to market the individual assets of their programs.
Value of Lumbar Puncture in the Diagnosis of Genetic Metabolic Encephalopathies
Authors: Hyland Keith , Arnold Lauren A.
Published: July 2017

Diagnostic testing for genetically determined metabolic disease has for many years relied heavily on the use of generalized screening tests that analyze groups of related compounds in easily accessible peripheral fluids such as plasma and urine. Organic acid profiles in urine and amino acid analysis in plasma are two of the most commonly requested tests; these, together with other protocols that examine peripheral fluids, have been and continue to be invaluable tools. There is, however, an emerging realization that many metabolic encephalopathies do not arise secondary to peripheral metabolic changes but rather have their origins within the central nervous system. In these cases, testing of peripheral fluids might be uninformative. This review is designed to examine the role of cerebrospinal fluid analyses in the investigation of infants and children with undefined encephalopathies. The aims are to review the conditions in which measurement of metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid is critical if a diagnosis is to be made, and to emphasize that considerable forethought is often required to ensure correct collection and handling of cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, fidelity of the diagnostic analytic procedures is maintained. This review will help the pediatric neurologist establish practical diagnostic guidelines that in turn will help in the recognition of recently described conditions. Those conditions can, in general, be identified only after specialized cerebrospinal fluid testing. (J Child Neurol 1999;14(Suppl 1):S9-S15).
Crosslinked α,β-Polyasparthydrazide Micromatrices for Controlled Release of Anticancer Drugs
Authors: Giammona Gaetano , Pitarresi Giovanna , Carlisi Bianca , Cavallaro Gennara
Published: July 2017

The preparation of new hydrogels by the reaction of α,β- polyasparthydrazide and glutaraldehyde is reported. A different crosslinking degree was obtained by varying the ratio crosslinking agent/polymer which influenced the swelling behavior of the gel. 5-Fluorouracil, was incorporated into the matrices during the crosslinking reaction and in vitro release studies were performed in simulated gastric juice (pH 1.1) and pH 7.4 buffer solution. The hydrogels prepared were chemically stable in the dissolution media. The observed data show the potential application of these new matrices for peroral administration of anticancer agents.
Being Underweight Is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Outcomes Among Acutely Critically Ill Children
Authors: Chen Ming‐Yin , Yang Yao‐Jong
Published: July 2017

Background: Malnutrition is associated with impaired immune function; thus, nutrition status assessment is crucial in critical care medicine. We aimed to investigate the impact of being underweight or overweight on major sequelae and mortality among healthy children with an intensive care unit admission. Methods: In this retrospective study, 282 patients aged 1 month to 18 years were enrolled on intensive care unit admission between 2011 and 2012. Children were excluded if they had underlying chronic diseases and were transferred to other hospitals or discharged against medical advice. The patients were further categorized into 3 nutrition status groups according to the weight‐for‐age (W/A) z score. Results: The prevalence rates of being underweight and overweight, based on W/A z scores of ≤–2 and ≥2, were 8.2% and 5.7%, respectively. Patients who were underweight were younger and had a higher rate of mortality, poor outcomes, and longer duration of mechanical ventilation than those with a normal weight. The patients with mortality or major sequelae had significantly higher rates of being underweight, noninfectious diseases and hypotension, and higher Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 (PIM2) score and creatinine level (all P < .01). In multivariate logistic regression interpretation, the W/A z score ≤–2 (95% CI, 2.992–47.508; P < .001) and PIM2 score (95% CI, 1.094–1.413; P = .001) were independent risk factors for a poor outcome. Conclusion: Being underweight and having a PIM2 score on admission were independent risk factors for poor clinical outcomes among critically ill children without underlying diseases.
The Korean War and the Post-war Prisoner of War Regime, 1945–1956
Authors: Wylie Neville , Crossland James
Published: July 2017

This paper examines the framework for the treatment of prisoners of war that emerged after 1945. It focuses on one of the key elements of the post-war prisoner of war (POW) regime, the role of neutral bodies – state authorities acting as ‘protecting powers’ or humanitarian agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross – in supervising the implementation of the 1949 POW convention. It examines the importance of neutral supervision for the POW regime, and shows how the events of the Korean War affected the willingness of states to comply with their obligations under the new convention.
Determinants of Long-run Performance of Initial Public Offerings: Evidence from India
Authors: Dhamija Sanjay , Arora Ravinder Kumar
Published: July 2017

The article examines the long-run performance of 377 initial public offerings (IPOs) made by Indian companies during the period 2005–2015. The objectives of the article are to analyze whether Indian IPOs underperform or outperform the broad market in the long run and to identify the key determinants of their long-run performance. The results show that the Indian IPOs outperform the broad market initially followed by significant underperformance in the long run. The IPOs listed on the main board during 2005–2015 yielded average initial excess returns (IERs) of about 22 per cent. However, 37 per cent of the IPOs provided negative IERs. The IPOs underperformed the broad market generating –57.33 per cent buy-and-hold abnormal return (BHAR) over 36 months after listing. Only 38 out of 377 IPOs (10 per cent) outperformed the benchmark index over a 36-month holding period. The important issue characteristics that influence the long-run performance of IPOs in India are the type of issuer (government-owned or private), lead manager prestige (LMP), promoter holding and the issue size.
Crafting Responsible Management Practices in Business School Learning Outcomes: An Indian Case Study
Authors: Singhal Neeraj , Suryawanshi Preeti , Mittal Garima
Published: July 2017

Management education is increasingly facing societal demands for becoming responsible business. Many management institutions have therefore become involved in embedding sustainable development as part of responsible management education into their academic system. This was also due to use of ‘responsible management’ as one of the important criteria in the international accreditation process and thus leading to greater acceptability amongst its target audience. The United Nations (UN)-supported Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative is an important catalyst for the transformation of management education in this direction. The research was based on analysis of around 60 peer-reviewed articles in the field of responsible management education to understand important categories where the institution can commit for implementation of sustainable development. The next part of research focuses on studying the declarations, charters or initiatives for higher education for sustainable development. Further, the research for this article was built upon discussions on implementation of PRME in designing the student learning outcomes (SLOs) for management education. The article intends to study the case of one institute from North India that has made an attempt to adopt the six (plus one) principles of PRME into the curriculum design for its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The article serves as an instrument to help higher education institutions (HEIs) that are planning to adopt PRME as it explains the processes, challenges and benefits of implementing PRME throughout the system.
The Investigation of Service Quality Dimensions, Customer Satisfaction and Corporate Image in Indian Public Sector Banks: An Application of Structural Equation Model(SEM)
Authors: Kant Rishi , Jaiswal Deepak , Mishra Suyash
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this article is to identify the dimensions of service quality (SQ) in the banking sector and examine the effect of SQ dimensions on customer satisfaction (CS), and therefore the effect of CS on corporate image (CI) in the selected public sector banks (PSBs) in India. The sample of the study consists of 640 retail customers of PSBs in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India and the data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a 7-point Likert scale based on purposive sampling. Therefore, the authors empirically validate a measurement model using structural equation modelling (SEM) through path analysis. The findings revealed that ‘tangibility’ and ‘assurance’ dimensions were most important predictors of CS among all five dimensions of SQ. In addition, the results also validate that CS is an important antecedent for influencing CI, and therefore CS acts as a linkage between SQ dimensions and CI in the Indian context. Finally, the research article presents the conclusion, implications and limitations and the possible directions for further research.
Book Review: Graham Mytton, Peter Diem and Piet Hien van Dam, Media Audience Research: A Guide for Professionals
Authors: Prashar Anupama
Published: July 2017

Graham Mytton, Peter Diem and Piet Hien van Dam, Media Audience Research: A Guide for Professionals, 2015, New Delhi: SAGE Publications Ltd., 2016, 279 pp., ₹650. ISBN: 9789351506430
Book Review: Anurag K. Agarwal, Contracts and Arbitration for Managers
Authors: Bansal C.L.
Published: July 2017

Anurag K. Agarwal, Contracts and Arbitration for Managers, 2016, New Delhi, India: SAGE Publications, 231 pp., ₹450. ISBN: 9789351506379.
Eastern Housing Limited—Marketing Strategies of Real Estate Company in Bangladesh
Authors: Srivastava Vibhava
Published: July 2017

This is an analysis for the management case of Eastern Housing Limited (EHL), Bangladesh. The premise of the case is that EHL having enjoyed market leadership of nearly 40 years has now started facing heat in the real estate market of Bangladesh. EHL has lost its leading position to East West Property Development Pvt. Ltd (EWPDL) which commands 30 per cent market share in the year 2015, whereas EHL holds approximately 20 per cent market share, inclusive of sales across different offerings in the real estate market. The reported compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of EHL (12.77 per cent) in the year 2015, however is much better than the industry (real estate renting and business services) CAGR of 4.4 per cent. But the upcoming years are going to be tough for EHL as competition is likely to intensify. The immediate focus of EHL is how to increase the market share though in long-run EHL wants to sustain and consolidate its position in the market. The analysis starts with situation analysis and ends with recommending future course of action for short-term vis-a-vis long-term perspectives.
Does US Financial Stress Explain Risk–Return Dynamics in Indian Equity Market? A Logistic Regression Approach
Authors: Singh Amanjot , Kaur Parneet
Published: July 2017

The present study attempts to capture the impact of the US financial stress on the risk–return dynamics in the Indian equity market by employing Markov regime switching and binary logistic regression model. The span of data ranges from 2004 to 2013. The study uses weekly closing local values of benchmark equity indices ‘CNX Nifty 50 and S&P 500’ and St. Louis Fed Financial Stress Index (SFSI). The said index captures stress in the US financial system on a weekly basis. The Markov results support the existence of ‘Bull’ regime as well as ‘Bear’ regime in the Indian equity market. Corresponding to this, the logistic regression model indicates a positive impact of the US financial stress on the probability for the existence of bear regime. Particularly, the probability for the existence of bull regime approaches zero, when the stress in the US financial system crosses the level of two. The results support strong implications for the investors in the Indian equity market against the stress in the US financial system.
Book Review: Mohan K. Tikku, After the Fall: Sri Lanka in Victory and War
Authors: Samatha M.
Published: July 2017

Mohan K. Tikku, After the Fall: Sri Lanka in Victory and War. New Delhi: OUP, 2016, pp. 308, Price ₹650.
Regional Approaches to Crisis Response, the African Union (AU) Intervention in African States: How Viable Is It?
Authors: Bamidele Seun
Published: July 2017

Ever since African Union (AU) was established in 1963, the organisation has been charged with the responsibility of preventing, managing and resolving violent conflicts ranging from political violence, terrorism, insurgency and so on. In the African region, AU’s interventions in African states have generated academic debates especially in the Mali and Nigerian crisis. While some scholars consider AU’s intervention as being effective, others consider it ineffective. Either claim, however, is only valid in part and obscures a holistic understanding of the AU as a conflict prevention mechanism in Africa. Using the crisis in Mali and Nigeria as case studies, this article engages with the body of works drawn from each of the aforementioned paradigms, and highlights the inadequacies in exclusively focusing on either side of the debate. In turn, it suggests that, only in the synergy of both paradigms can a broader and more eclectic understanding of all the factors responsible for non-performance of AU be achieved.
Latin America: Nader Entessar: Political Development in Chile: From Democratic Socialism to Dictatorship. K.P. Bagchi and Co., Calcutta, 1980, vii, 206p., Rs. 45.
Authors: Shivkumar V. , Saleth R. Maria , Chopra H. S.
Published: July 2017

Robert Harvey: Portugal : Birth of a Democracy. Macmillan Co., New Delhi, 1978, viii, 151 p., £3.95.

Vasant Kumar Bawa: Latin American Integration. Radiant Publishers, New Delhi, 1980, xx, 244p., Rs. 60.
Riots in Britain: An Analysis
Authors: Vivekanandan B.
Published: July 2017

Peace and tranquility in Britain was seriously disrupted by a spate of riots in different parts of the country from April to July 1981. It is estimated that the riots, which affected Birmingham, Brixton, Liverpool, Manchester, Southall, etc., caused damage to properties worth about £45 million.1 Although some commentators have collectively characterized these riots as “racial,” a closer look into their nature and participation would reveal that the riots were caused by a combination of factors, including race, unemployment, hooliganism, alienation of the youth, unsatisfactory housing conditions, suspicion over the impartiality of the police, etc.
National Security Policy-Making and Cacophony of Voices in the Reagan Administration
Authors: Kamath P.M.
Published: July 2017

In the post-World War II period “national security” has become the most important concept commanding respect among policy-makers and demanding crippling-silence on the part of the national community. It is not necessary here to examine the reasons1, for this commandeering position given to the concept of national security, but in an objective sense, foreign affairs of any nation in the ultimate analysis is conducted to secure national security. In this sense national security essentially denotes a nation's determination to preserve at any cost some of its interests. Foremost are : territorial integrity, political independence and fundamental governmental institutions.2

In the contemporary world it is also a well established fact that the military, diplomatic and economic aspects of a nation's foreign affairs are inseperably interlinked with one another. While foreign policy aims at serving national interest through peaceful diplomatic means, military policy aims at preparedness to protect national interest in case foreign policy fails. The foreign policy of a nation has also to take into consideration economic states involved in a particular policy consideration. This is particularly true for a super power like the United States. Hence, in a sense, it is appropriate to term the combination of foreign and military policies of a nation as national security policy.

Who makes national security policy in the United States? What are the special features of national security policy-making process? It is proposed to answer these questions in this paper with special reference to the Reagan Administration.
Commonwealth and the Third World
Authors: Khan Rasheeduddin
Published: July 2017

What is the Commonwealth? Is it the continuation of the British Empire by other means? Does it constitute a form of neo-colonialism? Is it a trap laid by the old colonialists to lure the newly freed countries into newer forms of dependence? The answer to questions like these used to be in the affirmative in 1948, by a wide variety of perceptive analysts of international politics. Thirty-five years later and wiser today in 1983, except the ignorant, the naive or the hardcore text-book dogmatist, indeed none with an understanding of the new and complex international situation and an awareness of the logic of an interdependent world, would be prone to give a straight-cut answer.

The international context in which the Commonwealth took its shape and form in the fifties of this century was basicaliy different in terms of political power-equation; the situation of world finance, trade and commerce; the far-reaching effects of the revolution in technology, electronics, communication, aeronautics, defence technology and in the many critical fields with an impact on human life and group relations. Together with this the phenomenal proliferation of human population and explosion of democratic human consciousness and the surging passion for national identity, freedom and equality, had brought into being a global situation that was qualitatively different from any epoch in human history. It was a new world, a radically different world, but an amazing world of contrasts and of opportunities.

On the collapse of the European imposed global order around 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged on the world scene (to borrow the current jargon) as Super-Powers. The global spread of the United States and the US dominated TNC's created a situation of new challenges even to the old world. The formation of the socialist commity of nations in eastern Europe and Asia, and the spread of socialist ideas and perceptions the world over, provided sustenance and support to the struggling people and established an alternative focus in the balance of power. The ferment in the colonies was such that with the breaking of the chains in India, one by one new states in Asia, Africa, Central America and Oceania appeared on the horizon of the expanding international community. Since the Commonwealth was not born in an age of imperialism but in the age of the winding-up of imperialism, its roots can be traced not in British constitutional practices and institutions — part of it as the starting point are undoubtedly there — but in their “distuption” mutation and transformation by the triumphant liberation movements which congregated in the commanwealth.
The Growth Pattern of Nam
Authors: Baral J.K. , Mohanty Sujata
Published: July 2017

There is no unanimity about the origin of non-alignment. India's claim as its birth-place has been contested by others, particularly, by Yugoslavia and Indonesia who also claim the same honour. This controversy notwithstanding, the fact remains that non-aligment as a movement started in 1961 although several countries pursued non-aligned policies before it. Among these countries the most prominent were India, Indonesia, Egypt and Yugoslavia and by 1961 non-aligment as a foreign policy option had already won some legitimacy at least in the third world. With a view to providing greater strength and vitality to non-alignment, they took initiatives to give an organisational shape to it. From time to time bilateral and multilateral meetings were held among the leaders of like-minded countries to devise some organizational mechanism for forging unity and co-operation among them. From the Asian Relations Conference, 1947 to the Brioni meeting of 1956, non-alignment steadily grew from policies of individual countries to a.big and strong movement, culminating in the first non-aligned summit of 1961 held at Belgrade.
Politics and the Management of Public Health Disasters: Reflections on the SARS epidemic in Greater China
Authors: Hui Dlh , Ng Mk
Published: July 2017

This paper examines the problems of coordination between and within six jurisdictional players, namely the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Guangdong Province, the Central Authority (PRC), the Taiwanese Government, the Taipei Government and the World Health Organization during the SARS episode from November 2002 until August 2003. We found that the diverging political interests and entrenched administrative practices accounted for the poor coordination between and within these players. The obsession with “political correctness” has severely hampered “rational” decision making among the jurisdictional players. The highly fragmented and compartmentalised intra-jurisdictional public health system means that marshalling resources from health and non-health sectors is difficult. Asia Pac J Public Health 2007; 19(Special Issue): 7–12.
Medical Interventions following Natural Disasters: Missing out on Chronic Medical Needs
Authors: Chan EYY , Sondorp E
Published: July 2017

Although natural disasters may cause massive loss of human life and destruction of resources, they also present affected populations with a rare opportunity to access external resources. Nevertheless, many post-disaster medical relief intervention programmes only focus on the provision of acute medical services and the control of communicable diseases. Currently, no specific study has examined why chronic medical needs seem to be insufficiently addressed in disaster relief interventions. This paper review current knowledge about how natural disasters affect peuple with chronic medical needs, assess possible factors in disaster preparedness and response that pre-empt addressing chronic medical needs and suggest possible ways to overcome these barriers. Unawareness and insensitivity of relief workers towards chronic medical conditions, the practice of risk rather than need-based assessments, a focus on acute needs, the lack of reliable indicators and baseline information, and the multidimensional characteristics or chronic medical problems all pose serious challenges and probably deter the government and post-disaster relief agencies to deal with diseases of a chronic nature. It is important to increase the awareness and sensitivity of the stakeholders towards chronic medical problems during all phases of planning and intervention. Relevant assessment tools should be developed to rapidly identify chronic medical needs in resource deficit settings. Community partnership and collaboration that promote local ownership and technical transfer of chronic disease management skills will be essential for the sustainability of services beyond the disaster relief period. Potential programmes might include the technical training of local staff, establishment of essential drug and supply lists, and the provision of a range of medical services that may address chronic health needs. Asia Pac J Public Health 2007; 19(Special Issue): 45–51.
Neglected Issues and Voices
Authors: Pittaway E , Bartolomei L , Rees S
Published: July 2017

The 2004 Tsunami highlighted the silence which surrounds gender issues, in particular the incidence of rape and sexual abuse of women and girls displaced by natural disasters and conflict. They include lack of recognition of women's sanitation needs, the need for safe, private places to bathe, secure spaces for single women and girls, lack of contraception, accessible sexual and reproductive health care, and legal measures to be taken against men who rape and abuse women. Reports of violence against women and increased domestic violence have been documented in all tsunami affected countries. Women from across the affected region came together in New York, March 2005 at the meeting of the UN Commission for the Status of Women to review the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action. Through their efforts at that meeting, a United Nations Resolution was passed in which Governments made commitments to address gender issues and sexual abuse in disaster situations. Asia Pac J Public Health 2007; 19(Special Issue): 69.
Assessing the usefulness of frameworks for sub-categorizing faith-based organizations: World Vision as a case study
Authors: Mitchell Bob
Published: July 2017

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) make up one of the largest cohorts of organizations providing international development work around the globe. The extraordinary heterogeneous nature of FBOs is bewildering, and typologies and other methods have been developed to try and sub-categorize them or to distil their defining characteristics. This article looks at how useful some of those attempts are for analytical purposes. Taking data from a detailed case study of eight World Vision offices around the globe, it was possible to go back and test the robustness of some of these methods. Typologies were inadequate because they forced an approximation or tried to plot behaviours in a linear way. Some approaches could not deal with the diversity of the contexts. Most especially, however, the study highlights that the failure to take account of the underlying theological premise of the FBOs can produce an anomalous picture. The article is cautious about methods which are overt measures of religiosity and favours the quadrant proposed by Vanderwoerd. This approach takes account of the theological outlook of those FBOs that are more comfortable in working with open systems.
The catholicity of time in the work of George Mackay Brown
Authors: Goroncy Jason
Published: July 2017

This essay introduces and explores some explicitly theological concerns in the work of the Orcadian poet, novelist, and dramatist George Mackay Brown (1921–96). More specifically, its interest is with Brown’s presentation and treatment of the notion of time. Drawing on examples from a wide selection of his work, it is argued that Brown’s conversion to Roman Catholicism, and in particular his delight in the enchantment of the Mass, allowed him to exploit a distinctly Catholic sacramental theology and aesthetic of creation – its location, people, and history – appraised in light of the Eucharist.
The Life of a Village
Authors: Conger Stephen
Published: July 2017

This contribution is an inspiring and innovative example of the impact one individual can have on the opportunity structure of a community and several of its youth. The author is an architect residing and working in Italy, who is also building community career development and, yes, he is Stu Conger's son! He lives in Monte San Martino, Italy, where he designs homes for many foreigners seeking a small piece of paradise—many of whom have found themselves drawn to help revitalise their new village through a skill bank foundation.