bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Evaluation of Acute Posterolateral Complex Injuries of the Knee
Authors: Ross Glen , Chapman Andrew W. , Newberg Arthur R. , Scheller Arnold D.
Published: June 2007

Clinical evaluation of posterolateral complex injuries of the knee can be difficult. To determine if magnetic resonance imaging can assist in decision-making in the treatment of posterolateral complex injuries, six consecutive patients with acute posterolateral knee trauma were imaged preoperatively with standard magnetic resonance imaging sequences. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were then correlated with results of examination under anesthesia or open lateral reconstruction. There were five complete lateral com plex injuries (grade III) and one partial tear. Magnetic resonance imaging was able to accurately depict the extent of injury preoperatively in each case. All patients had concomitant anterior cruciate ligament tears. There was one partial posterior cruciate ligament tear. Visualization of the arcuate complex, biceps femoris tendon, lateral capsule, iliotibial band, popliteal tendon, and lateral collateral ligament was possible. A charac teristic bone contusion on the anteromedial femoral condyle was present in all patients with complete pos terolateral disruptions. Lateral complex injuries of the knee can be very accurately demonstrated on mag netic resonance imaging, and this imaging technique can be used to clarify the exact nature of the injury to allow better surgical planning.
Shoulder Strength and Range of Motion in Symptomatic and Pain-Free Elite Swimmers
Authors: Bak Klaus , Magnusson S. Peter
Published: June 2007

To evaluate differences in shoulder strength and range of motion between painful and pain-free shoulders we examined two matched groups of athletes. Fifteen competitive swimmers were allocated to two groups. Group 1 consisted of seven swimmers with unilateral shoulder pain related to swimming (Neer and Welsh phase I to II). The control group (Group 2) consisted of eight swimmers with no present or previous history of shoulder pain. Concentric and eccentric internal rota tional torques were reduced in painful shoulders in between-group comparisons as well as in side-to-side comparisons. The decrease in internal rotational torque resulted in significantly greater concentric and eccentric external-to-internal rotational strength ratios of the painful shoulder in Group 1 swimmers compared with the controls. Furthermore, the functional ratio (ec centric external rotation:concentric internal rotation) was significantly greater in the painful shoulder in both between-group and side-to-side comparisons. Both groups of swimmers exhibited increased external range of motion and reduced internal range of motion compared with normalized data, but no between-group or side-to-side differences were detected. Our findings suggest that prevention or rehabilitation of swimmer's shoulder might not solely involve strengthening of the external rotators of the shoulder joint. Attention might also be drawn toward correction of a possible deficit in internal rotational strength. Changes in shoulder range of motion seem unrelated to the occurrence of shoul der pain.
Ice Hockey Injuries in Finland
Authors: Mölsä Jouko , Airaksinen Olavi , Näsman Ove , Torstila Ilkka
Published: June 2007

In this prospective study of ice hockey injuries in Fin land we have investigated the incidence of injury at two playing levels and the causal factors, mechanisms, types, and consequences of the injuries. Seven Finn ish ice hockey teams were observed during the 1988 to 1989 season. There were a total of 189 injuries. There were 134 injuries in 4 teams of the highest level, the Finnish National League, and 55 injuries in 3 teams of the second highest level, Division I. The incidence of injuries during games was 66 per 1000 player-game hours in the National League and 36 per 1000 player- game hours in Division I. As for severity, 10 (5%) injuries were classified as major. Of all injuries, 15 (8%) were fractures and 34 (18%) were to the head or face. The most severe injuries were tears of a knee ligament or fractures of an upper extremity. Ongoing surveil lance and an exact reporting system are needed for establishing the trends in the number and severity of the injuries.
Injuries in the Sport of Luge
Authors: Cummings Robert S. , Shurland Abraham T. , Prodoehl John A. , Moody Kevin , Sherk Henry H.
Published: June 2007

We undertook this study to determine the types and frequency of injuries sustained in the sport of luge. Before this study, no data were available in the medical literature on luge injuries. We performed a retrospec tive analysis between the years 1985 and 1992 using data obtained from the athlete injury and illness report forms at the US Training Center Sports Medicine Clinic in Lake Placid, New York. During the 7 years exam ined, 1043 athletes took 57, 244 track runs and sus tained 407 injuries. The risk of sustaining an injury was 0.39 per person per year, and the risk of an injury causing the loss of more than 1 day of practice was 0.04 per person per year. Contusions were the major injury (51%), followed by strains (27%). Strains of the neck muscles and contusions of extremities, especially the hands, were characteristic injuries sustained by athletes. The most serious injuries were concussions (2%) and fractures (3%). Crashes were responsible for 64% of injuries. Luge appears to be a relatively safe sport with injury rates comparable with recreational alpine skiing.
Arthroscopic Evaluation of the Lateral Compartment of Knees With Grade 3 Posterolateral Knee Complex Injuries
Authors: LaPrade Robert F.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospec tively the arthroscopic findings in the lateral compart ment of knees with posterolateral knee complex inju ries, to help identify individual injured anatomic structures, and to assist in the clinical identification of these injuries. Thirty of 33 consecutive knees noted to have grade 3 posterolateral knee complex injuries on preoperative evaluations and examinations under an esthesia underwent arthroscopic evaluation concur rently with open reconstruction. The arthroscopic eval uation revealed a significant number of pathologic changes in the lateral compartment that may have gone undetected if only an open reconstruction had been performed. Tears were identified arthroscopically in 25 (83%) of the anteroinferior, 22 (73%) of the posterosuperior, and 14 (47%) of the posteroinferior popliteomeniscal fascicles. Injuries to the coronary lig ament (80%) and meniscotibial portion of the midthird lateral capsular ligament (73%) were also frequently seen. Other structures injured included the menis cofemoral portion of the posterior capsule (37%), the ligament of Wrisberg (33%), and the meniscofemoral portion of the midthird lateral capsular ligament (10%). Ten avulsions (33%) of the popliteal tendon origin off the femur were also identified. Identification of these injured components greatly facilitated open reconstruc tion of injuries to the posterolateral complex of the knee. All 30 knees were noted to have greater than 1 cm of lateral joint laxity with application of a varus stress. When an unexpected amount of lateral joint laxity is seen arthroscopically (a "drive-through" sign) in a patient with suspected ligamentous instability, one should consider a diagnosis of posterolateral knee complex injury.
Stingers, the Torg Ratio, and the Cervical Spine
Authors: Castro Frank P. , Ricciardi James , Brunet Michael E. , Busch Michael T. , Whitecloud Thomas S.
Published: June 2007

We prospectively determined the risk of initial stinger experience in a group of college football players while considering the presence of cervical canal stenosis and each player's position, playing time, and body type. Prospective analysis revealed a 7.7% incidence of initial stinger experience. The average Torg ratio for all players was 0.924 ± 0.122, with the seventh cervi cal level being the narrowest. Initial stinger experience depended on position played and body type. The Torg ratio did not influence initial stinger occurrence. Play ers who experienced multiple stingers, however, had significantly smaller Torg ratios than players experi encing only one stinger (0.75 versus 0.87). A Torg ratio of 0.70 may be a more statistically and clinically appro priate threshold for determining significant cervical ste nosis and advising collegiate athletes of their risk of experiencing recurrent stingers.
Arthroscopic Transglenoid Suture Capsulolabral Repair
Authors: Manta John P. , Organ Scott , Nirschl Robert P. , Pettrone Frank A.
Published: June 2007

The preliminary results of our arthroscopic transgle noid suture capsulolabral repair demonstrated a failure rate of only 10%, with no postoperative dislocations. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate a patient population with a 5-year minimum followup similar to the one previously reported with a 2-year followup. We performed a retrospective analysis of 38 shoulders in 37 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulolabral repair between Jan uary 1989 and June 1990. Thirty shoulders in 29 pa tients were available for followup. The patient popula tion for the current study consisted of 19 men and 10 women. The patients' ages at the time of surgery ranged from 14 to 44, with an average of 24.7 years. Thirteen patients were evaluated in the office and 16 by telephone. The current followup demonstrated a redislocation rate of 17% (5 shoulders). Twenty-seven percent of the patients (N = 8) required a second open stabilization procedure. Only 40% of shoulders (N = 12) had no episodes of instability at this extended followup. Higher failure rates were noted in patients with generalized ligamentous laxity or an absent la brum at the time of surgery and in those participating in contact sports.
Does the Mode of Data Collection Change Results in a Subjective Knee Score?
Authors: Höher Jürgen , Bach Titus , Münster Achim , Bouillon Bertil , Tiling Thomas
Published: June 2007

Our objective was to compare the effect of two meth ods of data collection on results in a functional knee score. Two Lysholm scores were obtained for 61 pa tients 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery at the same clinic visit. First, the patients completed a self-administered questionnaire, and second, the Ly sholm score form was completed by the investigator in the course of a patient interview. A comparison of the scores revealed that the mean score was significantly lower with self-administration (self, 89.3 ± 10.6; inter viewer, 92.2 ± 7.4) (P = 0.0035, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The assignment to one of four categories (excel lent, good, fair, poor) was also significantly altered by the manner of data collection. Nineteen patients (31 %) were assigned to different categories based on the mode of data collection. We believe that the major reason for a better score result with an interview was the presence of interview bias. The more the investi gator is involved in the treatment of the patient, the greater the influence of this bias may be. To avoid such potential bias we suggest that a standardized self- administered questionnaire be used as the method of choice for obtaining subjective data in clinical settings.
The Natural History of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Deficient Knee
Authors: Cameron Michelle , Buchgraber Andreas , Passler Hans , Vogt Molly , Thonar Eugene , Fu Freddie , Evans Christopher H.
Published: June 2007

Restoring knee stability through reconstruction, while providing symptomatic relief, has not been shown to decrease the incidence of degenerative changes after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. This suggests that posttraumatic osteoarthritis may not be purely bio mechanical in origin, but also biochemical. To test this, we measured the levels of seven cytokine modulators of cartilage metabolism in knee joint synovial fluid after anterior cruciate ligament rupture. We also measured keratan sulfate, a product of articular cartilage catab olism. The sample population consisted of patients with uninjured knee joints ( N = 10), and patients with acute ( N = 60), subacute ( N = 18), and chronic ( N = 8) anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees. Synovial fluid samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immu nosorbent assays. Normal synovial fluids contained high levels of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist but low concentrations of other cytokines. Immediately af ter ligament rupture there were large increases in in terleukins 6 and 8, tumor necrosis factor α, and keratan sulfate. Interleukin-1 levels remained low throughout the course. As the injury became subacute and then chronic, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and keratan sulfate levels fell but remained considerably elevated 3 months after injury. Concentrations of inter leukin-1Ra fell dramatically. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor concentrations were normal acutely and subacutely but by 3 months after injury were elevated 10-fold. Our data reveal a persistent and evolving disturbance in cytokine and keratan sulfate profiles within the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee, suggesting an important biochemical dimension to the development of osteoarthritis there.
The Effects of Hyaluronan on the Meniscus and on the Articular Cartilage After Partial Meniscectomy
Authors: Sonoda Masaki , Harwood Frederick L. , Wada Yuichi , Moriya Hideshige , Amiel David
Published: June 2007

The effect of hyaluronan (molecular weight = 8 × 105) on the meniscus and on the articular cartilage was assessed after partial meniscectomy in a rabbit model. On gross examination, remodeled meniscus appeared as newly synthesized translucent tissue, and was seen in both vehicle- and hyaluronan-treated menisci. His tologically, safranin O staining revealed the strong presence of glycosaminoglycans in the newly remod eled tissue, and polarized light demonstrated the ab sence of mature collagen architecture. Hydration of the hyaluronan-treated menisci was significantly less than that of the vehicle-treated menisci, and the reducible collagen cross-link dihydroxylysinonorleucine was sig nificantly increased in the hyaluronan-treated menisci compared with the vehicle-treated menisci, indicative of a greater degree of collagen remodeling. In situ hybridization of vehicle- and hyaluronan-treated me nisci revealed a high level of type I procollagen mRNA expression and minor expressions of types II and III mRNA. Expression of the type I collagen gene ap peared to be more pronounced in the hyaluronan- treated menisci than in the vehicle-treated menisci. The tibial plateaus revealed mild cartilage fibrillation after partial meniscectomy. A statistically significant difference between vehicle- and hyaluronan-treated cartilage was not demonstrated in the present study because of the slow development (i.e., 12 weeks) of osteoarthritis after partial meniscectomy in the rabbit model. These results suggest that in the rabbit model, hyaluronan enhances collagen remodeling and inhibits meniscal swelling after partial meniscectomy in the avascular region.
The Combined Dynamic and Static Contributions to Subacromial Impingement
Authors: Payne Loel Z. , Deng Xiang-Hua , Craig Edward V. , Torzilli Peter A. , Warren Russell F.
Published: June 2007

Ten human cadaveric shoulders were tested with a dynamic shoulder model simulating physiologic rotator cuff, deltoid, and biceps muscle forces. The combined effect of the muscle forces and acromial structure on subacromial impingement was measured with mini mally invasive, miniature pressure transducers. Shoul ders with large acromial spurs had significantly greater impingement pressures at the anterolateral acromion in neutral, internal, and external rotation compared with those with flatter acromia. Application of a biceps mus cle force reduced anterolateral acromial pressures by 10%. Failure to simulate a supraspinatus force de creased acromial pressure 52% in shoulders with type III acromia in neutral rotation. Without rotator cuff forces applied, the maximum deltoid muscle force re quired to elevate the arm increased by 17%. Acromial pressures were increased when no rotator cuff forces were applied, but the increases were not significant. After an anterior acromioplasty, pressures decreased by 99% anteriorly. However, failure to achieve a flat surface posteriorly increased pressures in this location, especially with the shoulder in external rotation. Mod eling the rotator cuff and deltoid muscle forces dem onstrated the importance of the muscular force couple to center the humeral head during elevation of the arm. The inferior forces of the infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis muscles were necessary to neutral ize the superior shear force produced by the deltoid and supraspinatus muscles.
Tissue Shrinkage With the Holmium:Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser
Authors: Schaefer Susan L. , Ciarelli Michael J. , Arnoczky Steven P. , Ross Herbert E.
Published: June 2007

The effect of laser energy on the length, stiffness, and structure of connective tissue was examined in a rabbit patellar tendon model. A holmium:yttrium-aluminum- garnet laser was used to deliver a calculated dose of laser energy (300 J/cm2) to one randomly selected patellar tendon in each of 13 adult New Zealand White rabbits. The contralateral patellar tendon was used as a control. Radiopaque markers were placed in the patella and tibial tuberosity to allow for patellar tendon length measurements (via standard lateral radio graphs) before and after laser application and at 4 and 8 weeks. Limbs were not immobilized during the post operative period. The tendons were harvested at 0 weeks (N = 7) and 8 weeks (N = 6) and evaluated for tensile stiffness, cross-sectional area, histologic changes, and electron microscopic appearance. The results demonstrated significant tendon shrinkage (6.6% ± 1.4%) after application of the calculated laser energy dose. However, tendon length had increased significantly beyond the immediate postlaser length at 4 weeks and beyond its original length by 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, the lased tendons were significantly less stiff with significantly greater cross-sectional areas than contralateral controls. There was generalized fibro blastic response throughout the entire lased tendon characterized by a marked increase in cellularity. There was also a change from the normal bimodal pattern of large- and small-diameter collagen fibers to a unimodal pattern with predominantly small-diameter fibers in the lased tendons. The tissue alterations seen in this study suggest that the biologic response of connective tissue to laser energy causes a further compromise in tissue integrity, beyond that attributed to the initial physical effects of the laser. These alter ations must be taken into consideration when deter mining postoperative rehabilitation of laser-modified tissues.
Functional Evaluation of the Ligaments at the Acromioclavicular Joint during Anteroposterior and Superoinferior Translation
Authors: Lee Kwang-Won , Debski Richard E. , Chen Chih-Hwa , Woo Savio L.-Y. , Fu Freddie H.
Published: June 2007

We examined the anatomy and measured the in situ force in ligaments at the acromioclavicular joint using a universal force-moment sensor. The in situ force in the coracoacromial, conoid, trapezoid, superior acromio clavicular capsular, and inferior acromioclavicular cap sular ligaments of 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders was determined for a load of 70 N applied to the clavicle in anteroposterior and superoinferior direc tions. The lengths of the conoid and trapezoid liga ments were found to be 15.1 ± 4.1 and 11.5 ± 2.2 mm, respectively; the widths of the conoid and trapezoid ligaments were 10.7 ± 1.5 and 11.0 ± 2.8 mm, respec tively. The in situ force of the trapezoid (42.9 ± 15.4 N) was significantly greater than that for the other liga ments during posterior displacement. Otherwise, no statistically significant differences could be found be tween any of the in situ forces in each ligament during all other motions examined. During anterior displace ment, the inferior acromioclavicular capsular ligament appeared to be the major restraint. The trapezoid lig ament was the primary restraint during posterior dis placement and provided 55.8% ± 20.0% of the resist ing force. Our results suggest that the coracoclavicular and other acromioclavicular joint capsular ligaments should be considered for reconstruction to restore normal joint function, especially in the anterior, poste rior, and superior directions.
The Conservation of Value: A Rejoinder to Alan Freeman
Authors: Dumenil Gerard , Levy Dominique
Published: June 2007

This paper is a critique of Alan Freeman's theory of sequential values. In this approach value is conserved from period to period independently of technical change and disequilibrium, contrary to the traditional view that values are reevaluated at each period depending on the existing conditions of production. Our main criticism is that sequential values fail to account for the devaluation of capital, when the economy is considered globally. Devaluation is possible for individual commodities in Freeman's framework, but the loss of value is always compensated by a corresponding gain for another commodity. The paper also points out a number of puzzling properties of sequential values, in particular the compatibility of increasing values with rising labor productivity. The unusual treatment of fixed capital, in which fixed capital is assimilated to an imperishable raw material, also raises serious problems for Freeman.
Alternative Perspectives on Late Industrialization in East Asia: A Critical Survey
Authors: Burkett Paul , Hart-Landsberg Martin
Published: June 2007

This paper evaluates the five most popular analytical approaches to the East Asian "miracle" economies: neoliberal, structural-institutional, "flying geese," Greater China, and dependency perspectives. Distinguishing between national and regional development visions, we specify the key forces that each approach sees driving industrialization and growth, as well as the most likely barriers each sees to continued growth and development in East Asia. In pointing out the main analytical shortcomings of the five perspectives in light of the East Asian crisis, we sketch some key elements of a Marxist framework capable of overcoming these difficulties in a politically useful way.
The Transformation Problem: Is the Standard Commodity a Solution?
Authors: Sinha Ajit
Published: June 2007

This paper attempts to closely investigate the relationship between Ricardo's search for an invariable measure of value and Sraffa's Standard commodity on the one hand and Marx's transformation problem and his notion of exploitation on the other. The paper argues that Marx's notion of exploitation is subtly different from the Sraffian notion of exploitation as suggested by Garegnani. And that the Standard commodity is not a solution to Marx's transformation problem as suggested by Eatwell. The paper is an attempt to initiate a fruitful dialog between Marxists and Sraffians on the question of labor as a unit of measure and its relation to the notion of exploitation.
The "New Solution" to the Transformation Problem: A Sympathetic Critique
Authors: Moseley Fred
Published: June 2007

This paper critically evaluates the "new solution" to the transformation as presented by Foley and Dumenil and others, from the perspective of the author's "macro-monetary" interpretation of Marx's theory. The main issue emphasized is the method of determination of the inputs of constant capital and variable capital in Marx's theory-whether these inputs are taken as given as quantities of money capital or derived from given quantities of physical goods.
Structural Contradictions of the Global Neoliberal Regime
Authors: Crotty James
Published: June 2007

The paper argues that global Neoliberalism creates both chronic sluggish aggregate demand growth and chronic excess aggregate supply, and that these tendencies reinforce one another in a vicious circle. Stagnant global demand has unleashed destructive competition in core global markets, creating low profits, financial fragility, and over investment. Over investment generates the excess industry supply that sustains competitive intensity. The greater the competitive intensity, the greater the pressure on firms to cut wages and employment, and lobby for less generous social welfare spending, which further constrains aggregate demand. And so on.
The Rise and Fall of Stagflation: Preliminary Results
Authors: Devine James
Published: June 2007

This paper explains the rise and fall of stagflation between 1960 and 1998 in terms of the fall and rise of the cyclically-corrected profit rate as part of a preliminary investigation. Not only is the theory presented and compared to mainstream visions of the Natural Rate of Unemployment, but empirical evidence for my thesis is marshaled.
Strategic Labor Organizing in the Era of Industrial Transformation: A Comparative Historical Analysis of Unionization in Steel and Coal, 1870-1916
Authors: Brueggemann John , Brown Cliff
Published: June 2007

Between 1870 and 1916 rapid and widespread mechanization and capitalization dramatically transformed the means and relations of production in the mass industries. At the same time, increasing ethnic diversity challenged the class basis of labor solidarity. The cases of steel and bituminous coal mining illustrate important contrasting responses to these forces on the part of organized labor. In particular, the Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Tin Workers lost members and became increasingly ineffectual, while the United Mine Workers underwent intense and sustained growth. Our comparison of the two unions' notably different trajectories reveals the importance of socio-historical factors as well as union strategies for dealing with technological innovation and ethnic divisions.
How Advanced Was Europe in 1760 After All?
Authors: Alam M. Shahid
Published: June 2007

A review of the literature on historical comparisons of levels of development suggests that disparities between now and advanced and lagging countries around 1760 were most likely quite small and, if extreme observations at both ends are excluded, probably nonexistent. When purchasing power parity exchange rates are used for backward projections of per capita incomes, these disparities are nearly always smaller than two to one, and often much smaller than this. Comparison based on alternative indicators also suggest that disparities across countries were small or non-existent before 1800.
Transformation and continuity in Cuba
Authors: Hoffmann Bert
Published: June 2007

This article considers the propositions of transition and transformation research with respect to the "deviant case" of still socialist Cuba. A central element of the explanation for Cuba's "nontransition" is the specific relationship of political continuity and economic transformation - even as the latter is carried out paradoxically largely behind the back of the state and against its officially expressed will. A second decisive factor is the simultaneity of the "political" and the "national" questions, in which Cuba's political system can present itself as the defender of national sovereignty. The aggressive policy of "exporting democracy" from the United States in the style of the Helms-Burton Law has thus exactly the opposite result: stabilization despite internal crisis and loss of legitimation.
Robert Brenner on political accumulation and the transition to capitalism
Authors: Duchesne Ricardo
Published: June 2007

This paper is an immanent critique of Robert Brenner's writings on the transition from feudalism to capitalism. The concept "immanent" is defined as a logic of implication, according to which a text or theory is evaluated within the terms that it sets for itself, to determine whether its objectives and assumptions are true in the way they are said to be true. Using this method of critique, the paper shows how Brenner's concept of "political accumulation" undermines his own initial claim that the balance of class forces between lords and peasants determined the long-term trends of preindustrial Europe, in that this concept points toward intralord struggles dominated by military interests. The paper also discusses why Brenner's account of France's tax/office state seriously weakens his postulate that "surplus extracting relations" were the "fundamental" relation of fuedalism, on the grounds that office-holding reflected an unequal distribution of property based upon status. Finally, the paper draws out the theoretical implications of these contradictory instances, to delineate ways in which Brenner's basic theory may be sublated within a more comprehensive account.
The poverty of democracy in Latin America
Authors: Richards Donald G.
Published: June 2007

This paper reviews recent Latin American presidential elections as a means of examining the quality of democracy in the region. Its principal hypothesis is that, notwithstanding the claims of mainstream analysis, the (re)introduction of formal democratic procedure has not represented a meaningful advance in authentic, broad-based political and economic enfranchisement of the region's working class and peasant majorities. In many cases the so-called democratic transition has merely disguised the adaption of previously authoritarian mechanisms of social control.
The masculinization of the Mexican maquiladoras
Authors: Wilson Tamar Diana
Published: June 2007

Men's involvement in the maquiladora labor force has increased more than 17 times between 1975 when men constituted 21.7 percent of the non-technician, non-management workers, and 1995 when men constituted 40.9 percent of the maquila workers. Is this occurring because the dearth of "maquila grade" female labor is fueling a more heterogeneous maquiladora labor force? Or is it that the proliferation of maquiladoras involves more plants with jobs traditionally typed as "masculine"? Or, is it possible that "docile, nimble-fingered" males have made their appearance on the labor market? This paper will attempt to answer these questions.
The profit squeeze is supported by the PW cycle indicator
Authors: Goldstein J. P.
Published: June 2007

This paper questions Van Lear's (1999) conclusion that the cyclical profit squeeze mechanism is irrelevant for understanding post World War II business cycles. It is shown that his conclusion erroneously emanates from either a misreading of the evidence or the application of an overly restrictive and irrelevant condition for the existence of a profit squeeze. It is concluded that Van Lear's data and other data in the literature support the cyclical profit squeeze as a viable explanation of post war cycles.
Class, breadwinner ideology, and housework among Canadian husbands
Authors: Nakhaie M. R.
Published: June 2007

This paper presents a systematic discussion of class differences in housework and breadwinner ideology, and tests these relationships using a national sample of Canadian husbands. Analyses show that bourgeois males have a lower tendency to participate in housework than the managerial class or than working-class males whether unionized or not. Bourgeois males are also more likely to adhere to the breadwinner ideology than male managers and/or non-union workers. Other mechanisms such as the relative contribution of wife to the family income, husband's or wife's time availability, and/or husband's ideological orientations also effect housework. Housework is not, however, effected by ethnicity or immigration status. The implications of the findings for feminist theory are discussed.
"Economic imperialism": a view from the periphery
Authors: Fine Ben
Published: June 2007

Edward P. Lazear, a leading neoclassical economist specializing in labor economics, has recently argued that economic imperialism is successfully colonizing other social sciences as a result of its own scientific status. His account, however, leaves several lacunae, including an explanation for the depth, variety, and timing of economic imperialism. These issues are addressed by emphasizing the importance of recent developments in micro-foundations in rendering economics more palatable to other social sciences that are themselves retreating from the extremes of influence of postmodernism and, like economics, neoliberalism. Further, once questioning the claims of economics as the only rigorous science, and recognizing the understandable antipathies to it by other disciplines, then the latter's interest in renewing contact with the economic is liable to see debate emerge over how to analyze the economy. In this, radical political economy and heterodox economics can play a part, even though they have been dismissed by mainstream economics itself.
A reply to Jon Goldstein
Authors: Van Lear William
Published: June 2007

Marxian business cycle research places great importance on the turn in profit rates and profitability in driving capitalist cycles. My work emphasizes that wage growth and wage stability bring a stabilizing force to capitalism. Goldstein points out that wage growth begins to exceed revenue growth in stage three or four, and, therefore, wages contribute to the decline in business profitability that eventually ends the expansion.
What is a living wage? Considerations from Santa Monica, CA
Authors: Pollin Robert
Published: June 2007

The term "living wage" has been used in two separate ways: (1) a wage rate that will enable workers and their families to live above a reasonable poverty threshold; and (2) a somewhat more ambitious standard, a wage rate that will meet a family's basic budgetary needs. Both of these concepts are difficult to quantify, but quantification is necessary for setting meaningful benchmarks in formulating and debating living wage policies. This paper offers an approach to setting benchmarks as they apply to workers in Santa Monica, California.
Origin of the factoid-prevailing wage laws are remnant Jim Crow laws
Authors: Azari-Rad Hamid , Philips Peter
Published: June 2007

Opponents of the Federal Davis-Bacon Act contend that this law has racial bias, and that keeping African-Americans out of the construction industry was the original intent of the law. This paper addresses the latter issue by examining congressional records to unveil the original intentions behind passage of the Davis-Bacon Act. It also examines how false assertions or "factoids" are manufactured in the society by think tanks.
Why equity cannot be separated from efficiency II: when should social pricing be progressive?
Authors: Baiman Ron
Published: June 2007

This paper corrects and extends Baiman (2001) by deriving valid conditions that determine when equity factors outweigh efficiency factors in the progressive Ramsey pricing, or "Progressive Social Pricing Rule," derived in that paper. When these conditions hold, that rule becomes a rule for "progressive socialpricing in the usual sense" of lower-income consumers getting relatively lower prices. When price elasticities are directly correlated with income, this becomes a "direct-elasticity" pricing rule.
Is financial liberalization good for developing nations? The case of South Korea in the 1990s
Authors: Crotty James , Lee Kang-Kook
Published: June 2007

Korea's state-led, bank-based, and closed financial system helped generate its impressive development record from 1961 until the 1997 crisis. However, an ill-conceived liberalization process in the early 1990s eventuated in an IMF takeover in late 1997. Post-crisis neoliberal restructuring, which moved Korea towards a globally open, capital market-based financial system, has thus far failed to generate a sustainable economic recovery. It threatens to significantly lower Korea's long-term rate of capital accumulation. Korea would be well advised to reject neoliberalism, and adopt a modernized and radically democratized version of the traditional model, incorporating a state-led bank-based financial system with capital controls.
David M. Gordon: Radical Political Economist and Activist (1944-1996)
Authors: Bowles Sam , Weisskopf Tom
Published: June 2007

David Gordon, a pioneer of radical political economics and an activist of the U.S. left, died of congestive heart failure on March 16, 1996, at the age of fifty-one. At the time of his death he was Professor of Economics at the New School for Social Research and Director of the Center for Economic Policy Analysis in New York. As economists we will remember best his historically and institutionally based contributions to our understanding of poverty and segmented labor markets and to our analysis of long-run capitalist development. As friends and political associates we will remember his indefatigable commitment to reshaping the economic thinking of the democratic left in an era in which many progressives despaired at the unraveling of the left-Keynesian policy paradigm and the rise of right-wing dogma.
Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and the Process of Settlement among Mexican Immigrants to the United States: Reflections on the Current Wave of Mexican Immigrant Bashing
Authors: Wilson Tamar Diana
Published: June 2007

After reviewing literature which correlates economic crises with immigrant scapegoating and shows the former functionality of Mexican undocumented immigrants for U.S. capitalism, I argue that the anti-immigrant sentiments arising globally today have a new dimension that is closely related to the restructuring of the world system as well as to the qualitatively different character of immigration. Immigrant bashing is partially a reaction to the "deterritorialization" and increasing delegitimization of the nation-state as a viable "encapsulating" entity. Such deterritorialization represents a qualitative change in immigration patterns: immigrants from underdeveloped to core capitalist countries have progressively formed "daughter communities" and become settlers instead of temporary, circular migrants, thus becoming economically less functional for U.S. capital. At the same time, their cause has been taken up by Mexican-American political groups, making them increasingly dysfunctional in political tens.
Marx, Postmodernity, and Transformation of the Individual
Authors: Ertuirk Korkut A.
Published: June 2007

Postmodernity raises for Marxism the question of what happens to the alienated subject's consciousness and purposeful action in the aftermath of its alienation. Arguing that some of Marx's own ideas can shed light on this question, I make a conceptual distinction between form of consciousness and mode of consciousness to capture what I take to be the kernel of his thinking on the transformation of the "average" individual and her/his consciousness in his Early Writings, and especially in the Grundrisse.
The Simple Analytics and Empirics of the Cyclical Profit Squeeze and Cyclical Underconsumption Theories: Clearing the Air
Authors: Goldstein Jonathan P.
Published: June 2007

This paper examines the controversies that exist between the cyclical profit squeeze (CPS) and nutcracker theories of cyclical crisis. The-simple analytics and empirics of both theories are examined. It is shown that the criticisms of the CPS advanced by Sherman (1997) are invalid, and that the two components of the nutcracker theory—a cyclical underconsumption crisis plus a non-labor cost-induced decline in profits-have little relevance for explaining postwar U.S. business cycles.
The Practice of Econometrics: A Feminist Critique
Authors: Bechtold Brigitte H.
Published: June 2007

This paper defines feminist research methods and econometrics and then constructs a feminist critique of traditional methods of econometrics, notably regression and time series analysis. The role of academe and economics programs in maintaining masculinist econometric practices is also addressed. A list of remedies to be followed includes multimethod and interdisciplinary research, as well as increased reliance on inductive rather than deductive methods.
Trends in Compensation for Production Workers: 1948-1995
Authors: Nilsson Eric A.
Published: June 2007

Between 1977 and 1995, real after-tax hourly compensation for production workers fell by almost 14 percent. Both real pre-tax wages and the real value of benefits fell over this period. These estimates were generated using a cost-of-living index that was adjusted for a wide range of upward and downward biases.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Regarding Breast Cancer Among American Indian Women From the Northern Plains
Authors: Wampler Nina S. , Ryschon Timothy , Manson Spero M. , Buchwald Dedra
Published: June 2007

American Indian women have low screening mammography rates. The authors’ goal was to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about breast cancer among Northern Plains Reservation women who had and had not received screening mammography in the previous year. Another goal was to compare response rates achieved with an immediate monetary incentive to those achieved with an incentive after survey completion. Questionnaires were mailed to 234 women who had undergone screening mammography and 266 women who had not. Respondents included 144 (62%) of women who had been screened and 127 (48%) of women who had not. Women who had not received mammography less often were aware that older age increased breast cancer risk compared to women who had had a mammogram in the previous year. Findings suggest that Northern Plains women would benefit from educational efforts and discussions with clinicians about mammography. Immediate monetary incentives appear to increase response rates.
Relationship of Medication Use to Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Group of Older American Indians
Authors: Henderson Jeffrey A. , Buchwald Dedra , Manson Spero M.
Published: June 2007

This cross-sectional study examines the relationship of polypharmacy to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a group of older American Indians. An in-home interview and survey were administered to 63 community-dwelling American Indians aged 50 or older who were taking four or more prescription medications regularly. With the component summary scores from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 instrument analyzed as dependent variables, only the Physical Component Summary (PCS) score (r = .30, p = .02), and not the Mental (r = .06, p = .67), was associated with degree of polypharmacy. This association with PCS score remained significant even after controlling for age, sex, and chronic disease score (adjusted β = -.91, p = .045). This study is the first to describe the relationship between polypharmacy and HRQoL among a group of American Indians, and the results support the need for larger and more comprehensive studies of medication use in this special population.
The Effect of Tai Chi Chuan on Confidence and Lower Extremity Strength and Balance in Residents Living Independently at a Continuing Care Retirement Community
Authors: Wallsten Sharon M. , Bintrim Katherine , Denman Daniel W. , Parrish John M. , Hughes Geraldine
Published: June 2007

This study examined the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TC) on lower extremity strength and balance and confidence in performing daily activities. Residents (n = 77) living independently in a continuing care retirement community were randomized to early or late TC instructional groups. The late group served as the control for the first 20 weeks. Measures of strength, balance, and confidence were assessed at baseline, 10, 20, and 40 weeks. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at baseline in mean number of chronic illnesses, medications, falls, and activities of daily living. Repeated-measures analyses revealed significant improvement for the early and late groups during their respective periods of TC instruction, but not otherwise. Confidence ratings were unaffected. The early group's improvement at 20 weeks regressed to the mean baseline score by 40 weeks, suggesting that continued exercise is necessary to maintain gains in strength and balance.
Feminism and Mexican American Adolescent Women
Authors: Flores Lisa Y. , Carrubba Maria D. , Good Glenn E.
Published: June 2007

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Feminist Identity Development Scale (FIDS) and the Attitudes Toward Feminism and the Women’s Movement Scale (FWM) with 389 Mexican American 11th-grade and 12th-grade women. Results indicated internal consistency coefficients of .61, .62, .76, and .77 for the FIDS Passive Acceptance, Revelation, Embeddedness-Emanation, and Active Commitment subscales, respectively, and .67 for the FWM. Mexican American high school women scored significantly differently on the feminism scales when compared to samples from previously published studies. Results from factor analyses failed to support the previously published FIDS factor structure. A two-factor model of feminist attitudes was identified with the factors being labeled Feminist Orientation and Traditional Orientation. Implications for the assessment of feminist attitudes and feminist identity with Mexican American adolescent women are discussed.
Meeting the Psychoeducational Needs of Deaf Immigrant and Refugee Children
Authors: Akamatsu C. Tane , Cole Ester
Published: June 2007

This paper discusses issues concerning deaf children who are of immigrant or refugee background. Information pertinent to the general refugee and immigrant population, focusing on migration, adaptation and acculturation are examined, as well as a series of issues that need to be addressed in order to develop programs to meet the many educational and mental health challenges of deaf children. The paper concludes with implications for school psychology consultation.
A Comparison of Children's Handwriting Under Traditional vs. Whole Language Instruction
Authors: Goldberg Esther R. , Simner Marvin L.
Published: June 2007

The current study compared the speed and legibility of handwriting produced by children exposed to either traditional instruction (TI) or whole-language instruction (WLI) in an attempt to determine whether children who received traditional, intensive classroom instruction in handwriting produce more legible andfaster handwriting. Forty-four TI students in lower (4 & 5) and upper (7 & 8) grades were matched with WLI students on the basis of chronological age, sex, grade, and dominant hand. All participants provided three writing samples exemplifying their best cursive writing, their usual cursive writing, and their handwriting under the pressure of speed. Samples were codedfor legibility using the Test of Legible Handwriting (Larsen & Hammill, 1989), and a total word count was computedfor speeded samples. The majorfindings showed that the TI children produced more legible handwriting than did WLI students, were able to write significantly more words under time pressure, and that these differences between the groups did not diminish with increased grade/age. The practical implications of the results are discussed, particularly the findings related to speed of transcription. Specifically noted in the discussion is the relationship between the automaticity of writing and compositional fluency that has emerged in recent research.
Applications of the WPPSI-R with a Canadian Sample
Authors: French Carmel D. , French Frederick , Rutherford P. J.
Published: June 2007

The performance of 100 Canadian children (mean age 6.10 years) on the WPPSI-R was examined. Significant differences between the Canadian sample and the standardization sample occurred on five subtests. In addition, an exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors instead of the usual performance and verbal factors. Results suggested that while confidence could be placed in overall scores obtained for the Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQs, interpretation of scores at the subtest level should be cautiously approached.