bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress and Prospects of Indian Engineering Goods Exports (1956-2005)
Authors: Illiyan Asherf
Published: January 2017

The importance of exports to economic development has been well documented in empirical as well as theoretical literature. For instance, as a number of studies prove, exports may lead to greater capacity utilization, economies of scale, incentive for technological improvement and efficient management due to competitive pressure abroad, etc. The present study analyzes exports performance of Indian engineering goods industry during 1956–2005. The study found that Indian engineering exports have shown phenomenal growth over many years and are making distinctive contribution to the overall export effort. Not only the engineering exports have grown by leaps and bounds from a mere Rs 5.16 crore in 1956-57 to an all-time high of Rs 73,800.9 crore in 2004-05 but also its share in total all-India exports increased from 0.5 per cent in 1956-57 to a commendable 20.4 per cent in 2004-05. It reflects the increased acceptability of Indian engineering products in international market, aggressive marketing strategy, entry into new market, promotional role of Engineering Export Promotional Council and more liberal policies of the Government especially after 1991, etc. Moreover, it is observed that engineering exports have registered a much higher annual average growth rate than total all-India exports in almost all decades.

It is also noticed that there has been a marked shift and significant changes in the composition of engineering exports in the last four decades. The importance of capital goods and management and consultancy services has gone up while those of non-ferrous metals and consumer durables have declined. Further, a close look at destination of Indian engineering exports shows that there has been substantial diversification over the years. While the share of Asia and Africa which accounted for almost 97 per cent of Indian engineering exports in 1956-57 has declined to 34.2 per cent in 2004-05, the share of Europe and America with negligible share in 1956-57 now accounts for 39 per cent of Indian engineering exports. This is a pointer to the diversification of market as well as growing acceptability of our engineering products in developed world. The major problems of engineering exports are: stiff world. The major problems of engineering exports are: stiff competition, technological problems, high cost of industrial inputs, high transaction cost, trade barriers, infrastructural bottlenecks and so forth.

Setting up of engineering export processing zones, focused approach in terms of identified thrust products and thrust markets, upgradation of technology, sales promotion effort, prompt delivery and after sales services, support to small-scale units, more involvement of large-scale units, setting up of joint ventures, attraction of foreign direct investment, establishment of free trade area or preferential trade agreements, etc. are a few suggestions emanating from the study.
Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in India
Authors: Sury Niti
Published: January 2017

Countries of the world, particularly developing economies, are vying with each other to attract foreign capital, particularly foreign direct investment (FDI) to boost their domestic rates of investment as also to acquire new technology and managerial skills. As with many developing nations, encouragement of FDI is an integral part of the on-going economic reforms in India. To formulate a foreign investment policy that is most conducive to attracting FDI, it is imperative to first study the determinants of FDI in a country for the policymakers to ensure that various measures intended to induce FDI are necessary and would lead to incremental investment. This paper identifies the determinants of FDI in India, employing the ordinary least squares regression analysis on quarterly data for the period 1991 to 2003. It examines the impact of GDP, taxes, trade openness, labour cost, and political stability on FDI inflows. Using alternative specifications (based on differences in dependent and independent variables used), FDI inflows into India are found to be significantly determined by expected national income, tax rate, trade openness and labour cost for the period under study.
Masterbatches of polypropylene/clay obtained by in situ polymerization and melt-blended with commercial polypropylene
Authors: Cardoso Renata S , Aguiar Vinicius O , Marques Maria de Fátima V
Published: January 2017

In the present work, polypropylene nanocomposites were prepared from blends in the molten state of a commercial polypropylene and masterbatches of polypropylene/organophilic montmorillonite or polypropylene/organically modified sodic clay with different amounts of filler. The masterbatches were obtained by the method of in situ polymerization using fourth-generation Ziegler-Natta catalysts based on MgCl2/TiCl4 containing clay. We also evaluated the effect of adding maleated polypropylene on the properties of the blends. Materials were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic-mechanical, and thermogravimetric analyses. Morphological stability of the blends was studied after annealing using the differential scanning calorimetry technique. The results showed an improvement in the mechanical properties of the blends compared to commercial polypropylene, and an increase of the clay basal spacing in the polymeric matrix was achieved, especially when maleated polypropylene is employed in the blend. Initial thermal degradation of the obtained nanocomposites increased by ∼80℃.
Probabilistic Optimum Design of Composite Laminates
Authors: Mahadevan S. , Liu X.
Published: January 2017

This paper proposes a procedure for the optimum design of composite laminates under probabilistic considerations. The problem is formulated to consider the minimization of laminate weight as the objective function and the reliability requirements as the constraints. Both system-level and element-level reliabilities are considered. The first-order reliability method (FORM) is used to estimate the reliability of each ply group, and system reliability is computed based on series or parallel system assumptions. The Tsai-Wu strength criterion is adopted to derive the limit state function of individual ply groups in the laminate. The gradient and sensitivity information of the objective function and the constraints with respect to the design variables are obtained by using sensitivity analysis based on the composite plate theory. Thus the proposed procedure brings together modern concepts of reliability analysis, composite laminate behavior and nonlinear optimization to develop a rational and practical procedure for the optimum design of composite laminates. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Race, Socioeconomic Position, and Physical Health
Authors: Turner R. Jay , Brown Tony N. , Hale William Beardall
Published: January 2017

A substantial and long-standing body of research supports the widely held conclusion that socioeconomic position (SEP) is a primary determinant of physical health risk. However, supporting evidence derives almost entirely from studies of dominantly white populations, and more recent research suggests that this relationship may vary across race-ethnicity. This article considers the extent to which such evidence applies to African Americans. It does so by examining the within-race relationships between SEP and physical health utilizing alternative research definitions of health and a nearly exhaustive array of measures of SEP. The results offer minimal support for SEP as a fundamental cause of disease among African Americans. They do not challenge the widely held view that health differences are rooted in the fundamental conditions of social context and experience. Rather, they indicate that these conditions tend to be defined more by being black than by being of lower SEP.
Criminal Disposition of Persons Involved in 72 Cases of Fatal Child Abuse
Authors: Showers Jacy , Apolo Julio
Published: January 2017

Seventy-two cases of fatal child abuse were studied to determine the numbers of cases in which charges were filed, indictments returned, and convictions obtained. The sentences given and amount of time served were also examined.

All of the cases reviewed involved children six years of age or under who were in the care of their parent(s) or substitute caretaker(s) when the injuries or conditions occurred which resulted in their deaths. Charges were filed in less than one-half of the cases, and convictions were obtained in less than one-third of these cases. The sentences given and actual time served varied considerably.

The results of the present study illustrate the need for improved training of medical personnel, law enforcement officials and prosecuting attorneys in the investigation and prosecution of cases of fatal child abuse.
Electron Probe Microanalysis of Human Teeth for the Determination of Individual Age
Authors: Kosa Ferenc , Antal Albert , Farkas Imre
Published: January 2017

The calcium and phosphorus weight concentrations as well as the calcium/phosphorus weight ratio were determined by electron probe microanalysis both peritubularly and intertubularly in the dentine of 25 adults of varying age and sex, originating from our autopsy material.

The studies were performed with a TESLA BS-300 scanning electron microscope coupled with an EDAX-149-10 X-ray detector and a BMG-38100 X-ray analyser with an accelerating potential of 15 kV, a sample current of 100 pA and a measurement time of 20 s.

Peritubularly the Ca/P weight ratio of the hyper-mineralized part of the dentine decreases with age and is in close correlation with it (r = − 0.9052) and this tendency is significant even at the level of 95% (P < 0.05).

The equation of the regression line is: [Formula: see text]

where x is the age and y is the Ca/P weight ratio.

The weight concentration of phosphorus is in an even closer correlation with age (r = 0.9712) and this correlation is also significant (P < 0.01). The equation of the regression line is the following: [Formula: see text]

The close correlation of both the Ca/P weight ratio of the teeth and of the phosphorus weight concentration with the age allows individual age determination to be performed in the course of forensic medical and palaeoanthropological studies.
Duplication of the Vermiform Appendix
Authors: Mitchell I C , Nicholls J C
Published: January 2017

Duplication of the vermiform appendix is uncommon; however appendicectomy is frequently performed. Failure to recognize this condition may have serious clinical and medicolegal consequences.

A case is reported and the classification reviewed; medico-legal aspects are discussed.

A greater awareness of the condition amongst junior surgical staff is recommended.
Forensic Application of Angiography on Injured Brain
Authors: Fujikura T , Kominato Y , Shimada I , Hata N , Takizawa H
Published: January 2017

Craniocerebral angiography, injecting radiopaque contrast medium through the common carotid arteries under the normal blood pressure, was a very useful way to search the cerebral injuries, especially the location of arterial rupture. We think our postmortem examination using angiography will open up a new way to investigate cerebral injuries.
Correlates of Crime among Women Offenders
Authors: Robertson Graham
Published: January 2017

In 1967, Professor Trevor Gibbens interviewed 245 women admitted to Holloway Prison in London. The criminal records of these women to the end of 1977 were examined, at which time the mean age of the group was 39.6. Data from these records were correlated with the information obtained by interview in 1967. Alcohol abuse (but not drug taking) was associated with both seriousness and frequency of offending, as was self-reported depression outside of prison. Neither variable can be viewed as being independent of the criminal record data but a disproportionate number of women who were in the highest crime subgroup reported unhappy and disrupted early home circumstances and this variable also had predictive power in relation to those first convicted in 1967. However, though statistically associated with the measure of criminality used in the study, no variable was able to account for more than a small part of the relevant variance. The most marked feature of the study was the heterogeneity of this highly selected population.
Place of Safety and Section 136 at Gatwick Airport
Authors: Lowe-Ponsford Francesca L , Begg Ayaz
Published: January 2017

Seventy-nine adults and nineteen children were arrested at Gatwick Airport under s.136 over the period of one year although not all were formally held under this section at the police station (i.e. not all were accepted by the custody police officer). Their notes at the police station were reviewed. None of the children and only half of the adults were eventually seen by a doctor. The police were able to deal with the others. Half of these latter were missing persons. Those referred to a doctor tended to be suicidal or confused compared with those who were dealt with solely by the police. In addition, the police station as a place of safety probably influenced management in that people were dealt with quickly. The phenomenon of ‘wanderers’ is commented upon.

This study suggests that when reviewing people held by the police as a result of their behaviour, a more comprehensive study can be performed by considering those arrested under s.136, but needing a more informal approach, at the police station.
Riots — What are the Options?
Authors: Baker Bruce R.
Published: January 2017

The Chief of Berkeley's 272-man police department has in the past 20 years risen through the ranks to the command of his force. Mr. Baker has a degree in psychology and is currently a member of the State Task Force Committee of the California Council on Criminal Justice.
Development of an Interactive Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections Curriculum for Medical Students and Internal Medicine Residents
Authors: Cassoobhoy Murtaza , Wetterhall Scott F. , Collins Darren F. , Cantey Paul T. , Iverson Christopher J. , Rudnick Judith R. , Del Rio Carlos
Published: January 2017

While awareness of bioterrorism threats and emerging infectious diseases has resulted in an increased sense of urgency to improve the knowledge base and response capability of physicians, few medical schools and residency programs have curricula in place to teach these concepts. Public health agencies are an essential component of a response to these types of emergencies. Public health education during medical school is usually limited to the non-clinical years. With collaboration from our local public health agency, the Emory University School of Medicine developed a curriculum in bioterrorism and emerging infections. By implementing this curriculum in the clinical years of medical school and residency programs, we seek to foster improved interactions between clinicians and their local public health agencies.
Use of Death Certificates to Study Ethnic-Specific Mortality
Authors: Caveney Angela F. , Smith Melinda A. , Morgenstern Lewis B. , Lisabeth Lynda D.
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

The Hispanic population in the United States represents more than 40 million individuals, with Mexican Americans (MA) as the largest subgroup. To assess the utility of death certificates and medical records as the source of race/ethnicity data for epidemiologic studies, we compared self-reported race/ethnicity to race/ethnicity recorded on death certificates and medical records in a bi-ethnic, non-immigrant U.S. community with a significant MA population.

Methods.

This study utilized data collected from a subset of 1,856 participants of the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project. In-person interviews were conducted to determine self-reported race/ethnicity. Of those interviewed, 480 subsequently expired. Using self-reported race/ethnicity as the gold standard, we determined percent agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of the death certificate and medical record.

Results.

Of the 480 subjects, 259 self-reported their race/ethnicity as non-Hispanic white (NHW), 195 self-reported as MA, and 26 self-reported as non-Hispanic black. Median age was 78.5 years and 55.8% were female. Percent agreement between self-reported race/ethnicity and race/ethnicity recorded on the death certificate and medical record was 97.1% and 96.3% respectively. Five percent of MAs were misclassified as NHW on their death certificates and 3% on their medical records.

Conclusions.

Results indicated that Hispanic designation recorded on death certificates and medical records in this community was largely consistent with that of self-report. This study suggests that vital statistics data in non-immigrant U.S. Hispanic communities can be used with confidence to investigate ethnic-specific aspects of disease and mortality. Similar studies in other multi-racial communities should be conducted to confirm and generalize these results.
Evaluation of Death Certificate-Based Surveillance for Traumatic Brain Injury—Oklahoma 2002
Authors: Rodriguez Sara Russell , Mallonee Sue , Archer Pam , Gofton Jeffery
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

Death certificate data are used to estimate state and national incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related deaths. This study evaluated the accuracy of this estimate in Oklahoma and examined the case characteristics of those persons who experienced a TBI-related death but whose death certificate did not reflect a TBI.

Methods.

Data from Oklahoma's vital statistics multiple-cause-of-death database and from the Oklahoma Injury Surveillance System database were analyzed for TBI deaths that occurred during 2002. Cases were defined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ICD-10 code case definition. In multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model, we examined the association of case characteristics and the absence of a death certificate for persons who experienced a TBI-related death.

Results.

Overall, sensitivity of death certificate-based surveillance was 78%. The majority (62%) of missed cases were due to listing “multiple trauma” as the cause of death. Death certificate surveillance was more likely to miss TBI-related deaths among traffic crashes, falls, and persons aged ≥65 years. After adding missed cases to cases captured by death certificate surveillance, traffic crashes surpassed firearm fatalities as the leading external cause of TBI-related death.

Conclusions.

Death certificate surveillance underestimated TBI-related death in Oklahoma and might lead to national underreporting. More accurate and detailed completion of death certificates would result in better estimates of the burden of TBI-related death. Educational efforts to improve death certificate completion could substantially increase the accuracy of mortality statistics.
Economic Benefits of Hepatitis B Vaccination at Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics in the U.S.
Authors: Miriti M'Kiaira K. , Billah Kaafee , Weinbaum Cindy , Subiadur Julie , Zimmerman Richard , Murray Paula , Gunn Robert , Buffington Joanna
Published: January 2017

Objective.

This study assessed the long-term economic implications of a national program to vaccinate all adults treated at sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in a single year.

Methods.

A model was developed to track the long-term disease outcomes and costs among a hypothetical cohort of 2 million STD clinic clients accessing services in one year, using data from published sources and demonstration projects at STD clinics in San Diego (California), Illinois, and Denver (Colorado). The model estimated net economic benefits of a routine hepatitis B vaccination policy at STD clinics nationwide compared with no vaccination.

Results.

Without a vaccination program, an estimated 237,021 new hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections would occur over the lifetimes of the 2 million STD clinic clients seen in a single year. HBV-related medical costs and productivity losses would be $1.6 billion. In a national program for routine vaccination at STD clinics, 1.3 million adults would be expected to receive at least one vaccine dose, and an estimated 45% of the new HBV infections expected without vaccination would be prevented. The vaccination program would cost $138 million, HBV infections occurring despite the program would cost $878 million, and clients' time and travel would cost $45 million. The net economic benefit (savings) of routine vaccination would be $526 million. If the indirect costs of lost productivity due to HBV infection are not considered, routine vaccination would have a net cost of $28 million.

Conclusions.

Estimates from this model suggest a national program for routine hepatitis B vaccination of adults at STD clinics would be a cost saving to society.
Pursuing Perfection: An Asthma Quality Improvement Initiative in School-Based Health Centers with Community Partners
Authors: Mansour Mona E. , Rose Barbara , Toole Kim , Luzader Carolyn P. , Atherton Harry D.
Published: January 2017

This article describes an innovative asthma quality improvement initiative conducted in school-based health centers (SBHCs) with collaboration among multiple community partners including the children's hospital, a federally qualified health center, the health department, the public school, and parents of children with asthma. The aim was to improve the health of children with asthma in these schools, as measured by minimal asthma-related activity restriction and reduction in asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits. Process measures tracked included the percent of children with ( 1) asthma severity classified, ( 2) persistent asthma with controller medication prescribed, and ( 3) written care plans.

Data supported a statistically significant decreasing trend for the percent of SBHC children reporting activity restriction due to asthma. In addition, trend analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference in ED visits for asthma in the SBHC group compared with a non-SBHC group. Improvements were demonstrated for all process measures. Factors contributing to success included emphasis on community engagement, transparency in sharing ideas and results, benefits outweighing human resource costs of participating, readily available data to drive improvement, and the use of multiple intervention strategies.
The Effect of Policy Changes on Hepatitis A Vaccine Uptake in Arizona Children, 1995–2008
Authors: Ernst Kacey C. , Pogreba-Brown Kristen , Rasmussen Lisa , Erhart Laura M.
Published: January 2017

Objective.

In 1995, the first hepatitis A vaccines became available for use. At that time, Arizona had the highest hepatitis A incidence of all 50 states. During that same time period, the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS) was created to collect information on all immunizations given in the state. Four state-level hepatitis A vaccination policies were enacted according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and local initiatives from 1996 to 2005. Our primary objective was to assess the impact of these policies on vaccine uptake in children.

Methods.

Immunization records from ASIIS were used to calculate yearly coverage of children with at least one reported hepatitis A vaccination between 1995 and 2008. Proportions vaccinated were calculated by age group (12–23 months, 24–59 months, 5–9 years, 10–14 years, and 15–19 years) for three regions: Maricopa County; Apache and Navajo counties; and the remaining 12 Arizona counties, which were grouped as one to reflect different target groups for the four policies examined. We calculated percent changes from before and after each policy implementation.

Results.

Significantly different percent changes were detected among the three regions that related to the four policies implemented. Percent change in uptake was consistently higher in the regions that were targeted for that specific policy.

Conclusions.

Analysis of ASIIS data revealed a major effect of hepatitis A policy recommendations on vaccine uptake in Arizona. Targeting high-risk populations through vaccine recommendations and child care entry requirements was highly successful in achieving higher vaccination coverage.
Parental Delay or Refusal of Vaccine Doses, Childhood Vaccination Coverage at 24 Months of Age, and the Health Belief Model
Authors: Smith Philip J. , Humiston Sharon G. , Marcuse Edgar K. , Zhao Zhen , Dorell Christina G. , Howes Cynthia , Hibbs Beth
Published: January 2017

Objective.

We evaluated the association between parents' beliefs about vaccines, their decision to delay or refuse vaccines for their children, and vaccination coverage of children at aged 24 months.

Methods.

We used data from 11,206 parents of children aged 24–35 months at the time of the 2009 National Immunization Survey interview and determined their vaccination status at aged 24 months. Data included parents' reports of delay and/or refusal of vaccine doses, psychosocial factors suggested by the Health Belief Model, and provider-reported up-to-date vaccination status.

Results.

In 2009, approximately 60.2% of parents with children aged 24–35 months neither delayed nor refused vaccines, 25.8% only delayed, 8.2% only refused, and 5.8% both delayed and refused vaccines. Compared with parents who neither delayed nor refused vaccines, parents who delayed and refused vaccines were significantly less likely to believe that vaccines are necessary to protect the health of children (70.1% vs. 96.2%), that their child might get a disease if they aren't vaccinated (71.0% vs. 90.0%), and that vaccines are safe (50.4% vs. 84.9%). Children of parents who delayed and refused also had significantly lower vaccination coverage for nine of the 10 recommended childhood vaccines including diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (65.3% vs. 85.2%), polio (76.9% vs. 93.8%), and measles-mumps-rubella (68.4% vs. 92.5%). After adjusting for sociodemographic differences, we found that parents who were less likely to agree that vaccines are necessary to protect the health of children, to believe that their child might get a disease if they aren't vaccinated, or to believe that vaccines are safe had significantly lower coverage for all 10 childhood vaccines.

Conclusions.

Parents who delayed and refused vaccine doses were more likely to have vaccine safety concerns and perceive fewer benefits associated with vaccines. Guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics may assist providers in responding to parents who may delay or refuse vaccines.
Enforcement of Ohio's Smoke Free Workplace Law through the Lens of Public Health Practice
Authors: Bruckman David , Allan Terry , Stefanak Matthew , Pillai Aiswarya Chandran , Drabousky Aylin S. , Borawski Elaine A. , Frank Scott
Published: January 2017

Objectives.

Little is known about whether public health (PH) enforcement of Ohio's 2007 Smoke free Workplace Law (SFWPL) is associated with department (agency) characteristics, practice, or state reimbursement to local PH agencies for enforcement We used mixed methods to determine practice patterns, perceptions, and opinions among the PH workforce involved in enforcement to identify agency and workforce associations.

Methods.

Focus groups and phone interviews ( n=13) provided comments and identified issues in developing an online survey targeting PH workers through e-mail recruitment (433 addresses).

Results.

A total of 171 PH workers responded to the survey. Of Ohio's 88 counties, 81 (43% rural and 57% urban) were represented More urban than rural agencies agreed that SFWPL enforcement was worth the effort and cost (80% vs. 61%, p=0.021). the State Attorney general's collection of large outstanding fines was perceived as unreliable. An estimated 77% of agencies lose money on enforcement annually; 18% broke even, 56% attributed a financial loss to uncollected fines, and 63% occasionally or never fully recovered fines. About half of agency leaders (49%) felt that state reimbursements were inadequate to cover inspection costs Rural agencies (59%) indicated they would be more likely than urban agencies (40%) to drop enforcement if reimbursements ended ( p=0 0070) Prioritization of SFWPL vs. routine code enforcement differed between rural and urban agencies.

Conclusions.

these findings demonstrate the importance of increasing state health department financial support of local enforcement activities and improving collection of fines for noncompliance. Otherwise, many PH agencies, especially rural ones, will opt out, thereby increasing the state's burden to enforce SFWPL and challenging widespread public support for the law.
Hygiene education and health awareness in tribal students: An intervention study
Authors: Hassan M. K. , Jayaswal M. , Hassan P.
Published: January 2017

The research reported in the paper examines the impact of hygiene education on health awareness. The sample for the study consisted of 75 male and 75 female Sarna tribal 9th and 10th grade students selected on a stratified random basis from school located at Namkum block. The sample was classified into Control, Experimental Group I and Experimental Group II, each represented by 25 male and 25 female students. The Experimental Groups were exposed to audio-visual hygiene educational materials four times after a successive interval of one week. While the experiment group I was allowed to discuss, the experimental group II did not discuss the educational materials. Analysis of data based on F-test and t ratios indicated that: (i) the groups exposed to educational materials had better health awareness than the control group, (ii) health awareness increased remarkably with the frequency of the intervention, (iii) educational materials presented with discussion were more effective than the education materials presented without discussion.
Disaster management and the need for convergence of services of welfare agencies-A case study of the Super Cyclone of Orissa
Authors: Panigrahi Nilakantha
Published: January 2017

The visible responses of welfare agencies to the Orissa Super Cyclone are profiled in terms of preparedness, coverage of affected area and population, and appropriateness of relief and rehabilitation programmes, and a case is made out for disaster management through convergence of the services of various welfare agencies of the State. On an optimistic note, field perspectives attest to solidarity across caste, class and community lines in times of crises, and indications are that the distribution of relief was by and large smooth when carried out with the help of panchayati raj institutions.
The Meos of Mewat : Perspectives on ethnicity and nation building
Authors: Maheshwari Belu
Published: January 2017

The paper profiles an ethnic group-the Meos, whose homeland is centered in the backward and neglected region of Mewat, now in Haryana. Though the Meos had converted to Islam by the time of Babur, they had strong roots in Hindu culture, and a centuries-old amity existed between the Hindus and Muslims of the area. It was in the early 20th century that the Meos were infected by communal Hindu-Muslim hatred. Though this was eclipsed by a rising wave of patriotism and nationalism, it resurfaced in the surcharged atmosphere of the pre-partition days. Post-independence, in the wake of the Babri-Masjid demolition, there was communal rioting and retaliation, and a hardening of attitudes. As the case of the Meos shows, there is a need to facilitate the participation of ethnic groups in the process of nation building.
Resettlement and rehabilitation in Orissa: A study of the upper Indravati hydro-electric project
Authors: Dash Satya Prakash
Published: January 2017

Displacement of the people from their habitation, in order to acquire land for development projects, is a major cause of concern today. The displaced persons face several difficulties in adjusting their lives to a completely new environment. Rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced persons requires special plans and emphasis on the part of the government so as to completely equip them with the opportunities they were enjoying and to eliminate the trauma of displacement. The paper deals with the rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced persons due to a Hydro-Electric Project in Orissa. It makes a comparative analysis of the pre and post-displacement period and reflects the problems associated with displacement. In the conclusion part of the paper, some suggestions have been drawn from an empirical survey, which would make the life of the displaced people better. The paper also deals with some of the negligence on the part of the government authorities and which requires immediate action. Though infrastructure development is a necessity, it has to be implemented with a humane touch so that the effect of displacement is minimised.
Courtship, drinking and control: a qualitative analysis of women's and men's experiences
Authors: Ferris Jacqueline
Published: January 2017

A qualitative study of courtship, dating and drinking was under-taken with young adults in Toronto, Canada, in the summer of 1994. Those interviewed were between the ages of 18 and 34, heterosexual, had no children, occasionally drank alcohol, and had dated someone new at least once in the past year. This paper reports on one aspect of the analysis of the data from the 40 people (19 men and 21 women) interviewed.

This study suggests that aggression is one response to conflicting views of a dating situation. The men and women interviewed had expectations for appropriate behavior when meeting potential mates and on initial dates, and in most cases those expectations were the same. However, where expectations differed, the men attempted to impose their framing of the situation, and the women generally resisted, attempting to limit the risk associated with this framing of the situation. The men and women interviewed used tactics such as persuasion, manipulation or even aggression to attempt to resolve this conflict, and to impose their own situational definitions.
Cultural models of masculinity and drug use: “machismo,” heroin, and street survival on the U.S.-Mexico border
Authors: Quintero Gilbert A. , Estrada Antonio L.
Published: January 2017

This paper examines the interrelations between “machismo,” drug use, and aggression among injection drug users (IDUs) in a US-Mexico border community. Underscored is the directive force and social impact of “machismo” in the day-to-day life-worlds of Mexican male heroin addicts, or “tecatos.” This focus not only provides a broad description of the cultural model of “machismo” elucidated by this group of men, but also illuminates how ideas of masculinity are internalized and re-created through drug use and aggression in the context of life in the streets. Attention to these aspects of drug use invites consideration of several important issues, including the role structural factors play in the expression of masculinity as well as the social forces underpinning representations of Mexican men.
“No big shots or little shots here”: staffing principles and roles at medical and social model substance abuse treatment facilities
Authors: Room Joshua
Published: January 2017

This paper discusses staff roles and staff-client interactions in three substance abuse treatment and recovery programs (two social model, one medical model). The paper argues that medical staff, drawing on culturally supported physician-patient roles, tend toward interactions discouraging clients’ responsibility for/involvement in their own care. Structures of medical service provisions encourage professional distance, and expectations of staff guidance, among clinical program staff. Conversely, staff in social model recovery programs expect participants to take primary responsibility for their own care; social model programs are characterized by structures/practices supporting peer model staff-resident interactions. This paper identifies six categories into which social model and medical model staff role differences divide: (1) staff hierarchy and specialization; (2) role modeling and experiential learning; (3) patient documentation; (4) medicalization of patients; (5) program administration and upkeep; and (6) personal, behavioral, and vocational responsibility. Social model recovery programs practice an alternative staffing model that affects staff composition and style (1 and 2), program infrastructure (3 and 4), and expectations that are placed on program participants (5 and 6).
The Tradition of Medical Missions in the Maelstrom of the International Health Arena
Authors: Jansen Gerard
Published: January 2017

In the second half of this century, medical care developed international dimensions in a process of globalization. The history of international health dates back to the pioneering stage of medical missions and colonial medicine, which opened the Two-Thirds World for the influences of Western-oriented health care. This article reviews the evolution of public health work to what is now called international health work. The WHO-target of “Health for All by the Year 2000” is subjected to a critical appraisal.

In the reflection on international health, global Christianity is challenged to address fundamental anthropological and ethical questions.
Landscapes of Production: Filming Dubai and the Trucial States
Authors: Reisz Todd
Published: January 2017

Between 1957 and 1958, the British government wrote, financed, and produced a propaganda film about the city of Dubai and a shore of Arab sheikhdoms that would eventually be assembled into the United Arab Emirates. An analysis of government archives and the finished film reveals conscious manipulation of cultural symbols for creating political narratives that continue to influence the nation’s urbanization. Although eventually shelved, the film represents an attempt at encapsulating the motivations for the continuing British political and military presence in the region. Produced at a time when the British government was searching for a new means of engagement in the broader region, the resulting product recalls the historical legacy of wartime propaganda films and, more specifically, colonial films, which sought to maintain British colonial control in the postwar period. After consideration of the filmmakers’ intentions, the article concludes with postulation of why the film was permanently shelved.
The role of remittances as a risk-coping mechanism: Evidence from agricultural households in rural Philippines
Authors: Pajaron Marjorie C.
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates whether agricultural households in rural Philippines insure their consumption and use remittances, informal loans or assets as ex post risk-coping mechanisms. Since these households have limited access to formal insurance and credit markets, any shocks to their volatile income can have substantial impacts. Using panel data and rainfall shocks as the instrumental variable for income shocks, this paper finds evidence that households depend on their networks of family and friends to partially insure their consumption. The analysis shows that approximately 27 percent of consumption is insured. International remittances from migrant members replace about 11 percent of income decline while domestic transfers replace about 14 percent. Informal loans, however, decrease as rainfall shocks increase. Borrowers and lenders may be experiencing similar shocks, which would reduce the effectiveness of local risk-sharing arrangements.
The validity of the Annual Review of Competence Progression: a qualitative interview study of the perceptions of junior doctors and their trainers
Authors: Viney Rowena , Rich Antonia , Needleman Sarah , Griffin Ann , Woolf Katherine
Published: January 2017

Objective

To investigate trainee doctors’ and trainers’ perceptions of the validity of the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) using Messick’s conceptualisation of construct validity.

Design

Qualitative semi-structured focus groups and interviews with trainees and trainers.

Setting

Postgraduate medical training in London, Kent Surrey and Sussex, Yorkshire and Humber, and Wales in November/December 2015. Part of a larger study about the fairness of postgraduate medical training.

Participants

Ninety-six trainees and 41 trainers, comprising UK and international medical graduates from Foundation, General Practice, Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Surgery, at all levels of training.

Main outcome measures

Trainee and trainer perceptions of the validity of the ARCP as an assessment tool.

Results

Participants recognised the need for assessment, but were generally dissatisfied with ARCPs, especially UK graduate trainees. Participants criticised the perceived tick-box nature of ARCPs as measuring clerical rather than clinical ability, and which they found detrimental to learning. Trainees described being able to populate their e-portfolios with just positive feedback; they also experienced difficulty getting assessments signed off by supervisors. ARCPs were perceived as poor at identifying struggling trainees and/or as discouraging excellence by focussing on minimal competency. Positive experiences of ARCPs arose when trainees could discuss their progress with interested supervisors.

Conclusions

Trainee and trainer criticisms of ARCPs can be conceptualised as evidence that ARCPs lack validity as an assessment tool. Ongoing reforms to workplace-based assessments could address negative perceptions of the ‘tick-box’ elements, encourage constructive input from seniors and allow trainees to demonstrate excellence as well as minimal competency, while keeping patients safe.
The Effect of Training in Gifted Education on Elementary Classroom Teachers' Theory-Based Reasoning about the Concept of Giftedness
Authors: Miller Erin Morris
Published: January 2017

Classroom teachers play an important role in the identification of gifted students through teacher recommendations and referrals. This study is an investigation of teachers' theories of giftedness using methods adapted from those used to study theory-based reasoning in categorization research. In general, the teachers in this study focused on traditional characteristics of giftedness and did not tend to include characteristics associated with diverse gifted students in their theories. Comparisons of teachers with greater and fewer hours of training in gifted education showed no significant differences between the groups. However, there was also little consistency among the teachers in their graphic representations of their theories, suggesting that not all elementary classroom teachers define common characteristics of giftedness in the same way.
Unintelligible! Inaccessible! Unacceptable! Are religious truth claims a problem for liberal democracies?
Authors: Cooke Maeve
Published: January 2017

In liberal democracies it is now a commonplace that public debates in the institutionalized political sphere should involve only arguments and reasons that are in principle intelligible, accessible and acceptable to all citizens. Many political theorists take the view that religious arguments and reasons do not meet these requirements. My article interrogates this widely held position, considering each of the three requirements in turn. Motivating my discussion is the view that religious beliefs and practices should not be regarded as essentially private matters, with discussion of their validity confined to some antecedently demarcated sphere. Rather, claims made for the validity of religious beliefs and practices should be thematized and evaluated in public processes of deliberation, opening them to possible challenges from other citizens, irrespective of whether these other citizens are religious believers. My article offers a freedom-based argument for this position.
Relationship between Surgically Treated Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome and Body Mass Index
Authors: Jan Taha A. , Cheng Yew Song , Landegger Lukas D. , Lin Brian M. , Srikanth Priya , Niesten Marlien E. F. , Lee Daniel J.
Published: January 2017

Objective

Examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and superior canal dehiscence (SCD) among patients who have undergone surgical repair for superior canal dehiscence.

Study Design

Retrospective comparison study.

Setting

Neurotology tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Retrospective review of consecutive adult patients evaluated at our institution for SCD syndrome between November 2006 and August 2015. A control group who underwent imaging within the same period for reasons other than SCD was also included. Patient demographics, weight, and height were examined. We performed multiple subgroup analyses to investigate the relationship of BMI, surgery vs no surgery, and correlation between patient BMI and SCD size.

Results

Of the 268 patients with SCD, 99 underwent surgery; 96 of these patients had complete medical records and were eligible for inclusion. Eighty‐eight patients were noted to have arcuate eminence defects, and the mean BMI of this surgical cohort was 28.09 ± 5.26 kg/m2. Nonsurgically treated patients with SCD with available data (n = 94) had a mean BMI of 27.97 ± 6.95 kg/m2. A control group of 204 patients who underwent computed tomography for non‐SCD‐related causes was analyzed, of whom 155 had available data with a mean BMI of 27.91 ± 6.38 kg/m2.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that adult patients who undergo surgery for SCD are not obese (mean BMI <30), and size of dehiscence poorly correlates with BMI. Our observations call into question the proposed theory that patient weight is a risk factor for the development of symptomatic SCD involving the arcuate eminence.
Validation of the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality‐of‐Life Scale (PANQOL) for Spanish‐Speaking Patients
Authors: Medina Maria del Mar , Carrillo Alvaro , Polo Ruben , Fernandez Borja , Alonso Daniel , Vaca Miguel , Cordero Adela , Perez Cecilia , Muriel Alfonso , Cobeta Ignacio
Published: January 2017

Objective

To perform translation, cross‐cultural adaptation, and validation of the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality‐of‐Life Scale (PANQOL) to the Spanish language.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Tertiary neurotologic referral center.

Subjects and Methods

PANQOL was translated and translated back, and a pretest trial was performed. The study included 27 individuals diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma. Inclusion criteria were adults with untreated vestibular schwannoma, diagnosed in the past 12 months. Feasibility, internal consistency, test‐retest reliability, construct validity, and ceiling and floor effects were assessed for the present study.

Results

The mean overall score of the PANQOL was 69.21 (0‐100 scale, lowest to highest quality of life). Cronbach’s α was 0.87. Intraclass correlation coefficient was performed for each item, with an overall score of 0.92. The κ coefficient scores were between moderate and almost perfect in more than 92% of patients. Anxiety and energy domains of the PANQOL were correlated with both physical and mental components of the SF‐12. Hearing, balance, and pain domains were correlated with the SF‐12 physical component. Facial and general domains were not significantly correlated with any component of the SF‐12. Furthermore, the overall score of the PANQOL was correlated with the physical component of the SF‐12.

Conclusion

Feasibility, internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity outcomes in the current study support the validity of the Spanish version of the PANQOL.