bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monetary Policy and Yield Curve Dynamics in an Emerging Market: Sri Lankan Perspectives
Authors: Aazim Mohamed Z. M. , Cooray N. S.
Published: March 2013

The monetary policy (MP) targets the short end of the yield curve (YC) although real economic activity is dependent upon the medium to long-term market interest rates. Conventional wisdom is that decrease in the MP target rate leads to an immediate decrease in market interest rates, and an increase in bond prices; yet evidence for this view is elusive. Therefore, the question of how does the MP translate across the YC remains at the forefront of many recent policy debates. Bringing the foundations of expectation hypothesis and empirical analysis of Sri Lanka market interest rates for the period 2000–2009 explains that MP impact monotonically decreases over the YC at the short end and become segmented towards long term of the YC. The impact appears to be weaker and increasingly segmented at times of financial and economic uncertainties. This invites policy attention on the part of MP effectiveness, structural impediments and market confidence in Sri Lanka.
The Dynamics of the Relationship between Imports and Economic Growth in India
Authors: Mishra P. K.
Published: March 2013

In a developing country like India, the role of international trade is very significant. And, the relevance of export-led growth hypothesis in India has been the major issue of many empirical studies. But, the other aspect concerning the importance of imports in the economic growth of the country is yet a moot point. This article is an attempt to investigate the dynamics of the relationship between imports and economic growth in India for the period 1970–1971 to 2009–2010. Using time series techniques such as vector error correction estimates and Granger causality tests, we show the existence of a two-way relationship between import growth and income growth in the long run.
Effect of the Political Regime on Asset Returns in Emerging Markets: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Dutta Nabamita
Published: March 2013

The article explores the role of the political regime on asset returns in an International Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) framework based on a sample of 17 emerging countries. The results reveal that the political regime has substantial impact on average stock returns. Firms in autocratic regimes have higher average returns that exceed the required returns. This is consistent with the fact that autocratic institutions have compensations for greater chances of bankruptcy, political instability and nationalization of assets. Results are robust to an alternative model to the standard CAPM risk model as well as to an unbalanced sample of countries.
Voluntary versus Mandatory EMS Implementation: Management Awareness in EMS-certified Firms
Authors: Nikolaou I. , Evangelinos K. , Emmanouil Danasis , Leal Walter
Published: March 2013

This article examines the implications of turning a voluntary management instrument such as Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) into a compulsory one. Environmental Management Systems are voluntary operational management tools that can help firms to both reduce their impact on the natural environment and gain financial benefits (win-win strategy). However, some countries have lately enacted environmental regulations to pressurise firms to adopt EMSs. To this end, the findings of the previous studies have been examined with the help of a case study in Greece in order to identify management awareness in EMS-certified Greek firms in terms of the mandatory character of EMS adoption. The article particularly aims to examine the similarities and differences in the voluntary versus mandatory implementation of EMS, arising both from the present study as also from previous studies.
The Key Aspects of Successful Implementation of Economic Value Addition Model and the Determination of Economic Value Addition by Godrej Consumer Products Ltd
Authors: Gopu J.
Published: March 2013

Measuring the performance is vital for any organisation and this, in turn, will help in achieving further growth. The Economic Value Addition (EVA) model, developed by a New York–based consulting firm, Stern Steward Co., has been widely accepted and used by leading corporates in the world for measuring and evaluating the business strategies, capital projects and wealth addition for shareholders. The EVA model aims to measure the net operating profits generated by a corporate above its overall cost of capital. The application of EVA model for measuring corporate performance becomes important because the management has to quantify the wealth created for the shareholders who have taken the risk of investing their hard-earned savings in the equity. The EVA model facilitates better communication and helps in taking key decisions at various levels in the organisation. For successful application of EVA model, the top management should be committed and create the responsibility centre at various levels. Besides keeping the EVA calculations transparent and simple, a suitable training over the concept, methods and objectives of EVA should be arranged at various levels in the organisation. The activities that are determining and influencing the value addition should be exactly identified and focused upon. Aligning the interest of shareholders and employees will give better results. The EVA model warrants that each activity and investment should be purposeful and facilitate the value addition. Expansion by making heavy investment for the sake of incremental profits in the absence of value addition should be avoided. Efficient working capital management and creative marketing strategies to get rid of inventory can help to improve EVA. The aim is to achieve value addition and not just higher profit margin on sales. The value addition by each activity, department and division should be measurable. The decentralisation of authority and responsibility is a prerequisite for successful implementation of EVA model. The Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) has successfully implemented EVA model and adopts the performance-linked variables incentive scheme which is based on EVA.
Top Executive Compensation: Implications and Recommendations for Reform
Authors: Ngai Chan Kien
Published: March 2013

This article outlines the implications and recommendations that arise from the findings from a previous empirical research undertaken by the author. In general, the findings suggest that company performance is not a major determinant of top executive compensation. Rather, subjective measures and company size are likely to be the more important determinants of top executive compensation. The findings also suggest that under the condition of ownership concentration, the major role of the board of directors may not be monitoring top executives and setting their compensation. Instead, the major role of the board of directors may be to provide external links, expertise and advice to the company. The findings of the study further suggest that under the condition of ownership concentration, chief executives who hold the chair or vice-chair of the board are unlikely to use their power to benefit themselves. The findings suggest that the assumptions and predictions of agency theory should not be generalised to non–Anglo-American settings such as Hong Kong, and are unlikely to offer an explanation of top executive compensation—at least for the major listed companies in Hong Kong. Other theories such as stewardship theory may offer a better explanation of top executive compensation, especially in a business environment such as Hong Kong. The findings indicate that it may be wise for company shareholders and regulatory policy-makers in Hong Kong to consider Hong Kong’s unique institutional and cultural contexts as they reform compensation policies for Hong Kong’s top executives.
A Strategic Management Approach to Guanxi in China
Authors: Tian Xiaowen , Song Moxi , Tian Ran
Published: March 2013

This article adopts a strategic management approach to addressing the issue of how to achieve both corporate profitability and corporate social responsibility in dealing with Guanxi in the Chinese business context. It argues that environment scanning, strategy formulation, strategy implementation and strategy evaluation and control should be the key components of strategic management of Guanxi. The article proposes a practical framework for managing Guanxi strategically in the emerging China market, and illustrates the framework with cases in the real world.
Empirical Evidence on Weak Form of Efficiency in Indian Stock Market
Authors: Mehla Sunita , Goyal S.K.
Published: March 2013

The article is an empirical study to examine the validity of weak form of efficient market hypothesis in two most popular indices of Indian stock market. For examining the hypothesis whether Indian stock markets are efficient in the weak form, two kinds of tests are conducted. These are parametric and non-parametric tests for randomness, that is, unit root test, autocorrelation test, runs test and variance ratio test. The results suggest that the Indian stock market does not show the characteristics of random walk and as such, is not efficient in the weak form in daily and weekly returns. However, the monthly returns are found to be inefficient only as per variance ratio test. Thus, the investors can avail excess returns by predicting the future returns as all return series present an opportunity to investors to gain from the pattern.
SMEs’ Access to Finance:An Analysis of Attitude and Decision-making Criteria of Commercial Banks
Authors: Bhalla Ashwani , Kaur Manpreet
Published: March 2013

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) occupy a position of strategic importance in Indian economy. These are serving as mainstay of country’s economy by contributing 8 per cent to country’s gross domestic product (GDP), 45 per cent to total industrial production and 40 per cent to the exports of the country. But many problems impede their growth, out of which finance is the most pressing one. Commercial banks have been found to be the main source of finance for SMEs. But informational opacity and risk in SMEs pose greater challenge for commercial banks in providing finance to them, hence resulting in a conservative approach of commercial banks towards SMEs. This article is an attempt to analyse attitude as well as decision-making criteria of commercial banks while extending credit to SMEs.
A Study on Satisfaction of Online Share Traders with Special Reference to Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu in India
Authors: Amsaveni R. , Gomathi S.
Published: March 2013

The stock market is one of the gripping determinants of the economy and plays an important role in the country’s financial state. The study of customer satisfaction is of paramount importance for the success of any organisation. The present study attempts to find out the satisfaction level of online share traders. The primary data was collected from 200 respondents through a well-structured questionnaire. The main objectives of the study are to understand the attitude of online share traders, to measure the effectiveness of broking sites and to examine the problems faced by online share traders. To attain the objectives, the statistical tools, namely, simple percentage, Chi-square test, ANOVA, factor analysis, weighted average rank analysis and sign test were applied. The results reveal that the respondents are satisfied with the factors, namely, communication, responsiveness, facilities and services provided by the online share trade platform providers. The study also discloses that customers have some problems like mental pressure, network connectivity and lack of confidentiality of personal information. Among the broking sites taken for the study, Religare, Geojit and Reliance have obtained the first three places for their customer services.
Celebrity Endorsement—The North–South Divide
Authors: Venkatesakumar Ramakrishnan , Sathyanarayanan Ramachandran , Sathish A.S.
Published: March 2013

Celebrity endorsement is an age-old concept and several studies have attempted to bring out an array of perspectives about celebrity endorsement. An umpteen number of studies supported the huge money spent on celebrity endorsers. It is proved that a celebrity endorser has the power to influence the opinions, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of the viewers. However, in the Indian context, in spite of huge industry presence, very limited effort had been made in the past to understand celebrity endorsements. This article aims to bring out the perceived differences in the endorser’s credibility between South and North Indian film stars. The study results suggest that there are perceived differences among credibility dimensions between the film stars, with particular importance attached to the attractiveness and expertise dimensions. However, the trustworthiness dimension received the highest importance in credibility evaluations.
An Empirical Study on Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in SUWIDHA (Single User-friendly Window Disposal Helpline for Applicants)—An e-Governance Project of the Government of Punjab
Authors: Bawa Pardeep
Published: March 2013

Information and communication technology (ICT) has changed entirely the way information is communicated. There is hardly an area where it has not got its application, and the government is not an exception. The Indian government has constantly been accused of non-transparency and red-tapism in disclosing information and delivery of services to its citizens. However, with the Right to Information Act and national e-governance projects in place, things have started moving. The e-governance projects that have been operationalised are still in an elementary stage and need some time to move smoothly. SUWIDHA (Single User-friendly Window Disposal Helpline for Applicants), which is an e-governance project of the government of the state of Punjab in India, was started in 2002 in one district and soon expanded to all district headquarters. Citizens have greatly benefited from the services provided by it, but there is still scope for further improvement. This study was undertaken to empirically examine the level of service quality at SUWIDHA. Results show that SUWIDHA has done fairly well in delivering service quality, but there are some areas of concerns related to citizen centricity.
Innovative Industries Approach to Control Emissions, Waste Waters and Waste Generation towards Achieving Sustainable Ecological Development
Authors: Singh H.N.
Published: March 2013

There are global poverty and rising income inequities on the one hand, and the widespread destruction of the environment on the other. Global economic models pursued over the last two centuries have been premised on a single dimensional pursuit of material wealth creation with utter disregard for sustainability, leaving a deferred social cost burden on future generations. At one level, the unjust distribution of wealth has created a vulnerable society. At another level, the apathy towards replenishing natural capital has led to widespread degeneration of the environment, destroying life-nurturing ecosystems. These challenges are further aggravated by the onset of global warming, exposing the planet to incomparable peril. Indian industries have been realising the impact of excessive carbon emission, unabated usage of water and high volume of output of non-recyclable products. Government initiatives, draft discussions and enactment of law have made little impact on industries in general to abide by pollution control. We have to move from the control paradigm to the conserve paradigm. In the last two decades, industries have started taking initiatives, while some examples existed much before the laws were enforced. Sustainability, pollution control, CSR and ethics initiatives have to be made a part of the annual report for all listed companies. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and other corporate institutions have played a vital role in strengthening this initiative. This article deals with such sustainable development issues and CSR initiatives being taken by premier corporate entities of repute, and further challenges that we face in the competitive world.
Marketing Practices of Cardamom Growers: A Study in the Western Ghats of South India
Authors: Manivel S. , Manikandan K. , Prabhu K. Gunaseela
Published: March 2013

This article makes an attempt to elucidate the marketing practices of cardamom growers in the Western Ghats of south India. The article is based on a sample study conducted among 300 cardamom planters in three states, namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The study was conducted so as to understand the marketing practices of cardamom growers in the study area. As such the study has revealed the practices in cardamom marketing such as sales and pricing of small cardamom in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, under a comparative framework. The article, based on the findings of the study, offers suggestions which have policy implications. The study suggests a strong role of government with regard to regulations of marketing of small cardamom in India.
Inflation–Unemployment Trade-off: Evidence from Bangladesh Economy
Authors: Haider Mohammed Ziaul , Dutta Champa Bati
Published: March 2013

The Phillips curve is a central hypothesis in inflation dynamics which describes the relationship between unemployment and inflation. The key point of this study is to investigate the relevancy and validity of the Phillips curve hypothesis for Bangladesh over the period 1987–2009. The study attempts to evaluate two important extensions of original Phillips curve hypothesis named expectation augmented and supply shock augmented Phillips curve. Following an analytical review and using the Ordinary Least Squares technique, three models have been estimated along with specification tests, the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) unit root test and the Chow test. The data exhibits an inverse relation between inflation and unemployment in Bangladesh. The result gives an indication of the relevancy of the Phillips curve in the Bangladesh economy. The study results reveal that inflation lag, which is positively associated with inflation, strongly explains the current inflation dynamics. The other influencing factors, such as unemployment gap and change in exchange rate, are negatively correlated and change in international price of crude oil is positively correlated with inflation.
Investment Patterns of Individual Stock Investors: An Empirical Analysis of Punjab
Authors: Arora Sangeeta , Marwaha Kanika
Published: March 2013

The article is an exploratory attempt to analyse investment pattern of individual stock investors of Punjab. For the purpose, the preferences for various financial products, factors influencing such preferences, time spent on monitoring investments and the sources of information chased by them before investing are gauged. An in-depth analysis is carried out to find out whether demographic variables, that is, age, gender and income, exert a significant impact on the choice of various investment avenues. A pre-tested, well-structured questionnaire was administered personally to 250 individual stock investors in Punjab and their responses were sought for further analysis. The responses have been analysed in terms of frequencies, percentages and weighted average scores and factor analytic techniques. Bank fixed deposits have been found as first preference followed by gold as the second preference and then stocks as the third preference. The results of the factor analysis revealed four factors, that is, projected benefits, personal financial need, taxation benefits and security needs. Internet, Investment advisors and family-member recommendations are their most preferred sources of information. Large numbers of investors have been found monitoring their investments monthly. The current research will be helpful for financial service providers in understanding the investment preferences of individual stock investors and tracking the factors that influence individual investors to invest and suggesting investment options to them as per their needs.
Short-term Return Effect of International Listing of Stocks: Evidence from Pharmaceutical and Chemical Companies in India
Authors: Tripathi Vanita , Jain Rachna
Published: March 2013

The present article examines the short-term return effect (in the domestic market) of international listing of stocks by six pharmaceutical and chemical companies in India using conventional event study methodology, dummy variable regression and a t-test. The sample comprises of pharmaceutical and chemical companies which went for foreign listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the Luxemburg Stock Exchange over the period 1994–2010. The test window is ±20 days around the date of listing abroad. We find that in respect of Pharmaceutical companies international listing does not result in any substantial short-term positive effect on stock returns. The average abnormal returns (AARs) of Pharmaceutical companies have been found to be positive and statistically significant only on the ninth day before listing and thirteenth day after listing. It is not significant on the listing date. These results are confirmed by dummy variable regression and a t-test, which shows that pharma stock returns are not statistically significantly different in the pre-listing and post-listing period. Regarding chemical companies, it has been observed that AAR was positive and statistically significant on the fifteenth day and just one day prior to the listing date. It becomes insignificant on the listing date and post-listing period. The magnitude of positive AAR just one day prior to listing was very high. However, post-listing returns of even chemical stocks were not significantly different from those of the pre-listing period. Thus, contrary to the results of the previous studies (Alexander, Eun & Janakiramanan, 1988; Foerster & Karolyi, 1993) which have shown substantially lower post-listing returns for the internationally listed stocks, we find no substantial difference in pre- and post-listing returns of our sample stocks in the domestic market. This might be due to the increased integration of stock markets worldwide.
Fractal Analysis of Indian Financial Markets: An Empirical Approach
Authors: Priyadarshini E. , Chandra Babu A.
Published: March 2013

In this article, the traditional rescaled range analysis ( R/ S) is used to distinguish a random series from a fractal series. It is used to determine the persistence in trends of the financial time and to detect the long-memory effect of these financial time series over a long period of time. All chaotic systems have a quantifying measurement known as a fractal dimension. The Fractal Dimension Index (FDI) is a specialised tool that applies the principles of chaos theory and fractals. With FDI one can determine the persistence or anti-persistence of any equity or commodity. In this article, the FDI is computed from the Hurst exponent, and the Hurst exponent is computed from rescaled range ( R/ S). Data from Indian Mutual Funds and Indian Stock Markets are analysed using these statistical techniques and graphs are plotted for finding the most persistent of the financial series and the long-term memory content of these series are also analysed.
Scaling Properties of Systematic Risk: A New Evidence from Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Deo Malabika , Shah Aasif
Published: March 2013

The beta of a stock is important in a variety of contexts, ranging from cost of capital to asset pricing theory. In particular beta estimations are broadly used in investment analysis and portfolio management. According to heterogeneous market hypothesis (Muller et al., 1997), market participants influence dynamic of prices and market on the whole in different ways. This is because the market participants may differ in their beliefs, expectations, risk profiles, etc. Therefore, the conventional ways of estimating risk-return through picking an arbitrary scale will not be statistically appropriate. In this article, we propose a new approach to estimate the systematic risk (Beta) of Indian equity market based on wavelet Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT) which allows data to be analyzed at different scales. The results demonstrate that the predictions of the Market Model are more relevant at medium to long run horizons.
Psychometric Evaluation of Utrecht Work Engagement Scale in an Indian Sample
Authors: Chaudhary Richa , Rangnekar Santosh , Barua Mukesh Kumar
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) in an Indian sample. The UWES was administered to a total of 450 employees from both public and private sector manufacturing and service organisations in India. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the three-factor model demonstrated a better fit when compared to one-factor model for both, the original 17-item and 9-item shortened versions of UWES. However, due to very high inter-correlation between the three dimensions, exploratory factor analyses resulted in two- and one-factor solutions for the 17-item and 9-item versions, respectively. Though the internal consistencies for sub-scales were acceptable, internal consistencies of the complete scales were found to be higher than that for the three sub-scales. The shortened UWES was found to display better psychometric properties than the original 17-item UWES.
Unlaid Xenopus eggs degrade by apoptosis in the genital tract
Authors: Iguchi Sho , Iwasaki Tetsushi , Fukami Yasuo , Tokmakov Alexander A
Published: March 2013

Background

In several species with external fertilization, including frogs, laid unfertilized eggs were found to die by apoptosis outside of the animal body. However, there is no apparent reason for the externally laid eggs to degrade by this process, considering that apoptosis developed as a mechanism to reduce the damaging effect of individual cell death to the whole organism.

Results

Here, we demonstrate that a number of eggs are retained in the genital tract of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis after gonadotropin-induced ovulation. The majority of these eggs exit meiotic arrest within 24 hours of hormone administration. Subsequently, post-meiotic eggs die in the frog genital tract by a well-defined apoptotic process. The hallmarks of egg degradation include prominent morphological changes, cytochrome c release, caspase activation, increase in ADP/ATP ratio, progressive intracellular acidification, egg swelling and all-out proteolysis of egg proteins. The sustained presence of post-apoptotic eggs in the genital tract of ageing frogs evidenced age-associated worsening of apoptotic clearance.

Conclusions

The direct observation of egg degradation in the Xenopus genital tract provides a clue to the physiological relevance of frog egg apoptosis. It works to eliminate the mature unlaid eggs retained in the animal body after ovulation. Our findings establish egg apoptosis as a major physiological process accompanying ovulation in frogs.
Grain protein content variation and its association analysis in barley
Authors: Cai Shengguan , Yu Gang , Chen Xianhong , Huang Yechang , Jiang Xiaogang , Zhang Guoping , Jin Xiaoli
Published: March 2013

Background

Grain protein content (GPC) is an important quality determinant for barley used as malt, feed as well as food. It is controlled by a complex genetic system. GPC differs greatly among barley genotypes and is also variable across different environments. It is imperative to understand the genetic control of barley GPC and identify the genotypes with less variation under the different environments.

Results

In this study, 59 cultivated and 99 Tibetan wild barley genotypes were used for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a multi-platform candidate gene-based association analysis, in order to identify the molecular markers associated with GPC. Tibetan wild barley had higher GPC than cultivated barley. The significant correlation between GPC and diastatic power (DP), and malt extract confirmed the importance of GPC in determining malt quality. Diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers associated with barley GPC were detected by GWAS. In addition, GWAS revealed two HvNAM genes as the candidate genes controlling GPC. No association was detected between HvNAM1 polymorphism and GPC, while a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (798, P < 0.01), located within the second intron of HvNAM2, was associated with GPC. There was a significant correlation between haplotypes of HvNAM1, HvNAM2 and GPC in barley.

Conclusions

The GWAS and candidate gene based-association study may be effectively used to determine the genetic variation of GPC in barley. The DArT markers and the polymorphism of HvNAM genes identified in this study are useful in developing high quality barley cultivars in the future. HvNAM genes could play a role in controlling barley GPC.
Experience of nurses with using eHealth in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan: a qualitative study in primary and secondary healthcare
Authors: Gulzar Saleema , Khoja Shariq , Sajwani Afroz
Published: March 2013

Background

To improve the quality of health care in remote parts of Pakistan, a research project was initiated in the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan using information and communication technology to improve patient care and support continuing education of health providers (eHealth). This paper describes the experience of nurses in using eHealth in their routine practices.

Methods

All health centres of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan using eHealth as part of this study, were taken as a single case. These include four primary healthcare centres, three secondary care centres and one medical centre. In-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guide to study nurses’ perspective about using eHealth, and its perceived impact on their professional lives.

Results

According to the respondents, eHealth enhanced access to care for remote communities, and improved quality of health services by providing opportunities for continuing learning. Nurses also appreciated eHealth for reducing their professional isolation, and providing exposure to new knowledge through teleconsultations and eLearning.

The responses categorized under six major headings include: gaps in health services prior to eHealth; role of eHealth in addressing these gaps; benefits of eHealth; challenges in eHealth implementation; community’s perception about eHealth; and future recommendations.

Conclusions

Low-cost and simple eHealth solutions have shown to benefit nurses, and the communities in the remote mountainous regions of Pakistan.
Endovascular treatment for traumatic thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm: a case report
Authors: Li Po-Sung , Tsai Chung-Lin , Lin Tzu-Chieh , Hung Siu-Wan , Hu Sung-Yuan
Published: March 2013

Cases of an endovascular treatment for traumatic aortic injury are extremely rare. A prompt diagnosis of traumatic thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm through a 3-dimensional computed tomographic angiography of aorta and emergency repair are mandatory to rescue the life-threatening condition. An endovascular treatment is a trend for traumatic aortic injury because of lower invasivity, morbidity and mortality. We reported a rare case of traumatic aortic injury with thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm definitively diagnosed by the reconstructional computed tomographic angiography of aorta and successfully treated with endovascular stent-graft.
The hidden costs of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing: the financial and logistical implications of a change in hospital follow-up policy
Authors: Lloyd J , Starks I , Wainwright T , Middleton R
Published: March 2013

Metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacings (HRs) and large head total hip replacements (LHTHRs) were perceived by many as a surgical revolution, with clear advantages over the traditional metal-on-polyethylene total hip replacement (THR). This is especially the case for younger, active individuals in whom conventional THR has been associated with higher rates of aseptic loosening. In addition to less bearing surface wear, frequently cited advantages for HR include the preservation of femoral bone stock, lower dislocation rates, and superior function and activity scores.
Use of a Silicon Tendon Model in an Orthopaedic Skills Course
Authors: Clay NR , Santini AJA , Sherman KP
Published: March 2013

The use of animal tendons for teaching suture techniques is well established on surgical courses. While providing an authentic simulation of human tendons, these may pose a number of potential problems including cultural issues, health risks and difficulties maintaining the quality of specimens throughout the course. These were evident at a recent Royal College of surgeons orthopaedic skills course in Dubai, with the use of porcine tendons clearly unacceptable to Moslem participants. After trials with alternatives, a silicon-based model was selected and found to be highly satisfactory.
The Patient Concerns Inventory: A Tool to Uncover Unmet Needs in a Cancer Outpatient Clinic
Authors: Ghazali N , Kanatas A , Bekiroglu F , Scott B , Lowe D , Rogers SN
Published: March 2013

The Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) is a holistic, patient reported tool that aids in identifying concerns and issues. it is a 55-item checklist of issues that may be grouped into categories of general function, specific head and neck function, emotional-psychological and others, which include finances, treatment related matters and social care. The PCI also gives patients an opportunity to identify from a list of 15 multidisciplinary team (MDT) members whom they would like to see or be referred on to.
Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme: An Evaluation
Authors: Allum W
Published: March 2013

The first cohort of surgical trainees using the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) will be coming to the end of specialty training during 2013. For this group, becoming a surgeon has been not only about meeting the challenges of the day-to-day working environment but they have also pioneered ways of learning to train in a setting where progress, accountability, assessment and competence have become much more systematic. The world of training within the ISCP is as complex and as challenging for trainees and trainers as any surgical setting. Throughout, trainees will have experienced a different approach to their development and their trainers have similarly experienced new ways of overseeing their progress within competence-based programmes.
The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education – an update
Authors: Wilson Margaret , Burke Maria
Published: March 2013

The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education (NACPDE) has come to the end of another successful year as sponsors for the national MedicalTraining initiative (MTI) scheme in dentistry. in recent months three international training fellows have completed their training and returned to their home countries to implement the techniques learned during their time in the UK. This brings the total number of graduates to 18.
Accuracy of Burn Size Estimation in Adults and Children: Are Emergency Departments Doing Any Better?
Authors: Lewis CJ , McKinnell TH , Simpson A , Varma S , Pape SA
Published: March 2013

When presented with a burn injury, the role of emergency departments includes treatment of life threatening injuries, burn size estimation and instigation of fluid resuscitation. The accurate assessment of burn size is one of the most important facets of acute burn care as it determines whether transfer to a regional burns centre is necessary and the volume of intravenous fluid required. Failure to estimate burn size correctly has potentially life threatening consequences including hypovolaemic shock, pneumonia, extremity compartment syndrome, pulmonary oedema and electrolyte imbalance.
The Effect of Primary Care Trust Restrictions On Tonsillectomy Pathways
Authors: Chow V , McGilligan JA , Das-Purkayastha PK
Published: March 2013

Over the last decade, reorganisation of the nhs by the Department of Health has led to primary care trusts (PCTS) having greater power over allocation of funding for healthcare. Pressure from the looming financial shortfall facing the nhs has led to the need to find ways of controlling costs without cutting the quality of healthcare throughout the UK.
Saints and Sinners: John Lionel Stretton
Authors: Stretton Chris
Published: March 2013

John Lionel Stretton was born in Kidderminster in 1860. Apprenticed to his father, Samuel, at the age of 17, he trained at Bart's hospital, obtaining his MRCS in 1881, and was immediately appointed Junior Assistant Anaesthetist before he had to resign and return to Kidderminster, to help his father who was seriously ill. He worked in Kidderminster as a surgeon for 56 years, promoting healthcare for the working people and falling out with the industrialists whom he badgered persistently for funding. He is best remembered for his medical innovations, including the introduction of tincture of iodine for skin sterilisation, for which he should be recognised alongside Joseph Lister, the 'father of antispetic surgery'. This article is based on anecdotes from Lionel's own story from his manuscript that was eventually published after he died.
Simulationin Neurosurgery: A Survey of Experiences and Perceptions in the UK
Authors: Coulter IC , Brennan PM
Published: March 2013

The traditional, time intensive apprenticeship model of surgical skill acquisition has become impracticable in the current era of working hour restrictions limiting the total hours available for surgical training. Trainees feel 'hands on' operative exposure has reduced, impacting on training as well as patient safety. While working hour restrictions persist, simply increasing the length of surgical training will not adequately overcome reduced exposure to operative training. Improving quality and efficiency of training must therefore utilise learning outside the operating theatre; simulation training could form part of this.
Chickens coming home to roost
Authors: Williams Norman
Published: March 2013

By the time you read this newsletter the Francis report on the Mid staffs disaster will have been published and its conclusions pored over by the media. Some believe that this report will be a watershed for the NHS that will lead to a change in ethos and an improvement in standards. I sincerely hope so as it's my belief that in certain parts of the system there remain pockets of poor performance that need to be rectified. I have worked in the NHS for over 40 years and believe that despite all its faults it is truly a fine institution that in the main delivers an excellent standard of care. The advances in medicine and surgery that I have witnessed in my career have been extraordinary and have saved and improved the lives of many people who simply would not have survived when I was a medical student. Surgery in particular has been at the forefront of these spectacular advances and we should all be very proud of these achievements.
Insight into Resolution Enhancement in Generalized Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Ma Lu , Sikirzhytski Vitali , Hong Zhenmin , Lednev Igor K. , Asher Sanford A.
Published: March 2013

Generalized two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) can be used to enhance spectral resolution in order to help differentiate highly overlapped spectral bands. Despite the numerous extensive 2D-COS investigations, the origin of the 2D spectral resolution enhancement mechanism(s) is not completely understood. In the work here, we studied the 2D-COS of simulated spectra in order to develop new insights into the dependence of 2D-COS spectral features on the overlapping band separations, their intensities and bandwidths, and their band intensity change rates. We found that the features in the 2D-COS maps that are derived from overlapping bands were determined by the spectral normalized half-intensities and the total intensity changes of the correlated bands. We identified the conditions required to resolve overlapping bands. In particular, 2D-COS peak resolution requires that the normalized half-intensities of a correlating band have amplitudes between the maxima and minima of the normalized half-intensities of the overlapping bands.
Optimization of Hollow Waveguides as Absorption Cells for Spectroscopic Gas Sensing
Authors: Zhou Jia-Qi , Lu Wei-Jia , Yao Zhang-Rui , Wei Yu-Qing , Shi Yi-Wei
Published: March 2013

Flexible and low-loss hollow waveguide has many advantages as an absorption cell for spectroscopic gas sensing. The characteristics of the sensing system are dependent on the parameters of the hollow waveguide cell. In this paper, a mathematical model was proposed to analyze the waveguide cell by considering waveguide loss, effective optical path length, and signal-to-noise ratio of the system. Simulation results show that the gas absorption intensity and system sensitivity are dependent not only on the waveguide length but also on the bore-diameter, signal-to-noise ratio, and the concentration of the target gases. The results provide optimizing methods for the sensing system and algorithms for error compensation. Preliminary experiments on concentration detection of methane gas were carried out and measured data showed good agreements with the simulation results.
Pollen Identification by Fourier Transform Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Authors: Parodi George , Dickerson Pearl , Cloud Jacqueline
Published: March 2013

Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FT-IR-PAS) has been applied to the problem of identifying pollen samples. One hundred measurements were made on a set of pollen samples comprising five families and ten species. Chemometric analysis of the resulting spectra showed evidence of clustering. Construction of a spectral library allowed pollens in the set to be correctly identified as the first match on the basis of photoacoustic spectra at the species (99%) or family (100%) level.
The Water-Hydrophobic Interface: Neutral and Charged Solute Adsorption at Fluorocarbon and Hydrocarbon Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs)
Authors: Hopkins Adam J. , Richmond Geraldine L.
Published: March 2013

Adsorption of small molecular solutes in an aqueous solution to a soft hydrophobic surface is a topic relevant to many fields. In biological and industrial systems, the interfacial environment is often complex, containing an array of salts and organic compounds in the solution phase. Additionally, the surface itself can have a complex structure that can interact in unpredictable ways with small solutes in its vicinity. In this work, we studied model adsorption processes on hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon self-assembled monolayers by using vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy, with methanol and butylammonium chloride as adsorbates. The results indicate that differences in surface functionality have a significant impact on the organization of adsorbed organic species at hydrophobic surfaces.
Vibrational Sum-Frequency Spectroscopy for Trace Chemical Detection on Surfaces at Stand-Off Distances
Authors: Asher William E. , Willard-Schmoe Ella
Published: March 2013

Vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) has been used for some time as a laboratory-based surface chemical analytical tool. Here, theoretical considerations in applying the method as a remote-sensing probe for detecting trace levels of chemicals adsorbed on surfaces are presented. Additionally, a VSFS instrument is configured to operate at a stand-off distance of 2.2 m using near-nadir incidence angles. This system was used to measure VSFS spectra for films of pure 1-amino-4-nitrobenzene ( p-nitroaniline, PNA) and pure 2-hydroxy-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (picric acid, PA) adsorbed on polished T-6061 aluminum alloy. These spectra are used to investigate the effect of optical polarization on the sum-frequency response of these compounds at nadir optical geometries. Detection limits for each compound are also estimated and found to be 0. 51 ig cm2 for PNA and 0.89 μg cm2 for PA. The implications of these results regarding remote sensing applications of VSFS are discussed.
Pornography in the service of lesbians: The case of Wicked Women and Slit magazines
Authors: Henderson Margaret
Published: March 2013

This article analyses the Australian lesbian sex magazines, Wicked Women (1988–1996) and Slit (2002–) to examine the nature and shape of Australian lesbian pornography magazines, and hence to explore the ways in which these publications put pornography in the service of
lesbians. I outline the conditions of these magazines’ emergence, and then discuss the representational strategies of each, including imagery, layout, tropes and narratives. These magazines, and their changing modes of making lesbian porn, show the development of a lesbian porn aesthetic.
Further, they offer a unique sight of the discursive construction of lesbian identities and communities across more than three decades, and reveal another facet of the troubled relationship between feminism and lesbians.
‘Fashionable pockets’: The transnational rise of cargo pants into popular culture
Authors: Hancock Joseph H., II , Augustyn Edward Choi
Published: March 2013

During the twentieth century, cargo pants have gone from a traditional military uniform to a popular casual pant worn by almost every segment in the global consumer market. Since the 1970s, when hippies wore army surplus vintage styles as a sign of protesting the Vietnam War until today,
cargo pants have undergone a considerable transformation, changing in both fabrications and form. This article will examine the origins, histories and myths surrounding the development of cargo pants as a military garment. It will highlight the rise of cargo pants into mass culture through
various popular culture intermediaries such as the military, subcultural style, film, media, retail and merchandising; demonstrating how this garment has become part of world dress and transnational mass fashion, as well as an icon in global popular culture.
Crisis memes: The importance of templatability to Internet culture and freedom of expression
Authors: Rintel Sean
Published: March 2013

Crisis memes are the ghoulish and satirical posts that spread through social media concurrently with serious journalistic reportage. They are folk productions that respond to challenging events based on thematic and structural templates of popular online image macros. This article explores
how templatability is relevant to the underpinnings, development, structure and value of crisis memes. The combination of frivolity and ghoulishness that is typical of crisis memes may be criticized for not being reasoned discourse, reinforcing cultural divides and making use of copyrighted
content without permission and in ways that the copyright holder may not wish. However, the value of crisis memes lies not in their content but rather their place as a public voice that sidesteps the constraints of traditional media and as an illustration of freedom of expression that may
be threatened by increasingly restrictive copyright regimes.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Bennett James E. , Boucher Leigh , Cokley John , Delofski Maree , Parsons T. G. , Taylor Jodie
Published: March 2013

DIASPORAS OF AUSTRALIAN CINEMA, CATHERINE SIMPSON, RENATA MURAWSKA AND ANTHONY LAMBERT (EDS),(2009) Bristol, UK: Chicago, USA: Intellect, ISBN 978-1-84150-197-0, p/bk, 128 pp., US$40

SAVAGE OR CIVILISED: MANNERS IN COLONIAL AUSTRALIA, PENNY RUSSELL (2010) Sydney: New South
Wales University Press, 368 pp., ISBN 9780868408606, p/bk, AU$34.95

MEDIA & JOURNALISM: NEW APPROACHES TO THEORY AND PRACTICE, JASON BAINBRIDGE, NICOLA GOC AND LIZ TYNAN (2011) 2nd ed., Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 492 pp., ISBN 9780195574104, p/bk, AU$78.95

AUSTRALIAN
POSTWAR DOCUMENTARY FILM: AN ARC OF MIRRORS, DEANE WILLIAMS (2008) Bristol, Chicago: Intellect, 165 pp., ISBN 978-1-84150-210-6, h/bk, $47.95AUS

DEATH OR LIBERTY. REBELS AND RADICALS TRANSPORTED TO AUSTRALIA 1788–1868, TONY MOORE (2010) Sydney: Pier 9, Murdoch Books, 431 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-74196-140-9, p/bk, $34.95AUS

VØICE: VOCAL AESTHETICS IN DIGITAL ARTS AND MEDIA, NORIE NEUMARK, ROSS GIBSON AND THEO VAN LEEUWEN (EDS) (2010) Cambridge, MA; London, UK: MIT Press, 440 pp., ISBN 978-0-262-01390-1, h/bk, $40