Short reports

The aim of the study was to evaluate a hospital-based injury recording system on hip fracture registration in elderly persons aged + 65 years from 1994 through 2008, and to examine the agreement between the number of validated fractures and the number of fractures reported to the Norwegian Patient Registry using three different sources: (1) Medical records, (2) Patient administrative system and (3) The hospital's hip fracture record to the Norwegian Patient Registry from 2002 through 2008. The injury recording system included 582 hip fracture events and 535 (92%) were confirmed through the medical records. Reasons for non-verification were different coding failures. Searching the patient administrative system using ICD codes identified 16 hip fractures not included in the fracture registry between 2002 through 2008. The total number was the same as the number of hip fractures reported to the Norwegian Patient Registry using ICD codes alone for identification. The conclusion is that on well-defined diagnosis like hip fractures, local fracture registries may obtain a high degree of reliability if different sources are available for quality control. Well-functioning patient administrative systems may be used to study numbers of hip fractures.     

Interpersonal violence in the United Arab Emirates

We aimed to study the anatomical distribution, severity and outcome of hospitalised interpersonal violence-related injured patients in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates so as to give recommendations regarding the magnitude of this problem, its causes and priorities of prevention. Data were retrieved from Al-Ain Hospital Trauma Registry, which was prospectively collected over three years. There were 75 patients (males = 85.3%) having a mean age of 30 years. Eighty-one percent had blunt trauma. The estimated annual injury hospitalisation of interpersonal violence in Al-Ain city was 6.7 per 100,000 population. Females were significantly more injured by a family member (p = 0.02), at home (p = 0.005), and had more severe injuries (p = 0.003). There was a trend for children less than 18 years old to have more penetrating trauma (p = 0.06) and to be injured by a family member (p = 0.09). There was only one case of woman sexual assault and two cases of child abuse. The mean (SD) hospital stay was 7.87 (14.1) days. Less than 3% (n = 2) were admitted to the intensive care unit with no deaths. In conclusion, the majority of patients in our study had minor injuries. Nevertheless, the psychological impact may be major. This highlights the need to develop suitable mental health services in support of victims of interpersonal violence.     

An analysis of media violence in commercials aired during the telecasts of sports events

The violence contained in television commercials has received less attention than other areas of media violence research. This study analyzed violent content in the Super Bowl commercials that aired between 2001 and 2009. Twenty-two percent of the Super Bowl commercials appearing from 2001 to 2009 contained some type of violence. A number of quantifications related to types of violence, targets and perpetrators of violent acts, and reasons for violence, among others, are reported. Subsequently, the relationships between the contextual factors of the violence and commercial likeability were examined.     

Fatal violence among children under 15 years in four cities of South Africa, 2001–2005

Homicide rates for South African children were estimated at double the global average in 2000. This article presents a secondary data analysis of the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS), with full coverage in four major metropolitan cities. Child homicide rates for 2001–2005 were calculated within the 0–4, 5–9 and 10–14 year age groups. The homicide rates were similar to the global pattern, with higher rates for boys, and among children aged 0–4 years than for older children. Poisson regression, accounting for city level clustering, was used to investigate age, sex and period effects in the homicide rate. The model indicated that the gender difference was more marked in the 10–14 year age groups (RR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.97–2.38) than in the 5–9 year (RR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.27–1.62) with the 0–4 year age group in-between (RR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.55–2.10). These data confirm previous observations that fatal violence among children is a public health concern, but, given the high rates of homicide among South African adults and other competing public health problems, it is difficult to motivate for action to address the issue of violence against children. Nonetheless, there are sufficient indications that efforts to reduce childhood violence are urgently needed.     

The Cost of a Structural Change: A Large Automobile Plant in the State of Bahia

SUMMARY

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the costs and benefits associated with establishing a large automobile plant in the Brazilian state of Bahia, in one of the poorest macro-regions of the country. It is argued that behind Ford's decision to establish a plant far from the economic center of the country are not only the large incentives package offered at the Federal and State levels, but also the 1999 Southern Common Market (Mercosur) crisis and the company's own global strategies. The incentives package given to Ford at the state level is estimated at about R$ 2,642 billion, or 75% of the total investment. Although high in absolute terms, when the total incentives are divided by the investment, they appear to be similar to the incentives given by other Brazilian states to automobile assemblers during the 1990s. It is shown that the largest part of the incentives resulted from tax breaks, which represented more than three quarters of their total value. Despite the large absolute number of jobs created by the assembler and first tier suppliers, it is argued that the main benefit associated with the project is a likely structural change in the state's economy as a result of the backward and forward linkages to be created. The strength of these linkages, however, depends upon the success of the project itself, but the state government actually has little control over this issue.

RESUMEN. El objeto de este estudio es evaluar los costos y beneficios asociados al establecimiento de una gran fábrica automotriz en el estado brasileño de Bahía, en una de las regiones macroeconómicas más pobres del país. Se suele decir que, por detrás de la decisión de la empresa Ford de establecer su planta lejos del centro económico del país, no se esconde apenas el atractivo paquete de incentivos fiscales ofrecidos en los distintos niveles federal y estatal, sino también la crisis de 1999 sufrida por el MERCOSUR–Mercado Común del Cono Sur, y las propias estrategias globales de la empresa. El paquete de incentivos otorgado a Ford en esos niveles gubernamentales ronda los 2.642 mil millones, o 75% de la inversión total. Los incentivos otorgados, a pesar de ser altos en términos absolutos, no difieren mucho de los otorgados por otros estados brasileños a los ensambladores automotrices durante los años 1990, al dividir el total de los incentivos por la inversión. El estudio muestra que la porción más grande de los incentivos provenía de ventajas fiscales, que representaban más de la tercera parte de su valor total. Sin embargo, a pesar del gran número absoluto de empleos creados por la montadora y por los proveedores de primera línea, queda en discusión si el mayor beneficio asociado con el proyecto es un probable cambio estructural en la economía del estado, como resultado de los vínculos progresivos y regresivos que tendrán que crearse. Por otra parte, la fuerza de dichos vínculos depende del éxito que logre el propio proyecto, auque el gobierno del estado tenga en realidad poco control sobre esta cuestión.

RESUMO. Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar os custos e benefícios associados à criação de uma montadora de automóveis grande no estado brasileiro da Bahia, em uma das macrorregiões mais pobres do país. Argumenta-se que por trás de decisão da Ford de criar uma montadora longe do centro econômico do país estão não apenas o grande pacote de incentivos oferecidos nos níveis federal e estadual, mas também a crise de 1999 do Mercado Comum do Sul (Mercosul) e as próprias estratégias globais da empresa. O pacote de incentivos oferecido à Ford no nível estadual está estimado em cerca de R$ 2.642 bilhões, ou 75% do investimento total. Embora alto em termos absolutos, quando os incentivos totais são divididos pelo investimento, parecem semelhantes aos incentivos oferecidos por outros estados brasileiros às montadoras de automóveis durante a década de 1990. Mostra-se que a maior parte dos incentivos resultou de brechas fiscais, que representaram mais de três quartos de seu valor total. Apesar do grande número absoluto de empregos criados pela montadora e pelos fornecedores de primeiro nível, argumenta-se que o benefício principal associado ao projeto é uma provável mudança estrutural na economia do estado como resultado dos vínculos progressivos e regressivos a serem criados. A força desses vínculos, porém, depende do sucesso do próprio rojeto, mas o governo do estado na verdade tem pouco controle sobre esta questão.     

Short reviews

Postmodernism has been described as something everyone has heard of, but no-one can quite explain what it is. This paper explores the nature of the postmodern condition and examines its epistemological implications for one of retailing's longest established, most cited and vigorously debated concepts, Malcolm P. McNair's wheel of retailing theory. The analysis reveals that, although the concept is premised on assumptions that are anathema to many postmodern thinkers, the wheel is not entirely out of place in a postmodern world of fragmentation, difference and plurality. Indeed, Like postmodernism itself, the wheel of retailing theory owes an enormous debt to the philosophical principles of Friedrich Nietzsche. McNair's original exposition, in particular, represents a paradigmatic example of Nietzsche's principal constructs: Übermensch, eternal recurrence and will to power     

Short Reports

As the US population ages, more older adults will face transportation and mobility challenges. This study examines the characteristics and contributing circumstances of nonfatal older adult pedestrian injuries. Data were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Programme (NEISS-AIP) for the years 2001 through 2006. Cases included persons aged 65 years and older who were nonfatally injured on a public roadway. The results indicated that on average, an estimated 52,482 older adults were treated in emergency departments each year for nonfatal pedestrian injuries. Falling and being hit by a motor vehicle were the leading mechanisms of injury, resulting in 77.5% and 15.0% of older adult pedestrian injuries, respectively. More than 9000 older pedestrian fall-related injuries each year involved a kerb. It is concluded that the growth in the older adult population could add to the overall burden of these nonfatal pedestrian injuries. Making transportation and mobility improvements, including environmental modifications, is important for preventing these injuries.     

Propaganda strategies of Korean war-era leaflets*

ABSTRACT

This study employs an interpretive historical analysis of the themes presented in the leaflets produced by South and North Korea during the Korean War. The themes are analysed into four categories: appeals of ideology, personal gratification, communal values, and information dissemination. The most prominent themes of the ideology appeal are those of toadyism, social system criticism, and attacks on the leader of the opponents. Of the personal gratification appeal, themes include persuading opponents to surrender for personal safety, health, and to gain a sense of belonging. Communal value appeal emphasized the Korea's unique characteristics of one blood, one nation, and one ethnicity mentality to promote the authenticity of each side. Information dissemination contained warnings of bomb attacks, claims of superiority in firepower, and assertions intended to disguise the real situation of the war.     

Comedic violence in advertising: the role of normative beliefs and intensity of violence

Interest in the use of comedic violence in advertising has risen, but the research on this topic has been limited. Past studies have found positive effects of comedic violence in ads, with higher levels of violence increasing positive responses. However, given that the violence depicted in these ads is a violation of social norms, following the Social Norms Theory, it is proposed that individual norm beliefs about violence in advertising could be a significant factor in influencing ad outcome. Using an online panel of general consumers across two experiments, this study revealed that norm beliefs had a positive influence on comedic violence ad responses. In addition, when violence intensities of the ads were varied, individuals with lower norm beliefs responded more positively to low violence ads than high violence ads, whereas individuals with higher norm beliefs did not exhibit different responses to the two violence intensities. Mediation analyses were conducted to test for the underlying mechanisms. As comedic violence advertising may offend audiences, the findings provide targeting and design implications for advertisers interested in this strategy.     

Gender effects on consumers’ attitudes toward comedic violence in advertisements

Abstract

This study examined gender’s effects on attitudes and tendencies to share online ads containing comedic violence. The results show that males enjoyed comedic violence more than females, when the perpetrator of the comedic violence was male, regardless of the victim’s sex; and, when the perpetrator and victim were both female. When the perpetrator and victim were of different sexes, the impact of attitudes toward comedic violence on sharing the ad varied by gender. However, when the victim and perpetrator were of the same sex, there was no significant gender difference in the effects of attitudes toward sharing the ad.     

欧元美元金融大战鹿死谁手

欧元这种新币种自诞生以来,普遍受到人们的关注,其存在对于世界主要储备货币和结算贷币美元来说是个重大挑战。事实上,第二次世界金融大战外围战已经爆发,但欧元、美元大战鹿死谁手,还不得而知。     

价格战对企业的影响：理论与实证分析

价格战是一把＂双刃剑＂,能有效提高企业市场占有率、扩大产品知名度,但运用不当会给企业带来很多负面影响。奥克斯集团的成功在于对价格战的深刻理解和灵活运用,即价格战不是企业成功的长久之策,技术创新和品牌等核心竞争力才是企业持续发展的源泉,只有具备核心竞争力的企业才能在价格竞争中取得最后的胜利。     

价格战的艺术:基于中国的视角(英文)

本文提出了一个框架来解析中国价格战的流行程度,该框架也可以表达出一个规划和执行的价格战的艺术。     

Narrative disclosures in annual reports

This paper explores a methodology for evaluating the content of narrative data. The method is applied to the president's letter and management analysis portions of annual reports in three industries. Comparisons of the narrative themes identified by the method are made to economic factors of sample firms that could alter perception of management performance. Results confirm hypothesized linkages between performance and narrative disclosure consistent with attribution theory.     

标准竞争中的市场策略分析

文章从分析产业标准的形成机制入手,认为目前主要有市场选择标准和非市场选择标准两种形成机制,进而通过对影响标准竞争中的四大市场因素的分析研究,提出了在标准竞争中的三种市场竞争策略及相应措施.     

市场信号在反击价格战中的运用

价格战在我国许多行业频频发生，严重损害了行业的整体利益和长远利益。通过探讨反击价格战中市场信号的作用，总结了调和性和威胁性的两类市场信息及各自的一些具体形式，分析了有效运用市场信号的条件。     

区域物流规划理论框架的构建

当前我国区域物流发展规划编制工作全面铺开,新一轮规划实践对规划理论研究提出了新的要求。驾驭区域物流发展趋势,构建区域物流规划的理论框架,对于今后各地区编制区域物流规划有十分重要的现实意义。文章提出,现代物流理论、区域经济理论和战略环境分析理论是区域物流规划的主要理论基础,区域物流发展规划的核心内容是建设三大网络(物流运作设施网络、物流运输设施网络和物流信息网络),构建两大体系(物流人才教育培养与物流技术发展体系、物流发展政策措施体系),优化物流业结构,促使物流业发展成为经济支柱产业之一。     

The information content of wheat derivatives regarding the Ukrainian war

We extract implied price densities from wheat options and futures prices during the first 17 months of the Ukrainian war. Changing differences between short- and long-term densities indicate that market expectations about the dynamics of the underlying changed over time. Before the signing of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, wheat derivatives prices showed predictive power for the further development of the conflict, and implied volatilities from wheat options were highly correlated with geopolitical risk (GPR). Afterwards, wheat prices lost their predictive power for the conflict, but instead reflected the market's opinion regarding the viability of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. By that time, correlations between wheat price risk and GPR dropped sharply.     

Make Money,Not War: A Brief Critique of Sun Tzu's The Art of War

Sun Tzu's text of The Art of War remains a bestsellingand oft-referenced practioner's book. However, its generalizabilityto the current business environment is questionable. This reviewexamines two central tenets of the book – warfare anddeception – and critiques their relevance in lightof current business practice.     

基本实现现代化进程中苏南、苏中、苏北三个地区之间的协同发展研究

在回顾江苏省"区域共同发展"战略演变的基础上,依据江苏省第十二次党代会提出的今后一个时期的奋斗目标——基本实现现代化,并结合《"十二五"规划》提出的"区域互动协调发展"战略方针,建立基本实现现代化新征程背景下"区域协同发展"战略的理论框架,并给出基本实现现代化进程中区域协同发展的对策建议:实施主体功能区战略;大力推进城乡一体化;创新性地建设生态文明。