Louise Fawcett

Regionalism in Africa and the Middle East: Implications for EU Studies

Abstract This article analyses and contrasts the growth and development of regionalism in Africa and the Middle East and considers what lessons can be drawn from these regions for studies of the European Union. Rather than asking why regionalism has failed in certain parts of the world, while succeeding in Europe, it takes a more nuanced view of the processes associated with regionalism, regionalization and regional integration. It identifies the particular conditions which have led to the rise of regional organizations in Africa and the Middle East and then singles out four factors of importance in understanding the relative success or failure of different schemes, namely external influence; hegemony and leadership; regime type and identity. This discussion then forms the backdrop to a comparative consideration of the European Union. In highlighting those factors which account for the different trajectories of regional institutions, the article aims to widen the scope of EU and comparative regionalism studies.

The Iraq War ten years on: assessing the fallout

Assessing the long-term fallout from the 2003 Iraq War from three perspectives—the state, regional and international—this article argues that the war generated a series of changes that have had a central impact on the political evolution and international relations of the Middle East, though not in the manner anticipated by either its supporters or critics. The war and its consequences, which have become merged with developments surrounding the Arab Spring uprisings, which started at the end of 2010, have contributed over the long term to the acceleration of popular demands for the greater liberalization of politics, to shifts in the regional balance of power and to international realignments. Authoritarian regimes across the region have been increasingly challenged; there are new sectarian divides; Iran has been empowered by the demise of its old rival Saddam Hussein; new ‘pivotal’ states like Saudi Arabia and Turkey have emerged; and western powers have had to review their policy prescriptions and assumptions of regional predominance. The new regional order is both fragile and contested. Taking a long view of the Iraq War on its tenth anniversary is important and relevant to understanding contemporary developments in the region—whether in Syria or elsewhere—and serves to highlight patterns of continuity as well as change. Given the continuing violence and bloodshed in Iraq itself, it also offers some important lessons to regional and external powers about the perils of intervention.

Diagnostic utility of patient history and physical examination data to detect spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in athletes with low back pain: A systematic review

BACKGROUND In adolescent athletes, low back pain has a 1-year prevalence of 57% and causes include spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. An accurate diagnosis enables healing, prevention of progression and return to sport. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic utility of patient history and physical examination data to identify spondylolysis and/or spondylolisthesis in athletes. DESIGN Systematic review was undertaken according to published guidelines, and reported in line with PRISMA. METHOD Key databases were searched up to 13/11/15. INCLUSION CRITERIA athletic population with LBP, patient history and/or physical examination accuracy data for spondylolysis and/or spondylolisthesis, any study design including raw data. Two reviewers independently assessed risk of bias (ROB) using QUADAS-2. A data extraction sheet was pre-designed. Pooling of data and investigation for heterogeneity enabled a qualitative synthesis of data across studies. RESULTS Of the eight included studies, two were assessed as low ROB, one of which also had no concerns regarding applicability. Age (<20 years) demonstrated 81% sensitivity and 44% specificity and gender (male) 73% sensitivity and 57% specificity for spondylolysis. Difficulty falling asleep, waking up because of pain, pain worse with sitting and walking all have sensitivity >75% for spondylolisthesis. Step-deformity palpation demonstrated 60-88% sensitivity and 87-100% specificity for spondylolisthesis. The one-legged hyperextension test was not supported for spondylolysis (sensitivity 50-73%, specificity 0-87%). CONCLUSION No recommendations can be made utilising patient history data. Based on one low ROB study, step deformity palpation may be useful in diagnosing spondylolisthesis. No physical tests demonstrated diagnostic utility for spondylolysis. Further research is required.

Arabs and Jews in the development of the Colombian Caribbean 1850–1950

This contribution surveys Arab and Jewish immigration to the northern (Caribbean) coast of Colombia. It deals with three migratory waves: Sephardic Jews, mainly from Curacao and the Dutch Antilles, who arrived in Colombia in the latter half of the eighteenth century; Syro‐Lebanese first from the Ottoman Empire, then Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, who arrived between 1880 and 1930; and Levantine and European Jews, who arrived in the 1930s and 1940s. Though their numbers were quite small, and their experience in many ways quite different, these immigrant communities were quick to settle and prosper in the relatively hospitable environment of the Colombian coast. Arabs and Jews soon rose to positions of prominence in diverse fields and made a significant contribution to coastal development.

Validity of the Digital Inclinometer and iPhone When Measuring Thoracic Spine Rotation

CONTEXT   Spinal axial rotation is required for many functional and sporting activities. Eighty percent of axial rotation occurs in the thoracic spine. Existing measures of thoracic spine rotation commonly involve laboratory equipment, use a seated position, and include lumbar motion. A simple performance-based outcome measure would allow clinicians to evaluate isolated thoracic spine rotation. Currently, no valid measure exists. OBJECTIVE   To explore the criterion and concurrent validity of a digital inclinometer (DI) and iPhone Clinometer app (iPhone) for measuring thoracic spine rotation using the heel-sit position. DESIGN   Controlled laboratory study. SETTING   University laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS   A total of 23 asymptomatic healthy participants (14 men, 9 women; age = 25.82 ± 4.28 years, height = 170.26 ± 8.01 cm, mass = 67.50 ± 9.46 kg, body mass index = 23.26 ± 2.79) were recruited from a student population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)   We took DI and iPhone measurements of thoracic spine rotation in the heel-sit position concurrently with dual-motion analysis (laboratory measure) and ultrasound imaging of the underlying bony tissue motion (reference standard). To determine the criterion and concurrent validity, we used the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r, 2 tailed) and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS   The DI (r = 0.88, P < .001) and iPhone (r = 0.88, P < .001) demonstrated strong criterion validity. Both also had strong concurrent validity (r = 0.98, P < .001). Bland-Altman plots illustrated mean differences of 5.82° (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20.37°, -8.73°) and 4.94° (95% CI = 19.23°, -9.35°) between the DI and iPhone, respectively, and the reference standard and 0.87° (95% CI = 6.79°, -5.05°) between the DI and iPhone. CONCLUSIONS   The DI and iPhone provided valid measures of thoracic spine rotation in the heel-sit position. Both can be used in clinical practice to assess thoracic spine rotation, which may be valuable when evaluating thoracic dysfunction.

MENA and the EU: contrasting approaches to region, power and order in a shared neighbourhood

ABSTRACT This article aims to analyse the different power relationships and resulting interactions between the major Middle Eastern powers and the European Union in their shared neighbourhood. After examining some background conditions relating to the local and international power dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), it considers first the perspective of the major MENA powers, then moves to a discussion of the different interactions that have characterized relations between MENA and EU states over time. It argues that major power relations in the MENA neighbourhood have been both dynamic and competitive and primarily reflective of the interests of dominant actors. Leadership is fragmented and institutions have had limited effects. Regional order remains elusive and depends upon developing shared and improved understandings of the region among its multiple stakeholders.

Region-Building Debates in a Global Context

A starting point of this introductory chapter is that region-building debates necessarily take place within a global context and are informed by wider patterns and trends, so it is important to examine this wider context and how it develops over time. At the same time, region-building is also intimately connected with the specifics of a particular region; hence a parallel study of regional particularities and variants is also needed.