Types Of Coalitions Research Articles

When Are Federations More Unequal? The Political Economy of Interregional Redistribution in Developing Federations

Why do some countries redistribute more to poorer regions than others? This paper explores which factors explain variation in the degree of interregional redistribution among countries between 1983 and 2010. The main argument is that interregional redistribution increases with the need and capacity of strong presidents to build territorial coalitions with governors from poorer regions and, by implication, decreases with the ability of strong governors in rich districts to resist pressures to extract resources from their units. Using a multilevel structural equation model (the Generalized Linear Latent Multilevel Model, GLLAMM), the study analyzes these and competing claims on the determinants of interregional redistribution using original data from the subnational units of four types of cases, ranging from decentralized and federal to centralized, unitary countries. Empirical results indicate that the type of redistributive coalition between presidents and governors complement purely structural and institutional models to explain fiscal redistributive outcomes in the context of sharp regional inequality.

Organizational designing of logistic mortgage and construction systems of coalition type

Organizational designing of logistic mortgage and construction systems of coalition type

A Different Type of Talocalcaneal Coalition With Os Sustentaculum: The Continued Necessity of Revision of Classification.

The objective of our study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence and image findings of extraarticular talocalcaneal coalition with os sustentaculum, a type of talocalcaneal coalition that does not appear in current classification systems, in patients with an imaging diagnosis of foot coalition. This study was performed using a database query of radiology reports of ankle and foot CT or MRI examinations performed from August 2001 to November 2013. Eighty-one patients were identified through a keyword search of the database for "talocalcaneal coalition," "tarsal coalition," "coalition," or "os sustentaculum." Imaging features of CT or MRI findings were evaluated. Chart review was used to identify demographic information. Extraarticular talocalcaneal coalition with os sustentaculum was diagnosed in 13 patients (nine men, four women), which represents a prevalence of 16.0% (13/81) in all foot coalitions and 24.1% (13/54) in all talocalcaneal coalitions. Four of 13 patients underwent surgical resection, and histology was obtained in three patients. Nine patients who had no history of trauma were symptomatic and all patients with bone marrow edema at the coalition sites on MRI (n = 5) were also symptomatic. Coexisting extraarticular talocalcaneal coalition with os sustentaculum and intraarticular talocalcaneal coalition were observed in 11 of 13 patients. The os sustentaculum is a component of extraarticular talocalcaneal coalitions and as such is usually related to the presence of symptoms. If a patient with an os sustentaculum has symptoms in the medial talocalcaneal joint area, an extraarticular talocalcaneal coalition related to the os sustentaculum should be considered.

Coalition strategies in the climate negotiations: an analysis of mountain-related coalitions

This paper investigates the process of coalition formation for issue-specific coalitions. I use the Alliance of Small Island States and the Coalition for Rainforest Nations as case studies to inductively create a framework on coalition formation. This framework is tested against two coalitions, both advocating for mountain issues in the UN climate negotiations. These two coalitions differ in the type of coalition sought, the strategies deployed thus far, and the type of support they have received, including the role of non-state actors. The framework helps identify significant gaps in the efforts of the two coalitions, including capturing the most salient link between climate change and mountains, translating technical input into negotiating positions, and identifying the most appropriate form of the coalition and forum to pursue these interests. In doing so, this paper provides insights into the limits of linking issues to the climate change agenda (“climate bandwagoning”), issue proliferation and its implications for coalition management for actors like the Group of 77 and China, and the nature of multi-scalar interactions in regime complexes.

Patient-reported Outcomes of Tarsal Coalitions Treated With Surgical Excision.

There are little patient-reported data on functional outcomes of tarsal coalition resection in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the medium-term (>2 y) outcomes in patients who have had surgical excision of their symptomatic tarsal coalition and to compare patient-based outcomes in patients who have calcaneonavicular (CN) coalitions to those with talocalcaneal (TC) coalitions. A billing query was conducted to identify patients who had surgical excision of their tarsal coalition between 2003 and 2008. Eligible patients were mailed questionnaires consisting of a modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale. Patients were also specifically asked if their activity level was limited by their foot pain. Only patients who returned questionnaires were included. Demographics and diagnostic images were reviewed. A nonresponder analysis was completed. Complications such as infection and reoperation were reported. Sixty-three patients (22 females, 41 males) who returned questionnaires were included in the analysis. Twenty-four patients had bilateral surgery. TC coalitions were present in 20 patients (32%); CN coalitions were present in 43 patients (68%).Overall, mean modified AOFAS score was 88.3 and mean UCLA activity score was 8.33 at an average of 4.62 years after surgery. Patients who had TC coalitions had similar modified AOFAS scores (88.4) and UCLA activity scores (8.4) when compared with those with CN coalitions (88.0 and 8.3, both not significant).Of the 73% (46/63) patients who reported that their activity levels were not limited by their foot pain, the mean AOFAS score was 93.9 and the mean UCLA activity score was 8.9; 32 of these were CN and 14 were TC coalitions. Of the 27% (17/63) patients who reported that their activity levels were limited by their foot pain, the mean AOFAS score was 72.9 and the mean UCLA activity score was 6.9; 11 of these were CN and 6 were TC coalitions. There was a statistically significant difference in these groups both in modified AOFAS score (P<0.0001) and UCLA activity score (P=0.006). There was no difference in outcomes between those who were treated for a TC and CN coalition. Patient-reported outcomes after surgical excision of tarsal coalition reveal that >70% of patients' activities are not limited by pain and their functional outcome is terrific. A few patients continue to have problems with ongoing foot pain and activity limitations. The type of coalition does not seem to be an indicative factor in determining outcome.

Lunotriquetral coalition, a normal variant that may rarely cause ulnar sided wrist pain.

Lunotriquetral coalition (LTC), the most frequent and often bilateral type of carpal coalition, is in general considered as asymptomatic. In rare cases - however - fibrocartilaginous LTC may be an uncommon cause of ulnar sided pain in the wrist due to the pseudarthrosis or a post-traumatic disruption of LTC. Two rare cases of symptomatic LTC are presented and the role of MRI is emphasized. MRI shows the pseudarthrosis and may additionally show bone marrow edema and subcortical cysts. In symptomatic cases surgical lunotriquetral fusion may be considered as treatment option.

The rare cuboid-navicular coalition presenting as chronic foot pain.

Tarsal coalitions are relatively rare diagnoses affecting adolescent patients that typically present with progressive foot pain. Cuboid-navicular coalition, a type of tarsal coalition, is extremely rare with less than 10 reported cases to date. Most prevailing theories reported have described this specific type of coalition as asymptomatic except at specific moments of stress and exercise. The purpose in presenting this case is to demonstrate that cuboid-navicular coalition can be associated with chronic unremitting pain, as in our patient. We present a case of cuboid-navicular fibrocartilaginous coalition in an adolescent patient presenting with chronic foot pain. Furthermore, from an imaging standpoint, radiographic findings are often subtle and radiologists cannot rely on indirect signs such as talar beak in clinching the diagnosis of cuboid-navicular coalition. Instead, abnormal articulation between the cuboid and navicular must be sought.

A Multiagent Based Scheme for Unlicensed Spectrum Access in CR Networks

In recent wireless network domains static spectrum access is a major concern. Generally, this access leads to spectrum scarcity problem by creating empty holes or white spaces. However, the scarcity is temporary and can be alleviated if spectrum access is performed dynamically and efficiently. One important step towards dynamic spectrum access is the development of cognitive radio (CR) technology, which senses nearby spectrum portions (or bands) and tries to use them either opportunistically or by negotiating with the neighboring users. Nonetheless, dynamic spectrum access raises several challenges which need to be addressed in detail. These challenges include efficient allocation of spectrum for users in order to maximize spectrum utilization and to avoid user level conflicts both under licensed and unlicensed bands. In this paper, considering the relative rarity of solutions for unlicensed spectrum access and their inadequacy, we propose a scheme, where the CR devices (equipped with agents) interact with their neighbors to form several coalitions over the unlicensed bands. These types of coalitions can provide a less-conflicted access as the agents mutually agree for spectrum sharing and they allow other CR users to enter in their vicinity of acquired spectrum via bilateral message exchanges. Further, we present continuous time Markov chains to model the spectrum access process in continuous time and derive important performance metric as the blocking probability for without and with queuing systems. Amongst others, the important comparisons we made between analytical and simulation results in terms of blocking probability verify that our proposed model is correct. In essence, our proposed solution aims to increase dynamic spectrum usage by enabling cooperation between the users.

Tarsal Coalitions: Radiographic, CT, and MR Imaging Findings.

Tarsal coalitions affect up to 13% of the population and can be a cause of chronic ankle and hindfoot pain. They can be subdivided as osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous types, each with unique radiographic, CT, and MR imaging findings. In particular, MR imaging offers the unique ability to determine the exact type of tarsal coalition that is present as well as whether any associated soft tissue abnormalities are present. The purposes of this paper were to (1) review the anatomy of the hindfoot; (2) review the radiographic, CT, and MR imaging findings of tarsal coalitions; and (3) review the imaging appearance of the specific types of tarsal coalitions. Online searches were performed using Google Scholar with the search criteria of "tarsal coalition," "hindfoot anatomy," and "subtalar coalition," and limiting the searches to papers published in the last 10years in major radiology journals. The anatomy of the hindfoot is complex but essential to understand. There are various radiographic, CT, and MR imaging findings that can be consistently noted in cases of tarsal coalition. The specific types of tarsal coalition demonstrate characteristic imaging findings. Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the foot, in particular the hindfoot, combined with the knowledge of the imaging characteristics of different histologic subtypes of coalitions (osseous, cartilaginous, and fibrous) is essential for interpreting radiographic, CT, and MR images of the ankle and foot.

Factors influencing male affiliation and coalitions in a species with male dispersal and intense male–male competition, Colobus vellerosus

MaleColobus vellerosuscompete intensely for access to females, which sometimes leads to mortal wounding. Yet, males often form cooperative relationships to overtake prime-aged males and immigrate into bisexual groups. We investigated the factors that predicted the presence of coalitions and affiliative relationships among males in this species. Interactions among males in 292 dyads from six groups were examined from 2004 to 2010 at Boabeng-Fiema, Ghana. Affiliation rates among males were higher and aggression rates lower when one or both males in the dyad were subadult, compared to adult male dyads. Affiliation rates tended to be higher among males that were kin but no other aspect of male relationships predicted affiliation. Coalitions among males were rarely observed and primarily occurred in the context of joint defense against extra-group males (93.5% of events). Adult males were more likely to provide coalitionary support than subadults and coalitions occurred significantly more often when both males were high ranking, since these males probably benefited most in terms of reproductive success from excluding extra-group males. Rank-changing and leveling coalitions among low-ranking males appear to be quite rare or absent inC. vellerosus. The costs of these types of coalitions may be too high or male group size too small on average for these types of coalitions to have been selected for. The overall low rates of affiliation and coalitions among maleC. vellerosusare likely influenced by male-biased dispersal and the high level of male–male competition.

How males form coalitions against group rivals and the Pandit/van Schaik coalition model

In group living animals, there is pronounced variation in the formation and function of cooperation between males via coalitionary aggression. Pandit, van Schaik and colleagues developed a mathematical model to predict the evolution of different coalition types in group-living male primates, the PvS model. Coalitions are classified into five types dependent on the ranks of the participants and the function of the aggression. The main factor determining the coalition types expected to evolve is contest potential, an estimate of female monopolisability by individual males. We examined the model using groups of Assamese (Macaca assamensis) and Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) to gain a full range of contest potentials. We observed, across groups, 393 coalitions during 3645 h of data collection. We measured contest potential on a species-specific basis dependent on the information males can infer about female reproductive state. By examining coalition formation in different populations and species, but also in the same groups over time, we showed the strengths and weaknesses of the PvS model. We discuss why our results do not fully fit the model’s predictions, including differing costs/benefits of coalition formation, such as delayed benefits via increased status, making rank-changing coalitions viable at mid–low contest potential. Alternative factors not considered by the model include the effect of male social bonds on coalition partner choice and the effect of female mate-choice on coalition target selection. Finally, we suggest possible improvements to the model and provide information on how best to test the current predictions of the PvS model.

The Budget Dilemma and Public Spending: Evidence from Ten Postcommunist Countries

The paper examines whether the number of parties in the cabinet and the type of coalition affect the level of public spending. It offers a statistical analysis of two hypotheses: (1) the larger the number of parties in the cabinet, the higher the public spending; (2) minority and minimal winning coalitions tend to spend more, […]

Banking Crises and the Role of Bank Coalitions

The goal of this paper is to provide a framework to analyze the effectiveness of bank coalition formation in response to an external aggregate shock that may cause disruption to the payment mechanism and real economic activity. I show that the kind of insurance mechanism provided by a specific type of bank coalition allows society to completely prevent any disruption to real activity that can be caused by a temporary drop in the value of banking assets, at least in the case of a shock that is not too big. If the shock is relatively large, then a private bank coalition will be unable to completely prevent a disruption in real activity even though it will be able to substantially mitigate the effects on equilibrium quantities and prices. Thus, the existence of a private bank coalition of the kind described in this paper can be an effective means of preventing significant disruptions in trading activity.

Middle subtalar osseous coalition with associated fusion of the sinus tarsi: a previously undescribed type of tarsal coalition

Tarsal coalitions affect up to 13% of the population and may cause chronic ankle and hindfoot pain. Coalitions can be subdivided as osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous types. The most common type of tarsal coalition involvesthe talocalcaneal joint, where it usually affects the middle subtalar joint. In this article, we describe a previously unpublished form of talocalcaneal coalition with osseous coalition at the level of the middle subtalar joint with associated fusion of the sinus tarsi.

Project Coalitions in Healthcare Construction Projects and the Application of Real Options: An Exploratory Survey

Exploring the impact of the type of project coalition on types of flexibility by analyzing considered and exercised flexibilities in separated and integrated project coalitions in the design and construction phase and the operations and maintenance phase of a healthcare construction project. Flexibility in healthcare construction projects is increasingly needed in order to deal with growing uncertainties. Until now, little research has been carried out on how and to what extent flexibility is incorporated in different types of project coalitions chosen by healthcare organizations. An exploratory survey was conducted among health organizations in both cure and care. Questions were asked on the position of the real estate department within the organization, the type of project coalitions chosen and the rationale behind this choice, and the extent to which flexibility in terms of a real option was considered and to what extent it had been exercised in a project coalition. Integrated project coalitions pay more attention to flexibility in advance in both the process and the product, but exercise them to a lesser extent than separated project coalitions. The economic feasibility of real options is higher in integrated project coalitions. The study shows that real options thinking is already incorporated in real estate management of healthcare organizations, although more flexibility is considered in advance of the project than is actually realized during and after construction. Built environment, construction, decision making, hospitals, planning.

Climate Change, Heterogeneities, and Stability of International Fiscal Harmonization

This paper analyzes the instability introduced into multilateral agreements by two types of heterogeneity: heterogeneity of countries (size and number of producing members) and heterogeneity of lobbies (asymmetric influence at the national versus the international level). The work extends theoretical prospective analyses on environmental taxation, as illustrated by the harmonization of fuel taxes. We show that the acceptability of the tax set at the multilateral level depends on the type of coalitions that participate in the multilateral negotiation (size and number of producing countries) and the asymmetry in the local (state-level) power of lobbies during negotiations.

A radiological classification system for talocalcaneal coalition based on a multi-planar imaging study using CT and MRI

ObjectiveTo develop a radiological classification system for talocalcaneal coalition suitable for adults.Methods and materialsA retrospective review was performed on patients diagnosed with talocalcaneal coalition from July 2001 to November 2011. Based on the cartilaginous or bony nature, facet joint orientation and bony structure morphology, we classified talocalcaneal coalitions into four types: I (linear with or without posterior hooking), II (talar overgrowth), III (calcaneal overgrowth) and IV (complete osseous).ResultsSeventy feet (59 patients) with talocalcaneal coalition were evaluated by CT (61/70 feet) using multi-planar reformation and/or magnetic resonance imaging (43/70 feet). Type I, II, III and IV coalitions were detected in 45 (64 %), 10 (14 %), 13 (19 %), and 2 feet (3 %), respectively. Fracture fragments were observed in 16 feet (seven Type I and nine Type III coalitions) with hooked or overgrown calcanei and in one foot in the talus (Type I). Eleven patients had bilateral talocalcaneal coalitions; ten patients had coalitions of the same type and one had both Type I and Type III coalitions. Among 48 patients with unilateral involvement, the left and right feet were affected in 26 and 22 patients, respectively.ConclusionsA classification system for talocalcaneal coalition based on multi-planar imaging studies was developed.Key Points• A classification system for talocalcaneal coalition based on multi-planar imaging was developed.• The relative frequencies of different talocalcaneal coalition types were determined.• Fracture fragments were easily distinguished and frequently originated from the calcaneus.• Fracture fragments were mostly associated with Type I (linear) with posterior hooking and Type III (calcaneal overgrowth).

Lessons from Latin America: The Rise of Rentier Populism

Abstract: The price boom of natural resources in the first decade of the twenty-first century has been a blessing for all South American economies. For some political regimes, however, it was an institutional curse. In Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, and to a lesser extent Argentina, the commodity boom made possible the emergence of “rentier populism,” a new type of political coalition, based on the economic incorporation of the informal sector and funded by windfall gains from exports of natural resources. Based on a new fiscal structure, rentier populism in turn fostered the intensification of plebiscitarian mechanisms of vertical accountability and neutralized constraints of horizontal accountability. The chapter explores the conditions under which a common exogenous shock, the commodity boom, spread across the region with differential coalitional effects. It also delineates the mechanisms that link the rentier populism coalition to the emergence of plebiscitarian and hegemonic forms of accountability. In order to highlight old and new in rentier populism, the chapter places the coalition in historical perspective, using Guillermo O’Donnell’s earlier work on political economy as a source of contrasts and similarities. Likewise, “plebiscitarian hegemonies” are compared with delegative democracies, the key concept in O’Donnell’s later work on institutions.

Real options in project coalitions in Dutch health care: two case studies of construction projects

Uncertainties affecting health organizations inevitably influence real estate decisions since real estate is required to facilitate the primary process in cure and care. Decisions have to be taken when there is little knowledge about the future. Therefore, flexibility is needed in the process of designing, constructing and operating real estate. Real options provide an approach to gain greater insight into flexibility. The aim is to analyse whether real options can be recognized in the real estate strategies of health organizations and what real options are provided by various forms of project coalition. Two case studies reveal that real options thinking can indeed be recognized in specific real estate strategies. The choice of certain real options is partly a result of the type of project coalition applied. Further development of real options thinking in real estate management in cure and care creates opportunities to deal with future uncertainties.

Dimensions of influence in nonprofit leadership coalitions: Contingencies for governance quality

We explore the relatedness between different types of governance coalitions and the level of organizational governance quality. We propose two dimensions of influence to classify nonprofit governance coalitions. We apply a mixed methodology, including a comparative case analysis of five organizations and a multi-level regression analysis of coalition metrics on formal positions held by individuals. Based on our observations we formulate eight theoretical propositions, which stress for high quality governance practices the importance of a ‘balance coalition’ between diffused and centralized influences, and between specific and holistic influences. Further, we conjecture the important role of formal leadership positions, such as CEOs and chairmen, in the structure of governance coalitions. Finally, several research paths to scrutinize our propositions in further research are suggested.