Browsing by Author "Sharma, A."

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B vitamins in patients with recent transient ischaemic attack or stroke in the VITAmins TO Prevent Stroke (VITATOPS) trial: a randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial.
(Lancet Pub. Group, 2010) Hankey, G.J.; Eikelboom, J.W.; Baker, R.I.; Gelavis, A.; Hickling, S.C.; Jamrozik, K.; van Bockxmeer, F.M.; Vasikaran, S.; Chen, C.; Eikelboom, J.W.; Lees, K.R.; Yi, Q.; Hankey, G.J.; Algra, A.; Chen, C.; Wong, M.C.; Cheung, R.; Wong, I.; Divjak, I.; Ferro, J.; De Freitas, G.; Gommans, J.; Groppa, S.; Hill, M.; Spence, J.D.; Lees, K.R.; Lisheng, L.; Navarro, J.; Ranawaka, U.; Ricci, S.; Schmidt, R.; Slivka, A.; Tan, A.; Tsiskaridze, A.; Uddin, W.; Vanhooren, G.; Xavier, D.; Armitage, J.; Hobbs, M.; Le, M.; Sudlow, C.; Wheatley, K.; Yi, Q.; Brown, W.; Bulder, M.; Eikelboom, J.W.; Hankey, G.J.; Ho, W.K.; Jamrozik, K.; Klijn, C.J.; Koedam, E.; Langton, P.; Nijboer, E.; Tuch, P.; Pizzi, J.; Tang, M.; Alaparthi, R.; Antenucci, M.; Chew, Y.; Chinnery, C.; Cockayne, C.; Holt, R.; Loh, K.; McMullin, L.; Mulholland, G.; Nahoo, B.; Read, E.; Smith, F.; Yip, C.Y.; Hankey, G.J.; Loh, K.; Crimmins, D.; Davis, T.; England, M.; Rakic, V.; Schultz, D.W.; Frayne, J.; Bladin, C.; Kokkinos, J.; Dunbabin, D.; Harper, J.; Rees, P.; Warden, D.; Levi, C.; Parsons, M.; Russell, M.; Spratt, N.; Clayton, P.; Nayagam, P.; Sharp, J.; Grainger, K.; De Wytt, C.; McDougall, A.; Donnan, G.A.; Grimley, R.; Neynens, E.; Reinhart, B.; Ropele, S.; Schmidt, R.; Stögerer, E.; Dedeken, P.; Schelstraete, C.; Vanhooren, G.; Veyt, A.; Andre, C.; De Freitas, G.R.; Gomes, S.E.; Mok, V.C.; Wong, A.; Wong, L.K.; Cheung, R.T.; Li, L.S.; Pais, P.; Xavier, D.; Joshi, S.; Parthasaradhi, S.; Roy, A.K.; Varghese, R.V.; Kochar, K.; Panwar, R.B.; Chidambaram, N.; Rajasekaharan, U.; Bala, S.; Pandian, J.D.; Singh, Y.; Karadan, U.; Salam, A.; Shivkumar, S.; Sundararajan, A.; Joshi, R.; Kalantri, S.P.; Singh, H.; Rath, A.; Balasubramanian, N.T.; Kalanidhi, A.; Babu, K.; Bharani, A.; Choudhary, P.; Jain, M.; Agarwal, A.; Singh, M.; Agarwal, R.R.; Gupta, R.; Kothari, S.; Mijar, S.; Wadia, R.S.; Paul, S.K.; Sekhar Nandi, S.; Mehndiratta, M.M.; Tukaram, U.; Mittal, K.; Rohatgi, A.; Kumar, S.; Vinayan, K.P.; Muralidharan, R.S.; Celani, M.G.; Favorito, I.; Mazzoli, T.; Ricci, S.; Righetti, E.; Blundo, M.; Carnemolla, A.; D'Asta, A.; Giordano, A.; Iemolo, F.; Favorito, L.; Mazzoli, T.; Ricci, S.; Righetti, E.; Gresele, P.; Guercini, F.; Caporalini, R.; De Dominicis, L.; Giovagnetti, M.; Giuliani, G.; Paoletti, S.; Pucci, E.; Cavallini, A.; Persico, A.; Casoni, F.; Costa, A.; Magoni, M.; Spezi, R.; Tortorella, R.; Venturelli, E.; Vergani, V.; Caprioli, S.; Provisione, M.; Zanotta, D.; Abdullah, J.M.; Damitri, T.; Idris, B.; Sayuthi, S.; Hong, J.J.; Tan, C.T.; Tan, K.S.; Dutca, G.; Grigor, V.; Groppa, S.; Manea, D.; Achterberg, S.; Algra, A.; Halkes, P.H.; Kappelle, L.J.; Boon, A.M.; Doelman, J.C.; Sips, R.; Visscher, F.; Kwa, V.I.; Ternede, O.A.; van der Sande, J.J.; Frendin, T.; Gommans, J.; Anderson, N.E.; Bennett, P.; Charleston, A.; Spriggs, D.; Singh, J.; Bourke, J.; Bucknell, R.; McNaughton, H.; Anwar, A.; Murtaza, H.; Uddin, W.; Ismail, J.; Khan, N.U.; Navarro, J.C.; Amor, V.G.; Canete, M.T.; Lim, C.; Ravelo, E.B.; Siguenza, M.; Villahermosa, M.O.; Siguenza, M.; Canete, M.T.; Cardino, M.J.; Cenabre, R.; Gara, M.; Salas, Z.; Batac, A.; Canete, M.T.; Conde, L.; Dumdum, P.; Garcia, F.S.; Libarnes, S.; Matig-a, N.; Olanda, N.; Arcenas, R.; Canete, M.T.; Loraña, A.; Surdilla, A.; Araullo, M.L.; Lokin, J.; Maylem, G.; Marques, E.; Veloso, M.; Correia, M.; Lopes, G.; Canhão, P.; Ferro, J.M.; Melo, T.P.; Dias, A.; Sousa, A.P.; Tsiskaridze, A.; Vashadze, T.; Divjak, I.; Papic, V.; Chang, H.M.; Chen, C.P.; de Silva, D.A.; Tan, E.K.; Ranawaka, U.K.; Wijesekera, J.C.; de Silva, H.A.; Wijekoon, C.N.; Dawson, U.K.; Higgins, P.; Lees, K.R.; MacDonald, L.; McArthur, K.; McIlvenna, Y.; Quinn, T.; Walters, M.; Curless, R.; Dickson, J.; Murdy, J.; Scott, A.; Cameron, S.; Darnley, K.; Dennis, M.; Lyle, D.; Hunter, A.; Watt, M.; Watt, M.; Wiggam, I.; Murdy, J.; Rodgers, H.; Dick, F.; Macleod, M.; McKenzie, A.; Jones, P.; Jones, S.; Hussain, M.; Albazzaz, M.K.; Elliott, K.; Hardware, B.; Bacabac, E.; Martin, H.; Sharma, A.; Sutton, V.; Baht, H.; Cowie, L.; Gunathilagan, G.; Hargrove, D.R.; Smithard, D.J.; Adrian, M.; Bath, P.; Hammonds, F.; Maguire, H.; Roff, C.; Datta-chaudhuri, M.; Diyazee, K.; Krishnamoorthy, S.; McNulty, K.; Okwera, J.; Hilaire, C.; Kelly, D.; Barron, L.; James, M.; Wedge, N.; Bruce, M.; Macleod, M.; Barber, M.; Esson, D.; Ames, D.; Chataway, J.; Bulley, S.; Jenkins, K.; Rashed, K.; Dafalla, B.E.; Venugopalan, T.C.; Ball, M.; Punnoose, S.; Justin, F.; Sekaran, L.; Sethuraman, S.; Goddard, H.; Howard, J.; McIlmoyle, J.; Diver-Hall, C.; McCarron, M.; McNicholl, M.P.; Clamp, B.; Hunter, J.; Oke, A.; Weaver, A.; Fraser, P.; McAlpine, C.; Chambers, J.; Dymond, H.; Saunders, G.; Langhorne, P.; Stott, D.; Wright, F.; Adie, K.; Bland, R.; Courtauld, G.; Harrington, F.; James, A.; Mate, A.; Schofield, C.; Wroath, C.; Duberley, S.; Punekar, S.; Niranjan, K.; Sandler, D.; Krishna, P.; Moussouttas, M.; Notestine, M.A.; Slivka, A.; Vallini, D.; Hwang, T.; Saverance, M.; Booth, K.; Murphy, D.
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies suggest that raised plasma concentrations of total homocysteine might be a risk factor for major vascular events. Whether lowering total homocysteine with B vitamins prevents major vascular events in patients with previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack is unknown. We aimed to assess whether the addition of once-daily supplements of B vitamins to usual medical care would lower total homocysteine and reduce the combined incidence of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and death attributable to vascular causes in patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack of the brain or eye. METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack (within the past 7 months) from 123 medical centres in 20 countries to receive one tablet daily of placebo or B vitamins (2 mg folic acid, 25 mg vitamin B6, and 0.5 mg vitamin B12). Patients were randomly allocated by means of a central 24-h telephone service or an interactive website, and allocation was by use of random permuted blocks stratified by hospital. Participants, clinicians, carers, and investigators who assessed outcomes were masked to the assigned intervention. The primary endpoint was the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. All patients randomly allocated to a group were included in the analysis of the primary endpoint. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00097669, and Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN74743444. FINDINGS: Between Nov 19, 1998, and Dec 31, 2008, 8164 patients were randomly assigned to receive B vitamins (n=4089) or placebo (n=4075). Patients were followed up for a median duration of 3.4 years (IQR 2.0-5.5). 616 (15%) patients assigned to B vitamins and 678 (17%) assigned to placebo reached the primary endpoint (risk ratio [RR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.00, p=0.05; absolute risk reduction 1.56%, -0.01 to 3.16). There were no unexpected serious adverse reactions and no significant differences in common adverse effects between the treatment groups. INTERPRETATION: Daily administration of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 to patients with recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack was safe but did not seem to be more effective than placebo in reducing the incidence of major vascular events. These results do not support the use of B vitamins to prevent recurrent stroke. The results of ongoing trials and an individual patient data meta-analysis will add statistical power and precision to present estimates of the effect of B vitamins. FUNDING: Australia National Health and Medical Research Council, UK Medical Research Council, Singapore Biomedical Research Council, Singapore National Medical Research Council, Australia National Heart Foundation, Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation, and Health Department of Western Australia.
Growth and challenges of retail market in India
(University of Kelaniya, 2010) Yadav, S.K.; Bargal, H.; Sharma, A.; Shukla, R.; Saxena, B.; Phalke, M.; Ghune, N.
The retail sector of India has come-forth as one of the most dynamic and second fastest growing industrial economy with several players entering the market. But all of them have not yet tasted success because of the heavy initial investment that are required to break even with other companies and compete with them. India is the country having the most unorganized retail market. India’s huge middle class base and its untapped retail industry are the key attraction for global retail giants planning to enter into newer markets. This paper will includes growth of retail sector in India, strategies, strength and opportunities of retail stores, retail format in India, recent trends and opportunities and challenges. It examines consumers’ awareness and brand consciousness among people across different socio-economic group in India and witnessing of significant growth in the urban and semi-urban retail markets.
Growth of banking services of Indian economy in post-liberalization era
(University of Kelaniya, 2010) Phalke, M.; Bargal, H.; Sharma, A.; Shukla, R.; Saxena, B.; Yadav, S.K.; Ghune, N.
The banking sector plays a vital role in the development of one country’s economy. The growth of banking sector depends upon the services provided by them to the customers in various aspects. The growing trend of banking services is found significant after the new economic reforms in India. Nowadays banking sector acts as a backbone of Indian economy which reflects as a supporter during the period of boom and recession. From 1991 various trends and developments in banking sector are credited. It also reflects the various reforms were caused to improve their services to satisfy the customers. In this we also discussed the impact of bank decisions on Indian economy. Therefore, the study of growth of banking services is an attempt to focus on the performances of banking sector contributing to the economic development of India.
Impact of innovation on new product development in India
(University of Kelaniya, 2010) Ghune, N.; Bargal, H.; Phalke, M.; Saxena, B.; Yadav, S.K.; Sharma, A.; Shukla, R.
In today’s turbulent environment, continuous improvement and effective design and change have become requirement for all organizations. As a result, designing and managing organizational change has been a frequently studied topic over the last few decades. Cooperation of marketing managers with new product project managers in an organization by creating a frame work consistent with the reduction of related risk leads to the development of an organization’s product and increasing its market share. However, the innovation is a process of developing some principles for managing new product development. Approach of any organization depends on its decision-making process which affects how its business system develops and performs in the dynamic scenario. This paper considers general, but fundamental, approaches to decision-making process and innovative marketing management practices, their effects on new product development and finally its influence on business systems.
AN INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER SWITCHING INTENTION IN E-SERVICES.
(Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka, 2017) Sharma, A.; Mishra, S.S.
Customer retention has been a preferred strategic choice among marketers owing to the higher cost of customer acquisition. As a consequence, marketers have widely deployed Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to operationalize their intent and the subject has drawn significant academic attention. A dominant paradigm in academics prescribed customer satisfaction as a primary precursor to customer loyalty. But changes in business regulations across the globe and rapid technological advancement have lowered the switching barriers and thus fueling propensity to switch despite being satisfied with an existing service provider. Recent researches empirically confirm the changing reality of markets by empirically highlighting the inability of customer satisfaction as a construct to fully explain consumer switching behavior, particularly in the context of E-services wherein switching barriers are perceived to be even lower. The lack of any comprehensive study to explain the consumer switching intention in the context of E-services has been the primary motivation behind this study. The main aim of this study is to examine the role of consumer switching barrier in consumer switching behavior. This is an exploratory study and we have performed an extensive literature review followed by in-depth interviews among consumers to develop a conceptual framework. Our exploratory research indicates that besides satisfaction from core service offering, organizational antecedents such as service bundling, subscriber lock-in, asset specificity, and network value can lead to consumer switching barriers that in turn reduce switching intention. The study has important implications for theory and practice.
The Sandar (oil producers and merchants) caste: A socio-cultural and linguistic perspective
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Sharma, A.
Sandar are the traditional oil extractors and merchants of the Sri Lankan Tamil community who occupy the lower middle stratum of the caste hierarchy of Sri Lankan Tamils. There are about nine hundred families who belong to this caste living in the Jaffna peninsula at present. Even though they are scattered in different parts of the peninsula the community is mainly concentrated in two villages namely Piranpattu and Anaikoddai of the Valikamam region. They produce gingili oil and other related products as a cottage industry and market them all over the country. At the same time, they also produce coconut, neem and other types of oils on a small scale.Most caste members are economically sound since their products are in high demand. However, now several of the caste members are moving towards other professions especially in the government sector and in foreign countries in order to change the caste identity .All the caste members are Saivites but still follow the ancient forms of rural worship practices such as animal sacrifice and magic rituals. They also worship rural deities such as Vairavar and Kali. The priests in these temples are non Brahmins since they are non-agamic temples and mostly Saivitepriests(Lingayutharor Veerasaivites) or Poosaries from the same caste. Their customs, social practices and ritualsare also significantly different from other castes. The spoken language of this caste also contains certain features such as a specific vocabulary and expressions connected to their profession, rituals, religious ceremonies and social customs. The focus of this presentation is specific vocabulary used by the Sandar with reference to the situations in which the specific vocabulary is used and how the caste projects their own identity through unique rituals in the temples and at home.