bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les facteurs déterminant la publication en ligne par les gouvernements locaux des rapports sur la durabilité
Authors: Navarro Galera Andrés , Alcaraz-Quiles Francisco J. , Ortiz-Rodríguez David
Published: March 2015

Même si les organisations internationales et la littérature existante reconnaissent l’importance des rapports sur la durabilité pour les gouvernements de nos jours, certaines études révèlent que cette question n’a pas reçu l’attention qu’elle mérite et qu’elle doit dès lors être examinée de plus près. Dans le présent article, nous étudions la publication par les gouvernements locaux des informations sur les questions de durabilité, en analysant la relation entre les différents niveaux de divulgation des informations sur la durabilité et certaines variables socioéconomiques, financières et démographiques. Compte tenu du recours accru à l’Internet par les gouvernements, la méthodologie appliquée dans la présente étude consiste à analyser les sites Web de 55 grandes villes espagnoles pour y rechercher 61 éléments recommandés dans les lignes directrices de la Global Reporting Initiative. En appliquant une régression linéaire multiple, nous avons analysé l’influence de treize facteurs sur les rapports sur la durabilité publiés par ces autorités municipales. Les résultats indiquent que les informations sociales sont les plus répandues et que la population inactive a une influence positive sur la divulgation des informations sur la durabilité. Les principaux moyens d’améliorer les pratiques en matière de durabilité consistent à améliorer la divulgation des informations économiques et en matière d’environnement, par la publication de rapports formels sur la durabilité et en améliorant la coordination des informations publiées individuellement par différents départements. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Les résultats obtenus font ressortir plusieurs questions particulièrement intéressantes pour les gestionnaires. D’une part, la crise financière dans le secteur public a fait ressortir la nécessité de légitimer les actions du gouvernement. De plus, l’incidence de la variable « population inactive » sur la divulgation des informations sur la durabilité indique qu’il existe un lien important entre la structure de la population et la divulgation de ces informations, ce qui fait ressortir la nécessité de considérer l’âge de la population et son évolution au fil du temps comme la raison d’être de la création de rapports spécifiques sur la durabilité. La demande d’informations sur la durabilité de la part du public ne dépend pas du niveau d’impôts payés. Enfin, le niveau d’autonomie des gouvernements locaux n’a aucune influence sur les informations divulguées à propos de leurs engagements en matière de durabilité économique.
Les systèmes d’établissement des rapports budgétaires gouvernementaux dans l’Union européenne : De l’importance de la méthode comptable pour la fiabilité du déficit
Authors: Jorge Susana , Jesus Maria Antónia
Published: March 2015

Lorsqu’ils font rapport à Eurostat à des fins d’évaluation du déficit, les États membres de l’Union européenne suivent les règles des comptes nationaux (CN), en particulier le système européen des comptes nationaux et régionaux. Les informations déclarées proviennent cependant de la comptabilité publique (CP), c’est-à-dire des rapports budgétaires. Plusieurs adaptations s’imposent dès lors lorsque l’on traduit des données de la CP dans les CN, notamment des adaptations concernant la méthode comptable – dans certains pays, l’équilibre budgétaire de la CP est déjà basé sur la comptabilité d’exercice, tandis que dans d’autres, il est encore basé sur la comptabilité de caisse. Dans la présente étude, nous entendons analyser les adaptations qui découlent des différentes méthodes comptables adoptées dans la CP et les CN, illustrer leur diversité et leur importance, ainsi que les conséquences pour la fiabilité des déficits/excédents des États membres de l’Union européenne. Nous analysons les adaptations caisse/exercice à réaliser dans les données du gouvernement central sur la base de quelques pays de l’UE et de données extraites des notifications liées à la procédure concernant les déficits excessifs (PDE) relatives aux années 2005 à 2010. Les principales observations indiquent que les adaptations relevant de la comptabilité de caisse-d’exercice sont plus variées et sont en général importantes par rapport au déficit/à l’excédent final, dans les pays qui adoptent encore les rapports budgétaires basés sur la comptabilité de caisse dans la CP, ce qui soulève des questions concernant la fiabilité du déficit/de l’excédent dont ils font état. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Le présent article vise à mieux comprendre les différences dans les méthodes comptables dans le cadre du processus de convergence entre la CP et les CN, afin de permettre l’établissement de rapports budgétaires plus fiables et plus instructifs, d’un point de vue aussi bien local que général. Nous verrons à quel point il est important de passer d’une comptabilité de caisse à une comptabilité d’exercice, à savoir dans la comptabilité budgétaire et les systèmes d’information comptable. La diversité et l’importance des adaptations au niveau des méthodes comptables sont des points de départ importants pour la mise en place d’un cadre commun permettant de faire face à ces adaptations, et ces éléments sont à prendre en considération par les décideurs, en particulier ceux chargés de la normalisation comptable et les agences statistiques.
Les conséquences des IPSAS sur la réforme des rapports financiers du gouvernement : Comparaison internationale
Authors: Vanhee Christophe , Christiaens Johan , Manes-Rossi Francesca , Aversano Natalia , Van Cauwenberge Philippe
Published: March 2015

Depuis vingt-cinq ans, le secteur public dans beaucoup de pays est touché par d’importantes réformes du nouveau management public (NMP), notamment en faveur de la comptabilité en partie double. Face à la diversité dans les systèmes d’information financière publique, une harmonisation est devenue nécessaire, ce qui s’est traduit par l’élaboration des normes comptables internationales pour le secteur public (IPSAS). Malgré leur importance, on sait peu de choses sur le processus d’adoption des IPSAS. Dans la présente étude, nous examinons la mesure dans laquelle la comptabilité en partie double basée sur les IPSAS (ou s’en inspirant) est adoptée par les gouvernements centraux/locaux dans le monde, et tentons d’identifier les facteurs ayant une influence sur leur niveau variable d’adoption. Sur le plan méthodologique, nous avons préparé un questionnaire destiné à obtenir des informations pertinentes de la part d’experts locaux, questionnaire que nous avons envoyé à un échantillon de pays dans le monde. Notre étude fait apparaître une évolution importante en faveur de la comptabilité en partie double, et plus particulièrement de la comptabilité en partie double basée sur les IPSAS, où l’on observe encore un certain niveau d’hésitation, essentiellement au sein des gouvernements centraux, notamment dans les pays où la comptabilité en partie double s’inspirant du secteur privé s’est développée. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Les IPSAS sont devenues la référence internationale pour le développement des systèmes de comptabilité du secteur public partout dans le monde. C’est la raison pour laquelle les IPSAS méritent l’attention des décideurs dans le domaine comptable, de même que des praticiens et des chercheurs. Dans la présente étude, nous proposons une étude comparative du niveau d’adoption des IPSAS dans le monde, ainsi qu’une explication des facteurs à l’origine de la variation dans ces niveaux d’adoption. La présente étude révèle que le passage aux IPSAS nécessite une longue période de mise en œuvre, dans le cadre de laquelle la réglementation locale, basée sur la comptabilité d’entreprise, empêche les pays d’appliquer les normes internationales. Les observations explicatives aideront les réformateurs et les législateurs à concevoir et mettre au point les réformes en matière d’informations financières.
L’hybridité au cœur de la gouvernance contemporaine du risque. L’exemple de la sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire en Belgique
Authors: Schiffino Nathalie , Roane Julien
Published: March 2015

Quelles mutations et défis pour le régulateur public dans un contexte de gouvernance du risque ? Déployant le prisme analytique développé par Jacques Chevallier, la contribution propose d’examiner les mutations du rôle du régulateur public en se focalisant sur le style d’action publique et les instruments de gouvernance. Partant du constat d’hybridité observé dans l’examen du régime de régulation de la sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire en Belgique, la contribution met l’accent sur une double source d’instabilité reflétant les tensions au cœur des valeurs publiques structurant le régime de régulation. La déconstruction de cette hybridité dévoile le caractère négocié et conflictuel des valeurs sous-jacentes à l’action du régulateur public et à son évaluation. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Partant de constats effectués au cœur du régime de régulation des risques liés à la sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire en Belgique, la contribution pointe les enjeux posés aux régulateurs publics dans le contexte de la gouvernance du risque. Observant le caractère hybride de leur intervention, elle met en évidence deux sources de tension liées au style de leur action et à l’usage des instruments de régulation. S’interrogeant sur les pistes de stabilisation possibles destinées à répondre à ces tensions, trois pistes de réflexion sont pointées pour penser l’ajustement du rôle du régulateur public en soulignant l’importance transversale de l’apprentissage.
La collaboration étendue à la suite des catastrophes du 11 mars au Japon : Implications pour la gestion responsable des catastrophes
Authors: Aoki Naomi
Published: March 2015

Le 11 mars 2011, un séisme en mer d’une magnitude de 9,0 et un tsunami gigantesque venaient frapper la région de Tohoku au Japon, catastrophe qui a été suivie de la crise nucléaire de Fukushima. Malgré ces malheurs, Tohoku avance et cette expérience extraordinaire doit nous inspirer dans l’étude de la gestion responsable des catastrophes. On a assisté à un phénomène étonnant à la suite des catastrophes, à savoir l’apparition d’une collaboration étendue ( wide-area collaboration) , faisant intervenir les gouvernements national et locaux, afin d’aider les municipalités de Tohoku. Dans la présente étude, nous nous intéressons à cette collaboration dans deux domaines : l’aide sur le plan de la main-d’œuvre et le traitement des débris. Les données empiriques indiquent que l’efficacité de la collaboration étendue dépend de l’efficacité de la collaboration à la fois horizontale (interlocale) et verticale (intergouvernementale) et que la collaboration étendue devrait être ajoutée aux modèles futurs visant à prévoir l’efficacité des processus de restauration et de reconstruction. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens Il serait erroné de penser que nous ne connaîtrons plus de catastrophes de grande ampleur à l’avenir et les questions de collaboration étendue auxquelles est confronté le Japon nous amènent cette fois naturellement à nous interroger sur la façon de définir au mieux la gouvernance collaborative dans le pays. La présente étude répertorie les éléments que les décideurs doivent définir lorsqu’ils mettent en place une collaboration étendue. Nos conclusions semblent généralisables aux États unitaires sujets aux catastrophes disposant d’une gestion des catastrophes décentralisée. Notre étude indique que les systèmes décentralisés dépourvus de plan en matière de collaboration étendue peuvent être dangereux en temps de crise.
A Pediatric Practice’s Journey to Provide Care to “Healthy Babies and Children”
Authors: Benuck Irwin
Published: March 2015

In 1923, Dr. Alfred Traisman literally hung out his shingle on the corner of Clark Street and Arthur Avenue in the East Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL, and thus began over 90 years of our practice—providing care to pediatric patients in the Chicagoland area. We have witnessed many changes since those early days but what has stayed consistent is the continuity of care, the focus on the patient, and our office as the medical home. The practice has 3 generations of Traisman pediatricians and some families can actually be traced back 5 generations.[Pediatr Ann. 2015;44(3):92–96.]
Ethics in Business and Human Flourishing
Authors: Lanzerath Dirk
Published: March 2015

This chapter demonstrates the relation between business ethics and human flourishing. It argues that a business's contribution to human flourishing needs to be understood in terms of its viable options and what it makes of them as a core part of a modern civil society. Against this general background, the chapter explains the theoretical aspects of the intrinsically entwined relationship between business practice and business ethics. Successful entrepreneurship and business activities are those that can effectively recognize and cultivate this relationship. This emphasizes not only individual and entrepreneurial moral sense and reliability in economic affairs, but also incorporates an approach to business ethics that encompasses a total concept of a “good life” and its striving towards a just, civil society based on mutual responsibility.
Developing Organizational Renewal Capability in the Municipal (City) Organization
Authors: Nisula Anna-Maija
Published: March 2015

The objective of this chapter is to increase understanding and management of knowledge management in public sector organizations. In this chapter the knowledge management-based assessment and development process of organizational renewal capability is presented, and it is demonstrated in one large municipal (city) organization. The chapter thereby contributes to the discussion of the importance of organizational renewal capability and knowledge management for public organization renewal and for the performance excellence of public sector organizations in general. The development process of organizational renewal capability provides an approach and methods on how organizations can identify the current state of their renewal enabling factors and the related knowledge processes in order to initiate sustained renewal. Thereby, they can learn to utilize and manage their key knowledge processes by viewing their organization as a developing knowledge system.
We-Transparency
Authors: Bani Marco , Sgueo Gianluca
Published: March 2015

“Transparency” is a term that many speculate about. According to scholars, transparency has three inter-related aims: first, to inform citizens in a simple and understandable way on the government's decisions; second, to foster civil society participation and engagement; and, third, to monitor and to prevent corruption. Notwithstanding these shared thoughts, much has to be done in liberal democracies. The European Commission estimates that corruption costs the EU economy roughly 120 billion EUR per year. The lack of transparency is both an economic and political problem, since corruption and opaque policies may develop degenerative forms of governance, which, in turn, lessens citizens' political participation and understanding on how the governmental machine functions. This “participative deficit” is common in many Western democracies. The notion of popular empowerment, the “core of democracy,” has been diluted to the point that most citizens exercise their putative sovereignty only through periodic elections of representatives and thus have extremely limited input into political processes. This deficit is further exacerbated by the fact that elected representatives in fact embody a range of competing “interests”—party, ideological, corporate—which may or may not coincide with those of the voter. This chapter explores a new concept of transparency.
Business Ethics in the Information Age
Authors: Palmer Daniel E.
Published: March 2015

The Information Age ushered in significant transformations in the manner in which business is done. In particular, the growth of various forms of e-business, from Internet sales and marketing to online financial processing, has been exponential in recent years. Internet technologies provide businesses with the potential to more effectively distribute products and services, to more efficiently manage operations, and to better facilitate the processing of business transactions. The scope of information available to businesses using digital technologies has also radically expanded, allowing companies to better target consumers and market products. However, e-business activities can raise ethical issues as well. As such, scholars and business persons have a responsibility to be aware of the ethical implications of e-business and to promote ethically appropriate forms of e-business. The aim of this chapter is to aid in those enterprises by mapping out some of the major ethical issues connected to e-business.
Assessing Knowledge Management Processes and Competitive Advantage in Local Authorities using Knowledge Management Assessment Instrument (KMAI)
Authors: Abu Bakar Abu Hassan , Virgiyanti Wiwied , Tufail Muhammad Asim , Yusof Mohamad Nizam
Published: March 2015

For academics and professionals, knowledge management has been widely known as a core agenda and has been recognized as one of the most important sources of competitive advantage. Managing knowledge to achieve organizational performance is not only crucial for private sector institutions, but it is significant for the public sector institutions as well. Since the study of knowledge management in the public sector is still in its infancy, this study is aimed at investigating the relationship between knowledge management processes and competitive advantages in local authorities in Malaysia to raise the awareness of the importance of managing organizational knowledge, particularly in the public sector. For this study, the data was collected from selected Heads of Departments in 42 institutions of local authorities in Peninsular Malaysia and yielded 82 usable responses. The analysis suggests that all six knowledge management processes (knowledge creation, capture, organization, storage, dissemination, and application) have a strong relationship with competitive advantage. This study is expected to raise awareness and provide initial guidelines to local authorities as knowledge-intensive institutions to formulate strategies on how to manage the knowledge management processes within the organization.
The Basic Principles of Competitive Strategy
Authors: Daidj Nabyla
Published: March 2015

Firms operate in a more and more complex, dynamic, less predictable environment. This situation requires following different approaches of strategic positioning and strategic planning and developing new patterns of strategic thinking. There are several strategic models and tools. Most of them have advantages and disadvantages. In spite of these limitations, these models must be examined. The purpose of this chapter is to conduct a strategic analysis (external and internal diagnoses). It familiarizes the reader with the forces that shape competition in a company's external environment and then analyzes internal strategic capabilities for identifying strategic sustainable competitive advantage.
Knowledge Management Strategies
Authors: Alhamoudi Salwa
Published: March 2015

In an era of sweeping technological and economic change, interest in Knowledge Management (KM) and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) has grown among public administrators because these address issues of change, innovation, and environmental adaptation, all of which have been major concerns in organisation theory and practice for decades and are clearly important now as public organisations are being reinvented and reengineered. This chapter aims to investigate how do Knowledge Management Strategies influence the development of an organisation's strategies and how BSC could be used to develop Strategic Knowledge Management Balanced System (KMBS) for strategic management. The research provides a theoretical theory through linking research and literature on Strategic Management (SM), Knowledge Management (KM), and Balance Scorecard (BSC). This chapter examines the underappreciated influence of strategic Knowledge Management on performance management by using the Balanced Scorecard in the public sector.
A Matter of Justice
Authors: Dörries Andrea
Published: March 2015

A crucial aspect of a fair allocation of scarce resources in hospital is the close cooperation of hospital executives and physicians. This chapter has three aims. Firstly, it provides an analysis of basic elements of medical and hospital executives' ethics. Secondly, it discusses the role of concepts of justice in hospital decision-making. Thirdly, it reflects on process criteria and structures that might support coping with allocation conflicts in hospitals. While hospital executives mainly act according to economic, legal, and strategic considerations, physicians are traditionally obliged to professional ethics codes. These include patient welfare as the primary concern with economic aspects a secondary priority. Therefore, implementing and applying ethical principles for the allocation of scarce resources requires an ongoing constructive discourse between hospital managers and physicians. Furthermore, in order to build trust between the two stakeholders, an effective structure for solving ethical conflicts and a fair decision-making process is paramount.
The Bhagavad-Gita and Business Ethics
Authors: Muniapan Balakrishnan
Published: March 2015

The study of ancient wisdom has recently become a subject of growing interest. During the past decade we have witnessed an increase in the amount of literature on applying ancient wisdom in the context of business leadership. In the Asian context, the ancient literature from India and China is pregnant with several lessons which are relevant and useful for business leadership. Among the literature from the Indian context, the Bhagavad-Gita is one of the most popular and most cited by many scholars and practitioners in the field of business leadership. However, based on a survey of business leadership literature from the Bhagavad-Gita, very few works are found on the pressing and important topic of business ethics. Therefore, in this chapter the author attempts to explore and incorporate the ethical principles found in the Bhagavad-Gita into business leadership. In presenting the business ethics from the Bhagavad-Gita, the author has employed hermeneutics, which is a qualitative methodology used for the interpretation of ancient literatures. The Bhagavad-Gita advocates a consciousness and a spirit-centered approach to the subject of business ethics based on eternal values and moral principles that should govern the conduct of business leaders. This chapter is likely to provide insights into Indian business ethics for Western business leaders, enabling them to work more effectively with Indian business leaders in India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Western Europe and North America where there is a significant Indian population.
Using ERG Theory as a Lens to Understand the Sharing of Academic Tacit Knowledge
Authors: Van Canh Ta , Zyngier Suzanne
Published: March 2015

This chapter provides a direct view of the higher education environment in a transition economy. It reports research findings on barriers to sharing knowledge among Vietnamese academic and managerial colleagues, focusing on three factors: time, capital, and management capacity. It draws on data from focus groups and from in-depth interviews of Vietnamese members of faculty from six major universities. A key finding of this study is that work-overload leaves little time for collaborative research. Together with insufficient English skills and bureaucratic management, it contributes to measurable levels of cheating and corruption in education that in turn lead to low quality and quantity of international academic publications and of patents. This finding indicates that there is a strong link with both Existence, Relatedness, and Growth (ERG) theory and Maslow's theory of need with both the quality and quantity of international publications produced by Vietnamese academics.
Business Ethics Competencies
Authors: Cramm David , Erwee Ronel
Published: March 2015

This chapter aims to discuss the divergent views of 102 practitioners and academics about business ethics competencies and potential implications for business ethics training. It presents, first, an introduction to the nature of the misalignment between academia and industry and, second, business ethics training issues and controversies. Next, the two phases of the research, including document analysis and a survey in Canada and the US, are noted. When considering practitioner needs, potentially over- or under-emphasized competencies are identified by means of a survey to shed light on the extent of this misalignment, so that future instructional efforts can focus on increasing content considered by practitioners to be under-emphasized, while reducing the content considered to be over-emphasized. Finally, a proposed business ethics competency model is provided, as well as a comprehensive content selection model for business ethics development, designed and recommended for business ethics practitioners and academics.
In Case You Didn't Know
Authors: Bagdasarov Zhanna , MacDougall Alexandra E. , Johnson James F. , Mumford Michael D.
Published: March 2015

The case-based approach to learning and instruction has been employed across multiple disciplines, including ethics education, and advocated for its effectiveness. Despite the widespread use of cases, there remain questions regarding optimal methods for case construction and presentation in order to facilitate knowledge acquisition, ethical decision making (EDM), and the transfer of learned material. Several empirical studies were conducted over the course of three years (2010-2013) in an attempt to shed some light on these topics. This chapter's purpose is three-fold. First, it provides a brief overview of the literature regarding case development. Second, it describes the new studies in this arena with respect to ethics case construction. Third, the chapter culminates in specific recommendations for case-based ethics training for young scholars and professionals in light of the new evidence.
Super Soldiers
Authors: Lin Patrick , Mehlman Max , Abney Keith , French Shannon , Vallor Shannon , Galliott Jai , Burnam-Fink Michael , LaCroix Alexander R. , Schuknecht Seth
Published: March 2015

This is the second chapter of two on military human enhancement. In the first chapter, the authors outlined past and present efforts aimed at enhancing the minds and bodies of our warfighters with the broader goal of creating the “super soldiers” of tomorrow, all before exploring a number of distinctions—natural vs. artificial, external vs. internal, enhancement vs. therapy, enhancement vs. disenhancement, and enhancement vs. engineering—that are critical to the definition of military human enhancement and understanding the problems it poses. The chapter then advanced a working definition of enhancement as efforts that aim to “improve performance, appearance, or capability besides what is necessary to achieve, sustain, or restore health.” It then discussed a number of variables that must be taken into consideration when applying this definition in a military context. In this second chapter, drawing on that definition and some of the controversies already mentioned, the authors set out the relevant ethical, legal, and operational challenges posed by military enhancement. They begin by considering some of the implications for international humanitarian law and then shift to US domestic law. Following that, the authors examine military human enhancement from a virtue ethics approach, and finally outline some potential consequences for military operations more generally.
The Potential of Political Changes in the Information Age
Authors: Alahmed Anas
Published: March 2015

In non-democratic societies new media social networks have played a significant role in changing political and social positions, not necessarily through real life but, instead, through cyber life. This chapter examines how Saudi activists challenge the political authority and how Saudi citizens took advantage of publicity by demanding political change. All of this happened due to social networks and new media, which allowed citizens to mobilize information for the sake of transparency. This was a new phenomenon in Saudi Arabia. The current young generation of Saudis, who use the Internet and social networking sites, played a significant role in the public sphere by making use of the space available to them within cyberspace. This chapter discusses the potential of political information to flourish in Saudi Arabia. It examines how and why citizen activism in Saudi Arabia can be effective. The chapter also shows that social networking activities have the power to change political decisions and society.
Examining Trust in Collaborative Research Networks
Authors: Leadbetter Adam
Published: March 2015

Ian McHarg's “The Theory of Creative Fitting” describes the collaborative integration of data into knowledge products for use in ecological architecture developments. In McHarg's system, the provenance of data layers and trust in their creators are vital to the creation of knowledge, ideas recently described as being “urgent and relevant.” This chapter begins with these ideas and explores provenance propagation and data publication. Provenance propagation has been a topic under discussion by the World Wide Web Consortium, while data publication has been a focus of the global marine science community. From these projects, the issue of uniquely identifying individuals in a distributed, collaborative network has emerged. Possible implications of this problem are discussed, as are technical solutions to the problem. The principles described within this chapter are illustrated by examples of uncertainty propagation in chained Web Processing Service networks and data publication activities at the British Oceanographic Data Centre.
Techniques for Preparing Business Students to Contribute to Ethical Organizational Cultures
Authors: Sauser Jr. William Irvin , Sims Ronald R.
Published: March 2015

This chapter distinguishes among four corporate cultures with respect to ethics—cultures of defiance, compliance, neglect, and character—and outlines a plan for constructing an ethical organizational culture. Some proven ideas are then shared for showing business students how to contribute to such a culture. These include (a) describing how to establish an effective learning context for teaching about business ethics, (b) offering a number of practical suggestions for student assignments and experiences that can empower students to understand, appreciate, and contribute to ethical organizational cultures, and (c) explaining how to enhance experiential learning by conducting an effective debriefing session. The chapter concludes with three examples from the authors' experience illustrating how these ideas can be incorporated into programs designed to teach business students how to contribute to organizational cultures grounded in moral character.
Taxonomic significance of the abaxial lemma surface in southern African members of Helictotrichon (Poaceae)
Authors: Mashau Aluoneswi C. , Fish Lyn , Van Wyk Abraham E.
Published: March 2015

Background: Helictotrichon (excluding Amphibromus, Avenula, Helictochloa and Tricholemma), a genus of temperate C3 grasses, is represented by 14 species in southern Africa. Members of the genus are difficult to identify at species level on the basis of macromorphology alone.Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the micromorphology of the lemma surface for differentiating amongst the southern African members of Helictotrichon.Method: Lemma surfaces were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Lemmas were obtained from herbarium specimens housed in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (PRE). These were mounted on aluminium stubs using double-sided adhesive tape, sputter-coated with gold, and photographs were taken using a J840 scanning electron microscope.Results: Based on whether the lemma surface is smooth, papillate, scaberulous, scabrid or a combination of these, five groups of species are distinguished. All species, except Helictotrichon barbatum which has a smooth lemma surface, have small prickles (scaberulous). Helictotrichon leoninum, Helictotrichon quinquesetum and Helictotrichon rogerellisii have only small prickles, whilst Helictotrichon dodii, Helictotrichon hirtulum, Helictotrichon namaquense and Helictotrichon roggeveldense have, in addition, medium to large prickles (scabrid). Helictotrichon capense, Helictotrichon longifolium, Helictotrichon longum and Helictotrichon turgidulum have a combination of small prickles and papillae whilst Helictotrichon galpinii and Helictotrichon natalense have a combination of all three. A key to the groups and photos of the different types of surfaces are provided.Conclusion: The micromorphology of the lemma surface was shown to be of considerable taxonomic significance and to be extremely useful for differentiating amongst species.
Establishment of baseline haematology and biochemistry parameters in wild adult African penguins (Spheniscus demersus)
Authors: Parsons Nola J. , Schaefer Adam M. , Van der Spuy Stephen D. , Gous Tertius A.
Published: March 2015

There are few publications on the clinical haematology and biochemistry of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and these are based on captive populations. Baseline haematology and serum biochemistry parameters were analysed from 108 blood samples from wild, adult African penguins. Samples were collected from the breeding range of the African penguin in South Africa and the results were compared between breeding region and sex. The haematological parameters that were measured were: haematocrit, haemoglobin, red cell count and white cell count. The biochemical parameters that were measured were: sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, inorganic phosphate, creatinine, cholesterol, serum glucose, uric acid, bile acid, total serum protein, albumin, aspartate transaminase and creatine kinase. All samples were serologically negative for selected avian diseases and no blood parasites were detected. No haemolysis was present in any of the analysed samples. Male African penguins were larger and heavier than females, with higher haematocrit, haemoglobin and red cell count values, but lower calcium and phosphate values. African penguins in the Eastern Cape were heavier than those in the Western Cape, with lower white cell count and globulin values and a higher albumin/globulin ratio, possibly indicating that birds are in a poorer condition in the Western Cape. Results were also compared between multiple penguin species and with African penguins in captivity. These values for healthy, wild, adult penguins can be used for future health and disease assessments.
Plant poisonings in livestock in Brazil and South Africa
Authors: Penrith Mary-Louise , Botha Christo J. , Tustin Royden C.
Published: March 2015

Information on intoxication of livestock by plants in Brazil, in terms of cause, clinical signs and pathology, is compared with information on livestock poisoning by plants in South Africa. Plant poisoning, including mycotoxicosis, is considered to be one of three major causes of death in livestock in Brazil, which is one of the top beef producing countries in the world, with a cattle population of more than 200 million. Cattle production in South Africa is on a more modest scale, but with some 600 species of plants and fungi known to cause toxicity in livestock, as opposed to some 130 species in Brazil, the risk to livestock in South Africa appears to be much greater. The comparisons discussed in this communication are largely restricted to ruminants.
Distribution and impact of the alien anemone Sagartia ornata in the West Coast National Park
Authors: Robinson Tamara B. , Swart Cheruscha
Published: March 2015

Sagartia ornata is an alien anemone that occurs intertidally within the West Coast National Park (WCNP). Whilst baseline distributional data was gathered in 2001, the range and abundance of this alien has not been reassessed. The present study aimed to determine the current status and distribution of this anemone, to assess its diet so as to establish the role it may play as predator and to investigate its impact on sandy-shore communities. Sagartia ornata was found to be restricted to the WCNP, where it occurred in densities of up to 508 ± 218 individuals per m2 . Within the park the distribution of this anemone had changed. Populations were recorded in Nanozostera capensis seagrass beds for the first time and this alien was absent from two areas in which it had previously occurred. Diet analysis revealed indigenous polychaetes and amphipods as the dominant prey items consumed by S. ornata. This alien was found to significantly alter sandy-shore community structure, with differences caused primarily by increases in the abundance and biomass of the tanaid Anatanais gracilis and the polychaete Orbinia angrapequensis. Additionally, invaded areas supported significantly greater invertebrate diversity, density and biomass. It is concluded that whilst this anemone negatively affects native biota, its current dependence on restricted habitats precludes widespread impacts with the park.Conservation implications: With regard to conservation implications, this invasion should be routinely monitored outside the WCNP as in its native range S. ornata occurs on rocky shores and kelp holdfasts, suggesting a potential for spread along the west coast of South Africa.
Anything new under the sun of African Biblical Hermeneutics in South African Old Testament Scholarship?: Incarnation, death and resurrection of the Word in Africa
Authors: Masenya Madipoane , Ramantswana Hulisani
Published: March 2015

In this article, two lenses are used to engage the task of African Biblical Hermeneutics. The one lens is derived from African wisdom, i shavha i sia muinga i ya fhi?, in which there is a need for people to affirm their own roots. Drawing from the wisdom of the preceding proverb, we argue that, in their scholarship, African biblical scholars have to take seriously their own African heritage and thus do justice to their contexts rather than rely heavily on Western paradigms if their scholarship is to impact communities and also contribute towards shaping the face of biblical hermeneutics as a whole. The other lens is an analogy derived from the following events in Jesus� life: incarnation, death and resurrection. The task of African Biblical Hermeneutics has to be a three-fold process for the Bible to be �gospel� in Africa: Firstly, the incarnation of the Word � the Bible as the Other has to incarnate into African contexts for it to become an African Word. Secondly, the death of the Word � this entails a critical engagement with the Word from multiple perspectives for it to be relevant to the struggles of African people. Thirdly, the resurrection of the Word � the biblical text has to be allowed to address and transform an African person in new creative ways.
Happy? A critical analysis of salvation in Ellen Charry that portrays human flourishing as healing, beauty and pleasure
Authors: Marais Nadia
Published: March 2015

Happiness and human flourishing has increasingly, especially in American and German theological writing, become a focus in systematic theological research on creation, salvation and eschatology. The doctrine of salvation has particularly interesting (including etymological) connections with the notions of well-being and health. This paper proposes to do a critical analysis of well known American happiness theologian Ellen Charry�s portrayal of salvation, who engages with classical theology, Christian doctrine and positive psychology to reposition the notions of �happiness� and �human flourishing� within theological reflection. The art of happiness has, for Charry, to do with knowing, loving and enjoying God. In this article it will be argued that Charry�s portrayal of salvation as being �happy� shapes an understanding of flourishing that entails healing, beauty and pleasure.
Cytologic diagnosis of adrenal oncocytic pheochromocytoma in a lung cancer patient: Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Nam Anna S. , Koizumi June H. , Giorgadze Tamar
Published: March 2015

Adrenal oncocytic pheochromocytoma is an extremely rare type of pheochromocytoma. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first cytological diagnosis of this variant via fine-needle aspiration in an 81-year-old male patient who was found to have an adrenal mass while undergoing workup of the recently diagnosed lung adenocarcinoma. We describe the cytomorphologic findings in our case and provide a review of the reported cases of adrenal oncocytic pheochromocytoma – all of which appear to be benign, nonfunctional, occur in adults, and have similar morphologic features. The pathologist should be aware of this uncommon diagnostic entity and its potential diagnostic pitfalls.
Detection of pAkt protein in imprint cytology of invasive breast cancer: Correlation with HER2/neu, hormone receptors, and other clinicopathological variables
Authors: Vasou Olympia , Skagias Lazaros , Anastasia Margariti , Paulina Athanasiadou , Patsouris Efstratios , Politi Ekaterini
Published: March 2015

Purpose:

Akt is a serine/threonine protein kinase and has emerged as a crucial regulator of widely divergent cellular processes, including apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism. Activation of Akt/protein kinase B has been positively associated with human epidermal growth-factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu overexpression in breast carcinoma and a worse outcome among endocrine treated patients. The Akt signaling pathway currently attracts considerable attention as a new target for effective therapeutic strategies. We therefore investigated the relationship between activation of Akt and clinicopathologic variables including hormone receptor and HER2/neu status.

Methods:

Archival tumor tissues from 100 patients with invasive breast carcinoma were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. This study describes the results of immunocytochemical pAkt expression in breast carcinoma imprints, prepared from cut surfaces of freshly removed tumors. Both nuclear and cytoplasmic expressions were evaluated for pAkt.

Results:

Nuclear and cytoplasmic positive scores of 72% (72/100) and 42% (42/100), respectively, were found. Coexistence of nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was observed in 32 cases (32/100). Nuclear positive staining correlated with HER2/neu overexpression (P = 0.043) and was significantly associated with positive involvement of axillary lymph nodes (P = 0.013). No correlation was found between cytoplasmic pAkt rate and clinicopathological parameters, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or HER2/neu expression.

Conclusions:

pAkt expression can be evaluated in cytological material and may add valuable information to current prognostic models for breast cancer. pAkt overexpression appears to be linked with potentially aggressive tumor phenotype in invasive breast carcinoma.
Isolated Asymptomatic Metastasis in the Myocardium: A Rare Scenario in Case of Carcinoma Penis
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Parmar Kalpesh Mahesh , Singh Shivanshu , Kumar Jayant
Published: March 2015

Penile cancer is a common malignancy in developing countries. It commonly metastasizes to the lymph nodes, lung, liver, and bones. Myocardial metastasis is rare. A 40-year-old male patient presented with ulcerative growth over glans penis. Histologic evaluation of the biopsy sample diagnosed the lesion as squamous cell cancer. Assessment of the stage of the disease revealed cardiac metastasis. Patient received six cycles of chemotherapy. He partially responded, but later succumbed to cardiac failure due to pericardial and pleural effusion.
Wassel's Type V Polydactyly with Plain Radiographic and CT Findings
Authors: Mete Berna Dirim , Altay Canan , Gursoy Merve , Oyar Orhan
Published: March 2015

Duplication of the thumb is the most common polydactyly of the hand. Wassel's classification is frequently used to classify the polydactyly of the hand. His classification was based on the level of duplication and the number of bones in the thumb, and has seven groups (Types I–VII) according to the level of the bifurcation, except for his Type VII. The most common type is the bifurcation at the metacarpophalangeal joint (Type IV). In this paper, we report a very rare case of Type V thumb polydactyly in a 42-year-old man, who presented with swan neck deformity of the radial thumb and discuss the plain radiography and computed tomography (CT) findings. Kumar recently reported plain radiography findings in a case of bifid first metacarpal in a 13-year-old girl, who presented with swan neck deformity of the left thumb. To our knowledge, our case is the second presented case that has a swan neck deformity with bifid metacarpal.
Understanding Small Business Engagement in Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
Authors: Bruening Rebecca A. , Strazza Karen , Nocera Maryalice , Peek-Asa Corinne , Casteel Carri
Published: March 2015

Purpose.

Worksite wellness, safety, and violence prevention programs have low penetration among small, independent businesses. This study examined barriers and strategies influencing small business participation in workplace violence prevention programs (WVPPs).

Approach.

A semistructured interview guide was used in 32 telephone interviews.

Setting.

The study took place at the University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center.

Participants.

Participating were a purposive sample of 32 representatives of small business–serving organizations (e.g., business membership organizations, regulatory agencies, and economic development organizations) selected for their experience with small businesses.

Intervention.

This study was designed to inform improved dissemination of Crime Free Business (CFB), a WVPP for small, independent retail businesses.

Methods.

Thematic qualitative data analysis was used to identify key barriers and strategies for promoting programs and services to small businesses.

Results.

Three key factors that influence small business engagement emerged from the analysis: (1) small businesses' limited time and resources, (2) low salience of workplace violence, (3) influence of informal networks and source credibility. Identified strategies include designing low-cost and convenient programs, crafting effective messages, partnering with influential organizations and individuals, and conducting outreach through informal networks.

Conclusion.

Workplace violence prevention and public health practitioners may increase small business participation in programs by reducing time and resource demands, addressing small business concerns, enlisting support from influential individuals and groups, and emphasizing business benefits of participating in the program.