bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Tool Texture on Friction and Lubrication in Strip Reduction Testing
Authors: Sulaiman Mohd Hafis , Christiansen Peter , Bay Niels
Published: December 2016

While texturing of workpiece surfaces to promote lubrication in metal forming has been applied for several decades tool surface texturing is rather new. In the present paper tool texturing is studied as a method to prevent galling. Adopting a strip reduction test longitudinal pocket geometries oriented perpendicular to the sliding direction, with shallow pocket depth, small pocket angle to the workpiece surface and varying distance between pockets are investigated. The experiments reveal that the distance between pockets should be larger than the pocket width thereby creating a topography similar to flat table mountains to avoid mechanical interlocking in the valleys; otherwise an increase in drawing load and pick-up on the tools is observed. The textured tool surface lowers friction and improves lubrication performance provided that the distance between pockets is 2-4 times larger than the pocket width. Larger drawing speed facilitates escape of the entrapped lubricant in the pockets. Testing with low to medium viscosity oils leads to a low sheet roughness on the plateaus but also local workpiece material pick-up on the tool plateaus. Large lubricant viscosity results in higher sheet plateau roughness but also prevents pick-up and galling.
MEDIA: CAUSES AND STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME ISLAMOPHOBIA (PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY)
Authors: Istriyani Ratna
Published: December 2016

A stereotype appears and describes that Islam is the cause of a series of terror. Therefore, some states are worried and suspicious toward Muslims (Islamophobia) up to the present. Islamophobia associated with negative prejudices against Muslims and Islam, and lead to construction of anti-Islam. Prejudice is based on a claim that Islam is an inferior religion and can threat the dominant values in society. The phenomenon of Islamophobia can be assessed by two perspectives: sociological and psychological. In the case of Islamophobia, media became the object of analysis because it has the dichotomy function. They become the cause for the outbreak of Islamophobia symptoms (latent functions). On the other hand, the media is an information agent which has role to provide education and social change effects (manifest functions). Thus, the media can be an instrument or strategy to overcome the turmoil of Islamophobia by involving a synergy of government, Islamic organizations, and institutions of higher education.
ASPECT OF LANGUAGE ON A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDENT’S EVALUATION INSTRUMENT
Authors: Ismanto Ismanto
Published: December 2016

This article examined the characteristics of good student’s evaluation instrument. There are at least two requirements that must be met. Those are valid and reliable. The validity of the instrument can be seen from the instrument's ability to measure what should be measured. The fact the existence of the validity of an instrument may be a grain fill, the response process, internal structure, relationship with other variables, and the consequences of the implementation of the charging instrument. Analysis of the content is then known as content validity, i.e. rational analysis of the domain to be measured to determine the representation of each item on the instrument with the ability to be measured. Content validity is submitting pieces of blue print and items of the instrument to the experts to be analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.
Pain and Posture of Children and Adolescents Who Learn the Accordion as Compared with Non-Musician Students
Authors: Aparicio Liliana , Lã Filipa MB , Silva Anabela G
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effect of practicing the accordion on pain and posture of children and adolescent students. METHODS: Pain and posture (forward head posture, scapular posture, and lumbar lordosis) were compared between two groups of preparatory and secondary school
students, matched for age and sex: those who took accordion lessons (accordionists, n=16) and those who never studied a musical instrument (non-musicians, n=16). RESULTS: Students taking accordion lessons reported significantly more pain in the shoulder, wrist/hand, and thoracic regions (p<0.05),
showed significantly more forward head posture (accordionists, median ± interquartile distance [IQ] distance = 35.6° ± 7.8°; non-musicians = 45.3° ± 10.8°; p<0.05), and significantly increased lumbar lordosis (accordionists, median ± IQ distance
= 55.5° ± 30.6°; nonmusicians = 39.0° ± 3.9°; p<0.05). No significant differences were found for scapular posture between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that children and adolescents who play the accordion have an increased forward head posture and
lumbar lordosis and a tendency to report more pain than children and adolescents who do not play a musical instrument. Results corroborate the need for including healthy preventive teaching-learning strategies at music conservatoires.
Prevalence and Associated Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Among Spanish Music Conservatory Students
Authors: Rodríguez-Romero Beatriz , Pérez-Valiño Coral , Ageitos-Alonso Beatriz , Pértega-Díaz Sonia
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and neck and upper limb disability among music conservatory students. METHODS: An observational study in two Spanish conservatories, investigating a total of 206 students, administered the
Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, visual analog scale for pain intensity, Neck Disability Index, DASH, and SF-36. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics and musical performance variables were recorded. Regression models were performed to identify variables associated with MSP for the
four most affected anatomical regions and with neck and upper limb disability. RESULTS: The locations with the highest prevalence of MSP were the neck, upper back, shoulders, and lower back. Mild disability affected 47% of participants in the neck and 31% in the upper limbs. Mental health
(SF-36) was below the average for the general population (45.5±10.2). Women were more likely to suffer neck pain (odds ratio [OR] 1.1–5.2), lower back pain (OR 1.7–8.7), and neck disability (B 0.6–7.8). The risk for shoulder pain was higher in those who played for
more hours (OR 1.7-24.7) and lower among those who performed physical activity (OR 0.23–1.00). Disability in the neck (B –0.3) and upper limbs (B –0.4) was associated with poorer mental health (SF-36). CONCLUSION: MSP is highly prevalent in music students. Neck and upper
limb disability were slight to moderate and both were associated with poorer mental health. The main factors associated with MSP were being female, hours spent practicing, and physical activity. Physical and psychological factors should be taken into account in the prevention of MSP in student-musicians.
Lower Extremity Biomechanical Demands During Saut de Chat Leaps
Authors: Jarvis Danielle N , Kulig Kornelia
Published: December 2016

In dance, high demands are placed on the lower extremity joints during jumping tasks. The purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical demands placed on the lower extremity joints during the takeoff and landing phases of saut de chat leaps. METHODS: Thirty healthy, experienced
dancers with 20.8±4.9 yrs of dance training performed 5 saut de chat leaps. A three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data. Ground reaction force (GRF) peaks and impulse and sagittal plane kinematics and kinetics of the hip,
knee, ankle, and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints were calculated for the takeoff and landing phases of each leap. RESULTS: Saut de chat takeoffs demonstrated greater braking GRF impulse (p<0.001), while landings demonstrated greater peak vertical GRF (p<0.001). During takeoff, greater
kinetic demands were placed on the MTP (p<0.001) and ankle (p<0.001) joints, while during landing greater kinetic demands were placed on the hip (p=0.037) joint. CONCLUSIONS: Both the takeoff and landing phases of saut de chat leaps place significant demands on a dancer’s body.
Takeoff involves greater demands on the more distal joints and requires more braking forces, while the landing phase involves greater demands on the more proximal joints of the lower extremity and requires the dancer to absorb more vertical force. These demands, combined with extensive repetition
of movements during training, may contribute to the high number of chronic injuries seen in dance.
Is Alcohol Consumption Associated with Job Strain Among Professional Musicians?
Authors: Saltychev Mikhail , Vastamäki Heidi , Vastamäki Martti , Laimi Katri
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE: To assess the strength of the relationship between alcohol consumption and job strain experienced by professional musicians. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey among professional orchestra musicians (n=1,550, response rate 41%, data available for 590 respondents). The difference
between groups with and without job strain was assessed by two-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The median alcohol consumption was 48 g/wk (range 1–648, IQR 12–96). There were only 25 (4%) heavy drinkers, defined as people who consume >210 g of pure alcohol a week. The average
frequency of drinking was 2.1 times/wk (SD 2.0, range 0–7). Of the respondents, 125 (21%) reported an elevated level of job strain as defined by the responses to Job Content Questionnaire. There was no significant interaction between the effects of gender and job strain on alcohol consumption:
F(1, 586) = 0.82, p=0.365. Simple main effects analysis showed that males were consuming alcohol significantly more than females were (p=0.0005), but there were no differences between participants with elevated level of job strain compared with the rest of the sample (p=0.546). CONCLUSIONS:
The amount of alcohol consumed was not associated with the presence or absence of perceived occupational strain among professional orchestra musicians.
A Significant Upper Arm Injury Sustained While Learning Simon Preston's Alleluyas: A Proposal for Avoiding this Malady
Authors: Muller Rene J
Published: December 2016

Simon Preston’s Alleluyas is an organ solo of moderate difficulty written partly in the tonal language of Olivier Messiaen. While learning this piece, I experienced a slight discomfort in my right upper arm. A more severe pain developed later, over several weeks, and my right
hand became partially paralyzed. Full recovery took almost 2 months. … My reversible injury was caused by playing just six bars, and it may owe something to the way I “handled” this brief section, or more likely, “footed” it.
Onstage Synergy: Integrative Alexander Technique Practice for Performing Artists. By Cathy Madden.
Authors: Palac Judy
Published: December 2016

Onstage Synergy: Integrative Alexander Technique Practice for Performing Artists. By Cathy Madden. Published by: Intellect: Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, Dec 2014. 389 pp, ISBN 9781783202188.
Enhancing Students' Reaction Writing via Short Stories: A Pedagogical Perspective
Authors: Omar Ainon , Marini Mohd. Ghazali Ezatul
Published: December 2016

Studies have shown that literary texts such as short stories have been able to develop students’ interpretative skills as well as provide opportunities for students to enhance their critical thinking skills. This study aimed at investigating the use of short stories on enhancing students’ reaction writing. The purpose of the study was to look into a new method that can assist students in expressing their views and opinions about current issues. Thus, a study was conducted to investigate whether the use of short stories as an authentic material can assist students in enhancing their reaction writing. An experimental study was employed on a group of technical students. A pre-test was administered followed by treatment sessions and finally a post-test before a semi-structured interview was conducted on lecturers. The study gathered data on the lecturers’ perceptions towards the idea of incorporating literary texts in their English language lessons. The findings showed that the use of the short story had assisted students to generate ideas to write their reaction paper although a lot of guidance had to be given by the lecturer. The students as well as the lecturers were optimistic on the idea of incorporating literature in the English language course. However, the choice of literary texts needs to be carefully selected and also students’ interests and needs are taken into consideration in order for them to write their reaction paper.
Autonomous Learning for Proficiency Level İn Foreign Language Development of Graduate Students
Authors: Küçükler Halil
Published: December 2016

Also called student-centred learning, autonomous learning is a multifaceted and self-motivated study skill that relates to a change in focus in the learning environment from the teacher to the student or from teaching to learning (Taylor 2000, p. 107). Its impact on linguistic competence has been investigated over time and the two have been found to be correlated. This survey was conducted in Balıkesir University in academic years of 2014-2015. The survey analyses graduate (Master of Arts) students’ foreign language learning styles and strategies to find out to what extent they are autonomous. The aim of the study is to investigate the impacts of graduate students’ proficiency attitudes on autonomous learning in foreign language learning. Two kinds of questionnaires were administered: the first one was learner autonomy survey questionnaire developed by Zhang and Li (2004), which was administered to investigate how autonomous the participants were in learning English as a foreign language. The second one was the perceptual learning style preference questionnaire (PLSPQ), developed by Reid (1987). The two questionnaires were administered to 600 graduate students enrolled in the Institutions of Social Sciences and the Institution of Health at Balıkesir University in the academic years of 2014-2015. Only 504 graduate students responded. Then it was announced that there would be two types of English YDS preparation courses for the participants enrolled at Balıkesir University, Institute of M.A programs. 30 participants applied to join the courses. The participants are assigned to two groups, as instructed and non-instructed on voluntary bases. The study involved the YDS test that measured the performance of the control and experimental groups to find out the differences. The study involved 15 sample YDS tests that were administered after every two weeks of instructions. Before the training commenced, there were some preliminaries that were being applied to determine the advancement in the level of proficiency and the level of trainees.  The results indicate that the male graduate students from both groups performed better than the female learners. The results also reveal that the control group scored a mean of 38, 86 while the experimental group recorded 38, 06 in the first test. Throughout all tests, the experimental group only scores a few points less. The ultimate YDS (The formal Proficiency Exam) score was (control group= 48; experimental group =47), which is almost the same. There is no meaningful difference between the control and experimental group.
Top-Up Students Second Language Talk Time through Vlogs
Authors: Anil Beena
Published: December 2016

In this technological era, students need a change in everything especially in learning a subject which is considered to be a difficult one for second language learners (SLL). The advent of internet at all levels of learning in the educational arena is a boon to English teachers to improve the communicative skills of students. This paper shows how Vlog (a fusion of video and blog) to be used in an English teaching classroom to improve students’ oral communication. Vlog helps students to practice English even outside the classroom, give instant teacher’s feedback about their performance and can watch fellow students’ performance. This paper discusses how teachers and students can very easily use vlog by understanding the computer mechanism. Keywords: teaching English, communicative skills, Vlog, teacher- student collaboration
A survey of attitudes and acceptance of wastewater reuse in Iran: Shiraz City as a case study
Authors: Baghapour Mohammad Ali , Shooshtarian Mohammad Reza , Djahed Babak
Published: December 2016

People's attitudes are a key issue in the use of reclaimed wastewater. Unfortunately, there is not enough research on the use of reclaimed wastewater in developing countries such as Iran. The present study aimed to investigate public acceptance and citizens' attitudes toward reclaimed wastewater in Shiraz, Iran. A two-part questionnaire, designed to collect demographic data and information about people's willingness to reuse wastewater, was distributed among 562 citizens of Shiraz. The results showed that most respondents knew nothing about the chemical quality (67.4%) or microbiological quality (81.5%) of the wastewater treatment plant effluent. The maximum acceptance of treated wastewater use was related to public consumption (87%), car washing (85%) and flush tank (80%), respectively. The minimum acceptance was related to cooking and drinking (8%). Also, a significant correlation was observed between citizens' willingness to use reclaimed wastewater and variables such as level of education, gender, awareness of wastewater treatment process and awareness of quality of reclaimed wastewater. Shiraz citizens, like other people in the world, were less willing to use reclaimed wastewater for cooking, drinking, laundry and bathing, but their willingness was obviously greater in applications with less skin contact.
Electrochemical treatment of spent tan bath solution for reuse
Authors: Benhadji Amel , Taleb Ahmed Mourad , Djelal Hayet , Maachi Rachida
Published: December 2016

A spent tanning bath contains high concentration of salts, chromium and protein. The treatment system for removal of chlorides or chromium from this effluent is expensive. In this context this waste has to be reused. Our study focuses on the application of advanced oxidation processes for protein removal present in a tanning bath. To improve the quality of the chromium tanning bath, two electrochemical processes (electrooxidation and peroxi-electrocoagulation process, PEP) are investigated in a batch reactor. The effects of operational parameters such as reactor configuration, current density and electrolysis time on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and protein removal efficiency are examined. Results indicated that under the optimum operating range for process, the COD and protein removal efficiency reached 53 and 100%, respectively. The optimum values are determined for the hybrid process (PEP) under 0.13 A·cm−2 over 2 h. The treated tanning bath is used as a tanning solution in leather processing. The influence of chromium salt dose, pH solution, stirring time and contact time on the leather characteristic is evaluated. The hides tanned after the addition of 0.25% of commercial chromium salt, at pH solution, leaving them stirring for 4 h with a contact time of 2 days, and showed good hydrothermal stability and physical characteristics of leather.
Experimental study on the effect of temperature and flux conditions on moisture distribution in vadose zone soil
Authors: Wang Jinguo , Zheng Hu
Published: December 2016

Moisture distribution in vadose zone soil is the most important parameter for land productivity and vegetation status of ecological systems, and is sensitive to temperature variation. In this study, laboratory scale tests were conducted to determine the effect of temperature on variation in moisture distribution in covered and uncovered conditions. The results indicated that soil moisture from 2.65 to 20 cm was positively correlated with temperature and temperature gradient, and the top 2.65 to 5 cm was dramatically influenced by temperature changes in both covered and uncovered conditions. The moisture content when temperature was increasing was higher than that when temperature was decreasing for the same temperature, when the film covered the top of the soil column. In contrast, the moisture content when temperature was increasing was lower than when the temperature was decreasing for the uncovered soil column. The difference between treatments was not maintained as soil depth increased.
Energy, cost and design aspects of coarse- and fine-bubble aeration systems in the MBBR IFAS process
Authors: Sander S. , Behnisch J. , Wagner M.
Published: December 2016

With the MBBR IFAS (moving bed biofilm reactor integrated fixed-film activated sludge) process, the biomass required for biological wastewater treatment is either suspended or fixed on free-moving plastic carriers in the reactor. Coarse- or fine-bubble aeration systems are used in the MBBR IFAS process. In this study, the oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) of a coarse-bubble aeration system was improved significantly by the addition of the investigated carriers, even in-process (∼1% per vol-% of added carrier material). In a fine-bubble aeration system, the carriers had little or no effect on OTE. The effect of carriers on OTE strongly depends on the properties of the aeration system, the volumetric filling rate of the carriers, the properties of the carrier media, and the reactor geometry. This study shows that the effect of carriers on OTE is less pronounced in-process compared to clean water conditions. When designing new carriers in order to improve their effect on OTE further, suppliers should take this into account. Although the energy efficiency and cost effectiveness of coarse-bubble aeration systems can be improved significantly by the addition of carriers, fine-bubble aeration systems remain the more efficient and cost-effective alternative for aeration when applying the investigated MBBR IFAS process.
Heterogeneous selenite reduction by zero valent iron steel wool
Authors: Li Ziyan , Huang Donglin , McDonald Louis M.
Published: December 2016

Mine drainage from the low-sulfur surface coal mines in southern West Virginia, USA, is circumneutral (pH > 6) but contains elevated selenium (Se) concentrations. Removal of selenite ions from aqueous solutions under anoxic condition at pH 6–8.5 by zero valent iron steel wool (ZVI-SW) was investigated in bench-scale kinetic experiments using wet chemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). ZVI-SW could effectively and efficiently remove SeIV from solution with pH 6–8.5. A two-step removal mechanism was identified for SeIV reduction by ZVI-SW. The proposed mechanism was electrochemical reduction of SeIV by Fe0 in an initial lag stage, followed by a faster heterogeneous reduction, mediated by an FeII-bearing phase (hydroxide or green rust). Solution pH was a critical factor for the kinetic rate in the lag stage (0.33 h−1 for pH > 8 and 0.10 h−1 for pH 6–8). The length of lag stage was 20–30 min as determined by the time for dissolved FeII concentration to reach 0.30 ± 0.04 mg L−1 which was critical for induction of the faster stage. About 65% of the initial SeIV was reduced to Se0, the primary reductive product in both stages.
Front Matters
Authors: - (Cover, Foreword, Table of Contents)
Published: December 2016

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Back Matters
Authors: - (Indexes, Biography, Author Guidelines)
Published: December 2016

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Developing formative authentic assessment instruments based on learning trajectory for elementary school
Authors: Surya Anesa , Aman Aman
Published: December 2016

This research aims to (1) develop research formative authentic assessment instruments based on learning trajectory that is eligible for the fourth grade students of elementary schools; and (2) develop formative authentic assessment instruments based on learning trajectory that is effective for the fourth grade students of elementary schools. This developmental study refers to the model developed by Borg Gall. The developmental design was grouped into four development procedures, consisting of: (a) Exploration, (b) development of the draft/prototype, (c) product testing and revisions, and (d) final validation. The experimental subjects are some pilot project elementary schools which used Curriculum 2013 in Ngawi Regency. The data were collected using interview guides, documentation, assessment sheets of the product instrument of authentic assessment, observation sheets of the students, achievement test, questionnaire responses of teachers and students. The data of the instrument reliability were analyzed in terms of item discrimination and item difficulty, and the agreement index was employed for the reliability of the instrument. The research finding reveals that the research instrument in terms of attitude assessment, assessment of knowledge and skills according to subject-matter experts and experts in evaluation is categorized as ‘very good’. The results of the item discrimination analysis show that nonnegative and item difficulties  range from easy to hard. The formative authentic assessment instruments are categorized as ‘reliable’ by the agreement index of ≥ 0.75.
Separation index and fit items of creative thinking skills assessment
Authors: Pada Andi Ulfa Tenri , Kartowagiran Badrun , Subali Bambang
Published: December 2016

This article discusses the evaluation results of the separation index and fit item of creative thinking skills assessment that supports the conation aspect of prospective biology teachers in Aceh. This assessment consists of 37 items of divergent tasks, which is the application of human physiology courses that support the conation aspects. The participants were selected from the Biology Education Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Syiah Kuala University. The data were analyzed using the Quest software including the separation index and fit item. The results indicate that the creative thinking skills assessment instrument that supports the conation aspect of prospective biology teachers has a good separation index and all the items fit PCM-1PL.
An etnographic study of elementary education in the rural area of Dompu county, the province of West Nusa Tenggara
Authors: Nurrahmah Nurrahmah , Zamroni Zamroni , Sumarno Sumarno
Published: December 2016

The study aims to describe: (1) public service for elementary education in rural areas; (2) the meaning of education and the implementation of elementary education in the people of rural areas; and (3) the life and meaning of poverty for people of rural areas. The study was etnographic research. The subjects were the providers and users of educational service. The research concludes that: (1) educational service in rural areas has not been coordinated and integrated both vertically and horizontally, so that the service elements have not been maximum in providing educational service; (2) the implementation of education is influenced by the surrounding environments (policy, community, and nature) so that its condition or the problems emerging in the lower level is a reflection of that in the upper level. People in rural areas regard education as a symbol of profession and self-actualization within the children’s selves in order that the children would show respect to their parents, would not destroy the nature, have noble characteristics and be smart persons for their own sake in the future; (3) physically people in rural areas might be described as a community that lacks facilities including transportation, highway systems, water, electricity, and market for trading the harvest. On the other hand, mentally, people in rural areas might be described as a community that is fond of having aids, enjoys the final products, is lazy and dependent on the nature. People in rural areas regard their poverty based on physical indicators (the possession of luxurious goods, rice fields, livestock, income, and housings) and non-physical indicators (the dependency on the nature and absence of education).
Model of affective assessment of primary school students
Authors: Syamsudin Amir , Budiyono Budiyono , Sutrisno Sutrisno
Published: December 2016

This study aims to develop an instrument of affective assessment to measure the social competence of elementary school students in the learning process in schools. This study used the development model of Borg Gall’s approach which was modified into five phases, including the need analyses, developing draft of the product conducted by experts, developing an affective assessment instrument, trying out the affective assessment instrument conducted by teachers of primary education in Yogyakarta, and the dissemination and implementation of the developed affective assessment instrument. The subjects were elementary school students whose school implemented Curriculum 2013 in the academic year of 2013/2014. The validity and reliability of each construct of the affective instrument were established using the PLS SEM Wrap PLS 3.0 analysis program. The study finds the following results. First, the construct of Honesty, Discipline, Responsibility, Decency, Care, and Self-Confidence in the limited, main, and extended testing has been supported by empirical data. Second, the validity of Honesty, Discipline, Responsibility, Decency, Care, and Self-Confidence in the limited, main, and extended testing meets the criteria above 0.70 for each indicator of the loading factor and the criteria below 0.50 for each indicator score of the cross-loading factor. Third, the reliability of Honesty, Discipline, Responsibility, Decency, Care, and Self-Confidence in limited, main, and extended testing meets the criteria above 0.70 for both composite reliability and Cronbach’s alpha scores. Fourth, the number of indicators at preresearch was 53, and 10 indicators were rejected in the limited testing, and four indicators were rejected in the main testing, and one indicator was rejected in the extended testing.
Validity and reliability of pre-class reading tasks for waves and optics (PRT-WO)
Authors: Faralina Asrab Ali Nur , Kadri Ayop Shahrul , Yap Abdullah Nurul Syafiqah
Published: December 2016

This study aims to produce a valid and reliable instrument in preparing students prior to class at university level of introductory Waves and Optics course. The instrument so called Pre-class Reading Task for Waves and Optics (PRT-WO) was used to probe students’ knowledge acquired through targeted reading activities. In practice, PRT-WO was given in a series before actual face-to-face class as a reading assignment. PRT-WO was content validated through expert review which was analyzed using the interrater reliability Cohen’s kappa. An item analysis was done to identify inappropriate items further evaluated using the reliability test of Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR20). The finding reveals that the value of kappa is 0.66 and the value of KR20 is 0.68, indicating that the developed instrument is valid and reliable.
The Development of the Chinese Public Administration Society
Authors: Guo Ji , Zhang Mengzhong
Published: December 2016

It has been 13 years since the Chinese Public Administration Society (CPAS) was founded in October of 1988. The path of development of CPAS has been closely associated with the new era of China's opening and reform policy. It has furthered the practice of public administration and its development as an emerging academic discipline. A review of the history and present situation of CPAS will not only help readers understand CPAS better, but also understand better the development of administrative science in contemporary China. The development of CPAS mirrors the development of the Chinese public administration community.
From "Danwei" Society to New Community Building: Opportunities and Challenges for Citizen Participation in Chinese Cities
Authors: Yang Kaifeng
Published: December 2016

Exploring the appropriate role of the public in public administration has been an active and ongoing area of inquiry and experimentation since the birth of the United States (King, Feltey and Susel 1998). Especially in last three decades, public administration has struggled to bring the public into the administrative process in the recognition that many programs cannot be effective without the collaboration between citizens and public administrators.
Book Reviews: The Relationship between Centralization and Decentralization and the Rise and Decline of a Country
Authors: Wang Huiyan
Published: December 2016

The division of power and authority between central and local governments has been a key issue about which many scholars have shown great concern. In political and administrative science, it is a theoretical and practical issue of great significance. Since the Third Plenary Meeting of the 11th National Congress of the Chinese Commnity Party (CCP) Central Committee, China has established and carried out a policy of reform and openness that has set China on the fast lane of economic growth and brought about great change. One of the most important components of the reforms of the political, administrative, and economic systems is the transfer of power to lower levels and the adjustment of authority relations between governments. In the 21st century, the development and perfection of the socialist market economic system requires further adjustment of power and a scientific, rational distribution of authority between central and local governments. Further systematic research in this area is of great theoretical and practical significance.
Numerical Games and Officials’ Achievements
Authors: Ma Qingyu
Published: December 2016

This case study describes the conditions under which some local Chinese officials may use annual statistics work as overstate their achievements in order to earn praise and promotions.

a county-level city in Hubei province of China, reported that the average income of its villagers steadily since 1996. For this the county officials were praised and rewarded time and again. But behind this achievement the plot of stretching the veracity of the numbers.

This paper examines weaknesses in the system that have permitted the official to falsely report the statistics: AgricuItural data is not derived from an independent agency: the measure of economic growth in the countryside is too closely measure of the achievement of the government officials; and the present political system is ore of excessive cen- keeping the professional future of the local officials under (he control of the more senior leaders, as opposed to the common people who have elected them. These there factors have worked together to create a numbers game in Dan City.
Costs, Benefits, and Motivations for ISO 14001 Adoption in China and Around
Authors: Raines Susan Summers , Rong Tan , Fei Xu
Published: December 2016

In an attempt to overcome barriers to trade posed by numerous and often contradictory national-level enveironmental requirements, the International Orgnaization for Standardization (ISO) has created a voluntry set of uniform environmental management system guidelines for firms, formally known as ISO 14001. Firms may decide to implement an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) and become third-party certified in order to improve their environmental management and to increase their marketability. This study examines the relative costs, benefits, and motivations for ISO 14001 certification for China compared to other economically developing and developed countries. These comparisons allow us to better understand the ways in which the unique economic and political conditions within China affect the incentives for Chinese firms to join in voluntary self-regulatory measures. Survey results indicate that ISO 14001 certified firms in China and experiencing benefits equal to or greater than their peers in other countries. Benefits to environmental management appear to be significant and they generally outweigh the costs of implementation and certification. However, as with most voluntary standards, the potential for abuse remains. Therefore regulators and policy makers are advised not to grant regulatroy relief or reduced inspections except on a case-by-case basis.
On MPA Education Engineering in China
Authors: Xu Xiaolin
Published: December 2016

MPA education engineerin is the process of utilizing technological teaching and systematic evaluation, and is characterized by applied teaching subjects ad practical classroom education. The essential ways to actualized MPA education engineering: role simulation, practical teaching, case study, on-the-job training, etc.
Government matters more than ever: Toward respect for government in an increasingly privatized world
Authors: Hamilton Mary R.
Published: December 2016

This article argues that, in our raplidly changing, increasingly complex world, government matters. It always has and arguably now matters more than ever largely because of the context within we live - a context in which more than two decades of government bashing have taken their toll on pride and capacity in public service, leaving an emasucilated public sector to deal with the immense challeges of today's world. To make this argument the historical shifts of perspective on government and the marketplace are described along with the changes occuring so rapidly in our world. Second, the impact of the recent shift to a pro-marketplace bias and the impacts of globalization, interdependence and increased tribalism on governments and on public administration are described. Finally, some key challenges facing public administration as a result of these changes are discussed.
Local government reform in the People's Republic of China: Stipulations, Impact, Cases and Assessment
Authors: Lan Zhiyong
Published: December 2016

This paper traces the locus of China's local government reforms in recent years. It discusses their impact and searches for future directions for further changes. The author argues that China's local government reforms may have come a long way, but what happens next will be more important in determining whether China's local government reforms will enjoy lasting success.
On the nature of public policy
Authors: Huang Renzhong
Published: December 2016

Based upon an analysis of different academic views on public policy, this article points out the deficiency of each, especially David Easton's view of "allocation of values." Through the analysis of solutions to public problems, this article concludes that the nature of public policy is government, which takes governmental interests and public interests into consideration, and chooses to reduce either objetive difference or subjective differences in order to solve public problems effectively and in a timely manner. Public policy can directly adjst social interest relations to reduce objective difference by exercising three positive fuctions - production, allocation, and exchange of public interests. It can further set public interests and merely mitigate public dissatisfaction, or reduce subjective difference by reducing or diverting public expectations. Furthermore, governmetn must guard and restrain public policy's inherent negative consumption fuction of public interests.
Identifying best-practices: A Monte Carlo evaluation of quantile regression
Authors: Wu Jiannan
Published: December 2016

The area of best practice research has only recently begun to embrace statistically based comparisons as a basis for identifying recommended practices. In part motivated by growing interest in performance measurement activities these new approaches hold significant potential for improvin our ability to identify and utilize true best practices. Unfortunately, little has been done to study how to apply statistical methods to this task appropriately. In this paper a Monte Carlo evaluation is developed to demonstrate that how Quantile Regression methods can be used to identify best practice. After a brief literature review and a summary of the Quantile Regression technique, the paper develops a specific monte carle simulation design based on statistical situations with varying numbers of high, medium and low performing organizations. Next, we apply quantile regression to the simulated data and attempts to develop some reasonable guidance about how to apply quantile regressions to real world data. The results demonstrate that quantile regression can accurately estimate different models for different types of organizations (e.g. high and low performing) and should be considered as an effective tool for the empirical study of these practices when samples of similar organizations are available. As an order based statistical estimation approach, it also has the virtue of being more robust than typical moment apporoaches.
Disciplinary rationale and public administration field development
Authors: Lan Zhiyong
Published: December 2016

Public Administration as a field o study is relatively new in the People's Republic of China. Nonetheless, it is quickly gaining popularity on China's university campuses, due largely to China's urgent need for managerial capacity building and reform guidance. Properly defining the mission of the discipline of public administration will have a profound impact on the future viability of the field, as well as on the process of social transformation in China. This paper looks into some of the basic questions related to public administration field development in China. Hopefully, it can contribute to discussions among interested scholars, and serve as a reference for public administration curriculum design and research agenda setting.
Rural land policy of China: Invesitigation and speculation
Authors: Hu Xiangming
Published: December 2016

The transformation of land policy, or land system reform, has been the key issue in rural economic reform in China. Based on a practical investigation, this essay proposes to analyze the system orientation and performance diversities of the types of land-use systems under the new rural policies in China: the household responsibility contract system (with remuneration linked to output), the two-field system, the operation of scale management, the auction of the Four Sorts of Wasted Land tenure, and the cooperative shareholding system. The essay brings forward specifically the two points of policy design in the current land policy in China: (a) building up farmers' expected briefs in land use and (b) appropriate collocation of land resources. which are significant in advancing the reform of the land property rights system and cultivatin the land property rights market.
An informal institutional analysis of policy implementation hindrances in China
Authors: Ding Huang
Published: December 2016

As the lever by which public authorities regulate social affairs, public policy must function through its implementation. The effectiveness of policy-implementation is affected by many factors, but it fundamentally depends on the institution. For people's behaviors are governed by institutions, and public policy is implemente by people. According to the theory of New Institutionalsim, institutions consist of both formal and informal institutions. Based on the theory's explanation of the constratins placed on people's behavior by informal institutions, this paper will explore how informal institutional factos prevent public policies from effective implemetnation in China, specifically interpersonal relations and the consideration of faces. We must eliminate the negative impacts of informal institutional factors on policy implementation through enforcing hearings, coordinating policies, publicizing policies, strengthening supervision and betterign ideologies.
How business influences government policy in China
Authors: Gao Yongqiang
Published: December 2016

Although the Chinese corporate sector is deeply involved in the political process, there has been very little research on the topic so far. This article tries to identify the approaches by which Chinese firms influence government policy decision-making, in order to maintain a favorable business environment. Our analysis indicates that, due to the differences in culture and political and economic systems, there are correspondingly great differences in approaches to political participation in Chian and the west. For China, the participation of business in the policy process has led to corruption and other serious problems.
Endogenous economic growth in China
Authors: Tan Qingshan
Published: December 2016

China has enjoyed spectacular economic growth over the past twenty years or so. However, Chinese regional economic development has relied on forein direct investment, export-oriented industralization, and other traditional growth models. While China can perhaps continue to rely on exports, cheap labor, and a huge domestic market for foreing invetment for some time to come, sooner or later the question will arise: How long can China sustain economic growth based on her current strategies?We propose in this article the endogenous growth model as an alternative and long-term growth strategy, and focus largely on its treatment of knowledge as an independent factor of production in Chinese regional economies. This article thus proposes a new institutional framework defined as a trilateral commission. The commissioners are designed to advise and enhance communication between local and regional government leaders and administrators on knowledge-based collaboration and coordination among business, government, and the research community, as well as on the issue of knowlege generation and utilization.
The feasibility study of government performance management of China
Authors: Xu Shuangmin
Published: December 2016

Government performance management is a scientific management method that combines process management with outcome management, and it is focused primarily on civil servants. The difficulties of government performance management derive from the unique status and interests of government, distinct from those of business: government is nonprofit, in most cases has a monopoly, and is concerned with public welfare. Other problems in govrnment performance management stem from the existence of the peculiar "pseudo-adaptation," the lack of a self-control drive and that relentless pursuit of maximized efficiency of administrative organization, resulting in whtat is know as "state evil." However, with the requirements of our new status in the WTO to deepen economic system reforms, reverse "financial deficit" and combat corruption in the Party and the State. China will surely institutie a multi-level open performance management method, based on the successful reform.
Balance Values, Pressures, and Demands: Strategies for Public Administration in Hong Kong and China
Authors: Huque Ahmed Shafiqul
Published: December 2016

Hong Kong, as a part of the People’s Republic of China, has been experiencing new challenges since 1997. The reintegration of capitalist Hong Kong within the socialist framework of China was resolved with the innovative concept of “one country, two systems.” The application of the system has met with some problems, but the advent of globalization and its demands have imposed new and more formidable challenges. This article examines the challenges of globalization from the perspective of Hong Kong as a unit of China. The key argument is that Hong Kong has long been prepared for dealing with the routine problems of management, internationalization and development of human resources. However, operating as a unit of the Chinese political and administrative system entails a different set of challenges. These include a comprehensive understanding China’s place in the world system, dealing with internal issues, and developing a system and public service that can strike a balance between the local and international demands. A series of reforms have been initiated, but their impact is not clear yet and further changes are required to integrate Hong Kong as an effective component of the system for improving governance in China. The main challenges lie in striking a balance between the values of traditional public administration and new public management, between local and national interests, between external and internal pressures for change, and between demands from the society for service the and capacity of the government to respond.