bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latin Rhetoric
Authors: Gaines Robert N.
Published: November 2017

This bibliography is designed to provide a structured list of materials relevant to the study of Latin rhetoric in ancient times. In Rome, rhetoric was the art of making persuasive discourse, and its pursuit typically involved the mastery of rhetorical principles and the application of political speaking. Accordingly, the general subject of the bibliography is Latin rhetorical theory and oratorical practice. The period covered in the bibliography is 300 bce to 430 ce. These boundaries—at their outer extremes—are designed to include the earliest oration for which we have a date during the Roman republic (On King Pyrrhus by Appius Claudius Caecus, delivered around 280 bce) as well as the latest theory of Latin speaking that might be called ancient (Teaching Christianity by Saint Augustine, completed in 428 ce). The materials included in the bibliography are organized under headings, and these headings are ordered into three groups. In the first group there are four headings: General Overviews, Reference Works, Encyclopedias, and Handbooks and Companions. These headings cover materials of broad interest that allow users to orient themselves to Latin rhetorical scholarship and to answer questions—from simple to very complex—without consulting primary sources. In the second group there are three headings: Rhetorical Theory, Oratorical Discourse of the Republican Era, and Oratorical Discourse of the Imperial Era. Together these three headings organize a basic collection of the primary and secondary sources that make original research possible on Latin rhetoric. Subheadings under these headings are generally categories of authors or texts, and citations typically refer to Latin primary sources, modern language translations, and interpretive scholarship—including commentaries and scholarly books or essays—related to primary sources. This group of headings is designed principally for users who are undertaking research on Latin rhetoric. The final group of headings includes Rhetoric and Education, Rhetoric and Politics, Rhetoric and Literature, and Influence of Latin Rhetoric. These headings comprise scholarship on the interactions of Latin rhetoric with particular aspects of society and culture during ancient times and in subsequent eras. This group of headings offers aid to users who wish to explain historically situated events and artifacts that are related to, but lie outside the narrow sphere of, Latin rhetorical theory and oratory.
Early Years Professionalism and Professionalization Policies in England
Authors: Chalke Joy
Published: November 2017

The quality of provision in early childhood education and care (ECEC) is directly linked to the discussion of professionalism in the workforce and is a topic for debate not only in England but also internationally. It is explored particularly in the Westernized nations of the world and is commented upon by international organizations such as Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The debate often revolves around what makes an early years professional, what professionalism means for ECEC, and who is constructing the professional practitioner. Each country has its own early years culture, history, and policy perspectives that have influenced the arguments, developments, and current shape of the workforce, and therefore are worthy of looking at in individual contexts as well as exploring the wider debate. English government policy since the late 20th century has regularly situated the workforce as one in need of professionalizing, an approach that fails to recognize the rich resources of experience and practice that exist in many areas of ECEC. This discourse is also reflective of the problems of low status and wages endemic across the sector that work against identifying ECEC as a professional career path. England’s approach to professionalization in this period has forefronted a “technicist” construction of a professional that has equated the acquisition of a certain set of skills, often linked to a qualification, to a demonstration of professionalism. It can be thought of as a way of “performing” professional practice that can be judged by meeting an external set of standards. Each step in the process of change of statutory requirements and new directions of travel has happened rapidly with little opportunity to be embedded and be evaluated before a new change has been promoted. The early years workforce have therefore had to become extremely resilient in the process, which to date, has not effectively resolved the issues of who, or what, determines the wider understanding of early years professionalism. Throughout these changes, the underlying technicist debate has been contested and challenged, in relation to levels of qualification and also the skills, knowledge, and dispositions those qualifications can effectively assess. The academic community has challenged the policy rhetoric arguing for different ways of thinking about professional identity and suggesting that the workforce itself needs to be much more effectively involved in the process.
Five easy-to-master uses for point-of-care ultrasound
Authors: Fuller Fritz , Norman Francisco
Published: November 2017

Clinicians are increasingly becoming familiar with the value of limited, focused point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) to help answer discrete clinical questions. Ultrasound education is being taught in medical schools and physician assistant (PA) and PA postgraduate programs nationwide. This article introduces five basic POC ultrasound scans that can easily be mastered by practicing PAs.
Publishing Trends in Otology and Neurotology
Authors: Boerner Ryan , Hatch Jonathan L. , Harruff Elizabeth , Nguyen Shaun A. , Rizk Habib G. , Meyer Ted A. , Lambert Paul R. , McRackan Theodore R.
Published: November 2017

Objectives:

1) Describe publishing trends for otologic/neurotologic disorders over a 35-year span. 2) Compare trends in publishing with disease prevalence. 3) Evaluate changes in topic and journal specific ranking scores over time.

Methods:

PubMed searches were performed on 35 otologic/neurotologic disorders using medical subject headings (MeSH) terms from 1980 to 2015. Searches were limited in scope to the English language. A Mann–Kendall trend analysis evaluated changes in publication frequency as a discrete variable while correcting for total number of articles published per year. Scopus was used to identify SCImago Country and Journal Rank (SJR) indicator scores and weighted-averages used to calculate changes over time.

Results:

The total number of publications on the 35 topics increased from 853 in 1980 to a peak of 3,068 in 2013. Otitis media (τ = −0.799, p < 0.001) and Menière's disease (τ = −0.724, p < 0.001) showed strong decreasing publication trends. Temporal bone encephaloceles (τ = 0.743, p < 0.001) and cochlear implants (τ = 0.740, p < 0.001) showed strong increasing publication trends. Rapid rise in publications on superior canal dehiscence and vestibular migraine illustrate novel diagnoses. The weighted-average SJR score increased from 0.816 in 2000 to 1.160 in 2015 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

This study displays trends in the literature over the past 35 years that are often inconsistent with common disorders seen by otologists/neurotologists. Certain diagnoses that are currently being researched less commonly continue to impact patients with the same regularity. Quality of otologic/neurotologic literature has become more reputable with regards to SJR scores.
Diverse correlations between fibrosis-related factors and liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lin Ziyu , Liang Jing , Zhu Jianyun , Hu Chaoxia , Gu Yurong , Lai Jing , Zheng Yubao , Gao Zhiliang
Published: November 2017

Background

Several fibrosis-related factors influence liver stiffness measurements (LSM); however, these changes have not been investigated in the context of the various disease stages of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between fibrosis-related factors and LSM in different disease stages of CHB.

Patients and methods

Patients with mild CHB (n=305) and cirrhotic hepatitis B (cirrhotic HB) (n=137) were compared with determine the relationship between LSM and fibrosis-related factors including parameters of liver inflammation [aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin (Tbil)], albumin, globulin, peripheral blood cells (neutrophil granulocytes, red blood cells, platelets), abdominal ultrasound B-scan parameters including right liver thickness, portal vein inradium, diameter of spleen (DS), thickness of spleen (TS), and splenic vein inradium (SV).

Results

In patients with mild CHB, LSM was correlated strongly with ALT (r=0.3534, P<0.0001), AST (r=0.3976, P<0.0001), and ALT+AST (r=0.3760, P<0.0001). LSM was correlated closely with Tbil (r=0.2237, P<0.0001), albumin (r=−0.3126, P<0.0001), albumin/globulin (r=−0.3086, P<0.0001), SV (r=0.3317, P<0.0001), DS (r=0.4157, P<0.0001), and spleen volume (DS×TS) (r=−0.4399, P<0.0001). Red blood cells were correlated negatively with LSM in both mild CHB and cirrhotic HB patients (r=−0.1981, P=0.0203; r=−0.1593, P=0.0053). LSM was not correlated with age, peripheral blood cell parameters, right liver thickness, portal vein inradium, or TS in mild CHB or cirrhosis HB patients. However, in patients with cirrhotic HB, LSM values were not correlated significantly with other fibrosis-related factors, except for Tbil (r=0.2272, P=0.0076).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the magnitude of these correlations differs significantly between mild CHB and cirrhotic HB patients.
Medication Errors Involving Nursing Students
Authors: Asensi-Vicente Javier , Jiménez-Ruiz Ismael , Vizcaya-Moreno M. Flores
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the available empirical evidence on prelicensure nursing students’ medication errors. A systematic literature review of original research publications was carried out. After the selection process, only 19 articles complied with all the requirements for inclusion in this review. The findings showed that few studies to date have analyzed errors and near misses involving nursing students, and the current evidence suggests that the incidence of them is high.
The Great Mimicker
Authors: Amaratunga Thelina , Millo Noam , Gordon Vallerie , Blcamumpaka Cyrille , Yan Yi , Sparkes Stephanie , Goubran Ashraf
Published: November 2017

Meig syndrome is the triad of benign ovarian tumor, ascites, and pleural effusion. Pseudo-Meig syndrome mimics the Meig syndrome triad; however, in pseudo-Meig syndrome, the ovarian tumor usually represents a primary malignancy or metastases. Differentiating Meig from pseudo-Meig syndrome is challenging both clinically and with diagnostic imaging but is important because prognoses for these distinct entities are drastically different. Evidence-based sonographic prediction models are valuable because they can aid in this distinction. Here, we present the first reported case of pseudo-Meig syndrome secondary to large, bilateral Krukenberg tumors of unknown origin, in a gravid 30-year-old woman at 24 weeks' gestation, discovered initially by ultrasound.
Cranioplasty With Mandibular Outer Cortex Bone Grafts
Authors: Sun Jiaming , Chen Hongbo , Wang Jiecong
Published: November 2017

Background:

Autologous bone grafts are still the best materials for calvarial reconstruction. In the past, rib, iliac crest, and cranial bone have been used for the reconstruction of the calvarial defects. However, the use of mandibular outer cortex bone graft in calvarial defects reconstruction is poorly reported in literature. This study focused on using the mandibular outer cortex bone grafts for calvarial defects.

Methods:

From October 2004 to July 2016, there were a total of 13 patients in this study who underwent cranioplasty with mandibular outer cortex bone grafts to reconstruction calvarial defects. All the patients were followed up for at least 6 months.

Results:

The majority of the patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcome.

Conclusion:

The authors consider the mandibular outer cortex bone graft can achieve excellent esthetic results in selected cranioplasty reconstructions.
Facial Anthropometric Evaluation of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: Infancy Through Adolescence
Authors: Dehghani Mahboobe , Jahanbin Arezoo , Omidkhoda Maryam , Entezari Mostafa , Shadkam Elaheh
Published: November 2017

Introduction:

Craniofacial anthropometric studies measure the differences in humans’ craniofacial dimensions. The aim of this study was to determine facial anthropometric dimensions of newborn to 12-year-old girls with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Methods:

In this cross-sectional analytical study, data was collected from 65 infant to 12-year old girls with UCLP. Digital frontal and profile facial photographs were transferred to a computer and desired anthropometric landmarks were traced on each image. Fifteen anthropometric parameters were measured which were the angles of facial, nasofacial, nasomental, Z, nasolabial, inclination of nasal base and labial fissure, nasal deviation, mentocervical, facial convexity and also ratios of nasal prominence relative to nasal height, middle to lower facial third, upper lip to lower lip height, columellar length relative to upper lip, and incisal show relative to incisal width. Pearson coefficient and linear regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Upper lip to lower lip height ratio and angles of nasofacial, nasolabial, and facial convexity decreased with the age of the patients. In contrast, nasomental angle and the ratios of columellar length to upper lip length, middle facial height to lower facial height, and incisal show relative to incisal width increased. Other parameters studied did not appear to have any significant correlation with age.

Conclusion:

In the girls with UCLP, various craniofacial dimensions have different growth rates with some parts growing slower than others. Some of the parameters studied were significantly correlated with age, thus growth-related curves and equations were obtained and presented.
How to characterize a nonlinear elastic material? A review on nonlinear constitutive parameters in isotropic finite elasticity
Authors: Mihai L. Angela , Goriely Alain
Published: November 2017

The mechanical response of a homogeneous isotropic linearly elastic material can be fully characterized by two physical constants, the Young’s modulus and the Poisson’s ratio, which can be derived by simple tensile experiments. Any other linear elastic parameter can be obtained from these two constants. By contrast, the physical responses of nonlinear elastic materials are generally described by parameters which are scalar functions of the deformation, and their particular choice is not always clear. Here, we review in a unified theoretical framework several nonlinear constitutive parameters, including the stretch modulus, the shear modulus and the Poisson function, that are defined for homogeneous isotropic hyperelastic materials and are measurable under axial or shear experimental tests. These parameters represent changes in the material properties as the deformation progresses, and can be identified with their linear equivalent when the deformations are small. Universal relations between certain of these parameters are further established, and then used to quantify nonlinear elastic responses in several hyperelastic models for rubber, soft tissue and foams. The general parameters identified here can also be viewed as a flexible basis for coupling elastic responses in multi-scale processes, where an open challenge is the transfer of meaningful information between scales.
A signature of dynamic biogeography: enclaves indicate past species replacement
Authors: Wielstra B. , Burke T. , Butlin R. K. , Arntzen J. W.
Published: November 2017

Understanding how species have replaced each other in the past is important to predicting future species turnover. While past species replacement is difficult to detect after the fact, the process may be inferred from present-day distribution patterns. Species with abutting ranges sometimes show a characteristic distribution pattern, where a section of one species range is enveloped by that of the other. Such an enclave could indicate past species replacement: when a species is partly supplanted by a competitor, but a population endures locally while the invading species moves around and past it, an enclave forms. If the two species hybridize and backcross, the receding species is predicted to leave genetic traces within the expanding one under a scenario of species replacement. By screening dozens of genes in hybridizing crested newts, we uncover genetic remnants of the ancestral species, now inhabiting an enclave, in the range of the surrounding invading species. This independent genetic evidence supports the past distribution dynamics we predicted from the enclave. We suggest that enclaves provide a valuable tool in understanding historical species replacement, which is important because a major conservation concern arising from anthropogenic climate change is increased species replacement in the future.
All-Resolutions Inference for Brain Imaging
Authors: Rosenblatt Jonathan D. , Finos Livio , Weeda Wouter D. , Solari Aldo , Goeman Jelle J.
Published: November 2017

The most prevalent approach to activation localization in neuroimaging is to identify brain regions as contiguous supra-threshold clusters, check their significance using random field theory, and correct for the multiple clusters being tested. Besides recent criticism on the validity of the random field assumption, a spatial specificity paradox remains: the larger the detected cluster, the less we know about the location of activation within that cluster. This is because cluster inference implies “there exists at least one voxel with an evoked response in the cluster”, and not that “all the voxels in the cluster have an evoked response”. Inference on voxels within selected clusters is considered bad practice, due to the voxel-wise false positive rate inflation associated with this circular inference. Here, we propose a remedy to the spatial specificity paradox. By applying recent results from the multiple testing statistical literature, we are able to quantify the proportion of truly active voxels within selected clusters, an approach we call All-Resolutions Inference (ARI). If this proportion is high, the paradox vanishes. If it is low, we can further “drill down” from the cluster level to sub-regions, and even to individual voxels, in order to pinpoint the origin of the activation. In fact, ARI allows inference on the proportion of activation in all voxel sets, no matter how large or small, however these have been selected, all from the same data. We use two fMRI datasets to demonstrate the non-triviality of the spatial specificity paradox, and its resolution using ARI. One of these datasets is large enough for us to split it and validate the ARI estimates. The conservatism of ARI inference permits circularity without losing error guarantees, while still returning informative estimates.
Uncoupling Intraflagellar Transport and Primary Cilia Formation Demonstrates Deep Integration of IFT in Hedgehog Signaling
Authors: Eguether Thibaut , Cordelieres Fabrice P , Pazour Gregory J
Published: November 2017

The vertebrate hedgehog pathway is organized in primary cilia and hedgehog components relocate into or out of cilia during signaling. Defects in intraflagellar transport (IFT) typically disrupt ciliary assembly and attenuate hedgehog signaling. Determining if IFT drives the movement of hedgehog components is difficult due to the requirement of IFT for building cilia. Unlike most IFT proteins, IFT27 is dispensable for cilia formation but affects hedgehog signaling similar to other IFTs allowing us to examine its role in the dynamics of signaling. Activating signaling at points along the pathway inIft27mutant cells showed that IFT is extensively involved in the pathway. Similar analysis ofBbsmutant cells showed that BBS proteins participate at many levels of signaling but are not needed to concentrate Gli transcription factors at the ciliary tip. Our analysis showed that smoothened delivery to cilia does not require IFT27, but the role of other IFTs is not known. Using a rapamycin-induced dimerization system to stop IFT after ciliary assembly was complete we show that smoothened delivery to cilia is IFT independent.

Abbreviations

MEFs

mouse embryonic fibroblasts

SAG

smoothen agonist

IFT

intraflagellar transport

FKBP

FK506 Binding Protein 12

FRB

FKBP12-rapamycin binding
Analysis of relationship marketing factors for sports centers with mixed methods research
Authors: Lee Sheng Yen
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of relationship marketing factors of sports centers on commitment to relationship and intention to recommend.

Design/methodology/approach

A statistical survey was conducted for quantitative research, and in-depth interviews, for qualitative research, according to the mixed methods research.

Findings

The results of the quantitative research show that the relationship marketing factors of bonding, facility, and price positively influence commitment to relationship. Expertise and facility positively influence intention to recommend. Finally, commitment to relationship positively influences intention to recommend.

Practical implications

Sports centers could build relationships based on polite and hospitable service, and host monthly events for building rapport among members. Instructors’ expertise promotes bonding and serves as the most essential factor for intention to recommend. Sports centers must adequately introduce promotions related to rational consumption and specialized promotion. Centers that are managed too carelessly or frugally will have a highly negative impact on customer relationship and intention to recommend.

Originality/value

This study aims to empirically analyze customer needs by comparing the results of in-depth interviews with customers based on the results of quantitative studies through mixed methods research. It determines the relationships between the aforementioned variables, providing practical implications through analysis of the customers’ subjective consciousness by focusing on sports facilities in order to secure competitive advantage, and thus, overcome financial difficulties.
Fashion model profiles: the intersection of self, ideal and preferred
Authors: Sharif Khurram , Raza Asif , Das Amit
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how young female fashion consumers assessed the facial attractiveness of an advertising model. The study focused on the consumers exposed to both local and foreign fashion advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consisted of 161 young female (18-30 years old) university students from the State of Qatar. A research questionnaire was designed to assess the perceptions of young Qatari females toward the facial features of a cluster of international fashion models representing a variety of looks. Due to the cultural sensitivity of the research topic, data were collected online using SurveyMonkey. Apart from the key demographics, the research questionnaire captured the respondent’s own self-assessed facial profile, an ideal facial profile, and the facial profile of the most preferred model from a set of choices. The authors analyze the similarities and differences between the three profiles collected from each respondent: self, ideal and choice.

Findings

The findings indicated that a mix of facial features (a blend of classical Arabic looks and contemporary Western looks) is preferred by most respondents. This matches the expectation of consumers exposed to local as well as international fashion advertising.

Practical implications

In developing markets (such as Qatar), preference for fashion models is shaped by a combination of local and foreign advertising influences. Hence, it is likely that hybrid models (i.e. representing a combination of Eastern and Western looks) appeal to young female consumers within these markets. Retailers of fashion clothing and accessories can use this information to select models who maximize the appeal of their brands.

Originality/value

The research sheds light on how judgments about the attractiveness of female models are made by triangulation among the self, the ideal and the selection of models available to choose from. The research provides a window into how young women make judgments of physical attractiveness based on facial features.
Segmenting the Australian organic food consumer market
Authors: Sultan Parves , Wong Ho Yin , Sigala Marianna
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to segment the Australian organic food consumer market.

Design/methodology/approach

A nationwide online survey was conducted for collecting data about the Australian organic food consumer market. Various statistical techniques were used for analyzing the data and identifying market segments.

Findings

The key market segmentation variables that significantly characterize the Australian organic food consumer market include age, income, education, metro/city-vs-rural/region, purchase frequency, weekly expenditure, consumption period, retail outlets, perceived values, self-image, and perceptions about organic foods.

Originality/value

Australia, like many other countries, is an emerging market for the organically produced and marketed food products. The current review unfolds the fact that there are limited studies in market segmentation, and no study in the Australian context, in particular. The current paper contributes to the organic food market segmentation literature and provides several implications for market segmentation strategy.
Growth prospects, market challenges and policy measures: evolution of mobile broadband in Pakistan
Authors: Hanif Muhammad Shehzad , Yunfei Shao , Hanif Muhammad Imran
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the long-term prospects of mobile broadband adoption in a developing country. The supply-side and demand-side policy measures are recommended to counter the challenges to broadband adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodologically, this study uses document analysis to explain secondary data including growth statistics, trade literature and previous scholarly research. Based on the growth statistics of broadband and the informed market insights, the research discusses the prevailing market threats and recommends counter measures to improve the long-term prospects of broadband propagation.

Findings

The growth of mobile broadband is settling down in Pakistan due to various barriers like cost, literacy, security and unavailability of local content. Collaborative efforts are required by the government, the service providers and the people to enhance the adoption of broadband service and secure economic benefits of the broadband.

Practical implications

The research offers useful implications for managers and policymakers in Asian and African developing countries; the policy measures discussed here may serve as guidelines for them in the design of their own policies regarding broadband supply and demand.

Originality/value

The study makes an effort to examine the broadband growth in a developing country on the basis of both quantitative and qualitative aspects. The research endeavors to fill the gap on the particular scholarship of research covering potential uptake of broadband services and the effects of constraining elements to broadband adoption in a developing country.
Technology agnostic regulatory criteria for licence-exempt spectrum
Authors: Kruys Johannes , Anker Peter
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Spectrum regulations have major impact on the development and deployment of innovative technologies. Current regulations for license-exempt radio spectrum generally are given in terms of technology-related criteria. This paper aims to propose a set of metrics that can be used to define technology-agnostic spectrum regulations which encourage rather than restrict technology innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on and expands two other papers on regulatory criteria for license-exempt spectrum which define metrics for spectrum loading and spectrum sharing efficiency. Here, we add metrics for Block Edge Masks and for medium access adaptivity. This gives a complete toolset for the management of radio spectrum.

Findings

Because of the diversity of use of license-exempt spectrum, performance criteria must be formulated in terms that abstract from the details of equipment properties. Instead, they must be formulated in terms of spectrum utilization dimensions: RF power, time and frequency occupation. The result is a concise set of metrics that can be applied to the regulation or management of shared spectrum.

Research limitations/implications

The mathematics used in this paper deal with high-level parameters and may ignore factors that are important in certain cases and may require refinement.

Practical implications

The implications of the proposed metrics include an increase emphasis on the objectives of spectrum policy and on measures to assure efficient spectrum utilization both within frequency bands and between adjacent bands.

Social implications

There are no social implications the authors are aware of.

Originality/value

The originality of this work lies in recognizing that the extreme variety of devices and mode of operation deployed in license-exempt spectrum calls for spectrum management criteria that are technology agnostic.
High-speed data in Africa: an assessment of provision via mobile networks
Authors: Curwen Peter , Whalley Jason
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current provision of high-speed data networks in the African continent, in particular taking into account both licences and launches related to long-term evolution (LTE).

Design/methodology/approach

An up-to-date underlying database of licences and launches relating to LTE in Africa has been compiled. There is also a review of the international operators that are playing a significant role in LTE provision. A number of individual country case studies are considered. Issues of corruption are addressed.

Findings

Africa is interesting because it has been a laggard in the development of high-speed data networks, but now finds itself in a position to leapfrog 3G technologies, and hence close the gap that had opened up compared to, for example, Europe and Asia. This process is effectively assisted by the lack of fixed-wire connectivity but has to take account of the difficulty of attracting the requisite investment.

Research limitations/implications

Databases relating to Africa are always difficult to compile.

Originality/value

Published work relating to mobile networks in Africa is not plentiful, and it is difficult to find relevant data in the public domain. A key aspect of the paper is that the database is entirely up-to-date.
Using blockchain to build trusted LoRaWAN sharing server
Authors: Lin Jun , Shen Zhiqi , Miao Chunyan , Liu Siyuan
Published: November 2017

Purpose

With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) market and requirement, low power wide area (LPWA) technologies have become popular. In various LPWA technologies, Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) and long range (LoRa) are two main leading competitive technologies. Compared with NB-IoT networks, which are mainly built and managed by mobile network operators, LoRa wide area networks (LoRaWAN) are mainly operated by private companies or organizations, which suggests two issues: trust of the private network operators and lack of network coverage. This study aims to propose a conceptual architecture design of a blockchain built-in solution for LoRaWAN network servers to solve these two issues for LoRaWAN IoT solution.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposed modeling, model analysis and architecture design.

Findings

The proposed solution uses the blockchain technology to build an open, trusted, decentralized and tamper-proof system, which provides the indisputable mechanism to verify that the data of a transaction has existed at a specific time in the network.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that integrates blockchain technology and LoRaWAN IoT technology.
A MCIN-based architecture of smart agriculture
Authors: Gu Xiang , Chai Yueting , Liu Yi , Shen Jianping , Huang Yadong , Nan Yixuan
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Material conscious and information network (MCIN) is a kind of cyber physics social system. This paper aims to study the MCIN modeling method and design the MCIN-based architecture of smart agriculture (MCIN-ASA) which is different from current vertical architecture and involves production, management and commerce. Architecture is composed of three MCIN-ASA participants which are MCIN-ASA enterprises, individuals and commodity.

Design/methodology/approach

Architecture uses enterprises and individuals personalized portals as the carriers which are linked precisely with each other through a peer-to-peer network called six-degrees-of-separation block-chain. The authors want to establish a self-organization, open and ecological operational system which includes active, personalized consumption, direct, centralized distribution, distributed and smart production.

Findings

The paper models three main MCIN-ASA participants, namely, design the smart supply, demand and management functions, which show the feasibility innovation and high efficiency of implementing MCIN on agriculture. At the same time, the paper presents a prototype system based on the architecture.

Originality/value

The authors think that MCIN-ASA improves current agriculture greatly and inspires a lot in production-marketing-combined electronic commerce.
Desired transformational leadership behaviors in a religious organization: Analysis by hierarchical organizational level
Authors: Godwin Jeffrey L. , Neck Christopher P.
Published: November 2017

This empirical study addresses the research question: What is relative importance of various transformational leadership behaviors at different hierarchical levels within an organization? The results showed followers rated the importance of transformational leadership behaviors higher at the lowest organizational level.
John locke’s continuing influence on organization theory and behavior entering the 21st century
Authors: Griffith Mark F.
Published: November 2017

This article is about John Locke who was a British philosopher that profoundly influenced the founders of the United States, the principles upon which the United States was established, and the American system of administration. Many influential leaders in America today acknowledge that the government is Lockeian, which is only the beginning of the continuing importance of Locke for the 21st century. While Locke pre-dated the formal study of organizational theory and behavior many of his ideas directly influence those fields--particularly his ideas on education and economy
Strategic planning in illinois: a state at the crossroads
Authors: Eitel Dean F.
Published: November 2017

In 1999, the governor of Illinois mandated strategic planning in all state agencies, the creation of an Office of Strategic Planning (OSP) and the formation of an academic advisory council to guide it. This article discusses how agencies responded, while focusing on the behavior of the various actors involved: agency staff, top management officials and the organizations themselves. It covers key interim agency results, and general outcome indicators for the eight state strategic issues. The State is now at the crossroads. It has a newly elected governor from a different political party and the OSP and academic advisory council no longer exist. Will a new movement of strategic planning and performance metrics make a real difference to the citizens of Illinois?
Strategic planning in nonprofit organizations: continuous quality performance improvement - a case study
Authors: Giffords Elissa D. , Dina Richard P.
Published: November 2017

This article addresses the nature of strategic planning in nonprofit organizations through a discussion of relevant literature and the use of a case study of an organization created by a recent merger. Within the framework of a strategic plan, the concepts of continuous quality performance improvement (CQPI) and accountability for achieving nonprofit organizationsʼ goals are discussed. In todayʼs world, nonprofit organizations need to develop a strategic plan to respond to their dynamic and changing internal and external environments. A CQPI system is a useful tool for nonprofit leaders and their staff, to help them adapt the organization to its current environment; clarify needs of its clients; and set priorities to better meet its mission.
Factors influencing the successful use of vision-based strategy planning by nonprofit human service organizations
Authors: Moxley David P.
Published: November 2017

Using an action research method to study the vision-based strategic planning processes of four nonprofit human service organizations, the author identifies factors that influence the successful initiation of the planning process, the formulation of a vision-based plan, and the use of the plan to guide organizational performance. The author identifies transformational leadership and an organizational commitment to cultural change as important to the mobilization of these success factors and to the subsequent achievement of viable vision-based strategic plans.
A comprehensive model of organizational leadership: the leadership action cycle
Authors: Van Wart Montgomery
Published: November 2017

This article seeks to provide a comprehensive model of leadership applicable to managers in the public sector. Although it is based on the leadership literature, the format is intended for practitioners and teachers; that is, although it uses a highly detailed specification of leadership elements, it purposely oversimplifies causal relationships. Leaders first assess their organization and the environment (8 elements are identified) as well as look at the constraints that they may face (4 elements). From this information they set goals including deciding on the level of focus and the degree of change emphasis. Leaders bring to the concrete leadership situation a number of traits (10 elements) and overarching skills such as communication capability (4 elements). The totality of leaders' actions are perceived as styles based on key factors such as decisional input, which are more or less appropriate based on the situation. Leaders may or may not have a broad range of styles at which they excel. Finally, the model identifies concrete management behaviors that leaders typically engage in-with more or less success based on their styles, traits, and skills. These behaviors are categorized as largely being task-oriented, people-oriented, or organization oriented (21 elements). Ultimately, leaders evaluate their organizations' and their own performance, and the cycle begins again. The model's strength is the detailed articulation of leadership elements (50 including goal setting and leader evaluation).
Developing public managers into credible public leaders: theory and practical implications
Authors: Gabris Gerald T.
Published: November 2017

This article makes the case that for leaders to be effective they also need to be credible. Credibility is achieved by practicing leader behaviors focusing on vision, trust, modeling the way, risk taking, and rewarding others. Leaders who possess high credibility are able to more successfully adapt to environmental change, because employees throughout the hierarchy will accept change mandates as legitimate. Leadership credibility is associated with the transformational model of leadership, and this article suggests that public managers would be advantaged by practicing this particular leadership strategy.
Enduring narratives from progressivism
Authors: Dudley Larkin Sims
Published: November 2017

The narratives that would give meaning to at least four generations of scholars and practitioners are amplified in the discourse growing out of the elements of technical rationality, pragmatism, evolution, and the rush of different ideas and new institutions that punctuate the Progressive period. The narratives explored below persist in public administration from the beginning of the twentieth century: preparation for the rise of national institutions, the citizen-state relationship, reconciling democracy and administration, and science and scientific management. Throughout the paper, the author's interest in the reconciliation of freedom and order is explored in the relationship between self and community, citizen and nation, and politics and administration.
Positively no proverbs need apply: revisiting the legacy of Herbert A. Simon
Authors: Cruise Peter L.
Published: November 2017

Beginning in the late 1940s, classical Public Administration was challenged by the works of Herbert Simon and the movement he started, logical positivism. Although only writing in the field for a few years, Simon shifted the locus and focus of the field so dramatically, for a time it almost disappeared from view. This article examines Simonŉs legacy, first by exploring its philosophical antecedents and its later epistemological progeny. The article concludes with an assessment of how the field of Public Administration responded to Simonŉs challenge in the late twentieth century and now, early in the twenty first century.
The existentialist public administrator
Authors: Waugh William L.
Published: November 2017

The philosophical roots of existentialism can be found in the writings of Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus. Sartre used existentialism to frame the social and political issues of the day after World War II and Camus helped popularize the philosophyŉs focus on individualism and personal freedom. Existentialism provided justification for challenging public officials and regimes and was embraced again by public administrators and citizens frustrated by the failures of foreign and domestic policies in the 1960s and 1970s. Today existentialism and transcendentalist phenomenology remain strong alternatives to empiricism as a methodology in the study of human behavior. They provide a philosophical basis for determining and applying ethical standards, as well as a basis for encouraging public administrators to address major societal problems rather than being overly focused on management technique and administrative process.
Fiscal redistribution in the European Union and the enlargement
Authors: Mattila Mikko
Published: November 2017

In this article, fiscal redistribution in the European Union (EU) of 15 member states and the enlarged EU is analyzed. Specifically, net fiscal transfers between EU member states are analyzed, i.e. which countries are net beneficiaries, which are net contributors and what factors affect countries' net fiscal balances. The results show that, at present, fiscal transfers among EU member states are partly explained by differences in countries' relative economic prosperity and partly by institutional features that systematically favor smaller EU member states. Small member states can use their overrepresentation in the Council votes to obtain more benefits than their level of economic development alone would justify. If the pre-enlargement level of redistribution is extended to include the new member states, the net costs could amount to 60 billion euros. This means that the net fiscal balance of the current member states would decrease significantly. Furthermore, the Treaty of Nice does not change the malapportionment of Council votes and European Parliament seats, which gives an advantage to small member states in bargaining for transfers
Simulating the role of institutions on the use of common pool resources
Authors: Huerta Timothy R.
Published: November 2017

In 1968, Garrett Hardin identified a class of common goods that suffer under traditional market mechanisms. As a result, institutions become pivotal in defining acceptable consumption behavior. This paper describes the results of an agent-based computer simulation used to study how institutional forces shape consumption patterns. The results suggest common-interested behaviors support a greater population at a higher quality of living; however, exclusively common-interested behaviors result in underutilized commons, and the whole is generally less well off. Overall, when populations generally act in the common-interest, the commons, the population and individuals all experience higher quality outcomes than when they act in generally or exclusively self-interested ways. The paper frames further applications in terms of managing growth for long-term sustainability.
Introduction: Reinventing publlic governance in developing countries
Authors: Haque M. Shamsul , Mudacumura Gedeon M.
Published: November 2017

It is argued in this introductory article that the contemporary trend of “reinventing governance”, which began in the 1990s, has continued to expand globally to encompass many developing nations. However, there is no uniform and universal paradigm of government reinvention. In fact, there are certain cross-national and inter-regional differences, especially between developed and developing nations, in terms of the basic tenets, rationales, and implications of such reinvention. After presenting brief summaries of articles covered in this issue of the journal, it is suggested that due to unique contextual settings and people’s needs in developing nations, this reinvention model itself has to be reinvented or revised in order to make it relevant or useful to these countries
Shaping public management for governance and development: The cases of Pakistan and Bangladesh
Authors: Zafarullah Habib
Published: November 2017

In line with contemporary trends in the developing world, countries in South Asia are under pressure from both political and civil societies and the international donor community to recast their administrative systems. New tools and practices in public governance have been advanced to remedy structural deficiencies, procedural flaws, managerial incompetence, and weak accountability in the public sector. International organizations emphasize the need to improve the relationship between governance and socio-economic outcome; and accountability, transparency, probity, predictability, and participation are acknowledged as essential ingredients for effectively managing development. This article focuses on two South Asian countries (Pakistan and Bangladesh) and examines the various measures adopted by their governments to reshape governance and public management in recent times.
From smaller to better government: The challenge of the second and third generations of state reform
Authors: Oszlak Oscar
Published: November 2017

This article contends that the content and scope of “second generation” state reforms in Latin America show a high degree of heterogeneity due to the national contexts and the depth of the changes produced by the earlier reforms. The “third generation” reform is rejected as a valid category. There is no clear distinction between premises or values, roles, and instruments of reform. The “first generation” of reforms constituted the easy phase of state transformation. In the second phase, the difficulties are similar to the ones that Latin American countries faced during 70 years of reformist attempts which constituted the prehistory of this process and ended mostly in failure. By means of a critical analysis of the paradigm of the “reinvention of governmentr”, the instrumental challenges implicit in its eventual materialization are reviewed. As an emblematic case, the Argentine experience is used to illustrate the main propositions of this article.