bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dialogic communication and media relations in non-governmental organizations
Authors: Ting Lee Seow , Hemant Desai Mallika 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to seek to clarify the conceptual building blocks of relationship building between non-governmental groups (NGOs) and news media, which is essential for the development of civil society where dialogue is a product of ongoing communication and relationships.Design/methodology/approach– The paper is based on an online survey with a sample size of 296 NGOs from India. The data are analyzed with SPSS to test six hypotheses related to dialogic orientation, media relations, relationship quality and the NGOs’ structural characteristics.Findings– The study found that an organization's dialogic orientation has a positive impact on media relations knowledge and strategy but not on the action dimension that focusses on providing information subsidies to journalists. A stronger dialogic orientation is also associated with better organization-media relationships. A stronger engagement in media relations also has a more positive impact on the quality of organization-media relationship. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Research limitations/implications– The findings of this study are limited to a sample of NGOs from India. Future research should address more diverse samples to better understand the dynamics of media relations in NGOs, and how their patterns of media relations, use of information subsidies, culture and media choice shape news coverage and their impact in developing civil society.Originality/value– By approaching media relations from an organizational perspective to investigate media relations in the NGO sector to address an under-researched area, the study is able to draw out the significant relationships between and among three distinct and yet connected conceptual building blocks of public relations.
The cross-cultural validity of the Learning-Centered Leadership framework and its assessment instrument for principals
Authors: Chen Cravens Xiu 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to select a theoretical framework for effective school leadership that is connected with research, standards and current practices in the USA, and examine its validity and generalizability cross-culturally.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper uses both qualitative and quantitative methods through expert panel evaluation, cognitive interviews, and field testing of the instrument. The author asks: How well does the Learning-Centered Leadership (LCL) framework align with the professional standards and current practices of principals in urban Chinese schools in the opinion of the experts? Is there evidence that its leadership assessment instrument has construct validity in Chinese urban schools based on the re-examination of its content and measurement criteria? And is there evidence that the instrument is yielding consistent results when taken by the intended participants? How effective are the analytic strategies employed by this study in detecting the equivalences and discrepancies in how educational leadership is defined and evaluated, between two vastly different educational systems?

Findings
– The paper finds evidences that give support to the claim that there is strong cross-cultural alignment on the overarching goal of improving student learning. However, the US framework and assessment will need to be modified to reflect the Chinese reform priorities that emphasize the balance between academic and social learning.

Originality/value
– The belief that there are common elements in contemporary international educational policy has brought growing interest in sharing leadership theories and successful models cross-culturally. This paper addresses the challenges in understanding the complexity of cross-cultural translation of theories and applications, and explores viable solutions to meaningful adaptation.
Differentiating the scholarly identity of educational administration
Authors: Oplatka Izhar 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to sharpen the intellectual identity of the field of educational administration (EA) and to understand its scholarly boundaries by comparing between the writings of this field and those of the field of organisational behaviour (OB), an area of study usually located in faculties of management, and share many commonalities with EA.Design/methodology/approach– A qualitative content analysis of textbooks and journal papers in OB and EA, reading of previous writings that revolved around the epistemological dimensions of these fields.Findings– The author sheds light on the theoretical and empirical distinctions of OB and EA historically and provides insight into the distinctive intellectual identity of the latter field during the 2000s. A special attention is given to paradigms and theories in EA imported to the field from outside and transformed in a way that specify the unique identity of EA in the academic world.Originality/value– This comparison is warranted in order to clarify more profoundly the unique contributions of EA, both theoretically and practically, to emphasise the differences that separate it from other disciplines, and to legitimate its independent position in higher education.
Reducing electrical energy consumption through behaviour changes
Authors: Kemp-Hesterman Aaron , Glick Scott , Eileen Cross Jennifer 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to look at the effect of human behaviour, and efforts to change that behaviour, on electricity consumption in a high school setting.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study uses a mixed methods design of interviews and historical electrical use data to assess two treatments impacts on electrical consumption over time at two Fort Collins high schools.

Findings
– Both treatments, the energy efficiency awareness campaign and the energy efficiency charrette, were found to have a positive impact on decreasing levels of electricity consumption. Unfortunately, these decreases lessened over time. The key attributes of communication, motivation, and leadership were identified as necessary at the high school facilities level to ensure long-term success in decreased electrical consumption.

Research limitations/implications
– The implications of this research focus on awareness of energy use in public schools and how to use awareness as a cost-effective tool in decreasing electrical consumption. The limitations are the inability to isolate HVAC consumption loads and the small study size. However, this is one of, if not the first, effort to use awareness campaigns and charrettes in a high school setting to decrease electrical use. Additional research would answer questions like: how to increase the charrette impact time; could these programs be adopted district wide at all grade levels; how could energy awareness be institutionalized so periodic charrettes are not necessary? Limitations include the inability to isolate heating and cooling electricity loads from the data.

Originality/value
– This study is the first of its kind and has value to facilities management personnel, custodians, faculty and administration members, particularly in a high school setting. This research provides a framework and potential guidance for a school organization to conserve electrical energy and achieve cost savings and environmental benefits.
Linking economic status with technology adoption in three emerging economies of Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Oke Adegoke , Walumbwa Fred , Yan Tingting , Idiagbon-Oke Moronke , A. Ojode Lucy 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– In this study, the authors aim to understand the antecedents of technology adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa by investigating the relationship between people's economic status, their positive attitudes, and the adoption of communications technology.Design/methodology/approach– The authors used data obtained from the Gallup World Poll that was conducted in 2008. The Gallup World Poll is a survey of residents in more than 150 countries. Based on a sample of 8,787 in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria, the authors used SEM to test the hypotheses.Findings– Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that economic status significantly predicts both positive attitudes and technology adoption. Further, the authors found that infrastructure development moderates the relationship between economic status and technology adoption.Originality/value– The study attempts to plug the gaps in established theories of technology adoption which typically do not take into consideration factors that are peculiar to LDC contexts.
An application of Six Sigma methodology for improving the first pass yield of a grinding process
Authors: Gijo E.V. , Antony Jiju , Kumar Maneesh , McAdam Rodney , Hernandez Jose 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the power of the Six Sigma methodology in improving the first pass yield of a high-precision grinding process in the manufacture of automotive products.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper follows a case study approach showing how theory has been put into practice. The case study was executed in a leading automotive company based in India.

Findings
– The application of the Six Sigma methodology resulted in a reduction of tolerance-related problems and improved the first pass yield from 85 to over 99 per cent. A number of tools and techniques in the Six Sigma tool box have been utilised for data analysis and drawing valid and sound conclusions. The implementation of the Six Sigma methodology has demonstrated a saving of US$70,000 in addition to the customer-facing benefits of improved quality on returns and sales.

Practical implications
– The results of the case study have provided greater stimulus within the production facilities for wider application of the methodology as a powerful problem solving methodology. Moreover, this case study sets the foundation for many other projects within the business.

Originality/value
– The paper is valuable to many Six Sigma black belts, practitioners of Six Sigma and researchers in terms of understanding the systematic application of the methodology in a real world situation.
Models for predicting default: towards efficient forecasts
Authors: Castagnolo Fernando , Ferro Gustavo 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to assess and compare the forecast ability of existing credit risk models, answering three questions: Can these methods adequately predict default events? Are there dominant methods? Is it safer to rely on a mix of methodologies?Design/methodology/approach– The authors examine four existing models: O-score, Z-score, Campbell, and Merton distance to default model (MDDM). The authors compare their ability to forecast defaults using three techniques: intra-cohort analysis, power curves and discrete hazard rate models.Findings– The authors conclude that better predictions demand a mix of models containing accounting and market information. The authors found evidence of the O-score's outperformance relative to the other models. The MDDM alone in the sample is not a sufficient default predictor. But discrete hazard rate models suggest that combining both should enhance default prediction models.Research limitations/implications– The analysed methods alone cannot adequately predict defaults. The authors found no dominant methods. Instead, it would be advisable to rely on a mix of methodologies, which use complementary information.Practical implications– Better forecasts demand a mix of models containing both accounting and market information.Originality/value– The findings suggest that more precise default prediction models can be built by combining information from different sources in reduced-form models and combining default prediction models that can analyze said information.
How professionals talk about complex cases: a critical discourse analysis
Authors: Hood Rick 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis paper reports on a qualitative study of child protection in the UK. The research involved children's practitioners from a range of agencies, including social care, education, health and youth offending, who were asked about working together on complex child protection cases. The aim was to explore how participants talked about complexity in these cases, in order to deconstruct influential perspectives on interprofessional working. Interview transcripts were analysed using critical discourse analysis, a qualitative method that examines patterns of language use in relation to social structures of power and control. The findings identified three overall perspectives: clinical, expert system and relation‐centred approaches, which practitioners combined in various ways. These perspectives have a bearing on how the ‘team around the child’ is conceptualized in discourse about child protection. The paper links these findings to the assumptions of predictability and control currently embedded in policy and practice guidance, and explores their implications for social workers and other children's practitioners.
Intralobar pulmonary sequestration complicating with cryptococcal infection
Authors: Guan Chao , Chen Hui , Shao Changzhou , He Lixian , Song Yuanlin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIntroductionPulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation characterized by accessory lung tissue supplied by an aberrant systemic artery. It often presents with recurrent infections. But fungus infection is exceptional.ObjectivesTo help other clinicians deal with patients with pulmonary sequestration complicating with cryptococcal infection.MethodsWe reported a case of pulmonary sequestration complicating with pulmonary and eye cryptococcosis and did literature review.ResultsA 20‐year‐old immunocompetent male patient suffered from eye pain and blurred vision, and received antibiotics and dexamethasone therapy with no improvement. Bacteriology inspection and computerized tomography scan indicated a diagnosis of cryptococcal infection in both eye and lung. Vitrectomy and antifungal agents were administered. Since symptoms fluctuations, lobectomy was operated. The surgery revealed the presence of pulmonary sequestration. Literature review showed that there is no report about pulmonary sequestration complicating with cryptococcal infection so far.ConclusionsPulmonary sequestration is a very important but extremely negligent cause for pulmonary cryptococcal infection.
miR‐138 inhibits proliferation by targeting 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase‐1 in non‐small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Ye Xian‐wei , Yu Hong , Jin Yan‐kun , Jing Xiao‐ting , Xu Mei , Wan Zi‐fen , Zhang Xiang‐yan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveUnderlying mechanisms of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development remain poorly understood. miR‐138 and 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase‐1 (PDK1) have been reported to be involved in the genesis of NSCLC. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanisms of miR‐138 and PDK1 in human NSCLC cells.MethodsThe effect of miR‐138 on proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells was first examined using 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. The expression of PDK1 in A549 lung cancer cells was assessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction further. A luciferase reporter activity assay was conducted to confirm target association between miR‐138 and 3′ untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of PDK1. Finally, the role of PDK1 on proliferation of A549 cells was evaluated by transefection of PDK1 small interfering RNA (siRNA).ResultsProliferation of A549 lung cancer cells was suppressed by miR‐138 in a concentration‐dependent manner. Furthermore, miR‐138 can bind to the 3′‐UTR of PDK1 and downregulate expression of PDK1 at both mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of PDK1 by siRNA significantly inhibits the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that miR‐138 as a potential tumor suppressor could inhibit cell proliferation by targeting PDK1 in NSCLC cells, which could be employed as a potential therapeutic target for miRNA‐based NSCLC therapy.
Using Indicators to Assess Climate Change Vulnerabilities: Are There Lessons to Learn for Emerging Loss and Damage Debates?
Authors: Vincent Katharine , Cull Tracy 
Published: January 2014

AbstractClimate change is one of the most pressing global issues. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is committed to supporting adaptation in developing countries but identifying priority needs depends on an assessment of vulnerability. Indicators and indices are one common method for vulnerability assessments. A variety of vulnerability indicators and indices have been created for global level, cross‐country comparison within regions and also at sub‐national level, and as a result of these indicators, a variety of methodological critiques have arisen. This paper reviews vulnerability science and the evolution of indicators for vulnerability assessment and then assesses whether there is utility in using indicators for assessing the risk of loss and damage – one of the latest thrusts of the international policy negotiations.
‘Equally at home on Beacon Hill and Hill 16’? Transnational identities among Irish‐born return migrants from the United States
Authors: RALPH DAVID 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn this article, I examine the transnational identities that return migrants create upon resettlement in their country of origin. Specifically, I draw on interviews with Republic of Ireland‐born return migrants from the United States between the years 1996 and 2006. The analysis shows that return migrants – like other migrant groups – maintain and establish translocal identities and practices that straddle ‘here’ (Ireland) and ‘there’ (United States) upon return. However, the article goes further, asking why returnees develop such border‐spanning social fields. Some recent scholarship suggests that some migrants develop transnational identities as an adaptive response to a hostile receiving society. The analysis here shows a similar process at play for certain return migrants in the post‐return environment. Doubtless, for some returnees, a transnational identity is a natural outgrowth of having spent several years in the United States. Yet for others, one can better explain this transnational identity as a coping strategy to buffer resettlement anxieties and disappointments.
Anatomical factors associated with left innominate vein stenosis in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Shi Yaxue , Cheng Jiejun , Song Yanyan , Zhang Jiwei 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCentral venous stenosis remains a challenge in hemodialysis patients. Venograms have shown that left innominate vein (LIV) stenosis often occurs in front of the trachea, where it crosses the aortic arch, suggesting that there may be an anatomical factor involved, such as iliac vein compression syndrome. The goal of this study was to determine whether LIV stenosis can be attributed to compression. From September 2008 to December 2011, 19 hemodialysis patients (ten women, nine men) with symptomatic venous hypertension of the upper‐left extremity were enrolled in this study. Venography and multidetector computed tomography were used to determine the location of the venous stenosis and to assess LIV anatomy. LIV diameter and the space between the sternum and aortic arch were compared between the LIV stenosis (LIVS) group (n = 9) and the non‐LIV‐stenosis (NLIVS) group (n = 10). The mean age of the cohort was 63 ± 17.3 years. The mean LIV diameter was 1.69 ± 1.55 mm in the LIVS group and 8.71 ± 2.33 mm in the NLIVS group. The space between the aortic arch and sternum was smaller in the LIVS group (4.55 ± 2.67 mm) than in the NLIVS group (15.25 ± 6.12 mm, P < 0.001). A contributing factor to LIV stenosis may be due to anatomical compression of the aortic arch behind the sternum. Preoperative noncontrast computed tomography is recommended for hemodialysis patients to exclude extrinsic compression.
The Making of the Indian Constitution: A Case for a Non‐nationalist Approach
Authors: Elangovan Arvind 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe writing of the Indian constitution has often been celebrated for its momentousness, as it came at the end of a long period of anticolonial struggle. However, very little has been written on the making of the constitution. Often, the event of drafting the constitution is written‐off as part of a logical end to the British Empire in India or as part of a fulfilling of the promise made by India's anticolonial leaders. However, this has led to a severe impoverishment of the field of Indian constitutional history. In this essay, I suggest that we could benefit so much more by considering the long, complicated, and fraught history of constitution making separately from the process of the making of independent India. By separating nation‐making from constitution‐making, the field of constitutional and political history can only be a richer and more informative resource to understand the complex postcolonial developments in India.
Living in ‘New Times’: Historicizing 1980s Britain
Authors: Brooke Stephen 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis article explores ways of writing the history of 1980s Britain. It argues that historians should avoid an overreliance upon identifying the decade with the politics of Margaret Thatcher and her government. Instead, the article suggests that a richer historical understanding of the 1980s will be achieved if we look for other trajectories and developments that intersect with immediate political change, but are not entirely dependent upon events at Westminster. This article also offers thoughts on how historians might conceptualize social change in the 1980s. The article reviews both older literature on Britain in the 1970s and 1980s and more recent interventions and suggests directions in which research might proceed.
Consumption and the Making of the Middle‐Class in South Asia
Authors: Utsa Ray 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe historiography of the middle‐class in colonial India is a long and checkered one. Although traditional scholarship focused on the economic origins of this class, in recent years, scholars have become interested in knowing how this class fashioned itself. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's concept of the ‘cultural capital’, these scholars try to delve into the contradictory forces that mark the self‐fashioning of the middle‐class. In this paper, I will discuss these new trends in the historiography of the middle‐class. I will chiefly focus on the historiography of taste and consumption in the context of colonial as well as post‐colonial India. A focus on consumption and the middle‐class, I argue, enables us to understand how the middle‐class negotiates its self‐fashioning through various social hierarchies.