bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human muscle‐derived cell injection in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Kim Yong Tae , Kyung Kim Dae , Jankowski Ron J. , Pruchnic Ryan , Usiene Irmute , De Miguel Fernando , Chancellor Michael B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe investigated the use of human muscle‐derived cells (hMDCs) for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in a nude rat model. hMDCs were isolated from adult skeletal muscle. Three groups of six animals consisting of controls, animals undergoing sciatic nerve transection (SNT) with periurethral sham‐injection, and SNT with hMDCs (1 × 106 cells/20 μl saline) were utilized. Leak point pressure (LPP) was measured 4 weeks following injection. Bilateral SNT resulted in a significantly lower LPP that was significantly higher following hMDCs than sham injection. The results demonstrate the efficacy of human muscle cell therapy alone in improving physiologic outcomes in an animal model of SUI. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Effective stress concept in unsaturated soils: Clarification and validation of a unified framework
Authors: Nuth Mathieu , Laloui Lyesse 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe effective stress principle, conventionally applied in saturated soils, is reviewed for constitutive modelling purposes. The assumptions for the applicability of Terzaghi's single effective stress are recalled and its advantages are inventoried. The possible stress frameworks applicable to unsaturated soil modelling are reassessed in a comparative manner, specifically the Bishop's single effective stress, the independent stress variables approach and the generalized stress framework. The latter considerations lead to the definition of a unified stress context, suitable for modelling soils under different saturation states. In order to qualify the implications brought by the proposed stress framework, several experimental data sets are re‐examined in the light of the generalized effective stress. The critical state lines (CSLs) at different saturation states tend to converge remarkably towards a unique saturated line in the deviatoric stress versus mean effective stress plane. The
effective stress interpretation is also applied to isotropic paths and compared with conventional net stress conception. The accent is finally laid on a second key feature for constitutive frameworks based on a unified stress, namely the sufficiency of a unique mechanical yield surface besides the unique CSL. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recursive Krylov‐based multigrid cycles
Authors: Notay Yvan , Vassilevski Panayot S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe consider multigrid (MG) cycles based on the recursive use of a two‐grid method, in which the coarse‐grid system is solved by µ⩾1 steps of a Krylov subspace iterative method. The approach is further extended by allowing such inner iterations only at the levels of given multiplicity, whereas V‐cycle formulation is used at all other levels. For symmetric positive definite systems and symmetric MG schemes, we consider a flexible (or generalized) conjugate gradient method as Krylov subspace solver for both inner and outer iterations. Then, based on some algebraic (block matrix) properties of the V‐cycle MG viewed as a preconditioner, we show that the method can have optimal convergence properties if µ is chosen to be sufficiently large. We also formulate conditions that guarantee both, optimal complexity and convergence, bounded independently of the number of levels. Our analysis shows that the method is, at least, as effective as the standard W‐cycle, whereas numerical results illustrate that it can be much faster than the latter, and actually more robust than predicted by the theory. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ministerial system in Niue
Authors: Thynne Ian S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA ministerial system of government has been developed in the tiny micro state of Niue, and in this article the pattern of ministerialization is compared with a typology derived from a study of the ministerial systems in other countries with ministries and ministerial departments. In Niue while the foundations of responsible government were being laid, and functions and powers transferred to an elected executive committee, no corresponding moves were made to reorganize established public service departments and there is, therefore, a mismatch between ministers and departments. Niue like New Zealand has a form of ministerialization that initially appears to conform to the least developed mode in the typology. Niue, however, has a unique arrangement in having a Secretary to Government who is the head of the public service and chief administrative officer with control over all departments, and with a right to attend Cabinet meetings and speak on any matter. Niue, as a consequence, has a ministerial system which overall does not conform with the typology and has interest as an attempt to develop a form appropriate to a micro state.
Meeting basic needs in Asia, Part I: Government capacity and performance
Authors: Rondinelli Dennis A. , Mandell Marvin B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractQuestions concerning the distribution of income and wealth, and access to services have attracted increased attention during the 1970s to complement the earlier emphasis on the promotion of macro‐economic development. This article provides a comparative review of service needs in Asia. It presents an inventory of the types of services provided by, or through, government, and assesses their adequacy for rural development. It explores problems with mobilizing resources and delivering services, and it identifies arrangements that appear most effective. The article emphasizes the problem of extending the coverage, and increasing the quality, of social and productive support services for vast rural populations and it stresses that more appropriate ways must be found of delivering services that are needed. A second article, to appear in the next number of Public Administration and Development, reviews ways of improving the capacity of governments and local communities to provide services needed by rural populations.
Revenue allocation and the stability of the Nigerian Federation 1960‐1980
Authors: Ndongko Wilfred A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSince 1960 a succession of different formulae have been used to allocate revenue under Nigeria's constitutions. This article reviews the formulae used and suggests ways in which they have contributed to the stability of the federation. The author then argues that in the 1980's the revenue allocation system should take more account of the need to reduce economic and social disparities in the different geographical areas of the country and so safeguard in the longer term the political stability of this federation.
Meeting basic needs in Asia, Part II: Improving the performance of government and local communities
Authors: Rondinelli Dennis A. , Mandell Marvin B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn nearly all Asian countries services available to rural populations are inadequate and inappropriate. Improvement is crucial not only to fulfilling basic human needs, but for raising productivity and generating more broadly based economic development. This article reviews the types of obstacles in the way of improving service delivery, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the major institutional arrangements for delivering services. In the light of this review the article identifies four issues of major importance, first, the priority to be given to providing social and productive services; second, the most appropriate approach to delivering social and productive services; third, how to finance social services more effectively; and finally what alternative means there are of improving the administration of services. This article follows on from Part I which presented a comparative review of service needs in Asian countries.
Constitutional, legal and political problems of local government in Nigeria
Authors: Smith B. C. , Owojaiye G. S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe new Nigerian local government system was clearly intended by its creators to be a representative and democractic system of devolution. The speed with which elected councils have been dissolved and replaced by caretaker committees and state appointees contrasts strangely with the constitutional provision that there should be a system of local government by democratically elected local councils. The constitutionality of dissolution has been confused with the constitutionality of further local government reform. Dissolution should be seen as an emergency measure to be used rarely in cases of proven maladministration by a local government. Further reform and reorganization of a state's system of local government should be regarded as a legitimate power of the state legislature. The role given by the Constitution to local government should not be interpreted as entrenching the system. Constitutional amendment is not required should further reform be necessary.
Microstates: Public administration for the small and beautiful
Authors: Murray David J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMicrostates can easily be dismissed as of peripheral interest and importance yet their number gives them a growing significance. One symptom of their marginal situation is that in the literature of public and development administration the circumstances of microstates have been largely overlooked, and the assumption made that administrative prescriptions can be applied in states irrespective of their size. In practice in microstates there has been improvization and experiment designed to develop administration appropriate to small states, and though judged in conventional terms much of this innovation may be criticized, it is argued in this article that attention should be given to it as a constructive attempt at coping with the problems of small scale.
Crises and continuities in development theory and administration: First and Third World perspectives
Authors: Dwivedi O. P. , Nef J. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract‘Development Administration’ as an academic discipline originated in the West and has been dominated by Western thought. This article traces the development of the discipline and outlines its Western theoretical foundations and assumptions. The failure of Development Administration to solve the problems of the Third World is outlined, and the ‘indigenization of underdevelopment’ is discussed. New challenges to the discipline, that have been previously seen as ‘heretical’, are presented as alternatives to Western models that have proven their ineffectiveness. China, Guinea‐Bissau, India, Tanzania and Libya are used as examples of countries attempting alternative routes to development and development administration. The article stresses the need for open examination of non‐traditional models that may provide valuable clues in the struggle for a viable developmental strategy. It concludes by suggesting four major issues around which a new conceptualization can be built: accountable development administration, the role of values, the emergence of fundamentalist ideologies, and the challenges posed by the Third Development Decade.
Comparative public adminstration: The United States view in international perspective
Authors: Henderson Keith M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn the study of comparative public administration in the United States, there are currently four directions of development associated with bureaucratic and policy models, case and component approaches, the comparative study of organizations, and application. The characteristics of these developments are outlined in this article, recent publications surveyed and future trends discussed. The extent to which there is a peculiarly American or Western tradition in the comparative study of administration is considered and issue is taken with the argument presented by Dwivedi and Nef (1982) for greater autonomy.
Institution‐building for development forestry in Latin America
Authors: Guess George M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIt is frequently assumed that development forestry suffers from insufficient funding, lack of knowhow and an inability to make innovative or creative choices. International donors and the countries themselves imagine that this is so and attempt rectification through an institution building strategy which builds up planning and administrative knowhow while supplying additional funds. But the traditional premises should be challenged on the grounds that incentives must first exist for demand of the precious ‘knowhow’ resource.In most Latin American countries few incentives exist to invest in development forestry and public bureaucracies responsible for this programme area do not provide support for forestry. Strengthening these bureaucracies or making them independent will make little difference to results until organizations are redesigned to permit directly productive forestry functions to be driven by considerations of profit, while retaining research and extension as support functions for the public sector. Interference with incentive structures is more politically threatening than recommendations for training and co‐ordination within the present institutional context. Nevertheless, where decision capacities are low as in most Latin American forestry environments, donor and host governments must either make these prior changes or, given the complex nature of development forestry, spend the funds on other basic needs. The latter option, however, is paradoxical in that the high opportunity costs of ignoring development forestry opportunities will raise the costs of achieving basic needs.
Staffing the higher civil services in Bangladesh: An analysis of recruitment and selection processes
Authors: Zafarullah Habib Mohammad , Khan Mohammad Mohabbat 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn developing a recruitment and selection policy for the Bangladesh Civil Service there has been significant disagreement over whether this should be based exclusively on merit or whether merit should be modified in the interests of equity.The government has, in practice, required that the policy should recognize the principle of equity and various interests have been given a privileged status in recruitment. At the same time the administration of the recruitment process has been conducted in a way that has undermined confidence in it. The authors describe the policy differences and problems of administration concluding with ideas on desirable reforms.
Information transfer implications of development research administration in Nigeria
Authors: Aiyepeku Wilson O. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe study of research utilization and administration has been a growing field, but the emphasis in this field has been on industrialized countries. This article presents the results of a pioneering study of the use of research by senior officials in the Nigerian Federal Government. The article focuses first on Federal Government‐sponsored research, it reviews how such research was initiated and conducted, how results were presented and what affected the use of the results. The article then describes expatriate‐sponsored research, casts light on the conventional assumption about the amount of such research and points to the fact that there was comparatively less awareness of the results. The article not only provides significant information about the administration of research in Nigeria but emphasizes the need to give attention to this aspect of administration.
Upgrading the managerial process of small entrepreneurs in West Africa
Authors: Chuta Enyinna 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn spite of their contribution to employment and value‐added of the economies of West African countries, the future of small enterprises depends on their financial viability. To this management efficiency makes a crucial contribution and available empirical evidence surveyed in this article shows major weaknesses in it. Often the right motivations are lacking, problems are ill‐defined and record keeping as a major tool of information gathering and analysis is not practised. It is argued that more detailed investigation of the managerial processes of these enterprises should be undertaken as a basis for innovating in management practices in a way that is adapted to the needs and circumstances of the heterogenous types of small enterprises in West Africa. It is also suggested that facilities available for management training are too centralized adequately to reach rural towns and villages. A decentralized approach to extension should make training facilities more accessible to larger numbers of small entrepreneurs. The inclusion of management training in the traditional apprenticeship system and in the curricula of government trade and vocational training centres would also bring benefits.
The project orthodoxy in development: Re‐evaluating the cutting edge
Authors: Morgan E. Philip 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper takes a broad critical posture towards the project as an instrument of development. It addresses the multidimensional features of what has become the project orthodoxy in development management, and some of the attending effects. It suggests that some of the virtues of the project have been offset by a number of negative consequences as it has become institutionalized in the procedures of both donor agencies and national governments in developing countries. An attempt is made to distinguish between those kinds of activities in which the project mode is most useful, and those for which its basic features and attendant trappings have great limitations. The argument concludes with a reassertion of the need for better linkages with programme management and the sources of policy.
Learning lessons from experience: The role of evaluation in the administration of the U.K. aid programme
Authors: Cracknell B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFormal evaluation has now become well established in the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) which has a separate Evaluation Department with an annual budget of £300,000 for commissioned studies. This enables about twenty to twenty‐five evaluations to be carried out annually, usually by mixed ODA/outside teams. The reports are submitted to ODA'S Projects and Evaluation Committee and are usually made available to people with a professional interest. Many useful lessons have been learnt not only about ODA'S internal aid procedures, but also about factors that affect the success or otherwise of projects and programmes and also concerning aid and development strategy as a whole. The evaluations have led to improved monitoring, greater emphasis on sociological and environmental factors, greater awareness of the need to associate manpower and training with capital aid, and more appreciation of the need to look at projects in their wider context.
Management problems of the proliferation of local government in Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwo G. Onyekwere 
Published: July 2007

AbstractLocal government throughout Nigeria was reconstituted on a uniform basis in 1976. The 1979 Constitution then empowered state governments to create new local governments. This article describes how the state governments have used their authority to proliferate the number of local governments; it explains the reasons for doing this both on the part of state governments and on that of local communities. The drive to create additional local governments has derived in part from a desire to promote local level development, yet enquiries into the managerial capacity of existing local governments suggest that this expectation will be frustrated.
Managing the fight against corruption: A case study
Authors: Klitgaard Robert 
Published: July 2007

AbstractCorruption is one of the foremost problems facing policy‐makers and managers in developing countries, but it is a remarkably difficult one to study. This case study—an actual episode that has been disguised to preserve confidentiality—provides a vehicle for illustrating both the application of analytical tools to corruption and the importance of practical issues of implementation and politics. The case suggests that anti‐corruption policies should carefully assess (1) the relative severity of various kinds of illicit activities, including who gains and loses; (2) the relative susceptibility of the various activities to feasible changes in policies and procedures; and (3) the strategic importance of politics, in the narrow sense of bureaucratic politics as well as the wider political realities.
Evaluation in the ODA. A view from the inside
Authors: Browning R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEvaluation is an important part of the project cycle, but it is not confined to projects: any aid‐funded activity can be evaluated. ODA spends about £1/2 million per annum on evaluation (including in‐house staff costs). The policy on evaluation is controlled by the Projects and Evaluation Committee which receives the reports. As the same Committee approves all major new projects there is instant feedback. It is vital that senior management learn recent lessons from experience to supplement their own personal experience which may be out of date. Evaluations need to be done as soon as useful lessons are to be learned—if left too late the findings are likely to have been overtaken by recent changes in ODA procedures. Using outside evaluators brings a welcome element of impartiality. But a balance of in‐house and out‐of‐house evaluators yields the best results. Evaluation reports need to be presented in a systematic way (as appraisals are), and they should be made widely available. Two lessons stand out: the need for in‐depth appraisal and careful monitoring and the importance of good management for successful projects.
Development policy and international administrative relations: The aspect of education and training
Authors: König Klaus 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWithin the framework of administrative co‐operation, transnational arrangements of education and training constitute a delicate activity. Many reverberations of colonial and early post‐colonial times can still be felt in this domain. Nevertheless, the problems of transfer, be it doctrine, technical implementation or practical experience, are still very apparent and will probably continue. This article traces the progress of education and training through post‐colonial history until the present, discusses the merits of the different approaches taken by the most active Western institutions and identifies the major experiences and lessons regarding the various problems of transfer. The debate concentrates on the specific activities and experiences of the most recent programmes offered by the Graduate School of Administrative Sciences in Speyer in co‐operation with the public administration branch of the German Foundation for International Development.
Financing smallholder production: A comparison of individual and group credit schemes in Zimbabwe
Authors: Bratton Michael 
Published: July 2007

AbstractCredit programmes aimed at individual smallholders in Africa have had disappointing results, particularly with regard to loan repayment. This article enquires whether group lending under terms of joint liability is a more effective approach. Data are derived from the performance of smallholder credit schemes in Zimbabwe in the period 1980–1984. The findings are as follows: (a) access to credit is easier for small farmers if they belong to voluntary agricultural associations; (b) loans issued on terms of joint liability have lower administrative costs; (c) most importantly, joint liability arrangements lead to higher repayment rates than schemes based on individual liability; (d) although joint liability is better enforced by mandatory sanction than by selective incentive, this advantage is offset by a disintegrative effect on farmer organizations. The conclusion is that a policy of group lending is generally more viable than an individual approach, but only in the context of the creation and strengthening of local farmer institutions.