Factors affecting motivation in the public sector under the context of self-determination theory and public service motivation : the case of the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organization (H.A.I.O.)

Purpose: The main aim of this study is to develop and test a conceptual framework that explores the factors that motivate employees in public services. The study is based on two theories, the Self Determination Theory (SDT), and the Public Service Motivation (PSM). Design/methodology/approach: The empirical testing of the proposed conceptual framework was conducted using a structured questionnaire that was distributed to 390 employees of a Greek public sector organization, namely the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organization (Η.Α.Ι.Ο.). The population of the study consists of 489 public servants. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique were used to test the research hypotheses. Findings: Results highlight, among others, the importance of work autonomy and job satisfaction and their impact on employees’ intrinsic motivation. Moreover, empirical results emphasize the need for building a supportive work environment that contributes on employee satisfaction, autonomy and relatedness. Results also confirm the existence of a positive relationship among intrinsic motivation, public service motivation and job performance. Practical implications: The findings suggest that in cases where external incentives are significantly limited (e.g., in the public sector), it is crucial to consider the importance of promoting and supporting intrinsic motivation and support public service incentives. Originality/value: Self-determination theory seems to be poorly explored in the Greek public sector, and moreover, in economies and countries with similar characteristics. Therefore, it seems crucial to increase the knowledge about the real value of self-determination theory as a work motivation approach, especially in the public sector. Finally, research results may help supervisors and business leaders to implement appropriate systems and practices that promote a supportive environment in the workplace.peer-reviewe

Counterfeit purchase typologies during an economic crisis

Purpose-The economic crisis has become a global phenomenon, although in Europe it mostly affected the Mediterranean countries of Southern Europe. In times of economic stress, counterfeit products increase their market share. In this context this paper aims to explore, and attempt to explain, consumer perspectives on the purchasing of counterfeit brands. Methodology-The study utilized an e-mail based open ended questionnaire as its data collection method. The research used a sample of 83 participants belonging to generation Y (younger and older) and upper medium and high income class brackets. Findings-Purchasing behaviour of counterfeit products during the economic crisis enabled us to identify four types of consumers. Furthermore, the results indicated that some consumers have significant interest in counterfeits while some consumers show apathy or indifference towards counterfeiting. Furthermore, some consumers believe that the government’s economic austerity policies cause high level consumption of counterfeits while others consider the authorities to be responsible for counterfeiting, since they do not adequately tackle it. Research limitations/implications- This research is exploratory in nature and restricted to Greek generation Y consumers. Suggestions are presented regarding future studies and generalization of the findings. Practical implications- Implementation of law, joint communication campaigns and social media usage are the major implications for the stakeholders in the marketplace. Originality/value-This study extends the body of knowledge of purchasing behavior on non-deceptive counterfeit products by offering empirical findings from Greece, a country facing a severe economic crisis. To our knowledge this is the first study that explores counterfeit buying behaviour during an economic crisis perio

Description of an Institutional Cohort of Myeloid Neoplasms Carrying ETV6-Locus Deletions or ETV6 Rearrangements.

The gene encoding for transcription factor ETV6 presents recurrent lesions in hematologic neoplasms, most notably the ETV6-RUNX1 rearrangement in childhood B-ALL. The role of ETV6 for normal hematopoiesis is unknown, but loss of its function probably participates in oncogenic procedures. In myeloid neoplasms, ETV6-locus (12p13) deletions are rare but recurrent; ETV6 translocations are even rarer, but those reported seem to have phenotype-defining consequences. We herein describe the genetic and hematologic profile of myeloid neoplasms with ETV6 deletions (10 cases), or translocations (4 cases) diagnosed in the last 10 years in our institution. We find complex caryotype to be the most prevalent cytogenetics among patients with 12p13 deletion (8/10 patients), with most frequent coexisting anomalies being monosomy 7 or deletion 7q32 (5/10), monosomy 5 or del5q14-15 (5/10), and deletion/inversion of chromosome 20 (5/10), and most frequent point mutation being TP53 mutation (6/10 patients). Mechanisms of synergy of these lesions are unknown. We describe the entire genetic profile and hematologic phenotype of cases with extremely rare ETV6 translocations, confirming the biphenotypic T/myeloid nature of acute leukemia associated to ETV6-NCOA2 rearrangement, the association of t (1;12) (p36; p13) and of the CHIC2-ETV6 fusion with MDS/AML, and the association of the ETV6-ACSL6 rearrangement with myeloproliferative neoplasm with eosinophilia. Mutation of the intact ETV6 allele was present in two cases and seems to be subclonal to the chromosomal lesions. Decoding the mechanisms of disease related to ETV6 haploinsufficiency or rearrangements is important for the understanding of pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasms and fundamental research must be guided by observational cues

Perforation and abscess formation after radiological placement of a retrievable plastic biliary stent

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Retrievable plastic biliary stents are usually inserted endoscopically. When endoscopic placement fails, radiological percutaneous transhepatic placement is indicated. We report the occurrence of a case of delayed duodenal perforation with abscess formation after radiological placement of a plastic stent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this complication after radiological stenting.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 58-year-old Caucasian man had a mass 30 mm in size in the head of the pancreas and obstructive jaundice. He was referred for radiological insertion of plastic biliary stents after a failed endoscopic attempt. The procedure was uneventful, and the patient was discharged. Two weeks after the procedure, the patient presented with an acute abdomen and signs of sepsis. Computed tomography revealed erosion of the posterior duodenal wall from the plastic stent, and a large retroperitoneal abscess. The abscess was drained under computed tomography guidance, and the migrated stent was removed percutaneously with a snare under fluoroscopic guidance. Our patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged after a week.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Late retroperitoneal duodenal perforation is a very rare but severe complication of biliary stenting with plastic stents. Gastroenterologists, surgeons and radiologists should all be aware of its existence, clinical presentation and management.</p

Роль литературного авангарда в становлении концепции социалистического реализма

The article reveals the relation between aesthetics and politics in the new Soviet State by analyzing the influence of the literary Russian avant-garde in the formation of the main concepts of social realism, as the dominant literary method in the totalitarian State.В статье рассматривается вопрос соотношения эстетики и политики в новом советском государстве. Анализируется влияние и вклад русского литературного авангарда в формирование основных художественных концепций социалистического реализма как основного художественного метода в тоталитарном государстве

СТАЛИНСКИЙ МИФ: ОФИЦИАЛЬНЫЙ ОБРАЗ ВОЖДЯ В ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННОЙ ЛИТЕРАТУРЕ СОЦИАЛИСТИЧЕСКОГО РЕАЛИЗМА

The article explores the construction and the representation of the portrait of the leader in the Soviet literature of the Stalin era. The origins of the official image of Stalin are examined under the prism of the analysis of the modern mythologizing, as it has been described by Roland Barthes. Furthermore, we explore some of the peculiarities of the Soviet literature in the construction and strengthening of the personality cult, where the method of socialist realism has gained the function of a social institution, which, like the myth, re-creates the reality, stating that “beautiful - this is our life.”The article is written with the purpose of systematizing what has already been examined by other researchers and has a total basis, establishingthe interrelation between the factors of the field of literature with the field of ideology and the field of power.В данной статье исследуется конструирование и репрезентация портрета вождя в советской литературе сталинского времени. Истоки официального образа Сталина рассматриваются под призмой анализа современной мифологизации, описанной Р. Бартом. Также исследуются некоторые особенности функционирования советской литературы в построении и укреплении культа личности, где метод социалистического реализма служит функцией общественной институции, которая, подобно мифу, пересоздает действительность, заявляя, что «прекрасное - это наше жизнь». Статья написана с целью систематизации того, что уже было рассмотрено другими исследователями и имеет общую основу, устанавливающую отношения между факторами поля литературы во взаимоотношении с полем идеологии и полем власти

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Boys with Autism: Still Searching for the Hidden Truth

How to Cite This Article: Ververi A, Vargiami E, V Papadopoulou V, Tryfonas D, Zafeiriou DI. Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials inBoys with Autism: Still Searching for the Hidden Truth. Iran J Child Neurol. Spring 2015;9(2):21-28.Abstract Objective Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) have long been utilized in the investigation of auditory modulation and, more specifically, auditory brainstem functions in individuals with autism. Although most investigators have reported significant abnormalities, no single BAEPs pattern has yet been identified. The present study further delineates the BAEPs deficits among subjects with autism. Materials &amp; Methods BAEPs were recorded in 43 male patients, aged 35–104 months, who underwent standard evaluations after receiving a diagnosis of autism. The control group consisted of 43 age-matched typically developing boys. The study took place in a tertiary neurodevelopmental center over a period of two years. Results The mean values of all absolute and/or interpeak latencies were longer in patients when compared to controls, albeit the differences were not significant for any of the parameters. Prolonged or shortened absolute/interpeak latencies (control group mean ± 2.5SD) were unilaterally or bilaterally identified in 33% of patients, compared to 9% of controls. The most frequent findings included prolongation of absolute latencies I, V and III, followed by shortening of interpeak latency I-V. In addition, abnormalities (either shortening or prolongation) of absolute latencies I and V, as well as interpeak latency I-V, were significantly more common among patients. Taken together, BAEPs in 23% of patients were indicative of a clinically abnormal response in 32% of patients. Conclusion As can be easily concluded, BAEPs abnormalities characterize only a subset of subjects with autism, who may be important to identify clinically. The latter individuals may benefit from targeted intervention to utilize brainstem plasticity

Ecological constraints from incumbent clades drive trait evolution across the tree-of-life of freshwater macroinvertebrates

The rates of species and trait diversification vary across the Tree‐of‐Life and over time. Whereas species richness and clade age generally are decoupled, the correlation of accumulated trait diversity of clades (trait disparity) with clade age remains poorly explored. Total trait disparity may be coupled with clade age if the growth of disparity (disparification) within and across clades is continuous with time in an additive niche expansion process (linear‐cumulative model), or alternatively if the rate of trait disparification varies over time and decreases as ecological space becomes gradually saturated (disparity‐dependent model). Using a clock‐calibrated phylogenetic tree for 143 freshwater macroinvertebrate families and richness and trait databases covering > 6400 species, we measured trait disparity in 18 independent clades that successively transitioned to freshwater ecosystems and analyzed its relation with clade age. We found a positive correlation between clade age and total disparity within clades, but no relationship for most individual traits. Traits unique to freshwater lifestyle were highly variable within older clades, while disparity in younger clades shifted towards partially terrestrial lifestyles and saline tolerance to occupy habitats previously inaccessible or underutilized. These results argue that constraints from incumbent lineages limit trait disparity in younger clades that evolved for filling unoccupied regions of the trait space, which suggests that trait disparification may follow a disparity‐dependent model. Overall, we provide an empirical pattern that reveals the potential of the disparity‐dependent model for understanding fundamental processes shaping trait dynamics across the Tree‐of‐Life