bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeing the Talker's Face Improves Free Recall of Speech for Young Adults With Normal Hearing but Not Older Adults With Hearing Loss
Authors: Rudner Mary , Mishra Sushmit , Stenfelt Stefan , Lunner Thomas , Rönnberg Jerker
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Seeing the talker's face improves speech understanding in noise, possibly releasing resources for cognitive processing. We investigated whether it improves free recall of spoken two-digit numbers.

Method

Twenty younger adults with normal hearing and 24 older adults with hearing loss listened to and subsequently recalled lists of 13 two-digit numbers, with alternating male and female talkers. Lists were presented in quiet as well as in stationary and speech-like noise at a signal-to-noise ratio giving approximately 90% intelligibility. Amplification compensated for loss of audibility.

Results

Seeing the talker's face improved free recall performance for the younger but not the older group. Poorer performance in background noise was contingent on individual differences in working memory capacity. The effect of seeing the talker's face did not differ in quiet and noise.

Conclusions

We have argued that the absence of an effect of seeing the talker's face for older adults with hearing loss may be due to modulation of audiovisual integration mechanisms caused by an interaction between task demands and participant characteristics. In particular, we suggest that executive task demands and interindividual executive skills may play a key role in determining the benefit of seeing the talker's face during a speech-based cognitive task.
Iloprost supports early development of in vitro-produced porcine embryos through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signalling pathway
Authors: Jeong Pil-Soo , Yoon Seung-Bin , Choi Seon-A , Song Bong-Seok , Kim Ji-Su , Sim Bo-Woong , Park Young-Ho , Yang Hae-Jun , Mun Seong-Eun , Kim Young-Hyun , Kang Philyong , Jeong Kang-Jin , Lee Youngjeon , Jin Yeung Bae , Huh Jae-Won , Lee Sang-Rae , Koo Deog-Bon , Park Young Il , Kim Sun-Uk , Chang Kyu-Tae
Published: June 2016

Despite evidence of the presence of prostaglandin (PG) I2 in mammalian oviducts, its role in early development of in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos is largely unknown. Thus, in the present study we examined the effects of iloprost, a PGI2 analogue, on the in vitro developmental competence of early porcine embryos and the underlying mechanism(s). To examine the effects of iloprost on the development rate of IVF embryos, iloprost was added to the in vitro culture (IVC) medium and cultured for 6 days. Supplementation of the IVC medium with iloprost significantly improved developmental parameters, such as blastocyst formation rate, the trophectoderm : inner cell mass ratio and cell survival in IVF and parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos. In addition, post-blastulation development into the expanded blastocyst stage was improved in iloprost-treated groups compared with controls. Interestingly, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signalling pathway was significantly activated by iloprost supplementation in a concentration-dependent manner (10–1000 nM), and the beneficial effects of iloprost on the early development of porcine IVF and PA embryos was completely ablated by treatment with 2.5 μM wortmannin, a PI3K/AKT signalling inhibitor. Importantly, expression of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway was significantly reduced in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) compared with IVF embryos, and iloprost supported the early development of SCNT embryos, as was the case for IVF and PA embryos, suggesting a consistent effect of iloprost on the IVC of IVP porcine embryos. Together, these results indicate that iloprost can be a useful IVC supplement for production of IVP early porcine embryos with high developmental competence.
Stem cell factor promotes in vitro ovarian follicle development in the domestic cat by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression and stimulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway
Authors: Thuwanut Paweena , Comizzoli Pierre , Wildt David E. , Keefer Carol L. , Songsasen Nucharin
Published: June 2016

In the present study we examined the effects of stem cell factor (SCF; 50 vs 100 ng mL–1) alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF; 100 ng mL–1) on: (1) the in vitro viability and growth of cat follicles within ovarian cortices; (2) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation; and (3) c-kit and FSH receptor (FSHr) mRNA expression. At 100 ng mL–1, SCF increased (P ≤ 0.05) the percentage and size of secondary follicles after 14 days of in vitro culture and sustained AKT phosphorylation after 3 days incubation. EGF suppressed this beneficial effect and reduced (P ≤ 0.05) the percentage of structurally normal follicles and FSHr expression when combined with 100 ng mL–1 SCF. Expression of c-kit mRNA was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the presence of 100 ng mL–1 SCF compared with fresh follicles and cohorts cultured under other conditions. A c-kit inhibitor suppressed follicle growth and reduced AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, the results demonstrate that SCF promotes cat follicle development by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression and AKT phosphorylation. EGF suppresses the stimulating effect of SCF, leading to downregulation of FSHr expression.
Multipleshifts
Authors: Breban Tine , Gentens Caroline
Published: June 2016

In this paper we report on a historical corpus study of Englishmultiple, an adjective which underwent a process of grammaticalization starting from lexical uses with the meaning ‘composite’, e.g.HR 3617 is amultiplestar, to grammaticalized uses as individualizer, paraphrasable as ‘different’, e.g.She has to performmultipletasks at the same time, and as quantifier ‘several’, e.g.I havemultiplefriends in high society.Multipleis just one of several adjectives going down this path of grammaticalization. However, as we show in this paper, the trajectory of each adjective includes different micro-processes of change. New diachronic case studies on the grammaticalization of individual items thus remain crucial to further advancing our understanding of the potential environments and changes underlying grammaticalization processes. The case ofmultipleshows that, firstly, not only attributes, but also classifiers can serve as input for grammaticalization, and that, secondly, grammaticalization and lexicalization processes can have non-adjacent functions in the noun phrase as their input and output.
From nominal to verbal gerunds
Authors: Fonteyn Lauren
Published: June 2016

This paper provides a detailed comparison of the referential behaviour of noun phrases and nominal and verbal gerunds from Middle to Late Modern English. It will be shown that in earlier stages of English, nominal and verbal gerunds to a large extent resemble prototypical noun phrases in their referential functioning, but also exhibit ‘non-nominal’ uses that depend on clausal rather than nominal grounding strategies. It is argued that the study of (diachronic changes in) the semantic and functional behaviour of nominal and verbal gerunds in Middle and Modern English should take into account that these are functionally hybrid constructions, showing referential traits of both prototypical noun phrases and clauses. This functional hybridity, then, was gradually sorted out, with nominal gerunds specializing to nominal reference and verbal gerunds continuing to adhere to the functional apparatus associated with subordinate clauses.
Gram-negative prosthetic joint infections managed according to a multidisciplinary standardized approach: risk factors for failure and outcome with and without fluoroquinolones
Authors: Grossi O. , Asseray N. , Bourigault C. , Corvec S. , Valette M. , Navas D. , Happi-Djeukou L. , Touchais S. , Bémer P. , Boutoille D.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To describe the outcome and risk factors for treatment failure of 76 Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) managed with a curative intent according to a standardized protocol derived from published guidelines.

Methods

We analysed data from all the cases of GNB-PJI treated surgically over an 8 year period. Treatment failure was defined as persistence or recurrence of PJI signs during follow-up, resulting in additional surgery and/or antibiotic administration or death.

Results

Treatment failure within the follow-up period (median = 2.6 years) was observed in 16 of 76 (21.1%) patients. The failure rate was similar whether the patients were treated with fluoroquinolones in the whole cohort (22.4% versus 16.7%, P = 0.75) and after stratification according to the surgical procedure. The low failure rate observed in patients not receiving fluoroquinolones might be explained by the standardized attitude of maintaining intravenous β-lactams throughout treatment duration (median = 90 days). In multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein level ≥175 mg/L was significantly associated with treatment failure (adjusted HR = 7.75, 95% CI = 2.66–22.59, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Management according to standardized procedures may improve the prognosis of GNB-PJI. Intravenous β-lactams, continued for 3 months, should be considered an effective alternative to fluoroquinolones.
Yifang Wang: high energy physics in China
Authors: Wang Ling , Poo Mu-ming
Published: June 2016

On 8 March 2012, Yifang Wang, co-spokesperson of the Daya Bay Experiment and Director of Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced the discovery of a new type of neutrino oscillation with a surprisingly large mixing angle (θ13), signifying ‘a milestone in neutrino research’. Now his team is heading for a new goal—to determine the neutrino mass hierarchy and to precisely measure oscillation parameters using the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory, which is due for completion in 2020. Neutrinos are fundamental particles that play important roles in both microscopic particle physics and macroscopic universe evolution. The studies on neutrinos, for example, may answer the question why our universe consists of much more matter than antimatter. But this is not an easy task. Though they are one of the most numerous particles in the universe and zip through our planet and bodies all the time, these tiny particles are like ‘ghost’, difficult to be captured. There are three flavors of neutrinos, known as electron neutrino (νe), muon neutrino (νμ), and tau neutrino (ντ), and their flavors could change as they travel through space via quantum interference. This phenomenon is known as neutrino oscillation or neutrino mixing. To determine the absolute mass of each type of neutrino and find out how they mix is very challenging. In a recent interview with NSR in Beijing, Yifang Wang explained how the Daya Bay Experiment on neutrino oscillation not only addressed the frontier problem in particle physics, but also harnessed the talents and existing technology in Chinese physics community. This achievement, Wang reckons, will not be an exception in Chinese high energy physics, when appropriate funding and organization for big science projects could be efficiently realized in the future.
On the stationary and oscillatory modes of triply resonant penetrative convection
Authors: Harfash Akil Jassim , Alshara Ahmed K.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a model for thermal convection in a plane layer when the density-temperature relation in the buoyancy term is quadratic. A heat source/sink varying in a linear fashion with a vertical height expressed as z was allowed, functioning as a heat sink in an area of the layer and as a heat source in the remainder.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the authors present the governing equations of motion and derive the associated perturbation equations. Second, the authors introduce the linear and nonlinear analysis of the system. Third, the authors transform the system to velocity-vorticity-potential formulation and introduce a numerical study of the problem in three dimensions.

Findings

– First, the linear instability and nonlinear stability thresholds are derived. Second, the linear instability thresholds accurately predict the onset of instability. Third, the required time to arrive at the steady state increases as Ra tends to RaL
. Fourth, the authors find that the convection has three different interesting patterns.

Originality/value

– With the modernday need for heat transfer or insulation devices in industry, particularly those connected with nanotechnology, the usefulness of a mathematical analysis of such resonance became apparent. Thus, this study is believed to be of value.
Utilizing the L-PSJA for controlling cylindrical wake flow
Authors: Skote Martin , Ibrahim Imran Halimi
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The cylindrical wake flow is an important part of many engineering applications, including wake turbulence, acoustic noise, and lift/drag forces on bodies. The suppression of von Kármán vortex street (VKS) is an important goal for flow control devices. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The linear plasma synthetic jet actuator (L-PSJA) is utilized as a flow control device to suppress the VKS formation. Different configurations of the device is studied numerically.

Findings

– Of the 12 configurations that were investigated, five configurations were able to suppress the formation of the VKS.

Originality/value

– For the first time, the L-PSJA has been shown (through numerical simulations) to be able to suppress VKS.
Boundary layer flow over a moving plate in a flowing fluid considering non-linear radiations
Authors: Mushtaq Ammar , Mustafa M. , Hayat T. , Alsaedi A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to consider a laminar two-dimensional incompressible flow of an electrically conducting fluid over a moving flat plate with a parallel free stream.

Design/methodology/approach

– The governing equations are first reduced into self-similar forms and then solved for the numerical solutions by shooting method.

Findings

– The results are compared with the available studies is some special cases and found in excellent agreement. It is noticed that an increase in the magnetic field strength leads to a decrease in the momentum boundary layer thickness and enhancement in the rate of heat transfer from the plate. It is also observed that temperature and heat transfer from the plate increase when radiation effect is strengthened.

Originality/value

– A recently proposed idea of nonlinear radiative heat transfer with Joule heating and viscous dissipation effects is analyzed.
Computation of permeability with Fast Fourier Transform from 3-D digital images of porous microstructures
Authors: Ly Hai Bang , Monchiet Vincent , Grande Daniel
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a fully automated numerical tool for computing the effective permeability of porous media from digital images which come from the modern imagery technique.

Design/methodology/approach

– The permeability is obtained by the homogenization process applied to a periodic rigid solid in which the fluid flow is described by the Stokes equations. The unit cell problem is solved by using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm, well adapted for the microstructures defined by voxels.

Findings

– Various 3-D examples are considered to show the capacity of the method. First, the case of flow through regular arrays of aligned cylinders or spheres are considered as benchmark problems. Next, the method is applied to some more complex and realistic porous solids obtained with assemblies of overlapping spherical pores having identical or different radii, regularly or randomly distributed within the unit cell.

Originality/value

– The use of FFT allows the resolution of high-dimension problems and open various possibilities for computing the permeability of porous microstructures coming from X-ray microtomography.
Local entropy generation rate through convective heat transfer in tubes with wire coil inserts
Authors: Agrebi Senda , Solano Juan P. , Snoussi Ali , Brahim Ammar Ben
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical analysis of the flow and heat transfer in a tube with a wire coil insert. A second law analysis of the results is accounted for, in order to assess the local and overall entropy generation in relation with the increased pressure drop and convective heat transfer. A wire coil with p/D=1.25 and e/D=0.076 is selected as insert device. A Reynolds number range between 100 and 1,000 is investigated, which corresponds to the typical operating regimes in the risers of liquid solar collectors. Different wall heat fluxes and inclination angles allow to analyze the potential impact of mixed convection in the presence of tube inserts.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three-dimensional numerical simulations are performed using a finite-volume solver, assuming laminar flow conditions. Pure water and a mixture of water and propylene-glycol (20 percent) are used as working fluids, with temperature-dependent properties. Fanning friction factor, Nusselt number and local entropy generation results are obtained in the fully developed region.

Findings

– The friction factor results are successfully compared with a well-known experimental correlation for wire coil inserts. The earlier onset of transition is devised at Re
>
300. Nusselt number augmentations between 2.5- and 6-fold are reported with respect to the smooth tube. The mixed convection regime encountered in the smooth tube for the operating conditions investigated is canceled in the wire coiled tube, owing to the opposed effect of the swirl flow induced and the bouyancy forces. Frictional, heat transfer and overall entropy generation rates are computed locally in the fully developed region, allowing to relate these results with the flow structures in the mixed convection smooth tube and in the wire coiled tube. A threefold decrease in the entropy generation rate is reported for tubes with wire coil inserts.

Originality/value

– An holistic understanding of the heat transfer enhancement in tubes with wire coil inserts is provided through the analysis of the flow pattern, Fanning friction factor, Nusselt number and local entropy generation rates. The reduced entropy generation in the enhanced tube serves as a performance criteria to confirm the positive effect of wire coil inserts in heat transfer for the operating regime under investigation, in spite of the increased pressure drop.
Emergency organizations’ diverging perceptions of terrorist attacks
Authors: Holgersson Annelie , Strandh Veronica
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the police, the rescue services and the emergency medical services perceive the threat of terrorism and preparedness for a terrorist-induced crisis. It also aims to unravel differences among the emergency organizations and to discuss their potential implications for emergency preparedness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to operational personnel from the emergency services in eight Swedish counties; 864 responses were received and analysed.

Findings

– There were significant differences between the police, rescue and ambulance services regarding perceptions of event likelihood, willingness to respond, estimated management capability and level of confidence with tasks to be performed on-scene. Perceived likelihood of events appeared affected by institutional logic; events within their respective domain of responsibility were perceived as more likely. The police stood out in many aspects, with more personnel with experience of violence on duty and a high grading of the probability of terrorist attacks compared to the other organizations. Fewer police had high estimates of their organizations’ management capability and knowledge of tasks on-scene.

Practical implications

– Differences in perspectives of terrorism preparedness and response among the emergency services were shown, highlighting the importance of enabling inter-organizational insights on safety culture, with risk awareness and management strategies, as well as knowledge of the other organizations’ institutional logics and main tasks, so as to achieve an effective, collaborative response to terrorism-induced crises.

Originality/value

– Little research has been conducted comparatively with regard to the emergency services and their perceptions of terrorism-specific threats and preparedness, particularly in the Swedish context.
More than a mentor
Authors: Struyve Charlotte , Daly Alan , Vandecandelaere Machteld , Meredith Chloé , Hannes Karin , De Fraine Bieke
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The number of early career teachers leaving the profession continues to be an ongoing issue across the globe. This pressing concern has resulted in increased attention to the instructional and psychological conditions necessary to retain early career educators. However, less formal attention has been paid to the social infrastructure in which early career teachers find themselves. The purpose of this paper is to foreground the role of social capital and its effect on job attitudes and educators’ intention to leave the profession.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 736 teachers within ten secondary schools in Flanders (Belgium). Using social network and multilevel moderated mediation analysis techniques, the relationships between teachers’ social connectedness, job attitudes, and the intention to leave the profession for both novice and experienced teachers were analyzed.

Findings

– Findings indicate that being socially connected to other educators within the school is associated with a reduction in teachers’ intention to leave the profession, mediated by their job attitudes, for both early career and experienced teachers. However, social connectedness was significantly more important for early career teachers. No significant effects are found for being socially connected to the mentor.

Originality/value

– This study provides evidence for the importance of social capital for teachers, particularly early career educators. Moreover, by introducing teachers’ social connectedness as related to intention to leave, this study makes a significant and unique contribution to the literature.
The impact of professional capital on educational excellence and equality in Estonia
Authors: Kitsing Maie , Boyle Alan , Kukemelk Hasso , Mikk Jaan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Estonia’s results in programme for international student assessment (PISA) studies between 2006 and 2012 showed both high-level attainment and social equity. The combination of excellence and equity makes Estonia stand out from other countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the wide range of factors that influence Estonian students’ performance in these tests and note how professional capital fits into the overall picture.

Design/methodology/approach

– First the authors present a brief analysis of the outcomes in terms of the PISA results. Then the authors describe a wide range of contextual factors in Estonia such as: the country’s general level of human development; historical and cultural factors; demographics and social factors. These are the inputs to the education system. Finally the authors explore the interplay between features of the education system itself – the schooling processes – and note the impact of professional capital.

Findings

– The authors judge that the interplay between professional capital with other factors that work in harmony explains why the system is highly effective. This coherence is not accidental; it is the outcome of a series of deliberate reforms and investment over a single generation.

Originality/value

– Between 2009 and 2012 Estonia increased its share of top performers in PISA tests while, at the same time, reduced the proportion of low performers. This is commonly referred to as “raising the bar and closing the gap”. Individual schools struggle to close attainment gaps between different groups of students. Estonia is one of a very small number of countries to achieve both excellence and equality across the whole national system.
Extraction, analysis and publication of bibliographical references within an institutional repository
Authors: Hatop Götz
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The academic tradition of adding a reference section with references to cited and otherwise related academic material to an article provides a natural starting point for finding links to other publications. These links can then be published as linked data. Natural language processing technologies are available today that can perform the task of bibliographical reference extraction from text. Publishing references by the means of semantic web technologies is a prerequisite for a broader study and analysis of citations and thus can help to improve academic communication in a general sense. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper examines the overall workflow required to extract, analyze and semantically publish bibliographical references within an Institutional Repository with the help of open source software components.

Findings

– A publication infrastructure where references are available for software agents would enable additional benefits like citation analysis, e.g. the collection of citations of a known paper and the investigation of citation sentiment.The publication of reference information as demonstrated in this article is possible with existing semantic web technologies based on established ontologies and open source software components.

Research limitations/implications

– Only a limited number of metadata extraction programs have been considered for performance evaluation and reference extraction was tested for journal articles only, whereas Institutional Repositories usually do contain a large number of other material like monographs. Also, citation analysis is in an experimental state and citation sentiment is currently not published at all. For future work, the problem of distributing reference information between repositories is an important problem that needs to be tackled.

Originality/value

– Publishing reference information as linked data are new within the academic publishing domain.
Cataloging the 3D web: the availability of educational 3D models on the internet
Authors: Groenendyk Michael
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The number of 3D models available on the internet to both students and educators is rapidly expanding. Not only are the 3D model collections of popular websites like Thingiverse.com growing, organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and NASA have also recently begun to build collections of 3D models and make these openly accessible online. Yet, even with increased interest in 3D printing and 3D scanning technologies, little is known about the overall structure of the 3D models available on the internet. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– To initiate this project, a list was built of 33 of the most widely used 3D model websites on the internet. Freely downloadable models, as well as models available for purchase or as 3D printed objects were included in the list. Once the list of 33 websites was created, the data for each individual 3D model in the collections was manually assembled and recorded. The titles of the 3D models, keywords, subject headings, license information, and number of views and downloads were recorded, as this information was available. The data were gathered between January and May 2015, and compiled into a CSV database. To determine how online 3D model content relates to a variety of educational disciplines, relevant subject terms for a variety of educational disciples were extracted from the EBSCO database system. With this list of subject terms in hand, the keywords in the CSV database of model information were searched for each of the subject terms, with an automated process using a Perl script.

Findings

– There have been many teachers, professors, librarians and students who have purchased 3D printers with little or no 3D modelling skills. Without these skills the owners of these 3D printers are entirely reliant on the content created and freely shared by others to make use of their 3D printers. As the data collected for this research paper shows, the vast majority of open 3D model content available online pertains to the professions already well versed in 3D modelling and Computer Aided Design design, such as engineering and architecture.

Originality/value

– Despite that fact that librarians, teachers and other educators are increasingly using technologies that rely on open 3D model content as educational tools, no research has yet been done to assess the number of 3D models available online and what educational disciplines this content relates to. This paper attempts to fill this gap, providing an overview of the size of this content, the educational disciplines this content relates to and who has so far been responsible for developing this content. This information will be valuable to librarians and teachers currently working with technology such as 3D printers and virtual reality, as well as those considering investing in this technology.
A study to evaluate the digitization level of Korean libraries (part I)
Authors: Noh Younghee
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discover and enumerate the elements of the digital library and measure how much an individual library was equipped with the characteristics of the digital library accordingly.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this purpose several steps were taken. First, research on the characteristics and the representative services of the digital library were comprehensively reviewed. Second, examples of the library services that were being considered for the next generation digital library were investigated to compare with the conventional library services. Third, the elements of the conventional and the digital libraries initially extracted were examined by ten experts. These experts were composed of researchers and professors specializing in digital libraries, and career librarians who had worked in the digital library field for at least ten years. The elements were verified through discussions with them. Fourth, 19 university libraries, 16 public libraries, and 17 special libraries were selected in accordance with the verified elements of the conventional and the digital libraries to measure the digitization level of the libraries.

Findings

– The following is a summary of the evaluation of the first eight evaluation items, which are covered in Part 1 of this study. The remaining five items will be covered in Part 2. First, the digitization level of the acquisition element and classification and cataloguing was significantly high. Second, book collections excluding “digital video,” reference service, library program service, and space service showed significantly conventional characteristics. Third, in the element of circulation services, the item of lending books offline and returning the books scored 92.64 and the item of lending-returning with use of smart devices and social media obtained significantly low scores. Also, the average in using the book return desk for the circulation service was 81.39, much higher than using the automatic book return machine, which scored 18.61, by a wide margin. Fourth, in the element of user services, the digital item of providing support for mobile services related to the library resources demonstrated higher scores than the conventional item, but other items showed more conventional characteristics. In particular, the item of duplication services for material scored 94.99, but other items such as support for publication/bookbinding services using digital publication tools and devices obtained significantly low scores.

Originality/value

– This study is first study in the world to measure the level of digitization of the library. Therefore, hereafter, each library will be able to measure and determine its digital position based on these elements. Up to now, some research was performed in pursuit of extracting the elements of a library but it has relied solely on literature review. Comprehensive research had never been performed as in this study.
Towards an understanding of data work in context
Authors: Foster Jonathan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– It is a commonplace that innovation in the digital economy is now driven by data. Business organizations, media companies, and government, for example all create economic and societal value from the digital traces left by the user population. At the same time the data captured also contains information that personally identifies consumers, citizens and patients as individuals. The purpose of this paper is to place this new form of data work in the context of previous approaches to information work; to identify the differences between information and data work and the resulting challenges for data professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

– Informed by a review of previous approaches to information work, the paper argues that the shift in value from information to data as an economic asset and a societal good entails a new form of human-oriented data work. One that is more sensitive to the contextual conditions and consequences of the capture, processing and use of data than has been the case hitherto. The implications of this for a shift in emphasis from the data scientist to the data professional is addressed, as are emerging issues of governance and ethics.

Findings

– The main consequence for data professionals is to ensure that processes are in place not only to enable the creation of valued products and services from data, but also to mitigate the risks related to their development. The paper argues that ensuring this involves taking a contextual view that locates data processing within the user, governance, legal, and ethical conditions related to data work. The consequences for the governance of data, and the education of data professionals are addressed.

Originality/value

– The value of the paper rests in its development of an analytical and methodologically driven framework, that places new forms of data work in the context of their conditions and consequences. The framework builds on prior approaches to information work, current approaches to data work, and addresses the governance, and educational challenges arising from organizations’ emphasis on data-driven innovation in a digital economy.
Gender (in) accounting: insights, gaps and an agenda for future research
Authors: Siboni Benedetta , Sangiorgi Daniela , Farneti Federica , de Villiers Charl
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The study aims to raise awareness of the issues to foster further debate in the area of gender (in) accounting. In the process, opportunities for future research are identified and outlined.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and a discussion of the implications lead to the identification of opportunities for future research.

Findings

Women are under-represented at senior levels in all walks of life. Where women reach senior positions, they are often paid less than men in similar positions. Countries and organisations with more gender equality do better.

Social implications

Organisations and countries will be better off if they have a good representation of women at all organisational levels in all walks of life.

Originality/value

The authors’ perspectives of the prior literature and the identification of future research opportunities around gender (in) accounting are presented.
Out of my comfort zone into yours
Authors: Helms Cynthia Mae , Oliveira Silas , Matacio Lauren , Kimakwa Sarah
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to discover the extended reference needs of Andrews University students by studying their understanding, value and use of library services; and receive input for setting up a reference kiosk.

Design/methodology/approach

Students from various buildings on campus filled out a self-administered 16-point anonymous survey during a two-week period in 2014. Researchers used descriptive statistics to analyze the data collected.

Findings

Students have an understanding of what libraries can do for them, and yet, they do not consider the librarians or use the library services as their first choice for completing their assignments. The respondents feel confident about their library skills and would rather consult their peers or use Google first before consulting a librarian or the information desk. Some of them claim that their classes do not require library use. Students are ambivalent about using an extended reference service outside the library.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to one university and during a specific time period. Further research topics could cover why students start with Google or their peers before they use library services, verify the claim that classes do not require library use and evaluate how students’ use of electronic devices affect library use.

Originality/value

The study helped determine the students’ extended reference needs and how they understand, use and value the library.
Students’ academic reading format preferences in Croatia
Authors: Pešut Darija , Živković Daniela
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This research is a part of an international study about the academic reading format preferences among students. The study aims to determine the preferred format among students considering the study materials used for different academic activities.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was used to collect data from the students of the University of Zagreb. The students were approached through official library websites and were asked to answer 24 questions, out of which 16 were Likert-style statements.

Findings

The research presumes that students still prefer the print format to electronic, but with a slight variation in their choice when it comes to the purposes of reading and length of text. The results are discussed across various variables, e.g. language, number of pages and studying techniques. The variable of academic major was analysed using a chi-square test to check for possible associations with the students’ responses. Conclusions are made about the students’ general format preferences.

Research limitations/implications

Not all university libraries agreed to participate in the research. Therefore, the student population sample is not evenly distributed across all academic fields. Future research should aim for a more evenly distributed sample.

Originality/value

As part of an extensive international study, this research gives comparative results across multi-national student populations. The findings can also be used as the basis for further research on academic reading preferences in and outside Croatia.
Beyond books: the concept of the academic library as learning space
Authors: Fallin Lee
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the issues surrounding the user conceptualisation of academic libraries. The paper will solidify the role of academic libraries as learning spaces and problematise how libraries are conceptualised by users.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a literature-based conceptual paper and draws on a wide range of literature to challenge the concept of academic libraries and presents how they are becoming reframed as different spaces.

Findings

The paper argues that the concept of a library is at risk. While libraries have undergone substantial changes, the concept of a library has lingered. This paper demonstrated that libraries need to proactively engage users in this debate.

Originality/value

The spatial approach taken by this paper demonstrates the complicity behind the user conceptualisation of libraries. Developing an understanding of this process is an important foundation for libraries to develop their user engagement.
The costs of being rejected
Authors: Chou Shih Yung , Chang Tree
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a theoretical model describing how newcomers’ team-member exchange (TMX), team identification and workplace loneliness may be affected by existing team members’ rejections to the newcomers’ interpersonal helping behavior (IHB).

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical analysis was performed.

Findings

The authors propose the following propositions. First, higher levels of IHB rejections result in lower levels of TMX and team identification and higher levels of workplace loneliness experienced by a newcomer. Second, a newcomer’s TMX mediates the relationship between IHB rejections and the newcomer’s workplace loneliness and team identification. Finally, a newcomer’s team identification mediates the relationship between IHB rejections and the newcomer’s workplace loneliness.

Practical implications

This theoretical study provides the following managerial implications. First, managers need to proactively implement tactics that help satisfy newcomers’ affiliation needs through the development of strong formal work relationships with existing members. Second, managers are advised to consider the use of tactics that facilitate the development of effective informal relationships between newcomers and existing team members upon the entry of the team. Third, managers need to implement informal social events where newcomers have the opportunity to exhibit their helpful behaviors. Fourth, managers should periodically inform existing team members of some common anxieties and fears of newcomers that are triggered by entering new interpersonal environments. Finally, managers may utilize mentoring programs that help facilitate newcomers’ accurate interpretations of phenomena occurring around them.

Originality/value

This theoretical study is the first study that examines consequences of IHB rejections in organizations.
Recruitment experiences in an international hotel chain in Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Arike , Ward Trevor
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an account of the recruitment process of an international hotel brand in Nigeria, to highlight the issues related to human capital development and to propose relevant solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

An informal interview was carried out via email. Arike Taiwo is the Executive Director of an international automobile company. She has worked 11 years in human resources for international hotel brands in the UK and Nigeria.

Findings

The interview provides a practitioner’s perspective on human capital issues in the hotel sector. Important points raised relate to expatriate recruitment practices, employment laws and the employment relationship.

Originality/value

This contribution offers an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to understand the underlying issues that impact on human capital development in international hotels in Nigeria.
The role of government in driving human capital development in the tourism industry in Nigeria
Authors: Nwosu Belinda , Onah Gabe
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an opportunity to reflect on government-led initiatives for addressing human capital development (HCD) in Cross River State (CRS), the widely acknowledged number one tourism destination in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive case study of the CRS government’s initiative to build and consolidate the human capital base for an emerging tourism destination is presented.

Findings

The findings show that HCD initiatives emerged as a result of a public–private collaboration between CRS and the Citizens Development Corps (CDC).

Originality/value

Using a real-life example, this paper demonstrates how the government in an emerging nation can initiate positive policies to advance HCD in tourism.
Human capital development in the Nigerian hospitality industry
Authors: Olusegun Adedipe Christopher , Olusola Adeleke Bola
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the structure of human capital development (HCD) in the Nigerian hospitality industry against a backdrop of a turbulent but growing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an in-depth review of the literature and content analysis, the study reviews the major challenges facing the Nigerian hospitality industry.

Findings

The findings show that to develop and improve human capital in the hospitality industry in Nigeria, the input of the private sector, government and other stakeholders is required.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are mainly descriptive. Further research could be enhanced by the inclusion of empirical data.

Originality/value

A comparative review of the HCD strategies and plans of Nigeria’s peers in the African continent presents a different perspective for identifying the gaps in Nigeria’s policies for hospitality industry.
Evaluation of VITEK matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry for identification of anaerobes
Authors: Xiao Zheng , Luo Yanping , Ye Liyan , Wang Rui , Zhang Ying , Zhao Qiang , Guo Ling , Ma Yanning , Cui Shenghui
Published: June 2016

Rapid and adequate identification of anaerobic bacterial species still presents a challenge for most diagnostic laboratories, hindering the selection of appropriate therapy. In this study, the identification capacity of 16S rRNA sequence analysis, VITEK 2 (BioMérieux, Lyon, France) compact analysis and VITEK MS‐mediated identification for anaerobic bacterial species was compared. Eighty‐five anaerobic bacterial isolates from 11 provinces in China belonging to 14 genera were identified by these three methods. Differences in identification between these three methods were compared. Consistent identification results were obtained for 54 (54/85, 63.5%) isolates by all three methods, the most discordant results being concentrated in Clostridium XI (n = 8) and Bacteroides fragilis (n = 9) clusters. Using the VITEK MS system, 74 (74/90, 82.2%) isolates were identified as single species consistent with 16S rRNA sequence analysis, which was significantly better than the results obtained with VITEK 2 Compact (P < 0.01). Misidentifications by the Vitek 2 Compact and Vitek MS systems were mainly observed in the Clostridium XI (n = 8)and B. fragilis clusters (n = 9). VITEK MS identified anaerobic bacteria even after they had been exposed to oxygen for a week. Identification by the Vitek MS system was more consistent with 16S rRNA sequence analysis than identification by Vitek 2 Compact. Continuous expansion of the VITEK MS database with rare described anaerobic species is warranted to improve both the efficiency and accuracy of VITEK MS identification in routine diagnostic microbiology.
A bird's eye view of a deleterious recessive allele
Authors: Ekblom Robert
Published: June 2016

In the endangered Scottish chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) population, a lethal blindness syndrome is found to be caused by a deleterious recessive allele. Photo: Gordon Yates.

In Focus: Trask, A.E., Bignal, E.M., McCracken, D.I., Monaghan, P., Piertney, S.B. & Reid, J.M. (2016) Evidence of the phenotypic expression of a lethal recessive allele under inbreeding in a wild population of conservation concern. Journal of Animal Ecology, 85, 879–891.

In this issue of Journal of Animal Ecology, Trask et al. (2016) report on a strange, lethal, blindness that regularly affects chicks of an endangered bird population. The authors show that the inheritance mode of this blindness disease precisely matches the expectations of a recessive deleterious mutation. Intriguingly, there is also an indication that the disease‐causing variant might be maintained in the population by balancing selection, due to a selective advantage for heterozygotes. Could this finding have consequences for conservation actions implemented for the population?