bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
There is a Relationship between Resource Expenditures and Reference Transactions in Academic Libraries
Authors: Hughes Annie M.
Published: February 2016

A Review of:

Dubnjakovic, A. (2012). Electronic resource expenditure and the decline in reference transaction statistics in academic libraries. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 38(2), 94-100. doi: 10.1016/j.acalib.2012.01.001

Objective – To provide an analysis of the impact of expenditures on electronic resources and gate counts on the increase or decrease in reference transactions.

Design – Analysis of results of existing survey data from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) 2006 Academic Library Survey (ALS).

Setting – Academic libraries in the United States.

Subjects – 3925 academic library respondents.

Methods – The author chose to use survey data collected from the 2006 ALS conducted by the NCES. The survey included data on various topics related to academic libraries, but in the case of this study, the author chose to analyze three of the 193 variables included. The three variables: electronic books expenditure, computer hardware and software, and expenditures on bibliographic utilities, were combined into one variable called electronic resource expenditure. Gate counts were also considered as a variable. Electronic resource expenditure was also split as a variable into three groups: low, medium, and high. Multiple regression analysis and general linear modeling, along with tests of reliability, were employed.

Main Results – The author determined that low, medium, and high spenders with regard to electronic resources exhibited differences in gate counts, and gate counts have an effect on reference transactions in any given week. Gate counts tend to not have much of an effect on reference transactions for the higher spenders, and higher spenders tend to have a higher number of reference transactions overall. Low spenders have lower gate counts and also a lower amount of reference transactions.

Conclusion – The findings from this study show that academic libraries spending more on electronic resources also tend to have an increase with regard to reference transactions. The author also concludes that library spaces are no longer the determining factor with regard to number of reference transactions. Spending more on electronic resources is also important to increase both in-person and electronic reference transactions.
Structure May Be Key to Incorporating Library School Interns in Academic Library Environments
Authors: Williams Heather R.
Published: February 2016

Objective – To evaluate the effectiveness of the San Jose State University Library internship program.

Design – Focus group; single point in time; qualitative design.

Setting – Large academic library in the United States of America.

Subjects – Nine former interns of the San Jose State University (SJSU) Library.

Methods - Nine former interns of the SJSU Library internship program participated in a single 90-minute session. No inducements for participation were offered. A moderator asked a series of 10 questions designed to gather feedback in three areas: 1) “the internship as part of the Masters program,” 2) “the internship’s role in the realization of personal objectives and professional development,” and 3) “the experience of working in team based activities.” A digital voice recorder captured the participants’ responses, allowing for detailed analysis of the responses after the session.

Main Results – The interns deemed their overall experience successful, as all indicated they achieved their professional development objectives for the internship. However, the interns also indicated their experience could have been improved by the appointment of a single dedicated coordinator for recruitment and oversight, as well as more feedback on the quality of their work, especially for course-related instruction.

Conclusion – The SJSU Library determined that the internship program was advantageous to both the Library and the interns. All of the interns who participated in the focus group achieved their profession development objectives for the internship. Additionally, the Library received valuable feedback for improving the program. Suggestions included appointing a dedicated internship coordinator, allowing interns more of an opportunity to choose their projects, and ensuring that interns are offered frequent feedback about the quality of their work.
Evidence-Based Practice: Evolution or Revolution?
Authors: Loertscher David V.
Published: February 2016

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A Comparison of Beginning and Advanced Engineering Students’ Description of Information Skills
Authors: Douglas Kerrie Anna , Van Epps Amy S. , Mihalec-Adkins Brittany , Fosmire Michael , Purzer Şenay
Published: February 2016

Abstract

Objective – The purpose of this research was to examine how beginning and advanced level engineering students report use of information when completing an engineering design process. This information is important for librarians seeking to develop information literacy curricula in the context of engineering design.

Methods – Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews about information strategies used in engineering design with 21 engineering students (10 first and second year; 11 senior and graduate). Researchers transcribed interviews and developed an inductive coding scheme. Then, from the coding scheme, researchers extracted broader themes.

Results – Beginning level engineering students interviewed: (a) relied primarily on the parameters explicitly given in the problem statement; (b) primarily used general search strategies; (c) were documentation oriented; and (d) relied on external feedback to determine when they had found enough information. Advanced level engineering students interviewed: (a) relied on both their own knowledge and the information provided in the problem statement; (b) utilized both general and specific search strategies; (c) were application oriented; and (d) relied on self-reflection and problem requirements to determine when they had found enough information.

Conclusion – Beginning level students describe information gathering as externally motivated tasks to complete, rather than activities that are important to inform their design. Advanced level students describe more personal investment in their use of information through consideration of information based on their prior knowledge and questioning information. Future research should consider how to best support beginning level engineering students’ personal engagement with information.
Ovid MEDLINE Instruction can be Evaluated Using a Validated Search Assessment Tool
Authors: Badia Giovanna
Published: February 2016

Objective – To determine the construct validity of a search assessment instrument that is used to evaluate search strategies in Ovid MEDLINE.

Design – Cross-sectional, cohort study.

Setting – The Academic Medical Center of the University of Michigan.

Subjects – All 22 first-year residents in the Department of Pediatrics in 2004 (cohort 1); 10 senior pediatric residents in 2005 (cohort 2); and 9 faculty members who taught evidence based medicine (EBM) and published on EBM topics.

Methods – Two methods were employed to determine whether the University of Michigan MEDLINE Search Assessment Instrument (UMMSA) could show differences between searchers’ construction of a MEDLINE search strategy.

The first method tested the search skills of all 22 incoming pediatrics residents (cohort 1) after they received MEDLINE training in 2004, and again upon graduation in 2007. Only 15 of these residents were tested upon graduation; seven were either no longer in the residency program, or had quickly left the institution after graduation. The search test asked study participants to read a clinical scenario, identify the search question in the scenario, and perform an Ovid MEDLINE search. Two librarians scored the blinded search strategies.

The second method compared the scores of the 22 residents with the scores of ten senior residents (cohort 2) and nine faculty volunteers. Unlike the first cohort, the ten senior residents had not received any MEDLINE training. The faculty members’ search strategies were used as the gold standard comparison for scoring the search skills of the two cohorts.

Main Results – The search strategy scores of the 22 first-year residents, who received training, improved from 2004 to 2007 (mean improvement: 51.7 to 78.7; t(14)=5.43, P
Using ACRL Standards to Assess the Information Literacy of Graduate Students in an Education Program
Authors: Catalano Amy Jo
Published: February 2016

Objective - This study investigates the information literacy of graduate education students, including those in doctoral cohorts. The Association for Research and College Libraries Information Literacy Standards were used a baseline for measurement.

Methods - A survey was sent to all graduate students in the School of Education; it asked a combination of questions measuring students’ perceptions of their information literacy skills and testing their knowledge of information literacy.

Results – A total of 172 surveys were returned. The results indicated that while there is a heavy reliance on internet sources, many students were able to determine which sources were reliable and which were not. After attending information instruction sessions, students were more familiar with library services and more inclined to use them.

Conclusion - It was determined that a one credit course or multiple sessions of library instruction would better serve graduate students completing capstone projects.
The Library as a Preferred Place for Studying: Observation of Students’ Use of Physical Spaces
Authors: Hughes Annie M.
Published: February 2016

Objective – To determine students’ utilization of physical spaces in the library, excluding computer labs or stacks.

Design – Observational research, unobtrusive method.

Setting – Areas of space in the University Library, as well as within adjoining areas at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, such as carrels, tables, soft chairs, and study rooms.

Subjects – Students using the library’s space.

Methods – The researcher chose to collect data via observation of individuals and groups in a particular space in the library, noting the gender of the individuals using the space and whether or not they were using laptops. Areas of space examined were carrels, group study rooms, chairs and sofas, tables and chairs in the Academic Commons, and benches and chairs within corridors. The unit of analysis used was equal to an individual seat. The research excluded stack space as well as any space with fixed computer stations. The time periods chosen to study the spaces were selected based on the author’s previous research. Due to higher daytime usage than evening, data was collected at two time periods during the day: 12-1 p.m. and 3-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The researcher recorded the time of the semester as well, choosing weeks 14-17 in Fall 2007 and weeks 10-17 in Spring 2008. Space diagrams for collecting data were created, and each area had different collection times. All data was entered into a database in which each area was recorded with the number and type of users. Each area had a different capacity as to how many individuals it could hold. If the percentage of capacity was higher than 50%, the usage was considered to be notable.

Main Results – The researchers observed a few patterns from their data collection. Gender analysis provided information regarding the use of laptops; men were more likely to use them than women. While men were a smaller part of the overall university demographic while this research took place, they utilized the library spaces most.

As expected, library usage increased as the end of each semester neared, suggesting that the spaces are used mainly for study purposes. The author also chose to collect data regarding library usage by semester, which is questionable because the student population declined from fall to spring and a Campus Center opened, providing another study space.

The most attractive spaces in the library were study rooms, and for the most part, groups, as opposed to individual students, utilized these rooms. The chair and sofa areas of the library were the next most popular areas, but the study carrels were also popular, especially toward the end of a semester.

Conclusion – According to the researcher, the data collected points to the library as a preferred place for studying, as opposed to other activities. By observing the use of areas such as study carrels, soft chairs, and group study rooms, one can derive data that will allow for future space planning, as well as gain an understanding of how a current space is being used.
Formality in Chat Reference: Perceptions of 17- to 25-Year-Old University Students
Authors: Waugh Jennifer
Published: February 2016

Objective – To examine the ways in which the formality of language used by librarians affects 17- to 25-year-old university students’ perceptions of synchronous virtual reference interactions (chat reference), in particular, perceptions of answer accuracy, interpersonal connection, competency, professionalism, and overall satisfaction.

Methods – This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to examine the perceptions of participants. Participants reviewed and responded to two virtual reference transcripts, portraying a librarian and student asking a simple question. One transcript portrayed a librarian using traditional, formal language while the other portrayed a librarian using informal language. Five 17- to 25-year-old university students were interviewed. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological, qualitative approach to discover common themes.

Results – Analysis suggests that participants perceived the formal librarian as being “robotic” and impersonal while the informal librarian was thought to be more invested in the reference interaction. Several participants viewed the formal librarian as more competent and trustworthy and questioned the effort put forth by the informal librarian, who was perceived as young and inexperienced. Participants’ perceptions of professionalism were based on expectations of social distance and formality. Satisfaction was based on content and relational factors. Several participants preferred the formal interaction based on perceptions of competency, while others preferred the informal librarian due to perceived interpersonal connection.

Conclusion – Formality plays a key role in altering the perceptions of 17- to 25-year-olds when viewing virtual reference interaction transcripts. Both language styles had advantages and disadvantages, suggesting that librarians should become cognizant of manipulating their language to encourage user satisfaction.
Developing Countries Lag Behind the US and UK in Contributing to Institutional Repository Literature
Authors: Coates Heather L
Published: February 2016

A Review of:
Bhardwaj, R. K. (2014). Institutional repository literature: A bibliometric analysis. Science &Technology Libraries, 33(2), 185-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0194262X.2014.906018

Abstract

Objective – Quantify the IR literature across the world by identifying countries with relatively high concentration of articles, describing the distribution of the literature by language, author (institutional and individual), journal, and examining characteristics such as the transformative activity index, and authorship and citation patterns.

Design – This exploratory study of the literature used several bibliometric research methods to describe patterns and identify highly represented articles, authors, institutions, and journals.

Setting – The Library and Information Science Abstracts database.

Subjects – 436 articles from 118 journals.

Methods – Research articles and review papers published through December 31, 2012, were identified by searching Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA). Citation data for the 436 articles selected was gathered from LISA and Scopus.

Main Results – The 436 articles from 118 journals had publication dates from 2001 through 2012, originated from 68 countries in 19 languages, and had authors affiliated with 159 institutions. The greatest number of institutional repository articles were published in 2011 while year-to-year growth was greatest from 2005-2006. Most highly represented were the United States and the United Kingdom, followed by India, Australia, and Spain.

Twenty publishers were responsible for nearly half of the selected articles. The top four journals included OCLC Systems & Services, D-Lib Magazine, Serials Review, and Library Hi Tech. D-Lib Magazine alone published seven of the top 20 most cited articles. While most articles were written by a single author, the majority of the multiple author articles came from developed countries. Citation analysis reveals that the 436 articles were cited 2,071 times, for an average of 4.8 citations per article. However, 147 articles received no citations. The five most prolific authors were Elizabeth Yakel, Kim Jihyun, Karen Markey, Jingfeng Xia, and Sarika Sawant.

Conclusion – The author concludes that developing countries lag behind in establishing and publishing on institutional repositories and suggests that more authors will deposit in IR in the future. A proposed role for LIS professionals is to communicate the objectives, values, and principles behind institutional repositories.
Rola i etyka prawnika u Karla Nickersona Llewellyna
Authors: Koszowski Maciej
Published: February 2016

Poza krótkim wprowadzeniem na temat filozofii prawa, jaką jest amerykański realizm prawny, w pracy zostały przedstawione rola i etyka prawnika w ujęciu Karla Nickersona Llewellyna. Poglądy tego amerykańskiego realisty prawnego opatrzone są komentarzem autora wraz z próbą ich przeniesienia na grunt polski. Przy tym szczególnie osobliwe jest to, iż zgodnie z obowiązującym w Polsce prawem prawnik nie ma możliwości odmowy podjęcia się obrony sprawy, w której słuszność nie wierzy. Prawo każdego człowieka do uczciwego procesu wydaje się tutaj mieć bezwzględne pierwszeństwo nad tym, co adwokatom i radcom prawnym dyktuje sumienie i to nawet przy założeniu, że w praktyce będzie się to czasem odbywało kosztem tego, iż poszczególne sprawy, z powodu braku wiary w ich słuszność, będą prowadzone przez pełnomocników procesowych w sposób nie do końca optymalny.
Koncepcje granic państwa polskiego u progu odzyskania niepodległości
Authors: Eberhardt Piotr
Published: February 2016

W artykule przedstawiono koncepcje i wizje badaczy polskich działających w XIX i na początku XX w. Dotyczyły one rozległości terytorialnej odrodzonego w przyszłości państwa polskiego. Nawiązywały początkowo do granic historycznej Rzeczypospolitej. W późniejszym czasie uwzględniały również kryteria etniczne i strategiczne. Zaprezentowano na kolejnych mapach koncepcje Oskara Żebrowskiego, Stanisława Tomaszewskiego, Aleksandra Janowskiego, Czesława Jankowskiego, Włodzimierza Wakara, Wiktora Skargi-Dobrowolskiego, Józefa Jaskólskiego. Ostatnie dwa omówione programy terytorialne miały już charakter oficjalnych dokumentów. Pierwszy z nich był opracowany w Lozannie przez Komitet Narodowy Polski, ostatni zaś osobiście był przygotowany przez Romana Dmowskiego, ale reprezentował oficjalne stanowisko Rządu Polskiego.
A Study Of Male And Female Employee Turnover In Public Accounting Firms
Authors: Pitman Marshall K. , Gaertner James F. , Hemmeter Paul E. W.
Published: February 2016

Many studies have focused on the problem of employee turnover in public accounting. These studies, however, have largely ignored the recent emergence of women into a position of significance in the profession. Conventional wisdom has often held that women may leave public accounting for different reasons than men. This, then leads to several implications including the possibility that projected turnover rates might need to be considered in the hiring decisions, with possible repercussions for students and faculty advising students. This research study reports the findings of a survey of 161 professionals (92 males and 69 females) who had left public accounting firms in three previous years (1983, 1984, and 1985). Similarities and differences in the responses are presented and discussed, an conclusions are presented.
Determinants Of Chief Executive Officer Compensation: Some Recent Evidence For The Retail Sales And Food Industries
Authors: Farr W. Ken , Samprone, Jr. Joseph C.
Published: February 2016

This study examines factors which influence compensation of chief executive officers (CEOs) in the retail sales and foods industries. Because many of the factors which potentially influence compensation are correlated with one another, multicollinearity becomes a problem in regression analysis. To avoid this problem, principal component analysis is employed. Specifically, the relationship of firm performance, firm size, and CEO tenure, all measured as a composite of factors, are studied to determine their influence on CEO compensation. In addition, specific industries are studied in isolation and then in combination to examine the effect of pooling data across industries.
Lobbying With The FASB: The Case Of Accounting For Pension Terminations And Curtailments
Authors: Buckmaster Dale , Hall David
Published: February 2016

A content analysis of the one hundred and ten letters received in response to Exposure Drafts for settlements and curtailments of defined benefit pension plans is combined with a comparison of the Exposure Drafts (FASB, 1986) and the final rule, SFAS 88, (FASB, 1988) to determine if lobbying efforts were successful in obtaining a more desirable rule.
The Ethics Of Business School Faculty: A Survey
Authors: Hutcheson Aaron A. , Burney J. F.
Published: February 2016

A mail questionnaire completed by business school faculty and administrators across the United States revealed that both job applicants and business faculty are engaging in unethical behavior. The paper reports this finding by type of unethical behavior, by college of business accreditation status and by degree-levels granted at the institution.
The Impact Of Statement No. 91 On Financial Reports of Financial Institutions
Authors: Rezaee Zabihollah , Bazaz Mohammad S.
Published: February 2016

SFAS No. 91 restricted the previously acceptable methods of accounting for loan origination fees and costs to the deferral method. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the provisions of SFAS No. 91 and examine its impact on financial reports of affected entities. We analyzed a sample of 90 financial institutions annual reports. Our examination reveals that the majority of studied entities did not experience material impacts in their financial reports as a result of compliance with the provisions of SFAS No. 91.
A Comparison Of Difference Score And Pre-Test Post-Test Repeated Measures ANOVA: Implications For Research In Management Information Systems
Authors: Wright Thomas A.
Published: February 2016

Various forms of the pretest-posttest design are extensively used in Management Information Systems (MIS) research. There is a widespread misconception among MIS researchers regarding the equivalence of the difference score and pretest-posttest repeated measures ANOVA. Several important implications of the equivalence are presented which concern the interpretation of interaction effects, the test of normality, the test of equality of variance, and the experimentwise Type I error rate.
Organization & Management Lessons: From The Soviet Union?
Authors: Barnes A. Keith
Published: February 2016

There are lessons to be learned, other than the obvious geopolitical ones, from the foment within the Soviet block nations; from the conflict associated with newly realized borders and among the various subcultures. Naturally enough, political and social scientists have been rubbing their hands with the same kind of glee we see among cartoonists when Heads of State are in real trouble. Normally, caricature and its various non-graphic or verbal equivalents requires considerable exaggeration of even slightly prominent features of the landscape. Under recent circumstances such exaggeration is hardly necessary, the rate of change in Eastern Europe these last several months has been almost surrealistic, containing its own exaggerations.
Who Adopts: An Economists View
Authors: Ramenofsky Samuel D.
Published: February 2016

Dr. Bonhams article offers insight into the motivation of adoption. It is this authors belief that the economic literature on fertility, quantity and quality of children, and the value of the time of women give added insights. It is hypothesized that relative income is an important variable. Data on adoption were collected from an urban social agency involved in the adoption process to test the hypothesis. A model is proposed to illustrate the adoption process.
Stock Selection Based On Earnings Growth For Detecting High Returns On Stocks
Authors: Agapos A. M.
Published: February 2016

In this study, stocks with consistently increasing earnings per share were analyzed. The intrinsic value of these selected equities was determined and classified as being over or undervalued. The results of the process showed that investors purchasing those stocks classified as undervalued, whose intrinsic value was above the market price, would have consistently earned above average returns.
The Case Of Shearsons Unbundled Stock Units: Why Did They Fail And Can Value Be Created?
Authors: Denning Karen Craft , Abbott Ashok
Published: February 2016

This paper uses rudimentary financial models to examine the valuation consequences of Shearsons now defunct financial innovation, unbundling. Though in its present form, this attempted financial innovation did not survive, a discussion of the potential value that may have been created is not without merit. First such a discussion may provide insights useful for future innovations. But perhaps more importantly, we suggest that under certain circumstances, for specific firms, unbundling does have the potential to create value.
Conflict And Ambiguity Resulting From Purchasing Performance Measurement Criteria: Their Impact On Buyers
Authors: Tadepalli Raghu
Published: February 2016

The evaluation of purchasing performance is both imprecise and difficult. Criteria used to measure purchasing performance could be perceived by buyers to be either in conflict with one another, or ambiguous. It was found that conflict and ambiguity regarding the performance criteria adversely affected buyers role conflict and role ambiguity. The implication of this research is that conflict and ambiguity in performance criteria exist. Buyers experience decreased satisfaction with organizational policies as a consequence.
Capital Budgeting Use In Canada: Sophistication And Risk Attributes
Authors: Roubi Raafat R. , Barth Richard T. , Faseruk Alex
Published: February 2016

This study uses a sample of 80 of the 1989 financial Posts Top 500 Canadian Corporations to test for correlation between the selection of capital budgeting techniques and three variables measuring the degree of environmental uncertainty: (1) firms systematic risk (i.e., firms beta), (2) industrys systematic risk (i.e., industry beta), and (3) managements self assessment of its corporate risk.
Book Review: The Manager's Guide To Total Quality
Authors: Clute Ronald C. , Knights Ronald M.
Published: February 2016

Book Review: The Manager's Guide To Total Quality, by Tom Terez
Eurobond Issue And Firm Value
Authors: Ardalan Roya K.
Published: February 2016

This study explores differences between US-bonds and Eurobonds and analyzes the effect of some Eurobond characteristics on firm value.  First, it attempts to determine if investors view U.S. and Eurobonds similarly, especially after the change in tax laws that exempted U.S.-bond holders from paying 30 percent withholding taxes.  Then, the paper analyzes the effect of some of the Eurobond issue characteristics such as issue size, issue frequency, yield spread, and maturity term on firm value.  The results show that Eurobonds provide investors an alternative for portfolio diversification, and as a result, the bond market remained segmented.  Also, the increase in firm value was statistically significant for the firm’s first Eurobond issue.  The increase in firm value for the subsequent Eurobond issues was not statistically significant.
Employer-Sponsored Training And Job Retention Of Mid-Career Employees
Authors: Srinivas Sumati
Published: February 2016

Recent research on training has been focused on explaining the empirical finding that many employers often sponsor training that employees could potentially use in other firms (i.e., general training). This paper studies employer-sponsored general training for mid-career employees, who form an important but neglected subset of workers in the training context. The results indicate that college-educated workers in specialized professional occupations are the most common recipients of employer-sponsored general training. Analysis of employee retention rates indicates that mid-career workers that receive employer sponsored training are less likely to voluntarily quit their jobs post-training. Cross training and computer training have the most significant positive effects on employee job retention while only a regular training program to upgrade skills appears to produce positive employee job retention effects.
Measuring The Social Rate Of Return In Public Sector Labor Markets
Authors: Stokes Anthony , Wright Sarah
Published: February 2016

In many public sector labor markets, employee earnings do not reflect the value of that occupation to society. This paper provides some alternative models to measure that value.
Financial Statements Are About To Get A New Look
Authors: Jr. Clemense Ehoff
Published: February 2016

In October 2008, The FASB and the IASB issued a discussion letter for comment proposing a complete redesign of financial statements.  This was the result of a project that began for both boards in 2001.  More than 200 comment letters were received from individuals, accounting firms, professional societies, corporations, and others from the business community.  The FASB and IASB have analyzed the input, and are currently preparing an exposure draft scheduled for release in early 2011.  This paper reviews the proposed changes to the financial statements, summarizes the favorable and unfavorable responses contained in the comment letters, and examines the implications that the changes will have on the business community, the accounting profession, educators, and investors.
Dryland Soil Greenhouse Gases and Yield‐Scaled Emissions in No‐Till and Organic Winter Wheat–Fallow Systems
Authors: Hurisso Tunsisa T. , Norton Urszula , Norton Jay B. , Odhiambo Judith , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Hergert Gary W. , Lyon Drew J.
Published: February 2016

Core Ideas

Dryland organic and no‐till wheat‐fallow systems impact GHG and wheat yields.

The organic system produced more wheat grain yield than the no‐till system in a dry year.

The organic system had greater GHG emissions during the fallow period.

Concerted effort toward reducing tillage is needed to reduce overall GHG emission in dryland organic wheat–fallow systems.

In the semiarid central Great Plains of the United States, cropping intensification beyond the traditional winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–fallow rotation along with reduced tillage can lead to soil organic matter (SOM) conservation and offset greenhouse gas emission. Here, we quantified (i) soil greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes, and (ii) yield‐scaled GHG emissions from dryland no‐till (NT) and organic production systems in western Nebraska over a 2‐yr period. The systems evaluated were no‐till winter wheat–proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)–fallow (NT 3 yr), no‐till winter wheat–millet–fallow–winter wheat–sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)–fallow (NT 6 yr), and organic winter wheat–millet or sunflower–fallow (Organic 3 yr). In 2012 and 2013, CO2 and N2O fluxes in the winter wheat phase were generally higher in the no‐till systems relative to the Organic 3‐yr system. In the fallow phase, however, these fluxes were higher in the Organic 3‐yr system than in the NT 6‐yr system, suggesting greater mineralization under the former. In 2013, fluxes of CH4 in the winter wheat phase tended to be higher in the Organic 3‐yr system than in the no‐till systems. Compared with the NT 6‐yr system, the Organic 3‐yr system had lower yield‐scaled emission in the winter wheat phase in 2012 (0.026 vs. 0.014 Mg [CH4 + N2O] in CO2 equivalent Mg−1 yield). More effort toward reducing tillage‐caused soil disturbance intensity is needed to further reduce CO2 and N2O emissions and SOM depletion in dryland organic winter wheat–fallow production systems.
Insights gained from four component hydrograph separation
Authors: Mandeville A. N.
Published: February 2016

Traditional hydrograph separation techniques split an observed storm hydrograph into two main components representing ‘storm runoff’ and ‘baseflow’. In this paper a new separation technique is described which makes an initial split into two main components, quickflow and slowflow, which are each then subsequently split into two further subcomponents. The resulting procedure is termed the ‘four component hydrograph separation technique’. Various ways of recombining these four subcomponents to build up a curve that represents the observed storm hydrograph are possible, of which two ways are examined in further detail. If it is assumed that the four component separation technique provides a promising representation of an observed storm hydrograph, these two ways allow theoretical and practical insights to be gained into four existing hydrograph separation techniques. A conclusion, common to all four, is that much more care is required in naming the flow lines separating out each of the suggested subcomponents making up the observed storm hydrograph. This paper also emphasises the key role played by the slowflow storm runoff subcomponent, which has not been given sufficient prominence in existing event-based models in the past. A procedure for estimating each of the four subcomponents is illustrated for an observed event.
Biodegradation and decolorization of melanoidin solutions by manganese peroxidase yeasts
Authors: Mahgoub Samir , Tsioptsias Costas , Samaras Petros
Published: February 2016

The ability of selected manganese peroxidase (MnP) yeast strains, isolated from the mixed liquor of an activated sludge bioreactor treating melanoidins wastewater, was investigated in this work, aiming to examine the degradation potential of melanoidins, in the presence or absence of nutrients. Ten yeast strains were initially isolated from the mixed liquor; four yeast strains (Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4) were selected for further studies, based on their tolerance towards synthetic melanoidins (SMs) degradation and MnP activity onto solid agar medium. The Y1 strain exhibited almost 98% homology to Candida glabrata yeast, based on 28S rRNA identification studies. During experiments carried out using SM at 30 °C, the four isolated yeast cultures showed a noticeable organic matter reduction and decolorization capacity reaching up to 70% within 2–5 days. However, the corresponding yeast cultures grown in glucose peptone yeast extract medium using real melanoidin wastewater at 30°C showed lower organic matter and color removal capacity, reaching about 60% within 2–5 days. Nevertheless, it was found that the removal of real and synthetic melanoidins could be carried out by these strains under non-aseptic conditions, without requiring further addition of nutrients.
Correlation of Net Atrioventricular Compliance with the Outcome of Successful Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Valve Commissurotomy
Authors: Ghosh Rajib , Majumder Abdullah Al Shafi , Hossain MM , Momen Abdul , Aziz M , Ullah Mohammad , Rahman MZ , Rahman MA
Published: February 2016

Background: In patients with mitral stenosis the prognostic significance of net atrioventricular compliance has already been established. It was found that left atrial compliance significantly improve immediately after successful balloon mitral valvotomy. This study was conducted to evaluate the immediate improvement of atrioventricular compliance following percutaneous Transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) & to see the relation of post PTMC atrioventricular compliance with immediate clinical & other echocardiographic outcomes.Methods: This prospective observational study was undertaken in the Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular diseases, Dhaka. A total of 50 patients who had had successful PTMC were selected. All patients were evaluated clinically and echocardiographically 24 hours before PTMC, immediately after PTMC and 72 hours after PTMC.Results: Atrioventricular compliance improved significantly following PTMC (mean Cn 3.42 ± 1.64ml/mm Hg vs. 6.38 ± 2.81ml/mm Hg, p<0.001). After successful PTMC comparison of clinical & echocardiographic parameters revealed mitral valve area, pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, transmitral peak and mean pressure gradient and NYHA class for dyspnoea had statistically significant difference among patients with atrioventricular compliance >4 ml/mm of Hg and patients with atrioventricular compliance d4ml/mm of Hg. NYHA class for heart failure, transmitral peak and mean pressure gradient, pulmonary artery systolic pressure were negatively correlated to atrioventricular compliance. Index left atrial anteroposterior diameter had no significant correlation with atrioventricular compliance.Conclusion: Successful PTMC is associated with immediate significant improvement in atrioventricular compliance. Atrioventricular compliance is inversely correlated with NYHA functional status, transmitral pressure gradient & pulmonary artery systolic pressure following successful PTMC. Post PTMC atrioventricular compliance is also positively correlated with pre PTMC atrioventricular compliance.Cardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 99-109
Exploiting High Resolution Multi-Seasonal Textural Measures and Spectral Information for Reedbed Mapping
Authors: Onojeghuo Alex , Blackburn George
Published: February 2016

Reedbeds across the UK are amongst the most important habitats for rare and endangered birds, wildlife and organisms. However, over the past century, this valued wetland habitat has experienced a drastic reduction in quality and spatial coverage due to pressures from human related activities. To this end, conservation organisations across the UK have been charged with the task of conserving and expanding this threatened habitat. With this backdrop, the study aimed to develop a methodology for accurate reedbed mapping through the combined use of multi-seasonal texture measures and spectral information contained in high resolution QuickBird satellite imagery. The key objectives were to determine the most effective single-date (autumn or summer) and multi-seasonal QuickBird imagery suitable for reedbed mapping over the study area; to evaluate the effectiveness of combining multi-seasonal texture measures and spectral information for reedbed mapping using a variety of combinations; and to evaluate the most suitable classification technique for reedbed mapping from three selected classification techniques, namely maximum likelihood classifier, spectral angular mapper and artificial neural network. Using two selected grey-level co-occurrence textural measures (entropy and angular second moment), a series of experiments were conducted using varied combinations of single-date and multi-seasonal QuickBird imagery. Overall, the results indicate the multi-seasonal pansharpened multispectral bands (eight layers) combined with all eight grey level co-occurrence matrix texture measures (entropy and angular second moment computed using windows 3 × 3 and 7 × 7) produced the optimal reedbed (76.5%) and overall classification (78.1%) accuracies using the maximum likelihood classifier technique. Using the optimal 16 layer multi-seasonal pansharpened multispectral and texture combined image dataset, a total reedbed area of 9.8 hectares was successfully mapped over the three study sites. In conclusion, the study has demonstrated the value of utilizing multi-seasonal texture measures and pansharpened multispectral data for reedbed mapping.
A Survey near Tambara along the Lower Zambezi River
Authors: Pasanisi Francesco , Tebano Carlo , Zarlenga Francesco
Published: February 2016

The paper reports a field investigation on a reach of the lower Zambezi River about 230–240 km downstream of the Cahora Bassa dam in the Republic of Mozambique. In the framework of a wider research program, bathymetric measures of the riverbed were performed on a 10 km stretch of the river using an echo sounder, a GPS receiver, and an integrated navigation-acquisition system. Field observations and measures revealed a general agreement with macro-features of river morphology reported in early literature, dealing with the morphological response of the river to the construction of large dams, in the second half of the 20th century. Results hereby reported are some of the few examples of direct field measures in the lower Zambezi reported in literature, and could be used by researchers and practitioners either as a knowledge base for further surveys or as input data for validation and calibration of mathematical models and remote sensing observations.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Manipulator of Protective Immunity
Authors: Korb Vanessa , Chuturgoon Anil , Moodley Devapregasan
Published: February 2016

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is one of the most successful pathogens in human history and remains a global health challenge. MTB has evolved a plethora of strategies to evade the immune response sufficiently to survive within the macrophage in a bacterial-immunological equilibrium, yet causes sufficient immunopathology to facilitate its transmission. This review highlights MTB as the driver of disease pathogenesis and presents evidence of the mechanisms by which MTB manipulates the protective immune response into a pathological productive infection.
Detailed Investigation of Separation Performance of a MMM for Removal of Higher Hydrocarbons under Varying Operating Conditions
Authors: Mushardt Heike , Müller Marcus , Shishatskiy Sergey , Wind Jan , Brinkmann Torsten
Published: February 2016

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) are promising candidates to improve the competitiveness of membrane technology against energy-intensive conventional technologies. In this work, MMM composed of poly(octylmethylsiloxane) (POMS) and activated carbon (AC) were investigated with respect to separation of higher hydrocarbons (C3+) from permanent gas streams. Membranes were prepared as thin film composite membranes on a technical scale and characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and permeation measurements with binary mixtures of n-C4H10/CH4 under varying operating conditions (feed and permeate pressure, temperature, feed gas composition) to study the influence on separation performance. SEM showed good contact and absence of defects. Lower permeances but higher selectivities were found for MMM compared to pure POMS membrane. Best results were obtained at high average fugacity and activity of n-C4H10 with the highest selectivity estimated to be 36.4 at n-C4H10 permeance of 12 mN3/(m2·h·bar). Results were complemented by permeation of a multi-component mixture resembling a natural gas application, demonstrating the superior performance of MMM.
Simulation and Experimental Investigation for the Homogeneity of Ti49.2Ni50.8 Alloy Processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing
Authors: Zhang Diantao , Osman Mohamed , Li Li , Zheng Yufeng , Tong Yunxiang
Published: February 2016

Ti49.2Ni50.8 shape memory alloy (SMA) was processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) for eight passes at 450 °C. The deformation homogeneity was analyzed on various planes across the thickness by Deform-3D software. Strain standard deviation (SSD) was used to quantify deformation homogeneity. The simulation result shows that the strain homogeneity is optimized by the third pass. Deformation homogeneity of ECAP was analyzed experimentally using microhardness measurements. Experimental results show that the gradual evolution of hardness with increasing numbers of passes existed and the optimum homogeneity was achieved after three passes. This is in good agreement with simulation results.
A Microfluidic-Based Fabry-Pérot Gas Sensor
Authors: Tao Jin , Zhang Qiankun , Xiao Yunfeng , Li Xiaoying , Yao Pei , Pang Wei , Zhang Hao , Duan Xuexin , Zhang Daihua , Liu Jing
Published: February 2016

We developed a micro-gas detector based on a Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity embedded in a microfluidic channel. The detector was fabricated in two steps: a silicon substrate was bonded to a glass slide curved with a micro-groove, forming a microfluidic FP cavity; then an optical fiber was inserted through a hole drilled at the center of the groove into the microfluidic FP cavity, forming an FP cavity. The light is partially reflected at the optical fiber endface and the silicon surface, respectively, generating an interference spectrum. The detection is implemented by monitoring the interference spectrum shift caused by the refractive index change of the FP cavity when a gas analyte passes through. This detection mechanism (1) enables detecting a wide range of analytes, including both organic and inorganic (inertia) gases, significantly enhancing its versatility; (2) does not disturb any gas flow so that it can collaborate with other detectors to improve sensing performances; and (3) ensures a fast sensing response for potential applications in gas chromatography systems. In the experiments, we used various gases to demonstrate the sensing capability of the detector and observed drastically different sensor responses. The estimated sensitivity of the detector is 812.5 nm/refractive index unit (RIU) with a detection limit of 1.2 × 10−6 RIU assuming a 1 pm minimum resolvable wavelength shift.
The Association between the Consumption of Fish/Shellfish and the Risk of Osteoporosis in Men and Postmenopausal Women Aged 50 Years or Older
Authors: Choi Eunjin , Park Youngsoon
Published: February 2016

Fish rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been suggested to have a favorable effect on bone health, but previous epidemiologic studies have shown inconsistent results. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that the consumption of fish and shellfish is positively associated with bone mass and negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis in Koreans and Americans. Men and postmenopausal women ≥50 years old from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011 (n = 7154) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2010 (n = 2658) were included. There was a positive correlation between the consumption of fish and shellfish and bone mineral density (BMD) of the total femur, femoral neck, and lumbar spine in Koreans. Consistently, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between intake of fish and shellfish and the risk of osteoporosis in Koreans but not in Americans. Consumption of fish and shellfish was 4–5 times higher in Koreans than Americans in the present study. In conclusion, intake of fish and shellfish was associated with BMD and the risk of osteoporosis in Koreans but not in Americans, suggesting that a minimum intake level of fish and shellfish might be recommended to protect against bone loss and osteoporosis.