bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inquiring Informationists: A Qualitative Exploration of Our Role
Authors: Robison Rex R. , Ryan Mary E. , Cooper I. Diane
Published: February 2016

Objective – The goal of this study is to explore the impact of an informationist program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Library and to provide a basis for further program assessment. In 2001 the NIH Library began its informationist program, where librarians with training in both biomedicine and information science work alongside researchers. The goal of the program is to facilitate researchers’ access to and usage of information resources.

Methods – The researchers used qualitative interviews with key informants to characterize the current informationist services of user groups. Subjects were selected to capture a variety of activities that would show patterns of how the program assists the researchers of various NIH groups. Following the interviews, the authors extracted recurring and significant themes from the subjects’ comments.

Results – Interview subjects provided their views on the informationists’ skills, impact, and team participation. Research results documented that informationists helped find resources, provided instruction, and worked as part of the research team. The NIH groups currently using this service value their informationists’ knowledge of library resources and their ability to access information needs quickly. The informationists’ skills in finding information save the researchers time, increase the efficiency of the research team, and complement the contributions of other team members. Training by informationists was found useful. Informationist services led to increased self-reported library use, albeit in some cases this use was entirely via the informationist.

Conclusions – Informationists saved researchers time by obtaining requested information, finding esoteric or unfamiliar resources, and providing related training. These activities appeared to be facilitated by the acceptance of the informationist as part of the research team. This exploratory study provides background that should be useful in future, more extensive evaluations.
Plagiarism Curricula May Reduce Need for Punitive Plagiarism Education
Authors: Miller Robin E.
Published: February 2016

Objective – To describe the development and implementation of two courses designed to help university students avoid plagiarism.

Design – Quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Setting – A university in the United Kingdom.

Subjects – An unknown number of university students who took a Plagiarism Awareness Program (PAP) course between 2008 and 2011, and approximately 3,000 university students enrolled in a Plagiarism Avoidance for New Students (PANS) course delivered via a virtual learning environment (VLE) between October and December 2012. The authors attempted to collect rates of continued plagiarism among students who had taken plagiarism education courses. The authors also surveyed 702 university students about plagiarism in 2011.

Methods – Data collected from PAP participants informed revision of the authors’ approach to plagiarism education and led to development of the second course, PANS. At the end of the course, students completed a test of their knowledge about plagiarism. Authors compared scores from students who took a course supervised by a librarian to the scores from students who took the course independently.

Main Results – Students reported that many aspects of citation and attribution are challenging (p. 149). The authors discovered that 93% of students who completed the PANS course facilitated by a librarian in-person passed the final exam with a grade of 70% or higher, while 85% of students who took the same course independently, without a librarian instructor, in an online VLE scored 70% or higher (p. 155). The authors report that referrals of students who plagiarized declined significantly (p-value < 0.001) since the implementation of a plagiarism avoidance curriculum.

Conclusion – As reported by the authors, first-year university students require more extensive education about plagiarism avoidance. A university plagiarism avoidance program instructed by librarians reduces the total number of students caught plagiarizing and mitigates the need for punitive plagiarism education programs. In discussing the challenges and implementation of plagiarism awareness curricula, the authors contribute to the dialogue about effective approaches to addressing this critical issue in higher education.
Testing an Academic Library Website for Usability with Faculty and Graduate Students
Authors: Emde Judith Z. , Morris Sara E. , Claassen-Wilson Monica
Published: February 2016

Objectives - This usability study was developed to observe faculty and graduate students’ reactions to a recent redesign of the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries’ website. The redesign included new navigational features, introduction of a federated search tool, a quick search box on the front page, and research subject pages. The study also provided the opportunity to observe the practices of faculty and graduate students in locating and retrieving information on the Libraries’ website.

Methods - Ten participants (five faculty and five graduate students) representing diverse disciplines were solicited for the study. Participants were required to access the Libraries’ website to answer a series of questions regarding new and updated features of the website. Observational analysis using Morae™ software was conducted and interviews with each participant provided details of their opinions on how these new features would influence their research and teaching activities.

Results - Most of the participants either did not notice or ignored the major website changes. Links to and locations of commonly used resources (e.g. catalogue; databases; e-journals) had been changed minimally, and the faculty and graduate student participants gravitated to those familiar features to complete tasks. Prior to the study, participants had not accessed the new discovery tools; however, once previewed, responses to the tools’ utility were generally favourable. After using the federated search tool on a familiar topic, several participants noted that, when directed to databases they had not previously considered, they were able to locate citations they had missed in the past. Observers noted pitfalls in navigating the site such as inconsistent underscoring of links, ambiguous terminology, and unclear icons meant to expand subject heading lists. Unexpected searching behaviours were observed, including inconsistent and lack of conceptual understanding in searching for e-journal content.

Conclusions - This study provides evidence regarding the usability of a library website with a population already familiar with library resources. It demonstrated that faculty and graduate students are not interested in experimenting with new discovery tools but are amenable to their potential value to undergraduate students. The recent trend toward minimizing content and links on websites satisfies this population, one which is already comfortable with the basic attributes of a library’s website.
Library and Information Science Research Literature is Chiefly Descriptive and Relies Heavily on Survey and Content Analysis Methods
Authors: Coates Heather L
Published: February 2016

A Review of:
Aytac, S. & Slutsky, B. (2014). Published librarian research, 2008 through 2012: Analyses and perspectives. Collaborative Librarianship, 6(4), 147-159.

Objective – To compare the research articles produced by library and information science (LIS) practitioners, LIS academics, and collaborations between practitioners and academics.

Design – Content analysis.

Setting – English-language LIS literature from 2008 through 2012.

Subjects – Research articles published in 13 library and information science journals.

Methods – Using a purposive sample of 769 articles from selected journals, the authors used content analysis to characterize the mix of authorship models, author status (practitioner, academic, or student), topic, research approach and methods, and data analysis techniques used by LIS practitioners and academics.

Main Results – The authors screened 1,778 articles, 769 (43%) of which were determined to be research articles. Of these, 438 (57%) were written solely by practitioners, 110 (14%) collaboratively by practitioners and academics, 205 (27%) solely by academics, and 16 (2%) by others. The majority of the articles were descriptive (74%) and gathered quantitative data (69%). The range of topics was more varied; the most popular topics were libraries and librarianship (19%), library users/information seeking (13%), medical information/research (13%), and reference services (12%). Pearson’s chi-squared tests detected significant differences in research and statistical approaches by authorship groups.

Conclusion – Further examination of practitioner research is a worthwhile effort as is establishing new funding to support practitioner and academic collaborations. The use of purposive sampling limits the generalizability of the results, particularly to international and non-English LIS literature. Future studies could explore motivators for practitioner-academic collaborations as well as the skills necessary for successful collaboration. Additional support for practitioner research could include mentorship for early career librarians to facilitate more rapid maturation of collaborative research skills and increase the methodological quality of published research.
Multiple Factors Influence Undergraduates’ Intent to Use Online Library Resources
Authors: Tewell Eamon C
Published: February 2016

A Review of:

Joo, S., & Choi, N. (2015). Factors affecting undergraduates’ selection of online library resources in academic tasks. Library Hi Tech, 33(2), 272-291. doi: 10.1108/LHT-01-2015-0008

Objective – To investigate multiple factors that may affect undergraduate students’ selection of online library resources. Usefulness and ease of use, quality, and user differences were each explored as factors influencing undergraduates’ use intention.

Design – Survey questionnaire.

Setting – A state university located in the United States of America.

Subjects – 332 randomly selected undergraduate students.

Methods – A survey designed to measure the intent to utilize online library resources was administered to an undergraduate population. The results, including 11 factors of use intention, were analyzed quantitatively using inferential statistics such as structural equation modeling, multiple regression, t-tests, ANOVAs, and linear regression.

Main Results – The factors of usefulness and ease of use were reported to have a positive relationship with undergraduates’ intent to use online library resources (regression weights = 0.473 and 0.408, p < 0.01). Respondents who answered that they were “very or extremely familiar” with online library resources had higher use intention of these sources (mean = 6.17) than other groups moderately or not at all familiar (mean = 5.74 and 4.95, respectively). Experience in a library instruction program was not found to influence use intention (t = -0.368, p > 0.05).

Conclusions – The authors conclude that multiple factors influence online library resource selection behavior among undergraduates. The results indicate that usefulness and ease of use are important factors in use intention. The effect of “resource quality” factors, indicated by credibility, format, accessibility, currency, and coverage, suggested that all five factors positively impact use intention. Accessibility is most likely to increase the likelihood of online library resource selection while the credibility of a source has the weakest effect on selection. Familiarity with online library resources and self-reported strong search skills also positively influenced use intention.
O pewnej (rewolucyjnej) hipotezie Harolda J. Bermana – prawo i nauka w średniowieczu
Authors: Leszczyński Marcin
Published: February 2016

W książce „Prawo i rewolucja” Harold J. Berman wysuwa hipotezę, że pewne polityczne i społeczne przekształcenia przełomu XI i XII wieku miały, jak to określa, formatywny charakter w odniesieniu do całej późniejszej historii Zachodu. Pierwszorzędną rolę w tych wydarzeniach, określanych przez Bermana rewolucją, odgrywali prawnicy-dekretyści. Co więcej, Berman wiąże te przekształcenia z powstaniem uniwersytetów oraz, w ogólności, z pojawieniem się nowożytnej nauki. W artykule prześledzę znaczenia terminu rewolucja i zrekonstruuję argumentację Bermana.
Serce rozumne – o państwie, prawie i polityce w dialogu między rozumem a religią
Authors: Borsiak Maciej
Published: February 2016

Praca przedstawia oraz komentuje dyskusję, która odbyła się między kardynałem Josephem Ratzingerem a filozofem Jürgenem Habermasem. Dotyczyła ona obecnej sekularyzacji oraz miejsca religii w liberalnym państwie konstytucyjnym. Stanowi ona przykład, jak prowadzić tego typu dyskurs w sposób mający na celu osiągniecie porozumienia i wskazujący na korzyści, jakie mogą od siebie czerpać obydwie „sfery”. Autor stara się wskazać źródła podobnej diagnozy, którą stawiają obydwaj myśliciele, a także wskazać, w jaki sposób wnioski płynące z dyskusji wpływają na postrzeganie roli prawa we współczesnym państwie.
Wina bez kary – o bezkarności manipulatora
Authors: Łukowski Piotr
Published: February 2016

Wielu wybitnych psychologów, takich jak Philip Zimbardo czy Simon Baron-Cohen, stawia fundamentalne pytanie: Jak dobrzy ludzie mogą skłaniać się do zła? Odpowiedź na nie powinna być przedmiotem zainteresowania i stanowić ważny temat również dla prawników. Oczywiście czasami istnieją takie sytuacje, kiedy tzw. dobrzy ludzie stają się sprawcami przestępstwa. Niektóre z tych sytuacji wcale nie są przypadkowe, lecz kreowane przez kogoś, kto dobrze zna metody manipulowania innymi ludźmi. Wówczas mamy zazwyczaj do czynienia z przypadkiem winy bez kary.
Zmiany granic w Afryce w okresie postkolonialnym (do końca zimnej wojny)
Authors: Sobczyński Marek
Published: February 2016

W artykule zaprezentowano zmiany granic w Afryce, począwszy od ostatnich lat panowania kolonialnego, przez okres wyzwalania się kolonii i kształtowania nowej mapy politycznej kontynentu, aż po okres stabilizowania się ukształtowanych po 1960 r. nowych państwowości afrykańskich. We wszystkich tych okresach w pewnym stopniu występowała zmienność granic państwowych, zdominowana jednak przez zmianę rangi granic politycznych, a w małym tylko stopniu przez rzeczywiste zmiany granic w przestrzeni. W tym czasie obowiązywała bowiem zasada, usankcjonowana w różnej rangi dokumentach międzynarodowych, głosząca nienaruszalność granic państwowych w Afryce. Jej kwestionowanie przez nielicznych przywódców, którzy dążyli na drodze siły do rewizji granic, spotykała się zawsze z powszechnym międzynarodowym potępieniem, a podejmowane próby, prowadzące niekiedy do krwawych wojen, kończyły się ostatecznie utrzymaniem przebiegu granic odziedziczonym po epoce kolonialnej.
Quit Or Be Fired: When Is Resignation Involuntary?
Authors: Shearer Robert A.
Published: February 2016

Whether an employee has voluntarily resigned or been involuntarily dismissed substantially affects the legal and economic interests of both the employee and employer. Courts considering wrongful discharge claims often must decide whether a resignation was truly voluntary, or rather, coerced through duress, undue influence, or some other wrongful conduct. This article examines several cases and the analytical framework applied by courts to determine whether resignation is voluntary or involuntary and the significance of the distinction.
Overhead Allocations In Highly Automated Production Processes
Authors: Fritzsch Ralph B. , Berend Walter J.
Published: February 2016

The capital intensive nature of automated production processes has increased the proportion of total production costs which are classified as overhead. The increasing importance of overhead costs makes their treatment a central issue in the determination of product cost. This article examines current methods of changing overhead costs to product and suggests possible improvements in the current process.
Machiavellianism And Accounting Competence: Effects On Budgetary Attitudes
Authors: Byington J. Ralph , Johnson Gene H.
Published: February 2016

Managers attitudes toward the budget as an object and toward their role in the budgeting process are influenced by a number of factors. In this study, the ability of two personality traits, locus of control and Machiavellianism, and accounting competence were of interest as explanatory variables. Analysis of the questionnaire responses supported two of the hypothesized relationships among variables. Machiavellianism is inversely related to attitudes toward the budget in that high Machiavellianism tendencies are associated with negative attitudes toward the budget. In addition, accounting competence was significant in explaining variation in attitudes toward the individuals role in the budgeting process. Accounting competence was positively related to the attitudes construct. Locus of control was not found to be significantly related to attitudes towards the budget or a mangers role in the budgetary process.
The Illusion Of Quality: Controlling Subjective Inspection
Authors: Scazzero Joseph A. , Longenecker Clinton O.
Published: February 2016

An inspection process that depends on subjective evaluation may give a misleading image of product quality. An experiment was conducted at an electronics company to measure the accuracy of inspectors judgements on the acceptability/rejectability of electrical connections. Using a statistical measure of agreement, it was found that inspectors were accepting a high proportion of electrical connections that should have been rejected. After identifying management deficiencies, recommendations are given for improving the accuracy of the inspection process.
The Effect And Management of Conflicting Regulation In The Marketplace
Authors: Berkey Calvin C. , Hensel Paul H.
Published: February 2016

As the number of regulatory bodies promulgating regulations increases at local, state, federal, and international levels, the chances that the regulations will be in conflict with one another also increases. The marketing manager is often faced with an untenable or at least very ambiguous set of signals from which marketplace decisions must be made. This paper takes a predominately descriptive and prescriptive look at this growing problem for the marketing manager.
An Investigation Of The Human Resources Management Practices Of Japanese Subsidiaries In The Arabian Gulf Region
Authors: Elmuti Dean , Kathawala Yunus
Published: February 2016

This paper addresses the topic of Japanese human resources management effectiveness in non-Japanese environments by trying to identify management systems and practices of selected Japanese subsidiaries in the Arabian Gulf Region. The findings indicate that Japanese subsidiaries in the Arabian Gulf Region have not been able to apply the Japanese-style management systems. The management systems for these Japanese subsidiaries in the Arabian Gulf Region have been apparently modified to suit the local environment.
Attitudes Toward Marketing Practices: The Effects Of Ethnic Identification
Authors: Webster Cynthia
Published: February 2016

Attitudes toward a wide variety of marketing practices were examined for Anglo-Americans and Spanish-speaking, and English-speaking Hispanic families from a major metropolitan area. Significant attitudinal differences were found regarding a variety of marketing issues: product quality, pricing, advertising, retailing or selling, satisfaction, complaint behavior, etc. Many of these differences remained even after social class and income effects were removed. The findings of this study should aid in sensitizing marketers to the consumer behavior differences between Anglos and Hispanics and among the Hispanic subpopulations. Consequently, marketers can better develop and implement strategies when targeting the rapidly-growing Hispanic market.
Accounting Information And Its Relationship To Corporate Financial Distress Process
Authors: Anyane-Ntow Kwabena
Published: February 2016

This article studies the critical chronological stages of the corporate distress process. Principal Factor Analysis is used to identify the underlying factors that influence the conditions of firms, as well as factors that account for intergroup differences. The results indicate that the critical factors associated with financial distress of manufacturing firms differ from those associated with service organizations; these factors also differ among the different groups studied and along the different phases of the financial distress continuum.
The Expectations Gap: Has SAS58 Changed The Publics Perception Of The Independent Auditors Legal Responsibilities?
Authors: Brougham Sharen K. , Parker M. Virginia
Published: February 2016

SAS58, one of the Expectation Gap auditing standards, changed the wording of the standard unqualified auditors report. The changes mandated by SAS58 do not reflect changes in the underlying auditing process or in the auditors responsibility for the audited financial statements. An experiment was conducted to determine whether these changes in the auditors report would affect jurors assessments of liability in an audit failure suit. No difference was found between liability assessments based on old and new forms of the report, suggesting that the changes mandated by SAS58 have no decision usefulness to report users.
A Comparative Approach To International Marketing Negotiations
Authors: Mintu Alma T. , Calantone Roger J.
Published: February 2016

Despite the increasing number of marketing transactions that transcend both the national and cultural boundaries, comparative studies on the influence of culture on business negotiations have been lacking. This paper presents intra-cultural and inter-cultural perspectives on business negotiation behaviors of Japan, Peoples Republic of China, Canada, and the United States. The authors identify culturally bound factors that can affect the negotiation activity and thereby aid the manager in the adaptation and/or adjustment of the marketing plan to suit the foreign environment.
Attitudes Towards Computer In An Information-Intense Environment: A Field Study Of The Insurance Industry
Authors: Turnipseed David L. , Burns O. Maxie , Hodges Frank J.
Published: February 2016

The topic of human attitudes about computers has been dealt with extensively in both the academic and popular literature, but it remains an issue of importance. The continued relevance was well illustrated by the Soviet chess grandmaster, Karpov, who recently remarked that he was not afraid to lose a chess game to a computer, but that people who worked with such computers could lose their soul to the machines (Hooper, 1990). The beliefs which people hold toward computers will affect their computer interaction and their willingness to adapt to automated systems: therefore the issue is of great practical importance. This paper reports on a replication of an early IBM study with the intent of assessing contemporary attitudes towards computers and the changes in attitudes over the last 25 years.
A Valuation Model For Covenants Not To Compete
Authors: Smith Darlene A. , Hennessee Patrick A. , Hutton Clifford E.
Published: February 2016

Recent tax legislation has intensified the valuation problem related to covenants not to compete. With this paper the authors examine the issues and proposal a valuation model.
Objectivity: A Redundant Dimension Of The Management Accountants Code Of Ethics
Authors: Coppage Richard E. , Baxendale Sidney
Published: February 2016

A Hallmark of any profession is the presence of a Code of Ethics which can be defined and defended The National Association of Accountants Code of Ethics sets standards for practicing management accountants and students aspiring to become management accountants. This study empirically evaluated the content validity of the current code of ethics. Using Flanagans Critical Incident Technique, interviews were held with 25 Certified Management Accountants from major corporations. The data from the interviews were assembled into a mail questionnaire. Based on responses to the questionnaire, six ethical categories and 191 specific behavior describing the categories were identified and validated. The results provide empirical support for the current code of ethics, with the exception of the Objectivity category. There was a lack of consensus regarding behaviors to be classified to the Objectivity category. The results indicate that the Objectivity standards of the current code are obscure and tend to repeat the Integrity standards. Such results raise the question Are the Objectivity standards of the current code of ethics necessary?
The Classification Of Technical Service Specialists For Employment Tax Purposes: Section 1706 And Beyond
Authors: Bird Bruce M. , Segal Mark A. , Yaeger Philip L.
Published: February 2016

Whether a worker is classified as an independent contractor or as an employee for payroll tax purposes has extensive implications for both the worker and the party for whom services are rendered. This article examines the significance of determining a workers status and analyzes the factors involved in classifying those workers known as technical service specialists.
Validity And Cost/Benefit Analysis Of A Rating System Used For Promotion
Authors: Norton Steven D. , Balloun Joseph L. , Dunne E. James , Thornton H. Edward
Published: February 2016

This paper begins with a discussion of the issues involved in the validity of a rating system and its value to the organization, using the terminology introduced by Landy and Farr (1980). We then describe a large project in which a rating system was developed and used as part of the promotion process for a complex, high technology organization with several thousand employees. After describing evidence for the validity of the rating system, we provide a cost benefits analysis. WE conclude with a description of the decline of the rating system.
Corporate Name Changes: The Association Between Functional Name Characteristics And Stock Performance
Authors: Morris Linda J. , Reyes Mario G. C.
Published: February 2016

A well-chosen corporate name communicates much information and emotion to a firms publics. Despite the tremendous costs involved in a corporate name change, many corporations change names when pursuing a new strategic direction. In this study, we examine the relationship between functional name characteristics and stock performance around name change announcements. The results show that distinctiveness is the most important explanatory variable of abnormal stock returns.
An Investigation Of Perceived Risk Of Body Weight Among Normal And Overweight: Can Consumer Perceived Risk Theory Help?
Authors: Kavas Alican , Kavas Aysel
Published: February 2016

Weight-related problems such as obesity and eating disorders are among the most prominent public health concerns with serious health and economic consequences. Risk perception related to weight is one of the strongest predictors of intention to manage weight and the practice of eating healthy diets. This study explores the feasibility of adapting perceived risk theory from consumer behavior research to perceived weight risks, and investigates the differences in perceived weight risk between normal and overweight consumers, and in their weight-related behaviors. The findings indicated that the overweight and normal weight consumers differed in their perceived weight risks in all risk dimensions. However, this difference was not reflected in their food consumption behaviors and physical activity levels which are indications of weight management efforts.
Managerial Tenure And Mutual Fund Performance: Evidence From Index Funds
Authors: Ejara Demissew Diro , Nag Raja
Published: February 2016

We analyze the impact of managerial tenure on the performance of mutual funds.  We examine different aspects of the mutual funds and relate them to managerial tenure.  We control for risk, asset allocation (North America and Emerging Markets), size, turnover and number of holdings. Based on a sample of index mutual funds, we find that managerial tenure has significant impact of the funds return. The strength of this relation diminishes as performance is measured on longer term basis.  There is no significant direct impact of managerial tenure on expense ratio and rating.
Motivation In Public Sector Unionized Organizations
Authors: Carrigan Martin D.
Published: February 2016

Developing creative ways to motivate unionized public sector employees is a growing concern.  The concept of motivation within the public sector work place is something that is generally understood but unfortunately not often practiced.  This paper looks deeper at the perception that public sector unions receive overly generous compensation and pension plans while their members deliver substandard performance.
Investigation of Drug-Excipients Compatibility of Ellagic Acid for Development of Formulation Containing Lipososmes
Authors: Rajendra Jangde  , Deependra Singh
Published: February 2016

The aim of the present study was tochecked the compatibility between drug: lipid and drug: excipients.  Ellagic acid was selected as model drug while phospholipid and Cholesterol were considered excipients. The study was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Diffraction scanning calorimetric (DSC) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The spectrophotometric graphs revealed that there was no significant changes in the position of functional groups of ellagic acid, phospholipid and Cholesterol (O-H, C=O, C-H str.) in pure drugs and excipients with respect to their physical mixtures. Further the samples werecharacterized by using DSC and HPLC methods and found no any interaction between drug excipients. Combination of synthetic herbal drug and pharmaceutical excipients are compatible with each other and shows no interaction. Thus this suitable combination can be employed for the successful development of novel liposomal carrier system.
Local Value in Management of Fish Resource and Development of Law (Studies of Bajo Tribe in Gorontalo)
Authors: Puluhulawa Fenty U.
Published: February 2016

This article is intended to analyze the existence of local values that have become part of local wisdom prevailing in Bajo community. Type of research is legal anthropology, using interviews and focus group discussion. The results showed that the Bajo Gorontalo society, there are the local values associated with the management of fish resources in the sea. Local values mean that has been implemented since long time ago, and until this day the local values still remains valid. For the people of Bajo the values meant being a model society, thus forming a community adherence behavior in managing and treating fisheries resources in the sea, so that it becomes part of the public legal awareness. Therefore, it is important to identify the values that are still applicable and to make it as a basis for the development of laws related to fisheries, which is expected to be developed, as the expectations set forth in the legislation.
The Development of New Clinical Legal Education Courses at the Faculty of Law, Hasanuddin University, Makassar- Indonesia: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Maskun Maskun
Published: February 2016

Clinical subjects are a new model in Faculty of Law Hasanuddin University’s curriculum. It currently is implementing four legal clinics: (1) a civil law clinic; (2) a criminal law clinic; (3) an anti-corruption law clinic; and (4) an environmental law clinic. All of these clinics have been adopted in FH-UNHAS’s curriculum. This paper will focus on those subjects as new clinics and the students as new clinicians. It also discusses many challenges we face in managing the clinics and ensuring that all clinic students are able to engage in quality programming while working with our partners (local civil society organizations [CSOs] and formal justice institutions, such as District Courts and Provincial Prosecutor Offices).
Therapeutic Alliance With a Fully Automated Mobile Phone and Web-Based Intervention: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Clarke Janine , Proudfoot Judith , Whitton Alexis , Birch Mary-Rose , Boyd Megan , Parker Gordon , Manicavasagar Vijaya , Hadzi-Pavlovic Dusan , Fogarty Andrea
Published: February 2016

Background

Studies of Internet-delivered psychotherapies suggest that clients report development of a therapeutic alliance in the Internet environment. Because a majority of the interventions studied to date have been therapist-assisted to some degree, it remains unclear whether a therapeutic alliance can develop within the context of an Internet-delivered self-guided intervention with no therapist support, and whether this has consequences for program outcomes.

Objective

This study reports findings of a secondary analysis of data from 90 participants with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, and/or stress who used a fully automated mobile phone and Web-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention called “myCompass” in a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

Symptoms, functioning, and positive well-being were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). Therapeutic alliance was measured at post-intervention using the Agnew Relationship Measure (ARM), and this was supplemented with qualitative data obtained from 16 participant interviews. Extent of participant engagement with the program was also assessed.

Results

Mean ratings on the ARM subscales were above the neutral midpoints, and the interviewees provided rich detail of a meaningful and collaborative therapeutic relationship with the myCompass program. Whereas scores on the ARM subscales did not correlate with treatment outcomes, participants’ ratings of the quality of their emotional connection with the program correlated significantly and positively with program logins, frequency of self-monitoring, and number of treatment modules completed (r values between .32-.38, P≤.002). The alliance (ARM) subscales measuring perceived empowerment (r=.26, P=.02) and perceived freedom to self-disclose (r=.25, P=.04) also correlated significantly in a positive direction with self-monitoring frequency.

Conclusions

Quantitative and qualitative findings from this analysis showed that a positive therapeutic alliance can develop in the Internet environment in the absence of therapist support, and that components of the alliance may have implications for program usage. Further investigation of alliance features in the Internet environment and the consequences of these for treatment outcomes and user engagement is warranted.

Trial Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ACTRN): 12610000625077; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=335772&isReview=true (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6efAc5xj4).
Salt and Cardiovascular Diseases- Its time to take Control of it
Authors: Ullah Mohammad , Zaman Shahana
Published: February 2016

Abstract not availableCardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 87-89
Treatment compliance of Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Karmoker Kajal Kumar , Dutta Bijoy , Khalil Md Ibrahim , Rashid Md Bazlur , Alam Md Ashraful , Islam Md Jahidul , Biswas Pijous , Mamunuzzaman Md , Kawsar ABM Riaz
Published: February 2016

Background: Hypertension is an important public-health challenge worldwide. It is important because of its high frequency and its effect on cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and kidney disease.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the treatment compliance of hypertensive patients and medical history of patients with hypertension in the outpatient department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 350 hypertensive outdoor patients were included in this study. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20.Results: The study revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 50.49 years (SD ± 8.449). Approximately 67.2% of the respondents were suffering from hypertension from <5 years and 15.6% respondents were hospitalized three times and 12.0% respondents were hospitalized more than three times. The mean duration of taking antihypertensive medicine was 4.91 years. The study also found that 48.8% respondents were taking antihypertensive medication irregularly. The mean systolic blood pressure was 129.96 mm of Hg (SD±23.60) and diastolic blood pressure was 86.08 mm of Hg (SD ±12.76).Conclusion: The study results revealed that about half of the patients do not take drugs regularly, which is an alarming sign. Therefore, the instructions and counseling should be given to the patient to fulfill the treatment for prevention of complications related to hypertension.Cardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 110-114
Association of Level of Physical Exertion with Acute Myocardial Infarction in Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Azad Md Kamrul , Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Rahman Mohammad Arifur , Arafat Shohael M , Ahmed Sheikh Foyez , Dastider Sathi
Published: February 2016

Background: Evidences suggest that heavy physical exertion can trigger the onset of acute myocardial infarction. But there have been no clean cut data in Bangladesh about the risk of myocardial infarction during and after heavy exertion. To address this question the study was conducted.Methods: It was a multicentre cross sectional study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2013 with patient of diagnosed acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted in department of cardiology of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). From selected samples, two hours activity prior to onset of symptom of AMI was asked according to standard questionnaire. Activities were quantified on a scale from 1 to 8 metabolic equivalents (METs) according to generally accepted values. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.Results: In this study 246 patients (74 .4 percent of whom were men; mean age [±SD], 64.68 ± 7.63 years) were interviewed. The study showed that 11.38% patients were engaged in strenuous physical exertion (e 6 METs) within two hours prior to symptom onset of AMI. Strenuous exertion group of AMI patients were all most all sedentary worker [26 (92.86%) of 28]. Most of the patients (82.14 %) of strenuous group had history of less than 8 hours work per day. Strenuous exertion group had history of longtime exertion (72.57%, 1-2 hours) than non-strenuous group (42.66%, <0.5 hours). Moreover, 67.86% AMI patients of strenuous exertion group had experienced irregular exertion whereas most of the patients (64.22%) of non strenuous group had a history of regular exertion.Conclusions: The result of the study indicates that a period of strenuous physical activity is associated with increased risk of having AMI, particularly among patients of sedentary worker who have dyslipidemia and who exercise irregularly. Those who exercise regularly have lower chances of AMI as shown by the negative correlation.Cardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 115-122
Effect of Serum Homocysteine on Coronary Artery Disease in Younger and Older Ischaemic Heart Disease Patients
Authors: Islam Kazi Nazrul , Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Khondoker Azizul Hasan , Haque Md Serajul , Sabah KMN , Amin Md Gaffar , Kabir Syed Rezwan , Saleh Mohammed Abaye Deen
Published: February 2016

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known as an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis. But the probable role of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Premature Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is not well studied. The aim of this study was to assess the role of serum homocysteine on angiographically documented CAD in younger and older ischaemic heart disease (IHD) patients.Methods: Total 120 patients with IHD admitted in the Department of Cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital for CAG were selected by purposive sampling method and divided into two groups. 60 patients in Group-I, d 40 years of age (Younger); 60 patients in Group-II, >40 years of age (Older). Homocysteine was measured in all patients and other demographical and clinical data were collected. Homocysteine level was correlated with the presence and severity of CAD.Results: Smoking, positive family history of IHD, dyslipidaemia and hyper homocysteinemia were important risk factors in younger IHD patients. Whereas, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia were important cardiovascular risk factors in older age group. Obesity was not an important risk factors as evidenced by mean BMI. Serum homocysteine was not well related to presence of CAD or extent of CAD in older IHD patients. However in younger patients hyperhomocysteinemia was related to both presence and severity of CAD.Conclusion: In younger IHD patients hyperhomocysteinemia is an important cardiovascular risk factor. But in older patients it loses its significance. So serum homocysteine level should be screened routinely in younger IHD patients.Cardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 138-142
Emergency Surgery for Acute Mitral Valve Obstruction Resulting From Rapidly enlarging Left Atrial Myxoma
Authors: Alam M Badrul , Quader SA , Rahim AM Asif , Bari M Sajedul , Khan ZH , Hassan Muhammed K
Published: February 2016

Left atrial myxomas are benign, slow-growing primary cardiac tumors. They present with gradual onset of one or more of a triad of obstructive, embolic, or constitutional symptoms. Echocardiography aids in the detailed preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of the myxoma for surgical strategy planning. We describe a case of interstitial hemorrhage in a left atrial myxoma leading to rapid expansion of the tumor with features of acute, mitral valve obstruction. Echocardiography showed a cystic area in the left atrial tumor that corresponded to an area of recent hemorrhage confirmed on surgical removal. A 42 yrs old housewife presented with severe dyspnoea, cough and chest pain for 7 days, after detail evaluation she was diagnosed as a case of left atrial myxoma with heart failure. Subsequently she underwent emergency open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass; removal of a huge LA myxoma was done, and recovered uneventfully.Cardiovasc. j. 2016; 8(2): 155-157
Effect of Freezing Conditions on Fecal Bacterial Composition in Pigs
Authors: Metzler-Zebeli Barbara , Lawlor Peadar , Magowan Elizabeth , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: February 2016

Sample preservation and recovery of intact DNA from gut samples may affect the inferred gut microbiota composition in pigs. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the freezing process and storage temperature prior to DNA extraction on DNA recovery and bacterial community composition in pig feces using quantitative PCR. Fresh fecal samples from six growing pigs were collected and five aliquots of each prepared: (1) total DNA extracted immediately; (2) stored at −20 °C; (3) snap frozen and stored at −20 °C; (4) stored at −80 °C; and (5) snap frozen and stored at −80 °C. Results showed that DNA yields from fresh fecal samples were, on average, 25 to 30 ng higher than those from the various stored samples. The DNA extracted from fresh samples had more gene copies of total bacteria and all targeted bacterial groups per gram feces compared to DNA extraction from frozen samples. Data presentation also modified the observed effect of freeze storage; as results for Lactobacillus group, Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Clostridium cluster IV, Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas and Enterobacteriaceae showed the opposite effect when expressed as relative abundance, by being greater in freeze stored feces than in fresh feces. Snap freezing increased the relative proportion of Clostridium cluster IV by 24%. In conclusion, the freezing process affected DNA yield and bacterial abundances, whereas snap freezing and storage temperature had only little influence on abundances of bacterial populations in pig feces.
Dynamics of Dew in a Cold Desert-Shrub Ecosystem and Its Abiotic Controls
Authors: Guo Xiaonan , Zha Tianshan , Jia Xin , Wu Bin , Feng Wei , Xie Jing , Gong Jinnan , Zhang Yuqing , Peltola Heli
Published: February 2016

The temporal dynamics of dew formation in cold desert-shrub ecosystems are still poorly understood. We examined dew and its abiotic controls in a shrubland in northwestern China with continuous eddy-covariance measurements of latent heat fluxes gathered over the growing-season of 2012. The dew amount was larger in mid-summer than in spring and autumn, but the dew duration was shorter in summer (from ~10:00 p.m. to ~6:30 a.m.) than in spring and autumn (from ~8:30 p.m. to ~7:30 a.m.). Dew occurred on 85% (166 days) of growing-season days, with monthly means ranging from 0.09 to 0.16 mm day−1. Dew was dominantly and positively controlled by Relative Humidity (RH), which explained 89% of its variation. Soil heat flux (G), air temperature (Ta), wind speed (Ws), Soil Water Content (SWC) and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) also influenced dew formation. The most favorable conditions for dew formation were at Ta < 17 °C and RH > 75%. The Penman–Monteith equation predicted actual dew reasonably well. The predicted growing-season dew amount (21.3 mm) was equivalent to 7.2% and 8.9% of corresponding rainfall and evapotranspiration, respectively. It is suggested that dew could be a stable and continuous source of water that helps desert plants survive during warm summers.
Innate Lymphoid Cells in Tumor Immunity
Authors: Van Beek Jasper , Martens Anne , Bakdash Ghaith , De Vries I.
Published: February 2016

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a group of immune cells of the lymphoid lineage that do not possess antigen specificity. The group includes natural killer (NK) cells, lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells and the recently identified ILC1s, ILC2s and ILC3s. Although the role of NK cells in the context of cancer has been well established, the involvement of other ILC subsets in cancer progression and resistance is just emerging. Here, we review the literature on the role of the different ILC subsets in tumor immunity and discuss its implications for cancer treatment and monitoring.
Role of Disulfide Bonds in Stabilizing the Conformation of Selected Enzymes—An Approach Based on Divergence Entropy Applied to the Structure of Hydrophobic Core in Proteins
Authors: Banach Mateusz , Kalinowska Barbara , Konieczny Leszek , Roterman Irena
Published: February 2016

One of the factors responsible for tertiary structural stabilization in proteins is the presence of the hydrophobic core—a result of hydrophobic interactions within the protein body. In some proteins (especially extracellular ones) additional stabilization is provided by covalent bonds between selected Cys residues, commonly referred to as disulfide bonds. The mutual interplay of both factors and their respective contributions to stabilization are the focus of this work. The assessment of the effects of disulfide bonds isinterpreted by Fuzzy Oil Drop (FOD) model in which individual polypeptide chain fragments (including fragments which participate in SS bonds) can be evaluated in the context of their influence upon tertiary structural stabilization by comparing their corresponding theoretical and idealized hydrophobicity density distributions. The proteins were identified with both factors reinforcing each other, as well as proteins where they seem to counteract each other. The analysis presents a number of enzymes, including ribonuclease, lysozyme, disulfide isomerase and phospholipase.