bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning from Chatting: How Our Virtual Reference Questions Are Giving Us Answers
Authors: Rourke Lorna , Lupien Pascal
Published: February 2016

Objective - This research compares two types of online reference services and attempts to determine whether the same sorts of questions are being asked; which questions are being asked most often; and whether patron and staff behaviour is consistent or different in the two types of online reference sessions. Patron satisfaction with the two types of online reference services is also examined.

Methods - The researchers reviewed over 1400 online reference transcripts, including 744 from Docutek virtual reference (VR) transactions and 683 from MSN chat reference (IM) transactions. The questions were classified according to categories of reference questions based on recurring questions discovered during the review. Each transaction was also categorized as "informal" or "formal" based on patron language and behaviour, and general observations were made about the interactions between patrons and librarians. In addition, results from 223 user surveys were examined to determine patron satisfaction with online reference services and to determine which type of service patrons preferred.

Results - The analysis suggests that patrons are using VR and IM services differently. In general, VR questions tend to be more research intensive and formal, while IM questions are less focused on academic research and informal. Library staff and patrons appear to alter their behaviour depending upon which online environment they are in. User surveys demonstrated that patrons are generally satisfied with either type of online reference assistance.

Conclusion - Both types of online reference service are meeting the needs of patrons. They are being used for different purposes and in different ways, so it may be worthwhile for libraries to consider offering both VR and IM reference. The relationship building that appears to take place more naturally in IM interactions demonstrates the benefits of librarians being more approachable with patrons in order to provide a more meaningful service.
Thematic Categorization and Analysis of Peer Reviewed Articles in the LISA Database, 2004-2005
Authors: Perryman Carol
Published: February 2016

A Review of:

Gonzalez-Alcaide, Gregorio, Lourdes Castello-Cogolles, Carolina Navarro-Molina, et al. “Library and Information Science Research Areas: Analysis of Journal Articles in LISA.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 59.1 (2008): 150-4.

Objective – To provide an updated categorization of Library and Information Science (LIS) publications and to identify trends in LIS research.

Design – Bibliometric study.

Setting – The Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA) database via the CSA Illumina interface.

Subjects – 11,273 item records published from 2004-2005 and indexed in LISA.

Methods – First, a search was set up to retrieve all records from 2004-2005, limited to peer review items (called “arbitrated works” by the authors (150)) and excluding book reviews. Second, thematic descriptor terms used for the records were identified. Frequency counts for descriptor term occurrence were compiled using Microsoft Access and Pajek software programs. From the results of this search, the top terms were analyzed using the Kamada-Kawai algorithm in order to eliminate descriptor term co-occurrence frequencies under 30. A cluster analysis was used to depict thematic foci for the remaining records, providing a co-word network that visually identified topic areas of most frequent publication. Conclusions were drawn from these findings, and recommendations for further research were provided.

Main Results – The authors identified 18 “thematic research core fields” (152) clustered around three large categories, “World Wide Web”, “Education”, and “Libraries”, plus 12 additional peripheral categories, and provided a schematic of field interrelationships.

Conclusion – Domains of greatest focus for research “continue to be of practical and applied nature,” (153) but include increased emphasis on the World Wide Web and communications technologies, as well as on user studies. A table of the most frequently occurring areas of research along with their top three descriptor terms is provided (Table 1, 152) (e.g., “World Wide Web” as the top area of research, with “online information retrieval” (268 occurrences), “searching” (132 occurrences), and “web sites” (115 occurrences)).
School Librarianship and Evidence Based Practice: Progress, Perspectives, and Challenges
Authors: Todd Ross J.
Published: February 2016

Objective – This paper provides an overview of progress and developments surrounding evidence based practice in school librarianship, and seeks to provide a picture of current thinking about evidence based practice as it relates to the field. It addresses current issues and challenges facing the adoption of evidence based practice in school librarianship.

Methods – The paper is based on a narrative review of a small but growing body of literature on evidence based practice in school librarianship, set within a broader perspective of evidence based education. In addition, it presents the outcomes of a collaborative process of input from 200 school libraries leaders collected at a School Library summit in 2007 specifically to address the emerging arena of evidence based practice in this field.

Results – A holistic model of evidence based practice for school libraries is presented, centering on three integrated dimensions of evidence: evidence for practice, evidence in practice, and evidence of practice.

Conclusion – The paper identifies key challenges ahead if evidence based school librarianship is to develop further. These include: building research credibility within the broader educational environment; the need for ongoing review and evaluation of the diverse body of research in education, librarianship and allied fields to make quality evidence available in ways that can enable practicing school librarians to build a culture of evidence based practice; development of tools, strategies, and exemplars to use to facilitate evidence based decision-making; and, ensuring that the many and diverse advances in education and librarianship become part of the practice of school librarianship.
Current Themes in Academic Library Assessment: Select Papers from the 2010 Library Assessment Conference
Authors: Kyrillidou Martha , Jaggars Damon
Published: February 2016

No abstract.
Pleasure Reading Among First-Year University Students
Authors: Parlette Melanie , Howard Vivian
Published: February 2016

Objectives – This study examines the reading habits and experiences of first-year undergraduate students at Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Methods – First-year undergraduate university students (aged 18 to 20) were recruited to take part in focus group discussions and responses were analysed to examine the following topics: (1) the role of reading in their lives, both academic and personal; (2) the development of reading habits from childhood; (3) reading engagement strategies; and (4) selection strategies.

Results – This study suggests that reading for pleasure is a well-established habit amongst many first-year undergraduate students. First-year undergraduates primarily read for pleasure in order to relax but also recognize that pleasure reading can play a positive role in their academic performance, enhancing their range of background knowledge as well as their active vocabulary.

Conclusions – The conclusions of this research provide recommendations for librarians and university administration to engage students and increase rates of retention in postsecondary institutions. In particular, recommendations related to the importance of pleasure reading collections, campus reading programs, book clubs, readers’ advisory services and quiet and comfortable reading areas in academic libraries are provided.
Situating Student Learning in Rich Contexts: A Constructionist Approach to Digital Archives Education
Authors: Cocciolo Anthony
Published: February 2016

Objective - This paper sought to determine whether a constructionist pedagogical approach to digital archives education could positively influence student perceptions of their learning. Constructionism is a learning theory that places students in the role of designers and emphasizes creating tangible artifacts in a social environment. This theory was used in the instructional design of the Digital Archive Creation Project (DACP), a major component of a digital archives course offered to students enrolled in a Master’s program in library science at Pratt Institute School of Library and Information Science.

Methods - Participants were the 31 students enrolled in the DACP during the fall and spring semesters of 2010. They were surveyed as to their perceived learning outcomes as a result of their engagement with the DACP.

Results - Results indicated that students perceived strong increases in their learning following their engagement in the DACP, particularly in terms of their skills, confidence, understanding of topics covered in other courses, and overall understanding. Factors that influenced these increases include the collaborative teamwork, the role of the facilitator or instructor, and individual effort.

Conclusion - The project demonstrated that a constructionist pedagogical approach to digital archives education positively impacted students’ perceptions of their learning.
It’s All Fun and Games until Someone Learns Something: Assessing the Learning Outcomes of Two Educational Games
Authors: McCabe Jennifer , Wise Steven
Published: February 2016

Objective – To determine whether educational games can be designed that are both fun and effective in improving information seeking skills.

Methods – Two skills that are known to be particularly difficult for students taking a required information literacy test were identified. These skills are the ability to identify citations and the ability to search databases with keywords. Educational games were designed to address these two skills. The first game, Citation Tic Tac Toe, placed commonly used bibliographic citations into a tick tac toe style grid. Students were required to play the Tic Tac Toe game and subsequently given citation identification exercises. The second game arranged key concepts related to search phrases in a Magnetic Keyword interface. Students were observed searching databases before and after playing the Magnetic Keyword game and their pre- and post-play searches were analyzed.

Results – Students who played the Tic Tac Toe game improved more from pretest to posttest than students who only took an online tutorial. In addition, students who played the Magnetic Keyword game demonstrated quicker database searching for their topics and expressed increased satisfaction with their results.

Conclusions – Games can be created which have measurable educational outcomes and are fun. It is important, however, to establish the educational objective prior to beginning game design.
Traditional Factors of Fit, Perceived Quality, and Speed of Publication Still Outweigh Open Access in Authors’ Journal Selection Criteria
Authors: Dalton Michelle
Published: February 2016

Objective – To determine the extent to which the open access (OA) status of a journal influences authors in their journal selection decisions and to analyze the sources of funding for the article-processing charges (APCs) applied in professional OA publishing.

Design – Survey questionnaire.

Setting – The international open access scholarly publishing sector.

Subjects – 1,038 researchers across all academic disciplines who have recently published work in open access journals that charge APCs.

Methods – Journals listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals were stratified into seven discipline clusters, and systematic random sampling was used where possible to collect a sample of up to 15 journals per cluster that levy APCs. For each individual journal, the authors of the 15 most recently published articles (working from 2010 backwards) were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire on the factors influencing their choice of journal and the source(s) used to fund processing charges. Additional background information about the authors and journals was also collected and merged with the survey responses.

Main Results – The results of the survey identified the fit of the article with the journal’s subject area, the perceived quality or impact of the journal, and the speed of the peer-review and publishing process as the dominant factors in the journal selection decision of authors. All three aspects were judged as either “very important” or “important” by 80% or more of respondents – significantly higher than the corresponding figure of 60% in relation to the open access status of the journal.

The analysis also indicated that two key elements appear to influence how APCs are funded: the research discipline and the country of origin of the author. The use of research grants to fund charges is more prevalent in scientific disciplines than in the humanities, whilst researchers based in lower-income countries more frequently identify APCs as a barrier than those in higher-income countries. Grants and institutional funding tend to be the primary sources of funding for journals with higher APCs, whilst personal funding is utilised more often in cases where the fee is less than $500.

Conclusion – Despite the increasing focus on the accessibility and visibility of research, academics still appear to place a greater value on ‘who’ rather than ‘how many’ readers access their research, and consequently traditional factors still persist as the main determinants in an author’s choice of journal. The future success of the APC model, compared with the traditional subscription-based or hybrid models, will ultimately depend on the ability of authors to obtain the necessary funding to pay such charges, combined with the extent to which the quality of services offered by open access publishers is perceived as being commensurate with the associated publishing fees.
Embedded, Participatory Research: Creating a Grounded Theory with Teenagers
Authors: Crawford Barniskis Shannon
Published: February 2016

Objective – This project, based on a study of the impact of art programs in public libraries on the teenaged participants, sought to show how library practitioners can perform embedded, participatory research by adding participants to their research team. Embedded participatory techniques, when paired with grounded theory methods, build testable theories from the ground up, based on the real experiences of those involved, including the librarian. This method offers practical solutions for other librarians while furthering a theoretical research agenda.

Methods – This example of embedded, participatory techniques used grounded theory methods based on the experiences of teens who participated in art programs at a public library. Fourteen teens participated in interviews, and six of them assisted in coding, analyzing, and abstracting the data, and validating the resulting theory.

Results – Employing the teenagers within the research team resulted in a teen-validated theory. The embedded techniques of the practitioner-researcher resulted in a theory that can be applied to practice.

Conclusions – This research framework develops the body of literature based on real-world contexts and supports hands-on practitioners. It also provides evidence-based theory for funding agencies and assessment. In addition, practitioner-based research that incorporates teens as research partners activates teens’ voices. It gives them a venue to speak for themselves with support from an interested and often advocacy-minded adult.
Embedded Academic Librarianship: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Schulte Stephanie J.
Published: February 2016

Objectives – The purpose of this review is to examine the development of embedded librarianship, its multiple meanings, and activities in practice. The review will also report on published outcomes and future research needs of embedded librarian programs.

Methods – A search of current literature was conducted and summarized searching PubMed, CINAHL, Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (EBSCO), Academic Search Complete, and ERIC (EBSCO) through August 23, 2012. Articles were selected for inclusion in the review if they reported research findings related to embedded librarianship, if they provided unique case reports about embedded librarian programs, or if they provided substantive editorial comments on the topic. Relevant study findings were assessed for quality and presented in tabular and narrative form.

Results – Currently, there is disparity in how embedded librarianship is being defined and used in common practice, ranging from embedding an online component into a single course to full physical and cultural integration into an academic college or business unit of an organization. Activities of embedded librarians include creating course integrated instruction modules for either face-to-face or online courses, providing in depth research assistance to students or faculty, and co-locating within colleges or customer units via office hours for a few hours to all hours per week. Several case reports exist in the recent literature. Few high quality research studies reporting outcomes of librarians or library programs labeled as embedded exist at this point. Some evidence suggests that embedded librarians are effective with regards to student learning of information literacy objectives. Surveys suggest that both students and faculty appreciate embedded librarian services.

Conclusion – Most published accounts discuss librarians embedding content and ready access to services in an online course management system. A few notable cases describe the physical and cultural integration of librarians into the library user environs. Future research using valid quantitative methods is needed to explore the impact of large scale, customized, embedded programs.
The Life of the Space: Evidence from Nova Scotia Public Libraries
Authors: May Francine , Black Fiona
Published: February 2016

Objectives – To describe aspects of the 21st century role of the public library as a physical space by observing the actual use of a selection of public libraries. This study seeks to reveal how patrons are using and experiencing these institutions as spaces and how patrons and staff characterize the role of public libraries in communities.

Methods – A multiple case study design was used to examine three urban and three small town public libraries within Nova Scotia, Canada. A triangulated set of methods including patron interviews and questionnaires, staff interviews, and seating sweeps was used to develop answers to the research questions.

Results – These public libraries are functioning as successful public places in that they are community spaces used in a multitude of ways and where patrons feel welcome. These libraries play important roles in the lives of respondents and, while respondents were willing to give critical feedback, they generally described the spaces positively. Patron use and experience of these library spaces can be broken into three themes that describe the roles of public libraries in communities. These include the role of provider of books and information, provider of access to technology and provider of a social space where members of the public are welcome.

Conclusions – Patron experiences in Nova Scotia public libraries show that libraries are vibrant places that are highly valued by their communities. A number of common themes about the use and perception of these spaces emerged, yet when examined individually each library was also revealed to be a unique place, reflecting the particular qualities of the community and the physical space of the library building itself. It is clear that public libraries are complex institutions which play a variety of valuable roles in the community.
Bogus Evidence
Authors: Hunsucker R. Laval
Published: February 2016

No abstract.
Bridging the Gap: Understanding the Differing Research Expectations of First-Year Students and Professor
Authors: Raven Meg
Published: February 2016

Objective: This study sought to better understand the research expectations of first-year students upon beginning university study, and how these expectations differed from those of their professors. Most academic librarians observe that the research expectations of these two groups differ considerably and being able to articulate where these differences are greatest may help us provided more focused instruction, and allow us to work more effectively with professors and student support services.

Methods: 317 first-year undergraduate students and 75 professors at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS were surveyed to determine what they each expected of first-year student research. Students were surveyed on the first day of term so as to best understand their research expectations as they transitioned from high school to university.

Results: The gulf between student and professor research expectations was found to be considerable, especially in areas such as time required for reading and research, and the resources necessary to do research. While students rated their preparedness for university as high, they also had high expectations related to their ability to use non-academic sources. Not unexpectedly, the majority of professors believed that students are not prepared to do university-level research, they do not take enough responsibility for their own learning, they should use more academic research sources, and read twice as much as students believe they should.

Conclusions: By better understanding differing research expectations, students can be guided very early in their studies about appropriate academic research practices, and librarians and professors can provide students with improved research instruction. Strategies for working with students, professors and the university community are discussed.
Electronic Information Access and Utilization by Makerere University Students in Uganda
Authors: Okello-Obura Constant , Magara Elisam
Published: February 2016

Objectives – The objectives of this study were to establish the level of computer utilization skills of Makerere University (Uganda) Library and Information Science (LIS) students; to determine the use of electronic information resources by LIS students; to determine the attitudes of LIS students towards electronic information resources; and to establish the problems faced by LIS students in accessing electronic information resources.

Methods – A questionnaire survey was used for data collection.

Results – The majority of Library and Information Science students at Makerere University depend on university computers for their work, and very few of them access the library’s e-resources. The few who access e-resources are self-taught. The majority of students surveyed were unaware of Emerald and EBSCO databases relevant to Library and Information Science students, and they found accessing e-resources time-consuming.

Conclusion – The study concluded that a concerted effort is needed by both LIS lecturers and university librarians in promoting use of the library’s electronic resources.
Trzy generacje postępowania administracyjnego a Kodeks postępowania administracyjnego
Authors: Ćwiklińska Marta
Published: February 2016

Javier Barnes wyróżnił trzy generacje postępowania administracyjnego. Niniejszy esej będzie próbą analizy Kodeksu postępowania administracyjnego pod kątem trzech generacji postępowania administracyjnego. Pierwsza generacja jest najstarsza. Jest to postępowanie orzecznicze, czyli klasyczne postępowanie administracyjne. Organy administracji publicznej wydają formalne decyzje adresowane do indywidualnego adresata. Model ten w anglosaskiej literaturze określany jest jako command and control. Kodeks postępowania administracyjnego zawiera wyłącznie normy I generacji. Druga generacja postępowania administracyjnego, zwana rulemaking procedure, czyli postępowaniem w sprawach wydawania aktów administracyjnych generalnych nie doczekała się całościowego uregulowania w polskim systemie prawa. W tym zakresie istnieje cały szereg regulacji o charakterze szczegółowym w przepisach prima facie materialnego prawa administracyjnego. Inaczej niż w I generacji postępowania administracyjnego generalny akt administracyjny kierowany jest do adresata określonego w sposób generalny. Trzecia generacja postępowania administracyjnego, czyli postępowanie służące kształtowaniu i wdrażaniu polityki publicznej, nie została uregulowana w Kodeksie postępowania administracyjnego. W polskim systemie prawa administracyjnego normy zawierające cechy III generacji znajdują się w ustawie z dnia 3 października 2008 r. o udostępnianiu informacji o środowisku i jego ochronie, udziale społeczeństwa w ochronie środowiska oraz o ocenach oddziaływania na środowisko (Dz. U. 2013, poz. 1235 ze zm.).
Zmiany granic w Afryce na przełomie XX i XXI wieku
Authors: Sobczyński Marek
Published: February 2016

W artykule zaprezentowano zmiany granic w Afryce w ostatniej dekadzie XX w. oraz pierwszym piętnastoleciu XXI w., czyli w okresie wielkich transformacji ustrojowych związanych z zanikiem bipolarnego podziału świata i upadkiem systemu komunistycznego. W Afryce okres ten wiązał się z wyzwoleniem się kilkunastu państw spod radzieckiej dominacji politycznej, odrzuceniem systemu socjalistycznego w ekonomice i powrotem do wolnorynkowej gospodarki kapitalistycznej. Zakwestionowano także zasadę nienaruszalności granic państwowych w Afryce. W omawianym okresie następowały liczne zmiany granic politycznych, przeprowadzane zarówno na drodze pokojowej, przy mediacji organizacji międzynarodowych, jak i na drodze zbrojnej; te jednak nadal nie znajdują akceptacji społeczności międzynarodowej i rzadko kończą się powodzeniem w dłuższej perspektywie.
Cieszyn-Czeski Cieszyn - wybrane aspekty funkcjonowania miasta podzielonego na granicy polsko-czeskiej w kontekście transgranicznej mobilności mieszkańców
Authors: Dołzbłasz Sylwia
Published: February 2016

Głównym celem artykułu jest analiza otwartości transgranicznej firm usługowych działających w mieście podzielonym Cieszyn-Czeski Cieszyn i powiązań między mieszkańcami obu miast. Elementy podlegające badaniu stanowią jedynie fragment całokształtu relacji transgranicznych, na które składa się cały kompleks relacji w sferze politycznej czy też gospodarczej. Jednakże kwestia otwartości firm na klientów z drugiej strony granicy oraz motywacje i częstość przekraczania granicy przez mieszkańców, a także percepcja sąsiadów stanowią istotny aspekt praktyk transgranicznych. Ich analiza pozwala na identyfikację charakteru powiązań transgranicznych o wymiarze lokalnym z punktu widzenia codziennego życia mieszkańców miasta podzielonego granicą państwową. Analiza przestrzeni instytucjonalnej pozwala uchwycić kształtowanie się procesów oddolnych, które są w znacznej mierze niezależne od inicjatyw podejmowanych przez władze lokalne.
Perceptions Of Customers Regarding Their Expectations Of Service Quality In South African Full-Service Restaurants
Authors: Naude Petro , Rudansky-Kloppers Sharon
Published: February 2016

Full-service restaurants serve different types of customers with preconceived ideas about what they want and expect to receive from the restaurant. During the dining experience, each customer experiences the service differently and subconsciously evaluates the experience differently. The purpose of this research is to determine the expectations and perceptions of customers regarding service quality sub-dimensions at Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs).  A self-administered survey of employees at a tertiary academic institution revealed that waiter professionalism, lack of individual attention, long waiting periods and stock-outs in FSRs are the most important concerns when it comes to the expectations of service quality. The findings of this study analysed a demographic profile (gender, age, home language, highest education qualification, LSM groups) and it was found that demographic category groups differ in the way that they perceive service quality. The study reveals that males tend to be less critical than women, LSM 9 respondents are less critical than LSM 10 respondents and respondents with an undergraduate degree or less are less critical than respondents with a post-graduate degree. The study also reveals a strong correlation between service quality and customer satisfaction. Recommendations include that management must focus on pricing strategies, strategic marketing, waiter training and the flow of communication between the restaurant and the customer. The recommendations made in this study will assist management of FSRs to understand the significance of high-quality service and to implement the required levels of service quality. With this knowledge, the management of FSRs can be assured of a satisfied customer and a competitive offering.
An Experimental Study Of Commercial Bank Loan Officer Behavior
Authors: Diltz J. David , Bayless Mark E.
Published: February 2016

This paper presents the results of an experimental study in which commercial bank loan officers evaluated a hypothetical ongoing firm for a line of credit, and independently, a term loan. Statistical analysis revealed significant influences on the loan decision resulting from bank size, national charter, urban location, loan officer age, years of experience, and prior experience with capital lease transactions.
The Legal Meaning Of Agency And Its Implications For Finance Theory
Authors: Margotta Donald G.
Published: February 2016

Agency theory in the finance literature is based on the assumption that an agency relationship exists between a firms managers, the agents, and its shareholders, the principals. This paper demonstrates that, in a legal sense, no formal agency relationship exists between managers and shareholders. Legal theory views managers as agents of the corporation rather than of shareholders, and the paper discusses the implications of these differences for finance theory.
Investment In Cost Accounting Systems: Decision Criteria
Authors: Martin Linda R. , Stevens Kathy C.
Published: February 2016

A current debate among accountants focuses on the amount of information collected by traditional cost accounting systems. Critics have said that these systems are inadequate because they provide insufficient detail for optimal decision making and have proposed the adoption of more elaborate cost systems. This paper analyzes cost accounting systems from a cost-benefit perspective and find that in some circumstances traditional methods with their aggregated level of detail are economically optimal.
Proxy Contests: The Evidence
Authors: Hancock G. D.
Published: February 2016

This paper reviews the theoretical and empirical contributions to the proxy contest literature. Research to date suggest that: 1. The use of the proxy contest as a method of taking over a corporation depends on its cost relative to the tender offer; 2. The security voting structure and debt/equity ratio influence the outcome of the proxy contest; and 3. The value of a proxy contest can be estimated using the principles of option pricing theory.
The Importance of Qualitative Factors In Corporate Performance Appraisal: Implications For Managers
Authors: Covaleski Mark A. , Dirsmith Mark W. , Ketz J. Edward
Published: February 2016

The academic literature has tended to emphasize the formal assessment of organizational performance using largely quantitative criteria. In contrast, relatively little attention has been directed at understanding the role that qualitative information plays in the performance evaluations made by external constituents. The purpose of this paper is to fill this void by describing an empirical study of external decision makers that involved use of both quantitative and qualitative evidence. It is concluded that financial analysts and individual investors rely more heavily on such qualitative considerations as management interpretations and business environment information than on quantitative, financial statement based information for companies operating in dynamic and complex industries. A series of implications for corporate executives are explored.
Legal Insights To International Business In Spain
Authors: Williams-Gascon Ann
Published: February 2016

The personal interviews were carried out to raise key issues of concern for individuals seeking an understanding of business and legal practices as they occur in today's Spain.
Managerial Approach For Customer Satisfaction And FulFillment Of The Marketing Concept
Authors: Ellis Brien , Marino Paulette
Published: February 2016

The authors present a managerial approach for assessing customer satisfaction and the marketing concept. An empirical investigation in the retail drugstore industry reveals that managers do not fully understand the needs and wants of their customers and that their customers are not as satisfied as the managers perceive them to be. The study also reinforces the importance of location in retailing and identifies price and merchandise availability as other key attributes customers desire; these findings contrast with managers perceptions of the greater importance of customer service and employee expertise.
Stewardship And Financial Performance In Wide-Moat Firms
Authors: Boyd David P. , Yilmaz Mustafa
Published: February 2016

Previous research has shown that the historical appreciation of Morningstar wide-moat companies exceeds that of benchmark indices.  In the case of mutual funds, prior work has also demonstrated the significance of Morningstar’s stewardship grade in partially explaining such out performance.  The present study examines 181 wide-moat companies and assesses whether stewardship has a comparable influence on the financial performance of individual firms.
The Development Of The Miller Ratio (MR): A Tool To Detect For The Possibility Of Earnings Management (EM)
Authors: Miller James E.
Published: February 2016

This study focuses on the study of tool practitioners and regulators may find useful.  The large body of literature on the topic of earnings management provides discussions of total accruals, discretionary total accruals, and current accruals.  The literature also offers discussions of the development and study of models to determine the level of earnings management given that cash flow from operations (CFO) and net income differ.
Examining An Online Investment Research Service: The Motley Fool
Authors: Giacomino Don E. , Akers Michael D.
Published: February 2016

The Motley Fool has been described as “the most popular Internet stock chat website” (Hirschey et al, Financial Analysts Journal, 1999). Per the company’s website, the mission of the privately-held multimedia financial services company is to educate, amuse, and enrich” in order “to build the world’s greatest investment community” (www.fool.com/press/about.htm).  The Motley Fool notes that their products are designed to “help people take control of their financial lives”.  While other internet financial services exist, this article examines the performance of the investment services/advice provided by The Motley Fool (TMF) because of its notoriety.  We use investment publications, information posted on the company’s website, and academic research for our analysis.  Our findings show that, despite the popularity of TMF, investors need to critically evaluate TMF financial recommendations. Considerable time and effort are required to effectively manage financial resources and, undoubtedly, there will be mistakes, even by financial advisors such as TMF.  It is doubtful that performance that beats the market can be accomplished in 15 minutes per year as suggested by TMF.
Distribution of microbial activity and specific microorganisms across sediment size fractions and pipe wall biofilm in a drinking water distribution system
Authors: van der Wielen Paul W. J. J. , Lut Maarten C.
Published: February 2016

The aim of our study was to identify the dominant environmental niche (pipe wall and different sediment size fractions) in the distribution system for biological activity, Aeromonas and the occurrence of several microbial groups or specific opportunistic pathogens. The pipe wall and sediment fractions of three locations in a distribution system were sampled and different microbiological parameters were determined. The results demonstrated that most of the active biomass in the distribution system is located in the pipe wall biofilm and the smallest sediment size fraction. Fungi were more dominantly present in the pipe wall biofilm than in the sediment, whereas Aeromonas spp. has its dominant niche in the sediment. The highest numbers of the opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus were observed in the biofilm. In contrast, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was only observed in the sediment. The results from our study demonstrate that: (i) microbial activity in the distribution system is high on the pipe wall and sediment and (ii) different microbial groups or microbial species have different dominant environmental niches in the distribution system.
Stimulating Employees' Feedback-seeking Behavior: The Role of Participative Decision Making
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Qian Jing
Published: February 2016

Drawing upon psychological ownership theory, we examined the link between participative decision making and employees' feedback seeking from supervisors, by focusing on the mediating role of job-based psychological ownership. Analysis of data from 248 subordinatesupervisor dyads employed
at 2 hotels in China showed that participative decision making was positively associated with employees seeking feedback from supervisors, and the relationship was mediated by job-based psychological ownership. In sum, our results suggest that participative decision making can serve as a managerial
tool to stimulate, encourage, and foster employees' feedback-seeking behavior, and that the development of job-based psychological ownership can help with this process.
Online Peer-to-peer Lending Decision Making: Model Development and Testing
Authors: Wan Qingyao , Chen Dongyu , Shi Weihua
Published: February 2016

We explored lenders' decision-making processes in online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending by drawing on trust theory and the valence framework to develop an integrated decisionmaking model, which we then tested empirically using data from a survey conducted with 474 online lenders in China.
The results showed that initial trust and perceived benefit determined willingness to lend, and that the fear of borrower opportunism did not have a significant impact on this willingness. Initial trust increased willingness to lend both directly and indirectly, increased it by increasing
perceived benefit. We have identified the specific features of online P2P lending and provided valuable insights for borrowers, lenders, and intermediaries.
Changes in the concentration of selected metals in sediments of the River Chotla in northwest Poland in its section affected by various anthropogenic factors
Authors: Włodarczyk Małgorzata , Siwek Hanna , Buchwał Anna , Rafacz Edyta
Published: February 2016

The purpose of the paper was to assess the changes in the concentration of selected metals in the bottom sediment and interstitial water of the River Chotla in northwest Poland. The research was conducted on the river section flowing through Zaspy Małe and a salmonid fish breeding farm. Samples of water and bottom sediment were taken in four control and measurement points, located above and below the village and on a backwater above the trouteries and below the fish breeding ponds. The pH and the concentration of the metals potassium, iron, calcium, manganese and zinc were determined in the water and sediment samples. The lowest concentrations of the metals were found in the samples collected above and below Zaspy Małe, while the highest concentrations of metals in the water and sediment were found in the samples taken in the backwater, above the fish breeding ponds. Exceptions were calcium and potassium, with the highest concentrations of metals in the water being found in the samples taken below the fish breeding ponds. The content of metals in sediments of the analysed section of the River Chotla was mainly determined by the content of organic matter, which varied as it is dependent on water accumulation processes and the operation of nearby fishery facilities. The slightly alkaline pH facilitated long-lasting accumulation of metals in sediments.
Cancer statistics for African Americans, 2016: Progress and opportunities in reducing racial disparities
Authors: DeSantis Carol E. , Siegel Rebecca L. , Sauer Ann Goding , Miller Kimberly D. , Fedewa Stacey A. , Alcaraz Kassandra I. , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: February 2016

In this article, the American Cancer Society provides the estimated number of new cancer cases and deaths for blacks in the United States and the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, survival, screening, and risk factors for cancer. Incidence data are from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, and mortality data are from the National Center for Health Statistics. Approximately 189,910 new cases of cancer and 69,410 cancer deaths will occur among blacks in 2016. Although blacks continue to have higher cancer death rates than whites, the disparity has narrowed for all cancers combined in men and women and for lung and prostate cancers in men. In contrast, the racial gap in death rates has widened for breast cancer in women and remained level for colorectal cancer in men. The reduction in overall cancer death rates since the early 1990s translates to the avoidance of more than 300,000 deaths among blacks. In men, incidence rates from 2003 to 2012 decreased for all cancers combined (by 2.0% per year) as well as for the top 3 cancer sites (prostate, lung, and colorectal). In women, overall rates during the corresponding time period remained unchanged, reflecting increasing trends in breast cancer combined with decreasing trends in lung and colorectal cancer rates. Five‐year relative survival is lower for blacks than whites for most cancers at each stage of diagnosis. The extent to which these disparities reflect unequal access to health care versus other factors remains an active area of research. Progress in reducing cancer death rates could be accelerated by ensuring equitable access to prevention, early detection, and high‐quality treatment. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:290‐308. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Cooperativity of the SUMO and Ubiquitin Pathways in Genome Stability
Authors: Nie Minghua , Boddy Michael
Published: February 2016

Covalent attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) or SUMO to DNA repair proteins plays critical roles in maintaining genome stability. These structurally related polypeptides can be viewed as distinct road signs, with each being read by specific protein interaction motifs. Therefore, via their interactions with selective readers in the proteome, ubiquitin and SUMO can elicit distinct cellular responses, such as directing DNA lesions into different repair pathways. On the other hand, through the action of the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) family proteins, ubiquitin and SUMO can cooperate in the form of a hybrid signal. These mixed SUMO-ubiquitin chains recruit “effector” proteins such as the AAA+ ATPase Cdc48/p97-Ufd1-Npl4 complex that contain both ubiquitin and SUMO interaction motifs. This review will summarize recent key findings on collaborative and distinct roles that ubiquitin and SUMO play in orchestrating DNA damage responses.
Protein-Flavonoid Interaction Studies by a Taylor Dispersion Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Technique: A Novel Method to Assess Biomolecular Interactions
Authors: Vachali Preejith , Li Binxing , Besch Brian , Bernstein Paul
Published: February 2016

Flavonoids are common polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in fruits and vegetables. These pigments have important pharmacological relevance because emerging research suggests possible anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties as well other beneficial health effects. These compounds are relatively hydrophobic molecules, suggesting the role of blood transport proteins in their delivery to tissues. In this study, we assess the binding interactions of four flavonoids (kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, and resveratrol) with human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in the blood, and with glutathione S-transferase pi isoform-1 (GSTP1), an enzyme with well-characterized hydrophobic binding sites that plays an important role in detoxification of xenobiotics with reduced glutathione, using a novel Taylor dispersion surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. For the first time, HSA sites revealed a high-affinity binding site for flavonoid interactions. Out of the four flavonoids that we examined, quercetin and kaempferol showed the strongest equilibrium binding affinities (KD) of 63 ± 0.03 nM and 37 ± 0.07 nM, respectively. GSTP1 displayed lower affinities in the micromolar range towards all of the flavonoids tested. The interactions of flavonoids with HSA and GSTP1 were studied successfully using this novel SPR assay method. The new method is compatible with both kinetic and equilibrium analyses.
A Comparison of Four Approaches to Discretization Based on Entropy
Authors: Grzymala-Busse Jerzy , Mroczek Teresa
Published: February 2016

We compare four discretization methods, all based on entropy: the original C4.5 approach to discretization, two globalized methods, known as equal interval width and equal frequency per interval, and a relatively new method for discretization called multiple scanning using the C4.5 decision tree generation system. The main objective of our research is to compare the quality of these four methods using two criteria: an error rate evaluated by ten-fold cross-validation and the size of the decision tree generated by C4.5. Our results show that multiple scanning is the best discretization method in terms of the error rate and that decision trees generated from datasets discretized by multiple scanning are simpler than decision trees generated directly by C4.5 or generated from datasets discretized by both globalized discretization methods.
Circulating miR-21 and miR-29a as Markers of Disease Severity and Etiology in Cholestatic Pediatric Liver Disease
Authors: Goldschmidt Imeke , Thum Thomas , Baumann Ulrich
Published: February 2016

Circulating microRNAs have been investigated as markers of disease severity in a variety of conditions. We examined whether circulating miR-21 and miR-29a could serve as markers of hepatic fibrosis and disease etiology in children with various liver diseases. Circulating miR-21 and miR-29a were determined in 58 children (21 female, age 0.1–17.8 (median 9.8) years)) with chronic liver disease and compared to histological grading of hepatic fibrosis. 22 healthy children served as controls for circulating miRNAs. Levels of circulating miR-21 appeared to be age-dependent in healthy children. Children with biliary atresia had significantly higher levels of miR-21 compared both to healthy controls and to age-matched children with other cholestatic liver disease. Circulating miR-29a levels in biliary atresia children did not differ from healthy controls, but tended to be higher than in age-matched children with other cholestatic liver disease. Neither miR-21 nor miR-29a correlated well with hepatic fibrosis. Circulating miR-21 and miR-29a levels can potentially serve as non-invasive diagnostic markers to differentiate biliary atresia from other cholestatic disease in infancy. They do not appear suitable as non-invasive markers for the degree of hepatic fibrosis in an unselected cohort of children with various liver diseases. The discriminating effect regarding neonatal cholestasis should be followed up in a prospective longitudinal study.