bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information scientists and librarians as a market for viewdata in the UK
Authors: Hayden Virginia 
Published: March 2007

Viewdata is both a means of storing, retrieving and disseminating information and of communication between individuals or organisations. As such, viewdata, whether a private system or the public system Prestel, is of direct relevance to information scientists and librarians. A research project is described which surveyed non-student members of the Institute of Information Scientists and of the Library Association working in the UK, as a market for viewdata services. The main objective was to see whether this market was homogeneous or whether it could be partitioned into a number of distinct segments. The market was segmented on the basis of perceived benefits of viewdata. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was constructed from items obtained during group discussions with information scientists and librarians. Cluster analysis showed that the market was not homogeneous and questionnaire respondents were classified into four segments. Segment 1 which had generally reserved or unfavourable perceptions of viewdata was assigned the descriptors 'unconcerned, reserved'. Segment 2 which had the most favourable perceptions was given descriptors 'experienced, enthusiastic'. Segment 3 with overall quite favourable perceptions was designated 'experienced-but-wary, user-oriented'. Segment 4 which, due to very low awareness of viewdata was generally lacking in perceptions, was described "uninformed, worried". Factors affecting perceptions were identified. These included lack of awareness of hard-copy facilities, lack of awareness of general characteristics of viewdata and perceptions which respondents had of British Telecom.
Information systems planning and operation in Less Developed Countries. Part 1: Planning and operational concerns
Authors: Bell Simon 
Published: March 2007

Aimed primarily at academics working in the field of development studies. First, it is intended to give an overview of the major issues involved in the diffusion of information to Less Developed Ccountries (LDCs), and a review of the types of organization that operate in the field, their accessibility and specializations. It is hoped that this presentation will encour age academics to become interested in the value and power of information as a thing in itself, and correspondingly to dedi cate greater efforts to making use of, and furthering the cause of, those information services which are appropriate and cost effective. Second, the paper is an attempt to pull together the various aspects of the subject of 'information for LDCs', encouraging librarians and information specialists to consider issues other than those concerned mainly with technical access to facilities, (e.g. the political control of information, the 'privatization of information' and appropriate information systems for local populations, etc.). Generally, recent literature (1978-84) is used throughout. This is partly in order to demonstrate the latest thinking on the subject, but also due to the relative sparseness of earlier material which is still relevant.
The rights of the publisher in the information society
Authors: van Krevelen Laurens 
Published: March 2007

For 100 years the philosophical basis of the Berne Conven tion was the concept of intellectual property. However, prop erty and other absolute private rights tend to give way to other interests that are felt to be more fundamental and more social. The system of copyright itself will in future need some ad ditional justification in order to raise a greater interest of politicians and public opinion in the copyright affected profes sions and to get their full support. There are quite a few scholars who indicate that new copyright concepts should also be focused on the 'accessibility of information' and on the 'continuity of creation of new information". If these priorities are to be safeguarded, the role of the producer (or the pub lisher, in the case of books) must be made clear in law and practice, because he is the specialist in the production of and the access to information. Book publishers have the serious drawback that their pro fession is practically unknown to the public, to politicians and to legislators. Anecdotes and caricatures dating from before Berne still determine the public image of the publisher. Never theless, the role of books in modern society has expanded dramatically in all fields: science, education, culture and enter tainment. Book publishers should make the outside world more aware of their modem functions in the fields of editing, production and distribution. These valuable functions compare in complexity with those of the producers of audiovisual and electronic works. The modem functions of the book publisher require a better legal division between the rights of the author and those of the publisher. The investment risks and the importance of proper access to the work are too great to permit the role of the publisher to remain unresolved. The rights of the publisher should be nothing less than the exploitation right itself. The present practice by which publishers behave as holders of this right would be transformed into a clear division of functions. Such a strong right for publishers will create some obligations too. A fair code of practice in their trade with authors and for the protection of the public interest will be necessary. Such a code should preferably be defined by the profession itself. Publishers will have to debate a fundamental review of copyright, in which the close partnership of authors and pub lishers should be recognized, along with a clear and practicable division between the author's rights and the publisher's rights. This will be in the interest of the cultural community to which they belong, and also to the continuity of their professions.
Regulation and deregulation of telecommunications: the economic and political realities
Authors: Shao Hing Tsoi  , Philip George 
Published: March 2007

As part of their political ideology, the Conservative govern ment (UK) which came to power in May 1979 decided to dilute the monopoly power held by the then Post Office. This involved first the separation of postal services from telecom munications—the former remained as the Post Office and the latter became British Telecom—and subsequently the passing of the 1981 and 1984 Telecommunications Acts as a prelude to the privatization of BT. The 1984 Act also created a regulatory body known as OfTel (Office for Telecommunications) to serve as a watchdog over telecommunications development in the UK. This paper, which is the second part in the present series. describes the effects which the privatization of BT have had on consumers, equipment suppliers and particularly on its main rival—Mercury. Our study has shown that despite the genuine efforts of OfTel, privatization has had little effect in breaking the overall monopoly of BT, with the possible exception of the equipment supply market. The main beneficiaries of privatiza tion appear to be business consumers and investors. Genuine competition at the root of the industry, namely networks and lines, has not yet materialized. The privatization programme of the government has always been a highly contentious issue in British politics. Politics emerge obscurely when the government which considers BT as the flagship of its privatization programme quietly raps OfTel for being too harsh on BT, in case actions have a negative effect and subsequently could damage the government's politi cal standing. Nevertheless the trend initiated by the UK has set the ball rolling. Some of the other West European countries, and in particular the members of the EEC, are also planning to open up their respective PTTs to competition. Unlike the UK, they prefer liberalization to privatization. Programmes such as ESPRIT and RACE have been set up by the EEC not only to contain the foreign invasion of the European IT market but also to implement a pan-European digital network. However, because of conflicting national interests and politics, one can only be cautiously optimistic about the prospects of having a unified telecommumcations industry in Europe.
Organizational and Professional Predictors of Physician Satisfaction
Authors: Stevens Fred , Philipsen Hans , Diederiks Joseph 
Published: March 2007

In order to find out whether organizational characteristics and professional attitudes are positive predictors of the job satisfaction of physicians, an analysis is presented, based on a survey of 121 internists in 13 medical departments in Dutch university hospitals. The study indicates that formal structuring of work activities is a positive predictor of work environment satisfaction, whereas size is a negative predictor. Professional attitudes such as service orientation and craftsmanship are strong positive predictors of satisfaction with patient demand. The study also indicates that certification (being a medical specialist or not) positively relates to work load satisfaction. Controlling for certification reveals that the absence of a significant relationship between formal structuring of work activities and work load satisfaction is accoun ted for by a positive correlation for medical specialists and a negative one for residents in training to become specialists. This indicates the importance of a difference in hierarchical position for the relation between formal structuring of work activities and physician satisfaction. The results for hospital physicians are consistent with satisfaction studies in other settings: dependency on bureaucratic procedures is associated with dissatisfaction, while the advantages of bureaucracy — the possibility of creating routines and procedures to limit role ambiguity — are conducive to satisfaction.
The Management of Politics in Technically Related Organizational Change
Authors: Pichault François 
Published: March 2007

This paper is an attempt to build an integrated model of the role of politics in technologically related organizational change. A large part of organizational theory presents power games as a simple factor of 'dilution', unavoidably con demning projects of change to a reinforcement of existing structures (perpetuation principle). Other authors consider that conflicts are able to con tribute to the renewal of old structural arrangements by forcing top manage ment to search for new organizational solutions (innovation principle). Our basic hypothesis is that both principles may occur, and depend on specific conditions. We thus try to investigate the organizational conditions under which politics either contribute or inversely block the change process, by means of four contrasted case studies of computer-based-information-system (CBIS) introduction in a chain-store, a bank, a teaching hospital and a news agency. A first key variable envisaged is the distribution of power. Is power concen trated at the 'centre' of the organization or dispersed at the 'periphery'? If the distribution of power undeniably influences the results of a change process, empirical evidence suggests that the change process will equally depend on a second variable — the way in which the change itself is managed. Thus, the significance conferred by managers and promoters to the change project — i.e. their style of management — appears to be crucial.
Nationalism and Pluralism and the Process of Political Development in Eastern Europe
Authors: Korbonski Andrzej 
Published: March 2007

This paper examines the interaction of nationalism, pluralism and political development in six countries of Eastern Europe from the end of World War II up to the 1980s. To make the analysis more manageable, nationalism is conceptualized as national political culture and pluralism is identified by the presence of interest groups. Both these concepts, of course, play a major role in the process of all political development. The paper's main question concerns the ability of the countries under discussion to weather the developmental crises that have descended upon the region in the current decade. Of the six East European countries examined, only Hungary has succeeded reasonably well in its task of crisis management. Furthermore, it is both the national political cultures and the groups in the respective countries examined that have been largely responsible for the varying degrees of political development. Finally, on the strength of the experience in the 1980s, it is assumed that both these factors will play an even more important role in the region in the years to come.
A Needs Assessment and Proposed Curriculum for Incorporating Traditional Choro Music Experiences into Brazilian University Music Curricula
Authors: Alvares Sergio 
Published: March 2007

The purpose of the research was to survey current opinions regarding the importance of choro courses in the music curriculum of Brazilian universities and determine which content would best meet the needs of music teaching and learning situations in Brazilian universities. The major findings of the study included the following: 1. Respondents generally were supportive of the inclusion of choro courses in Brazilian university music curricula. 2. Based on data from respondents, important choro experiences were identified and developed as proposed courses: (a) choro history and literature, (b) choro performance, solo and ensemble, and (c) choro theory and improvisation.
Comparison of Theoretical and Experimental Burning Rates for a Laminar Wall Fire
Authors: Malary S.F. , Sibulkin M. 
Published: March 2007

Laminar methyl methacrylate (MMA) wall fires were studied. The principal objective of the investigation was to obtain and compare theoretical and ex perimental burning rates. The wall fires were produced by burning MMA on a ceramic wick in an oxygen/nitrogen environment. Burning rate measurements were made for several values of ambient oxygen mass fraction, and it was found that a unique burning rate did not exist for a given ambient condition. For supply rates that were great enough to cause fuel to drip from the wick surface, the burning rate was found to increase slightly with supply rate. The burning rates in the limit of zero fuel dripping were chosen as characteristic values for comparison with theoretical results. Diffusion flame theory for laminar burning of a vertical fuel surface was used to predict burning rates. The effects of incomplete combustion were examined (using recently measured values of the effective heat of combustion), and are found to decrease the calculated burning rates by about 5 percent. The variation in the calculated burning rates due to our lack of knowledge of the effective Lewis number and flame emissivity were considered, and found to give an uncer tainty band of ± 12 percent. Comparison of the theoretical calculations with the measured results show a similar, small increase with increasing ambient oxygen concentration. The band of theoretical results, however, predicts burning rates which are at least 10 percent greater than the measured values.
Evaluating the Flammability of Upholstered Furniture Intended for Public Occupancies
Authors: Fesman G. , Jacobs B.A. 
Published: March 2007

Government agencies and fire authorities with jurisdiction over public occupancies have been concerned over the flammability of upholstered furnishings in certain types of public assembly occupancies. Examples of re sponses to this concern have come from a country (England), a state (California) and city (Boston, Mass). From these three evolved performance standards that addressed the risk and hazard of furniture fires in public occupancies using composite testing in chair configurations namely the city of Boston Chair Test-BFD IX-10, the California Bureau of Home Furnishings TB 133 and the British Standard BS-5852 Part 2. It is these three tests that will be discussed. Although the test methods share some similar characteristics, they do differ in their concepts of acceptability. The three jurisdictions have several common criteria but not a common rating for furniture acceptability in public occupancies. This paper will cover these three test methods and their criteria for acceptability of upholstered fur niture and will demonstrate the range of performances in these 3 composite tests when the fabric is the composite variable with a constant, highly-rated foam cushion filler. Companies involved that are accustomed only to component tests face ap provals that include the actual composite performances. Although minimum individual component tests may be required, it is necessary to evaluate the burn performance of the end use composite structure. The necessity of composite testing is demonstrated by the influence of the fabric covering the chair. While each component may be shown to perform well in individual small scale flame tests, it is the experience thru chair burn tests that illustrates sig nificant differences when foam and fabric are together.
Incapacitation in the Laboratory Rat Induced by Inhalation of Carbon Monoxide-Acrolein Mixtures
Authors: Crane Charles R. , Sanders Donald C. , Endecott B.R. 
Published: March 2007

Laboratory rats were exposed to experimental atmospheres of (a) carbon monoxide (CO), (b) acrolein, and (c) to mixtures of carbon monoxide and acrolein. The toxic potency of each environment was evaluated by measure ment of time-to-incapacitation (t,) as a function of toxic gas concentrations. Regression equations were derived relating observed t,'s to concentrations of in dividual gases. Comparison of individual gas exposure data with results obtained from com bined gas exposures indicated no evidence of synergistic action. Evidence did exist for an inhibitory effect of undefined mechanism when acrolein (in the mix ture) was at a concentration of lesser potency than the CO. An empirical equation was derived that allowed calculation of a predicted t, for exposure to CO-acrolein mixtures at concentrations within the experimen tal exposure ranges.
The Effect of Cigarette Circumference on Ignition Propensity
Authors: Lewis Leslie S. , Nestor Timothy B. , Gee Julia W. , Morton Michael J. , Townsend David E. 
Published: March 2007

The 1984 Cigarette Safety Act created a Technical Study Group (TSG) to determine the feasibility of developing cigarettes with a minimum propensity to ignite upholstered furniture. The TSG found that combinations of certain cigarette characteristics were important in reducing the ignition pro pensity. Through a statistically designed study, those characteristics were ranked as follows: tobacco packing density, paper permeability, and cir cumference. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of cigarette cir cumference alone on ignition propensity. Cigarettes were tested by four methods: the NBS mockup method, a controlled-fabric mockup test, a flow- through mockup method, and a liquid crystal test. Results showed that while the NBS mockup test could not discriminate among the cigarettes, the other methods could, and results call into question the TSG's conclusion that smaller circumference cigarettes reduce the likelihood of ignition.
Fire Safety Risk Analysis of a Community Centre
Authors: Björkman Jouni , Keski-Rahkonen Olavi 
Published: March 2007

A systems approach to fire safety is a way to evaluate fire safety of buildings, especially large and complex buildings. One tool for building fire risk analysis is the computer programme FIRE (Fire Simulation Program) de veloped at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in USA by Professor R. Fitz gerald and his group. The computational utility of the code was improved and adapted to the Finnish environment by Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) and two engineering consultants, Rakennus-Ekono and LCA-Engin eering. We simulated fires in a four-floor building where one wing (single fire com partment) was selected for simulation. We chose four representative room types in the building for which fire engineering data were selected. By simulation, we studied the impact of different design alternatives to fire risk of the total building. Fire risk in each design alternative was computed as expectation of loss. Costs caused by structural changes and active fire safety systems were taken into account. The compilations proved that it is possible to design differently from the current fire code and still reduce the fire risk level. FIRE does not yet support the evaluation of life safety, but the results can be used for that purpose indirectly.
Smolder of Cellulosic Fabrics IV. Participation of Dye and Bleach Residues
Authors: Dyakonov Alexander J. , Grider David A. , Ihrig Arthur M. 
Published: March 2007

The oxidative decomposition of a green-and-white checkered cel lulosic fabric, designated as FOR-1, comprised of four different yarns, was stud ied using TPR/GC and DSC techniques. Containing different alkali metal ion (AM +) and dye concentrations, these four yarns experienced directionally selec tive smolder behavior during cigarette ignition tests. Measurements were per formed on the integrated fabric and on each of the four yarns. A model explaining the anisotropic smolder and high-temperature behavior of this fabric was developed. The decomposition of a heavily bleached, cellulosic sailcloth was also studied. The results showed an increase in the fabric degradation/cleavage rate com pared to unbleached #6 cotton duck. The DSC spectra of the sailcloth, however, did not significantly differ from that of the washed cotton duck. Similar thermochemical behavior was observed in the blue-dyed denim fabric contain ing 1500 ppm potassium; the low-temperature DSC behavior of this denim was also found to be similar to that of undyed, nicotine-treated cotton duck studied in Reference [4]. These results support a model comprising the mechanisms of smolder and combustion of colored cellulosic fabrics.
Lower and Upper Flash Points of Flammable Liquids with Flame-Suppressing Agents
Authors: Iwata Yusaku , Koseki Hiroshi , Hasegawa Kazutoshi 
Published: March 2007

The lower and the upper flash points of mixtures containing non-flammable liquids were measured by a modified Seta-flash closed-cup tester. The shape of the concentration-temperature region of flash depended on the components of the mixture in solution. Concentration regions for a flash were calculated from the temperature regions of flash and compared to the flammability diagram. We present a theoretical method for calculating both the lower and upper flash points by liquid mixture thermodynamics, and the flammability diagram. The experimental values for the methanol/water mixture agreed with calculated values, but disagreed for halogenated hydrocarbon mixtures. The difference be tween the calculated and experimental values is from a flame-suppressing effect in the gas phase, which is distinct from the thermodynamic effect on solution. We discuss the magnitude of this flame-suppressing effect exhibited by halogenated hydrocarbons in the gas phase.
Synthesis of Glycosylated Dextrans
Authors: Vansteenkiste Stefan , De Marre Anne , Schacht Etienne 
Published: March 2007

Dextran fractions with a narrow molecular weight distribution were modified using the 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate activation method. The activated polymers were subsequently reacted with a small amount of L- tyrosinamide and a number of selected peracetylated ω-amino glycosides of D- mannose, D-galactose, L-fucose and L-rhamnose and including some cluster de rivatives. All monosaccharides were linked to the polymer chain via a carbon C-6 spacer. The number of L-tyrosinamide units introduced could be accurately deter mined by UV absorption spectroscopy. On the other hand, the degree of substi tution by a glycoside ligand was calculated from 1H NMR data.