Search results

1 – 10 of over 5000
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 27 May 2021

Nolwenn Bühler

Free Access. Free Access

Abstract

Details

When Reproduction Meets Ageing
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83909-747-8

Access Restricted. View access options
Book part
Publication date: 20 January 2021

Yao Lixia

Abstract

Details

Energy Security in Times of Economic Transition: Lessons from China
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83982-465-4

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 January 2009

X.Q. Zhang

widely‐used hypoelastic model for four well‐known objective stress rates under a four‐phase stress cycle associated with axial tension and/or torsion of thin‐walled cylindrical…

327

Abstract

widely‐used hypoelastic model for four well‐known objective stress rates under a four‐phase stress cycle associated with axial tension and/or torsion of thin‐walled cylindrical tubes. Here, two kinds of models based upon the Cauchy stress and the Kirchhoff stress will be treated. The reduced systems of differential equations of these rate constitutive equations are derived and studied for Jaumann, Green‐ Naghdi, logarithmic and Truesdell stress rates, separately. Analytical solutions in some cases and numerical solutions in all cases are obtained using these reduced systems. Comparisons between the residual deformations are made for different cases. It may be seen that only the logarithmic stress rate results in no residual deformation. In particular, results indicate that Green‐Naghdi rate would generate unexpected residual deformation effect that is essentially different from that resulting from Jaumann rate. On the other hand, it is realized that this study accomplishes an alternative, direct proof for the nonintegrability problem of Truesdell’s hypoelastic rate equation with classical stress rates. This problem has been first treated successfully by Simo and Pister in 1984 using Bernstein’s integrability conditions. However, such treatment needs to cope with a coupled system of nonlinear partial differential equations in Cauchy stress. Here, a different idea is used. It is noted that every integrable hypoelastic equation is just an equivalent rate form of an elastic equation and hence should produce no residual deformations under every possible stress cycle. Accordingly, a hypoelastic model with a stress rate has to be non‐integrable, whenever a stress cycle can be found under which this model generates residual deformation. According to this idea of reductio ad absurdum, a well‐designed stress cycle is introduced and the corresponding residual deformations are calculated. Unlike the treatment of Bernstein’s integrability conditions, it may be a simple and straightforward matter to calculate the final deformations for a given stress cycle. This has been done in this study for several well‐known stress rates.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 21 May 2018

Dongmei Han, Wen Wang, Suyuan Luo, Weiguo Fan and Songxin Wang

This paper aims to apply vector space model (VSM)-PCR model to compute the similarity of Fault zone ontology semantics, which verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the…

129

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to apply vector space model (VSM)-PCR model to compute the similarity of Fault zone ontology semantics, which verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the application of VSM-PCR method in uncertainty mapping of ontologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first define the concept of uncertainty ontology and then propose the method of ontology mapping. The proposed method fully considers the properties of ontology in measuring the similarity of concept. It expands the single VSM of concept meaning or instance set to the “meaning, properties, instance” three-dimensional VSM and uses membership degree or correlation to express the level of uncertainty.

Findings

It provides a relatively better accuracy which verified the feasibility and effectiveness of VSM-PCR method in treating the uncertainty mapping of ontology.

Research limitations/implications

The future work will focus on exploring the similarity measure and combinational methods in every dimension.

Originality/value

This paper presents an uncertain mapping method of ontology concept based on three-dimensional combination weighted VSM, namely, VSM-PCR. It expands the single VSM of concept meaning or instance set to the “meaning, properties, instance” three-dimensional VSM. The model uses membership degree or correlation which is used to express the degree of uncertainty; as a result, a three-dimensional VSM is obtained. The authors finally provide an example to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of VSM-PCR method in treating the uncertainty mapping of ontology.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 46 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 16 February 2015

C J de Jong and Linda J Frederiksen

This study aims to map the current resource-sharing environment in Canada through the lens of its research libraries in general and the University of Alberta in particular. The…

469

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to map the current resource-sharing environment in Canada through the lens of its research libraries in general and the University of Alberta in particular. The findings present an interesting view of changing resource sharing patterns and trends.

Design/methodology/approach

Interlibrary loan (ILL) transaction data were compiled from annual data reported to the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) and a case study of the University of Alberta is presented.

Findings

The current trend shows declines in both borrowing and lending transactions.

Research limitations/implications

Validity of the CARL ILL transactional data is subject to consistency in institutional reporting and accuracy of the data. The trends portrayed in the data are deemed realistic of the Canadian experience.

Originality/value

This is an original study of CARL ILL transactional data, providing an aggregated view of 13 years of annual data, and an analysis of this data. It updates previous research and benchmarks current ILL patterns at CARL institutions.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 19 February 2018

Siviwe Bangani, Sabelo Chizwina and Mathew Moyo

The landscape of teaching, learning and research has changed requiring the need for diverse information resources. Given the current budgetary constraints and financial conditions…

742

Abstract

Purpose

The landscape of teaching, learning and research has changed requiring the need for diverse information resources. Given the current budgetary constraints and financial conditions prevailing in many universities, sharing of information resources has become a necessity. The Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services have thus become an important service to meet the immediate needs of library users. The aim of this paper is to analyse the ILL services of the North-West University in South Africa from 2006 to 2016. Using statistical data, the paper shows the emerging pattern in borrowing and lending between institutions as well as determines the existence of correlations between borrowing and lending libraries. The results of this study show that ILL amongst libraries has decreased in the past 11 years. A need exists for increased awareness of ILL and there is need for technological innovations that will ensure that library users are able to request for information resources seamlessly.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study that uses ILL data from the North-West University. Data were downloaded from the SABINET ILL system using the three NWU JC codes. They were then collated and uploaded on excel spreadsheets. In the main, the excel spreadsheets were used to interpret the data. Further, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, in particular Spearman’s Correlation Analysis, was used to test correlations between data from libraries that requested information resources from NWU and data from libraries that supplied information resources to NWU during this period using Rumsey’s guidelines to interpret the correlations.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that ILL among libraries in South Africa had generally declined owing mostly to the proliferation of online resources resulting to changes in user information-seeking behaviour. The decline is despite the challenges of low budgets received by most libraries for the acquisition of information resources. It can also be concluded that public university libraries still value ILL as demonstrated by the high number of items requested from other libraries. The findings also reveal that most ILL activities were conducted by public universities.

Research limitations/implications

It was not possible to obtain the list of titles that have been requested and also to obtain the user’s details. This would have enabled the authors to determine the type of titles that are being requested, and the users that request them.

Practical implications

ILL should continue to be enhanced in view of the challenge of dwindling library budgets against the escalating prices of information resources. There is also a need for user education so that they become aware of the ILL service. From experience, library users normally give up once they realize that what they wanted is not available through the local catalogue and this calls for librarians to create an awareness to users that ILL could help solve their frustrations.

Social implications

These results show that ILL can play a significant role to level the playing field between the well-resourced libraries in urbanized regions or provinces and the poorly resourced ones in rural regions or provinces. This social justice aspect of ILL is probably the reason why better resourced libraries in South Africa have decided to remain in the scheme unlike other countries where better resourced libraries opted out of reciprocal arrangements with small and medium-sized institutions.

Originality/value

The study adds to a very limited number of studies emanating from Africa. A study of this nature has never been conducted in Africa, as previous studies were nationwide studies. As far as the authors know, this is the first study that uses ILL data to research the impact of the global financial crisis on libraries in Africa.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 46 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Book part
Publication date: 5 June 2011

Catherine Closet-Crane

The professional discourse on academic library planning and design is examined. A critical realist philosophical stance and a constructionist perspective constitute the…

Abstract

The professional discourse on academic library planning and design is examined. A critical realist philosophical stance and a constructionist perspective constitute the theoretical framework that, paired with Fairclough's methodology for critical discourse analysis, is used to examine the constitution of interpretative repertoires and of a discourse constructing the academic library as a learning place. The information commons, learning commons, and library designed for learning repertoires are described and the effects of discursive activity are analyzed. Three types of effects are presented: (1) the production by the LIS community of discourse on academic libraries of a sizable body of literature on the information commons and on the learning commons, (2) the construction of new types of libraries on the commons model proposed by Beagle, and (3) the metaphorization of the library as business. The study concludes that the existing discourse takes a facilities management perspective dominated by concerns with technology, equipment, and space requirements that does not address the physical, psychological, and environmental qualities of library space design. Consequently, it is suggested that architectural programming techniques should be used in library planning and design that consider the architectural features and environmental design factors contributing to the making of a place where learning is facilitated.

Details

Advances in Library Administration and Organization
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-014-8

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 18 March 2020

Lianda Coetzer and Patrick Mapulanga

The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived satisfaction of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the…

653

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the perceived satisfaction of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative approach with open-ended questions that generated some qualitative data. Data has been presented using descriptive statistics in the form of tables, graphs and charts and thematic content analysis for some qualitative data.

Findings

All learners in this study were adults between 45 and 55 years of age. Of the respondents, 13% lacked online experience, while about 85% had never used online library services and 35% indicated that Google was their primary source of information. The majority of respondents indicated information literacy as a core function of the academic library. High data cost in South Africa came out as one of the major issues affecting distance learners as well as login and password frustrations. The study confirmed computer anxiety, physical discomfort, information overflow and prompt response as some of the perceived challenges and levels of satisfaction respectively of Advanced Certificate in Teaching students and facilitators regarding online library services offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa.

Practical implications

The study revealed that a distance learning library policy is of the essence because it helps to put in place rules and regulations that guide the delivery of distance library services.

Originality/value

The offering of online and distance library services is a fairly new concept to the UFS library. This study bridges the gap between theory and practice regarding the perceived satisfaction of distance users on online library services and how to improve the current practice.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. 70 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 17 August 2015

Mike McGrath

– This paper aims to review the current LIS literature for document supply, resource sharing and other issues such as open access that have an impact on the service.

287

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the current LIS literature for document supply, resource sharing and other issues such as open access that have an impact on the service.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the scanning of about 150 journals, reports, websites and blogs.

Findings

Important changes are taking place at the British Library. The new (4th) edition of the STM report is well worth reading. Much again, on open access, particularly the high costs of Gold. Elsevier comes in for some more bad press.

Originality/value

The only regular literature review that focuses on interlending, document supply and related issues.

Details

Interlending & Document Supply, vol. 43 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-1615

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 27 June 2022

Maryam Ranjbar Zahedani, Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari, Mehran Nouri, Shohreh Alipour, Jafar Hassanzadeh and Majid Fardaei

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of methyl donor supplementation on anthropometric indices, body composition, glycemic control, lipid profile, homocysteine…

77

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of methyl donor supplementation on anthropometric indices, body composition, glycemic control, lipid profile, homocysteine and appetite regulatory hormones in overweight and obese subjects.

Design/methodology/approach

This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted on overweight and obese subjects in Shiraz, Iran, in 2018. The 25 participants in each intervention and control group were required to take methyl donor supplement and placebo, respectively, for eight weeks. A variety of measurements was collected at baseline and the end of the study. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software.

Findings

The results indicated a significant reduction in weight, body mass index, body fat and waist and hip circumference (p < 0.001 for all parameters) within both groups and a significant improvement in skeletal muscle (p = 0.005), fat-free mass (p = 0.006), visceral fat area (p < 0.001) and body cell mass (p = 0.004) in the intervention group. Also, the results showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding serum homocysteine concentration at the end of the intervention (p < 0.001).

Originality/value

The results demonstrated that methyl donor supplementation might have effects on the improvement of anthropometric indices, body composition, glycemic and lipid profile status and appetite regulatory hormones among obese and overweight individuals. These effects might be attributed to their roles in energy metabolism, protein synthesis and epigenetics regulation.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 5000
Per page
102050