The development of a system for the collection and use of scientific and technological results

The main aspects related to the development of a system for the aggregation and use of scientific results (hereinafter, the System) are discussed. A unified comprehensive approach to the development of the System and the qualitative improvement of the information about the performance of the Russian research sector provided to the target audience is being suggested for use by academic institutions, government regulators, and the business community. The improvement is meant to be achieved through the development of technology that provides access to the relevant electronic resources. The presented conclusions lay the basis for a range of research and development works in the field related to the collection of scientific results.     

Academic social bookmarking: An empirical analysis of Connotea users

Three groups of social bookmarking users, namely experienced users, users with moderate level of experience, and novice users, were investigated, in terms of their reported tagging behaviors, perceived usefulness of social bookmarking in information discovery and management, and perceived usefulness of the bookmarking features provided. Based on the empirical analysis of the Connotea users, who are primarily in academia, the study shows that experienced academic users generally prefer to use social bookmarking while moderately experienced and novice users still prefer to use the traditional bookmarking methods, such as creating and using bookmarks on a dedicated computer. Experienced academic users were also found to create more tags per bookmark comparing to the other two groups. Most novice academic users, however, only created one tag per bookmark, which just met Connotea's minimum requirement. Surprisingly different from the collaborative design nature of the social bookmarking systems, the study finds that our participants, particularly experienced academic users, prefer to create and use their own bookmarks rather than sharing bookmarks created by others. In fact, experienced users have significantly higher frequency (once every two weeks) of creating bookmarks than the other two groups (once a month or less). In addition, website design features and functions, such as automatic collection of bibliographic information, are regarded by all participants as helpful for information discovery. The in-depth examination and discussion of the opinions of Connotea users may be useful for further improvement of the design features and usage applications, particularly for academic social bookmarking websites. The results may also have potential implications to the future development of social bookmarking services in general.     

The Library as Publisher

This article describes a half-day preconference that focused on the library as publisher. It examined how the movement from print to online publication has impacted the roles of libraries and their ability to take on new roles as publishers. The session explored the benefits of libraries becoming publishers, and discussed Open Access, what it is and is not and its importance to libraries and scholarly communication. A detailed case study of the publishing operations of the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh was presented as an example of a successful library publishing program. The session provided an opportunity for participants to discover ways that libraries can be involved in publishing.     

Effects of acidified water on fish

The acidification of water leads to disturbances in the water and ion metabolism of fish, including the acid-base balance. Many fish probably possess physiological mechanisms to eliminate these disturbances completely or in part. However successful they may be in the short term, such adaptation mechanisms nevertheless require additional energy, thus causing growth and reproduction to be retarded. Taking into account the high sensitivity of fish eggs and larvae to acidification, these phenomena are probably a major contributory factor to the decline of fish stocks in acidified water.     

Optimizing recovery to support multi-evening cycling competition performance

Road criterium and track bicycle racing occur at high speeds, demand repeated high power outputs, last 10–90?min, and offer little chance for recovery after the event. Consecutive evenings of criterium and track racing are respectively known as speed-week or six-day events and take place in evening hours over the course of a week. Given the schedule and timing of these competitions, return to homeostasis can be compromised. No recommendations exist on how to optimize recovery for cyclists participating in these types of repeated evening competitions. Criterium and track cyclists spend considerable time, near and above the individual lactate threshold and therefore mostly utilize carbohydrate as their chief energy substrate. Henceforth, pre – and post-race nutrition and hydration is examined and recommendations are brought forward for carbohydrate, protein, and fluid intake. As evening high-intensity exercise perturbs sleep, strategies to optimize sleep are discussed and recommendations for an optimal sleep environment are given. Active recovery is examined, and the benefits of a short duration low intensity exercise reviewed. Passive recovery methods such as compression garments and cold water immersion are recommended, while evidence for massage, pneumatic compression devices, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation is still lacking. Optimizing recovery strategies will facilitate a return to the resting state following strenuous night competition.     

The factor structure of the longeot test: A measure of logical thinking

Using a random sample of 389 grade 11 science students, the factor structure of the Longeot test (a measure of logical thinking) is investigated and some psychometric properties of the test items are determined. Varimax rotation on six principal component factors resulted in a simple structure. An attempt is made to interpret the obtained orthogonal factors. Implications of the findings on the “unity hypothesis” of the Piagetian construct of logical thinking and, consequently, on grade 11 science education are discussed.