Robust parameterisation of ages of references in published research

The purpose of this research is to illustrate the use of the gamma distribution to model the ages of references in published research, and to demonstrate that the two gamma distribution parameters characterise a field of research in a manner that is complementary to and more nuanced than the Price Index or mean age of references.Minimum Distance Estimation is shown to produce robust estimates of the gamma distribution parameters because of the insensitivity of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test in the tails of the distribution.Using a sample of 816 articles from 26 different journals across six subject areas, it is shown that the gamma distribution is at least as good as a lognormal distribution to model the ages of references in research articles.The two gamma distribution parameters indicate the rate of publication of new knowledge within the respective discipline and the citing behaviour in terms of the recency of references. Interpretation of these gamma distribution parameters enables a more nuanced and granular interpretation of the distinctiveness of disciplines, sub-disciplines, formats of publication and the distribution of references within articles than possible using the Price Index, half-life or mean age of references.     

Challenges and approaches in conserving New Ink Art

Most of the examples of New Ink Art in public collections in Hong Kong are generally in the form of traditional ink paintings, yet each of them have different intention from the artist, with abstract notions to deliver. They always present unexpected challenges in the course of conservation and preservation, ranging from ethical, legal, technological, technical, to time-based medium, and display issues. This paper draws the attention of museum workers and conservators to the preservation issues of New Ink Art by using two works by two internationally-renowned artists. It aims to resolve the common issues around their artworks by comparing with and making references to different solutions and approaches currently adopted in other countries, like the United States, Canada, and Europe. It clarifies the ethical concepts involved, and brings us new insight to cope with ever-changing confrontations and problems while conserving, preserving, and displaying New Ink Art.     

Sports fan experience: Electronic word-of-mouth in ephemeral social media

Fans consuming sporting events commonly use social media to spread electronic-word-of-mouth (eWOM) related to their experiences. Ephemeral social media, an emerging form of social media that auto-deletes content after a prescribed time, allows fans to have greater control over their messages than ever before. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate factors leading fans to lengthen or shorten the lifespan of their social media content. A nationwide panel (N = 242) created social media content in a controlled setting in which the fan experience and audience size were manipulated. Results suggest fans having a positive experience or who were broadcasting to a large audience were likely to share their content for a longer period of time. In contrast, fans having other than positive experiences, sharing with a small audience, or displaying greater team identification wished to limit the availability of their content. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.     

2004-6-16 to 2014-8-15: The birth and death of a work by Gu Dexin

Conservators who work with contemporary materials are experiencing a paradigm shift that affects not only their role, but also the decision-making process associated with each unique work. Importantly, such actions sometimes contradict established preservation doctrine. This paper describes the challenging preservation efforts associated with a large-scale sculpture/installation produced in 2004 by Gu Dexin. Those efforts contradicted many of the standards and ethics of conservation, particularly considerations related to compromising the life of a given work. Ultimately, the decision made in this case led to the demise of that object. This paper will include information obtained from the various stakeholders — including the donor and the artist — and a compendium of the exhaustive considerations that facilitated the final decision.