Promoting your e-Books: Lessons from the UK JISC National e-Book Observatory

Purpose – This paper describes the findings from the qualitative strand of the JISC National e-Book Observatory (2007-2009), relating to the promotion of e-textbooks in UK universities by the library, academics and publishers. A complementary article on the ways in which students and academics locate e-books provided by their library will appear in a future issue. Design/methodology/approach – Following the provision by the JISC of collections of e-textbooks, the project used deep log analysis, benchmark surveys and focus groups to develop a rich picture of library e-collection management and use by students and academics. Focus groups were undertaken with library staff, academics and students; the dialogues were transcribed and analysed using NVivo7 software. Findings – The qualitative studies found that libraries were using a range of promotional tools although these were not always finding their targets. Often libraries had no formal promotion strategy for e-resources. Although little in evidence, the value of academic commitment and promotion was emphasised. Promotion by publishers and aggregators is both to libraries and directly to academic staff. Students felt that they were largely unaware of promotion beyond the presence of e-books in the catalogue, and in some cases stated explicitly that they thought more should be done to promote library e-resources to them. Practical implications – The paper offers pragmatic guidance on promotional methodologies. Originality/value – The project describes the first major, national usage study of e-books in higher education. This paper contributes significantly to the literature in discussing the importance of promoting e-books to students and staff

Validation of remotely-sensed evapotranspiration and NDWI using ground measurements at Riverlands, South Africa

Quantification of the water cycle components is key to managing water resources. Remote sensing techniques and products have recently been developed for the estimation of water balance variables. The objective of this study was to test the reliability of LandSAF (Land Surface Analyses Satellite Applications Facility) evapotranspiration (ET) and SPOT-Vegetation Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI) by comparison with ground-based measurements. Evapotranspiration (both daily and 30 min) was successfully estimated with LandSAF products in a flat area dominated by fynbos vegetation (Riverlands, Western Cape) that was representative of the satellite image pixel at 3 km resolution. Correlation coefficients were 0.85 and 0.91 and linear regressions produced R2 of 0.72 and 0.75 for 30 min and daily ET, respectively. Ground-measurements of soil water content taken with capacitance sensors at 3 depths were related to NDWI obtained from 10-daily maximum value composites of SPOT-Vegetation images at a resolution of 1 km. Multiple regression models showed that NDWI relates well to soil water content after accounting for precipitation (adjusted R2 were 0.71, 0.59 and 0.54 for 10, 40 and 80 cm soil depth, respectively). Changes in NDWI trends in different land covers were detected in 14-year time series using the breaks for additive seasonal and trend (BFAST) methodology. Appropriate usage, awareness of limitations and correct interpretation of remote sensing data can facilitate water management and planning operations.Fil: Jovanovic, Nebo. Natural Resources and Environment; SudáfricaFil: García, César Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bugan, Richard DH. Natural Resources and Environment; SudáfricaFil: Teich, Ingrid. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Desarrollo Rural. Area de Estadística y Biometría; ArgentinaFil: Garcia Rodriguez, Carlos Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin

Study of the properties of hyperpolarized xenon-129 for magnetic resonance imaging

Produkce hyperpolarizovaných plynů, především helia (3He) nebo xenonu (129Xe), nachází stále rostoucí rozsah aplikací v zobrazování magnetickou rezonancí (MRI). Helium ani xenon nejsou obyčejně obsaženy v těle a experimenty tedy nejsou ovlivněny nechtěným signálem z okolních tkání. Ukázalo se, že několika hyperpolarizačními technikami může být magnetická polarizace (magnetizace) jader vzácných plynů zvýšena na hladinu, se kterou jsou praktické aplikace proveditelné. Hyperpolarizované plyny mohou tedy být užitečným nástrojem pro neinvazivní zkoumání lidského dýchání, dovolující statické zobrazování během zadržení dechu nebo zkoumání dynamiky výdechu nebo nádechu, nebo funkčního zobrazování. V neživé přírodě, mohou být hyperpolarizovaný plyny využity jako kontrastní látka při studiu mikroporézních materiálů, jako jsou zeolity, stavební látky a hmoty, atd. V této doktorské práci je popsán vývoj a konstrukce aparatury pro hyperpolarizaci xenonu (izotopu 129Xe). Nákup hyperpolarizovaného xenonu od jiných výzkumných center v zahraničí a jeho dovážení by ovšem nebylo efektivní a to zejména z důvodu náročnosti zajištění potřebných fyzikálních podmínek pro přepravu hyperpolarizovaného plynu. Toto bylo hlavní motivací k vývoji vlastní technologie pro přípravu hyperpolarizovaného xenonu. Se zvládnutou technologií by bylo možné navázat spolupráci s medicínskými zařízeními, nebo s týmy zabývající se živou nebo neživou přírodou (např. při studiu mikroporézních materiálů, gelů, v zemědělských aplikacích nebo při výzkumu využívajících zvířat, atd.). Cílem této práce je studium teorie hyperpolarizovaných vzácných plynů se zaměřením na 129Xe a experimentální ověření a změření relaxačních časů pomocí jaderné magnetické rezonance. Vzhledem k tomu, že je možné hyperpolarizované vzácné plyny skladovat pro pozdější využití, se tato práce také zabývá možnostmi zásobníku hyperpolarizovaného vzácného plynu a jeho teoretickým a experimentálním řešením. V této práci jsou popsány především dva základní typy experimentů přípravy hyperpolarizovaného xenonu. V obou jsou využity zatavené válcové skleněné vzorky naplněné xenonem a doplňujícím plynem – dusíkem, heliem. První z experimentů se zabývá měřením vlastností termálně polarizovaného xenonu a druhý měřením vlastností hyperpolarizovaného xenonu. Pro hyperpolarizaci 129Xe bylo použito výkonového laseru a experimentálně byla zkoumána jednak míra polarizace na základě změny spektrální hustoty čerpacího laserového svazku a dále pak optimální doba optického čerpání 129Xe a relaxační časy xenonu.The production of hyperpolarized gases (HpG), predominantly helium (3He) or xenon (129Xe), have found a steadily increasing range of applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neither helium nor xenon are normally present in the body, thus the magnetic resonance experiments do not suffer from unwanted background signals. It has been demonstrated by several techniques of hyperpolarization that the magnetic polarization (magnetization) of the noble gas nuclei can be increased to levels that make practical application feasible. Hence, hyperpolarized gases may become a useful tool for non-invasive investigation of human lung ventilation, permitting static imaging during breathhold or probing the dynamics of inhalation/exhalation, or functional imaging. In inanimate nature, hyperpolarized gas can be used as a contrast medium for microporous materials, such zeolites, constructive materials in civil engineering, etc. This thesis describes the development and construction of a xenon (129Xe) hyperpolarization (Hp) device. Buying hyperpolarized xenon from other research centres abroad is inefficient mainly because of a need of a fast transport of HpXe under specific conditions. That was the main motivation for developing of our own technology for production of HpXe. Well-handled technology could allow a medical cooperation or cooperation with teams dealing with in/animate nature (microporous material, gels, agriculture, animals, etc.). The aim of this work is to study the hyperpolarized noble gases theory with concern to 129Xe and to experimentally prove and measure xenon relaxation times by the NMR. Since it is possible to store hyperpolarized noble gases for later use, this doctoral thesis also explores the potentials of hyperpolarized noble gas storage system and its theoretical and experimental solution. Mainly two types of experiments are described in the thesis. In both experiments, sealed cylindrical Simax sample filled with xenon and supplement gas – nitrogen, helium were used. The first type of experiment is based on thermally polarized xenon and the second on hyperpolarized xenon. For hyperpolarization of 129Xe a high-power laser was used. In this experiment, the relation between power spectral density of optical pumping beam and efficiency of HpXe production process was investigated. The optimal duration of optical pumping and relaxation times of HpXe were investigated too.

Possible roles, positions, factors and components of dairying in organic farming – a rewiev, mapping, survey and comparison in the Czech Republic

The full-value experiment is questionable in evaluation organic dairying. It is problem to do a trial under comparable conditions for comparison of organic and conventional farming because of legislative reasons and necessity of long period of such event. Most of comparisons are carried out as practice descriptive observations and any of them has been carried out about milk production. That is main reason, why the aim of this work is to carry out a opening of monitoring of some production conditions and results of bio-dairying in the Czech Republic (CR). The quality aspects of sources, procedures and products are main topics of solution of projects about organic farming philosophy, in particular in solution of organic dairy foodstuff chain. There were choosen twelve organic dairy farms (survey II, 2006) for more detail research of production conditions according to results of exploratory questionnaire (2006, survey I, n = 85 pieces of questionnaire and 58 organic farms, which practicise dairying) in the CR. The climatology characteristics of selected organic dairy farms were as follows: (I) 562±149 m above sea level on the average (from 270 to 970 m a. s. l.); (II) 571.0±69.9 m above sea level, mean year temperature 6.0±1.1 ºC and average year rainfall sum 843.0±184.3 mm. It is clear according to previously mentioned figures that the organic (ecology) dairy farming is realized mostly in the mountain or sub-mountain areas (less favourable areas, LFAs) as compared to climatic conditions of CR mean profile. The results of investigation of organic farm (E) and breeder conditions and dairy cow health state, reproduction performance and milk quality in organic farms (I data file) as compared to conventional dairy cow herds (K) were: milk yield (E) was 14.2±3.4 kg of milk/cow/day on average and 5165±1112 kg/cow/year; E farms have 50 % free stables, some of them as different untraditional modifications (mostly in herds with low number of dairy cows); it is necessary to increase this amount for welfare improvement in the future; there are 52 % of binding stables in K herds; there (E) is high occurrence frequency of can milking equipments (46.4 %); there are 5.4 % cases of hand milking, 21.4 % of pipeline milking equipments and 26.8 % of milking parlours; there (K) are 3 % of can milking equipments, 50 % of pipeline milking equipments and 47 % of milking parlours; the average organic herd has 60±91 heads it means about 1/3 of K herd in the CR; geometrical average (xg) of organic herd size is 17 heads; daily milk deliveries were 1318±1475 kg in summer and 976±1368 kg in winter season (there is too high variability in the mentioned indicators); breed structure of E herds is 59.8 % of Bohemian Spotted cattle, 18.8 % of Holstein (H), 12.5 % of Jersey breed; H breed is dominating 47.5 % in K herds; average ratio of excluded milk (for secretion disorders or treatment) is 2.99 % in E herds and 4.6 % in K herds (P<0.01); also there (E) is lower occurrence of clinical mastitis 0.53±1.97 %; service period is 124.3 days in K and 98.7±46,1 days in E herds on average (P<0.01); there (E) is better insemination index 1.66±0.45 in comparison to K herds 2.07 (P<0.01); there is longer longevity as duration of production life of dairy cows in E herds (6.02 lactations, „about 141 % better”) in comparison to K herds (2.50 lactations, P<0.01); milk quality showed the average total mesophilic bacteria count (CPM) 36.0±26.8 ths. CFU/ml in organic farms (E), which is comparable to the conventional farms (K); somatic cell count (PSB) was 192±87 ths./ml in E herds and 256 ths./ml in K herds, which is in connection with the lower ratio of milk exclusion from delivery in E herds; an occurrence of residues of inhibitory substances (RIL) was not reported in E herds, which is more advantageous in comparison to the K herds (0.16 %) and it could be an impact of lowered antibiotica drug use; the average fat and lactose contents (T; 4.05±0.19 %) and (L; 4.83±0.15 %) are well comparable with K farms and the results show on higher energy deficiency in E herd nutrition. The water quality (II) is necessary in dairying as well. Drinking water is necessary for health of animals (their watering) and for milk quality (milking equipment sanitation) as well. Drinking water is asked in dairy farms by legislation. The E farm water quality: the nitrate level varied in the range from 1.63 to 28 mg/l with average 10.5 mg/l in ecological farms and standard limit 50 mg/l was not exceeded; the levels of nitrite and ammonia ions were mostly under detection limit of method; legislative limit <0.5 mg/l was not exceeded by nitrite and once by ammonia ions 0.81 mg/l. The microbiological indicators are more sensitive of course. In total the limits were exceeded 7× u in coliform bacteria, 3× in streptococci and Escherichia coli was confirmed 3× (in comparison to demand 0). Therefore it is necessary to take care of incidental water source sanitation. The effect of origin of water source (communal water pipes or own well in the organic farm area) which was used in the organic farming (II) was: the more marked result differences were not observed between own wells (S) and communal water supply (V) in E farms; an exception was stated in insignificantly better results of hygienic indicators of communal supply; therefore it is necessary to put the higher importance on sanitation of own water sources. There were identified eight own wells and four communal supply. E. g. nitrate levels were a little higher for wells 11.7 > 8.2 mg/l. The nitrites were not different. Chemical oxygen consumption was 0.45 and 0.52 mg/l. The more expressive differences were identified in chlorides, sulphates and Mg: 8.33 and 3.02 mg/l; 27.9 and 16.8 mg/l; 18.9 and 3.5 mg/l

ZDROJE NEBO PODNĚTY RŮSTU?

This article was published in the Czech Journal “Plánované hospodářství” in 1967. This was the time of rapid changes both in the Czechoslovak economic and political theory as well as in actual economic and political systems that culminated in the “Prague Spring” of 1968. These changes were preceded and in the considerable degree also stimulated by the completely unexpected economic recession of the first half of 1960’s. The economy that was by Marxist theory and Communist propaganda supposed to grow in the fast, uninterrupted and well balanced way suddenly stopped growing and in one year even slightly declined. There appeared two conflicting views about the way out from the recession. The orthodox Marxists and especially the planners from the Central Planning Office argued that the only way out is by significant increase of investment that would generate additional productive capacity. Some even argued that because the technical progress is capital intensive, the uninterrupted growth requires permanently increasing share of investment in the National Income. The opposite view saw the solution in the abolition of the Soviet-type command planning and return to the market economic system. This paper uses theories of economic growth and references to the empirical studies that unquestionably demonstrated the mostly capital-saving nature of technological progress in the 20th century, to show, that the further increases of already very high share of investment in National income is not necessary and would be in fact harmful. The further slowing down of the growth of per capita consumption that would be necessary if the first strategy was adopted would undermine the incentives for increasing the labor productivity and for choice of capital-saving technologies.Socialism; Central Planning; Czechoslovak Economic Reform; Prague Spring; Recession; Rate of Growth; Share of Investment; Capital-Output Coefficient; Technical Progress; Capital-Saving Technology; Incentives; National Income; Consumption; Investment;

Technologie RFID a Blochkchain v dodavatelském řetězci

The paper discusses the possibility of combining RFID and Blockchain technology to more effectively prevent counterfeiting of products or raw materials, and to solve problems related to production, logistics and storage. Linking these technologies can lead to better planning by increasing the transparency and traceability of industrial or logistical processes or such as efficient detection of critical chain sites.Příspěvek se zabývá možností kombinace technologií RFID a Blockchain pro účinnější zabránění padělání výrobků či surovin a řešení problémů spojených s výrobou, logistikou a skladováním. Spojení těchto technologií může vést k lepšímu plánování díky vyšší transparentnosti a sledovatelnosti průmyslových nebo logistických procesů, nebo například k efektivnímu zjišťování kritických míst řetězce

THE ROLE OF SYNTACTIC STYLISTIC MEANS IN EXPRESSING THE EMOTION TERM LOVE

Love as one of important feelings in human emotional, cognitive and social life has always attracted attention of the researchers: psychologists, linguists, philosophers, ethnologists, etc. We may speak about extralinguistic and linguistic ways of love manifestation. To linguistic ones belong, of course, stylistic means, which include lexical, syntactic, phonetic, and semasiological level. The author focuses on lexical-syntactical means of expressing love in two Slavic languages, Czech and Slovak, using linguocognitive and cultural approach. This research is inspired by the GRID project, which aimed at study of 24 emotion terms in 35 language