Information-seeking behaviour of physicists and astronomers

Purpose – The study examines two aspects of information seeking behaviour of physicists and astronomers including methods applied for keeping up-to-date and methods used for finding articles. The relationship between academic status and research field of users with their information seeking behaviour was investigated. Methodology/approach – Data were gathered using a questionnaire survey of PhD students and staff of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at University College London; 114 people (47.1 per cent response rate) participated in the survey. Findings – The study reveals differences among subfields of physics and astronomy in terms of information-seeking behaviour, highlights the need for and the value of looking at narrower subject communities within disciplines for a deeper understanding of the information behaviour of scientists. Originality/value – The study is the first study to deeply investigate intradisciplinary dissimilarities of information-seeking behaviour of scientists in a discipline. It is also an up-to-date account of information seeking behaviour of physicists and astronomers

Correlation and regression studies in semi-dwarf spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L)

Relatório de estágio do mestrado em Gestão, apresentada à Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra, sob a orientação de José Vaz Ferreira e Edgar Saraiva.O presente trabalho apresenta-se como relatório de estágio do Mestrado em Gestão da Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra desenvolvido na entidade My Business Consultores Financeiros e Informáticos, Lda. O referido estágio realizou-se no período de 20 de Janeiro a 12 de Junho, do presente ano. O principal objectivo deste estágio passou por desempenhar um conjunto de atividades integradas no processo contabilístico, permitiu-me identificar a existência de documentos contabilísticos, dos quais desconhecia a sua utilidade e elaboração, tendo sido um deles a demonstração de fluxos de caixa. A conveniência em dominar esta “nova” demonstração suscita o interesse para o seu estudo, por forma a conhecer o processo de elaboração e de que modo a informação que se retira da sua análise influência a tomada de decisão. A maioria dos empresários analisa exaustivamente a demonstração de resultados e o balanço, esquecendo-se, ou dando pouco atenção, à demonstração de fluxos de caixa. Esta atitude pode ser considerada errónea, uma vez que a análise a partir do cálculo de rácios financeiros e fluxos de caixa tem-se revelado uma ótima ferramenta estratégica de gestão, não só por avaliar a continuidade de uma empresa como também a sua posição financeira. Assim, o presente estudo revela a importância da elaboração da demonstração de fluxos de caixa através da identificação do interesse da sua divulgação, da compreensão da natureza dos seus fluxos e a importância da avaliação destes para a proteção da saúde financeira de uma empresa. Na aplicação prática deste estudo foi realizada uma ferramenta que tem como funcionalidade elaborar, de forma automática, a demonstração de fluxos de caixa pelo método direto e calcular os principais rácios relativos aos fluxos de caixa obtidos. Esta ferramenta tem o objetivo de retirar toda a informação pertinente da demonstração dos fluxos de caixa e posteriormente uni-la com a informação retirada das outras demonstrações, de modo a obter a informação mais fiável possível, para uma tomada de decisões acertada

The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase in Golestan Province, Northeast Iran

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in a population-based study in Golestan Province, northeast Iran. Methods: From the randomly invited individuals (2,292), 698 out of the 916 males and 1,351 out of the 1,376 females participated in the study (participation rate: 76.2 and 98.1, respectively). One hundred and twenty-one participants were excluded due to positive hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C virus antibody and/or drinking more than 20 grams of alcohol per day. A total of 1,928 participants (1300 females) were included. The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level was defined as the 95th percentile. Results: The upper normal limit of serum alanine aminotransferase level in normal weight and nondiabetics was significantly lower than the total study group (36 versus 45 U/L). Serum alanine aminotransferase level was independently associated with male gender, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus (OR=2.05; 95Cl: 1.44 - 2.94, OR=2.76; 95Cl: 1.84 - 4.13, and OR=2.96; 95Cl: 1.56-5.61, respectively). Conclusion: Considering the lower calculated upper normal limit in normal weight nondiabetic participants in this study, we recommend setting new upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level, It seems reasonable to set upper normal limit for serum alanine aminotransferase level in males and females separately

Use of research by librarians and information professionals

The study’s aim is twofold: first to determine the extent to which Australian library and information professionals produce research literature (specifically journal articles); and second to explore the status of the use of research literature by library and information science (LIS) practitioners as evidence for their practice. All articles published in the field of LIS in 2015 by Australian authors were analysed and seven interviews were conducted with Australian librarians. Out of 152 articles published in 2015 by Australian authors, 37 articles (20.3%) were authored by at least one practitioner, 29 articles (15.9%) were fully authored by practitioners, and eight articles were joint work by faculty members and practitioners. Australian LIS journals played an important role in providing a venue for the publication of articles authored by practitioners. Interviews showed that the use of research literature as evidence is not yet an institutionalised practice in the profession. Practitioners’ expectations of research literature generated by academic researchers is not high for they believe academic research lacks relevance, applicability, and coverage, and is sometimes aspirational. They find commissioned research, practice-led research and professional research more valuable than academic research. Mailing lists play an important role in the dissemination and identification of research that is useful for practitioners. Research collaboration between practitioners and researchers should be facilitated and encouraged