Collaboration in electronic resource provision in university libraries: SHEDL, a Scottish case study

This case study examines the growth of collaboration among Scottish higher education institutions. Following a summary of the work of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), more detailed information is provided on collaboration in the fields of acquisition, licensing, selection, and purchasing. Some of the UK background is outlined, relating to NESLi2 in particular, in order to illuminate the options within Scotland. The origins of negotiations on electronic resource provision within Scotland are described, drawing on developments in other countries including Ireland and Scandinavia. After initial setbacks, the implementation of the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) from 2007 to 2009 is detailed. Current benefits arising from SHEDL are explained, and some possible future developments are discussed

Baseline study and contaminants in the Barents Sea

This report describes the sampling programme and status of the analytical programme up until March 1995 for the AMAP project "Baseline study of contaminants in the Barents Sea" carried out by Institute of Marine Research.NORSK SAMMENDRAG:Rapporten beskriver prøvetakingsprogrammet og status for analysene pr. mars 1995 for AMAP-prosjektet "Basis undersøkelser av forurensing i Barentshavet" som gjennomføres av Havforskningsinstituttet

Contaminants in the Barents Sea ecosystem

A baseline study of contaminants in fish and sediments from the Barents Sea was carried out by Institute of Marine Research (IMR) as a part of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, AMAP. Sediment samples from 140 stations covering the whole Barents Sea were analysed for selected diaromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (P AH). The concentrations found were lower than typical levels found at more southern latitudes such as in deposition areas of the North Sea, but higher than expected background levels. Concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), one of the PAHs of most concern due to its toxicity, ranged from <1 to 40 ng/g dry weight. Alkylated C2- napthalenes were found in highest concentrations in sediments around Svalbard (range <1-2330 ng/g dw). Perylene concentrations ranged from <1 to 300 ng/g dw. Same of the highest levels of BaP were found in the ice melting zone. This may indicate that ice plays an important role in the transport and distribution of same aromatic hydrocarbons in the Arctic. Long range transport of air pollutants originating from fossil fuel burning is most likely the dominating source of unsubstituted PAH found in Barents Sea sediments. Fish species given priority in the AMAP monitoring plan for the marine environment include cod (Gadus morhua), polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and lang rough dab (Hippoglossoides platessoides). A total of 400 fish representing these three species were analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, HCB and chlordanes). Contaminant concentrations found in the fish livers were significantly higher in cod than in polar cod and lang rough dab. PCB concentrations, expressed as the sum of 13 congeners on a ng/g wet weight basis, were in the ranges 94-685, 36-114 and 8-60 for cod, polar cod and lang rough dab, respectively. DDT (sum of p'p-DDD, p'p-DDE and p'p-DDT) ranges were 67-344, for cod, 8-50 for polar cod and 5-33 for lang rough dab. Chlordane concentration (sum of four compounds) ranged from 39 to 207 for cod, from 21 to 54 for polar cod, and from 6 to 35 for lang rough dab. HCH (sum of three compounds) concentrations found were 3-17, 7-15, and 2-8 ng/ g wet weight respectively, for the three species. Feeding habits and migration patterns are likely explanations for this observed interspecies variation. There are few local sources of PCBs and pesticides within the Arctic region. Most of these compounds find their way into the Barents Sea ecosystem through lang range transport from industrial and agricultural areas further south

Towards a more holistic marine management paradigm : Ten years of ICES changes to meet tomorrow’s need for science and advice

This case study investigates change processes in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) over a 10-year period. It aims to increase the understanding of the dynamics of change processes in organizations which operate at the science-policy interface at the international level. ICES plays a key role in supplying policymakers and marine management agencies with scientific advice. The challenges facing governance of oceans and coastal areas have led these actors to embrace an ecosystem-based approach. This study takes a qualitative, transdisciplinary approach to investigate if and how ICES has responded to this shift towards a more holistic management paradigm. Resilience theory, combined with organizational change theory, is used to analyze several change processes identified. The ICES advisory program and the ICES science program have both undergone major reforms during the last 10 years. The ICES Secretariat has been reorganized, and strategic planning has given ICES new guiding documents. While the ecosystem-based approach was important as a backdrop for the reforms, it was not manifested as a dominating driver behind the changes. The major drivers were the need to improve efficiency and a striving for better integration between different components within the organization. The findings show that the international network structure of ICES gives a different dynamics of change compared to similar processes in traditional hierarchical government organizations. Implementation of change requires time to allow for broad consultations, which are important to ensure support and a sense of ownership within the ICES community. Changes are implemented incrementally to align with opportunities and constrains embedded in the complex institutional landscape within which ICES resides. These insights can contribute to the development of strategies aiming to enhance the capacity to govern marine ecosystems and build resilience of social-ecological systems

Bielefeld Academic Search Engine: a (Potential Information-)BASE for the Working Mathematician

Höppner M. Bielefeld Academic Search Engine: a (Potential Information-)BASE for the Working Mathematician. In: Becker H, Stange K, Wegner B, eds. New developments in electronic publishing of mathematics. Joint proceedings of the ECM 4 satellite conference on electronic publishing at KTH, Stockholm, Sweden, June 25--27, 2004 and the special session on electronic publications at the joint AMS-SMM international meeting, Houston, TX, USA, May 13, 2004. Karlsruhe: FIZ Karlsruhe; 2004: 91-97.A modern search engine based approach to scientific information retrieval is described as the consequent next step after building up digital libraries. Bielefeld University Library has just established two demonstrators for possible retrieval services, one of them from mathematics

Boundary spaces, objects and activities in mixed-actor knowledge production:making fishery management plans in collaboration

This paper investigates knowledge production in collaborations where the actors have different knowledge and interests. Building on boundary object theory, a conceptual framework is developed to analyse knowledge exchange in two stakeholder-led collaborations to make fishery management plans. The framework introduces boundary spaces to conceptualise the dynamic interaction between objects and activities. Within boundary spaces, actors can share, transfer and translate their knowledge, and common understanding can emerge. The collaborations analysed aimed to produce management plans for the Nephrops (Nephrops norvegicus) fishery in the North Sea and the boarfish (Capros aper) fishery in the Northeast Atlantic. Several boundary spaces were identified in each collaboration. During the production phase, the emerging management plans took on multiple representations as boundary objects that facilitated knowledge exchange. Activities were essential, as these created entry points for different actors to become part of the boundary spaces where they could contribute to knowledge production. Fishing industry representatives in the North Sea Advisory Council and the Pelagic Advisory Council played key roles in initiating and coordinating activities. The case studies demonstrate that Advisory Councils take on pro-active roles in initiatives that aim to expand the knowledge base for European fisheries management. Direct engagement was instrumental to create ownership of the problem addressed in the various collaborative settings that emerged during the management plan initiatives