CompendexWeb Review

Review of interface changes in CompendexWeb

Smoothing the Transition to Mandatory Electronic Theses

After a year of voluntary submissions, Caltech is requiring electronic thesis submission for all graduate students effective July 1, 2002. Website development, user education, collaboration between library and campus computing staff, and with faculty and the dean's office are all integral to the transition

Online Journals: Utility of ToCs vs. Fulltext

The Caltech Library System (CLS) has maintained an extensive list of online journal websites for several years. The online journal list has grown to over 3000 entries, representing a mixture of free and subscription-based fulltext journals, as well as websites featuring tables of contents and abstracts. During the winter of 1999/2000, the online journals list was converted to an online journals database. Additional user functionality was added, without loss of previous features. In a previous study, search engines were employed to map the adoption rates of online journals into the web pages of research groups and individuals on the Caltech campus. It was established that the vast majority of online journal use on-campus was through the access avenues presented by the library, the online catalog and the online journals database. One of the new features introduced in the online journals database was an ability to limit displays to journals containing fulltext. Anecdotal evidence has been less than clear-cut with regard to the utility of non-fulltext resources. This study will allow for a thorough analysis of the question with hard data. It should be feasible to determine if there are discipline-based preferences or if personal preferences are the controlling factor. Analysis of the web server logs will also allow for a direct comparison of user preferences for searching and browsing. Again, we expect to be able to determine if there is a subject-specific bias or if behaviors are more individually idiosyncratic. Results of the study will inform the further development of the CLS online journal efforts - database development, online journal promotion, new candidates for licensing. The technologies employed in this project are well documented and may be exploited by other libraries seeking to gather empirical data for collection decisions and web development efforts

Inhibition of Protease Activity in Muscle Extracts and Surimi from Pacific Whiting, Merluccius productus, and Arrowtooth Flounder, Atheresthes stomias

Muscle extracts of Pacific whiting, Merluccius productus, and arrowtooth flounder, Atheresthes stomias, were assayed for proteolytic activity using azocasein as a substrate. Pacific whiting extracts showed maximum activity at pH 5.0-5.2 and a temperature of 50°C, while arrowtooth flounder extracts had maximum activity at pH 5.5 and 55°C. Three sources of inhibitors (potatoes, egg white, beef plasma protein) were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of protease activity. All three were found to be effective inhibitors in crude muscle extracts. Further studies utilizing these inhibitors in surimi showed that potato was equivalent to both egg white and beef plasma protein in preserving the gel forming characteristics ofheated kamaboko in both species

Social Interaction of New Converts for Evangelistic Outreach to the Community

Problem: One of the serious problems confronting the church today is the number of newly baptised members who are not trained effectively to make disciples. There appears to be a widespread lethargy in this area. This has been evidenced in the noticeable lack of co-ordinated motivation among the newly baptised to disciple for Christ. The importance of post-baptismal instruction and training programmes have not been taken seriously in many localities. It was the purpose of this project to provide new converts with an understanding of their responsibility for discipling, and to motivate them to use their \u27social network\u27 for evangelistic purposes. Method; A study was undertaken of the Biblical passages relating to disciple making within the circle of the new converts\u27 relatives, friends and acquaintances. This was supplemented by the writings of Ellen G. White. Current volumes on human behaviour and communication written by modern social scientists and church growth specialists were also used. A simple yet comprehensive programme was drawn up which would help new converts to understand both their responsibility to discipling and their need to interact continually with relatives, friends and acquaintances. A pilot programme consisting of three three-hour sessions was conducted and was attended by thirteen participants. The seminar series involved an understanding of the newly baptised Christian\u27s responsibility to discipling within his own \u27circles of influence\u27. Results: As a result of the time spent together, the thirteen participants increased their awareness of their responsibility to make disciples from within their own \u27social network\u27. A survey was conducted at the commencement of the series with both this working group and a control group. A post-seminar survey of the working group provided information for comparison and assessment. Comments and discussion also provided ideas and information which cannot be assessed in a survey. The sessions stimulated the working group toward a better understanding of the Gospel Commission, both objectively and subjectively. This will lead to a training and disciple making process that will result in effective and measurable church growth. Conclusion: Considerable encouragement is derived from this project which suggests that the newly baptised will witness spontaneously if rightly trained and equipped. The long term results will ultimately testify to the success of the programme. It is important that the Church play a vigorous role in the nurturing and training of new converts, especially in the post-baptismal stage