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Spartan Daily October 7, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 22

Bedrock Erosion By Root Fracture And Tree Throw: A Coupled Biogeomorphic Model To Explore The Humped Soil Production Function And The Persistence Of Hillslope Soils, Emmanuel Gabet, Simon Mudd

Faculty Publications

In 1877, G. K. Gilbert reasoned that bedrock erosion is maximized under an intermediate soil thickness and declines as soils become thinner or thicker. Subsequent analyses of this “humped” functional relationship proposed that thin soils are unstable and that perturbations in soil thickness would lead to runaway thinning or thickening of the soil. To explore this issue, we developed a numerical model that simulates the physical weathering of bedrock by root fracture and tree throw. The coupled biogeomorphic model combines data on conifer population dynamics, rootwad volumes, tree throw frequency, and soil creep from the Pacific Northwest (USA). Although not …

Phylometrics: A Pipeline For Inferring Phylogenetic Trees From A Sequence Relationship Network Perspective, Samuel A. Smits, Cleber C. Ouverney

Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences

Background
Comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene is frequently used to characterize the microbial diversity of environmental samples. However, sequence similarities do not always imply functional or evolutionary relatedness due to many factors, including unequal rates of change and convergence. Thus, relying on top BLASTN hits for phylogenetic studies may misrepresent the diversity of these constituents. Furthermore, attempts to circumvent this issue by including a large number of BLASTN hits per sequence in one tree to explore their relatedness presents other problems. For instance, the multiple sequence alignment will be poor and computationally costly if not relying on …

Spartan Daily October 4, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 19

Chinese Privet: A Biological Invader In Louisiana's Forests, Hallie Dozier, Metha M. Klock

Faculty Publications, Environmental Studies

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily September 30, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 18

Spartan Daily September 29, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 17

Spartan Daily September 28, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 16

Spartan Daily September 27, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 15

Spartan Daily September 22, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 13

Spartan Daily September 20, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 11

Spartan Daily September 16, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 10

Spartan Daily September 13, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 7

Spartan Daily September 9, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 6

Standardised Library Instruction Assessment: An Institution-Specific Approach, Shannon M. Staley, Nicole A. Branch, Tom L. Hewitt

Faculty and Staff Publications

Introduction
We explore the use of a psychometric model for locally-relevant, information literacy assessment, using an online tool for standardised assessment of student learning during discipline-based library instruction sessions.

Method
A quantitative approach to data collection and analysis was used, employing standardised multiple-choice survey questions followed by individual, cognitive interviews with undergraduate students. The assessment tool was administered to five general education psychology classes during library instruction sessions.

Analysis
Descriptive statistics were generated by the assessment tool. Results. The assessment tool proved a feasible means of measuring student learning. While student scores improved on every survey question, there was uneven …

Spartan Daily September 1, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 3

Spartan Daily August 30, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 135, Issue 2

Jsphylosvg: A Javascript Library For Visualizing Interactive And Vector-Based Phylogenetic Trees On The Web, Samuel A. Smits, Cleber C. Ouverney

Faculty Publications, Biological Sciences

Background
Many software packages have been developed to address the need for generating phylogenetic trees intended for print. With an increased use of the web to disseminate scientific literature, there is a need for phylogenetic trees to be viewable across many types of devices and feature some of the interactive elements that are integral to the browsing experience. We propose a novel approach for publishing interactive phylogenetic trees.

Methods/Principal Findings
We present a javascript library, jsPhyloSVG, which facilitates constructing interactive phylogenetic trees from raw Newick or phyloXML formats directly within the browser in Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format. It is …

In Appreciation Of The Kind Of Rhetoric We Learn In School: An Institutional Perspective On The Rhetorical Situation And On Education, Kathleen F. Mcconnell

Faculty Publications

Theoretical discussion of the rhetorical situation has been dedicated largely to questions of its ontology and of how it is constituted. Where this ontological orientation has inclined theorists to treat the concept as a theoretical premise, an institutional orientation would instead frame constructivist accounts of the rhetorical situation as a political-pedagogical commitment and treat the ethical obligations that arise from any given situation as bound to specific institutional forms. From an institutional perspective, the rhetorical situation is to conscience as the institution of school is to education. The distinction of both rhetorical situations and schools lies not in their contrivedness …

A Comparative Study Of The Information-Seeking Behavior Of Bachelor Of Science And Master Of Science Agricultural Extension And Education Students, Mojtaba Sookhtanlo, Hamid Movahed Mohammadi, Ahmad Rezvanfar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study compares information-seeking behavior of Bachelor of Science and Master of Science students in the fields of agricultural extension and education. The authors surveyed Iranian students in departments of agricultural extension and education at four universities in Tehran, Shiraz, Mollasani, and Kermanshah. This study focused on three aspects: (1) comparison of amounts of information-seeking behavior between Bachelor of Science and Master of Science agricultural extension and education students; (2) comparison of information-seeking behavior varieties in Bachelor of Science and Master of Science agricultural extension and education students; (3) Comparison of amounts of available information resources at four universities and …

Analysis Of Bibliographic References By Textbook Authors In Nigerian Polytechnics, Nelson Edewor, Ufuoma Omosor

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study analyzed references listed by textbook authors from Nigerian polytechnics. The educational qualifications, subject background, and institutional affiliations of authors and publishers of textbooks were examined. Documentary research design was adopted for this study. A total of 102 books were examined using the availability sampling technique. Data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that a significant majority of the textbooks were filled with citation errors. Findings revealed that a majority of the textbooks used the American Psychological association (APA) format of referencing. Further analysis revealed that a significant number of textbooks had no references at all. …

Citations In Psychology Phd Theses: An Obsolescence Study, N. Zafrunnisha, V. Pulla Reddy

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

An obsolescence study is one of the main areas of bibliometrics in library and information science. The study attempts to discover the obsolescence rate of psychology literature cited in the 141 doctoral theses awarded by the S.V. University Tirupati, Osmania University, Hyderabad, and Andhra University, Visakhapattanam, from 1963-2005. Half-life of journal citations in psychology was found to be 14 years and 19 years for book citations.

Scientometric Study Of Doctoral Dissertations In Biochemistry In The University Of Kerala, India, K.G. Pillai Sudhier, V. Dileep Kumar

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Biochemistry is the most fascinating subject as it deals with the chemical language of life. The ultimate goal of biochemistry is to describe the phenomena that distinguish living from non-living in the language of chemistry and physics. Researchers in biochemistry use specific techniques native to biochemistry, but increasingly combine these with techniques and ideas from genetics, molecular biology and biophysics. In India at present around 75,000 students are enrolled in research and nearly 11,000 are awarded PhDs every year, of which 50 percent are from science and technology disciplines. Theses and dissertations reflect the scholarly communication process. Scientometrics and citation …

Preserving Information-Bearing Material In Higher Education Institutions In Nigeria, Robert Orotomah Ovowoh, Basil Enemute Iwhiwhu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This research investigates the preservation and conservation of information-bearing materials in libraries in Nigeria. A survey drew its population from the staff of Delta State University (DELSU) Library, Abraka and Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Library, Effurun. The results show that information-bearing materials are at high risk of deterioration. There is no written preservation and conservation policy, no security policy, no personnel adequately trained in conservation, and lack of conservation facilities and equipment.

Availability And Use Of Audiovisual And Electronic Resources By Distance Learning Students In Nigerian Universities: A Case Study Of National Open University Of Nigeria (Noun), Ibadan Study Centre, Kolawole Akinjide Aramide, Omolara M. Bolarinwa

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study investigated the availability and use of audiovisual and electronic resources by distance learning students at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). A questionnaire was administered tothe distance learning students selected across the various departments of the NOUN. The findings revealed that even though NOUN made provision for audiovisual and electronic resources for students' use, a majority of the audiovisual and electronic resources are available through personal provision by the students.The study also revealed regular use of audiovisual and electronic resources by the distance learning students. Constraints on use include poor power supply, poor infrastructure, lack of adequate …

Information Outlook, June 2010, Special Libraries Association

Information Outlook, 2010

Volume 14, Issue 4

Emergency Management Training And Exercises For Transportation Agency Operations, Mti Report 09-17, Frances L. Edwards, Daniel C. Goodrich

Mineta Transportation Institute

Training and exercises are an important part of emergency management. Plans are developed based on threat assessment, but they are not useful unless staff members are trained on how to use the plan, and then practice that training. Exercises are also essential for ensuring that the plan is effective, and outcomes from exercises are used to improve the plan. Exercises have been an important part of gauging the preparedness of response organizations since Civil Defense days when full-scale exercises often included the community. Today there are various types of exercises that can be used to evaluate the preparedness of public …

Spartan Daily May 10, 2010, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 134, Issue 50

Use Of Ict Facilities For Serials Functions In Southern Nigeria Federal University Libraries, Chinwe V. Anunobi, Benson E. Edoka

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The research was conducted in southern Nigeria federal university libraries to identify the extent of ICT use for serials functions. A questionnaire was distributed to staff from the 11 federal university libraries in southern Nigeria. The results reveal that serials functions are still predominately manual, with ICT being more prominent in the serials public services and preservation functions; public services activities involving the use of ICT are mainly access to and retrieval of serials and article titles. It is recommended that university libraries should make a decision on whether to equip serials units with ICT facilities or have a systems …

Post-Ume Screening Examination In Nigerian Universities: The University Of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (Tunedik) Experience, Isaac Oluwadare Busayo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The Post-UME screening examination conducted by the University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti (TUNEDIK), particularly in essay writing, exposed inadequacies in most of the candidates. A total of 500 candidates were randomly selected for this study from five departments of the three foundation faculties of education, science and information technology and arts, social and management sciences. 200 out of the 500 candidates (40%) scored 200 marks and above in JAMB, 125 candidates (25%) scored 190-199, also 125 candidates (25%) again scored 180-189 and 50 candidates (10%) scored 170-179 in JAMB. Ironically, only 87 out of the 200 candidates (43.5%), who scored 200 …