Availability Of Scientific Information Research Articles

On the Harm of Science Popularization

The article discusses some aspects of the relationship between science and society through the prism of such a social phenomenon as the popularization of science. The usual narrative around science popularization today assumes the availability of scientific knowledge and its results for the whole society. However, the academic community quite clearly expresses its concerns about the need and, most importantly, the possibility of conveying scientific knowledge to laypeople in a simplified form. It is this opposition that is playing an increasingly prominent role today, including in the development of state science and technology policy. At the same time, as the author shows, the problem of science popularization turns out to be much more multilayered than it seems at first glance. The popularization of science is only a good indicator of the attitude of the state and society towards science and is a derivative of a more fundamental problem – the relationship between science and the democratic structure of society. Usually, they note several positive trends associated with the popularization of science: helping people to learn about new scientific discoveries and research, which can lead to an increase in interest in science in general; scientific knowledge becomes more accessible to a wide range of people (this contributes to an increase in the general level of education and development of society); science popularization can help to reduce anti-science prejudices and stereotypes as well as to increase the level of scientific literacy and critical thinking in society. However, as the author demonstrates using numerous characteristic examples, this is only one side of the coin. Popularization has another, negative side, which has a no less powerful influence on both society in general and the scientific community in particular. Thus, it is the popularization of science that can lead to the “wildness”of society, to ignoring expert scientific opinion. Due to the need to transfer scientific information in an accessible form, there is a simplification or even distortion of scientific data. This can lead to misunderstandings of science and the spread of myths and false beliefs. Obviously, it is important to find a balance between the availability of scientific information and the preservation of its quality and accuracy. But is it possible to find a balance in such a situation? Or is scientific popularization destined to become part of the entertainment business?

Black Fruit Plant (Haplolobus Monticola) Ethanolic Extract as a Good Source of Chemical Compound Content with The Potential as A Safe Antioxidant and Antibacterial Agent

Black fruit is a native Papuan plant that faces extinction if it is not propagated. The availability of scientific information on the potential use of black fruit can help proliferate this plant. This study investigates the potential of black fruit plants in the leaves and flesh of the fruit using extraction, characterization, and extract activity testing. Extraction was carried out by maceration using a 96% ethanol solvent. Characterization was carried out by FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, and phytochemical screening. The antioxidant activity test was carried out by the DPPH method, the antibacterial test was carried out by the well diffusion method, and the toxicity test was carried out by the BSLT (Brine Shrimp Lethality Test) method. The results showed that the ethanol extract of black fruit flesh separated into two layers when stored in the refrigerator, while the leaf extract did not. Leaf extract is richer in phytochemical content compared to fruit flesh. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities were higher in leaf extracts than in fruit pulp extracts. Toxicity test results showed that the ethanol extract of black fruit leaves has the potential to be used as a food additive for antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The potential benefits of the ethanol extract of black fruit leaves and flesh can encourage cultivation and post-harvest management of this plant.

Effect of Cooking and In Vivo Glycemic Response of Sri Lankan Traditional Rice: A Source of Sustainable and Underutilized Functional Food

The availability of scientific information on the nutrient composition of cooked rice and glycemic responses of Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties with a high export potential is scarce. This study determined the nutrient composition (moisture, ash, crude fat, and protein, digestible (DC) and total carbohydrate (TC), resistant starch (RS), insoluble (IDF), soluble (SDF), and total dietary fiber (TDF)), amylose, amylopectin, and glycemic indices (GI) of sixteen cooked unpolished traditional rice varieties with standard methods. Cooked rice and rice flour contained 55.9-70.6% (fresh weight) and 6.2-9.5% (dry basis) moisture respectively. Ash, crude fat and protein contents were 1.1-1.6%, 4.1-6.0% and 4.8-9.5% respectively. Digestible carbohydrates comprised 73.8-83.8% with over 80% TC. Cooking increased the RS (1.3-5.5%) while IDF, SDF and TDF of cooked rice were 3.8-6.4%, 0.4-4.8%, and 5.4-9.8% respectively. All varieties contained high amylose (24.2-35.7%) except for one variety and elicited either low or medium GI (49-67). GI and amylose of cooked rice showed a significant (P=0.04) negative correlation. Significant (P≤0.05) positive correlation between moisture and rice portions containing 50g of carbohydrate allows the selection of rice that provides low glycemic loads. Unpolished traditional rice, rich in nutrients eliciting low or medium GI are highly suitable in diet plans for controlling the glycemic response and in achieving sustainable health benefits.

Research funding and economic aspects of the Antarctic krill fishery

The Antarctic krill fishery has increased in recent years to more than two-thirds of an interim catch level of 620,000 tonnes in the Atlantic Sector, FAO Fishery Area 48. Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) have expressed concern that catches at these levels, if taken from small areas, could impact krill-dependent predators. In recent years, CCAMLR has been unable to agree on small-scale spatial management measures influencing the spatial distribution of krill catch. Some krill-fishing Members contend that more science is needed as CCAMLR is obliged to use the precautionary approach informed by the best available science. The availability of scientific information is dependent on funding and these considerations should be included in decision-making to ensure the costs for the necessary research to manage the fishery will be met. In this article we review the economics of the Antarctic krill fishery, the beneficiaries of the fishery, the costs of producing the scientific information currently available and the extent of current contributions. Based on this analysis, we propose that CCAMLR Scientific Committee designs a research strategy for the krill fishery in which research needs are identified, costed and implemented. This should include a funding mechanism to sustain these research activities and ensure appropriate contributions from those benefiting from the fishery.

Scientific Basis of Agroforestry Homegardens in Matara District, Sri Lanka: Present Status and Improvement Needs

High diversity of species in agroforestry homegardens play main agro-ecological roles in complex and sustainable land use systems. Efforts are being made in valuing and protecting the age-old practices of agroforestry on scientific basis in homegardens. This study attempted to analyse the scientific basis of households’ practices and to develop strategies for the promotion of sustainable agroforestry homegardens in Matara district of Sri Lanka. Selected households were interviewed measuring their concern using 5-point Likert scale, and analysed the qualitative data using non-parametric statistics. The study revealed that scientific basis of household practices in agroforestry homegardens are moderate in selection of appropriate trees and plants, and management of trees and plant health care. Households pay little concern on scientific basis in planning and site placement, land preparation and establishment of trees/crops, and implementing proper cultural practices. There is no significant correlation between scientific basis of practices in agroforestry in relation with size of homegardens, educational level of households, and across the category of their occupations. Resources to use scientific knowledge in practice, and opportunity to improve scientific skills have moderate correlation significantly while availability of scientific information and access to scientific knowledge have significant but low correlation as applying knowledge on scientific basis. The interest to acquire scientific knowledge, and sufficient time to improve scientific knowledge, and other reasons have no significant correlation with scientific basis of household practices. Carefully planned interventions including policy adjustments and effective extension programs for learning and experimenting together with supportive programs would enhance scientific basis of household practices for agroforestry in homegardens.

Awareness and Expectations of E-books: A Study in Tallinn Health Care College

Purpose The current study aims at measuring patron awareness, readiness, usage, and preference regarding electronic books among students and lecturers at Tallinn Health Care College. The results will help the college design future library collections, promote e-books more effectively to reach as many patrons as possible, and encourage patrons to use more e-books. Methodology An online survey was developed and made available via the institution’s Study Information System. The questionnaire was sent to 1,696 college patrons (including 1,606 master’s degree and higher education students, and 90 academic staff members). Three hundred and forty-six completed questionnaires were returned, and responses were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Results The survey indicated that most of the respondents are aware of what an e-book is and have used them at least once. Most of the respondents preferred the college to purchase books in both printed and electronic format. The most popular reasons for preferring e-books were not needing to physically borrow the book, having 24/7 access from home, and the ability to download and read e-books on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. The main reasons for disliking e-books were having to read on a screen, the costs involved, the limitations when printing pages, and the concern that the battery may become discharged during reading. Open access is also highlighted as an alternative to guarantee the availability of scientific information for patrons because the University of Applied Science libraries in Estonia do not get financial support from the government. Originality/Value Although the college regularly surveys library users’ satisfaction with its services, the patrons’ attitudes toward e-books has never been studied. The results are valuable to the college. First, the Library Working Group was established by the Estonian Rectors’ Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences to change the state funding scheme for acquiring high-quality scientific, scholarly information. Second, there is more emphasis on making open-access e-books more visible on the website, and the addition of new e-books is announced through the college’s social-media channels. Third and most important is that the subject Foundation of Research for first-year students will be taught by the college library staff. This gives them the opportunity to encourage and guide students to use e-books.

Organizing studies and research: Framework for science information delivery

The possibility is examined for providing open data in pursuance of the goals and objectives of sustainable development set up in the UNESCO Science Report: Towards 2030. Organization of science research work implies managing vast data arrays, availability of scientific information and its reliability in the aspect of increase of researchers and volumes of scientific publications. Focus is also made on finding sources of reliable scientific information. The role of the libraries as a source of bibliographic information, organizing the system of support of scientific research is emphasized. The possibilities for providing open data and online access to information resources are considered. The directions of the information space development in the perspective of collective management of rights are underlined. The framework and possibilities for providing access to scientific information are specified. However, the remote user authorization technologies and IP-address range access capabilities limit the openness of information resources. The author emphasizes that the terms of use of documents differentiated by right holders depend on the strategy of data management. She also argues that educational and scientific programs should include training in using of information resources.

Motivation and learning impact of Dutch flu-trackers

Many citizen science projects deal with high attrition rates. The Dutch Great Influenza Survey is an exception to this rule. In the current study, we conducted an online questionnaire (N=1610) to investigate the motivation and learning impact of this loyal, active participant base. Results show that the desire to contribute to a larger (scientific) goal is the most important motivator for all types of participants and that availability of scientific information and data are important for learning. We suggest similar projects seek (social) media attention regularly, linking project findings to current events and including the importance of participants' contribution.

Is Globalization Really Good for Public Health? General Considerations and Implications for the Arab World

Background: A positive assessment of the role of globalization as a driver of a good public health performance has been the result of major new studies in the field. But the present re-analysis shows that neo-liberal globalisation has resulted in increasing inequality, which in turn negatively affects global health performance. This conclusion is valid on a global level but it also holds for the majority of the Arab countries, which are currently undergoing very dramatic political and social transformations, which have fundamental repercussions for the Western world. Methods: Standard IBM/SPSS OLS regressions and partial correlations with cross-national and time series aggregate, freely available data. The article also re-analysed the data, provided by Mukherjee N. and Krieckhaus J. Globalization and Human Well-Being. International Political Science Review, March 2012; vol. 33, 2: pp. 150-170.Results: We can show that different types of globalization processes affect public health performance differently. The absence of restrictions (direct effects on the availability of pharmaceuticals) and the free flow of information (direct effects on the availability of scientific information in medicine and the free movement for members of the medical profession) have the biggest impact on infant mortality reduction, while actual foreign capital flows and personal contacts have less influence on reducing infant mortality rates. The “de-composition” of the available data suggests that for most of the time period of the last four decades, globalization inflows even implied an aggregate deterioration of public health, quite in line with recent prominent public health research studies by Cornia, de Vogli, and other studies, referred to in this article. Conclusions: Globalization leads to increased inequality, and this, in turn, to a deteriorating public health performance. This is relevant for the health planners in the Middle Eastern region as well. The region witnessed a sharp increase in globalization in recent years. We show the validity of our conclusion also with an annual time series data analysis for 99 countries. In only 19 of 99 nations (i.e. 19.1%) globalization actually preceded an improvement in the public health performance. Far from falsifying the globalization critical research, our essay shows the basic weaknesses of the new “pro-globalization” literature in the public health profession.

Práctica basada en la evidencia: creencias, actitudes, conocimientos y habilidades entre fisioterapeutas colombianos

Objetivo:Describir en un grupo colombiano de fisioterapeutas las i) creencias y actitudes hacia la practica basada en la evidencia (PBE), ii) la educación, el conocimiento y las habilidades para implementar la PBE; iii) el uso de la literatura relevante en la práctica clínica; iv) el acceso y la disponibilidad de información científica; y v) la percepción de las barreras para la inclusión de la PBE.Métodos:Se realizó un estudio transversal en 1,064 fisioterapeutas colombianos. El estudio usó el cuestionario que consta de 50-ítems para estimar las actitudes, creencias, conocimientos y habilidades hacia la PBE. Dicho instrumento fue adaptado y validado en Colombia por Flórez-López et al.Resultados:La mayoría de la población participante fueron mujeres (77.2%) en edades comprendidas entre 22 y 29 años (79.4%). El 87.7% de los encuestados eran titulados en fisioterapia. Los fisioterapeutas manifestaron tener actitudes y creencias positivas hacia la PBE. Una mayoría respondió que estaba de acuerdo o muy de acuerdo en que es necesaria la PBE (71.6%), en que la literatura es útil para la práctica clínica (61.3%), que la PBE mejora la calidad de la atención a los pacientes (64.1%), y en que la evidencia ayuda en la toma de decisiones clínicas (44.5%). El 41.0% de los encuestados indicaron que la falta de habilidades de investigación era la barrera más importante para el uso de la evidencia científica en la práctica clínica.Conclusiones:Los fisioterapeutas manifestaron una actitud positiva acerca la PBE y estaban interesados en aprender o mejorar las habilidades necesarias para adoptar la PBE en la práctica clínica.

Como Fazer Pesquisa Bibliográfica com Eficácia? As Estratégias do Push e Pull

The availability of scientific information is growing exponentially. Healthcare professionals who wish to keep up-to-date with scientific literature and find the best information should spend their time finding resources that summarize the best available evidence. This manuscript aims to provide bibliographic research knowledge and skills, to contribute to an increase in the use of e-learning, to "Push and Pull" correct information and, in other words, to indicate how to deal with information overload.

Prioritization of Ecosystem Services Research: Tampa Bay Demonstration Project

The Tampa Bay Ecosystem Services Demonstration Project (TBESDP) is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Ecosystem Services Research Program. The principal objectives of TBESDP are to (1) quantify the ecosystem services of the Tampa Bay watershed, (2) determine the value of ecosystem services to society, (3) predict the supply of ecosystem services under future scenarios of population growth and climate change, and (4) apply this knowledge through models and tools that will support the best informed environmental decisions possible. The scope and complexity of this project required intensive effort to establish which services can be quantified by applying existing models, data, and scientific literature and which services will require supporting research. Research priorities were assessed by: (1) developing and refining conceptual models of major ecosystems in the Tampa Bay region, (2) gathering input from stakeholders about the relative importance and values of various ecosystem services, (3) preparing and reviewing a bibliometric analysis of the volume of scientific literature relevant to the ecosystems and services of interest, and (4) evaluating an integrated analysis of importance, value, and availability of scientific information. This analysis led us to focus on two research priorities, seagrass-habitat functions as support for fishery production, and wetlands as regulators of water quality.

New thoughts about estrogen therapy from the Women’s Health Initiative

Since the introduction of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 1942, the availability of scientific information regarding the physiologic action of estrogen alone and in combination with progesterone has grown substantially. The specific physiology of changes in endogenous estrogen as a causal factor in bone loss that occurs as the result of menopause is now better understood. Accumulating evidence regarding the benefit of estrogen in protecting against bone loss at the time of menopause made it the first choice for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, until the findings of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) were announced in 2002. Fortunately, the availability of multiple alternative agents for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in menopausal women has provided clinicians with other options. There remain a small number of patients who cannot tolerate or afford these alternative therapies. Recent publications resulting from the WHI should be understood by practicing physicians who are faced with this dilemma and may need to consider HRT in treating patients with osteoporosis.

Political and economic fishery management in the Channel of Sicily

Fishery activities in the Mediterranean Sea are characterized by a number of distinctive features which include relative extension of national to international waters, straddling and shared stocks, overall characteristics of fishing activities, availability of scientific information and the absence of a policy fisheries management in many coastal States. Therefore, the principal objective of this paper is to portray a framework on the politics of management of the fish resources in the Channel of Sicily, by examining both the CFP in the Mediterranean or the Italian–Tunisian relationship, and then to inspect the fishing effort of the Sicilians and Tunisian productive structures to carry out a comparative analysis. We also analysed the economic performance of the representative segments of the island fleet in the Channel of Sicily. The information gained from the economic results can be used by local institutions to draw up plans for intervention following European requirements.

Communicating Original Research in Chemistry and Related Sciences

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Communicating original research in chemistry and related sciences.

The availability of scientific information in electronic form is the convergence of traditional journal publishing, electronic communications, and the widespread availability of computer technology. This revolution in scientific communication has its roots in developments that started in the mid-19th century and culminated with the extraordinary progress in telecommunications and computer technology in the latter years of the 20th century. Eighty-three percent of scientific journals are now available online. The benefits of electronic journals include rapid publication, instantaneous linking to external information sources, and the capability to deliver new types of information. To date neither electronic-only nor preprint servers have been well received by the chemical sciences community. Continued advances in telecommunications, computer technology, and acquisition of scientific data in structured formats hold promise for even greater advances in communication of scientific information.

The availability of scientific information in Serbia: Trends and perspectives

Most of the acquisition of foreign scientific and technical information in Serbia is carried out through KoBSON (Consortium for Coordinated Acquisition). The main goal of this article was to make a survey of all the subscribed resources and to present some statistical data about their usage. Special attention was paid to the availability of information on chemistry (SciFinder: Chemical Abstracts from 1906. to the present day) and similar disciplines. Recent activities within KoBSON as well as activities that will be launched in order to improve the efficiency of usage of the subscribed resources, are reviewed.

Tempo and Scale of Change

This issue of the Journal marks 2 firsts, which speak to both the quickening pace of change over our lifetimes and the need to slow down to contemplate where we are going. First, as of this issue, the Journal is fully available on-line. The executive board of the American Public Health Association began considering an electronic version of the Journal a mere 2 years ago. In the ensuing period, the world of peer-reviewed scientific publication has experienced rapid and unprecedented change. Timely—if not instantaneous—availability of scientific information is needed to contribute to ongoing health and policy debates. Meeting this challenge, the Journal joins close to 300 quality peer-reviewed scientific publications working with HighWire Press—an advantage of scale given today's aggressive publications market. The second first is the Journal's new look. Each month, a carefully selected image will signal a key issue featured in this new department, Editor's Choice. The inaugural photograph of a body of water where there used to be a highway dramatizes the local effects of global climate change. Wickham & Associates, Inc., of Washington, DC, worked closely with the Journal's editors and staff to create a clean, fresh look that we believe will both enhance the accessibility of the scientific information contained herein and attract new audiences to public health through new editorial features and greater use of images. The flexible design is able to accommodate rapidly evolving needs and outreach on broader scales than was formerly possible. A monthly journal cannot possibly provide fast-breaking news, but it can pose thoughtful questions that require more complete, more complex, more comprehensible, and perhaps more compelling analysis than can be gained from rapid responses given daily or weekly deadlines. In March 2001, the United States summarily rejected the Kyoto Protocol, the hopeful, if flawed, international treaty on global warming. Once again, economic and political interests held sway over ecologic concerns. While certain kinds of environmental problems, such as oil spills and nuclear accidents, garner media attention, the slow-moving yet profoundly threatening changes evidenced by the melting of polar ice caps and soil loss rarely make the nightly news. These long-term crises do make their way into the peer-reviewed literature, however, and increasingly, scientific data are being used to inform health and policy decisions. The tempo and scale of environmental change brought about by human activity are unprecedented in today's world. For public health concerns to help shape the agenda, it is imperative that the Journal continue to publish strong scientific studies that move with the tempo of the present age to meet the scale of challenges involved in creating a sustainable planet.

Searching the Web, Continued

Searching the Web, Continued