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This article examines authorship of LIS literature in the context of practitioner and non-practitioner production of published research. For this study, 4,827 peer-reviewed articles from twenty LIS journals published between 1956 and 2011 were examined to determine the percentage of articles written by practitioners. The study identified a decrease in the proportion of articles authored by practitioners between 2006 and 2011. Topic analysis of articles revealed subtle yet distinct differences in research subject matter between practitioner-authored and non-practitioner-authored articles. If present trends continue, the character of LIS literature may shift away from many issues relating to practical librarianship.

The biblioblogosphere is comprised of the institutional publication of blogs of libraries and the personal, professionally-oriented publication of blogs by librarians. Since introduction of this neologism in 2004, a number of researchers have examined this particular class of bloggers and blogging. However, there is limited investigation into the structure and connectivity of blogs within the biblioblogosphere. This article reports a study of interlinkage patterns within a sample of 1,604 biblioblogs. Findings suggest the biblioblogosphere conforms to the locally dense, globally sparse structure of blog networks established by previous studies of other blog types. The majority of blogs within the sample did not link to any other sampled blog. Those that did tended to cluster according to library type, blog subject, or geographical proximity. About one-third of the interlinked blogs were located within a single, massive component (that is, a networked group of blogs), while the rest were in smaller networks of two or three nodes. Personal biblioblogs, characterized as blogs published by individuals independently of an institution, are more likely to be located within a more densely populated network than institutional blogs. These findings indicate that "personal-professional" bibliobloggers are actively shaping the structure of the library blogosphere, while institutional blogs demonstrate much less overall connectivity. (Contains 5 tables and 1 figure.)

House mice (Mus musculus) are an invasive species on Auckland Island in the New Zealand subantarctic and planning for their eradication is underway. Mast seeding events cause rodent populations to irrupt, though little is known about this phenomenon in snow tussock grass (Chionochloa spp.) systems on Southern Ocean islands. The aim of this study was to understand population fluctuations of mouse abundance on Auckland Island for the 2 years following a mast event, and with which tools to monitor abundance, to inform planning of bait application for eradication. Mouse populations were studied using kill and live trapping at two sites on Auckland Island, and mouse density was estimated using spatially explicit capture-recapture models. Mouse population density was highest during summer mast seeding of Chionochloa antarctica and then declined the following winter and subsequently remained low for the following year. Breeding remained seasonal, with a pulse in early summer and a very low level continuing through winter in both years, regardless of mast conditions. These results are similar to those from other cool temperate Southern Ocean islands where seasonal resource availability appears to drive breeding. Throughout the study the capture probability of mice was generally higher when population density was lower, which highlights that conclusions about population trends could be misleading if abundance indices are not calibrated to measures of population density. Mouse eradication should preferentially take place outside of a mast event but would likely still succeed during and following a mast event. Our work fills a key knowledge gap about rodent population trends during mast events for Southern Ocean islands, which is particularly important where eradications are planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antipodes Island is part of New Zealand’s World Heritage subantarctic region and hosts special biodiversity values and significant species endemism. Invasive house mice were the only introduced mammal and detrimentally impacted invertebrate and native bird communities. Eradication of mice from Antipodes Island was undertaken in 2016 and confirmed in 2018. We present the monitoring used to confirm eradication of mice and the ecological outcomes measured over the 6 years since the eradication. Result monitoring for confirmation applied a simple regime to search for mice following a delay of two mouse breeding seasons since baiting was completed. Outcome monitoring targeted endemic land bird taxa for possible changes due to operational impacts and ecological recovery following eradication of mice. The operation had no longterm negative impacts and endemic land bird taxa have recovered quickly from variable levels of non-target mortality. Estimates of abundance of Antipodes Island snipe, Antipodes Island pipit and Reischek’s parakeet showed strong long-term positive response to mouse eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auckland Island, the fifth largest island in New Zealand, is the only island in New Zealand’s subantarctic region where introduced mammalian pests remain (pigs, Sus scrofa; mice, Mus musculus; cats, Felis catus). The island has unique biodiversity and is a key site for progressing New Zealand’s goal to be free of several introduced predators by 2050. Recent island eradication successes have rekindled interest in eradicating pests from Auckland Island, and for the first time considering all three pests in one project. Over a 3-year period, we tested the feasibility of eradicating pigs, mice and cats by looking at what it would take to succeed, rather than what we could practically deliver with the tools we currently have. We proposed adaptations to current methods and used an evidence-based approach by undertaking large-scale field trials to test uncertainties and emerging technologies in-situ. We gathered data and evaluated proposed methods against five established principles of eradication while considering the logistics and infrastructure requirements of the project. Eradicating pigs, mice and cats from Auckland Island is worthwhile and feasible but dependent on further development of emerging technologies and capabilities for efficient delivery with an acceptable level of risk. Three eradication operations are required with specific sequencing and timing, supported by initial establishment of infrastructure. The project needs a large investment spread over 8 to 10 years to yield permanent and internationally important benefits with low ongoing cost to sustain. The feasibility study exposed the project’s scale and was used to inform decision makers, who postponed the work in 2020 in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The study focusses future preparations on identified planning issues and dependencies to progress project readiness in anticipation of it being launched when economic conditions allow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a major threat to New Zealand’s biodiversity, feral cats (Felis catus) are the subject of planned eradications on a number of offshore islands, including Rakiura Stewart Island. We used camera traps to estimate population density of feral cats on the north-east coast of Rakiura, and to investigate their movement behaviour and detection probability. We also used camera footage to compare the consumption of two types of non-toxic sausage baits (chicken and rabbit) with a view to future use of toxic baits. Population density of feral cats was likely between 1 and 2 cats per km². Non-target species (rats and possums) removed more than half the baits, greatly reducing bait availability for feral cats. Deer and birds (including kiwi) encountered baits but did not eat them. Cats had an apparent preference for chicken over rabbit baits, although small sample sizes prevent firm conclusions. Both bait types appeared to decline rapidly in palatability, and no baits were consumed by cats more than 5 days after deployment. Future trials and baiting regimes should consider ways to improve bait availability. Increased bait density, exclusion of rats and possums and/or more frequent replacement of baits will likely increase encounter rates by feral cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration initiatives of ecosystems transformed by human actions require optimisation of eradication measures of introduced species, particularly in fragile insular ecosystems. We studied aspects of the spatial ecology of introduced feral cats (Felis catus) on subantarctic Auckland Island of New Zealand to assist eradication efforts of pests from this remote, biologically rich island. Firstly, we estimated home range sizes and identified core areas of activity based on movement-rooted dynamic Brownian bridge models. Second, we used resource selection functions with generalised linear mixed models to identify seasonal patterns of space use associated to topographic, vegetation and other landscape predictors. Lastly, we quantified cats daily movement rates within home ranges. Average home range size was larger than on other offshore islands and mainland New Zealand, which might relate to lower cat densities and the abundance and predictability of food resources on the island. Cats mostly selected mosaic areas of forest, shrubs and tall tussocks near the coast, and in predominantly flat areas or nearby steep cliffs, which are all typical habitats of seabirds and terrestrial birds. Cats also selected alpine short tussocks during the cold season, likely related to the upsurge of mice (Mus musculus) due to tussock mast seeding and to transiting to steep cliffy areas. Male cats had home ranges that were larger, contained more core areas, and covered longer daily distances in the warm season than females, which might be associated with different breeding and reproductive behaviour. Eradication tools will need to target all habitats on Auckland Island with increased efforts in areas of identified higher use by cats. Understanding aspects of pest species’ spatial ecology on offshore islands worldwide can assist decision-makers in optimising eradication programs such as Predator Free 2050 in New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Judas pigs (Sus scrofa) will be integral to the success of the proposed Auckland Island (45 891 ha) pig eradication. Judas pigs must be permanently unable to breed and reliably retain a radio-transmitter to enable tracking and retrieval. This study tested the techniques and practical requirements to undertake the procedures required to produce a Judas pig in a remote location. Four adult female wild pigs were captured using a netgun from a helicopter and processed at a base site in the field. They were anaesthetised using intramuscular injection of one of two anaesthetic protocols (Zoletil™, ketamine and xylazine; or medetomidine, ketamine and butorphanol). Surgical sterilisation consisted of tubal ligation and resection via a ventral midline incision. Pigs received either a subcutaneous or intra-abdominal implanted radio-transmitter and had a radio-collar and radioear tag attached. The anaesthetic was reversed prior to release close to the capture location. Radio-tracking at 10 and 104 days showed all pigs had survived and radio-tracking was effective using all the transmitter types. Pigs were humanely dispatched and necropsied on day 104. No adverse events were detected from the surgeries or radio-transmitters. All transmitter types except one subcutaneous transmitter model were shown to be secure and had an effective radio range for a Judas pig programme. Pig growth rates implicate a limited humane collaring period and ear transmitters may be at greater risk of transmitter loss. Implantable intra-abdominal radio transmitters provide the most security, but multiple transmitters are advised. Surgical sterilisation by tubal ligation and resection under general anaesthesia using an intramuscular injection containing medetomidine, butorphanol and ketamine and reversed with atipamezole was shown to be feasible in field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fault identification is a search for possible behaviors that would explain the observed behavior of a physical system. During this search, different possible models are considered and information about the interaction between possible behaviors is derived. Much of this potentially useful information is generally ignored in conventional pure symbolic approaches to fault diagnosis, however. A novel approach is presented in this paper that exploits uncertain information on the behavioral description of system components to identify possible fault behaviors in physical systems. The work utilizes the standard conflict recognition technique developed in the framework of the general diagnostic engine (GDE) to support diagnostic inference through the production of both rewarding and penalizing evidence. In particular, Markov matrices are derived from the given evidence, thereby enabling the use of Markov chains to implement the diagnostic process. This work has resulted in a technique, which maximizes the use of derived information, for identifying candidates for multiple faults that is demonstrated to be very effective. Index Terms--Belief updating, conflict recognition, Dempster-Shafer, fault identification, general diagnostic engine (GDE), Markov chains.

Sourdough technology has been known for its role in the improvement of texture, flavor, and quality of mainly wheat and rye-based breads for decades. However, little is reported about its use in the improvement of whole-grain oat bread, especially concerning flavor formation, which is one major consumer drivers. This study investigated the effects of sourdough obtained by different lactic acid bacteria and yeast starters consortia on the texture and flavor of 100% oat bread. Four different consortia were selected to obtain four oat sourdoughs, which were analyzed to assess the main features due to the different starter fermentation metabolism. Sourdoughs were added to breads as 30% dough weight. Bread quality was technologically monitored via hardness and volume measurements. Sourdough breads were softer and had higher specific volume. The sensory profile of sourdoughs and breads was assessed by a trained panel in sensory laboratory conditions, and the volatile profile was analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS. Sourdoughs were rated with higher intensities than untreated control for most of attributes, especially concerning sour aroma and flavor attributes. Sourdough breads were rated with higher intensities than control bread for sour vinegar flavor and total odor intensity, in addition they had richer volatile profile. Our results confirmed that sourdough addition can lead to an enhanced flavor, moreover, it demonstrated that the use of different consortia of lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains leads to the improvement of texture and altered sensory profile of whole-oat bread.

This article details the utilization of student workers to conduct patron population surveys of library computer banks and study rooms at the Clark Memorial Library at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth Ohio. The number of patrons was counted by student employees at hourly intervals over three ten-day periods, garnering 9,295 separate observations with little interruption in day-to-day work flow. The survey resulted in a far more detailed portrait of library usage than is possible with simple gate statistics. Results indicate that usage is heaviest from Monday through Wednesday for both computer banks and study rooms and lowest on Friday and Saturday before climbing sharply on Saturday. Results also seem to show a student preference for study rooms on higher floors of the library., Introduction It has become apparent that libraries play an important role in student retention. As an important 'point of contact' for the university, libraries are evolving from research sites alone [...]