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This research was initiated to identify the type of sources that online MBA students in a required marketing class cited in their final papers. It also sought to discover whether they included any of the Libraries' subscription databases in their bibliographies, especially IBISWorld and ReferenceUSA, which were the focus of two asynchronous video tutorials that were created for this course. The author used citation analysis to do this. Results showed that students overwhelmingly used Company websites. Then citations dropped to four other categories, Trade, Consumer, Government, and News. Some database subscriptions were cited, including the two covered in the tutorials. Video play data for each of these increased each quarter. There have been a few articles focusing on citation analysis and business information literacy. This study adds to the literature and provides some areas for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the research made on the factors which influence the determination of LAS in sea water by MBAS and HPLC methods was summarized. These factors are purity of LAB and LAS, degradation, light, storage time, salinity and methods used for analysis. These factors were discussed and a modification on the MBAS method was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative determination of dodecyl sulfate and dioctyl sulfosuccinate has been performed with methylene blue dye in titration mode. The new approach consists in the titration of surfactant solution by standardized dye solution, simultaneously measuring absorbance at 660 nm with an immersion probe. Due to the formation of sparingly soluble ion pairs, the registered photometric titration curves are dependent on surfactant concentration. The analytical signal is the titrant volume needed to reach a certain absorbance value. The main advantage of the proposed method is that no toxic organic solvent is used. An additional advantage is that the analysis procedure can be carried out using an automatic titrator. The determination range is dependent on the end-point absorbance value. Standard deviation values fall in the range from 2 to 7 %. The method may be useful for routine process control in the surfactant industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews various methodologies to ensure engagement by MBA students. It analyses several theoretical models and identifies the most appropriate one for this purpose. It then evaluates and expands upon recent innovations developed at other business schools and presents a case study of inventive teaching techniques employed in workshops by this author to encourage a multifunctional and multidisciplinary approach to undertaking research. The article assesses the integral role imagination and reflection play throughout the process and explores gaming as a possible option for future instructive sessions with this group. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between tuition fees charged by MBA programmes and the number of applications to these programmes, using a panel dataset comprising universities from countries across the world. Using Three-Stage-Least-Squares methods for simultaneous equations, we find a two-way relationship between tuition fees and applications: higher application numbers encourage universities to charge higher fees in the future, but higher fees in turn curtail application numbers. We find evidence that higher GMAT scores of existing students increase applications, as do higher post MBA salaries. Meanwhile, university and programme professional accreditations do not impact on student application choices, nor do alumni ratings of programme quality. Published MBA programme rankings appear to have little impact on applications, and where an effect can be identified, it appears that a better ranking discourages applications. Only US News rankings have a significant effect on applicants to US MBA programmes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS) concentrations, together with organic carbon and ions were measured in atmospheric coastal aerosols in the NW Mediterranean Basin. Previous studies have suggested that the presence of surfactants in coastal aerosols may result in vegetation damage without specifically detecting or quantifying these surfactants. Coastal aerosols were collected at a remote site (Porquerolles Island-Var, France) and at a more anthropised site (San Rossore National Park-Tuscany, Italy). The chemical data were interpreted according to a comprehensive local meteorological analysis aiming to decipher the airborne source and transport processes of these classes of compounds. The LAS concentration (anthropogenic surfactants) was measured in the samples using LC-MS/MS, a specific analytical method. The values were compared with the MBAS concentration, determined by a non-specific analytical method. At Porquerolles, the MBAS concentration (103 ± 93 ng m−3) in the summer samples was significantly higher than in the winter samples. In contrast, LAS concentrations were rarely greater than in the blank filters. At San Rossore, the mean annual MBAS concentration (887 ± 473 ng m−3 in PM10) contributed about 10% to the total atmospheric particulate organic matter. LAS mean concentration in these same aerosol samples was 11.5 ± 10.5 ng m−3. A similar MBAS (529 ± 454 ng m−3) – LAS (7.1 ± 4.1 ng m−3 LAS) ratio of ∼75 was measured in the fine (PM2.5) aerosol fraction. No linear correlation was found between MBAS and LAS concentrations. At San Rossore site the variation of LAS concentrations was studied on a daily basis over a year. The LAS concentrations in the coarse fraction (PM10–2.5) were higher during strong sea storm conditions, characterized by strong air flow coming from the sea sector. These events, occurring with more intensity in winter, promoted the formation of primary marine aerosols containing LAS from the sea surface microlayer. In contrast to LAS, MBAS concentrations in the coarse fraction peaked in summer. Therefore, different sources are suggested for the two classes of compounds. In summer, increased MBAS concentration could be an indicator of phytoplanktonic blows enriching the sea surface microlayer with biogenic surfactants. In winter, some spikes in MBAS concentrations in the coarse fraction could be related to LAS concentrations and sea storm events. Moreover, in the fine fraction MBAS have a large concentration maxima in winter, corresponding to air masses coming from polluted continental areas. It is concluded that MBAS concentration in the fine or the coarse fraction is not an appropriate surrogate measurement of LAS concentration in aerosols because of the significant contribution from other sources to the MBAS concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]