Search

This study assessed student research papers using a rubric to determine the information literacy skills of students in introductory composition classes. Librarians taught a pilot composition course that infused information literacy (IL) into the traditional English curriculum. The students' IL skills were compared to those of undergraduates enrolled in a traditional composition class, who received only a one-shot library instruction session. Students in the information literacy composition course scored better than their counterparts in six of seven IL skill categories. Results support greater integration of information literacy and composition curricula as a path forward for student success.

Academic libraries use two common methods to reach first-year students: outreach activities and library instruction. The purpose of this study was to discover if curriculum mapping techniques commonly used in library instruction could be applied to outreach to explore the synergies and differences between programs. The project demonstrated that mapping was an effective tool for gaining insight into interrelated outcomes, resource allocation, consistency of library messaging, and students reached by each program. Curriculum mapping proved a useful method for creating strategic and intentional instruction and outreach programs that complement rather than compete with each other.

Sedentary behavior has increased over the last several decades, and this has led to major life-threatening health issues. Texas A&M University Libraries has introduced an innovative idea in three of their buildings. This case study highlights the implementation of Bike Desks at an academic library while offering strategies for other libraries wishing to replicate this project, and analyzes data from a user survey. The survey explored student experiences, including perceived satisfaction and any perceived gains in study habits while using the Bike Desk.

Libraries are called to serve users with diverse needs and a wide range of abilities and disabilities. The library literature includes much about services to persons with disabilities but says little about programmatic efforts in library instruction and accessibility design at an organizational level. This study looks for visible evidence of inclusive practices in library instruction programs through a content analysis of library instruction websites and instruction request forms, examining instruction-related pages for accessibility language. Results show little evidence of programmatic disability inclusion on library websites.

Background: Cancer is a disease that is perceived negatively, especially in the African American community. Cultural attitudes, beliefs, and the lack of relevant health information all play a role in the extent of the negative perceptions of this multifaceted disease. Purpose: To conduct a qualitative assessment of the perceptions of cancer of African American senior citizens in the District of Columbia. Methods: Following a literature review on the knowledge and perceptions of cancer held by African Americans over 55 years of age living in Washington, DC, 4 focus groups were conducted, one from each of the 4 quadrants of the city, to determine the participants' (1) basic knowledge of cancer; (2) source(s) of cancer information; (3) beliefs and perceptions about cancer; and (4) suggestions of motivating activities that are likely to induce healthier lifestyles. Results and Conclusion: Results indicated that the majority of the participants perceived that cancer always produces a negative outcome. Many identified that their sources of cancer information came from family and friends; others indicated that information was acquired from physicians, health-related reading materials, or other media streamed devices (Internet, television, etc.). Based on the data gathered, the intervention most likely to promote changes in lifestyles would be a featured activity that provided knowledge on cancer with recommended lifestyle changes and constant reinforcements (e.g., calendars, a support partner). Translation to Health Education Practice: Participants in each of the focus groups requested that the healthy living featured activity and a subsequent intervention involving proper health care practices take place at the same sites where the focus groups were held.

A survey of tenure-track and tenured librarians at ARL libraries provides data on the relationship between parenthood and professorship. Results analyze the impact of the promotion and tenure process on child-bearing and child-rearing decisions. Discrepancies are found based on gender, tenure status, and family status.

Selenium (Se) is a contaminant of concern in Canada mainly due to its teratogenic effects on fish and birds. However, few studies have assessed the effects of Se on invertebrates in a field setting. The objective of this experiment was to assess potential community‐level impacts of Se additions on zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates in a boreal lake ecosystem. From June to August 2018, Se (as selenite) was added to six limnocorrals in Lake 239 at the International Institute for Sustainable Development–Experimental Lakes Area, Northwestern Ontario, Canada, to achieve mean measured aqueous concentrations of 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.4, 5.6 and 7.9 µg Se/L, with three untreated limnocorrals serving as controls (background Se = 0.08–0.09 µg/L). Periphyton, phytoplankton, and invertebrates (zooplankton and benthos) were monitored for 63 days. Zooplankton community composition shifted as a function of Se exposure, with Cladocera biomass and density decreasing with increasing Se concentrations. Similarly, cumulative abundance and biomass of Heptageniidae decreased with increasing Se treatment throughout the experimental period. The present study demonstrated that Se can have impacts on aquatic invertebrates at environmentally relevant exposure levels, and that future ecological risk assessments should consider the impacts of Se on both vertebrates and invertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:95–107. © 2021 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present a case of Hashimoto encephalopathy as a complication of autoimmune thyroiditis.Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A previously healthy 56-year-old female presented with rapidly progressive cognitive decline and visual hallucinations. Being a diagnosis of exclusion, Hashimoto encephalopathy required an extensive laboratory and diagnostic workup, which was done over the course of a 15-day hospitalization. The patient recovered after initial treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and was then switched to prednisone p.o.Conclusion: This case report illustrates the importance of awareness for Hashimoto encephalopathy, as it remains one of the few easily treatable and reversible causes of rapid cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Nova Scotia, Canada, is considered a biological mercury (Hg) hotspot because the tissues of yellow perch ( Perca flavescens) and common loons ( Gavia immer) inhabiting the lakes frequently exceed so-called safe levels of Hg. In the present study, the relationships between Hg and overall health of males and females of 3 forage fish species (brown bullhead Ameirus nebulosus, banded killifish Fundulus diaphanus, and golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas; n = 6-18/sex/lake) in 6 lakes at the park were assessed using condition factor, liversomatic index (LSI), and macrophage aggregates (MAs; indicators of tissue damage). Mean muscle total Hg (THg) concentrations of brown bullhead, banded killifish, and golden shiner across lakes were 0.32 μg/g, 0.27 μg/g, and 0.34 μg/g, respectively. Condition was negatively related to muscle THg in golden shiner and banded killifish, LSI was not related to THg in any species, and all species showed evidence of increasing MA prevalence (counts and area) with increasing THg concentrations. The MAs were most prevalent in spleen tissues of golden shiner, with mean percentage cover ranging from 0.36% to 5.59% across lakes. In addition, the area of MAs appeared to be better predicted by THg concentration than was the number of MAs in the same tissue. These findings suggest that Hg is affecting the health of wild fishes in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and that other populations with similar or higher concentrations of this metal may also be at risk. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:976-987. © 2016 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]