Management of Online Tutorials: A Model for a Step-by-Step Approach

Online tutorials have great potential to reach a large population and to accommodate multiple learning styles anytime and anywhere. This paper describes the management of online tutorials and related concepts in detail. The review of literature method is used to study the variables. The variables under study include the mission, objectives, funding, manpower, in-house creation, outsourcing, incorporation in curriculum, content, type, technology, metadata, discovery services, script design, standards, assessment, professional training, marketing techniques and future goals for creation and management of online tutorials in libraries. A practical model based on literature study and the authors\u27 experience with online tutorials is designed and recommended for libraries for a step-by-step approach to planning and designing online tutorials for their library user population

Making Electronic Databases Functional on the Library Website: a Practical Approach

This paper presents a process on making electronic databases functional on the library website for on and off campus access for optimum use. It covers the steps after the price, license terms and conditions are finalized between library and vendor and the decision is made by library and subject experts to subscribe or purchase the database. The operational workflow steps can be challenging for new professionals when implementing it for the first time. The step by step approach provided in this paper is meant to help new professionals in strategic planning, organizing the structure and management of library databases provision, along with providing an operational workflow for successfully mounting electronic databases and open access electronic resources on the library website. The operational steps include gathering necessary access information from vendor, local branding, creating metadata, enhancing discovery and access points, setting up access authentication, updating link resolver service and journal portal, testing, anticipated maintenance and delivery of subscribed electronic database and open access electronic resources on the library website

The Evaluation of Use of Electronic Resources and Services in Academic Libraries: A Study of E-metrics and Related Methods for Measurement and Assessment

This paper presents a review of literature for the evaluation of use of electronic resources and services in Academic libraries. E-metrics and similar methods for evaluation are discussed in detail. The paper highlights how some libraries approached e-metrics to start useful evaluations and dealt with technicalities to achieve better decision making for e-collection, services and infrastructure for their library users. The evaluation of use of e-resources and services is discussed in five parts explaining application of e-metrics, different methods to capture usage data in different settings, types of data requirement by libraries, complexities and technicalities involved in measurement of usage statistics and why such evaluation is significant for libraries. A model is designed and highlighted and recommendations are given to initiate an evaluation and assessment plan which will lead to evidenced based and better decision making concerning electronic resources and service

Steady-State Ab Initio Laser Theory for N-level Lasers

We show that Steady-state Ab initio Laser Theory (SALT) can be applied to find the stationary multimode lasing properties of an N-level laser. This is achieved by mapping the N-level rate equations to an effective two-level model of the type solved by the SALT algorithm. This mapping yields excellent agreement with more computationally demanding N-level time domain solutions for the steady state

A post-wildfire response in cave dripwater chemistry

Surface disturbances above a cave have the potential to impact cave dripwater discharge, isotopic composition and solute concentrations, which may subsequently be recorded in the stalagmites forming from these dripwaters. One such disturbance is wildfire; however, the effects of wildfire on cave chemistry and hydrology remains poorly understood. Using dripwater data monitored at two sites in a shallow cave, beneath a forest, in southwest Australia, we provide one of the first cave monitoring studies conducted in a post-fire regime, which seeks to identify the effects of wildfire and post-fire vegetation dynamics on dripwater δ18O composition and solute concentrations. We compare our post-wildfire δ18O data with predicted dripwater δ18O using a forward model based on measured hydro-climatic influences alone. This helps to delineate hydro-climatic and fire-related influences on δ18O. Further we also compare our data with both data from Golgotha Cave – which is in a similar environment but was not influenced by this particular fire – as well as regional groundwater chemistry, in an attempt to determine the extent to which wildfire affects dripwater chemistry. We find in our forested shallow cave that δ18O is higher after the fire relative to modelled δ18O. We attribute this to increased evaporation due to reduced albedo and canopy cover. The solute response post-fire varied between the two drip sites: at Site 1a, which had a large tree above it that was lost in the fire, we see a response reflecting both a reduction in tree water use and a removal of nutrients (Cl, Mg, Sr, and Ca) from the surface and subsurface. Solutes such as SO4 and K maintain high concentrations, due to the abundance of above-ground ash. At Site 2a, which was covered by lower–middle storey vegetation, we see a solute response reflecting evaporative concentration of all studied ions (Cl, Ca, Mg, Sr, SO4, and K) similar to the trend in δ18O for this drip site. We open a new avenue for speleothem science in fire-prone regions, focusing on the geochemical records of speleothems as potential palaeo-fire archives. © Author(s) 2016

Structural model for transient Pt oxidation during fuel cell start-up using electrochemical X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Catalysis and Surface Chemistr

Implementing excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the library workforce: Tips to overcome challenges

Diversifying the library workforce is challenging, with the graduation data of library and information science degrees not representing equity in demographics for diverse populations. Is this the reason for the lack of diversity among library staff or are recruitment practices not based on measurable performance standards? Both questions call upon the library and information science (LIS) profession to address diverse staffing issues to remedy these challenges

Exploring contact lens opportunities for patients above the age of 40 years

Purpose Contact lenses offer a good option for patients with presbyopia, especially with improved optical designs available in modern multifocal contact lenses. Due to the ageing population there is good opportunity to increase contact lens penetration by managing these patients better. However, multifocal contact lenses achieve low penetration in the market. Methods A questionnaire was administered to people aged above 40 years, to investigate their perceptions of contact lenses for presbyopia. Only people, with presbyopia, who were existing contact lens wearers or willing to try contact lenses were included. Participants were recruited from United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Results Data from 1540 participants above the age of 40 years was collected, 57.9% were females and 42.1% males. Overall, 50.8% of the participants wore contact lenses, but contact lens wear was less common amongst older participants. Some data supported earlier studies, such as 6.1% wore gas permeable lenses. However, only 25% of the contact lens wearers used multifocal contact lenses. The reasons the participants wanted to wear contact lenses were similar to younger patient such as sports or cosmesis reasons. Reasons why participants had dropped out of contact lenses included discomfort and dry eye related issues. Poor visual performance with contact lenses was a reason to dropout of contact lenses for the older participants. Conclusions The study highlights some failings by eye care practitioners in the management of patients with presbyopia. It seems that patients of this age group are seeking suggestions and recommendations from their eye care practitioner including upgrading contact lenses and dual wear options. The day-to-day problems encountered by the contact lens wearers in this study seem to be, in the main, things that could be easily tackled by additional counselling and instruction from the eye care practitioners

Microbial Keratitis After Penetrating and Endothelial Keratoplasty

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to review the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of bacterial and fungal keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK). Methods: The medical records at Wills Eye Hospital were reviewed for all cases of confirmed microbial keratitis following PK or EK performed between May 1, 2007 and September 1, 2018. Charts were examined to obtain demographic information, past ocular history, details of the microbial keratitis, and graft outcomes. Results:A total of 2100 transplants (1269 PK and 831 EK) were performed in 1864 eyes of 1601 patients. The incidence of microbial keratitis after PK (7.5%) was significantly higher than after EK (1.3%) (p Discussion: : Microbial keratitis is a relatively common occurrence in patients with prior keratoplasty, and particularly in eyes with prior PK or multiple prior transplants. Infection is an important cause of graft failure and further surgical intervention. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest review of microbial keratitis in cases of prior PK, and the only review in eyes with prior EK

Organic Learning in Undergraduate Library Instruction

Organic learning engages undergraduates in discovering new knowledge based on prior learning through variety of guided activities that stimulate inquiry-based learning and critical thinking in the research process. Some activities include searching, browsing, accessing, gathering, evaluating, assessing, reflecting, organizing, linking, and synthesizing.  Learning how to access information by using a variety of search strategies as well as delivery platforms such as Google, discovery, individual databases, and the internet can be overwhelming and challenging.  When students discover how to search and access desired sources through a variety of explicitly designed information literacy instructions with clearly defined learning outcomes, they take ownership of developing their learning and research skills. Through organic learning, they experience lightbulb moments, asking questions, discussing topics, and then searching again for more information.  Organic learning unconsciously involves students in self-education, engaging them in the research process without pressuring them to practice redundant, rote exercises. Often undergraduates encounter difficulty in conceptualizing the research process as complex and multi-faceted. The authors argue that organic learning strategies to activate prior learning that builds advanced searching skills and increase new scholarly knowledge.