Looking before leaping: Creating a software registry

What lessons can be learned from examining numerous efforts to create a repository or directory of scientist-written software for a discipline? Astronomy has seen a number of efforts to build such a resource, one of which is the Astrophysics Source Code Library (ASCL). The ASCL (ascl.net) was founded in 1999, had a period of dormancy, and was restarted in 2010. When taking over responsibility for the ASCL in 2010, the new editor sought to answer the opening question, hoping this would better inform the work to be done. We also provide specific steps the ASCL is taking to try to improve code sharing and discovery in astronomy and share recent improvements to the resource.Comment: 11 pages; submission for WSSSPE2. Revised after review for publication in the Journal of Open Research Softwar

Speaking the unspeakable in forbidden places: addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the primary school

This paper interrogates the ways in which school is produced as a particular bounded place (or collection of places) where sexuality, and particularly non-heterosexuality, is carefully policed by these boundaries. Drawing upon data generated in primary schools during a nationwide action research project (No Outsiders), we focus on three very different school places: the classroom, the staff room and a school -based afterschool art club. Our analysis engages with the contingency of place-making to show that place is neither a unitary experience nor a neutral stage upon which social relations are enacted. The three vignettes analysed offer insights into the critical potential of consciously and persistently working across (apparently) boundaried spaces within and beyond schools

The Neurotrophins and Their Role in Alzheimer’s Disease

Besides being essential for correct development of the vertebrate nervous system the neurotrophins also play a vital role in adult neuron survival, maintenance and regeneration. In addition they are implicated in the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative diseases, and may even provide a therapeutic solution for some. In particular there have been a number of studies on the involvement of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This disease is of growing concern as longevity increases worldwide, with little treatment available at the moment to alleviate the condition. Memory loss is one of the earliest symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The brain regions first affected by pathology include the hippocampus, and also the entorhinal cortex and basal cholinergic nuclei which project to the hippocampus; importantly, all these areas are required for memory formation. Both NGF and BDNF are affected early in the disease and this is thought to initiate a cascade of events which exacerbates pathology and leads to the symptoms of dementia. This review briefly describes the pathology, symptoms and molecular processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease; it discusses the involvement of the neurotrophins, particularly NGF and BDNF, and their receptors, with changes in BDNF considered particularly in the light of its importance in synaptic plasticity. In addition, the possibilities of neurotrophin-based therapeutics are evaluated

Supervision and culture: Meetings at thresholds

Counsellors are required to engage in supervision in order to reflect on, reflexively review, and extend their practice. Supervision, then, might be understood as a partnership in which the focus of practitioners and supervisors is on ethical and effective practice with all clients. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, there has recently been interest in the implications for supervision of cultural difference, particularly in terms of the Treaty of Waitangi as a practice metaphor, and when non-Māori practitioners counsel Māori clients. This article offers an account of a qualitative investigation by a group of counsellors/supervisors into their experiences of supervision as cultural partnership. Based on interviews and then using writing-as-research, the article explores the playing out of supervision’s contribution to practitioners’ effective and ethical practice in the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand, showing a range of possible accounts and strategies and discussing their effects. Employing the metaphor of threshold, the article includes a series of reflections and considerations for supervision practice when attention is drawn to difference

Broadening Participation: A Report on a Series of Workshops Aimed at Building Community and Increasing the Number of Women and Minorities in Engineering Design

Despite some progress in increasing the numbers of women and minorities in engineering over the past 30 years, their full participation in the discipline has yet to be achieved, particularly in engineering academia. One cause is the leaky pipeline ; even after women and minorities choose to major in engineering, they drop out at rates higher than their counterparts along all career stages (undergraduate school, graduate school, tenure-track, etc.). Their small numbers creates isolation that has the unfortunate risks of struggle, less professional success, less sense of personal belonging, and less retention. Our hypothesis is that building a community that provides networking and support, opportunities for collaboration, and professional development, will lead to greater career success, personal fulfillment and professional happiness, retention, and greater participation/contribution from women and minorities. The authors have been conducting a series of workshops aimed at broadening participation of women and other minorities within the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Design Engineering Division (DED). This paper reports on the activities and results of the workshop series. Pre-workshop survey data indicated a clear opportunity to address the unmet needs of underrepresented groups in the ASME DED. Post-workshop survey data showed success in attendee satisfaction with feelings of inclusion and community, professional skill building, and the prospect of future workshops held by the committee. A follow-up impact assessment survey showed that the workshops have led to greater participation in DED activities, new positive connections within the DED community, and positive feelings regarding their communication/collaboration abilities, self confidence, level of comfort, feelings of inclusion, professional goals, leadership abilities, and skill sets. While these results are encouraging, the committee feels strongly that greater success in broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in engineering would be possible by sharing our strategies and successes, and learning from others with similar experience creating communities within the many engineering disciplines represented in ASEE

Better decision making practices and processes.

Objectives Existing decision-making practices and processes for sharing linked data for research are not keeping pace with the data tsunami and technological advances. The objectives of this project were to review existing approaches to decision making and to make recommendations for better decision-making practices and processes. Approach We used a hypothetical research application to compare decision-making practices and processes for sharing linked health data for research in three jurisdictions, Western Australia, Manitoba and Scotland. to We considered the decision makers; the relevant law, policy, and guidelines; and the ethical review process to assess practice and process against metrics of good decision making - efficiency, transparency, accountability and community participation. An analysis of the similarities and differences identified common problems and challenges with existing decision-making processes. Recommendations on how to address these common problems were proposed. Results There were significant similarities in the decision-making processes in the three jurisdictions. These included: • formal application processes; • a statutory basis for decision making; • criteria for waiving consent including low risk, impracticality, necessity, and • protection of privacy and confidentiality; and • at least some community participation in decision making and research. The main areas where decision making could be improved were: • Efficiency — the number of decision makers and duplication of the issues considered by different decision makers. • Separation of decision making on governance criteria and ethics criteria • Transparency and accountability • Community involvement Conclusion This project has identified several areas where decision-making about sharing linked data for research could be improved. Six internationally relevant recommendations for better decision-making were developed covering a range of issues from identifiability to community involvement

Library Faculty Evaluation Handbook: University of Northern Iowa Rod Library

This handbook describes the processes and procedures related to library faculty evaluation at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). Seven sections cover: (1) overview of the evaluation process; including the role of library faculty; work schedule; purpose of evaluation; role of goals and objectives in evaluation; frequency of evaluation; schedule for application for tenure; and calendar for promotion and tenure; (2) terminal degree requirements for library faculty; (3) qualifications for appointment and promotion to professorial rank and tenure; (4) evaluation procedures; including evaluation of probationary faculty; merit evaluation; promotion and tenure procedures; the Professional Assessment Committee; the Administrative Peer Review Committee; and five-year performance review of the Director of Library Services; (5) evaluation criteria; including librarianship; research/scholarship and creative work; and service; (6) contents and use of the evaluation files and resume; and (7) personnel files. Appendices include: UNI principles and standards for promotion and tenure; conditions of employment; tenure clock statement; sample calendar for promotion and tenure; library faculty annual report form; results of annual evaluation of tenure-track faculty form; promotion and tenure cover sheet; Library Professional Assessment Committee procedures; Administrative Peer Review Committee procedures; sample five-year review instrument for director of library services; evaluation file log; and sample resume. (DLS