Cyber-security in library & information science education

Information security (INFOSEC) includes confidentiality, access and authenticity, particularly of electronic information. INFOSEC has been studied extensively in computer science, business management and information systems, but not in library & information science (LIS). With the threats of cyber-terrorism, data loss, and overall reliance on electronic information, INFOSEC is, or should be, of great concern to LIS professionals and educators. This study explored a potential gap in the curricula of the LIS field. This exploratory research asked: to what extent are ‘security’ and ‘privacy’ explicit elements of ALA-accredited curricula; are there specific courses dedicated to these concepts; what courses overall include these concepts. Websites of all 56 ALA-accredited LIS programs were searched for explicit mention of the key words in any course description/catalog. These two keywords were chosen as being representative of the core concepts of INFOSEC, and as likely components of LIS curricula. Terms were searched individually and frequencies noted, as well as co-occurrences, across 16 course categories. Nearly one-third of the schools didn’t explicitly mention either keyword in course descriptions, and only 4 schools had specialized courses in security/privacy, particularly as meant by INFOSEC. The most frequent occurrence of “security” was in courses on computers/networking/Internet; the most frequent occurrence for “privacy” was in the area of law and policy. There were several course categories with no mentions for one or the other keyword. Initial findings indicate INFOSEC is not being widely addressed in LIS education and this topic needs further study

C.H.A.M.P. Families : Description and Theoretical Foundations of a Paediatric Overweight and Obesity Intervention Targeting Parents-A Single-Centre Non-Randomised Feasibility Study.

Childhood obesity represents a significant global health challenge, and treatment interventions are needed. The purpose of this paper is to describe the components and theoretical model that was used in the development and implementation of a unique parent-focussed paediatric overweight/obesity intervention. C.H.A.M.P. Families was a single-centre, prospective intervention offered to parents of children aged between 6⁻14 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile for age and sex. The intervention included: (1) eight group-based (parent-only) education sessions over 13-weeks; (2) eight home-based activities; and (3) two group-based (family) follow-up support sessions. The first section of the manuscript contains a detailed description of each intervention component, as well as an overview of ongoing feasibility analyses. The theoretical portion details the use of evidence-based group dynamics principles and motivational interviewing techniques within the context of a broader social cognitive theory foundation. This paper provides researchers with practical examples of how theoretical constructs and evidence-based strategies can be applied in the development and implementation of parent-focussed paediatric obesity interventions. Given the need for transparent reporting of intervention designs and theoretical foundations, this paper also adds to the areas of implementation science and knowledge translation research

Armoring on Puget Sound: Progress towards a better baseline

The construction of seawalls and similar structures along Puget Sound’s shoreline impacts geomorphic processes and ecological functions. The extent of shoreline armor has been adopted by the Puget Sound Partnership as a vital sign indicator, is used by local, state, and federal groups as a measure of ecosystem function, and has been employed as a tool for prioritizing restoration actions. As a result, we recognized the importance of accurately characterizing the extent, character, and distribution of shoreline armor. The objectives of our project were to review existing data sources, assess methodologies, identify gaps in data quality or coverage, and to recommend steps for developing a reliable baseline for future monitoring and analyses. Previous efforts have suggested that approximately 27% of the region’s 4000 km of shoreline is armored, but our ability to answer important questions has been hampered by the quality and consistency of datasets, poorly documented methodologies, and the ability to relate armor with other shoreline information. In particular, we had difficulty associating armor with its geomorphic setting – bluffs and spits, small estuaries, river deltas, and artificial human landscapes – which greatly influences ecological impacts, management decisions, and restoration strategies. We noted the need for clear definitions and protocols for mapping and characterizing shoreline structures. Some attributes, such as condition and waterward extent, are ecologically important but difficult to measure. Environmentally friendlier soft or hybrid structures are particularly hard to identify and categorize. Our preliminary results provide a clearer picture of where armoring occurs and where there remain significant problems with data reliability and geographic consistency. We have begun a collaborative process to develop a high quality regional dataset of shoreline armor that will provide better understanding of the impacts of existing armor, a reliable baseline for assessing future change, and a tool to support prioritization for protection and restoration

Measuring Transit Signal Recovery in the Kepler Pipeline II: Detection Efficiency as Calculated in One Year of Data

The Kepler planet sample can only be used to reconstruct the underlying planet occurrence rate if the detection efficiency of the Kepler pipeline is known, here we present the results of a second experiment aimed at characterising this detection efficiency. We inject simulated transiting planet signals into the pixel data of ~10,000 targets, spanning one year of observations, and process the pixels as normal. We compare the set of detections made by the pipeline with the expectation from the set of simulated planets, and construct a sensitivity curve of signal recovery as a function of the signal-to-noise of the simulated transit signal train. The sensitivity curve does not meet the hypothetical maximum detection efficiency, however it is not as pessimistic as some of the published estimates of the detection efficiency. For the FGK stars in our sample, the sensitivity curve is well fit by a gamma function with the coefficients a = 4.35 and b = 1.05. We also find that the pipeline algorithms recover the depths and periods of the injected signals with very high fidelity, especially for periods longer than 10 days. We perform a simplified occurrence rate calculation using the measured detection efficiency compared to previous assumptions of the detection efficiency found in the literature to demonstrate the systematic error introduced into the resulting occurrence rates. The discrepancies in the calculated occurrence rates may go some way towards reconciling some of the inconsistencies found in the literature.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 1 electronic table, accepted by Ap

Measuring Transit Signal Recovery in the Kepler Pipeline. III. Completeness of the Q1-Q17 DR24 Planet Candidate Catalogue, with Important Caveats for Occurrence Rate Calculations

With each new version of the Kepler pipeline and resulting planet candidate catalogue, an updated measurement of the underlying planet population can only be recovered with an corresponding measurement of the Kepler pipeline detection efficiency. Here, we present measurements of the sensitivity of the pipeline (version 9.2) used to generate the Q1-Q17 DR24 planet candidate catalog (Coughlin et al. 2016). We measure this by injecting simulated transiting planets into the pixel-level data of 159,013 targets across the entire Kepler focal plane, and examining the recovery rate. Unlike previous versions of the Kepler pipeline, we find a strong period dependence in the measured detection efficiency, with longer (>40 day) periods having a significantly lower detectability than shorter periods, introduced in part by an incorrectly implemented veto. Consequently, the sensitivity of the 9.2 pipeline cannot be cast as a simple one-dimensional function of the signal strength of the candidate planet signal as was possible for previous versions of the pipeline. We report on the implications for occurrence rate calculations based on the Q1-Q17 DR24 planet candidate catalog and offer important caveats and recommendations for performing such calculations. As before, we make available the entire table of injected planet parameters and whether they were recovered by the pipeline, enabling readers to derive the pipeline detection sensitivity in the planet and/or stellar parameter space of their choice.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, full electronic version of Table 1 available at the NASA Exoplanet Archive; accepted by ApJ May 2nd, 201

Investigating the Psychosocial Determinants of Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Qualitative Approach

Objective: Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), only one-third of older adults meet the recommended levels. The present study focused on psychosocial determinants of PA following retirement. Social cognitive theory (SCT) was used to better understand pre- and post-retirement adults’ thoughts about PA, the reasons why some individuals are more active than others, and how PA is incorporated into daily life after retirement. Design: Seven focus groups of older adults (N = 37, M = 64, SD = 5.20; males = 20) representing a range of PA levels and retirement length participated in one of seven focus groups. Results: Aligned with SCT, self-efficacy beliefs along with perceptions about barriers and benefits of PA were among the major determinants of PA. Findings highlighted the importance of social support, positive outcome expectations and self-regulatory strategies as motivators. The lack of structure in retirement was a hindrance to incorporating PA into daily routine but, when incorporated, PA provided a sense of purpose in the lives of retired individuals. Conclusion: It is important to understand the meaning of retirement as a life transition and how it affects beliefs about PA to inform SCT-based health promotion interventions targeting individuals in retirement age

“I Felt Like a Superhero”: The Experience of Responding to Drug Overdose Among Individuals Trained in Overdose Prevention

BACKGROUND: Overdose prevention programs (OPPs) train people who inject drugs and other community members to prevent, recognise and respond to opioid overdose. However, little is known about the experience of taking up the role of an overdose responder for the participants. METHODS: We present findings from qualitative interviews with 30 participants from two OPPs in Los Angeles, CA, USA from 2010 to 2011 who had responded to at least one overdose since being trained in overdose prevention and response. RESULTS: Being trained by an OPP and responding to overdoses had both positive and negative effects for trained responders . Positive effects include an increased sense of control and confidence, feelings of heroism and pride, and a recognition and appreciation of one\u27s expertise. Negative effects include a sense of burden, regret, fear, and anger, which sometimes led to cutting social ties, but might also be mitigated by the increased empowerment associated with the positive effects. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that becoming an overdose responder can involve taking up a new social role that has positive effects, but also confers some stress that may require additional support. OPPs should provide flexible opportunities for social support to individuals making the transition to this new and critical social role. Equipping individuals with the skills, technology, and support they need to respond to drug overdose has the potential to confer both individual and community-wide benefits