The UK Foundation Programme : past and present

The two-year Foundation Programme was introduced in the UK in 2005. In this article, the original architects of the programme explain why it was ntroduced, the challenges faced when implementing it across the UK, why the programme is successful and what the future holds for the UK Foundation Programme.peer-reviewe

Don\u27t Make Me Ask: Facilitating User-Mediated Discovery with the LibAnswers FAQ

Many library patrons prefer to use online training materials to figure things out for themselves. Enter the library FAQ. But how can we get our patrons to the answers that they need

The ABC\u27s of Building Information Partnerships: Factors for Success in Building Active and Engaged Partnerships

Building strong information partnerships is an essential first step to effective information literacy programs and services. The overall goal of this paper is to highlight several factors that are especially useful for establishing productive relationships with a range of potential partners including students, faculty, and other campus or community partners. Five key factors for success will be discussed to help guide the development of active and engaged partnerships

Deep sequencing of pre-translational mRNPs reveals hidden flux through evolutionarily conserved AS-NMD pathways [preprint]

Background The ability to generate multiple mRNA isoforms from a single gene by alternative splicing (AS) is crucial for the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Because different mRNA isoforms can have widely differing decay rates, however, the flux through competing AS pathways cannot be determined by traditional RNA-Seq data alone. Further, some mRNA isoforms with extremely short half-lives, such as those subject to translation-dependent nonsense-mediated decay (AS-NMD), may be completely overlooked in even the most extensive RNA-Seq analyses. Results RNA immunoprecipitation in tandem (RIPiT) of exon junction complex (EJC) components allows for the purification of post-splicing mRNA-protein particles (mRNPs) not yet subject to translation (pre-translational mRNPs) and translation-dependent mRNA decay. Here we compared EJC RIPiT-Seq to whole cell and cytoplasmic RNA-Seq data from HEK293 cells. Consistent with expectations, we found that the flux through known AS-NMD pathways is substantially higher than what is captured by RNA-Seq. We also identified thousands of previously unannotated splicing events; while many can be attributed to “splicing noise”, others are evolutionarily-conserved events that produce new AS-NMD isoforms likely involved in maintenance of protein homeostasis. Several of these occur in genes whose overexpression has been linked to poor cancer prognosis. Conclusions Deep sequencing of RNAs in post-splicing, pre-translational mRNPs provides a means to identify and quantify splicing events without the confounding influence of differential mRNA decay. For many known AS-NMD targets, the NMD-linked AS pathway dominates. EJC RIPiT-Seq also enabled identification of numerous conserved but previously unknown AS-NMD events

Redditors Revealed: Motivational Factors of the Reddit Community

The purpose of this paper is to examine what motivational factors influence frequency of participation on the social news website Reddit.com, which has evolved from a news aggregator into a thriving virtual community. This study takes the uses and gratifications approach to examine why people participate in this community. A survey was posted to Reddit.com and was completed by 549 users. Multiple Regression analysis was conducted to assess factors (informativeness, socializing/ community building, status-seeking, entertainment) that influence participation. \ \ Findings indicate that uses and gratifications is a valid means by which to examine the motivations and gratification for users of new media, specifically online social media platforms. Findings for motivational factors were consistent with the current literature, with the exception of information seeking as a gratification sought / obtained. Results may be useful for designers of online communities and for scholars to further explore new types of needs and gratifications for those who participate in virtual communities

Seeds of Creativity: Assessing the Impact of an Integrated Pilot Nature Preschool Program on Children's Creative Development

A recent study showed that less than 50 forest kindergartens or nature preschools were in operation in 2012, but as of 2017, over 250 such schools have emerged in 43 states in the United States, with estimations for continuous growth over the next decade (NAAEE, 2017). While nature-based education programs are gaining popularity in light of recent attention to alternative education models, few studies have explored developmental and formal learning outcomes for children enrolled in such programs (Leggett, 2017). Due to the novelty of the nature-based early childhood education movement in the United States, more research is needed to determine the educational advantages of this model of early learning. The present study analyzed children’s measures of creative thinking before and after exposure to an integrated 13-week pilot nature preschool program which included daily nature immersive experiences and an entirely nature immersion day, Wilderness Wednesday. Children’s characteristics of creative thinking were quantitatively measured using the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) (Torrance, 1966, 2017) and a parent creativity characteristics inventory of their children, the Preschool and Kindergarten Interest Descriptor (PRIDE) (Rimm, 1981), and the resulting data was analyzed pre and post the 13-week pilot nature preschool program. Qualitative data was also gathered from a generic thematic analyses of children’s drawings, parent reports of indoor and outdoor activities of children, and from teacher interviews addressing program implementation considerations and parameters for creative teaching. Results indicated improvements in certain domains of creativity as measured by the TTCT and PRIDE. Qualitative analysis revealed various themes associated with creativity conveyed in children’s drawings, parent indications of outdoor activities, and teacher reflections of program parameters. Limitations, implications, and future directions for research related to the field of education and school psychology are discussed.Doctor of Philosoph

Forensic NAPL Determination And Plume Differentiation – A Case Study

Recent developments in laboratory analytical techniques, when combined with application of multivariate statistical analyses allow differentiation and delineation of comingled NAPLs and resultant contaminant plumes. The increase in laboratory expertise and a growing body of relevant studies in case literature have made possible evaluation of petroleum impacted media through relatively standard techniques a reality, and well within the realm of economical site assessments. The application of several methods to determine the number, type, and timing of multiple NAPL releases at a commercial facility in an urban setting will be summarized. The combination of chemical, historical, and statistical techniques has allowed for a more complete evaluation of NAPL sources and release histories than was initially thought possible. In the examined case, overlapping NAPL plumes are defined, delineated, and identified; and source identifications for individual releases are completed. These evaluations resulted in identification of previously unconfirmed sources, improved characterization of the nature of NAPL present, and refined fate, transport, and feasibility evaluations for the conceptual site model

Strategies for Planning and Promoting Library Services to New Users

A team of academic librarians is using a set of common strategies – assessment, advocacy and advertisement - to develop and enhance health information services and programs to an urban campus community and beyond. As a means of meeting the challenge of disseminating and promoting a large number of new information resources and skills to current library patrons and to new user populations, these strategies inform a refocused program for on-site library instruction, a current health information outreach initiative and planning for a new health outreach initiative. By sharing the methods and results of these strategies in consort with a high level of collaboration among librarians and by forging new partnerships with organizations outside of the library, librarians can efficiently manage the challenge of expanded clientele expectations. Taken together, these activities are promising practices that may be especially useful for planning new programs. This paper will describe the representative programs and the purposes of the strategies employed to enhance existing programs and to develop new ones

Bridging Communities of Practice: Cross-Institutional Collaboration for Undergraduate Digital Scholars

At Bucknell University and Gettysburg College, an increasing focus on supporting creative undergraduate research as intensive, high-impact experiences has resulted in both institutions implementing library-led digital scholarship fellowships for their students. Gettysburg’s Digital Scholarship Summer Fellowship began in 2016, and Bucknell’s Digital Scholarship Summer Research Fellowship in 2017. While academic libraries have emerged as leaders on college campuses for digital humanities (DH) services, the programs at Gettysburg and Bucknell are distinctive in their structured curricula, a focus on independent student research, and the development of a local community of practice. In this chapter, we explore the development of cross-institutional communities of practice grounded in the digital humanities, and the ways in which we brought students in our two programs together

Bridging Communities of Practice: Cross-Institutional Collaboration for Undergraduate Digital Scholars

At Bucknell University and Gettysburg College, an increasing focus on supporting creative undergraduate research as intensive, high-impact experiences has resulted in both institutions implementing library-led digital scholarship fellowships for their students. Gettysburg’s Digital Scholarship Summer Fellowship began in 2016, and Bucknell’s Digital Scholarship Summer Research Fellowship in 2017.1 While academic libraries have emerged as leaders on college campuses for digital humanities (DH) services, the programs at Gettysburg and Bucknell are distinctive in their structured curricula, a focus on independent student research, and the development of a local community of practice. Each program situates undergraduate research in the field of digital humanities, providing methodological and technological support as students explore their own topics of humanistic inquiry and develop public-facing digital projects during the summer. [excerpt