“There and back again”: Reimagining the public library for the twenty-first century

The redefining of the scope and function of the public library in the twenty-first century, and reconstruction of the virtual and physical space it occupies, appear to have taken public libraries on a journey to “there and back again.” In some of the debates surrounding contemporary challenges, we can discern echoes from previous generations as they too debated the primary role of the public library in the community, the nature and purpose of services and resources provided, and the best way to meet community needs. Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, many of the solutions reached by twenty-first century libraries have much in common with the solutions of previous generations. Reflecting early public library activities, today’s responses include the introduction of nonstandard classification schemes; the expansion of programs to enhance recreational and educational pursuits; the integration of multiple community services within the library; and provision of a variety of community learning, creative, and recreational spaces. Using the development of public libraries in Australia as a case study, and a critical narrative approach, this paper will argue that the vision for the function and purpose of the public library in the twenty-first century is not a new one but, perhaps unconsciously, a return to historical foundations.published or submitted for publicationOpe

Embedding OER practice: supporting staff to deliver student experiences of a lifetime

‘Embedding OER Practice’ is an HEA/JISC funded project running alongside a HEA Change Academy program. The initiative is developing the digital confidence and competencies of staff and students through supporting their discovery and utilisation of OER alongside investigations into how to embed the use of OER as a whole institution approach

The social justice issues of smoke im/mobilities

In 2014, the Hazelwood mine fire burned for 45 days. Local communities were impacted by smoke and ash, and there were reports of raised carbon monoxide levels. Local news and social media reported residents experiencing numerous physical symptoms of smoke inhalation, including bleeding noses, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Paper masks to filter particulate matter were made available to residents to wear outside. The dust and ash constantly seeped into homes and offices, which required cleaning daily and sometimes multiple times during the day. Smoke was free to move across physical and bodily boundaries while those most vulnerable were hampered by lack of movement: pregnant women, the elderly and children were advised to leave the area. However, this suggestion to ‘simply’ move ignored the context of a community disproportionately impacted through years of economic decline and societal change. This paper explores the unequal mobilities of smoke and people that arose as a result of this event and draws on concepts of mobility justice (Sheller 2018) and emergency mobilities (Adey 2016) to reflect on the political dimensions of uneven mobility in times of crisi

Interprofessional Primary Care: The Value of Occupational Therapy

The authors explore the training and expertise of occupational therapists and the cost benefit of the strategic use of occupational therapists as members of the interprofessional primary care (PC) team. PC practices can optimize successful and cost-effective patient care delivery, outcomes, and access to care by using interprofessional care teams and allowing physicians to off-load patients whose issues relate to routines and habits and do not require diagnostic or prescriptive intervention. This, and the occupational therapist’s ability to obtain reimbursement for his or her services, demonstrates that this professional can be an invaluable addition to the integrated PC team. The authors review the educational background, core competencies, and skill set of this group of professionals. Occupational therapists have a comprehensive education and are well equipped to address patient issues related to general health and chronic illness management, behavioral health, rehabilitation, and habilitation. Their ability to treat health issues that affect quality of life and overall function ensures that they are an asset to the interprofessional team. They can improve patient care and assist practices in their goal to achieve the triple aim. The authors encourage PC practices to include occupational therapists as value-added members of integrated PC teams

Mindfulness at Work Virtual Mindfulness Program for Occupational Therapy Practitioners Experiencing Burnout: A Pilot Study

Background Job burnout is high among occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs)1,2. Burnout impacts practitioner well-being and patient outcomes3. Mindfulness is an evidencebased approach to decreasing burnout, but the time burden for traditional mindfulness programs is high for professionals experiencing burnout4. Mindfulness at Work is a brief, virtual program during which OTPs embed learned mindfulness strategies during their workday

High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Desulfovibrio carbinoliphilus FW-101-2B, an Organic Acid-Oxidizing Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Isolated from Uranium(VI)-Contaminated Groundwater.

Desulfovibrio carbinoliphilus subsp. oakridgensis FW-101-2B is an anaerobic, organic acid/alcohol-oxidizing, sulfate-reducing δ-proteobacterium. FW-101-2B was isolated from contaminated groundwater at The Field Research Center at Oak Ridge National Lab after in situ stimulation for heavy metal-reducing conditions. The genome will help elucidate the metabolic potential of sulfate-reducing bacteria during uranium reduction

Aqueous Complexation Reactions Governing the Rate and Extent of Biogeochemical U(VI) Reduction

The proposed research will elucidate the principal biogeochemical reactions that govern the concentration, chemical speciation, and reactivity of the redox-sensitive contaminant uranium. The results will provide an improved understanding and predictive capability of the mechanisms that govern the biogeochemical reduction of uranium in subsurface environments. In addition, the work plan is designed to: (1) Generate fundamental scientific understanding on the relationship between U(VI) chemical speciation and its susceptibility to biogeochemical reduction reactions. (2) Elucidate the controls on the rate and extent of contaminant reactivity. (3) Provide new insights into the aqueous and solid speciation of U(VI)/U(IV) under representative groundwater conditions

Effect of Plain Versus Sugar-Sweetened Breakfast on Energy Balance and Metabolic Health : A Randomized Crossover Trial

We would like to thank Pippa Heath for her help with randomization, our participants, and Dr. Graham Horgan for statistical advice. Funding Information Economic and Social Research Council. Grant Number: ES/J50015X/1 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) GlaxoSmithKline Lucozade Ribena Suntory Kellogg’s Nestlé PepsiCo Sugar Nutrition UK Danone Baby Nutrition the Alpro Foundation Kellogg Europe Unilever Volac International The Collagen Research Institute British Summer FruitsPeer reviewedPublisher PD