Information Literacy for Branch Campuses and Branch Libraries

Although information literacy objectives are a constant, teaching methods and pedagogy must be structured differently in different teaching-learning environments. The Libraries of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) created a new model of library instruction for its branch libraries and branch campuses, based on the embedded or college librarian model. Librarians for music, science, education, and the IUP Northpointe campus have been integrated into the instruction and curricular activities of those locations, some of which include distance education programs. While this model has logistical and political challenges, it has proved beneficial in improving information literacy for both faculty and students, and for providing visibility, opportunities, and recognition for library faculty

Information Literacy for Branch Campuses and Branch Libraries

Although information literacy objectives are a constant, teaching methods and pedagogy must be structured differently in different teaching-learning environments. The Libraries of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) created a new model of library instruction for its branch libraries and branch campuses, based on the embedded or college librarian model. Librarians for music, science, education, and the IUP Northpointe campus have been integrated into the instruction and curricular activities of those locations, some of which include distance education programs. While this model has logistical and political challenges, it has proved beneficial in improving information literacy for both faculty and students, and for providing visibility, opportunities, and recognition for library faculty

Somatic mutations and clonal dynamics in healthy and cirrhotic human liver.

The most common causes of chronic liver disease are excess alcohol intake, viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with the clinical spectrum ranging in severity from hepatic inflammation to cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The genome of HCC exhibits diverse mutational signatures, resulting in recurrent mutations across more than 30 cancer genes1-7. Stem cells from normal livers have a low mutational burden and limited diversity of signatures8, which suggests that the complexity of HCC arises during the progression to chronic liver disease and subsequent malignant transformation. Here, by sequencing whole genomes of 482 microdissections of 100-500 hepatocytes from 5 normal and 9 cirrhotic livers, we show that cirrhotic liver has a higher mutational burden than normal liver. Although rare in normal hepatocytes, structural variants, including chromothripsis, were prominent in cirrhosis. Driver mutations, such as point mutations and structural variants, affected 1-5% of clones. Clonal expansions of millimetres in diameter occurred in cirrhosis, with clones sequestered by the bands of fibrosis that surround regenerative nodules. Some mutational signatures were universal and equally active in both non-malignant hepatocytes and HCCs; some were substantially more active in HCCs than chronic liver disease; and others-arising from exogenous exposures-were present in a subset of patients. The activity of exogenous signatures between adjacent cirrhotic nodules varied by up to tenfold within each patient, as a result of clone-specific and microenvironmental forces. Synchronous HCCs exhibited the same mutational signatures as background cirrhotic liver, but with higher burden. Somatic mutations chronicle the exposures, toxicity, regeneration and clonal structure of liver tissue as it progresses from health to disease.This work was supported by a Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Grand Challenge Award (C98/A24032). P.J.C. is a Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Fellow (WT088340MA); S.F.B. was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (P2SKP3-171753 and P400PB-180790); M.A.S. is supported by a Rubicon fellowship from NWO (019.153LW.038); the Cambridge Human Research Tissue Bank is supported by the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre; and M.H. is supported by a CRUK Clinician Scientist Fellowship (C52489/A19924)

The development and validation of a scoring tool to predict the operative duration of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The ability to accurately predict operative duration has the potential to optimise theatre efficiency and utilisation, thus reducing costs and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy being one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, a tool to predict operative duration could be extremely beneficial to healthcare organisations. Methods: Data collected from the CholeS study on patients undergoing cholecystectomy in UK and Irish hospitals between 04/2014 and 05/2014 were used to study operative duration. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was produced in order to identify significant independent predictors of long (> 90 min) operations. The resulting model was converted to a risk score, which was subsequently validated on second cohort of patients using ROC curves. Results: After exclusions, data were available for 7227 patients in the derivation (CholeS) cohort. The median operative duration was 60 min (interquartile range 45–85), with 17.7% of operations lasting longer than 90 min. Ten factors were found to be significant independent predictors of operative durations > 90 min, including ASA, age, previous surgical admissions, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness and CBD diameter. A risk score was then produced from these factors, and applied to a cohort of 2405 patients from a tertiary centre for external validation. This returned an area under the ROC curve of 0.708 (SE = 0.013, p  90 min increasing more than eightfold from 5.1 to 41.8% in the extremes of the score. Conclusion: The scoring tool produced in this study was found to be significantly predictive of long operative durations on validation in an external cohort. As such, the tool may have the potential to enable organisations to better organise theatre lists and deliver greater efficiencies in care

Preparers’ perceptions of the decision usefulness of FRS15

The objectives of financial reporting encompass a decision usefulness role for accounting information. Information is decision useful when it assists users to make decisions about investing in or doing business with an entity. Decision usefulness is therefore an essential part of the framework within which financial reporting standards are developed. The aim of this research is to assess the decision usefulness of the recently promulgated Financial Reporting Standard 15 (FRS15). To this purpose a random sample of 48 Chartered Accountants and Financial Controllers completed a self-administered survey regarding various aspects of FRS15 and other factors related to the concept of decision usefulness. Statistical analysis of the responses indicates that respondents agree that overall FRS15 has a positive impact on providing decision useful information. There is strong support for the balance sheet approach on which the standard is based but respondents consider taht the matching approach also provides decision useful information, particularly in respect of allowing the recognition of provisions that do not meet the definition of a liability. The research also considers what respopndents intend to do with current provisions and future provisions following the implementation of FRS15. Although the respondents support consistency, they indicate that, in the case of contingencies, prudence should override consistency. The findings provide an important contribution to the knowledge pertaining to provisions and contingencies.Financial decisions, Financial reporting, Liabilities

Talk: Doing it for yourself – Independent and Artist-led spaces - Media Channel - Zabludowicz Collection

Talk: Doing it for yourself - Independent and Artist-led spaces Sunday 29 March, 2015 - 3pm What are the challenges for independent spaces to become self-supporting? What can be learnt from the commercial gallery model? How do different types of spaces and their model of funding affect artists and their capacity to make new work and earn a living from doing so? Is there a middle ground between the creative and the commercial? A roundtable discussion featuring key independent art spaces in the UK. Speakers: Chris Hammond (MOT International/Goldsmiths), Hannah Hooks (Space In Between), Elinor Morgan (Eastside Projects), Tyler Woolcott (Rowing

Three Studies of the Effectiveness of Sulfonylurea Herbicides Applied to Nutsedge and Broadleaf Weed Species in Dark Fired Tobacco Production

In the Donoho, Tilford, Hooks and Bowman study, the effectiveness of two different herbicide applications that are not currently labeled for tobacco were evaluated. Two separate experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential for the use of two sulfonylurea herbicides, CGA362622 (Trifoxysulfurson-sodium) and halosulfuron-methyl, in dark tobacco. Currently sulfonylurea herbicides are applied post emergence over-the-top in corn and soybeans to control broadleaf weeds. Sulfonylurea herbicides controls a wide variety of weeds at low rates, exhibit crop/weed selectivity, have low environmental persistence, and low mammalian toxicity. Each herbicide was applied either post emergence over-the-top on month after setting or post emergence directed eight weeks after planting. Herbicides were planted at rates of 0.07 or 0.10 oz/A for trifloxysulfuron and 0.07 or 1.0 oz/A for halosulfuron-methyl. Applications were made with a CO2-pressurized backpack plot sprayer calibrated to deliver twenty gallons per acre with flat fan spray nozzles. Over-the-top applications were made with a 4-nozzle spray boom with twenty-inch spacing. In the Moss, Rogers, Hayden, and Morgan study, replicated trials were conducted to compare the advantages and disadvantages of current commercial dark tobacco varieties during the 2004 season. Varieties tested include DF 911, DT 538, DT 518, KY 171, TN D950, VA 359, VA 309, Little Crittenden, TR Madole, and Narrow-leaf Madole. SN 2108 is a black shank resistant variety tested that will be available in the market next year. The layout of the test plots was a randomized complete block design with four replications. The following herbicides were applied: 1.1 pounds of pendimethalin per acre and 4 ounces of sulfentrazone per acre. The plots were transplanted in the field on June 9, 2004 and no irrigation was applied. Plants were detopped on July 28, 2004. Suckers were controlled by applying a butralin and fatty alcohol mix to each plant. The plants were harvested between the dates of September 20th through 22nd. The overall yields, yield of each leaf grade, and the quality of the leaves from each variety will be reported. Statistical analyses will be conducted to determine differences between the varieties. Hall, Swiney, and Williams hoped to better enable dark-fired tobacco producers to select the best varieties of tobacco. They conducted replicated trials to compare the advantages and disadvantages of current commercial dark tobacco varieties during the 2003 season. The layout of the test plots was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Each plot was 300 ft2, with 4,900 plants per acre. The amount of fertilizer applied was 300 lbs N, 30 lbs P2O5, and 80 lbs of K2O per acre, respectively. Post emergent herbicides used were Prowl at a rate of 1 and 1/3 qt/acre and Spartan (liquid form) at a rate of 12 oz/acre. The plots were transplanted into the field on June 9th. On August 4-7 the plants were detopped. Applying Butralin and a fatty alcohol mix to each plant controlled suckers. Plants were harvested, or housed in the barn on September 15-19. We will be reporting the overall yields, yield of each leaf grade, and the overall average income per acre of each variety. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine differences between the varieties