Mapping and GIS Tools for Disaster Preparation and Recovery

There are many tools for online and offline mapping, as well as geographic information systems ( GIS ), that public librarians can offer their communities. These tools can be invaluable for emergency response planning before a disaster as well as response and recovery operations after a disaster. Librarians, as community information and technology stewards, can play a valuable role in these scenarios

Collaborating on Code at an Unconference: Review of Code4Lib Midwest 2017

Review of Code4Lib Midwest 2017, held in Chicago. This unconference is one of several regional conferences held for for library software development professionals and is affiliated with the national Code4Lib group

Master of Science

thesisThis thesis is an examination of the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah politics from 1902 to 1916. It examines the principal personalities involved, the issues which affected the church and the state, and the manner in which those problems were resolved. By virtue of his position as president of the church, which included his acceptance by the members as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, Joseph F. Smith found a unique opportunity to influence political events. The Democrats, who had won control of the legislature in 139$, had split over a choice of candidates for United States Senator, and the resultant wounds were so deep that the party was not only unable to make a choice, but had effectively destroyed its own political power. Joseph F. Smith moved into the vacuum thus created. His chief lieutenant was Apostle Reed Smoot, who with Smith's ringing endorsement, went to the United States Senate in 1903 to begin a career which lasted thirty years. Smoot also organized and directed the activities of the Republican party through the loosely-knit organization which became known by the titles bestowed on it by its foes- "The Federal Bunch" and "The Smoot Gang." The third man who helped lead Utah during this period was William Spry, who served as governor of Utah from 1903 to 1916. Smoot and Spry were capable politicians, but they always deferred to the ultimate authority of Joseph F. Smith. Both had substantial followings, but neither dared oppose Smith, and Spry ended both his own career and Republican domination of Utah when he opposed Smith on the prohibition issue. Spry retired from office and Smoot lost his command of state politics as a result of this schism, but Smith continued to dominate Utah politics as the leader of the dominant church. The principal issue of the day was simply put: "Who will control Utah?" With over 80% of the state's residents members of the Mormon Church, it was clear that no other group could, with only their own strength, mount an effective challenge at the polls. In territorial days, anti-Mormons had been able to use the polygamy issue to keep the Mormons on the defensive and gain political power for themselves. After statehood, when it became evident that many Mormons had not really abandoned plural marriage, the issue was again raised, and with the very real threat of possible punitive legislation pending, attempted to blackmail their way into control of the state. Smith apparently felt the time had come to stand up to the enemies of the church. Feeling that the church should not submit, his obvious intention was to use his influence and the political power of the church to protect its rights and interests. It was not until Smith finally acted to curb the practice of plural marriage in the church that he was able to disarm the anti-Mormon elements and exercise the complete political control his position permitted without the danger of repressive legislation- a possibility which was very real until he finally put the stamp of disapproval on the custom which threatened church control of politics in Utah. With the church at last publicly committed to act against those members who continued to contract plural marriages, it was no longer necessary for the church to control either party. When Spry's revolt over the prohibition issue resulted in a Democratic victory in 1916, Smith had already discovered that he could control Utah politics by exerting influence over Mormon officials and legislators, and that he need not be concerned with their party in order to effectively dominate political affairs in Utah

Going Beyond Learn to Code in the Library: Partnerships and Resources for Delivering Successful Advanced Technical Training

As more libraries offer learn to code and digital skills training programs to patrons of all ages, there is a significant opportunity to offer more sophisticated services for advanced learners, even up to the level of professional workforce development. By partnering with local institutions or online programs, libraries can potentially offer in-house training to their community members who might not be otherwise well-suited for traditional in-person or online training programs. In addition, we\u27ve identified a wealth of resources that libraries can use to support self-directed learners and institutional online learners in the community. We also note the critical importance of providing career coaching and planning services to those learners interested in pursuing a technical career

Libraries are open - only the buildings are closed

Libraries should be developing solutions for effectively working remotely and expanding their ability to provide virtual services during closures and make sure the messaging matches the reality - that libraries are open and providing important services to their communities even when the buildings are closed

The Baked-in Bias of Algorithms

Algorithms are created by and used by humans in software programs and in everyday tasks. They are composed of input data, a series of steps, and output. When it comes to computer algorithms, we often see the results of algorithms but we don\u27t see the processing steps or the input data that has determined the output. It is important to be aware that all these components are subject to mistakes and biases - the input data as well as the processing steps.For this reason, we should seek transparency in the algorithms that are put to use and which affect our lives every day

Hydrogeologic field investigation and groundwater flow model of the southern Willamette Valley, Oregon

Elevated groundwater nitrate (NO3 -) concentrations in the Southern Willamette Valley (SWV) caused the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) to declare a Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) in Spring, 2004. To better understand direction of groundwater flow, groundwater age, and nitrate transport pathways of the SWV we developed a steady-state numerical groundwater flow model using MODFLOW with MODPATH. Model development was supplemented by field investigations of local outcrops, pump and slug tests, and laboratory analyses to determine groundwater age and groundwater chemistry. Field work included the construction/collection of cross-sections and stratigraphic columns; 12 slug tests and 3 pump tests to determine hydraulic conductivity and storativity; 10 groundwater ages using CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113; 3 wells instrumented to collect long-term continuous water level measurements; 42 wells selected for quarterly manual water level measurements; and 14 groundwater samples to determine pH, dissolved oxygen, specific electrical conductance, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate concentrations. Slug tests determined horizontal hydraulic conductivities (Kx) from 4.19 x 10-8 m/s to 4.62 x 10-4 m/s. Pump tests determined Kx-values from 3.59 x 10-4 m/s to 7.22 x 10-3 m/s, vertical hydraulic conductivities (Kv) from 3.48 x 10-6 m/s to 3.84 x 10-6 m/s, and storage coefficients from 0.05 to 0.15. Groundwater age ranged from 13 years to >50 years, with the greatest ages resulting from wells that penetrated the semi-confining Willamette Silt. Groundwater ages were compared to model particle travel times using MODPATH and used as calibration targets. Groundwater ages along with nitrate, chloride, sulfate, and dissolved oxygen concentrations were used to reconstruct past contaminant loading and observe data trends. Spatial distributions of hydraulic conductivity were estimated using wells with specific capacity data and an empirical relationship (T = 158.48sc, where T = transmissivity (ft2/d) and sc = (gal/min/ft); R2 = 0.61) between wells in the study area that contained both specific capacity and aquifer test data. The calibrated groundwater flow model is intended to help make management decisions, establish monitoring programs, and to be used as an outreach education tool. Model simulations were run in key areas to demonstrate model capabilities and create visual aids for outreach education. This study suggests it may take 10’s of years to see measurable declines of groundwater nitrate in some locations. It is our hope that educating stakeholders about local groundwater flow along with stressing the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) will result in better decision making and lead to a reduction of groundwater nitrate concentration in the SWV

IL-21 and IL-21 Receptor Expression in Lymphocytes and Neurons in Multiple Sclerosis Brain

IL-17–producing CD4+ T cells (Th-17) contribute to the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and are associated with active disease in multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition to IL-17, Th-17 cells can also express IL-21, IL-22, and IL-6 under Th-17–polarizing conditions (IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β). In this study we investigated IL-21 and IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) expression in MS lesions by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We detected strongly IL-21+ infiltrating cells predominantly in acute but also in chronic active white matter MS lesions in which IL-21 expression was restricted to CD4+ cells. In contrast, IL-21R was much more broadly distributed on CD4+, CD19+, and CD8+ lymphocytes but not major histocompatibility complex class-II+ macrophages/microglia. Interestingly, in cortical areas we detected both IL-21 and IL-21R expression by neurons. These findings suggest role(s) for IL-21 in both the acute and chronic stages of MS via direct effects on T and B lymphocytes and, demonstrated for the first time, also on neurons

Stratification and monitoring of natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy risk: recommendations from an expert group

The use of natalizumab for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by the occurrence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Through measurement of the anti-JCV antibody index, and in combination with the presence or absence of other known risk factors, it may be possible to stratify patients with MS according to their risk of developing PML during treatment with natalizumab and detect early suspected PML using MRI including a diffusion-weighted imaging sequence. This paper describes a practical consensus guideline for treating neurologists, based on current evidence, for the introduction into routine clinical practice of anti-JCV antibody index testing of immunosuppressant-naïve patients with MS, either currently being treated with, or initiating, natalizumab, based on their anti-JCV antibody status. Recommendations for the frequency and type of MRI screening in patients with varying index-associated PML risks are also discussed. This consensus paper presents a simple and pragmatic algorithm to support the introduction of anti-JCV antibody index testing and MRI monitoring into standard PML safety protocols, in order to allow some JCV positive patients who wish to begin or continue natalizumab treatment to be managed with a more individualised analysis of their PML risk

Shared imaging markers of fatigue across multiple sclerosis, aquaporin-4 antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and MOG antibody disease

Fatigue is frequently reported by patients with multiple sclerosis, aquaporin-4-antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein antibody disease; thus they could share a similar pathophysiological mechanism. In this cross-sectional cohort study, we assessed the association of fatigue with resting-state functional MRI, diffusion and structural imaging measures across these three disorders. Sixteen patients with multiple sclerosis, 17 with aquaporin-4-antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and 17 with myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein antibody disease assessed, outside of relapses, at the Oxford Neuromyelitis Optica Service underwent Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Expanded Disability Status Scale scoring. A 3T brain and spinal cord MRI was used to derive cortical, deep grey and white matter volumetrics, lesions volume, fractional anisotropy, brain functional connectivity metrics, cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area, spinal cord magnetic transfer ratio and average functional connectivity between the ventral and the dorsal horns of the cervical cord. Linear relationships between MRI measures and total-, cognitive- and physical-fatigue scores were assessed. All analyses were adjusted for correlated clinical regressors. No significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics, fatigue, depression and anxiety questionnaires and disability measures were seen across the three diseases, except for older age in patients with aquaporin-4-antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (P = 0.0005). In the total cohort, median total-fatigue score was 35.5 (range 3-72), and 42% of patients were clinically fatigued. A positive correlation existed between the total-fatigue score and functional connectivity of the executive/fronto-temporal network in the in left middle temporal gyrus (P = 0.033) and between the physical-fatigue score and functional connectivity of the sensory-motor network (P = 0.032) in both pre- and post-central gyri. A negative relationship was found between the total-fatigue score and functional connectivity of the salience network (P = 0.023) and of the left fronto-parietal network (P = 0.026) in the right supramarginal gyrus and left superior parietal lobe. No clear relationship between fatigue subscores and the average functional connectivity of the spinal cord was found. Cognitive-fatigue scores were positively associated with white matter lesion volume (P = 0.018) and negatively associated with white matter fractional anisotropy (P = 0.032). Structural, diffusion and functional connectivity alterations were not influenced by the disease group. Functional and structural imaging metrics associated with fatigue relate to brain rather than spinal cord abnormalities. Salience and sensory-motor networks alterations in relation to fatigue might indicate a disconnection between the perception of the interior body state and activity and the actual behavioural responses and performances (reversible or irreversible). Future research should focus on functional rehabilitative strategies