The University of Alabama Libraries and Student Support Services Partnership: Non-Traditional Outreach to Academic Support Programs

Abstract: At the University of Alabama Libraries we have partnered with the Student Support Services TRiO program, a grant-funded program through the U. S. Department of Education that works to increase the retention and graduation rates of first generation college students, students with limited family income, and students with disabilities. We have developed a program that utilizes a combination of classroom instruction in the library and outreach hours at the Student Support Services building, we are able to engage with the students on multiple levels while remaining cognizant of any accommodations they may require. We provide instruction on utilizing the library’s website as well as one-on-one consultations for students who need research support. Although this program is only in its second semester it has proved quite successful and we see great potential for expansion to other non-traditional academic services on campus. Originally presented at the Atlanta Area Bibliographic Instruction Group conference, June 2016.https://ir.una.edu/libfacpresentation/1002/thumbnail.jp

Outreach to Student Support Services at the University of Alabama: Engaging While Including

Outreach programs on university campuses are crucial to reducing anxiety in students from diverse backgrounds who may not have been introduced to an academic library environment, its resources, and its role in their academic success. Traditional liaison programs are geared towards students within their majors; as the campus evolves, so must the role of the liaison. At the University of Alabama Libraries we have partnered with the Student Support Services (SSS) TRiO program, a grant-funded program through the U. S. Department of Education that works to increase the retention and graduation rates of first generation college students, students with limited family income, and students with disabilities. Boasting a 91% average retention rate, the program works with a broad spectrum of students. By the numbers, the students in the program are 65% female, 74% are low income and first generation, and 62% are Black or African American. The presenters, working in conjunction with the Academic Counselors in SSS, have created a comprehensive outreach program through which they are able to engage with the students on multiple levels while remaining cognizant of the pressures and needs of the individual students in the program. In addition to open houses, instruction, and Libguides, the presenters have also secured spaces within the Student Support Services building during high traffic periods for visibility and ease of interaction. Meeting with students in familiar spaces provides them a comfortable way to interact and learn research skills, website navigation, and other services that the library provides. Once the student has established a relationship with the librarian, they are more likely to visit the library and utilize more library services, which contributes to the student’s overall academic success.https://ir.una.edu/libfacpresentation/1004/thumbnail.jp

Partnering with Academic Support Programs to Promote Student Success

Outreach programs on university campuses are crucial to reducing anxiety in students from diverse backgrounds who may not have been introduced to an academic library environment, its resources, and its role in their academic success. Traditional liaison programs are geared towards students within their majors; as the campus evolves, so must the role of the liaison. At the University of Alabama Libraries we have partnered with the Student Support Services (SSS) TRiO program, a grant-funded program through the U. S. Department of Education that works to increase the retention and graduation rates of first generation college students, students with limited family income, and students with disabilities. The presenters, working in conjunction with the Academic Counselors in SSS, have created a comprehensive outreach program through which they are able to engage with the students on multiple levels while remaining cognizant of the pressures and needs of the individual students in the program.https://ir.una.edu/libfacpresentation/1009/thumbnail.jp

Scanning Electron Microscopical and Histochemical Study of the Endoderm in the Early Chick Embryo

The endoderm of gastrulating chick embryos shows regional variations in cell shape and size. These were studied by scanning electron microscopy, histochemistry and immunofluorescence. Particular attention was given to the distribution of the cytoskeleton. Four zones of differing morphology were observed. The changing size and shape of these zones could be correlated with the entry of the definitive endoblast through the primitive streak, displacing existing primary hypoblast to the edges of the area pellucida. Endodermal cells were shown to have a well organised cytoskeleton. The cytoskeletons of individual cells were linked to give a cytoskeletal network extending across the endoderm as a whole

Role of core promoter sequences in the mechanism of swarmer cell-specific silencing of gyrB transcription in Caulobacter crescentus

BACKGROUND: Each Caulobacter crescentus cell division yields two distinct cell types: a flagellated swarmer cell and a non-motile stalked cell. The swarmer cell is further distinguished from the stalked cell by an inability to reinitiate DNA replication, by the physical properties of its nucleoid, and its discrete program of gene expression. Specifically, with regard to the latter feature, many of the genes involved in DNA replication are not transcribed in swarmer cells. RESULTS: We show that for one of these genes involved in DNA replication, gyrB, its pattern of temporal expression depends upon an 80 base pair promoter region with strong resemblance to the Caulobacter crescentus σ(73 )consensus promoter sequence; regulation does not appear to be affected by the general strength of the promoter activity, as mutations that increased its conformity with the consensus did not affect its cell-cycle expression pattern. Transcription from the gyrB promoter in vitro required only the presence of the σ(73 )RNA polymerase (from E. coli) and the requisite nucleoside triphosphates, although a distinct binding activity, present in crude whole-cell extracts, formed a complex gyrB promoter DNA. We also assayed the effect on gyrB expression in strains containing mutations in either smc or dps, two genes encoding proteins that condense DNA. However we found there was no change in the temporal pattern of gyrB transcription in strains containing deletions in either of these genes. CONCLUSION: These experiments demonstrate that gyrB transcription does not require any auxiliary factors, suggesting that temporal regulation is not dependent upon an activator protein. Swarmer-specific silencing may not be attributable to the observed physical difference in the swarmer cell nucleoid, since mutations in either smc or dps, two genes encoding proteins that condense DNA, did not alter the temporal pattern of gyrB transcription in strains containing deletions in either of these genes. Rather a repressor that specifically recognizes sequences in the gyrB promoter region that are also probably essential for transcription, is likely to be responsible for controlling cell cycle expression

Time-bin to Polarization Conversion of Ultrafast Photonic Qubits

The encoding of quantum information in photonic time-bin qubits is apt for long distance quantum communication schemes. In practice, due to technical constraints such as detector response time, or the speed with which co-polarized time-bins can be switched, other encodings, e.g. polarization, are often preferred for operations like state detection. Here, we present the conversion of qubits between polarization and time-bin encodings using a method that is based on an ultrafast optical Kerr shutter and attain efficiencies of 97% and an average fidelity of 0.827+/-0.003 with shutter speeds near 1 ps. Our demonstration delineates an essential requirement for the development of hybrid and high-rate optical quantum networks

The University of Alabama Libraries and Student Support Services (SSS) Partnership: Non-Traditional Outreach to Academic Support Programs

Abstract: Outreach programs on University campuses are crucial to reaching students who may not otherwise be introduced to the library and the services that the library can offer. In addition to traditional library liaison work with colleges within the university as a whole, it is important to develop outreach programs to work with students in academic support services. At the University of Alabama Libraries we have partnered with the Student Support Services TRiO program, a grant-funded program through the U. S. Department of Education that works to increase the retention and graduation rates of first generation college students, students with limited family income, and students with disabilities. We have developed a program that utilizes a combination of classroom instruction in the library and outreach hours at the Student Support Services building, we are able to engage with the students on multiple levels while remaining cognizant of any accommodations they may require. We provide instruction on utilizing the library’s website as well as one-on-one consultations for students who need research support. Although this program is only in its second semester it has proved quite successful and we see great potential for expansion to other non-traditional academic services on campus. This poster was originally presented at the Alabama Library Association annual convention, April 2016https://ir.una.edu/libfacpresentation/1003/thumbnail.jp

Calcium carbonate biomineralisation in disparate systems - common mechanisms?

This study considers the extent to which four calcium carbonate biomineral systems share common characteristics. Within the sample set, there is a range of ultrastructures and two types of calcium carbonate polymorph (calcite and aragonite). The mini survey includes three invertebrate systems: two members of the Phylum Brachiopoda; the articulated brachiopod Terebratulina retusa (Subphylum Rhynchoenlliformea) and the inarticulated brachiopod Novocrania anomala (Subphylum Craniiformea), and a member of the Mollusca, the bivalve Mytilus edulis. The fourth, outlying vertebrate system, is the eggshell of the domestic fowl, Gallus gallus. The minor element composition of each of the four systems is considered in the context of mineral ultrastructure. The shell of T. retusa comprises two layers; a primary layer of acicular calcite and an underlying secondary layer composed of calcite fibres. In thin section, a variation between the upper and lower portions of the secondary layer is evident. The concentrations of magnesium, sulphur and strontium are significantly greater in the primary layer of the shell. Magnesium concentration also differs between the upper and lower regions of the secondary layer with higher concentration in the upper portion of the secondary layer. The shell of N. anomala consists of two layers; a primary layer of acicular calcite and a secondary layer of calcite semi-nacre. N. anomala has a high magnesium calcite shell. The concentration of minor elements does not differ significantly between the primary and secondary layers. Two calcium carbonate polymorphs occur in the M. edulis shell with an outer calcite layer and an inner aragonite layer. Magnesium concentration is higher in the calcite layer while strontium concentrations are greater in the aragonite layer. Sodium concentration gradually decreases across the calcite layer from the outer surface to the calcite/aragonite boundary and increases in the aragonite layer

Elementary Principal and Assistant Principal Instructional Leadership Practices Influencing Student Literacy

AbstractThe problem of a rural school district’s declining reading scores for students in Grades 3 through 8 was a significant concern because effective reading skills are of paramount importance to student success in school and life. Evidence suggests that principal instructional leadership practices influence student achievement; therefore, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine the district’s elementary principals’ and assistant principals’ instructional leadership practices that influenced student literacy. Murphy’s model of instructional leadership served as the conceptual framework. The research question for this study addressed how these elementary administrators implemented instructional leadership practices at their schools to influence student literacy. Eleven elementary principals and assistant principals from this rural school district in the southern United States were interviewed using semistructured, predetermined questions. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, followed by provisional and open pattern coding with thematic analysis. Three major themes arose from the data analysis: (a) literacy-focused instructional leadership practices supporting teachers, (b) literacy-focused instructional leadership practices to support student literacy, and (c) instructional leadership practices supporting literacy schoolwide. This study may foster positive social change by positively influencing student literacy and improving the reading skills and abilities of the students within the school district as principals and assistant principals evaluate the instructional leadership practices they have employed or are considering for future use in their schools

The role of thin filament sarcomeric proteins tropomyosin 1 and cardiac troponin T in the developing heart

The heart is the first functioning organ to develop during embryogenesis to maintain the growing embryo with oxygen and nutrients. However, cardiogenesis is a complex but well-regulated process, and any changes to this regulation can result in detrimental defects of the heart. For many years sarcomeric proteins have been associated with a range of cardiomyopathies and in more recent years are known to been involved in congenital heart defects (CHDs). To date, tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) and cardiac troponin T (TNNT2) have been associated with cardiomyopathies but never with CHDs. These two genes are important regulatory proteins of the thin filament of the sarcomere and vital for correct contraction and force generation within cardiomyocytes. To investigate a role for TPM1 and TNNT2 in the early developing heart, using the chick as an animal model, antisense oligonucleotide morpholino technology were utilised to manipulate both genes in ovo. The gross anatomical structures, ultrastucture and molecular functions of the treated hearts were analysed to determine if the morpholino treatment resulted in any developmental abnormalities. In addition, the TPM1 gene, including introns, was sequenced in a cohort of 380 patients with a range of congenital heart anomalies. In the TPM1-morpholino treated hearts, atrial septation and ventricular chamber maturation via the production of trabeculae were affected. Stereological analysis of these hearts revealed a reduction in the proportion of myocardium in the ventricular chamber along with increased luminal size. In addition, TPM1-morpholino treatment had an effect on myofibril maturation in vitro, as well as causing increased apoptosis in the developing ventricle and atrial septum. Four genetic variants of TPM1 were identified in the patient cohort; I130V, S229F, IVS1+2T>C and GATAAA/AATAAA in the polyadenylation signal. In silico analysis predicted the missense mutations to be disease causing. In vitro functional analyses of the IVS1+2T>C mutation that the IVS1+2T>C mutation resulted in abnormal splicing of the TPM1 pre-mRNA. TNNT2-morpholino treatment affected the growth of the atrial septum. However, the sarcomere appeared normal in this treatment group. Stereological analysis also revealed normal cardiac proportions except for the atrial chamber, which was reduced in size. The abnormal phenotypes observed in the TPM1 and TNNT2 treated groups may be a result of altered haemodynamics within the developing heart. Further studies such as in situ hybridisation of markers of haemodynamics may elucidate this role in the future. The abnormal splicing observed in the IVS1+2T>C may be a contributing factor to CHD in man and therefore, indicates that sarcomeric proteins are important for the future screening of potential contributing factors to CHDs