The undergraduate prospectus as a marketing tool for academic libraries

There is widespread use of the undergraduate prospectus as a decision-making tool for prospective university students. Surveys have examined factors that affect student decision-making; none have specifically examined the use of the prospectus as a marketing tool for academic libraries. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of the prospectus as a marketing tool for academic libraries. A content analysis of twenty prospectuses was carried out to determine the portrayal of the library within them. A questionnaire was used to uncover the perceptions of prospective university students. This was distributed to 44 sixth-form students. The prospectus was identified as the most important source of information for prospective students. The library was deemed important in the prospectus in terms of decision-making, but it ranked behind other information, such as course content or entry requirements. The exposure of the library varied within prospectuses; some featured the library heavily, others excluded the library altogether. The most heavily referenced features of the library were information technology, printed and electronic resources, and study space. The prospectus has potential for library marketing, increasing the exposure, and highlighting the value of its services. A "best practice" policy for library marketing and promotion within prospectuses is presented

A Quadruplex Real-Time PCR Assay for the Rapid Detection and Differentiation of the Most Relevant Members of the <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> Complex: <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, and <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>

<div><p>The <i>Burkholderia pseudomallei</i> complex classically consisted of <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, and <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>, but has now expanded to include <i>B</i>. <i>oklahomensis</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>humptydooensis</i>, and three unassigned <i>Burkholderia</i> clades. Methods for detecting and differentiating the <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> complex has been the topic of recent research due to phenotypic and genotypic similarities of these species. <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i> and <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> are recognized as CDC Tier 1 select agents, and are the causative agents of glanders and melioidosis, respectively. Although <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i> and <i>B</i>. <i>oklahomensis</i> are generally avirulent, both display similar phenotypic characteristics to that of <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>. <i>B</i>. <i>humptydooensis</i> and the <i>Burkholderia</i> clades are genetically similar to the <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> complex, and are not associated with disease. Optimal identification of these species remains problematic, and PCR-based methods can resolve issues with <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> complex detection and differentiation. Currently, no PCR assay is available that detects the major species of the <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> complex. A real-time PCR assay in a multiplex single-tube format was developed to simultaneously detect and differentiate <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, and <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>, and a common sequence found in <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>, and <i>B</i>. <i>oklahomensis</i>. A total of 309 <i>Burkholderia</i> isolates and 5 other bacterial species were evaluated. The assay was 100% sensitive and specific, demonstrated sensitivity beyond culture and GC methods for the isolates tested, and is completed in about an hour with a detection limit between 2.6pg and 48.9pg of gDNA. Bioinformatic analyses also showed the assay is likely 100% specific and sensitive for all 84 fully sequenced <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>, and <i>B</i>. <i>oklahomensis</i> strains currently available in GenBank. For these reasons, this assay could be a rapid and sensitive tool in the detection and differentiation for those species of the <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> complex with recognized clinical and practical significance.</p></div

Sensitivity of the multiplex assay.

<p>Detection limits of the quadruplex assay and standard curves derived from serial dilutions of purified genomic DNAs for some species of the <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i> complex. (a) 16.5 kDa assay for <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, (b) <i>orf11</i> assay for <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, (c) 70 kDa assay for <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>, (d) <i>fliC</i> assay for <i>B</i>. <i>mallei</i>, (e) <i>fliC</i> assay for <i>B</i>. <i>pseudomallei</i>, and (f) <i>fliC</i> assay for <i>B</i>. <i>thailandensis</i>.</p