A Phone of One\u27s Own: Texting at the Bryant University Reference Desk

Librarians take great pride in their continuous efforts to be accessible to their patrons. By summarizing the “Text a Librarian” program at the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library at Bryant University, this article highlights the many ways reference librarians and their services have evolved. This article takes you on a journey through their “eureka moment” to the phone plan and purchase, implemented guidelines and policies and ultimately, their “texting success”

Emerging Technologies in the Library: From Test Pilots to High Flying Success

How many of us have brought new technology into the library with high hopes only to have it crash and burn? Why do some tools become instant relics while others develop lives of their own? Like nearly everyone else, Laura and Allison have experienced every point on the spectrum between flop and success and want to share the lessons they\u27ve learned. Topics will include virtual reality, data visualization tools, ChatGPT, and more.By the end of this session, participants will be able to:1. Identify best practices for engaging library staff in emerging technologies2. Develop an outreach strategy to connect with hidden allies3. Create a method of assessment to determine the effectiveness of a new technological too

Emerging Technologies in the Library: From Test Pilots to High Flying Success

How many of us have brought new technology into the library with high hopes only to have it crash and burn? Why do some tools become instant relics while others develop lives of their own? Like nearly everyone else, Laura and Allison have experienced every point on the spectrum between flop and success and want to share the lessons they\u27ve learned. Topics will include virtual reality, data visualization tools, ChatGPT, and more

Designing Student Projects in Finance: Structure, Technology, and Assessment

Student projects are a typical part of finance courses, but little has been written about their design. This article describes a five-year process of developing a web-based, semester-long, project in financial statement analysis and provides a road map for faculty members seeking to enhance learning. A key for any instructor is how to manage the trade off the benefits of individual projects and significant formative feedback with the time demands involved

Nanoparticle-based tracing techniques in geothermal reservoir: Advances, challenges and prospects

Accurate knowledge of reservoir geometry and flow paths are critical parameters for successful geothermal operations. They are essential for evaluating the long-term behavior and sustainability of geothermal reservoirs. Conventional hydraulic testing and tracer tests are often inconclusive or provide limited information due to complex and challenging reservoir conditions (multiple well systems, complex reservoir geometry, and fracture network, etc.). Recently, a new class of tracer techniques has emerged in order to overcome the major drawbacks of molecular tracers: nanoparticle-based tracers. The main advantages of nanoparticle tracers compared to molecular tracers are their tunable properties and modular structure. Functional and smart nanoparticle tracers such as the threshold-triggered temperature nanotracer enabled the simultaneous evaluation of multiple reservoir conditions (flow paths, temperature distribution, etc.) and created an entirely new field of research. As new areas of research often require detailed insights into fundamental processes, there are still open questions about the interactions between particles, fluids, and rock minerals and their performance in complex geothermal environments. As an example, the application of embedded or surface-bound tracing features (e.g., fluorescent molecules, DNA, etc.) within or on a silica matrix prevents the tracing function from being affected by the environment (e.g., pH changes, salinity effects, redox sensitivity). Although silica has low hydro(thermal) stability and loses its protective function at high temperatures or long-term applications, nanoscience offers a comprehensive set of tools to design and protect the silica matrix. Another advantage is the possibility of surface modifications, which can help to achieve minimum sorption and retention by adapting the ζ-potential of the nanoparticles. In this study, we address recent advances in increasing long-term stability, improving hydrothermal stability of silica nanoparticles, sorption control. Furthermore, we present strategies for the development and functionalization of nanoparticle-based tracers

Detraining Effects on Musculoskeletal Parameters in Early Postmenopausal Osteopenic Women: 3-Month Follow-Up of the Randomized Controlled ACTLIFE Study

Periods of absence from supervised group exercise while maintaining physical activity might be a frequent pattern in adults’ exercise habits. The aim of the present study was to determine detraining effects on musculoskeletal outcomes after a 3-month detraining period in early post-menopausal, osteopenic women. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we terminated the 18-month randomized controlled ACTLIFE exercise intervention immediately after the 13-month follow-up assessment. This put an abrupt stop to the high-intensity aerobic and resistance group exercise sessions undertaken three times per week by the exercise group (EG: n = 27) and the gentle exercise program performed once per week for the attention control group (CG: n = 27); but both groups were permitted to conduct individual outdoor activity for the 3-month lock-down period. Study endpoints were lean body mass (LBM), bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS), maximum hip-/leg extension strength and power. Detraining-induced reductions of LBM, hip/leg strength and power (but not BMD-LS) were significantly greater (p < 0.001 to p = 0.044) compared with the CG. Significant exercise effects, i.e. differences between EG and CG, present after 13 months of exercise, were lost after 3 months of detraining for LBM (p = 0.157) and BMD-LS (p = 0.065), but not for strength (p < 0.001) and power (p < 0.001). Of note, self-reported individual outdoor activities and exercise increased by about 40% in both groups during the lock-down period. Three months’ absence from a supervised group exercise protocol resulted in considerable detraining effects for musculoskeletal parameters. Thus, exercise programs for adults should be continuous rather than intermittent. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04420806, 06.05.2020

Selective Silica Removal in Geothermal Fluids : Implications for Applications for Geothermal Power Plant Operation and Mineral Extraction

Raw material extraction from geothermal fluids often comprises concentrating and cooling steps, which increases the risk of silica scaling formation. However, existing silica removal strategies do not consider the impact on raw material extraction. In this study, the applicability and element-selectivity of three silica removal techniques (seed-induced, lime and caustic precipitation) were tested in batch experiments using synthetic and natural geothermal fluid samples. Increasing the pH-value to 10.5 and the Ca/Si ratio > 1.25 was found to mitigate silica scaling effectively via formation of calcium-silicate-hydrate phases (C-S-H phases). The developed silica removal process does not affect the raw materials and is therefore suitable for brine mining purposes