Reference Revitalization and Roving Reference: Are the Reference Desk and Print Reference Sources Passé?

Print reference sources and references desks are still vital parts of reference service in some libraries, while in others innovative models such as roving reference and learning commons thrive. While undergraduate students’ preferences and usage has shifted from print to electronic, students still need to learn the application of metacognitive thinking skills in library research. Updating how reference is delivered to accommodate students’ emphasis on mobility and expectation of access to information has led to revitalizing reference collections, reconfiguring space as learning commons and roving reference as solutions at Taylor University and Palm Beach Atlantic University, while Whitworth University retains a more traditional configuration to meet student research needs

Partnering with Faculty through Liaison Activities

Anything worthwhile requires time and effort. Such is the case in building effective working relationships between librarians and teaching faculty. This article discusses collaborating and partnering with teaching faculty through library liaison relationships and shares experiences of the authors partnering with faculty at their institutions. This article is an outgrowth of a panel presentation at the 2007 ACL Conference by liaison librarians representing libraries in the Southeast, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. While partnering with faculty is both challenging and time consuming, it can be one of the most gratifying and productive activities in which librarians can be engaged

Moral hazard and Texas banking in the 1920s.

Using recently collected examination data from a sample of Texas state-chartered banks over the period 1919-26, the role of moral hazard in increasing ex-ante asset risk is analyzed. During this period, a state-run deposit insurance system was in place that was mandatory for all state-chartered banks in Texas. Nationally chartered banks were not allowed to participate in the insurance program. Analyzing individual bank-level data, we find evidence that declines in capitalization were positively correlated with increases in loan concentrations at insured banks. We argue that this is consistent with a moral-hazard effect at work. No such relationship is found between capitalization and risk at uninsured banks.Banks and banking - Texas

Promoting Team-Based Exercise Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Physical activity benefits the health and well-being of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Yet, many African American survivors do not routinely exercise and have increased risk of poor outcomes. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to identify motivational factors compelling African American BCS to participate in a 14-week team walking program and to intend to continue exercise after the intervention concluded. Focus groups were held with participants (n = 12) before and after training. Content analysis discovered themes before the intervention: Not wanting to go at it alone, exercise not a life or treatment priority, cancer treatment affected activity, advocates to exercise, and can exercise really help? Four themes postintervention themes included: In the same boat, changed mind-set, improved weight and activity, and overcoming barriers. Physical data verified improvements. Results suggest that a team-based exercise training program may assist in overcoming a sedentary behavior tendency and subsequently improve health among survivors

Survivors Speak: A Qualitative Analysis of Motivational Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Survivors’ Participation in a Sprint Distance Triathlon

Aims and Objectives To examine motivational factors influencing breast cancer survivors to participate in triathlon training, complete a triathlon and maintain an exercise thereafter. Background Routine exercise has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce recurrence for breast cancer survivors. Yet physical and psychological factors present barriers for initiating and maintaining an exercise routine. Research is limited in exploring factors of exercise motivation from the survivor\u27s perspective. Design Qualitative design using focus groups and individual follow-up phone interviews to explore motivation for exercise initiation and maintenance. Methods One to two weeks after completing a triathlon, 11 breast cancer survivors who trained together participated in one of three focus groups to discuss their experience. Five months post triathlon 6 of the 11 participants were successfully contacted and phone interviews were conducted to explore exercise maintenance. Focus groups and interviews were analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results Five themes emerged (1) Champion for Exercise, (2) Part of a Team, (3) Everyone Had a Story, (4) Not Really Exercise and (5) What Do We Do Now? Overall, survivors recognised their need for lifestyle change (e.g. moving from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one). More importantly, they identified the team approach to exercise initiation was crucial in their success in sustaining a behavioural change. Conclusions Emphasis needed on developing team exercise training programmes for survivors. Nurses can play a critical role in discussing with survivors, the benefits of exercise initiation and maintenance. Relevance to clinical practice Breast cancer survivors are hesitant to initiate routine exercise. Training with women who share a common lived experience increases the likelihood of success. Nurses are in a position to encourage breast cancer survivors to participate in group exercise programmes as a way to improve quality of life

Adverse selection and competing deposit insurance systems in pre-depression Texas

In 1910, Texas instituted a highly unique deposit insurance program for its state chartered banks consisting of two separate plans: the depositors guaranty fund, similar in operation to the deposit insurance schemes adopted in several other states; and the depositors bond security system, which required the procurement of a privately issued insurance policy. We hypothesize that the provision of a choice in funds led to risk-sorting among the banks, with the relatively conservative institutions opting for the comparatively rigorous bond security system. Employing a probit model with heteroskedasticity, the evidence we obtain from balance sheet data recorded at the time the banks were required to enlist in an insurance plan indicates that such was the case, as the alternative plan relying on privately issued insurance was widely unpopular except among relatively conservative and well-managed institutions.Deposit insurance

Evaluation of an automated ankle brachial pressure index calculator in a nurse-led leg ulcer clinic

The Dopplex Ability® is a new automated ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) calculator, the increased use of which the authors are witnessing in clinical practice. Proposed benefits over the traditional hand-held Doppler machine and manual blood pressure (BP) sphygmomanometer include: ease of use, reduced procedure time and reduced time lying flat for patient, which may lead to more cost- effective treatment outcomes. Since it is routine practice in a number of clinical areas for two members of staff to carry out the holistic leg ulcer assessment process, an additional benefit may be the ability of a single member of staff with minimum training to use the Dopplex Ability. An evaluation of the Dopplex Ability was carried out at a busy nurse-led community leg ulcer clinic over a period of 3 months. A total of 22 patients who attended the clinic for Doppler assessment consented to participate. Participants underwent ABPI calculation using both the Dopplex Ability and the hand-held Doppler. Overall 56% of readings were marginally higher with the Dopplex Ability than with the hand-held Doppler; 9% of readings were lower and 34% were equal. ABPI readings from the Dopplex Ability equipment were on average 0.067 higher than corresponding readings taken from hand-held equipment; this difference was statistically significant (p=0.014). Differences between methods were greater in patients who had readings taken by the Dopplex Ability first than in patients who had hand-held readings taken first. The majority of patients found the Dopplex Ability to be tolerable and staff found it easy to use. The Dopplex Ability was found to be a useful adjuvant to the hand-held Doppler