116 research outputs found

    ESL Library Skills: an information literacy program for adults with low levels of English literacy

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    This paper introduces the ESL Information Literacy Project (ESLILP) at University of Ballarat. It describes the development, implementation and evaluation of a library orientation course designed in a TAFE context for adult, non-academic students who speak English as a Second Language (ESL). The paper seeks to raise awareness of an apparent lack of research and information literacy programs for adult ESL speakers in a non-academic environment. It also offers a framework for developing information literacy education programs for people with very low levels of literacy. The framework may be of particular use to librarians working in this area with limited backgrounds in ESL teaching or practical resources. The paper concludes by inviting other libraries to trial the ESL Library Skills course.C

    Out of the boot camp and into the chrysalis : a reflective practice case study

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    From the information literacy educator's perspective, librarians have the potential to play important roles in strengthening information literacy elements within curricula learning scaffolds. While there needs to be an increased awareness amongst academics about the forms of assistance teaching librarians can provide teachers as integrated curriculum support resources, there is also a need for information literacy librarians to engage in reflective practice in order to break down the self-perceptions and taken-for-granted attitudes that can represent barriers to professional growth and development. In this article, I present a personal case study of one information literacy librarian's experience of coming to accept the role of educator in a tertiary education context

    Liver transplant recipients’ experiences and perspectives of a telehealth-delivered lifestyle programme A qualitative study

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    Introduction Dietary modification and exercise are encouraged to address cardiometabolic risk factors after solid organ transplantation. However, the lived experience of attempting positive lifestyle changes for liver transplant recipients is not known. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of liver transplant recipients and their perspectives of a 12-week telehealth lifestyle programme and assess the feasibility of this innovative health service. Methods Focus groups and one-on-one interviews were conducted with participants who had completed a 12-week, group-based, telehealth-delivered diet and exercise programme and thematic qualitative analysis was used to code and theme the data. Results In total, 19 liver transplant recipients participated in the study (25-68 years, median time since transplant 4.4 years, 63% male). Overarching themes included: (a) 'broad telehealth advantages' which highlighted that telehealth reduced the perceived burdens of face-to-face care; (b) 'impact of employment' which identified employment as a competing priority and appeared to effect involvement with the programme; (c) 'adapting Mediterranean eating pattern to meet individual needs' which identified the adaptability of the Mediterranean diet supported by sessions with the dietitian; (d) 'increasing exercise confidence' which recognised that a tailored approach facilitated confidence and acceptability of the exercise component of the programme. Discussion A telehealth lifestyle programme delivered by dietitians and exercise physiologists is an acceptable alternative to face-to-face care that can meet the needs of liver transplant recipients. There is a need to further innovate and broaden the scope of routine service delivery beyond face-to-face consultations

    Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of Chloroplasts in Solution

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    Previous work has shown that it is possible to image whole uncoated chloroplasts using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), provided this is done in solution using tunnelling currents below about 100 pA. More recent images include some which suggest that the STM is sensitive to dynamic processes occurring on chloroplast surfaces. Current-versus-distance curves and dI/ds measurements are consistent with tunnelling between the tip and sample surface, and relatively small deformations of the sample surface due to tip-sample forces. Attempts to use the same imaging conditions on bacteria were unsuccessful

    Changes in dietary patterns and body composition within 12 months of liver transplantation

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    Background: Cardiometabolic risk factors are increasing in liver transplant recipients (LTR). Influencing dietary factors have not been assessed. The aim of this observational study was to assess changes in weight, metabolic function, dietary intake and eating behaviours in the first year after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods: Consecutive recruitment of 17 patients (14 males) awaiting OLT at a single tertiary hospital. Dietary intake, food behaviours and anthropometry were recorded at baseline, and 6 and 12 months posttransplant. Results: By 12 months, patients had gained on average 7.3% of body weight. The prevalence of overweight or obesity increased from baseline 53% to 77% (P=0.001). By 6 months, 65% (n=11/17) of patients had altered glucose metabolism. Dietary intake was consistent with a Western-style dietary pattern with high saturated fat. Over half of the patients (69%, n=11/16) reported low to no depressive feelings and rated their self-esteem as good (53%, n=9/16). The Power of Food Scale increased between pre and post-transplant, indicating a stronger appetitive drive. Conclusions: Weight gain occurs early post-transplant, with significant metabolic dysfunction present within 6 months, however is not associated with significant psychological distress. Early dietary intervention designed to limit weight gain and target cardiometabolic health is recommended for this unique patient population

    Acute Effects of Post-Activation Potentiation on Increasing Bat Velocity in Competitive Baseball Players: A Case Series

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    Purpose/Hypothesis: Hitting a baseball is widely considered as one of the most difficult motor tasks in sports. It requires quick decision-making and coordinated activation of key muscles to produce a precise and rapid swing. Higher bat velocity has been shown to be associated with offensive performance of baseball players, as greater bat velocities permit more time to be spent analyzing a pitch and can lead to greater outcomes when a ball is hit in play. Baseball players and coaches have traditionally sought on-deck routines to temporarily enhance bat velocity before an at-bat, primarily swinging a weight bat. However, this method has been shown to be ineffective at increasing bat velocity in previous studies. This case series primarily explored the effects of a post-activation potentiation inducing warmup (PAP) procedure on bat velocity and secondarily explored whether upper- or lower-body strength has implications on the effect seen. Case Descriptions: Six high-school male baseball position players completed a dynamic warm- up then were randomly assigned to an order of warmup interventions consisting of either standard bat swings (SBS) or PAP inducing maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVC). After each intervention and following a ten-minute washout period in between interventions, the bat velocity of ten subsequent swings was recorded. Participants’ maximal 1-repetition back squat and bench press were tested for computation of relative strength. Outcomes: Bat velocity was highly variable between the players and across the ten swings for each intervention. Four players demonstrated higher bat velocity following the PAP intervention. There was no clear trend regarding whether stronger individuals, as evident through bench press and back squat performance, contributed to the change in bat velocity following the PAP intervention. Conclusion: Utilizing MVCs to induce a PAP effect may be an effective means of increasing bat velocity prior to an at-bat, although this is largely individualistic. It is unclear whether strength has a role in inducing the PAP effect from MVCs

    ‘Back to Life’—Using knowledge exchange processes to enhance lifestyle interventions for liver transplant recipients: A qualitative study

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    Interventions to prevent excessive weight gain after liver transplant are needed. The purpose of the present study was to enhance a specialist post-transplant well-being program through knowledge exchange with end-users.The study used an interactive process of knowledge exchange between researchers, clinicians and health system users. Data were collected as focus groups or telephone interviews and underwent applied thematic analysis.There were 28 participants (age 24-68 years; 64% male). The results identified experiences that may influence decisions around health behaviours during the course of transplant recovery. Three over-arching themes were identified that impact on liver transplant recipients post-transplant health behaviours. These include (i) Finding a coping mechanism which highlighted the need to acknowledge the significant emotional burden of transplant prior to addressing long-term physical wellness; (ii) Back to Life encompassing the desire to return to employment and prioritise family, while co-ordinating the burden of ongoing medical monitoring and self-management and (iii) Tailored, Personalised Care with a preference for health care delivery by transplant specialists via a range of flexible eHealth modalities.This person-centred process of knowledge exchange incorporated experiences of recipients into service design and identified life priorities most likely to influence health behaviours post-transplant. Patient co-creation of services has the potential to improve the integration of knowledge into health systems and future directions will require evaluation of effectiveness and sustainability of patient-centred multidisciplinary service development

    Regional-scale interactions between groundwater and surface water under changing aridity: evidence from the River Awash Basin, Ethiopia

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    Relationships between surface waters and groundwaters at basin scales are rarely investigated but have important implications for water resource development and management. Here, we integrate evidence from geochemical tracers and piezometry to advance understanding of regional-scale, groundwater-surface water interactions in the River Awash Basin of Ethiopia. Hydrological characteristics are consistent with those observed in other semi-arid and arid basins where rivers are predominantly losing and act as a source of recharge rather than as a sink for groundwater discharge. Further, regional groundwater flow originating from the highlands exits the catchment rather than discharging to the riverine drainage. Consequently, groundwater abstraction from several regional-scale aquifers in the lowlands is not expected to impact river flow. However, salinity presents a major threat to irrigation and water supply. We identify critical areas for managing inflows, water use, wetlands and water quality that have significant implications for water security across the basin
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