A Content Analysis of Blog Posts on Angry Library Patrons

Research Problem: This exploratory study looks into what is written in blogs regarding angry library patrons. It aims to provide insight on angry library patrons by identifying the themes/issues in the blog posts, the reasons for anger of the library patrons, and to describe the characteristics of the blog post authors. Methodology: A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the blog posts. The blog search engine Google Blogs was used to search for the relevant blog posts. A sample of 92 individual and organisational blog posts were read and analysed. Results: Three main themes emerged in the analysis of the blog posts: 1) the causes of anger which can either be library-related or due to other patrons; 2) how anger was displayed; and 3) the sentiments of the library staff members towards angry patrons. The blog authors mostly come from North America and have a library background. Implications: Analysing these blog posts provides further insight into angry library patrons which might not otherwise be found in existing anger studies in a library setting and problem library patron research. Uncovering what is said in the blogosphere about angry library patrons will give a picture of a wide range of anger issues which may be relevant for library staff members as they try to better understand angry library patrons. While this study was not able to retrieve as much blog posts from an angry library patron’s perspective as originally planned, a study noting the key difference of opinions between angry library patrons and library staff members could be investigated in the futur

Tracking REDD+ Finance: 2009-2012 - Finance Flows in Seven REDD+ Countries

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). This REDDX report tracks the 2009-2012 flow of REDD+ finance from a variety of donors to seven tropical forest countries for various types of REDD+ activities. It is based on the hard work and dedication of seven teams of national partners and other experts who surveyed donors, government agencies, implementing agencies, NGOs, and consulting firms involved in the management of REDD+ finance in key REDD+ recipient countries

National library websites: how do they market the library?

National library websites: how do they market the library

Subthreshold Stochastic Vestibular Stimulation Affects Balance-challenged Standing and Walking

Subthreshold stochastic vestibular stimulation (SVS) is thought to enhance vestibular sensitivity and improve balance. However, it is unclear how SVS affects standing and walking when balance is challenged, particularly when the eyes are open. It is also unclear how different methods to determine stimulation intensity influence the effects. We aimed to determine (1) whether SVS affects stability when balance is challenged during eyes-open standing and overground walking tasks, and (2) how the effects differ based on whether optimal stimulation amplitude is derived from sinusoidal or cutaneous threshold techniques. Thirteen healthy adults performed balance-unchallenged and balance-challenged standing and walking tasks with SVS (0–30 Hz zero-mean, white noise electrical stimulus) or sham stimulation. For the balance-challenged condition, participants had inflatable rubber hemispheres attached to the bottom of their shoes to reduce the control provided by moving the center of pressure under their base of support. In different blocks of trials, we set SVS intensity to either 50% of participants’ sinusoidal (motion) threshold or 80% of participants’ cutaneous threshold. SVS reduced medial-lateral trunk velocity root mean square in the balance-challenged (p < 0.05) but not in the balance-unchallenged condition during standing. Regardless of condition, SVS decreased step-width variability and marginally increased gait speed when walking with the eyes open (p < 0.05). SVS intensity had minimal effect on the standing and walking measures. Taken together, our results provide insight into the effectiveness of SVS at improving balance-challenged, eyes-open standing and walking performance in healthy adults

Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid haemorrhage may result in seizures both acutely and in the longer term. The use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after subarachnoid haemorrhage is uncertain, and there is currently no consensus on treatment. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of AEDs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after subarachnoid haemorrhage. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2013, Issue 1) in The Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE (1946 to 12th March 2013). We checked the reference lists of articles retrieved from these searches. SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered all randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials in which patients were assigned to a treatment (one or more AEDs) or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors (RM and JK) independently screened and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. If studies were included, one author extracted the data and the other checked it. MAIN RESULTS: No relevant studies were found. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence to support or refute the use of antiepileptic drugs for the primary or secondary prevention of seizures related to subarachnoid haemorrhage. Well-designed randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to guide clinical practice.published_or_final_versio

Negotiating Varying Ground Terrain during Locomotion: Insights into the Role of Vision and the Effects of Aging

We continually encounter different ground terrain such as slippery, compliant, uneven, rocky, and irregular terrain when walking, yet we know very little about how individuals safely negotiate this type of complex environment. Furthermore, we know little about how aging affects stability in these situations despite the increased risk of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults. Paramount to our comprehension of how individuals safely traverse challenging ground terrain is to understand how visual information is utilized as vision is the first line of defense for preparing for and/or avoiding potentially hazardous terrain or obstacles. Thus, the objective of this thesis was to provide a better understanding towards how individuals negotiate different ground terrain in the environment to maintain dynamic stability and prevent the occurrence of a fall. In particular, the role of vision and the effects of aging were investigated. Three studies focused on the role of vision while negotiating varying ground terrain while two studies examined stability across these surfaces. Two main conclusions can be drawn from the results of the three studies on the role of vision. First, regardless of age individuals fixate on highly task-relevant areas (i.e. surfaces eventually stepped on) in an on-line manner and by fixating approximately two steps ahead. Second, visual information from the lower visual field is important for negotiating varying ground terrain. This latter finding has implications for older adults who wear multi-focal glasses and suggests that these individuals should be cautious when wearing these glasses in complex environments. In terms of stability, the results suggest that young and older adults demonstrate greater instability when walking across varying unstable ground terrain compared to solid level ground. Older adults are particularly more unstable in the medial-lateral direction when negotiating the challenging terrain, which may explain the frequency of laterally directed falls and increased hip-fracture risk with advancing age. Interestingly, older adults appear more stable in the anterior-posterior direction; although, this can largely be explained by the cautious gait strategy (i.e. slower walking speed and shorter steps) adopted by these individuals. The results of the studies of my thesis provide valuable insight into how individuals safely negotiate different types of challenging ground terrain when walking. Importantly, this knowledge can serve as an initial step in attempting to reduce falling among those at risk

First year engineering students’ perceptions of engineering

Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign has steadily drawn increasingly larger incoming classes of students. With a significant population and a diverse number of programs, these freshmen will be entering a unique engineering culture. This study sought to understand the perspectives and experiences of the students in regards to their engineering identity as they entered the university in the Fall of 2017, and after they had completed their first semester of engineering. Differences in perceptions among demographics such as gender, ethnicity, and the different engineering majors were also examined. Two surveys were administered to a population of 1986 freshman engineers within the first month of their first and second semesters. The surveys contained questions pertaining to the students’ perceived understanding of and confidence in engineering, as well as their reasons for pursuing engineering. Common perceptions of engineering qualities and responsibilities, as well as shifts in those perceptions, were also assessed. Results demonstrated that students across all majors were confident in their ability to succeed, but female students reported lower levels of confidence than male students, both when first entering the University and after their first semester of college. Within the various engineering majors and programs themselves, there were differences in satisfaction levels. Students who were not in their first choice major were less likely to agree with being happy in their field or intending to stay in their major. However, overall the participants rated themselves as having a good understanding of engineering and planning to stay within engineering as a realm. Descriptors for engineers that were most commonly selected included ‘Practical’ and ‘Analytical’ while less commonly selected were ‘Artistic’ and ‘Kind’. While there were differences in levels of agreement on the impact of various experiences such as meeting with an academic advisor or failing a test, paper or project, the overall agreement on experience effects allowed for an understanding of the development of freshman engineering identity at the University of Illinois