Exploring the essence of records management. Engaging with experts. Proceedings of the 1st Northumbria International Witness Seminar Conference, 4-5th May 2006, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

The 'Witness Seminar' concept comes from oral history research where key participants in an event or activity are brought together in a seminar to discuss the topic as they remember it (see for example http://icbh.ac.uk/icbh/witness/welcome.html). The discussions are taped and transcribed, resulting in a rich data resource for historical research. We have applied the concept to experts reflecting on their experiences and ideas. Our conference comprised a series of seminars on pre-selected topics. Speakers (referred to as witnesses) were invited to share their views and opinions on the seminar topic and to take as their starting point a published article pertinent to the topic. They submitted their written views (witness statements) prior to the event and the people who had agreed to chair the seminars were able to see in advance the collective views. At the event each chairperson had the freedom to facilitate their seminar as they wished, their aim being to generate lively discussion and debate between the speakers and between the speakers and the audience. Each witness was also free to give their statement how they wished. The one rule was that no PowerPoint presentations or overheads were to be used, freeing the witness and the audience from this barrier to two-way communication. The three main seminars explored aspects of the essence of records management, viz.: Embedding records management into business processes; Is records management the management of risk? Who are the records managers? These are issues of current significance to the records profession and the aim was to explore them by involving a broad range of professions in discussion and debate, exchanging views and experience, and reflecting and thinking about the future

Records management capacity and compliance toolkits : a critical assessment.

This article seeks to present the results of a project that critically evaluated a series of toolkits for assessing records management capacity and/or compliance. These toolkits have been developed in different countries and sectors within the context of the e-environment and provide evidence of good corporate and information governance. Design/methodology/approach - A desk-based investigation of the tools was followed by an electronic Delphi with toolkit developers and performance measurement experts to develop a set of evaluation criteria. Different stakeholders then evaluated the toolkits against the criteria using cognitive walkthroughs and expert heuristic reviews. The results and the research process were reviewed via electronic discussion. Findings - Developed by recognised and highly respected organisations, three of the toolkits are software tools, whilst the fourth is a methodology. They are all underpinned by relevant national/international records management legislation, standards and good practice including, either implicitly or explicitly, ISO 15489. They all have strengths, complementing rather than competing with one another. They enable the involvement of other staff, thereby providing an opportunity for raising awareness of the importance of effective records management. Practical implications - These toolkits are potentially very powerful, flexible and of real value to organisations in managing their records. They can be used for a "quick and dirty" assessment of records management capacity or compliance as well as in-depth analysis. The most important criterion for selecting the appropriate one is to match the toolkit with the scenario. Originality/value - This paper aims to raise awareness of the range and nature of records management toolkits and their potential for varied use in practice to support more effective management of records

Dlùth is Inneach: Linguistic and Institutional Foundations for Gaelic Corpus Planning

This report presents the results of a one-year research project, commissioned by Bòrd na Gàidhlig BnG) and carried out by a Soillse Research team, whose goal was to answer the following question: What corpus planning principles are appropriate for the strengthening and promotion of Scottish Gaelic, and what effective coordination would result in their implementation? This report contains the following agreed outcomes: a clear and consistent linguistic foundation for Gaelic corpus planning, according with Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s acquisition, usage and status planning initiatives, and most likely to be supported by Gaelic users. a programme of priorities to be addressed by Gaelic corpus planning. recommendations on a means of coordination that will be effective in terms of cost and management (i.e. an institutional framework

Taking the lead: learners’ experiences across the disciplines

The first year at university is a time of significant flux for students, as they adjust to unfamiliar environments, encounter new approaches to teaching and develop fresh learning strategies on the road to becoming self-directed learners. This sense of uncertainty may be compounded by the need to interact with unfamiliar and frequently complex online systems and technologies, possibly even before arrival. Furthermore, although technology is embedded seamlessly into the personal lives of many of today’s students, recent reports have questioned the widespread assumption that young adults have the sophisticated information skills and digital literacy needed to become autonomous learners. In this paper we present findings from a recently-completed study addressing these important issues. We investigated the utilisation of ICT and learning technologies by first-year undergraduates from a variety of different entry routes and academic disciplines, including Physics, Divinity and Veterinary Medicine, at the University of Edinburgh. The focus of the work was on the impact of technology on students’ transition to university and how this changed as they progressed through their first year. The overall shape of the research was based on a student-centred approach, with students’ own views and opinions placed central to the study; and used a holistic approach in which students’ use of e-learning and technology was set within the context of their learning experiences as a whole. To capture the breadth and complexity of their experiences we used a mixed-mode approach, including a series of reflective diaries recorded by learners (in video, audio or text format) together with surveys and focus groups. Students do not form a homogenous group, and findings in this area are inevitably complex. They have high expectations and are generally confident with technology; however, they may not always recognise technology’s potential to support and enhance learning. The term e-learning does not mean much to them; there is simply learning with strands of technology running through. This is reflected in a strong desire for face-to-face contact, with technology used to supplement and enhance this. Students are social, with informal group learning often facilitated by technology. They find their comfort zones and ways of working that are personal to them, and use technology to suit their own way of learning

Do physical interventions improve outcomes following concussion : A systematic review and meta-analysis?

Objective To investigate the effect of physical interventions (subthreshold aerobic exercise, cervical, vestibular and/or oculomotor therapies) on days to recovery and symptom scores in the management of concussion. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Medline, CINAHL, Embase, SportDiscus, Cochrane library, Scopus and PEDro. Eligibility criteria Randomised controlled trials of participants with concussion that evaluated the effect of subthreshold aerobic exercise, cervical, vestibular and/or oculomotor therapies on days to recovery/return to activity, symptom scores, balance, gait and/or exercise capacity. Results Twelve trials met the inclusion criteria: 7 on subthreshold aerobic exercise, 1 on vestibular therapy, 1 on cervical therapy and 3 on individually tailored multimodal interventions. The trials were of fair to excellent quality on the PEDro scale. Eight trials were included in the quantitative analysis. Subthreshold aerobic exercise had a significant small to moderate effect in improving symptom scores (standardised mean difference (SMD)=0.43, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.67, p=0.001, I2=0%) but not in reducing days to symptom recovery in both acutely concussed individuals and those with persistent symptoms (SMD=0.19, 95% CI −0.54 to 0.93, p=0.61, I2=52%). There was limited evidence for stand-alone cervical, vestibular and oculomotor therapies. Concussed individuals with persistent symptoms (>2 weeks) were approximately 3 times more likely to have returned to sport by 8 weeks (relative risk=3.29, 95% CI 0.30 to 35.69, p=0.33, I2=83%) if they received individually tailored, presentation-specific multimodal interventions (cervical, vestibular and oculo-motor therapy). In addition, the multimodal interventions had a moderate effect in improving symptom scores (SMD=0.63, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.15, p=0.02, I2=0%) when compared with control. Conclusions Subthreshold aerobic exercise appears to lower symptom scores but not time to recovery in concussed individuals. Individually tailored multimodal interventions have a worthwhile effect in providing faster return to sport and clinical improvement, specifically in those with persistent symptoms. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020108117

Public perceptions of changing the terminology for low-risk thyroid cancer: A qualitative focus group study

Objectives To investigate public perceptions of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in low-risk thyroid cancer and explore opinions regarding the proposed strategy to change the terminology of low-risk cancers. Design Qualitative study using focus groups that included a guided group discussion and presentation explaining thyroid cancer, overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and proposed communication strategies. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Setting Sydney, Australia. Participants Forty-seven men and women of various ages from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds with no personal history of thyroid cancer. Results Participants had low pre-existing general awareness of concepts of overdiagnosis and overtreatment and expressed concern regarding this new information in relation to thyroid cancer. Overall, participants understood why the strategy to change the terminology was being proposed and could see potential benefits including reducing the negative psychological impact and stigma associated with the term 'cancer'; however, many still had reservations about the strategy. The majority of the concerns were around their worry about the risk of further disease progression and that changing the terminology may create confusion and cause patients not to take the diagnosis and its associated managements seriously. Despite varied views towards the proposed strategy, there was a strong overarching desire for greater patient and public education around overdiagnosis and overtreatment in both thyroid cancer and cancer generally in order to complement any revised terminology and/or other mitigation strategies. Conclusions We found a strong and apparently widely held desire for more information surrounding the topic of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Careful consideration of how to inform both the public and current patients about the implications of a change in terminology, including changes to patients' follow-up or treatments, would be needed if such a change were to go ahead

Fine scale measurement and mapping of uranium in soil solution in soil and plant-soil microcosms, with special reference to depleted uranium

Background and aims: Residues from use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions pose a lasting environmental impact through persistent contamination of soils. Consequently, an understanding of the factors determining the fate of DU in soil is necessary. An understudied factor is the interaction of root exudates with DU. This study describes the use of ‘Single-Cell-Sampling-and-Analysis' (SiCSA) for the first time in soil and investigates the effects of root exudates on DU dissolution. Methods: Soil solutions from soil and plant-soil microcosms containing DU fragments were sampled and analysed using SiCSA and capillary electrophoresis/ICP-MS for organic acids and uranium. Results: Nanolitre volumes of soil solution were sampled and analysed. Soils with DU fragments but no citrate addition showed low uranium concentrations in contrast to those with added citrate. Lupin root exudation gave concentrations up to 8mM citrate and 4.4mM malate in soil solution which solubilised DU fragments yielding transient solution concentrations of up to 30mM. Conclusions: Root exudates solubilise DU giving high localised soil solution concentrations. This should be considered when assessing the environmental risk of DU munitions. The SiCSA method was used successfully in soil for the first time and enables investigations with high spatial and temporal resolution in the rhizosphere. Figur

Archived U-Pb (zircon) dates from southern New Brunswick

U-Pb (zircon) ages for eight samples from southern New Brunswick were determined during the early 1990's as part of a regional mapping and correlation program. Although most of the dates have been subsequently quoted in the literature through personal communications, and some preliminary isochron diagrams have been incorporated in papers, the results have not been published in their entirety. The units sampled and best estimates for their ages are the Lobster Brook Formation (554 ± 6 Ma), Leavitts Head Formation (554 ± 3 Ma), Ragged Falls Suite (553 ± 2 Ma), Mosquito Lake Road Formation (514 ± 2 Ma, maximum age), Bayswater Formation (436 ± 3 Ma), Centreton Granite (437 ± 3 Ma), felsic dyke of North Head, Grand Manan Island (396+3/-2 Ma), and Lake George Cupola, Lake George Mine (414 ± 2 Ma). RÉSUMÉ Des datations au U-Pb (à partir de zircon) de huit échantillons du Sud du Nouveau-Brunswick avaient été réalisées au début des années 90 dans le cadre d'un programme régional de cartographie et de corrélation. Même si la majorité des dates ont subséquemment été citées dans de la documentation par le biais de communications personnelles et que certains schémas isochrones préliminaires ont été incorporés dans des communications, les résultats n'ont pas été publiés dans leur intégralité. Les unités échantillonnées et leur meilleurs âges estimatifs comprennent la Formation de Lobster Brook (554 ± 6 Ma), la Formation de Leavitts Head (554 ± 3 Ma), le cortège de Ragged Falls (553 ± 2 Ma), la Formation de Mosquito Lake Road (514 ± 2 Ma, âge maximal), la Formation de Bayswater (436 ± 3 Ma), le granite de Centreton (437 ± 3 Ma), le dyke felsique de North Head, dans l'île Grand Manan (396+3/-2 Ma), et la coupole du lac George, à la mine du lac George (414 ± 2 Ma). [Traduit par la rédaction