Website Redesign Update

This presentation was given at the December 2018 Library All Staff Meeting.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146758/1/WPSC - Library All Staff (December 2018).pdfDescription of WPSC - Library All Staff (December 2018).pdf : Presentatio

Internal U, Th and Rb concentrations of alkali-feldspar grains:Implications for luminescence dating

This study assesses whether internal U, Th and Rb concentrations of single grains of alkali-feldspar can impact upon luminescence dating. Internal alpha dose-rates determined for two sedimentary samples calculated from mean U and Th concentrations accounted for ∼10% of the total dose-rates, while internal beta dose-rates from mean Rb concentrations accounted for ∼2%. Depth profiles of measurements penetrating into each grain show that internal U and Th concentrations varied between grains, where some grains had effective internal alpha dose-rates up to 1.8 Gy/ka (32% of the total dose-rate). K concentrations inferred from Rb (KRb) for individual grains suggest that internal U and Th concentrations are related to the feldspar composition. Grains with KRb > 6% had low U and Th, and grains with KRb < 6% had higher U and Th concentrations. Internal alpha and beta dose-rates of the perthitic and Na-rich grains contaminating the density-separated K-feldspar fractions had a significant impact upon the single-grain De distributions, which was estimated to be equivalent to overdispersion values of ∼10 – 15%. The scatter in the De distributions arising from internal alpha and beta dose-rates for both samples could be reduced by selecting only the brightest 20% of grains for luminescence dating

Searching for a shared understanding of digital confidence in a tertiary context: a scoping review

Digital confidence has been increasingly cited as key for staff and student development in tertiary education, often alongside concepts of digital competence or digital capabilities. In the past three years it has formed part of the discussion in our sector (higher education) around adapting to this time of rapid change, especially during the period of Covid-19 emergency learning and teaching moved online. While digital confidence has long been a focus of our learning technology staff support team, we noticed through discussion with peers and previous reading and research, that our understanding of what digital confidence is and how it develops sometimes differed from the way in which it was represented in the journals and grey literature that we were initially reading. This prompted our scoping review of the literature, exploring whether there is a shared understanding of digital confidence in the tertiary sector and how its relationship to digital competence and similar concepts is understood. The review also discusses implications for organisational digital transformation strategies, student employability, and the wellbeing of students and staff, as well as noting the important role learning developers could play in supporting the development of digital confidence

Precise tuning of polymeric fiber dimensions to enhance the mechanical properties of alginate hydrogel matrices

Hydrogels based on biopolymers, such as alginate, are commonly used as scaffolds in tissue engineering applications as they mimic the features of the native extracellular matrix (ECM). However, in their native state, they suffer from drawbacks including poor mechanical performance and a lack of biological functionalities. Herein, we have exploited a crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) methodology to prepare well-defined one-dimensional micellar structures with controlled lengths to act as a mimic of fibrillar collagen in native ECM and improve the mechanical strength of alginate-based hydrogels. Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(N, N-dimethyl acrylamide) triblock copolymers were self-assembled into 1D cylindrical micelles with precise lengths using CDSA epitaxial growth and subsequently combined with calcium alginate hydrogel networks to obtain nanocomposites. Rheological characterization determined that the inclusion of the cylindrical structures within the hydrogel network increased the strength of the hydrogel under shear. Furthermore, the strain at flow point of the alginate-based hydrogel was found to increase with nanoparticle content, reaching an improvement of 37% when loaded with 500 nm cylindrical micelles. Overall, this study has demonstrated that one-dimensional cylindrical nanoparticles with controlled lengths formed through CDSA are promising fibrillar collagen mimics to build ECM scaffold models, allowing exploration of the relationship between collagen fiber size and matrix mechanical properties

Baby-led weaning: a thematic analysis of comments made by parents using online parenting forums.

BACKGROUND: Baby-led weaning (BLW) centres on making the baby an active partner, rather than a passive recipient of complementary feeding. Key features of BLW include self-feeding foods in their natural form, eating with the rest of the family and consuming family foods. This differs from traditional weaning (TW) where parents initially spoon feed purees, alongside finger foods, before graduating to more textured food. Previous research, however, has suggested parents may not fully adhere to one weaning style. This study aimed to explore how the meaning and interpretation of BLW may contribute to the weaning style used. METHODS: Messages and responses posted on three UK parenting forums, and relating to complementary feeding, were analysed using an interpretive thematic approach. RESULTS: The characterisation of BLW by parents was varied but they described BLW having an ethos which included trusting the baby, role modelling, developing confidence with food and sharing the social aspects of mealtimes. BLW also offered an alternative to those actively seeking something different or a default for those whose baby refused purees or spoon feeding. BLW felt like a natural progression, with low parental effort for some, and a source of anxiety, stress, choking risk and mess for others. Many parents struggled to find a process (what to eat and when) within BLW, that they could follow. Finger foods were used synonymously with BLW but many mixed/blurred aspects of both TW and BLW. CONCLUSIONS: The interpretation of BLW varies considerably between parents and a broader definition of BLW may be required, along with guidance on the process and purpose of BLW

Basic income experiments in OECD countries:A rapid evidence review

Since 2015, the idea of a universal basic income (UBI) has inspired an increasing number ofexperiments in OECD countries. In this report, we provide a rapid evidence review of thecharacteristics, indicators and outcomes of these basic income experiments in order to informpolicymakers about gaps in knowledge and to make suggestions for future experimental design.We found 38 experiments across Europe, North America and Asia that met inclusion criteria.Most experiments involve cash benefits targeted at a relatively small number of low-incomehouseholds for a period of roughly two years dispersed across a relatively large area. We consider thatthis makes a sound case for the development of more heterogenous target groups, a longer time periodand a greater examination of community effects. We also provide some suggestions for more policy-and political-oriented goals, which we argue are an oft-ignored elements of these experiments inpolicymaking and research