Information literacy education in the UK: reflections on perspectives and practical approaches of curricular integration

This paper has two main aims, to present the current position of information literacy education in UK-based academic institutions and to propose a strategy that ensures the integration of this phenomenon in learning and teaching institutional practices. The first part of the paper offers an insight into the perceptions of information literacy by exploring four distinct perspectives, including the institutional angle and the views associated with faculty staff, library staff and students. What transpires from the findings is that information literacy from an institutional perspective is dominated by the need to measure information skills within the context of information as a discipline in its own right. Another issue that is raised by the data points to a great deal of misinformation regarding information literacy, and that, as a result, a clear marketing strategy must be adopted by information professionals to address the misconceptions held by faculty staff and students alike. We aim to address these points by drawing on recent scholarship and research in the field which demonstrates the validity of information literacy as a process for fostering independent learning. The second part of the paper explains how a Fellowship project has placed information literacy on the pedagogical agenda of the University of Staffordshire in the UK by promoting information literacy education as an integrated element of the curriculum

Warning! : packaging can damage your health

Previous work by the authors has shown that access to packaging in hospitals can influence the nutritional status of patients. This work indicated that five particular pack forms performed badly and that the issue surrounding poor access was both linked to strength and dexterity. The study presented here looks at initial work undertaken to examine the dexterity needed to access these problematic packaging and examine methods for measuring users dexterity. To that end a Purdue Pegboard, questionnaires, HSV and task analysis were used. This work showed that there was a direct link between the reduction in dexterity and the time taken to open a pack. Further, packs that required multiple stages and complex actions were more likely to be ranked as problematic and cause problems for patients and staff. Significantly, even users with poor dexterity were however, able to open the packs. This is consistent with work undertaken by Sangar (2011) that showed users who had very poor dexterity and who had their medication decanted could with some effort open their medication. This leads to the conclusion that inability to open the packs is a function of the dexterity, time taken and motivation. In a hospital setting the 'wellness' and posture of the patient may affect dexterity and hence increase time. The degree of 'wellness' is also likely to contribute to reduced motivation

The challenges of delivering a public library service using volunteers: a qualitative investigation examining key stakeholder experiences

This paper considers the findings of recent qualitative research, which examined volunteer use in public libraries, focussing on the perceptions of four groups of stakeholders (the library managers, front line staff, volunteers and library users) in the light of recent austerity measures in two English case study library authorities. A complex picture of public library service delivery exists, with a move from value-added volunteers supporting staff, to the replacement of paid staff with volunteers. This development challenges the previous positive relationships established by value-added volunteer use, and hints at an underlying societal misunderstanding of public libraries, which affects wider policy and practice. The paper examines the challenges of using volunteers to plug the gaps left by library closures and paid staff reductions, and identifies possible areas of good practice in what has become an increasingly hybrid model of public service delivery

Development of gene probes to P virus (Reoviridae) for disease diagnosis in crustaceans

This study reports the development of two important techniques, gene probes and haemocyte cultures that have not been previously available to investigate viral diseases in temperate water marine decapods. These techniques were used to investigate numerous aspects of a reovirus infection of the swimming crab Liocarcinus depurator, P virus, both in vivo and in vitro. The construction and subsequent use of a gene probe has revealed that, not only can virus be experimentally transmitted to L. depurator by injection, but that it is present in natural populations of crabs from the North Sea. Seasonal variation in both incidence of P infection and in incubation time was observed. The incidence of infection increased with increasing temperature whereas incubation time decreased with increasing temperature. In vivo, P virus was found to cause marked haemocytopenia in infected L. depurator and a cytopathic effect, vacuolisation of haemocytes was observed. This effect was not observed in the haemocytes of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, providing evidence that P virus does not infect this species. To address the lack of techniques for in vitro studies, a cell culture system for crustacean haemocytes was developed. Primary culture of two haemocyte types, hyaline and semi-granular haemocytes was established for haemocytes of both L. depurator and C. maenas. High haemocyte viability was obtained for at least two weeks and, cells retained their functional capabilities in vitro. Having successfully established a haemocyte culture system and the gene probe E2b, it was then possible to begin investigations on P virus infections in vitro. P virus produced a number of effects on haemocytes of L. depurator in vitro. Haemocyte number and haemocyte viability decreased after addition of P virus and a number of cytopathic effects were observed such as necrosis, pycnosis and vacuolisation

Student-generated e-learning for clinical education

Background Within clinical education, e-learning facilitates a standardised learning experience to augment the clinical experience while enabling learner and teacher flexibility. With the shift of students from consumers to creators, student-generated content is expanding within higher education; however, there is sparse literature evaluating the impact of student-developed e-learning within clinical education. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate a student-developed e-learning clinical module series within ambulatory care clinical pharmacy experiences. Methods Three clinical e-learning modules were developed by students for use prior to clinical experiences. E-learning modules were created by fourth-year professional pharmacy students and reviewed by pharmacy faculty members. A pre-/post-assessment was performed to evaluate knowledge comprehension before and after participating in the e-learning modules. Additionally, a survey on student perceptions of this educational tool was performed at the end of the clinical experience. There is sparse literature evaluating the impact of student-developed e-learning within clinical education Results Of the 31 students eligible for study inclusion, 94 per cent participated in both the pre- and post-assessments. The combined post-assessment score was significantly improved after participating in the student-developed e-learning modules (p = 0.008). The student perception survey demonstrated positive perceptions of e-learning within clinical education. Discussion Student-generated e-learning was able to enhance knowledge and was positively perceived by learners. As e-learning continues to expand within health sciences education, students can be incorporated into the development and execution of this educational tool

Usability of Food and Beverage Packs in Hospital - Experiences from the Renal Ward

Abstract presented at The 21st IAPRI World Conference on Packaging, 19-22 June 2018, Zhuhai, Chin

Forecasting the monthly electricity consumption of municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1997.Eskom is the major electricity supplier in South Africa and medium term forecasting within the company is a critical activity to ensure that enough electricity is generated to support the country's growth, that the networks can supply the electricity and that the revenue derived from electricity consumption is managed efficiently. This study investigates the most suitable forecasting technique for predicting monthly electricity consumption, one year ahead for four major municipalities within Kwa-Zulu Natal

Canagliflozin, a New Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, in the Treatment of Diabetes

Purpose. The published evidence on the pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of a promising investigational agent for managing type 2 diabetes is evaluated. Summary. Canagliflozin belongs to a class of agents—the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors—whose novel mechanism of action offers potential advantages over other antihyperglycemic agents, including a relatively low hypoglycemia risk and weight loss-promoting effects. Canagliflozin has dose-dependent pharmacokinetics, and research in laboratory animals demonstrated high oral bioavailability (85%) and rapid effects in lowering glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. In four early-stage clinical trials involving a total of over 500 patients, the use of canagliflozin for varying periods was associated with significant mean reductions in HbA1c (absolute reductions of 0.45–0.92%) and fasting plasma glucose (decreases ranged from 16.2% to 42.4%) and weight loss ranging from 0.7 to 3.5 kg. More than a dozen Phase II or III clinical trials of canagliflozin in adults are ongoing or were recently completed, but the final results of most of those studies have not been published. Adverse effects reported in clinical trials of canagliflozin include urinary tract and genital infections, occurring in about 10% of patients. Additional and larger Phase III clinical trials to delineate the potential role of canagliflozin and other SGLT2 inhibitors in the management of diabetes (including studies involving the elderly, children, and patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction) are planned or currently underway. Conclusion. Canagliflozin and other investigational SGLT2 inhibitors have a novel mechanism of action that may offer a future alternative treatment pathway for managing type 2 diabetes

Numerical Regularization of Electromagnetic Quantum Fluctuations in Inhomogeneous Dielectric Media

Electromagnetic Casimir stresses are of relevance to many technologies based on mesoscopic devices such as MEMS embedded in dielectric media, Casimir induced friction in nano-machinery, micro-fluidics and molecular electronics. Computation of such stresses based on cavity QED generally require numerical analysis based on a regularization process. A new scheme is described that has the potential for wide applicability to systems involving realistic inhomogeneous media. From a knowledge of the spectrum of the stationary modes of the electromagnetic field the scheme is illustrated by estimating numerically the Casimir stress on opposite faces of a pair of perfectly conducting planes separated by a vacuum and the change in this result when the region between the plates is filled with an incompressible inhomogeneous non-dispersive dielectric.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, submitted to PR

\u27While we can, we will\u27: exploring food choice and dietary behaviour amongst independent older Australians

Aim Burgeoning proportions of populations aged over 65 years impose an increased financial burden upon governments for the provision of associated health and aged-care services. Strategies are therefore required to mitigate service demand through the preservation of good health and independence into old age. Nutrition has been acknowledged as a key factor for realisation of this goal. The objective of the present study was to investigate factors responsible for shaping food shopping, cooking and eating behaviours amongst healthy, independently living Australians aged 60 years and over. Methods Eighteen (5 male, 13 female) independently living residents sourced from three low-care Illawarra Retirement Trust (IRT) lifestyle residential facilities volunteered to take part in the present study. All participants were aged 60 years or more and in relatively good health. Semi-structured focus groups were implemented to explore factors influencing the selection, acquisition and preparation of food. Each session was digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and subsequently examined using content and thematic analysis. Results Ten sub-themes were identified and grouped into three broader themes: adaptation, psychosocial parameters and food landscape. Findings reflect an active self-determination to retain independence, with a focus on the maintenance of favourable nutritional status. A sense of resourcefulness was evident through the development of strategies to overcome potential barriers to healthy eating. Conclusions Factors that influence the food choices of community-living older Australians are complex and multifactorial, and underpinned by a strong desire for independence and control over personal health outcomes. Studies involving larger, more demographically diverse participant groups are required to elicit socially acceptable strategies that will empower older Australians to sustain their health and independence for the longer term