Establishing an Institution: The Public Library Movement in Iowa 1900 - 1920

As the world becomes increasingly digitally-oriented it is important for public libraries to reexamine their history as they formulate strategies to secure their place as an irreplaceable community institution. The situation today is similar to the beginnings of the public library movement when libraries had to create their place in society and market that idea so that citizens and towns would support that effort. The ‘golden age’ of Iowa’s public library movement was from 1900-1920. During that period the work of Iowa’s Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Iowa Library Association, the Iowa Library Commission, and Andrew Carnegie’s library grants made it possible for Iowa towns to establish permanent free public libraries. Iowa was awarded 99 Carnegie library grants totaling $1,495,706 for 101 buildings. A case study of thirteen different Iowa towns, who applied for and received Carnegie library grants, helped to identify the common challenges that communities faced such as the location of the library, population size, tax requirements, and the final grant amount. It also highlighted the importance of community involvement and the support of political figures to overcome the challenges that towns faced. It was only through the requirements of the Carnegie library grants, and the community-driven nature of the grants, that permanent free public libraries were established throughout Iowa cementing the place of the free public library as a community institution

Mechanical and electrical properties of 3D-printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites reinforced with carbon nanomaterials

Master of ScienceDepartment of Mechanical and Nuclear EngineeringGurpreet Singh3D-printing is a popular manufacturing technique for making complex parts or small quantity batches. Currently, the applications of 3D-printing are limited by the material properties of the printed material. The processing parameters of commonly available 3D printing processes constrain the materials used to a small set of primarily plastic materials, which have relatively low strength and electrical conductivity. Adding filler materials has the potential to improve these properties and expand the applications of 3D printed material. Carbon nanomaterials show promise as filler materials due to their extremely high conductivity, strength, and surface area. In this work, Graphite, Carbon Nanotubes, and Carbon Black (CB) were mixed with raw Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) pellets. The resulting mixture was extruded to form a composite filament. Tensile test specimens and electrical conductivity specimens were manufactured by Fused Deposition Method (FDM) 3D-printing using this composite filament as the feedstock material. Weight percentages of filler materials were varied from 0-20 wt% to see the effect of increasing filler loading on the composite materials. Additional tensile test specimens were fabricated and post-processed with heat and microwave irradiation in attempt to improve adhesion between layers of the 3D-printed materials. Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy tests on 15 wt% Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) composite specimens showed an increase in DC electrical conductivity of over 6 orders of magnitude compared to neat ABS samples. This 15 wt% specimen had DC electrical conductivity of 8.74x10−6 S/cm, indicating semi-conducting behavior. MWCNT specimens with under 5 wt% filler loading and Graphite specimens with under 1 wt% filler loading showed strong insulating behavior similar to neat ABS. Tensile tests showed increases in tensile strength at 5 wt% CB and 0.5 wt% MWCNT. Placing the specimens in the oven at 135 °C for an hour caused increased the stiffness of the composite specimens

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Cancer Patients with Radiation-Induced Tissue Injuries

Cancer, secondary to cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). Radiation is a standard cancer therapy, however it can cause fibrosis of blood vessels, the breakdown of soft tissue, and subsequently lead to necrosis. When caring for cancer patients, it is imperative to consider the lasting effects interventions pose on their long-term health. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a healing treatment consisting of administering 100% oxygen to the body in a pressurized chamber; in turn, HBOT facilitates capillary regrowth, blood flow restoration, and increased efficiency of wound healing time. The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in improving the healing time of radiation-induced tissue injury in adults, compared to those not receiving the therapy, was examined. A literature search was conducted using the databases CINAHL and PubMed. The search encompassed the years 2019 to 2024 and included the search terms: hyperbaric oxygen therapy, injury, radiation, and cancer. Inclusion criteria involved articles that identified the uses of HBOT when treating post-radiation injuries for breast, head, neck, and pelvic cancers. Exclusion criteria included articles that did not fit the age group or highlighted alternative treatment modalities. Twelve peer-reviewed articles met the search criteria. The literature found that individuals receiving HBOT for radiation-induced complications reported increased quality of life, decreased pain, and minimal side effects shortly after therapy. Based on the findings, there is strong support that this treatment modality can reduce the healing time of tissue injuries compared to those not utilizing HBOT

Assessment Practices and Experiences of Sex Trafficking in Caseloads of Service Providers Working with High Risk Youth in Indiana

With increased recognition of sex trafficking, calls have been made for greater identification and screening. Lack of awareness and assessment likely contribute to low identification of sex trafficking victims. The present study examined assessment practices, confidence in detecting trafficking, and experiences with DMST survivors in the caseloads of service providers in the past year. Employees at high-risk settings were recruited, resulting in a sample of 76 providers representing 21 agencies. Data revealed that while general risk factors were typically assessed, sex trafficking-specific risk factors and experiences were assessed less often. Approximately 30% of participants indicated they worked with at least one sex trafficking victim in the past year. However, 44% of participants indicated low confidence in detection. Approximately 23% of participants had completed sex trafficking training, but few differences emerged between those with and without prior training. Increased training, assessment, and evaluations of the effectiveness of training programs are recommended

A Low-Tech Analytical Method for Diethylcarbamazine Citrate in Medicated Salt

The World Health Organization has called for an effort to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) around the world. In regions where the disease is endemic, local production and distribution of medicated salt dosed with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been an effective method for eradicating LF. A partner of the Notre Dame Haiti program, Group SPES in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, produces a medicated salt called Bon Sel. Coarse salt is pre-washed and sprayed with a solution of DEC citrate and potassium iodate. Iodine levels are routinely monitored on site by a titrimetric method. However, the factory had no method for monitoring DEC. Critical analytical issues include 1) determining whether the amount of DEC in each lot of Bon Sel is within safe and therapeutically useful limits, 2) monitoring variability within and between production runs, and 3) determining the effect of a common local practice (washing salt before use) on the availability of DEC. This paper describes a novel titrimetric method for analysis of DEC citrate in medicated salt. The analysis needs no electrical power and requires only a balance, volumetric glassware, and burets that most salt production programs have on hand for monitoring iodine levels. The staff of the factory used this analysis method on site to detect underloading of DEC on the salt by their sprayer and to test a process change that fixed the problem

18-Beta-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Causes Increased Pigment Production and Decreased Adherence in Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilms

Infections caused by Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are an ever growing concern in the health care field.  While MRSA is most known for its resistance to beta-lactams (i.e. penicillin), it has also acquired resistance to a number of other antibiotics.  MRSA plays a major role in chronic wounds due to its ability to form a biofilm, resulting in severe infections.  Biofilms are naturally more resistant to antibiotics than planktonic cells which can be due to their extracellular polymeric substance and slow growing nature, as well as metabolic differences.  This has resulted in biofilms becoming a major focus in the biomedical field.  As MRSA rapidly acquires resistance to currently available antibiotics, there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobials. 18?-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) is a compound isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra and has been shown to be an effective antimicrobial against Staphylococcal planktonic cells; however, investigations on biofilm activity appear to be lacking. Our studies show GRA to have minimal to no effect on biofilm bacterial counts; however, post-treatment observations included an increase in yellow pigment and decreased adherence of biofilms. S. aureus pigments play an important role in virulence, including oxidative stress that may be introduced by antimicrobials like GRA. Crystal violet staining of GRA treated biofilms showed a quantified reduction in adherence compared to controls. This suggests that GRA may cause biofilm dispersal and therefore increased susceptibility to current antimicrobials. 1H NMR metabolomics is being conducted to investigate these results and other metabolic changes in GRA treated biofilms

If we Build it, Will they Come?: Considerations for the Creation and Maintenance of Local Learning Object Repositories

In response to the growing need for digital learning content especially during the pandemic, the UWaterloo Library’s Instructional Design team created numerous online learning objects as well developed an online learning objects repository, dubbed OLOR for short. This poster highlights the development and maintenance of the OLOR, including core questions considered during project planning.Over the past few years, libraries and institutions of higher education have created a significant quantity of digital learning content. From this wealth of instructional materials has come the need to consider the sustainable management and open sharing of these resources for long-term use and maintenance. In this poster, members of a cross departmental team who created and now maintain a local learning object repository will address experiences from the past 2.5 years of their work. Core questions including: • How do you scope a project plan for a learning object repository? • How do you determine acceptable format types? • How do you develop workflows for maintenance of learning objects that must be updated? • What are the licensing and intellectual property considerations for learning object repositories? • How can you engender and maintain positive, effective collaboration for large scale projects like learning object repositories that remain in an iterative state of development? While the team initially intended to create a learning objects repository with a fluid timeline, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the team’s schedule to shift. The team rapidly created numerous online learning resources and housed them in the library’s online learning objects repository, dubbed OLOR for short. The OLOR provides open access, library-related “learning objects” for the UWaterloo academic community and anyone with an interest in accessing them. This poster aims to highlight the: • Initial comparison of other university library online resources; • Scope of the content held within the repository; • Organizational model of the OLOR; • Lessons learned and implemented; • Ideas for future implementation

A crossover randomised controlled trial of oral mandibular advancement devices for obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea (TOMADO)

Rationale Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) but evidence is lacking regarding their clinical and cost-effectiveness in less severe disease. Objectives To compare clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a range of MADs against no treatment in mild to moderate OSAHS. Measurements and methods This open-label, randomised, controlled, crossover trial was undertaken at a UK sleep centre. Adults with Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) 5–<30/h and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score ≥9 underwent 6 weeks of treatment with three nonadjustable MADs: self-moulded (SleepPro 1; SP1); semi-bespoke (SleepPro 2; SP2); fully-bespoke MAD (bMAD); and 4 weeks no treatment. Primary outcome was AHI scored by a polysomnographer blinded to treatment. Secondary outcomes included ESS, quality of life, resource use and cost. Main results 90 patients were randomised and 83 were analysed. All devices reduced AHI compared with no treatment by 26% (95% CI 11% to 38%, p=0.001) for SP1, 33% (95% CI 24% to 41%) for SP2 and 36% (95% CI 24% to 45%, p<0.001) for bMAD. ESS was 1.51 (95% CI 0.73 to 2.29, p<0.001, SP1) to 2.37 (95% CI 1.53 to 3.22, p<0.001, bMAD) lower than no treatment (p<0.001 for all). Compliance was lower for SP1, which was the least preferred treatment at trial exit. All devices were cost-effective compared with no treatment at a £20 000/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) threshold. SP2 was the most cost-effective up to £39 800/QALY. Conclusions Non-adjustable MADs achieve clinically important improvements in mild to moderate OSAHS and are cost-effective

Child maltreatment data:A summary of progress, prospects and challenges

Background: In 1996, the ISPCAN Working Group on Child Maltreatment Data (ISPCAN-WGCMD) was established to provide an international forum in which individuals, who deal with child maltreatment data in their respective professional roles, can share concerns and solutions. Objective: This commentary describes some of the key features and the status of child maltreatment related data collection addressed by the ISPCAN-WGCMD. Methods: Different types of data collection methods including self-report, sentinel, and administrative data designs are described as well as how they address different needs for information to help understand child maltreatment and systems of prevention and intervention. Results: While still lacking in many parts of the world, access to child maltreatment data has become much more widespread, and in many places a very sophisticated undertaking. Conclusion: The ISPCAN-WGCMD has been an important forum for supporting the continued development and improvement in the global effort to understand and combat child maltreatment thus contributing to the long term goals of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nevertheless, based on what has been learned, even greater efforts are required to improve data in order to effectively combat child maltreatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Community Organizations: Changing the Culture in Which Research Software Is Developed and Sustained

Software is the key crosscutting technology that enables advances in mathematics, computer science, and domain-specific science and engineering to achieve robust simulations and analysis for science, engineering, and other research fields. However, software itself has not traditionally received focused attention from research communities; rather, software has evolved organically and inconsistently, with its development largely as by-products of other initiatives. Moreover, challenges in scientific software are expanding due to disruptive changes in computer hardware, increasing scale and complexity of data, and demands for more complex simulations involving multiphysics, multiscale modeling and outer-loop analysis. In recent years, community members have established a range of grass-roots organizations and projects to address these growing technical and social challenges in software productivity, quality, reproducibility, and sustainability. This article provides an overview of such groups and discusses opportunities to leverage their synergistic activities while nurturing work toward emerging software ecosystems