The Effect of Extended Family Gambling and Family Functioning on the Gambling Behavior of African American Adolescents

The present study investigated the possible mediational role of family functioning and extended family gambling on African American adolescent gambling behavior. A total of 634 African American students (average age=15.8 years,SD =1.4) were recruited from three urban public high schools. Rates of both at-risk (17%) and problem gambling (12.1%) were elevated. The Barron and Kenny (1986) mediational model was used for all analyses. Results revealed high, total South Oaks Gambling Screen- Revised for Adolescent (SOGS-RA) scores and increased gambling frequency for youth reporting having a extended family member who gambles. The family’s ability to show appropriate emotional responses (Affective Response) was positively related, while their inability to manage behavior (Behavior Control) was negatively related to extended family gambling behavior. An increased ability to solve problems in the home (Problem Solving) and a decrease in behavioral control were significant predictors of problematic gambling status, while high levels of problem solving and low levels of affective response were related to gambling frequency. Despite the direct effects found, the Sobel test (1982) determined no significant mediating effect of the relation between extended family gambling behavior and adolescent gambling behavior across the levels of family functioning. The present results indicate that familial relationships including those that extend to additional family members, are important when considering the gambling behavior of African American adolescents. This study represents an ongoing effort to understand the role of familial factors in the gambling behavior of African American adolescents

Out of the Basement: Partnering to Enhance the Discovery and Use of Graphic Novels

This paper presents a project designed to promote and increase the use of graphic novels, previously a seldom utilized collection, at the University at Albany Libraries. Several units in the Libraries collaborated to add additional graphic novels to the collection, augment bibliographic records with genre headings to enhance discovery, and promote this collection in the University Libraries and online. The Libraries used a variety of marketing techniques, including social media. Circulation statistics were recorded before, during, and after the promotional activities. This collaboration not only resulted in an increase in circulation activity for these titles while they were on display and after they were returned to the stacks, but generated other benefits as well

Go Team! Using Teams to Manage Electronic Resources

The increasing prevalence of electronic journals in library collections has impacted many aspects of library operations. Libraries have had to rethink workflows, processes, staffing needs, and other factors to account for the differences between print and online journals. The management of electronic journals can often cross departmental boundaries and bring into question current workflow. To address the changing landscape of electronic journal management, the University at Albany University Libraries developed two teams: one to implement batchloading electronic journal records and a second to address ongoing management and related policies. As a result of using a team approach for these responsibilities, the University Libraries was able to streamline processes, reduce duplication of effort across departments, coordinate policies and procedures, improve communication, and develop best practices

Go Team! Using Teams to Manage Electronic Resources

The increasing prevalence of ejournals in library collections has impacted many aspects of library operations. Libraries have had to rethink workflows, processes, staffing needs, and other factors to account for the differences between print and online journals. The management of ejournals can often cross departmental boundaries and bring into question current workflow. To address the changing landscape of journal management, the University at Albany Libraries developed two teams: one to implement batchloading ejournal records and a second to address ongoing management and related policies. As a result of using a team approach for these responsibilities, the University Libraries was able to streamline processes, reduce duplication of effort across departments, coordinate policies and procedures, improve communication, and develop best practices

Read Between the Lines: Marketing Graphic Novels

This poster session highlights a marketing initiative for graphic novels, an underutilized collection, at the University at Albany. The marketing initiative was a collaboration between the presenters and the University Library’s Marketing Coordinating Committee. It included an exhibit case, book marks, a library Pinterest page, a designated location for the books with signage to draw attention to the books, writing a piece for the Libraries’ newsletter, creating a promotional slide for the library lobby and website, coordinating with the bibliographer in the Science Library about her graphic novel display, and sending emails notifying staff about the display

Internal Customer Service Assessment of Cataloging, Acquisitions, and Library Systems [Presentation]

The Technical Services and Library Systems Division of the University at Albany Libraries conducted an internal customer service survey to gauge customer satisfaction with its services. Survey results demonstrated that customer surveys are a valuable assessment tool. Technical services and library systems units should use this tool to identify whether customers are satisfied with the services provided, whether the services are still needed, whether additional services are needed, and more. This presentation provides an approach to conducting a customer service survey, an analysis of potential benefits, and a survey instrument that others could adapt to use in their own libraries

Mixed-Grass Prairie Canopy Structure and Spectral Reflectance Vary with Topographic Position

Managers of the nearly 0.5 million ha of public lands in North and South Dakota, USA rely heavily on manual measurements of canopy height in autumn to ensure conservation of grassland structure for wildlife and forage for livestock. However, more comprehensive assessment of vegetation structure could be achieved for mixed-grass prairie by integrating field survey, topographic position (summit, mid and toeslope) and spectral reflectance data. Thus, we examined the variation of mixed-grass prairie structural attributes (canopy leaf area, standing crop mass, canopy height, nitrogen, and water content) and spectral vegetation indices (VIs) with variation in topographic position at the Grand River National Grassland (GRNG), South Dakota. We conducted the study on a 36,000-ha herbaceous area within the GRNG, where randomly selected plots (1 km2 in size) were geolocated and included summit, mid and toeslope positions. We tested for effects of topographic position on measured vegetation attributes and VIs calculated from Landsat TM and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data collected in July 2010. Leaf area, standing crop mass, canopy height, nitrogen, and water content were lower at summits than at toeslopes. The simple ratio of Landsat Band 7/Band 1 (SR71) was the VI most highly correlated with canopy standing crop and height at plot and landscape scales. Results suggest field and remote sensing-based grassland assessment techniques could more comprehensively target low structure areas at minimal expense by layering modeled imagery over a landscape stratified into topographic position groups

Mixed-Grass Prairie Canopy Structure and Spectral Reflectance Vary with Topographic Position

Managers of the nearly 0.5 million ha of public lands in North and South Dakota, USA rely heavily on manual measurements of canopy height in autumn to ensure conservation of grassland structure for wildlife and forage for livestock. However, more comprehensive assessment of vegetation structure could be achieved for mixed-grass prairie by integrating field survey, topographic position (summit, mid and toeslope) and spectral reflectance data. Thus, we examined the variation of mixed-grass prairie structural attributes (canopy leaf area, standing crop mass, canopy height, nitrogen, and water content) and spectral vegetation indices (VIs) with variation in topographic position at the Grand River National Grassland (GRNG), South Dakota. We conducted the study on a 36,000-ha herbaceous area within the GRNG, where randomly selected plots (1 km2 in size) were geolocated and included summit, mid and toeslope positions. We tested for effects of topographic position on measured vegetation attributes and VIs calculated from Landsat TM and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data collected in July 2010. Leaf area, standing crop mass, canopy height, nitrogen, and water content were lower at summits than at toeslopes. The simple ratio of Landsat Band 7/Band 1 (SR71) was the VI most highly correlated with canopy standing crop and height at plot and landscape scales. Results suggest field and remote sensing-based grassland assessment techniques could more comprehensively target low structure areas at minimal expense by layering modeled imagery over a landscape stratified into topographic position groups

Technical Services and Library Systems Customer Service Assessment

This survey instrument was developed to gauge internal customer satisfaction with the services offered by the University at Albany Libraries Technical Services and Library Systems Division

Management of COPD in the UK primary-care setting : an analysis of real-life prescribing patterns

Peer reviewedPublisher PD