2017 Boise State Research Data Environmental Scan Report

In 2015, the Albertsons Library’s Research Data Management Group established a 2-year strategic agenda which focused on increasing library service capacity, establishing partnerships with other campus stakeholders, and creating the technical infrastructure needed to ensure proper management of university research data assets. To inform this work during the next two year period, the group conducted an environmental scan of campus data management needs and activities. The survey was also designed to help other university administrators and campus partners understand the current state of research data, identify unmet needs, and highlight opportunities for increasing institutional capacity. In general, Boise State has made good progress in the area of developing the technological infrastructure needed to manage research data. The efforts of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and elements of the Library’s Research Data Management Group were seen as having made very positive contributions in this area. However, researcher knowledge and use of these services was perceived as very limited. Throughout the survey responses and confirmed through the supplemental research by the library group, it was determined that individual researchers had primary responsibility for all research activities, grant management tasks, and oversight for any technological resources needed. Although some researchers work in groups or have access to high quality support staff, the workload burden many researchers face is significant and limits their ability to properly manage their research outputs. These stressors are heightened by a growing expectation from federal funders and journal publishers that research data be made publicly available, requiring significate curation and management work. To continue to develop Boise State’s research data infrastructure it is recommended that efforts are made to inform and help researchers take advantage of existing services, policies, and support staff when working with and managing research data. This includes increased interdepartmental awareness of and referral to appropriate units when researcher needs fall outside of an individual service provider’s specific area. Additionally, service providers should identify issues of scalability or potential service gaps and determine the resources needed for continued growth. The university can then build upon existing successes in the area of technological and data curation infrastructure by allocating needed funding and staff resources

2015-2016 Data Management Strategic Agenda - Final Report

Between January 2015 - December 2016, the Albertsons Library’s Core Data Management Team, consisting of Michelle Armstrong, Megan Davis, Heather Grevatt (2016 - present), Margie Ruppel (2015 - 2016), and Amber Sherman, established a 2 year Strategic Agenda and engaged in a variety of activities to ensure the proactive management of Boise State’s data sets. During this period, the Team accomplished several key goals: Increased the library’s capacity to support Boise State researchers in managing and making publicly available data sets, and deliver services at key points throughout the research lifecycle including data management planning, data description, research dissemination, and researcher education. Developed relationships with faculty, research groups, and other university support services to identify and deliver needed services. Began the development of a technical and workflow infrastructure to ensure the permanent curation and accessibility of Boise State’s research data sets

Diversity of the microbiota communities found in the various regions of the intestinal tract in healthy individuals and inflammatory bowel diseases

The severe and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by persistent inflammation and gut damage. There is an increasing recognition that the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in IBD development and progression. However, studies of the complete microbiota composition (bacteria, fungi, viruses) from precise locations within the gut remain limited. In particular, studies have focused primarily on the bacteriome, with available methods limiting evaluation of the mycobiome (fungi) and virome (virus). Furthermore, while the different segments of the small and large intestine display different functions (e.g., digestion, absorption, fermentation) and varying microenvironment features (e.g., pH, metabolites), little is known about the biogeography of the microbiota in different segments of the intestinal tract or how this differs in IBD. Here, we highlight evidence of the differing microbiota communities of the intestinal sub-organs in healthy and IBD, along with method summaries to improve future studies

‘Key skills' building in schools as a possible approach to reducing and preventing challenging behaviour

BackgroundBuilding ‘key skills’ may help prevent the development of challenging behaviour in children with an intellectual disability. The aim of this paper was to extend the current limited evidence in this area.MethodWe undertook two studies with children with an intellectual disability in school settings: (1) a cross-sectional replication study exploring the relationship between ‘key skills’ and challenging behaviour. (2) a longitudinal study follow-up exploring change in ‘key skill’ levels and challenging behaviour.ResultsThe replication study recruited 74 participants, those scoring lowest in ‘key skill’ had a 94% chance of having challenging behaviour; those with the highest scores had a 6% chance. The follow-up study recruited 39 participants, we found a significant increase in children’s ‘key skill’ level (p < .001) and a decrease in their challenging behaviour ((p = 0.046).ConclusionBuilding ‘key skills’ in children with an intellectual disability may help reduce or prevent challenging behaviour

Albertsons Library Data Management Strategic Agenda Summer 2017 - Spring 2019

Boise State University identifies research and creative activity as a Core Theme of its institutional mission. This concept is clarified through several objectives which outline the importance of transferring knowledge for “societal, economic, and cultural benefits”. The university expects to produce work that has “substantial disciplinary impact and contributes to the overall reputation of the university,” so that, “community members can connect with and benefit from our researchers, artists, and students.” This core theme of scholarly contribution is further confirmed in the university’s Goals and Strategies which detail specific activities Boise State will undertake. For example in goals 3 and 5, Boise State establishes its commitment to effective research and creative efforts by developing key competencies, building necessary infrastructures, and encouraging external funding and philanthropic support. In consideration of these university goals, Albertsons Library is actively advocating for Boise State’s research and creative activities through its own Strategic Plan. In Library Strategic Objective 4, Albertsons Library has committed to identifying “critical areas of needed Research Support then build expertise, capacity and services to meet these needs.” Over the past several years, the library has pursued this goal through the development of research data management services detailed in the 2015-2016 Data Management Strategic Agenda - Final Report. These services have been built upon four principles: Research data is an asset Data management is an ongoing activity that happens throughout the life of the research project Researchers need “Point-of-Need” services The library strives to serve the whole university The following Data Management Strategic Agenda continues this work by outlining activities Albertsons Library’s Research Data Management Group will engage in over the next two years

Reasons for incomplete STI vaccination among men who have sex with men in an English sexual health service

BackgroundIn England, vaccination for human papillomavirus, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM). However, uptake is sub-optimal and some men do not complete all recommended vaccine doses. This service evaluation aimed to explore reasons for lack of uptake for each of these vaccines among MSM in one English sexual health service and to inform improvements in service delivery to increase full dose completion rates. MethodsMSM, ≥18 years, who had previously attended NHS Solent Sexual Health for at least one vaccination, and who had not completed the full dosing regimen for at least one of these vaccines, were invited to participate in an anonymous, online survey between 14/12/2020-11/04/2021. ResultsAmong 246 MSM (M = 42.1 years), the most common reason for non-vaccination was that participants thought it was unneeded and had not been recommended by a doctor or healthcare provider. None reported vaccine hesitancy. Likewise, the most common reasons for vaccination were doctor/healthcare provider recommendation (51.7–65.6%) and self-protection (60.9–68.1%). The most common reason for not having completed the full course of vaccination was being unaware that the next dose was due (30.0–37.8%). Many participants who had not completed vaccination indicated that a doctor/healthcare provider recommendation would be a motivating factor and that reminder messages and being able to book subsequent appointments in advance would facilitate vaccination. ConclusionsSexual health clinicians should be encouraged to discuss STI vaccination with MSM and services should explore possibilities to improve ease and access to vaccine appointments to increase uptake and completion rates