Electronic books: their definition, usage and role in libraries

This review examines the literature to establish a definition of electronic books and discovers this is currently related more to hardware and software (viewing technology) than content. It also reports the potential advantages and disadvantages of this format compared to print. It outlines what is currently known about the use of different types of electronic books by users, examining who the most likely users are, detailing what studies reveal about the use and usability of electronic books and the features users want; as well as what factors are inhibiting their use. Additionally the review details what is known about the opportunities and issues arising from the inclusion of electronic books in library collections. It addresses questions regarding the existing models for the use of e-books in libraries, what studies reveal about the realities of their use and what strategies and policies need to be adopted by libraries for their implementation. Finally it examines the degree of take-up of e-books by individuals and libraries and what trends and predictions for the future are emerging with respect to viewing technology, content and role in libraries

An Analysis of the Hiskey Nebraska Test of Learning Aptitute for Navajo Children with Suspected Learning Difficulties

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the appropriateness of the Hiskey Nebraska Test of Learning Aptitude as a measure of ability for Navajo students with suspected learning difficulties. Item analytic procedures were employed for the 61 students in the younger group (ages 5-10) and for the 57 students in the older group (ages 11-17). Using Hoyt\u27s analysis of variance routine, reliability estimates of .87 (younger group) and .81 (older group) were obtained. The majority of the items discriminated in the appropriate direction for both subtest and total test scores. It was concluded that the Hiskey Nebraska Test of Learning Aptitude would give acceptably reliable and consistent results for Navajo children with suspected learning difficulties. Further research to demonstrate validity of the instrument for this population was discussed

Gate-to-gate life cycle inventory assessment of North American end-of-life vehicle management processes

Life cycle analysis (LCA) will be used to increase the understanding of and consequently improve the end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management process currently employed in North America by: (1) Showing the complete flow in ELV dismantling and shredding systems; (2) Demonstrating the variability in the processes; and (3) Managing this variability so as to close and surmount the gaps in these processes (e.g., improve the recovery and recycling of scrap materials, such as plastics, from pre-shredder ELVs). A literature review and case studies were conducted in cooperation with industrial recycling partners on operating ELV management facilities such as dismantlers, auto wreckers, and shredders. Successful ELV practices, unit operations, and/or technologies were identified and their practical constraints and issues of concern examined. Using the case study information and supplemental data, a life cycle inventory (LCI) of typical ELV management processes has been constructed. The LCA approach is used to examine the efficiencies of the vehicle end-of-life (VEOL) dismantling process. The mass flows of parts and/or materials (types and quantities) that are removed preferentially and directed for reuse, remanufacturing, pre-shredder recycling, and/or disposal, were assessed relative to the amount of vehicles entering the end-of-life phase. Similarly, dismantling process inefficiencies are characterized in terms of the mass flow of leftover ELV hulks and dismantled parts purged from inventory that are shipped for shredding and metals recovery. Shredding process efficiencies and inefficiencies are assessed in terms of both the flow of shredded ferrous and non-ferrous metals products recovered, as well as flow of shredder residue (SR) generated and directed for disposal, relative to the quantity of material directed for shredding. As much as 116.3 kg/tonne (11.6% weight) of the ELVs entering the dismantling process are recovered and directed for either, reuse, remanufacturing or recycling, including the recovered fluids; 5.7% weight of the ELVs processed consisted of parts recovered for reuse. Of the materials directed for shredding - ELV hulks and scrapped-out parts and other oversized, metals-rich scrap - 808 kg/tonne (80.8% weight) are recovered in the shredded ferrous and non-ferrous metals products and 192 kg/tonne (19.2% weight) is accounted for in the shredder residue

"A roller coaster of emotions": a qualitative study of parents very first experiences with their preterm baby

Objectives: To assess parents 19 first experiences of their very preterm babies and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Participants: 32 mothers and 7 fathers of very preterm babies (<32 weeks gestation). Setting: Three neonatal units in tertiary care hospitals in South East England. Results: Five themes were identified. The first describes parents 19 blurred recall of the birth. The second shows the anticipation of seeing and touching their baby for the first time was characterised by contrasting emotions, with some parents feeling scared and others excited about the event. The third theme describes parents 19 first sight and touch of their babies and their 18rollercoaster 19 of emotions during this time. It also highlights the importance of touch to trigger and strengthen the parent 13baby bond. However, some parents were worried that touching or holding the baby might transmit infection or interfere with care. The fourth theme captures parents 19 impressions of NICU and how overwhelming this was particularly for parents who had not toured NICU beforehand or whose first sight of their baby was on NICU. The final theme captures unique experiences of fathers, in particular that many felt excluded and confused about their role. Conclusions: This study informs family-centred care by providing insight into the experiences of parents of very preterm infants at a time when they are most in need of support. Clinical implications include the importance of offering parents preparatory tours of the NICU and including fathers

Toward Youth Friendly Services: A Survey of Young People in Primary Care

Background: The World Health Organization encourages the development of youth friendly services, yet little is known on how youth currently present in general practice. Objective: To describe the perspectives, expectations, and service receipt of young people presenting to family doctors to inform the development of youth friendly services. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Participants and measurements: Consecutive young people attending 26 randomly selected practices were recruited in the waiting rooms. Standardized instruments were used to interview them before their consultation. Results: Of 501 young people who were approached, 450 participated (91% participation rate). Most had respiratory (26%) or dermatological complaints (18%). When asked to assess their health status, 59% perceived they had neither a physical nor a mental illness. However, 43% stated they had fears about their health problem and 1 in 5 feared it could be life-threatening. Although only 10% presented with psychological complaints, 24% perceived they currently had a mental illness. The most common expectations were treatment (50%) and good communication (42%). Most youth were prescribed medication (60%), but 40% of those who received a prescription had not expected to receive a treatment. A follow-up appointment was offered to 57% of participants. Conclusions: This study identifies a gap between young people's perception of illness and their presentations to family doctors. It also highlights unexpected fears, and a mismatch between expectations and service receipt. These findings have implications for family medicine training and for clinical practice. They should inform the development of youth friendly service

The Relationship between Curriculum-based Measures in Oral Reading Fluency and High-Stakes Tests for Seventh Grade Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between oral reading fluency and performance on a statewide reading achievement test for middle grades students. Participants in this study were 75 seventh-grade students. One month before the students were administered the state test, each student read three probes from their current basal reader to determine an oral reading fluency rate. The Ohio Grade 7 Reading Test scores were correlated with oral reading fluency rates to determine the extent of the relationship between the results. Results support the use of oral reading fluency assessment as a valid tool for identifying students at risk of not passing the statewide reading achievement test

Training School Psychology Graduate Students to Address Regional Shortages: A Distance Learning Model

Addressing the shortages of school psychologists in underserved regions of the country is critical to the profession and the communities served by its members. This article describes a school psychology satellite training program using a hybrid approach combining distance learning technologies and face-to-face classroom meetings. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of sixteen graduate students in a rural, Appalachian region of Ohio as members of the first two cohorts enrolled in the school psychology satellite program

Delivery of Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa in a Public Health Care Setting: Research Versus Non-Research Specialty Care.

Comparing evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) to usual care typically demonstrates the superiority of EBPs, although this has not been studied for eating disorders EBPs such as family-based treatment (FBT). The current study set out to examine weight outcomes for adolescents with anorexia nervosa who received FBT through a randomized clinical research trial (RCT, n = 54) or non-research specialty care (n = 56) at the same specialist pediatric eating disorder service. Weight was recorded throughout outpatient treatment (up to 18 sessions over 6 months), as well as at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Survival curves were used to examine time to weight restoration [greater than 95% median body mass index (mBMI)] as predicted by type of care (RCT vs. non-research specialty care), baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, and their potential interaction. Results did not indicate a significant main effect for type of care, but there was a significant effect for baseline weight (p = .03), such that weight restoration was achieved faster across both treatment types for those with a higher initial %mBMI. These data suggest that weight restoration achieved in non-research specialty care FBT was largely similar to that achieved in a controlled research trial. Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.anzctr.org.au/, identifier ACTRN12610000216011

Text message communication in primary care research: a randomized controlled trial

Background. Text message communication is increasingly used in clinical practice but rarely in research. Particularly in young people, this method of participation in primary care research appears both feasible and acceptable. However, previous experience shows that text messaging for research may lead to lower response rates. Aim. To test the hypothesis that text message communication in primary care research does not lead to lower response rates compared to a paper-based method. Methods. This randomized controlled trial took place in 26 randomly selected practices in Victoria, Australia. Consecutive patients aged 16-24 years attending general practice appointments were recruited as part of a larger study on patients' perspectives. Patients owning a mobile phone were randomized to receive a question about satisfaction with the consultation either by text message or on a card completed before leaving the practice. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect on the response rate of using text message rather than the card method, adjusting for clustering within practices and for differences in baseline characteristics among participants. Results. In total, 402 of 409 eligible young people agreed to participate and were randomized to either receive a text message (n = 193) or a card enquiry (n = 209). The response rate was 80.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 73.3-87.1%] with text message and 85.6% (95% CI: 79.6-91.7%) with the card. The adjusted odds of responding (odds ratio: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.30-1.27) were not significantly lower in the group using text messaging compared to the group using the card response method. Conclusion. These findings offer new perspectives for use of text message communication to gather information from patients in primary care researc