"The push to open up scientific knowledge to all looks set to go into overdrive. Over the past decade, the accessibility offered by the Internet has transformed science publishing. Several efforts have already tried to harness the web's power to make research papers available for free. Now two parallel efforts from the US government could see almost all federally funded research made available in free, publicly accessible repositories. Many journals, including Nature, help authors fulfill institutional mandates by depositing articles in PubMed Central on the authors' behalf."
Source: First paragraph on an article in the journal Nature April 8:
"US Seeks to make science free for all" by Declan Butler
The journal issue is available in the library.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Need Students for a Class? Advertise on YouTube
Jeremy Littau wanted to generate some buzz about the multimedia reporting course he’ll teach next fall at Lehigh University, so he made a YouTube video about it. Mr. Littau, an assistant professor of journalism and communication, put the video up last week, before registration started. So far the advertisement seems to be working.
A browse through YouTube suggests that relatively few instructors promote their classes there, and that many of those who do are teaching online courses. In some videos, professors talk straight into the camera and give an overview of the course. Others show still and moving pictures of the subject matter. Mr. Littau’s video uses interviews with current students about what they learned and footage that they produced in the course.
Mr. Littau e-mailed the video to journalism majors and posted a link to it on Facebook and Twitter. He still sends copies of the syllabus to students who ask about the class, but he thinks the link to the video may be more helpful. “A syllabus can’t go viral,” he adds.
Watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGoIfYx-eAA
A browse through YouTube suggests that relatively few instructors promote their classes there, and that many of those who do are teaching online courses. In some videos, professors talk straight into the camera and give an overview of the course. Others show still and moving pictures of the subject matter. Mr. Littau’s video uses interviews with current students about what they learned and footage that they produced in the course.
Mr. Littau e-mailed the video to journalism majors and posted a link to it on Facebook and Twitter. He still sends copies of the syllabus to students who ask about the class, but he thinks the link to the video may be more helpful. “A syllabus can’t go viral,” he adds.
Watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGoIfYx-eAA
Revising No Child Left Behind
REVISING NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND: CQ Researcher April 16, 2010
President Obama is proposing a substantial overhaul of the No Child Left Behind Act, the controversial centerpiece of George W. Bush's educational policy. Both liberal and conservative critics say the eight-year-old law has hurt education by overemphasizing standardized tests and unfairly labeling schools as underperforming without providing help to improve. Obama wants to focus federal enforcement on the lowest-performing schools, which could be required to fire staff, convert to charter schools or close altogether. He also wants to hold teachers more accountable for student performance. State policymakers and many experts are welcoming the proposed changes, but the powerful teachers' unions say firing teachers is unfair and ineffective in raising student achievement. Obama also wants states to adopt national “core standards” developed by the states' governors and education chiefs. Read the whole report online. (password protected)
Source: Introduction from CQ Researcher
Image: Youngsters in Newark, N.J., rally for more public school funding at the We the People parade. (Newark, N.J., Public Schools/Council of the Great City Schools)
New Book in the Library: On Thin Ice
On Thin Ice: The Changing World of the Polar Bear by Richard Ellis
There are only 22,000 polar bears left in the world. As global warming threatens the ice caps’ integrity, the polar bear has also come to symbolize the peril that faces all life on earth. Here,the acclaimed science writer Richard Ellis offers an impassioned statement on behalf of polar bears—and all they stand for.
Week of the Young Child
The faculty and students from the Early Childhood Education department provided the wonderful display in front of the elevator celebrating the Week of the Young Child. Christina Deptulski, assistant librarian, also arranged a library display in honor of the Week of the Young Child as part of our celebration of National Library Week.
House Resolution Supports National Library Week
This week the House of Representatives passed H.RES.1222 , a resolution to support the goals and ideals of National Library Week. Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers (MI-3-R), the resolution outlines the many ways libraries of all kinds serve our country. The conclusion of the resolution reads:
Library Week, April 11-17, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Library Week;
(2) encourages all residents to visit a library to take
advantage of the wonderful library resources available, and
to thank their librarians and library workers for making
information accessible to all who walk through the library's
doors; and
(3) supports librarians' efforts to ensure that all
Americans can continue to access 21st century library
services in school, public, academic, and special libraries.
Click here to read the Congressional Record account of the proceedings, including the full text of the resolution and floor speeches.
Library Week, April 11-17, 2010: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Library Week;
(2) encourages all residents to visit a library to take
advantage of the wonderful library resources available, and
to thank their librarians and library workers for making
information accessible to all who walk through the library's
doors; and
(3) supports librarians' efforts to ensure that all
Americans can continue to access 21st century library
services in school, public, academic, and special libraries.
Click here to read the Congressional Record account of the proceedings, including the full text of the resolution and floor speeches.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Goodwin Appreciates Library Workers
LIBRARY WORKERS
Marilyn Nowlan
Christina Deptulski
Alicia Cornelio
Tracy Shulz
LaShonie Douglas
Shakira Greene
Christina Branford
Kersten Mitchell
Claire O'Hanlon
Amber Poindexter
Arteasia Wise
If diet, budget or schedule prohibits giving food, money, or time, please send a heartfelt thank-you note to library employees who work for you every day. A warm letter of appreciation is free, calorie-free and only takes minutes to compose. You can just add a comment right here.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Odds Are, It's Wrong
This essay, "Odds are, It's Wrong" in the March 27 Science News magazine, says science fails to face the shortcomings of statistics. Problems caused by the misuses of statistics render many scientific results erroneous. This should be required reading for students taking statistics courses--and all the rest of us.
APA Style Spelling
Preferred Spelling for APA Style
For those students still finishing research papers using the APA format, here are some tips on preferred spelling.
The APA Publication Manual recommends Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2005) as the standard spelling reference for APA journals and books for nonpsychological terms; spelling of psychological terms should conform to the APA Dictionary of Psychology (VandenBos, 2007). If the dictionary gives a choice, use the first spelling listed; for example, use aging and canceled rather than ageing and cancelled.
These references are available in the Goodwin Library
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate Dictionary (2005)
Online in Credo Reference database (Access from library page under Research Databases.)
APA Dictionary of Psychology (2007)
On the shelf in the reference section.
Call number: REF BF31.A83 2007
(Adapted from the sixth edition of the APA Publication Manual, © 2010)
For those students still finishing research papers using the APA format, here are some tips on preferred spelling.
The APA Publication Manual recommends Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2005) as the standard spelling reference for APA journals and books for nonpsychological terms; spelling of psychological terms should conform to the APA Dictionary of Psychology (VandenBos, 2007). If the dictionary gives a choice, use the first spelling listed; for example, use aging and canceled rather than ageing and cancelled.
These references are available in the Goodwin Library
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate Dictionary (2005)
Online in Credo Reference database (Access from library page under Research Databases.)
APA Dictionary of Psychology (2007)
On the shelf in the reference section.
Call number: REF BF31.A83 2007
(Adapted from the sixth edition of the APA Publication Manual, © 2010)
Monday, April 12, 2010
National Poetry Month Contest
In honor of National Poetry Month, The Chronicle of Higher Education is holding a very brief poetry contest. Write a poem that is inspired in some way by any element of John Keats's "On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer"—by a phrase, a memory his poem prompts, his reference to a new planet, a modern-day parallel you spot, anything. Just keep your poem to no more than 28 lines (twice what Keats needed, after all).
For the April 30 issue they'll choose one poem, or perhaps several, to publish in print and online. Anyone is welcome to contribute, so let your colleagues, students, and poet friends know.
You’ll have to work fast, though, because the deadline for submission is April 20 at dawn. E-mail your poem to lawrence.biemiller@chronicle.com, with “Poetry contest” in the subject line.
Here is a copy of "On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer."
For the April 30 issue they'll choose one poem, or perhaps several, to publish in print and online. Anyone is welcome to contribute, so let your colleagues, students, and poet friends know.
You’ll have to work fast, though, because the deadline for submission is April 20 at dawn. E-mail your poem to lawrence.biemiller@chronicle.com, with “Poetry contest” in the subject line.
Here is a copy of "On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer."
Support Connecticut Libraries
Libraries across Connecticut need your support this week!
This week is National Library Week, a perfect time for you to send a quick e-mail to you state legislators and governor to let them know how important libraries are to you!
Libraries are busier than ever helping families survive during these tough economic times, yet public, school, and academic libraries are facing closures and elimination of librarians and library workers—the people who help those with a job application, teach 21st century skills, and nurture the love of reading in kids that will serve them the rest of their lives.
State governments provide much needed funding for libraries to provide public access to the Internet for everyone, databases for individuals and small businesses, homework help, and much more. Without this funding, libraries are in peril, and residents in Connecticut are denied critical resources when they need them most.
Please send an e-mail to your governor and your representatives today, and pass this message on to your friends and colleagues. Thank you for advocating for libraries and library staff in Connecticut.
This week is National Library Week, a perfect time for you to send a quick e-mail to you state legislators and governor to let them know how important libraries are to you!
Libraries are busier than ever helping families survive during these tough economic times, yet public, school, and academic libraries are facing closures and elimination of librarians and library workers—the people who help those with a job application, teach 21st century skills, and nurture the love of reading in kids that will serve them the rest of their lives.
State governments provide much needed funding for libraries to provide public access to the Internet for everyone, databases for individuals and small businesses, homework help, and much more. Without this funding, libraries are in peril, and residents in Connecticut are denied critical resources when they need them most.
Please send an e-mail to your governor and your representatives today, and pass this message on to your friends and colleagues. Thank you for advocating for libraries and library staff in Connecticut.
What does Your Library do for You?
The library staff would like to remind you during National Library Week that your library allows you to:
1) borrow books, DVDs, CDs and other library materials from participating mambers of the ICONN interlibrary loan consortium and have them delivered right here.
2) search online databases from your home, office or school.
3) download ebook from your home, office or school.
4) Check your library account online from your home, office or school.
5) access the Internet at any library location.
6) renew library materials on the phone or online.
7) access unique collections including rare and historic books and photographs.
8) call, email, or text one of our friendly librarians for answers to your questions.
What do you like about the Goodwin Library? Post your comments.
1) borrow books, DVDs, CDs and other library materials from participating mambers of the ICONN interlibrary loan consortium and have them delivered right here.
2) search online databases from your home, office or school.
3) download ebook from your home, office or school.
4) Check your library account online from your home, office or school.
5) access the Internet at any library location.
6) renew library materials on the phone or online.
7) access unique collections including rare and historic books and photographs.
8) call, email, or text one of our friendly librarians for answers to your questions.
What do you like about the Goodwin Library? Post your comments.
Environmental Science News: Storms of My Grandchildren
The library just purchased Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity on CD, the latest book by climate scientist, James Hansen. After years focused on science, he said he started speaking out more about risks of global warming in 2004, reckoning his grandchildren would not forgive him if he stayed silent. Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, testified to the U.S. Congress as long ago as 1988 about the risks of global warming from human activities led by the burning of fossil fuels.
Last week, Hansen won the $100,000 Sophie Prize for decades of work trying to alert politicians to what he called an unsolved emergency of global warming. The award was set up in 1997 by Norwegian Jostein Gaarder, the author of the 1991 best-selling novel and teenagers' guide to philosophy "Sophie's World." "Hansen has played a key role for the development of our understanding of human-induced climate change," the prize citation said.
Last week, Hansen won the $100,000 Sophie Prize for decades of work trying to alert politicians to what he called an unsolved emergency of global warming. The award was set up in 1997 by Norwegian Jostein Gaarder, the author of the 1991 best-selling novel and teenagers' guide to philosophy "Sophie's World." "Hansen has played a key role for the development of our understanding of human-induced climate change," the prize citation said.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
This is National Library Week: Free Access
National Library Week will be observed this week April 11-17, 2010 with the theme, "Communities thrive @ your library®."
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.
Lots of announcements will be in the blog this week. To start the week off, ProQuest is celebrating National Library Week with us by providing free access this week to some of their most popular online resources at http://www.proquest.com/go/celebrate.
-- CultureGramsTM explore the world's cultures with local experts that document the history, customs, government, and daily life in multimedia reports on over 200 countries.
-- eLibrary(R) this easy to use resource brings together content about in-demand subjects from millions of multimedia-rich, global resources.
-- ProQuest(R) African American Heritage brings together records critical to African American family history research and connects users to a community of research experts.
-- ProQuest Historical NewspapersTM - Black Newspapers experience history firsthand via continuous runs of the following full-image titles: The Baltimore Afro-American, Chicago Defender, Los Angeles Sentinel, and New York Amsterdam News.
This is a good time to stock up on some resources for teachers to use in preparing for next semester courses or for students looking for research material.
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.
Lots of announcements will be in the blog this week. To start the week off, ProQuest is celebrating National Library Week with us by providing free access this week to some of their most popular online resources at http://www.proquest.com/go/celebrate.
-- CultureGramsTM explore the world's cultures with local experts that document the history, customs, government, and daily life in multimedia reports on over 200 countries.
-- eLibrary(R) this easy to use resource brings together content about in-demand subjects from millions of multimedia-rich, global resources.
-- ProQuest(R) African American Heritage brings together records critical to African American family history research and connects users to a community of research experts.
-- ProQuest Historical NewspapersTM - Black Newspapers experience history firsthand via continuous runs of the following full-image titles: The Baltimore Afro-American, Chicago Defender, Los Angeles Sentinel, and New York Amsterdam News.
This is a good time to stock up on some resources for teachers to use in preparing for next semester courses or for students looking for research material.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
State Medical Boards’ Serious Disciplinary Actions
Using an analysis of data just released by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) on all disciplinary actions taken against doctors in 2009, Public Citizen has calculated the rate of serious disciplinary actions (revocations, surrenders, suspensions and probation/restrictions) taken by state medical boards in 2009.
Connecticut was one of the ten worst states with the lowest three-year rate of serious disciplinary actions for 2007-2009. Here is the list of 10 worst states starting with the worst:
Minnesota (1.07 actions per 1000 physicians)
South Carolina (1.09)
Wisconsin (1.59)
New Hampshire (1.65)
Connecticut (1.80)
Massachusetts (1.93)
Mississippi (2.17)
Florida (2.25)
Maryland (2.30)
Vermont (2.34)
Read the full report.
Public Citizen April 5, 2010
Connecticut was one of the ten worst states with the lowest three-year rate of serious disciplinary actions for 2007-2009. Here is the list of 10 worst states starting with the worst:
Minnesota (1.07 actions per 1000 physicians)
South Carolina (1.09)
Wisconsin (1.59)
New Hampshire (1.65)
Connecticut (1.80)
Massachusetts (1.93)
Mississippi (2.17)
Florida (2.25)
Maryland (2.30)
Vermont (2.34)
Read the full report.
Public Citizen April 5, 2010
Friday, April 02, 2010
Clinical Report on Asthma
"Asthma is a common respiratory condition, affecting hundreds of millions of people around the world. Beta-agonists have been used for over a century to reduce wheezing in asthma, by relieving smooth muscle contraction in the airways. However, two epidemics of increased asthma deaths have been linked to the use of short-acting beta-agonists (isoprenaline forte in the 1960s and fenoterol in the 1980s).
The two currently available inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists used in asthma are regular salmeterol and formoterol, and concerns remain about their safety. Two large surveillance studies (SMART and SNS) reported an increased risk of death from asthma with regular use of salmeterol in adults with asthma in comparison to placebo and regular salbutamol, respectively. Both showed a roughly three-fold increase in deaths from asthma, which was statistically significant in SMART but not in SNS."
Source: This is from the reprint of a Cochrane review, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration and published in The Cochrane Library
2010, Issue 1
The two currently available inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists used in asthma are regular salmeterol and formoterol, and concerns remain about their safety. Two large surveillance studies (SMART and SNS) reported an increased risk of death from asthma with regular use of salmeterol in adults with asthma in comparison to placebo and regular salbutamol, respectively. Both showed a roughly three-fold increase in deaths from asthma, which was statistically significant in SMART but not in SNS."
Source: This is from the reprint of a Cochrane review, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration and published in The Cochrane Library
2010, Issue 1
Second Life Destination: Easter Spring Town
Maybe I have been working too hard, but this destination in Second Life looks appealing right now. Easter Spring Town is full of fun, interactive entertainment. Besides shopping, there is an easter egg hunt, a group bunny hop dance, a jelly bean dance, free easter egg costumes, a pool of easter coloring to jump in, free hoppy balls & much more.
Source: Special Lib rary Association blog
CQ Researcher This Week
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, after skin cancer, and the second-leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer. Yet breast cancer mortality rates have been declining, most probably the result of early detection and better treatment. Advances in hormone therapy and discoveries of antibody treatments have markedly improved the outcome for breast cancer patients, along with the development of genetic tests on tumor tissue to determine which patients will best benefit from chemotherapy. While progress is being made, some debates seem never to fade. There continue to be disagreements about the age at which women should begin mammography screening, how to treat the increasing number of “zero stage” breast cancers that screening detects and the extent to which environmental pollutants cause breast cancer. In addition, disparities in treatment and racial outcomes continue to be documented.
Source: CQ Researcher introduction to report available online
Image: Singer/actress Olivia Newton-John, a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at age 43, is a critic of a scientific panel's recent recommendation against routine mammography screening for women in their 40s. An advocate of early detection, she poses with the pink ribbon symbol of breast cancer awareness. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Best Free Reference for Students
Title: FastWeb: Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Colleges
URL: http://www.fastweb.monster.com/
Students fill out a detailed questionnaire about academic achievement, future plans, interests, and awards and then receive information on scholarships and internships for which they are eligible. The beauty of this site rests in its organizational features. Students can set up e-mail reminders about application due dates, mark favorites or delete entries from their lists, e-mail descriptions to friends, and add personal notes about a scholarship. The site also contains advice on test preparation, navigating the admissions process, and transitioning to college. FastWeb boasts that their database searches “1.3 million scholarships worth over $3 billion,” making this a valuable resource for busy students.
Free/Fee-based: Free registration required
URL: http://www.fastweb.monster.com/
Students fill out a detailed questionnaire about academic achievement, future plans, interests, and awards and then receive information on scholarships and internships for which they are eligible. The beauty of this site rests in its organizational features. Students can set up e-mail reminders about application due dates, mark favorites or delete entries from their lists, e-mail descriptions to friends, and add personal notes about a scholarship. The site also contains advice on test preparation, navigating the admissions process, and transitioning to college. FastWeb boasts that their database searches “1.3 million scholarships worth over $3 billion,” making this a valuable resource for busy students.
Free/Fee-based: Free registration required
American History in Video FREE during April
Please note that American History in Video is freely available through April 30.No username or password required—enjoy! Go there now.
American History in Video provides the largest and richest online collection of video available for the study of American history—2,000 hours and more than 5,000 titles on completion. The collection's wealth of video and multiplicity of perspectives allow students and scholars to see, experience, and study American history in ways never before possible. A Critical Video Edition, American History in Video's suite of tools—searches and browses powered by Semantic Indexing and searchable transcripts synchronized to video—give the ability to drill down in seconds to find the footage of interest from thousands of hours of video. This collection is an exclusive collaboration with A&E Television Networks and features some of their most important documentaries and series from The History Channel®, A&E Network®, and Biography®.
Historical coverage in the collection ranges from the early history of Native Americans, to the lost colony of Roanoke, to the 1988 Vicennes Affair in the Persian Gulf. Biographical coverage ranges from eighteenth century figures such as Benedict Arnold and Daniel Boone to modern day figures such as Thurgood Marshall and Helen Thomas.
American History in Video provides the largest and richest online collection of video available for the study of American history—2,000 hours and more than 5,000 titles on completion. The collection's wealth of video and multiplicity of perspectives allow students and scholars to see, experience, and study American history in ways never before possible. A Critical Video Edition, American History in Video's suite of tools—searches and browses powered by Semantic Indexing and searchable transcripts synchronized to video—give the ability to drill down in seconds to find the footage of interest from thousands of hours of video. This collection is an exclusive collaboration with A&E Television Networks and features some of their most important documentaries and series from The History Channel®, A&E Network®, and Biography®.
Historical coverage in the collection ranges from the early history of Native Americans, to the lost colony of Roanoke, to the 1988 Vicennes Affair in the Persian Gulf. Biographical coverage ranges from eighteenth century figures such as Benedict Arnold and Daniel Boone to modern day figures such as Thurgood Marshall and Helen Thomas.
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