2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Data Repository: Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering

This review provides an overview of 2019 Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Data Repository compiled by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering. It provides a background of how the repository was compiled, the data included and how the repo is being made use of in a Canadian academic library context

Mapbox.js: an engaging open-source web mapping tool for teaching data visualization theory

This review provides an overview of web mapping tools and discusses why and how Mapbox.jshas been an effective tool in the delivery of one-shot instructional sessions on data literacy andvisualization theory in an academic library context

Spatial Analytics Dashboards: Assisting Researchers to Select the Appropriate Tool

This review provides an overview of the following popular spatial analytics dashboard software: Tableau, PowerBI, ArcGIS Insights, ArcGIS Operations Dashboard and covers optimal use cases for each. Also included is a curriculum for an introductory one-shot instructional session on data literacy and research visualization using Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS in an academic library context

Use of Mobile Technology Among Museum Visitors: A Case Study

Museums have employed mobile modes of communication for decades: pamphlets and audio tours. The popularity of mobile technology prompted museums to integrate mobile experiences with personal devices. A survey collected information from the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) email list to understand adoption of MAG\u27s mobile experience through the lens of the technology acceptance model to learn how perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use influence visitors use or intent to use MAGart 2.0. The study proposed two museum specific variables, MAG frequency of visitation and MAG engagement, to examine adoption of MAGart 2.0. Results suggest behavioral intention and actual use of MAGart 2.0 are positively related to perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, MAG frequency of visitation, and MAG engagement

University of Manitoba GISHub: ESRI Site License Integration using ArcGIS Online, Hub and Enterprise

This review provides an outline of the solution the University of Manitoba Libraries has implemented to integrate their ESRI Educational Site License. In looking at the tools available the project came to encompass the following:1. Semi-automated management and integration of UM ESRI site license using campus authentication methods2. Discovery and access point for proprietary and open researcher data3. Secure local environment for active-use geospatial datasets using ArcGIS EnterpriseThe following discusses the software specifics, use cases, and lessons learned in a Canadian academic library context

The Heart of the Farm

The 22nd Annual Women in Agriculture Conference was held September 14-15, 2006 in Kearney, Nebraska. This year’s conference theme was “The Heart of the Farm,” chosen because of the vital role women play in their operations, both as a producer and a relationship builder. There were nearly 400 women in attendance from 57 Nebraska counties, four states and Australia. Over 50 percent of conference attendees were sponsored by local lenders and agribusinesses

The Heart of the Farm

The 22nd Annual Women in Agriculture Conference was held September 14-15, 2006 in Kearney, Nebraska. This year’s conference theme was “The Heart of the Farm,” chosen because of the vital role women play in their operations, both as a producer and a relationship builder. There were nearly 400 women in attendance from 57 Nebraska counties, four states and Australia. Over 50 percent of conference attendees were sponsored by local lenders and agribusinesses

The Effects of Ocean Acidification on Sea Urchin Larval Survivorship and Development in Lytechinus variegatus and Arbacia punctulata

Accumulated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is one of the driving factors in ocean acidification as oceanic absorption of carbon dioxide alters ocean chemistry. Lower concentrations of carbonate ions and higher concentrations of hydrogen ions in the water adversely affect marine organisms, including sea urchin larvae, that use calcium carbonate in their skeletal structures. While there is a wide body of literature demonstrating an impact of lowered pH on sea urchin larval development and survival, it is unclear if the method of pH manipulation and the species being studied influences the results. To address this, we compared two commonly employed pH manipulation methods, hydrochloric acid addition and carbon dioxide bubbling, for impacts on sea urchin development in Lytechinus variegatus. We also compared the effects of projected acidic ocean pH on larval development in L. variegatus and Arbacia punctulata. Regardless of species and pH manipulation method survivorship and aspects of skeletal features decreased as pH decreased. Counts of developmental abnormalities increased with decreasing pH. However, changes in size of specific skeletal features and prevalence of types of abnormalities observed varied with both pH manipulation method and species. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing a decrease in survivorship and skeletal size with lowered pH but indicate that the methods used to study effects of acidification on sea urchin larval development can affect the experimental outcomes and hinder making broad conclusions

Use of cumulative incidence of novel influenza A/H1N1 in foreign travelers to estimate lower bounds on cumulative incidence in Mexico

Background: An accurate estimate of the total number of cases and severity of illness of an emerging infectious disease is required both to define the burden of the epidemic and to determine the severity of disease. When a novel pathogen first appears, affected individuals with severe symptoms are more likely to be diagnosed. Accordingly, the total number of cases will be underestimated and disease severity overestimated. This problem is manifest in the current epidemic of novel influenza A/H1N1. Methods and Results: We used a simple approach to leverage measures of incident influenza A/H1N1 among a relatively small and well observed group of US, UK, Spanish and Canadian travelers who had visited Mexico to estimate the incidence among a much larger and less well surveyed population of Mexican residents. We estimate that a minimum of 113,000 to 375,000 cases of novel influenza A/H1N1 have occurred in Mexicans during the month of April, 2009. Such an estimate serves as a lower bound because it does not account for underreporting of cases in travelers or for nonrandom mixing between Mexican residents and visitors, which together could increase the estimates by more than an order of magnitude. Conclusions: We find that the number of cases in Mexican residents may exceed the number of confirmed cases by two to three orders of magnitude. While the extent of disease spread is greater than previously appreciated, our estimate suggests that severe disease is uncommon since the total number of cases is likely to be much larger than those of confirmed cases

Robotics to enable older adults to remain living at home

Given the rapidly ageing population, interest is growing in robots to enable older people to remain living at home. We conducted a systematic review and critical evaluation of the scientific literature, from 1990 to the present, on the use of robots in aged care. The key research questions were as follows: (1) what is the range of robotic devices available to enable older people to remain mobile, independent, and safe? and, (2) what is the evidence demonstrating that robotic devices are effective in enabling independent living in community dwelling older people? Following database searches for relevant literature an initial yield of 161 articles was obtained. Titles and abstracts of articles were then reviewed by 2 independent people to determine suitability for inclusion. Forty-two articles met the criteria for question 1. Of these, 4 articles met the criteria for question 2. Results showed that robotics is currently available to assist older healthy people and people with disabilities to remain independent and to monitor their safety and social connectedness. Most studies were conducted in laboratories and hospital clinics. Currently limited evidence demonstrates that robots can be used to enable people to remain living at home, although this is an emerging smart technology that is rapidly evolving.<br /