Ecology and natural history of Rana clamitans melanota in West Virginia

Fourteen study sites were sampled with aquatic funnel traps and D-frame net sweeps in the plateau and mountain region of West Virginia to determine differences in larval period. Larval stage class abundance and larval total length and mass measurements were recorded from February to December 1997. Larval stage classes 25 and 26, the first free living stages, were absent from the plateau region from February to April, but were present in the mountain region. Pre-transformation larval stages, 40 through 44, were found from May through October, and peaked in July. Significant relationships were found with simple linear regression analysis between larval stage and total length, and larval stage and mass during all months except for the summer period (May to August). Stage class abundance shifted from stages TJ and 34 in the May/June data set to stages 25 and 46 in the July/August data set. Breeding activity in this species was found to be a month later in the mountain regions than previously reported. Data suggests that in the mountain regions, this species may have a two year larval period. Additionally, froglet dispersal began in June, and peaked in August. Changes in stomach contents over a two month period suggest dietary shifts in froglets due to prey availability. Water pH and water temperature data were analyzed for differences in elevation, habitat, and monthly groups with a Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (P\u3c0.05). In spring (March and April) water pH was significantly lower at high elevation sites (4000ft) and in smaller habitat types (roadside ditch, oxbow, and temporary pool). Water pH results during the summer (May to August) and autumn (September and October) periods showed no clear trend in elevation and habitat groups. Water temperature results were significantly lower in the oxbow during the summer and autumn periods. Significant differences in water temperature between the months of May and June, July and August, and September and October show the activity of R. c. melanota is affected by water temperature.\u3e\u3c0.05). In spring (March and April) water pH was significantly lower at high elevation sites (4000ft) and in smaller habitat types (roadside ditch, oxbow, and temporary pool). Water pH results during the summer (May to August) and autumn (September and October) periods showed no clear trend in elevation and habitat groups. Water temperature results were significantly lower in the oxbow during the summer and autumn periods. Significant differences in water temperatures between the months of May and June, July and August, and September and October show the activity of R.c. melanota is affected by water temperature

Knowledge Translation to Enhance Evaluation Use: A Case Example

Knowledge in the form of information suitable for decision making or advocacy by foundations is not always readily available — a situation unacceptable for those who need such information for accountability, learning, and influencing policy and practice. This article addresses how essential information about monitoring, evaluation, and lessons learned can be made available to foundations. The Fred Hollows Foundation identified a gap in this area through an evaluation capacity-building readiness assessment, and introduced the concept of participatory, real-time monitoring, evaluation, and learning bulletins grounded in the principles of knowledge translation. This article describes how those bulletins were developed and used within the foundation to ensure access to relevant and timely information, and examines how they provided a mechanism to promote internal reflection and shift attitudes around data, which supported the development of a culture of evaluation. This approach for the timely development, synthesis, sharing, and dissemination of relevant information will be useful for foundations that have limited resources. As knowledge translation is often not resourced sufficiently in and by foundations, this article seeks to add weight to the argument for prioritization of packaging information in accessible ways

Evaluation Champions: A Literature Review

Background: Numerous studies call for the identification and engagement of evaluation champions in the implementation of an evaluation initiative. However, no agreed definition of an evaluation champion exists in the extant literature. Published studies on evaluation champions are limited and motivations of evaluation champions are not well understood. Understanding of how evaluation champions interact with their colleagues to generate momentum for change is lacking. Purpose: This article explores champions in organizational settings and highlights the need for an increased understanding of evaluation champions. The research question posed is, ‘What does the literature tell us about evaluation champions in organizational settings?’ Setting: Not Applicable. Intervention: Not Applicable. Research Design: Relevant articles were identified through systematic searches of selected databases and reference reviews of retrieved articles from the evaluation and organizational development bodies of evidence. Theories that could assist with understanding the role of evaluation champions were also drawn upon. Data Collection and Analysis: Not Applicable. Findings: The analysis indicates evaluators and organizations value champions because they work to bring evaluative thinking into their practice and positively promote evaluation among their colleagues. A list of activities that may be indicative of the behaviours of champions has been compiled to contribute to the evidence base. Keywords: evaluation champions; social interdependence theory; evaluation use; evaluation capacity building

Robotic total and partial adrenalectomy: A step by step approach

Objective: While open adrenalectomy was performed for many years, minimally invasive adrenalectomy has become the gold-standard for surgical resection of adrenal masses owing to superior perioperative outcomes. The objective of this video is to describe our technique of performing robot-assisted total and partial adrenalectomy. Patients and surgical procedure: In this video, we use the case of a left-sided aldosteronoma to demonstrate our technique of a left robot-assisted total adrenalectomy and a large right-sided tumor with solid enhancing component and mass effect compressing the IVC to demonstrate a right robot-assisted total adrenalectomy. Additionally, we briefly highlight nuances of performing a partial adrenalectomy and the utility of ultrasound in this setting. Results: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients were discharged per our routine pathway on post-operative day one. Through our step-by-step video, we demonstrate our technical approach and tips to successfully perform a robotic total and partial adrenalectomy. Conclusion: Robot-assisted adrenalectomy is an effective and well-established option for the management of adrenal masses. The added dexterity and improved visualization provided by the robotic approach allows surgeons to provide patients with an effective, efficient, and oncologically appropriate operation with rapid convalescence

Evaluation Literacy: Perspectives of Internal Evaluators in Non-Government Organizations

While there is an abundance of literature on evaluation use, there has been little discussion regarding internal evaluators’ role in promoting evaluation use. Evaluation can be undervalued if context is not taken into consideration. Evalua­tion literacy is needed to make evaluation more appropriate, understandable, and accessible, particularly in non-government organizations (NGOs) where there is a growing focus on demonstrable outcomes. Evaluation literacy refers to an individ­ual’s understanding and knowledge of evaluation and is an essential component of embedding evaluation into organizational culture. In recognition of the value of the internal perspective, a small exploratory exercise was undertaken to reveal internal evaluator roles and ways of engaging with colleagues around evaluation. Th e exercise examined a key question: What is the role of evaluation literacy in internal evalua­tion in the non-government sector? Three Australian auto-narrative examples from internal evaluators highlight evaluation literacy and locate it among the multiplicity of roles required for optimal evaluation uptake. Analysis of the narratives revealed the underlying issues affecting evaluation use in NGOs and the skills needed to motivate and enable others to access, understand, and use evaluation information. Responding to the call for expanded research into internal evaluation from a practice perspective, the authors hope that the findings will stimulate a wider conversation and further advance understanding of evaluation literacy.

The best of the UK? A report on the value and future of UK databases in the health and social care fields: a systematic map protocol

INTRODUCTION: This protocol covers the first part of a two-part project funded by the Health Libraries Group and the University Health and Medical Librarians Group. It details the proposed methodology for a systematic map of the literature relating to UK bibliographic databases in the fields of health and social care. The aim of this mapping exercise is to consider ways in which UK bibliographic databases are described, considered and discussed in the published and unpublished literature. In doing so, we hope to gain a clearer sense of the ways in which UK bibliographic databases are used and viewed by the research community. It also enables the identification of any gaps in the literature for further research and discussion. This topic is important because UK databases are generally underused by researchers in the UK context and some databases are at risk of closure. A lack of access to UK databases means that researchers may miss relevant UK evidence when identifying an evidence base. / METHOD: Systematic Map. / ANALYSIS: The authors will present a narrative description of the literature relating to UK bibliographic databases in the fields of health and social care. They will use tables to present descriptive information about the literature (eg, frequency tables) and use cross-tabulations to demonstrate intersecting themes. Separately, guidance on how to use the resources (eg, areas of unique content, updating frequencies, unique truncation symbols) will be sought from stakeholders and reported alongside the report narrative as a guide to usage