The Future of Our Seas: Marine scientists and creative professionals collaborate for science communication

To increase awareness of the current challenges facing the marine environment, the Future of Our Seas (FOOS) project brought together the expertise of scientists, public engagement experts and creatives to train and support a group of marine scientists in effective science communication and innovative public engagement. This case study aims to inspire scientists and artists to use the FOOS approach in training, activity design and development support (hereafter called the ‘FOOS programme’) to collaboratively deliver novel and creative engagement activities. The authors reflect on the experiences of the marine scientists: (1) attending the FOOS communication and engagement training; (2) creating and delivering public engagement activities; (3) understanding our audience; and (4) collaborating with artists. The authors also share what the artists and audiences learned from participating in the FOOS public engagement activities. These different perspectives provide new insights for the field with respect to designing collaborative training which maximizes the impact of the training on participants, creative collaborators and the public. Long-term benefits of taking part in the FOOS programme, such as initiating future collaborative engagement activities and positively impacting the scientists’ research processes, are also highlighted

The genome sequence of the blonde ray, Raja brachyura Lafont, 1871

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Raja brachyura (Blonde Ray; Chordata; Chondrichthyes; Rajiformes; Rajidae). The genome sequence spans 2,700.50 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 49 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.12 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 24,252 protein-coding gene

The genome sequence of the greater pipefish, Syngnathus acus (Linnaeus, 1758)

We present a genome assembly from an individual Syngnathus acus (the greater pipefish; Chordata; Actinopteri; Syngnathiformes; Syngnathidae). The genome sequence is 359.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 22 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.5 kilobases in lengt

Acute care inpatients with long-term delayed-discharge: evidence from a Canadian health region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute hospital discharge delays are a pressing concern for many health care administrators. In Canada, a delayed discharge is defined by the alternate level of care (ALC) construct and has been the target of many provincial health care strategies. Little is known on the patient characteristics that influence acute ALC length of stay. This study examines which characteristics drive acute ALC length of stay for those awaiting nursing home admission.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Population-level administrative and assessment data were used to examine 17,111 acute hospital admissions designated as alternate level of care (ALC) from a large Canadian health region. Case level hospital records were linked to home care administrative and assessment records to identify and characterize those ALC patients that account for the greatest proportion of acute hospital ALC days.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ALC patients waiting for nursing home admission accounted for 41.5% of acute hospital ALC bed days while only accounting for 8.8% of acute hospital ALC patients. Characteristics that were significantly associated with greater ALC lengths of stay were morbid obesity (27 day mean deviation, 99% CI = ±14.6), psychiatric diagnosis (13 day mean deviation, 99% CI = ±6.2), abusive behaviours (12 day mean deviation, 99% CI = ±10.7), and stroke (7 day mean deviation, 99% CI = ±5.0). Overall, persons with morbid obesity, a psychiatric diagnosis, abusive behaviours, or stroke accounted for 4.3% of all ALC patients and 23% of all acute hospital ALC days between April 1^st 2009 and April 1^st, 2011. ALC patients with the identified characteristics had unique clinical profiles.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A small number of patients with non-medical days waiting for nursing home admission contribute to a substantial proportion of total non-medical days in acute hospitals. Increases in nursing home capacity or changes to existing funding arrangements should target the sub-populations identified in this investigation to maximize effectiveness. Specifically, incentives should be introduced to encourage nursing homes to accept acute patients with the least prospect for community-based living, while acute patients with the greatest prospect for community-based living are discharged to transitional care or directly to community-based care.</p