Allometric comparison of brain structure volumes in three species of bowerbird: satin bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), spotted bowerbirds (Chlamydera maculata), and green catbirds (Ailuroedus crassirostris)

In three species of Australian bowerbirds the volumes of several brain structures were determined based on areal measurements of fixed tissue. Allometric comparisons, i.e., those that take into account the gross interspecies and intersexual differences in body mass and overall size, were made among these three species. Sexual dimorphisms were detected in the vocal control nuclei of each species. Most intriguingly, a putatively novel nucleus in the dorsal hyperstriatum of all three species has been identified. These findings are discussed in a functional context, in which the bower-building habits of these three species of bowerbird are considered

Year in review 2007: Critical Care – intensive care unit management

With the development of new technologies and drugs, health care is becoming increasisngly complex and expensive. Governments and health care providers around the world devote a large proportion of their budgets to maintaining quality of care. During 2007, Critical Care published several papers that highlight important aspects of critical care management, which can be subdivided into structure, processes and outcomes, including costs. Great emphasis was given to quality of life after intensive care unit stay, especially the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder. Significant attention was also given to staffing level, optimization of intensive care unit capacity, and drug cost-effectiveness, particularly that of recombinant human activated protein C. Managing costs and providing high-quality care simultaneously are emerging challenges that we must understand and meet

Automating Big Data Cleaning: An Example Using Local Bibliometric Data

The University of Waterloo recognizes bibliometric data as an important piece of evidence-based research assessment, and recommends bibliometric data as one measure, among many, for capturing research productivity trends, and elements of research impact. Even when working from a basket of measures, bibliometric data remains complex and requires significant cleaning due to issues of name ambiguity. This session will explore an innovative collaboration between the Library and Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) to support the integrity of local, discipline-level bibliometric data by automating key data processes of an internal project. This session will introduce how bibliometric data is relevant to the University, the process used to gather and vet local bibliometric data, and the ways in which key data processes have been successfully automated using Python and a database to support efficient reporting. Given known challenges presented by name ambiguity, this collaborative framework makes it possible to support the integrity of local bibliometric data—a key step in supporting this and similar in-demand analyses at the University

Bibliometrics & The Modern Academic Library: A Unique Cross-Campus Partnership At The University Of Waterloo

As one measure used to capture research productivity trends, and elements of research impact, the University of Waterloo recognizes bibliometric measures as an important piece of evidence-based research assessment. Join these speakers to learn how the University of Waterloo uses bibliometric measures to better understand the University s research productivity and impact. This session will explore: the increasing use of bibliometrics as an accountability tool, how bibliometrics inform discussion on areas of research strength and emerging areas, the research analytics tool InCites , and the use of bibliometric data in replicating university rankings results. Also learn about the University s campus-wide Bibliometrics Working Group and White Paper on Bibliometrics, written in effort to bring discussion and clarity to the campus community around the use and misuse of common bibliometric measures. This work is possible through a unique partnership involving the University of Waterloo s Office of Research, Institutional Analysis and Planning, and the Library

White-nose Syndrome at Mammoth Cave National Park: Actions Before and After Its Detection

Since it was identified in the United States in 2006, white-nose syndrome (WNS) in bats has become an important issue in the management of caves and bats at Mammoth Cave National Park (MACA). The threat of its arrival has led to more intense monitoring of bat populations, increased studies, and interventions with both the visiting public and researchers. The timeline of MACA’s WNS response is shown in Table 1

Development of a triage protocol for patients presenting with gastrointestinal hemorrhage: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Introduction Many patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring. A simple triage protocol based upon validated risk factors could decrease ICU utilization. Methods Records of 188 patients admitted with GIH from the emergency department (ED) were reviewed for BLEED criteria (visualized red blood, systolic blood pressure below 100 mm Hg, elevated prothrombin time [PT], erratic mental status, and unstable comorbid disease) and complication within the first 24 hours of admission. Variables associated with early complication were reassessed in 132 patients prospectively enrolled as a validation cohort. A triage model was developed using significant predictors. Results We studied 188 patients in the development set and 132 in the validation set. Red blood (relative risk [RR] 4.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04, 10.07) and elevated PT (RR 3.27, 95% CI 1.53, 7.01) were significantly associated with complication in the development set. In the validation cohort, the combination of red blood or unstable comorbidity had a sensitivity of 0.73, a specificity of 0.55, a positive predictive value of 0.24, and a negative predictive value of 0.91 for complication within 24 hours. In simulation studies, a triage model using these variables could reduce ICU admissions without increasing the number of complications. Conclusion Patients presenting to the ED with GIH who have no evidence of ongoing bleeding or unstable comorbidities are at low risk for complication during hospital admission. A triage model based on these variables should be tested prospectively to optimize critical care resource utilization in this common condition