Rush Hour takes on a whole new meaning at Yellowstone!
Picture from the National Park Service
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
84,900 EBOOKS IN EBRARY!
ebrary has recently added over 3,800 scholarly titles to our subscription database, Academic Complete, from over 150 publishers. An ideal base collection, Academic Complete now includes a growing selection of more than 84,900 e-books.
But, that's not all. The most used e-book titles in universities and colleges are often backlist! In addition to adding 3,500 quality titles to Academic Complete, ebrary has also added must-have 850+ backlist titles selected from featured lists such as CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles and Doody’s Core Titles.
In addition, Wiley E-books is coming to Academic Complete soon and will add 2,000 front-list titles over the coming months. A full title list and update schedule will be available shortly.
Workshops on using ebrary are available for faculty and students.
But, that's not all. The most used e-book titles in universities and colleges are often backlist! In addition to adding 3,500 quality titles to Academic Complete, ebrary has also added must-have 850+ backlist titles selected from featured lists such as CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles and Doody’s Core Titles.
In addition, Wiley E-books is coming to Academic Complete soon and will add 2,000 front-list titles over the coming months. A full title list and update schedule will be available shortly.
Workshops on using ebrary are available for faculty and students.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
PICTURE OF THE WEEK:: ARTIC TERN
These images are from the famous Birds of America
These imThesThis e images are from the famous Birds of Americaages are from the famous Birds of America
This image is from the famous Audubon's Birds of America
What is included in the CINAHL Evidence-Based Practice limiter?
If you use the CINAHL Evidence-Based Practice Limiter, do you wonder what is it really limiting? This is EBSCO's explanation:
Evidence-Based Practice is a value that can be found in the Special Interest field of some CINAHL records. This value is associated with a record when an article is about the application of Evidence-Based medicine.
Evidence-based medicine is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, including long-established existing medical traditions not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. According to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, "Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients."
When applied, the Evidence-Based Practice limiter searches the Special Interest field for the value "Evidence-Based Practice." Applying this limiter allows you to limit results to:
• Articles from evidence-based practice journals
• Articles about evidence-based practice
• Research articles (including systematic reviews, clinical trials, meta analyses, etc.)
• Commentaries on research studies (applying practice to research)
It does not limit searchers to articles that report evidence-based conclusions.
Evidence-Based Practice is a value that can be found in the Special Interest field of some CINAHL records. This value is associated with a record when an article is about the application of Evidence-Based medicine.
Evidence-based medicine is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, including long-established existing medical traditions not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. According to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, "Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients."
When applied, the Evidence-Based Practice limiter searches the Special Interest field for the value "Evidence-Based Practice." Applying this limiter allows you to limit results to:
• Articles from evidence-based practice journals
• Articles about evidence-based practice
• Research articles (including systematic reviews, clinical trials, meta analyses, etc.)
• Commentaries on research studies (applying practice to research)
It does not limit searchers to articles that report evidence-based conclusions.
Improving Patient Safety: Systematic Reviews
"Making Health Care Safer: A Critical Review of Evidence Supporting Strategies to Improve Patient Safety" is the title of the supplement to the March 5th Annals of Internal Medicine. An introduction provides a detailed explanation of this evidence-based assessment of patient safety strategies followed by 10 systematic reviews based on that research. This is valuable information for health care providers. The supplement also is an example of how to set up evidence-based research and what sets a systematic review apart.
What is a systematic review?
A systematic review attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question. It uses explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view to minimizing bias, thus providing more reliable findings from which conclusions can be drawn and decisions made. The key characteristics of a systematic review are:
•a clearly stated set of objectives with pre-defined eligibility criteria for studies;
•an explicit, reproducible methodology;
•a systematic search that attempts to identify all studies that would meet the eligibility criteria;
•an assessment of the validity of the findings of the included studies, for example through the assessment of risk of bias; and
•a systematic presentation, and synthesis, of the characteristics and findings of the included studies.
Many systematic reviews contain meta-analyses. Meta-analysis is the use of statistical methods to summarize the results of independent studies. Meta-analyses can provide more precise estimates of the effects of health care than those derived from the individual studies included within a review. They also facilitate investigations of the consistency of evidence across studies, and the exploration of differences across studies.
(This information comes from Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 updated March 2011.)
What is a systematic review?
A systematic review attempts to collate all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria in order to answer a specific research question. It uses explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view to minimizing bias, thus providing more reliable findings from which conclusions can be drawn and decisions made. The key characteristics of a systematic review are:
•a clearly stated set of objectives with pre-defined eligibility criteria for studies;
•an explicit, reproducible methodology;
•a systematic search that attempts to identify all studies that would meet the eligibility criteria;
•an assessment of the validity of the findings of the included studies, for example through the assessment of risk of bias; and
•a systematic presentation, and synthesis, of the characteristics and findings of the included studies.
Many systematic reviews contain meta-analyses. Meta-analysis is the use of statistical methods to summarize the results of independent studies. Meta-analyses can provide more precise estimates of the effects of health care than those derived from the individual studies included within a review. They also facilitate investigations of the consistency of evidence across studies, and the exploration of differences across studies.
(This information comes from Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0 updated March 2011.)
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Enculturation: Faculty Publication Opportunity
David Parry, an assistant professor of emerging media and communications at the University of Texas at Dallas, argues that scholars have an obligation to publish their research in journals that make free copies available online. The debate over open access to research has heated up in recent months among college faculty and librarians. Libraries are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase excessively high priced journals--some running as much as $40,000 a year. With that in mind, this blog will regularly post information about this debate and professional journals offering open issues who encourage faculty to submit publications. Enculturation is the first one in this series.
Enculturation is a refereed journal devoted to contemporary theories of rhetoric, writing, and culture. They accept academic work in all media forms suitable for web-based publication, including conventional articles, hypertexts, videos, and multimedia projects. Submitted articles and projects are blind-reviewed and considered for publication on the understanding that they are not under consideration elsewhere. Traditional articles should be approximately 4000-6000 words long, reviews 1000-2000 words. They also invite unsolicited reviews for books, CDs, films, websites, media events, and conferences. Enculturation is published under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons License.
Current Isssue 15: Open Issue
Table of Contents:
http://enculturation.gmu.edu/15
Enculturation is a refereed journal devoted to contemporary theories of rhetoric, writing, and culture. They accept academic work in all media forms suitable for web-based publication, including conventional articles, hypertexts, videos, and multimedia projects. Submitted articles and projects are blind-reviewed and considered for publication on the understanding that they are not under consideration elsewhere. Traditional articles should be approximately 4000-6000 words long, reviews 1000-2000 words. They also invite unsolicited reviews for books, CDs, films, websites, media events, and conferences. Enculturation is published under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons License.
Current Isssue 15: Open Issue
Table of Contents:
http://enculturation.gmu.edu/15
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
National Women’s History Month Begins Friday
Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination
Each year, March is designated as National Women’s History Month to ensure that the history of American women will be recognized and celebrated in schools, workplaces, and communities throughout the country.
The 2013 National Women's History Month theme, Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination, recognizes American women's outstanding contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics commonly referred to as STEM.
The 2013 Honorees for National Women’s History Month include:
Hattie Elizabeth Alexander (1901-1968) Pediatrician and Microbiologist
Marlyn Barrett (1954) K-12 STEM Educator
Grace Murray Hopper (1906-1992) Computer Scientist
Olga Frances Linares (1936) Anthropologist and Archaeologist
Julia Morgan (1872-1957) Architect
Katharine Burr Blodgett (1898-1979) Physicist and Inventor
Edith Clarke (1883-1959) Electrical Engineer
Rita R. Colwell (1934) Molecular Microbial Ecologistand Scientific Administrator
Susan Solomon (1956) Atmospheric Chemist
Flossie Wong-Staal (1946) Virologist and Molecular
Patricia Era Bath (1942) Ophthalmologist and Inventor
Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) Physician
Louise Pearce (1885-1959) Physician and Pathologist
Jill Pipher (1955) Mathematician
Mary G. Ross (1908-2008) Mechanical Engineer
Diane Fossey (1932-1985) Primatologist and Naturalist
Susan A. Gerbi (1944) Molecular Cell Biologist
Helen Greiner (1967) Mechanical Engineer and Roboticist
Friday, February 22, 2013
CQ Researcher: Coastal Development
Coastal Development February 22, 2013 • Volume 23, Issue 8
Is over-building putting coastal regions at risk?
by Jennifer Weeks
Introduction
"Superstorm Sandy, which devastated portions of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut last October, has revived longstanding debates about coastal development. Congress has approved more than $60 billion in relief funding for Sandy, which ranks as one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history. Future storms could be even worse because of climate change, which is raising global sea levels. New York officials are considering building floodgates to protect against storm surges, one of many strategies under consideration. Some experts argue that to make coastlines better able to withstand extreme weather, storm-damaged houses in vulnerable zones should not be rebuilt. Meanwhile, critics blame the federal flood insurance program, designed to help homeowners who cannot get private coverage, for subsidizing risky development with taxpayer dollars. But advocates say the program is needed to protect homeowners against catastrophic loss."
Read the full report at CQresearcher.com (username and password required)
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Kauai, Hawaii
Photograph by Scott Chapman
An aerial view of Tunnels Beach on the island of Kauai
(This photo was submitted to the 2012 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest. Submit your best travel shot for a chance to win great prizes and be featured in an issue of National Geographic Traveler.)
EBRARY COMPLETE 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrate Academic Complete's 10th Anniversary with ebrary!
Academic Complete™ is turning 10 this year and we want to celebrate with you! Our subscription database serves as a foundational, growing collection with over 80,000 scholarly titles from which you can pinpoint your needs.
10 Reasons for 10 Years – Why Academic Complete?
More usage data – meaning more understanding of academic library users’ needs
The most university presses
More YBP top publishers
More YBP core titles
More key titles in core disciplines including CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles (OAT)
More careful content selection by our expert librarians
More awards – Library Journal’s Best E-book Database, CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, CODiE finalist for Best Service using Aggregated Content
More integration – DASH!™ (Data Sharing, Fast) to upload and integrate your own digital repositories
More discoverability – results available on the ProQuest platform and full-text searchable through the Summon® service
More great reviews
Academic Complete™ is turning 10 this year and we want to celebrate with you! Our subscription database serves as a foundational, growing collection with over 80,000 scholarly titles from which you can pinpoint your needs.
10 Reasons for 10 Years – Why Academic Complete?
More usage data – meaning more understanding of academic library users’ needs
The most university presses
More YBP top publishers
More YBP core titles
More key titles in core disciplines including CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles (OAT)
More careful content selection by our expert librarians
More awards – Library Journal’s Best E-book Database, CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title, CODiE finalist for Best Service using Aggregated Content
More integration – DASH!™ (Data Sharing, Fast) to upload and integrate your own digital repositories
More discoverability – results available on the ProQuest platform and full-text searchable through the Summon® service
More great reviews
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
On an advertising shoot for washing machines in Canada to show off the cold wash performance, the Samsung crew are surprised when a bear wanders into the shoot location.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Susan B. Anthony's Birthday
In Honor of Susan B. Anthony's Birthday- February 15th
Susan B. Anthony's last birthday celebration was held on February 15, 1906 in Washington, DC. At this event Susan gave her last public speech, which she ended by paying tribute to the countless numbers who had joined in the campaign for women's rights. She said, "There have been others also just as true and devoted to the cause-I wish I could name every one-but with such women consecrating lives--failure is impossible."
So today let us pay tribute to Susan B. Anthony and the countless others who unrelentingly and tirelessly worked for women to win the right to vote.
VIDEO FOR THE WEEK: WATCH THIS NOW!
Dakuwaqa's Garden: Underwater Footage
From Fizi and Tonga
There is still snow on the ground, and, yes, we may get more snow this weekend. Don't we all deserve something special? Well, here it is.
WATCH THIS NOW!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/mcbHKAWIk3I
(Thanks to Ann Zajchowski for sharing this!)
From Fizi and Tonga
There is still snow on the ground, and, yes, we may get more snow this weekend. Don't we all deserve something special? Well, here it is.
WATCH THIS NOW!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/mcbHKAWIk3I
(Thanks to Ann Zajchowski for sharing this!)
123456: Is this your password? Really?
Easy-to-recall codes are way too easy for others to guess. Yet the most popular passwords are "123456" or "password," according to app developer SplashData. One in 10 four-digit PINs is "1234." Data Genetics president Nick Berry says people's lack of imagination is staggering.
Advice: go big and random, don't repeat, tell lies. By the way, there is a free, multi-device app for storing codes--Dashlane. But do you trust them?
Source: Money Magazine March 2013
Advice: go big and random, don't repeat, tell lies. By the way, there is a free, multi-device app for storing codes--Dashlane. But do you trust them?
Source: Money Magazine March 2013
New Report on U.S. Health: Not so Good
Although the United States spends more on health care than any other country, U.S. citizens live shorter and less healthy lives than do people in other developed nations, according to a new report from thne National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine. The report also found that the mortality gap is growing because of a disproportionately higher rate of early deaths among indivudals in the United States before their 50th birthday, If you make it to 75, you actually fare better than other countries on longevity.
Report: http://tinurl.com/a4yzn3o
Source: Journal of the American Medica Association (JAMA) February 13
Report: http://tinurl.com/a4yzn3o
Source: Journal of the American Medica Association (JAMA) February 13
Website to Watch: Storenvy
Calling all Shoppers!
Storenvy is a mashup of two online platforms:an easy to use storefront and a social media network. "envies" are Storenvy versions of Facebook's "like" button. This allows shoppers to follow the purchases of shoppers who have similar taste. So far it has a community of 500,000 shoppers. Basic storefronts are free--so far. Not surprisingly it started in San Francisco. The eight-person compoany is hiring: engineers, deisgners, and product managers in case you are considering a move to California.
www.storenvy.com
Source: Entrepreneur March 2013
Storenvy is a mashup of two online platforms:an easy to use storefront and a social media network. "envies" are Storenvy versions of Facebook's "like" button. This allows shoppers to follow the purchases of shoppers who have similar taste. So far it has a community of 500,000 shoppers. Basic storefronts are free--so far. Not surprisingly it started in San Francisco. The eight-person compoany is hiring: engineers, deisgners, and product managers in case you are considering a move to California.
www.storenvy.com
Source: Entrepreneur March 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Make Your Brain Smarter: Increase Your Brain's Creativity, Energy, and Focus
By Sandra Bond Chapman In this book, Chapman reviews recent research in brain studies and techniques to keep brains in peak condition.
"Chapman (Behavioral and Brain Sciences/Univ. of Texas, Dallas) founded and directs the Center for BrainHealth. Distilling a vast amount of research, the author reinforces some conventional wisdom while poking holes in other ideas about brain function. Intelligence, long thought to be innate, is becoming recognized as a more complex function of various environmental and genetic influences, not least of which is the approach we take to teaching and learning. Society's tendency toward adding more stimuli to every activity, from listening to music while doing homework, to the office with a TV always tuned to 24-hour news, is wearing away at our brain function. The book may stretch readers’ minds to incorporate the ideas in new forms, no doubt boosting brainpower--a decent cross section of research and practical ideas about exercising and maintaining brain function." (from Kirkus Review)
A COPY IS ON ITS WAY TO THE HOFFMAN FAMILY LIBRARY. GET ON THE WAITING LIST!
By Sandra Bond Chapman In this book, Chapman reviews recent research in brain studies and techniques to keep brains in peak condition.
"Chapman (Behavioral and Brain Sciences/Univ. of Texas, Dallas) founded and directs the Center for BrainHealth. Distilling a vast amount of research, the author reinforces some conventional wisdom while poking holes in other ideas about brain function. Intelligence, long thought to be innate, is becoming recognized as a more complex function of various environmental and genetic influences, not least of which is the approach we take to teaching and learning. Society's tendency toward adding more stimuli to every activity, from listening to music while doing homework, to the office with a TV always tuned to 24-hour news, is wearing away at our brain function. The book may stretch readers’ minds to incorporate the ideas in new forms, no doubt boosting brainpower--a decent cross section of research and practical ideas about exercising and maintaining brain function." (from Kirkus Review)
A COPY IS ON ITS WAY TO THE HOFFMAN FAMILY LIBRARY. GET ON THE WAITING LIST!
PICTURE OF THE WEEK: MAKERSPACE
The Abstract, Reinvented
Structured abastracts first appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) more than 20 years ago. Almost all medical journals use structured abstgracts for articles reporting the results of research papers.
The current issue of JAMA introduces the next generation of a structured abstract, featuring a table embedded in the Results section.The staff of JAMA anticipates that the Results section will generally start with a qualitative description of the principal findings, the table will highlight those findings by providing well-organized data, and then secondary outcomes or additional analysis will appear below the table.
They anticipate that this new abstract format will improve the clarity with which research results are communicated. It make take some time for this format to filter through the logistical and technical requirements of the National Library of Medicine and journal content aggregators.
Source: "The Restructuring of Structured Abstracts" by H. Bauchner, R. Henry, and R. M. Golub in The Journal of the American Medical Association, February 6, 2013, beginning on page 491.
The current issue of JAMA introduces the next generation of a structured abstract, featuring a table embedded in the Results section.The staff of JAMA anticipates that the Results section will generally start with a qualitative description of the principal findings, the table will highlight those findings by providing well-organized data, and then secondary outcomes or additional analysis will appear below the table.
They anticipate that this new abstract format will improve the clarity with which research results are communicated. It make take some time for this format to filter through the logistical and technical requirements of the National Library of Medicine and journal content aggregators.
Source: "The Restructuring of Structured Abstracts" by H. Bauchner, R. Henry, and R. M. Golub in The Journal of the American Medical Association, February 6, 2013, beginning on page 491.
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