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The Technology Help Desk Is Open

The Technology Help Desk at Falk Library has reopened to visitors! You can find us at the top of the stairs on the library’s upper floor. Visit the desk to receive help with technology problems, get advice on an upcoming technology project, or request a consultation with a technology services librarian.

The Technology Help Desk also has a wide array of technology equipment available for borrowing. Popular items include portable power outlets, phone and laptop chargers, laptops, and Bluetooth headphones. More specialized equipment is also available to borrow, such as adapter cables, microphones, light therapy boxes, and Microsoft Surface Pros and Pens. With a valid Pitt ID, you can borrow most items for four hours (with online renewal available) and are not restricted to in-library use.

The Technology Help Desk also provides support for Falk Library’s self-service technology. Desktop computers (both PCs and Macs) are located throughout the library’s study space. Continue reading

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Historical Collections at HSLS

Historical books open on a tableHow relevant can old medical books be to modern medicine? Not very much? Think again. The Rare Book Room is full of surprises. Until recently, scientists believed that the brain and meninges were devoid of lymphatic vessels. When the presence of the meningeal lymphatic system was accepted in 2015, the follow-up review of historical descriptions of lymphatic vessels uncovered five earlier ones. Thus, in 2018, Paolo Mascagni was posthumously credited with the first discovery of meningeal lymphatic vessels for his description published in 1787. Mascagni’s book is a part of the rare book and special collections, which contain more than 10,500 publications and artifacts dating from 1496 to 1945.

  • This unique collection is only accessible by appointment, but it is quite easy and convenient to schedule a visit by phone or email. We are always happy to accommodate visitors.

The research into medical sciences past is also supported by our circulating history of medicine collection, which includes an additional 10,000 volumes of secondary resources published from 1946 to the present. Continue reading

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Measuring Research Impact with the Web of Science and InCites

When embarking on a research assessment project that includes the use of research metrics, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. With all the databases and new tools available, that provide metrics such as times cited, h-index, and other kinds of indicators, where should you start your research impact analysis?

For projects in the health sciences, the Web of Science (WoS) and InCites Benchmarking & Analytics would be great choices. These resources are available through the library and provide access to an extensive citation network, based upon the journal articles included in WoS. Both tools combined provide metrics to help you analyze research impact at the article, author, journal, and organizational level.

WoS is a multidisciplinary database that goes back to 1945 and was an early adopter of tracking citation data. It contains basic metrics at the article level, such as citation count, and indicators for individual authors. Running a citation report for an author will display metrics such as total papers, total citations, and h-index. Continue reading

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Protecting Your EndNote Libraries during the Transition to OneDrive

With the university’s upcoming cloud storage migration, you may be preparing to sync your files to OneDrive. However, before you do so, consider your EndNote libraries. To prevent possible file corruption, EndNote libraries must be stored on a hard drive and not synced to any cloud storage service (including OneDrive).

If you have your EndNote libraries currently stored on the “Desktop” or in the “Documents” folder, you may want to move them to a different location on your computer, such as in their own separate folder (not within Desktop or Documents) on the C drive (C:). If you do not want to move them, then be aware that you should not allow OneDrive to sync whichever location (either Desktop or Documents) contains your EndNote Libraries. Continue reading

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Introducing Complete Anatomy

Complete Anatomy is a 3D human anatomy software program that allows you to view different body systems. This interactive resource allows you to rotate, zoom, add or remove layers, add labels, and select sections of the model in order to view detailed information about that structure. It also features real-time muscle movement and an augmented reality mode that simulates an anatomy lab. This resource can be a great way to study human anatomy if you do not have access to the lab or are away from campus.

Radiologic images are also found within Complete Anatomy and include MRIs, CT scans, and angiograms. You can capture images and other screenshots within the tool and save them for future reference.

In addition to the anatomy tools, Complete Anatomy includes over 1,500 videos and several hundred lectures that span across subjects such as anatomy, orthopedics, ophthalmology, cardiology, dentistry, ultrasound, and beyond. This makes it a great study resource for a variety of disciplines. Continue reading

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Featured Workshop: Virtual Introduction to HSLS

If you are interested in learning more about our extensive collection of research and information services, educational opportunities and resources, join us on Friday, September 24, at 10 a.m. for a virtual introduction to HSLS. This session is perfect for those who may have missed their school-specific orientation or need a refresher on what we have to offer. Our virtual orientation is open to all affiliates of the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences (Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Public Health) and UPMC Residents/Fellows.

At HSLS, we understand the importance of finding quality health information resources to meet your academic needs. As a source for scholarly information and interprofessional collaboration, we aim to provide a wide array of research and information services, educational opportunities, and resources that are beneficial to the health sciences community within the University of Pittsburgh.

This virtual introduction will present a wide array of HSLS educational opportunities. We offer classes and workshops that cover many subjects such as: Continue reading

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HSLS Staff News

The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, etc.

Names in bold are HSLS-affiliated

Publications

Michele Klein-Fedyshin, Research and Clinical Instruction Librarian:

Pruskowski JA, Patel R, Nguyen K, Scolese C, Klein-Fedyshin M, Brazeau G. A Systematic Review of Palliative Care Content in the Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum. Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 Jun;85(6):8468. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8468. Epub 2021 Feb 24. PMID: 34315708.

Helenmary Sheridan, Data Services Librarian:

Sheridan H, Dellureficio AJ, Ratajeski MA, Mannheimer S, Wheeler TR. Data Curation through Catalogs: A Repository-Independent Model for Data Discovery. Journal of eScience Librarianship 2021;10(3): e1203. https://doi.org/10.7191/jeslib.2021.1203.

Samuel S, Moore M, Sheridan H, Sorensen C, Patterson B. Touring a Data Curation Network Primer: A Focus on Neuroimaging Data. Journal of eScience Librarianship 2021;10(3): e1204. https://doi.org/10.7191/jeslib.2021.1204. Continue reading

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Falk Library Fall Hours

Starting Monday, August 2, Falk Library has expanded our hours, with the Main Desk and Technology Desk available for library visitors.

Library hours:

  • Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m.–midnight
  • Friday: 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m.–midnight

In addition, the library’s upper floor is fully reopened, providing additional seating and technology options. Research and instruction librarians are onsite to answer questions. HSLS classes will be offered online and in person, and fall classes will soon be listed on the Upcoming HSLS Classes and Events calendar. Continue reading

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How Do Predatory Journals End Up in PubMed?

Many of us regularly utilize scholarly databases to locate articles and assume that the journals the content is published in are reputable. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Journals that may have reputability concerns are typically referred to as predatory journals. A 2019 Nature article defines predatory journals as “entities that prioritize self-interest at the expense of scholarship and are characterized by false or misleading information, deviation from best editorial and publication practices, a lack of transparency, and/or the use of aggressive and indiscriminate solicitation practices.”

One of the main ways that these journals end up in PubMed is through research funded by various agencies, including NIH. Research that is federally funded comes with certain requirements to make content available to the public. The NIH public access policy requires researchers to submit final peer-reviewed manuscripts to PubMed Central (PMC). However, NIH does not control where articles are published. This means that if federally funded research is published in a predatory journal, that journal will end up in PMC. Since PubMed contains citations from MEDLINE, PMC, and the NCBI Bookshelf, this content can then end up in PubMed itself. Continue reading

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The New 2021 Journal Citation Reports

A new version of Journal Citation Reports (JCR) was recently released and includes a brand-new interface, updated Journal Impact Factors (JIF), and other additional content. JCR is a resource that contains different research metrics for journals indexed in the Web of Science, which can be used for evaluating and comparing a journal’s impact.

Search Journal Citation Reports from the homepage
The updated interface of JCR includes a search by journal name, ISSN, eISSN, category, or keyword.

One noteworthy addition to JCR is a new metric called the Journal Citation Indicator (JCI). Unlike the JIF, the JCI is field-normalized and takes into account the differences of citation patterns across all subjects. For example, you can now use the JCI to compare a genetics journal alongside a physics journal, whereas the JIF should still only be used to compare journals within the same subject area. The JCI is also easy to interpret: the baseline impact for all journals is 1. If the JCI for a journal is 2, that journal would be twice as impactful compared to all other journals. A score of below 1 would indicate that the journal is less impactful than other journals. Continue reading

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Share Human Variant Data with New NCBI ClinVar API

Do you work with human genetic variants? Have you sought out relevant publications, clinically significant evidence, and/or publicly available data? Are you ready to contribute to the scientific and patient-care community by sharing your own research output?

You likely already know about and use ClinVar, the go-to resource for the clinical genetics community that aggregates information about genomic variation and its relationship to human health. ClinVar recently reached the significant milestone of including 1 million unique variants in its database. Over 1,800 organizations from 82 countries have submitted almost 1.5 million records in ClinVar, including more than 11,000 curated variants from 14 expert panels.

Now it is easier than ever to reciprocate and be a supportive community member by submitting your human genetic variant data using the new ClinVar Submission API. The workflow for submissions is fast and automated, thanks to a RESTful API—a particular architectural style for an application program interface (API) allowing two software programs to communicate with each other to access and use data. Continue reading

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Featured Workshop: Graphic Design with Canva

Female executive working over laptop at her deskHSLS offers classes in a wide array of subjects—molecular biology, database searching, bibliographic management, and more! You can quickly view all Upcoming Classes and Events or sign up to receive the weekly Upcoming HSLS Classes and Workshops email.

This month’s featured workshop is Graphic Design with Canva. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, from 10-11 a.m.

Register for this virtual workshop*

In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Canva, a free web-based graphic design platform. Participants will learn how to use Canva to craft attention-getting posters, presentations, social media graphics, and more. Attendees of this workshop will learn how to create an account; find free templates, graphics, and stock photos; upload original images; create graphs; and download or print the finished product. Basic elements of design will also be discussed. This class is perfect for those looking to create aesthetically pleasing graphics for presentations, posters, etc., but who have no formal training in graphic design. Continue reading

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HSLS Staff News

The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, etc.

Names in bold are HSLS-affiliated

News

Members of Data Services are excited to be part of the successful Pitt SEED Grant team for the “Cultivating a Data Science Learning Community” project. This project will address the growing demand for informal data science training across disciplines at Pitt and build the foundation for a sustained learning community. The project will be led by co-PIs Matthew Burton (School of Computing and Information), Gesina Phillips (University Library System), and Melissa Ratajeski, Coordinator of Data Services (Health Sciences Library System), and will include team members from both library systems: Tyrica Terry Kapral and Dominic Bordelon (ULS) and Helenmary Sheridan, Data Services Librarian, and Carrie Iwema, Coordinator of Basic Science Services (HSLS).

Publications

Rebekah Miller, Research and Instruction Librarian:

Escobar-Viera CG, Melcher EM, Miller RS, Whitfield DL, Gordon JD, Jacobson DA, Ballard AJ, Rollman BL, Pagoto S. A systematic review of the engagement with social media–delivered interventions for improving health outcomes among sexual and gender minorities. Internet Interv. 2021 Sept;25(100428). doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100428.

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Director Spotlight

Renae Barger
Associate Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences Library System
rbarger@pitt.edu

Barbara Epstein announced her retirement as HSLS Director in last month’s issue of the HSLS Update. It is my privilege to call Barbara my friend, colleague, and mentor. As I begin my appointment as Associate Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences Library System, I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned from her example. Her leadership has made a lasting impact on our profession, on HSLS as a leading academic health sciences library, and on me, both personally and professionally.

I am a proud Pitt alumnus, earning a BS from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MLIS from the School of Information Sciences, and Masters Certificate from the Department of Biomedical Informatics. I began my career at HSLS in 2002, starting as a trainee in the Library and Biomedical Informatics Trainee Program and continuing as Reference Librarian and Coordinator for Document Delivery Services. I then advanced to Head of Access Services and Assistant Director for Access Services. From 2011 to 2021, I served as Executive Director and then Program Lead for the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region, building a highly regarded program that was recognized regionally and nationally for innovative health information outreach. Continue reading