Specialized Terms

How do I learn?

Of course, every time I read new scientific articles, there have always been words that I have trouble understanding. Here is a glossary of every word that I had trouble with. I will also write pertinent words specialized in my field of study to help me, but also you, faithful readers. 

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Shrapnel         shrapnel

                        éclat d'obus

1. A projectile that consists of a case provided with a powder charge and a large number of usually lead balls and that is exploded in flight

2. Bomb, mine, or shell fragments

    Source: Shrapnel. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrapnel

So, shrapnel is the result (fragment) of the explosion of a weapon that projects these said fragments. 

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Covariate        covariable

1. Any of two or more random variables exhibiting correlated variation

    Source: Covariate. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covariate

A covariate can be many things in a statistic including a variable that will predict the result of a simple variable that will bring confusion. Either way, covariates are important in research. 

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Telemedicine        télémédecine

1. Medical care provided remotely to a patient in a separate location using two-way voice and visual communication (as by computer or cell phone)

    Source: Telemedicine. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telemedicine

With COVID-19, a lot of things turned to technology including medicine. Without real contact, the patient can still communicate with their doctor using the advanced technology of our world. 

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Neonate        nouveau-né

1. A newborn child

    Source: Neonate. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neonate

Neonate is another word for babies. It is, especially, a child less than a month old. In our particular situation (COVID-19), they can be at-risk patients since they are very vulnerable. 

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Intensive Care Unit (ICU)      service de soins intensifs

                                                  service de réanimation  

1. A department of a hospital in which patients who are dangerously ill are kept under constant observation.

    Source: Oxford Languages 

This is where patients go if they need 24-hour critical care or life support. Hospitals can have various specialized ICUs since there are many types of severe/life-threatening diseases and/or injuries for different kinds of patients. 

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Tourniquet      garrot

1. A device for stopping the flow of blood through a vein or artery, typically by compressing a limb with a cord or tight bandage.

    Source: Oxford Languages 

A tourniquet is especially useful for emergencies. It can control bleeding rapidly helping surgeons to take care of patients. Jean-Louis Petit was the one to invent the first tourniquet. 

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Brigadier-General     général de brigade

1. An officer in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps ranking above colonel and below major general.

    Source: Oxford Languages 

It is a rank. It is the same for the Canadian Armed Forces.  It is less known, but it is a pretty high rank. The higher rank category is "General Officier" and a brigadier-general is a rank in this category. It is higher than a colonel but lower than a major general. To locate the rank of colonel, it is in the category under "General Officers". This category is named "Seniors Officers".

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Workforce     main d'oeuvre

                        effectifs

                        salariés

1. The people engaged in or available for work, either in a country or area or in a particular company or industry.

    Source: Oxford Languages 

It is a group of employees working for the same thing. For example, the Army is one big workforce. Every workforce has its own forces and weaknesses.