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Simple Summary: In this study, we examined whether different types of red meat, processed and unprocessed, contribute to the development of advanced colorectal adenomas, which can be precursors to cancer. Through examining the diets of 1083 individuals at their initial colonoscopy in Calgary, we assessed the impact of meat intake on the presence of these early cancer indicators. We observed that the total amount of red and processed meat, but not unprocessed meat, was associated with the presence of advanced colorectal adenomas at the time of a screening colonoscopy. Our observations provide preliminary evidence that may contribute to a nuanced understanding of diet's role in colorectal health. The association between red meat consumption and colorectal cancer has been rigorously examined. However, a more comprehensive understanding of how the intake of unprocessed red meat contributes to the development of early precancerous colorectal lesions, such as advanced colorectal adenomas (ACRAs), requires further investigation. We examined the associations between different types of red meat intake and ACRAs in a sample population of 1083 individuals aged ≥ 50 years undergoing an initial screening colonoscopy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Associations between grams per day of total, processed, and unprocessed red meat from diet history questionnaires and ACRAs were evaluated with multivariable logistic regression models. We also applied cubic spline models fitted with three knots (10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles) to identify potential nonlinear associations. We did not observe a meaningful association between unprocessed red meat intake and the presence of ACRAs. In contrast, for every 10 g/d increase in total and processed meat intake, we observed an increase in the odds of ACRAs at the screening colonoscopy (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.05, 95% [CI = 1.01–1.09], p = 0.04) and (adjusted OR = 1.11, 95% [CI = 1.02–1.20], p = 0.02), respectively. This study highlights the importance of differentiating between types of red meat consumption in the context of dietary risks associated with ACRAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in AYA cancer care has increased globally over the recent past; however, most of this work disproportionately represents white, heterosexual, middle-income, educated, and able-bodied people. There is recognition in the literature that cancer care systems are not structured nor designed to adequately serve people of colour or other equity-denied groups, and the structural racism in the system prevents prevention, treatment, and delivery of care. This work seeks to examine structural racism and the ways that it permeates into the lived experiences of AYAs in their cancer care. This article represents the first phase of an 18-month, patient-oriented, Participatory Action Research project focused on cancer care for racialized AYAs that is situated within a broader program of research focused on transforming cancer care for AYAs. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 18 AYAs who self-identify as racialized, have lived experiences with cancer, and have received treatment in Canada. Following participant review of their transcripts, the transcripts were de-identified, and then coded by three separate authors. Five main themes were identified using thematic analysis, including the need to feel supported through experiences with (in)fertility, be heard and not dismissed, advocate for self and have others advocate for you, be in community, and resist compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prohibitive costs of small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) racks decrease PV adoption velocity. To overcome these costs challenges, an open hardware design method is used to develop two novel variable tilt racking designs. These are the first stilt-mounted racking designs that allow for the manual change of the tilt angle from zero to 90 degrees by varying the length of cables. The racks are designed using the calculated dead, wind, and snow loads for Canada as a conservative design for most of the rest of the world. Structural capacities of the wooden members are then ascertained and the resisting bending moment, shear force, tensile force, and compressive force is calculated for them. A structural and truss analysis is performed to ensure that the racking design withstands the applicable forces. Moreover, the implications of changing the tilt angle on the wooden members/cables used to build the system are also determined. The systems offer significant economic savings ranging from one third to two thirds of the capital expenses of the commercially available alternatives. In addition, the racking designs are easy-to-build and require minimal manufacturing operations, which increases their accessibility. The stilt-mounted designs can be employed for agrivoltaic settings while allowing farm workers shaded, ergonomic access to perform planting, weeding, and harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus sequence type (ST) 398 is a lineage affecting both humans and livestock worldwide. However, the mechanisms underlying its clonal evolution are still not clearly elucidated. We applied whole-genome sequencing (WGS) typing to 45 S. aureus strains from China and Canada between 2005 and 2014, in order to gain insight into their evolutionary pathway. Based on WGS phylogenetic analysis, 42 isolates were assigned to the human-associated clade (I/II-GOI) and 3 isolates to livestock-associated clade (IIa). Phylogeny of ϕSa3 sequences revealed five phage groups (Groups 1–5), with Group 1 carrying ϕSa3-Group 1 (ϕSa3-G1), Group 2 carrying ϕSa3-G2, Group 3 carrying ϕSa3-G3, Group 4 carrying ϕSa3-G4 and Group 5 lacking ϕSa3. ϕSa3-G1 was only found in strains that accounted for the most ancestral human clade I, while ϕSa3-G2, ϕSa3-G3 and ϕSa3-G4 were found restricted to sublineages within clade II-GOI. Some isolates of clade II-GOI were also found to be ϕSa3-negative or resistant to methicillin which are unusual characteristics for human-adapted isolates. This study demonstrated a strong association between phylogenetic grouping and phage type, suggesting an important role of ϕSa3 prophage in the evolution of human-adapted ST398 subclones. In addition, our results suggest that this subclone slowly began to adapt to animal hosts by losing ϕSa3 and acquiring methicillin resistance, which was observed in some strains of human-associated clade II-GOI, an intermediate human to livestock transmission clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diseases and pests reduce crop yields, accounting for global crop losses of 30% to 50%. In conventional agricultural production systems, these losses are typically controlled by applying chemical pesticides. However, public pressure is mounting to curtail agrochemical use. In this context, employing beneficial endophytic microorganisms is an increasingly attractive alternative to the use of conventional chemical pesticides in agriculture. A multitude of fungal endophytes are naturally present in plants, producing enzymes, small peptides, and secondary metabolites due to their bioactivity, which can protect hosts from pathogens, pests, and abiotic stresses. The use of beneficial endophytic microorganisms in agriculture is an increasingly attractive alternative to conventional pesticides. The aim of this study was to characterize fungal endophytes isolated from apparently healthy, feral wine grapes in eastern Canada that have grown without agrochemical inputs for decades. Host plants ranged from unknown seedlings to long-lost cultivars not widely propagated since the 1800s. HPLC-MS was used to identify unique endophyte-derived chemical compounds in the host plants, while dual-culture competition assays showed a range in endophytes' ability to suppress the mycelial growth of Botrytis, which is typically controlled in viticulture with pesticides. Twelve of the most promising fungal endophytes isolated were identified using multilocus sequencing and morphology, while DNA barcoding was employed to identify some of their host vines. These fungal endophyte isolates, which consisted of both known and putative novel strains, belonged to seven genera in six families and five orders of Ascomycota. Exploring the fungal endophytes in these specimens may yield clues to the vines' survival and lead to the discovery of novel biocontrol agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada's most endangered endemic mammal and is found exclusively on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. In the 1990s, the wild population drastically declined to fewer than 100 animals, primarily due to habitat alterations. In 1997, a conservation breeding-for-release program was established to supplement wild marmot populations as part of the National Recovery Plan. Retrospective analyses of captive breeding studbook records since 2000 indicate that among animals of proven fertility, the proportion of breeding pairs weaning a litter of pups is only 53%, which is less than optimum to support the reintroduction of animals to increase the wild population. Factors associated with the female were found to have the greatest impact on the odds of successfully weaning a litter, including age of the female and her previous success, although the age of the male also had an effect. A comparison of adrenal function between new and established breeding pairs, and successful and unsuccessful breeding pairs, indicated lower fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in established and successful pairs. This suggests that certain pairings are associated with lower stress than others, possibly reflecting social buffering of the stress response. The results of these analyses will be used to inform the captive management breeding program as it continues to supplement the wild populations of this endangered species. The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada's most endangered endemic mammal. In 1997, a conservation breeding-for-release program was established to supplement wild marmot populations. Retrospective analyses of captive breeding studbook records since 2000 indicate the age of the sire and the dam significantly impacted the odds of successfully weaning a litter. Dams and sires between 5 and 7 years of age had more than double the odds of reproductive success compared to older animals. Successful reproduction by the dam in the previous year also doubled the odds of successfully weaning a litter in subsequent years. Assessment of adrenal function via fecal glucocorticoid analyses indicated established breeding pairs had decreased stress compared to new pairs (5.74 ± 0.28 ng/g vs. 7.60 ± 0.34 ng/g; p < 0.0001). Pairs that were ultimately successful at weaning pups in a breeding season had decreased stress compared to unsuccessful pairs (6.05 ± 0.34 ng/g vs. 7.22 ± 0.28 ng/g; p = 0.0006). These endocrine results suggest social buffering via familiarity and breeding/pair bond formation may be decreasing stress in established and successful pairs, respectively. The results of this study will be used to assist in the captive breeding management of this species to optimise numbers of animals produced to supplement the wild populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) is a one-dimensional process-based model used for simulating major physical, chemical, and biological processes in agricultural systems. To date, the model has not been applied to potato production systems for simulating nitrate leaching. In this study, 35 datasets collected between 2009 and 2016 at a field under a three-year potato (potato–barley–red clover) rotation in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, have been employed for calibrating and validating the water, nitrogen (N) cycling, and plant growth routines of RZWQM and for subsequently estimating nitrate leaching. The model fitness, evaluated using univariate and bivariate indicators, was rated as high for most of the parameters tested. As a result of the combined influence of higher infiltration and reduced plant uptake, the model showed that the highest leaching at the rotation level occurred between September and December. A secondary leaching period occurred in spring, when residual soil nitrate was mobilized by increased percolation due to snowmelt. Most of the nitrate leaching occurred during the potato year (89.9 kg NO3–N ha−1 y−1), while leaching for barley and red clover years had comparable values (28.6 and 29.7 kg NO3–N ha−1 y−1, respectively). The low N use efficiency of the entire rotation (i.e., 30.2%), combined with the high NO3–N concentration in leachate (i.e., 34.9 mg NO3–N L−1 for potato and 16.3 mg NO3–N L−1 for the complete rotation), suggest that significant efforts are required for adapting management practices to ensure sustainability of potato production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires play a crucial role in the transformation of forest ecosystems and exert a significant influence on the global climate over geological timescales. Recent shifts in climate patterns and intensified human–forest interactions have led to an increase in the incidence of wildfires. These fires are characterized by their extensive coverage, higher frequency, and prolonged duration, rendering them increasingly destructive. To mitigate the impact of wildfires on climate change, ecosystems, and biodiversity, it is imperative to conduct systematic monitoring of wildfire progression and evaluate their environmental repercussions on a global scale. Satellite remote sensing is a powerful tool, offering precise and timely data on terrestrial changes, and has been extensively utilized for wildfire identification, tracking, and impact assessment at both local and regional levels. The Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, in collaboration with the Canadian Forest Service, has developed a comprehensive National Burned Area Composite (NBAC). This composite serves as a benchmark for curating a bi-temporal multi-source satellite image dataset for change detection, compiled from the archives of Sentinel-2, Sentinel-1, and ALOS-2 PALSAR-2. To our knowledge, this dataset is the inaugural large-scale, multi-source, and multi-frequency satellite image dataset with 20 m spatial resolution for wildfire mapping, monitoring, and evaluation. It harbors significant potential for enhancing wildfire management strategies, building upon the profound advancements in deep learning that have contributed to the field of remote sensing. Based on our curated dataset, which encompasses major wildfire events in Canada, we conducted a systematic evaluation of the capability of multi-source satellite earth observation data in identifying wildfire-burned areas using statistical analysis and deep learning. Our analysis compares the difference between burned and unburned areas using post-event observation solely or bi-temporal (pre- and post-event) observations across diverse land cover types. We demonstrate that optical satellite data yield higher separability than C-Band and L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which exhibit considerable overlap in burned and unburned sample distribution, as evidenced by SAR-based boxplots. With U-Net, we further explore how different input channels influence the detection accuracy. Our findings reveal that deep neural networks enhance SAR's performance in mapping burned areas. Notably, C-Band SAR shows a higher dependency on pre-event data than L-Band SAR for effective detection. A comparative analysis of U-Net and its variants indicates that U-Net works best with single-sensor data, while the late fusion architecture marginally surpasses others in the fusion of optical and SAR data. Accuracy across sensors is highest in closed forests, with sequentially lower performance in open forests, shrubs, and grasslands. Future work will extend the data from both spatial and temporal dimensions to encompass varied vegetation types and climate zones, furthering our understanding of multi-source and multi-frequency satellite remote sensing capabilities in wildfire detection and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a simulation study, it was investigated how the costs of supplying H2 for the refuelling of long-haul trucks along highways in Canada can be minimized by optimizing the design of the refuelling infrastructure. Scenarios using local or centralized blue H2 production were evaluated using two different modes of H2 transportation (liquid H2 tanker trucks and pipelines). For each scenario, the average H2 supply costs were determined considering H2 production costs from facilities of different sizes and transportation costs for H2 that was not produced locally. Average H2 supply costs were 2.83 CAD/kg H2 for the scenario with local H2 production at each refuelling site, 3.22–3.27 CAD/kg H2 for scenarios using centralized H2 production and tanker truck transportation, and 2.92–2.96 CAD/kg H2 for centralized H2 production scenarios with pipeline transportation. Optimized scenarios using the cheaper transportation option (tanker truck or pipeline) for each highway segment had average H2 supply costs (2.82–2.88 CAD/kg H2) similar to those of using only local H2 production, with slightly lower costs for the scenario using the largest H2 production volumes. Follow-on research is recommended to include the impact of CO2 transportation (from blue H2 production) on the design of an optimum supply infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roads are known to alter environmental conditions and the composition of road edge plant communities, particularly when exogenous materials are used as road surfacing. In this study, we evaluate the impact of gravel roads on the organic layer thickness (OLT) and aspen distribution in a boreal forest landscape of Eastern Canada. The OLT and aspen distribution were compared at different distances from the roads (0 m, 10 m, and >10 m) to determine whether a reduction in the OLT along the roads could explain the distribution of aspen along the road network, and in particular the role of the roads as habitat corridors. In addition, germination tests were carried out to determine whether mineral soil from the roads could promote aspen establishment, by comparing the germination rate of substrates consisting only of mineral soil or mosses, and substrates consisting of mosses covered with 0.5 cm or 2 cm of mineral soil. The presence of aspen in the study landscape is limited by thick organic deposits (≥50 cm). However, the thickness of these deposits is reduced to approximately 10 cm at the edges of gravel roads, in part by the transport of mineral soil from the roads. This reduction in the OLT facilitates the establishment of aspen and helps explain its distribution along the road network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barren sites that lack soil are exposed to some of the harshest elements, which include high temperatures, solar radiation, wind, extreme temperature changes, and low soil moisture and nutrient conditions. An ecological restoration experiment was conducted using three site-preparation treatments, straw (S), Meri-Crusher (MC), and coarse woody debris (CWD), in a site-/no site-preparation 2 × 2 × 2 factorial on sites that had been barren for 25 years. In addition, four early successional deciduous species, white birch (WB, Betula papyrifera Marshall), gray birch (GB, Betula populifolia Marshall), green alder (GA, Alnus viridis Vill. subsp. crispa Ait), and speckled alder (SA, Alnus incana L. subsp. rugosa Du Roi), were examined. The two- and three-way interactions were almost all magnitude effects and not rank changes. Gray birch had the greatest overall first-year height growth, followed by GA, SA, and WB, with 12.1, 9.7, 9.6, and 5.6 cm, respectively. Straw doubled first-year growth, while CWD and MC increased first-year height growth by 43 and 31%, respectively. Straw's ability to retain moisture in the dry summer provided the greatest benefit. In the second year, GA had the greatest height growth, followed by SA, GB, and WB, with 42.5, 30.5, 13.4, and 13.0 cm, respectively. Alders form symbiotic relationships with N-fixing bacteria and, although this was observed in some first-year roots, they did not fully express this advantage at these severely degraded sites until the second year, which allowed them to surpass birches in growth. Site-preparation treatments furthered their height growth affect, with S, and CWD doubling second-year height growth and MC, with an increase of 25%. Alders and birches had, on average, three and one stems, respectively, and the mean stem number of alders increased under S and CWD. After two years, overall stem dry mass had very large genus and species differences with GA, SA, GB, and WB, with 58.4, 30.3, 5.4, and 4.0 g, respectively. The N-fixing ability of alders under these conditions resulted in a 13-fold stem dry mass production increase compared with birches. Straw tripled, CWD doubled, and MC increased stem dry mass by 40%. For WB, site-preparation combinations had an additive effect, whereas GB, GA, and SA had several combined site-preparation treatments showing synergistic results, which were greater than the additive effects of single treatments. Under the control (no site prep.), second-year stem dry masses for WB, GB, GA, and SA were 0.7, 1.4, 17.8, and 0.5 g, respectively. Under the three combined treatments, MC × S × CWD, WB, GB, GA, and SA had 6.6, 12.3, 115.7, and 70.6 g stem dry masses, respectively. SA is ecologically a lowland species, hence the low 0.5 g under the control; however, the result under the three combined treatments demonstrates their combined effectiveness on these barren sites. Green alder seems to be the best adapted to the sites, having the greatest stem dry mass under control, although that was considerably magnified under the site-preparation treatments. This study using combinations of treatments with these early successional species introduces a novel research concept, and similar studies in the literature are currently lacking, creating an opportunity for future exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data collected over a 30-year period from an experiment replicated across 21 locations in western Canada are used to explore the effects of precommercial thinning of trembling aspen to a range of densities in combination with three initial white spruce densities on tree growth and stand dynamics. Increasing differentiation amongst the 15 treatments was observed with age after thinning for both spruce and aspen responses. Spruce height and diameter declined with increasing aspen density. At age 10 spruce diameter with no aspen was 1.5× that of spruce in unthinned while it was 2.6× that of spruce in unthinned at age 28. Following thinning aspen DBH and crown width declined with increasing density of retained aspen while slenderness and height to crown base of aspen increased. Thinning to 1500 aspen·ha−1 resulted in aspen DBH that was 22% larger relative to the unthinned at age 28. Spruce volume and stemwood biomass at age 90, estimated using the Mixedwood Growth Model (MGM21), declined with increasing initial aspen density, with the complete removal of aspen resulting in nearly double the spruce volume of unthinned plots. However, total stand volume, total stand biomass, and stemwood carbon at age 90 are predicted to be largest in mixed stands with aspen densities of 1500 stems·ha−1 or higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canadian provinces are required to regulate their power sectors using carbon pricing systems that meet national minimum stringency standards, which are set by the federal government. A diverse set of systems has emerged as a result. However, there has been limited assessment of how different pricing mechanisms impact the evolution of Canada's electricity system. To address this gap, we use an electricity system planning model called COPPER and a scenario-based approach to assess if, and to what extent, different policy regimes impact power sector greenhouse gas emissions and costs. Our results show that carbon pricing systems currently in place lead to significant carbon reductions over the long term, provided that free emissions allocations are reduced. However, the cost-optimal pathway for the power sector differs across provinces depending on the carbon pricing mechanism. Some provinces achieve least-cost emissions reductions by switching from high-carbon technologies to renewables, while others are better served by replacing high-carbon technologies with low-carbon fossil fuel alternatives. Further, provinces that implement cap-and-trade systems may affect the transitions of interconnected jurisdictions. Power sector climate policy design should reflect the heterogeneity of available assets, resources, and neighbouring approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of chronic stroke survivors still struggle with upper limb (UL) problems in daily activities, typically reaching tasks. During three-dimensional reaching movements, the deXtreme robot offers error enhancement forces. Error enhancement aims to improve the quality of movement. We investigated clinical and patient-reported outcomes and assessed the quality of movement before and after a 5 h error enhancement training with the deXtreme robot. This pilot study had a pre-post intervention design, recruiting 22 patients (mean age: 57 years, mean days post-stroke: 1571, male/female: 12/10) in the chronic phase post-stroke with UL motor impairments. Patients received 1 h robot treatment for five days and were assessed at baseline and after training, collecting (1) clinical, (2) patient-reported, and (3) kinematic (KINARM, BKIN Technologies Ltd., Kingston, ON, Canada) outcome measures. Our analysis revealed significant improvements (median improvement (Q1–Q3)) in (1) UL Fugl–Meyer assessment (1.0 (0.8–3.0), p < 0.001) and action research arm test (2.0 (0.8–2.0), p < 0.001); (2) motor activity log, amount of use (0.1 (0.0–0.3), p < 0.001) and quality of use (0.1 (0.1–0.5), p < 0.001) subscale; (3) KINARM-evaluated position sense (−0.45 (−0.81–0.09), p = 0.030) after training. These findings provide insight into clinical self-reported and kinematic improvements in UL functioning after five hours of error enhancement UL training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the issues of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness (EDI) in the engineering disciplines in Canada and Spain and presents the challenges faced by underrepresented individuals and ways to promote an inclusive and diverse environment. Two strategic lines are identified: (a) facilitating university education access to underrepresented and minority groups and (b) guiding such students during university training to set them up for successful future careers. Accordingly, this article shows how the strategies mentioned above are implemented in some selected Canadian and Spanish universities, clearly distinguishing the approach taken in the two countries. In Canada, there is a more decentralized approach to addressing EDI issues, wherein the universities devise their agendas independently. In Spain, on the other hand, there is a stronger and more direct involvement of the government to ensure a comprehensive, system-wide approach to tackling EDI issues in academia. This article helps education policymakers to devise and implement pragmatic strategies for achieving EDI and the relevant UN-defined sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camelina sativa is an annual oilseed crop that requires low inputs. Recently, interest in camelina oil for both human use and biofuel production has increased. Camelina oil extraction is performed through two main methods, namely, mechanical expulsion and solvent extraction. The resulting meals from the oil extraction process show promise as an animal feed due to their high crude protein content. Solvent extraction removes more oil from the seed, which results in a meal that is lower in fat and higher in crude protein concentration than expelled meal (3.52 vs. 13.69% and 41.04 vs. 34.65%, respectively). Solvent-extracted camelina meal has a similar chemical composition to canola meal but less crude protein and more fiber than soybean meal. Camelina meal is also limited by its anti-nutritional factors, mainly glucosinolates. Camelina meal contains 23.10 to 44.90 mmol/kg of glucosinolates, but processing methods may be able to decrease the total glucosinolates. Heat-treating the camelina meal can decrease glucosinolates and remove residual solvent in the solvent-extracted meal. The fungal fermentation of canola meal has also decreased glucosinolates, which could be used in camelina meal as well. The selective breeding of camelina varieties to decrease glucosinolates in the plant is also a solution to the high glucosinolates found in camelina meal. Current feed regulations in the US and Canada limit camelina meal to 10% inclusion in broiler chicken, laying hen, and cattle diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material selection in buildings profoundly affects project success, encompassing durability, maintenance, customer satisfaction, production systems, lifecycle, usage, environment, and costs. Yet, there is a need for further research on indicators for choosing materials in prefabricated buildings. Therefore, this study's main objective was to identify the indicators (criteria and sub-criteria) for selecting materials for prefabricated wooden construction and, subsequently, categorize these criteria and sub-criteria based on the perspective of industry professionals. To achieve this goal, three phases were carried out. First, a literature review was conducted to identify potential criteria for choosing structural and envelope materials in wooden prefabricated buildings. Second, a pilot survey was conducted in Canada and the United States to classify the priority order of the criteria obtained from the literature based on professionals' opinions. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted with different iterations (1000, 10,000, and 100,000) using the data obtained from the previous phase to improve decision-making and classification processes. For the indicators to select materials, the literature review identified seven main criteria: performance properties, green materials, energy efficiency, circular economy, site conditions and material logistics, standards, and social impact. These criteria contained a total of 25 sub-criteria. The pilot survey data analysis demonstrated that the performance properties, site conditions and material logistics, and social impact criteria were consistently prioritized. The critical sub-criteria identified were fire resistance, watertightness, local availability, occupant health, and safety and protection. For the Monte Calo simulations, the predictions aligned with the pilot study, enhancing the robustness of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Strawberry production has been moving into greenhouses. In addition to protecting the crop from extreme weather events, controlling the production environment allows growers to produce better quality fruits at faster harvest cycles, to optimize the water and nutrient use, and to provide supplemental lighting for out-of-season production. Western flower thrips and two-spotted spider mites cause feeding damage to leaves and flowers and reduce the yield. Biological control of these pests often includes the application of phytoseiid predatory mites and entomopathogenic fungi. A family of generalist predatory hemipteran bugs, Nabidae, are known as important generalist predators in field crops, including strawberry. Methods for the use of Nabis americoferus as a new biological control agent have been developed for Canadian greenhouses. In the laboratory, N. americoferus was compatible with predatory mites, but not with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. In a greenhouse study, the addition of N. americoferus to a greenhouse strawberry biological control program based on predatory mite sachets was beneficial, potentially reducing the number of sachet applications. In strawberry production, western flower thrips (WFT) and two-spotted spider mites (TSSM) inflict feeding damage and reduce the yield. Biological control for these pests often includes phytoseiid predatory mites and entomopathogenic fungi. The hemipteran family Nabidae have been reported as prominent predators in open-field strawberry. Nabis americoferus Carayon is a new biocontrol agent developed in Canada. This study examined if this species was a good candidate for integration with biological control for greenhouse strawberry production. The laboratory trials showed that Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot were compatible with N. americoferus, especially when alternative food was available. In contrast, the nabid was not compatible with the Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) GHA strain. A greenhouse cage study was conducted to determine if it was beneficial to add N. americoferus to the phytoseiid-mites-based biological control program for WFT and TSSM in greenhouse strawberry. The release of N. americoferus on a banker plant together with the placement of sachets of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) was beneficial, not only potentially reducing the number of sachet applications, but also providing better pest control than phytoseiid mites alone. Neither the phytoseiids nor the N. americoferus numbers were significantly affected by the presence of each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Port Radium U-Cu-Ni-Co-Ag deposit in northwestern Canada is hosted within a mineral system that has generated a variety of mineralization styles from iron oxide-copper-gold to iron oxide-apatite, porphyry, skarn, and epithermal. Their genesis is linked to an extensive subduction-related magmatism that formed widespread dacite-rhyodacite-andesite volcanic and volcanoclastic sequences (~1.87 Ga), which have been intruded by their equivalent intrusive plutons. Pervasive and intensive hydrothermal alterations, including albitic, magnetite-actinolite-apatite, potassic ± albitic, phyllic, and propylitic occurred before the main sulfide, sulfarsenide, and uraninite vein-type mineralization. Although scarce sulfide minerals formed at the beginning of the hydrothermal activity, the main polymetallic arsenide-sulfarsenide-sulfide ± uraninite vein-type mineralization occurred during the epithermal stage. In addition to the common arsenides and sulfarsenides including nickeline, cobaltite, rammelsbergite, safflorite, skutterudite, gersdorffite, and arsenopyrite, three unique sulfarsenides were also found: Co0.67Ni0.32Fe0.02S0.19As2.80, which could be a sulfur-rich skutterudite, Ni0.85Co0.15S0.39As1.60, and Ni0.69Co0.31S0.47As1.52, which are chemically comparable to the Port Radium rammelsbergite with substantial addition of S and Co; they could be the solid solution product of gersdorffite-cobaltite or safflorite-rammelsbergite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation establishes an integrated method for rare earth elements (REE) exploration through a very promising and advanced exploration prospect in the Alces Lake area (SK, Canada) by assessing the integrated analysis of several multisource geophysical datasets. The resulting outcome provides important lithostructural information to the well-exposed, mineralized middle-to-lower crust at Alces Lake, comprising deep-seated poly-phase folds, ductile shear zones, and brittle faults. Geophysical–geological models of the Alces Lake property were constructed at different scales. The area of interest is located within the Beaverlodge Domain, about 28 km north of the Athabasca Basin's northern margin. It contains some of the highest-grade rare earth elements (REE) in the world with the REE hosted predominantly in monazites within quartzo-feldspathic granitic to biotite–garnet–monazite–zircon-rich restite-bearing/cumulate mush melt pegmatites of anatectic origin (abyssal). Geophysical magnetic, gravity, and radiometric data were used together with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) images to facilitate the processing, modeling, and interpretation. Consequently, major structures were identified at different scales; however, the emphasis was given to studying those at the district/camp scale. The REE zones discovered to date occur within a large district-scale refolded synformal anticline. The eastern limb of this folded structure comprises a 30–40 km long, NW-trending shear zone/fault corridor with deep-seated structural crustal roots that may have served as the major pathway for ascending fluids/melts and facilitated the emplacement of mineralization. Thus, shear zones, faults, and folds in combination with lithological contacts/rheological contrasts appear to control residual/cumulate pegmatite emplacement and monazite deposition. Anomalies obtained from the airborne equivalent thorium survey data prove to be the most useful for REE pegmatite exploration. The results herein provide new interpretation and modeling perspectives leading to a better understanding of the distribution and lithostructural controls of REE on the property, and to new guidelines for future exploration programs at Alces Lake and elsewhere in northern Saskatchewan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial and temporal estimates of burned areas are often used to model greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions from fire events that occur in a region of interest and over specified time frames. However, fire behaviour, fuel consumption, fire severity, and ecological effects vary over both time and space when a fire grows across varying fuels and topography under different environmental conditions. We developed a method for estimating the progression of individual wildfires (i.e., day-of-burn) employing ordinary kriging of a combination of different satellite-based active fire detection data sources. We compared kriging results obtained using active fire detection products from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), and combined MODIS and VIIRS data to study how inferences about a wildfire's evolution vary among data sources. A quasi-validation procedure using combined MODIS and VIIRS active fire detection products that we applied to an independent data set of 37 wildfires that occurred in the boreal forest region of the province of Ontario, Canada, resulted in nearly half of each fire's burned area being accurately estimated to within one day of when it actually burned. Our results demonstrate the strengths and limitations of this geospatial interpolation approach to mapping the progression of individual wildfires in the boreal forest region of Canada. Our study findings highlight the need for future validations to account for the presence of spatial autocorrelation, a pervasive issue in ecology that is often neglected in day-of-burn analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than fifty years, Jamaican farm workers have been seasonally employed in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). In Canada, these workers live and work in conditions that make them vulnerable to various health issues, including poor mental health. This ethnographic study investigated Jamaican SAWP workers' mental health experiences in Southern Ontario. Several common factors that engender psychological distress among Jamaican workers, ranging from mild to extreme suffering, were uncovered and organised into five themes: (1) family, (2) work environments and SAWP relations, (3) living conditions and isolation, (4) racism and social exclusion, and (5) illness and injury. I found that Jamaican workers predominantly use the term 'stress' to articulate distress, and they associate experiences of suffering with historic plantation slavery. Analysis of workers' stress discourses revealed their experiences of psychological distress are structured by the conditions of the SAWP and their social marginalisation in Ontario. This article presents and discusses these findings in the context of SAWP power dynamics and concludes with policy recommendations aimed at improving the mental health of all SAWP workers. In foregrounding the experiences of Jamaican workers, this study addresses the dearth of research on the health and wellbeing of Caribbean SAWP workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Single Site Order (SSO)—a policy restricting staff from working at multiple long-term care (LTC) homes—was mandated by the Public Health Agency of Canada to control the spread of COVID-19 in LTC homes, where nearly 70% of COVID-19-related deaths in Canada occurred. This mixed methods study assesses the impact of the SSO on LTC residents in British Columbia. Interviews were conducted (residents (n = 6), family members (n = 9), staff (n = 18), and leadership (n = 10) from long-term care homes (n = 4)) and analyzed using thematic analysis. Administrative data were collected between April 2019 and March 2020 and between April 2020 and March 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and data visualization. Qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated and demonstrated that staffing challenges became worse during the implementation of the SSO, resulting in the mental and physical health deterioration of LTC residents. Qualitative data demonstrated decreased time for personalized and proactive care, increased communication challenges, and increased loneliness and isolation. Quantitative data showed a decline in activities of daily living, increased antipsychotic medication use, pressure ulcers, behavioural symptoms, and an increase in falls. Addressing staff workload and staffing shortages during SSO-related policy implementation is essential to avoid resident health deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The clutches of berried female lobsters can be classified into four stages based on appearance: black with tightly packed eggs (stage 1), brown (stage 2) or orange (stage 3) with loosely packed eggs (stage 3), and hatching (stage 4, clutch "mossy"). This scheme has been used for decades, yet precisely how it relates to the biology of the developing eggs has not been investigated. We kept berried females in aquaria and monitored both the appearance of their clutches and investigated eggs closely by picking ten at regular intervals and inspecting them under a microscope. Our findings suggest additional criteria to the staging scheme to increase its accuracy. Firstly, clutches should be inspected closely enough to note whether individual eggs are uniform in colour or two-toned, which indicates how much yolk is present. Secondly, stage 3 clutches should include all eggs that contain ≤1/3 yolk to capture the period of rapid spring-time development leading to hatch. Thirdly, the presence of pre-zoea should be used to indicate a hatching (stage 4) clutch as they do not turn "mossy" (empty egg casings and adhesive substance visible) until late in the hatching process. Pre-zoea are newly hatched embryos not yet moulted to larvae and recognizable by their oval shape. Qualitative visual clutch staging is a useful tool for rapidly and non-invasively assessing the developmental stage of American lobster, Homarus americanus, embryos. While such a scheme has been used in fisheries monitoring strategies in Canada since the 1980s, the biological relevance of its four visually distinguishable stages is poorly understood. We conducted a laboratory experiment in which 10 ovigerous females were housed and the development of their embryos regularly assessed, both qualitatively and quantitatively, from November until hatching in July/August. We confirmed the biological relevance of the qualitative staging scheme by showing clear quantitative differences in the duration and rate of embryonic development of stages 2–4 (stage 1 was not assessed as the precise spawning date was unknown). Stage 2 represents winter–spring "dormancy". Stage 3 represents a shorter period of rapid development preceding hatch. Stage 4 represents hatching. We also recommend some improvements to the qualitative staging scheme, specifically (1) adding criteria related to the portion of eggs that are occupied by yolk to increase the accuracy of staging, (2) slightly redefining stage 3 to ensure it encompasses the full period of rapid embryonic development pre-hatch, and (3) adding the presence of pre-zoeae as a key indicator of hatching to avoid the misclassification of clutches in the early stages of hatching or those that are completely spent but still have adhesive substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of ongoing interpersonal and structural violence towards sex workers in Canada, this research inquiry explores nine women and gender-diverse sex workers' experiences of place identity within their workplaces. Employing multisensory and arts-based ethnographic fieldwork, the co-researchers storied their embodied place-based experiences of identity. The research findings illuminate place-identity processes within sex workplaces, suggesting that the context, materiality, and multisensory atmospheres of the co-researchers' work environments were entwined with internal and external self-concepts. The co-researchers created personalized multisensory atmospheres in their workplaces through the use of colour, visual art, and music. Having workplaces that positively supported place identity fostered workplace comfort, control, and empowerment. Ultimately, this research suggests that place-identity processes in sex workplaces have the possibility to resist and shift sex work stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popularity of prefabricated wooden buildings is increasing in North America, but choosing suitable materials for these structures can be complicated. This can lead to problems like financial losses, production delays, and lower quality. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to use the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) decision-making tool to rank the criteria for material selection for prefabricated wood buildings in Canada and the United States. The methodology involved surveys experts in the prefabricated wood construction industry from Canada and the United States. The data obtained from the questionnaires utilized for the AHP analysis were modeled using R programming language. The results revealed that for structural materials, the top five subcriteria were safety and security of building occupants (0.234), location, shape, and height of the building (0.218), comfort, satisfaction, and well-being of the building (0.155), occupant health (0.121), and availability of materials (0.098). For selecting envelope materials, the top five subcriteria were comfort, satisfaction, and well-being of the building (0.252), safety and security of building occupants (0.206), location, shape, and height of the building (0.178), occupant health (0.132), and availability of materials (0.078). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While coparenting-related conceptual frameworks and empirical studies have received considerable attention in Western countries, there is far less attention on this topic in other regions. This study seeks to fill this gap by comparing coparenting dynamics between English-speaking and Chinese parents. This study begins by reviewing coparenting relationships in both Western and Chinese contexts. Study participants comprised 399 English-speaking parents living in the US and Canada and 534 Chinese parents living in Mainland China. There were several waves of participant recruitment by sending out the flyers online or utilizing the professional networks to invite eligible parents. The measurement tool CoPAFS (Coparenting across Family Structures), which has been validated in English-speaking culture, was used to compare the differences in coparenting constructs in two cultures. First, the model fit of CoPAFS within Chinese culture was examined with Cronbach Alpha values and relevant model fit indices such as Comparative Fit Index and Root Mean square Residual. As most of the statistics fell below the expected level of excellence, there is a need to locally adjust the entire model in order to better interpret Chinese parenting. The intensity of connection between each factor included in the model and the coparenting relationship as a whole was then investigated. Although most factors were endorsed similarly by Chinese and English-speaking parents, there were notable differences in their opinions regarding communication and trust. While English-speaking parents highly valued these two elements within the coparenting process, Chinese parents showed almost no attentiveness to them. In order to understand factors that may contribute to such a sharp contrast, two main variables, culture and gender, were tested. Through a series of multigroup invariance analyses assessing equivalence across groups, it was discovered that culture emerged as the more dominant determinant among the groups of participants. The implications of cross-cultural use of the CoPAFS tool and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly sexual and emotional violence, against Black mothers who acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during childbearing age is a significant health and social concern requiring targeted interventions and precautions. IPV against women increases the chances of early mixed feeding, placing infants at high risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and increasing infant morbidities. Although violence complicates many Black mothers' lives, limited research evidence exists about the critical intersections of violence, HIV, and motherhood. Women's fear associated with IPV makes them less likely to disclose their positive HIV status to their partners, which subsequently prevents them from applying the guidelines for safe infant feeding practices. This review aims to explore the critical intersections between IPV and HIV and their impact on the infant feeding practices of Black mothers living with HIV. Furthermore, the theme of IPV and how it overlaps with other factors such as HIV-positive status and gender dynamics to compromise the motherhood experience is also the focus of this narrative review of existing literature. Understanding the intersection of IPV and other factors influencing infant feeding practices among women living with HIV will help inform programming and policy interventions for HIV-positive Black women who may experience IPV during the perinatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays) is a high-nitrogen (N)-demanding crop potentially contributing to nitrate contamination and emissions of nitrous oxide. The N fertilization is generally split between sowing time and the V6 stage. The right split N rate to apply at V6 and minimize environmental damage is challenging. Our objectives were to (1) predict maize response to added N at V6 using machine learning (ML) models; and (2) cross-check model outcomes by independent on-farm trials. We assembled 461 N trials conducted in Eastern Canada between 1992 and 2022. The dataset to predict grain yield comprised N dosage, weekly precipitations and corn heat units, seeding date, previous crop, tillage practice, soil series, soil texture, organic matter content, and pH. Random forest and XGBoost predicted grain yield accurately at the V6 stage (R2 = 0.78–0.80; RSME and MAE = 1.22–1.29 and 0.96–0.98 Mg ha−1, respectively). Model accuracy up to the V6 stage was comparable to that of the full-season prediction. The response patterns simulated by varying the N doses showed that grain yield started to plateau at 125–150 kg total N ha−1 in eight out of ten on-farm trials conducted independently. There was great potential for economic and environmental gains from ML-assisted N fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Acute patella dislocation (APD) is a prevalent knee injury, with rates between 5.8–77.8 per 100,000. APD often results in repeat lateral patella dislocations due to the instability of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Non-operative treatments have a 50% recurrence rate. While autologous grafting for MPFL has been favored, surgeons are now exploring synthetic grafts. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of synthetic grafts in MPFL reconstruction surgeries for repeated patellar dislocations; (2) Methods: Our research was based on a thorough search from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence Healthcare Databases, using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score for quality assessment; (3) Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 284 patients and 230 knees were included. Seventy-five percent of patients were graded to have excellent-good clinical outcomes using the Crosby and Insall Grading System. International Knee Documentation Committee score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scores showed 59% and 60% post-operative improvement, respectively; (4) Conclusions: All studies showed improvement in post-operative functional outcomes and report no serious adverse events. The 6 mm, LARS (Orthomedic Ltd., Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC, Canada) proved to have the most improvement in post-operative outcomes when used as a double bundle graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This current and pioneering work aimed to assess the on-road performance of selected hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in local urban road conditions following the World Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) and the chase car protocol. An experimental research design was also implemented to investigate the effects of the different payload conditions on vehicle performance, and corresponding drive cycle patterns for the test vehicles were generated from each on-road test. From the series of these on-road tests, it was revealed that there was high variability in speed profiles, and vehicle speed was generally found to be inversely related to payload weight. The variations in the state of charge, fuel fill-up, and fuel and energy parameters exhibited no significant differences in terms of payload conditions. When compared to both the Canada fuel consumption guide and the US fuel consumption guide, the resulting fuel consumption and energy consumption indicated that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Mitsubishi iMiEV exceeded energy efficiency standards, unlike the Toyota Prius. Meanwhile, in terms of CO2 emissions, all vehicles demonstrated around 40–70% lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles according to the 2023 estimates of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Being the first of its kind in the Philippines, this study on the on-road performance assessments of HEVs and EVs is essential because it provides empirical data on these vehicles' actual performance in everyday driving conditions. The data are important for evaluating the potential to address environmental concerns, promote sustainable transportation solutions, influence consumer adoption, and shape government policies. With ongoing improvements in technology and expanding charging infrastructure, HEVs and EVs are poised for significant adoption in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the scale of plastic generation, its persistent presence in the environment, and the urgent need to transition to a net-zero emissions paradigm, managing plastic waste has gained increasing attention globally. Developing an effective strategy for plastic waste management requires a comprehensive assessment of the potential benefits offered by different solutions, particularly with respect to their environmental impact. This study employs the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental impact of two alternative scenarios to the As-Is scenario for managing plastic waste in the province of British Columbia in Canada. The LCA results suggest that the Zero Plastic Waste scenario, which heavily relies on chemical recycling, may not inherently result in a reduced environmental footprint across all impact categories. This is notable when the focus is solely on end-of-life treatment processes, without considering the produced products and energy. The Intermediate scenario reduces the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills by directing more end-of-life plastic to mechanical recycling facilities. This scenario provides immediate benefits for resource conservation, with a minimal increase in the environmental burden resulting from treatment processes. Nonetheless, achieving a net-zero transition requires combining traditional and emerging recycling technologies. The current study could offer some guidance to policymakers on strategies for fostering more sustainable management of plastic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on early work and concept development for Optimal Mine Site Energy Supply, where the specific energy supply requirements and constraints for mineral production operations are considered against methodologies that have been applied for other sectors and in other energy policy regimes. The primary motivation for this research is to help ensure that Canadian mineral producers will achieve reduced production costs through improvements in the efficiency with which they consume energy resources. Heat has not yet been considered for the mining sector in an integrated manner, which makes polygeneration of great interest. The methodology that optimizes configuration of polygeneration systems for mine sites has not been reported before. The variety of mining circumstances, temporal variations in energy prices, institutional inertia, and conservatism in design for mines are some of the reasons for this. This paper reviews some aspects of precedent energy management practice in mineral operations, which highlights energy challenges characteristic of the sector and sets out the initial formulation of optimal mine site energy supply. The review indicates the additional benefits of energy supply systems for mine sites that concurrently meet all utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Our goal was to develop evidence-based recommendations for the organization and structure of cancer survivorship services, and best-care practices to optimize the health and well-being of post-primary treatment survivors. This review sought to determine the optimal organization and care delivery structure for cancer survivorship services, and the specific clinical practices and interventions that would improve or maximize the psychosocial health and overall wellbeing of adult cancer survivors. Data Sources We conducted a systematic search of the Inventory of Cancer Guidelines at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, the U.S. National Guideline Clearinghouse, the Canadian Medical Association InfoBase, MELDINE (OVID: 1999 through November 2009), EMBASE (OVID: 1999 through November 2009), PsychINFO (OVID: 1999 through November 2009), the Cochrane Library (OVID; Issue 1, 2009), and CINAHL (EBSCO: 1999 through December 2009). Reference lists of related papers and recent review articles were scanned for additional citations. Methods Articles were selected for inclusion as evidence in the systematic review if they reported on organizational system components for survivors of cancer, or on psychosocial or supportive care interventions designed for survivors of cancer. Articles were excluded from the systematic review if they focused only on pediatric cancer survivor populations or on populations that transitioned from pediatric cancer to adult services; if they addressed only pharmacologic interventions or diagnostic testing and follow-up of cancer survivors; if they were systematic reviews with inadequately described methods; if they were qualitative or descriptive studies; and if they were opinion papers, letters, or editorials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: One in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but as a result of the progress in diagnosis and treatment, more individuals are surviving cancer than ever before. However, the impact of cancer does not end with treatment. The objectives of this review are to (1) provide a broad overview of the supportive care interventions and models of care that have been researched to support Canadian post-treatment cancer survivors; and (2) analyze how these supportive care interventions and/or care models align with the practice recommendations put forth by Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology/Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CAPO/CPAC). (2) Methods: An electronic search was completed in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL in January 2021. Included studies described supportive care interventions or models of care utilized by adult Canadian cancer survivors. (3) Results: Forty two articles were included. Survivors utilized a multitude of supportive care interventions, with peer support and physical activity programs being most frequently cited. Four models of follow-up care were identified: primary care, oncology care, shared-care, and transition clinics. The supportive care interventions and models of care variably aligned with the recommendations set by CCO and CAPO/CPAC. The most commonly followed recommendation was the promotion of self management and quality resources for patients. (4) Conclusions: Results indicate an inconsistency in access to supportive care interventions and the delivery of survivorship care for cancer survivors across Canada. Current efforts are being made to implement the recommendations by CCO and CAPO/CPAC; however, provision of these guidelines remains varied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The regulation of sex work is contentious in all countries, including for governments, the public, and sex workers themselves. Research shows sex workers' perspectives are ignored during policy formation in most cases. This is despite the fact they have unique insider knowledge and are directly affected by the policies that are enacted. Methods: We analyzed the accounts of a heterogeneous sample of adult sex workers (N = 218) residing in different urban cities in Canada to find out their views on current laws and their recommendations for reform. The interviews were conducted in 2012-2013 prior to the implementation of the 2014 Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act. The paper thus provides an opportunity to compare the changes desired by Canadian sex workers with changes put into law by the Act. Results: Although the interview questions did not directly ask about the current legal system, 121 expressed an opinion. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) the challenges that criminalization posed to sex workers; (2) the workers' suggestions for legal reform; and (3) potential issues with legal reform. Conclusions: We discuss the contributions our qualitative findings make to the scholarship on sex work regulation and call for further research that includes sex workers' voices in decision-making regarding changes to policies affecting their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a framework for extracting sub-canopy topography from the TanDEM-X digital elevation model (DEM) by fusing ALOS-2 PARSAR-2 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) coherence and Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data. The main idea of this method is to estimate the forest height signals caused by the limited penetration of the X-band into the canopy from the TanDEM-X DEM. To achieve this goal, a spaceborne repeat-pass InSAR coherent scattering model is first used to estimate the forest height by the ALOS-2 PARSAR-2 InSAR coherence (APIC), taking the GEDI canopy height as the reference. Then, a linear regression model of the TanDEM-X DEM Vegetation Bias (TDVB) depending on the forest height and the fraction of vegetation cover (FVC) is established and used to estimate the sub-canopy topography. The proposed method was validated by the data of the Amazon rainforest and a boreal forest in Canada. The results showed that the proposed method extracted the sub-canopy topography at the study sites in the tropical forest and boreal forest with the root mean square error of 4.0 m and 6.33 m, respectively, and improved the TanDEM-X DEM accuracy by 75.7% and 39.7%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slip-induced falls are among the most common causes of major occupational injuries and economic loss in Canada. Identifying the risk factors associated with slip events is key to developing preventive solutions to reduce falls. One factor is the slip-resistance quality of footwear, which is fundamental to reducing the number of falls. Measuring footwear slip resistance with the recently developed Maximum Achievable Angle (MAA) test requires a trained researcher to identify slip events in a simulated winter environment. The human capacity for information processing is limited and human error is natural, especially in a cold environment. Therefore, to remove conflicts associated with human errors, in this paper a deep three-dimensional convolutional neural network is proposed to detect the slips in real-time. The model has been trained by a new dataset that includes data from 18 different participants with various clothing, footwear, walking directions, inclined angles, and surface types. The model was evaluated on three types of slips: Maxi-slip, midi-slip, and mini-slip. This classification is based on the slip perception and recovery of the participants. The model was evaluated based on both 5-fold and Leave-One-Subject-Out (LOSO) cross validation. The best accuracy of 97% was achieved when identifying the maxi-slips. The minimum accuracy of 77% was achieved when classifying the no-slip and mini-slip trials. The overall slip detection accuracy was 86% with sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 91%, respectively. The overall accuracy dropped by about 2% in LOSO cross validation. The proposed slip detection algorithm is not only beneficial for footwear manufactures to improve their footwear slip resistance quality, but it also has other potential applications, such as improving the slip resistance properties of flooring in healthcare facilities, commercial kitchens, and oil drilling platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Canada, financial advisors and dealers are required by provincial securities commissions and self-regulatory organizations--charged with direct regulation over investment dealers and mutual fund dealers--to respectively collect and maintain know your client (KYC) information, such as their age or risk tolerance, for investor accounts. With this information, investors, under their advisor's guidance, make decisions on their investments that are presumed to be beneficial to their investment goals. Our unique dataset is provided by a financial investment dealer with over 50,000 accounts for over 23,000 clients covering the period from January 1st to August 12th 2019. We use a modified behavioral finance recency, frequency, monetary model for engineering features that quantify investor behaviours, and unsupervised machine learning clustering algorithms to find groups of investors that behave similarly. We show that the KYC information--such as gender, residence region, and marital status--does not explain client behaviours, whereas eight variables for trade and transaction frequency and volume are most informative. Hence, our results should encourage financial regulators and advisors to use more advanced metrics to better understand and predict investor behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of forest cover and derived effects on forest ecosystems services has led to the establishment of land management policies and forest monitoring systems, and consequently to the demand for accurate and multitemporal data on forest extent and structure. In recent years, spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) missions, such as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument, have facilitated the repeated acquisition of data on the vertical structure of vegetation. In this study, we designed an approach incorporating GEDI and airborne LiDAR data, in addition to detailed forestry inventory data, for estimating tree-growth dynamics for the Laurentides wildlife reserve in Canada. We estimated an average tree-growth rate of 0.32 ± 0.23 (SD) m/year for the study site and evaluated our results against field data and a time series of NDVI from Landsat images. The results are in agreement with expected patterns in tree-growth rates related to tree species and forest stand age, and the produced dataset is able to track disturbance events resulting in the loss of canopy height. Our study demonstrates the benefits of using spaceborne-LiDAR data for extending the temporal coverage of forestry inventories and highlights the ability of GEDI data for detecting changes in forests' vertical structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to evaluate the impact of a web-based school nutrition intervention on eating behavior traits, body weight concern, body size perception and body size dissatisfaction in adolescents. Ten classes of secondary students in Canada (13.6 ± 0.8 years) were randomized into an intervention (n = 162 students) or control group (n = 75 students). Adolescents in the intervention, conducted between 2011 and 2013, participated in an online nutrition challenge to increase their consumption of vegetables, fruits and dairy products using a web-based platform over six weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline (PRE) and post-intervention (POST). No significant negative changes were observed between the intervention and control groups for eating behavior traits, body weight concern, body size perception and dissatisfaction. However, results suggest a trend for a positive effect of the intervention on susceptibility to hunger in boys (group × time interaction, p = 0.10). Specifically, boys experienced a reduction in their susceptibility to hunger in response to the intervention (PRE: 6.1 ± 3.8, POST: 4.8 ± 3.7, p = 0.009). An intervention aimed at improving the eating habits of adolescents did not negatively influence body size preoccupations. In response to the intervention, boys tended to show a lower susceptibility to hunger, which might help them to prevent overeating and adopt healthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research draws from a community-engaged methodology and qualitative interviews to narrate the creation and daily operations of an Indigenous food bank in London, Ontario, Canada. In-depth interviews (n = 10) with program leaders, volunteers, and recipients detailed the day-to-day operations, including where and how foods were collected and distributed, and a preliminary analysis of the meanings and challenges of the food bank. The key strengths of the food bank are its focus on cultural safety, provision of traditional foods, and its community-led approach. The limitations of the food bank relate to the structure of the workload and sustainability of program funding. Community-led research with Indigenous non-profit organizations, such as that presented here, offer approaches that are critically important for creating culturally relevant and inclusive data that can both explain and address Indigenous health inequities, and provide the evidence needed to advocate for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to develop spatiotemporal whole-stem wood quality prediction models for a suite of end-product-based fibre attribute determinates for jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and red pine (Pinus resinosa Aiton): specifically, for wood density (Wd), microfibril angle (Ma), modulus of elasticity (Me), fibre coarseness (Co), tracheid wall thickness (Wt), tracheid radial diameter (Dr), tracheid tangential diameter (Dt), and specific surface area (Sa). Procedurally, these attributes were determined for each annual ring within pith-to-bark xylem sequences extracted from 610 jack pine and 223 red pine cross-sectional disks positioned throughout the main stem of 61 jack pine and 54 red pine sample trees growing within even-aged monospecific stands in central Canada. Deploying a block cross-validation-like approach in order to reduce serial data dependency and enable predictive performance assessments, species-specific calibration and validation data subsets consisting of cumulative moving average values were systematically generated from the 27,820 jack pine and 11,291 red pine attribute-specific annual ring values. Graphical, correlation, regression and validation analyses were used to specify, parameterize and assess the predictive performance of tertiary-level (ring-disk-tree) hierarchical mixed-effects whole-stem equations for each attribute by species. As a result, the jack pine equations explained 46, 66, 74, 63, 59, 72, 42 and 48% of the variation in Wd, Ma, Me, Co, Wt, Dr, Dt and Sa, respectively. The red pine equations explained slightly higher levels of variation except for Me: 50, 71, 31, 83, 72, 78, 56 and 71% of the variation in Wd, Ma, Me, Co, Wt, Dr, Dt and Sa, respectively. Graphical assessments and statistical metrics related to attribute and species-specific residual error patterns and goodness-of-fit, lack-of-fit and predictive error metrics, revealed an absence of systematic bias, misspecification or aberrant predictive performance. Consequently, the resultant parameterized models were acknowledged as acceptable functional descriptors of the intrinsic spatiotemporal cumulative developmental patterns of the studied end-product fibre attribute determinates, for these two pine species. Although predicted development patterns were similar between the species with the greatest degree of nonlinearity occurring before a cambial age of approximately 30 years, irrespective of attribute, jack pine exhibited a greater degree of nonlinearity in the Wd and Dt developmental trajectories, whereas red pine exhibited a greater degree of nonlinearity in the Ma, Me, Co, Wt, Dr and Sa developmental trajectories. Potential biomechanical linkages underlying the observed attribute distribution patterns, as well as the potential utility of the models in forest management, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining in Canada stands as one of the most energy-intensive sectors, playing a pivotal role as a significant provider of copper, nickel, and cobalt to the international market. Anticipated growth in the global population, coupled with the transition of several low-income economies to middle-income status, is poised to escalate the demand for essential raw materials. This surge in demand is expected to drive an increase in energy consumption across various stages of the Canadian mining industry, encompassing exploration, extraction, processing, and refining. Due to their geographical constraints, most Canadian mining operations rely heavily on fossil fuels such as diesel and heavy fuel. Considering the global shift towards decarbonization and the pursuit of net-zero emission targets, exploring avenues for adopting electrification solutions and integrating renewable energy technologies, particularly in sizable surface mines, is imperative. Within this context, our study delves into the challenges and prospects associated with infusing renewable energy technologies and embracing electrification alternatives within Canadian mining practices. This exploration encompasses a comprehensive review of pertinent literature comprising academic research, technical analyses, and data disseminated by international entities and experts. The findings underscore a prevalent trend wherein Canadian mining enterprises are prominently investing in robust electric truck fleets, particularly for heavy-duty operations. Additionally, incorporating renewable energy solutions is notably prevalent in remote sites with extended operational lifespans. However, an in-depth examination reveals that the most formidable hurdles encompass successfully integrating renewable energy sources and battery electric vehicles. Financial constraints, logistical intricacies, and the imperative to enhance research and development competencies emerge as pivotal challenges that demand strategic addressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive accuracy in wildland fire behavior is contingent on a thorough understanding of the 3D fuel distribution. However, this task is complicated by the complex nature of fuel forms and the associated constraints in sampling and quantification. In this study, twelve terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) plot scans were sampled within the mountain pine beetle-impacted forests of Jasper National Park, Canada. The TLS point clouds were delineated into eight classes, namely individual-tree stems, branches, foliage, downed woody logs, sapling stems, below-canopy branches, grass layer, and ground-surface points using a transformer-based deep learning classifier. The fine-scale 3D architecture of trees and branches was reconstructed using a quantitative structural model (QSM) based on the multi-class components from the previous step, with volume attributes extracted and analyzed at the branch, tree, and plot levels. The classification accuracy was evaluated by partially validating the results through field measurements of tree height, diameter-at-breast height (DBH), and live crown base height (LCBH). The extraction and reconstruction of 3D wood components enable advanced fuel characterization with high heterogeneity. The existence of ladder trees was found to increase the vertical overlap of volumes between tree branches and below-canopy branches from 8.4% to 10.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rewilding attempts to increase biodiversity and restore natural ecosystem processes by reducing human influence. Today, there is growing interest in rewilding urban areas. Rewilding of the Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada metropolitan area, and its shared natural resource called the Detroit River, has been delineated through the reintroduction of peregrine falcons and osprey, and a return of other sentinel species like bald eagles, lake sturgeon, lake whitefish, walleye, beaver, and river otter. Rewilding has helped showcase the value and benefits of environmental protection and restoration, ecosystem services, habitat rehabilitation and enhancement, and conservation, including social and economic benefits. Improved ecosystem health and rewilding have become a catalyst for re-establishing a reconnection between urban denizens and natural resources through greenways and water trails. The provision of compelling outdoor experiences in nature, in turn, can help foster a personal attachment to the particular place people call home that can help inspire a stewardship ethic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal refuges are becoming increasingly influential for dictating the population status and spatial distribution of cold-water stenotherm salmonids in the mid- to southern extent of their range. The global climate is predicted to continue to warm, and therefore, the overall thermal suitability of freshwater habitats for stream salmonids is predicted to decline in concert. However, stream and river thermal heterogeneity will offer considerable resiliency for these populations. Thermal refuges are formed by many physical processes; common natural refuges include cold tributary plumes, groundwater springs, alcoves, and hyporheic upwellings. However, many anthropogenically formed refuges (such as stratified reservoirs or cold-water tailrace outflows) also exist in hydropower-regulated rivers. The significance of these refuges to stream salmonids depends on their size and temperature differential, but also other habitat characteristics such as their depth, flow velocity, Froude number, and many biotic factors within the refuges. Modern technologies such as drone-mounted thermal infrared cameras and other remote sensing techniques allow for the efficient identification of such refuges, and inexpensive options include the identification of refuges during ice cover using orthophotographs. Behavioural thermoregulation, i.e., salmonids aggregating in cold-water refuges, can be either facultative or obligate and the timing of these events is governed by life stage, species, and population-specific physiologically regulated cumulative thresholds that are inherently related to the recent thermal history, or hysteresis, of each individual. Salmonids appear to have an excellent spatial cognition for locating and relocating cold-water refuges, and their spatial distribution is largely affected by the availability of the cold-water refuges during the warm-water period in many thermally stressed rivers. Gregarious behaviour is the norm for salmonid fishes within the thermal refuges; however, the size/microhabitat hierarchy appears to dictate the within-refuge distribution at the micro-scale. There continues to be a great impetus for protecting—and in carefully determined cases creating—cold-water refuges in the future. A thorough understanding of what a "goldilocks" refuge is for various salmonids and their different life stages will be imperative as cold-water restoration is gaining popularity. Finally, disentangling the roles of the climate-induced and landscape activity-induced warming potential of fluvial freshwater will be important to ensure continued environmentally responsible landscape activities in future waterscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic and global shutdown and work-from-home order for non-essential businesses and employees led to a substantial decline in energy usage in the commercial building sector. However, the magnitude of decline was not equivalent to what would be expected for unoccupied spaces. The energy performance of low/unoccupied commercial buildings, particularly in the context of new minimum requirements to maintain indoor air quality, is an intriguing research question. In this study, we developed a numerical model that measures electricity usage sensitivity to occupancy (ESTO) where we compare the business-as-usual energy performance with unoccupied energy performance. Two years of COVID-time (in addition to a pre-COVID control year) hourly energy use (electricity (plug loads, lighting, and fans), heating, and cooling) using data from 35 commercial buildings (i.e., buildings with HVAC and other building systems typical of commercial rather than residential buildings) are analyzed to quantify those changes. A change point model is used to assess thermal load intensities, change point temperature, and off-season unoccupied baseloads. Finally, we suggest a generic framework for building scoring based on selected performance parameters. Results indicate that the suggested scoring system is robust and replicable and is reliable for ranking buildings within a given portfolio from best- to worst- performing, thus prioritizing buildings that are best candidates for retrofits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimal Canadian data are available on the RAS testing rates, treatment patterns, and corresponding overall survival (OS) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. We conducted a population-based cohort study of left-sided RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC patients diagnosed between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019, and who were treated with first-line (1L) chemotherapy plus the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor panitumumab, chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, or chemotherapy alone, in Alberta, Canada, using electronic medical records and administrative health system data. Of the 2721 patients identified with left-sided mCRC, 320 patients with RAS WT mCRC were treated with 1L systemic therapy: chemotherapy plus panitumumab (n = 64), chemotherapy plus bevacizumab (n = 52), or chemotherapy alone (n = 204). Only 65% and 39% of the 320 1L-treated patients initiated second- and third-line therapy, respectively. A total of 71% of individuals with treated left-sided mCRC underwent RAS testing. The median OS for mCRC patients with RAS WT left-sided tumours was higher for patients treated with 1L panitumumab plus chemotherapy (34.3 months; 95% CI: 23.8–39.6) than for patients who received 1L chemotherapy alone (30.0 months; 95% CI: 24.9–34.1) or 1L bevacizumab plus chemotherapy (25.6 months; 95% CI: 21.2–35.7). These findings highlight an unmet need in left-sided RAS WT mCRC, with relatively few individuals receiving a biologic agent in combination with chemotherapy in the 1L setting, a high rate of attrition between lines, and a need for increased RAS testing before treatment initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ongoing advances in precision cancer therapy have increased the number of molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology agents for a variety of cancers, many of which have been associated with a risk of pulmonary complications, among the most concerning being drug-induced interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (DI-ILD). As the number of patients undergoing treatment with novel anticancer agents continues to grow, DI-ILD is expected to become an increasingly significant clinical challenge. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is an antibody–drug conjugate targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 that is gaining widespread use in the metastatic breast cancer setting and is undergoing exploration for other oncologic indications. ILD/pneumonitis is an adverse event of special interest associated with T-DXd, which has potentially fatal consequences if left untreated and allowed to progress. When identified in the asymptomatic stage (grade 1), T-DXd-related ILD can be monitored and treated effectively with the possibility of treatment continuation. Delayed diagnosis and/or treatment, however, results in progression to grade 2 or higher toxicity and necessitates immediate and permanent discontinuation of this active agent. Strategies are, therefore, needed to optimize careful monitoring during treatment to ensure patient safety and optimize outcomes. Several guidance documents have been developed regarding strategies for the early identification and management of T-DXd-related ILD, although none have been within the context of the Canadian health care environment. A Canadian multidisciplinary steering committee was, therefore, convened to evaluate existing recommendations and adapt them for application in Canada. A multidisciplinary approach involving collaboration among medical oncologists, radiologists, respirologists, and allied health care professionals is needed to ensure the proactive identification and management of T-DXd-related ILD and DI-ILD associated with other agents with a similar toxicity profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]