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As a contrast to Neel's approach to understanding diabetes, Hay turns in his next chapter to the work of Chief Josias Fiddler of the Sandy Lake Nation. Travis Hay has written a passionate indictment of the impact that the science of settler colonialism has had on Canada's First Nations communities. [Extracted from the article]

They show how American and Canadian national claims were given regional names, how in the settler-colonial mind land became separated from Indigenous territorial claims, and, ultimately, how settler-colonial society denoted regional identity while simultaneously conceptualizing the grasslands as a transnational place even as they continued to express national affiliations. The sense of place nurtured since childhood allowed settler-colonials to justify a claim to the grasslands equal to, and often superimposed on, the claims of Indigenous people. [Extracted from the article]

Dale Barbour explores the evolution of swimming in Toronto from the time the city was a pre-railway colonial community of 30,000 souls in 1850 to its expansion into the Dominion of Canada's second largest municipality by 1935, with a population of 850,000. For the purposes of Dale Barbour's book, the commission's development of better leisure and swimming opportunities at Sunnyside in the city's west end is particularly important. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Disability Studies is the property of Canadian Disability Studies Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Geotechnical Journal is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A consideration of the site-specific spatial experience created by urban trees and their cultural dimensions can enrich climate adaptive tree planting strategies in Winnipeg, a city of 850,000 in the central prairies of Canada. The paper begins with an introduction to traditional urban tree planting types and analyses the range of tree planting techniques that currently define public spaces in Winnipeg. A review of the recently published Urban Forest Strategy for Winnipeg highlights current strengths and challenges to climate change related tree planting in the city. Urban tree planting strategies and practices demonstrate a focus on quantifiable goals such as canopy coverage, number of trees planted or ecosystem services, with little reference to how trees define places. However, cities are constituted by the visible forest -the form and patterns of how trees are planted and the spaces they create. They are also shaped by the invisible forest , the diverse ways in which trees evoke different functions, values, and modes of occupation to different people at different times. Two basic approaches to urban tree planting will enrich climate-related tree planting initiatives by synthesizing the visible and invisible dimensions of the urban forest: Prioritizing the collective planting of trees as opposed to the single specimen and acknowledging the cultural dimensions of trees. Two design propositions from students at University of Manitoba demonstrate how trees can articulate the diverse ways people interact with trees through their spatial configuration and planting techniques. One draws upon tree types that acknowledge local agricultural tree planting strategies and the second responds to historical and contemporary Indigenous relationships to riparian trees. Acknowledging the planting of trees as a complex interplay between spatial, ecological, and cultural specificity allows for the communication of new values for the design and stewardship of urban trees and the provision of shade in a climate adaptive city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper emphasizes the essential role of a support person for faculty teaching and assessing the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) graduate attributes as part of an ongoing accreditation cycle. It details the continuous program improvement process adopted by the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba, and the role of engineering stakeholders. It recounts a study that details the supportive efforts of a Research Associate who helped to validate and implement rubrics with individual professors as outcomes-based tools for teaching and assessing the 12 CEAB graduate attributes, which resulted in the creation of 14 rubrics for 12 courses. Findings included new pedagogical understandings, the appreciation of individual support from the Research Associate, and the continued use of rubrics; the work led most professors to think deeply and in new ways about teaching and assessment. There was evidence that six professors engaged in 'reverse design', developing rubrics with targeted learning outcomes and course materials in mind. The work led to critical improvement in teaching practices and evidence of continual program improvement. Despite overall engagement and success, some professors continued to struggle with the concept and use of rubrics. In sum, this experience emphasizes the benefit of a dedicated person to support professors to implement rubrics, and in creating and sustaining an outcomes-based assessment culture in the department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD, Streptococcus pneumoniae) has been a nationally notifiable disease in Canada since 2000. The use of conjugate vaccines has caused a shift in the distribution of serotypes over time. This report is a summary of the demographics, serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of IPD isolates collected in Canada in 2021 and 2022. Methods: The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) of the Public Health Agency of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba collaborates with provincial and territorial public health laboratories to conduct national surveillance of IPD. There were 1,999 isolates reported in 2021 and 3,775 isolates in 2022. Serotype was determined by the Quellung reaction or whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by WGS methods, broth microdilution, or data shared by collaborators in the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance program at the University of Manitoba. Population-based IPD incidence rates were obtained through the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Results: The incidence of IPD in Canada was 5.62 cases per 100,000 population in 2021, decreasing from the peak of 10.86 cases per 100,000 population in 2018. Serotypes with increasing trends (p<0.05) between 2018 and 2022 included: 4 (6.1%–12.4%), 9V (1.0%–5.1%) and 12F (4.8%–5.4%). The overall prevalence of PCV13 serotypes increased over the same period (31.2%−41.5%, p<0.05) while the prevalence of non-vaccine types decreased significantly (27.3%–21.5%, p<0.0001). The highest rates of antimicrobial resistance in 2021 and 2022 were seen with clarithromycin (21%, 2021; 24%, 2022) and erythromycin (22%, 2021; 24%, 2022). Multidrug-resistant IPD continued to increase from 2018 to 2022 (6.7%–12.6%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The number of cases of IPD continued to decrease in 2021 in comparison to previous years, however, 2022 saw a return to pre-COVID-19 levels. Disease due to PCV13 serotypes 3, 4, 9V and 19F, as well as non-PCV13 serotypes 12F and 20, is increasing in prevalence. Surveillance of IPD to monitor changing serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of oil spills in the Arctic is growing rapidly as anthropogenic activities increase due to climate-driven sea ice loss. Detecting and monitoring fuel spills in the marine environment is imperative for enacting an efficient response to mitigate the risk. Microwave radar systems can be used to address this issue; therefore, we examined the potential of C-band polarimetric radar for detecting diesel fuel in freezing seawater under windy environmental conditions. We present results from a mesocosm experiment, where we introduced diesel fuel to a seawater-filled cylindrical tub at the Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF), University of Manitoba. We characterized the temporal evolution of the diesel-contaminated seawater and sea ice by monitoring the normalized radar cross section (NRCS) and polarimetric parameters (i.e., copolarization ratio (Rco), cross-polarization ratio (Rxo), entropy (H), mean-alpha (α), conformity coefficient (μ), and copolarization correlation coefficient (ρco)) at 20° and 25° incidence angles. Three stages were identified, with notably different NRCS and polarimetric results, related to the thermophysical conditions. The transition from calm conditions to windy conditions was detected by the 25° incidence angle, whereas the transition from open water to sea ice was more apparent at 20°. The polarimetric analysis demonstrated that the conformity coefficient can have distinctive sensitivities to the presence of wind and sea ice at different incidence angles. The H versus α scatterplot showed that the range of distribution is dependent upon wind speed, incidence angle, and oil product. The findings of this study can be used to further improve the capability of existing and future C-band dual-polarization radar satellites or drone systems to detect and monitor potential diesel spills in the Arctic, particularly during the freeze-up season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Women at War Exhibition at the University of Manitoba is a powerful and thought-provoking experience that immerses visitors in the pain of war and occupation. The exhibition focuses on the gendered experiences of Russia's war and occupation of Ukraine since 2014, as well as the broader journey and evolution of feminism in post-independence Ukraine. It sheds light on Russia's colonial ambitions in Ukraine and explores themes such as language as a tool of oppression, gender-based violence, and the experiences of civilians during war. The exhibition offers a multifaceted experience, including curated talks, film screenings, and academic discussions. [Extracted from the article]

We document community responses to the COVID-19 pandemic among Inuit living in the province of Manitoba, Canada. This study was conducted by the Manitoba Inuit Association and a Council of Inuit Elders, in partnership with researchers from the University of Manitoba. We present findings from 12 health services providers and decision-makers, collected in 2021.Although Public Health orders led to the closure of the Manitoba Inuit Association's doors to community events and drop-in activities, it also created opportunities for the creation of programming and events delivered virtually and through outreach. The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing health and social system's shortcomings (limited access to safe housing, food insecurity) and trauma-related tensions within the community. The Manitoba Inuit Association achieved unprecedented visibility with the provincial government, receiving bi-weekly reports of COVID-19 testing, results and vaccination rates for Inuit. We conclude that after over a decade of advocacy received with at best tepid enthusiasm by federal and provincial governments, the Manitoba Inuit Association was able effectively advocate for Inuit-centric programming, and respond to Inuit community's needs, bringing visibility to a community that had until then been largely invisible. Still, many programs have been fueled with COVID-19 funding, raising the issue of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Potassium regulation in the body is primarily done in the kidney. In addition to this, hyperkalemia, occurs in approximately 10% of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with elevated all-cause mortality. Individuals with CKD are often told to restrict dietary potassium (K), however, this recommendation is based on low quality evidence. Reduced quality of life, limited dietary choices and nutritional deficiencies are all potential negative outcomes that may occur when restricting dietary K in CKD patients. There is a need for randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of dietary K modification on serum K concentrations in people with CKD. Methods: A randomized 2-period crossover design comparing a liberalized K fruit and vegetable diet where participants will be required to consume ~ 3500 mg of dietary K daily, to a standard K restricted diet where participants will be required to consume < 2000 mg of dietary K daily. All participants will begin on a liberalized K run-in period for 2 weeks where they will receive fruit and vegetables home deliveries and for safety will have clinical chemistry, including serum potassium measurements taken after 1 week. Participants will then be randomized into either liberalized K or standard K diet for six weeks and then crossover to the other intervention for another 6 weeks after a 2-week washout period. Discussion: 30 male and female CKD outpatients, ≥ 18 years of age, who have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 15 and 45 ml/min/1.73m2 and serum K between 4.5 and 5.5 mEq/L. This design would have greater than 80% power to detect a difference of 0.35 mEq/L serum K between groups. Anthropometric measurements, clinical chemistry, dietary recalls, physical function assessments, as well as a quality of life assessments will also be measured in this trial. These findings will provide high quality evidence for, or against, recommendations for dietary K restriction in individuals living with CKD. The removal of K restriction could provide individuals living with CKD more dietary choice leading to improved dietary status and quality of life. Trial Registration: This trial has received approval from the University of Manitoba Research Ethics board (HS25191 (B2021:104)). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the great philosopher of seeing, John Berger who suffered from cataracts. Topics include examines that his book Cataract charts his elation with being able to gradually see clearly and in full color after his operations and his straightforward but beautifully crafted words revel in the simple joy of being able to accept the light and sight of nature into the eye and the happiness it brings to the human condition.