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We analyze the total factor productivity (TFP) of the pulp and paper industry in three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec) and in three United States (US) states that are contiguously located south of the border (Washington, Illinois, and Maine) over the period of 1971 to 2005. We find that the industry in the three Canadian provinces had much higher TFP growth rates in the era following the Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 1988. In terms of productivity level, this relative TFP surge allowed the industry in Ontario and British Columbia to move ahead of Illinois and Washington, respectively; however, Quebec trailed further Maine, which is the overall leader in the sample. Our results in this particular case reveal that the Canadian pulp and paper industry did not contribute to the overall Canada-US productivity gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red heartwood, a dark nonhomogenous discolouration in paper birch trees ( Marsh.), limits the applications and uses of sawn boards to nonvisible low-value products, thus resulting in substantial value loss. The occurrence and distribution of red heartwood were investigated in 12 paper birch trees grown in the province of Quebec, Canada. The youngest tree was 62 years old at breast height and the oldest 86 years old for an average of 75 years old. In this study, 225 occurrences of external traits, relating to branch scars and forks, previously proposed as initiation points for red heartwood were identified and measured. The distribution of red heartwood was digitally mapped and the effect of these external traits on the red heartwood surface and shape inside each tree was examined. Results show that red heartwood initiates from an external trait and that multiple external traits can contribute to the development of a red heartwood column following the longitudinal axis of the stem. Red heartwood appeared to initiate mainly from external traits at the base of the tree. A modelling exercise indicated that the width of the red heartwood column inside a standing tree can be estimated from branch scar width and height from the ground. Tree vigour could not be linked to the proportion of red heartwood inside standing trees. A three-dimensional analysis of log shape could potentially be used to detect red heartwood presence in a log before processing to optimize the log sawing pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research 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.)

During the process of papermaking by pulp and paper plants, a thick and viscous deposits, termed slime, is quickly formed around the paper machines, which can affect the papermaking process. In this study, we explored the composition of the bacterial biota in slime that developed on shower pipes from 2 machines at a Canadian paper mill. Firstly, the composition was assessed for 12 months by DNA profiling with polymerase chain reaction coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Except for short periods (2-3 months), clustered analyses showed that the bacterial composition of the slime varied substantially over the year, with less than 50% similarity between the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles. Secondly, the screening of 16S rRNA gene libraries derived from 2 slime samples showed that the most abundant bacteria were related to 6 lineages, including Chloroflexi, candidate division OP10, Clostridiales, Bacillales, Burkholderiales, and the genus Deinococcus. Finally, the proportion of 8 bacterial lineages, such as Deinococcus sp., Meiothermus sp., and Chloroflexi, was determined by the Catalyzed Reporter Deposition - Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in 2 slime samples. The results showed a high proportion of Chloroflexi, Tepidimonas spp., and Schlegelella spp. in the slime samples. Lors du processus de fabrication industrielle du papier, un dépôt épais et visqueux se forme rapidement autour des machines à papier, ce qui peut affecter le processus de fabrication. Dans cette étude, nous avons exploré la composition bactérien ne du dépôt qui s'est développée sur des tuyaux des douches de 2 machines d'une usine à papier au Canada. La composition a d'abord été évaluée pendant 12 mois par la détermination du profil d'ADN par une réaction en chaîne par polymérase couplée à une électrophorèse sur gel en gradient dénaturant. À part de courtes périodes (2-3 mois), les analyses ont montré que la composition bactérienne du dépôt variait substantiellement au cours de l'année, avec moins de 50 % de similarité entre les profils en l'électrophorèse sur gel en gradient dénaturant. Deuxièmement, le criblage de banques géniques d'ARN ribosomique 16S dérivées de 2 échantillons de dépôt a ensuite montré que les bactéries les plus abondantes étaient apparentées à 6 lignées, notamment les Chloroflexi, la division candidate OP10, les Clostridiales, les Bacillales, les Burkholderiales, et le genre Deinococcus. Finalement, la proportion de 8 lignées bactériens comme Deinococcus sp., Meiothermus sp. et Chloroflexi a été déterminée par « Catalyzed Reporter Deposition - Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization » dans 2 échantillons de dépôt. Les résultats ont montré une forte proportion de Chloroflexi, Tepidimonas spp. et Schlegelella spp. dans les échantillons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the productivity and efficiency in the Canadian pulp and paper industry using input distance function and index number methods. Managerial and policy implications of productivity growth; Components of productivity growth; Contribution of output scale effects, capital disequilibrium to the industry.

Copyright of Environmental Reviews 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.)

The headbox water is the main source of bacterial contamination of paper machines. Identification of these bacterial contaminants could be an asset in developing specific control methods. An amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was carried out to characterize the bacterial communities associated with the headbox water of a paper machine in a Canadian mill in February and July 2006. Eight bacterial genera were identified as the main colonizers present in the headbox water. The genus Meiothermus appeared to be the dominant bacterial group in the Canadian paper machine. Some variation was observed between the February and July clone libraries. Bacterial genera such as Chelatococcus and Hydrogenophilus were only detected in February or in July, respectively. Furthermore, the proportion of Tepidimonas clones in the libraries was higher in July than in February. The metabolic profile of the February and July communities, determined using Biolog EcoPlates, also suggested that temporal variation occurred within the bacterial populations that colonized the headbox of the paper machine.

Many position stands and review papers have refuted the myths associated with resistance training (RT) in children and adolescents. With proper training methods, RT for children and adolescents can be relatively safe and improve overall health. The objective of this position paper and review is to highlight research and provide recommendations in aspects of RT that have not been extensively reported in the pediatric literature. In addition to the well-documented increases in muscular strength and endurance, RT has been used to improve function in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy, as well as pediatric burn victims. Increases in children's muscular strength have been attributed primarily to neurological adaptations due to the disproportionately higher increase in muscle strength than in muscle size. Although most studies using anthropometric measures have not shown significant muscle hypertrophy in children, more sensitive measures such as magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound have suggested hypertrophy may occur. There is no minimum age for RT for children. However, the training and instruction must be appropriate for children and adolescents, involving a proper warm-up, cool-down, and appropriate choice of exercises. It is recommended that low- to moderate-intensity resistance exercise should be done 2-3 times/week on non-consecutive days, with 1-2 sets initially, progressing to 4 sets of 8-15 repetitions for 8-12 exercises. These exercises can include more advanced movements such as Olympic-style lifting, plyometrics, and balance training, which can enhance strength, power, co-ordination, and balance. However, specific guidelines for these more advanced techniques need to be established for youth. In conclusion, an RT program that is within a child's or adolescent's capacity and involves gradual progression under qualified instruction and supervision with appropriately sized equipment can involve more advanced or intense RT exercises, which can lead to functional (i.e., muscular strength, endurance, power, balance, and co-ordination) and health benefits.

We examined the microbial community structure and quantified the levels of the filamentous bulking organism Thiothrix eikelboomii in samples of activated sludge mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) from Canadian pulp and paper mills. Libraries of chaperonin 60 (cpn60) gene sequences were prepared from MLSS total microbial community DNA and each was compared with cpnDB, a reference database of cpn60 sequences (http://cpndb.cbr.nrc.ca) for assignment of taxonomic identities. Sequences similar to but distinct from the type strain of T. eikelboomii AP3 (ATCC 49788T) (approximately 89% identity over 555 bp) were recovered at high frequency from a mill sample that was experiencing bulking problems at the time of sample collection, which corresponded to microscopic observations using fluorescent in situ hybridization with commercially available 16S rDNA-based probes. We enumerated this strain in five mill-derived MLSS samples using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and found that two samples had high levels of the bulking strain (>1012 genomes/g MLSS) and two contained lower but detectable levels of this organism. None of the mill samples contained cpn60 sequences that were identical to the type strain of T. eikelboomii. This technique shows promise for monitoring pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment systems by detecting and enumerating this strain of T. eikelboomii, which may be specific to pulp and paper mill wastewater treatment systems.

Resin acids, a group of diterpenoid carboxylic acids present mainly in softwood species, are present in many pulp mill effluents and toxic to fish in recipient waters. They are considered to be readily biodegradable. However, their removal across biological treatment systems has been shown to vary. Recent studies indicate that natural resin acids and transformation products may accumulate in sediments and pose acute and chronic toxicity to fish. Several resin acid biotransformation compounds have also been shown to bioaccumulate and to be more resistant to biodegradation than the original material. Until recently, the microbiology of resin-acid degradation has received only scant attention. Although wood-inhabiting fungi have been shown to decrease the level of resin present in wood, there is no conclusive evidence that fungi can completely degrade these compounds. In contrast, a number of bacterial isolates have recently been described which are able to utilize dehydroabietic or isopimaric acids as their sole carbon source. There appears to be an unusually high degree of substrate specificity with respect of the utilization of abietane congeners and the presence of substituents. Pimaranes do not appear to be attacked to the same extent as the abietanes. This paper reviews the occurrence, chemistry, toxicity, and biodegradation of resin acids in relation to the biological treatment of pulp and paper mill effluents.

The relationship between forest stand composition in southern interior British Columbia and fluorescent pseudomonad bacteria populations was investigated using seedling bioassays. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare the relative population sizes of fluorescent pseudomonads baited from soils in pure paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), pure Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and mixed stands of the two species and (ii) determine if fluorescent pseudomonads from these soils have inhibitory effects against the root pathogen Armillaria ostoyae (Romagn.) Herink in vitro. Soil from birch stands supported four times more pseudomonads on seedling baits than soil from Douglas-fir stands, with the mixed stands intermediate. Soil from young stands yielded twice as many rhizosphere pseudomonads as soil from mature stands. Pseudomonad population size was positively correlated with percent cover and density of birch, and negatively correlated with basal area of Douglas-fir, percent cover of Douglas-fir, and carbon/nitrogen ratio of the soil. Greater than 50% of the fluorescent isolates reduced radial growth of A. ostoyae by more than 20% and greater than 90% reduced biomass of the fungus in dual culture tests. Cell-free bacterial culture filtrates added to the growth medium also reduced growth of A. ostoyae. This study provides evidence that paper birch provides a more favorable environment for fluorescent pseudomonads than Douglas-fir and suggests a mechanism by which paper birch can positively influence the susceptibility of managed forest stands to Armillaria root disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology 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.)

The article announces that Tiffani A. Fraser and Matt P. Hutchison won the 2017 Best Paper Award from the Canadian Science Publishing and the Geological Association of Canada.

The paper describes load and resistance factor design (LRFD) calibration for the resistance factor used in the Stiffness Method internal stability soil failure limit state for geogrid mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. The Stiffness Method was recently adopted in the current American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials LRFD Bridge Design Specifications in the US, and will appear in the next edition of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code. The paper describes the details of the calibration of the soil failure limit state which is unique to the Stiffness Method. Calibration outcomes include consideration of the concept of level of understanding in the selection of nominal load and resistance values which is unique to LRFD foundation engineering practice in Canada. A practical conclusion from these calculations is that if product line-specific creep test data are available to estimate the reinforcement secant creep stiffness used for design, then a resistance factor of 1.0 is reasonable for US practice. If only minimum average roll value tensile strength data are available, then a value of 0.95 is recommended for US practice. For Canadian practice, the corresponding values for typical level of understanding are 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the possibilities and challenges of using mass timber as a sustainable alternative for retrofitting existing buildings in Canada. To create the knowledge foundation on which to devise a holistic framework tailored to the specific characteristics of Canada's built environment, a detailed analysis of the types, geographical distribution, structural, and energy features of the local building stock is first presented. Then, previous strategies for enhancing and upgrading existing buildings with engineered timber are reviewed, classified, and evaluated. Finally, to explore economic and environmental implications, a detailed assessment of available life-cycle cost–benefit analysis approaches is conducted alongside their adaptation to Canada's building context. The findings of this paper can inform policymakers, builders, and designers in developing more sustainable building retrofit practices, design, and regulations, in line with Canada's efforts toward net zero emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the measured rates of decomposition at three sites representing the major mixedwood forest types of British Columbia: (i) boreal forests of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), (ii) coastal forests of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), and (iii) a wet interior forest of Douglas-fir, paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Doug. ex Loud.). Mass loss of litter of each species (both pure and in combination with the other species) that was measured in forests of each species to determine (i) if broadleaf litter decomposed faster than needle litter, (ii) if litter decomposed faster in broadleaf or mixedwood forests than in coniferous forests, and (iii) if mixing with broadleaf hastened decomposition of needle litter; Broadleaf litters that decomposed faster than needles during the first year but, thereafter, decomposed more slowly; Litter that tended to decompose faster in the broadleaf forests than in the coniferous forests; No evidence to indicate that the addition of broadleaf litter hastened decomposition of needle litter; Results that indicate that the mixing of needle litter with broadleaf litter is unlikely to hasten decomposition in mixedwood forests of British Columbia.

In this paper, a review of Indigenous engagement in renewable energy projects is conducted and the main elements of energy partnerships between stakeholders and Indigenous partners are discussed. In recent years, Canada has witnessed more significant Indigenous involvement in economic and energy development projects than ever before. For large-scale energy partnerships, the focus is on engagement, financial capital, community buy-in (readiness, and entrepreneurial and business skills), and benefits-sharing with community partners. Equity-ownership, reconciliation, and self-determination intersect with and impact the benefits and sustainability of energy projects, as they are interrelated in the framework of most energy partnerships. This paper illustrates policy disconnects in connection with partnership-making, social outcomes, and decision-making among Indigenous communities. Furthermore, findings from relevant literature explore the nuanced discourse on social implications and capacity challenges that interlink with climate adaptation and reconciliation when promoting large-scale renewable energy partnerships with Indigenous communities. Through a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature, we found 80 relevant studies during the screening process, of which 33 were selected for the synthesis. Findings demonstrate that the Crown, energy companies, and community partners need to coordinate and collaborate closely to achieve energy security and sustainable renewable energy. The review suggests that Indigenous engagement in energy partnerships supports positive outcomes for social development and environmental protection among Indigenous communities. The literature suggests that when government and industry mentor in the project implementation process, important positive impacts on energy transitions, and self-sufficiency can be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features scientist John Ripmeester, who has made enormous impact on various research areas involving nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, porous materials, and clathrate hydrates. Topics include Ripmeester's experience of working for the paper industry in Canada, how his interest in chemistry has been developed, and his retirement from research in 2008 to focus on his role as head of the Functional Materials Program of the Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences (SIMS).

The article presents abstracts of several plant science research which include "Human health issues and wheat," by C. Taylor, "The future of publicly funded wheat development in Canada," by S. Fox, and "Canadian wheat pioneers," by G. Marten.

In 1996 we initiated a study to evaluate several techniques for measuring light under broadleaf canopies. Hourly average photosynthetic photon flux density and percent transmittance were measured 1 m above the ground at four points in each of three canopy densities created by a spacing experiment in a 35-year-old paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) dominated stand located near Prince George, B.C. At each point, fisheye photographs were taken and LAI-2000 plant canopy analyzer (LAI-2000), spherical densiometer, and competition index (Lorimer'sindex) measurements were made. Percent transmittance measurements onan overcast day (1-h average), transmittance measured over periods of 3 h or longer on a clear day, LAI-2000 diffuse noninterceptance measurements, and gap light index determined from fisheye photographs were strongly correlated with growing season percent transmittance (r2>= 0.96) as was competition index (r2 = 0.928). Concave spherical densiometer measurements and midday percent transmittance measurements on clear days were also well correlated with measured percent transmittance (r2>= 0.89). Estimates of understory light by the LITE model were strongly correlated with growing season percent transmittance. Correlations improved with increasing length of the period simulated (r2 = 0.755 for a point measurement on a clear day; r2 = 0.936 for an entire sunny day;and, r2 = 0.953 for the entire growing season). However, this version of the model underestimated percent transmittance in these spaced birch stands by 34-90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The package PbIso is a free and open R toolbox for commonly used calculations and plots of Pb–Pb isotope data and for generating Pb evolution models. In this paper, we review Pb isotope systematics and the calculations that are commonly used, such as model age, model source μ (238U/204Pb), time-integrated κ (232Th/238U), and initial Pb isotope ratios. These equations are implemented into R functions in the package PbIso. In addition, functions are provided for generating Pb evolution models, paleoisochrons, and isochrons. This allows users to apply calculations to their data in a straightforward way while providing transparency and flexibility of the calculations used. We have implemented some basic features of the PbIso package into an online shiny R application (see https://shereearmistead.github.io/software/pbiso), which makes it easy for users without any R experience to use these calculations with their own data and to generate plots. We have provided a case study from the Superior Province in Canada, showing how different Pb evolution models can be generated in PbIso and compared to Pb isotope data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are common across Canada and they pose hazards to human safety, economic activities, and the environment. Robust risk management strategies are necessary for sustainable development. A slope risk management framework has been adopted by the geotechnical community for approximately four decades allowing a systematic, consistent and transparent framework for managing risks. Implementing this framework is associated with uncertainties embedded in our estimates of risk. This paper presents a brief summary of the sources and categories of uncertainty in geotechnical slope engineering and focuses on two topics: (1) estimates of uncertainty in risk calculations and (2) temporal changes in landslide likelihood as a function of weather and steps towards estimating landslide risk changes with climate change. The paper argues that a quantitative risk assessment should not focus on the final risk calculation, but the overall knowledge gained. This allows comprehensive documentation of sources of uncertainty and how they impact geotechnical and risk assessments. Furthermore, the paper outlines approaches to define quantitative correlations between rock fall occurrences and weather, which can be leveraged to estimate changes in rock fall risk with climate change. The paper corresponds to, and expands on, the 2021 Canadian Geotechnical Colloquium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 2003. With that ratification is an obligation to submit data and information to the U.N. pertaining to the limits of the country's extended continental shelf (ECS); the portion of the juridical continental shelf that extends beyond 200 nautical miles. A team of Canadian scientists, managers, and legal experts that included representation from three Federal Departments (Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Global Affairs Canada) with additional support from other departments, spent 13 years compiling and acquiring data to provide the scientific evidence to support delineation of Canada's seaward most maritime limit. The submission has the potential to provide Canada with 2.4 million km2 of additional submarine landmass in the Atlantic and the Arctic oceans over which Canada exercises sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting its natural resources. Specific information such as the tectonic framework of the continental margin, the geomorphology of the margin and in particular the continental slope, the geologic nature of adjoined ridges, rises, and plateaux, and sediment thickness within adjacent basins are examples of fundamental pieces of geoscientific information needed to substantiate Canada's outermost maritime limits. This paper highlights a number of segments of Canada's continental margins to showcase this scientific evidence and how it is applied in the UNCLOS context. In doing so, the paper demonstrates the geologic complexity of Canada's margins as illustrated in scientific publications that have resulted from these new data collections, while at the same time presenting new scientific evidence and interpretations. This collection of data and information provides a wealth of new knowledge in Canada's offshore regions. The massive data compilation in the Atlantic led to conception of continental margins, in a source-to-sink scenario, as having an equilibrium base level or graded form, comparable to river systems. Departures from this shape relate to the interplay of sedimentary processes and in particular to those processes that do not fit the source-to-sink paradigm. For example, a significant part of the Atlantic margin is shown to be heavily influenced by along-slope geostrophic currents that generated massive contourite drift deposits. These deposits reflect lateral transport of sediment that had a significant impact on the morphology of the margin. The role of mass transport processes in shaping continental margins is also highlighted, and in particular the collapses of entire segments of the margin were observed. The prominent role mass failure processes play in delivering sediment to the adjacent abyssal plain is also critical in the ECS context. These observations challenge the entrenched notion of a continental margin comprising a shelf, slope, and rise and in particular the concept of the "continental rise". Prior to 2006, regions of the Arctic Ocean seaward of the Canadian landmass had fewer than 5000 km of seismic reflection data. The massive efforts of Arctic coastal States to map their margins for ECS purposes have led to a leap in technological advances to acquire data in ice-covered seas and have led to a wealth of new geoscientific knowledge. Perhaps foremost amongst this knowledge is demonstration that Canada Basin is indeed a fully developed ocean basin, albeit significantly infilled with sediment. Based on this knowledge and identification of related structures, new realistic tectonic scenarios for opening of the Amerasia Basin are proposed that include a significant component of transform or strike-slip motions. With seismic velocity and rock sample information, the continental nature of Alpha and Mendeleev ridges has been substantiated. Even bathymetric data were lacking in the Arctic and new editions of seafloor maps now support grids of 500 m spacing; although some regions remain sparse. Once thought to be relatively stagnant, sedimentary processes such as found in many ocean basins were discovered in the Arctic Ocean. Evidence of geostrophic currents, sediment mass failures, and deep-sea turbidity current channels were found to be ubiquitous, even in the deepest parts of the Arctic's basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.)

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.)

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.)

Although road surface friction is considered the most effective performance measure for maintenance operations, it is not commonly used due to the high cost of collection. As a result, most jurisdictions use subjective visual indicators that qualitatively describe the state of the road surface, even though they create measurement inconsistencies and offer less detailed maintenance tracking. For maintenance personnel to transition into using friction, the collection cost must be reduced. This paper attempts to do so by proposing a low-cost, machine learning-based method for predicting road surface friction using dash camera imagery and demonstrates its feasibility through a case study. The dataset used for this project was collected in the City of Edmonton, AB, Canada during its 2021/2022 winter season. Three models were developed using tree-based algorithms, where all three displayed high performance with an average root mean squared error of 0.0796 or 79.3% accuracy based on RMSPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botany 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.)

To improve the climate resiliency of existing and new pavements, it is important to carry out pavement designs using continuous climate records at high temporal frequencies. Over the years, significant research efforts have been dedicated to obtain high-quality climatic data for pavement design including the latest adoption of the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2). The purpose of this study is to assess how MERRA-2 performs when compared to the Canadian Weather Energy and Engineering Datasets (CWEEDS), which provides hourly meteorological data for many parts of the country from various periods. In the first part, climate parameters at nine locations were directly compared to determine the correlation between two data sets. In the second part, long-term performances were simulated for typical flexible pavement to assess the relative impact of each climate scenario. As detailed in this paper, observed differences between MERRA-2 and CWEEDS indicate the need for further improvement of climate data quality and availability for designing resilient pavements in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research 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.)

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.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering 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.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences 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.)

The seismic resilience of structures can be quantified through rigorous seismic assessment. Because no detailed guideline is available for nonlinear modelling parameters and the corresponding acceptance criteria for the seismic evaluation and upgrading of steel structures in Canada, the structural commentary of the National Building Code of Canada suggests using ASCE 41, which has been adopted as a standard for seismic evaluation and retrofit of buildings in the United States (U.S.). However, because the steel design standards in Canada and the U.S. are different, their applicability to steel structures in Canada needs to be investigated. To this end, this paper critically reviews the nonlinear modelling parameters and acceptance criteria, and then recommends whether these values need to be revised or are adopted as is for the seismic evaluation and upgrading of steel structures in Canada. A numerical example of a steel moment-resisting frame is presented to demonstrate the recommended parameters being used for seismic evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Research Council Canada (NRC) is currently developing seismic evaluation and upgrading guidelines for existing buildings in Canada. The seismic evaluation guidelines consist of three tiers of seismic evaluation procedures, that is, Tier 1 Quick Evaluation, Tier 2 Deficiency-Based Evaluation, and Tier 3 Detailed Evaluation. This paper presents the Tier 1 Quick Evaluation procedure, which aims to update the initial quick evaluation procedure in the existing seismic evaluation guidelines developed by the NRC in early 1990s. The proposed procedure covers seismic assessment of both structural and non-structural elements, and requires the review of construction documents, on-site inspection, and calculations. A set of checklists are contained to uncover potential key seismic deficiencies of the building under evaluation. The checklists are in the form of evaluation statements that relate to potential seismic deficiencies in the structural systems and non-structural components. The proposed procedure is demonstrated by conducting the seismic evaluation of an existing building that is part of a pilot study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat conservation has become prevalent over the last few decades due to critical population declines worldwide. Our purpose was to assess whether Brock Fenton's research career coincided with increasing bat conservation research in Canada and North America. Fenton has made significant contributions to bat research during a long and productive publishing career accompanied by participation in research organizations like the North American Society for Bat Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. His conservation research as well as efforts to raise public awareness about these animals has coincided with work for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and its equivalent (Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario) in ON. To assess the impact of his career, we quantified the relative amount of his peer-reviewed publications with a conservation focus and compared this with the level of conservation-related presentations at annual North American Society for Bat Research conferences. In the same manner, we assessed how often conservation-focused applications were funded by the Ecology and Evolution section of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council—Canada Discovery grant program. Although it cannot be said with authority that Fenton actually initiated the increase in bat conservation research, our results indicate that his research efforts coincide with and presumably had considerable influence in driving this area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of shallow foundations typically proceeds by using the load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methodology to avoid various limit states with some probability. This paper looks at the sliding limit state of shallow foundations, and the sliding resistance factors required for the LRFD approach are estimated using reliability analyses of surface strip foundations. Cohesive and frictional soils are separately studied under wind loading conditions. Monte Carlo simulations are used to estimate the sliding failure probability of foundation designs on cohesive soils, and an analytical method is developed for frictional soils. The results indicate the existence of a "worst case" correlation length for cohesive soils, and the sliding resistance factor required to achieve target maximum lifetime failure probabilities is around 0.4–0.65 for moderate soil variability. For frictional soils, the required sliding resistance factor is about 0.5–0.85 for νϕ′ = 0.15. Overall, the sliding resistance factors recommended here agree well with the resistance factors of ϕgu = 0.6 for cohesive soils and ϕgu = 0.8 for frictional soils stipulated by geotechnical LRFD code provisions in Canada. The analyses can be used to estimate the reliability of current designs and can also aid the calibration of geotechnical design codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research 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.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 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.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research 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.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering 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.)

The process of icing and the resulting layered ice masses, called aufeis, are caused by the freezing of overflow originating from groundwater or surface water. Aufeis can directly impact infrastructure and property, most commonly through winter ice formation and spring flooding within, against, and on the surface of hydraulic structures and transportation infrastructure. They also represent a safety concern for drivers. This geohazard often needs to be managed proactively and efficiently to mitigate associated risks. This paper provides an overview of the consequences of aufeis in northwestern Canada. A total of 50 existing and novel icing and aufeis mitigation approaches are described and classified. The context of applicability for each approach is identified, considering the source of water, the type of infrastructure, and its role in the formation of aufeis. Finally, future research avenues to support the development or improvement of aufeis risk reduction techniques are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]