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Examines the influence of broadleaf trees principally paper birch on soil properties under mixedwoods with lodgepole pine in the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone of central British Columbia, Canada. Accumulation of forest floor mass of mature forests in the zone on initially denuded surface; Relationship between the degree of broadleaf occupancy and total forest floor accumulation.

The hypothesis that employers insure their workers against unfavourable states is tested against the alternative hypothesis that efficient but non-insuring contracts occur. Data on the British Columbian pulp and paper industry (January 1977 to April 1985) are used. The comparative statics predictions of the implicit contract model are also derived and tested against the data. When man-hours is used to represent employment, the hypothesis of insurance cannot be rejected, and the data generally support the predictions of the implicit contract model. When number of men is used to represent employment, the data are not as supportive of the model, and the hypothesis that labour is insured against movements in consumer prices can be rejected at high significance levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic contamination is commonly reported in urban and rural soils, as well as in fresh and ocean waters. Canada's government has attempted to limit the contamination of single-use plastic by banning the manufacturing and selling of specific types of plastic. In British Columbia, current regulations governing commercial composting state that when compost has less than 1% of its dry weight representing foreign materials (including plastic), it can be sold and used in soils. However, due to the low density of plastic and its potential to break down into microparticles, this amount may be enough to become toxic when used in agricultural soils. This paper studies contamination of plastic in garden soils and summarizes how this can affect the environment with a preliminary examination of a garden soil sample. The examination showed that the garden soil sample contained mainly low-density polyethylene, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics (identified through ATR-FTIR) in oxidized and unoxidized forms that can come from commercial composting and hypothesizes that this plastic could break down into microplastic particles. In order to limit the amount of plastic contamination in agricultural soils, it is necessary to modify current compost regulations in order to treat plastic differently than other foreign materials (glass, metal, wood). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction has become exceedingly relevant against the current scenario of increasing housing demand and can respond to this need in Canada due to its advantages of rapid construction. However, a holistic environmental sustainability framework for this construction method is still lacking. This paper proposes a hierarchical-based framework to benchmark the environmental performance of modular buildings versus conventional buildings. The framework identifies criteria and indicators affecting environmental sustainability, makes composite indicators, and establishes performance benchmarks. Based on expert survey, six criteria (construction waste management, energy performance and efficiency strategies, site disruption and appropriate strategies, renewable and environmentally preferable products, regional materials, and renewable energy use) are first identified. The related indicators and sub-indicators are combined to develop indices using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution. Robust benchmark scales were established through application of Monte Carlo analysis on data collected through experts. Finally, the developed indices were compared against the benchmark scales at different assessment levels. The proposed framework was examined for two single-family modular buildings in British Columbia, Canada. The overall environmental performance benchmarking informs the policy makers on the usefulness of modular buildings, while the criteria-level indices direct the construction industry practitioners to improve the low performing indicators. The proposed framework will enhance the sustainability of modular and offsite construction in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Providing access to pediatric healthcare services in British Columbia, Canada, presents unique challenges given low population densities spread across large geographic distances combined with a lack of availability of specialist providers in remote areas, leading to quality of care shortcomings and inequalities in care delivery. The study objective was to develop a framework that provides a common language and methodology for defining and planning child and youth healthcare services across the province.Methods: The framework was developed in two phases. In Phase 1, a literature and jurisdictional review was completed using the following inclusion criteria: (i) description of a framework focusing on organizing service delivery systems (ii) that supports health service planning, (iii) includes specialty or subspecialty services and (iv) has been published since 2008. In Phase 2, a series of meetings with key provincial stakeholders were held to receive feedback on the developed Tiers of Service framework versions that were based on the literature and jurisdictional review and adjusted to the British Columbian health care context. The final version was endorsed by the Child Health BC Steering Committee.Results: Ten medical articles and thirteen jurisdictional papers met the established selection criteria and were included in this study. Most frameworks were developed by the Australian national or state jurisdictions and published in jurisdictional papers (n = 8). Frameworks identified in the medical literature were mainly developed in Canada (n = 3) and the US (n = 3) and focused on maternity, neonatal, critical care and oncology services. Based on feedback received from the expert group, the framework was expanded to include community-based services, prevention and health determinants. The final version of the Tiers of Service framework describes the specific services to be delivered at each tier, which are categorized as Tier 1 (community services) through Tier 6 (sub-specialized services). Two consecutive steps were identified to effectively use the framework for operational and system planning: (i) development of a 'module' outlining the responsibilities and requirements to be delivered at each tier; and (ii) assessment of services provided at the health care facility against those described in the module, alignment to a specific tier, identification of gaps at the local, regional and provincial level, and implementation of quality improvement initiatives to effectively address the gaps.Conclusions: The benefits of the Tiers of Service framework and accompanying modules for health service planning are being increasingly recognized. Planning and coordinating pediatric health services across the province will help to optimize flow and improve access to high-quality services for children living in British Columbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper qualitatively examines "privation of inclusion" at work in the lived experiences of racialized participants hired in publicly funded places of employment. Taking the position that the dualistic inclusion-exclusion paradigm fails to capture their lived realities with inclusive exclusions and exclusive inclusions, it presents privative inclusion as a third space, between inclusion and exclusion, for a more robust framework in understanding how racialized bodies were marked and targeted for differential treatment. The paper then outlines and discusses findings as key indicators of privative mechanisms that had undermined life chances by limiting career mobility of racialized participants of this study. It concludes by emphasizing the need for additional research in this area given the salience of racism at work as well as the demographic changes that Canada is currently experiencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information about the Best Paper Award 1994 by the "Journal of Organizational Behavior." Members of the Editorial Board of the journal nominated a large number of papers that appeared in the journal during 1994. Papers that received the most nominations were then re-assessed by the board. The winning paper "Psychological Health and Involvement in Interpersonally Demanding Occupations: A Longitudinal Perspective," by Sharon Rae Jenkins and Christina Maslach, received the overwhelming support of the Editorial Board to receive the Best Paper Prize for 1994. The Best Paper certificate will be presented by the board at the Academy of Management in Vancouver, British Columbia to the winners.

Background: The Rural Surgical Obstetrical Networks (RSON) project was developed in response to the persistent attrition of rural maternity services across Canada over the past two decades. While other research has demonstrated the adverse health and psychosocial consequences of losing local maternity services, this paper explores the impact of a program designed to increase the sustainability of rural services themselves, through the funding of four "pillars": increased scope and volume, clinical coaching, continuous quality improvement (CQI) and remote presence technology. Methods: We conducted in-depth, qualitative research interviews with rural health care providers and administrators in eight rural communities across British Columbia to understand the impact of the RSON program on maternity services. Researchers used thematic analysis to generate common themes across the dataset and interpret findings. Findings: Participants articulated six themes regarding the sustainability of maternity care as actualized through the RSON project: safety and quality through quality improvement opportunities, improved access to care through increased surgical volume and OR backup, optimized team function through innovative models of care, improved infrastructure, local innovation surrounding workforce shortages, and locally tailored funding models. Conclusion: Rural maternity sites benefited from the funding offered through the RSON pillars, as demonstrated by larger volumes of local deliveries, nearly unanimous positive accounts of the interventions by health care providers, and evidence of staffing stability during the study time frame. As such, the interventions provided through the Rural Surgical Obstetrical Networks project as well as study findings on the common themes of sustainable maternity care should be considered when planning core rural health services funding schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining the spatial distribution of geological structures and rock properties is important for understanding how fluid flow is controlled in a geothermal reservoir. Here, we present a procedure to examine the potential fluid pathways. By combining 3‐D resistivity models derived from audio‐magnetotelluric (AMT) data with available rock properties (porosity and permeability) and fluid sample data (fluid resistivity, salinity, and temperature), we investigated the relationship between electrical resistivity and fluid flow in an active volcanic system. Different petrophysical models and empirical relations are evaluated to determine the relationship between the fluid flow system at Mount Meager, British Columbia, and the resistivity model. In addition, we utilized porosity and permeability measured in the laboratory to define the porosity‐permeability relationship. The porosity of the volcanic core samples showed a range of 2.6%–23.2% and the permeability was in a range of 0.001–5,186.57 mD. The results showed the potential of 3‐D inversion of AMT data to map the fluid pathways at Mount Meager. These pathways are correlated with loss circulation zones in boreholes and can account for porosity up to 8.5%, which using the porosity‐permeability relationship translates to permeability of the order 0.249 mD. Not only are the fault and fracture zones important for reservoir exploitation, but they also provide permeability for the circulation of meteoric water. Our studies suggest that a set of fractures with 0.1 m spacing and 20 mm aperture can keep 40% fluid in pores and transmit fluid with possible permeability of 666 mD. Plain Language Summary: Geothermal is the natural heat within the Earth. Heat passes to the near‐surface by the magma intrusion into the crust and circulation of groundwater through fluid flow pathways. This paper evaluates the fluid flow pathways, structure, and physical properties beneath the Mount Meager Volcanic Complex (MMVC; Canada). The audio‐magnetotelluric (AMT) method (natural‐source electromagnetic geophysical technique) was used to produce the 3‐D resistivity model. Moreover, utilizing laboratory experiments, we modified rock‐physical and fluid chemistry relationships to focus on the MMVC rather than using relations adapted to other volcanic settings. The AMT model shows correlations between the locations of conductors and faults and suggests that faults act as flow pathways. A porosity of up to 8.5% is expected in the potential reservoir zone. By combining the resistivity model with rock and fluid properties, we mapped potential flow pathways and rock properties. Results showed that in rocks with low porosity and permeability, fractures provide the primary way of flow with porosity and permeability up to 40% and 666 mD, respectively. This project contributes to the development of conceptual models of the hydrothermal flow, which could be used to reduce the risk of future exploitation of geothermal resources. Key Points: Audio‐magnetotelluric data have been used to model the conductivity distribution beneath an active volcanic system in southwestern CanadaUtilizing 3‐D Inversion, we provide details on the structure, physical properties, and flow pathways of a volcano‐hosted geothermal systemPermeability can increase up to five orders of magnitude in fractured rocks beneath Mount Meager [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has been carried out on young people transitioning out of care in Canada. The objective of this paper was to describe and comment on the services provided to youth leaving care systems in Canada, with a focus on the four provinces with the largest populations (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta). The Quebec government offers only one limited-access transition program, which has just been extended to age 25. Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta offer several transition programs, which include financial, education, and life skills components. In British Columbia, these offer support up to age 29. The 6 remaining provinces and the 3 territories offer support to a maximum age that ranges from 21 to 26. Most offer a general financial allowance, and some offer additional supports that can include a housing allowance, tuition waivers, and job training. British Columbia and Ontario offer the most supports, including medical assistance, tuition waivers, and mental health supports. Research is needed to find out which supports are most beneficial, and under which circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Requisition storage and retrieval are an integral part of the outpatient laboratory testing process. It is frequently necessary to review an original requisition to confirm the ordering physician, patient demographics, diagnostic information, and requested tests. Manual retrieval of a paper requisition is time-consuming and tedious. Although commercial solutions exist for the scanning and archiving of barcoded paper requisitions, the tools to accomplish this are freely available from the open source software community. We present a simple dedicated piece of software, Reqscan, for scanning patient laboratory requisitions, finding all barcode information, and saving the requisition as a portable document format named according the barcode(s) found. This Python application offers a simple solution to patient requisition digitization. Reqscan has been successfully tested and implemented into routine practice for storage and retrieval of outpatient requisitions at St. Paul's Hospital, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes how human rights uprisings in Canada often occur because of Canada's lack of recognition and respect for Indigenous laws. The most recent example noted involves pipe line construction on traditional Wet'suwet'en territory in British Columbia, the building of which proceeded without considering Indigenous laws and customs. The result was country-wide blockades and protests by First Nations that brought the nation's economy to a halt. The paper argues that these uprisings happen because Canada's justice system and the lawyers, judges, policy makers, and politicians that operate within it are generally ill prepared to comprehend or reconcile the relationship between colonial legal systems and Indigenous systems of law. The article goes on to illustrate how the historic Indian Residential School Settlement--the largest and most comprehensive in Canadian history--was achieved by following Indigenous law and processes, harmonized in part with principles of the common law of tort. The article then ends with a discussion about how Indigenous laws could be made more accessible and intelligible and how they could be applied territorially and generally. The paper makes the ultimate point that different perspectives and legal theories are necessary to craft appropriate reparations and the processes used to achieve them. Unless Indigenous laws, traditions, and practices are central to the design and implementation of reparations for colonial misdeeds, state responses to the cultural genocide perpetrated against Indigenous peoples in Canada will not open pathways to either healing or reconciliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper responds to the call to explore pedagogical relations and dialogues in considering how to create climate pedagogies that are responsive, dynamic, and transformative in thinking about human and nonhuman relations. Using the lens of entanglement, the paper attempts to bring into dialogue children's rights and more-than-human ways of thinking to understand what, if any, commonalities lie in these two projects and whether and how a rights-respecting approach can be productively reconfigured in envisaging a dynamic climate pedagogy. It considers several tensions that arise from this entangled dialogue to probe both the overlaps and points of incommensurability in the two approaches. This includes viewing asymmetrical power and logics of coloniality that assert themselves through rights discourses and rights-based techniques based in an Anglo-Eurocentric worldview that narrowly defines who is included in the "human" of human rights. To illustrate these entanglements, the paper draws on a child/youth-led and child/youth-driven participatory model called Shaking the Movers (STM) created in 2007 by the Landon Pearson Centre and used with youth as well as with children in early childhood and other settings across Canada each year. The model aims to enable children's civil and political rights. Shaking the Movers was used as the framework for a workshop held in Williams Lake, British Columbia in 2017. The workshop serves as a case study in this paper to illustrate some of the entanglements that arise in practice when considering rights-respecting and more-than-human approaches. The analysis draws on scholarship from several disciplinary locations, including Stuart Aitken's critical childhood concept of the post-child, Veronica Pacini-Ketchabaw and Affrica Taylors notion of agency as not exclusively human and conceived as collective rather than an outcome of individual intent, and Shenila Khoja-Mooljis analysis of an ethic of interdependency and alliance when understanding human rights in context. Each of these perspectives informs a contemplation of how to reconfigure the Shaking the Movers model amplify its strengths. The paper concludes with thoughts on the ways entanglements create a productive space both for bringing together a more-than-human and rights-respecting approach to attend to actions emanating from the margins and for invigorating and understanding how to meaningfully engage children located in interconnected and interdependent worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the energy performance of existing residential buildings (ERB) has been identified as key to improving building energy efficiency and reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. However, identifying optimal retrofit packages requires a significant amount of knowledge of building energy modelling, and it is a time-consuming and laborious process. This paper proposed a data-driven framework that combines machine learning, multi-objective optimization, and multi-criteria decision-making techniques to evaluate the energy performance of ERB and thereby formulate optimal retrofit plans. First, an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict the energy performance of a wide range of retrofit packages. A genetic algorithm was employed to determine the best structure and hyperparameters of the ANN model. Then, the energy consumption results were integrated with environmental and economic impact data to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of retrofit packages and thereby identify Pareto optimal solutions. Finally, a multi-criteria decision-making method was used to select the best retrofit packages among the optimal solutions. The proposed framework was validated using data on a typical residential building in British Columbia, Canada. The results indicated that this framework could effectively predict building energy performance and help decision-makers to make an optimal decision when choosing retrofit packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report on research findings from a cross-sectional survey with 143 primarily Mexican migrant agricultural worker respondents in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Participants reported high rates of experiences of threats and violence by employers, limited faith in the follow-through of both Canadian and country-of-origin authorities when reporting concerns, and a unanimous lack of knowledge in how to file a claim of a legal matter (e.g., housing, human rights violation). Most participants also reported that they believed they would receive poorer health care in relation to their Canadian counterparts and that their privacy would not be protected. While certain indicators, such as knowledge of resources for transportation, translation, and legal advocacy were higher than previous research would suggest, most participants did not feel confident that more serious issues would be addressed if they sought help. Our results suggest migrant workers in BC report similar, or even higher, rates of experiences and expectations of poor social support, legal protection, and health care in comparison to prior research in this region and elsewhere. While further research would be required to confirm this hypothesis, the impact of COVID-19 on this population is undeniable. Our findings highlight the need for greater regional and provincial commitments to fund targeted services for migrant agricultural workers that address the unique barriers they face. Additionally, greater attention and funding must be dedicated to supporting this population to navigate and access services that already exist. Together, dedicated initiatives could make a major difference for this workforce. Federal investments in support services of this nature would ensure the sustainability of such efforts. In addition, reforms to temporary migrant agricultural programs, such as open work permits and immediate access to permanent residence, would better afford workers opportunities to access the rights and protections that are currently out of reach for many. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1999, BC Hydro installed optical fibers in the fluid channel of 525 kV self-contained fluid-filled submarine cables originally installed in the 1980s that connect substations in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada, for the purposes of monitoring temperatures. In combination with this work, a real-time monitoring was used to collect load data and measured temperatures in an effort to optimize the ratings of the cables. The dynamic thermal circuit rating system developed by the Electric Power Research Institute was applied to the 525 kV cables as part of a project to modify the system for support of the unique characteristics of the cable system installation. Specifically, the submarine cables utilize a parallel pipe water cooling system for the shore zones. This paper describes the software modifications that were implemented to enhance the dynamic rating system to model the unique characteristics of the 525 kV cable system and discusses how recorded data collected over several seasons were used to verify and refine the cable rating model. The resulting evaluation showed good agreement of the dynamic rating system calculations with measured results and helped the utility better understand the ratings on these circuits and permitted the utility to perform simulations to evaluate various loading conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an increasingly political environment developing in western, industrialized resource sectors, the purpose of this paper is to explore Indigenous governments' ability to assert sovereignty over their territory as it pertains to resource development. Utilizing a relational self-determination framework, we present a case study of the Stk'emlupsemc te Secwépemc Nation and their role in governance over mineral development in their unceded traditional territory located in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. This article adds to the growing case examples that suggest that First Nations governments in Canada are exerting their selfdetermination strategically, transitioning the role of negotiated agreements from an Impact-Benefit transaction to gain greater participation in resource extraction decision-making. Utilizing tools such as cultural heritage studies, legal action, and developing community-based processes of consent, First Nations governments are gaining more negotiating leverage and influence over decision-making processes for resource development projects. These insights are particularly relevant for Indigenous communities that are considering their options regarding resource development as a path to autonomy and self-governance over their territory, resources, and economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.)

Background: A surgical readiness assessment is a major step in the medical journey of trans people seeking gender-affirming surgery. Much of the peer-reviewed literature surrounding surgical readiness assessments emphasizes the perspectives of academics and clinicians, leaving the voices of trans and gender diverse patients largely unheard. Aims: This paper foregrounds patient experiences with surgery readiness assessments to discuss the tensions, challenges and opportunities they generate. Methods: We conducted a thematic analysis of 35 in-depth interviews with trans people who accessed or were seeking to access gender-affirming surgery in British Columbia. Results: We developed three main themes to capture participants' narratives of their surgical assessment experiences. The first, assessments as gatekeeping, explores the stories of people who described their assessments as outdated and even discriminatory processes. The second, assessments as a barrier to care, discusses the informational missteps, bureaucratic regulations, economic issues, and geographic concerns that made assessments difficult to access. The third, assessments as useful, includes positive stories about assessments that often involved feeling supported by an assessor and feeling prepared for the next steps. Discussion: These narratives demonstrate how much variation exists among people's experiences of readiness assessments for gender-affirming surgery. No matter how their actual assessment turned out, many participants approached their appointments with a great deal of anxiety and trepidation. We attributed this stress was to challenges ranging from lengthy wait times, arbitrary medical gatekeeping, a lack of access to knowledgeable and supportive providers, unclear or changing administrative processes, and insufficient communication. To address these challenges, it is crucial for the medical system to create more accessible pathways with centralized, up-to-date information for people trying to access assessments. Patients are best served by multi-disciplinary gender-affirming teams that provide individualized care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the determinants and consequences of delay in the union certification process using data from certification applications and unfair labor practice complaints (ULPs) from British Columbia (1986-98) and Ontario (1993-98). During the period studied, there were several changes in delay-related laws, including laws regulating the presence and stringency of election time limits and the availability of expedited ULP hearings. Key findings are that ULPs against the employer reduced the likelihood of compliance with time limit laws except where expedited ULP hearings also existed; employer-filed objections to the application reduced the likelihood of compliance; and election delay reduced the likelihood of certification success both in policy regimes without time limits and in those where stipulated time limits were frequently breached. Overall, the results suggest that enforced time limits on elections coupled with expedited ULP hearings may substantially mitigate the adverse effects of election delay on certification success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seedlings of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco were grown for six-16 months in untrenched and trenched treatments in three 90-120-yr-old mixed forests dominated by Betula papyrifera Marsh. and P. menziesii in the southern interior of British Columbia. Each forest was characterized by mesic conditions and low light intensity (PAR ≤ 200 μmol m-2 s-1) in the understorey. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of overstorey tree roots on (i) ectomycorrhizal fungal composition, richness and diversity, and (ii) photosynthesis and growth of understorey P. menziesii seedlings. Seventeen ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were recognized on seedlings in the untrenched treatment, and nine in the trenched treatment over the three sites. Six types occurred in both treatments, of which on average Rhizopogon vinicolor Smith type was 20 times more abundant and Thelephora type six times less abundant in the untrenched as in the trenched treatment. Of types that formed strands or rhizomorphs, eight occurred in the untrenched treatment, where they occupied on average 23% of root tips, and only four occurred in the trenched treatment over 4% of the root tips. Mean richness, diversity, and evenness of ectomycorrhizal associates per seedling were approx. twice as great in the untrenched as in the trenched treatment. Net photosynthetic rate of P. menziesii seedlings was greater in the untrenched than in the trenched treatment in July and August, but not in September 1994. Height, diameter and biomass of seedlings did not differ between treatments, but height: diameter ratio was greater in the untrenched treatment at time of harvest. The effect of trenching on seedling performance was attributed mainly to differences in ectomycorrhizal colonization patterns because trenching had no significant effect on soil nutrient concentrations (total C, total N, NH4-N, available N, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg, exchangeable K) C:N ratio, soil pH or light availability. Nor was there a significant difference in soil water in August, when seedlings in untrenched plots had higher net photosynthetic rates than those in trenched plots. Results suggest that influence of overstorey trees and pattern of ectomycorrhizal formation are important to P. menziesii seedling performance in deeply shaded forest environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the consideration of climate change in environmental assessment (EA) in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, British Columbia, Canada. Based on an analysis of recent EA applications, results show that climate change is considered, to some extent, in all phases of EA for most LNG projects. However, stakeholders indicate a dissatisfaction with practice – often based on expectations about EA that exceed what it can deliver as a project-based tool, and sometimes based on an incomplete understanding of existing climate change legislation and targets. Results also indicate inconsistent application of existing climate change requirements across project EAs. Notwithstanding proponents often addressing climate change in their EA applications, climate change tends to receive little attention in project decision and approval conditions. The paper concludes with recommendations for better practice climate change consideration in EA that is commensurate with the scope and scale of project-level issues, complemented by more strategic EA and economic instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines British Columbia's decision to host a world's fair (Expo 86) in Vancouver. Despite rapidly increasing deficit projections (from a $6-million projected loss in 1978 to over a$300-million projected loss in 1985), the provincial government remained steadfast in its plans to hold Expo. Expo is therefore a visible and prototypical example of the escalation of commitment, a phenomenon subject to extensive laboratory research in recent years. By examining the Expo case in some detail, this study provides field grounding for previous investigations of escalation. The case not only illustrates the frequently studied processes of self-justification and biased information processing but also highlights the potential importance of institutional explanations of escalation. New theory is proposed that integrates determinants of escalation from several levels of analysis overtime. It is proposed that escalation starts with project and psychological forces but can evolve overtime into a more structurally determined phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is a process which enables patients to communicate wishes, values, fears, and preferences for future medical care. Despite patient interest in ACP, the frequency of discussions remains low. Barriers to ACP may be mitigated by involving non-physician clinic staff, preparing patients ahead of visits, and using tools to structure visits. An ACP care pathway incorporating these principles was implemented in longitudinal generalist outpatient care, including primary care/family medicine and general internal medicine, in two Canadian provinces. This study aims to understand clinician experiences implementing the pathway. Methods: The pathway was implemented in one family practice in Alberta, two family practices in British Columbia (BC), and one BC internal medicine outpatient clinic. Physicians and allied health professionals delivered structured pathway visits based on the Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Twelve physicians and one social worker participated in interviews or focus groups at the end of the study period. Qualitative data were coded inductively using an iterative approach, with regular meetings between coders. Results: Clinicians described experiences with the ACP care pathway, impact at the clinician level, and impact at the patient level. Within each domain, clinicians described barriers and facilitators experienced during implementation. Clinicians also reflected candidly about potential for future implementation and the sustainability of the pathway. Conclusions: While the pathway was implemented slightly differently between provinces, core experiences were that implementation of the pathway, and integration with current practice, were feasible. Across settings, similar themes recurred regarding usefulness of the pathway structure and its tools, impact on clinician confidence and interactions with patients, teamwork and task delegation, compatibility with existing workflow, and patient preparation and readiness. Clinicians were supportive of ACP and of the pathway. Trial registration: The study was prospectively registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03508557). Registered April 25, 2018. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03508557. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food systems are complex and multifaceted, comprising a diverse range of actors, processes, and interactions. Participatory system mapping can be employed to help understand this complexity and support the development of sustainable and resilient food systems. This article shares a participatory mapping approach that has been developed as part of the Climate–Biodiversity–Health (CBH) Nexus project in the Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada. This research pursues two main aims: (1) to ground truth in the CBH system map of food systems, developed with the participation of stakeholders; and (2) to explain how participatory system mapping can be employed to clarify the complexity of food systems in a clear and concise manner for all stakeholders. This research contributes to the literature on participatory system mapping, including critiques of its practical utility, by employing participatory approaches to visualize multi-dimensional and multi-level system maps with an emphasis on verifying that they are clear, understandable/useful, and reliable for diverse stakeholder audiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government communication is now a large growth industry in many countries. Exactly what is meant by the term, however, varies from author to author. In this paper government communication is conceived as a policy tool or instrument, that is, as a means to give effect to policy goals. Key policy-relevant aspects of the term are examined including differences between the role of government communications in the 'front-end' of the public policy and production processes related to agenda-setting, policy formulation and producer activities as opposed to the 'back-end' of policy implementation, policy evaluation, consumption and distribution. TWo case studies of political and policy-related information campaigns in Canada, one dealing with Elections Canada at the federal level and the second with provincial health policy-making in British Columbia, are examined in order to discern patterns in the use of government communication tools useful as a basis for comparative inquiry into Democratic governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper examines state power and cultural marginalisation among Aboriginal women in a relatively remote area of north-western British Columbia, Canada. In this paper, I argue that intersecting state powers explain intra-generational ‘ethnic mobility’, that is, shifts in individual ethnic identity among Aboriginal women in this area. In order to understand these shifting identities I have used the idea of ‘structural violence’ (Farmer 2003, 8) to describe how power inequalities between people and the state affect impoverished and marginalised people in different ways, and how decisions made by others constrain their survival strategies . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the ways in which both fish farmers and environmentalists use frames to socially construct the salmon farming industry in British Columbia. Advertisements and other promotional materials contain movement actors' justifications for promoting or opposing the industry; these rationalizations are good reasons for understanding fish farming in a particular way. Because salmon environmentalists must both rely on what people already know, they create frames that direct the viewers's gaze of salmon aquaculture in surprisingly similar ways. It was found that frames created by both proponents and opponents of the industry are structured around the inter-related concepts of production, efficiency, and technology. As a result, farmed fish become natural-social hybrids. Farmed salmons are framed in both common-sensical and hyper-real ways as naturally efficient bits of living technology. This paper suggests that an awareness of the performance aspects of environmental farming allow people to live more astutely in a world of burgeoning controversy over natural resource issues.

New bedrock mapping completed as part of the Nechako NATMAP Project indicates that the area between Babine and Takla lakes in central British Columbia is underlain by rocks of the Early Permian Asitka, Late Triassic Takla, and Early to Middle Jurassic Hazelton volcanic-arc assemblages of the Stikine Terrane. These are cut by large composite stocks of quartz diorite, granodiorite, and quartz monzonite previously mapped as the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Topley intrusions. New U/Pb (n = 6) and laser [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar (n = 10) isotopic age dates reported in this paper suggest there are two distinct ages of plutons: the Topley intrusive suite with isotopic ages between 218 and 193 Ma; and, east of Babine Lake, the new Spike Peak intrusive suite with isotopic ages ranging from 179 to 166 Ma. West of the main plutonic belt is a thick volcanic succession of subaerial, porphyritic andesite flows, volcanic breccias, and rhyolitic ash-flow tuffs that have isotopic ages between 185 and 174 Ma. These rocks are assigned to the Saddle Hill Formation of the Hazelton Group. The plutonic roots of this proximal arc assemblage are most likely the coeval and compositionally similar plutons of the Spike Peak intrusive suite that have been unroofed in the area east of the Takla Fault. Major oxide and trace element data support the interpretation that the Topley and Spike Peak granitic rocks formed in a juvenile volcanic-arc environment and that magmatism is related to melts generated above a long-lived subduction zone of unknown orientation.Une nouvelle cartographie effectuée dans le cadre du projet NATMAP Nechako indique que la région entre les lacs Babine et Takla au centre de la Colombie-Britannique est recouverte de roches des assemblages d'arcs volcaniques du terrane de Stikine, soit Asitka du Permien précoce, Takla du Trias tardif et Hazelton du Jurassique précoce à moyen. Ces assemblages sont recoupés par des petits massifs intrusifs composites de diorite quartzique, de granodiorite et de monzonite quartzique qui avaient auparavant été cartographiés en tant que les intrusions Topley, du Trias tardif au Jurassique précoce. De nouvelles datations U-Pb (n = 6) et isotopes laser [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar (n = 10) présentées dans cet article suggèrent deux âges distincts de plutons, soit la suite intrusive de Topley avec des âges isotopiques entre 218 et 193 Ma et, à l'est du lac Babine, la nouvelle suite intrusive de Spike Peak dont les âges isotopiques varient de 179 à 166 Ma. À l'ouest de la ceinture plutonique principale se trouve une séquence volcanique épaisse d'écoulements subaériens d'andésite porphyrique, des brèches volcanique et des tufs d'écoulement de cendre rhyolitique dont les âges isotopiques varient entre 185 et 174 Ma. Ces roches sont assignées à la Formation de Saddle Hill du Groupe Hazelton. Les racines plutoniques de cet assemblage d'arc proximal sont fort probablement les plutons contemporains et à composition similaire de la suite intrusive de Spike Peak qui ont été décapés dans la région à l'est de la faille de Takla. Les données sur les principaux oxydes et les éléments traces corroborent l'interprétation que les roches granitiques de Topley et de Spike Peak se sont formées dans un environnement d'arc volcanique juvénile et que le magmatisme est relié aux fusions qui se sont produites au-dessus d'une ligne de subduction de longue durée mais dont l'orientation est inconnue.[Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New U/Pb and [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar isotopic dating in the Babine porphyry copper district of central British Columbia documents three distinct magmatic events at 107–104, 85–78, and 54–50 Ma. The earliest event involved emplacement of rhyolite domes into submarine volcanic rocks of the Rocky Ridge Formation. The rhyolite domes and related dacitic to basaltic volcanic rocks gave a U–Pb age of 107.9 ± 0.2 Ma and an [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar age of 104.8 ± 1.2 Ma. The rhyolites, which were previously mapped as Eocene, are reinterpreted to be part of a previously unrecognized mid-Cretaceous cauldron subsidence complex. The regionally extensive Late Cretaceous magmatic event is also recognized in the Babine district and is represented by [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar ages of 85.2 ± 2.8 and 78.3 ± 0.8 Ma on two Bulkley intrusions, one of which has associated porphyry copper mineralization. The final magmatic event is the most widespread and involved emplacement of the Babine intrusions and formation of numerous porphyry copper deposits including the Bell and Granisle past producers. Twenty-one new [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar isotopic ages for these intrusions and coeval andesites of the Newman Formation have a narrow range from 53.6 ± 0.9 to 49.9 ± 0.6 Ma, whereas previous K–Ar isotopic dating had a possible range of 15 Ma. The mid-Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous, and Eocene magmatic suites in the Babine district are interpreted to be part of a long-lived volcano-plutonic complex that was the site of periodic magmatism and porphyry copper mineralization over a 60 Ma time period. This complex may have evolved within a zone of extension (pull-apart basins) situated between dextral strike-slip faults that were active during periods of rapid oblique plate convergence.De nouvelles datations U–Pb et isotopiques [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar dans le district de cuivre porphyrique Babine, du centre de la Colombie-Britannique, documentent trois événements magmatiques distincts à 107–104 Ma, 85–78 Ma et 54–50 Ma. L'événement le plus précoce impliquait la mise en place de dômes de rhyolite dans les roches volcaniques sous-marines de la Formation de Rocky Ridge. Les dômes de rhyolite et les roches volcaniques apparentées dacitiques à basaltiques ont donné un âge U–Pb de 107,9 ± 0,2 Ma et un âge [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar de 104,8 ± 1,2 Ma. Les rhyolites, antérieurement cartographiées comme datant de l'Éocène, sont réinterprétées comme faisant partie d'un complexe de cuvettes d'effondrement auparavant non reconnues et qui dateraient du Crétacé moyen. Le magmatisme extensif régional du Crétacé tardif est aussi reconnu dans le district de Babine et il est représenté par des âges [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar de 85,2 ± 2,8 et 78,3 ± 0,8 Ma sur deux intrusions Bulkley, dont l'une présente une minéralisation associée de cuivre porphyrique. L'événement magmatique final est le plus répandu et il comprend la mise en place des intrusions Babine et la formation de nombreux gisements de cuivre porphyrique incluant les anciens gisements productifs de Bell et de Granisle. Vingt et un nouveaux âges [sup 40] Ar/[sup 39] Ar pour ces intrusions et des andésites contemporaines de la Formation Newman ont une plage étroite de 53,6 ± 0,9 à 49,9 ± 0,6 alors que des datations antérieures d'isotopes K–Ar avaient une plage de 15 Ma. Les suites magmatiques du Crétacé moyen, du Crétacé tardif et de l'Éocène dans le district de Babine sont interprétées comme faisant partie d'un complexe volcano-plutonique de longue durée où s'est produit du magmatisme périodique et de la minéralisation en cuivre porphyrique durant une période de 60 Ma. Ce complexe peut avoir évolué à l'intérieur d'une zone d'extension (basins d'extension) située entre des failles dextres à décrochement horizontal qui étaient actives durant les périodes de convergence rapide et oblique des plaques.[Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a model of wage and employment determination in a unionized industry is developed and estimated. The model incorporates rules governing union membership so that an insider-outsider model can be estimated. This approach allows the trade-off the union makes between wages and employment to vary depending on whether membership is growing or contracting. The model is estimated using data on the International Woodworkers of America and the wood products industry in British Columbia, Canada. The insider outsider model is consistently rejected in favour of models in which some positive weight is placed on all levels of employment. The results do suggest however that the weight the union places on employment decreases with the level of employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a simultaneous exploration of the within-city production of safety with the endogenous allocation of public inputs (police). Three issues are central. One is an examination of the local government allocation function. Second is that safety is specified as a congestible public service consistent with club theory. Finally, the model is estimated using a survey measure of crime. These innovations are due to a unique data set containing observations by neighbourhood in the city of Vancouver. The results are crucial for illustrating crime deterrence as well as the local public good nature of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate gastrointestinal (GI)‐related physician visits and drug dispensations in the 5 years preceding a first recorded demyelinating event or multiple sclerosis (MS) onset. Methods: Using linked administrative and clinical data from British Columbia (1996–2013), Canada, we identified an administrative cohort via a validated algorithm (n = 6863), a clinical cohort diagnosed at a MS clinic (n = 966), and matched controls (administrative cohort: n = 31,865; clinical cohort: n = 4534). In each cohort, the 5 years before a first demyelinating event or MS symptom onset (i.e., index date) were examined. We compared rates of GI‐related physician visits and risk of ≥1 GI‐related dispensation between MS cases and controls using negative binomial and robust Poisson models. Sex differences were tested using interaction terms. Results: The administrative cohort MS cases had higher rates of physician visits related to gastritis and duodenitis (adjusted rate/risk ratio (aRR):1.42, 95% CI: 1.10–1.83) and diseases of the esophagus (aRR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06–2.02) prior to the index date. MS cases also had greater risk of at least one dispensation for several drug classes, including constipation‐related (aRR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.50–2.22), antiemetics/antinauseants (aRR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.43–1.89), and propulsives (promotility drugs; aRR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.47–1.79). Men had a disproportionally higher relative risk for propulsives than women (aRR: men = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.79–3.00; women = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.36–1.72). Several findings were similar in the smaller clinical cohort though none reached statistical significance. Interpretation: GI‐related physician visits and drug dispensations were more common in the 5 years before the first demyelinating event versus matched controls. GI symptoms are a measurable feature of the prodromal or early phase of MS, with a sex difference evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Rural & Community Development is the property of Brandon University, Rural Development Institute 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.)

Colonies of the rugose corals Nemistium liardense sp. nov. and Heritschioides simplex sp. nov. were collected from limestone in the upper member of the Mattson Formation in the Liard Range in the Northwest Territories and are the only known identifiable coral species from the Mattson Fm. The Mattson Fm., deposited in the Liard Basin west of the syndepositional Bovie reverse fault, comprises sandstone with subordinate shale and carbonates deposited during several delta cycles. The close morphological similarity and identical mode of offsetting in N. liardense colonies from the Mattson Fm. and the allochthonous Stikine Terrane of British Columbia indicate they belong in the same species. This and the morphological similarity between H. simplex and the late Serpukhovian to early Bashkirian H. columbicum allow assignment of the coral-bearing part of the upper Mattson Fm. to Bashkirian Foraminiferal Biozone 20. Widespread occurrence of the genus Nemistium confirms open communication between the Liard Basin region and the western European and northern African seas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of mineral composition is essential for refined reservoir characterization, thermal conductivity and mechanical determinations of sedimentary rocks, but is extremely challenging in shale units due to the mineralogical complexity, low porosity and ultra‐low permeability. Direct mineral measurements derived from laboratory X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis on core samples and borehole geochemical logging tool (GLT), and conventional geophysical logs from vertical wells penetrating sediments are widely available in some basins, which enables detailed mineralogical characterization of a well. A hybrid machine learning (ML) architecture that improves model training and validation by combining convolutional neural network (CNN) with XGBoost allows accurate description of the mineralogical compositions across a basin. We applied this ML approach to predict the mineral compositions using conventional well logs from the Horn River Basin, northeast British Columbia, Canada, where extensive drilling for shale‐gas and conventional hydrocarbon resources, complemented by high temperature geothermal energy potential is ideal for case testing. The predicted mineral compositions from the ML approach are consistent with the mineralogical readings from the GLT and are confirmed by the XRD mineral measurements. This allows basin‐wide mineral compositions mapping that reveals spatial trends of major mineral compositions and their relationship with the previously recognized geomechanical and geological features, which have important implications for thermal conductivity modeling, reservoir evaluation and extensive geological studies. Key Points: A hybrid machine learning approach is applied to develop log‐mineral models for mineralogy characterization using geophysical well logsThe model‐predicted major mineral compositions are consistent with the mineral data from geochemical logging tool and XRD analysisThe Horn River Group shale is dominated by quartz, clay, and carbonate and shows great variability among the three formations in the basin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWH) and/or who inject drugs may experience lower vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Methods: A validated algorithm was applied to population‐based, linked administrative datasets in the British Columbia COVID‐19 Cohort (BCC19C) to ascertain HIV status and create a population of PLWH and matched HIV‐negative individuals. The study population was limited to individuals who received an RT‐PCR laboratory test for SARS‐CoV‐2 between 15 December 2020 and 21 November 2021 in BC, Canada. Any history of injection drug use (IDU) was ascertained using a validated administrative algorithm. We used a test‐negative study design (modified case−control analysis) and multivariable logistic regression to estimate adjusted VE by HIV status and history of IDU. Results: Our analysis included 2700 PLWH and a matched population of 375,043 HIV‐negative individuals, among whom there were 351 and 103,049 SARS‐CoV‐2 cases, respectively. The proportion of people with IDU history was much higher among PLWH compared to HIV‐negative individuals (40.7% vs. 4.3%). Overall VE during the first 6 months after second dose was lower among PLWH with IDU history (65.8%, 95% CI = 43.5–79.3) than PLWH with no IDU history (80.3%, 95% CI = 62.7–89.6), and VE was particularly low at 4–6 months (42.4%, 95% CI = −17.8 to 71.8 with IDU history vs. 64.0%; 95% CI = 15.7–84.7 without), although confidence intervals were wide. In contrast, overall VE was 88.6% (95% CI = 88.2–89.0) in the matched HIV‐negative population with no history of IDU and remained relatively high at 4–6 months after second dose (84.6%, 95% CI = 83.8–85.4). Despite different patterns of vaccine protection by HIV status and IDU history, peak estimates were similar (≥88%) across all populations. Conclusions: PLWH with a history of IDU may experience lower VE against COVID‐19 infection, although findings were limited by a small sample size. The lower VE at 4–6 months may have implications for booster dose prioritization for PLWH and people who inject drugs. The immunocompromising effect of HIV, substance use and/or co‐occurring comorbidities may partly explain these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opioid overdose crisis in Canada has dramatically worsened during the current COVID-19 pandemic. People who use opioids are dying at unprecedented rates, and a rapid expansion of available treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD) is needed. Injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) is an evidence-based treatment for OUD with a superior retention rate. However, iOAT is currently only available in seven specialized clinics across British Columbia, and many people who may benefit from iOAT cannot access it. In this commentary paper, we discuss evidence behind iOAT, outline barriers preventing greater access, and make suggestions around how to improve access to iOAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storm surges and waves are key climate-driven parameters affecting the design and operation of ports and other infrastructure on the coast. Reliable predictions of future storm surges and waves are not yet available for the west coast of Canada, and this data gap hinders effective climate risk assessment, planning and adaptation. This paper presents numerical simulations of storm surges and waves in British Columbia coastal waters under a future climate (Representative Concentration Pathway) scenario (RCP8.5). The numerical models were first forced by wind and surface pressure fields from the ERA-5 global reanalysis, and calibrated and validated using historical wave and water level records. The models were then driven by atmospheric data from four regional climate models (RCMs) to investigate potential changes in the frequency and magnitude of storm surges and extreme waves over the 21st century. The model outputs were analyzed to determine the potential impacts of climate change on storm surges and wave effects at key ports and transportation assets in western Canada. The study is the first of its kind to utilize unstructured, computational models to simulate storm surges and waves for the entire western Canada coastal region, while maintaining the high spatial resolution in coastal sub-basins needed to capture local dynamic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For indigenous peoples, recovering from colonial rule and aspiring to flourish, the revival of traditional decision making (TDM) is considered essential. However, transitioning from established colonial practices to TDMs is not well understood. In this paper we identify some of the challenges experienced by a First Nation urban community in the north east of British Columbia as they have tried to develop and implement a culturally-relevant child and family-centered traditional decision-making (TDM) process in the context of government-regulated child protection system. Specifically, we problematize a collaborative decision-making strategy--Family Group Conferencing (FGC). FGCs are premised on values of collaboration, participation, and empowerment, and because this strategy shares many of the values and aspirations of Traditional Decision-Making (TDM), there is a temptation to directly download and incorporate FGCs into the TDM model. In this paper we explore five challenges that warrant particular attention in developing TDM model in this contemporary context: 1) power, 2) cultural adaptability, 3) family support and prevention, 4) coordinator "neutrality", and 5) sustainable support. We conclude with eight recommendations to overcome these challenges while developing TDMs in a child protection context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades there has been increasing attention paid to 'shared' forms of governance and to the creation of new protected areas (PAs) that are designed to address 'non-biological' goals and values. The rationale for these initiatives has, in part, been based on the belief that well-designed systems of protected area governance will help to deliver desired outcomes and meet linked sociocultural, economic and environmental objectives. Addressing these questions has become increasingly important in British Columbia, where a number of First Nations are asserting increasing control over existing state-run protected areas, as well as establishing new protected areas and designing governance systems for them that deliver outcomes consonant with cultural beliefs, values and goals. This paper reports on an in-depth case study of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, with a focus on comparing how these physically adjacent protected areas with different objectives each attempt to meaningfully engage the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in PA governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Janjua et al. (2012) Transmission dynamics and risk factors for pandemic H1N1-related illness: outbreak investigation in a rural community of British Columbia, Canada. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), e54-e62. Objective To characterize the first-wave epidemiologic features of influenza-like illness (ILI) associated with the novel pandemic A/H1N1 [A(H1N1)pdm09] virus. Methods We used generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) to assess risk factors and non-parametric and/or parametric distributions to estimate attack rates, secondary attack rates (SAR), duration of illness, and serial interval during a laboratory-confirmed community outbreak of A(H1N1)pdm09 clustered around on-reserve residents and households of an elementary school in rural British Columbia, Canada, in late April/early May 2009. ILI details were collected as part of outbreak investigation by community telephone survey in early June 2009. Results Overall, 92/408 (23%) of participants developed ILI and 36/408 (9%) experienced medically attended ILI (MAILI). The overall SAR in households was 22%: highest among participants 1-4 years of age (yoa) (50%) followed by <1 yoa (38%), 5-8 yoa (20%), 10-19 yoa (13%), 20-49 yoa (20%), and 50-64 yoa (0%). The median serial interval was estimated at 3·5 days (95% CI: 2·1-5·1). In multivariable GLMM analysis, having a chronic condition (OR: 2·58; 95% CI: 1·1-6·04), younger age [1-8 yoa: OR: 4·63; 95% CI: 2·25-9·52; 9-19 yoa: OR: 1·95; 95% CI: 0·97-3·9 (referent: ≥20 yoa)] and receipt of 2008-2009 influenza vaccine (OR: 2·68; 95% CI: 1·37-5·25) were associated with increased risk of ILI. Median duration of illness was 9 days, longer among those with chronic conditions (21 days). Median time to seeking care after developing illness was 4·5 days. On-reserve participants had higher chronic conditions, household density, ILI, MAILI, and SAR. Conclusions During a community outbreak of A(H1N1)pdm09-related illness, we identified substantial clinical ILI attack rates exceeding 20% with secondary household attack rates as high as 50% in young children. The serial interval was short suggesting a narrow period to prevent transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic material, including total and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), is ubiquitous within aquatic ecosystems, playing a variety of important and diverse biogeochemical and ecological roles. Determining how land-use changes affect DOC concentrations and bioavailability within aquatic ecosystems is an important means of evaluating the effects on ecological productivity and biogeochemical cycling. This paper presents a methodology case study looking at the deployment of a submersible UV-Vis absorbance spectrophotometer (UV-Vis spectro::lyzer model, s::can, Vienna, Austria) to determine stream organic carbon dynamics within a headwater catchment located near Campbell River (British Columbia, Canada). Field-based absorbance measurements of DOC were made before and after forest harvest, highlighting the advantages of high temporal resolution compared to traditional grab sampling and laboratory measurements. Details of remote deployment are described. High-frequency DOC data is explored by resampling the 30 min time series with a range of resampling time intervals (from daily to weekly time steps). DOC export was calculated for three months from the post-harvest data and resampled time series, showing that sampling frequency has a profound effect on total DOC export. DOC exports derived from weekly measurements were found to underestimate export by as much as 30% compared to DOC export calculated from high-frequency data. Additionally, the importance of the ability to remotely monitor the system through a recently deployed wireless connection is emphasized by examining causes of prior data losses, and how such losses may be prevented through the ability to react when environmental or power disturbances cause system interruption and data loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing that older adults are among the biggest consumers of medication, and the demographic group most likely to suffer an adverse drug reaction (ADR), this paper details the findings from a recent study on how older adults come to understand medication and its related use. Using a qualitative content analysis method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 individuals from British Columbia, Canada. Study participants ranged in age from 65 to 89 years (male=9, female=11). Using NVIVO† 7 software, data were subjected to comparative thematic content analysis in an effort to capture the role of medication use in the context of everyday living as understood by older adults. While there was variability in how older adults come to understand their medication use, an overarching theme was revealed whereby most participants identified their prescription medications as being life-sustaining and prolonging. Deeper thematic content analysis of participant narratives drew attention to three key areas: (A) medications are viewed as a necessary, often unquestioned, aspect of day-to-day life (B) a relationship is perceived to exist between the amount of medications taken and ones current state of health (C) the overall medication experience is positively or negatively influenced by the doctor patient relationship and the assumption that it is the physicians role to communicate medication information that will support everyday living. The article concludes that medical authority and the complexities surrounding medication use need to undergo significant revision if community dwelling older adults are to experience greater success in safely managing their health and medication-related needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the various tools and data sources in British Columbia (Canada) that can be used by environmental consultants to assess the potential of cross-contamination between shale gas formation fluids and shallow aquifers from hydraulic fracturing and related oil and gas activities. A systematic approach for evaluating the potential of cross-contamination using these data sources is applied to a specific case study at an undisclosed location in the northeastern part of the province. This approach includes defining and then evaluating the basic criteria for assessing the potential of cross-contamination. These criteria are: a leak source; a driving force such as buoyancy or head differential and a leakage pathway. This study has revealed that there is a potential of cross-contamination due to hydraulic fracturing activities and wellbore integrity issues. Wellbore integrity can be compromised by induced seismic events or by unintentional communication with offset hydraulic fractured wells. Induced seismicity is linked to the activity of hydraulic fracturing as well as to the deep disposal of wastewater. • A shale gas database in Canada is investigated for wellbore integrity. • Wellbore leakage and cross-contamination can occur with shale gas extracting wells. • Induced seismicity from hydraulic fracturing and disposal wells can damage wellbores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precarious employment is a labour practice characterized for employers by flexibility and economic efficiencies and for workers by vulnerability and uncertainty as to job duration, scheduling, benefits, and pay. It is increasingly common in Canada and can result in physical, mental, financial, and social strain for people who experience it. In libraries, it can have negative effects on individual workers, organizational health, and service quality. However, literature on precarious library work is scarce, and it is unclear how it affects the library field or how its effects compare to those described in the broader literature. The purpose of this study was to gather information about library workers' perceptions and experiences of precarious employment and to see how it played out in library settings. Thirteen library workers both with and without experiences of precarious employment in British Columbia participated in semi-structured interviews, which were synthesized into a narrative summarizing their thoughts and experiences. Results indicated that precarious work mainly benefited library organizations from scheduling and financial standpoints, while negative outcomes were more numerous, more salient, and affected both individuals and organizations. Participants also identified opportunities and challenges for future changes to precarious employment situations. Awareness of such perceptions and experiences may help to spark conversations and increase support for those experiencing negative effects from precarious work, and it can serve to reduce or eliminate factors leading to those effects. However, failure to address them can result in negative outcomes for library workers and organizations, such as stress, marginalization, burnout, turnover, leaving the field, reduced service quality, and more. Accordingly, this paper provides some of the first qualitative information on precarious employment in libraries and can be used to support broader discussions about the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spring 2002, an atmospheric measurement site was established at the peak of Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Canada to measure trace gases, particle chemistry and physics, and meteorology. This paper uses continuous measurements from March 2002 to December 2006 to investigate the influence of trans-Pacific transport and North American forest fires on both O3 and CO at Whistler. Annual mean mixing ratios of O3 and CO were 41 ppbv (monthly means of 35-48 ppbv) and 145 ppbv (monthly means of 113-177 ppbv) respectively with both species exhibiting an annual cycle of late-winter to early-spring maxima and summer minima. The absence of a broad summer O3 peak differs from previously-reported high altitude sites in the western US. The highest monthly-averaged O3 and CO mixing ratios relative to the 5-yr monthly means were seen in fall 2002 and spring 2003 with increased O3 and CO of 10% and 25% respectively. These increases correspond to anomalously-high values reported at other Northern Hemisphere sites and are attributed to fires in the Russian Federation. Air mass back trajectory analysis is used to associate the mean enhancements of O3 and CO with trans-Pacific transported or North American air masses relative to the Pacific background. Mean values of the enhancements for March to June in trans-Pacific air masses were 6 ppbv and 16 ppbv for O3 and CO respectively. In summers 2002-2006, higher CO and O3 mixing ratios were almost always observed in North American air masses and this relative enhancement co-varied for each year with the western US and Canada total wild- fire area. The greatest enhancements in O3 and CO were seen in 2004, a record year for forest fires in Alaska and the Yukon Territory with average O3 and CO mixing ratios 13 and 43 ppbv above background values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an overview of British Columbia's (B.C.) educational history, interwoven with descriptions of textbooks. Focusing on social studies textbooks, this article explores change and continuity in the history of public schooling, paying attention to whether citizens were conceptualized as active, passive, or patriotic citizens. It identifies four key periods: the establishment of public schools in B.C., the rise of the Progressivist movement in the 1930s and reaction to it, advocacy of Bruner's structure of disciplines in the 1960s, and pendulum swings in philosophic orientations in the latter part of the twentieth century. The article illustrates connections between contemporary philosophies and textbooks, and identifies continuity and change in the content and aims of the textbooks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Sociology is the property of Canadian Journal of Sociology 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.)