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The article discusses that Pope Francis came to Canada to apologize to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada for the Roman Catholic Church's involvement in residential schools. It discusses the challenges faced by the Francis due to the discovery of several unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools.

OBJECTIVE:To review the incidence, associated factors, methods of diagnosis, and maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with uterine rupture in one Canadian province.METHODS:Using a perinatal database, all cases of uterine rupture in the province of Nova Scotia for the 10-year period 1988–1997 were identified and the maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity reviewed in detail.RESULTS:Over the 10 years, there were 114,933 deliveries with 39 cases of uterine rupture: 18 complete and 21 incomplete (dehiscence). Thirty-six women had a previous cesarean delivery: 33 low transverse, two classic, one low vertical. Of the 114,933 deliveries, 11,585 (10%) were in women with a previous cesarean delivery. Uterine rupture in those undergoing a trial for vaginal delivery (4516) was complete rupture in 2.4 per 1000 and dehiscence in 2.4 per 1000. There were no maternal deaths, and maternal morbidity was low in patients with dehiscence. In comparison, 44% of those with complete uterine rupture received blood transfusion (odds ratio 7.60, 95% confidence interval 1.14, 82.14, P = .025). Two perinatal deaths were attributable to complete uterine rupture, one after previous cesarean delivery. Compared with dehiscence, infants born after uterine rupture had significantly lower 5-minute Apgar scores (P < .001) and asphyxia, needing ventilation for more than 1 minute (P < .01).CONCLUSION:In 92% of cases, uterine rupture was associated with previous cesarean delivery. Uterine dehiscence was associated with minimal maternal and perinatal morbidity. In contrast, complete uterine rupture was associated with significantly more maternal blood transfusion andneonatal asphyxia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Late-spawning Fraser River sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka , stocks have suffered significant prespawn mortality associated with an unusually early freshwater migration pattern and the myxosporean parasite Parvicapsula minibicornis . Surveys of migrating adult salmon from several spawning populations were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine the extent of infection with P. minibicornis , when and where the parasite first becomes detectable during migration, and whether early migrating stocks might be used as sentinels to assess risk of infection in late-spawning stocks. Posterior kidney, preserved in 95% ethanol, was examined for P. minibicornis in stained histological sections and using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The prevalence of this parasite in all Fraser River sockeye salmon stocks examined was high (range 47–100% infected). In contrast, P. minibicornis was not detected in the fish tested from the two sockeye salmon stocks outside the Fraser River drainage in either 1999 or 2000. The parasite was also not detected histologically or by PCR in the kidney tissue of the fish from the Fraser River that were sampled in salt water or early during their freshwater migration up the river. These findings and the progression in the prevalence and intensity of infection as the fish from three stocks (early Stuart, Weaver Creek and Cultus Lake) were monitored over time, suggest salmon acquired the parasite either in the lower Strait of Georgia or in the lower Fraser River before the confluence of the Harrison River. In both 1999 and 2000 the parasite was present in all Fraser River sockeye salmon stocks sampled, which suggests that early Stuart salmon may be valuable as a sentinel stock for the presence of the parasite in later-spawning stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A joint Japanese/Canadian research cruise was carried out during May and June 1994 off the west coast of Canada to obtain two independent estimates of the in situ target strength (TS) of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus). Two vessels with independent quantitative echosounder systems were used. One was equipped with 120 and 50 kHz transducers, while the other used 38 kHz. The 120 kHz transducer featured a quasi-ideal beam pattern with a relatively flat response near the beam axis and low side lobes. Different single-beam TS estimation procedures were used to estimate TS from either system. Fish targets were identified by midwater trawling on the same or the next day. On one occasion both vessels were used to fish and measure TS simultaneously. The observed mean night-time TS for adult hake ranged from −36.4 to −30.4 dB kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Uranium ore concentrate (UOC) is an important nuclear material of interest for Canada. A large scale analytical program is being led by the Directorate of Security and Safeguards (DSS) of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to establish a reference dataset of UOCs that have passed through and/or are currently under Canadian regulatory control. Isotopic ratios are among the signatures being captured under the reference dataset. Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) has been used for the measurement and assessment of 236U/238U and 187Os/188Os, respectively. Furthermore, since UOCs have uranium typically concentrated to ≥70% by weight, a direct-AMS assay method is possible wherein the samples can be measured without time consuming chemical digestion and processing. Using this direct-AMS approach, several related ratios (231Pa/238U, 230Th/238U, 226Ra/238U) were also assessed within the data acquisition sequence used for measuring the 236U/238U ratios, and 185Re, 187Re and 187Os, 188Os, 191Ir and 193Ir in the sequence for the 187Os/188Os ratios. The sum of these results can be shown together in a "bar-code" pattern to strengthen the capability for UOC source identification. Unexpectedly large 236U/238U ratios (up to ≥1 × 10−7) have been found in several UOC samples. The 187Os/188Os ratio has also been shown for the first time to be a viable supplementary signature of UOCs. This work shows that the direct-AMS method has the potential to become an effective tool for nuclear forensics provenance assessment applications with UOCs. The implications of the results, and the need for further refinement of the sputter target preparation, as well as the Cs+ sputter ion source itself, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Radioiodine, 129I is a biophilic and mobile radionuclide, and a major contaminant of concern for long term radioactive waste disposal. Nuclear fuel reprocessing has released large amounts of anthropogenic 129I in a number of locations globally; this has led to an increase in the concentration of 129I and the 129I/127I ratio in the environment. Therefore, a detailed understanding of its movement and concentration in the environment is essential. While 129I dispersion has been examined in the vicinity of nuclear activities, little is known about its accumulation in remote regions. Accordingly, we have undertaken reconnaissance sampling in the Arctic as a location that may be affected by 129I fallout. Samples from large watersheds were collected in northern Canada on a trajectory starting in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory (60°43′00″N) and moving north to Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territory (67°26′26″N). Results show concentrations of 129I up to 27×106 atoms/L are present in Northwest Canada and 129I/I ratios up to 1.68×10−10. Annual 129I fallout ranges from 2.78×109 to 7.95×109 atoms/m2/yr, calculated by normalizing the measured values to watershed area and discharge. These quantities substantially exceed literature values for waters containing only geogenic or cosmogenic production and are similar for all watersheds regardless of watershed area or discharge. Anthropogenic releases of 129I into the atmosphere or oceans are the major potential sources of 129I in the Arctic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]