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Copyright of German Journal of Forced Migration & Refugee Studies / Zeitschrift für Flüchtlingsforschung (Z'Flucht) is the property of Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG 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.)

This article reflects on a turning point in how Canadians respond to climate change. The article summarizes research on urban flood risk and resilience in the city of Ottawa. The research involved semi-structured interviews with municipal representatives and developers in Ottawa, and began with extensive background exploration on the politics of urban development and climate change. Our findings indicate escalating debates between key public and private stakeholders--the regulators and producers of housing--regarding approaches to protecting neighbourhoods from flooding. Debates stem from inconsistent pressures imposed (or not imposed) by the market, insurers, three levels of government, geography, differing time horizons and ambiguities in climate projections. Overall, stakeholders appear siloed in their responses to climate change, which limits opportunities to collaborate on geographically-specific and community-based flood resilience. The project increased our understanding of how private and public sector actors negotiate policies, guidelines, and regulations intended to improve the resilience of Ottawa neighbourhoods. Our approach is unique, as there is scant research to date on how the building industry in Canada is responding to climate change and flood risk. The research adds to the growing body of Canadian scholarship on urban development and climate change adaptation. Research results are of interest to municipal policymakers, urban planners, urban studies researchers, the development industry, financial institutions, insurers, and urban sustainability advocates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health communication is critical for promoting behaviours that can prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of public health communication within Canada's African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities. In the community sample of ACB people in Ottawa, Ontario, we asked community members if they perceive public health message related to COVID-19 to be effective. Using this question, the current study aimed to explore factors associated with the perceived usefulness of public health messages related to COVID-19. Results from the multivariate analysis have shown that ACB people with lower levels of risk perception for COVID-19 were less likely to perceive that public health messages were useful (OR = 0.405, p < 0.01). In addition, mistrust in government COVID-19 information was also negatively associated with their perception that health messages are useful (OR = 0.169, p < 0.01). For socioeconomic status, ACB people with no high school diploma (OR = 0.362, p < 0.05) and income dissatisfaction (OR = 0.431, p < 0.05) were less likely to report the perceived usefulness compared to those with a bachelor's degree and income satisfaction. Based on these findings, we discussed implications for policymakers and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health communication is critical for promoting behaviours that can prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of public health communication within Canada’s African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities. In the community sample of ACB people in Ottawa, Ontario, we asked community members if they perceive public health message related to COVID-19 to be effective. Using this question, the current study aimed to explore factors associated with the perceived usefulness of public health messages related to COVID-19. Results from the multivariate analysis have shown that ACB people with lower levels of risk perception for COVID-19 were less likely to perceive that public health messages were useful (OR = 0.405, p < 0.01). In addition, mistrust in government COVID-19 information was also negatively associated with their perception that health messages are useful (OR = 0.169, p < 0.01). For socioeconomic status, ACB people with no high school diploma (OR = 0.362, p < 0.05) and income dissatisfaction (OR = 0.431, p < 0.05) were less likely to report the perceived usefulness compared to those with a bachelor’s degree and income satisfaction. Based on these findings, we discussed implications for policymakers and directions for future research.

Vaccines have been identified as a crucial strategy to control the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its impact. However, there are concerns about the acceptance of vaccines within African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities. Based on a community sample of ACB people in Ottawa, Ontario (n = 375), the current study aimed to use logistic regression analysis and identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine willingness. A multivariate analysis shows that ACB people who believed that the ACB population is at a higher risk for COVID-19 were more likely to be willing to receive the vaccine compared to those who did not (OR = 1.79, p < 0.05). ACB people who had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine were more likely to be willing to receive it in the future (OR = 2.75, p < 0.05), and trust in government COVID-19 information was also positively associated with vaccine willingness (OR = 3.73, p < 0.01). In addition, English-speaking respondents were more willing to receive the vaccine compared to French-speaking respondents (OR = 3.21, p < 0.01). In terms of socioeconomic status, ACB people with a post-graduate degree (OR = 2.21, p < 0.05) were more likely to report vaccine willingness compared to those without a bachelor’s degree. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for policymakers and directions for future research.

Background & aim: Colonoscopy is the main method of colon examination. Acceptable bowel preparation plays an effective role in examining the bowel. Diagnosis and treatment of colon polyps or non-bulging lesions such as vascular malformations and serrated polyps depend on the degree of intestinal cleanliness at the time of assessment. On the other hand, insufficient preparation makes the evaluation more difficult, the evaluation is incomplete, increases the time of colonoscopy and the need to repeat the procedure, and this increases the cost. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine and prepare the large intestine for colonoscopy with pidrolox produced in Iran with and without Senagraf syrup in two centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In the present prospective, double-blind descriptive study conducted in 2016 on 273 patients in need of non-emergency colonoscopy referred to Shahid Motahari and Shahid Faqihi clinics of Shiraz, Iran, 227 patients were randomly selected into two drug (111) and control groups. (116) were categorized and studied. The effect of adding Senagraf to pidrolox manufactured in Iran with pidrolox along with placebo on the level of intestinal readiness (based on Ottawa scoring) in eligible patients (20-78 years old) who were willing to enter the study was investigated and compared. Collected data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square statistical tests. Results: The average score of intestinal cleanliness in whole and as well by different parts, in the drug group, was lower than the control group, which confirms better preparation (p=0.001). Compared to older people, younger people had cleaner intestines (p=0.001). The level of bowel preparation in female patients was also better than male patients (p=0.001). The travel time from the rectum to the cecum and the return time from the cecum to the rectum were significantly less than the control group (p=0.001). No significant side effects were observed in both groups. Conclusion: Adding senna to Iranian polyethylene glycol (PEG) before colonoscopy increased bowel preparation and reduces colonoscopy time, without causing additional side effects.

This paper examines the relationship between individual feelings of aversion, fear, and disgust of city spaces and broader systems of cognitive urban zoning. We analyze interviews conducted in four distinct urban areas of Ottawa, Canada, working with an open-ended method to learn about how urban individuals understand the concept of “risk.” We identify fear of crime as a central risk perceived by the respondents and observe how they construct boundaries between themselves and perceived “risky” zones, occurrences, and bodies. Drawing from Kristeva’s theory of abjection, we trace a semiotic system of Othering in the respondents’ narratives, examining the symbolic cleansing that occurs when respondents attempt to differentiate themselves from what they perceive as encroaching Otherness. With focus on claims about four distinct neighbourhoods, we argue that risk in the city is configured through physical and imaginative mobilities, through which inhabitants construct boundaries and attempts to cleanse or purify “risky” spaces. We conclude that the sense of abjection and/or the experience of aversion is a way that fear is mapped onto cities. This research shows how city spaces are zoned through fear-based semiotic systems. We also raise questions about the relationship between these semiotic systems and actual tangible threats in these spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) clinical decision rules can provide successful results in the differential diagnosis of non-traumatic headache. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate whether a laboratory parameter that can be added to clinical decision-making rules can better predict subarachnoid haemorrhages in patients presenting to the emergency department with headache. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study between March 2017 and March 2019. Patients over the age of 18 who admitted to the emergency department with non-traumatic, acute headache last 14 days before admission and evaluated by imaging and laboratory studies were included in the study. Results: A total of 867 patients were included and 141 of them had SAH. In detecting the SAH, Ottawa SAH rule sensitivity (85.1%), specificity (47.1%), positive predictive value (PPV) (23.8%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (94.2%), and for EMERALD SAH, rule sensitivity (96.4%), specificity (43.2%), PPV (24.8%) and NPV (98.4%). In the regression analysis, statistically significant result was obtained to exclude the diagnosis of SAH with the decrease in the eosinophil value (cutoff < 0.085 10^3/µL, OR: 0.011, 95% CI: 0.001–0.213, p = 0.003). When eosinophil value was added to EMERALD SAH rule, it provided a 100% of sensitivity, a 38.4% of specificity, a 24% of PPV and a 100% of NPV in detecting the SAH. Conclusions: EMERALD SAH rule plus eosinophil, which offers 100% sensitivity and NPV for predicting SAH in adult non-traumatic headaches, may be recommended as a successful and practical decision rule for clinical use according to the Ottawa and EMERALD SAH rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccines have been identified as a crucial strategy to control the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its impact. However, there are concerns about the acceptance of vaccines within African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities. Based on a community sample of ACB people in Ottawa, Ontario (n = 375), the current study aimed to use logistic regression analysis and identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine willingness. A multivariate analysis shows that ACB people who believed that the ACB population is at a higher risk for COVID-19 were more likely to be willing to receive the vaccine compared to those who did not (OR = 1.79, p < 0.05). ACB people who had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine were more likely to be willing to receive it in the future (OR = 2.75, p < 0.05), and trust in government COVID-19 information was also positively associated with vaccine willingness (OR = 3.73, p < 0.01). In addition, English-speaking respondents were more willing to receive the vaccine compared to French-speaking respondents (OR = 3.21, p < 0.01). In terms of socioeconomic status, ACB people with a post-graduate degree (OR = 2.21, p < 0.05) were more likely to report vaccine willingness compared to those without a bachelor's degree. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for policymakers and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the significance of salvaging and reusing materials from demolished modern heritage buildings. It discusses concepts like "urban mining" and building deconstruction, emphasizing the benefits and impacts of reclaiming materials for future use. The article acknowledges the challenges and ethical considerations associated with demolition and reuse, and highlights the potential of urban mining to promote a circular economy and resource conservation. It also discusses the limited capacity for materials salvage and the need to assess existing building stock and the extractive nature of architecture. The article provides examples of limited materials reuse in Ottawa, particularly the timber reclamation efforts at the Ottawa Airport Terminal 2. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of salvage and reuse design in conservation projects and the need for collaboration among stakeholders. [Extracted from the article]

An introduction is presented in which the author discusses articles within the issue on topics including the drawing convention of the analytique as a means of understanding the complex life of a building, scale of refusal to civilization, and deviance as refusal in South African shebeens or drinking establishments.

As a child of Vietnamese refugees who settled in suburban Mississauga in Ontario, Thompson Cong Nguyen describes his hybrid cultural identity, queerness and complex inter‐relations with the historic ritual of his ancestors and the divergent manifestations of Canadian society. He does so through the design of the set of transportable altars that were part of his MArch thesis at the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism at Carleton University in Ottawa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depictions of ideal bodies, whether by Leonardo da Vinci or Le Corbusier, and their importation into the strictures of architecture and space‐making generally, ignore a multitude of other bodies. Quilian Riano, Interim Dean of Pratt Institute's School of Architecture in Brooklyn, New York, looks at these other bodies and describes an inclusive, pluralistic future for architecture and the way it is taught. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contexte : L’Agence de la santé publique du Canada estime qu’environ 87 % des personnes vivant avec le virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH) au Canada ont été diagnostiquées, ce qui est bien en deçà de l’objectif du Programme commun des Nations Unies sur le VIH/sida de faire diagnostiquer 95 % des personnes séropositives. La recherche a montré que l’auto-test du VIH peut aider à augmenter ces diagnostics, en particulier parmi les populations les plus touchées par le VIH. L’objectif de l’étude était de déterminer les résultats de l’adoption et du diagnostic associés à l’auto-test gratuit du VIH. Méthodes : Nous avons élaboré le premier programme d’auto-test du VIH gratuit en ligne au Canada et l’avons mis en œuvre à Ottawa. Ce projet a été réalisé en collaboration avec le site Web www.GetaKit.ca. Nous avions l’intention de recruter de 150 à 400 participants sur une période de 6 à 12 mois, en estimant que ce nombre donnerait de 0 à 1 résultats positifs (le taux de positivité prévu est de 0,08 %). Résultats : Entre le 20 juillet 2020 et le 1er avril 2021, 1 268 personnes ont consulté le site Web de GetaKit et vérifié leur admissibilité. Au total, 600 personnes étaient admissibles et 405 ont commandé une trousse de dépistage du VIH. Parmi ceux qui ont commandé une trousse, 399 ont rempli un questionnaire de référence. Dans l’ensemble, 71 % de ces participants étaient membres des groupes prioritaires de lutte contre le VIH. Pour ce qui est des résultats de test, 228 personnes ont déclaré des résultats de test, dont un était positif, soit un taux de positivité de 0,24 % au total et de 0,44 % des résultats déclarés. Ces taux dépassent ceux qui sont normalement observés à Ottawa. Conclusion : L’auto-test du VIH peut être efficacement mis en œuvre par l’accès à un site Web. Une telle intervention sera également utilisée par les personnes atteintes d’infections non diagnostiquées et il semble que cette utilisation se fasse à un taux supérieur à celui observé par les autres moyens de dépistage. L’auto-test du VIH pourrait donc aider le Canada à atteindre les cibles 95-95-95 des Nations Unies.

Background: The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that about 87% of persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Canada have been diagnosed, which is well below the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS target to have 95% of HIV-positive persons diagnosed. Research has shown that HIV self-testing may help increase such diagnoses, especially among the populations who are most affected by HIV. The objective of the study was to determine the uptake and diagnosis outcomes associated with free HIV self-testing. Methods: We developed the first online mailout free HIV self-testing program in Canada and implemented it in Ottawa. This project ran through the website, www.GetaKit.ca. We intended to recruit 150–400 participants over a 6–12-month period, estimating that this number would yield between 0–1 positive test results (expected positivity rate of 0.08%). Results: Between July 20, 2020 and April 1, 2021, 1,268 people accessed the GetaKit website and verified their eligibility. In total, 600 persons were eligible and 405 ordered an HIV kit. Of those who ordered a kit, 399 completed a baseline survey. Overall, 71% of these participants were members of HIV priority groups. For test results, 228 persons reported test results, with one being positive, for a positivity rate of 0.24% overall and 0.44% of reported results. These rates exceed that normally observed in Ottawa. Conclusion: Self-testing of HIV can be effectively delivered through a website. Such an intervention will also be used by persons with undiagnosed infections and appears to do so at a rate higher than that observed by other means of testing. Self-testing of HIV may therefore help Canada achieve the United Nations 95-95-95 targets.

Art, architecture and urbanism practice Metis was founded by Professor Mark Dorrian, Forbes Chair in Architecture, and Adrian Hawker, MArch Programme Director, at the University of Edinburgh. Metis has a long history of proposing extraordinary architectures, whether in building form or as interventions in existing spaces. Architect and academic Peter Salter uses the lens of Francis Bacon's painting to view their creative tactics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Ottawa Rules are clinical decision tools designed to assist healthcare providers in determining the need for radiographs in patients with ankle or knee injuries. Compliance with these rules can lead to more efficient use of resources and reduced radiation exposure., Objective: This retrospective clinical audit aimed to evaluate healthcare provider's compliance with the Ottawa Rules in an Emergency Department setting and assess the positivity rates of requested knee and ankle X-rays., Methods: A two-cycle retrospective audit was conducted at Lincoln County Hospital's Emergency Department, involving 648 X-rays collected in two cycles. In between, multiple interventions were implemented to improve the outcomes., Results: The study revealed varying levels of compliance with the Ottawa Rules, with higher compliance observed for knee X-rays than ankle X-rays. The compliance for knee X-rays improved from 74.6% to 89.9% and ankle X-rays improved from 33.1% to 75.8%. Positivity rates for ankle radiographs were higher than knee radiographs in both cycles. The interventions implemented between the cycles significantly improved compliance rates with the Ottawa Rules., Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of adherence to the Ottawa Rules in optimizing patient care and resource utilization. The study suggests the need for continued education and periodic audits to maintain and further improve compliance rates. Additionally, the higher positivity rates for ankle radiographs highlight the importance of targeted imaging strategies based on clinical guidelines., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Clinical Governance Department, Lincoln County Hospital issued approval first cycle (L0928) and second cycle (L1116). Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Dalla Ali et al.)

City Halls are supposed to weather and age well; and Ottawa's city hall is a thoughtful attempt at achieving a quality which modern architects often find so elusive: permanence.

Background: The Ottawa Ankle Rules (OARs) and Shetty test (ST), are assessment guidelines intended to minimize radiographs in patients with ankle trauma. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the effectiveness of OARs and ST in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) with foot and ankle trauma.Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out in the ED of a tertiary care teaching hospital. OARs and ST were practiced by different doctors to patients, who were admitted with foot and ankle trauma. X-ray images were analyzed by a radiologist. Accuracy measures were covered such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value.Results: The study was completed a total of 207 patients, after achieving the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age of the patients was 33.1±16.3, and 96 (46.4%) were female. For OARs, it was determined that as sensitivity 97.22%, specificity 48.89%, positive predictive value 50.36%, negative predictive value 97.06%, positive likelihood ratio 1.9 and negative likelihood ratio 0.06. If the OARs had been used, there would have been a 32.8% reduction in the ankle X-ray system. For the ST, it was determined that as sensitivity 51.39%, specificity 85.93%, positive predictive value 66.07%, negative predictive value 76.82%, positive likelihood ratio 3.65 and negative likelihood ratio 0.57.Discussion: The OARs can be used as a screening tool, due to causing the high sensitivity in foot and ankle traumas. The ST was found to be inefficient in this study. In addition, the significant reduction in the number of X-rays with the use of OARs is another major result of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates issues of national identity and multi-level governance within Confederation Boulevard, the heart of Canada's National Capital Region. We develop a framework that combines the literature on cultural districts and multi-level governance and analyse the plans written by the National Capital Commission (NCC) from the 1980s to the 2010s. Through the lens of cultural districts, we focus on urban form as a whole, instead of considering just specific artifacts or buildings, and uncover how over time the NCC is designing a representation of national identity moving towards multiculturalism. Moreover, the lens of cultural districts delineates a space for multi-level governance revealing the emergence of dynamics of negotiation among different levels of government towards territorial cooperation. This analysis of Confederation Boulevard contributes to the literature on planning capital cities beyond the specific case, adding to our understanding of (1) urban representation of national identity and (2) dynamics of a layered governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previously unknown population of American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), a native shrub species, has been discovered in the Ottawa district. This location is disjunct from the species' nearest known populations. Although American Hazelnut is not a particularly conspicuous species, it was found in a relatively well documented area. The location includes remnant vegetation from the Constance Bay Sandhills, a former savannah habitat, including other species whose occurrence in the region is disjunct. American Hazelnut is strongly affiliated with savannahs and related habitats across Ontario and the upper midwest of the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]