Search

Covering 55% of Canada's total surface area and stretching from coast to coast to coast, the Canadian boreal zone is crucial to the nation's economic and ecological integrity. Although often viewed as relatively underdeveloped, it is vulnerable to numerous stressors such as mining, forestry, and anthropogenic climate change. Natural archives preserved in lake sediments can provide key insights by quantifying pre-disturbance conditions (pre-1850 CE) and the nature, magnitude, direction, and speed of environmental change induced by anthropogenic stressors over the past ~150 years. Here, we paired a review of paleolimnological literature of the Canadian boreal zone with analyses of published sediment core data to highlight the effects of climate change, catchment disturbances, and atmospheric deposition on boreal lakes. Specifically we conducted quantitative syntheses of two lake health indicators: elemental lead (Pb) and chlorophyll a. Segmented regressions and Mann--Kendall trend analysis revealed a generally increasing trend in elemental Pb across the boreal zone until ~1970 CE, followed by a generally decreasing trend to the present. Snapshot comparisons of sedimentary chlorophyll a from recent and pre-industrial sediments (i.e., top-bottom sediment core design) revealed that a majority of sites have increased over time, suggesting a general enhancement in lake primary production across the boreal zone. Collectively this body of work demonstrates that long-term sediment records offer a critical perspective on ecosystem change not accessible through routine monitoring programs. We advocate using modern datasets in tandem with paleolimnology to establish baseline conditions, measure ecosystem changes, and set meaningful management targets. Key words: paleolimnology, Taiga, metals, eutrophication, environmental monitoring, Introduction Stretching across the circumpolar north, the boreal zone is central to the economic and ecological integrity of the eight countries that host this ecosystem (Brandt 2009). Within the boreal [...]

IntroductionDysferlin loss-of-function mutations cause muscular dystrophy, accompanied by impaired membrane repair and muscle weakness. Growth promoting strategies including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) could provide benefit but may cause strength loss or be ineffective. The objective of this study was to determine whether locally increased IGF-1 promotes functional muscle hypertrophy in dysferlin-null (Dysf-/- ) mice.MethodsMuscle-specific transgenic expression and postnatal viral delivery of Igf1 were used in Dysf-/- and control mice. Increased IGF-1 levels were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Testing for skeletal muscle mass and function was performed in male and female mice.ResultsMuscle hypertrophy occurred in response to increased IGF-1 in mice with and without dysferlin. Male mice showed a more robust response compared with females. Increased IGF-1 did not cause loss of force per cross-sectional area in Dysf-/- muscles.DiscussionWe conclude that increased local IGF-1 promotes functional hypertrophy when dysferlin is absent and reestablishes IGF-1 as a potential therapeutic for dysferlinopathies.

Interventions are needed to address frailty and other behaviors (e.g., drug and alcohol use) among prefrail and frail homeless women (P/FHW). The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to compare the efficacy of a Frailty Intervention (FI) versus a Health Promotion (HP) program among P/FHW (N = 32). Structured instruments assessed sociodemographics, individual, situational, health-related, and behavioral factors. While program differences were not statistically significant with the main outcome variables, medium-to-large effect sizes were found in favor of the HP program as it relates to physical and overall frailty, as well as, any drug use, alcohol use, and drug dependency. Based on these findings, it is critical to strengthen the HP program to optimize all domains of frailty (e.g., physical, psychological, and social) and substance use for P/FHW.

In the first phase of this research, we conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed seven focus groups with more than 50 English- or Spanish-speaking women of childbearing age. Qualitative analysis revealed the following themes: (1) expectation that participation would involve relationships based on trust that is built over time and impacted by cultural factors; (2) perceived characteristics of research staff that would help facilitate the development of trusting relationships; (3) perceptions about the location of the visits that may affect trust; (4) perceptions of a research study and trust for the institution conducting the study may affect trust; (5) connecting the study to larger communities, including faith communities, could affect trust and willingness to participate. In the second phase of this research, we conducted, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed interviews with leaders from diverse faith communities to explore the potential for research partnerships between researchers and faith communities. In addition to confirming themes identified in focus groups, faith leaders described an openness to research partnerships between the university and faith communities and considerations for the formation of these partnerships. Faith leaders noted the importance of finding common ground with researchers, establishing and maintaining trusting relationships, and committing to open, bidirectional communication.

Introduction: A paediatric cancer ward is a setting where pharmacists participate in direct patient care, acting as coordinators between the patient, caregivers and healthcare professionals. The aim of the study was to develop a Gap Finding Tool to support the setting up of a pharmaceutical care model at a Paediatric-Adolescent Cancer Ward. Methods: The Standards of Practice for Clinical Pharmacy Services by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia Committee of Specialty Practice in Clinical Pharmacy (2013), the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (2014) and the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (2014) were used to compile the Gap Finding Tool. The developed Tool was tested for content validity by a panel of experts and subsequently implemented over 2 months. Results: The Gap Finding Tool comprised of nine sections with an average of eight statements each about pharmacy services that should be provided at ward level. For each statement, the rater indicates whether these contributions are provided. When the Tool was implemented at the Paediatric-Adolescent Cancer Ward, four major gaps were identified, namely, absence of a clinical pharmacist, lack of medicines information, vetting of chemotherapy prescriptions by pharmacist with limited access to patient data and lack of pharmacist-input on medicines availability. Processes requiring optimisation included discharge medication advice and documentation processes. Conclusion: The developed Gap Finding Tool is an innovative tool which is versatile and can be used in ward or ambulatory clinical settings to identify gaps in pharmaceutical processes and services and compare national or regional practices to international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a delta-sigma ([DELTA][SIGMA]) digital-to-analog converter (DAC) architecture that combines a polyphase decomposition of the interpolation filter and a time-interleaved error-feedback [DELTA][SIGMA] modulator. Noise-shaped oversampling is achieved while docking the digital circuitry at the Nyquist rate. The design of a third-order 4-bit modulator with eight times oversampling using the architecture is presented. Results from a prototype current-DAC driven by a VHDL simulation of the digital design at 2.66 GHz show that 56-dB linearity is achievable in 90-nm CMOS within a 1-V supply over a 155-MHz signal bandwidth making the architecture suitable for emerging ultra-wide-band and 60-GHz radio applications.