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Persistent NK cell deficiency associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis
No full textAbstract We describe pulmonary cryptococcosis in a 28-year-old previously healthy man. Exhaustive immunological investigations revealed a primary NK cell deficiency associated with a secondary impaired anti-Cryptococcus CD8 lymphocyte response and the expansion of a CD8Vβ14 + T cell clone. This case illustrates the potential role of NK cells in immunity against Cryptococcus
The Association between Family Visitation and Adverse Events in the Critically Ill: A Retrospective Cohort Study
No full textDespite advances in treating critical illness, nearly 25% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients experience an adverse event (unintended consequence of medical treatment such as infections, bleeding, or falls). These adverse events can lead to
severe patient harm such as disability or death, however, up to 50% of all adverse events are preventable. While ICU healthcare professionals work to minimize adverse events, family (e.g., loved ones, friends) tend to know the patient best, and may be an underutilized resource in identifying and preventing adverse events. The objectives of this thesis are to determine the association between in-person ICU family presence and the 1) incidence rate, and 2) type of in-hospital adverse events in ICU patients. This thesis used a retrospective cohort design and linked two administrative health databases of adult patients admitted to 15 medical, surgical, or neurological ICUs in Alberta, Canada between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. The exposure (family presence) was determined from medical records using a validated free-text natural language processing algorithm. The outcome (adverse event number and type) were determined from the medical record using 17 validated case definitions. We used multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial regression to determine the association between ICU family presence and adverse event incidence rate; and used multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression to determine the association between ICU family presence and adverse event type. We used the Bonferroni correction to reduce spurious findings due to multiple comparisons. This study included records from 26,100 ICU patients; of which 4,451 patients experienced at least one in-hospital adverse event (17.1%). In-person ICU family visits were associated with a significantly reduced incident rate ratio (IRR) of adverse events in patients 30-39 years of age, and patients 50 years of age or older. There were no significant associations between family visitation and adverse event types after adjusting for covariates. The results in this thesis suggest that in-person family presence may reduce the
number of in-hospital adverse events in ICU patients. Additional prospective studies are required to clarify the role families play in influencing adverse events
First Measurement of Antihydrogen Free Fall Using a Radial Time Projection Chamber
No full textUsing antihydrogen, an apparatus known as ALPHA-g was designed to test Einstein's Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP), where the acceleration due to gravity that a body experiences is independent of its structure or composition. A measurement of the gravitational mass of antimatter has never been done before, as previous experiments used charged particles, which meant the experiments were dominated by electromagnetic forces. The ALPHA-g apparatus uses electrically neutral antihydrogen atoms produced in a vertical Penning-Malmberg trap and trapped in a magnetic minimum trap. By measuring the antihydrogen annihilation positions after a controlled magnetic release of the atoms, the gravitational mass of antihydrogen can be determined. Annihilation positions are reconstructed using a radial time projection chamber (rTPC) surrounding the trapping volume. ALPHA-g was used to complete a successful run in 2022 in the pursuit of measuring the gravitational mass of antihydrogen. The results of this experiment are discussed in this thesis To accurately determine vertical annihilation positions used in the gravity measurement, precise detector calibrations are needed. A laser calibration system was developed and used to gather drift time data in the rTPC, which resulted in drift time measurements and the Lorentz displacement, both of which were used in vertex reconstruction analyses to accurately determine the antihydrogen annihilation positions. Simulations were used to determine the expected electron drift time and Lorentz displacement. Using a Garfield++ toolkit, these observables were simulated from electrons drifting through the gas portion of the ALPHA-g rTPC. Further improvements were made to the reconstruction software to optimise the detector resolution and the number of reconstructed vertices. These methods ultimately led to a free fall direction experiment that concluded antihydrogen fell down on Earth. The experiment was also used to make a preliminary measurement on the gravitational acceleration of a_g = (0:75+/-0:13(statistical + systematic)+/-0:16(simulation))g, where g = 9:81 m/s^2 [1]. Further precision measurements are underway using ALPHA-g to precisely determine the gravitational mass of antihydrogen. Measuring the free-fall direction and gravitational mass of antihydrogen leads the way to a better understanding of the fundamental symmetries in nature, such as the matter-antimatter asymmetry
Bayesian models for improving joint kinematic measures in gait analysis
No full textDetermination of joint kinematics is a frequently encountered problem forming the basis for clinical gait analysis as well as kinetic, and musculoskeletal modelling analyses within biomechanics. To estimate joint and segmental kinematics, the pose (translation and angle), of interconnected segments of an underlying rigid body model representing the human skeleton is estimated from measurements corrupted with noise, artifacts and other sources of uncertainty. A common example is the estimation of joint kinematics from the position of markers placed on the surface of the skin and recorded by optical motion capture systems. Traditionally researchers have used optimization techniques which aim to reduce errors well described by white noise. These methods provide point estimates but fail to quantify uncertainties. This thesis improves on such approaches by using Bayesian inference to develop a series of hierarchical models that improve ac- curacy and provide calibrated estimates of uncertainty when estimating kinematic quantities from optical motion capture. Over a series of four studies, models are constructed that incorporate increasingly complex structures and assumptions about the measurement process and the underlying movement under analysis. These include: (1) elicitation of sensible priors which regularize estimation to physiologically meaningful estimates without artificially biasing inference; (2) incorporation of smooth continuous functions to model temporally correlated kinematics; (3) an adaptive process which allows for deviations from smooth func- tions if supported by data and (4) an investigation as to appropriate representations for generalization to three-dimensional problems. The methodology developed throughout this thesis can be applied to a wide range of measurement systems and can be adapted for analyses of increasing sophistication
Correction: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF): the WSES and CWIS position paper
No full textAll-Pass Delays and Residue Amplifier for a 10-GS/s Non-Blocking Subranging ADC
No full textDelay circuits play a critical role in various applications, notably, in recent years, analog delays have been utilized in certain analog-to-digital converter (ADC) architectures, including continuous-time pipelined ADCs (CTP-ADCs) and non-blocking subranging ADCs (NBSADCs), where they help improve the overall ADC speed and/or resolution. In this work, the proposed delay circuits are specifically tailored for a 10-GS/s, 8-bit non-blocking subranging ADC (NBS-ADC) intended for radio telescope applications. First, this thesis proposes a high-order all-pass-filter (APF) circuit topology. The design process and tunability are explored using both TSMC 65-nm-CMOS and 22-nm FDSOI CMOS technologies. The proposed 6th-order APF, implemented in TSMC 65-nm-CMOS, achieves a delay range from 250 ps (BW10%=0–8 GHz) to 400ps (BW10%=0–5 GHz) having the state-of-the-art DBW10%=2. Additionally, 3rd- and 4th-order APFs were subsequently designed in GlobalFoundries 22-nm FDSOI CMOS for a 5G beamforming receiver operating from 24.3 to 28.7 GHz. The 3rd- and 4th-order APFs exhibited 9-to-21 and 21-to-36 ps delay ranges, respectively, to generate beams from 0° to 35°. Also, in further steps we sought a solution to eliminate inductors entirely, leading to the design of a compact, inductorless, cascadable GHz-frequency APF delay circuit. Results obtained using a TSMC 65-nm-CMOS containing 4 cascaded APF cells, exhibiting a delay tuning range of 300 to 500 ps over a 0.1-to-4-GHz bandwidth. The filter occupies an active area of 0.04 mm2 and dissipates 6.2 mW/cell from a 1.3-V supply. The APF achieved a delay-per-area metric that is at least 1.6 times greater than that of previous gm-C APFs, while also operating across a wider bandwidth. It exhibited a high delay-bandwidth product (DBW) of 1.95, all while maintaining a gain of 3.3 dB. Finally, we presented a novel residue generation and amplification (RGA) stage that employs inductive peaking and a tunable-gain post-amplifier reaching a high gain and a wide bandwidth, for a 10-GS/s, 8-bit NBS-ADC intended for radio telescope applications
Integrated access to cancer screening: expanding access for cervical and colorectal cancer screening in rural and remote Northern Alberta, Canada using a mobile service to bring cancer screening closer to home
No full textAbstract Background The goal of the Integrated Access to Cancer Screening (IACS) initiative was to help reduce the disparity in cancer screening participation across Alberta by implementing an integrated mobile service delivery model for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening in rural and remote communities in Northern Alberta, performed by Nurse Practitioners (NPs) that addressed barriers to access. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and impact the IACS initiative had on the communities and residents of Northern Alberta. This article describes the initiative design, implementation, outcomes, and impact of the initiative. Methods The IACS model was implemented in a total of 36 visited communities in Northern Alberta from December 2020 to December 2021. The impact of the IACS initiative was measured using a mixed methods approach. The participation rate, cancer screening overdue status, and connection to a PCP were assessed using quantitative data collected through the existing clinical information system. Patient and provider feedback were collected from opened-ended surveys, and all data was analyzed by the research team. This study evaluated the impact the IACS initiative had on patient cancer screening participation and cancer screening knowledge, addressing known barriers to service delivery in rural and remote Northern Alberta, and to understand how this service might be sustained for future operation. Results Six hundred fifty-three people participated in screening offered through the IACS initiative. 99% of Pap screenings offered to patients were accepted, and 98% of FIT kits were accepted from the NPs, with a completion rate of 84%. The clinical data and survey responses from patients and providers indicated support for sustaining the IACS initiative. The IACS model of screening was favoured by most female patients. It also increased screening uptake in the communities we visited in the North Zone of Alberta, where screening rates are low. Conclusion These findings highlight that the IACS initiative was well-received and brought value to underserved communities in Northern Alberta. The IACS model effectively facilitated screening for those who were overdue or have never been screened before. The reach of the IACS model was broader than anticipated, with those who are attached to a PCP also finding the integrated mobile screening model beneficial, bringing the services closer to home
Lung Proteomics of Mice Infected with Influenza
No full textInfluenza A virus (IAV) infection causes an inflammatory reaction and activation of coagulation, which is often the basis for destruction of lung tissue. This study examines the changes to the of lungs from IAV-infected mice and assesses the effectiveness of Argatroban, a thrombin inhibitor, when given early in the infection. Pro-inflammatory and cell adhesion proteins were significantly upregulated in lung tissue on the first day after infection. As disease progressed, proteins related to coagulation, immunological signaling, and oxidative stress were more highly expressed in infected lungs. Argatroban treatment notably shifted the proteomic response on Day 1 and Day 5 post- infection, pointing to the ability of argatroban to control oxidative and inflammatory reactions during IAV infection, which may have consequences for maintaining lung function and reducing tissue damage brought on by the virus
Teaching for Creativity in the Postplagiarism World
No full textHistorically, creativity has been regarded as a distinctly human trait. However, recent advancements in GenAI challenge this notion, with these technologies now producing outputs that rival, and at times surpass, human creativity. Scholars emphasize that GenAI will redefine how we understand, develop, apply, and teach creativity. As the landscape of GenAI continues to evolve, educators must rethink their approaches to teaching for creativity to equip students with the skills to navigate both the opportunities and challenges posed by these technologies. This presentation will explore key creativity theories, the current state of GenAI development, and its impact on creative processes. Framed within Dr. Eaton’s Postplagiarism Framework, the session emphasizes tenets such as co-creation, creativity, responsibility, and attribution. Participants will learn approaches for teaching for creativity in the age of GenAI, with a focus on ethical considerations, keeping humans in the loop, and leveraging GenAI tools responsibly. The discussion will also address how educators can demystify artificial creativity, highlight the value of human creativity, and position GenAI as a collaborative tool. Through engaging discussions, research insights, and practical examples, attendees will gain actionable strategies to transform creativity education and foster student engagement in an era defined by GenAI.
Recommended citation:
Ramazanov, F., & Eaton, S. E. (2025, May 15–16). Teaching for Creativity in the Postplagiarism World Adult Centered Education (ACE) Conference 2025, Coquitlam, BC. https://hdl.handle.net/1880/12188
An integrative geological characterization of the Lower Triassic Montney and Sulphur Mountain formations: implications for sediment routing, depositional architecture, and reservoir heterogeneity in siltstone deposits
No full textThis dissertation focuses on the Lower Triassic Sulphur Mountain and Montney formations in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, integrating sedimentological, compositional, and geomechanical analyses at multiple scales to: (i) challenge traditional views of mudstone as homogeneous deposits and (ii) elucidate their complexity. Outcrop investigation of shallow-water clinothems in the Sulphur Mountain Formation illustrate how changes in accommodation-to-sediment supply ratios (δA/δS) influence clinoform geometry, stacking patterns, and sedimentary processes. Analysis reveals two clinothem types, which are organized into three distinct clinothem sets with contrasting stacking patterns, illustrating that the evolution of fine-grained systems is sensitive to change in the δA/δS ratio and its collective effects on stratigraphic architecture. Furthermore, based on extensive compiled paleocurrent data, sediment dispersal mechanisms within these clinothems are demonstrated to result from the interplay of fair-weather waves, episodic storm-induced and gravity-driven processes, and parallel-to-shoreline semi-permanent oceanographic shelf currents. These sediment transport mechanisms, resulted in variable sediment dispersal trends, emphasizing the three-dimensional nature of sediment dispersal of fine-grained sediment in shallow-water marine settings. Building on this complex sediment transport, a diverse suite of small-scale, unidirectional bedforms, including starved, barchan, sinuous, and linguoid forms occur in beds with very similar grain size and mineralogy. Consequently, traditional flow velocity-grain size models are inadequate to explain the observed bedforms in non-cohesive siltstone deposits. Instead, the sediment flux-to-transport capacity ratio influences ripple morphologies, thus providing a framework for bedform development in silt-sized sediments. Lastly, using a systematic gridding methodology integrating petrography, CT scans, XRF, and microhardness tools in core samples from the subsurface Montney Formation, the relationships between sedimentary fabric and rock mechanics, were quantified in samples with subtle grain size and mineralogical characteristics across three rock fabric. Using a new statistical approach, a discriminant analysis, compositional and mechanical trends across microfacies were evaluated, distinguishing massive siltstone, stratified siltstone, and bioturbated siltstone fabrics. These findings illustrate how sedimentary fabric and mineralogical variations impact geomechanical proxies and natural fracture terminations in siltstone-dominated facies, with implications for predictive modeling in unconventional reservoirs. Collectively, this dissertation provides a comprehensive understanding of fine-grained sedimentary processes, from basin-scale dynamics to micro-scale heterogeneities, with implications for stratigraphic interpretation, sediment transport modeling, and reservoir characterization