University of Saskatchewan Research Archive
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BLOCKCHAIN-BASED ACCESS AND USAGE CONTROL OF CLOUD-BASED DIGITAL TWINS
Full text linkThis article introduces a novel data-feeding system that integrates Ethereum blockchain, smart contracts, and Chainlink, aiming to efficiently acquire, back up, and utilize digital twin resources. In the Internet of Things (IoT) realm, digital twin resources have been extensively adopted. However, precise data sharing and data privacy management remain pivotal challenges. Through the techniques presented in this paper, we offer a decentralized and secure method for data acquisition, accompanied by a comprehensive access control system to ensure data security.
Our system employs Ethereum smart contracts to clearly stipulate the rules and conditions for accessing digital twin resources. Furthermore, by incorporating Chainlink technology, we have developed specialized external connectors, enabling smart contracts to pull Off-chain data from the digital twin cloud platform directly. All access controls and operations are logged on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring historical security and traceability.
Our experiments validate the efficacy of our approach, confirming that the system can stably acquire, back up, and utilize digital twin resource data. The findings indicate that this method provides a reliable and scalable data management and control solution in IoT contexts. In conclusion, by merging blockchain, smart contract, and Chainlink technologies, we present an innovative and promising strategy for acquiring, backing, utilizing, and securing IoT resources
Development and Validation of a Voxel Based Element by Element Subject-Specific Finite Element Modelling of the Knee
Full text linkOsteoarthritis (OA) is a painful, degenerative joint disease marked by mechanical and morphological alterations. It affects 1 in 8 Canadians, half of which present it at the knee. Quantitative computed tomography-based finite element (QCT-FE) modelling is a non-invasive in vivo research tool which can be used to study the mechanical behavior of bone in OA. The main drawbacks of this approach are due to its need for large computing power. The time needed to run a model is in the order of hours to a day due to the many steps involved, specifically meshing and material mapping, making it unfeasible as a research tool for a large data set or in a clinical setting.
The objectives of this study were to 1)develop and validate a faster, element-by-element (EBE) FE modelling approach with a voxelized mesh, 2)assess the repeatability of the new approach and study whether mechanical metrics can discriminate people with OA, and 3)study links between mechanical metrics and OA-related knee pain.
We developed EBE QCT-FE methodology that solves a model within 10 minutes. This approach was validated against the gold-standard approach (QCT-FE), outputting similar results: R2=0.97 and root mean squared error (RMSE%) =1.85%. We found that von Mises stress had low precision errors (CV%RMS=9.7%) and values 141% higher medially and 65% higher laterally in individuals with OA (n=7) when compared to healthy controls (n=7). Individuals with OA and severe nocturnal pain (n=9) presented 26-135% higher lateral stress and 24-48% lower medial stress compared to individuals with OA and without nocturnal pain (n=17). With the same dataset, we also found that individuals with severe nocturnal pain had 75%-116% higher medial strain and 45% lower lateral strain compared to individuals with no nocturnal pain. Similarly, the bone in individuals with severe pain was 77-117% closer to failure medially and 44% safer laterally compared to individuals with no nocturnal pain.
With this study, we developed a fast, repeatable, and valid approach to generate FE models of the knee. This approach can be used to further study the mechanical behavior of bone in OA progression and pain pathogenesis in larger data sets. Preliminary results suggested that loading patterns differ between people with and without OA, and that mechanical metrics may be related to pain in OA
An Analysis of Consumer Response to Plant-based Meat Alternative Labelling Policy
Full text linkPlant-based meat alternatives, defined as products made with plant-based protein that imitate the taste, texture, and appearance of real meat, have been subject to rapid market growth in recent years. These products tend to appeal to consumers who are actively reducing their meat consumption, typically due to concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, or health issues. The simulant nature of these products introduces the need for regulation of labels to facilitate informed consumer decision-making when selecting meat and plant-based alternatives at the grocery store. In Canada, guidelines exist which regulate the use of meat-related terms (e.g., burger, ground, etc.) on the labels of plant-based meat alternatives, nutritional content, and other aspects of these products. While meat-related terms are permitted in Canada, provided certain disclaimers are also present, some jurisdictions abroad have banned such labels entirely. In Canada, some meat industry groups have called for the removal of such terms, and in 2020 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) conducted a consultation on its guidelines for plant-based meat alternative labelling. Despite a dynamic policy environment, research that investigates the consumer demand effects of plant-based meat alternative labelling policy remains elusive.
A survey of 1203 Canadian consumers was conducted to assess the consumer demand effects of different regulatory approaches to the use of meat-related terms on plant-based meat alternative labels. The survey included a discrete choice experiment, where respondents were assigned to one of three labelling treatments – unregulated labels, current Canadian regulations, and a meat-related terms ban. Choice sets featured ground beef and plant-based alternatives with varying attributes and prices. The choice experiment facilitated the investigation of two secondary research objectives: consumer response to regulated protein label claims, and an assessment of preference heterogeneity for plant-based meat alternatives under different labelling policy scenarios. The data was analyzed using multinomial logit, random parameters logit, and latent class logit models, eliciting marginal utility and willingness-to-pay estimates for the attributes and policy effects.
Results show that the labelling policy environment does impact consumer preferences for ground beef and plant-based alternatives. Ground beef is preferred by most consumers in the Canadian market under all three labelling treatments. Further, consumers prefer meat alternatives in an unregulated market relative to the current Canadian regulations and the meat-related terms ban treatments. On average, consumers exhibit similar reductions in willingness-to-pay under the two regulated treatments. However, these effects diverge when preference heterogeneity is accounted for. Five classes of consumers were identified in the latent class logit model, with varying preferences, characteristics, and responses to labelling policy. Preferences for protein claims are generally strong and positive, and there is a significant degree of heterogeneity in preferences for products, attributes, and labelling policy frameworks. The analysis reveals numerous insights into both market and policy issues of plant-based meat alternative labelling. It is in the firm’s best interest to utilize meat-related terms on product labels. However, the disparity in preferences among policy treatments indicates that the provision of information in the form of label disclaimers alongside meat-related terms likely provides valuable information to consumers who may be confused or inattentive otherwise
FIRST NATIONS LED MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY IN THE FACE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND FLOODING JEOPARDY
Full text linkUnderstanding the factors influencing mental and social health after extreme weather events or incremental climate change is crucial to addressing these issues on First Nation reserves in the Canadian prairies. Previous research on an international level has linked climate change to effects on mental health for general populations but, within a First Nations context, the literature base is severely lacking. What little the literature does indicate, however, is that policy in Canada is failing to prevent physical and mental harm to First Nations people from anthropogenically-driven environmental and climate change when compared with general populations. Using interdisciplinary and mixed methodologies, this thesis explores the academic literature linking climate change, disasters, and weather events, and mental health effects, defines and explores environmental mismanagement affecting reserve land, and critically assesses the colonial policies and circumstances that affect First Nations mental health outcomes. The objectives of the present research are executed through systematic review, and qualitative analysis of first-hand experience with flood recovery. The direction of this research is informed by partnerships with Yellow Quill First Nation and James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. This thesis forms a better understanding of the circumstances of mental health issues in an environmental context and ultimately places itself to inform policy that can reduce environment-related mental health issues in First Nations reserve communities based on an interdisciplinary and community-driven exploration of First Nations led disaster planning, mental health recovery, and environmental management
Maternal transfer and toxicity pathways of hexabromocyclododecane in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)
Full text linkHexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) that undergoes maternal transfer and hinders development and growth of early-life stages of fish. However, there is limited understanding of the maternal transfer kinetics and subsequent molecular mechanisms that drive the embryotoxicity of HBCD. The purpose of this study was to (1) characterize the accumulation of dietary HBCD (11.5, 36.4, 106 mg/kg, ww [wet weight]) in adult fathead minnows (FHM) and the subsequent maternal transfer kinetics to eggs, and (2) link transcriptomics responses to apical and physiological effects in larvae exposed through maternal transfer at seven- and 14-days post-fertilization (dpf), respectively. Maternal transfer kinetics displayed similar egg-to-muscle ratios (EMR) in the low and medium treatment groups (1.65 and 1.27, respectively). However, the high treatment group deviated from other treatments with an EMR of 4.2, potentially due to reaching diffusion and/or lipid saturation limits. A positive correlation was observed between egg HBCD concentration and time of exposure. Larvae sampled at 7dpf revealed dysregulation of pathways involved in membrane integrity (inhibition of calcium channel) and metabolic processes (downregulation of amino acid, glucose, and lipid biosynthesis), while the larvae reared for 14 days exhibited a significant decrease in survival at the highest treatment condition. These results indicate that maternal transfer of HBCD is of concern in fish, which may act through indirect mechanisms involving the inhibition of membrane transport leading to disruption in metabolic processes, collectively resulting in energy depletion and subsequently mortality. This study is part of the EcoToxChip project (www.ecotoxchip.ca). The data derived will be used to inform the development of EcoToxChips, which are qPCR arrays that aim to predict apical endpoints of ecological and regulatory relevance for three model species and three native species for eight model chemicals
Neurodevelopmental Effects of Prenatal Cannabidiol Exposure on the Offspring of Rats in the Postnatal Period
Full text linkCannabis use during pregnancy has recently increased worldwide. Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-intoxicating compound in Cannabis, is often seen as a natural substance and has been used for the treatment of several health conditions. During pregnancy, women might choose to use CBD to treat very common pregnancy-related symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. However, there is very little evidence regarding the safety of CBD use during pregnancy and the possible outcomes to maternal and fetal health. In this context, we tested the effects of prenatal CBD exposure on pregnancy outcomes, offspring physical health and neurodevelopment. Pregnant rats were treated by intraperitoneal injection with either a drug vehicle solution (1:1:18 ethanol:kolliphor:PBS), 5 mg/kg CBD or 10 mg/kg CBD during gestational days 6 to 20. Offspring physical health was assessed until weaning on post-natal day (PND) 21. Different neurodevelopmental tests were conducted from PND3 to PND21 to measure the development of neurological reflexes and postural mechanisms. Prenatal CBD exposure was associated with a lower body weight in offspring and a delay in the development of reflexes in early stages after birth. These findings contribute to the current evidence available on the consequences of in utero CBD exposure and brings light to the need for further research in the area
Fretting Fatigue Characterization of Steel Bolted Connections
No full textThe abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo
Nurse-Patient Interactions in a Ghanaian Hospital Setting: Exploring Patient Rights in Clinical Communications
Full text linkCommunication in nurse-patient clinical interactions impact nurse-patient relationships and healthcare outcomes. Effective communication between nurses and patients results in positive perceptions of care, patient engagement in the care process, increased patient disclosure, and reduced patients’ length of hospital stay. Moreover, good communication between nurses and patients reduces abuse, conflicts, and misunderstandings. Also, nurse-patient communication practices impact patient rights in clinical interactions. Yet, little is known in Ghana about how patient rights are implicated in nurse-patient clinical communication and interactions. The purpose of this study was to explore nurse-patient communication practices and how patient rights are reflected in that in the Yendi Hospital of Ghana. The specific objectives of the study included (1) to identify the barriers and facilitators of effective communication between nurses and patients in clinical interactions. (2) To examine patients’, caregivers’, and nurses’ experiences of patients’ rights in nurse-patient clinical interactions. (3) To determine how the Ghanaian Patients’ Charter provides guidance for nurses’ and patients’ communication during nurse-patient interactions, and (4) to explore how nurses’, patients’, and caregivers’ experiences about communication in clinical interactions can inform evidence-based practice and policy in healthcare institutions. An integrated exploratory qualitative research design was implemented by combining institutional ethnography, interpretive phenomenology, and critical discourse approaches. Data were gathered through in-depth individual interviews, focus groups, ethnographic participant observation, and document analysis from patients, caregivers, and nurses. Thematic and critical discourse analytic approaches were applied. Results of the study revealed critical barriers and/or gaps to effective nurse-patient communication and interaction, including high cost of care, language barriers, low health literacy, cultural beliefs, healthcare institutional culture and practices, and resource constraints. These factors affected nursing care practices leading to neglect, violation, and poor patient rights outcomes in clinical interactions. To enhance rights-based healthcare policy and practice, nurses must be trained on interpreter roles, cultural competency, and advocacy for patients. Awareness for patient rights must be intensified in Ghana, and hospitals must monitor patient rights outcomes in care delivery. In conclusion, two crucial models are provided to promote effective communication and patient-centered care
Opioid Prescribing Among Hospitalized Patients in Tertiary Care Hospitals: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Full text linkBackground
Over one in ten Canadians are prescribed an opioid annually. It is unknown if hospital prescribers are contributing to this high prescription rate. The purpose of this project was to describe opioid prescribing in two tertiary care hospitals in Canada.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study linked data from electronic discharge abstracts and inpatient prescription claims. Adult patients admitted to a medicine or surgery unit between January 2017 and December 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Opioid prescriptions were characterized by frequency, timing, duration, dosing, and route of administration. A random effects logistic regression model was built to identify independent predictors for an opioid prescription on day of discharge in patients with a medicine admission.
Results
A total of 38,218 patients were included (mean of 62 years, 52.2% female). Over half (57.7%) were admitted to a medicine unit, 26.8% to surgery, 8.5% trauma, and 7.0% other. Two-thirds of all hospital admissions (65.1%) received at least one opioid prescription (96.0% for surgery and 48.0% for medicine). Among these, 70.7% were prescribed an opioid with an as-needed interval only. On average, opioids prescriptions were active for 87.1% of the hospitalization, 96.8% were for strong potency agents, 67.8% for intravenous use, and 94.7% included a nonopioid analgesic prescription. On the day of discharge, 55.2% of all admissions had an active opioid prescription. After multivariable regression, the strongest predictors of receiving an opioid prescription on the day of discharge was duration of the opioid prescription during hospitalization and prescriptions for as-needed opioids only.
Discussion
We found high rates of opioid prescribing to patients in two Canadian hospitals, including on the day of discharge. A substantial number of patients are likely discharged with an opioid prescription. The patterns of opioid prescribing identified provide targets for strategies to reduce risks of unnecessary opioid exposure, such as individualizing analgesia and formulary restrictions. Future research should evaluate routine use of as-needed opioids, high potency agents, and duration of prescriptions
MECHANISM AND STAGES OF PACKAGING OF VP8, THE MAJOR TEGUMENT PROTEIN OF BOVINE HERPESVIRUS-1
Full text linkVP8 (pUL47), the major tegument protein of bovine herpesvirus -1 (BoHV-1), is crucial for viral replication and induction of host immune responses. VP8 (pUL47) translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and subsequently to the Golgi results from its phosphorylation within the nucleus by pUS3. VP8 (pUL47) phosphorylation mutant contains a significantly lower amount of VP8 (pUL47) (~30%) than wild type virus. Outside the context of infection, VP8 (pUL47) is translocated to the cytoplasm if co-transfected with pUS3 encoding plasmid, but remains cytoplasmic and is not translocated to the Golgi. Based on these previous studies, we hypothesized that VP8 (pUL47) is partially packaged in the perinuclear region, and localisation of VP8 at the Golgi for final packaging involves another viral factor, presumably a glycoprotein.
Mass spectrometry studies indicated presence of VP8 (pUL47), and another tegument protein, VP22 (pUL49), in the perinuclear and mature virus particles. Co-immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy confirmed an interaction between VP8 (pUL47) and VP22 (pUL49) and their co-localisation in the perinuclear region, respectively. In cells infected with virus lacking the VP22 (pUL49)-encoding gene, VP8 (pUL47) was absent from the perinuclear space, and the amount of VP8 (pUL47) in the purified mature virus was reduced by approximately 33%.
To identify the viral factor(s) responsible for the localisation of cytoplasmic VP8 (pUL47) at the Golgi, a screening of co-precipitating glycoproteins was performed, and glycoprotein M (gM) was observed to be an interaction partner of VP8 (pUL47) during infection, as well as outside the context of infection. VP8 (pUL47) and gM (pUL10) co-localised at the Golgi in infected cells, and gM (pUL10) was sufficient for localisation of VP8 (pUL47) at the Golgi outside the context of infection. In recombinant virus lacking gene encoding gM (ΔgM- BoHV-1), the localisation of VP8 (pUL47) at the Golgi was impeded, and restored with the restoration of gM (pUL10). Analysis of purified mature virus from ΔgM- BoHV-1 infected cells indicated a reduction of approximately 65% in the amount of VP8 (pUL47).
The results of this research add to the knowledge of the stages and proteins involved in the assembly of the tegument layer of BoHV-1 with focus on the major tegument protein, VP8 (pUL47)