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Suing #MeToo: The Weaponization of Defamation Litigation in Silencing Accusations of Sexual Violence in Canada
No full textThough the Depp v Heard media storm propelled it into the public’s view, the use of defamation lawsuits to punish individuals who choose to disclose their experiences of sexual violence has long been a prevalent form of civil litigation.
Exploring what is often costly and draining litigation, this paper embarks on an analysis of how defamation law has been weaponized against women (particularly “silence breakers”) before ultimately exploring whether anti-SLAPP legislation (where SLAPP refers to Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) has the potential to mitigate this issue. This paper concludes with a discussion of the critiques of the aforementioned legislation as well as recommendations to ameliorate the current state of the law. The latter of which draws from the advice of feminist advocates and the strategies of neighbouring jurisdictions. 
THE ROLE OF HUMAN THERMOREGULATION IN THERMAL DISCOMFORT IN LOWER-LIMB PROSTHETICS: A SCOPING REVIEW
No full textBACKGROUND: Thermal discomfort is one of the most prevalent issues experienced by lower-limb prosthetic users where, on average, 54% of users report thermal-related issues. This arises from wearing a prosthetic socket, which may disrupt the thermoregulatory system due to the low thermal conductivity of materials used in prosthetic sockets and liners. Despite the reported prevalence, there is little understanding of the impact of wearing a prosthesis on the body’s thermoregulatory system and how users perceive thermal discomfort.
OBJECTIVE(S): This review aimed to evaluate the current understanding of how human thermoregulation correlates with subjective measures of thermal discomfort among lower-limb prosthetic users. It sought to gain a deeper understanding of how thermoregulatory parameters compare and relate to the subjective experience of thermal discomfort in this population.
METHODOLOGY: The study design followed a scoping review structure to identify gaps in knowledge on the topic. A literature search was conducted across five online databases: Medline (ProQuest), EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The searches covered literature from the earliest available date in each database up until February 2024. A search strategy was created to identify the relevant literature. An inclusion/exclusion criterion was then applied to identify studies that only measured either physiological or psychological aspects of thermoregulation and compared these aspects to thermal discomfort/comfort feedback. The QualSyst critical appraisal tool was used to gain quality score for each included article.
FINDINGS: 8 articles were identified for inclusion in this review, confirming a dearth in research into how wearing a prosthesis affects thermoregulation at the body/device interface (BDI) and the perception of thermal discomfort. Furthermore, it raised question to the relevance of using residual limb skin temperature measurements to assess thermal discomfort in lower-limb prosthetics. Perspiration at the BDI emerged as a potentially significant contributor to thermal discomfort, a consensus reflected in the literature.
CONCLUSION: Despite significant technological advancements, thermal discomfort remains a persistent issue. Therefore, further research is warranted to further understand how wearing a prosthesis affects the thermoregulatory system, enabling the development of innovative components which can mitigate thermal discomfort and in turn improve the quality of life of lower-limb prosthetic users.
Layman\u27s Abstract
The prosthetic limb attaches to the body by placing the remaining part of the leg into a rigid shell known as the socket, often accompanied by a flexible liner in between. The nature of wearing a prosthetic device often leads to temperature-related unpleasantness known as thermal discomfort. Despite the prevalence of the issue, there is a limited understanding of how wearing a prosthesis impacts the body’s temperature management system, and how users perceive thermal discomfort. This scoping review explored the current literature regarding temperature management and thermal discomfort in lower-limb prosthetics. An electronic literature review was performed in five databases. After reviewing the literature, relevant studies that fit the inclusion criteria were included after the final extraction process. This review highlights thermal challenges faced by lower-limb prosthetic users, revealing a potential gap in understanding how wearing a prosthesis affects the body’s temperature management system due to the low number of eligible articles identified. Furthermore, it raises questions on the relevance of using temperature measurements taken between the skin and the prosthesis to assess thermal discomfort due to conflicting evidence observed in the literature. Despite significant technological advancements aiming to reduce the thermal discomfort regularly experienced by prosthetic users, it remains a persistent issue. Therefore, further research is warranted to understand how wearing a prosthesis affects the body’s temperature management system, enabling the development of new components which can reduce thermal discomfort and in turn improve the quality of life of lower-limb prosthetic users.
Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/43073/33747
How To Cite: Edwards R, Murray L, Buis A. The role of human thermoregulation in thermal discomfort in lower-limb prosthetics: A scoping review. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2025; Volume 8, Issue 1, No.3. Https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v8i1.43073
Corresponding Author: Professor Arjan Buis, PhDDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.E-Mail: [email protected] ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3947-293
GLASS CEILING AMONG FEMALE PROSTHETISTS & ORTHOTISTS: PERCEPTIONS, OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES FOR MOVING FORWARD
No full textBACKGROUND: The glass ceiling, a metaphorical barrier hindering women’s career advancement, is prevalent across various sectors, including healthcare. Women have proved their competence as successful senior-level leaders. Despite this, there is still a striking under-representation of female prosthetists and orthotists in leadership positions as managers and business owners. This study investigated the "glass ceiling" phenomenon in the prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) field, where women, despite growing representation in the profession, are underrepresented in leadership roles.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the beliefs and expectations of female prosthetists and orthotists regarding career advancement and leadership opportunities.
METHODOLOGY: This survey study had two sections; the first section was general demographic questions, and any gender could participate but the second section was the Career Pathways Survey (CPS), which assessed beliefs about the glass ceiling and only female practitioners could participate. The survey evaluated four factors: Denial, Resilience, Acceptance, and Resignation, to understand how women perceive their ability to break through the glass ceiling. All individuals with a professional qualification in prosthetics and/or orthotics were eligible to participate. The survey was distributed worldwide through the ISPO and other professional associations. The survey was opened in April 2021 and remained active for six months.
FINDINGS: 110 female participants completed the survey. The participants were mainly from North America, Europe and Australia. Findings revealed that factors like age, marital status, and salary were significant predictors of different belief scores, particularly with respect to career acceptance and denial. Results highlighted that women’s beliefs about their career advancement were influenced by their personal life situations, such as having children, and the number of years of professional experience.
CONCLUSION: The study calls for organizational reforms to address gender inequalities by implementing policies that support work-life balance, mentoring, and career development. It also emphasizes the importance of further research, particularly examining the intersectionality of gender, race, and other diversity factors, to provide a comprehensive understanding of barriers to leadership in P&O and other healthcare fields.
Layman\u27s Abstract
This study looked at the "glass ceiling" in the prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) field, where women are often underrepresented in leadership roles despite increasing participation in the profession. It examined how female P&O professionals perceive their career growth and leadership opportunities. Using a survey, the study collected data on age, marital status, salary, and work-life balance to understand how personal circumstances impact women’s beliefs about career advancement. This survey study had two sections; the first section was general demographic questions and any gender could participate but the second section was the Career Pathways Survey, which assessed beliefs about the glass ceiling and only female practitioners could participate. The survey was opened in April 2021 and remained active for six months. 110 female participants completed the survey. The participants were mainly from North America, Europe and Australia. The findings suggested that factors, such as having children or years of experience, influenced how women view their ability to break through the glass ceiling. The study recommends that organizations implement policies supporting work-life balance, mentoring, and career development, and calls for further research into how gender, race, and other diversity factors affect leadership opportunities in healthcare.
Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/44720/33990
How To Cite: Eshraghi A, Safaeepour Z. Glass ceiling among female prosthetists & orthotists: Perceptions, opportunities and strategies for moving forward. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2025; Volume 8, Issue 1, No. 6. Https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v8i1.44720
Corresponding Author: Arezoo Eshraghi, PhD, CP(c)Affiliation: West Park Healthcare Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.E-Mail: [email protected] ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1525-8093
Artificial Intelligence in Law and Public Policy: Issues, Applications, and Regulation
No full textWith the release of Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs such as ChatGPT to the public, issues surrounding its regulation have become more prevalent as well. AI has many uses, with this technology being able to process information through audio, video, and text, and analyze data to detect any abnormalities (van Noordt & Misuraca 2022). It can also be applied in law enforcement to analyze neighborhoods and predict the likelihood of crime (Taeihagh 2021; Helbing 2019; Mittelstadt, Allo, Taddeo, Wachter, & Floridi 2016). Hung and Yen (2021) call this Predictive Policing (PP). However, increased application of AI, associated with its widespread availability, can also have adverse consequences in law and public policy. Namely, issues in data protection and bias that could be disproportionately harmful to marginalized communities (Hung & Yen 2021; Wang et al. 2021; van Noordt & Misuraca 2022; Büthe et al. 2022; Johnson 2023). This essay will be discussing applications of AI in law and public policy through analysis of relevant academic literature published between 2019 and 2023, as well as accompanying consequences. This essay will also be looking specifically at the Canadian Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), tabled in June 2022 as part of Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022, to determine the state of AI regulation nationwide and propose relevant solutions
A Huge Primary Retroperitoneal Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: A Case Report
No full textRetroperitoneal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is generally rare and often presents with late symptoms. A 60-year-old female presented with abdominal pain for 3 days with associated symptoms of altered bowel habits and constitutional symptoms. Physical examination was unremarkable. The blood investigations were generally within normal limits except for a 10-fold rise in serum CA-125. Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed an ill-defined lesion, with a cystic component within, at the inferior pole of the spleen. Computed tomography scan showed a large lobulated soft tissue tumour in the left retroperitoneal space with local infiltration to adjacent organs with multiple subcentimeter para-aortic and aortocaval lymph nodes. Laparotomy revealed a locally advanced retroperitoneal tumour measuring 10 x 10cm in size. The left retroperitoneal tumour was resected en-bloc with the left kidney, the spleen, the distal part of the pancreas and a part of the left diaphragm. Histopathological examination of the retroperitoneal tumour revealed a DLBCL (germinal centre type) as CD10, CD20, and BCL-6 were positive among all the markers, confirming the final diagnosis. She was started on CHOP regimen chemotherapy and is currently well. A complete en-bloc resection of the retroperitoneal lymphoma is recommended in fit patients with resectable retroperitoneal tumours. The decision between core needle biopsy and surgical resection should be made on a case-by-case basis following a multidisciplinary team approach discussion to achieve the best outcome for these patients
Moral Reasoning and Development in Medical School: A Literature Review
No full textMorality is the system of values and standards that provide the ethical foundation for individuals in differentiating between what is right and wrong. The thought process through which individuals apply moral principles in deciding what is morally acceptable or unacceptable is known as moral reasoning. Moral development, on the other hand, is a framework through which individuals internalize and foster their morality and moral reasoning over time. T his review paper explores the moral reasoning and development of medical students during their journey in medical school, and the potential impact of the medical and ethical curricula on moral reasoning. The literature supports the finding that there is a form of moral stagnation and even regression that medical students experience as they progress through their medical training. This regression has been attributed to legalistic oriented ethical education in medical school that does not encourage critical thinking or moral discussion, the decreased emphasis on developing strong reflection skills, and the hidden curriculum that provides values that are often opposite to the ones taught in the formal curriculum
Links to Explorations Issues #10 to #32 plus Tables of Contents of all Explorations Issues #1 to #32
No full textPart I – A short history of the original Explorations journal edited by Edmund Carpenter and Marshall McLuhan.
Part II – The online links to all of the 23 issues of Explorations from Issue 10 to Issue 32 covering the period from the Summer of 1964 to May of 1972.
Part III – The tables of contents of all 32 issues of Explorations which were published in the following years: 1953 to 1957 (#1 to #8); 1959 (#9); and 1964 to 1972 (#10 to #32). Feel free to share this file acknowledging that it was first published by New Explorations: Studies in Culture and Communication: Vol 1 № 1 (Spring 2020). 
A New Song of the Body Electric
No full textA review is made of B. W. Powe’s The Charge in the Global Membrane