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Injecting New Knowledge: A Statistical Analysis of Safe Injection Sites and Harm Reduction
No full textObjective Safe injection sites (SIS) are proven to reduce overdoses, crime, and fatal blood-borne infections. Despite those benefits, no sites exist in Windsor, ON., likely due to the abundance of fear-mongering and misinformation. We critically analyzed statistical methods used in dozens of quantitative studies and found critical gaps in peer-reviewed literature worldwide, substantially affecting intravenous drug users and communities around them. Methods We systematically analyzed existing studies' statistical methods to appraise investigations of SIS and harm reduction. To our knowledge, ours is the first academic analysis of statistical methods for SIS and harm-reduction. Statistical rigor in studies regarding SIS and harm reduction vary in methodology and conclusions, presenting a conundrum for government authorities and clinicians alike. Results We found alarming methodological issues with SIS studies, such as poor precision and rigor, in addition to failure to adhere to research reporting standards. Such a dearth of attention to detail on this topic warrants more granular study, especially in the Windsor, ON., area. Our recommendations provide reliable basis for government decision-making based on facts, not fear, that will help foster healthy and safe communities
In the Multitude of Counselors: Contrasting Israeli Reaction to the Rapidly Developing Security Outlook in the Periods Preceding both the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War
Get PDFIn the Multitude of Counselors: Contrasting Israeli Reaction to the Rapidly Developing Security Outlook in the Periods Preceding both the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War Noah P. Berthiaume Department of Political Science, University of Windsor Understanding the challenge posed by international borders in the formulation of domestic security policy necessitates a critical examination of the profound importance of the exchange of strategic information (both intentional and otherwise) amongst regional actors, and the tendency of governments and their security establishments to rely upon conjecture in the absence of viable intelligence. The maintenance of sovereignty within a region both geographically confined and competitively defensive forces states to confront the challenge of weighing their obligation of proportionality against the necessity of immediacy in formulating comprehensive responses to developing threats. This paper endeavors to examine state approaches to cross-border intelligence gathering and analysis in contentious regions and concludes that the extent to which proportionality can reasonably be factored into the formulation of defense strategy correlates to the immediacy of an emerging threat, and that an imbalance in these two variables precipitates strategic failures. Much of this research focuses on the challenges inherent to managing cross-border security relationships, both diplomatic and military, in a region deeply divided and geographically confined. In identifying the intelligence handling procedures that lead the Israeli security establishment to a strategic victory in the Six Day War, and contrasting said practices with the reactionary mismanagement that lead the same establishment to an historic failure during the Yom Kippur War, this paper seeks to elucidate both best practices and common complacencies in the management of rapidly developing regional security dynamics, and in so doing expand the reader's understanding of the intersections between international borders and national security
Functioning vs Flourishing: The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Hardiness in the Complete State Model of Mental Health
No full textThe field of positive psychology has grown tremendously since its birth at the end of the 20th century; to the point, now, where a new model of mental health and mental illness has been suggested and supported by research. The Complete State Model of Mental Health, as conceptualized by Dr. Keyes, posits that mental health and mental illness are not opposing ends of a single spectrum but two separate, related dimensions. In this model, mental illness can coexist with mental health and each can shift independently of the other. While research has supported the model, very little work has been done using this lens to determine the antecedents of mental health and illness. In other areas of research, Emotional Intelligence and Hardiness have, each in their own right, been found to have significant roles in numerous desirable outcomes such as effective and transformative leadership in organizations, healthy interpersonal relationships, as well as academic and athletic achievement. Emotional Intelligence refers to our ability to understand the emotions of ourselves and others, as well as the ability to manage these emotions as they arise. Hardiness, on the other hand, concerns the willingness to subject oneself to and persevere through stressful situations; it has been described as an individual's psychological component of their tendency to be resilient. This research seeks to shed light on the roles that Emotional Intelligence and Hardiness play in the Complete State Model of Mental Health. We hypothesize that individuals high on EI or Hardiness (but not both) will have similar levels of well-being but more measurable stress, anxiety, and depression than their peers who are emotionally intelligent and hardy. Correlational data will be collected in the Winter Semester through FluidSurve
Presenting International Prognostic Scoring System affects time to treatment: A retrospective single centre review
No full textBackground Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which requires prompt initiation of chemotherapy to cure, as delays can result in worse outcomes. A recent study in Japan found that patients with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score ≥3 had a worse prognosis if their diagnosis was delayed, whereas with an IPI score <3, there was no effect. Research Question How long do Windsor DLBCL patients wait to receive chemotherapy after diagnosis, and how does this affect relapse status? Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted, looking at all patients diagnosed with DLBCL who underwent treatment at the Windsor Regional Cancer Center from 2007 to 2018 (N=317). Results Surprisingly, a longer time to initial treatment resulted in a decreased risk of relapse (p=0.038); however, these patients tended to have a lower stage (p=0.002), no family history of cancer (p<0.001), and lower IPI scores (p=0.004). When broken down by IPI score, the mean times to treatment after diagnosis were: IPI 0=40 days; IPI 1=35 days; IPI 2=38 days; IPI 3=29 days; IPI 4=22 days; IPI 5=29 days. Conclusion These results show that while DLBCL patients with worse prognostic measures are prioritized to receive treatment quicker, there is a large discrepancy in time to treatment, with a difference of over a week between the lowest and highest IPI scores. Further research should focus on identifying delays in the process, and if it can be streamlined to improve wait times for all patients, regardless of IPI score
Is the study of such rapidly changing Internet trends as the 2013 Harlem Shake important for future historians?
Get PDFThe Role of Tuberin and Cyclin B1 as a DNA Damage Response during the G2/M Transition
No full textTuberous Sclerosis (TS) is a multi-system disorder that causes the formation of benign tumours called hamartomas. In rare cases this disease can progress to aggressive cancers. The cause of TS is a mutation in either the TSC1 or TSC2 gene that encode for the tumour suppressor proteins Hamartin or Tuberin protein, respectively. Dr. Porter’s lab has characterized how Tuberin is able to regulate the G2/M transition of the cell cycle by binding and regulating the localization of CyclinB1, the protein that allows for the transition of the cell into mitosis. The hypothesis is that misregulation of this process may facilitate the accumulation of damaged DNA allowing for progression to malignancy. This thesis answers the following questions: What are the sites on CyclinB1 that are important in mediating the interaction between Tuberin? Does interaction with CyclinB1 stabilize the Tuberin protein? Does altered binding result in the accumulation of DNA damage? These questions will be assessed with 3 aims: 1) CyclinB1 mutants was constructed and binding in HEK293 has been measured using immunoprecipitation and western blotting techniques. 2) The stability of Tuberin was tested with graded amounts of CyclinB1 and measured using western blotting techniques. 3) The accumulation of DNA damage was tested with wild-type or mutated forms of Tuberin with reduced binding to CyclinB1. The data demonstrates that post-translational modifications of CyclinB1 are critical for mediating the interaction with Tuberin and that abrogation of this binding results in reduced protein levels of Tuberin and enhanced accumulation of DNA damage. These findings support that the Tuberin-CyclinB1 interaction is an important cellular checkpoint that protects cell integrity. Dissecting the mechanics of this checkpoint may reveal novel mechanisms for treating select benign and malignant tumours that impact the lives of many Canadians annually, with the majority of these being pediatric cases
Fostering Cross-Border Trail Tourism: Between the Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan Metropolitan Areas
Get PDFThe Role of Hypothesis in the Context of Scientific Theory Pursuit
No full textThere has been much discussion arising from Reichenbach's distinction in the philosophy of science between the context of discovery and the context of justification. More recently, some have also begun to distinguish between these and the "context of pursuit" at which point scientists are pursuing a theory or hypothesis that has been suggested as plausible, but is not yet deemed acceptable. However, there has been relatively little work done on characterizing this process by using specific scientific examples. In this talk, I consider Millikan's 1916 experiment on the photoelectric effect, and its relation to Einstein's light quanta hypothesis in order to clarify the role of hypotheses in the context of theory pursuit. I argue that Millikan's results did not directly support the light quanta hypothesis, but that they did constrain the possible theories that could be subsequently developed. Thus, a hypothesis can be useful for guiding research, but we must be careful to evaluate whether the experimental results genuinely support the hypothesis or not
Follow the yellow model toad: an analysis of female choice on male colouration in a tropical toad using 3D printed hyper-realistic models
Get PDFHealthy Great Lake
Strategic and Operational Optimization of Electric Bus Scheduling with Multi-Vehicle Types, Partial Charging, and Vehicle Disruption Management
No full textThe electrification of public transportation is a pivotal step toward achieving sustainable urban mobility, with electric buses playing a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. However, the operational constraints of electric buses, including limited battery range, charging infrastructure availability, and cost-effective scheduling, necessitate advanced optimization strategies to ensure reliable and efficient service. This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into the Electric Bus Scheduling Problem (EBSP), integrating multiple dimensions such as fleet composition, charge scheduling, infrastructure investment, and resilience planning. Structured around four published/submitted journal papers, this dissertation contributes to the field by developing novel methodologies to optimize electric bus operations. Chapter 2 provides an extensive review of existing EBSP research, identifying critical gaps and highlighting opportunities for improvement, particularly in multi-depot and multi-vehicle-type scheduling. Chapter 3 introduces a multi-objective scheduling model that accounts for different vehicle types, improving fleet utilization and service flexibility. Chapter 4 advances the optimization of electric bus operations by incorporating partial charging strategies, time-of-use electricity pricing, and dynamic speed management, reducing overall operational costs while maintaining service efficiency. Chapter 5 focuses on resilience strategies, proposing a geo-positioning model for backup bus station placement to mitigate disruptions caused by vehicle breakdowns, thereby ensuring uninterrupted transit service. A key innovation of this research is the integration of multiple operational constraints to create a more realistic and practical scheduling model. Unlike traditional scheduling approaches that assume full charging cycles, this study explores partial charging strategies, allowing for greater flexibility in energy management. Furthermore, the research considers time windows, speed variation, and charging cost fluctuations, making the proposed framework adaptable to real-world transit systems. The findings of this dissertation provide actionable insights for policymakers, transit authorities, and urban planners seeking to transition from conventional diesel-powered fleets to fully electric public transit systems. By optimizing charging schedules, strategically allocating vehicle types, and integrating resilience measures, this research facilitates a cost-effective and sustainable transformation of public transportation networks. Additionally, the methodologies developed in this dissertation can be extended to other forms of electric vehicle fleet management, contributing to broader sustainability efforts in urban mobility. Future research directions include the integration of real-time data-driven scheduling, machine learning for predictive optimization, and large-scale pilot implementations to validate the effectiveness of the proposed models in diverse urban settings. Moreover, this study highlights the impact of seasonality on battery performance and charging efficiency, an aspect that guarantees further investigation to enhance the robustness of electric bus scheduling under varying climatic conditions. Overall, this dissertation advances the field of electric bus scheduling and optimization by presenting a holistic approach that balances fleet efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability goals. The insights gained from this research will support the continued expansion of eco-friendly public transit solutions, fostering a more sustainable and efficient future for urban mobility