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Direct Investigation of the Supramolecular Assembly of Stretchable and Self-healing Conjugated Polymers
No full textWearable and flexible electronics attract a lot of attention in the scientific community since these new technologies have the potential to drastically modify the way that humans interact with everyday electronics. With the goal of producing flexible and wearable electronics, π-conjugated polymers are promising candidates given their synthetic versatility and functionality. In addition, polymers can be easily tuned and processed by previously published methods such as solution-based deposition and possess the ability to carry charge effectively. π-conjugated polymers interact via a π- π stacking mechanism forming a fairly rigid material. Incorporating hydrogen bonding into the polymer backbone will cause a disruption in the π- π stacking resulting in a more fluid material. However, due to the innovative research in this field, there needs to be a consideration of the reciprocal properties and thus the competition between the electronic charge and the mechanical properties of the polymers. The relationship between these features will, in turn, affect the degree of the dynamic bonds available for self-healing analysis. This presentation will focus on our recent effort toward the design and preparation of intrinsically stretchable conjugated polymers. In specific, these properties were investigated through a series of soft contact lamination techniques, allowing for the determination of the mechanical properties of the materials. A direct investigation of the elasticity, crack-on-set-strain, nanoscale morphology, molecular alignment and other important mechanical properties of the new conjugated polymers will be presented. The molecular design rules determined in this research will also be applicable to other important class of rigid materials, such as polyaromatics, and will have multiple impacts in many fields of polymer chemistry as well as provide a template for the next generation of electronics and technologies
Crossing the #thinblueline: Surveillance and Self-Presentation by Police on TikTok
No full textThis research project is concerned with the large community of police officers actively creating content on the emerging social media platform of TikTok, which is a short-form video sharing social media platform. This proliferation of traditional figures of authority into the civilian sphere of social media presents an opportunity to examine how this police-created content consciously influences civilian perspectives on policing, as well as how police officers characterize themselves within these short narratives. Furthermore, the large contingent of visible police officers on TikTok has implications for surveillance practices and expectations on social media. The project's research question will examine how police presence on TikTok may contribute to the complexity of surveillance relationships. Drawing from a sample of videos from the popular police-related hashtag #thinblueline, this project will engage in a multi-level Critical Discourse Analysis of the video content, the accompanying caption and a sample of the comments. This methodology has been adapted from Walkington et al. (2019)'s study of police-created Facebook content as a site of identity creation. Each video will be assessed using elements of CDA on three levels related to intended message in relation to policing, positioning of the content creator within this narrative, and how the content creator positions themselves within larger surveillance discourse. The analysis will also draw upon Michel Foucault's concepts of panopticism and governmentality, as well as Erving Goffman's presentation of self. The project aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how social media narratives contribute to relationships of authority and surveillance through an emerging platform like TikTok
Machine Learning for Predicting Neurosurgical Postoperative Cognitive Decline
No full textBackground: Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) in common in neurosurgical patients and significantly impacts functional independence. Several factors correlate to exacerbated POCD, including age, preoperative brain activity, and anesthesia type. However, little research has explored the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict POCD, which may personalize and improve patient treatment. This study aims to develop an AI tool which predicts POCD from neurosurgical patients based on patient and procedure characteristics for improved treatment outcomes. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that an AI tool trained on patient characteristics before and after surgery, along with procedure factors, may predict POCD. Methods: An AI tool will be trained and validated on neurosurgical case data to predict POCD risk and cognitive score (n = 200). Training data will include patient factors (demographics, blood test results, cognitive scores, lesion type) and procedure factors (anesthesia type, neurosurgical intervention). Cognitive score will be assessed using standard MoCA and MMSE tests. The tool will predict 7- and 30-day post-operative MoCA and MMSE score. We will validate the tool using a subset of patients (n = 50) and will assess model accuracy. Implications: AI-driven POCD prediction offers a cost-effective approach to personalized patient care. Integrating these tools into clinical workflows may better equip healthcare service providers to identify high risk patients, assess surgical risk, and adjust management, ultimately improving patient outcomes
The first total synthesis of a glycolipid from S. pneumoniae and the biological re-evaluation of their immunological activity
No full textViable, Healthy and Safe CommunitiesInvariant natural killer T cells (iNKT), a subclass of white blood cells, are responsible for the production of non-specific cytokines which induce a systemic uncontrolled immune response. They are distinctive in having a monospecific T-cell receptor that recognizes glycolipid antigens. The natural antigen was not identified until quite recently, when putative targets were isolated from S. pneumoniae. A bioactive fraction was identified from the extract: a disaccharide moiety attached to diacylglycerol (DAG). The glycolipid antigen reportedly activated iNKT cells. However, these tests were carried out using very small amounts of isolated glycolipids, as a result it is impossible to ascertain whether the activity was due to this compound or to some minor impurity. There was also insufficient evidence to conclusively confirm the proposed structure. Consequently, we recently synthesized the glycolipid to both confirm the structural assignment and to provide a useful chemical probe for immunologists. This presentation will discuss this S. pneumoniae glycolipid, its total synthesis, and our surprising re-evaluation of their immunological activity
Social and Emotional Learning Difficulties of Refugee High School Students in an After-school Tutoring Program
Get PDFSchool-aged children constitute a significant portion of the large number of refugees who have resettled in Canada in recent years. Due to the lack of cross-cultural competencies, a social justice focus, and transformative leadership skills, Canadian schools are often challenged to effectively address refugee students' socio-psychological problems. Moreover, educational literature and policy, which specifically target Canadian refugee students, are scarce. To help with the issue, this study examined eight refugee high school students through an online after-school tutoring program and evaluated their performances in the five domains of social-emotional learning competencies: social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, responsible decision making, and social awareness. The two researchers participated in this study as tutors and adopted observation as the main approach. Findings of the study revealed that refugee students' performances in these skills was not optimal, in general. Especially, there is a high demand in improving the refugee students' self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision-making. Most of them had good relationship skills as well as social awareness. Also, all the social-emotional learning skills connect closely with the refugee students' academic success
Impact of dedicated nursing education days on nurse job satisfaction and retention
No full textBackground: The recent pandemic has exacerbated the existing challenges in nursing retention due to heightened stress and burnout. Objective: This study aims to determine whether there is an association between dedicated nursing education days and nurse satisfaction and retention at ESHC. Method: Erie Shores HealthCare nurses (n=44) were consulted through email and gave input on the design and implementation of workshops for nurse consumption. Post-consultation nurses participated in 8-hour-long education days. A voluntary, anonymous survey of 113 nurses participating in various educational days at Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington, Ontario, Canada, between December 2023 and April 2024 was conducted. Result: Around 73% of participants reported that the education workshops were useful to their practice and competency as nurses in Ontario and 71% expressed that the knowledge gained would be used within their practices. Approximately 73% would recommend education workshops to other hospitals and organizations for ongoing nurse training in Ontario. The survey result underscores the urgent need for action in addressing the effects of implementing and executing multiple dedicated nursing education days. Implication: Outcomes from the study have led to proposed education days on an ongoing basis and developing out to other professions such as physicians and allied health professionals. This learning is crucial in understanding and addressing the broader issue of the national nursing shortage and ongoing problems with work-life balance and should motivate us all to take immediate action
Seeing through the Skull with Sound: Safety Testing and Field Mapping
No full text['UNSDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3)', 'UNSDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9)']Viable, Healthy and Safe CommunitiesUltrasound imaging is a safe and affordable method for obtaining real-time results without using radiation. However, imaging through bone tissue is challenging because sound waves are absorbed and scattered. To address this problem, Tessonics Inc. in Windsor, Ontario, has developed the Transcranial Ultrasound Brain Imaging (TRUBI) device with a custom-designed probe that corrects for distortions caused by the skull. This makes it easier to diagnose intracranial hemorrhages in the brain. To ensure patient safety, it's crucial to verify the acoustic output and prevent heat generation or bubble formation. The presented work will focus on the safety testing and field mapping process for the TRUBI device
The Impact of Chronic Mental Health Illnesses
No full textMental health illnesses are broad, multi-dimensional phenomena with many sub-classes that effect many people worldwide. Mental health issues commonly affect every aspect of people's lives and experiences can vary from person to person. The purpose of this project is to explore the experiences and challenges faced by people suffering with chronic mental health issues, and the impact it has on all aspects of their lives, as well as their families and loved ones. To identify common themes related to this topic, a literature search was conducted using CINAHL, and 12 articles were included for consideration in this project. In addition to a literature review, 10 interviews with currently hospitalized patients will be conducted to gain perspective on their lived experience in dealing with chronic mental health issues. Current themes that have emerged from the literature review are: stigmatization, self-image disturbances, difficulty with activities of daily living, difficulty with employment, impact of family and support networks, and barriers to holistic health. The literature discusses the negative impact that chronic mental health illnesses have on the previously mentioned themes that emerged from articles, and how each aspect effects the person's life. Understanding the impact that chronic illnesses such as mental health illnesses has on all aspects of a person's life can help broaden the understanding and reshape the views held by society and individuals. It can also help guide mental health education and health care provided to individuals experiencing chronic mental health issues
Six Degrees of Alteration: The obstacles soldier memoirs face in their quest to convey an experience of war
Get PDFABSTRACT Soldier memoirs have been used as an historical source for centuries. Their factual accuracy is less than that of official reports and histories that incorporate a wide range of sources, but they have become valued as a means to gain insight into the mindset of soldiers and have some of their experience transmitted to the reader. The experience transmitted to the reader is altered vastly from what the soldier experienced directly, due to the nature of human perception, memory, and the process of writing down his or her thoughts. This paper proposes a conceptual framework to assist in tracking the amount of distortion from the original event. This model is called the six degrees of alteration, in which the reader takes an active role during the final stage. This paper uses the memoirs written by Dieppe veterans to chart changes from the experience of battle, through the writing process, and ending with the reader. One memoir in particular, that of Clifford Sewell, provides the main vehicle for examining this process, due to the additional material accompanying it. Some of his handwritten notes, plus an interview with his daughter who transcribed it, allow for an especially in-depth analysis of the role played by the editor in shaping the final product. Although Clifford’s goal of warning future generations about the horrors of war remains evident, the message is made less effective due to the editorial changes. It becomes clear that when reading military memoirs, the message is not solely due to what the soldier chose to convey
Analysis of car-following behaviour in mixed traffic of autonomous vehicles and human-driven vehicles
No full textConsistent with the TCPS 2 (4.7) this is a research summary provided to participants and should not be considered a formal publication of results