Toronto Metropolitan University Open Journals
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Thermo-Mechanical Damage of Pigmented Animal Skin During Nanosecond Nd:YAG Laser Irradiation
No full textNd:YAG Laser irradiation is efficacious for clinic treatments of Ota’ Nevus caused by hyperplastic dermal melanocytes. Since the interaction mechanism of laser and pigmented skin is not yet clear, the clearance rate is generally low and bleeding frequently occurs. To investigated the effect of laser irradiation on pigmented skin, an edothelin-3 transgenic mouse model was established with melanocytes generated in dermis by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. And the schlieren method was utilized to visualize the laser heating process. A 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser with energy density up to 8 J/cm2 and duration of 6 ns was applied to single-pulse irradiate the mouse back vertically. The results indicate that rapid vaporization of intracellular moisture cause two kinds of thermo-mechanical damage of pigmented skin: separation and breakage, where 2 J/cm2 is the laser energy density threshold. With the increase of energy density, the mechanical damage becomes more intense. When energy density is higher than 6 J/cm2, the ejection of tissue fragments is accelerated by the formation of shock waves. In terms of efficiency and safety, the energy density for melanin clearance should be selected within 2 ~ 6 J/cm2
Analysis of Experimental Studies of Transient Processes during the Start-up of the Protection of the Diesel Generator Set
No full textIn order to use locomotives efficiently and prolong their service life, it is important to study the operation of locomotives\u27 electrical equipment. In particular, the traction generator of the locomotive type 2TE10M and the reverse current flow in the current circuit of traction electric motors are important. These currents were detected during the study of the causes of contact melting of VSh contactors. In this case, when the traction motors are operating in the mode of attenuation of the magnetic field, after switching off the drive of the traction generator, the resistors of the traction generator of the traction motor, the reverse current flows from the shunts of the traction motor. This article describes in detail the features of the manifestation of reverse currents in the current circuits of traction generators and traction electric motors with the practical-scientific basis and scientific manuscripts of scientists
Simulation and Experimental Studies of Heat and Moisture Transfer Processes During the Storage and Drying of Heterogeneous Porous Products in Open Areas under Solar Influence
No full textDeveloped a mathematical model to simulate the simultaneous processes of heat and moisture transfer that occur when agricultural products with different characteristics are naturally stored and dried in open spaces. The mathematical model takes into account solar radiation, internal heat and moisture release, heat and moisture interaction with the environment, and time-space variations of temperature and humidity. We devised an efficient numerical approach to solve the problem, based on an implicit finite-difference scheme with the second order in time and spatial variables. Software was developed and experiments were conducted on raw cotton to examine and forecast the temperature and humidity at arbitrary points on the high-humidity raw cotton
“You\u27re Just Too Much”: Higher-Weight Sexual and Gender Minorities’ Experiences of Stigma in Atlantic Canada
No full textBoth higher-weight individuals and sexual and gender minorities report experiences of stigma in healthcare and everyday life. However, little is known about how these stigmas may interact in individuals who identify as both a sexual and/or gender minority and as currently or formerly higher weight. This study reports on the findings of a micro-ethnography, which incorporated two interviews at 2-to-3-month intervals and participant observation, exploring the intersectional experiences of higher-weight sexual and gender minority adults (≥ 18 years of age) (n=12) in a Canadian Atlantic province. Given reported heteronormativity and weight-stigmatizing attitudes within dietetics, findings are highly relevant to dietitians. Participants described weight-centrism, microaggressions, and prejudice in healthcare, revealed a strong relational sense of identity and self, and recognized the need for advocacy. Ultimately, a radical ontological shift in dietetics may be necessary to eliminate the sense of exclusion that diverse, higher-weight individuals experience in healthcare settings
Pup Philms for Nutritional Counseling: Exploring Body Image among Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer Men Engaging in Pup Play using Cellphilms
No full textThe aim of this research was to explore body image and well-being within the pup community for gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (GBTQ) men in Canada. Data was collected through cellphilming methods (production of short films by participants using their cellphones) and workshops from seventeen self-identifying GBTQ pups. Transcripts were analyzed through discourse analysis. Three discursive considerations were noted: 1) (re)defining sexual bodies, 2) wearing the pup hood, and 3) rejecting gender and gender norms. Implications for nutritional counselors working in the areas of body image are discussed
Artful Compassion: Exploring Experiences of Compassion in Eating Disorder Care for 2S/LGBTQ+ Individuals with Graphic Art
No full textThis research explores experiences of compassion in the eating disorder recovery processes of 2S/LGBTQ+ people. There exists a growing body of evidence suggesting disparities in the assessment, treatment, and overall care of eating disorders in 2S/LGBTQ+ communities. One concern is a potential lack of compassion, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation for 2S/LGBTQ+ individuals. To gain a deeper understanding of this issue, we embrace a queer poststructuralist approach to our research that disrupts traditional knowledge and acknowledges experiences as socially constructed. Semi-structured interviews with 14 self-identifying 2S/LGBTQ+ people who have experienced eating disorder care were conducted. Analysis of the data revealed three main types of experiences: 1) Experiences of otherness, 2) Experiences of compassion in eating disorder care, and 3) Experiences of compassion in queer communities. To “queer” our findings, we present them through graphic art and non-traditional scientific writing. The graphic art represents participants’ experiences and is followed by critical discussions that further explore the socially constructed nature of their experiences. Our findings underscore the critical need for enhanced compassion for 2S/LGBTQ+ people during treatment with eating disorders
Peace and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa: The demographic cost paid by young children during and after civil wars
No full textThe study describes changing trends in child mortality in selected African countries that suffered civil wars. After an overview of political developments following independence, the study draws a contrast between countries who suffered a civil war and others having remained in peace during the same period. The war case-studies were the following: Angola 1975-2002; Mozambique 1977-1992, Rwanda 1990-1999, Burundi 1988-2005; Uganda 1971-1986; Congo-Brazza 1993-2002; Liberia 1989-2003; Sierra-Leone 1991-2002. The study focuses on the impact of destructions and dysfunctions in health systems on child survival during and after the war period since it takes several years after a conflict for full recovery of the health system. The study discusses the frailty of newly independent states, economic downturns and mismanagement, the difficulties of decolonization, the role of the great powers and competing ideologies during the Cold War period, and the divisions resulting from ethnic rivalries to conquer political power. Overall, the study found an indirect impact (~4.9 million deaths) as high as the estimated direct impact of civil wars
Resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system during an emergency crisis
No full textThis commentary article evaluates the healthcare system\u27s resilience to the challenges faced in an emergency crisis in Lebanon. It tackles the limitations faced during the Beirut Port blast on August 4, 2020, as an example. Accordingly, solutions to the difficulties encountered and the importance of having an emergency preparedness plan on a national level are elaborated to insist on the importance of the healthcare system\u27s readiness in response to any unexpected event, whether wars, explosions, or others
Creatoon: Interactive Digital Storytelling
No full text Creatoon is a participatory two-dimensional animation that emphasizes creative storytelling. Fusing the words “Create” and “Cartoon”, the project encourages its viewers to participate in creating their own stories by watching an animated video. In lieu of providing dialogue and characters’ names, this project converts still images of a comic into a movable video. To move and change the positions of the characters, the video zooms in and out, shifts scale, and animates lip movement by using Adobe After Effects. In addition, the artist incorporates background music to assist the viewers, who are children ages five to twelve, in making their stories.
Participants begin by watching the video clip and are then prompted to name the characters and imagine and write their own stories. The central objective is to provide children with a digital space in which their creativity can flourish and demonstrate how a single video has the potential to carry multiple stories. Furthermore, through participation, the project enables its viewers to immerse in innovation in the space of digital media. Creatoon challenges the passive nature of content common to digital media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram
Interactive Documentaries Informing Design: Starting a Conversation
No full textThe field of design research, thinking, and practice relies on various mediums and methods (Hanington, 2003) to improve the designs of products, services, and experiences. Even though the use of video and digital media has been studied within the design field, the use of interactive documentaries (i.e., I-docs) remains unexplored. Aston, Gaudenzi, and Rose (2017) define I-docs as “any project that starts with the intention to engage with the real and that uses digital interactive technology to realize this intention,” as they consider \u27real\u27 as "the breadth of lived experience". Interactive documentaries can be non-linear in the way that they present documented experiences, co-creative in making, and polyphonic by involving multiple perspectives (Aston & Odorico, 2018). These qualities of interactive documentaries make them interesting as a medium.
Aiming to answer the question "How can I-docs be helpful to the design field?" the study conducts a literature review that looks at the uses of interactive documentaries and the existing design research methods. The study is particularly interested in user-centered design and co-design as two main design approaches. The reviewed papers were subjected to qualitative content analysis to understand the patterns between what existing methods in design research provide and what interactive documentaries can offer. The user-centered design approach focuses on the user and relies on user research to understand the user experience. And co-design is where the "users" are considered "co-designers." Interactive documentaries offer potential uses for both of these design approaches.
For the user-centered design approach, the stages of design thinking were used as a structure to see how each of these steps can be improved by utilizing interactive documentaries. Design thinking is known to have five main stages that are iterative and non-linear: empathize (researching your users\u27 needs), define (stating the users\u27 needs and problems), ideate (challenging assumptions and creating ideas), prototype (starting to create solutions), and test (trying the solutions). In light of this, the paper proposes potential uses of I-docs in the first three stages of design thinking.
The study argues that interactive documentaries can be used to document and present the user experience in a unique way. When compared to other user data collection methods, the interactive documentary stands out since it can retell user experiences in an in-depth and non-linear way by showing different perspectives and including multiple stakeholders. So, I-docs can inform the design process by supporting the "empathize" stage. Secondly, I-docs can help to compare these multiple perspectives and help designers form a design focus in the "define" stage. Lastly, I-docs can challenge assumptions regarding what the users need and can be stimulating for thinking about various concepts to support the "ideate" stage. In the context of co-design, interactive documentaries can be made co-creatively, as evident by the many works noted by Cizek and Uricchio (2022), making them a co-designed medium. Therefore, I-docs can be a catalyst for co-design processes. This work aspires to spark a conversation between I-docs and design and invite other researchers to explore the opportunities between the fields