30921 research outputs found
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Mental disorders among Manitoba adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities: a population-based study
No full textIntroduction: Approximately 20% of Canadians live with a mental disorder each year. Prior population-based research from other jurisdictions suggested that persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have a higher prevalence of mental disorders compared to the general population. The purpose of the study was to calculate and compare prevalence of mental disorders between Manitoba adults with and without IDD.
Methods: A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted. Population-based administrative data was analyzed from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository housed and maintained by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Five years of administrative data (April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2020) were linked to identify mental disorders. All years of data from multiple datasets available prior to April 1, 2015, were linked to identify the study cohort (i.e., adults with IDD) and the matched comparison group. Adults with and without IDD were matched by age, sex, and region of residence at a 1:3 ratio. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the study population. The generalized estimating equation technique, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were used to determine statistically significant differences in the prevalence of mental disorders between the IDD study cohort and the matched comparison group.
Results: Adults with IDD had a significantly higher prevalence of any mental disorders (OR = 2.13; 95%CI: 2.06, 2.21), mood and anxiety disorders (OR = 1.87; 95%CI: 1.80, 1.94), psychotic disorders (OR = 7.43; 95%CI: 6.82, 8.09), and substance use disorders (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.78, 2.03) compared to the matched comparison group. Prevalence of mental disorders among persons with IDD varied by age, sex, and region of residence.
Conclusion: Consistent with the studies from other jurisdictions, it was found that prevalence of mental disorders was significantly higher among adults with IDD compared to those without IDD. Study findings can help with the development of interventions, policies, and programs, as well as advocacy to provide more accessible mental health supports to promote the mental health of Manitobans with IDD.May 202
Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes and complex intron arrangements among members of the Ophiostomatales
No full textMembers of the Ophiostomatales are of economic concern as many are blue-stain fungi including some plant pathogens. The taxonomy of these fungi has been challenging due to the convergent evolution of traits associated with insect dispersal. This project involved comparative sequence analysis of fungal mitochondrial genomes belonging to Ophiostomatales (phylum Ascomycota), which are also rich reservoirs of mobile genetic elements. The work is divided into two chapters. The first chapter is focused on three members of Leptographium sensu lato with inflated mitogenomes owing to abundant introns, including complex intron arrangements. Phylogeny based on mitogenome-derived protein sequences and nuclear markers helped in confirming the separation of Leptographium and Grosmannia species. The second chapter investigates the mitogenomes of nine strains of Ophiostoma ips with a varied global distribution which were sequenced and compared with other members of the Ophiostomatales. A mitogenome intron landscape demonstrated the distribution of the mobile genetic elements and provided insight into the evolutionary dynamics of introns among members of this group of fungi. Examples of complex or nested introns composed of two or three intron modules have been observed in some species, and RNA-Seq analysis suggests possible splicing pathways with regard to resolving complex introns in Ophiostoma ips. Mitochondrial DNA and RNA data for several members of the Ophiostomatales provide the basis for further studies relating to alternative splicing, evolutionary intron dynamics, and taxonomic studies.October 202
Cold-climate grown sorghum: their physicochemical and functional properties related to starch and phenolic contents
No full textSorghum, a C4 plant, has the potential to support circular and agriculturally smart economies. However, its potential for use in colder regions remains largely untapped due to cultivation challenges. Recent breeding strategies have yielded sorghum varieties that adapt to these cold climates, yet their properties and applications have not been explored. This research analyzed the physicochemical attributes of isolated starches and phenolic and anthocyanin contents and their thermal stability in selected sorghum genotypes. The study focused on sorghum genotypes from the Netherlands (Dusormil varieties: HD) and Canada (CGSH varieties), each bred to adapt to cold climates. Wet milling was used for starch isolation, and acidified methanol with ultrasonic-assisted extraction for phytochemical isolation. The isolated starch granules displayed polymorphism with surface indentation and granule sizes ranging from 1µm to 20µm. Colorimetric analysis showed distinct hues of pink, with CGSH-9 being the lightest (L* value of 92.49%) and HD101 the darkest (L* value of 82.29%). All the samples exhibited type-A starch with relative crystallinity ranging from 25.24-28.74%. HD7 had the highest peak viscosity (3842 cP), while CGSH-9 had the lowest (2672 cP). Gelatinization temperature ranged from 61.86±1.66°C to 77.44±1.86°C, with an average temperature range of 15.59°C. Phytochemical analysis revealed that black sorghum varieties (HD100 and HD101) had higher total phenolic content (TPC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC). than the brown (HD7) and white (HD19) varieties. The TPC and TAC positively correlated to their activities against ABTS and DPPH. Cooking negatively affected the TAC except for the decorticated HD7 and HD19 samples that showed improved concentration post-cooking, and the TPC appeared more stable. HPLC analysis revealed three dominant anthocyanins in the samples: luteolinidin, apigeninidin and peonidin. The bran of HD7 exhibited the highest cellular antioxidant activity. These findings underscore the potential of these newly bred sorghum accessions, specifically tailored for cold climates, as viable substitutes for gluten-containing starches in industrial applications and consumption. The phytochemical analysis also revealed their potency in combating the menace associated with reactive oxygen species for improved health.Canada Research Chairs (File Number: 950-232080)October 202
Effects of time on impurity diffusion and concentration-dependent interdiffusion coefficients in Cu-Ni system
No full textConsiderable focus has been directed toward investigating the interdiffusion coefficients in binary systems, primarily due to their pivotal role in metallurgical processes and material performance assessments. An essential parameter in this context is the isothermal concentration-dependent interdiffusion coefficient. While interdiffusion coefficients are widely recognized as being influenced by temperature and concentration, the element of time can exert substantial influence due to the presence of diffusion-induced stress (DIS) within the system.
The present research experimentally investigates the effect of time on concentration-dependent interdiffusion and impurity diffusion coefficients in Cu-Ni binary systems and their alloy compositions. The investigation delves into the effect of solute source concentration and anomalous behaviors of temperature as the attributable indications of DIS at play.
To implement the research work, a newly devised numerical diffusion model by Olaye and Ojo [20] is integrated with a forward simulation approach in this study. This model incorporates different atomic diffusion coefficients and ensures solute conservation. The model also merges fully explicit finite difference analyses with the Leapfrog/Dufort-Frankel scheme, thus enabling the determination of concentration-dependent interdiffusion coefficients. This approach overcomes the limitations associated with traditional techniques like the Boltzmann-Matano, Hall, Wagner and Sauer-Freise methods. By applying this method, both the interdiffusion and impurity diffusion coefficients are investigated at various diffusion times. The results reveal that the interdiffusion and impurity diffusion coefficients show time variations as a result of DIS in the system. This phenomenon contrasts the widely accepted notion of the interdiffusion coefficient being solely dependent on concentration and temperature without considering time. Overlooking this critical aspect could have substantial implications in the analysis of diffusion data and an accurate understanding of microstructural transformations initiated by diffusion-controlled phase changes in metallic systems.1. Graduate Enhancement of Tri-agency Stipends (GETS program)
2. Fellowship for Education PurposesOctober 202
River water surface velocity measurement using large-scale particle image velocimetry
No full textIt is proposed to use advancements in Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV), such as improved charge-coupled device in cameras, unmanned aerial vehicles, and faster algorithms, for a non-invasive river water surface velocity measurement to assess potential hydrokinetic turbine sites. The approach will compare results to an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). Being able to measure the water surface velocity using the proposed method allows the use of a low-cost and simple approach to determine hydrokinetic sites suitable for turbine deployment for electrification of remote communities. The research tests were conducted in a water tunnel and at the Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Testing Center located in Winnipeg River using cameras and a drone with results compared to an ADV. Two LSPIV simulation software’s PIVlab and OpenPIV were used to analyze the water surface velocity captured in a water tunnel and at the Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Testing Center. The results of the LSPIV software analysis with optimized average velocity data results from PIVlab are within ±0.1 m/s from the average ADV velocity results. In addition, optimized velocity data from PIVlab show vector results moved closer to the ADV measured water surface velocity and resulted with fewer fluctuations after the erroneous data was removed. Thus, a non-invasive way of analyzing water surface velocity by flying a drone overhead capturing the water surface and using LSPIV software such as PIVlab and OpenPIV to extract data from the captured images could replace conventional invasive methods of water surface velocity measurements for site assessments so long as these are done in good weather, minimal wind and water surface ripples are clear, detailed and defined.May 202
Use of antiseizure medications during pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes
No full textBackground: Epilepsy during pregnancy can lead to various adverse health outcomes in both pregnant people and infants. Furthermore, in-utero exposure to antiseizure medications (ASMs), employed in the management of epilepsy, is also associated with an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. With the exponential increase in the use of ASMs over the last few decades, it is crucial to understand the safety of in-utero exposure to ASMs. In this thesis we aimed to evaluate the safety of ASMs in all pregnant people, pregnant people with epilepsy (PPWE) and pregnant people without epilepsy (PPWOE), using both evidence synthesis methods and real-world data.
Methods: First, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of adverse birth weight outcomes due to in-utero exposure to ASMs in the published literature from inception to March 23rd, 2022. (Chapter 2: Protocol & Chapter 3: Report). Second, we conducted two population-based cohort studies utilizing the administrative databases in Manitoba to study the safety of in-utero exposure to ASMs and gabapentin in pregnancy. We included all pregnant people in Manitoba between 1998-2021. In study 1 (Chapter 4: ASMs) we evaluated the ASMs safety and in study 2 (Chapter 5: gabapentin) we evaluated gabapentin safety among all pregnant people, PPWE and PPWOE.
Results: In the systematic review, we found a significant association between in-utero exposure to all ASMs in pregnant people and small for gestational age (SGA), with relative risk (RR) 1.33 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.50, I2 74%), low birth weight (LBW) RR 1.54 (95% CI 1.33 to 1.77, I2 67%), and decreased birth weight with a mean difference (MD) of -118.87 (95% CI -161.03 to -76.71, I2 42%) g compared to unexposed pregnant people. We found similar results among PPWE when compared to unexposed pregnant people, but they did not reach statistical significance. In our cohort study, among all pregnant people exposed to ASMs we found a significant increased risk of SGA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.16, 95% CI 1.04-1.30), LBW (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.47-1.88), preterm birth (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.41-1.73), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.74-2.10), and length of hospital stay (LOS) infant (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.56-1.82) when compared with unexposed pregnant people. We found similar results among PPWOE when compared with unexposed PPWOE. For gabapentin exposure, among all pregnant people we found a significant increased risk of LBW (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.58-2.41), preterm birth (aOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.39-2.03), NICU admissions (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.71-2.42), pregnant peoples LOS (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.15-1.54), infant LOS (aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.81-2.41) compared to unexposed pregnant people. We found similar results among exposed PPWOE when compared with unexposed PPWOE.
Conclusions: Both the choice of ASM use and the underlying condition (epilepsy) contribute to an elevated adverse risk during pregnancy. With the increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes associated with in-utero exposure to ASMs, including gabapentin, clinicians should carefully assess the risk-benefit ratio before prescribing these medications. Moreover, the use of gabapentin requires caution among pregnant people.Health Sciences Centre Foundation :October 202
Primary care occupational, physical, and respiratory therapy role adaptation in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textBackground
Occupational, physical and respiratory therapists are relatively new to primary care settings, and thus their roles are still emerging. The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of abrupt changes in professional roles. Professional role adaptations are integral to the ability of health care teams to respond to day-to-day care delivery challenges, such as the current physician and nurse shortage, as well as disaster situations. This study explored the role adaptation of occupational, physical, and respiratory therapists in Canadian primary care settings throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as barriers and facilitators to adaptation.
Methods
This longitudinal interpretative descriptive study purposively sampled primary care occupational, physical, and respiratory therapists from two Canadian provinces (Manitoba and Ontario). We asked participants to prepare at least 10 semi-structured audio-diary entries during a 12-week period (April – Oct 2020), followed by two semi-structured interviews (Dec 2020, Apr 2021). Questions focused on changes happening in their practice over time. Analysis was iterative, including developing a individual summaries and coding data using both inductive and pre-determined codes. We then entered an immersion/crystallization process to develop key themes related to role adaptation.
Results
We represent our findings with the metaphor of the game of Role Adaptation Snakes and Ladders (aka Chutes and Ladders). The pandemic was certainly not a game, but this metaphor represents the tension of being a pawn to circumstance while also being expected to take control of one’s professional and personal life during a disaster. The object of the game is to move through three phases of role adaptation, from Disorienting, through Coping and Waiting, to Adapting. In the Adapting phase, the therapists creatively found ways to provide vital services for the pandemic response. The therapists were influenced both negatively and positively (snakes and ladders) by their personal circumstances, and professional meso and macro contexts. Each therapist moved across the board in a unique trajectory and timeline based on these contexts.
Conclusions
Rehabilitation professionals, with adequate meso and macro system supports, can maximize their role on primary care teams by adapting their services to work to their full scope of practice
COVID-19 and pregnancy: a comprehensive study of comorbidities and outcomes
No full textAbstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of pregnancy and pre-existing comorbidities on COVID-19 infections and associated complications of hospitalisation and mortality in women of reproductive age (WRA). The study also compared the risk of severe COVID-19 complications between pregnant women (PW) and non-pregnant women (NPW) with and without pre-existing comorbidities. Special focus was placed on some understudied comorbidities of immunosuppression, chronic renal disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods The study utilized anonymized patient-related information for a population of 7,342,869 WRA from the Mexican Ministry of Health data repository on COVID-19. Descriptive variables were characterized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were used to assess the associations between risk factors and outcomes of hospitalisation and mortality. The study covered the entire COVID-19 pandemic period from January 30, 2020, to May 5, 2023. Results The findings revealed that PW were not more likely to get COVID-19 infections than NPW. PW with COVID-19 infections were more likely to require hospital admission, intubation treatments, and ICU admission compared to NPW with COVID-19. PW with immunosuppression had an increased odds ratio (aOR) of getting COVID-19 infections compared to NPW (PW: aOR = 1.0396; NPW: aOR = 0.8373). NPW with immunosuppression had higher risk of mortality (all-cause death: aOR = 1.7084; COVID-19-associated death: aOR = 1.4079) and hospitalisation (all-cause hospitalisation: aOR = 4.1328; COVID-19-associated hospitalisation: aOR = 3.0451) than NPW without immunosuppression. Renal disease was identified as a concerning pre-existing condition that increased the risks of COVID-19 associated mortality/hospitalizations and all-cause mortality/hospitalizations for both PW and NPW. NPW with renal disease had much higher odds ratio (aOR) of either COVID-19-associated-hospitalisations (NPW: aOR = 8.639; PW: aOR = 1.7603) or all-cause hospitalisations (NPW: aOR = 8.8594; PW: aOR = 1.786) than PW with renal disease. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights into the impact of pregnancy and pre-existing comorbidities on COVID-19 outcomes in WRA. The findings underscore the importance of considering demographic factors and pre-existing comorbidities in the management of PW with COVID-19. The study also highlights the need for further research to understand the unique impacts of different comorbidities, particularly immunosuppression and renal disease, on COVID-19 outcomes in WRA
Design and fabrication of an inflation-activated FPCB MEMS-based electrode for bio-signal recording with an in-canal fixation capability
No full textThis research aims to propose a design and fabrication process for a novel miniaturized electrode which can be potentially exploited to record EVestG signals and ear electrical activity from the middle inner parts, including semicircular canals and otolith organs, by an extra-tympanic electrode. This thesis covers EVestG signal recording, its currently used electrode, and the associated current challenges, followed by a review of micro-fabrication techniques, including Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) conventional fabrication techniques (sputtering), 3Dprinting micro-fabrication technologies (Stereo-lithography or SLA), and Bio-MEMS electrode fabrication for new electrodes design with their associated technical
challenges. It also presents some methodologies to cope with the challenges in our design, studying their feasibility. Then, it adopts one of the presented methodologies, which seem more feasible regarding our accessible facilities and resources. The methodology was chosen for a new needle-electrode design (potentially for EVestG recording) and it was fabricated using various technologies such as air-actuation using medical balloons, Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB), 3D-printing, and MEMS fabrication. The fabrication process, from basic steps to the latest developments, is reported illustratively. Finally, the performance of the designed and fabricated micro-needle electrodes from impedance against pressure variation is investigated via some in-vitro experiments. The experiments demonstrate impedance reduction of the fabricated plastic silver-sputtered SLA-3D-printed micro-needle electrodes as
the pressure increases.May 202
Does China pose a threat? Examining the US case for a new Cold War
No full textToday, relations between the United States and China have deteriorated to their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic relations in the 1970s. The US government has argued that China constitutes the principal threat to the security and prosperity of the United States and the world at large. This thesis analyzes contemporary US foreign policy towards China, focusing on the official justifications underlying Washington’s stance. Through case-study analysis, this thesis examines US narratives regarding China in three key arenas of the growing conflict: (i) relations with the Global South and the claim that China practices “debt-trap diplomacy”; (ii) the “trade war” and allegations that China engages in “unfair” economic practices and its economic development threatens US national security; and (iii) tensions surrounding Taiwan and notions that Chinese “aggression” is endangering the island, while US involvement is driven by concerns for peace and democracy. This thesis argues that serious reasonable doubts exist regarding the justifications provided by the US for its foreign policy towards China. Instead, this thesis argues that the United States is pursuing an aggressive containment strategy aimed at blocking China’s ascendance and securing US global supremacy.February 202