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Validated methods for the identification of new halogenated polycyclic aromatic compounds in the Canadian environment
No full textPolycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) represent a complex and structurally diverse group of aromatic organic contaminants of both petrogenic and pyrogenic origins. These compounds are released into the environment from anthropogenic and natural sources as complex mixtures, encompassing thousands of different aromatic, alkyl-aromatic, and heterocyclic hydrocarbons containing N-, S-, or O- atoms. Overwhelmingly, most of the research in this field has focused on the sixteen 16 US Environmental Protection Agency priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there is still a large knowledge gap on the identification and quantitation of other PACs, for instance halogenated PAHs (HPAHs), which has led to the overarching hypothesis of my thesis: additional PACs are present in the environment and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry can be used to accurately identify and quantify them. The specific class of PACs that I was interested in studying were ones containing halogen atoms. The rationale for this is that the addition of a halogen on the PAC backbone will increase their environmental persistent and bioaccumulative potential relative to non-halogenated species. The first advancement I made was the detection of HPAHs in environmental samples from the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR). To my knowledge, this is the first report on the detection of HPAHs from AOSR. The second major advancement I made was the validation of two extraction methods for PACs for abiotic (sediment) and biotic (avian egg) samples, respectively. In both studies, I was able to significantly streamline the sample preparation process of PACs. I also compared various quantification methods for PAC analysis which has led to improved measurement accuracy and precision. The overall results of my work will impact future studies on the development of even faster and more cost-effective analytical monitoring techniques, tools designed to delineate sources of crude oil exposures, and forensic studies leading to new areas of analytical research.February 202
Essays on effectuation: insights from CEOs, top managers, and middle management
No full textThis dissertation aims to understand effectuation theory by examining the individual antecedents of effectuation principles, and the materialization of effectuation principles within the firm.
Essay 1 investigates the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) narcissism and affordable loss (AL) behaviors, based on the narcissistic admiration and narcissistic rivalry perspective. Conflicting conceptualizations remain regarding whether entrepreneurs’ psychological traits matter for AL. Using data collected from the CEOs and paired vice presidents at 122 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in mainland China, this study explores the association between psychological traits, especially CEO narcissism and AL behaviors under environment and resource constrains.
The findings show that CEO admiration-based narcissism is positively related to AL behaviors in the firm. Furthermore, when firms hold more slack resources, narcissistic admiration has a stronger positive association with AL; while when the environment becomes more uncertain, narcissistic admiration has a weaker positive association with AL. Meanwhile, only when environment becomes more uncertain, CEO rivalry-based narcissism has a stronger negative association with AL. This article contributes to trait-based effectuation research and suggests that individual psychological traits affect AL behaviors at the firm level, though the patterns of the relationship vary with both the type of narcissism and contexts.
Essay 2 explores how firm-level effectuation influences the behaviors of middle managers. The literature exploring effectuation and causation at the firm-level has largely neglected the challenges involved in implementing effectuation within organizational settings. This study investigates how individual dimensions of effectuation influence middle-level managers' participation in decision-making.
Utilizing multilevel data from 536 middle-level managers across 131 SMEs in mainland China, I found that experimentation, affordable loss, and precommitment exhibit unique patterns in their interactions with the collective organizational engagement climate in these firms. As collective organizational engagement becomes stronger, the impact of experimentation on middle managers’ participation in decision-making switches from positive to negative. However, the increase in collective organizational engagement weakens the positive impact of affordable loss and lessens the negative impact of precommitment. This study underscores the importance of integrating variables related to internal organizational dynamics into research on the nexus between effectuation and middle managers’ entrepreneurial behaviors.October 202
Correction to: Examining psychosocial pathways to explain the link between breastfeeding practices and child behaviour in a longitudinal cohort
No full textThe effect of ferric-based chemical phosphorus removal dosing location on downstream liquid and solid stream processes
No full textThe research investigates the impact of ferric-based chemical phosphorus removal dosing locations on the processes of downstream liquid and solid streams in wastewater treatment. It examines how different dosing points affect sludge production, secondary treatment performance, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection efficiency, digestibility and dewaterability of chemical sludge. Through benchscale testing of various dosing scenarios, the study aims to determine the optimal dosing location that meets phosphorus removal goals while minimizing adverse effects on treatment downstream processes. It was found that sludge production increased by 20 percent and 11 percent for chemically enhanced primary treatment and chemical phosphorus removal in secondary treatment, respectively, to achieve an estimated final effluent total phosphorus of 2.5 mg L-1. It was also found that increasing ferric chloride dosing prior to digestion, chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), or chemical phosphorus removal in secondary treatment does not significantly affect downstream processes. This research is crucial for wastewater treatment facilities looking to meet regulatory phosphorus limits efficiently without compromising the performance of the existing treatment process.May 202
An Assessment of Canada's UNDRIP Act and jurisprudence on the duty to consult in relation to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
No full textThe United Nations Human Rights Council adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2006 due to decades-long international efforts to create a comprehensive instrument safeguarding Indigenous rights. In protecting human rights, under international law, States are obliged to perform their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil. This paper examined Canada's adherence to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and how it fares compared to other Countries that have also fully supported the Declaration. The primary aim of this research is to delineate Canada's present actions concerning its obligations and commitments to the UNDRIP. This paper utilized a descriptive design to analyze Canada's actions toward reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights. The paper employed a systemic analysis of related literature. In 2021, the UNDRIP Act came into force. A notable concern about this Act is its limited and negligible effect on the community. The UNDRIP Act may not have fulfilled its mandate, and its impact is inadequate to fulfill its purpose. The creation of a national legal framework capable of delivering a holistic implementation of the UNDRIP is necessary, and this prevents the piecemeal and band-aid solutions to the current woes of Canadian Indigenous peoples.May 202
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in community-based monitoring of ecological changes in Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet)
No full textStudies have shown that climate change and other anthropogenic activities like infrastructure developments, shipping, and mining have changed the Arctic ecosystem. Such changes have cumulative impacts on the social and ecological system related to the Inuit. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and Community-based monitoring (CBM) are crucial in monitoring the changes and their impacts. This research identifies the ecological changes and their impacts on the Chesterfield community. It documents how the community uses Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) indicators to monitor the changes. Next, it discusses the challenges and implications of knowledge integration during CBM. Community-based qualitative research was used as a methodology including interviews with fifteen Inuit hunters, Elders, and knowledge holders, and two workshops. Recommendations from Indigenous research frameworks and tools were incorporated throughout the research. This research finds that the community has observed changes in sea ice, rivers, lakes, land, animals, and marine ecosystems. Climate change, shipping, and mining in Baker Lake are the primary reasons for the changes. These stressors have impacted the social, cultural, economic, and ecological aspects of the community. Some of these impacts (for example, a decrease in the abundance of seals) are tangible whereas others (for example, impact on knowledge) are intangible. Changes in the sea ice and increasing shipping are the main concerns of the community.GENOME Canada LSARP (GENICE II: Reimagining Monitored Natural Attenuation as an Oil Spill Response Tool in the Arctic Project) and the Canada Research Chairs programOctober 202
Investigating the causal impact of gestational diabetes on youth-onset hypertension in offspring
No full textHypertension is the second most common pediatric chronic disease worldwide. Previous work suggests that an individual’s risk for hypertension could begin in utero. Early seminal studies demonstrated a link between exposure to malnutrition in utero and elevated risk for cardiometabolic abnormalities in the offspring. In the 21st century, studies revealed that hyperglycemia, pre-pregnancy diabetes, and gestational diabetes were all associated with markers of offspring cardiovascular health including increased blood pressure. However, it was not clear whether these associations represented a causal effect. Additionally, it is unclear the extent to which trends in gestational diabetes incidence have changed over time. This thesis was designed to fill these knowledge gaps. First, I conducted a descriptive study of gestational diabetes incidence to assess trends over time and among high-risk groups. Second, to investigate the causal impact of gestational diabetes on youth-onset hypertension among offspring, I conducted a triangulation study. Triangulation in epidemiology refers to conducting multiple studies, all designed to assess the same research question, that have differing limitations, risk of bias, and assumptions. For this thesis I conducted (1) an exact-matched study, (2) a negative exposure control study, and (3) a discordant sibling-matched study. Results showed that diagnosis of gestational diabetes has increased markedly over the last several decades with high-risk groups experiencing the highest rates and lower risk groups experiencing the highest increase in rates. Additionally, the evidence suggests that it is unlikely that exposure to gestational diabetes confers a direct independent increased risk for the development of youth-onset hypertension. Collectively, the work completed for this thesis demonstrates the importance of exploring causal factors that may simultaneously contribute to the cause of both elevated gestational diabetes and elevated youth-onset hypertension.February 202
Overview of School Counseling Approaches Fostering Educational Success of Youth in a Francophone School in Iqaluit (Nunavut)
No full textSur le territoire du Nunavut, terre des Inuits se retrouve une seule école francophone, située à Iqaluit, la capitale du territoire. Cette école offre un programme d’éducation en français, de la maternelle à la 12e année, aux enfants d’un parent ayant droit. En raison de son emplacement particulier et de son système d’éducation fondé sur les valeurs Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (valeurs sociétales inuites), les approches de counseling scolaire de cette école sont uniques et adaptées à l’environnement de l’élève. Ainsi, cette recherche qualitative essentiellement exploratoire présente un état des lieux des approches de counseling scolaire favorisant la réussite éducative des jeunes d’une école francophone d’Iqaluit (Nunavut). Les données recueillies auprès de huit (8) participants, à l’aide d’entrevues semi-dirigées en mode virtuel, permettent d’exposer les particularités de l’approche de counseling scolaire globale en milieu inuit, ainsi que les défis que présente la dispense de programmes et services de counseling scolaire en contexte minoritaire francophone.February 202
Virtual Delivery of Medical Education: A Physician Assistant Program Literature Review
No full textIntroduction: In the past few years of the Corona virus (COVID-19) we have seen a significant
shift in the delivery of education that incorporates more online components. A virtual model of
teaching has been adopted in many institutions worldwide. In the context of training physician
assistants (PAs), the question remains if virtual medical teaching is effective enough to be
continued as an educational strategy. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the
evidence regarding the application and efficacy of virtual teaching (VT), with the aim of
program improvement for PA students. This was done by reviewing emerging literature for
evidence to determine if a virtual approach to PA education is effective. Methods: A
comprehensive literature review of peer reviewed articles within North America from the year
2000-2023 was conducted. Electronic databases such as PubMed and the Journal of Physician
Assistant Education (JPAE) were searched using key terms “physician assistant” AND
“virtual” AND “education”. Inclusionary and exclusionary criteria were determined and applied
to a total of 108 articles, which were screened by title and abstract. Full-text screening was
completed on an eligible 27 articles. Data extraction was done on the final 12 articles, which
were utilized in this literature review. Results: The outcomes of the 12 studies reviewed were
organized utilizing the Kirkpatrick model of program evaluation. This model was used to
compare advantages, disadvantages, student responses, effects of learning, behavioural changes,
and organizational benefits. Overall, most pilot virtual programming was well-received and
reviewed in the above comparative categories. Conclusion: Virtual education increases access to
programs and can be an effective and cost-efficient method to teach PA students. Virtual
education should be considered in current program curricula and further studied to determine
long-term outcomes
Characterizing the impact of a novel electronic consultation platform on access to Hepatitis C treatment in a Manitoba context
No full textIntroduction
Current Canadian guidelines recommend that all individuals living with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) be considered as candidates for HCV treatment, though treatment uptake in Manitoba remains limited. Access to HCV treatment requires a specialist referral in Manitoba, and the availability and location of specialists may serve as a barrier to HCV treatment. A potential solution to improving access to HCV treatment is through the use of a novel electronic consultation platform (eConsult). Using eConsults, primary care providers (PCPs) can link to HCV specialists through electronic means and receive specialist advice directly, without the need for a face-to-face patient visit. We aimed to characterize the impact of using the eConsult platform as it relates to HCV treatment in Manitoba, situated within a rich description of the local provincial context and perspectives of relevant stakeholders.
Methods
This was a single case study design that took place at Nine Circles Community Health Centre, utilizing a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. Chart reviews were conducted for individuals referred for HCV treatment via a traditional referral between December 1, 2016 and December 1, 2017; and for individuals referred via eConsult between December 2017 and December 31, 2019. Stakeholder interviews were completed with two PCPs, as well as the sole HCV specialist who received HCV treatment referrals.
Results
Individuals referred for HCV treatment via eConsult were more likely to be linked to specialist care (100% vs. 69%, p = 0.026), and complete HCV treatment (79% vs. 36%, p = 0.049). The time from referral to achieving each step of the HCV cascade of care was shorter for individuals referred via eConsult. A modified access to care framework was able to capture elements of availability; accessibility; accommodation; affordability; acceptability; and awareness that facilitated or created barriers to the success of eConsult. Additional themes of agility; adaptability; and altruism were also described.
Conclusion
The use of eConsult can help to expand access to HCV treatment in Manitoba, but its success may depend on its perceived agility; adaptability to a variety of clinical contexts; and the extent to which it relies on the altruism of health care providers.University of Manitoba Institute for Global Public HealthOctober 202