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Public Health Unit Funding Per Capita and Type 2 Diabetes Among Adults in Ontario in 2013/14
No full textBackground:
Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest public health concerns. Area-level and individual-level risk factors can influence the likelihood of an individual developing the disease. In recent years, there have been observational studies in the United States, and to a lesser extent the United Kingdom, on the potential benefits public health funding can have on population health outcomes. Very few studies have looked at this relationship from a Canadian context, with none examining type 2 diabetes as the health outcome. This study will examine the estimated association between public health unit funding per capita and type 2 diabetes risk, and whether an increase in public health unit funding per capita can help improve health equity across income groups. Methods:
This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2013/14 cycle from the Canadian Community Health Survey, an annual population survey from Statistics Canada. Public Health Unit funding data was provided from the 2013 Public Health Funding Model for Mandatory Programs report. Per capita funding figures were created by utilizing the Canadian Census Population Estimates from 2011. To analyze the association between public health unit funding and risk for type 2 diabetes, multilevel logistic regression modelling was utilized via a step-up approach. Cross-level interaction for household income and PHU funding per capita was also tested to examine heterogeneity in the association across sociodemographic groups.
Results:
The relationship found between public health unit funding and type 2 diabetes was statistically non-significant, with an increase in odds for type 2 diabetes in the fully adjusted model (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.34). Cross-level interaction on PHU funding per capita and household income in the final model showed a statistically non-significant association for all income levels except for those at 60,000 (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.94). Only the 40,000 income group had an odds ratio over one in the fully adjusted model (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.40). Conclusion:
Contrary to previous literature, public health unit funding per capita was associated with an increase in odds for type 2 diabetes among adults in Ontario in 2013/14. However, the findings also showed that there might be a potential protective effect with PH funding per capita among those at lower income levels. Further research should be undertaken to have a clearer idea of the relationship between public health funding and type 2 diabetes
Labouring on the Margins: Representations of Edwardian Domestic Servants in Western Canadian Living History Museums
No full textSince their popularization in the mid-twentieth century, living history museums in
Canada have provided the public with a (necessarily) simplified representation of life in a
previous era. Many western Canadian sites represent domestic life in the late nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries through house museums, which can include servant characters.
Domestic servants in western Canada during this period were typically young, single, workingclass
women, many of whom were also recent immigrants. Excluded from structures of power,
their daily lives and perspectives were sparsely documented. This study investigates how living
history sites in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba portray the marginalized
women who worked as servants between 1890 and 1920, and what these representations mean
for our understanding of marginalized histories, living history, and public history in western
Canada. In line with its concentration on working-class individuals, it primarily focuses on the
perspectives of the front-line historical interpreters who play these roles, seeking to understand
these representations and acts of public history from the bottom up. This study finds that the way
these living history interpreters are treated by their museums has a profound influence on the
way the past is depicted at each of these four sites, particularly the pasts of working-class
women. This project employs four museums as case studies: Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria,
British Columbia; Fort Edmonton Park in Edmonton, Alberta; Government House in Regina,
Saskatchewan; and Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its
methodology combines archival research, oral history, public history, and museum studies to
examine public representations of a marginalized history. Based on oral history interviews with
ten historical interpreters and three program developers, it illustrates the critical role of the\n
museum as workplace in determining how servants are portrayed in living history. Throughout
these four case studies, it demonstrates the necessity for training, research, feedback,
supervision, and safety protocols in order to support interpreters (frequently young women
earning minimum wage themselves) in playing these challenging and vulnerable roles and
creating well-informed, multifaceted, and engaging performances of these women and their era. The stories of women, working-class people, and recent immigrants are still frequently
under-represented in public history. The care and attention with which these marginalized
women are depicted at Craigdarroch Castle and Government House demonstrate these sites’
ethical commitment to both the well-being of their interpreters and the sensitive, accurate
portrayal and valuation of these long-overlooked lives. In contrast, the lack of support and care
for the interpreters who play these characters at Dalnavert Museum and Fort Edmonton Park
frequently results in uneven and inaccurate performances, mental and emotional strain for these
interpreters, and the diminution of the importance of these marginalized figures and their
contemporaries in western Canadian history and society
Development of an Innovative Masonry Block with Enhanced Thermal Efficiency
No full textAs energy efficiency becomes a greater priority in building design, research has increasingly focused on optimizing masonry wall systems and their components. Conventional concrete masonry units (CMUs), while widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and load-bearing capacity, often exhibit poor thermal resistance due to thermal bridging and high concrete conductivity. To address this, recent studies have explored geometric modifications and material innovations aimed at enhancing thermal performance while maintaining adequate structural behaviour. However, many of these solutions face practical limitations, such as manufacturing complexity, regulatory compliance, and construction adaptability, limiting their large-scale adoption.
The present work develops a novel masonry block with improved thermal resistance while ensuring structural stability and industry feasibility. The study began with the conceptual design of the block, which focused on minimizing thermal bridging while maintaining structural efficiency. Various configurations were explored to balance thermal resistance, manufacturability, mechanical performance, and compatibility with current masonry construction techniques. After evaluating multiple design alternatives, the proposed novel block was composed of two concrete flanges connected by CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced polymer) webs. This was followed by the preliminary finite element modeling (FEM) structural analysis of the innovative block, evaluating its load-bearing capacity to determine whether it meets the mechanical performance of conventional CMUs. This assessment provided insight into the compressive strength of the proposed block, and its potential to function as a viable structural alternative without compromising construction safety and reliability.
A critical phase of the study involved the prototype construction process, where initial design concepts were tested for manufacturing feasibility. Several iterations were required to refine the block’s geometry and material composition, as practical constraints in fabrication introduced challenges related to mold complexity, casting procedures, and material workability. Through a process of trial and error, necessary design modifications were made to build the block effectively. Once a fully functional and properly constructed prototype was achieved, single-block compression tests were conducted to experimentally evaluate its compressive strength and failure mechanisms.
The thermal performance of the novel masonry block was evaluated through finite element thermal analysis (FEM) using ANSYS under steady-state conditions. The simulation incorporated heat transfer mechanisms such as including conduction through the solid components, convection within the air cavities, and radiation effects across internal surfaces. Unlike the structural FEM model, where simplifications were made, the thermal model included all components of the block, as each material significantly influences heat transfer pathways. The thermal simulation results showed a 97% increase in the R-value compared to a standard hollow CMU.
The findings from this study demonstrated the potential of the novel block to improve thermal performance while maintaining practical viability and load-bearing capacity. Future work may explore additional modifications, such as integrating insulation between the flanges and finding more effective ways to connect the concrete flanges to the CFRP webs
Representation of Ortholattice-Based Algebras and Related Topics
No full textThis work investigates the representation theory of ortholattice-based algebras, its applications, and some related topics. In the first part, we study the representation theory of general ortholattices, monadic ortholattices, and cylindric ortholattices. These are certain generalizations of Boolean algebras, monadic Boolean algebras, and cylindric Boolean algebras. Their representation theory is first studied through the algebraic perspective of MacNeille completions, canonical completions, and canonical extensions, by using the methods developed by Gehrke and Harding within the setting of arbitrary monotone bounded lattice expansions. We then study their representation theory through the topological and category-theoretic perspective of duality theory. The dualities established in the first part of this dissertation are unified by being cast in the style of Bezhanishvili and Holliday’s choice-free spectral duality for Boolean algebras. Applications of the established dualities are then investigated within the setting of lattice theory and model theory. In the second part, we prove a topological duality theorem for orthomodular lattices, the most important subvariety of ortholattices. This is achieved by combining the duality results for ortholattices obtained by Bimbo with the orthomodular frames introduced by Hartonas. A functional representation result for monadic ortholattices is then established using algebraic tools from the theory of regular completions, super-amalgamations, and directed limits. Finally, we investigate various relational and algebraic aspects of quasi-implication algebras, which model the operation of Sasaki implication in an orthomodular lattice
Online to In-person: Comparing Cooperative and Competitive Behaviour in a Two-Player Card Game
No full textIn this thesis, we recreate in-person a previously published online experiment (Ma et al., 2023) wherein we manipulated the Social Context (Cooperative vs Competitive) during a gameplay interaction to examine how the context of decisions influences ability to read others intention. Our goal is to investigate how uncertainty is generated or minimized by individuals in-person as compared to online. To accomplish this goal, we compare task performance (gameplay scores) and hand movements between the Cooperate and Compete conditions and discuss the pattern of results in both the online and in-person experiments. A major challenge of moving to in-person investigation is the demands of data collection. Therefore, we additionally seek to prove the feasibility of synchronous in-person experiments to study social cognition where gaze and movement data is collected. 82 participants (41 dyads) completed a 2-person card game where players attempted to collect cards with a certain feature (i.e. cards with circles) and correctly guess what card feature the other player was trying to collect. For this thesis, we examined hand kinematics and game performance (Card scores and Guess scores) however we also collected eye-movement data and video recording data. Data revealed: (1) Card scores did not vary with Social Context, which was the same as online; (2) Guess scores did vary with Social Context, with more correct guesses when cooperating compared to competing, which also replicates online results; and (3) Hand distances and decision durations where less efficient and longer respectively when cooperating, which is opposite of what we saw online. These results suggest that there may be differences in strategies employed to conceal or reveal intention in-person as opposed to online due to differences in the availability of information and the testing environment. We posit that reduced decision duration and more efficient movement is used as a strategy to reduce information available to the other participant that could be used to infer intention in an in-person context
The Impact of a Community-Based Exercise Program on Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Multiple Methods Investigation
No full textBackground:
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex and progressive neurological condition that poses considerable challenges not only to individuals with PD but also to their families and the healthcare system. Affecting a significant proportion of older adults worldwide, PD is a major contributor to disability in aging populations. The global prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is expected to increase substantially in the coming decades, driven primarily by population aging and demographic shifts. Both motor impairments, such as impaired gait and tremor, and non-motor symptoms, including mood disorders, autonomic dysfunction and cognitive decline, may be present in people living with PD. These profoundly diverse symptoms may impact daily functioning, often leading to diminished physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. Research suggests that individuals with PD frequently struggle to achieve recommended levels of physical activity, exacerbating their health challenges. Additionally, a prolonged sedentary lifestyle, which is more prevalent in this population, may contribute to long-term poor health outcomes.
Alongside other therapeutic options, physical activity and exercise have been shown to offer numerous benefits for individuals with PD, including improved motor function and potential neuroprotective effects. However, sustained participation remains a significant hurdle for many individuals with PD, often due to structural, availability, and accessibility barriers, as well as associated health conditions.
Community-based exercise programs tailored specifically to individuals with PD have emerged as one promising solution to improve participation. Such exercise programs typically combine PD-specific exercises with opportunities for social interaction, aiming to enhance mobility, strength, and overall well-being, while also fostering motivation and adherence through a supportive environment. Challenges related to long-term participation persist, highlighting the importance of understanding the facilitators and barriers to long-term engagement in these programs. Addressing these factors is essential for optimizing program benefits and improving the lives of those affected by PD.
Objectives:
This thesis explored the impact of a community-based, PD-specific exercise program on the health and quality of life of individuals with PD. Using a multiple-method approach, comprising a qualitative study and cross-sectional survey, the research aimed to provide an understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with a community-based PD-specific program and what characteristics impacted participants with PD and their care partners. The first objective was to understand the experiences of individuals with PD, their care partners, and program providers in a PD-specific community exercise program, with a focus on identifying personal, social, structural, and program-related barriers and facilitators to participation. The second objective was to examine the symptom burden of those people living with PD who participated in the program.
Methods:
A staged, multiple-methods study was conducted in a sample of persons with PD, their care partners and program providers at the Parkinson Association of Alberta (PAA). Eligible participants had completed a minimum of 12 weeks in a community-based exercise program offered by the PAA. The exercise program consists of 60 minute-sessions held twice weekly, with no limit on the number of sessions participants may attend. Qualitative study: A phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of individuals with PD, their care partners, and program providers. Participants included individuals with PD at Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stages I-III, on a stable medication regimen, and had engaged in a PD-specific exercise program at least twice weekly for a minimum of 12 weeks. A total of 17 individuals with PD, 7 care partners, and 3 program providers were recruited from the PAA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between January and May 2024. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and interpretation guided by a behavior-change model to enhance understanding of participant experiences. Two patient advisors and care partners contributed to data analysis and interpretation. Cross-sectional survey: Using the same eligibility criteria as the qualitative study, 21 participants with PD who participated in the most recent community-based exercise program completed self-reported surveys assessing symptom burden and quality of life. Questionnaires assessing symptom burden (Non-Motor Symptoms Scale, NMSS); Freezing of Gait, FOG); and quality of life (Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders, Neuro-QoL) were completed following the qualitative interviews. Results:
Qualitative Study: Participants identified the PD-specific nature of the program, the group setting, and the presence of a supportive trainer as key motivators to long term adherence. Barriers to participation, especially transportation and cost, were also reported. Three pre-program themes centered on diagnostic challenges, the burden of non-motor symptoms, and medication side effects. Four post-program themes centred on the individual benefits of the program and highlighted perceived improvements in physical symptoms, emotional well-being, social connectedness, and reduced self-consciousness. Overall, participants described this PD-specific group program as beneficial and empowering, with many recommending increased public awareness and expanded access to similar community-based programs. Cross-sectional survey: Twenty-one participants completed the survey (median age: 71 years [IQR: 65–77]71.4% male). The median time since diagnosis of PD was 6 years [IQR: 2-7], with most participants at H&Y stage I (n=12). The median duration of participation in the program was 24 months [IQR: 18-60]. Symptom burden was generally mild, with median NMSS and FOG-Q scores of 19 (IQR: 10–27) and 3 (IQR: 1–6), respectively. Neuro-QoL T-scores reflected average to above-average performance in some positive domains such as cognition and social roles. However, in some negative domains such as stigma and emotional-behavioral dysfunction participants scores were higher (i.e. worse).
Conclusion:
This thesis highlighted that a PD-specific, community-based exercise program supported long-term participation through tailored programming and group-based support. Qualitative findings identified barriers such as accessibility, alongside facilitators including perceived improvements in symptoms, emotional well-being, and social connectedness. Cross-sectional results showed that most participants were in early-stage PD, had engaged with the program for an average of 24 months, and reported mild non-motor symptom burden. Future studies using objective measures, larger sample sizes, and longitudinal designs are needed to validate these findings
Screening abolition: a critical genealogy of the feminist prison documentary in the U.S. and the U.K.
No full textIn 2022, tensions erupted among feminist advocates over a proposal for a gender-responsive jail in New York City. While public figures such as Gloria Steinem argued that the proposal offered a more humane option for incarcerated women, abolitionist feminists condemned the proposal, arguing that prisons and jails, no matter how humane, are inherently antifeminist. Such a debate reprised longstanding divisions within feminist movements since the 1970s over the compatibility between feminism and carceral power. This project returns to these debates by asking what feminist prison documentaries can teach us about the feminist response to women’s incarceration. I turn to documentary film because media representations are key sites where political imaginaries of the prison are made and contested. How have feminist filmmakers co-articulated feminist politics with critiques of women’s imprisonment? What makes a prison documentary feminist? And how have the politics of abolition informed feminist approaches to the prison documentary? This project takes up these questions, with the aim of producing the first comprehensive critical genealogy of the feminist prison documentary. This project focuses on films made in the 1970s and 1980s in the U.S. and the U.K., exploring how these films were shaped by both national law and order policies that led to a growth in women's incarceration and by the activism of a then emerging movement for prison abolition
CRAME—Expanding Research in Applied Measurement and Evaluation in Canada and Globally since 1990
No full textEcological and Animal-Level Drivers of Habitat Selection in Beef Cattle Grazing Aspen Parkland Rangelands
No full textThis study explores patterns of habitat selection by beef cattle and their production implications while grazing heterogeneous Aspen Parkland rangelands in western Canada. Using GNSS-based geospatial data, high-resolution vegetation maps derived from remote sensing, local weather records, and individual animal traits including breed composition, residual feed intake (RFI), and growth performance, the study examines how cattle respond to spatial and climatic variability across seasons. Cattle exhibited seasonal shifts in habitat preferences, with strong selection for grasslands and wetlands in summer and increased use of open shrublands in fall, likely to maintain forage access as biomass and quality declined. Habitat selection also varied with forage depletion over time, diurnally, and in response to heat and cold stress. Building on these findings, further investigation demonstrated that selection patterns were shaped by the interaction between breed composition and RFI, particularly in summer. Efficient cattle with higher Continental ancestry more often selected forests, potentially benefiting from thermal buffering and diverse forage structure, while efficient animals with greater British influence favored open shrublands. These behavioral differences translated into performance outcomes, as grassland and wetland use were positively associated with weight gain in both cows and calves, especially during periods of high nutritional demand. In contrast, use of shrubland and forest habitats, particularly in fall, was linked to lower productivity, likely due to reduced forage quality and more challenging foraging conditions. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of accounting for both animal traits and landscape heterogeneity in commercial cattle management. Aligning cattle genetics with habitat features and monitoring spatial behavior can enhance efficiency and productivity in variable rangeland environments