First Time In Canada Research Articles

The Court & the Cataracts

The establishment of the Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park involved an extensive expropriation by the Government of Ontario. The perceived social value of parks had been increasing in recent years, but this was the first time in Canada that private land had been expropriated in order to create a park. The majority of the land owners engaged in arbitration, while three land owners took their objections as far as the Ontario Court of Appeal. The enacting legislation along with these proceedings provide unique insight into life around the falls, the role of the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the nature of expropriation and the establishment of parks in late nineteenth century Ontario.

Development and Application of a Multiplex qPCR Method for the Simultaneous Detection and Quantification of Pratylenchus alleni and P. penetrans in Quebec, Canada.

Root lesion nematodes are very common plant-parasitic nematodes that affect a wide range of plants. More than one species can be found simultaneously in a field, and each has a different impact on crop yield. Unfortunately, identifying them using classical morphometric criteria is very difficult and time consuming. The species Pratylenchus alleni was recently observed for the first time in Canada, associated with severe damage in a soybean field in the province of Quebec. The major species, P. penetrans, is also known to be endemic in Quebec but no data exist on its distribution in field crops. This prompted the development of a multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the simultaneous detection and quantification of P. alleni and P. penetrans. The method was found to be specific and sensitive, systematically detecting a single larva in a 100-cm3 soil sample with no cross-amplification with other species, even when they outnumbered the target species. An exogenous internal positive control was included in the test to avoid false negatives due to the presence of PCR inhibitors. This assay was used to study the distribution of P. alleni and P. penetrans in 185 soybean fields in the major soybean-producing areas of Quebec during a 3-year survey. Overall, P. penetrans was found in 42% of the fields, P. alleni in 8%, and both species in 4%. The population density of P. alleni in positive fields was still very low, with only a few larvae detected. However, densities of P. penetrans were much higher: the provincial mean was 51.7 nematodes per 100 cm3 of soil (in positive samples), and 8% of the fields (15 of 185) exceeded the theoretical economic threshold. The presence of P. penetrans was also strongly correlated with soil texture, with lighter soil being the most favorable.

Physiological specialization of Puccinia triticina, the causal agent of wheat leaf rust, in Canada in 2011

Leaf rust collections were made across Canada in 2011 and 287 single-pustule isolates were tested for virulence on 16 standard differential lines and two additional lines containing Lr21 and LrCen, respectively. Of the 70 different virulence phenotypes found in Canada during 2011, the most common were TDBJ (12.5%), TDBG (10.5%) and MLDS (7.7%), which is similar to the findings from 2010. Three isolates from Alberta each had a unique virulence phenotype. From Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 33 virulence phenotypes were found among 216 isolates, with the most common being TDBJ (16.7%), TDBG (13.9%), MLDS and TBBG (both at 9.3%). There were 29 virulence phenotypes among 47 isolates from Ontario, with MBTN (25.5%), MCTN (8.5%) predominating. Ten virulence phenotypes were found from 11 isolates in Quebec, and six virulence phenotypes among 10 isolates from Prince Edward Island. Compared with 2010, there were increases in the frequencies of virulent isolates in Canada to Lr2a, Lr2c, Lr16, Lr26, Lr3ka, Lr11 and Lr30 while there were declines in the frequencies of virulent isolates to Lr9, Lr24, Lr10 and Lr14a. When a group of 161 representative isolates were tested on five adult plant differentials, all isolates were avirulent to Lr22a, most were virulent to Lr12, Lr13 and Lr37, while only 16 were virulent to Lr35. When this same group of isolates was tested on 12 additional lines at the seedling stage, all isolates were avirulent to Lr19, Lr32, Lr29 and Lr52 and virulent to Lr15, while they differed in their reactions to Lr2b, Lr3bg, Lr14b, Lr20, Lr23, Lr25 and Lr28. Virulence for Lr21 was detected for the first time in Canada from five different virulence phenotypes, though at a low frequency (3.8%). This finding has implications for wheat breeding in Canada, since Lr21 had been completely effective since its release in the cultivar ‘AC Cora’ in 1994.

Examining the impact of a province-wide physical education policy on secondary students\u2019 physical activity as a natural experiment

BackgroundThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of a province-wide physical education (PE) policy on secondary school students’ moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA).MethodsPolicy: In fall 2008, Manitoba expanded a policy requiring a PE credit for students in grades 11 and 12 for the first time in Canada. The PE curriculum requires grades 11 and 12 students to complete a minimum of 55 h (50% of course hours) of MVPA (e.g., ≥30 min/day of MVPA on ≥5 days a week) during a 5-month semester to achieve the course credit.Study Designs: A natural experimental study was designed using two sub-studies: 1) quasi-experimental controlled pre-post analysis of self-reported MVPA data obtained from census data in intervention and comparison [Prince Edward Island (PEI)] provinces in 2008 (n = 33,619 in Manitoba and n = 2258 in PEI) and 2012 (n = 41,169 in Manitoba and n = 4942 in PEI); and, 2) annual objectively measured MVPA in cohorts of secondary students in intervention (n = 447) and comparison (Alberta; n = 224) provinces over 4 years (2008 to 2012).Analysis: In Study 1, two logistic regressions were conducted to model the odds that students accumulated: i) ≥30 min/day of MVPA, and ii) met Canada's national recommendation of ≥60 min/day of MVPA, in Manitoba versus PEI after adjusting for grade, sex, and BMI. In Study 2, a mixed effects model was used to assess students’ minutes of MVPA per day per semester in Manitoba and Alberta, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, school location and school SES.ResultsIn Study 1, no significant differences were observed in students achieving ≥30 (OR:1.13, 95% CI:0.92, 1.39) or ≥60 min/day of MVPA (OR:0.92, 95% CI: 0.78, 1.07) from baseline to follow-up between Manitoba and PEI. In Study 2, no significant policy effect on students’ MVPA trajectories from baseline to last follow-up were observed between Manitoba and Alberta overall (−1.52, 95% CI:-3.47, 0.42), or by covariates.ConclusionsThe Manitoba policy mandating PE in grades 11 and 12 had no effect on student MVPA overall or by key student or school characteristics. However, the effect of the PE policy may be underestimated due to the use of a nonrandomized research design and lack of data assessing the extent of policy implementation across schools. Nevertheless, findings can provide evidence about policy features that may improve the PE policy in Manitoba and inform future PE policies in other jurisdictions.

Benefit of tank-mixing dicamba with glyphosate applied post-emergence for weed control in dicamba plus glyphosate resistant soybean

Soybean resistant to both glyphosate and dicamba (Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™) has been developed by Monsanto Inc. and was commercially available for the first time in Canada in 2017. Six field trials w...

Hybrid Fuel Cell/Battery Rail Car: A Feasibility Study

This paper introduces a novel engineering feasibility study for developing a future hybrid metro system, for the first time in Canada, that is of extremely low cost and independent of the utility grid. This system will eliminate the need of the rail cars to rely on the track substations and consequently the utility grid. This paper is based on the load profiles provided by Bombardier Transportation for its advanced rapid transit train running in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Simulation was performed for propulsion with and without auxiliary power with the assumption of an average power of 40 kW. To size the system for the worst case scenario, the regeneration power will not be taken into account in case the propulsion cuts off during regenerative braking. The subsystem modules described in the model are listed for reference purposes. The hydrogen consumption and storage are also calculated for each case with the tank options listed for each energy storage option. Furthermore, an analysis platform is being provided for a sound design of a hybrid metro car for the first time in North America. This systematic modular approach can be easily applied to any transit system worldwide. A successful design for a fuel cell hybrid train is given, which is fully independent on the electricity from the grid. The elimination of the wayside substations system, which is 90% of the cost of the transit system, presents huge initial and running cost savings and makes the rail car ridership very inexpensive.

A biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in North America: annotated species checklist for Ottawa, Canada

Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from the city of Ottawa and its surroundings (a 50-km radius circle, ~7,800 km2) were studied based on 1,928 specimens collected between 1894 and 2010, and housed in the Canadian National Collection of Insects. A total of 158 species from 21 genera were identified, which is by far the highest number of species ever recorded for a locality in North America. An annotated checklist of species is provided.Choerasparasitellae(Bouché, 1834) andPholetesornanus(Reinhard, 1880) are recorded for the first time in the Nearctic (previously only known from the Palearctic region),Cotesiadepressa(Viereck, 1912) is recorded for the first time in Canada (previously only known from the United States), andCotesiahemileucae(Riley, 1881) andProtapantelesphlyctaeniae(Muesebeck, 1929) are recorded for the first time in the province of Ontario. In Ottawa the most diverse genera areCotesia,Apanteles,Microplitis,Pholetesor,Microgaster, andDolichogenidea, altogether comprising 77% of the species found in the area. A total of 73 species (46%) were represented by only one or two specimens, suggesting that the inventory for Ottawa is still relatively incomplete. Seasonal distribution showed several peaks of activity, in spring, summer, and early fall. That general pattern varied for individual species, with some showing a single peak of abundance either in the summer or towards the end of the season, others species attaining two peaks, in late spring and late summer, or in early summer and early fall, and yet others attaining up to three different peaks, in spring, summer and fall. At least 72 of the Microgastrinae species from Ottawa have been previously associated with 554 species of Lepidoptera as hosts – but those historical literature records are not always reliable and in many cases are based on data from areas beyond Ottawa. Thus, our knowledge of the associations between the 158 species of microgastrine parasitoids and the caterpillars of the 2,064 species of Lepidoptera recorded from Ottawa is still very incomplete.

A biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in North America: annotated species checklist for Ottawa, Canada.

Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from the city of Ottawa and its surroundings (a 50-km radius circle, ~7,800 km2) were studied based on 1,928 specimens collected between 1894 and 2010, and housed in the Canadian National Collection of Insects. A total of 158 species from 21 genera were identified, which is by far the highest number of species ever recorded for a locality in North America. An annotated checklist of species is provided. Choeras parasitellae (Bouché, 1834) and Pholetesor nanus (Reinhard, 1880) are recorded for the first time in the Nearctic (previously only known from the Palearctic region), Cotesia depressa (Viereck, 1912) is recorded for the first time in Canada (previously only known from the United States), and Cotesia hemileucae (Riley, 1881) and Protapanteles phlyctaeniae (Muesebeck, 1929) are recorded for the first time in the province of Ontario. In Ottawa the most diverse genera are Cotesia, Apanteles, Microplitis, Pholetesor, Microgaster, and Dolichogenidea, altogether comprising 77% of the species found in the area. A total of 73 species (46%) were represented by only one or two specimens, suggesting that the inventory for Ottawa is still relatively incomplete. Seasonal distribution showed several peaks of activity, in spring, summer, and early fall. That general pattern varied for individual species, with some showing a single peak of abundance either in the summer or towards the end of the season, others species attaining two peaks, in late spring and late summer, or in early summer and early fall, and yet others attaining up to three different peaks, in spring, summer and fall. At least 72 of the Microgastrinae species from Ottawa have been previously associated with 554 species of Lepidoptera as hosts – but those historical literature records are not always reliable and in many cases are based on data from areas beyond Ottawa. Thus, our knowledge of the associations between the 158 species of microgastrine parasitoids and the caterpillars of the 2,064 species of Lepidoptera recorded from Ottawa is still very incomplete.

For the first time in Canada: Quebec government legislates regarding the legal status of animals

In the present document, the Author comments, the Bill 54, tabled in the National Assembly in Québec, by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Pierre Paradis. The purpose of this Bill is to modify Québec’s Civil Code so that animals are no longer considered to be movable property. The Author, comments the process and some declarations of the Bill, as well as other significant breakthroughs that Bill 54 will introduce.

Diversity of Fusarium head blight populations and trichothecene toxin types reveals regional differences in pathogen composition and temporal dynamics

Analyses of genetic diversity, trichothecene genotype composition, and population structure were conducted using 4086 Fusarium graminearum isolates collected from wheat in eight Canadian provinces over a three year period between 2005 and 2007. The results revealed substantial regional differences in Fusarium head blight pathogen composition and temporal population dynamics. The 3ADON trichothecene type consistently predominated in Maritime provinces (91%) over the sampled years, and increased significantly (P<0.05) between 2005 and 2007 in western Canada, accounting for 66% of the isolates in Manitoba by the end of the sampling period. In contrast, 3ADON frequency was lower (22%, P<0.001) in the eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec and did not change significantly between 2005 and 2007, resulting in two distinct longitudinal clines in 3ADON frequency across Canada. Overall, genetic structure was correlated with toxin type, as the endemic population (NA1) was dominated by 15ADON isolates (86%), whereas a second population (NA2) consisted largely of 3ADON isolates (88%). However, the percentage of isolates with trichothecene genotypes that were not predictive of their genetic population assignment (recombinant genotypes) increased from 10% in 2005 to 17% in 2007, indicating that trichothecene type became an increasingly unreliable marker of population identity over time. In addition, there were substantial regional differences in the composition of recombinant genotypes. In western and maritime provinces, NA2 isolates with 15ADON genotypes were significantly more common than NA1 isolates with 3ADON genotypes (P<0.001), and the reverse was true in the eastern provinces of Québec and Ontario. Temporal trends in recombinant genotype composition also varied regionally, as the percentage of 15ADON isolates with NA2 genetic backgrounds increased approximately three fold in western and Maritime provinces, while the opposite trends were observed in Québec and Ontario. The results indicate that F. graminearum population dynamics in Canada have been influenced by a complex adaptive landscape comprising different regional selective pressures, and do not reflect a simple model of dispersal and integration following the introduction of a novel pathogen population. In addition, we identified F. graminearum strains that produce the recently discovered A-trichothecene mycotoxin (NX-2) for the first time in Canada, representing a significant expansion of the known range of NX-2 producing strains in North America.

Nivalenol‐producing Fusarium cerealis associated with fusarium head blight in winter wheat in Manitoba, Canada

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grain cereals is primarily caused by the members of the Fusarium graminearum species complex. These produce mycotoxins in infected grains, primarily deoxynivalenol (DON); acetylated derivatives of DON, 3‐acetyl‐DON (3‐ADON) and 15‐acetyl‐DON (15‐ADON); and nivalenol (NIV). This study reports the isolation of Fusarium cerealis in infected winter wheat heads for the first time in Canada. A phylogenetic analysis based on the TRI101 gene and F. graminearum species‐specific primers revealed two species of Fusarium: F. graminearum sensu stricto (127 isolates) and F. cerealis (five isolates). Chemotype determination based on the TRI3 gene revealed that 65% of the isolates were 3‐ADON, 31% were 15‐ADON and 4% were NIV producers. All the F. cerealis isolates were of NIV chemotype. Fusarium cerealis isolates can often be misidentified as F. graminearum as the morphological characteristics are similar. Although the cultural and macroconidial characteristics of F. graminearum and F. cerealis isolates were similar, the aggressiveness of these isolates on susceptible wheat cultivar Roblin and moderately resistant cultivar Carberry differed significantly. The F. graminearum 3‐ADON isolates were most aggressive, followed by F. graminearum 15‐ADON and F. cerealis NIV isolates. The findings from this study confirm the continuous shift of chemotypes from 15‐ADON to 3‐ADON in North America. In Canada, the presence of NIV is limited to barley samples and the discovery of NIV‐producing F. cerealis species in Canadian wheat fields may pose a serious concern to the Canadian wheat industry in the future.

The Arboretum at the University of Guelph, Ontario: An urban refuge for lichen biodiversity

Southern Ontario is the most densely populated region in Canada and urbanization is extensive. As a result, a large number of natural areas have been set aside in the cities, such as parks and conservation areas. The value of these areas for conserving lichen biodiversity has not been investigated in Ontario. Therefore, between 2008 and 2014, we systematically examined the lichens and allied fungi in the Arboretum at the University of Guelph, a 165 hectare park and nature reserve centrally located in the City of Guelph, Ontario. One hundred and four species in 55 genera were recorded and several are considered rare. Caloplaca soralifera is recorded for the first time in Canada. Provincially, Acarospora moenium is recorded for the second time, Bacidina egenula and Strangospora moriformis are reported for the third time, and Evernia prunastri was collected for the second time in southern Ontario in over a century. An undescribed species of Chaenotheca with distinctive brown-orange pruina on the capitulum and mazaedium was also discovered along with nine species that have a provincial status rank of S1 (critically imperilled), S2 (imperilled), or S3 (vulnerable). The native old-growth forests contained the greatest number of lichen species, particularly the largest one, which borders the wetland in the Nature Reserve. Investigations for lichens throughout Guelph revealed two species that were not found in the Arboretum. However, a substantial number of species were discovered in the park that were not found anywhere else in the city. Our results show that the Arboretum is a refuge for many lichen species within this urban landscape.

Exploring the behavioural attributes, strategies and contextual knowledge of champions of change in the Canadian water sector

Sustainable water resource management (WRM) is failing to be fully implemented in Canada due to, among other things, cultural and structural inhibiting factors. There is a need for water professionals to develop their understanding of the ways in which cultural and structural barriers within prominent water resource management institutions can be broken down and/or navigated so that climate change and sustainability challenges can be more appropriately addressed. This study explored, for the first time in Canada, champion leadership approaches by interviewing champions in the Canadian water sector, with a focus on behavioural attributes, strategies and contextual factors. The findings revealed the significance of both formal and informal relationships, passion in communication, respectful and humble networking and work relations alongside necessary risk taking as key behavioural strategies for Canadian water champions. It also exposed the need to understand contextual realities of mandate gaps, control and secrecy at the federal level versus the more open and responsive culture at the municipal level. While the context can inhibit change, it does not necessarily inhibit it if the champion is well equipped to understand the institution and the strategies that can influence it. Such strategies include the creation of windows of opportunities and the use of media such as journalists, for risk-taking change efforts that do not have to be socially and professionally threatening. Water professionals who have a better understanding of the champion experience in Canada may be in a better position to contribute to a more effective implementation of sustainable WRM in Canada.

Personalized medicine hits primary practice as genetic testing is being done for the first time in family practice to better select psychiatric medications for patients: an interview with Dr. Nicholas Voudouris

For the first time in Canada, genetic testing done at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto is being made available to family physicians. This leading-edge research started just over a year ago at the Thornhill Medical Centre in Thornhill, Ontario. The aim of the research is to use genetic testing to better select psychiatric drugs and dosages to improve efficacy and reduce side effects in patients suffering from mental illness. Dr. Nicholas Voudouris, a family physician at the Thornhill Medical Centre who is heavily involved in this project, describes it as leading-edge science that has the possibility of having profound impact on personalized medicine at the primary care level. I spoke with Dr. Voudouris to learn more about him, this project, and the future implications genetic testing could have on personalized medicine and reducing health care spending.

The Impact of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 on Quebec: Then and Now

The Royal Proclamation was the first imperial constitutional instrument in Canada that brought within its fold the indigenous people, the French people of Canada, and the British. For the first time in Canada the question of the fate of the French and the aboriginal peoples in British North America was posed.I want to frame my presentation within this foundational triangular or tripartite relationship, which was laid down in the Royal Proclamation and which substantially endures to this day, although it has very much evolved since then with the emergence of a strong multicultural dimension.In discussing the impact of the Proclamation on Quebec, I will of course be talking about its impact on the people that occupied the territory before the British took over and called it “The Province of Quebec” for the very first time in 1763.These people were the aboriginal peoples who occupied their traditional land and also some reserves created under the French regime and the French people of Canada who had been in the St-Lawrence Valley since the early 17th century. Of course, the territory of New France had been much larger than the tiny Province of Quebec created by the Proclamation but the majority of French settlers did live in that part of the territory claimed by France. I will first briefly canvass the impact of the Proclamation on the French people which has not yet been addressed in detail today. I will also touch on the impact of the Proclamation on the relationship between the French people and indigenous peoples. I will then move on to its impact on indigenous peoples. Since this aspect has been extensively covered by other speakers, I will only add a few additional comments.

Lichen biodiversity and conservation status in the Copeland Forest Resources Management Area: a lichen-rich second-growth forest in southern Ontario

Southern Ontario is the most densely populated region in Canada. As a result, ubanization, industrialization, and agriculture are extensive. Few ecosystems in the region have been unaltered, and second-growth forests now dominate the remaining natural landscape. To better understand the lichen diversity in these second-growth forests, we inventoried 24 distinct vegetation communites in the Copeland Forest Resources Management Area (1780 ha) located between Barrie and Orillia in September and October 2011, recording 154 species in 79 genera. One species, Lecidea sarcogynoides, was collected for the first time in Canada and is reported for the first time in North America; one additional species, Micarea micrococca, was collected for the first time in Ontario and is reported for the first time in Canada; three species that have previously been collected in Ontario — Bellemerea cinereorufescens, Phlyctis speirea, and Xanthoparmelia angustiphylla — are reported for the first time in the province; and Candelariella lutella was collected and is reported for the second time in Ontario and the third time in Canada. In addition, six species with a provincial status rank of S1 (critically imperilled) or S2 (imperilled) were located: Arthonia byssacea, Arthonia ruana, Chaenothecopsis pusiola, Cresponea chloroconia, Pachyphiale fagicola, and Placynthiella uliginosa. Our results show that second-growth forests can be important refugia for lichen diversity. The majority of the lichen diversity within the Copeland Forest was contained in a small number of sites (6 of 24). This suggests that management strategies should integrate lichen diversity by targeting species-rich areas. We found that sites with a high variation in: canopy closure, tree species, tree age, moisture, and the presence of snags had the highest lichen diversity. Forest managers in southern Ontario can use our results to identify species-rich areas on their properties.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus: High Seroprevalence in Horses from Southern Quebec, Canada, 2012

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a highly pathogenic arbovirus that infects humans, horses, and other animals. There has been a significant increase in EEEV activity in southeastern Canada since 2008. Few data are available regarding nonlethal EEEV infections in mammals, and consequently the distribution and pathogenicity spectrum of EEEV infections in these hosts is poorly understood. This cross-sectional study focuses on the evaluation of viral activity in southern Quebec's horses by seroprevalence estimation. A total of 196 horses, 18 months and older, which had never been vaccinated against EEEV and have never traveled outside Canada, were sampled from 92 barns distributed throughout three administrative regions of southern Quebec. Blood samples were taken from each horse and titrated for EEEV antibodies by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Equine population vaccination coverage was estimated by surveying horse owners and equine practitioners. PRNT results revealed an EEEV seroprevalence up to 8.7%, with 95% confidence limits ranging from 4.4% to 13.0%. Vaccination coverage was estimated to be at least 79%. Our study reveals for the first time in Canada a measure of EEEV seroprevalence in horses. High seroprevalence in unvaccinated animals challenges the perception that EEEV is a highly lethal pathogen in horses. Monitoring high-risk vector-borne infections such as EEEV in animal populations can be an important element of a public health surveillance strategy, population risk assessment and early detection of epidemics.

The everyday experience of living with and managing a neurological condition (the LINC study): study design

BackgroundThe impact of neurological conditions on individuals, families and society is increasing and having a significant economic impact in Canada. While some economic data is known, the human costs of living with a neurological condition are poorly understood and rarely factored into future burden analyses. The “Living with the Impact of a Neurological Condition (LINC)” study aims to fill this gap. It seeks to understand, for children and adults with neurological conditions, the supports and resources that make everyday life possible and meaningful.Methods/designThe LINC study is a nested study using mixed methods. We are interested in the following outcomes specifically: health status; resource utilization; self-management strategies; and participation. Three studies captured data from multiple sources, in multiple ways and from multiple perspectives. Study One: a population-based survey of adults (n = 1500), aged 17 and over and parents (n = 200) of children aged 5 to 16 with a neurological condition. Study Two: a prospective cohort study of 140 adults and parents carried out using monthly telephone calls for 10 months; and Study Three: a multiple perspective case study (MPCS) of 12 adults and 6 parents of children with a neurological condition. For those individuals who participate in the MPCS, we will have data from all three studies giving us rich, in depth insights into their daily lives and how they cope with barriers to living in meaningful ways.DiscussionThe LINC study will collect, for the first time in Canada, data that reflects the impact of living with a neurological condition from the perspectives of the individuals themselves. A variety of tools will be used in a combination, which is unique and innovative. This study will highlight the commonalities of burden that Canadians living with neurological conditions experience as well as their strategies for managing everyday life.

Abstracts for Canadian Stroke Conference

Specogna, AV; Patten, SB; Hill, MD; University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Background: Previous studies have examined predictors of treatment costs after Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) in various countries and healthcare systems. Currently however, there is no clear understanding of which factors are associated with cost in any Canadian setting and thus no way of understanding how to plan ICH healthcare spending. Methods: We used a retrospective case series study design and adjusted linear regression to investigate if an association existed between the total cost of ICH hospital care in a Canadian health centre and age (years), gender (female vs. male), Charlson Comorbidity Index (0 vs. ≥1), in-hospital mortality (alive vs. dead), and having surgery (no vs. yes). Economic, treatment, and patient data were obtained from administrative sources. Total inflation-adjusted hospital cost per discharge was estimated in Canadian Dollars and log transformed for all analyses. Results: Analyses were performed using 987 consecutive ICH discharges from 1999 to 2008. The total cost of ICH hospital care was highly variable (mean cost per discharge=$25,613.96±$36,116.33; min $446.81 to max $326,275.10). Older age (β=–0.0057; 95% CI: –0.0103 to –0.0011) and death in hospital (β=–0.4859; 95% CI: –0.6357 to –0.3342) were significantly associated with lower total hospital cost per discharge. Whereas Charlson Comorbidity Index of ≥1 (β=0.6489; 95% CI: 0.5063 to 0.7916) and having surgery (β=1.3552; 95% CI: 1.1893 to 1.5210) were significantly associated with higher total hospital cost per discharge. Gender was not significantly associated with cost (β=0.0727; 95% CI: –0.0679 to 0.2134). Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first study to examine predictors of ICH treatment costs in Canada. In a Canadian health centre, ICH treatment costs were significantly associated with patient age, level of comorbidity, in-hospital mortality, and surgical treatment. This study provides evidence that it may be reasonable to consider …

Kudzu Vine, &lt;em&gt;Pueraria montana&lt;/em&gt;, Adventive in Southern Ontario

Kudzu is reported for the first time in Canada. A population was found covering about 3500 m² on a bank above Lake Erie near the town of Leamington, Ontario. We detected high seed viability and germination rates but no evidence that the population has been expanding beyond this site. Nonetheless, we recommend that measures be taken to prevent its continued expansion.