Niagara Region Research Articles

Sleep disturbance and cardiovascular risk in adolescents

Evidence suggests that inadequate or disturbed sleep is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in adults. There are limited data on sleep quality and associated cardiovascular risk in children. We obtained data on adolescents from the 2009/10 cycle of the Healthy Heart Schools' Program, a population-based cross-sectional study in the Niagara region of Ontario. Participants underwent measurements of cardiometabolic risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and blood pressure, and they completed questionnaires measuring sleeping habits and nutritional status. We assessed sleep disturbance using the sleep disturbance score derived from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. We explored associations between sleeping habits and cardiovascular risk factors. Among 4104 adolescents (51% male), the mean hours of sleep per night (± standard deviation) were 7.9 ± 1.1 on weeknights and 9.4 ± 1.6 on weekends. In total, 19% of participants reported their sleep quality as fairly bad or very bad on weeknights and 10% reported it as fairly bad or very bad on weekends. In the multivariable regression models, a higher sleep disturbance score was associated with increased odds of being at high cardiovascular risk (highest v. lowest tertile odds ratio [OR] 1.43 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.77], p < 0.001), increased odds of hypertension (highest v. lowest tertile OR 1.44 [95% CI 1.02-2.05], p = 0.05) and increased odds of elevated non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (highest v. lowest tertile OR 1.28 [95% CI 1.00-1.64], p = 0.05). The mean duration of sleep was not associated with these outcomes. In healthy adolescents, sleep disturbance is associated with cardiovascular risk factor abnormalities. Intervention strategies to optimize sleep hygiene early in life may be important for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Regulatory and institutional developments in the Ontario wine and grape industry

Regulatory and institutional developments in the Ontario wine and grape industry Richard Carew,1 Wojciech J Florkowski21Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, BC, Canada; 2Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA, USAAbstract: The Ontario wine industry has undergone major transformative changes over the last two decades. These have corresponded to the implementation period of the Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Act in 1999 and the launch of the Winery Strategic Plan, &quot;Poised for Greatness,&quot; in 2002. While the Ontario wine regions have gained significant recognition in the production of premium quality wines, the industry is still dominated by a few large wine companies that produce the bulk of blended or &quot;International Canadian Blends&quot; (ICB), and multiple small/mid-sized firms that produce principally VQA wines. This paper analyzes how winery regulations, industry changes, institutions, and innovation have impacted the domestic production, consumption, and international trade, of premium quality wines. The results of the study highlight the regional economic impact of the wine industry in the Niagara region, the success of small/mid-sized boutique wineries producing premium quality wines for the domestic market, and the physical challenges required to improve domestic VQA wine retail distribution and bolster the international trade of wine exports. Domestic success has been attributed to the combination of natural endowments, entrepreneurial talent, established quality standards, and the adoption of improved viticulture practices.Keywords: Ontario, wine, quality standards

Role of Waist Measures in Characterizing the Lipid and Blood Pressure Assessment of Adolescents Classified by Body Mass Index

To determine if the interaction of waist circumference percentile and waist to height ratio(WHtR) with body mass index (BMI) may serve to provide further risk specification in the lipid and blood pressure assessment of adolescents beyond BMI classification. Population-based, cross-sectional study. Data collected during the 2009-2010 academic school year. Geographically and administratively defined Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. Data collected in school, during subjects’ mandatory physical education class. Part of the Heart Niagara Inc Healthy Heart Schools’ Program. Entire population of grade 9 (14- and 15-year-old) students in the Niagara Region, Ontario.Four thousand eight hundred eighty-four students enrolled in grade 9 during the study period, of which 4104 participated (51% male) and 3248 (79%) had complete data. Nonfasting lipid values and blood pressure categories in subjects categorized based on BMI/waist circumference percentile and BMI/WHtR. The associations between blood pressure, lipid profile, and measures of adiposity (BMI alone, BMI/waist circumference percentile, and BMI/WHtR) were statistically significant but had a limited strength and were not statistically significant from each other. For overweight and obese subjects, increased WHtR categories were associated with worsened lipid profile and increased odds of hypertension both relative to subjects with both normal BMI and normal WHtR and subjects with normal WHtR within each BMI category. Waist measures should be included in the screening and assessment of overweight and obese adolescents.

An Evaluation of Environmental Benefits of Time-Dependent Green Routing in the Greater Buffalo–Niagara Region

This article conducts a realistic assessment, using a real-world case study, of the likely environmental benefits of an intelligent transportation systems (ITS) strategy that provides dynamic route guidance to travelers based on the lowest emission or fuel consumption routes. Several features distinguish this study from previous reported research. First, the research utilizes a realistic case study of a medium-sized metropolitan area in the United States. Second, the research applies the latest state-of-the-art models on both the transportation and the environmental modeling sides, through the development of an integrated model combining the Transportation Analysis and Simulation System (TRANSIMS) model and the Multi-Scale Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator model (MOVES). The integrated model is then used to approximate “green user equilibrium,” and to investigate the impact of market penetration on the likely environmental benefits of green routing. Third, the article also proposes a “targeted” traveler selection strategy whereby travelers with the greatest potential to reduce emissions or fuel consumption are selected for rerouting. Results indicate that green routing could result in significant reductions in emissions, but that this naturally comes at the expense of an increased travel time. For one scenario that considered assuming a traffic stream of only passenger cars, green routing resulted in an almost 13% reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, and a corresponding 8% increase in travel time. The results also indicate that tangible emissions reductions are achievable at low to medium market penetration levels for green routing applications, especially when travelers with the largest likely emissions savings are targeted.

Association between body composition and conformity to the recommendations of Canada's Food Guide and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in peri-adolescence

The role of following the recommendations of Canada's Food Guide (CFG) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on body composition in children is unknown. The present study assessed how conformity to the recommendations of these diets was associated with BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist girth (WG), hip girth (HG) and risk of overweight in peri-adolescents. CFG and DASH indices were derived from responses to a food questionnaire, with a higher index representing greater conformity to CFG and DASH diet recommendations. Body composition was assessed by trained research assistants. Schools within the Niagara region (Ontario, Canada). Children (n 1570) aged 12.4 (sd 0.3) years. After adjustment for age to peak height velocity and total physical activity, a higher CFG index was associated with lower WHtR (b = -0.001, 95 % CI -0.002, -0.0004), WHR (b = -0.001, 95 % CI -0.002, -0.001) and WG (b = -0.18, 95 % CI -0.30, -0.07) in girls. No associations were observed in boys. In contrast, a higher DASH index was associated with decreased body composition measures in both genders. Specifically, the DASH index was negatively associated with BMI (girls: b = -0.07, 95 % CI -0.10, -0.04; boys: b = -0.05, 95 % CI -0.08, -0.02), WHtR (girls: b = -0.001, 95 % CI -0.002, -0.001; boys: b = -0.001, 95 % CI -0.002, -0.0004), WHR (girls: b = -0.001, 95 % CI -0.002, -0.001; boys: b = -0.001, 95 % CI -0.001, -0.00004), WG (girls: b = -0.24, 95 % CI -0.31, -0.16; boys: b = -0.15, 95 % CI -0.24, -0.07) and HG (girls: b = -0.15, 95 % CI -0.23, -0.07; boys: b = -0.12, 95 % CI -0.19, -0.04). A higher DASH index was also associated with lower odds of overweight in girls (OR = 0.70, 95 % CI 0.56, 0.87) and boys (OR = 0.76, 95 % CI 0.62, 0.93). The DASH diet may prevent overweight in peri-adolescents.

Epic Triumph, Epic Embarrassment, or Both?

Widely divergent national and local historiographies about the War of 1812 have been created on both sides of the Canadian/American border. This has special significance for the Niagara region, where the two belligerents directly confronted and still confront each other. On the Canadian side of the Niagara River, the Niagara Peninsula has been transformed into a center of regional and national pride. Military leaders, troops and battles are celebrated and events commemorated in a grandiose and triumphant manner. Across the river, Western New York has largely downplayed or outright ignored its role in the very same conflict, to fit in with both the national and local amnesia surrounding the war and the region’s self-conceptualization as a “good neighbour”. This article focuses on public commemorations on both sides of the Niagara to uncover the historical, geographic, economic and demographic explanations as to why the war has been transformed into an epic victory for some, a defeat for others, and an embarrassment best ignored for many.

Reading Rocks Junior: An Exploratory Study of an Emergent Literacy Program for Children at-Risk for Learning Disabilities

This paper describes an exploratory study of an emergent literacy program offered by the Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region to support young vulnerable readers. The program was designed and offered in response to a community call to support vulnerable children and families. Twenty-three four- to six-year old children participated in the six-week twelve-session program. Children were referred to the program by their schools as they were demonstrating pre-reading skills that placed them at the bottom of their class. The aim of the program was to support children in their emergent literacy skills including phonological and print awareness as well as letter-sound understanding – all emergent literacy skills identified as significant predictors of later reading proficiency.The study adopted a pre- posttest design measuring children’s emergent literacy achievement. Results indicate that participating children statistically and clinically increased their literacy skills after participating in the Reading Rocks Junior Program. Research and applied implications of the results are presented.

053 Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Health Behaviours in Youth

BackgroundMarkers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood have been linked with higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and SES in youth is mediated by differences in health behaviours. We also sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and health behaviours is affected by different measures of SES.MethodsCross-sectional data for CVD risk factors and health behaviours were collected from universal screening of grade9 students from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada for the 2009/10 school year. Data were matched at an individual level by postal code with SES measures from the 2006 Census Canada data including household income, home ownership, and highest educational degree.ResultsN = 4104 students aged 14 to 15 years. Were included. Average household income was $62,680 (± 19 275), and 82% (± 19) were home-owners. The proportions that completed high school or university were 86% (± 8) and 17% (± 11), respectively. Higher body mass index z-score and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower income and education. Elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with lower income. Items related to sedentary lifestyle, poorer nutrition, and smoking were significantly associated with all markers of lower SES.ConclusionTabled 1 BackgroundMarkers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood have been linked with higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and SES in youth is mediated by differences in health behaviours. We also sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and health behaviours is affected by different measures of SES. Markers of lower socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood have been linked with higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and SES in youth is mediated by differences in health behaviours. We also sought to determine whether the relationship between CVD risk and health behaviours is affected by different measures of SES. MethodsCross-sectional data for CVD risk factors and health behaviours were collected from universal screening of grade9 students from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada for the 2009/10 school year. Data were matched at an individual level by postal code with SES measures from the 2006 Census Canada data including household income, home ownership, and highest educational degree. Cross-sectional data for CVD risk factors and health behaviours were collected from universal screening of grade9 students from the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada for the 2009/10 school year. Data were matched at an individual level by postal code with SES measures from the 2006 Census Canada data including household income, home ownership, and highest educational degree. ResultsN = 4104 students aged 14 to 15 years. Were included. Average household income was $62,680 (± 19 275), and 82% (± 19) were home-owners. The proportions that completed high school or university were 86% (± 8) and 17% (± 11), respectively. Higher body mass index z-score and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower income and education. Elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with lower income. Items related to sedentary lifestyle, poorer nutrition, and smoking were significantly associated with all markers of lower SES. N = 4104 students aged 14 to 15 years. Were included. Average household income was $62,680 (± 19 275), and 82% (± 19) were home-owners. The proportions that completed high school or university were 86% (± 8) and 17% (± 11), respectively. Higher body mass index z-score and hypercholesterolemia were associated with lower income and education. Elevated blood pressure was significantly associated with lower income. Items related to sedentary lifestyle, poorer nutrition, and smoking were significantly associated with all markers of lower SES. ConclusionTabled 1

Nesting biology and DNA barcode analysis of Ceratina dupla and C. mikmaqi, and comparisons with C. calcarata (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopinae)

AbstractUsing DNA barcode analysis, nest collections, and pan-trapping we compared molecular differences, nesting behaviour, and phenology of three of the four species of Ceratina Latreille present in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario, Canada: C. dupla Say, C. calcarata Robertson, and C. mikmaqi Rehan and Sheffield. Ceratina dupla and C. mikmaqi were separated by five fixed nucleotide differences and an average sequence divergence of 1.86%. In our population, C. mikmaqi and C. calcarata were common and C. dupla was rare. Ceratina dupla nested earlier than C. mikmaqi and C. calcarata, and sometimes produced a second brood in late July – early August. Each species constructed linear nests in the pith of dead twigs, C. mikmaqi and C. dupla usually in Fuller's teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.; Dipsacaceae) and C. calcarata usually in raspberry (Rubus L.; Rosaceae). Genetically distinct, each species occupies a slightly different niche in the Niagara bee assemblage.

Segmentation Of The Off-Peak Wine Tourist In Canadas Niagara Region

This paper segments the off-peak wine tourist in Canadas Niagara region. Three factors, Wine Knowledge (cognition), Winery Enjoyment (affect), and Winery Behaviour (behavioural intention), grounded in attitude theory, were discovered.

Stakeholder views of place meanings along the Niagara Escarpment: an exploratory Q methodological inquiry

The sentiments people attach to natural environments have been highlighted in place-based research literature to explore the nature and power of person–place relationships. Although person–place relationships have been studied, there is a need for a better understanding of the relationships between the meanings attributed to specific natural settings and the potential of those meanings to translate into pro-environmental behaviours as well as to influence land management decisions. The purpose of this exploratory study is to describe typologies of place meaning for a small group of people who recreate on the Niagara Escarpment in southern Ontario, Canada. Participants performed a Q-sorting procedure followed by Q methodology procedures including (1) correlation of the sorts, (2) principal components analysis of the correlation, (3) factor rotation, and (4) factor interpretation. Results represent a typology of Niagara Escarpment views held by a sample of forest recreationists who live in the Niagara Region of southern Ontario. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed.

Climate Change and the Potential Use of Weather Derivatives to Hedge Vineyard Harvest Rainfall Risk in the Niagara Region

The widespread recognition of current and impending climate change has led to the examination of possible impacts and potential adaptation strategies to deal with the prediction of increased variability of weather. Viticulture in particular faces a myriad of weather-related risks that could increase significantly with climate change. In addition to changes in agricultural practices, the use of financial solutions must also be sought in order to deal with the impending economic risks. Weather derivative contracts are a growing market that provide for the hedging of many of the financial risks due to weather. Although their use is widespread and increasing, their adoption by the agricultural sector, including viticulture, has been relatively slow. Using the Niagara region of Canada, we provide an example of how a weather contract can be designed to hedge the financial risk of a critical weather-risk factor common in viticulture, that of excessive rainfall during the harvest season. The variability of rainfall in the Northern Hemisphere has been predicted to increase with climate change and if weather-related risks intensify, weather contracts could prove to be useful tools for the viticulture industry.

Canadian border resident experience of the “smartening” border at Niagara

Much of the writing on the post‐9/11 Canada/U.S. border analyses (supportively or critically) the border‐related projects of economic and political elites. This paper focuses instead on local residents’ experiences of a changing border. Drawing on interviews and press reports from the Niagara region, the paper provides a grounded account of Canadian border life both at and after 9/11. Local experiences of altered cross‐border mobilities, intensified border inspections and reworked political subjectivities complicate dominant claims of straightforward congruence between a “smartening” Canada/U.S. border and border resident interests and concerns.

Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Organizing Across the Canada–US Border: Binational Institutions in the Niagara Region

This article explores the experience of seven grassroots cross-border organizations that have formed in the binational Niagara region. It begins by introducing the binational Niagara region and noting the comparative paucity and weakness of cross-border institutions in the area. It then identifies a number of grass-roots organizational initiatives that in some formal way straddle the Niagara River – initiatives that scholars have typically neglected. Based on interviews with leaders in these organizations, I describe the various governance structures and processes that these organizations have adopted to accommodate Canadian and American interests. I then turn to a discussion of some of the challenges facing these organizations that stem from their binational nature. Two in particular – resulting (1) from the securitization of the border since 2001 and the recent implementation of the WHTI secure document requirements, and (2) from the problems associated with fragmented political environments on both sides of the border – are discussed, and a rough assessment of their relevance to the seven organizations is given. To varying degrees, these factors constrain the opportunities for existing cross-border institutions, and they serve as deterrents for the formation of more such entities. The information uncovered in these inquiries provides a snapshot of the uncertain progress toward the formation of a borderland region centered around the Niagara River in southern Ontario and western New York.

Population Trends Toward Increasing Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Canadian Adolescents

To determine prevalence and cross-sectional trends over time for cardiovascular risk factors in Canadian adolescents. Cross-sectional trends in cardiovascular risk and lifestyle factors were gathered annually in 14- to 15-year-old students in the Niagara region, Ontario, Canada. A total of 20 719 adolescents were screened between 2002 and 2008. The proportion of obese adolescents (>95th percentile for body mass index [BMI]) increased significantly, by +0.34%/year (P = .002). The proportions of adolescents with borderline high cholesterol (4.4-5.1 mmol/L) (+0.57%/year; P <.001) and with high cholesterol (≥5.2 mmol/L) (+0.43%/year; P <.001) both increased significantly over time. The proportion of adolescents with prehypertension decreased by -0.23%/year (P = .02), whereas the proportion of those with stage I hypertension (5%-6%) or stage II hypertension (2%-4%) remained constant. The proportion of adolescents classified as being at high cardiovascular risk increased by +0.67%/year (P <.001). Family history, low levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, poor nutrition, and lower socioeconomic status were all independently and negatively associated with all aspects of cardiovascular risk. A significant proportion of 14- to 15-year-old Canadian adolescents have at least one cardiovascular risk factor, and the cross-sectional trends worsened during the period 2002-2008.

Influence of elevation and avian or mammalian hosts on attraction of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in southern Ontario

AbstractWe studied Culex pipiens L. in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, to establish whether or not these mosquitoes are attracted to hosts other than birds at different elevations or as the season progresses. Guinea-pigs and chickens were used as representative mammalian and avian hosts, respectively. Bait animals were placed next to modified CDC miniature light traps (no light and no CO2) hung 1.5 or 5 m above ground in a Niagara woodlot. The season was divided into three 6-week periods (early, middle, and late). Significantly more C. pipiens were captured at the 5 m than at the 1.5 m elevation. In general, chicken-baited traps were preferred over control and guinea-pig-baited traps, with one important exception: there was no significant difference among traps during the late period at 1.5 m elevation. The potential role of C. pipiens as a bridging vector of West Nile virus to humans is discussed.

Environmental Initiatives in Bed and Breakfast Establishments in Canada: Scope and Major Challenges with Implementation

The objective of this paper is to investigate the implementation of environmental practices in small firms in the hospitality industry, namely bed and breakfast establishments. The issues addressed include motivations, scope of environmental initiatives and challenges faced during their implementation. The study is based on interviews with eight bed and breakfast owners in the Niagara Region in Canada. The research indicated a limited scope of environmental initiatives at bed and breakfast establishments. The majority of the initiatives had a cost savings nature and include different actions aimed at energy conservation, water conservation and waste management. Further analysis indicated three major types of barriers to adoption of environmental practices by tourism micro businesses: budgetary constraints, lack of knowledge and conflict with customer attitudes and expectations. The study specifically highlights significant lack of understanding of the sustainability terminology and very low awareness of the impacts of the business activity on the environment by the owners of bed and breakfast establishments and calls for additional education and training on sustainability for small business owners.

HYDROPONIC CUCUMBER PRODUCTION USING A NEW RECYCLABLE GROWTH SUBSTRATE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM

In the Canadian vegetable greenhouse industry, the traditional soilless substrate used in hydroponic production systems is costly to recycle and is undesirable as landfill. After more than five years of research and development, SRI Inc. in collaboration with the University of Guelph (UoG) has developed a system that incorporates a synthetic growth substrate with an internal irrigation system. This product is known as the Enviro-Grow System (EGS) and can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle using conventional recycling technologies (similar to recycling a plastic bottle). During spring 2008, we conducted a large scale cucumber production experiment comparing the EGS vs. conventional rockwool (RW). Plant development and yield were evaluated at a commercial hydroponic greenhouse facility located in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. Each substrate treatment (the EGS and RW) contained 2,310 linear meters of substrate and 6,720 cucumber (Cucumis sativus 'Camaro') plants for comparison. Irrigation scheduling for both substrate treatments were determined by solar radiation accumulation and plant demand. Plants grown using the EGS exhibited a significantly higher relative growth rate (RGR) than plants grown in RW. This resulted in an earlier harvest date (by one day). No difference in yield was found between plants grown in the EGS vs. plants grown in RW.

Niagara Region's Enterprise Risk Management Plan: Development of a Risk-Based Approach for Prioritizing Infrastructure Needs

Niagara Region's Enterprise Risk Management Plan: Development of a Risk-Based Approach for Prioritizing Infrastructure Needs