Number In Canada Research Articles

Integrate-and-fire model of disease transmission.

We create an epidemiological susceptible-infected-susceptible model of disease transmission using integrate-and-fire nodes on a network, allowing memory of previous interactions and infections. Agents in the network sum infectious matter from their nearest neighbors at every time step, until they exceed their infection threshold, at which point they "fire" and become infected for as long as the recovery time. The model has memory of previous interactions by tracking the amount of infectious matter carried by agents as well as just binary infected or susceptible states, and the model has memory of previous infections by modeling immunity as increasing the infection threshold after recovery. Creating a simulation of the model on networks with a power-law degree distribution and homogeneous agent parameters, we find a single strain version of the model matches well with the England COVID-19 case data, with a root-mean-squared error of 0.014%. A simulation of a multistrain version of the model (where there is cross-strain immunity) matches well with the influenza strain A and strain B case numbers in Canada, with a root-mean-squared error of 0.002% and 0.0012%, respectively, though due to the coupling in the model, both strains peak in phase. Since the dynamics of the model successfully capture real-life transmission dynamics, we test interventions to study their effect on case numbers, with both quarantining and social gathering restrictions lowering the peak. Since the model has memory, the stricter the intervention, the higher the secondary peak when the restriction is removed, showing that interventions change only the shape of the curves and not the overall number infected in the population.

Draba (Brassicaceae) of Canada and Alaska

Four new arctic species of Draba are described here. Of these, D. airdii, D. shehbazii, and D. darbyshireii are from Canada, and D. catlingii is from both Canada and Alaska. Two new species described by others, D. adamsii and D. macrocarpa, are also added. The chromosome numbers n = 19 and 2n = 36 should be attributed to D. grandis, and n = 8 for D. lonchocarpa var. kamtschatica to D. chamissonis. Draba kluanei is now known to occur at a second location in Yukon. The six new Draba species added in this study bring the total number in Canada and Alaska to 65. A key to all of these species is presented.

How many will it take?

N/A

Critical habitat identification of peripheral Sage Thrashers under climate change

AbstractThe Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) has been assessed as “Endangered” in Canada since 1992. Like other species with a geographic range that barely extends into Canada, Sage Thrashers are rare. Thirty‐one percent of Canada's bird species listed for recovery under the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) are at the periphery of their range. A listing of “endangered” under SARA requires identification of critical habitat for the species. With anticipated climate change, recovery of species requires a more proactive intervention than relying on historical occurrence to locate suitable habitat. We synthesized 19 years of Sage Thrasher occurrence and related habitat data across the species' northern range in British Columbia (BC) and Washington (WA) to define critical habitat characteristics. We found Sage Thrashers selected less leaf litter and less grass cover in flat or low‐slope regions farther from anthropogenic or natural habitat breaks; habitat sensitive to the expected climate change impacts of fire, changes in precipitation, and invasive species establishment. By augmenting the BC data collected in the species' peripheral range with data from their core distribution in WA, we identified key habitat elements of an otherwise data‐poor species that do not breed in sufficient numbers in Canada to reliably characterize their habitat. These methods improve the identification of “critical habitat” for peripheral species like Sage Thrashers in preparation for climate‐induced range expansion northward. The framework developed demonstrates a useful template for conservation strategies for data‐limited peripheral populations in other regions. Focusing on the landscape‐level variables that indicate good habitat, and not the locations of habitat, can identify suitable future areas for conservation.

Gastroenterology Practitioner and Trainee Numbers in Canada 2018: Annual Report From the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology.

BackgroundIt is necessary for health planners, educators and physician and patient organizations to be aware of trends in gastroenterologist (GI) numbers in order to ensure that patients have timely access to care.MethodsThe number of GIs in practice and the number of trainees in the specialty was determined for 2018 using three national databases compared with previous years.ResultsIn 2018, there were 787 GIs in Canada, which equated to 2.1 GIs per 100,000 population. There are marked differences between provinces with numbers ranging from 1.1 to 2.9 per 100,000. There are 53 GIs specializing in pediatric GI care. Forty-six per cent of practitioners under the age of 35 years are female. Seventy-two residents are training in adult GI and six in pediatrics. Approximately 75% of fellows in adult and pediatric GI are training on temporary visas. The number of adult GIs is decreasing despite increasing national population growth and service demand. The numbers of trainees in both adult and pediatric GI are lower than in 2010. If these trends continue, wait times for GI care, which are already poor, will likely increase further.ConclusionsContinued monitoring of human resource numbers, patient access to care and validation of current data is required.The purpose of this report is to present the number of gastroenterologists (GIs), both in practice and in training, in Canada for 2018. We also wished to examine the 2018 numbers by province and gender, compare the 2018 numbers with those of previous years and describe the practice settings and organization.

Gastroenterology Numbers in Canada: A Comparison of Human Resource Databases.

Several databases track gastroenterology (GI) human resource (HR) numbers in Canada. They differ in the data which they collect and, hence, in their estimates of GI HR. The two most likely to reflect current HR are the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHI) and Canadian Medical Association (CMA) databases. The estimates of GI’s generated by each of the databases correlate closely with each other. Approximately 50 trainees enter the adult GI workforce per year, and approximately five enter the pediatric group. We estimate that Canada as a whole has between 782 and 848 GIs or 2.14 GIs per 100,000 population in 2016. Six of the 10 provinces have fewer than two GIs per 100,000 population. National GI numbers are increasing by 6% per year. Validation studies are required.

Impact of Canadian tobacco packaging policy on quitline reach and reach equity

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of the new Canadian tobacco package warning labels with a quitline toll-free phone number for seven provincial quitlines, focusing on treatment reach and reach equity in selected vulnerable groups. MethodsA quasi-experimental design assessed changes in new incoming caller characteristics, treatment reach for selected vulnerable sub-populations and the extent to which this reach is equitable, before and after the introduction of the labels in June, 2012. Administrative call data on smokers were collected at intake. Pre- and post-label treatment reach and reach equity differences were analysed by comparing the natural logarithms of the reach and reach equity statistics. ResultsDuring the six months following the introduction of the new warning labels, 86.4% of incoming new callers indicated seeing the quitline number on the labels. Treatment reach for the six-month period significantly improved compared to the same six-month period the year before from .042% to .114% (p<.0001) and reach equity significantly improved for young males (p<.0001) and those with high school education or less (p=.004). ConclusionsThe introduction of the new tobacco warning labels with a quitline toll-free number in Canada was associated with an increase in treatment reach. The toll-free number on tobacco warning labels aided in reducing tobacco related inequalities, such as improved reach equity for young males and those with high school or less education.

Spatial regularities between non-immigrant and immigrant numbers in Canada

The present study intends to reveal spatial regularities between non-immigrant and immigrant numbers in two different ways. First, it questions the existence of those regularities when spatial scales get finer. Second, it uses pooled data over four population censuses covering the period from 1991 to 2006, which enabled us to apply appropriate techniques to remove those unobserved fixed effects so that the estimations would accurately identify the linkage between local immigrant and non-immigrant numbers. The results provide evidence about the existence of negative spatial regularities between non-immigrant and immigrant numbers in Canada at national scale.

Ambiguous Roles in a Stepfamily: Using Maps of Narrative Practices to Develop a New Family Story with Adolescents and Parents

Stepfamilies are increasing in number in Canada and around the world. Adults and children, specifically adolescents, can be challenged by the ambiguous roles that may happen in new family dynamics. Stepfamily members need to discover and discuss the perceptions and expectations of the individuals within the stepfamily to avoid distressful feelings and behaviours. Understanding how society can influence the perceptions of a family, and the effects of this influence, is explored. Family therapists can map the use of narrative techniques of re-membering, and re-authoring as described in Michael White’s Maps of Narrative Practice to help bring a stepfamily to new understandings about each other and the family unit.

Evidence of Recent Population Recovery in Common Eiders Breeding in Western Greenland

ABSTRACT Severe population declines were reported for common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in western Greenland over the period 1960–2000. A monitoring program, concurrent with more restrictive hunting regulations on common eiders, revealed breeding numbers increasing by 212%, from 2,558 active nests in 2000 to 7,982 nests in 2007. Though it was not possible to directly link harvest reduction and population growth in West Greenland, a similar increase in breeding numbers in Canada was correlated with the harvest reduction in Greenland and linked to increasing adult survival and recruitment of first‐time breeders, and a similar explanation is suggested for West Greenland. The study emphasizes that appropriate restrictions in hunting can be efficient in wildlife management and that common eiders can sustain dramatic rates of increase during population regrowth. It also shows that cost‐efficient monitoring programs can be established through cooperation with local residents.

Linking payment to health outcomes: A taxonomy and examination of performance-based reimbursement schemes between healthcare payers and manufacturers

To identify, categorize and examine performance-based health outcomes reimbursement schemes for medical technology. We performed a review of performance-based health outcomes reimbursement schemes over the past 10 years (7/98-010/09) using publicly available databases, web and grey literature searches, and input from healthcare reimbursement experts. We developed a taxonomy of scheme types by inductively organizing the schemes identified according to the timing, execution, and health outcomes measured in the schemes. Our search yielded 34 coverage with evidence development schemes, 10 conditional treatment continuation schemes, and 14 performance-linked reimbursement schemes. The majority of schemes are in Europe and Australia, with an increasing number in Canada and the U.S. These schemes have the potential to alter the reimbursement and pricing landscape for medical technology, but significant challenges, including high transaction costs and insufficient information systems, may limit their long-term impact. Future studies regarding experiences and outcomes of implemented schemes are necessary.

Evaluation of selected outcomes of an accelerated nursing degree program

Accelerated or condensed programs in nursing have gained popularity over the last 10 years in Canada. They are designed to accommodate the learning needs of a special pool of learners with prior university education. These learners have expectations, abilities, and skills different from students in basic baccalaureate programs and so require instruction to suit their background. While accelerated programs have proliferated, there is little published evidence as to the actual number in Canada or on their effectiveness in preparing beginning practitioners who can meet the demands of the workplace. In this paper, the authors discuss selected outcomes of a pilot project wherein an accelerated option was examined as a feasible avenue for the education of Canadian professional nurses. Evaluation during and following the project was an integral component to contribute to an evidence base for nursing education decisions. Data were collected from two student cohorts and multiple stakeholders including faculty, employers, and nurse co-workers. Data were elicited on many variables but only four are addressed here. These are: scores on the national licensure examination, competency-to-practice rankings, student and employer perceptions of preparedness for practice, and manageability of students' stress levels during the program. The paper focuses on the findings pertaining to each variable and the lessons learned.

Assessment of Canadian federal and provincial legislation to conserve native and managed pollinators

Declining pollinator numbers in Canada is an issue of concern requiring active conservation of native, wild, and managed species. Federal and provincial legislation was examined to determine whether Canada has the capacity to manage native pollinators. Hard legislation was chosen based on its potential to contain provisions for pollinator protection. The wording, specific statements within each act, and the context in which they are used, were examined. The legislation was categorized into one of three classes: a) has explicit provisions for pollinator conservation, b) is related to, but no explicit provisions are present, c) has nothing to do with pollinator conservation. Results showed that Canada has inadequate legislative provisions for native pollinator conservation at the federal and provincial level. There are few specific provisions dealing directly with native pollinators, but some legislation alludes to it. Existing legislation pertains to the protection of managed pollinators, especially the western honeybee (Apis mellifera). Therefore, such provincial acts could be amended to include all native bees and other pollinator species to ensure that their ecological and agricultural services continue. The federal National Parks Act and the Species at Risk Act (and their provincial counterparts) could be amended similarly. Effective pollinator conservation requires management, research, education and monitoring, but the enabling legislative provisions should be created for this to happen.

The public opinion climate for gene technologies in Canada and the United States: competing voices, contrasting frames

This exploratory study of Canadian and US public opinion about gene technologies is based primarily on survey data collected by the Government of Canada, with media data from a widely available commercial database (LexisNexis) used in an illustrative case study of the apparent resonance between the climate of opinion and media frames in different regions of the two countries. The study uses regression modeling, factor analysis and cluster analysis to characterize the structure of the opinion data, concluding that observed opinion differences might be understood in terms of the greater number of individuals in the United States who belong to an identifiable opinion group that believes these technologies are benign and must be developed (termed, for convenience, “true believers”), as well as a somewhat greater number in Canada who belong to a group believing that ordinary people should be able to decide based on ethical considerations (“ethical populists”). However, the most common group in each country is made up of people who believe risks or costs and benefits should be weighed in developing policy, and that this should be done by experts (“utilitarians”). This group and two other cluster groups identified in the analysis (“moral authoritarians” and “democratic pragmatists”) exist in roughly equivalent proportions in both countries, with some regional variation evident within each. While these observations represent descriptive findings only, they nevertheless underscore the complexity of the opinion climate and problematize the development of consensus policy. Preliminary analysis of news coverage of selected gene technologies revealed both similarities and differences in patterns of news discourse between Canada and the US. A sample of stem cell coverage for February 2004, following the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Seattle (during which the announcement of new Korean research on human cloning was made), was used as a case study for a pilot media analysis.

A Review of the Canada Lynx, &lt;em&gt;Lynx canadensis&lt;/em&gt;, in Canada

The Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) is the most common and widespread member of the cat family in Canada. Lynx are distributed throughout forested regions of Canada and Alaska and into portions of the northern contiguous United States, closely paralleling the range of its primary prey, the Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus). They are most common in the boreal, sub-boreal and western montane forests, preferring older regenerating forests (&gt;20 years) and generally avoiding younger stands, and occupy roughly 95% of their former range in Canada. Lynx population size fluctuates 3–17 fold over an 8–11 year cycle, tracking the abundance of Snowshoe Hares with a 1–2 year lag. During increasing and high hare abundance, lynx have high reproductive output and high kit and adult survival. The decline phase is characterized by reproductive failure, increased natural mortality, and high rates of dispersal. Dispersal distances of over 1000 km have been recorded. During the cyclic low, kit recruitment essentially fails for 2–3 years, and is followed by several years of modest reproductive output. Reproductive parameters in southern lynx populations appear similar to those found during the cyclic low and early increase phase in more northern populations. Trapping is a significant source of mortality in some areas. Field studies have documented from 2–45 lynx/100 km2 at various times in the cycle and in various habitats. Although the amplitude of the cyclic fluctuations in lynx numbers may have decreased somewhat in recent decades, there is no evidence to suggest a significant decline in numbers in Canada. Lynx are managed as a furbearer in Canada, with harvest regulated primarily by seasons, quotas, and closures. The harvest over the past decade has declined concurrent with declining pelt prices, and is currently a fraction of historic levels. Lynx are fully protected in less than 2–3% of their range in Canada. There is no evidence to suggest that overall lynx numbers or distribution across Canada have declined significantly over the past two decades, although loss of habitat through increased urbanization and development and forestry is likely affecting lynx populations along the southern fringe of its range. Its high potential to increase in numbers and propensity to disperse long distances suggest that the species is relatively resilient to localized perturbations and reductions, given time and removal of the factors that cause the initial decrease. Lowered lynx harvests, coupled with a greater awareness of the need for proactive lynx management, suggests that the overall future of lynx in Canada is secure.

Passing the Baton:

I work for the Law Library Microform Consortium (LLMC), a cooperative with some 900 participating members. Most are in the US, with a fair number in Canada and some in Australia, the UK and sixteen other countries. For over a quarter of a century LLMC has provided its member libraries with a wide range of legal titles, including much Commonwealth material, on microfiche. We grew hoary in that task, but have been rejuvenated in a new role. We've just launched an on-line digital library, LLMC-Digital, which will provide vastly enhanced access to our materials. The foundation for this endeavour is our backfile of 92,000 volumes (some 49-million page images) filmed during the past 27 years. To that base will be added every new title acquired in LLMC's future filming or scanning.

χ2and the lottery

Summary. The winners of many lotteries are determined by selecting at random some numbered balls from an urn. This paper discusses the use of Pearson's standard goodness-of-fit statistic to test for the equiprobability of occurrence of such lottery numbers, whether taken individually, in pairs or in larger subsets. Because the numbers are drawn without replacement, Pearson's statistic does not follow a simple χ2-distribution, even for large samples of draws. In fact, it can be shown that its asymptotic distribution is that of a weighted sum of χ2 random variables. An explicit formula is given for the weights, and this result is used to check the uniformity of winning numbers in Canada's Lotto 6/49 over a period of nearly 20 years.

Globalization, Immigration, and the Gender Implications of l Not Just Numbers in Canada

The immigration of refugees in Canada has always been gendered. Today, the majority of refugees to this country continue to be male, while family class immigrants are more often female. Social integration and labour market articipation upon arrival also vary tremendously by gender, among other factors. The recent Legislative Review, entitled Not Just Numbers, has important gender implications for future immigration to Canada. The author argues that the proposals outlined promote economic self sufficiency and global competitiveness as the basis for future immigration, refugees being the sole exception. The Review is analyzed in relation to Saskia Sassen's work on globalization, immigration, and the "new geography of power." The gendered implications of the Review's proposals are discussed with specific reference to refugees, domestic caregivers, and family class immigrants.

Know Your Responsibilities for HazMat Transport

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is charged with safety in matters of transportation. This article lists USDOT requirements for transporting hazardous materials. It also lists procedures for receiving a shipment with hazardous materials. Emergency contact numbers in Canada, the United States, and Mexico are listed.

A cross-national comparison of generalist physician workforce data. Evidence for US supply adequacy

<h3>Objective.</h3> —To assess the adequacy of the US generalist physician workforce using population-based, cross-national physician workforce data. <h3>Design.</h3> —A comparative analysis of physician workforce data obtained from primary sources in Canada in 1991 and from England and Germany in 1993. <h3>Methods.</h3> —Generalist physician-to-population ratios were calculated for each country and the results compared in the context of how primary care services are delivered. The findings were used to create a framework for analyzing the adequacy of the generalist physician workforce of the United States. <h3>Main Outcome Measure.</h3> —The comparability of the number of primary care providers per 100 000 population in the US physician workforce with the number in Canada, England, and Germany. <h3>Results.</h3> —On a population basis, the size of the full-time US generalist physician workforce is larger than that of England, similar to that of Germany, and smaller than that of Canada. These size differences are largely reconciled when one takes into account differences in the way primary care services are delivered, the degree to which nurse practitioners are employed in each country, and the degree to which nongeneralist physicians provide primary care services. <h3>Conclusions.</h3> —The size of the US generalist physician workforce is currently adequate to meet the needs of the population. Policies designed to greatly expand the size of the US generalist physician workforce are ill-conceived. (<i>JAMA</i>. 1995;274:692-695)