Waterwheels and Steam Engines in Ontario: Industrial Power Reported in the 1871 Manuscript Census

The transition from water to steam power has long been an interesting issue in the history of technology. Newly created data for the 1871 manuscript census are used to examine features of the transition in Ontario. Industrial characteristics and geographical variations of each power source are discussed. Questions and implications for further research are explored in relation to contemporary work environments and power technology.La question de la substitution de la vapeur à l’eau comme source de puissance motrice a depuis longtemps attiré l’attention des historiens de la technologie. De nouvelles données provenant du recensement de 1871 nous permettent d’étudier comment cette transition s’est produite en Ontario. Pour chacune de ces deux sources d’énergie nous présenterons les caractéristiques des industries impliquées et les variations géographiques de leur localisation. Nous explorerons également de nouvelles avenues de recherche en relation avec les environnements de travail et les technologies de puissance contemporains

Using the 1871 Census Manuscript Industrial Schedules: A Machine-Readable Source for Social Historians

A major project, which is making accessible the complete unpublished data of the 1871 manuscript census for Ontario urban centres, is outlined. Applications of likely interest to social historians are suggested, including the possibility of determining the economic base for individual communities and the ability to see specific places in a comparative context. These are discussed with reference to three highly industrialized communities in 1870: Hespeler, Carleton Place and Oshawa. Un projet majeur, qui donne accès à la totalité des données non publiées du recensement manuscrit de 1871 pour les centres urbains de l’Ontario, est amorcé. On y suggère des applications qui peuvent intéresser les spécialistes de l’histoire sociale, incluant la possibilité de déterminer la base économique de chaque communauté et la capacité d’étudier un lien spécifique dans une perspective comparative. Ces applications sont discutées en se référant à trois communautés industrialisées en 1870

Urban-Industrial Growth Processes in Southern Ontario, 1870-1930

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Short-Term Reduction in Energy Availability Does Not Impair Exercise-Induced Gains in Bone Formation Rate

Reduced energy availability (EA, defined as total energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure) can induce significant bone loss in humans and in rodents, but this effect may vary with exercise status. Purpose: This study focused on the effects of graded reductions in EA achieved with and without exercise on mid-shaft tibia cortical bone. We hypothesized that markers of bone formation would be reduced with 4 weeks of decreased EA, but these reductions would be mitigated in exercising animals. Methods: After 8 weeks of acclimation to AIN-93M purified diet, 5 mo-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=72) were randomized in to sedentary (SED) and exercise (EX) groups, each of which was divided into 3 energy status groups: -12% EA/g body mass (-12EA) and -25% EA/g body mass (-25EA) vs. ad lib-fed controls. EX rats were restricted on diet intake slightly less than SED to account for the energy cost (+10%/day) of treadmill running (80-90 min/d, 4 d/wk, ~60% VO2max); custom versions of AIN-93M were used to assure restriction of only kcal (other nutrients at 100%). Calcein injections 9 and 2 days prior to euthanasia labeled mineralizing surfaces for histomorphometric analyses 2 mm proximal to the tibio-fibular junction for mineralizing surface (%MS/BS), mineral apposition rate (MAR), and bone formation rate (BFR) on periosteal and endocortical surfaces. Results: After 4 weeks, only -25EA SED lost body mass (-11%); virtually all of this was fat mass. Periosteal BFR was 2 to 4 fold higher in EX rats vs. SED animals within each energy status group. The impact of EX on endocortical BFR was even greater (~5-fold increase) for all groups except in the -25 EA cohorts (-25 EA EX BFR ~ equal to -25EA SED BFR). Increases in BFR with EX were achieved by increases in both %MS/BS and MAR on both cortical surfaces. Conclusions: These data suggest that short-term graded reductions in EA do not inhibit BFR in SED animals nor the robust stimulation of BFR by moderately vigorous exercise training. The one exception observed was a suppression of the EX induced gain in endocortical BFR with the more stringent level of reduced EA. Whether this lack of effect of EA on BFR gains with EX persists with more chronic reductions in EA has yet to be determined. Funded by the Department of Defense #WSIXWH-06-1-047

Time to abandon the hygiene hypothesis: new perspectives on allergic disease, the human microbiome, infectious disease prevention and the role of targeted hygiene.

AIMS: To review the burden of allergic and infectious diseases and the evidence for a link to microbial exposure, the human microbiome and immune system, and to assess whether we could develop lifestyles which reconnect us with exposures which could reduce the risk of allergic disease while also protecting against infectious disease. METHODS: Using methodology based on the Delphi technique, six experts in infectious and allergic disease were surveyed to allow for elicitation of group judgement and consensus view on issues pertinent to the aim. RESULTS: Key themes emerged where evidence shows that interaction with microbes that inhabit the natural environment and human microbiome plays an essential role in immune regulation. Changes in lifestyle and environmental exposure, rapid urbanisation, altered diet and antibiotic use have had profound effects on the human microbiome, leading to failure of immunotolerance and increased risk of allergic disease. Although evidence supports the concept of immune regulation driven by microbe-host interactions, the term 'hygiene hypothesis' is a misleading misnomer. There is no good evidence that hygiene, as the public understands, is responsible for the clinically relevant changes to microbial exposures. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests a combination of strategies, including natural childbirth, breast feeding, increased social exposure through sport, other outdoor activities, less time spent indoors, diet and appropriate antibiotic use, may help restore the microbiome and perhaps reduce risks of allergic disease. Preventive efforts must focus on early life. The term 'hygiene hypothesis' must be abandoned. Promotion of a risk assessment approach (targeted hygiene) provides a framework for maximising protection against pathogen exposure while allowing spread of essential microbes between family members. To build on these findings, we must change public, public health and professional perceptions about the microbiome and about hygiene. We need to restore public understanding of hygiene as a means to prevent infectious disease

Partial or Complete Unloading of Skeletal Muscle Leads to Specific Alterations of Anabolic Signal Transduction

Consequences of disuse atrophy of skeletal muscle observed during spaceflight on astronaut health and performance are a focal point of space research. Decrements of both muscle mass and protein synthesis rates have been observed with exposure to varying muscle loading environments (1G \u3e partial loading \u3e 0G), and most of the reduced muscle mass can be attributed to diminished rates of synthesis. However, specific mechanisms behind unloading-dependent reductions of protein synthesis are not well defined. PURPOSE: To determine whether or not alterations of anabolic signal transduction was responsible for the changes previously observed in fractional synthesis rates with specific gravitational loading paradigms. METHODS: Female BALB/cByJ were normalized by bodyweight and assigned to normal cage ambulation (1G), partial weight bearing suspension titrated to approximately 33% bodyweight (G/3), partial weight bearing titrated to 16% bodyweight (G/6) and full unloading of hind limbs (0G) in specially designed cages. All mice were subjected to that loading environment for 21d prior to tissue harvest, and monitored daily. Immunoblotting of the gastrocnemius (n=23) was carried out to analyze alterations of anabolic signal transduction. Although numerous signaling intermediates were assessed, the focus of this abstract will be on ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70-S6K). This important protein has served as a marker of protein synthesis signal transduction as well as the anabolic capacity in skeletal muscle. RESULTS: Regardless of loading paradigm, no differences were detected among groups for the activation of p70-S6K (as indicated by the phospho: total protein content). Total protein content, however, was ~27% lower than control in 0G and G/3 (P=0.008) with G/6 not being different from control (P\u3e0.05). CONCLUSION: In combination with previous data (unpublished observations), Partial gravitational fields at least partially rescues anabolic signaling, suggesting that a threshold level of stimulus is necessary to maintain anabolic capacity in muscle. These results may have important implications towards the development of strategies designed to counter the effects of partial/complete unloading on skeletal muscle based on how the anabolic capacity of muscle is affected

Reducing antibiotic prescribing and addressing the global problem of antibiotic resistance by targeted hygiene in the home and everyday life settings: A position paper

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to threaten global health. Although global and national AMR action plans are in place, infection prevention and control is primarily discussed in the context of health care facilities with home and everyday life settings barely addressed. As seen with the recent global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, everyday hygiene measures can play an important role in containing the threat from infectious microorganisms. This position paper has been developed following a meeting of global experts in London, 2019. It presents evidence that home and community settings are important for infection transmission and also the acquisition and spread of AMR. It also demonstrates that the targeted hygiene approach offers a framework for maximizing protection against colonization and infections, thereby reducing antibiotic prescribing and minimizing selection pressure for the development of antibiotic resistance. If combined with the provision of clean water and sanitation, targeted hygiene can reduce the circulation of resistant bacteria in homes and communities, regardless of a country\u27s Human Development Index (overall social and economic development). Achieving a reduction of AMR strains in health care settings requires a mirrored reduction in the community. The authors call upon national and international policy makers, health agencies, and health care professionals to further recognize the importance of targeted hygiene in the home and everyday life settings for preventing and controlling infection, in a unified quest to tackle AMR