Prevalence and Patterns of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Canadian Youth: A Northern Focus

Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is a well-known risk factor for weight gain, tooth decay, and metabolic syndrome. Rates of SSB consumption in Nunavut specifically, have been noted to be exceptionally high. This study describes consumption rates of specific foods and beverages, with a focus on SSBs, among adolescents in Nunavut, northern Canada as a whole, and the Canadian provinces, using data from the 2010 and 2014 cycles of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study to investigate population characteristics and consumption patterns. Comparative analyses of consumption patterns for Nunavut, the three territories combined, and the southern provinces found that in 2010, those who consumed SSBs once a day or more comprised 53.1% of adolescents in Nunavut, 31.1% in the northern territories and 24% in the provinces. Comparable figures for 2014 were 55.0% in Nunavut, but only 27.0% in all the territories, and 19.1% in the provinces. The percentage of adolescents who consumed fruit and vegetables daily was also lower in Nunavut than in the provinces (65.5% vs. 85.3% in 2010, and 57.5% vs. 84.4% in 2014). More Nunavut adolescents consumed sweets and potato chips daily than provincial adolescents (42.6% vs. 27.6% in 2010, and 52.2% vs. 25.2% in 2014). A greater proportion of Nunavut adolescents reported high consumption of SSBs, as well as other energy-dense foods, when compared to adolescents in the three territories combined and in the provinces. These results confirm previous studies but provide a current and comprehensive analysis that can help inform future food and nutrition priorities and programing. La consommation régulière de boissons édulcorées est un facteur de risque bien connu pour le gain de poids, les caries et le syndrome métabolique. Au Nunavut plus particulièrement, la consommation de boissons édulcorées est exceptionnellement élevée. Cette étude décrit les taux de consommation d’aliments et de boissons spécifiques et met l’accent sur les boissons édulcorées chez les adolescents du Nunavut, du Nord canadien dans son ensemble, et des provinces canadiennes en s’appuyant sur les données des cycles de 2010 et de 2014 de l’enquête « Les comportements de santé des jeunes d’âge scolaire » (l’Enquête HBSC), enquête qui a pour but d’étudier les caractéristiques de la population et les habitudes de consommation. Les analyses comparatives des habitudes de consommation du Nunavut, des trois territoires dans leur ensemble et des provinces du sud du pays ont permis de remarquer qu’en 2010, 53,1 % des adolescents du Nunavut consommaient des boissons édulcorées une fois par jour ou plus, 31,1 % dans les territoires du Nord et 24 % dans les provinces. Pour 2014, les données comparables étaient de 55,0 % au Nunavut, mais de seulement 27,0 % dans l’ensemble des territoires et de 19,1 % dans les provinces. Le pourcentage d’adolescents qui consommait des fruits et des légumes au quotidien était moins élevé au Nunavut que dans les provinces (65,5 % par opposition à 85,3 % en 2010, et 57,5 % par opposition à 84,4 % en 2014). Au Nunavut, un plus grand nombre d’adolescents consommait des sucreries et des croustilles au quotidien par rapport aux adolescents des provinces (42,6 % par opposition à 27,6 % en 2010, et 52,2 % par opposition à 25,2 % en 2014). Une plus grande proportion d’adolescents du Nunavut a signalé une grande consommation de boissons édulcorées et d’autres aliments à forte teneur en énergie comparativement aux adolescents des trois territoires dans leur ensemble et aux adolescents des provinces. Ces résultats confirment les résultats d’études antérieures, en plus de présenter une analyse actuelle et exhaustive dont on peut se servir pour jeter de la lumière sur les priorités et la programmation futures en matière d’alimentation et de nutrition

Shared Patron-Driven Acquisition Within a Consortium: the OCUL PDA Pilot

In September 2010 members of the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) participated in a Patron Driven Acquisitions (PDA) pilot to determine how this purchasing model might be adapted to a consortium. OCUL understood that developing a model that would allow patrons to purchase titles for different collections would be complicated. Careful thought went into balancing the needs of individual members with the needs of the consortium. This paper describes the project and examines the results from three distinct perspectives in the hopes of gaining a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of PDA at a consortial level

Value Engineering Study for Closing Waste Packages Containing TAD Canisters

The Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management announced their intention to have the commercial utilities package spent nuclear fuel in shielded, transportable, ageable, and disposable containers prior to shipment to the Yucca Mountain repository. This will change the conditions used as a basis for the design of the waste package closure system. The environment is now expected to be a low radiation, low contamination area. A value engineering study was completed to evaluate possible modifications to the existing closure system using the revised requirements. Four alternatives were identified and evaluated against a set of weighted criteria. The alternatives are (1) a radiation-hardened, remote automated system (the current baseline design); (2) a nonradiation-hardened, remote automated system (with personnel intervention if necessary); (3) a nonradiation-hardened, semi-automated system with personnel access for routine manual operations; and (4) a nonradiation-hardened, fully manual system with full-time personnel access. Based on the study, the recommended design is Alternative 2, a nonradiation-hardened, remote automated system. It is less expensive and less complex than the current baseline system, because nonradiation-hardened equipment can be used and some contamination control equipment is no longer needed. In addition, the inclusion of remote automation ensures throughput requirements are met, provides a more reliable process, and provides greater protection for employees from industrial accidents and radiation exposure than the semi-automated or manual systems. Other items addressed during the value engineering study as requested by OCRWM include a comparison to industry canister closure systems and corresponding lessons learned; consideration of closing a transportable, ageable, and disposable canister; and an estimate of the time required to perform a demonstration of the recommended closure system

Fuel Canister Stress Corrosion Cracking Susceptibility Experimental Results

The National Spent Nuclear Fuel Program is tasked with ensuring the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-owned spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is acceptable for permanent disposal at a designated repository. From a repository acceptance criteria viewpoint and from a transportation viewpoint, of significant concern is the condition of the container at the time of shipment. Because the fuel will be in temporary storage for as much as 50 years, verification that no significant degradation has occurred to the canister is required to preclude repackaging all the fuel. Many canisters are also being removed from wet storage, vacuum dried (hot or cold), and then placed into dry storage. This process could have a detrimental effect on canister integrity. Research is currently underway to provide a technically sound assessment of the expected canister condition at the end of interim storage

The Impact of Weather on Influenza and Pneumonia Mortality in New York City, 1975–2002: A Retrospective Study

The substantial winter influenza peak in temperate climates has lead to the hypothesis that cold and/or dry air is a causal factor in influenza variability. We examined the relationship between cold and/or dry air and daily influenza and pneumonia mortality in the cold season in the New York metropolitan area from 1975–2002. We conducted a retrospective study relating daily pneumonia and influenza mortality for New York City and surroundings from 1975–2002 to daily air temperature, dew point temperature (a measure of atmospheric humidity), and daily air mass type. We identified high mortality days and periods and employed temporal smoothers and lags to account for the latency period and the time between infection and death. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare high mortality events to non-events and nonparametric bootstrapped regression analysis was used to examine the characteristics of longer mortality episodes. We found a statistically significant (p = 0.003) association between periods of low dew point temperature and above normal pneumonia and influenza mortality 17 days later. The duration (r = −0.61) and severity (r = −0.56) of high mortality episodes was inversely correlated with morning dew point temperature prior to and during the episodes. Weeks in which moist polar air masses were common (air masses characterized by low dew point temperatures) were likewise followed by above normal mortality 17 days later (p = 0.019). This research supports the contention that cold, dry air may be related to influenza mortality and suggests that warning systems could provide enough lead time to be effective in mitigating the effects

China's Banking System

This paper examines the Banking System of China and explores in detail the policy reforms and restructuring of its banks to create a market based economy. We evaluate the history of the China Banking system, the restructuring and financial liberalization that has occurred over the last 11 years. The inception of the reform policies startedin 1995 with the first set of laws introducing commercial banks and new governance of the Peoples Bank of China (PBC).  We examine the impact and implications of the numerous policy reforms and milestones that are shaping the financial and monetary sectors in China today.This paper further examines the implications of the WTO agreements and Basel accords on the Chinese Banking System.  The WTO agreements signed by China in 2001 will open up the China banking system to foreign investors and allow them to operate in the retail markets in domestic currency without any business or geographical limitations.  The impact of this agreement is significant as it will broaden the reach of  all banking services—  even to Chinese households and  allow foreign affiliates to enter with fewer restrictions.  Even though these agreements are effective this year, the expected systemic benefits are several years away; however this is a critical milestone that will help achieve solvency, promote competition and hopefully create sustainability.We conclude the paper with the future actions needed to further strengthen the Chinese Banking System that include more aggressive actions as well as faster execution of banking reform policies that will accelerate China’s financial success

Social and environmental influences on the welfare of zoo-housed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi rufiventris)

The aim of this thesis was to provide a better understanding of the needs of spider monkeys (genus: Ateles) kept in zoological parks in order to provide an appropriate environment, which enhances the physical and emotional wellbeing of the individuals. This series of studies adopted primarily a physiological approach that entailed measuring cortisol in urine samples collected over a seven year period to assess the impact of a variety of social and environmental conditions. My studies also involved behavioural observations and a questionnaire study to collect information from other zoological parks that maintain groups of spider monkeys. In order to address the aims of my research I first validated an enzyme immunoassay for urinary cortisol which allowed for the activity of the HPA axis to be measured to assess the physiological stress responses in spider monkeys. The first study assessed the impact of visitors on spider monkeys by comparing levels of urinary cortisol collected with visitor numbers and I found an increase in visitor numbers was associated with an increase in cortisol. This was the first time the physiological impact of visitors was investigated and supports behavioural researcher that visitors adversely impact on primates in zoos. The second study I carried out involved a questionnaires to investigate frequency, direction and intensity of aggression in zoo-housed spider monkeys in 55 other zoos around the world. The pattern of aggressions reported indicated severe and lethal aggression was relatively frequent among captive spider monkeys. Adult males were the most frequent actors of aggression and sub adult males were the most frequent targets, contradicting reports from wild spider monkeys. This aggression could be a condition of the management of spider monkeys in the zoos whereby males and normally transferred between zoos contradicting reports from the wild spider monkeys in which females would emigrate on reaching maturity. Next I investigated aggression, reproductive and separation stressors in the spider monkeys housed at Chester Zoo over a seven year period and measured their effects via changes in urinary cortisol prior to, at and following each event. Aggression had the largest effect, with targets and bystanders having the highest levels of cortisol on the day of aggression for severe and lethal aggression, respectively. When examining the reproductive events, cortisol levels were significantly elevated in the mother the week prior to and the day or birth, but were highest for bystander females on the day of birth. In the case of separations, cortisol was elevated when an individual was separated for longer than 24 hours for separations and less than 24 hours for reintroductions. Finally I investigated the replacement of the breeding male in the spider monkeys at Chester Zoo. Although a significant behavioural effect was identified in the adult females, there was little evidence of an increase in urinary cortisol among them. In addition, there were no instances of aggression between the adult males and the juvenile male in the group. Overall conclusions from this study indicate that the group of spider monkeys did demonstrate a varying stress response to a variety of social and environmental stressors associated with elevated cortisol levels and behavioural changes. However, there was no evidence of long term chronic stressors which are normally associated with poor welfare. This indicated that the environmental provided for this particular group of zoo-housed spider monkeys generally allowed for the individuals within the group to cope and adapt. In light these findings the study also makes a number of recommendations regarding the enclosure design, relocated of individuals and the gradual introduction of spider monkeys in zoos. The findings of this study are important as it contributes to our understanding of the physiological responses to stressors in a zoo environment and therefore has implications for animal management. It also identifies potential species specific requirements for the spider monkey that should be considered.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo