Tracking Online Education in Canadian Universities and Colleges: National Survey of Online and Digital Learning 2019 National Report

Disponible en français dans EDUQ.info sous le titre "Évolution de l’apprentissage en ligne dans les universités et collèges du Canada : sondage national sur la formation à distance et l’apprentissage en ligne 2019"The Canadian National Online and Digital Learning Survey aims to track the status and development of online, distance and digital learning in public post-secondary education across Canada

Vegetable soil health systems for overcoming limitations causing soil borne diseases

The purpose of the report is to summarise progress in developing vegetable production systems with improved soil health that overcome soil limitations with the potential to suppress soil borne diseases. Management approaches to soil health improvement were regionally specific to overcome regional soil limitations in different production environments

Évolution de la formation à distance et de l’apprentissage en ligne dans les universités et collèges du Canada : 2017

Le présent rapport fournit un aperçu des résultats d’une enquête nationale réalisée au printemps et à l’été 2017 auprès de l’ensemble des établissements post-secondaires publics canadiens. L’étude a été menée par une équipe de chercheurs canadiens indépendants. Les résultats du sondage ont été présentés à Toronto le 17 octobre 2017 dans le cadre de la Conférence mondiale sur l’apprentissage en ligne

Sondage national sur la formation à distance et l’apprentissage en ligne

Disponible en anglais dans EDUQ.info sous le titre "Tracking Online and Distance Education in Canadian Universities and Colleges: 2018"Le premier sondage complet sur la formation à distance et l’apprentissage en ligne mené auprès des établissements d’enseignement postsecondaire publics du Canada, dans chaque province et chaque territoire et pour tous les types d’établissements, a été réalisé en 2017. Les résultats avaient montré que l’apprentissage en ligne se portait très bien dans les établissements postsecondaires canadiens, 85 % de l’ensemble des établissements répondants ayant offert en 2016 des cours en ligne crédités, sans compter que des cours en ligne étaient offerts dans presque tous les domaines d’études dans un établissement ou un autre. Les deux tiers des établissements répondants considéraient que l’apprentissage en ligne était très ou extrêmement important pour leur avenir à long terme. L’étude de 2018 s’appuie sur les résultats de l’année dernière, et comprend une liste élargie d’établissements, un questionnaire modifié avec des questions plus détaillées, ainsi que des définitions et des questions plus précises ayant trait aux inscriptions. Les établissements répondants représentent 92 % de la population étudiante postsecondaire du Canada

Structurally-related (−)-epicatechin metabolites in humans: assessment using de novo chemically synthesized authentic standards

Accumulating data suggest that diets rich in flavanols and procyanidins are beneficial for human health. In this context, there has been a great interest in elucidating the systemic levels and metabolic profiles at which these compounds occur in humans. While recent progress has been made, there still exist considerable differences and various disagreements with regard to the mammalian metabolites of these compounds, which in turn is largely a consequence of the lack of availability of authentic standards that would allow for the directed development and validation of expedient analytical methodologies. In the present study, we developed a method for the analysis of structurally-related flavanol metabolites using a wide range of authentic standards. Applying this method in the context of a human dietary intervention study using comprehensively characterized and standardized flavanol- and procyanidin-containing cocoa, we were able to identify the structurally-related (−)-epicatechin metabolites (SREM) postprandially extant in the systemic circulation of humans. Our results demonstrate that (−)-epicatechin-3′-β-D-glucuronide, (−)-epicatechin-3′-sulfate, and a 3′-O-methyl(−)-epicatechin-5/7-sulfate are the predominant SREM in humans, and further confirm the relevance of the stereochemical configuration in the context of flavanol metabolism. In addition, we also identified plausible causes for the previously reported discrepancies regarding flavanol metabolism, consisting to a significant extent of inter-laboratory differences in sample preparation (enzymatic treatment and sample conditioning for HPLC analysis) and detection systems. Thus, these findings may also aid in the establishment of consensus on this topic

Coincident Tick Infestations in the Nostrils of Wild Chimpanzees and a Human in Uganda

Ticks in the nostrils of humans visiting equatorial African forests have been reported sporadically for decades, but their taxonomy and natural history have remained obscure. We report human infestation with a nostril tick in Kibale National Park, Uganda, coincident with infestation of chimpanzees in the same location with nostril ticks, as shown by high-resolution digital photography. The human-derived nostril tick was identified morphologically and genetically as a nymph of the genus Amblyomma, but the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA or the nuclear intergenic transcribed spacer 2 DNA sequences of the specimen were not represented in GenBank. These ticks may represent a previously uncharacterized species that is adapted to infesting chimpanzee nostrils as a defense against grooming. Ticks that feed upon apes and humans may facilitate cross-species transmission of pathogens, and the risk of exposure is likely elevated for persons who frequent ape habitats.Human Evolutionary BiologyLibraries/Museum

HIV testing in re-education through labour camps in Guangxi Autonomous Region, China (a cross-sectional survey)

Objective: HIV testing is mandatory in re-education-through-labour camps (laojiaosuo) in China yet no studies have reported on the process. Methods: The survey response rate was 100% although 29 detainees were excluded because they were under 18 years of age. A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was conducted in three labour camps in Guangxi, located in the south-western region of China. Results: Of the 755 detainees surveyed, 725 (96%) reported having a blood test in the labour camps of whom 493 (68%) thought this included an HIV test. 61 detainees self-reported they were HIV infected, their status confirmed by medical records, if available. Of these, 53 (87%) recalled receiving post-test HIV education, and 15 (25%) were currently receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy. Pretest education on HIV was provided to 233/725 (32%) detainees. The study further reports on detainees’ reactions and feelings towards non-disclosure and disclosure of their HIV test results in the labour camps. Conclusions: Mandatory testing is almost universal in the labour camps although a proportion of detainees were unaware that this included an HIV test. HIV test results should be disclosed to all labour camp detainees to reduce their distress of not knowing and prevent misconceptions about their HIV status. Labour camps provide another opportunity to implement universal treatment (‘Test and Treat’) to prevent the spread of HIV