AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN ALBERTA DAIRY PRODUCTION

The World Trade Organization is currently formulating an agenda for a new round of global trade negotiations. Therefore, the likelihood of increased competition within Canada's supply managed dairy industry is probable. Consequently, there is agreater need for producers to be concerned with efficiency and with their competitiveness in the international marketplace. This study assessed the cost efficiency and competitiveness of Alberta dairy producers by estimating the economic costs associated with milk production, and deriving the physical and economic efficiency of producers. Results support the presence of economies of size and economies of yield within Alberta milk production. A link between increased herd size, labour productivity, and lower total labour costs was identified in the analysis.Productivity Analysis,

Moderating effects of tolerance for ambiguity on role ambiguity and stress: The impact on feedback seeking behavior

This thesis examined factors related to employee (particularly new employee) stress. In particular it looked at stress caused by role ambiguity. It looked at the moderating effect of tolerance for ambiguity on the relationship between role ambiguity and stress. It also examined the indirect effect of feedback seeking behavior to gain desired role clarity as an intervening variable on stress level

How School Counselors Gain Support to Implement Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Programs

The school counseling field is evolving from a focus on ancillary activities to a commitment to comprehensive guidance and counseling programs. Understanding strategies school counselors have used in gaining support from key stakeholders to implement comprehensive guidance and counseling programs can be a valuable addition to the literature of school counseling. The present study investigated how elementary and secondary school counselors gained support when implementing comprehensive guidance and counseling programs based on the National Standards for School Counseling Programs. A qualitative methodology was used in the study. The findings revealed that: (a) counselors studied believed their role in gaining support to implement comprehensive guidance and counseling programs was to take leadership, (b) counselors in the study were able to gain support from site administrators as a result of building a “trusting relationship,” (c) collaboration with stakeholders and increasing the visibility of counselors and counseling programs was a strategy that counselors used to gain support, and (d) district support is an important factor in institutionalizing comprehensive guidance and counseling programs across school sites. The findings point to the importance of leadership in understanding the barriers to change, recognizing the impact change has on school systems, and creating a strategic plan to overcome resistance to change. The findings of this study offer leaders in school counseling new awareness that might be useful in preparing future counselors to become leaders and change agents within their schools

Materials characterization of an explanted polypropylene-PTFE hernia mesh [abstract]

Abstract only availableLong-term polymeric implants continuously activate the inflammatory response, bathing the implants with powerful oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid in an attempt to breakdown the material. Biomaterials such as polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are susceptible to oxidation and/or hydrolysis which can lead to overall degradation of the material, both physically and chemically. Material degradation is evidenced by changes in surface morphology, a build-up of hydroxyl and/or carbonyl groups on the surface of the material, changes in thermal properties, and weight loss. This undergraduate research project performed materials characterization on an explanted polypropylene-PTFE composite mesh. The mesh was obtained with an approved IRB protocol from the MU Hospitals. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with ATR was utilized to evaluate changes in the chemical structure/functional groups on the surface of the material. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was utilized to examine %weight loss of the explant as compared to pristine samples. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was utilized to examine material's melt temperature and heat of enthalpy as compared to the pristine samples. The results demonstrated that the polypropylene-PTFE composite material did undergo degradation. The FT-IR scans indicated the presence of carbonyl groups which is indicative of oxidation while the TGA graphs indicated that the explant materials lost mass while in vivo. The DSC scans demonstrated a change in thermal properties of the explanted materials as compared with the pristine. In conclusion, the hernia mesh materials will be degraded and damaged while in vivo.Industrial Grant from Covidie

Challenges in comparing the quality of life of older people between ethnic groups, and the implications for national well-being indicators: a secondary analysis of two cross-sectional surveys

BackgroundThe current international interest in well-being indicators among governmental agencies means that many quality of life scales are potential components of such national indicator sets. Measuring well-being in minority groups is complex and challenging. Scales are available that have been validated in specific parts of the population, such as older people. However, validation among combinations of minority groups, such as older adults of ethnic minority backgrounds, is lacking. FindingsWe pooled data from two surveys of older adults in Great Britain: one conducted among White British people, and one among four ethnic minority groups. Quality of life was measured by the Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL); Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation, Pleasure (CASP-19); and World Health Organization Quality of Life scale for older people (WHOQOL-OLD). We found differences, some significant, between groups in terms of self-reported importance of various aspects of quality of life. A regression model of each total quality of life scale revealed greater unexplained variability in the White British group than the others. Principal components analysis within each ethnic group's data showed considerable differences in the correlation structures. ConclusionsThere are differences between ethnic groups that are consistent across the three scales and are not explained by a battery of predictor variables. If scales such as these are used to compare quality of life between ethnic groups, or equivalently between geographical regions, the different results in each group are liable to bias any comparison which could lead to inequitable policy decisions.<br/

Investigation of the mechanical strength of explanted polypropylene hernia meshes [abstract]

Abstract only availableOver twenty million hernia repair surgeries are performed worldwide each year. Many of these repairs are accomplished through the use of a prosthetic mesh material rather than sutures because meshes have been shown to reduce post-operative complications and recurrence rates. Long-term implants, such as hernia meshes, continuously activate the inflammatory response, bathing the material with oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid. Polypropylene, the most commonly-used hernia repair material worldwide, is an aliphatic hydrocarbon, which is susceptible to oxidation. Constant exposure of the mesh to these oxidants may lead to degradation of the material over time. There is evidence that many patients experience chronic pain and/or embrittlement of the mesh material over time, particularly for polypropylene hernia mesh materials. For this reason, mechanical testing was utilized to characterize polypropylene meshes explanted from human subjects to determine if oxidative degradation could play a role in these changes. We expected to find a decrease in the overall strength and percent elongation of the materials and increase in Young's Modulus after exposure to the harsh biological environment.College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Optio

Assessing biocompatibility of porcine tissue for hernia repair using flow cytometry [abstract]

Abstract only availableThe current standard for abdominal hernia repair uses synthetic meshes, which often break down, leading to complications and a high rate of recurrence. A biologic prosthetic, derived from animal tissue, would provide a more natural substrate for tissue remodeling and an improved host response. The success of a biologic material for tissue repair first depends on preventing an immune reaction post implantation. Engineering an appropriate construct requires removal of cells from the donor tissue, stabilization of the resulting collagen matrix with cross-linkers, and sterilization prior to implantation. The central tendon of the porcine diaphragm is a novel material for use as a biologic implant. This study is a preliminary investigation of the biocompatibility of porcine diaphragm as a hernia mesh material. Diaphragm tissue was de-cellularized by one of two methods and cross-linked with one of two chemical agents. Combinations of these two treatments were cultured with mouse fibroblast cells. Viability was assessed with flow cytometry, using propridium iodine to stain non-vital cells. Cell viability on treated tissue was compared to untreated tissue and control cell sets. Results indicate superior biocompatibility of one preparation, with viability high enough to warrant further studies. The next step will be implantation of the material into an animal model. With successful preparation, biological constructs can improve the host tissue response and reduce the need for revision surgery, thereby replacing conventional synthetic meshes for hernia repair.College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Optio

Novel collagen based scaffold to promote tissue regeneration for commercial applications

Dermelle, LLC is actively pursuing commercialization of a novel collagen matrix having the following bio-histochemical characteristics: reduced native collagen enzymatic degradation, high fibroblast cellular interaction and high tissue in-growth. Their properties are believed to promote tissue regeneration. A limitation of current injectable collagen soft tissue fillers is their short duration time and lack of cellular integration. By exploiting nanomaterial characteristics, Dermelle will improve upon current interventions for tissue reconstruction. A recent study measuring degradation of our novel collagen scaffold in comparison to a pure collagen control sample demonstrated a significant decrease in total collagen degradation of the novel collagen construct. In addition, a 13 day cell culture of the scaffold indicated a significant increase of DNA over the period of time in the novel collagen matrix, whereas the collagen alone demonstrated a decrease in DNA. Therefore, the treatment of the collagen with the nanomaterials may increase cellularity over time, thus initiate tissue regeneration. This device has the primary application in the cosmetic market as an injectable dermal filler to reduce signs of aging. The base technology is also believed to be applied to urological, wound, orthopedic and cardiovascular applications. The innovation was developed by researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia. A provisional patent has been filed; and an option has been executed by Dermelle, LLC. The main advantages of this innovation are a longer lasting product with better efficacy by decreasing degradation, promoting cell-collagen matrix adhesion and antioxidant/ antimicrobial properties