The Use of Traditional Environmental Knowledge to Assess the Impact of Climate Change on Subsistence Fishing in the James Bay Region, Ontario, Canada

This thesis used traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) to assess the impacts of climate change on food security for First Nations communities located in the western James Bay region of northern Ontario. In addition, climate scenarios were derived from General Circulation Models (GCMs) and Regional Climate Models (RCMs). The TEK data revealed there were no observable climatic-related effects on fish species (i.e., distributional change) except the fish die-offs of July 2005. Climate data specific for the period of the fish die-offs in the Albany River (the western James Bay region) indicated not only a temporal relationship between a heat wave and the fish die-offs, but also a concurrent period of reduced precipitation. Climate scenarios showed increases in mean air temperature for all seasons, all time periods (2011– 2040, 2041– 2070, and 2071– 2100), and all emission scenarios (A2, A1B, and B1); however, the results for seasonal total precipitation were variable, dependent emission scenarios. TEK suggest that increasing temperatures may not be the only climate change phenomena of importance; climate variability and extreme events were reported as precipitating fish die-offs and changes in the timing of harvesting of fish. Further research should concentrate on the investigation of climate change and food security issues in sub-arctic regions

The effect of isoflavone-daidzein oral medication on cutaneous wound healing in female ovariectomized mice

This study investigated the influence of oral administration of isoflavone-daidzein on the cutaneous wound healing process in female ovariectomized mice. Eight-week-old female mice were divided into groups of ovariectomized mice and mice administered daidzein after an ovariectomy. Two full-thickness wounds on the dorsum were made in mice in both groups. There was no significant difference between wound areas of the two groups from wounding to healing during 15 days. The area in the group administered daidzein tended to be smaller than that in the ovariectomized group during the inflammatory phase 4 and 5 days after wounding . The rate of re-epithelialization in the group administered daidzein tended to be higher than that in the ovariectomized group in the inflammatory phase on day 3 (40.7 ± 17.6% and 21.0 ± 16.8%, respectively). Therefore, the administration of daidzein under lack of estrogen is expected to reduce the inflammation period and promote re-epithelialization. この研究は、卵巣摘出した雌マウスに皮膚創傷を作製し、経口投与したイソフラボン の一種であるダイゼインが、創傷治癒にどのような影響を与えるかを観察したもので ある。8 週令の雌マウスを卵巣摘出群と卵巣摘出し創作製した後にダイゼインを与え た2 群に分けた。両群共、卵巣摘出後、ダイゼインを含まない精製飼料で２週間飼育 後に、左右の背部に直径4mm の皮膚全層欠損層を作製した。創作製後、ダイゼインを 含まない飼料とダイゼインを含む飼料で2 週間飼育した。ダイゼインは、飼料1g に 0.01mg 含むように作製した。両群の創面積は、2 週間の間の毎日において、有意差は 見られなかった。しかし、炎症期である創作製後4 と5 日では、ダイゼイン食で飼育 した群が無ダイゼイン食で飼育した群が、やや創面積が小さい傾向がみられた（それ ぞれ、p 値が0.061、0.083 であった）。創作製後の3 日での、再上皮化の割合は、ダイゼイン群で40.7 ± 17.6%、無ダイゼイン群で21.0 ± 16.8%となり、ダイゼイ ン群はより上皮化が進んでいる傾向が見られた (p = 0.07)。これらの結果は、エス トロゲン欠乏状態で、ダイゼインの経口投与が、創傷治癒において、炎症を抑制し上 皮化を促進することを示唆している

Phase angle and extracellular water-to-total body water ratio estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis are associated with levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit in patients with diabetes

Background: Anemia is one of the common complications of diabetes and is associated with mortality. Phase angle (PhA), ratio of extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) have been used as prognostic indicators for various chronic diseases and frailty. We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of PhA, ECW/TBW and SMI for anemia in patients with diabetes. Materials and methods: The values of PhA, ECW/TBW and SMI were estimated by a portable BIA device and blood samples were collected in 371 Japanese patients with diabetes. The relationships of PhA, ECW/TBW and SMI with hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) were statistically evaluated. Results: In simple linear regression analysis, PhA and SMI were positively correlated with Hgb and Hct levels in total subjects, male subjects and female subjects. In contrast, ECW/TBW was negatively correlated with Hgb and Hct levels regardless of sex. Multivariate regression analysis showed that both PhA and ECW/TBW but not SMI independently contributed to Hgb and Hct levels after adjustment of clinical confounding factors in both males and females. Conclusions: PhA and ECW/TBW but not SMI were associated with levels of Hgb and Hct in patients with diabetes. Therefore, aberrant values of PhA and ECW/TBW suggest a risk of anemia in diabetic patients

Increased winter drownings in ice-covered regions with warmer winters

Winter activities on ice are culturally important for many countries, yet they constitute a high safety risk depending upon the stability of the ice. Because consistently cold periods are required to form stable and thick ice, warmer winters could degrade ice conditions and increase the likelihood of falling through the ice. This study provides the first large-scale assessment of winter drowning from 10 Northern Hemisphere countries. We documented over 4000 winter drowning events. Winter drownings increased exponentially in regions with warmer winters when air temperatures neared 0 ̊C. The largest number of drownings occurred when winter air temperatures were between -5 ̊C and 0 ̊C, when ice is less stable, and also in regions where indigenous traditions and livelihood require extended time on ice. Rates of drowning were greatest late in the winter season when ice stability declines. Children and adults up to the age of 39 were at the highest risk of winter drownings. Beyond temperature, differences in cultures, regulations, and human behaviours can be important additional risk factors. Our findings indicate the potential for increased human mortality with warmer winter air temperatures. Incorporating drowning prevention plans would improve adaptation strategies to a changing climate.Funding was provided to SS by the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science Early Researcher Award and York University Research Chair programme. Funding support for BAD was provided by Kempestiftelserna. AL was supported by Estonian Research Council Grant PSG 32. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Funding was provided to SS by the Ontario Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science Early Researcher Award and York University Research Chair programme. Funding support for BAD was provided by Kempestiftelserna. AL was supported by Estonian Research Council Grant PSG 32. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Impact of Climate Change on Winter Road Systems in Ontario's Far North: First Nations' and Climatological Perspectives on the Changing Viability and Longevity of Winter Roads

Climate change is already being experienced in Ontario’s Far North with implications for First Nations communities that are reliant on winter road systems. The first study of this thesis examined how winter road seasons have been affected historically by particular climate conditions by focusing on the timing of opening dates of the James Bay Winter Road (JBWR). This study established a minimum threshold of 380 freezing degree-days (FDDs) below 0°C, a threshold subsequently used to assess the impacts of climate change on winter road systems in the future using climate change projections. The second study explored the current vulnerability of the Fort Albany First Nation community regarding physical, social/cultural, economic impacts associated with changing winter roads and its seasons, as well as river ice regimes. Through the analysis of key informant interviews and winter road user surveys on the changes in winter roads and river ice regimes, the six major themes were identified. As a result, the JBWR has now become a critical seasonal lifeline for not only providing a relatively inexpensive land transport of essential goods and supplies, but also reconnecting coastal remote communities by physical, social, and cultural activities during winter. The third study focused on the viability and longevity of winter road systems in Ontario’s Far North for the next century using recent climate model projections using three Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. Using FDD threshold established in the first study as the main metric, climate conditions are expected to remain favourable in Big Trout Lake and Lansdowne House during winter road construction through the end of 2100. However, climate conditions would possibly be unfavourable for winter road construction at Moosonee, Kapuskasing, and Red Lake by 2041−2070. These studies demonstrate that there is an immediate need to develop adaptation strategies in response to impacts of climate change on winter roads in Ontario’s Far North.Ph.D

Data for Warmer Winters and Ice-Based Cultural Ecosystem Services: Empirical Evidence from USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden

The years with no ice cover on Lake Suwa, Japan from 1443 - 2017. The years with ice cover on Lake Constance, Germany/Switzerland/Austria from 875 - 2018. The years with a normal Vikingarännet ice skating race, a modified route, or no race on Lake Mälaren, Sweden from 1999 - 2017 as well as associated average winter air temperature. The years with canceled ice fishing tournaments in central and northern Minnesota, USA as well as associated average winter air temperature from 2005 - 2017. Road date openings of the James Bay winter ice road in northern Ontario, Canada and associated freezing degree days from 2005 - 2018.Lakes and rivers covered by seasonal ice are extensively used by humans. Although ice cover duration has been declining over the past 150 years for Northern Hemisphere lakes and rivers, we still know relatively little about how inland ice loss directly affects humans. Here we provide empirical examples that give quantitative evidence for a winter warming effect on a wide range of cultural ecosystem services. We show that in recent decades, warmer temperatures delayed the opening date of the James Bay winter ice road in northern Ontario, Canada and led to cancellations of religious celebrations (Lake Suwa, Japan and Lake Constance, Germany/Switzerland/Austria), an ice skating race on Lake Mälaren, Sweden, and winter ice fishing tournaments in Central and Northern Minnesota.Funding support for BAD was provided by Kempestiftelserna