"Talking About Down There": The Development of a Public Discussion of Cervical Cancer in the Twentieth Century

This dissertation emerged from personal and political concerns and aims to fill a historiographical lacuna. This thesis is a study of how Canadian women learned about cervical cancer and its prevention in the twentieth century. In particular, this thesis seeks to understand how, when and in what forms did a public discussion of cervical cancer prevention develop in late twentieth century Canada. Cervical cancer is significant in terms of its place in disease history. When discovered in the pre-cancerous stage, cervical cancer is quite preventable. Since the 1960s, the medical community has been aware that Pap smears can be used to recognize pre-cancerous lesions and that deaths from cervical cancer were avoidable. Its uniqueness as a “preventable” cancer provides an example of the relationship between scientific knowledge, public health, and popular practice. The public dialogue about cervical cancer prevention, I argue, was complex. There were numerous groups that were part of this public discussion including medical doctors, the medical profession, medical educators, women’s health activists, women’s organizations, newspapers, women’s press, individual women and support groups, and the municipal, provincial and state agencies. This thesis demonstrates that while dialogue among these historical actors was rarely in conflict, tensions did emerge as medical practitioners, women’s health activists and public health officials debated how best to link biomedical knowledge with preventive health policies

Toxicological evaluation of inhalation exposure to benzene and toluene in a raptorial bird, the American kestrel, falco sparverius

Benzene and toluene are representative volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during production, storage, and transportation associated with the oil and gas industry. Benzene and toluene are chemicals of concern because they are released in greater and possibly more biologically significant concentrations than other compounds. Most studies of air pollution in high oil and gas activity areas have neglected to consider risks to top-level predators. Birds can be used as highly sensitive monitors of air quality. Since the avian respiratory tract is physiologically different from a rodent respiratory tract, effects of gases cannot be safely extrapolated from rodent studies. I hypothesized that benzene, being haematotoxic and immunotoxic, along with the neurological and possible endocrine disrupting effects of toluene would be more toxic in birds than in mammals. After two summers of experimental exposure of wild and captive American kestrels to high (10ppm and 80ppm) or environmentally relevant (0.1ppm and 0.8ppm) levels of benzene and toluene, respectively, altered immune, haematopoeitic, behavioural, and endocrine responses characteristic in mammals, were evident in the kestrels.There was a decreased cell mediated immune response as measured by delayed type hypersensitivity tests in all exposed birds (p = 0.028, 0.004). An increase in humoral immunity as compared to control individuals (p = 0.041, 0.031) was also apparent in both dose groups. Plasma retinol levels were decreased in 2005 and 2006 high dose individuals (p = 0.008, 0.048). The majority of haematopoeitic effects involved the erythroid lineage in the bone marrow and the polychromatophilic erythrocytes systemically. There were no significantly adverse responses in the bone marrow with regards to the granuloid lineage but systemically there was a prominent eosinophilia (p = 0.045) and basophilia (p = 0.006) in low exposure groups. The loss of communication between polychromatophilic erythrocytes in the post-mitotic pool within the bone marrow and the peripheral blood was present in low and high exposure individuals compared to control birds (p = 0.013, 0.402, 0.974). The number of polychromatophils in the circulation of low dose group individuals was decreased compared to control birds (p = 0.029). This may be a function of toluene’s inability to inhibit biotransformation enzymes at low concentrations leading to blood cell targeting by benzene’s increased phenolic metabolite production. This theory is corroborated by the possible decreased benzene metabolism and increased toluene distribution manifesting as increased aggressive responses such as wing beating and vocalization time in the high dose group (p = 0.025, 0.086). The work here has shown American kestrels are sensitive to the air contaminants, benzene and toluene. The present study illustrates the need for reference concentrations for airborne pollutants that are calculated based on data measuring sensitive endpoints specific for avian models. Future studies should evaluate immune, haematopoeitic, and behavioural endpoints, as well as develop more sensitive isoform specific enzyme activity assays to further determine the susceptibility of birds to inhaled toxicants

The Interplay of Music and Text in Selected Rap Compositions in Contemporary Durban.

Thesis (M.Mus.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.This study deals with the interplay of music and text in contemporary Durban rap. I

Changing medical understandings of cervical cancer and the development of screening programs in post-war Ontario

The history of cervical cancer has been a marginalised and neglected facet of medical history in Canada. My thesis examines changing understandings of the disease over the past 100 years, and, in particular, the rising incidence of cervical cancer and the lack of effective screening, primarily in Canada but also in the United States and the United Kingdom. While tracing the technological advances in screening for cervical cancer is important, there is more of a social aspect to this history that needs to be investigated. Attitudes about women, their health, and their lifestyles play an integral part in the historical development of the medical understanding of this disease. While screening programs have been organized internationally, including Canada, these vital services are still not reaching all women. Health Canada states that up to “ 15% of women have never been screened; 30% haven’t been screened in the last 3 years...[and] the 5-year survival rate is only 74%.”' By rediscovering the past medical constructions of the disease and tracing the development of screening programs on an international level, a clearer understanding of the problems plaguing programs today may be achieved

The path to adoption: experiences of couples who have transitioned from infertility

Parenthood is a life goal for the majority of individuals and couples who have reached a certain life stage. For many couples parenthood is, however, not a reality through expected means. Statistics gathered, in an unpublished information document, by the Port Elizabeth Infertility and Wellness Clinic, it is estimated that 10 to 15% of all married couples in the region experience infertility. After failed infertility treatment, adoption is considered an option for many couples wishing to have children. The social worker plays an integral role in the assessment and preparation for adoption. However, there is no legislated preparation for the fertility treatment process as there is for adoption in South Africa, yet both processes are intended to result in parenthood shadowed by stressful circumstances for prospective parents. The study explored the experiences of couples who have transitioned from being diagnosed as infertile and have successfully adopted. The study was conducted from a qualitative research perspective and employed the exploratory-descriptive strategy of inquiry. Purposive sampling was applied and eight married couples participated in the study. The participants were sourced from a support and information network for adoptive families as well as referrals from social workers working within the adoption field. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by an independent interviewer with thematic analysis being used for data analysis. Trustworthiness constructs were taken into account to ensure reliability and rigour. The major findings revealed the distinctive experiences regarding fertility treatment, the experiences regarding adoption and suggestions from couples for couples facing similar situations as well as for professionals in practice. The study is viewed as significant in guiding professional services to couples, who are intending to achieve parenthood via adoption, by adding to the body of existing knowledge in adoption and medical social work

Moderating Role of Long-term Orientation on Augmented Reality Adoption

Recently, the tourism and hospitality industry is providing tourists with an enhanced experience via various cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR). In addition, there has been an increased interest on the effects of cultural traits on human behaviours. The aim of this paper is to examine how Long- and Short-term orientation moderates the relationship between experience economy provided by AR applications and users’ perceived value. Data were collected from 145 participants at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul, South Korea and 119 participants at An Post Museum, Dublin, Ireland. We found that South Korean tourists, who are representatives of long-term orientation culture in this study, put a high value on educational factors of AR applications, whereas Irish tourists, who are representative of short-term orientation culture, regard escapist experiences of AR applications highly

The Ginsburg Group: Technology: How to Stay out of Court

For professionals in higher education, it is our responsibility to stay on top of the ever changing landscape of technology at our colleges and universities. In order to provide the best and most convenient services, it is our objective to continue to expand the walls of higher education into the global boundaries of technology. For the purpose of this paper, the Ginsburg Group has focused on five different areas regarding the use of technology. In these areas, the information provided is our thoughts and best advice in how institutions of higher learning can avoid the courtroom. The following pages will dive into information on a wide variety of topics that the Ginsburg Group felt was important in discussing “How to Stay Out of Court.” Each chapter presented will contain information regarding the topic and then will finish with reference for that chapter. The five chapters we broke the information down to are: &#; Chapter One: FERPA &#; Chapter Two: Electronic Communication &#; Chapter Three: Plagiarism &#; Chapter Four: Electronic Content &#; Chapter Five: Outsourced Technology As a group, it is important to note that we are students in a Counseling and Student Affairs course who are putting our best attempt forward in regards to the law. The information we are providing in the pages to follow are the culmination of a semester of information received in our Counseling and Student Affairs course that is titled “Parameters of Law/Student Affairs.” When it comes down the specifics of each area, it is always smart to consult your university attorney. Thanks for taking time to read our information on “How to Stay Out of Court.” Sincerely, The Ginsburg Group Jennifer Ballard, Lee Maglinger, Alisha Orosz, Mandy Skinner, Kevin Thoma