Sustainable Retrofitting in the 21st Century: Reviewing the Impact of Municipal Policy on Rental Property Owners

2024AbstractThe climate crisis is influenced by many factors, including energy use in residential buildings, which accounts for approximately 10% of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires that 85% of existing buildings be retrofitted to a zero-carbon-ready state. Rental properties, often less energy efficient than owner-occupied homes, must also be improved to meet these targets. This study investigates how prepared rental property operators in Regina are to meet the City's net-zero emissions goal by 2050, as outlined in the Energy and Sustainability Framework. Through interviews with rental property operators and municipal representatives and reviewing relevant literature, this research identifies the challenges and opportunities in adopting energy-efficient practices in the rental sector. The findings provide insights for policymakers, highlighting the gap between policy goals and the practical realities rental property operators face. The researcher's personal experience in the rental property industry and governmental roles enriches the study. The thesis includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusion, references, and appendices

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo