Non-Resident Ownership in the Countryside of Bruce County: A Case of Rural Resettlement

This study is concerned with the countryside facet of the non-resident ownership phenomenon. The utilization of spatio-temporal analysis in the research answered some of the questions that have arisen concerning the extent and trends associated with the non-resident ownership process. Rather than employ one of the many diverse governmental definitions based on political ethnocentrism, this study made use of a three-part non-resident ownership definition based more on distance and the characteristics of the Burce County agricultural subsystem. Consequently, foreigners and Canadians were equally viewed as potential non-resident owners. Such a breakdown revealed that Canadian, rather than foreign non-resident ownership, has exhibited the more significant spatio-temporal trends. An historical examination of the spatial trends derived from the 1900 to 1974 Assessment Roles in twelve townships in Bruce County revealed a non-resident diffusion process essentially parallel to a settlement diffusion. This “resettlement” has been controlled by specific spatial determinants. Specifically, there has been a high preference for shoreline, stream and low agricultural capability land and, conversely, a negative preference for swamp land and high capability agricultural land. This latter hypothesis was examined in terms of the spatial impact of non-resident ownership upon the prime land of oneof the County’s townships. The above set of explanatory hypotheses was examined vis-à-vis an ‘a priori’ construct which envisaged the non-resident diffusion process in Bruce County operating as two prime diffusion continuums. The continuums were defined in a North-South and West-East direction by means of a consistent “2375” non-resident acreage wave. The non-resident ownership process in Lindsay Township (Bruce County’s non-resident ownership diffusion “hearth”) was explained by means of the same set of hypotheses which were employed in ‘a priori’ fashion to explain the diffusion along both continuums. An ‘a posteriori’ deterministic model, based on the same set of hypotheses, contributed “micro” justification to the diffusion’s explanatory variables

A Bridge over Troubled Cultures. The Impact of Philosophy of Science in Britain

Who are the major figures that have shaped philosophy of science in Britain? What impact has the subject had in Britain outside academic philosophy? How have two of the major centers of the subject - in Pittsburgh and in London - interacted over the years? I begin by looking briefly at the recent history of philosophy of science in Britain and its general impact (tying this in with its interaction with the Pittsburgh Center and Pittsburgh people. It seems to me, though, that the best way to celebrate an anniversary like that of the Pittsburgh Center is by predominantly looking forward rather than back. And I concentrate in this lecture on showing how philosophy of science can have an impact on issues of current concern, in Britain and more generally

The placebo effect and evidence-based policy

What’s so bad about the placebo effect? John Worrall discusses the recent Nurofen labelling “scandal”

Homeopathy and evidence-based policy

With the UK government considering a ban on the prescription of homeopathic remedies on the NHS, John Worrall examines the rationale for such a proposal and suggests that the decision is not as simple as it might initially seem

The process and utility of classification and regression tree methodology in nursing research

Aim: This paper presents a discussion of classification and regression tree analysis and its utility in nursing research. Background: Classification and regression tree analysis is an exploratory research method used to illustrate associations between variables not suited to traditional regression analysis. Complex interactions are demonstrated between covariates and variables of interest in inverted tree diagrams. Design: Discussion paper. Data sources: English language literature was sourced from eBooks, Medline Complete and CINAHL Plus databases, Google and Google Scholar, hard copy research texts and retrieved reference lists for terms including classification and regression tree* and derivatives and recursive partitioning from 1984-2013. Discussion: Classification and regression tree analysis is an important method used to identify previously unknown patterns amongst data. Whilst there are several reasons to embrace this method as a means of exploratory quantitative research, issues regarding quality of data as well as the usefulness and validity of the findings should be considered. Implications for Nursing Research: Classification and regression tree analysis is a valuable tool to guide nurses to reduce gaps in the application of evidence to practice. With the ever-expanding availability of data, it is important that nurses understand the utility and limitations of the research method. Conclusion: Classification and regression tree analysis is an easily interpreted method for modelling interactions between health-related variables that would otherwise remain obscured. Knowledge is presented graphically, providing insightful understanding of complex and hierarchical relationships in an accessible and useful way to nursing and other health professions

Effect of patient sex on triage for ischaemic heart disease and treatment onset times: a retrospective analysis of Australian emergency department data

AbstractTime between emergency department (ED) presentation and treatment onset is an important, but little-researched phase within the revascularization process for ischaemic heart disease (IHD).ObjectiveTo determine if sex influences triage score allocation and treatment onset for patients with IHD in the ED.MethodsRetrospective data for patients 18–85years presenting to EDs from 2005 to 2010 for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable and stable angina, and chest pain were analysed collectively and separately for AMI.ResultsProportionately more men (61% of males) were triaged correctly for AMI than women (51.4% of females; P<0.001). Across all triage categories, average treatment time was faster for men than women with AMI (P<0.001). When incorrectly triaged for AMI, treatment time for men was faster than for women (P=0.04). When correctly triaged for AMI, there was no difference in mean treatment time between men and women (P=0.538).ConclusionsSubstantial undertriage of AMI occurred for both sexes, but was worse in women. Incorrect triage led to prolonged treatment times for AMI, with women’s treatment delays longer than men’s. When triaged correctly, both sexes were treated early for AMI, emphasising the need for all patients to be accurately triaged for this time-sensitive disease

Why don't zombies like hibiscus tea? A multi-subject approach to photosynthesis through the use of Gratzel cells

Traditionally, photosynthesis has been seen as the domain of biology, with some input from chemistry when dealing with chromatography, while, apart from a passing reference to the colour of leaves, physics has tended to steer clear of the process that provides the lifeblood of human existence. This article outlines how a recent technological advance can be used as a teaching resource in all three branches of science