Understanding Health Equity: Key Concepts, Debates, and Developments in Canada

Health inequalities exist and persist due to the quality and distribution of the social determinants of health, i.e., the day to day circumstances people live in. These circumstances are determined by governing policies and practices which are influenced by the State’s political ideology and its socio-economic structures. Using a political economy approach, this paper takes a critical review of the literature on health equity in the Canadian context and clarifies key concepts pertaining to health equity and human rights. Findings of this review show that Canada has been performing poorly in addressing growing health inequalities, in part because of Canada’s increasingly neo-liberal stance on public health over the last decade. This paper will argue that a human rights framework can offer a concrete tool for restructuring public policies and for taking action against these inequalities. By placing health equity on the policy agenda, Canada can help reduce social and income inequalities and optimize the health of its populations

A Mixed Methods Study of Immigrant and Canadian-Born Pakistani Youths Mental Health in Canada: Resilience, Identity and Self-Esteem

The mental health and wellbeing of immigrant minority youth in multicultural societies is shaped by a constellation of social factors which determine their health. Some of these factors include race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, immigration status, social supports and socioeconomic status. Little is known about the mental health issues of immigrant and Canadian-born Pakistani youth in Canada. In order to fill this gap, this study was undertaken. Purpose: The goal of this study was to explore the perspectives of immigrant and Canadian-born Pakistani youth regarding their mental health and to measure their self-rated mental health, self-esteem, resilience and ethnic identity. Method: An embedded concurrent mixed methods study was utilized as per Creswell & Plano Clark (2017). The survey component was completed by 81 youth for the quantitative arm of the study. Individual interviews with 8 youth, 4 parents and 2 service providers were conducted for the qualitative arm. In addition, 3 focus groups with youth and 2 with parents were conducted. Results: Quantitative arm: There was a significant difference in household income by region of birth [X2 (4, n = 81) = 14.59, p = .006] and by generation status [X2 (8, n = 81) = 19.822, p = .011]. Health (Health Composite) was correlated with self-esteem (CSE) (r = 0.726, p < .001). Multiple regression found income was associated with Health Composite (Wald F =3.951, p = .047). Qualitative arm data analysis identified 13 themes, of these 11 related to factors influencing immigrant Pakistani youths mental health. Mixed methods analysis found 9 themes common to both arms: Resilience, mental health cases, mental health supports, dissatisfaction with treatment and supports, stigma, financial difficulties and impact on mental health, identity and acculturation issues, discrimination, justice, fairness and social exclusion. Findings showed that qualitative and quantitative (survey) data may lead to opposite results: race, identity and acculturation affected youths mental health positively (quantitative) and negatively (qualitative). Conclusion: Strategies to overcome mental health challenges in immigrant Pakistani youth should include family counselling, integrating faith-based counselling, destigmatizing Islam, guaranteed employment for newcomer families and non-discriminatory national policies that promote social and cultural inclusion

Resolving Conflicts: Conflict Management Strategies in Higher Education Institutions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

The paper aimed to highlight a perennial conflict issue between faculty and administration staff in higher education institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. Keeping in view the development of education sector and maintaining conducive environment in universities, the study was rightly undertaken to first discover and then present some viable solution for it.  The research used the private sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkha (KPK) province Pakistan for its analysis. For collecting the relevant data, the study used questionnaire which was distributed in six universities of KPK. The results show that age, gender, qualifications and designation matters in the issue of conflicts. Further, it was concluded that there is significant relationship between the nature of conflict, causes of conflict, consequences, demographic features and solution of conflicts. Our study found a lack of coordination and formal set-up for conflict resolution in the private sector universities. HEIs are the key players of education system in KPK, that’s why it is imperative to resolve the conflicts of HEIs for the betterment of students, faculty and administration.  Finally, our study provides useful suggestions to the universities’ human resource management, faculty, administration staff, regulators, Higher Education Department of KPK and Higher Education Commission of Pakistan to take corrective actions and manage the conflicts to safeguard the future of young generation. Keywords: Conflict, Human Resources Management, Faculty, Administration, Private Sector Universities, Conflict Management Strategie

Conflict Management Strategies in Higher Education Institutions: Public Sector Universities in Kpk Province, Pakistan

Conflict is a vital thing in any organization and no organization is safe from it. Higher education institutions are also not free from this. The conflict mostly takes place between the faculty and administration. Many scholars have urged that the educators must learn the conflict management skills so as to overcome it, every individual use different type of conflict styles. This research aims to cover the different conflict management strategies used by faculty and administrations of different universities of  Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa including the causes of conflict, demographic characteristics of individuals concerned (age, gender, designation, experience, type of university), the nature of conflict (type and intensity) and the result of these differing styles leads to different consequences such as positive and negative effect on the planning, organizational effectiveness, job quality, creativity, decision quality, trust, anxiety, satisfaction, commitment, fear and  anger. A detailed questionnaire is designed using lickerd scale in order to collect the data. Three public universities will be selected in which questionnaire will be distributed. Description, correlation and chi square are used for analysis. Key words: Conflict, management, strategies, Administration, Human resource managemen

Assessment of Passive Retrofitting Scenarios in Heritage Residential Buildings in Hot, Dry Climates

peer reviewedRetrofitting heritage buildings for energy efficiency is not always easy where cultural values are highly concerned, which requires an integrated approach. This paper aims to assess the potential of applying passive retrofitting scenarios to enhance indoor thermal comfort of heritage buildings in North Africa, as a hot climate, a little attention has been paid to retrofit built heritage in that climate. A mixed-mode ventilation residential building in Cairo, Egypt, was selected as a case study. The study combines field measurements and observations with energy simulations. A simulation model was created and calibrated on the basis of monitored data in the reference building, and the thermal comfort range was evaluated. Sets of passive retrofitting scenarios were proposed. The results (based on the ASHRAE-55-2020 adaptive comfort model at 90% acceptability limits) showed that the annual thermal comfort in the reference building is very low, i.e., 31.4%. The application of hybrid passive retrofitting scenarios significantly impacts indoor thermal comfort in the reference building, where annual comfort hours of up to 66% can be achieved. The originality of this work lies in identifying the most effective energy measures to improve indoor thermal comfort that are optimal from a conservation point of view. The findings contribute to set a comprehensive retrofitting tool that avoids potential risks for the conservation of residential heritage buildings in hot climates

Anti-Tick Properties/Repellency of Neem, Azadirachta Indica on Rhipicephalus Sanguineus (Acarina) under Laboratory Conditions

Animal production is highly affected due to ticks and diseases caused by ticks. Tick control is critical for the economic well-being of the animal industry. This study focused on anti-tick properties of the Neem, Azadirachta indica extracts against Rhipicephalus sanguineus in vitro conditions. R. sanguineus exhibited a high (P \u3c 0.05) dose revolting reaction to A. indica. There were no significant differences in reaction magnanimity between both sexes. The essence also prominently (p \u3c 0.05) retarded the shedding of 60 % of R. sanguineus engorged nymphs. It resulted in that mortality percentage increasing with an increase in the dose of A. indica. At 20 % of A. indica, 87.76 % of tick mortality was recorded, while 53.23 % at 15% concentration. Probit analysis showed a repellent EC50 of A. indica for male and female ticks was 4.87, and 4.87 mg/mL, respectively. The findings advocate to A. indica is potent enough to use for anti-tick action. Further studies are needed to test Neem extract on other developmental stages i.e. eggs, nymphs, and larvae of tick

Energy recovery and nutrients recycling from municipal sewage sludge

Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) could be a promising and better alternative to other techniques for energy recovery from municipal sewage sludge (MSS). However, the nutrients (i.e., N, and P) recovery potential from the byproducts, generated in the HTL of MSS, needs to be studied so that a comprehensive sludge management practice could be adopted. In this study, HTL process temperature (275–400 °C), and reaction time (30–120 min) were first investigated for biocrude yield and release of the nutrients to the aqueous phase liquid (APL) and biochar. The maximum energy recovery (i.e., 59%) and maximum energy return on investment (i.e., 3.5) were obtained at 350 °C and 60 min of holding time. With the increase in HTL reaction time, the concentration of nitrogen in the APL increased (5.1 to 6.8 mg/L) while the concentration of phosphorus decreased (0.89 to 0.22 mg/L); the opposite was observed for the biochar. The nutrient recycling efficiency from the APL using microalgae was found to be strain-specific; nitrogen recycling efficiency by Picochlorum sp. and Chlorella sp. were 95.4 and 58.6%, respectively. The APL, derived from 1 kg MSS, could potentially produce 0.49 kg microalgal biomass. Since the concentrations of various metals in the biochar samples were substantially lower compared to their concentrations in raw MSS, the application of biochar as a soil conditioner could be very promising. Overall, net positive energy could be recovered from MSS using the HTL process, while the nutrients in the APL could be used to cultivate specific microalgae, and biochar could be applied to enhance the soil quality.The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF, a member of Qatar Foundation) for providing the funding (under grants UREP21-101-2-045, and NPRP8-646-2-272) for this study. The authors thank Ms. Noora from Environmental Science Center (ESC), QU, for the GC–MS analysis of the biocrude samples. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of Mr. Solaiman from Central laboratory Unit (CLU) of Qatar University for the ICP-OES analyses of the samples

Prospective Study Delivering Simultaneous Integrated High-dose Tumor Boost (≤70 Gy) With Image Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Radical Treatment of Localized Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

PurposeImage guided adaptive radiation therapy offers individualized solutions to improve target coverage and reduce normal tissue irradiation, allowing the opportunity to increase the radiation tumor dose and spare normal bladder tissue.Methods and MaterialsA library of 3 intensity modulated radiation therapy plans were created (small, medium, and large) from planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed at 30 and 60 minutes; treating the whole bladder to 52 Gy and the tumor to 70 Gy in 32 fractions. A “plan of the day” approach was used for treatment delivery. A post-treatment cone beam CT (CBCT) scan was acquired weekly to assess intrafraction filling and coverage.ResultsA total of 18 patients completed treatment to 70 Gy. The plan and treatment for 1 patient was to 68 Gy. Also, 1 patient's plan was to 70 Gy but the patient was treated to a total dose of 65.6 Gy because dose-limiting toxicity occurred before dose escalation. A total of 734 CBCT scans were evaluated. Small, medium, and large plans were used in 36%, 48%, and 16% of cases, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation rate of intrafraction filling at the start of treatment (ie, week 1) was 4.0 ± 4.8 mL/min (range 0.1-19.4) and at end of radiation therapy (ie, week 5 or 6) was 1.1 ± 1.6 mL/min (range 0.01-7.5; P=.002). The mean D98 (dose received by 98% volume) of the tumor boost and bladder as assessed on the post-treatment CBCT scan was 97.07% ± 2.10% (range 89.0%-104%) and 99.97% ± 2.62% (range 96.4%-112.0%). At a median follow-up period of 19 months (range 4-33), no muscle-invasive recurrences had developed. Two patients experienced late toxicity (both grade 3 cystitis) at 5.3 months (now resolved) and 18 months after radiation therapy.ConclusionsImage guided adaptive radiation therapy using intensity modulated radiation therapy to deliver a simultaneous integrated tumor boost to 70 Gy is feasible, with acceptable toxicity, and will be evaluated in a randomized trial