Omineca Miner, January, 02, 1915

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Immature platelet fraction (IPF) represents the quote of younger and larger sized circulating platelets, a potential marker of platelet reactivity and major cardiovascular events. We aimed to assess the relationship between IPF levels and the prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: A cohort of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography in a single centre were included. Significant CAD was defined as at least 1 vessel stenosis >50%, while severe CAD was defined as left main and/or three-vessel disease. IPF levels were measured at admission by routine blood cells count (A Sysmex XE-2100). RESULTS: We included 1789 patients, divided according to quartiles values of IPF. IPF levels were directly related to active smoke (p = 0.02), and non-acute coronary syndrome as indication to angiography (p < 0.001), higher levels of haemoglobin and uric acid (p < 0.001, respectively) and lower platelet count (p = 0.003). Angiographic features did not significantly differ according to quartiles values of IPF, but for a lower degree of TIMI flow in patients with a higher percentage of reticulated platelets (p = 0.01) and a higher rate of lesions involving bifurcations (p = 0.05). IPF levels did not affect the prevalence of CAD (77% vs. 82.2% vs. 79.1% vs. 75.6%, p = 0.34, adjusted OR [95% CI] = 0.93 [0.82-1.05], p = 0.22), nor of severe left main/three-vessel CAD (28.5% vs. 34.4% vs. 32.2% vs. 33.1%, p = 0.27; adjusted OR [95% CI] = 0.99 [0.90-1.1], p = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that among patients undergoing coronary angiography, the immature platelet fraction (IPF) is not associated with the prevalence and extent of coronary artery disease, and, therefore, should not be overlooked as a marker of coronary atherosclerosis

Omineca Herald, June, 24, 1931

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Position Paper about Capilano College Faculty Association formulating a policy on drugs

Notes from a meeting of the Capilano College Faculty Association to formulate a policy on drugs

Forecasting future consumption of coniferous wood in India: a quantitative approach

Over the last few years, Canada has been very successful in increasing its trade in wood products with China. India however, still remains an elusive market. There is a large amount of peer reviewed literature on the specifics of the Indian wood market, and the potential for trade in softwood products. Whereas the majority of studies describe in great detail the opportunities and constraints in dealing with India, very little quantitative information is available about the trends and patterns that determine the Indian wood market. This study uncovered and described one such trend by identifying the relationships between the level of imports of softwood products and such factors as India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), domestic production, the price of lumber on international markets, tariffs, and the price of Teak logs as a substitute for softwood products. This study analyzed 13 years of quarterly data using the ordinary least square regression technique. Diagnostics were conducted using Akaike and Schwartz criterions, the Durbin-Watson test, and the Breusch-Pagan-Godfrey test for heteroscedasticity. Results suggest that the indicated variable collectively explain 74% of variability in import levels. Two variables in particular, real GDP and the price of Teak have a significant, positive impact on the level of imports of softwood products with 0.45 and 0.49 as respective elasticities. Continuing growth of India's GDP will ensure an ever increasing demand for imported wood products in the years to come. To maximize this opportunity, North American exporters should not compete with New Zealand's low quality pine, but should instead focus on competing with dark coloured tropical hardwoods that are becoming prohibitively expensive as world wide supplies of Teak and other tropical hardwoods continue to diminish. --P. i.The original print copy of this thesis may be available here: http://wizard.unbc.ca/record=b180562

The Hybrid Designer

Between September 17 and December 14, 2007, I observed third year design students enrolled in a course at Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. The course, titled Interaction Design, was taught and devised by Louise St. Pierre, an Associate Professor of Industrial Design. The purpose of the course was to learn and apply co-creation as a method for both graphic and industrial design students. My main question while researching the classroom was whether primary research (such as co-creation) could create new avenues to inspire the designer’s creative process; and if these personal connections could be transferred onto the design itself. In other words, I wanted to see if the designer felt compelled to create design solutions that directly reflected his/her specific audience. My report is informed by both qualitative analysis and the work of other researchers and psychologists (Dr. Elizabeth B.-N. Sanders, Dr. William Gaver and others). While Sanders promotes a participatory mindset, she has studied the landscape of different research methods and offers a wide sample of research ideas for designers. Gaver, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of subjective design. Throughout this report, I focus on potential outcomes and benefits from applying different mindsets during the design process, ranging from an expert to a participatory mindset. While being as objective as possible is crucial at times, it is also important to be aware of the role subjectivity plays during the creative process. As a result, I discuss the emergence of the dual researcher/designer—referring to him as a hybrid designer. There are three characteristics that I would encourage in a hybrid designer: a humble and participatory mindset; an open-minded approach to research and design; and a strong reliance on intuition. I contend that the hybrid designer’s solutions could be noticeably holistic, personal, and sustainable compared to those obtained by other design methods that do not incorporate primary research.Co-creationMindse