Applied Filters
- Article
Journal Title
Topics
- Integrative Sciences134
- Biological and Life Sciences108
- Earth and Environmental Sciences82
- Ecology and Evolution79
- Conservation and Sustainability71
- Marine and Aquatic Sciences65
- Science and Policy44
- Science and Society40
- Biomedical and Health Sciences38
- Zoology24
- Geosciences20
- Public Health17
- Genetics and Genomics14
- Epidemiology12
- Nutrition, Sport, and Exercise Sciences12
- Science Communication12
- Microbiology11
- Anatomy and Physiology10
- Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics10
- Physical Sciences9
- Engineering8
- Chemistry7
- Plant and Agricultural Sciences7
- Atmospheric and Climate Sciences6
- Pharmacology6
- Anatomy and Biomechanics5
- Cell and Developmental Biology4
- Clinical Sciences4
- Neuroscience4
- Science Education4
- Technology3
- Data Science2
- Materials Science2
- Mathematics and Statistics2
- Mental Health2
- Physics2
- Research Data Management2
- Data Science Theory and Methods1
- Ethics1
- Psychology1
Publication Date
Author
- Ban, Natalie C6
- Miller, Kristina M6
- Cheung, William W L5
- Tabata, Amy5
- Foster, Angel M4
- Li, Shaorong4
- Lotze, Heike K4
- Mallory, Mark L4
- Ariel, Ellen3
- Chan, Hing Man3
- Davy, Christina M3
- Hall, Britt D3
- Kaukinen, Karia H3
- Lemieux, Christopher J3
- Moher, David3
- Mordecai, Gideon3
- Vermaire, Jesse C3
- Westwood, Alana R3
- Addison, Jason A2
- Ardern, Clare L2
- Atlas, William I2
- Bailey, Megan2
- Barry, Tegan N2
- Bashandy, Mohamed A2
- Batal, Malek2
Access Type
41 - 60of274
Save this search
Please login to be able to save your searches and receive alerts for new content matching your search criteria.
Filters
Search Name | Searched On |
---|---|
Paper Type: Article (274) | 8 May 2024 |
You do not have any saved searches
- OPEN ACCESSCertain compounds of low toxicity can increase the susceptibility of an organism to toxic substances; this is known as potentiation. Demethylation inhibiting (DMI) fungicides can potentiate insecticides by impairing the production of detoxification enzymes. As both DMI fungicides and insecticides can be used near or during crop bloom, the combination may be hazardous if exposed to pollinators. Using pesticides used in blueberry or apple production, we conducted laboratory bioassays to test how combinations of field-relevant concentrations of DMI fungicides and insecticides affected honey bee (Apis mellifera) survival. We found propiconazole, a DMI fungicide, potentiated the toxicity of the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid. We found no evidence of propiconazole potentiating field-relevant concentrations of the spinosyn insecticide spinetoram. We also found that the DMI fungicide flusilazole potentiated spinetoram but not acetamiprid. A fungicidal formulation combining pyraclostrobin and boscalid did not potentiate either insecticide. Given that bees can be simultaneously exposed to multiple pesticides, understanding the potential of pesticide potentiation and synergism may help mitigate risks associated with pollinator exposure to pesticides.
- OPEN ACCESSDebates concerning how to achieve food security tend to fall into one of two camps. The first is that high-technology, market-oriented approaches promise to enhance agricultural productivity and improve food security. The counterargument is that low-technology approaches, when combined with building social and physical infrastructure, are more effective at meeting people’s food needs. Using a survey of 540 farm households in northern Ghana, we assess the level of food security for smallholders by analyzing the influence of a low-technology and low-external-input approach, such as sweet potatoes, and that of the production of an improved, commercially produced crop, such as rice. We also measure the influence of market access. Our results indicate that sweet potato producers are more likely to be food secure than commercial rice producers. However, the proximity to and interaction with markets is also associated with farmer food security, even when controlling for measures of prosperity. These findings suggest that low-technology approaches and high-technology, market-oriented approaches should not be treated as diametrically opposed to each other. Enhancing smallholder production of low-technology staple crops like sweet potatoes is likely to improve well-being. At the same time, interventions to build the physical and social infrastructure necessary to enable market participation would also be likely to enhance smallholder well-being.
- OPEN ACCESS
- Tim J. Arciszewski,
- Kelly R. Munkittrick,
- Bruce W. Kilgour,
- Heather M. Keith,
- Janice E. Linehan, and
- Mark E. McMaster
Responses to chemical and physical stressors are commonly expected among organisms residing near the Athabasca oil sands. Physiological effects have been observed in fishes during field studies; but further effects associated with development are not clear or consistent among species. For instance, data from a fish fence in 2009 show declines in the relative abundances of some species, including Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). In contrast, increases were seen in white sucker (Catostomus commersoni). This divergence suggests incomplete understanding of the status of fishes residing near the oil sands. However, an important challenge limiting understanding is the lack of reliable baseline or reference data. To overcome this challenge, we used iterative normal ranges and a historical data set (electrofishing surveys done from 1987 to 2014) to determine if changes have occurred in fishes captured in the lower Athabasca River. These analyses revealed clear increases in the lengths of white sucker and walleye (Sander vitreus) and their relative abundances during the spawning season. The occurrence of these changes may be associated with overwintering location, but reduced fishing pressure in Lake Athabasca, eutrophication, or a cumulative effect may explain the form of changes detected in this study. - OPEN ACCESSSmallholder dairy production dominates the country of Uganda, with over 90% of the national herd owned by smallholders. To reduce hunger, malnutrition, and raise families out of poverty agricultural development, interventions in Uganda have focused on increasing milk production through the introduction of improved dairy cow breeds. Development actors, such as the East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) program in Uganda, see crossbreed dairy cows as a key technological intervention for improving production. Drawing on a multi-method study (spatial analysis, surveys, and qualitative interviews) of dairy smallholders, our paper examines the gendered effects of the introduction of crossbreed dairy cows. To ensure peak performance, improved breeds require more inputs (e.g., water, feed, and medicine), which are labor and time intensive with specific gendered outcomes. Our findings reveal that both men and women identify fetching water as one of the greatest challenges in maintaining dairy cows, but women and children disproportionately fetch the water and women have higher reported rates of time poverty. Water quality is also an issue, with smallholders struggling to provide clean water to cows, and our basic water testing reveals water sources with high nitrate levels that can be harmful for children and dairy cows.
- OPEN ACCESSThis paper addresses how available resources, food security, technology, and culture are shaping the choices rural Malian women are making to ensure the health, energy, and well-being of their families. This research contributed to evaluating an eight-year research project (An Be Jigi) targeting improved nutrition. The study, performed over four months, used semi-structured interviews of 120 women in six villages in Mali to assess the identified issues with qualitative and quantitative approaches. This paper describes the history of the An Be Jigi project, whole-grain processing techniques, and group cooking for knowledge sharing with rural women for improved nutrition. Interviews revealed substantial adoption of whole-grain processing techniques and women’s appreciation of the nutritional benefits of those techniques. The women engaged in group cooking (cuisines collectives) appreciated the activities and mentioned multiple benefits from using them. Women identified access to mills, and to some extent the social stigma of laziness and poverty associated with whole-grain food, as limiting factors of adoption. This study of women’s practices and perceptions regarding use of whole grain tells a story of changing consumption habits being shaped by culture, technology, knowledge, and available resources. Malian women are agents of change and care in their adoption of new techniques and recipes for the improved nutrition of young children and households.
- OPEN ACCESS
- Brett Emo,
- Li-Wen Hu,
- Bo-Yi Yang,
- Kahee A. Mohammed,
- Christian Geneus,
- Michael Vaughn,
- Zhengmin (Min) Qian, and
- Guang-Hui Dong
To assess the effects of housing characteristics and home environmental factors on lung function of Chinese children, 6740 children (aged 6–16 years) were recruited from seven cities in Northeast China in 2012. Performance of lung function was determined by comparison of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF). Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the associations with lung function deficit. The results showed that housing conditions were associated with lung function deficit in children. The adjusted odds ratios were 0.47 (95% CI: 0.26–0.83) for FVC for “ping-fang” housing compared with “dan-yuan-lou-fang” housing and 2.90 (95% CI: 2.43–3.47) for FEV1 with home renovations completed within two years compared with counterparts. The linear regression models consistently showed a significant association of housing conditions and home environmental factors with lung function measurements across subjects. A residence taller than seven stories was negatively associated with FEV1 (β = −55; 95% CI: −97 to −13). In conclusion, housing conditions and home environmental factors are particularly important to the development of lung function and respiratory health in children. These factors are concerning and action should be taken to improve them. - OPEN ACCESS
- Dawn M. Emerson,
- Toni M. Torres-McGehee,
- J. Mark Davis,
- Stephen C.L. Chen,
- J. Larry Durstine,
- Craig E. Pfeifer,
- Charles C. Emerson,
- Justin V. Stone, and
- Joseph D. Bivona
Few controlled laboratory studies have examined the negative effects non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can have on fluid–electrolyte balance during exercise. Our objective was to determine whether a 24-h naproxen dose negatively affected hydration and electrolyte measures before, during, and 3 h after 90 min of cycling in a hot or ambient environment. Using a double blind, randomized and counterbalanced cross-over design, 11 volunteers (six male, five female) completed four trials, with conditions as follows: (1) placebo and ambient, (2) placebo and heat, (3) naproxen and ambient, and (4) naproxen and heat. We found no statistically significant differences among experimental conditions for any dependent measures. Though not statistically significant, mean fluid volume was higher and urine volume was lower during naproxen trials compared with placebos. Mean aggregate plasma sodium was <135 mmol/L at all time points and did not significantly change over time. Overall plasma potassium significantly increased pre- (3.9 ± 0.4) to post-exercise (4.2 ± 0.4 mmol/L, p = 0.02). In conclusion, an acute naproxen dose did not significantly alter hydration–electrolyte balance. The trend for naproxen to increase fluid volume and decrease urine volume suggests the start of fluid retention, which should concern individuals at risk for hyponatremia or with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. - OPEN ACCESS
- Michael R.S. Coffin,
- Simon C. Courtenay,
- Kyle M. Knysh,
- Christina C. Pater, and
- Michael R. van den Heuvel
In this study, we examined the effects of dissolved oxygen, via metrics based on hourly measurements, and other environmental variables on invertebrate assemblages in estuaries spanning a gradient of nutrient loading and geography in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Upper areas (15–25 practical salinity units (PSU)) of 13 estuaries that were dominated by either seagrass (Zostera marina Linnaeus, 1753) or macroalgae (Ulva spp. Linnaeus, 1753) were sampled from June to September 2013. Macroinvertebrate assemblages from Z. marina were found to be distinct from Ulva assemblages for both epifauna and infauna. Small snails dominated each vegetation type, specifically cerithids in Z. marina and hydrobids in Ulva. Although Z. marina had higher species richness, approximately 70% of species were common to both habitats. Faunal communities differed among estuaries with large, within-estuary, temporal variance only observed at Ulva sites impacted by hypoxia and particularly at sites with long water residence time. Indeed, abundances varied by several orders of magnitude in Ulva ranging from zero to thousands of macroinvertebrates. There was a strong negative correlation between hypoxic or anoxic water, 48 h prior to sampling, with relative abundances of amphipods, and a positive correlation with the relative abundances of snails. As one of the first studies to use high-frequency oxygen monitoring, this study revealed probable impacts and the transient nature of hypoxia in eutrophication. - OPEN ACCESSAcyl phosphate monoesters are biomimetic acylation reagents that require coordination to metal ions to react with cis-diol substrates in water. With lanthanide catalysts, outcomes are compromised by (1) the competitive lanthanide-promoted hydrolysis of the acyl phosphate reagents as well as by (2) the high affinity of lanthanum ions for the phosphate monoester by-product. Based on analysis of the mechanism of the process, optimizing reaction conditions can selectively inhibit the lanthanum-promoted hydrolysis of acyl phosphate monoesters. Furthermore, using zinc salts and lead salts in place of lanthanides enhances the reactivity of the reactants and causes less complexation of the metal ion with the by-products.
- OPEN ACCESSType 1 diabetes (T1DM) is known to cause an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and elevated intracellular glucose levels. We investigated the metallothionein I and II (MT I+II) antioxidants expression in soleus (mainly slow-twitch) and plantaris (predominantly fast-twitch) skeletal muscle using a rodent model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The presence of oxidative stress was confirmed by the detection of increased levels of protein carbonyl formation in the diabetic tissues. DAB (3,3′-diaminobenzidine) immunostaining and Western blotting analyses demonstrated that MT I+II expression was significantly upregulated in the diabetic soleus and plantaris muscle tissues compared with their respective controls. Moreover, no significant difference was detected between the plantaris and soleus controls or between the plantaris and soleus diabetic tissues. These findings suggest that there is an increase in MT protein expression in the soleus and plantaris muscles associated with the induction of T1DM. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that allow MT to prevent the oxidative stress associated with diabetes could lead to a novel therapeutic strategy for this chronic disease and its associated complications.
- OPEN ACCESSBackground: Abortion has been available without criminal restriction in Canada since 1988, and approximately 33 000 terminations take place in Ontario each year. Objectives: This study aimed to explore women’s expressed desire for post-abortion support services, document the priorities expressed by women in seeking post-abortion support, and identify actionable strategies to improve post-abortion support services in Ontario. Methods: Between 2012 and 2014 we conducted in-depth, open-ended interviews with 60 Anglophone women from across Ontario who had recently had an abortion. We aimed to rigorously explore the compounding issues of age and geography on women’s abortion experiences. We analyzed our data for content and themes and reported on the findings related to post-abortion support. Results: One third of our participants expressed a desire for post-abortion support, yet few were able to access a timely, affordable, non-directive service. Women were uncertain about how to find services; most contacted a provider recommended by the clinic or searched online. Women were enthusiastic about a talkline format citing anonymity and convenience as the main advantages. Conclusion: Our results suggest that exploring ways to expand post-abortion support services in Ontario is warranted. A talkline format could provide an anonymous, convenient, non-judgmental, and non-directive way to address this unmet need.
- OPEN ACCESSAnkylosaurus magniventris is an iconic dinosaur species often depicted in popular media. It is known from relatively fragmentary remains compared with its earlier and smaller relatives such as Euoplocephalus and Anodontosaurus. Nevertheless, the known fossils of Ankylosaurus indicate that it had diverged significantly in cranial and postcranial anatomy compared with other Laramidian ankylosaurines. In particular, the dentition, narial region, tail club, and overall body size differ substantially from other Campanian–Maastrichtian ankylosaurines. We review the anatomy of this unusual ankylosaur using data from historic and newly identified material and discuss its palaeoecological implications.
- OPEN ACCESSWe describe the underwater light field of the Strait of Georgia in spring and summer, using apparent optical properties (reflectance, attenuation coefficient of downwelling irradiance, the average cosine of downwelling irradiance, and the attenuation of scalar irradiance). Both the attenuation and reflectance of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR; 400–700 nm) are highest in the turbid waters of the Fraser River plume, due to scattering by mainly inorganic particles and absorption by coloured dissolved organic matter, phytoplankton, and other organic particles. Light is most diffuse in the surface waters of the plume and least diffuse at depth and away from the plume. Throughout the Strait, blue and red wavelengths are attenuated most rapidly resulting in a green peak of reflectance, the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that penetrates the most deeply. PAR is attenuated to 1% of its surface intensity within 6–22 m in the spring and 4–23 m in the summer. For red and blue light, the depth of 1% penetration is never deeper than 9 m. All of the visible radiation, with the exception of some green light, is absorbed within the outflowing layer (15–30 m) that is exported from the Strait with the estuarine circulation. The rapid extinction of light helps to explain the very shallow distribution of phytoplankton.
- OPEN ACCESSDiethylnitrosamine (DEN) is a well-known carcinogen. The aim of our study was to determine the role of olive oil (7 g/kg) with fig (1 g/kg) (OF) and (or) date palm (1 g/kg) (D) fruit extracts during DEN treatment of male Wistar rats. The OF–DEN and (or) D–DEN groups were given oral antioxidants daily for two weeks before and during DEN treatment (21 weeks).The DEN-treated group showed dramatic results for all investigated parameters as compared with the control rats. All OF–DEN and D–DEN groups showed significant improvement in hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione, and nitric oxide concentration in the liver tissue, in addition to improvement in serum vascular endothelial growth factor level, alpha-fetoprotein, lipid profile, lipid risk ratios, and the hematological parameters as compared with the DEN-treated group.In conclusion, the administration of OF and (or) D fruit extracts to DEN-treated rats resulted in a considerable improvement in the investigated biochemical and hematological parameters. In addition, the combined OFD treatments showed greater improvements revealing the synergistic effect of the combination.
- OPEN ACCESSYoung mothers constitute a vulnerable population in Canada. Teens with children are at significant risk of subsequent pregnancy, a dynamic that can exacerbate health, emotional, and socio-economic challenges. We aimed to understand better the dynamics shaping “rapid repeat pregnancy” among young mothers in Ottawa, explore young mothers’ subsequent pregnancy experiences, and identify how services could be improved in Canada’s capital. In 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 10 young mothers and semi-structured interviews with 10 key informants working with pregnant and parenting youth. We analyzed interviews for content and themes using a multi-phased, iterative process. Four major themes emerged: (1) young mothers often plan their pregnancies actively or passively; (2) violence before, during, and after pregnancy is common; (3) mental health and substance abuse issues shape pregnancy risk; and (4) becoming pregnant often serves as a source of motivation for young mothers. Our results further indicate that young mothers have difficulty finding youth-friendly, non-judgmental support services and that integrated, multidisciplinary services offering individually tailored support and building on women’s strengths will likely be more successful in helping young mothers prevent subsequent pregnancies. Increasing awareness about existing services and supporting efforts that approach teen pregnancy comprehensively and holistically appear warranted.
- OPEN ACCESSThe goal of this study was to determine the possible beneficial effect of olive oil (7 g/kg) with fig (1 g/kg) and date palm fruit (1 g/kg) extracts (OFD) on the toxicity hazards of doxorubicin (DOX) and (or) γ-radiation. The DOX-treated groups received doses of 2.5 mg/kg body weight via intravenous (IV) injection weekly for four consecutive weeks. Rats in the irradiated groups were exposed to whole-body γ-radiation with fractioned doses of 2 Gy weekly for four consecutive weeks. The OFD-treated groups received two weeks of pretreatment with OFD and daily supplementation via oral gavage during the experimental period. The DOX-treated and (or) irradiated groups showed decreases in the antioxidant parameters (reduced glutathione and nitric oxide) as well as increased lipid peroxidation products. In addition, we observed changes in the lipid profile parameters, lipid risk ratios, and hematological values (erythrocyte (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct) percentage, platelet count, and total and differential leukocyte (WBC) count) in these groups compared with the control rats. The administration of OFD to DOX-treated and (or) irradiated rats significantly ameliorated the oxidative stress markers, lipid profile, risk ratios, and hematological parameters. In conclusion, OFD could be used synergistically to decrease the negative side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- OPEN ACCESSDistinguishing between intra- and inter-specific variation in genetic studies is critical to understanding evolution because the mechanisms driving change among populations are expected to be different than those that shape reproductive isolation among lineages. Genetic studies of north Atlantic green sea urchins Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Müller, 1776) have detected significant population substructure and asymmetric gene flow from Europe to Atlantic Canada and interspecific hybridization between S. droebachiensis and Strongylocentrotus pallidus (Sars, 1871). However, combined with patterns of divergence at mtDNA sequences, morphological divergence at gamete traits suggests that the European and North American lineages of S. droebachiensis may be cryptic species. Here, we use a combination of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to test for cryptic species within Strongylocentrotus sea urchins and hybrids between S. droebachiensis and S. pallidus populations. We detect striking patterns of habitat and reproductive isolation between two S. droebachiensis lineages, with offshore deep-water collections consisting of S. pallidus in addition to a cryptic lineage sharing genetic similarity with previously published sequences from eastern Atlantic S. droebachiensis. We detected only limited hybridization among all three lineages of sea urchins, suggesting that shared genetic differences previously reported may be a result of historical introgression or incomplete lineage sorting.
- OPEN ACCESSMercury (Hg) in wildlife remains of great concern, especially for apex piscivores. Despite this, exposure information from many species in many areas is lacking, so that management decisions are hampered. Here we examine Hg concentrations in fur, liver, and kidney tissues from river otters (Lontra canadensis (Schreber, 1777)) (n = 203) to quantify existing Hg concentrations over a broad geographic area in Saskatchewan. Mean fur total Hg (THg) (9.68 ± 7.52 mg/kg fresh weight (f.w.)) was significantly correlated with THg and organic Hg (OHg) in liver and kidney tissue, showcasing the potential for using fur as a noninvasive method of monitoring Hg in top-level mammals. Livers of males had higher mean OHg concentrations than livers of females (males: 2.71 mg/kg d.w., females: 1.87 mg/kg d.w.), but not significantly so. No sex-related differences were observed in kidney OHg concentrations. THg concentrations in otter fur collected in the Boreal Shield ecozone (Churchill River Upland) were significantly higher (mean = 16.1 mg/kg f.w.) than in otter fur collected from the Boreal Plain ecozone (mean = 8.59 mg/kg f.w.). Fur from otters (n = 20; trapping block N66) trapped near a decommissioned smelter contained the highest concentrations of THg in the study (mean = 18.4 mg/kg f.w.).
- OPEN ACCESS
- Tse-Lynn Loh,
- Eric R. Larson,
- Solomon R. David,
- Lesley S. de Souza,
- Rebecca Gericke,
- Mary Gryzbek,
- Andrew S. Kough,
- Philip W. Willink, and
- Charles R. Knapp
Modern zoos and aquariums aspire to contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and research. For example, conservation research is a key accreditation criterion of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). However, no studies to date have quantified this contribution. We assessed the research productivity of 228 AZA members using scientific publications indexed in the ISI Web of Science (WoS) database between 1993 and 2013 (inclusive). AZA members published 5175 peer-reviewed manuscripts over this period, with publication output increasing over time. Most publications were in the zoology and veterinary science subject areas, and articles classified as “biodiversity conservation” by WoS averaged 7% of total publications annually. From regression analyses, AZA organizations with larger financial assets generally published more, but research-affiliated mission statements were also associated with increased publication output. A strong publication record indicates expertise and expands scientific knowledge, enhancing organizational credibility. Institutions aspiring for higher research productivity likely require a dedicated research focus and adequate institutional support through research funding and staffing. We recommend future work build on our results by exploring links between zoo and aquarium research productivity and conservation outcomes or uptake. - OPEN ACCESSLife satisfaction is directly related to positive mental and physical health outcomes. As such, the promotion of life satisfaction is desirable. To facilitate this process, it is beneficial to identify significant predictors of life satisfaction. Although previous research has established that personality is a reliable predictor of life satisfaction, personality is not easily modifiable. In contrast, perfectionism can be effectively adapted with appropriate therapy, leading to decreases in mental illness symptomology. The present study sought to determine if different aspects of perfectionism predicted life satisfaction beyond the influence of personality. A total of 448 online participants (75% female) completed questionnaires assessing life satisfaction, perfectionism, and personality. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that lower scores on neuroticism (being emotionally stable; p < 0.001) and higher scores on extraversion (p < 0.001) and conscientiousness (p = 0.003) significantly predicted life satisfaction. In addition, one aspect of perfectionism, high standards for others (p = 0.001), positively predicted life satisfaction beyond the influence of personality. We suggest that encouraging individuals to hold others to high standards is an effective strategy that may foster shared goals and achievements, which in turn may improve overall life satisfaction.