Showing papers by "Ryerson University published in 2005"

The discourse of denial: how white teacher candidates construct race, racism and ‘white privilege’

Abstract: This qualitative study focuses on a representative sample from 200 teacher candidates' responses to Peggy McIntosh's article, ‘White privilege: unpacking the invisible knapsack’. The notion and understanding of whiteness and white privilege were explored revealing several strategies that teacher candidates employed to avoid addressing whiteness and its attendant privileges in Canadian society. We analyse three primary strategies that the teacher candidates employed: ideological incongruence, liberalist notions of individualism and meritocracy, and the negation of white capital. Some implications of this study are that teacher education must help candidates understand their own racial identity formation and provide the learning space to work with the range of emotions and feelings of indignation that evolve from an exposure to white privilege and the ‘myth of meritocracy’.

The Experience of Quarantine for Individuals Affected by SARS in Toronto

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of home quarantine during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Toronto in 2003. Design: Qualitative descriptive design. Sample: Stratified random sampling techniques were used to generate a list of potential participants, who varied in terms of gender and closeness of exposure to someone with suspected SARS (contact level). Twenty-one individuals participated in the study. Measurements: All interviews were audiotaped and followed a semistructured interview guide. Participants were invited to describe their experience of quarantine in detail including their advice for Public Health. Results: The experience followed a trajectory of stages beginning before quarantine and ending after quarantine. Despite individual differences, common themes of uncertainty, isolation, and coping intersected the data. Conclusions: Public Health has a dual role of monitoring compliance and providing support to people in quarantine. This study has implications for public health policy and practice in planning for future public health emergencies in terms of the information and the resources required to mount an effective response.

Comments on "An SVD-based watermarking scheme for protecting rightful Ownership"

Abstract: In a recent paper by Tan and Liu , a watermarking algorithm for digital images based on singular value decomposition (SVD) is proposed. This comment demonstrates that this watermarking algorithm is fundamentally flawed in that the extracted watermark is not the embedded watermark but determined by the reference watermark. The reference watermark generates the pair of SVD matrices employed in the watermark detector. In the watermark detection stage, the fact that the employed SVD matrices depend on the reference watermark biases the false positive detection rate such that it has a probability of one. Hence, any reference watermark that is being searched for in an arbitrary image can be found. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results are given to support our conclusion.

Active damping control of a high-power PWM current-source rectifier for line-current THD reduction

Abstract: The use of active damping to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the line current for medium-voltage (2.3-7.2 kV) high-power pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) current-source rectifiers is investigated. The rectifier requires an LC filter connected at its input terminals, which constitutes an LC resonant mode. The lightly damped LC filter is prone to series and parallel resonances when tuned to a system harmonic either from the utility or from the PWM rectifier. These issues are traditionally addressed at the design stage by properly choosing the filter resonant frequency. This approach may result in a limited performance since the LC resonant frequency is a function of the power system impedance, which usually varies with power system operating conditions. In this paper, an active damping control method is proposed for the reduction in line current THD of high-power current-source rectifiers operating at a switching frequency of only 540 Hz. Two types of LC resonances are investigated: the parallel resonance excited by harmonic currents drawn by the rectifier and the series resonance caused by harmonic pollution in the source voltage. It is demonstrated through simulation and experiments that the proposed active damping control can effectively reduce the line-current THD caused by both parallel and series resonances.

Optical and acoustic properties at 1064 nm of polyvinyl chloride-plastisol for use as a tissue phantom in biomedical optoacoustics.

Abstract: A novel optoacoustic phantom made of polyvinyl chloride-plastisol (PVCP) for optoacoustic studies is described. The optical and acoustic properties of PVCP were measured. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder and black plastic colour (BPC) were used to introduce scattering and absorption, respectively, in the phantoms. The optical absorption coefficient (mua) at 1064 nm was determined using an optoacoustic method, while diffuse reflectance measurements were used to obtain the optical reduced scattering coefficient (mu's). These optical properties were calculated to be mua = (12.818 +/- 0.001)ABPC cm(-1) and mu's = (2.6 +/- 0.2)S(TiO2) + (1.4 +/- 0.1) cm(-1), where ABPC is the BPC per cent volume concentration, and S(TiO2) is the TiO2 volume concentration (mg mL(-1)). The speed of sound in PVCP was measured to be (1.40 +/- 0.02) x 10(3) m s(-1) using the pulse echo transmit receive method, with an acoustic attenuation of (0.56 +/- 1.01) f(1.51+/-0.06)MHz (dB cm(-1)) in the frequency range of 0.61-1.25 MHz, and a density, calculated by measuring the displacement of water, of 1.00 +/- 0.04 g cm(-3). The speed of sound and density of PVCP are similar to tissue, and together with the user-adjustable optical properties, make this material well suited for developing tissue-equivalent phantoms for biomedical optoacoustics.

Discrimination of pathological voices using a time-frequency approach

Abstract: Acoustical measures of vocal function are routinely used in the assessments of disordered voice, and for monitoring the patient's progress over the course of voice therapy. Typically, acoustic measures are extracted from sustained vowel stimuli where short-term and long-term perturbations in fundamental frequency and intensity, and the level of "glottal noise" are used to characterize the vocal function. However, acoustic measures extracted from continuous speech samples may well be required for accurate prediction of abnormal voice quality that is relevant to the client's "real world" experience. In contrast with sustained vowel research, there is relatively sparse literature on the effectiveness of acoustic measures extracted from continuous speech samples. This is partially due to the challenge of segmenting the speech signal into voiced, unvoiced, and silence periods before features can be extracted for vocal function characterization. We propose a joint time-frequency approach for classifying pathological voices using continuous speech signals that obviates the need for such segmentation. The speech signals were decomposed using an adaptive time-frequency transform algorithm, and several features such as the octave max, octave mean, energy ratio, length ratio, and frequency ratio were extracted from the decomposition parameters and analyzed using statistical pattern classification techniques. Experiments with a database consisting of continuous speech samples from 51 normal and 161 pathological talkers yielded a classification accuracy of 93.4%.

Chinese Immigrants in Canada: Their Changing Composition and Economic Performance1

Abstract: Using landing records and tax data, this paper examines both the changing composition of the Chinese immigrants in Canada in the past two decades and their levels of economic performance. Our research found that, in addition to a shift in origin, economic immigrants have been on the rise and other classes of immigrants have declined. This has been accompanied by a significant increase in their educational qualifications and proficiency in a Canadian official language. Yet, despite their increased human capital, Chinese immigrants still experience very different economic outcomes in the Canadian labour market compared to members of the general population of Canada. For one thing, they have much lower employment and self-employment income than the general population. Moreover, these earning differentials hold true for all age groups, both genders, and Chinese immigrants from all origins. While their levels of economic performance increases with length of residency in Canada, this study suggests that it would take more than 20 years for Chinese immigrants to close the earning gaps with the general population. Evidence also suggests that Canadian-specific educational credentials are indeed worth more than those acquired in the immigrants' country of origin, and are much better remunerated by Canadian employers. IMMIGRES CHINOIS AU CANADA: EVOLUTION DE LEURS COMMUNAUTES ET DE LEUR REUSSITE ECONOMIQUE En s'appuyant sur les releves d'embarquement et les donnees des services fiscaux, les auteurs examinent a la fois l'evolution de la composition des com-munautes chinoises immigrees au Canada au cours des deux dernieres decennies et le niveau de leur reussite economique. Ils constatent que, outre un glissement au niveau des regions d'origine, les immigres economiques sont de plus en plus nombreux, tandis que d'autres categories d'immigres sont en recul. Cette evolution s'accompagne d'un relevement significatif du niveau d'instruction et de la connaissance des langues officielles du Canada. Cependant, malgre l'accroissement de leur capital humain, les immigres chinois connaissent tou-jours des fortunes tres differentes sur le marche du travail canadien, si on les compare avec la population canadienne en general. D'une part, leurs revenus en qualite de salaries ou d'independants sont nettement inferieurs a ceux de la population generale. D'autre part, les ecarts de revenus se verifient pour toutes les tranches d'âge et pour les deux sexes, et la region d'origine ne change rien a la donne. Alors que le niveau de reussite economique s'ameliore au fil des ans, cette etude montre qu'il faudrait plus de 20 ans aux immigres chinois pour se hisser au niveau de revenu de la population generale. Elle demontre egalement que les diplomes acquis au Canada sont nettement plus valorises que ceux acquis dans le pays d'origine des migrants et que leurs titulaires sont nettement mieux remuneres par les employeurs canadiens. INMIGRANTES CHINOS EN EL CANADA: CAMBIOS EN SU COMPOSICION Y RENDIMIENTO ECONOMICO Gracias a los registros de entrada en el pais y de pago de impuestos a la renta, en este documento se examina la variacion de las ultimas dos decadas en la composicion de los inmigrantes chinos en el Canada y en su rendimiento economico. En este estudio se determina que, ademas de provenir ahora de distintos lugares de origen, los inmigrantes economicos no dejan de aumentar mientras que las demas categorias de inmigrantes disminuyen. Ello se acompana de un considerable incremento en sus calificaciones educativas y del conocimiento de uno de los idiomas oficiales del Canada. Sin embargo, a pesar del creciente capital humano, los inmigrantes chinos siguen experimentando, en general, resultados economicos sumamente diferentes en el mercado laboral canadiense en comparacion al resto de la poblacion del Canada. Por una parte, tienen tasas de ingresos muy inferiores en empleo y autoempleo que el resto de la poblacion. Por otra, la diferencia de ingresos es valida para todos los grupos de edad, para ambos generos, y para los inmigrantes chinos de cualquier parte. Si bien el nivel de rendimiento economico aumenta con la duracion de la residencia en el Canada, este estudio apunta a que los inmigrantes chinos tardarian mas de 20 anos en colmar las brechas salariales con el resto de la poblacion. Tambien se demuestra que las credenciales educativas especificas canadienses valen mucho mas que aquellas adquiridas por los inmigrantes en su pais de origen y, por ende, son mejor remuneradas por los empleadores canadienses.

Recycling and Waste Diversion Effectiveness: Evidence from Canada

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the relationship between recycling policy options and recycling behavior to study the most effective methods of diverting post-consumer waste from landfills. We employ data from a unique, micro-data set collected from households in communities across Ontario, Canada. We estimate the relationships between several commonly recycled materials (newsprint, glass, plastics, aluminum cans, tin cans, cardboard, and toxic chemicals) and individual household characteristics, recycling program attributes, and garbage collection financing methods. We find that user fees on garbage collection have significant impacts on recycling levels for all materials except toxic chemicals, and mandatory recycling programs on particular items have significant effects on recycling for almost all materials. Limits on the amount of garbage that can be placed at the curb, and providing free units under user fee systems, however, generally have a negligible or detrimental impact on recycling.

Monitoring structural changes in cells with high-frequency ultrasound signal statistics.

Abstract: We investigate the use of signal envelope statistics to monitor and quantify structural changes during cell death using an in vitro cell model. Using a f/2.35 transducer (center frequency 20 MHz), ultrasound backscatter data were obtained from pellets of acute myeloid leukemia cells treated with a DNA-intercolating chemotherapy drug, as well as from pellets formed with mixtures of treated and untreated cells. Simulations of signals from pellets of mixtures of cells were generated as a summation of point scatterers. The signal envelope statistics were examined by fitting the Rayleigh and generalized gamma distributions. The fit parameters of the generalized gamma distribution showed sensitivity to structural changes in the cells. The scale parameter showed a 200% increase (p<0.05) between untreated and cells treated for 24 h. The shape parameter showed a 50% increase (p<0.05) over 24 h. Experimental results showed reasonable agreement with simulations. The results indicate that high-frequency ultrasound signal statistics can be used to monitor structural changes within a very low percentage of treated cells in a population, raising the possibility of using this technique in vivo.

Interactions of Vitamin D3 with Bovine β-Lactoglobulin A and β-Casein

Abstract: It is of nutritional significance to fortify processed dairy products (e.g., cheese, yogurt, and ice cream) with vitamin D3; however, the inherent complexity of these foods may influence the stability and bioavailability of this nutrient. In the present study, the interactions of vitamin D3 with β-lactoglobulin A and β-casein were investigated under various environmental conditions (i.e., pH and ionic strength) using fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques. The results indicated that vitamin D3 was bound to both β-lactoglobulin A and β-casein depending on the solution conditions. The apparent dissociation constants ranged from 0.02 to 0.29 μM for β-lactoglobulin A, whereas the β-casein apparent dissociation constants ranged from 0.06 to 0.26 μM. The apparent mole ratios were also comparable, i.e., 0.51−2.04 and 1.16−2.05 mol of vitamin D3 were bound per mole of β-lactoglobulin A and β-casein, respectively. It was concluded that these interactions may strongly influence vitamin D3 stab...

Automatic lung segmentation in CT images using watershed transform

Abstract: The preprocessing step of most computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems for identifying the lung diseases is lung segmentation. We present a novel lung segmentation technique based on watershed transform, which is fast and accurate. Lung region is precisely marked with internal and external markers. The markers are combined with the gradient image of the original data and watershed transform is applied on the combined data to find the lung borders. Rolling ball filter is used to smooth the contour and fill the cavities while preserving the original borders. The proposed method eliminates the tasks of finding an optimal threshold and separating the attached left and right lungs, which are two common practices in most lung segmentation methods and require a significant amount of time. We have applied our new approach on several pulmonary CT images and the results reveal the speed, robustness and accuracy of this method.

Hybrid motion control and planning strategies for visual servoing

Abstract: This paper presents two hybrid strategies for robot visual servoing. Two specific image constraints, the image singularities and image local minima, are considered in both strategies. The hybrid motion control strategy consists of a local switching control between the image-based and position-based visual servoing for direct avoidance of image singularities and image local minima. The hybrid motion planning strategy consists of an artificial potential field-based global hybrid trajectory planner, where a complete set of Cartesian, image, and robot joint constraints under a complex visual servoing scenario are considered. In this strategy, the image singularities are resolved using the damped-least-square-based joint trajectory planning, while the image local minima are evaluated only along the planned image trajectories and automatically avoided in the image-based trajectory tracking. Two global planning methods are considered. In the first method, the end-effector trajectory is directly planned with respect to the stationary target object frame, which provides a much shorter translational path compared with the local planning method. In the second method, the target trajectory is planned with respect to the current end-effector frame, which minimizes the chances of image trajectories leaving the camera field of view. Simulation and experimental results are given to demonstrate the efficiency of the two hybrid strategies.

A strategic service quality approach using analytic hierarchy process

Abstract: – The paper aims to develop a technique that considers competition using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework to measure service quality., – The present study adapted the AHP methodology to the measurement of service quality, involving five steps – referred to as “analytical hierarchy process for service quality” (“AHP‐SQ”). Subsequently, the authors demonstrate how the technique can be applied to the fast‐food restaurants., – The AHP‐SQ approach described in this study thus assists management to devise and maintain a relevant, competitive plan for ongoing improvements in service quality. Specifically, such analysis enables the following questions to be addressed: “How does the firm perform in terms of service quality in relation to its competitors?”; “Given the firm's resources, which service initiatives will enhance its service competitiveness?”; “Which service areas require immediate improvement?”; “How should the firm's service improvement be prioritized?”, and “What opportunities exist for service improvement in relation to the competition?”, – It would be important to consider the “right” dimensions of service quality that are relevant to the respective industry. It would also be essential to collect responses from customers who have utilized the services of the focal firm as well as its competitors in order to have an accurate opinion., – The framework proposed here allows management to address two main issues pertaining to its competitive advantage: establishing its performance ranking in the marketplace; and identifying the service elements that most require improvement., – The paper develops a cohesive approach to help managers identify which reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, responsiveness (RATER) service dimensions require attention to create a sustainable competitive advantage. It offers a “bigger picture” in service‐quality management.

Incorporating service quality into consumer mall shopping decision making: a comparison between English and French Canadian consumers

Abstract: Purpose – Traditionally, researchers in environmental psychology have developed the classic C (cognition)‐ E (emotion)‐ B (behavior) paradigm. However, some researchers have failed to replicate this classic paradigm and suggested that cognition is an antecedent to emotions. The main goals of this research are to extend the C‐E‐B paradigm by incorporating consumers' perceptions of service quality and to determine whether the extended model of consumer shopping mall decision process is invariant across English and French Canadian consumers.Design/methodology/approach – By conducting a three‐step analysis, six hypotheses are empirically examined through a survey of 266 “real” English and French Canadian consumers in a shopping mall.Findings – Findings indicate that consumers' evaluations of service quality in a shopping environment mediate their pleasure and purchase intention. Consumer mall shopping decision‐making process is invariant across English and French Canadian consumers.Practical implications – Fo...

Emotions in the conflict process: An application of the cognitive appraisal model of emotions to conflict management.

Abstract: This study systematically explored the role of a range of emotions in the conflict process. In order to do so, we articulated and tested a typology of discreet conflict‐relevant emotion constructs. Emotions were demarcated by the two dimensions of self‐concern versus other‐concern, and motives to approach or withdraw from the other party or conflict. This typology produced four emotion constructs: hostility (self‐focused approach), self‐conscious emotions (self‐focused avoid), relational positivity (other‐focused approach) and fear (other‐focused avoid). Self‐ and other‐blame and self‐ and other‐concern were proposed as cognitive antecedents of emotions and choice of conflict resolution strategy. We measured individual behavior in the conflict using the conflict resolution strategy scale (Rahim & Magner, 1995). A critical incident survey technique was used to gather data on people's self‐report of a conflict experience. We also explored the contextual effects of conflict issue and relative status. Results brought into question the general hypothesis that emotions mediate the effects of cognitive appraisals on choice of conflict resolution strategy. However, there were consistent patterns in the direct links between cognitions, emotions and conflict resolution strategies that shed further light on the complex relationships between these variables.

Planktonic-cell yield of a pseudomonad biofilm.

Abstract: Biofilm cells differ phenotypically from their free-floating counterparts. Differential growth rates in biofilms are often referred to, particularly in response to limited diffusion of oxygen and nutrients. We observed growth rates of attached Pseudomonas sp. strain CT07 cells that were notably higher than the maximum specific growth rate measured in batch culture. Despite dilution rates in continuous flow cells that exceeded the maximum planktonic specific growth rate by 58 times, sampling of the effluent revealed >109 cells ml−1, suggesting that biofilms function as a source of planktonic cells through high cell yield and detachment. Further investigation demonstrated considerable planktonic cell yield from biofilms as young as 6 h, indicating that detachment is not limited to established biofilms. These biofilm-detached cells were more sensitive to a commercial biocide than associated biofilm- and chemostat-cultivated populations, implying that detached biofilm cells exhibit a character that is distinct from that of attached and planktonic cell populations.

A Novel Strategy For Monitoring Laser Thermal Therapy Based on Changes in Optothermal Properties of Heated Tissues

Abstract: Laser thermal therapy uses near-infrared optical energy to heat and thereby treat diseased tissues such as solid tumors. A method to monitor the progress of laser thermal therapy by detecting temperature-induced changes in optical propagation has been developed. The advantage of a point optical monitoring strategy over a conventional point temperature monitoring approach is that optical intensity measurements are indicative of a larger ‘sampling volume’ of optothermal events. In porcine kidney in vivo, the optical intensity at 5 mm from a laser-coupled heating fiber decreased by 49\% after 2.5 min of heating at 3 W. In bovine tissue ex vivo, the optical intensity at 8 mm from the heating fiber decreased by 62--83 % during laser irradiation at 5 W. This substantial decrease in optical penetration is consistent with increased optical scattering by thermally damaged tissue (i.e., kidney and liver) around the heating fiber. This damage was not detected by a temperature sensor placed at the same distance from the \vadjust{\pagebreak}heating\break fiber in kidney or liver. Furthermore, in the porcine kidney experiment, smoke production occurred, which is normally concomitant with high-temperature tissue charring around the heating fiber. This was observed as a complete loss in optical intensity but was not detectable in the temperature data. The measurements in this work indicate that point optical intensity may have a greater sensitivity to important optothermal events than do point temperature measurements for monitoring laser heating in tissues

Development of visuomotor representations for hand movement in young children.

Abstract: The stability and adaptability of visuomotor representations for hand movement in young children was investigated using a visuomotor adaptation paradigm in which the real-time visual feedback of pen movement was rotated 45 degrees clockwise during exposure trials. Four, six, and eight-year-old children performed line drawings to visual targets, from a common centered position ("center-out task"), in the horizontal plane under normal (pre-, and post-exposure), and rotated (exposure) visual feedback conditions. Analysis of pre-exposure trials indicated that older children performed faster, straighter, smoother, and showed more patterned movements than the younger children. Initial direction of movement, computed at 80 ms after movement onset, showed a progressive tuning of movement direction with increasing age. On introduction of the screen cursor rotation, all age group children showed improvement in their planning (initial directional error) and execution (movement time, movement length, root mean square error, and normalized jerk) error scores from early to late-exposure trials, but the 4-year-olds were less affected than older age children by the distortion during the early exposure period. Moreover, only the oldest group of children showed significant after-effects during post-exposure trials indicating that only this age group learned the internal model of the distorted environment. The absence of after-effects for initial movement direction observed in the two younger age groups suggest that these children might have less developed (i.e. more broad) internal visuomotor representations for hand movements, and that their internal representations are sharpened (i.e. tuned) with visuomotor experience.

Far-field-current relationship based on the TL model for lightning return strokes to elevated strike objects

Abstract: New general expressions relating lightning return stroke currents and far radiated electric and magnetic fields are proposed, taking into account the effect of an elevated strike object, whose presence is included as an extension to the transmission line (TL) model. Specific equations are derived for the case of tall and electrically short objects. The derived expressions show that, for tall structures (when the round-trip propagation time from top to bottom within the tower is greater than the current zero-to-peak risetime), the far field is enhanced through a factor with respect to an ideal return stroke initiated at ground level. The enhancement factor can be expressed in terms of the return stroke wavefront speed v, the speed of light in vacuum c, and the current reflection coefficient at the top of the elevated strike object. For typically negative values of this top reflection coefficient, lightning strikes to tall towers result in a significant enhancement of the far electromagnetic field. Expressions relating the far electromagnetic field and the return stroke current are also presented for electrically short towers and for very long return stroke current wavefronts. For the case of return strokes initiated at ground level (h=0), these expressions represent a generalization of the classical TL model, in which the reflections at the ground are now taken into account. We describe also simultaneous measurements of return stroke current and its associated electric and magnetic fields at two distances related with lightning strikes to the 553-m-high Toronto Canadian National (CN) Tower performed during 2000 and 2001. The derived expressions for tall strike objects are tested versus obtained sets of simultaneously measured currents and fields associated with lightning strikes to the CN Tower, and a reasonable agreement is found. Additionally, it is shown that the peak of the electromagnetic field radiated by a lightning strike to a 553-m-high structure is relatively insensitive to the value of the return stroke velocity, in contrast to the lightning strikes to ground.

'Working at the margins' or 'leading from behind'? A Canadian study of hospital-community collaboration.

Abstract: Collaboration between hospitals and community organisations has been promoted over the past 20 years by various levels of government, hospital associations, health promotion advocates, and others at the state/province, national and international levels as a way to improve the ‘efficiency of the system’, reduce duplication, enhance effectiveness and service coordination, improve continuity of care, and enhance community capacity to address complex issues. Nevertheless, and despite a growing literature on interagency collaboration, systematic documentation and empirical analysis of hospital−community collaboration (HCC) is almost completely lacking in the literature, particularly as regards collaborations that address the determinants of health beyond the hospital walls. In this paper, we describe the methodology and key findings from a research study of HCC. The Hospital Involvement in Community Action (HICA) study undertook detailed qualitative case studies (in four urban, suburban, rural and northern locations) and a telephone survey (of 139 community organisations in a large urban centre) in order to learn about the range of collaborations and working relationships that exist between hospitals and community agencies in the province of Ontario (Canada), and the factors that influenced (enabled and/or hindered) HCC. Particular attention was paid to barriers and enablers at three nested levels of context (policy, hospital and community) and, drawing primarily on the qualitative case studies, it is this aspect that is the focus of this paper. That such collaborations continue to be widespread despite a generally unfavourable policy environment and hospital institutional culture that poses significant barriers, suggests that the extent to which HCC flourishes (or exists at all) crucially depends on the presence and ongoing enthusiasm/commitment of one or more ‘champions’ within the hospital, and the commitment of both parties to overcome the marked cultural differences between hospital and community. We conclude with a discussion of implications for policy and practice.

NGO-government relations and immigrant services: Contradictions and challenges

Abstract: This article critically examines the “Canadian model” of immigrant settlement service delivery. This is a system where most settlement services are provided through community-based, including ethno-specific, agencies funded primarily by the various levels of government. Although this model has been widely celebrated as an efficient, immigrant-friendly, and inclusive model to be emulated elsewhere, we argue that it is a system in crisis. Rather than continuing to promote this model uncritically, we examine the roots of this crisis and in this light offer a reconsideration of a series of current policy issues in immigrant service provision in Canada.

Caregiving by family and friends of adults receiving dialysis.

Abstract: This study examined the activities of caregivers of adults on dialysis and explored how these behaviors evolved over time. Using a grounded theory methodology, interviews were conducted with 37 caregivers. Caregivers shared a rich repertoire of caregiving abilities and activities that were often supported by a strong knowledge base. Caregiving activities fell into in five interdependent dimensions: appraising, advocating, juggling, routinizing, and coaching. Caregivers also described specific caregiving tasks, including dialysis- related activities, management of diet, medications and symptoms, and personal care. These findings have important implications for nephrology nurses in planning care that acknowledges and supports the contributions of "lay" caregivers.