Evidence-based conservation seeks to incorporate sound scientific information into environmental decision making. The application of this concept in urban forest management has tremendous potential, but to date has be...Evidence-based conservation seeks to incorporate sound scientific information into environmental decision making. The application of this concept in urban forest management has tremendous potential, but to date has been little applied, largely because existing scientific studies emphasize the importance of urban forests in large-scale ecological and anthropogenic processes, but in practice, scientific evidence is ostensibly incorporated into North American urban forest management only when deciding the fate of individual trees. Even under these disjunctive conditions, the degree to which evidence influences tree-level decisions remains debatable. In analyzing preliminary data from a case study from Toronto, Canada, we sought to test if and how scientific evidence factored into the decision to remove or preserve 53 trees, located in close proximity to a provincially significant area of natural and scientific interest (ANSI). We found that by far the strongest tree-level correlate of the recommendation to remove or preserve trees was whether or not an individual tree was in conflict with proposed development. In comparison, species identity, tree condition, and suitability for conservation were statistically unrelated to the final recommendation. Our findings provide the basis to expand our analysis to multiple case studies across Canada, and internationally. Furthermore, when interpreted with available research and policy, our preliminary (and future) analysis highlights clear opportunities where scientific evidence can and should be readily incorporated into urban forestry management and policy.展开更多
Modeling landscape with high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) in a geographic information system can provide essential morphological and structural information for modeling surface processes such as geomorphol...Modeling landscape with high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) in a geographic information system can provide essential morphological and structural information for modeling surface processes such as geomorphologic process and water systems. This paper introduces several DEM-based spatial analysis processes applied to characterize spatial distribution and their interactions of ground and surface water systems in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada. The stream networks and drainage basin systems were derived from the DEM with 30 m resolution and the regularities of the surface stream and drainage patterns were modeled from a statistical/multifractal point of view. Together with the elevation and slope of topography, other attributes defined from modeling the stream system, and drainage networks were used to associate geological, hydrological and topographical features to water flow in river systems and the spatial locations of artesian aquifers in the study area. Stream flow data derived from daily flow measurements recorded at river gauging stations for multi-year period were decomposed into 'drainage-area dependent' and 'drainage-area independent' flow components by two-step 'frequency' and 'spatial' analysis processes. The latter component was further demonstrated to relate most likely to the ground water discharge. An independent analysis was conducted to model the distribution of aquifers with information derived from the records of water wells. The focus was given on quantification of the likelihood of ground water discharge to river and ponds through flowing wells, springs and seepages. It has been shown that the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) is a unique glacial deposit that serves as a recharge layer and that the aquifers in the ORM underlain by Hilton Tills and later deposits exposed near the steep slope zone of the ridges of ORM provide significant discharge to the surface water systems (river flow and ponds) through flowing wells, springs and seepages. Various statistics (cross- and auto-correlation coefficients, fractal R/S exponent) were used in conjunction with GIS to demonstrate the influence of land types, topography and geometry of drainage basins on short- and long-term persistence of river flows as well as responding time to precipitation events. The current study has provided not only insight in understanding the interaction of water systems in the GTA, but also a base for further establishment of an on-line GIS system for predicting spatial-temporal changes of river flow and groundwater level in the GTA.展开更多
The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) was established as an institute within the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto in 1968 to serve as a graduate unit for the Clinical Departments in the Faculty...The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) was established as an institute within the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto in 1968 to serve as a graduate unit for the Clinical Departments in the Faculty of Medicine. In this role,the IMS offers a doctoral stream program in medical science leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Translational research,as a means of moving new discovery to improvement in patient outcome,has become a central theme of graduate education in our Institute. To this end,we have developed a curriculum offering which is intended to provide all new students with a defined skill set relevant to Translational Research and at the same time,to provide students with flexible offerings which would enhance their specific research programs. The course,spread over two years,will have three separate components:(1) there will be lectures focusing on research fundamentals and the basics of translational research; (2) there will be student presentations to hone presentation skills and get valuable feedback from fellow students and faculty mentors; (3) there will be elective modules,where students can select from a number of course offerings in order to round out training. These modules include subjects such as the fundamentals of clinical trials,the basics of qualitative research,an approach to the role of proteomics and genomics in research and the business of science. As part of this modular program,we have created a program 'clinical exposure for non-clinicians' with the hope that graduate students will be able to gain some understanding of the clinical relevance of their research activities. Over time,these modular offerings will be expanded based on a needs assessment from our students. The presentation will describe the IMS and its mission and will overview the structure and content of this course offering.展开更多
[目的/意义]通过最大瓦解结构准确识别科学研究前沿中的关键节点并追踪其演化路径,为把握领域发展规律、优化科研资源配置提供支持,突破现有研究聚焦孤立节点的局部特征,以及难以捕捉知识网络中具有协同作用且对全局连通性有级联破坏力...[目的/意义]通过最大瓦解结构准确识别科学研究前沿中的关键节点并追踪其演化路径,为把握领域发展规律、优化科研资源配置提供支持,突破现有研究聚焦孤立节点的局部特征,以及难以捕捉知识网络中具有协同作用且对全局连通性有级联破坏力的关键节点集合的问题。[方法/过程]以量子通信领域为例,基于2015—2024年Web of Science的6538篇文献构建关键词共现网络,融合多中心性指标并利用熵权法评估节点重要性,采用贪心算法识别MDS,分析其功能协同特征与演化轨迹。[结果/结论]研究表明,MDS仅占网络规模的18%~22%,移除该集合后网络最大连通组件规模下降超过70%,效果显著优于传统方法。关键节点在功能上呈现“主题—方法—工具—目标”的互补协同结构,其演化路径清晰展示了量子通信从理论奠基、技术攻坚到应用落地的三阶段发展轨迹,验证了MDS框架的有效性和实用性。展开更多
The mechanistic target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in cellular growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. In the central nervous system(CNS), the mTOR pathway regul...The mechanistic target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in cellular growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. In the central nervous system(CNS), the mTOR pathway regulates diverse aspects of neural development and function. Genetic mutations within the m TOR pathway lead to severe neurodevelopmental disorders, collectively known as “mTORopathies”(Crino, 2020). Dysfunctions of m TOR, including both its hyperactivation and hypoactivation, have also been implicated in a wide spectrum of other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting its importance in CNS health.展开更多
Background:A significant challenge regarding notable historical figures is determining the accuracy of the words and actions attributed to them with the limited available evidence,when their biographers have presented...Background:A significant challenge regarding notable historical figures is determining the accuracy of the words and actions attributed to them with the limited available evidence,when their biographers have presented a biased life assessment.Lauded as a founding suffragette,the first female school principal,and the first white female practicing physician in Canada,Dr.Emily Stowe did not help historians.She destroyed her records,leaving her life story to be told by her daughter,who portrayed her as a heroine–a view that has persisted since the start of the 20th century.To improve the accuracy of assessing the life of Emily Stowe,as much information as possible about Stowe must be collected and interpreted.Methods:Presented is a narrative research method for analyzing historical figures that examines 22 life-changing events in the life of Stowe by answering six types of questions about each event:when,where,who,what,how,and why.Results:This narrative research,representing a psychoanalytic research process,finds that much of the repeated story of Stowe is either exaggerated or likely false.Conclusion:Following the example of Emily Stowe,this unique method is applicable for improving the historical accuracy in assessing the lives of other notable figures.It represents a method extendable to those currently alive,outside the public eye,searching to develop their own narrative.展开更多
BACKGROUND.The effective reproduction number Re(t)is a critical measure of epidemic potential.Re(t)can be calculated in near real time using an incidence time series and the generation time distribution:the time betwe...BACKGROUND.The effective reproduction number Re(t)is a critical measure of epidemic potential.Re(t)can be calculated in near real time using an incidence time series and the generation time distribution:the time between infection events in an infector-infectee pair.In calculating Re(t),the generation time distribution is often approximated by the serial interval distribution:the time between symptom onset in an infector-infectee pair.However,while generation time must be positive by definition,serial interval can be negative if transmission can occur before symptoms,such as in COVID-19,rendering such an approximation improper in some contexts.METHODS.We developed a method to infer the generation time distribution from parametric definitions of the serial interval and incubation period distributions.We then compared estimates of Re(t)for COVID-19 in the Greater Toronto Area of Canada using:negative-permitting versus non-negative serial interval distributions,versus the inferred generation time distribution.RESULTS.We estimated the generation time of COVID-19 to be Gamma-distributed with mean 3.99 and standard deviation 2.96 days.Relative to the generation time distribution,non-negative serial interval distribution caused overestimation of Re(t)due to larger mean,while negative-permitting serial interval distribution caused underestimation of Re(t)due to larger variance.IMPLICATIONS.Approximation of the generation time distribution of COVID-19 with non-negative or negative-permitting serial interval distributions when calculating Re(t)may result in over or underestimation of transmission potential,respectively.展开更多
In this paper,I demonstrate a way of conducting narrative inquiry that is oriented towards understanding and improving teachers’experiences in a particular Toronto-Shanghai/West-East Sister School reciprocal learning...In this paper,I demonstrate a way of conducting narrative inquiry that is oriented towards understanding and improving teachers’experiences in a particular Toronto-Shanghai/West-East Sister School reciprocal learning partnership.I show how this narrative inquiry process is informed by a Deweyan way of thinking about experience and is enriched by the Confucian idea of being a good vip.I illustrate how this inquiry process involves teachers and researchers as collaborative and reciprocal learners on the Dao of further personal and professional growth and learning.I suggest that conducting narrative inquiry in a Canada-China interschool setting could give rise to West-East reciprocal learning communities that have the potential of bridging the cultural and historical narratives that underlie Chinese and North American education.It could also create the harmonious and democratic educational conditions for fostering global citizens as learners in our 21st century.展开更多
In the originally published version of this work,the parametersθ^(*)=[a,b]were calculated incorrectly because the Kullback-Leibler divergence was defined in the wrong direction in our code.The impact on generation ti...In the originally published version of this work,the parametersθ^(*)=[a,b]were calculated incorrectly because the Kullback-Leibler divergence was defined in the wrong direction in our code.The impact on generation time parameters and statistics is as follows(original/fixed):shape(a):1.813/1.633,scale(b):2.199/2.498,mean:3.99/4.08,SD:2.96/3.19.The qualitative interpretation of results is unchanged.We sincerely apologize for this error.The error correction is shown here:https://github.com/mishra-lab/covid-r/commit/aaef512 and a corrected draft manuscript is shown here.展开更多
At the end of 2021,with the rapid escalation of COVID19 cases due to the Omicron variant,testing centers in Canada were overwhelmed.To alleviate the pressure on the PCR testing capacity,many provinces implemented new ...At the end of 2021,with the rapid escalation of COVID19 cases due to the Omicron variant,testing centers in Canada were overwhelmed.To alleviate the pressure on the PCR testing capacity,many provinces implemented new strategies that promote self testing and adjust the eligibility for PCR tests,making the count of new cases underreported.We designed a novel compartmental model which captures the new testing guidelines,social behaviours,booster vaccines campaign and features of the newest variant Omicron.To better describe the testing eligibility,we considered the population divided into high risk and non-highrisk settings.The model is calibrated using data from January 1 to February 9,2022,on cases and severe outcomes in Canada,the province of Ontario and City of Toronto.We conduct analyses on the impact of PCR testing capacity,self testing,different levels of reopening and vaccination coverage on cases and severe outcomes.Our results show that the total number of cases in Canada,Ontario and Toronto are 2.34(95%CI:1.22e3.38),2.20(95%CI:1.15e3.72),and 1.97(95%CI:1.13e3.41),times larger than reported cases,respectively.The current testing strategy is efficient if partial restrictions,such as limited capacity in public spaces,are implemented.Allowing more people to have access to PCR reduces the daily cases and severe outcomes;however,if PCR test capacity is insufficient,then it is important to promote self testing.Also,we found that reopening to a pre-pandemic level will lead to a resurgence of the infections,peaking in late March or April 2022.Vaccination and adherence to isolation protocols are important supports to the testing policies to mitigate any possible spread of the virus.展开更多
文摘Evidence-based conservation seeks to incorporate sound scientific information into environmental decision making. The application of this concept in urban forest management has tremendous potential, but to date has been little applied, largely because existing scientific studies emphasize the importance of urban forests in large-scale ecological and anthropogenic processes, but in practice, scientific evidence is ostensibly incorporated into North American urban forest management only when deciding the fate of individual trees. Even under these disjunctive conditions, the degree to which evidence influences tree-level decisions remains debatable. In analyzing preliminary data from a case study from Toronto, Canada, we sought to test if and how scientific evidence factored into the decision to remove or preserve 53 trees, located in close proximity to a provincially significant area of natural and scientific interest (ANSI). We found that by far the strongest tree-level correlate of the recommendation to remove or preserve trees was whether or not an individual tree was in conflict with proposed development. In comparison, species identity, tree condition, and suitability for conservation were statistically unrelated to the final recommendation. Our findings provide the basis to expand our analysis to multiple case studies across Canada, and internationally. Furthermore, when interpreted with available research and policy, our preliminary (and future) analysis highlights clear opportunities where scientific evidence can and should be readily incorporated into urban forestry management and policy.
文摘Modeling landscape with high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) in a geographic information system can provide essential morphological and structural information for modeling surface processes such as geomorphologic process and water systems. This paper introduces several DEM-based spatial analysis processes applied to characterize spatial distribution and their interactions of ground and surface water systems in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada. The stream networks and drainage basin systems were derived from the DEM with 30 m resolution and the regularities of the surface stream and drainage patterns were modeled from a statistical/multifractal point of view. Together with the elevation and slope of topography, other attributes defined from modeling the stream system, and drainage networks were used to associate geological, hydrological and topographical features to water flow in river systems and the spatial locations of artesian aquifers in the study area. Stream flow data derived from daily flow measurements recorded at river gauging stations for multi-year period were decomposed into 'drainage-area dependent' and 'drainage-area independent' flow components by two-step 'frequency' and 'spatial' analysis processes. The latter component was further demonstrated to relate most likely to the ground water discharge. An independent analysis was conducted to model the distribution of aquifers with information derived from the records of water wells. The focus was given on quantification of the likelihood of ground water discharge to river and ponds through flowing wells, springs and seepages. It has been shown that the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) is a unique glacial deposit that serves as a recharge layer and that the aquifers in the ORM underlain by Hilton Tills and later deposits exposed near the steep slope zone of the ridges of ORM provide significant discharge to the surface water systems (river flow and ponds) through flowing wells, springs and seepages. Various statistics (cross- and auto-correlation coefficients, fractal R/S exponent) were used in conjunction with GIS to demonstrate the influence of land types, topography and geometry of drainage basins on short- and long-term persistence of river flows as well as responding time to precipitation events. The current study has provided not only insight in understanding the interaction of water systems in the GTA, but also a base for further establishment of an on-line GIS system for predicting spatial-temporal changes of river flow and groundwater level in the GTA.
文摘The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) was established as an institute within the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto in 1968 to serve as a graduate unit for the Clinical Departments in the Faculty of Medicine. In this role,the IMS offers a doctoral stream program in medical science leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Translational research,as a means of moving new discovery to improvement in patient outcome,has become a central theme of graduate education in our Institute. To this end,we have developed a curriculum offering which is intended to provide all new students with a defined skill set relevant to Translational Research and at the same time,to provide students with flexible offerings which would enhance their specific research programs. The course,spread over two years,will have three separate components:(1) there will be lectures focusing on research fundamentals and the basics of translational research; (2) there will be student presentations to hone presentation skills and get valuable feedback from fellow students and faculty mentors; (3) there will be elective modules,where students can select from a number of course offerings in order to round out training. These modules include subjects such as the fundamentals of clinical trials,the basics of qualitative research,an approach to the role of proteomics and genomics in research and the business of science. As part of this modular program,we have created a program 'clinical exposure for non-clinicians' with the hope that graduate students will be able to gain some understanding of the clinical relevance of their research activities. Over time,these modular offerings will be expanded based on a needs assessment from our students. The presentation will describe the IMS and its mission and will overview the structure and content of this course offering.
文摘[目的/意义]通过最大瓦解结构准确识别科学研究前沿中的关键节点并追踪其演化路径,为把握领域发展规律、优化科研资源配置提供支持,突破现有研究聚焦孤立节点的局部特征,以及难以捕捉知识网络中具有协同作用且对全局连通性有级联破坏力的关键节点集合的问题。[方法/过程]以量子通信领域为例,基于2015—2024年Web of Science的6538篇文献构建关键词共现网络,融合多中心性指标并利用熵权法评估节点重要性,采用贪心算法识别MDS,分析其功能协同特征与演化轨迹。[结果/结论]研究表明,MDS仅占网络规模的18%~22%,移除该集合后网络最大连通组件规模下降超过70%,效果显著优于传统方法。关键节点在功能上呈现“主题—方法—工具—目标”的互补协同结构,其演化路径清晰展示了量子通信从理论奠基、技术攻坚到应用落地的三阶段发展轨迹,验证了MDS框架的有效性和实用性。
基金supported by grants from Simons Foundation (SFARI 479754),CIHR (PJT-180565)the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada (to YL)funding from the Canada Research Chairs program。
文摘The mechanistic target of rapamycin(m TOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in cellular growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. In the central nervous system(CNS), the mTOR pathway regulates diverse aspects of neural development and function. Genetic mutations within the m TOR pathway lead to severe neurodevelopmental disorders, collectively known as “mTORopathies”(Crino, 2020). Dysfunctions of m TOR, including both its hyperactivation and hypoactivation, have also been implicated in a wide spectrum of other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting its importance in CNS health.
文摘Background:A significant challenge regarding notable historical figures is determining the accuracy of the words and actions attributed to them with the limited available evidence,when their biographers have presented a biased life assessment.Lauded as a founding suffragette,the first female school principal,and the first white female practicing physician in Canada,Dr.Emily Stowe did not help historians.She destroyed her records,leaving her life story to be told by her daughter,who portrayed her as a heroine–a view that has persisted since the start of the 20th century.To improve the accuracy of assessing the life of Emily Stowe,as much information as possible about Stowe must be collected and interpreted.Methods:Presented is a narrative research method for analyzing historical figures that examines 22 life-changing events in the life of Stowe by answering six types of questions about each event:when,where,who,what,how,and why.Results:This narrative research,representing a psychoanalytic research process,finds that much of the repeated story of Stowe is either exaggerated or likely false.Conclusion:Following the example of Emily Stowe,this unique method is applicable for improving the historical accuracy in assessing the lives of other notable figures.It represents a method extendable to those currently alive,outside the public eye,searching to develop their own narrative.
基金The study was supported by:the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC CGS-D)Ontario Early Researcher Award No.ER17-13-043(Canada)the 2020 COVID-19 Centred Research Award from the St Michael’s Hospital Foundation Research Innovation Council(Canada).
文摘BACKGROUND.The effective reproduction number Re(t)is a critical measure of epidemic potential.Re(t)can be calculated in near real time using an incidence time series and the generation time distribution:the time between infection events in an infector-infectee pair.In calculating Re(t),the generation time distribution is often approximated by the serial interval distribution:the time between symptom onset in an infector-infectee pair.However,while generation time must be positive by definition,serial interval can be negative if transmission can occur before symptoms,such as in COVID-19,rendering such an approximation improper in some contexts.METHODS.We developed a method to infer the generation time distribution from parametric definitions of the serial interval and incubation period distributions.We then compared estimates of Re(t)for COVID-19 in the Greater Toronto Area of Canada using:negative-permitting versus non-negative serial interval distributions,versus the inferred generation time distribution.RESULTS.We estimated the generation time of COVID-19 to be Gamma-distributed with mean 3.99 and standard deviation 2.96 days.Relative to the generation time distribution,non-negative serial interval distribution caused overestimation of Re(t)due to larger mean,while negative-permitting serial interval distribution caused underestimation of Re(t)due to larger variance.IMPLICATIONS.Approximation of the generation time distribution of COVID-19 with non-negative or negative-permitting serial interval distributions when calculating Re(t)may result in over or underestimation of transmission potential,respectively.
文摘In this paper,I demonstrate a way of conducting narrative inquiry that is oriented towards understanding and improving teachers’experiences in a particular Toronto-Shanghai/West-East Sister School reciprocal learning partnership.I show how this narrative inquiry process is informed by a Deweyan way of thinking about experience and is enriched by the Confucian idea of being a good vip.I illustrate how this inquiry process involves teachers and researchers as collaborative and reciprocal learners on the Dao of further personal and professional growth and learning.I suggest that conducting narrative inquiry in a Canada-China interschool setting could give rise to West-East reciprocal learning communities that have the potential of bridging the cultural and historical narratives that underlie Chinese and North American education.It could also create the harmonious and democratic educational conditions for fostering global citizens as learners in our 21st century.
文摘In the originally published version of this work,the parametersθ^(*)=[a,b]were calculated incorrectly because the Kullback-Leibler divergence was defined in the wrong direction in our code.The impact on generation time parameters and statistics is as follows(original/fixed):shape(a):1.813/1.633,scale(b):2.199/2.498,mean:3.99/4.08,SD:2.96/3.19.The qualitative interpretation of results is unchanged.We sincerely apologize for this error.The error correction is shown here:https://github.com/mishra-lab/covid-r/commit/aaef512 and a corrected draft manuscript is shown here.
基金supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada OMNI one health modelling network for the Emerging Infectious Diseases Modelling Initiativethe Canadian Institutes of Health Research(CIHR)Canadian COVID-19 Math Modelling Task Force,and by York Research Chair Program.
文摘At the end of 2021,with the rapid escalation of COVID19 cases due to the Omicron variant,testing centers in Canada were overwhelmed.To alleviate the pressure on the PCR testing capacity,many provinces implemented new strategies that promote self testing and adjust the eligibility for PCR tests,making the count of new cases underreported.We designed a novel compartmental model which captures the new testing guidelines,social behaviours,booster vaccines campaign and features of the newest variant Omicron.To better describe the testing eligibility,we considered the population divided into high risk and non-highrisk settings.The model is calibrated using data from January 1 to February 9,2022,on cases and severe outcomes in Canada,the province of Ontario and City of Toronto.We conduct analyses on the impact of PCR testing capacity,self testing,different levels of reopening and vaccination coverage on cases and severe outcomes.Our results show that the total number of cases in Canada,Ontario and Toronto are 2.34(95%CI:1.22e3.38),2.20(95%CI:1.15e3.72),and 1.97(95%CI:1.13e3.41),times larger than reported cases,respectively.The current testing strategy is efficient if partial restrictions,such as limited capacity in public spaces,are implemented.Allowing more people to have access to PCR reduces the daily cases and severe outcomes;however,if PCR test capacity is insufficient,then it is important to promote self testing.Also,we found that reopening to a pre-pandemic level will lead to a resurgence of the infections,peaking in late March or April 2022.Vaccination and adherence to isolation protocols are important supports to the testing policies to mitigate any possible spread of the virus.
