Ottawa University

The present study examines the influence of the width of a structural element on local scour induced by tsunami-like inundation using dam-break bores through a program of laboratory experiments. The effect of bore characteristics on the local scour depth is also investigated. Based on the flow dynamics involved in the sediment transport processes, the authors initially hypothesized that the scour depth at the front face may primarily be driven by downward flow and horseshoe vortices, and that it would not vary significantly with structure width. Moreover, greater variation in scour depth was anticipated to occur at the upstream corners, where both horseshoe and lateral vortices contribute to the scour process. To test these expectations, time series of scour depth progression at the center of the front face and the upstream corners of the structural element were obtained using video cameras installed inside the structure. The results indicate that the scour depth at the upstream corner is less sensitive to the width of the structure, whereas the scour depth at the center of the front face is significantly influenced by the width. It is also demonstrated that the maximum scour depth recorded around the structure occurs at the upstream corners of the structure. An important finding of this study is that the final (residual) scour depth observed around the structure is shallower than the maximum scour depth observed during the inundation phase, highlighting the need to conduct further laboratory experiments to better understand the mechanisms of local scour development, rather than relying solely on post-tsunami field surveys.

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into education and health care, raising questions about how students use these technologies and how AI influences their learning. In health education, understanding these trends is particularly important because student learning directly impacts future clinical skills.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the use of AI tools by health sciences students at the University of Ottawa. More specifically, it sought to identify the most frequently used AI tools, describe students’ usage habits, determine which tools support knowledge acquisition and skill development, and gather students’ recommendations for effective strategies to raise awareness and train their peers on the responsible use of AI.MethodsA qualitative approach was used with students from 10 health professions who reported using AI in their studies. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and an open-ended qualitative online survey. Inductive thematic analysis within an interpretive paradigm was applied to capture patterns, perceptions, and emergent themes.ResultsA total of 51 health professions students participated in the study. Most were women between the ages of 20 and 29 years. ChatGPT (OpenAI) emerged as the most frequently used AI tool. Students perceived AI as a complementary tool that facilitated knowledge acquisition, skill development, writing, and problem-solving. AI adoption was driven by curiosity, peer influence, and the desire to improve work efficiency. Students critically evaluated AI results, integrated the tools into their learning processes, and emphasized the importance of technical skills, critical thinking, and digital literacy. Peer learning, hands-on demonstrations, and access to online resources were recommended for effective AI training.ConclusionsThis research demonstrates that health professions students actively use AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, to support learning, skill development, and academic tasks. Although AI is valuable as an educational aid and its use varies by student and context, this highlights the need for structured guidance, critical evaluation skills, and peer-supported training. These findings highlight the importance of thoughtfully integrating AI into educational programs to enhance learning outcomes, foster skill acquisition, and ensure responsible and effective adoption.

This study aimed to estimate the proportion of birth asphyxia cases associated with delay in delivery (DD) due to maternal heart rate artifact (MHRA). This was a retrospective review of Canadian Medical Protective Association closed medico-legal cases of birth asphyxia from 2011 to 2020 in term labour, leading to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, or stillbirth. The final 2 hours of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) were analyzed in 10-minute epochs by 3 independent experts using a template for evidence of MHRA judged to have resulted in DD. Records were also assessed for EFM classification, documentation of maternal pulse/MHRA, and labour factors. Thirty-four cases of birth asphyxia were identified. Thirteen cases (38%) were found to have DD due to MHRA, of which 9 (69%) were in the second stage of labour. The average estimated DD was 44.2 ± 21.9 minutes. There was a lower proportion of time epochs with abnormal EFM in the 13 cases with DD versus 21 cases without DD (14.7% vs. 47.3%; OR 0.19 [0.11-0.33]; P < 0.002). Conversely, there was a higher proportion of MHRA (62.9% vs. 5.4%; OR 29.8 [15.5-57.3]; P = 0.002). The maternal pulse was documented in 34% versus 30%, respectively. Medical record review revealed no recognition by the caregivers of the occurrence of MHRA. Unrecognized MHRA resulting in a falsely reassuring fetal heart rate, mainly in the active second stage, led to DD in more than one-third of birth asphyxia cases. These outcomes may be preventable by education and the routine use of technologies to detect MHRA.

Natural hydrogen here refers to H2 produced abiotically by water-rock reactions such as serpentinization and radiolysis at naturally occurring rates. Decades of research have focussed towards understanding the spectrum of hydrogen producing reactions, the role of hydrochemistry, mineralogy and rock types, and recently, mapping the accumulations of such natural hydrogen around the world – particularly in continental systems [1]. The Precambrian continents are of particular interest as they host the largest extent of ultramafic rocks on the planet – including the so-called “greenstone belts”. To date, this research into natural hydrogen has largely been done by geochemists, microbiologists, astrobiologists and planetary scientists focused on the search for life in the Earth’s subsurface biosphere, or on other planets and moons in the solar system. Under this lens, microbial ecosystems have been broadly identified in the subsurface, sustained by hydrogen producing water-rock interactions in the continental crust and at the deep ocean vents and seafloor. Only recently have human populations begun to consider competing with their microbial cousins for this subsurface resource on a global scale. As a result, detailed integration of geo(microbio)chemistry into quantitative evaluation of sources and sinks for natural hydrogen has arguably been neglected by many programs investigating the economic potential for this natural resource.Based on ground-based and subsurface measurements, Sherwood Lollar et al. (2014) and subsequent papers [1,2] demonstrated that saline fracture waters in the Precambrian continental subsurface are as rich in hydrogen as hydrothermal vents and seafloor spreading centres, and similarly produce hydrogen by a combination of hydration of mafic and ultramafic minerals and by radiolysis [3-5]. Here we provide the long-term (&gt;10 year) monitoring data of hydrogen concentrations, volumes, and discharge rates collected from a site located in a major regional industry hub, with this location representative of many additional potential sites in close proximity in a Precambrian continental setting where natural hydrogen may likewise be available. The analysis demonstrates the hydrogen related to an active mine such as previously described in Albania [6] is not a unique phenomenon and may be more widespread and more volumetrically significant than previously identified. This raises the possibility of readily available natural hydrogen being tapped for local use in regional industry hubs where other extraction activities are already underway, and energy supply remains a critical concern. Co-investigation of microbiological communities and sinks for hydrogen are an important component of this evaluation.[1] Sherwood Lollar et al., 2014 Nature 516 (7531): 379-382[2] Warr et al., 2019 Chemical Geology 530:11932[3] Lin et al., 2005 GCA 69(4):893-903[4] Li et al., 2016 Nature Communications 7:13252[5] Sherwood Lollar et al., 2021 GCA 294:295-314[6] Truche et al., 2024 Science 383:618-62

Introduction: Functional pituitary tumors (FPT) are hormone-producing adenomas that present distinct surgical difficulties, primarily because they are often microadenomas and require total removal to restore normal hormone levels. Distinguishing these tumors from healthy pituitary tissue during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery can be challenging. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence has shown promise as a technique to enhance visualization during surgery; however, its use in FPTs remains poorly defined. This literature review aims to evaluate the use of ICG in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for adult functional pituitary tumors. The primary focus is on assessing complete tumor resection, biochemical remission, and tumor differentiation from normal tissue after ICG use. Secondary goals include reviewing different ICG administration methods. Methods: We developed a search strategy to perform a systematic literature search across multiple databases with a set of MeSH terms and keywords on the OVID platform. In addition, we conducted a manual literature search by reviewing the reference lists of the studies included. After this, the relevant search results were uploaded to COVIDENCE for systematic management of the screening process by two reviewers. Articles that met our inclusion criteria were then selected for data extraction. Results: The initial search results gave 319 studies, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria after going through various screening phases. These were then included in the final analysis, consisting of 55 adult FPT cases. The majority of studies reported successful differentiation between tumor and normal pituitary tissue, with ICG fluorescence facilitating complete tumor resection and subsequent biochemical remission. Our review also identified two primary ICG administration techniques: low-dose intraoperative injection and high-dose preoperative administration. Conclusion: Findings from our study indicate that ICG fluorescence is a clinically effective tool for enhancing tumor visualization during endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in adult FPT patients. Both low-dose intraoperative and high-dose preoperative ICG administration techniques showed promising outcomes in improving surgical precision. Having said that, further research, with larger comparative studies and the development of a standardized protocol, is required to optimize ICG use in FPTs as well as to address the variability in fluorescence intensity observed among different FPT subtypes.

This research note proposes to highlight the value of bringing together work from political science with work that is more focused on urban history. We believe this is necessary at a time when actors in Canadian municipal democracy (elected officials, citizens, civil servants) seem to be enjoying renewed interest from political scientists, and when a body of work on the transformations of Canadian cities in the 20th century exists across several disciplinary fields. A historical perspective, including work in history but also in urban planning, allows us to highlight key moments that have shaped both the design and practices of municipal democracy in Canada's major cities. Two pivotal periods in the 20th century stand out in particular: the urban reforms of the early 20th century and the 1960s and 1970s, marked by resistance to urban renewal policies. In our view, their legacy is still evident today in the way we view the role of elected officials, professionals, and citizens.