Deep-water first occurrences of Ediacara biota prior to the Shuram carbon isotope excursion in the Wernecke Mountains, Yukon, Canada.

Ediacara-type macrofossils appear as early as ~575 Ma in deep-water facies of the Drook Formation of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, and the Nadaleen Formation of Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada. Our ability to assess whether a deep-water origination of the Ediacara biota is a genuine reflection of evolutionary succession, an artifact of an incomplete stratigraphic record, or a bathymetrically controlled biotope is limited by a lack of geochronological constraints and detailed shelf-to-slope transects of Ediacaran continental margins. The Ediacaran Rackla Group of the Wernecke Mountains, NW Canada, represents an ideal shelf-to-slope depositional system to understand the spatiotemporal and environmental context of Ediacara-type organisms' stratigraphic occurrence. New sedimentological and paleontological data presented herein from the Wernecke Mountains establish a stratigraphic framework relating shelfal strata in the Goz/Corn Creek area to lower slope deposits in the Nadaleen River area. We report new discoveries of numerous Aspidella hold-fast discs, indicative of frondose Ediacara organisms, from deep-water slope deposits of the Nadaleen Formation stratigraphically below the Shuram carbon isotope excursion (CIE) in the Nadaleen River area. Such fossils are notably absent in coeval shallow-water strata in the Goz/Corn Creek region despite appropriate facies for potential preservation. The presence of pre-Shuram CIE Ediacara-type fossils occurring only in deep-water facies within a basin that has equivalent well-preserved shallow-water facies provides the first stratigraphic paleobiological support for a deep-water origination of the Ediacara biota. In contrast, new occurrences of Ediacara-type fossils (including juvenile fronds, Beltanelliformis, Aspidella, annulated tubes, and multiple ichnotaxa) are found above the Shuram CIE in both deep- and shallow-water deposits of the Blueflower Formation. Given existing age constraints on the Shuram CIE, it appears that Ediacaran organisms may have originated in the deeper ocean and lived there for up to ~15 million years before migrating into shelfal environments in the terminal Ediacaran. This indicates unique ecophysiological constraints likely shaped the initial habitat preference and later environmental expansion of the Ediacara biota.

Decadal changes in biomass and distribution of key fisheries species on Newfoundland's Grand Banks.

Canadian fisheries management has embraced the precautionary approach and the incorporation of ecosystem information into decision-making processes. Accurate estimation of fish stock biomass is crucial for ensuring sustainable exploitation of marine resources. Spatio-temporal models can provide improved indices of biomass as they capture spatial and temporal correlations in data and can account for environmental factors influencing biomass distributions. In this study, we developed a spatio-temporal generalized additive model (st-GAM) to investigate the relationships between bottom temperature, depth, and the biomass of three key fished species on The Grand Banks: snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio), yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea), and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Our findings revealed changes in the centre of gravity of Atlantic cod that could be related to a northern shift of the species within the Grand Banks or to a faster recovery of the 2J3KL stock. Atlantic cod also displayed hyperaggregation behaviour with the species showing a continuous distribution over the Grand Banks when biomass is high. These findings suggest a joint stock assessment between the 2J3KL and 3NO stocks would be advisable. However, barriers may need to be addressed to achieve collaboration between the two distinct regulatory bodies (i.e., DFO and NAFO) in charge of managing the stocks. Snow crab and yellowtail flounder centres of gravity have remained relatively constant over time. We also estimated novel indices of biomass, informed by environmental factors. Our study represents a step towards ecosystem-based fisheries management for the highly dynamic Grand Banks.

A survey of undergraduate medical students' gender awareness and bias: the Newfoundland and Labrador perspective.

Background: Female physicians and patients experience gender bias in healthcare. The purpose of this research is to explore medical students' gender bias toward physicians and patients and whether their bias varies by gender. Methods: We surveyed medical students at Memorial University between November 2020 and April 2021. We recruited participants through Facebook, email, and e-posters. We collected demographic information, including gender and class year. We used the Nijmegen Gender Awareness in Medicine Scale to measure gender sensitivity, gender role ideology toward patients, and gender role ideology toward doctors. We analyzed the data using averages and t-tests. Results: Mean gender sensitivity scores were 4/5 indicating high gender sensitivity. Gender role ideology toward doctors mean scores were 2/5 indicating that students did not hold strong stereotypical views toward doctors. Although male students scored higher than female students (p<.05), mean scores for gender role ideology toward patients were low for both male and female students (x¯ <2), indicating low stereotyping toward patients. Conclusions: We found that students held largely non-biased ideologies surrounding gender in medicine and that female students were even less biased than male students for gender role ideology toward patients.

Contexte: Les femmes médecins ou patientes sont victimes de préjugés sexistes dans les soins de santé. L'objectif de cette recherche est d'explorer les préjugés sexistes des étudiants en médecine à l'égard des médecins et des patients et de déterminer si ces préjugés varient en fonction du sexe. Méthodes: Nous avons procédé à une enquête auprès des étudiants en médecine de l'Université Memorial entre novembre 2020 et avril 2021. Nous avons recruté des participants au moyen de Facebook, du courrier électronique et d'affiches électroniques. Nous avons recueilli des données démographiques, y compris le sexe et l'année dans le programme. Nous avons utilisé l'échelle de sensibilisation au genre en médecine de Nijmegen pour mesurer la sensibilité au genre, l'idéologie du rôle du genre envers les patients et l'idéologie du rôle du genre envers les médecins. Nous avons analysé les données à l'aide de moyennes et de tests t. Résultats: Les scores moyens de sensibilité au genre étaient de 4/5, ce qui indique une grande sensibilité au genre. Les scores moyens de l'idéologie du rôle du genre à l'égard des médecins étaient de 2/5, ce qui indique que les étudiants n'avaient pas d'opinion stéréotypée à l'égard des médecins. Bien que les étudiants aient obtenu des scores plus élevés que les étudiantes (p<0,05), les scores moyens pour l'idéologie du rôle du genre à l'égard des patients étaient faibles tant pour les étudiants que pour les étudiantes (x¯<2), ce qui indique un faible niveau d'opinions stéréotypées à l'égard des patients. Conclusions: Nous avons constaté que les étudiants avaient des idéologies largement non biaisées concernant le genre en médecine et que les étudiantes étaient encore moins biaisées que les étudiants en ce qui concerne l'idéologie du rôle du genre envers les patients.

Co-roosting relationships are consistent across years in a bat maternity group.

Long-lived, group living animals have the potential to form multiyear relationships. In some temperate bat species, maternity groups break apart and rejoin both daily, as females depart to forage and select day roosts to use, and annually, as bats leave for and return from hibernation. Here, we investigated whether bats have persistent social preferences by testing whether relationships between dyads in a focal year could be predicted by previous years. We also hypothesized that experience influences social preferences and predicted that an individual's age would influence its network position, while familiarity with bats of the same cohort would drive persistent social preferences. We quantified roost co-occurrence in little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) in Salmonier Nature Park, Newfoundland, Canada both within and among years. We found that roost co-occurrence patterns of previous years still had predictive value even when accounting for potential roost fidelity. However, we found no evidence that cohort familiarity or age explained any of the variation. Overall, we found long-term patterns of association in this temperate bat species that suggest levels of social complexity akin to other large mammal species.

Changes in Medical Cannabis Use After Recreational Cannabis Legalization in Canada.

Background: As part of its recreational cannabis legalization in October 2018, Canada imposed an excise tax of 10% (or $1 a gram, whichever is higher) on both recreational and medical cannabis. There is little evidence to inform the ongoing debate on whether the legalization had adverse impacts on medical cannabis use. Methods: We used an interrupted time series design and data on medical cannabis shipments (i.e., mail-order deliveries of cannabis from a licensed producer to a patient authorized to obtain medical cannabis) in Canada between quarter 1 of 2014 and quarter 1 of 2020. We examined changes in medical cannabis shipments after Canada's recreational cannabis legalization both across Canada and for each province. As this study used publicly available, province-level aggregate data, ethics approval was not required. Results: Recreational cannabis legalization was associated with significant reductions in medical cannabis use in 7 out of 10 Canadian provinces. Compared with the counterfactual estimated from prelegalization trends, the reduction in quarter 1 of 2020 varied from 500 shipments per 100,000 population (95% CI=312-688 shipments per 100,000 population) or 32% (95% CI=22-43%) in Newfoundland and Labrador to 3,778 shipments per 100,000 population (95% CI=2,972-4,585 shipments per 100,000 population) or 74% (95% CI=68-79%) in Alberta. At the national level, the number of medical cannabis shipments decreased by 823 per 100,000 population (95% CI=725-921 shipments per 100,000 population) or 48% (95% CI=45-52%). Conclusions: Recreational cannabis legalization was associated with reductions in medical cannabis use. Our findings call for policy attention to address possible adverse impacts of recreational cannabis legalization on medical cannabis users.

New Geographic Records for Trichinella nativa and Echinococcus canadensis in Coyotes (Canis latrans) from Insular Newfoundland, Canada.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) rapidly expanded across North America during the 20th century and in 1987 colonized insular Newfoundland, Canada. Their arrival brought the potential for new predator-prey interactions and the potential for transmission of parasites to naïve populations. Trichinella spp. and Echinococcus spp. are zoonotic parasites not previously reported from the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Muscle samples (diaphragm and tongue) from 153 coyotes and feces from 35/153 coyotes were collected. Larvae of Trichinella spp. were recovered by muscle digestion from 6/153 coyotes (3.9%) and identified using multiplex PCR and Sanger sequencing as T. nativa. Fecal samples were screened for DNA of Echinococcus spp. using qPCR, and intestines from positive animals were examined for adult cestodes. No fecal samples were positive for DNA of E. multilocularis, and 2/35 (5.7%) samples were positive for E. canadensis, of which one was successfully genotyped as the G10 cervid strain. Echinococcus canadensis has not previously been reported on the island of Newfoundland, historically the only region of Canada where Echinococcus spp. was not known to occur. No species of Trichinella have previously been reported on the island. Both parasites are zoonotic, and hunters, trappers, dog owners, and the general public should be aware of these new risks for public health.

Perceptions of Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Pregnancy: A Newfoundland and Labrador Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify enablers and barriers to participation in MRI for clinical indications and scientific research, and to determine the perceptions of MRI performed during pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 156 pregnant people in Newfoundland and Labrador including sociodemographic information, obstetrical history, MRI history, and willingness to participate in an MRI. Categorical variables were analyzed using a Fisher exact test and open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, 80% of participants reported willingness to receive an MRI while pregnant for clinical indications compared to 24% for research. Only 10% reported prior knowledge about MRI during pregnancy and most participants (94%) wanted additional information from their physician before feeling comfortable with the procedure. Participants who knew someone with complications during pregnancy were more likely to be willing to participate in an MRI for research (uncorrected P < 0.05). Participants' positive perceptions towards MRI during pregnancy for clinical indications were that it was a necessary and useful procedure, while the negative perceptions identified MRI as unsafe. For research MRI, participants' positive perceptions included that it would add to the advancement of knowledge and the negative perceptions were that it was an unnecessary and risky procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies are needed to improve patient knowledge about the benefits and safety of MRI during pregnancy. The present study suggests recruitment for research should incorporate education on safety concerns and relative risk, personal stories about the benefits of MRI in diagnosing pregnancy complications and should highlight the contribution to advancing scientific knowledge.

Sex-based tuberculosis mortality in Newfoundland, 1900-1949: Implications for populations in transition.

OBJECTIVE: During the second epidemiological transition, tuberculosis (TB) is one disease that declined substantially enough to reduce all-cause mortality. Sex-based differences in TB mortality may reveal an important dimension of population health transitions between the urbanizing and rural regions of Newfoundland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the island of Newfoundland, yearly age-standardized sex-based TB mortality rates were calculated using individual death records from 1900 to 1949 (n = 30 393). Multiple linear regression models predict the relative rates (RR) of sex-based mortality and the absolute difference between males and females while controlling for time and region (the urbanizing Avalon Peninsula or rural Newfoundland). Multiple linear regression models also predict the median age at death from TB while controlling for time, region, and sex to assess if TB was shifting to an older adult disease compared to those typically afflicted in ages 20-44. RESULTS: Female TB mortality was relatively and absolutely higher than males; additionally, RR and absolute differences between male and female mortality were significantly lower in rural Newfoundland than the Avalon Peninsula. Median age at death for males was significantly higher than females, and differences in median age at death increased over time. DISCUSSION: The historically high prevalence of TB throughout Newfoundland, including domestic, social, and public health responsibilities of women, likely contributed to increased exposure and transmission, leading to higher observed mortality. Sex-based TB outcomes should be considered in the discussion of the progression of the epidemiological transition as dynamic inequalities that do not necessarily fit contemporary generalizations of sex-based TB epidemiology.

Description of spatiotemporal patterns of infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) detections in marine Atlantic Salmon farms in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to describe spatiotemporal patterns of infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) detections in marine salmonid production sites in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. METHODS: Infectious salmon anemia virus surveillance data between 2012 and 2020 from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador were used. Data comprised a total of 94 sampling events from 20 Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar production sites in which ISAV was detected. Using linear regression models, factors influencing time to detection (days from stocking to first ISAV detection) and time to depopulation (days from first detection to production site depopulation) were investigated. RESULT: Based on 28 unique cases, site-level annual incidence risk of ISAV detection ranged from 3% to 29%. The proportion of ISAV detection by PCR in fish samples ranged from 2% to 45% annually. Overall, ISAV variants from the European clade were more common than variants from the North American clade. The type of ISAV clade, detections of ISAV in nearest production sites based on seaway distances, and year of infectious salmon anemia cases were not associated with time to first ISAV detection. Time to depopulation for sites infected with the ISAV-HPRΔ variant was not associated with ISAV North American or European clades. CONCLUSION: Our results contribute to the further understanding of the changing dynamics of infectious salmon anemia detections in Newfoundland and Labrador since its first detection in 2012 and will likely assist in the design of improved disease surveillance and control programs in the province.

Shallow subtidal marine benthic communities of Nachvak Fjord, Nunatsiavut, Labrador: A glimpse into species composition and drivers of their distribution.

Marine fjords along the northern Labrador coast of Arctic Canada are influenced by freshwater, nutrients, and sediment inputs from ice fields and rivers. These ecosystems, further shaped by both Atlantic and Arctic water masses, are important habitats for fishes, marine mammals, seabirds, and marine invertebrates and are vital to the Labrador Inuit who have long depended on these areas for sustenance. Despite their ecological and socio-cultural importance, these marine ecosystems remain largely understudied. Here we conducted the first quantitative underwater scuba surveys, down to 12 m, of the nearshore marine ecology of Nachvak Fjord, which is surrounded by Torngat Mountains National Park located in Nunatsiavut, the Indigenous lands claim region of northeastern Canada. Our goal was to provide the Nunatsiavut Government with a baseline of the composition and environmental influences on the subtidal community in this isolated region as they work towards the creation of an Indigenous-led National Marine Conservation Area that includes Nachvak Fjord. We identified four major benthic habitat types: (1) boulders (2) rocks with sediment, (3) sediment with rocks, and (4) unconsolidated sediments, including sand, gravel, and cobble. Biogenic cover (e.g., kelp, coralline algae, and sediment) explained much of the variability in megabenthic invertebrate community structure. The kelp species Alaria esculenta, Saccharina latissima, and Laminaria solidungula dominated the boulder habitat outside of the fjord covering 35%, 13%, and 11% of the sea floor, respectively. In contrast, the middle and inner portions of the fjord were devoid of kelp and dominated by encrusting coralline algae. More diverse megabenthic invertebrate assemblages were detected within the fjord compared to the periphery. Fish assemblages were depauperate overall with the shorthorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius, and the Greenland cod, Gadus ogac, dominating total fish biomass contributing 64% and 30%, respectively. Understanding the composition and environmental influences within this fjord ecosystem not only contributes towards the protection of this ecological and culturally important region but serves as a baseline in a rapidly changing climatic region.

A Population Description of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It has been well established in the literature that young women tend to carry more aggressive subtypes of breast cancer than their older-aged counterparts. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of young women with breast cancer. In this retrospective analysis, data were collected for women under the age of 40 years who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 2008 and 2018 in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Specifically, data were collected on demographics, staging, pathological characteristics, treatment, and survival outcomes for young women with this disease. Results demonstrate that most of these women were diagnosed between the age of 35 and 39 years (91.2%). Most women presented with early-stage disease (stage I and II-66.4%), while 24% were stage III and 9.6% presented with stage IV metastatic disease. The prevalence of hormone-receptor-positive disease represented 41.9% of the cohort, with triple-negative and HER2+ measuring 27.7% and 30.4%, respectively. Five-year disease-free survival was 80.5% and overall survival was 82.7%. These findings provoke discussion regarding the intersecting roles of genetics, environment, and lifestyle in a region with some of the highest rates of malignancy in the country.

Specialty Care and Counselling about Hereditary Cancer Risk Improves Adherence to Cancer Screening and Prevention in Newfoundland and Labrador Patients with BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variants: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Pathogenic variants (PVs) in BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the lifetime risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Guidelines recommend breast screening (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and mammogram) or risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). We sought to (1) characterize the population of BRCA1/2 PV carriers in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), (2) evaluate risk-reducing interventions, and (3) identify factors influencing screening and prevention adherence. We conducted a retrospective study from a population-based provincial cohort of BRCA1/2 PV carriers. The eligibility criteria for risk-reducing interventions were defined for each case and patients were categorized based on their level of adherence with recommendations. Chi-squared and regression analyses were used to determine which factors influenced uptake and level of adherence. A total of 276 BRCA1/2 PV carriers were identified; 156 living NL biological females composed the study population. Unaffected females were younger at testing than those with a cancer diagnosis (44.4 years versus 51.7 years; p = 0.002). Categorized by eligibility, 61.0%, 61.6%, 39.0%, and 75.7% of patients underwent MRI, mammogram, RRM, and RRSO, respectively. Individuals with breast cancer were more likely to have RRM (64.7% versus 35.3%; p < 0.001), and those who attended a specialty hereditary cancer clinic were more likely to be adherent to recommendations (73.2% versus 13.4%; p < 0.001) and to undergo RRSO (84.1% versus 15.9%; p < 0.001). Nearly 40% of the female BRCA1/2 PV carriers were not receiving breast surveillance according to evidence-based recommendations. Cancer risk reduction and uptake of breast imaging and prophylactic surgeries are significantly higher in patients who receive dedicated specialty care. Organized hereditary cancer prevention programs will be a valuable component of Canadian healthcare systems and have the potential to reduce the burden of disease countrywide.

The distribution of subarctic and boreal deep-sea demersal fish assemblages across environmental gradients of the northwest Atlantic.

The oceanography of the Labrador Sea is well studied because of its globally important deep-water convection that oxygenates the deep ocean and drives climate-regulating ocean currents. However, little is known about the fish communities that inhabit this area, particularly beyond the depths accessible to standard research surveys and commercial fishing activities. We used baited longline surveys to characterize important components of demersal fish communities across a depth gradient of 200-3000 m and compared these data to a similar dataset collected c. 1200 km to the south in the Flemish Cap Region. We found demersal fish communities in the Labrador Sea to be similar to those of the Flemish Cap Region despite unique oceanography and lower primary productivity in the Labrador Sea. Moreover, both areas had high abundance, biomass, and species richness at intermediate depths that suggests factors beyond depth drive community structure in the deep ocean. These data are important for identifying high-value areas for potential protective measures in the northwest Atlantic and provide necessary data with which to assess potential environmental impacts of extractive industries that are expanding north and to deeper waters.

Results of a mixed-methods study on barriers to physician recruitment in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Background: Like many rural and remote parts of Canada, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) struggles to maintain a skilled healthcare workforce. As many as 20% of people in the province are thought to be without a primary care physician. The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers recent Memorial University of Newfoundland medical alumni have faced in establishing medical practice in NL. Methods: An online survey followed by question-standardised focus group sessions. Results: Two hundred and ninety-one physicians who graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland medical school between the years of 2003 and 2018 completed the survey. Nearly 80% of respondents recalled that NL was their preferred practice location at some point during training: 79.4% (n = 231) at the beginning of medical school and 77.7% (n = 226) at the beginning of residency training. However, at the time of the survey, only 160 (55.0%) respondents were working in NL. Respondents reported significant cultural and systemic barriers in trying to work in NL, including ineffective recruitment offices, lack of transparency in communication with health authorities, inequitable distribution of resources and workloads, lack of appropriate resources to support new positions, and return-of-service agreements that are not honoured or followed-up. Conclusion: Our study outlines a number of ways in which recruitment and retention could be improved, ultimately improving provincial health care and helping to fulfil the mandate of the medical school.

Résumé Contexte: Comme de nombreuses régions rurales et isolées du Canada, la province de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (T.-N.-L.) a du mal à maintenir une main-d'œuvre qualifiée dans le domaine de la santé. On estime que 20% des habitants de la province n'ont pas de médecin de premier recours. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer les obstacles auxquels les anciens étudiants en médecine de l'Université Memorial de Terre-Neuve ont été confrontés lors de l'établissement d'une pratique médicale à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Méthodes: Une enquête en ligne suivie de sessions de groupes de discussion normalisées par des questions. Résultats: 291 médecins diplômés de l'école de médecine de MUN entre 2003 et 2018 ont répondu à l'enquête. Près de 80% des répondants SE sont souvenus que Terre-Neuve était leur lieu d'exercice préféré à un moment donné de leur formation: 79,4% (n = 231) au début de leurs études de médecine et 77,7% (n = 226) au début de leur formation en résidence. Cependant, au moment de l'enquête, seuls 160 (55,0%) répondants travaillaient à T.-N.-L. Les répondants ont fait état d'obstacles culturels et systémiques importants lorsqu'ils ont tenté de travailler à T.-N.-L., notamment l'inefficacité des bureaux de recrutement, le manque de transparence dans la communication avec les autorités sanitaires, la répartition inéquitable des ressources et des charges de travail, le manque de ressources appropriées pour soutenir les nouveaux postes, et les accords de retour de service qui ne sont pas respectés ou qui ne font pas l'objet d'un suivi. Conclusion: Notre étude présente un certain nombre de moyens d'améliorer le recrutement et la fidélisation, ce qui permettrait en fin de compte d'améliorer les soins de santé provinciaux et d'aider à remplir le mandat de la faculté de médecine. Mots-clés: Médecin, recrutement, rétention, éducation médicale, Canada, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, rural, éloigné.

Environmental and temporal patterns in bioturbation in the Cambrian-Ordovician of Western Newfoundland.

The early Paleozoic emergence of bioturbating (sediment-dwelling and -mixing) animals has long been assumed to have led to substantial changes in marine biogeochemistry, seafloor ecology, and the preservation potential of both sedimentary and fossil archives. However, the timing of the rise of bioturbation and environmental patterns in its expansion have long been subjects of debate-resolution of which has been hampered, in part, by a paucity of high-resolution bioturbation data or of systematic investigations of facies trends in lower Paleozoic bioturbation. To address these issues, we conducted an integrated sedimentological and ichnological characterization of the Cambrian-Ordovician Port au Port succession and Cow Head Group of western Newfoundland, encompassing over 350 meters of stratigraphy logged at the centimeter to decimeter scale. We find that, across a wide range of marine facies, bioturbation does not on average exceed moderate intensities-corroborating observations from other lower Paleozoic successions indicating that the early Paleozoic development of bioturbation was a protracted process. Moreover, bioturbation intensities in the Port au Port succession and Cow Head Group are commonly characterized by considerable variability at even fine scales of stratigraphic resolution and changes in bioturbation intensity correlate strongly with variability in sedimentary facies. We observe that facies recording nearshore depositional environments and carbonate-rich lithologies are each characterized by the highest intensities of both burrowing and sediment mixing. These data highlight the need for a high-resolution and facies-specific approach to reconstructing the evolutionary history of bioturbation and suggest that average levels of bioturbation, although relatively low throughout this interval, increased notably earlier in nearshore marine settings.

Occupational noise exposure at sea: A socio-legal study on fish harvesters' perceptions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Introduction: Noise is a significant health hazard for fish harvesters. Chronic exposure to hazardous noise levels of 85 dB (A) for an 8-h work shift can have adverse health impacts, including both auditory and non-auditory health problems such as noise-induced hearing loss, stress, hypertension, sleeping disorders, and impaired cognitive performance. Methods: A review of legislation and policies governing workplace noise exposure, as well as qualitative, semi-structured interviews, were conducted to assess how fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) manage onboard occupational noise exposure and perceive noise-induced health problems, as well as the barriers and challenges associated with preventing and controlling noise exposure. Results: The legal review shows no compulsory noise preventive measure at the fishing vessel design stage in Canada. Limited implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations to control and prevent onboard noise by employers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fishers reported that their workplace is noisy. Over time, fish harvesters adapted to the environment and learned to tolerate loud noise, displaying fatalistic behavior. Fish harvesters reported avoiding using hearing protection onboard due to navigation safety concerns. Fishers reported hearing loss as well as other non-auditory health problems. Inadequate noise control measures adopted by employers, a limited supply of hearing protection onboard, and a lack of regular hearing testing, training, and education were identified as the main barriers to preventing and controlling noise exposure. Conclusion: Proper implementation of NL OHS regulations and the development of hearing conservation initiatives by employers are necessary. All stakeholders, including the federal and provincial governments, WorkplaceNL, and not-for-profit fishing organizations in the province, are strongly recommended to initiate training and education campaigns to help fish harvesters understand noise exposure and adopt preventive measures.

Mercury concentrations decline with age in the fur of females of an insectivorous terrestrial mammal (Myotis lucifugus).

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic form of mercury that bioaccumulates in organisms and biomagnifies through food webs. MeHg concentrations can be high in aquatic environments, and this puts high trophic-level predators who derive energy originating from aquatic environments at risk of toxic effects. Due to the potential for bioaccumulation of MeHg over an individual's life, the risk of MeHg toxicity may increase as animals age, and this risk may be especially high in species with relatively high metabolic rates. Total mercury (THg) concentrations were measured from the fur of adult female little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) collected between 2012 and 2017 in Salmonier Nature Park, Newfoundland and Labrador. Using linear mixed-effects models, the effects of age, year, and day of capture on THg concentrations were evaluated and interpreted with AICc and multi-model inference. We expected that THg concentrations would increase with age, and that due to annual summer moulting, individuals captured earlier in the season would have lower THg concentrations than individuals captured later in the season. Contrary to expectations, THg concentrations decreased with age and date of capture did not explain any variation in concentration. Among individuals, there was a negative relationship between the initial THg concentration of an individual and the rate of change in THg concentrations with age. Using a regression analysis, we found evidence of a population-level decline in THg concentrations in fur over the 6-year study period. Overall, the results indicate that adult female bats eliminate enough MeHg from their tissues to affect a decrease in THg concentrations in their fur over time, and that young adults are potentially at the greatest risk of experiencing toxic effects from high MeHg concentrations; this could result in reduced reproductive output, and warrants further research.

The Newfoundland and Labrador mosaic founder population descends from an Irish and British diaspora from 300 years ago.

The founder population of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is a unique genetic resource, in part due to its geographic and cultural isolation, where historical records describe a migration of European settlers, primarily from Ireland and England, to NL in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whilst its historical isolation, and increased prevalence of certain monogenic disorders are well appreciated, details of the fine-scale genetic structure and ancestry of the population are lacking. Understanding the genetic origins and background of functional, disease causing, genetic variants would aid genetic mapping efforts in the Province. Here, we leverage dense genome-wide SNP data on 1,807 NL individuals to reveal fine-scale genetic structure in NL that is clustered around coastal communities and correlated with Christian denomination. We show that the majority of NL European ancestry can be traced back to the south-east and south-west of Ireland and England, respectively. We date a substantial population size bottleneck approximately 10-15 generations ago in NL, associated with increased haplotype sharing and autozygosity. Our results reveal insights into the population history of NL and demonstrate evidence of a population conducive to further genetic studies and biomarker discovery.

A qualitative study exploring perceived barriers and enablers to fidelity of training and delivery for an intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging for low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) commonly presents to primary care, where inappropriate use of imaging remains common despite guideline recommendations against its routine use. Little is known about strategies to enhance intervention fidelity (i.e., whether interventions were implemented as intended) for interventions developed to reduce non-indicated imaging for LBP. OBJECTIVES: We aim to inform the development of an intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging among general practitioners (GPs) and chiropractors in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada. The study objectives are: [1] To explore perceived barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity of training of GPs and chiropractors to deliver a proposed intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging for LBP and [2] To explore perceived barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity of delivery of the proposed intervention. METHODS: An exploratory, qualitative study was conducted with GPs and chiropractors in NL. The interview guide was informed by the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium fidelity checklist; data analysis was guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Participant quotes were coded into TDF domains, belief statements were generated at each domain, and domains relevant to enhancing fidelity of provider training or intervention delivery were identified. RESULTS: The study included five GPs and five chiropractors from urban and rural settings. Barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity to provider training related to seven TDF domains: [1] Beliefs about capabilities, [2] Optimism, [3] Reinforcement, [4] Memory, attention, and decision processes, [5] Environmental context and resources, [6] Emotion, and [7] Behavioural regulation. Barriers and enablers to enhancing fidelity to intervention delivery related to seven TDF domains: [1] Beliefs about capabilities, [2] Optimism, [3] Goals, [4] Memory, attention, and decision processes, [5] Environmental context and resources, [6] Social influences, and [7] Behavioural regulation. CONCLUSION: The largest perceived barrier to attending training was time; perceived enablers were incentives and flexible training. Patient pressure, time, and established habits were perceived barriers to delivering the intervention as intended. Participants suggested enhancement strategies to improve their ability to deliver the intervention as intended, including reminders and check-ins with researchers. Most participants perceived intervention fidelity as important. These results may aid in the development of a more feasible and pragmatic intervention to reduce non-indicated imaging for GPs and chiropractors in NL.