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IntroductionHousehold food insecurity (HFI) is a persistent public health issue in Canada that may have disproportionately affected certain subgroups of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this systematic review is to report on the prevalence of HFI in the Canadian general population and in subpopulations after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. MethodsSixteen databases were searched from 1 March 2020 to 5 May 2021. Abstract and full-text screening was conducted by one reviewer and the inclusions verified by a second reviewer. Only studies that reported on the prevalence of HFI in Canadian households were included. Data extraction, risk of bias and certainty of the evidence assessments were conducted by two reviewers. ResultsOf 8986 studies identified in the search, four studies, three of which collected data in April and May 2020, were included. The evidence concerning the prevalence of HFI during the COVID-19 pandemic is very uncertain. The prevalence of HFI (marginal to severe) ranged from 14% to 17% in the general population. Working-age populations aged 18 to 44 years had higher HFI (range: 18%–23%) than adults aged 60+ years (5%–11%). Some of the highest HFI prevalence was observed among households with children (range: 19%–22%), those who had lost their jobs or stopped working due to COVID-19 (24%–39%) and those with job insecurity (26%). ConclusionThe evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have slightly increased total household food insecurity in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in populations that were already vulnerable to HFI. There is a need to continue to monitor HFI in Canada.

IntroductionL’insécurité alimentaire des ménages (IAM), un problème de santé publique chronique au Canada, pourrait avoir touché de façon disproportionnée certains groupes de population durant la pandémie de COVID 19. Cette revue systématique vise à analyser la prévalence de l’IAM au sein de la population canadienne générale ainsi qu’au sein de certains groupes depuis le début officiel de la pandémie de COVID 19 en mars 2020. MéthodologieSeize bases de données ont été consultées pour la période allant du 1er mars 2020 au 5 mai 2021. Un premier chercheur a réalisé une analyse systématique des résumés et des textes intégraux et un second chercheur a vérifié les études retenues. Seules les études portant sur la prévalence de l’insécurité alimentaire des ménages canadiens ont été retenues. Deux chercheurs ont procédé à l’extraction des données ainsi qu’à l’évaluation du risque de biais et du degré de certitude des données probantes. RésultatsParmi les 8 986 études sélectionnées, quatre ont été finalement retenues, dont trois s’appuyant sur des données collectées en avril-mai 2020. Les données probantes sur la prévalence de l’insécurité alimentaire durant la pandémie de COVID 19 sont peu concluantes. La prévalence de l’IAM (marginale à grave) au sein de la population générale varie entre 14 % et 17 %. Elle est plus élevée chez les personnes en âge de travailler de 18 à 44 ans (18 % à 23 %) que chez les adultes de 60 ans et plus (5 % à 11 %). Certaines des prévalences les plus élevées d’insécurité alimentaire ont été observées au sein des ménages avec enfants (19 % à 22 %), des ménages dont un membre a perdu son emploi ou cessé de travailler en raison de la COVID 19 (24 % à 39 %) et des ménages confrontés à la précarité d’emploi (26 %). ConclusionD’après les données probantes, la pandémie de COVID 19 pourrait avoir contribué à une légère augmentation de l’insécurité alimentaire globale des ménages canadiens, particulièrement celle des ménages déjà les plus touchés. Il faut continuer à maintenir la surveillance en matière d’insécurité alimentaire au sein des ménages canadiens.

Background: Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training in Canadian undergraduate medical programs is steadily increasing. To date, the simulated patients (SPs) in our program have only provided feedback on comfort and professionalism. Involving the POCUS SPs as teachers (SP-teachers) of POCUS skills provides an additional opportunity for instruction. In this pilot study, we explored the impact of SP-teachers instructing medical trainees while they learned POCUS. Outcomes of interest included the level of proficiency achieved after the session and trainee satisfaction with the learning experience. Methods: Second year medical students were randomized into a conventional or SP-teacher learning experience. Both groups received the same video tutorial, instructor guidance, and basic SP feedback (comfort and professionalism). The SP-teaching group received additional instruction (landmarks, transducer technique, and troubleshooting) from the SP-teachers when session instructors were assisting others. Students evaluated the session and were subsequently assessed through direct observation. Results: Students that received SP-teaching scored significantly higher in both image acquisition (p = 0.029, d = 1.26) and overall entrustment (p = 0.002, d =1.75). Both groups rated their sessions highly. Conclusions: Students that received SP-teaching were observed to better acquire images and achieved higher entrustment scores. In this pilot study, SP-teachers had a positive effect on acquisition of POCUS skills.

Au Canada, l’enjeu de l’amélioration de l’accès aux services de santé en français, surtout dans les provinces hors Québec, s’inscrit dans des relations complexes entre différents acteurs qui poursuivent des objectifs variés. En 2008, au Nouveau-Brunswick, l’État a remplacé les huit régies régionales existantes par deux nouvelles régies, soit la Régie régionale de la santé A (Réseau de santé Vitalité) et la Régie régionale de la santé B (Réseau de santé Horizon). Plus tard, il a été établi que Vitalité fonctionnerait en français et Horizon en anglais, et que les réseaux assureraient la prestation des services de santé dans la langue officielle du choix des citoyens. Ainsi, l’objectif général de la recherche était de comprendre l’influence des dynamiques entre les acteurs d’une gouverne en réseau sur le traitement de l’enjeu que représente l’accès aux services de santé en français. Une méthode qualitative comprenant notamment des entretiens semi-directifs (n=26) a été retenue. Les résultats montrent que, d’une part, l’offre de services dans la langue du choix des citoyens, qui est conditionnée par le cadre juridique sur les droits linguistiques, pousse les acteurs à mobiliser des stratégies axées sur la qualité et la sécurité. D’autre part, l’accès révèle une dimension symbolique, puisqu’il est associé aux notions d’équité et de gouvernance. L’accès aux services de santé en français est un sujet délicat pour l’État, qui demeure en retrait par rapport à celui-ci. Afin de mieux répondre aux besoins en santé des citoyens, cet acteur doit faire émerger des liens de confiance et formuler des objectifs clairs.

This paper examines Hausa verbal compounds in terms of the division of regular verbs (verbs in the “grade system”) into verbs which have a High or Low tone first syllable. The focus of the paper is the surprisingly small number of transitive L-verbs (verbs beginning with a Low tone – “grade 2”) and their limited use of compound markers which contrasts strongly with the frequency of transitive H-verbs (verbs beginning with a High tone) and their markers. I also describe several devices (e.g. grade-switching and covert subjects) which “allow” the formation of verbal compounds with transitive L-verbs.

Several interprofessional education programs have been developed to enhance primary care providers’ (PCPs) competency in pain management. This project aims to develop a valid and reliable competency-based assessment tool, suitable for all professions, to evaluate the impact of these programs. To develop a new pain competence assessment tool (PCAT), six clinical vignettes were created. Each vignette is followed by questions addressing one or more competencies derived from the core pain competencies developed by Fishman et al. in 2013. Experts in pain management representing different professions were asked to review and rate the appropriateness of the PCAT questions to confirm face validity through a modified Delphi study. The selected PCAT questions were mapped against the core competencies to ensure content validity. A pilot sample of PCPs was then asked to answer the PCAT through a cognitive interview study to assess feasibility. Currently, the PCAT was sent to a large sample of PCPs to assess its reliability through a cross-sectional study. The PCAT was also sent to healthcare prelicensure students to test for construct validity. Based on the Delphi results, nineteen questions were rated as appropriate confirming its face and content validity. The PCAT also showed adequate feasibility based on the cognitive interview study. Psychometric testing is still in process. Future implementation of a valid and reliable tool is necessary to reduce measurement error and produce results with high degree of credibility. Introduction/Aim: Several interprofessional education programs have been developed to enhance primary care providers’ (PCPs) competency in pain management. This project aims to develop a valid and reliable competency-based assessment tool, suitable for all professions, to evaluate the impact of these programs. Methods: To develop a new pain competence assessment tool (PCAT), six clinical vignettes were created. Each vignette is followed by questions addressing one or more competencies derived from the core pain competencies developed by Fishman et al. in 2013. Experts in pain management representing different professions were asked to review and rate the appropriateness of the PCAT questions to confirm face validity through a modified Delphi study. The selected PCAT questions were mapped against the core competencies to ensure content validity. A pilot sample of PCPs was then asked to answer the PCAT through a cognitive interview study to assess feasibility. Currently, the PCAT was sent to a large sample of PCPs to assess its reliability through a cross-sectional study. The PCAT was also sent to healthcare prelicensure students to test for construct validity. Results: Based on the Delphi results, nineteen questions were rated as appropriate confirming its face and content validity. The PCAT also showed adequate feasibility based on the cognitive interview study. Psychometric testing is still in process. Discussion/Conclusions: Future implementation of a valid and reliable tool is necessary to reduce measurement error and produce results with high degree of credibility.

McIntyre and Martin (2013) found a significant efficiency gap between Romanian manufacturing and counterpart industries in other Central and Eastern European nations in 2005. Although disheartening from the standpoint of Romanian enterprise, the results suggest that there efficiency gains to be had. This companion paper presents updated estimates of Romanian enterprise efficiency from 2010. I find that that Romanian firms have in general made significant strides in efficiency between 2005 and 2010. Additional results show that the measurable industrial drivers of technical efficiency in Romania are consistent with firms operating in a competitive, market economy, suggesting that Romania has largely shed its Communist economic heritage.

While the performance evaluation of judges has become a ubiquitous aspect of modern judicial administration, evaluation mechanisms of are too often utilised uncritically, without reflection on why we evaluate judges, and how ‘measurement’ furthers these objectives. This article provides a conceptual analysis of the role and purpose of performance evaluation, conceiving it as a limited tool of judicial accountability, which itself exists only to promote excellent judging. As such, the efficacy of evaluation mechanisms must always be assessed by reference to their impact on these overarching accountability objectives. The article explores the value of this conception approach by briefly examining three uses of performance evaluation: 1) judicial promotions; 2) judicial retention elections; and 3) judicial professional development. In doing so it illustrates how a clear conceptual approach invites a more nuanced and critical examination of the limitations and benefits of judicial performance evaluation programs. Mientras que la evaluación del rendimiento de los jueces se ha convertido en un aspecto omnipresente de la administración judicial moderna, los mecanismos de evaluación se utilizan con demasiada frecuencia de manera acrítica, sin reflexionar sobre las razones por las que evaluamos a los jueces, y cómo se alcanzan los objetivos buscados mediante la 'medición'. Este artículo ofrece un análisis conceptual de la función y el propósito de la evaluación del rendimiento, concibiéndola como una herramienta limitada de la responsabilidad judicial, que a su vez sólo existe para promover la excelencia judicial. Como tal, la eficacia de los mecanismos de evaluación siempre se debe comprobar en función de su impacto en los objetivos de responsabilidad globales. El artículo explora el valor de este enfoque examinando brevemente tres usos de la evaluación de rendimiento: 1) promociones judiciales; 2) elecciones para la reelección de jueces; y 3) el desarrollo profesional judicial. Al hacerlo, se refleja cómo un enfoque conceptual claro invita a un examen más matizado y crítico de las limitaciones y beneficios de los programas de evaluación del rendimiento judicial. DOWNLOAD THIS PAPER FROM SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2533854

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INTRODUCTION: Food insecurity is an ongoing threat in rural sub-Saharan Africa and is complicated by cultural practices, the rise of chronic conditions such as HIV and land use availability. In order to develop a successful food security intervention program, it is important to be informed of the realities and needs of the target population. The purpose of this study was to pilot a qualitative method to understand food insecurity based on the lived experience of women of the Maasai population in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania. METHODS: Short semi-structured qualitative interviews with 4 Maasai women. RESULTS: Food insecurity was present in the Maasai community: the participants revealed that they did not always have access to safe and nutritious food that met the needs of themselves and their families. Themes that emerged from the data fell into three categories: Current practices (food sources, planning for enough, food preparation, and food preservation), food Insecurity (lack of food, emotions, coping strategies, and possible solutions), and division (co-wives, food distribution, and community relationships). CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggested the presence of food insecurity in the Maasai community. Larger sample studies are needed to clarify the extent and severity of food insecurity among this population. Having a detailed understanding of the various aspects of the food insecurity lived experience could inform a targeted intervention program.

The Irish writer John McGahern is acknowledged as a master stylist in both his novels and his short stories. In this article we discuss the stylistic and narratological factors that contribute to the artistry in McGahern’s short story writing. We analyse three stories: “A Slip-up”, “All Sorts of Impossible Things”, and “Creatures of the Earth”, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The stylistic devices that we concentrate on are speech and thought presentation, negative polarity, lexico-semantic foregrounding, prospection and projection, collocation and semantic prosody, and keyness. We argue that by analysing these devices it is possible to gain an insight into the way in which McGahern draws the reader into his stories and generates empathetic responses to his characters. Consequently, these stylistic techniques may be seen as integral to McGahern’s style as a writer.

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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology is the property of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Néphrologie & Thérapeutique is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)