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Community-based capture–hold–release (CHR) aquariums were developed to (i) increase community connection to local marine environments by displaying local animals, (ii) avoid negative perceptions about holding animals by minimizing the time any individual is held captive, and (iii) operate with a low ecological footprint. CHR aquariums in British Columbia, Canada, require government-issued licences and permits to capture, hold, and release animals, a condition of which is that neither capture nor release can result in negative ecological, genetic, or disease impacts on wild populations in the collecting or receiving waters. Growth in the popularity of CHR aquariums is placing them under greater scrutiny from permitting agencies. Because of variability between facilities and a lack of performance standards, CHR aquariums cannot be assured of a consistent assessment. This paper proposes a CHR Aquarium Health Program that transparently and consistently provides assurances that they are socially and ecologically safe and recognizes the unique challenges of small-scaled, often rural aquariums. The value of this approach is discussed with respect to 10 years of implementation at the Ucluelet Aquarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical step in the development and use of tests of physical fitness for employment purposes (e.g., fitness for duty) is to establish 1 or more cut points, dividing the test score range into 2 or more ordered categories reflecting, for example, fail/pass decisions. Over the last 3 decades elaborated theories and methods have evolved focusing on the process of establishing 1 or more cut-scores on a test. This elaborated process is widely referred to as "standard-setting". As such, the validity of the test score interpretation hinges on the standard-setting, which embodies the purpose and rules according to which the test results are interpreted. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of standard-setting methodology. The essential features, key definitions and concepts, and various novel methods of informing standard-setting will be described. The focus is on foundational issues with an eye toward informing best practices with new methodology. Throughout, a case is made that in terms of best practices, establishing a test standard involves, in good part, setting a cut-score and can be conceptualized as evidence/databased policy making that is essentially tied to test validity and an evidential trail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements provides many benefits as long as they are properly engineered into the various HMA mixes. Contractors, consultants, and Departments of Transportation have evaluated the performance of these various materials, although they are still only used in a limited number of areas. Alternatively, recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) is recognized as a high value recycled material and is actually the most recycled material in North America. In Ontario, RAP is successfully used in most HMA. Related studies on HMA containing RAS and RAP are limited in Canada although recently studies and field trials on effectively using RAS in HMA in Ontario have been completed by the Centre of Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) at University of Waterloo in partnership with Miller Paving Ltd and the Ontario Centre of Excellence. This paper presents key findings from a comprehensive laboratory investigation and analysis of six asphalt mixes with RAS and RAP in Ontario through dynamic modulus, resilient modulus, thermal stress restrained specimen, and flexural fatigue testing. Using RAS alone or combining with RAP makes the asphalt stiffer at high and low temperatures respectively. Lowering the low temperature performance grade of the asphalt binder by 6 °C and incorporating 3% RAS or less with RAP in HMA mix design can result in meeting the appropriate specification. While field testing of RAS pavements demonstrated that surface friction properties are in good condition in various environmental and loading conditions, the laboratory test results and field performances indicate that RAS can be a useful additive to asphalt mixes in Ontario hot mix pavement through reasonable mix design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fitness test for correctional officer applicants (FITCO) was constructed a priori to conform to requirements established by the Meiorin Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada. A critical obligation from this decision is to determine whether the FITCO has the potential of adverse impact on any subpopulation of applicants and, if so, whether it is possible to provide accommodation. The FITCO pass rate was 28.6% for 56 women and 72.7% for 22 men, which indicates adverse impact on the female applicants. There was no specific adverse impact on minority applicants. To evaluate training as accommodation for adverse impact, a subgroup of 40 females and 8 males engaged in a 6-week FITCO-specific training program with pre-FITCO and post-FITCO performance evaluations. Over the 6 weeks, the overall FITCO pass rate of the females improved to 82.5%, whereas the pass rate of the males improved to 100%, indicating that the training program removed the adverse impact that the FITCO had on the females. We conclude that although the FITCO is likely to have an adverse impact on female correctional officer applicants, a 6-week FITCO-specific training program can provide the accommodation necessary to overcome the potential adverse impact, and the FITCO meets all the requirements established by the Supreme Court of Canada’s Meiorin Decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovativeness can help companies differentiate themselves, with the ultimate goal of securing survival and improving performance. Modern theories in organizational behavior look at innovation as something that starts with individual creativity but that is also affected by the work environment. Using one broad industry sector, the US forest products industry, this study attempts to integrate into a unifying model the concepts of work climate, innovativeness, and firm performance using structural equation modeling. Results support the proposed theoretical model, with some modifications, finding a positive and significant relationship among all factors. Having innovation as a core part of a company’s strategy and fostering a climate for innovation positively affects the degree of innovativeness and performance of a company. This is especially true for secondary or value-added wood products manufacturers. A climate for innovation is characterized by high levels of autonomy and encouragement, team cohesion, openness to change and risk taking, and sufficient resources available to people. Lack of a validation sample suggests treating the model as tentative until further testing. L’innovativité peut aider les entreprises à se démarquer les unes des autres avec comme objectif ultime d’assurer leur survie et d’améliorer leur performance. Les théories modernes du comportement organisationnel considèrent que l’innovation découle de la créativité des individus mais qu’elle est aussi influencée par le milieu de travail. Utilisant un large secteur industriel, l’industrie américaine des produits forestiers, cette étude tente d’intégrer dans un modèle unificateur les concepts de climat de travail, d’innovativité et de performance de l’entreprise en ayant recours à la modélisation par équation structurelle. Avec quelques modifications, les résultats supportent le modèle théorique proposé en mettant en évidence une relation positive et significative entre tous les facteurs. Le fait que l’innovation soit au cœur de la stratégie d’une entreprise et que celle-ci entretienne un climat propice à l’innovation affectent positivement son degré d’innovativité et sa performance. Ceci est particulièrement vrai pour les entreprises de seconde transformation du bois ou celles qui fabriquent des produits à valeur ajoutée. Un climat qui favorise l’innovation est caractérisé par un degré élevé d’autonomie et de support, la cohésion d’équipe, l’ouverture face aux changements et la disposition à prendre des risques ainsi que par la disponibilité de ressources suffisantes pour les personnes. L’absence d’échantillon de validation incite à considérer le modèle comme provisoire tant qu’il n’aura pas été davantage testé. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the authors discuss the excellence of Vipen Sawhney in all aspects of his professional career, his participation in the scientific community, and his Mary Elliot Award.