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This study examined gender differences in the experiences of 923 officer cadets attending Canadian Military Colleges and 135 officer cadets attending civilian universities who completed a survey. Overall, the findings revealed that the experience of officer cadets in civilian universities was more positive, gender neutral, and their institutions' values and culture were a better fit for them compared to their peers in Canadian Military Colleges. For officer cadets in Canadian Military Colleges, the results revealed that women were less likely to perceive gender equality in the way they were treated, the fairness of complaint mechanisms, and being treated with respect compared to men. Men in Canadian Military Colleges were less likely to perceive gender equality in performance standards than women. There were no gender differences in experiences for officer cadets in civilian universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization has declared the scalding, defeathering, evisceration, and chilling processing stages in industrial poultry slaughterhouses as sites of cross-contamination. In response, we develop a novel ordinary differential equation model describing the transfer and thermal inactivation of pathogens between carcasses in an industrial three-stage scalding tank. The model provides a link between the distribution of bacteria on carcasses before and after scalding using physical mechanisms of transfer and inactivation. A key feature of our model is that it directly quantifies cross-contamination, or microbial transfer between carcasses, via the scald water. We parametrize the model according to the specific pathogen C. jejuni , and then validate the model using numerical simulations against industrial scalding processing data. In particular, the calibrated model predicts a mean pathogen level on individual carcasses of [ 1.15 × 10 4 , 2.6 × 10 4 ] CFU/carcass, capturing the experimentally determined mean of 1.89 × 10 4 CFU/carcass in an industrial setting. We then demonstrate that our framework is amenable to application in quantitative microbial risk assessment and policymaking. In particular, using scalding configurations from an industrial poultry processor in Canada as well as the 2015 USDA-FSIS Campylobacter performance standards as a benchmark, we utilize the developed model to quantify the relationship between pre-scald prevalence and mean pathogen counts and the distribution of post-scald pathogen levels on carcasses. • Development of a model quantifying pathogen levels during immersion poultry scalding. • Parametrize and validate the model against C. jejuni specific industrial process data. • Illustrate model applicability by conducting sensitivity and scenario analysis. • Control guidance to assist processors to meet Campylobacter performance standards. [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]

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large industries the Canadian government proposed using a tradable emissions performance standard approach, where the intensity of emissions, rather than the absolute level, is regulated. Unlike a cap and trade system, an emissions performance standard does not guarantee a certain overall level of emission reductions, a fact that has led to significant criticism. However, because of the dynamics of performance standards, they may reduce concerns over reductions in international competitiveness in cases where a country has climate policies that are more aggressive than those of some of its trade partners. Likewise, a performance standard may mesh more efficiently with existing taxes and therefore cause less overall economic impact than an absolute cap and trade system. This paper considers the theoretical arguments for and against such a performance standard system and evaluates it in comparison to a cap and trade system using a dynamic general equilibrium model applied to Canada. [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]

Background: China has had no effective and systematic information system to provide guidance for strengthening PHC (Primary Health Care) or account to citizens on progress. We report on the development of the China results-based Logic Model for Community Health Facilities and Stations (CHS) and a set of relevant PHC indicators intended to measure CHS priorities. Methods: We adapted the PHC Results Based Logic Model developed in Canada and current work conducted in the community health system in China to create the China CHS Logic Model framework. We used a staged approach by first constructing the framework and indicators and then validating their content through an interactive process involving policy analysis, critical review of relevant literature and multiple stakeholder consultation. Results: The China CHS Logic Model includes inputs, activities, outputs and outcomes with a total of 287 detailed performance indicators. In these indicators, 31 indicators measure inputs, 64 measure activities, 105 measure outputs, and 87 measure immediate (n = 65), intermediate (n = 15), or final (n = 7) outcomes. Conclusion: A Logic Model framework can be useful in planning, implementation, analysis and evaluation of PHC at a system and service level. The development and content validation of the China CHS Logic Model and subsequent indicators provides a means for stronger accountability and a clearer sense of overall direction and purpose needed to renew and strengthen the PHC system in China. Moreover, this work will be useful in moving towards developing a PHC information system and performance measurement across districts in urban China, and guiding the pursuit of quality in PHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a combination of archival research and semi-structured in-depth interviews, this study outlines the early development of sport medicine in Canada, from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s, in relation to the development of Canadian high performance sport during this period of time. I argue that the early development of sport medicine in Canada dovetailed with and benefited from the broader professionalization and rationalization of high performance sport, and that transformations in the production of international and national sport after the Second World War laid the foundation for the formalized and institutionalized entity we recognize today as sport medicine. These transformations were underpinned by the ideological re-centering of international high performance (specifically Olympic) sport from a moral and educational initiative to the all-out pursuit of sporting excellence that, in turn, was attentive to the claims of expertise from nascent sport medicine practitioners. The development of sport medicine is outlined from the late 1950s to the incorporation of the Sport Medicine Council of Canada (SMCC; later known as the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Canada, SMSCC) in 1978, and particular attention is paid to two turning points in the growth of sport medicine in Canada following initiatives to locate sport medicine in Canadian health and sport circles prior to the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games: a) the negative experiences of the Canadian contingent at the 1968 Games in contrast to; b) the provision and delivery of sport medicine at and following the 1976 Montréal Olympic Games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Early studies of plant response to ozone (O3) utilized concentration-based metrics, primarily by summarizing the commonly monitored hourly average data sets. Research with the O3 concentration parameter led to the recognition that both peak concentrations and cumulative effects are important when relating plant response to O3. The US and Canada currently use O3 concentration-based (exposure-based) parameters for ambient air quality standards for protecting vegetation; the European countries use exposure-based critical levels to relate O3 to vegetation response. Because plant response is thought to be more closely related to O3 absorbed into leaf tissue, recent research has been focused on flux-based O3 parameters. Even though flux-based indices may appear to be more biologically relevant than concentration-based indices, there are limitations associated with their use. The current set of flux-based indices assumes that the plant has no defense mechanism to detoxify O3. This is a serious limitation. In this paper, we review the literature on exposure- and flux-based indices for predicting plant response. Both exposure- and flux-based metrics may overestimate plant response. At this time, flux-based models that take into consideration detoxification mechanisms (referred to as effective flux) provide the best approach to relate O3 to plant response. However, because there is considerable uncertainty in quantifying the various defense mechanisms, effective flux at this time is difficult to quantify. Without adequate effective-flux based models, exposure-based O3 metrics appear to be the only practical measure for use in relating ambient air quality standards to vegetation response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a mathematical approach to measuring the relative efficiency of peer Decision-Making Units (DMUs). DEA is particularly useful where no a priori information on the trade-offs or relations among various performance measures is available. However, it is very desirable if "evaluation standards," when they can be established, be incorporated into DEA performance evaluation. This is particularly important when service operations are under investigation, because service standards are generally difficult to establish. A number of approaches have been developed to incorporate evaluation standards into DEA as reported in the literature. These approaches tend to be rather indirect, focusing primarily on the multipliers in the DEA models. This paper introduces a new way of building performance standards directly into the DEA structure. Based upon the conventional DEA model and an activity matrix, a set of standard DMUs can be generated and incorporated directly into the DEA analysis. The proposed approach is applied to a sample of 100 branches of a major Canadian bank where time standards are used to generate a set of standard bank branches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses methodological issues and further research on the importance of job security in a sample of Canadian civil servants working in Ottawa. Issue of how to measure job insecurity and which antecedents and consequences are linked to it; Links between job performance and personality.

The building sector is a significant source of GHG emissions and has great potential for emission reductions. The effectiveness of building energy codes on energy savings and emission mitigation is of a primary concern to policy makers, but uncertainty in cost and benefit in different regions complicates code selection and implementation. The impacts of a specific building energy standard vary depending on the heating system's thermal efficiency and the heating fuel's carbon intensity. This paper examines the GHG emissions due to space heating for new construction single-detached households in Canada under different building energy codes and enforcement scenarios. The two codes considered are the BC step code and Passive House criteria. Three scenarios are examined reflecting different levels of stringency of standards between 2020 and 2032. The results show both BC step code and passive house criteria can help mitigate the space heating GHG emissions. There is no significant difference between the BC step code and the passive house criteria from the perspective of GHG emission reduction in the province of British Columbia; however, when implemented nationwide, the passive house criteria is 12% more effective in abating space heating GHG emissions than the most stringent level (i.e. Step 5) of BC step code. • Passive House criteria are more effective in reducing the space heating GHG emissions than BC Step Code does in Canada. • BC Step Code and Passive House criteria can save space heating GHG emissions of new single-houses by 77% and 89%, respectively. • Building performance standards are less impactful in regions where fuel carbon intensity is low. • No notable difference is found between BC Step Code and Passive House criteria in GHG emission reduction per unit area in BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. We make the following points. (1) The performance of National Statistical Institutes (NSI) is of interest to a wide variety of groups: users of official statistics, respondents, the funders of the activity, employees and, first and foremost, the management of the NSI. We argue that, of all these needs, those of management are (or should be) the most comprehensive. Hence satisfying these needs will typically also meet the needs of most others. (2) We argue that while the assessment of all aspects of performance is crucial, not all of these are measurable. Hence we emphasize performance assessment rather than performance measurement. (3) We discuss performance monitoring under the following headings: (a) information quality, including relevance, accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, interpretability, coherence; (b) financial performance, with emphasis on an effective project based cost recording system; (c) respondent relations; and (d) human resources management. (4) We conclude by emphasizing that a balanced approach to the measurement of its own performance can only serve to strengthen an NSI's reputation for objectivity and impartiality -- which, in turn, is perhaps the single most important determinant of its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines individual job performance in a multivariate research investigation into the results of turnover among Canadian army reservists. Methodology of the study; Utilization of comprehensive measures of performance; Research design; Data analysis; Discussion on the results.

The article discusses how performance excellence models (PEM) apply to public sector organizations in Canada. Defined as a model or criteria to ensure maximum efficiency and operability, it states that there are many types of PEMs in use. These are applied to both upper management, as well as all other aspects of an organization. A PEM's effectivity, however, is only as good as its implementation, which in turn depends on its context. For this study, five federal organizations were chosen, and five senior managers were interviewed for their input.

This article reports that the Canadian Federal government has prudently invested substantial new resources in research operations and infrastructure, thereby bringing the level of research support in Canada on par with that of most other G8 countries and enabling a world-class research enterprise. Much of this renewed commitment to research, however, is in the form of "co-funded" programs. In Canada, co-funding schemes typically require an equal or greater match of funds from an independent partner, either local, provincial, or foreign governments. Genome Canada, the primary Canadian funding agency for genome-scale projects, has winnowed its latest round of team applications solely on the basis of the perceived financial suitability of the co-funding source. In general, grants are best awarded solely on the basis of scientific peer review, and funded in full without matches, strings, or contingencies that depend on outside agents. By eschewing scientific excellence as the primary consideration, co-funded programs imperil scientific credibility and fail to engage the breadth and depth of national scientific expertise.