Thursday, March 25, 2021

Waterloo researchers make black hole breakthrough

Credit: Event Horizon Telescope collaboration.

By Rose Simone. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.

The black hole at the centre of the M87 galaxy is like a giant fire-breathing dragon that spews enormous jets of energetic particles at near light speeds across some 5,000 light years of space.

A new view of this black hole in polarized light, released yesterday by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration, will help astrophysicists understand just how those jets are launched by this monstrous black hole.

A team led by Avery Broderick, a member of the EHT collaboration who is an astrophysicist at the University of Waterloo and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, contributed to making this new view in polarized light possible.

“It is a breakthrough in radio astronomy to see the polarization structure on horizon scales around the black hole,” Broderick said.

The black hole known as M87* (for Messier 87 star) became famous in 2019 as the subject of the historic first-ever picture of a black hole ever taken.  

This is yet another first. It is the first time that astronomers have been able to measure polarization this close to the edge of a black hole. It enables scientists to trace the structure of the magnetic fields that drive the powerful jets extending far beyond the galaxy.

In the same way polarised sunglasses help us see better by reducing reflections and glare from bright surfaces, astronomers can sharpen their vision of the region around the black hole by looking at how the light originating from there is polarized.

“The observations suggest that the magnetic fields at the black hole’s edge are strong enough to push back on the hot gas and help it resist gravity’s pull. Only the gas that slips through the field can spiral inwards to the event horizon,” said Jason Dexter, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, US, and one of the co-ordinators of the EHT Theory Working Group, in a press release.

But getting accurate polarization data has been a long-standing challenge in radio astronomy. Broderick and his team played a part in finding solutions to those problems.

“Misaligned antennas, imperfect polarization signal separation, and wavelength-dependent optical elements all result in mixing polarized and unpolarized emission — this mixing has the unfortunate effect of creating false polarization signals and corrupting real ones,” Broderick said.

Broderick’s team made advances in several key ways.

Read the rest of the article on Waterloo News.

Staff compensation recommendations will go to Board of Governors

The Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC) has sent its recommendations for the next three-year staff salary agreement to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost, who will present them to the Board of Governors on April 6.

James Rush, vice-president, academic & provost sent a memo to staff members outlining the terms of the new agreement on March 16.

The recommendations include increases to salary ranges to be implemented over three years and updates to employee benefits. The terms of the agreement run from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024.

Salary increases will proceed as follows:

• On each of 1 May 2021, 1 May 2022, and 1 May 2023, increase the salary ranges by 1 percent, which is the legislated maximum scale increase allowed during the Term.
•  On each of 1 May 2021, 1 May 2022, and 1 May 2023, run the merit program in accordance with the established staff salary increase process.

New vision for staff benefits

The University will instruct the Pension & Benefits Committee to provide staff members and their eligible dependents with a basic vision care plan that will provide a reimbursement of $85 per participant every two years for eye exams. “This plan will be paid for by the University increasing its annual contributions to the health benefits plan accordingly,” says the PACSC recommendation. “The plan will be retroactive to 1 May 2021 such that reimbursements for eye exams performed on or after this date can be claimed once the plan is activated.”

Additionally, the University will form a policy drafting committee to create a new policy on compassionate care and bereavement leaves. “A new compassionate care leave (CCL) supplemental benefit plan will become effective no later than 1 May 2022,” says the PACSC recommendation. “Details of the enhanced leaves are as follows: Staff members shall be entitled to 4 weeks of bereavement leave, with 100 per cent of pay, on the death of their spouse/partner, child, or step-child, and to 1 week of bereavement leave, with 100 per cent of pay, on the death of any other immediate family member, such as a parent or sibling.”

“PACSC remains committed to moving forward with improvements to the Performance Appraisal System for staff,” says the committee. “PACSC will review opportunities developed by the external consultant following their consultations with University employees during the Performance Appraisal System Review. A project plan to address agreed-upon initiatives will be submitted to PACSC by HR during the 2021-22 fiscal year.”

On staff vacations, Vacation Exchange Program, which consists of a one-time salary adjustment of 2 per cent in exchange for one week (5 days) of vacation for each year of participation, will be extended to April 30, 2030 for those staff that retire on or before May 1, 2033. “As of 1 May 2021, the declared retirement date for the purposes of this program must be no later than the first of the month coincident with or following the month the employee turns 71,” says the committee. “PACSC is committed to reviewing the provisions of Policy 6 - Vacation and to providing corresponding recommendations to the Staff Relations Committee (SRC) for consideration towards initiating a policy revision committee.”

Equity, excellence, and competitiveness considerations

The University is current developing an equity data collection strategy for all students, faculty, and staff, “to further its commitment to addressing systemic racism within the university.” This development includes consultation with stakeholders that will inform appropriate use of data. The University agrees to a target date of the end of 2021 for initiating disaggregated data collection on staff members’ race and Indigeneity.

As part of the agreement, the University will continue to contribute $250,000 per year to the Staff Excellence Fund, which will be allocated through the current, established processes.

PACSC has committed to conduct a review of the competitiveness of benchmark jobs in 2023 through the engagement of an external compensation consultant to inform scale adjustments for the agreement effective 1 May 2024. The last compensation review of benchmark positions took place in 2018.

The University also commits to reviewing the provisions of the new agreement “should Ontario legislation change with respect to annual salary increase maximums and/or if compensation changes occur for other pay groups that could benefit staff.

The full terms of the agreement can be found in a memo from Provost James Rush published on the Employee Communication website.

A pharmacist's perspective: School of Pharmacy staff member supports local vaccination effort

March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month. This month, in our #PAM2021 series, the School of Pharmacy is highlighting the unique ways that the pharmacy community has supported Canadians through the pandemic.

The pharmacy profession plays a key role in phase two of Ontario’s vaccine rollout plan. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students are on the list of professionals approved to administer COVID-19 vaccinations, and pharmacies across Ontario are piloting vaccine administration clinics.

“I absolutely believe the pharmacy profession has valuable expertise to add to the vaccine conversation,” says Ken Manson, a pharmacist and experiential coordinator with the School of Pharmacy. “Pharmacists have been running vaccination clinics for six years – starting with the influenza vaccine – and we have exceptional experience in managing workflow and inventory, training staff and supporting clinical patient care needs. We are well-positioned to participate in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.”

Manson is one of several School staff and faculty supporting the new Region of Waterloo Public Health vaccine clinic.  This clinic is led by the Centre for Family Medicine and the Region and supported by the University of Waterloo who have provided their Health Sciences Campus as the clinic location. Working in the clinic outside of his regular work hours, Manson’s role involves overseeing vaccine inventory, signing off on prepared doses of vaccine and being available for drug information questions. 

Each day at the clinic, pharmacists are in this role to support the flow of vaccines to those injecting. There are also opportunities for pharmacists in vaccine preparation and injecting – highlighting just how valuable and versatile pharmacists can be.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the skills pharmacists have to offer, and when better than Pharmacy Appreciation Month to do so,” he says.

Pharmacists are also integral members of the Waterloo Region Vaccine Task Force. Manson was invited by Professor Kelly Grindrod to provide input to the pharmacy vaccine working group that supports the Region’s task force.

Read the full story on the School of Pharmacy site.

Library town hall today and other notes

The Library is hosting a Town Hall event today at 1:00 p.m. to discuss its Strategic Plan for 2020-2025. "Wherever your ideas may lead you, the Library is your partner in learning, research and innovation," says a note from the Library. "Join us March 25 for the Library Town Hall: Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025. We look forward to engaging with the campus community to discuss the new strategic plan."

The town hall is happening via Microsoft Teams Live Event. To register visit the Library's website.

A WUSA student service is among the inaugural winners of the Black Excellence in Leadership Academy (BELA) award. As reported in this CBC Kitchener-Waterloo article, Kitchener Centre MPP Laura Mae Lindo launched this new award at a virtual event that was part of the International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Sunday, March 21.

Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity and Equity (RAISE) joined Wilfrid Laurier University’s Association of Black Students (ABS) and Black Brilliance at the Waterloo Region District School Board as award winners.

RAISE was established as a student-led service in 2019.

Lindo is the Official Opposition critic for anti-racism, colleges and universities.

Here's the latest Nutrition Month Myth vs. Fact supplied by Health Services Dietitian Sandra Ace:

Myth:  Weight is the best measurement of a person’s risk for illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

Fact:  While weight is one indicator used to assess these health risks, how weight is distributed may be equally or even more important.

In the Nurses’ Health Study of more than 44,000 women over 16 years, participants with larger waist measurements had a higher risk of dying, even when their weight was in a normal, healthy range. Other studies have shown a similar relationship between abdominal fat and disease risk.

Why does waist size matter? It’s because visceral fat, more commonly called belly fat, produces substances that impact blood sugar, blood pressure, blood fats and major organs like the heart and liver. If you are unsure if your waist size is considered healthy, learn how to correctly measure it and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

The type of food you eat also matters. If you have belly fat to lose, some research indicates a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with less abdominal obesity. This means including more vegetables and fruit, seeds, nuts and unsaturated plant oils like olive oil. Substitute whole grains for refined grains, skip sugary drinks and keep added sugar to a minimum. Eat less red meat and processed meats and eat more fish and plant sources of protein like beans and lentils.

Being sedentary increases the likelihood of accumulating belly fat. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 1 in 5 Canadian adults met the recommended physical activity levels. Pandemic-related changes in daily routines suggest that these levels have dropped even lower. Canada’s recently released, first-ever 24-Hour Movement Guidelines set benchmarks for Canadians in differing age groups to move more, reduce sedentary time and get adequate sleep. You can read details about the new recommendations for adults 18 to 64 years old here. Even if you can’t meet all of the guidelines, set small, achievable goals for yourself.

Other factors besides weight, waist circumference, diet and physical activity affect an individual’s risk for developing health problems, including age, genetics, tobacco use and pre-existing conditions. Consult your healthcare provider for a more complete assessment of your health status. A Registered Dietitian can assess your current diet and assist you with making a plan to help you achieve nutrition-related goals.