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Behavioural Determinants Of Meat Waste In Canadian Households
No full textFood waste is a critical global issue, and meat waste is of particular concern due to the substantial resources required for production. This thesis investigates the prevalence of household meat waste in Canada, determinants of disposal behaviour, and consumer perceptions of meat deterioration. The first study (n=2018) examines meat discarding behaviours. Findings suggest that while overall meat waste appears limited, consumer misconceptions about spoilage and storage may require targeted education. The second study (n=238) explores perceptions of deterioration, date-label use, and characteristics of spoiled and freezer-burnt meat. Respondents reported relying on sensory cues such as appearance and odour when judging edibility and viewed date-labels mainly as a purchasing aid. Although freezer burn was recognized as a quality rather than safety issue, most participants still discarded affected meat. Overall, up to 7% reported frequently discarding meat, with sensory aversions being key drivers of avoidable waste.2026-12-2
"Water is life and water is us": Establishing an Onʌyota’á:ka cultural framework for water health in Oneida Nation of the Thames
No full textIn Oneida Nation of the Thames (hereafter referred to as Onʌyota’á:ka), community members are concerned about industrial impacts on their health and wellbeing, including how pollution from a nearby landfill degrades surface and ground water. To appropriately respond to community concerns, Yukwanulha Yukwanikuhliyo (“All us women have good minds”: a women’s group in Onʌyota’á:ka) have guided an Indigenous-led community-based participatory research project that aims to determine Onʌyota’á:ka values and goals useful for the development of a culturally relevant, hydrological Conceptual Site Model (CSM) for informed decision making. Situated in relationality and the guiding principle of Etuaptmumk, a semi-structured focus group explores women’s responsibilities to Lands and waters and its connection to community health. A culturally grounded inductive thematic analysis identifies spatial, temporal, and intangible dimensions of water health. This research contributes to the development of a framework for community-led CSMs that support sovereignty in Indigenous communities affected by industry.2026-12-2
Astrocyte-mediated purinergic dysregulation in a human model of Fragile X syndrome
Full text linkFragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation on the Fmr1 gene that leads to loss of fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP). Growing evidence demonstrates that the absence of Fmr1 gene expression leads to pathological changes to astrocyte function and a subsequent dysregulation of neuronal processes. Astrocytes, a prominent glial cell within the brain, play a crucial role in governing how neuronal connections grow, organize and function throughout development and adulthood. Using human neural progenitor cell lines, isolated from embryonic and either neurotypical or FXS patient populations, we work to identify the molecular mechanisms that underlie changes to astrocyte physiology and signaling in FXS. To date, we have found that the purinergic signaling system is highly dysregulated in this cell type. This intracellular signaling system is one of the most prominent within the brain and involves the release of purines or pyrimidines (i.e. ATP or UTP) that act on a large family of receptors. We have found that the purinergic receptor P2Y2 is significantly upregulated in FXS astrocytes and is responsible for aberrant hyperactivation of these cells. Blocking the P2Y2 receptor with a specific pharmacological inhibitor helped to normalize FXS astrocyte activity and may prove to be a useful target for future therapeutic intervention
Legume Starch-Based Adipose Tissue Mimetics
No full textThis thesis explores the use of emulsion gels as adipose tissue mimetics, in comparison to other recent strategies such as oleogels or using unstructured plant oils, in plant-based meat analogues. A literature review was carried out and current gaps in the literature were identified along with the pros and cons of using emulsion gels and oleogels as adipose tissue mimetics. Pea starch and chickpea flour were utilized as the gelling agents in the formulation of emulsion gels. Texture profile analysis, rheology, cooking loss, and the microstructure of the pea starch-based gels were investigated and compared with unstructured oils as well as beef adipose tissue. Many of the functional properties of the emulsion gels were statistically similar to beef adipose tissue and were an improvement compared to unstructured plant oils
Applications to Post-Combustion Carbon Capture of Open-Source Gibbs Energy Minimization Software
No full textRelated dataset: Rutherford, William, 2025, "Literature classifications for: Applications to post-combustion carbon capture of open-source Gibbs Energy Minimization software", https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/VSIHSJ, Borealis, V1.An important aspect of the screening of potential solvents for CO2 reactive absorption is thermodynamic modeling of the solution process, which this thesis investigates. Specifically, the focus is on the use of a Gibbs Energy Minimization (GEM) algorithm. Conventional models rely on equilibrium constants, which are typically solved numerically using commercial or in-house software. In contrast, there exists robust open-source software based on the GEM formulation, but they require detailed species thermochemical data, which is often lacking in the literature. This thesis presents a method for converting a set of equilibrium constant data into a consistent set of individual species thermochemical data compatible with open-source GEM software. Additionally, since reaction equilibrium software typically support limited activity coefficient models, this thesis demonstrates how to implement arbitrary activity models within such software. Both approaches are applied using the open-source GEM software Reaktoro, enhancing the flexibility and accessibility of CO2 absorption modeling
Overcoming Antifungal Resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans by Targeting Prenylated Rab Acceptor 1 (PRA1)
No full textThe fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans infects over 180,000 immunocompromised individuals annually, with mortality rates exceeding 70% due to limited detection and treatment options. Virulence traits including capsule formation, melanin production, and thermotolerance, influences antifungal resistance, particularly to fluconazole, a primary antifungal for cryptococcosis. This study identifies Prenylated Rab Acceptor 1 (Pra1) as a novel genetic factor regulating fluconazole resistance and virulence. Characterization of gene deletion strains of pra1 exhibited reduced capsule production in C. neoformans. Moreover, proteome profiling of the deletion strain showed elevated production of ergosterol-associated proteins within the fluconazole-resistant strain, supporting the hypothesis that resistance is mediated through increased target production, and target disruption reverts fluconazole susceptibility. Pra1 disruption restores fluconazole susceptibility, and its reintroduction reinstates resistance, suggesting resistance is mediated through increased ergosterol production. These findings establish Pra1 as a critical determinant of both fluconazole resistance and fungal virulence, offering a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaCanadian Institutes of Health Researc
Determining Effective Management Strategies for Stemphylium Leaf Blight of Onion
No full textScicluna, Julia, 2025, "Supplemental data for: Determining effective management strategies for Stemphylium leaf blight of onion: Disease forecasting trial", https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/ZQZ6MA, Borealis, V1.Scicluna, Julia, 2025, "Supplemental data for: Determining effective management strategies for Stemphylium leaf blight of onion: Early infection trials", https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/FIDVED, Borealis, V1.Scicluna, Julia, 2025, "Supplemental data for: Determining effective management strategies for Stemphylium leaf blight of onion: Fungicide resistance trials", https://doi.org/10.5683/SP3/BT4SKC, Borealis, V1.Stemphylium leaf blight (SLB) of onion caused by Stemphylium vesicarium (Wallr.) E.G. Simmons is the most common foliar disease of onion in Ontario. The objectives of this research were to develop and evaluate disease forecasting models to reduce fungicide applications, detect infection of onion early in the growing season, and assess mutations associated with resistance to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides in S. vesicarium. Modified forecasting models based on weather data or conidia counts reduced fungicide application but not SLB. Infection of onion was detected in the field as early as the flag leaf stage but penflufen seed treatment did not reduce early season infection of onion. Six mutations associated with SDHI resistance were detected in S. vesicarium isolates collected in the Holland Marsh from 2021-2024. More research is needed to develop an effective forecasting model and assess mutations for reduction of efficacy for all registered SDHI fungicides.Food from ThoughtFresh Vegetable Growers of OntarioOntario Agri-Food Innovation Allianc
Mechanisms of Autocorrelation in Recognition Memory
No full textModels of recognition memory typically assume that decisions are made independently from one judgment to the next. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that recognition decisions exhibit sequential dependencies, where information from the previous judgment carries forward in time to influence subsequent decisions. Across three chapters, this thesis examines these dependencies and their underlying mechanisms. In Chapter 1, we begin by conceptually replicating the established response-based carryover effect, characterized by the perseveration of memory judgments across subsequent trials. We then demonstrate a novel content dependency where both perceptual (orthographic) and conceptual (semantic) similarity between consecutive test items increase the likelihood of judging an item to be “old”. Lastly, Chapter 1 uses a manipulation of attentional engagement to challenge attention-based accounts of sequential dependencies. Chapter 2 disentangles decision repetition from motor priming by dissociating judgment and motor response. Our findings reveal that decision perseveration persists even when motor repetition is eliminated, supporting the notion that carryover effects are rooted in decision processes, rather than motor planning. Finally, in Chapter 3, we use computational modelling to test two potential mechanisms for sequential dependencies: Probe Transfer, through which consecutive item features are blended together before probing memory, and Familiarity Linger, through which the familiarity signal produced on a trial is incorporated into the subsequent judgment. The results of our simulations demonstrate that the blending together of item features across trials is able to capture both response and content dependencies. Thus, the work included in this thesis underscores that recognition decisions are not made independently. Additionally, we propose that a signal-change account of sequential dependencies that assumes item features persist across experiences may underlie response and content dependencies. These findings have implications for the methods used to measure memory and demonstrate the potential of using sequential dependencies to evaluate theories of memory
Identifying Key Skills for the Future of Work and the Assessments to Build Them
No full textIdentifying skills for the future of work and how assessment design and implementation can help support the building of these skills are necessary to support learners in this era of technological disruption. The acceleration of various forms of disruptive technologies, from automation and the expansion of artificial intelligence, the increasing embeddedness of remote collaboration and communication technologies, and the expansion of the gig economy, are rapidly transforming the interconnected realities of work and learning. As such, the article sets to do the following: (1) identify key skills, mindsets and knowledge required to succeed in the future of work; (2) assess various technological, economic and other factors that are transforming the landscape of work and learning; (3) explore the role of curriculum and instructional design, particularly community-engaged learning, in creating opportunities for learners to develop and practice key skills, mindsets and knowledge; and (4) explain how post-secondary institutions, including polytechnics, are ideal sites for a more robust alignment of skill development and assessment design
Bunny Bonds and Shelter Stories: Understanding Human-Rabbit Relationships and Recent Trends in Managing Unwanted Companion Rabbits
No full textThis thesis aimed to improve understanding about the owner-companion rabbit relationship and challenges to owners and sheltering organizations dealing with unwanted rabbits. To improve measurement of owner-companion rabbit relationships, a mixed-methods survey was used to assess the validity and applicability of the Human-Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS) and the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scape (LAPS) for companion rabbit owners (n=2093). A Principal Component Analysis resulted in interpretable components for both scales. The HAIS’s mean Animal Behaviour subscale score in our study mirrored previous results for dogs and cats and not small, caged animals. Owners currently thinking about getting rid of their rabbits were more likely not to have completed the LAPS. The HAIS appears suitable for use with companion rabbit owners, but the LAPS had substantial incomplete data which could bias analytical results. To develop strategies to better support owners, rabbits and shelters/rescues, quantitative data from the above survey was used to identify risk factors for owners currently contemplating giving their rabbits away and letting them loose outside. Many risk factors of practical importance related to owner demographics and perceptions, rabbit demographics and husbandry, and owner-rabbit interactions were identified using univariable logistic regression. To further understand the additional pressures experienced by shelters/rabbit rescues during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rabbit intake and experiences of rabbit management (2017-2022) at animal shelters/rabbit rescues in Canada and USA were explored using a mixed methods survey. Most participating organizations (n=87) used resource-intensive management practices including foster care, waiting lists, and transferring rabbits in/out to other organizations to manage overload. Multivariable modeling suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic, RHDV2 emergence, and broad-based shelters (vs. rabbit-focused) were all associated with decreased annual rabbit intake types, but a significant decrease by year was seen only for stray/abandoned rabbits for 2020 vs. 2021. Organizations’ comments clarified modeling results. This thesis contributes to further understanding of tools measuring owner-companion rabbit relationships, rabbit-retention risk factors, and the impact of COVID-19 on organizations managing unwanted rabbits. It identifies several ways to safeguard and improve the welfare of rabbits, owners, and shelter/rabbit rescue personnel.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaOntario Veterinary College Pet TrustUniversity of Guelp