19614 research outputs found
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Hydrogen from food waste: Energy potential, economic feasibility, and environmental impact for sustainable valorization
No full textThe authors would like to acknowledge the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh for supporting the research work.Globally, inefficient management of municipal solid waste, composed primarily of food waste poses concern for human and environmental well-being. Food waste can be converted into hydrogen gas, which can be utilized to generate power without emitting any harmful pollutants. This solution would also help with the issue of disposing of food waste. The conversion of food waste into hydrogen is a practical energy source with potential financial benefits. This study explores the transformative potential of converting food waste into renewable energy through hydrogen production, focusing on Bangladesh from 2023 to 2042. Notably, the study forecasts a surge in food waste from 23 million tons in 2023–110 million tons by 2042. By 2042, food waste is expected to generate 2480 MW of power, a rise from 489 MW in 2023. Based on the results of the economic study, the food waste into hydrogen via gasification project is financially viable in all of Bangladesh's main cities. Metrics such as internal rate of return, payback period, levelized cost of energy, net present value, and total life cycle cost were used to assess economic viability. The hydrogen production cost, payback period, and internal rate of return are 2.05 $/kg, 11 years and 14% respectively. It was discovered that using the available electricity from hydrogen gas may displace 1428 M liters of diesel fuel combustion. The quantity of diesel fuel saved can cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3.85 million tons. It was also found that using hydrogen as a source of energy generation has an attractive ecological efficiency of 99.98%. This research provides novel and pertinent data for investors contemplating gasification-based energy projects in Bangladesh. It pioneers a path toward eco-friendly waste management, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the adoption of sustainable energy solutions for the country.The work has been carried out under the project (dre/7/ruet/640 (53)/pro/2023-24/34), financed by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and Research & Extension section, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh.GraduateReviewe
Usability evaluation ecological validity: Is more always better?
Full text linkBackground: The ecological validity associated with usability testing of health information technologies (HITs) can affect test results and the predictability of real-world performance. It is, therefore, necessary to identify conditions with the greatest effect on validity. Method: We conducted a comparative analysis of two usability testing conditions. We tested a HIT designed for anesthesiologists to detect pain signals and compared two fidelity levels of ecological validity. We measured the difference in the number and type of use errors identified between high and low-fidelity experimental conditions. Results: We identified the same error types in both test conditions, although the number of errors varied as a function of the condition. The difference in total error counts was relatively modest and not consistent across levels of severity. Conclusions: Increasing ecological validity does not invariably increase the ability to detect use errors. Our findings suggest that low-fidelity tests are an efficient way to identify and mitigate usability issues affecting ease of use, effectiveness, and safety. We believe early low-fidelity testing is an efficient but underused way to maximize the value of usability testing.This research was funded by the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (grant number: ANR-15-CE36–0007).FacultyReviewe
Impact of community on the mental health of birthing parents in Canada
Full text linkBackground: The growing rate of postpartum depression in Canada, and the serious implications of this mood disorder, calls for a closer examination of perinatal mental health. To date, most studies have been conducted from a medical perspective and have focused on the management of perinatal mood disorders. Yet there has been little in the way of mental health promotion during the postpartum period, a time when many parents struggle with distressing feelings. Community engagement has been linked to mental health promotion. Research Aim: Identify the facets of community engagement that birthing parents find to be supportive of their mental health postpartum through qualitative interviews. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews on Zoom. Ten birthing parents residing in Canada described their engagement with community with regards to physical spaces, events, and interactions during the postpartum period, and their impacts on mental health. The Networked Model of Ecological Systems Theory was utilized to map out relationships between birthing parents and their communities. Themes were derived through Reflexive Thematic Analysis using Dedoose software. Findings: Birthing parents favored spaces, events, and interactions that were accessible (i.e., physically accessible, affordable, flexible, and safe). They regarded these spaces, events, and interactions as opportunities to “get out” (i.e., leave one’s place of residence with their infants) and to access psychological, emotional, and informative support from peers (i.e., other birthing parents) in the community. Birthing parents also described individualized and responsive community services that they found supportive of their mental health postpartum. Conclusion: Findings from this sample suggest that engagement with community, particularly outdoors and in settings with flexible accessibility, is related to positive mental health during the postpartum period. Further studies pertaining to this topic are recommended. Social and urban planners, government, and practitioners are encouraged to consider policies and initiatives that bring community engagement more clearly into focus in efforts to promote the postpartum mental health of local birthing parents and their families.Graduat
Running on Empty: Impacts of Endurance Exercise on Cognition
No full textShort duration exercise has been known to transiently improve cognition. However, the effects of endurance exercise remain mixed. Mobile electroencephalography (EEG) allows researchers to further study changes in cognitive processing at the level of neural activity. N200, a specific Event Related Potential (ERP) component is seen in EEG data when an infrequent stimulus is presented, reflecting attention and inhibition. The aim of this research is to explore the effects of submaximal running for two hours on the ERP N200 component elicited using an interactive visual attention task. Of particular interest is if two hours of submaximal running will cause an inflection from exercise induced improvement to exercise induced impairment in cognitive performance.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
From facts to feelings: Navigating the complexities of COVID-19 restrictions, perceptions, and mental well-being
No full textThe authors would like to thank the rest of our research team for their assistance, including Brooke Welch, Zachary Senay, Reina Stewart, and Jamie-Lee Barden.Objectives of the present study were to 1) examine accuracy of COVID-19 public health restriction knowledge and the impact of information source, 2) assess the effect of perceived level of restriction on perceived infection risk of COVID-19 infection and level of compliance with restrictions, and 3) investigate the relationship between mental health outcomes and perceived as well as actual level of restriction. Canadians (n = 5,051) completed an online survey between December 2020 and March 2021 assessing public health restriction knowledge, accuracy of this knowledge, information sources about COVID-19, perceived infection risk, compliance with restrictions, loneliness, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Approximately half of our sample had accurate knowledge of the restrictions in their region/province, which significantly differed by province. Individuals who perceived restriction levels to be higher than they were, reported significantly greater perceived infection risk, more compliance with restrictions, worse mental health, and greater loneliness. Individuals living under moderate restrictions had better mental health and experienced less loneliness compared to minor, significant and extreme restriction levels. Findings suggest that while restrictions are beneficial for compliance, stronger and clearer restrictions should be coupled with mental health supports to remediate the negative effects of restrictions and uncertainty on mental health and loneliness.This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (with partner funding from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research) and by the British Columbia Ministry of Health. NKL is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. BJT is funded by a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Award. TSEP is funded by a Michael Smith Health Research BC/Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation Scholar Award. The views and opinions expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and should not be construed to represent the views of any of the sponsoring organizations, agencies, or the Federal or Provincial Governments. None of the aforementioned funding agencies had any role in the study design,
collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the paper for publication.FacultyReviewe
La transidentité dans les albums illustrés pour enfants : fluidité de l'identité dans un monde normatif
Full text linkLa transidentité est en ce moment un sujet central dans la sphère publique sous prétexte de la
supposée vulnérabilité des enfants face aux discours identitaires, notamment ceux qui ne prônent
pas le conformisme à la cishétéronormativité. La présence toujours croissante de lois anti-trans à
travers le monde occidental imprègne les discours, ciblant la transitude elle-même au nom de la
protection de l'« innocence enfantine ». Ce travail cherche cependant à souligner une question
quasi-absente : qu'en est-il des enfants trans elleux-mêmes? Dans cette étude en
recherche-création, j'analyse dix albums contemporains ayant un personnage principal trans, en
plus des données paratextuelles à propos de leurs auteurices afin de mettre en lumière le rapport
que les personnes qui offrent ces histoires entretiennent avec la transitude. Je soulève également
la question de l’authenticité des histoires trans et la prévalence des perspectives cishétéros
blanches. Les voix et les perspectives des personnes trans réelles sont-elles traitées de manière
respectueuse et, plus encore, sont-elles amplifiées par celleux qui ne font pas partie de la
communauté trans+? En termes plus simples, est-ce que les personnes trans racontent leurs
propres histoires? J'offre ensuite ma propre perspective en tant qu'homme trans queer racisé, à
travers la création de mon deuxième album pour enfants intitulé Un homme comme moi. Ce récit
espère s'adresser en particulier aux personnes transmasculines racisées, mais aussi à toustes les
autres qui ne se reconnaissent pas dans la littérature, celleux qui sont presque toujours négligé.es,
oublié.es, réduit.es au silence par les voix cis. Notre histoire en tant que personnes trans racisées
est compliquée, mais nous persévérons pour un meilleur avenir.
Transidentity is at present a central subject in the public sphere in the discourse surrounding
identity and the supposed vulnerability of children faced with any such discussion, notably in
reference to identities that do not conform to the cisheteronormative. The ever-growing presence
of anti-trans laws across the occidental world frequents these discourses, even targeting transness
itself in the name of “childhood innocence”. This work, however, seeks to highlight a
near-absent question: what about trans children themselves? In this research-creation thesis, I
analyze ten contemporary children’s picture books with a trans main character, as well as
paratextual information regarding the authors’ identities in order to highlight the voices who
offer such stories. I also raise the question of the authenticity of trans stories and the prevalence
of white, cisheterosexual perspectives rather than trans ones themselves. Are real trans voices
and perspectives being treated in a respectful manner and, more so, are they amplified by those
who are not part of the trans+ community? In simpler terms, are trans people telling their own
stories? I then offer my own perspective as a queer racialized trans man through the creation of
my second children’s picture book titled Un homme comme moi. This book hopes to address and
highlight racialized transmasculine people, but also others who do not see themselves in the
literature, those who are almost always neglected, forgotten, silenced by cis voices. Our history
as racialized trans people is complicated, but we persevere to fight for a brighter future.Graduat
Human recreation in protected areas impacts spatial dynamics and risk-resource trade-offs among a wildlife community
No full textLarge mammals play critical roles in maintaining ecosystem balance, but their need for expansive, undisturbed habitat makes them particularly vulnerable to human activities. Protected areas are designed to conserve biodiversity by providing refuges for wildlife. However, within these areas, large mammals remain at risk from disturbances due to the growing trend of non-consumptive outdoor recreation. Understanding the effects of human presence on mammal communities and large carnivores like cougars (Puma concolor) is essential for informing effective land and wildlife management. This thesis addresses this need by examining how human presence affects cougars’ risk-resource trade-offs, and then broadening the scope to assess human impacts on a community of large mammals. Data were collected from an array of 48 camera traps across the public-access Sooke Hills Wilderness Area Park (SHWA) and the restricted-access Greater Victoria Water Supply Area (GVWSA) on southern Vancouver Island. In Chapter 2, cougar occurrence was evaluated through competing hypotheses related to habitat, prey, and anthropogenic risk. These results were used to predict cougar occurrence across a network of roads and trails within the study area. Cougar occurrence was best explained by habitat and risk at a 750-meter buffer, where cougars avoided human presence but were more willing to tolerate this risk when their preferred habitat was available in the same area. In Chapter 3, I assessed how a community of large mammals, including Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), Roosevelt elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), cougar (Puma concolor), black bear (Ursus americanus), and grey wolf (Canis lupus) responded to landscape heterogeneity, heterospecifics’ detection frequency, and land-use restrictions. Differences in community composition between the SHWA and GVWSA revealed that all wildlife species avoided public-access sites, with a clear difference in community composition due to access restrictions. Carnivore species overlapped spatially, suggesting reduced spatial partitioning due to human activity. This thesis shows that site-level human activity can alter risk-resource trade-offs for large carnivores, which can scale upwards to shift species distributions. Given the vulnerability of large mammals to disturbance, it is crucial to consider the impacts of non-consumptive activities on both apex predators and entire wildlife communities.Graduat
UVic Green Fleet project
No full textThe University of Victoria’s fleet is at a pivotal point as management seeks to align with the university's broader climate and sustainability goals. As part of its commitment to the ambitious targets and goals outlined in the Climate and Sustainability Plan CSAP (2030), UVic is exploring the necessary steps to transition their fleet from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs). However, this transition requires accurate and consistent vehicle data collection procedures to adopt a ZEV-targeted approach that recognizes the challenges associated with electrifying special purpose vehicles with high operational demands and the supporting ZEV infrastructure.
In 2023, UVic launched the “Sustainability Scholars Program” offering paid internships for graduate students from any discipline, to collaborate with community, government, Indigenous, and not-for-profit partners on professional and applied research projects that advance sustainability. The program focuses on the global challenges of the climate crisis and is grounded in the idea that local action is required to meet those challenges for future generations.
The Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability applied as a program sponsor and hired a master’s student to initiate the Green Fleet Project, to help advance UVic’s climate strategy. The project sought to review the current conditions of UVic’s fleet composition and prepare key recommendations for fleet management to electrify their fleet over the short, medium, long-term.
Over a four-month period, this project successfully brought together key stakeholders from multiple departments to review the processes and procedures involved in managing the university’s vehicle fleet. The project included extensive field work to verify vehicles and meetings with department supervisors, as well as consultations with Risk Management and Campus Planning and Sustainability to align reporting metrics for insurance and sustainability requirements.UVic Office of Campus Planning & SustainabilityGraduat
Understandings of health equity and organizational constraints on health equity work among frontline public health practitioners in British Columbia
Full text linkHealth equity occupies a central place in the field of public health. However, significant challenges exist to public health practitioners promoting health equity, many of which are produced by the organizational contexts in which they work. This study explored how frontline public health staff engaged with health equity during a time when the organization they worked for had declared health equity an organizational priority. The project involved secondary analysis of focus groups and interviews conducted in 2014-2015 with frontline practitioners in a health authority in British Columbia, Canada. Using a critical discursive organizational approach, I identified a number of ideas at work in frontline staff’s construction of health equity. Frontline staff prioritized health equity in their work, even if they did not always use the term ‘health equity’. They most often articulated health equity as downstream access to services and less often as an upstream structural phenomenon. Some articulated concerning individualist ideas about health equity that pushed back against systemic approaches. Frontline staff described an organizational environment that mostly impeded their ability to promote health equity through inadequate resources, bureaucratization, an overemphasis on targeted programs, and limited professional scope. They posited that the organization’s lack of prioritization of health equity and the hierarchical distance between senior leaders and the frontline produced an organizational environment that was unsympathetic to and unsupportive of health equity. This research highlighted some of the relations of power that impacted frontline public health staff’s ideas and action on health equity, concluding that the conditions and dynamics of the organizational environment are critical factors in organization-wide health equity initiatives. It also raised concerns about how the concept of health equity plays out in real world public health contexts, questioning whether the concept is politically generative at the level of frontline practice.Graduate2025-05-0
Counting convex shapes
Full text linkThis research project aimed to examine C(n), the number of convex connected subsets of lattice containing n points. The primary objective was to derive and analyse an upper bound for C(n) to determine whether it grows sub-exponentially. This was done by programming a recursive code that took n as input and constructed every convex connected shape row-by-row. To ensure the results of C(n) were correct, the shapes were visually printed as output and further studied. This included focusing on pairs of adjacent C(n) and C(n+1) values, and confirming that the number of ways to add a point to the n-shapes was equal to the number of ways to take away a point from the (n+1)-shapes. Using a log-log regression transformation it was confirmed that C(n) is, in fact, sub-exponential. This plays a role in problems in statistical mechanics.Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Awards (VKURA)UndergraduateReviewe