19614 research outputs found
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Getting tired of your friends: The dynamics of venture capital relationships
Get PDFWe thank seminar participants at HEC (Paris), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Universidad Carlos III (Madrid), University of Oxford (Saïd), the University of Southern California (Marshall School), and the University of International Business and Economics for their valuable comments and suggestions. We also thank Pinar Ozcan and Jack Fraser for their helpful comments.We empirically examine how venture capitalists adjust coinvestor relationships over time. We identify a fundamental trade-off where the benefits of familiarity are weighed against the opportunity costs of coinvesting with other syndication partners. Using US data, we find that venture capitalists dynamically adjust their relationship intensities by gradually disengaging from overly deep relationships. More centrally networked investors are more cautious with disengaging. In hot investment markets investors disengage more readily from existing relationships, but new relationships forged in hot market are less enduring. Perhaps surprisingly, we find a negative relationship between deeper prior relationships and investment performance.Qianqian Du gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the School of Accounting and Finance, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Grant number: GYBS5).FacultyReviewe
Examination of the adoption intention of new energy vehicles from the perspective of functional attributes and media richness
Get PDFDrawing on the theory of media richness, this paper aims to explore the impact of media richness on consumers' adoption intention through their perception of new energy vehicle (NEV) function attributes, and assess the moderation roles of brand familiarity and locus of control. A structural equation model is applied to analyze the data collected from 427 respondents. Empirical results demonstrate that consumers' perception of an electric attribute (i.e., charging efficiency) and two intelligent attributes (i.e., car networking and self-driving) are determinants of their adoption intention of NEVs. The other electric attribute (range) is trivial in consumers' perception. We also find that low, medium, and high-richness media significantly affect consumers' perception of NEVs' functional attributes. Compared to the high-richness, medium-richness correlates significantly with two types of NEV functional attributes. Regarding moderating effects, consumer familiarity with NEV's brand negatively impacts the relationship between media richness and adoption intention. Furthermore, low and medium-richness media effectively stimulate individuals with external control to adopt NEV, while high-richness media adversely influence individuals with internal control.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71872076, 71964023), China Scholarship Council (202006820032) and Key Social Program of Hubei Province’s Education Administry (22D021).FacultyReviewe
Complete genome sequencing and comparative phylogenomics of nine African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) isolates of the virulent East African p72 genotype IX without viral sequence enrichment
Get PDFAfrican swine fever virus (ASFV) is endemic to African wild pigs (Phacochoerus and Potamochoerus), in which viral infection is asymptomatic, and Ornithodoros soft ticks. However, ASFV causes a lethal disease in Eurasian domestic pigs (Sus scrofa). While Sub-Saharan Africa is believed to be the original home of ASFV, publicly available whole-genome ASFV sequences show a strong bias towards p72 Genotypes I and II, which are responsible for domestic pig pandemics outside Africa. To reduce this bias, we hereby describe nine novel East African complete genomes in p72 Genotype IX and present the phylogenetic analysis of all 16 available Genotype IX genomes compared with other ASFV p72 clades. We also document genome-level differences between one specific novel Genotype IX genome sequence (KE/2013/Busia.3) and a wild boar cell-passaged derivative. The Genotype IX genomes clustered with the five available Genotype X genomes. By contrast, Genotype IX and X genomes were strongly phylogenetically differentiated from all other ASFV genomes. The p72 gene region, on which the p72-based virus detection primers are derived, contains consistent SNPs in Genotype IX, potentially resulting in reduced sensitivity of detection. In addition to the abovementioned cell-adapted variant, eight novel ASFV Genotype IX genomes were determined: five from viruses passaged once in primary porcine peripheral blood monocytes and three generated from DNA isolated directly from field-sampled kidney tissues. Based on this methodological simplification, genome sequencing of ASFV field isolates should become increasingly routine and result in a rapid expansion of knowledge pertaining to the diversity of African ASFV at the whole-genome level.This research was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (United States government), grant number HDTRA1-16-1-0050.FacultyReviewe
The Ethical and Political Implications of Suspending Civil Liberties in Times of Crisis: A Response to “State of Exception” by Giorgio Agamben (2003)
No full textThis research project aims to explore the ethical and political implications of suspending civil liberties during times of crisis, utilizing Giorgio Agamben's book "State of Exception" as a foundational framework. Specifically, this project aims to contextualize Agamben's theories within a broader discourse by engaging with relevant literature. This includes incorporating insights from Judith Butler's exploration of governmentality and considering perspectives on civil liberties from analytic philosophers like David Dyzenhaus, whose work is not typically put in conversation with Agamben's. Drawing upon my own analysis, this project develops an account of whether and to what extent civil liberties may be limited during times of crisis.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
Numerical and experimental investigation of enhancing transdermal model drug delivery: a study on bio-inspired microneedles and iontophoresis integration
Get PDFThis study investigates the potential enhancement in model drug (acid/dye) delivery by integrating microneedle (MN) technology with iontophoresis (ITP), focusing on transitioning from cone-shaped MNs to bio-inspired variants. It aims to assess the influence of altering MN geometry, particularly incorporating barbs on bio-inspired MNs, on the electric field, and surface area to understand their impact on acid/dye delivery. Anticipated outcomes suggest increased penetration depth of model drugs over time using bio-inspired MNs with ITP, indicating superior model drug delivery across gel. Detailed findings and comparative analyses elucidate differences in penetration depths between bio-inspired and cone MN configurations, providing insight into drug delivery efficiency. The study merges bio-inspired MNs with ITP for enhanced transdermal model drug delivery (TDD).
Using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.1, parameters like voltage distribution, electric field strength, and drug concentration within the skin are simulated. Bio-inspired MNs show superior electric field strengths, particularly at their edges, augmenting electrophoretic and diffusive flux, thereby improving drug concentrations within the skin. The maximum electric field strength measured is 50 V/m for cone MNs and significantly higher at 900 V/m for bio-inspired MNs, concentrated particularly at the edges of the bio-inspired MNs in contrast to the overall surface of cone MNs.
Length of created channels by cone MN is 1600 m and by bio-inspired is 2400 μm. Moreover, the combined effect of cone MNs and ITP exhibits the deepest penetration, reaching ~2000 μm after 10 mins. The implementation of ITP as a driving force further amplifies the model drug's permeation through the punctured gel. Ultimately, bio-inspired microneedle array (MA) and ITP achieve a remarkable and synergistic enhancement in dye and acid delivery. The confluence of bio-inspired MA and ITP displays the deepest penetration depth, reaching ~2600 μm after 10 mins.
The diffusion of the model drug through microholes created by the cone MA significantly enhances permeation, reaching a depth of approximately 1000 μm, even without the application of ITP. Similarly, the bio-inspired MA-created microholes allow for model drug diffusion to deeper layers, enhancing permeation up to ~1400 μm without ITP after 10 mins. Higher fluorescence intensity, observed specifically in microholes created by the bio-inspired MA,signifies a more extensive diffusion of the model drug solution into deeper gel layers facilitated by these microholes.
The investigation covers design, fabrication, experimental investigations, and discussions on outcomes and synergies between MNs and ITP. Examining varied MN geometries' impact on model drug permeation rates promises advancements in drug delivery methods.Graduate2025-04-2
Resolving the growth-authenticity paradox in craft based organization
No full textBusiness - Three Minute Thesis FinalistUVic Faculty of Graduate Studies Three Minute Thesis (3MT) research communication competition.Graduat
Advancing T cell-based immunotherapies through targeted engineering with CRISPR-Cas9
Get PDFT cell-based immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy have undoubtably revolutionized the treatment of cancer. However, the broad effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy is hindered by several unresolved problems, most notably a lack of therapeutic efficacy in treating solid tumor cancers. A second challenge stems from the widespread use of viral vectors in CAR-T manufacturing, which poses safety risks to patients receiving treatment. Here, we showed that genome editing with CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to overcome both of these issues.
As the solid tumor microenvironment (TME) is known to be metabolically suppressive, we devised a single-step editing method to enhance the metabolism and effector function of CAR-T cells. This approach combined CRISPR-mediated homology-directed repair with a gene-trap approach to link CAR integration with simultaneous deletion of a metabolic gene of interest. For proof-of-concept, we targeted the folate receptor alpha (aFR) CAR to the locus of the essential autophagy gene ATG5, and showed that editing at ATG5 could be achieved with a high level of on-target specificity. Functionally, deletion of ATG5 led to alterations in glucose and glutamine metabolism and enhanced CAR-T cell efficacy under nutrient-restricted conditions in vitro and in vivo.
To address the safety concerns associated with viral transduction, we developed a process for nonviral manufacturing of clinical-grade CAR-T cells for B-cell malignancies. This approach used electroporation of a Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexed with a linear double-stranded DNA template to facilitate site-specific insertion of a CD22 CAR at the T cell receptor alpha chain (TRAC) locus. In vitro, nonviral CD22 CAR-T cells exhibited comparable antitumor activity to lentiviral CD22 CAR-T cells. thereby establishing feasibility of our nonviral manufacturing process.
Taken together, the results of these studies highlight the broad applicability of CRISPR-Cas9 as a tool for engineering safer, more effective T cell-based immunotherapies for patients with cancer.Graduate2025-11-1
Safer alternatives to prevent biofouling in reverse osmosis polyamide membrane systems
Get PDFBiofouling is the main technical barrier to the widespread application of reverse osmosis (RO) technology in addressing worldwide water scarcity. Biofouling reduces permeate production, escalates energy demands, and exacerbates the environmental impacts associated with RO technology. To overcome these challenges, this PhD project proposed a platform to select and test safe and green anti-biofouling agents to prevent biofouling in drinking water RO system applications. The platform consisted of a screening protocol followed by a validation protocol. The proposed platform was applied to assess the applicability of nine chemicals (MIT: 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; DBNPA: 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide; SBS: sodium bisulfite; SB: sodium benzoate, PE: phenoxyethanol; LAE: ethyl lauroyl arginate, PHMGH: Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride; BDMDAC: Benzyldimethyldodecyl ammonium chloride; SNP: Sodium nitroprusside) for preventing membrane biofouling in RO potable water applications. The screening protocol involved three phases: a comprehensive review, antibiofouling testing, and polyamide membrane compatibility testing. The comprehensive review investigated the applicability of the selected biocides in preventing and controlling biofouling in RO systems. It evaluated their antimicrobial efficiency, hazard levels, membrane compatibility, and suitability for drinking water treatment. Antibiofouling testing involved biofouling experiments on a Center for Disease Control (CDC; the United States) biofilm reactor with the minimum concentrations determined in microtiter plates. Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy (CLSM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the biocides' anti-biofilm efficacies under dynamic conditions relative to the minimum biofilm inhibitory and eradication concentrations. Polyamide membrane compatibility testing assessed membrane compatibility via rapid membrane degradation tests. Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and SEM were used to assess the polyamide membrane damage due to exposure to biocides.
The screening protocol revealed that DBNPA and MIT pose hazards to both human health and the environment, making them unsuitable as a full-scale solution to prevent biofouling in RO potable water applications. SBS was also considered to be unsuitable due to its low antibiofilm efficacy and pH dependency. PE and SB were deemed unsuitable due to their moderate antibiofilm efficacy and incompatibility with polyamide membranes. BDMDAC was considered unsuitable for biofouling control in RO potable water applications due to its inefficacy against biofilms and common biofilm-forming microorganisms in RO systems. Further research beyond this PhD is required to assess the suitability of PHMGH and SNP for use in RO potable water applications, given their early stage of development and limited available information in the literature. Among the examined chemicals, LAE was the only biocide to successfully pass all phases of the proposed screening protocol, emerging as a promising safe chemical alternative to prevent biofouling in RO systems. LAE showed the highest efficacy against P. aeruginosa biofilms among the tested biocides, successfully preventing biofilm formation by over 98% and removing existing biofilms by more than 99% from RO membranes. Additionally, rapid membrane degradation tests indicated that LAE did not cause morphological or chemical damage to the membranes. Consequently, LAE was the only biocide recommended to advance to further experiments in a RO benchtop system outlined in the validation protocol.
Therefore, considering the current need for greener alternatives to prevent biofouling in RO polyamide membrane systems in potable water applications, this PhD project has the potential to contribute to the use of RO technology for the provision of reliable, secure, and safe water supply to municipalities, industries, marginalized groups, remote work sites, and Indigenous communities. This was accomplished by establishing a platform to screen anti-biofouling agents for preventing biofouling in RO drinking water applications, alongside the identification of a promising biocide (LAE) to address membrane biofouling in RO drinking water applications.Graduate2025-01-1
L2 reading assessment from a sociocultural theory perspective: The contributions of dynamic assessment
No full textOur understanding of assessing L2 reading has significantly expanded in recent years, including both theoretical and practical aspects. There is a growing consensus that reading comprehension involves multiple skills and subskills. Classroom-based assessment practices reflecting such conceptualizations have also become widely utilized. This article explores the Vygotskyan sociocultural theory (SCT) and its implications for L2 reading assessment, with a specific focus on dynamic assessment as an effective classroom-based approach for L2 reading and literacy instruction. We will review the research that has applied DA principles to the assessment and teaching of L2 reading. We conclude by outlining potential avenues for future DA research and L2 reading instruction.FacultyReviewe
Medical assistance in dying and mental illness: Perspectives from 2S/LGBTQ+ individuals in Atlantic Canada
Get PDFIn March 2027, medical assistance in dying (MAID, also referred to as physician-assisted suicide) in Canada will be available to those with mental illness (MI) as the sole underlying condition (MAID-MI). The literature surrounding MAID-MI rarely consults individuals with MI; consequently, there is urgent need to understand this population’s perspectives. A key intersecting/sub-population is 2S/LGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) Atlantic Canadians with MI, who will be disproportionately affected by the change in MAID eligibility for several reasons. These include: 1) intersections of sexual/gender minority status with homelessness and poverty, and the impact of rising costs of living in Atlantic Canada; 2) associations between sexual/gender minority status and MI/suicidality, and the impact of barriers to accessing timely and competent healthcare in Atlantic Canada, specifically gender-affirming and mental health care; and 3) associations between homelessness, suicidality, and likelihood of seeking MAID. This study used an interpretive description methodology, informed by a feminist-of-colour disability framework, and community collaboration, and engaged 2S/LGBTQ+ Atlantic Canadians with mood disorders through qualitative one-on-one interviews to understand their perspectives on MAID-MI and how their experiences and identities impacted these perspectives. Of the 38 participants, 63% were white and the remaining 37% represented diverse races/ethnicities: Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit; Black, East or Southeast Asian; Latino/Latina/Latine/Latinx; and South Asian. A minority (21%) identified as cisgender. A reflexive thematic analysis of the verbatim interview transcripts focused on the topic of autonomy in the context of MAID-MI within the Atlantic Canadian healthcare system. These results identify possible complications for MAID-MI implementation and highlight areas where additional safeguards could be enacted to ensure equity for and prevent abuse of power against 2S/LGBTQ+ or other marginalized communities.Graduat