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Critical infrastructure protection or persuasion? The hegemonic and repressive function of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police during the Coastal Gaslink flashpoint
Get PDFThroughout the Canadian settler-colonial project, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been a dominant police force within critical infrastructure protection (CIP). CIP, often focused on the securitization of resource extraction projects, repeatedly confronts Indigenous dissent and Indigenous assertion of sovereignty. In adherence with the RCMP’s historical role, a division of the British Columbia RCMP, Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG), was specifically created to police pipeline projects. This project looks at the function C-IRG performed during the Coastal Gaslink (CGL) pipeline project (constructed by TC Energy), which trespasses through unceded Wet’suwet’en land without consent.
In order to better understand C-IRG’s role within CIP, Freedom of Information (FOI) and Access to Information (ATI) requests were submitted to multiple government organizations. The key findings from this research underline that C-IRG operates as both an ideological and repressive force. The force, shifting towards a more intelligence-led approach, can result in greater coercion, as enforcements are informed by risk assessments. At the same time, C-IRG assessed land defenders as illegal and occupying protesters, which allowed C-IRG to position themselves as a neutral peacekeeping force, adhering to the “benevolent Mountie” myth, which the force reproduced within legacy media. The CGL flashpoint revealed C-IRG's coercion on Wet'suwet'en territory and confronted the RCMP's benevolent image. Thus, C-IRG used the reach of legacy media to attempt to restore its ideological image, which was simultaneously supported by other fossil fuel allies within the media during the flashpoint.Graduat
The risk for dementia in older adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Does cognitive reserve affect time to dement in adults with ADHD symptoms?
Get PDFAs the population over 65 continues to grow, the number of older adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is also likely to increase. While dementia risk increases after age 65, previous research suggests that adults with ADHD have a higher risk for dementia than their neurotypical peers. The purpose of this research was to investigate how the Cognitive Reserve (CR) theory of ageing relates to the risk for dementia associated with ADHD symptoms (ADHD-sx). Given that impairments in the domains typically used as proxies of the CR (i.e., education, occupation and social participation) persist across the lifespan for individuals with ADHD, it was first predicted that individuals with ADHD-sx would have lower CR than individuals without ADHD-sx. Secondly, to extend previous research, it was predicted that individuals with ADHD-sx would have a higher risk for dementia than individuals without ADHD-sx. Finally, given the variability in outcomes associated with ADHD, it was predicted that the risk for dementia associated with ADHD-sx would depend on CR. In 2008/2009, 986 participants from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were followed until either a diagnosis of dementia was observed or the last assessment point, 8 years (two additional assessments) later. Based on currently reported ADHD-sx and childhood onset of attention problems, participants were assigned to either an ADHD-sx group (n= 147) or a non-ADHD group (n= 839). The results revealed no significant differences between groups on CR (2(1) = .14, p = .71). A Cox-proportional hazard analysis reported no significant risk for dementia associated with ADHD-sx (HR: 1.29, 95% CI [.43, 3.88], p = .65). Finally, the moderating effect of CR could not be estimated due to insufficient data. These results reveal important considerations when studying older adults with neurodevelopmental disorders and provide future directions for research on the CR theory of ageing.Graduat
Working for watersheds
No full textWatershedsBC works to strengthen BC’s watershed security by equipping & supporting local people and decision-makers with the knowledge, training, and networks needed to restore and secure watersheds. WatershedsBC is guided by a vision of watershed security and healthy waters, achieved through new approaches to watershed management and governance grounded in community values and local and Indigenous knowledge.
The project, Developing a Watershed Workforce in British Columbia: Identifying Effective Programs and Micro-Credentials included two primary components, 1. Identifying microcredentials and 2. Conducting interviews with stakeholders. This research seeks to reorient attention on the workforce requirement in working for watersheds and the economic significance of working for watersheds. It highlights the potential of watersheds to grow as an employer and contribute to the larger economy of the province.WatershedsBCGraduat
The feasibility study for measuring the branching fraction of B meson decays to D, eta, lepton, and its neutrino
No full textSemileptonic B meson decays provide a direct method to measure the parameters of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix, which is essential for understanding quark mixing and CP violation in the Standard Model. This thesis presents an exploratory study on the Branching Fraction of the B meson decay mode [character cannot be represented] which has never been measured. Here, ℓ represents either an electron or a muon, νℓ denotes the corresponding lepton neutrino, D(∗) refers to either a D meson or its excited state D∗, and η symbolizes the eta meson. In this analysis to reduce the significantly higher occurrence of background events compared to signal candidates, both B mesons are reconstructed semileptonically. The tag-side B meson predominantly decays via [character cannot be represented]. This investigation aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of B meson semileptonic decays by attempting to bridge the gap between the measurements of exclusive semileptonic decay modes and the summation of all measured exclusive semileptonic decays, and improve the understanding of the background in lepton flavor-violating decay modes such as B → D(∗)τντ . This work shows that with 470.78 fb−1, with the MC BF([character cannot be represented]) + BF([character cannot be represented]) = 0.008 where ℓ can be either an electron or a muon, Belle II may be able to measure sum of the branching fraction for the decay of [character cannot be represented] and B− → D[character cannot be represented] with more than 5σ significance.Graduat
A Time for Recollection: Exploring the Temporality of Victoria‘s Sea-to-Sea Green Blue Belt Campaign
Get PDFFrom 1988 to the early 2000s, the Sea-to-Sea Green Blue Belt campaign successfully protected the lands connecting Tod Inlet, Sooke Basin and Sooke River as a way to promote urban containment and wildlife protection. Within the frameworks of future orientations and social ecology, this study explores the timeline of the campaign, as well as the temporal experiences of environmental activists. This was accomplished by interviewing nine individuals from the Sea-to-Sea Greenbelt Society, the Sierra Club, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, The Land Conservancy, the Capital Regional District, and a former MLA of the Province of British Columbia. Catalyzed by the 1988 algae bloom in the Greater Victoria drinking watershed, the campaign worked to protect the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park in 1997 and the purchase of nearby private lands. The participants’ temporal experiences during the campaign were shaped by how they remembered their past and valued their future, as themes of home and legacy were emphasized in conversation. It was concluded that the Sea-to-Sea Green Blue Belt has become a timeless tribute to the passionate individuals dedicated to preserving the natural world. Embodying a success story, this landscape can act as a source of inspiration for future environmental activists.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
Clinical relevance of ML predictions using health datasets
Get PDFThis research explores how advanced data analysis and machine learning techniques can transform healthcare. By applying innovative computational methods, it addresses key challenges in medical diagnosis, data interpretation, and synthetic data generation. The aim is to enhance clinical practices, improve diagnostic accuracy, and maximize the utility of healthcare data. Through these cutting-edge approaches, the research seeks to provide more effective, accurate, and practical solutions for modern healthcare needs.
The first study tackles the challenge of diagnosing thyroid disorders, which can profoundly affect both physical and mental health. Instead of merely evaluating classifier performance, this research emphasizes the value of comprehensive feature analysis. Identifying the top four crucial features for predicting thyroid disorders, shows that using a complete thyroid panel leads to more accurate and cost-effective diagnoses. This approach reveals the flaws in current clinical practices that frequently skip a full thyroid panel, particularly in universal healthcare systems.
The second study delves into diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using fMRI data. It compares simple tabular data classifiers with cutting-edge graph-theoretic methods, discovering that the simpler approach performs just as well. Moreover, the research finds that adding higher-order connectivity information doesn't improve classification outcomes, and highlights the complexity of diagnosing ASD due to the similar brain networks in individuals with and without the disorder. This study underscores the necessity for clear and reliable diagnostic methods in neuroimaging.
The third study explores the creation of synthetic health data, which is essential for research and practical applications while addressing privacy and ethical concerns. It assesses various cutting-edge synthetic data generation (SDG) techniques, comparing their scalability, resemblance to real data, and practical utility. The findings reveal that statistical models surpass machine learning-based methods in training time and data generation, with synthetic data from most models closely mimicking real data. This synthetic data proves highly valuable in practical applications, maintaining high classification accuracy whether trained on real or synthetic data.
In summary, this dissertation shows how advanced data analysis and machine learning can significantly improve healthcare. By enhancing diagnostic methods, making complex medical data easier to understand, and ethically using synthetic data, these techniques lead to more effective, accurate, and scalable healthcare solutions. This work demonstrates the powerful role of technology in advancing patient care.Graduat
How are schools supporting cultural identity in urban Indigenous youth? School-based cultural programs and their relationship with Indigenous youth identity development
No full textSchools can play an important role in supporting youth cultural identity. Extant research suggests that inclusive, culturally affirming school practices where ethnic minority students are provided with opportunities to connect with their culture, can strengthen overall school belonging, and reinforce their cultural identity. However, few studies have examined this relationship among Canadian Indigenous youth in the public school system. Urban Indigenous youth face unique challenges to connect with their culture, highlighting the importance of cultural opportunities in schools. Additionally, due to the complex and oppressive history of Canadian school systems and Indigenous people, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada have called on schools to better support Indigenous youth’s academic success and mental health. The current study examines how schools are supporting cultural identity among urban Indigenous high school youth. There were 12 total participants, whose ages ranged from 13-17 years old (n=12; ages 13-17). Findings from thematic analyses revealed that schools varied in the availability of support services that are specifically for Indigenous students, the degree of Indigenous representation in schools, as well as the range of culturally-affirming schools practices. These identified themes were, in turn, related to youths’ sense of school belonging and willingness to engage in culturally-specific prosocial behaviours (e.g., cultural knowledge sharing). Youth’s own personal challenges as an urban Indigenous youth, awareness of whether school opportunities exists, and level of cultural identity exploration was related to how they interacted with cultural opportunities that were available in schools. These findings demonstrate the complex interplay between youth cultural identity and school practices. Implications for more inclusive school policies are discussed.Graduate2025-09-0
Sex on the Beach: Exploring Gender and Sexuality at British Seaside Resorts 1919-1939
Get PDFThis project examines how social boundaries governing gendered and sexual expression were maintained and challenged at seaside resorts during the United Kingdom’s interwar period. Seaside resort towns were in constant flux, creating a unique liminal space in which the usual authorities that governed social conduct were slackened. The marginal nature of the seaside resort allowed visitors to enjoy hedonistic vacations, in which they could experience momentary liberation from their usual constraints, including those policing gender roles and sexuality. This project locates three major factors which allowed this relaxed social framework to occur. First, the beach itself provided opportunities for visitors to display their bodies and view others through tanning and revealing swimwear. Second, the arrival of the working class to the seaside brought raucous throngs, which prioritized the pursuit of pleasure and allowed non-conforming behaviours to occur with less risk of social repercussions. Finally, the many side shows that appeared as seaside entertainment provided opportunities for performers to showcase sex and gender ambiguity to the public. This project argues that the seaside allowed visitors to experiment and bring dominant perspectives of acceptable gendered and sexual behaviours under scrutiny.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
Examining 4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in the substantia nigra
No full textNeurons in the brain process information and communicate with each other through the release of neurotransmitters, which bind to postsynaptic receptors. The substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) is a midbrain structure containing dopaminergic neurons that receive input from upstream cholinergic nuclei. These neurons are primarily involved in motor movement pathways, and Parkinson’s disease results from their degradation. It has previously been shown that dopaminergic neuron populations in the medial versus lateral SNc differ in their activity levels and their effect on locomotion. We aimed to further investigate the differences between the medial and lateral SNc by examining the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) containing 4 subunits. We used a transgenic mouse model (n=6), in which nAChR 4 subunits were tagged with a yellow fluorescent protein. Immunohistochemistry was performed on midbrain sections and sections were imaged using a spectral confocal microscope. During image analysis, dopaminergic cells were located and 4-YFP intensity was measured in these cells. No significant differences in the normalized average 4-YFP intensity of dopaminergic cells in the medial versus lateral SNc were observed. Future research avenues include examining different types of acetylcholine receptor expression in this brain region.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
Synthesis of densely-functionalized multicyclic ring systems from bicyclobutanes
Get PDFThe discovery and development of novel small molecule drug candidates is essential to the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry. One area of focus for drug development is increasing the molecular complexity and number of Csp3 centers in pharmaceutical candidates. Saturated multicyclic structures have been proposed as bioisosteres to replace portions of pharmaceutical molecules that lack these Csp3 centers. Incorporating these bioisosteres in existing pharmaceuticals has been shown to improve pharmacokinetic properties and in some cases even increase the drug’s potency. The syntheses to access these bioisosteres is limited and thus, efforts to develop more syntheses of these motifs is crucial in progressing the development of new drugs.
This thesis explores the development of new methods to access these saturated multicyclic bioisosteres, specifically bridging bicycloalkanes. Bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes are used as a common starting material to access the different bicyclic compounds. Focus is placed on the use of readily available starting materials and straightforward reaction conditions. Reaction discovery, optimization and viability is reported for a variety of different bicyclic compounds. The types of bicyclic compounds that were synthesized include 2-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes, 2-oxo-bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes and 3-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes. High-throughput experimentation was used to aid in reaction discovery and optimization in a streamlined manner. Reaction scopes were developed to demonstrate the applicability of these methods.
Finally, this thesis demonstrates the potential for application of these bicyclic bioisosteres in pharmaceuticals via target-based synthesis. This was done through the functionalization of the products synthesized. This demonstrates their ability to be modified so they can be incorporated into drug candidates. With more syntheses of these bioisosteres available to medicinal chemists, the ability for these motifs to be applied in future drug development processes can be improved.Graduate2025-11-2