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AI Literacy for Student Success Fall Series Workshop #3
No full textThis workshop explores how artificial intelligence (AI) intersects with academic writing practices, with an emphasis on responsibility, attribution, and transparency. Participants will examine the importance of being clear about their use of AI tools, consider strategies for taking ownership of AI-generated outputs, and review approaches to citing AI across different citation styles. The session will also address emerging perspectives on AI transparency statements, encouraging participants to think critically about evolving academic norms and ethical expectations surrounding AI in scholarly communication.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Explain the importance of transparency in documenting the use of AI in academic writing.
Take responsibility for AI-generated content by evaluating its accuracy, appropriateness, and ethical implications before use.
Apply current citation guidelines and conventions to appropriately credit the use of AI tools across different styles.
Develop an AI transparency statement that communicates clearly and ethically how AI tools were incorporated into their work
Wind Turbine Mechanical Fault Diagnosis via Doubly-Fed Induction Generator Electrical Signals
No full textAs wind turbines grow and move offshore, reducing operations and maintenance costs increasingly requires condition-monitoring methods that avoid additional sensors. This dissertation investigates sensorless mechanical fault diagnosis for horizontal-axis wind turbines equipped with doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) by extracting fault signatures from generator current measurements available for control and operation monitoring. It investigates the role of operating condition, effect of induction generator and the influence of controller parameters on the visibility (or identifiability) of mechanical faults. A coupled multiphysics wind-turbine model is developed by integrating aeroelastic models in OpenFAST (with stochastic wind profiles) with MATLAB/Simulink models of the drive-train, DFIG, back-to-back power converters, grid interface, and a stator-voltage-oriented control system. Component- and system-level validation, power-balance verification, and operating-point initialization against the turbine power curve confirm physically consistent steady-state behavior and realistic transient responses. The framework enables time- and frequency-domain analyses of fault-to-current pathways under controlled wind conditions. The central physical finding is that current-signature-based diagnosis is fundamentally shaped by cascaded filtering and feedback control loops. Turbulent inflow injects broadband aerodynamic torque fluctuations that redistribute spectral energy and reduce the contrast of fault tones; consequently, detectability depends on operating conditions rather than fault severity alone. At the plant level, the electromechanical path from torque disturbances to electrical currents behaves as a strong low-pass filter: high-frequency phenomena typical of localized gearbox and bearing defects are attenuated before reaching the electrical domain, whereas low-frequency disturbances that modulate generator speed propagate more efficiently. At the control level, the cascaded DFIG regulators actively reshape disturbance-to-current transfer paths, concentrating fault observability primarily in the d-axis currents and making reactive power control a key lever that can either expose or suppress fault content. These results yield practical observability guidelines and a visibility matrix relating fault classes, turbulence intensity, operating point, and control tuning. The matrix defines realistic limits, identifies diagnostically informative current channels and operating regions that maximize signal-to-noise ratio, and provides actionable design rules for sensorless monitoring of DFIG wind turbines
Searching for Auroral Signatures of Alfvénic Fluctuations
No full textIt is known that the energy causing the auroras originates from the solar wind, however, finding the mechanisms that drive electron acceleration and subsequent auroral morphology is an active area of research critical for understanding of space weather effects. In the past few decades, Alfvén waves have been established as a cause of electron acceleration in the aurora, but these waves cannot explain the highest electron energies measured, often up to 10 keV and higher. We utilize the electric and magnetic field data obtained from the Swarm A satellite and the 630 nm (redline) auroral images from the REGO (Redline Emission Geospace Observatory) all-sky imagers to search for auroral features due to Alfvénic fluctuations having frequencies of 1-8 Hz, regions of which are known for Alfvénic precipitations from satellite measurements, but whose auroral signatures remain uncertain. We report what we believe is the first identification of the optical signature of the Alfvénic aurora at the quiescent poleward boundary of the nightside auroral oval
Ruxolitinib Cream As-Needed Monotherapy Demonstrates Sustained Disease and Symptom Control in Patients with Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: Pooled Analysis from Two Phase 3 Studies
No full textAbstract Introduction Long-term disease and symptom control is a goal of atopic dermatitis (AD) therapy. This study assessed the long-term maintenance of disease and symptom control with as-needed application of ruxolitinib cream. Methods Patients aged ≥ 12 years with AD, an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 2/3, and 3–20% affected body surface area were included in the phase 3 TRuE-AD1 and TRuE-AD2 studies. This analysis included patients randomized to twice-daily (BID) 1.5% ruxolitinib cream for 8 weeks and then as-needed (IGA ≥ 1) BID for up to 44 weeks (long-term safety [LTS] period). Results Among patients evaluated for disease control in the as-needed period (N = 428), IGA 0/1 (skin/almost clear skin) was achieved by 67.1% of patients at week 8. From week 8, 80–90% of patients with IGA 0/1 at a given visit maintained or improved their response at the next visit. Median time to worsening disease (IGA ≥ 2) was 36.1 weeks during the as-needed period, and IGA 0/1 was quickly recaptured. Patients spent a median 43.9% of the as-needed period off treatment due to lesion clearance. No itch/no sleep disturbance (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure questions 1 and 2) was reported in 32.7%/71.8% of patients at week 8 and 36.2%/74.5% of patients at week 52. No new safety concerns emerged in the LTS period. Conclusion Continued disease and symptom control with substantial time off treatment makes 1.5% ruxolitinib cream an effective long-term option for patients with mild to moderate AD. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03745638 and NCT03745651 (studies registered November 19, 2018)
Surgical care for African, Caribbean, and Black communities in high-income universal healthcare countries: A scoping review focused on access and quality indicators
No full textIntroduction: African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) populations experience disparities in access to and quality of surgical care, but most existing research is from the United States (U.S.), limiting the generalizability to countries with universal healthcare systems. The experiences of inequities for ACB populations in access to and quality of surgical care are increasingly recognized. However, existing evidence remains fragmented and not well characterized in current research, highlighting the need for examination of the evidence. Objective: This scoping review aims to synthesize the literature on access and quality indicators of surgical care among adult ACB populations in high-income countries with universal healthcare and identify evidence gaps. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A systematic search of multiple databases and grey literature sources was completed, with studies eligible for inclusion if published from database inception to April 2025. Eligible studies reported on surgical access and/or quality outcomes stratified by adult ACB in high-income countries with universal healthcare. Titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers, and those that met the screening criteria were reviewed in full. Data from included studies were charted using a standardized form informed by the Surgical Disparities and PROGRESS-Plus frameworks. To address heterogeneity across study designs, outcomes were categorized by direction of effect, defined as whether findings indicated worse, better, or no difference for ACB populations in relation to comparator groups. Results: Of the 19,182 unique references identified by the search, 29 original studies were included. Three of 29 studies provided a rationale for how ACB groups were aggregated or disaggregated. Commonly reported outcomes included mortality, complications, and wait times. ACB patients often had longer wait times and worse postoperative outcomes. Significant gaps were found in access outcomes, patient-centred outcomes, and there was no qualitative data capturing ACB patient experiences. Discussion: The findings reveal gaps in understanding structural, cultural, and patient-centred factors influencing access to and quality of surgical care for ACB populations. Key challenges include methodological limitations, specifically transparency and data stratification which often includes oversimplified racial/ethnic categories, and reliance on administrative datasets that overlook contextual factors shaping surgical experiences. Future research should collect and analyse disaggregated racial/ethnic data to examine within group differences when possible and increase transparency in reporting methods and approaches. In parallel, qualitative exploration of patient and provider experiences, and research studies that incorporate end-users in identifying and prioritizing relevant outcomes are needed to meaningfully advance equity in surgical care research
Effects of Outdoor Access and Season on Mastitis Pathogen Distribution and Milk Quality Parameters in Dairy Herds in Western Canada
No full textThe Western Canadian dairy sector faces distinct climates, geographic, and management constraints that influence decisions around cow housing, outdoor access, and milk quality. As producers balance productivity, welfare expectations, and environmental challenges, concerns persist regarding whether outdoor access increases the risk of clinical mastitis, particularly from environmental pathogens. However, little research has compared mastitis pathogen distribution across different housing systems in Alberta (AB) and British Columbia (BC). This thesis characterises mastitis pathogen distribution in Western Canada through: (1) a background review of dairy production systems, housing practices, and udder health determinants, (2) a multi-pathogen epidemiologic study evaluating associations between pathogen distribution and housing system, province, and season in AB and BC herds, and (3) a general discussion integrating biological mechanisms, regional considerations, and future research needs. A total of 117 commercial dairy herds (58 AB, 59 BC) participated in a 12-16-month cohort, submitting clinical mastitis milk samples for culture and bacterial identification. Mixed-effects logistic regression models evaluated whether pathogen distribution differed by province, housing type, and season, with random herd effects and adjustments for sampling compliance. A total of 2,143 CM samples were cultured, yielding 1,260 pathogen-positive isolates; the most common pathogens were non-aureus staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Klebsiella spp. Bulk tank somatic cell count geometric means fell within expected provincial ranges, supporting the representativeness of the study population. Key findings indicate that pasture access did not universally increase environmental pathogen detection, contradicting common producer concerns; E. coli accounted for a greater proportion of clinical mastitis cases in AB than BC and peaked in summer; Strep. uberis exhibited a winter peak independent of province and housing type; and Staph. aureus occurred more frequently in fully indoor systems than in outdoor/no pasture systems. Overall, the results demonstrate that mastitis pathogen risk reflects interacting influences of season, region, and housing practices, rather than outdoor access alone. These findings support pathogen-specific prevention strategies and highlight the need for future research incorporating environmental sampling, cow-level infection dynamics, and weather-based exposure metrics to refine management recommendations for Western Canadian dairy herds
Phase Behavior of Mixtures of Bitumen, Solvent, and Water
No full textSolvent assisted thermal processes for in situ bitumen recovery are a less energy and greenhouse gas intensive alternative to conventional thermal processes. The understanding and modeling of these processes is partly limited by a lack of phase behavior data for pseudo-ternary mixtures of bitumen, solvent, and water at reservoir conditions. This thesis is among the first comprehensive pseudo-ternary phase behavior studies at conditions relevant to potential SAGD operations. It focuses on the impact of water on the phase behavior of mixtures of bitumen with: 1) n-pentane at temperatures from 180 to 280°C; 2) dimethyl ether (DME) from 90 to 180°C and pressures up to 17 MPa. Saturation pressures (liquid/liquid-vapor and liquid-liquid/liquid-liquid-vapor boundaries), water solubility limits (liquid/aqueous-liquid boundary), and onset conditions (liquid/liquid-liquid boundary) were measured. Saturation pressure measurements were performed using constant composition pressure-step expansion method. Onsets were measured with three different methods: 1) from the intersection of liquid/liquid-vapor region with the constant pressure of the liquid-liquid/liquid-liquid-vapor region on a pressure-composition diagram; 2) from the change in the asphaltene content of the light liquid phase above the onset; 3) from visual observation of a solvent titration performed in a high-pressure microscope coupled with a PVT cell. The water solubility limits were also determined using the intersection method. The phase boundaries were first modeled with the Advanced Peng-Robinson equation of state (APR EoS). The APR EoS model with tuned binary interaction parameters matched saturation pressures, water solubility limits, and heavy phase onsets for all the systems with n-pentane generally to within the measurement uncertainty, except near and within the supercritical region. For DME systems, the model could be tuned to match the saturation pressures but not both the saturation pressures and onsets with the same interaction parameters. Therefore, the Modified Regular Solution (MRS) model for modeling onsets was adapted to accommodate polar solvents. New property correlations were developed for DME and water. The MRS model with tuned binary interaction parameters matched the onsets for all the systems generally within the experimental error
Factors That Influence International Students from India's Choice of Post-Secondary Program: A Single Descriptive Case Study
No full textThis doctoral research was designed to understand Factors That Influence the Choice of Post-Secondary Program by International Students from India. Common factors that influence the choice of host country were well reported in the scholarly literature. The discourse from the literature suggested an intent towards the shortest pathway to immigration usually starts with the completion of a two-year diploma. However, enrolment of international students in three-or four-year post-secondary programs may indicate a different future aspiration. Scholarly literature reported that international students from India may be influenced by their own desires, despite originating from a collectivist society. Personal desires may influence other choices and future aspirations. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of experiences from high school years and the cultural influences that influenced the choice of an Ontario college program by international students from India. This study was conducted using a qualitative, interpretive approach, a single descriptive case study, grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. The research questions that guided this study were intentionally designed to align with a descriptive case study methodology, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the issue of post-secondary program choice from the perspective of first-semester international students from India, at an Ontario post-secondary institution. The data from nine semi-structured interviews was transcribed and thematically analyzed. The four major themes that emerged—Family Influences, Social Expectations, High School Influences and Personal Motivation—were interconnected by social relationships. Insights gained from this doctoral research showed how social relationships played a key role in shaping participants’ program choices and future intent
Enteric infections during colitis and the effect of immunoregulatory interleukin-4-treated- macrophages
No full textInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term for chronic inflammatory conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and patients exhibit dysregulated immune systems and weakened mucosal defenses. Clinical studies indicate that enteric infections are highly prevalent in IBD populations, but the mechanism for this susceptibility is not well studied. Additionally, certain therapeutics were associated with increased risk of infection, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics that preserve antimicrobial defense and efficacy in managing IBD. Interleukin-4-treated macrophages (M(IL-4))s show promising anti-colitic effects in murine models of chemically-induced colitis. However, their effect during enteric infection, specifically in active colitis, remains elusive. This thesis aimed to investigate the increased susceptibility to enteric infections during active colitis and determine whether M(IL-4) macrophages maintain an anti-colitic effect during infectious colitis. Citrobacter rodentium (CR) is a murine attaching and effacing pathogen that mimics enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic E. coli in humans. Using a novel co-treatment model of dextan sulfate sodium (DSS) and CR, we demonstrated increased bacterial load in mice with DSS-induced colitis during the establishment phase of CR infection. This correlated with increased bacterial colonization of the distal colon in co-treated mice during CR establishment. Investigation of the mucus layer revealed increased goblet cell numbers and alterations in mucin glycosylation in co-treated groups that could provide CR with a better niche for establishment and colonization. Clearance was unaffected by DSS colitis with both groups expelling the bacteria by day 25. However, colitis resolution was impaired as co-treated mice still exhibited elevated fecal lipocalin-2, MPO, and disease activity. Treatment with M(IL-4)s neither alleviated nor exacerbated CR infection during colitis, but still retained anti-colitic effects, showing reduced colon shortening and improved intestinal barrier integrity compared with untreated groups. M(IL-4) delivery into CR-infected mice also did not impact CR infection kinetics and inflammation with both groups showing similar shedding, dissemination, and clearance. Altogether, this thesis explores a novel murine model to study enteric infection during active colitis and demonstrates that active colitis predisposes mice to increased CR colonization while prolonging colitis resolution. M(IL-4) treatment did not improve nor aggravate CR infection, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic for IBD
Changing physical activity behavior among individuals with inflammatory arthritis: an umbrella review of current behaviors, behavioral determinants, and behavior change interventions
No full textAbstract Introduction Physical activity is internationally recommended as an effective component of inflammatory arthritis (IA) care. It contributes to managing IA symptoms, enhancing quality of life, and reducing cardiovascular disease risk. However, many individuals with IA are insufficiently active to realize these multi-faceted benefits. Supporting physical activity behavior change remains a major challenge within IA care. Therefore, we conducted an umbrella review to understand current evidence on: (1) physical activity levels and associated patient characteristics, (2) barriers and facilitators, and (3) effectiveness and characteristics of physical activity behavior change interventions. Methods An umbrella review approach captured review-level evidence and provided big picture insights on the physical activity behavior change research landscape in IA. A systematic search for physical activity, IA, review articles, and physical activity outcomes was completed using EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus. Article selection was completed by 3 authors using Covidence, followed by data extraction of article characteristics, research methods, populations and interventions, and key findings. After assessing study overlap between reviews and methodological quality (AMSTAR-2), a narrative synthesis was completed to summarize evidence on each of the 3 topics of interest. Results 32 reviews covering 421 original articles, were included in the umbrella review. Of these, 7 were related to topic 1, 6 to topic 2, 15 to topic 3, and 4 to more than one topic. Individuals with IA frequently reported lower physical activity levels or decreased intensity compared to adults without IA. Physical function, education level, motivation, and physical activity history were associated with current physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Behavioral barriers (symptoms, safety concerns) and facilitators (effective treatment, self-efficacy) were noted. Interventions using digital technology, health coaching, and other components can effectively increase physical activity behaviors, though comparative effectiveness data was lacking. AMSTAR-2 overall confidence ratings were low or critically low for 13/15 reviews of physical activity interventions. Conclusions The umbrella review provided a comprehensive overview of physical activity behavior change research in IA. Findings highlighted the need to improve physical activity support, leveraging effective intervention strategies in IA care. Given low overall confidence ratings, further high-quality research is needed to understand behaviors and intervention effects long-term, compare effectiveness of intervention strategies, support underserved populations with lower physical activity levels and greater barriers, and inform clinical recommendations