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Toxicity identification evaluation techniques isolate zinc and 6PPD-Q as causes of acute lethality to rainbow trout in road runoff
No full textThis article was originally published as: Baker, J.A., Cronshaw, I., Monaghan, J., Jaeger, A., Bailey, H.C., & Krogh, E.T. (2025). Toxicity identification evaluation techniques isolate zinc and 6PPD-Q as causes of acute lethality to rainbow trout in road runoff. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1093/etojnl/vgaf269The buildup of pollutants on impervious surfaces, and their subsequent flush into the environment within stormwater, could worsen with expected increases in prolonged dry periods and extreme rain events due to climate change. As such, the monitoring and treatment of urban stormwaters is becoming a high priority. Of particular interest is road runoff in urban areas, which has been found to be acutely lethal to salmonids and frequently contains elevated concentrations of metals and organic contaminants. In this study, samples of road runoff were collected in the Metro Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada, and assessed for acute lethality to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three of the four stormwaters tested exhibited 100% mortality in the 96-hr test. Stormwater toxicity was demonstrated to be reduced by treatment in a rain garden. Phase I Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) techniques initially identified a metal as the cause of toxicity in one stormwater, which was determined to be zinc after Phase II/III TIE testing. The second stormwater sample revealed an organic constituent to be responsible for toxicity, and subsequent TIE testing implicated N‐(1,3‐dimethylbutyl)‐N′‐phenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine‐quinone (6PPD-Q). The potential contribution of 6PPD-Q to toxicity was assessed by performing TIE techniques on a standard solution of 6PPD-Q in parallel with the stormwater. Chemical analysis of 6PPD-Q using Condensed-Phase Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry was used to support toxicity assessments. This is the first study to use the TIE approach to provide a toxicity profile for 6PPD-Q.We appreciate the support of the Krogh laboratory team and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (ETK DG-2022-05349) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (32238) in the 6PPD-Q analysis. Salary support for JM was provided through a Michael Smith Health Research BC trainee Fellowship (RT-2024-03771) and an NSERCCGS-D
Mid-Level Leadership as a Lever for Human Flourishing in a Canadian Educational Institution
No full text2025Despite decades of leadership evolution, problems related to human flourishing have not been adequately addressed by traditional approaches. Neoliberal and hierarchical frameworks have led to policies and practices that substantially transformed organizations, while at the same time limiting efforts to respond to such challenges. Mid-level leaders remain underexamined in leadership research, leaving a gap for understanding their influence on these complex challenges. The purpose of this study was to collaborate with a team of mid-level leaders in a Canadian post-secondary institution to explore their influence on critical issues related to human flourishing. Through critical action research grounded in social constructionism, participants explored dominant systems, values, and practices, utilizing reflection, dialogue, and shared meaning-making processes. Core participants included mid-level leaders (directors, managers, coordinator, supervisor), each of whom was fully engaged in the four cycles of the action research process. Data collection included dialogue sessions, semi-structured interviews, and reflexive journals. Five supplemental division members also participated in one semi-structured interview. Key findings are organized around five interwoven themes: (a) achieving human flourishing through disruption of dominant, historical leadership norms, values and practices; (b) relational leadership as a transformative practice; (c) navigating power and agency in mid-level leadership; (d) reflexivity and the emotional weight of leadership, and (e) critique to construction: reimagining leadership. These findings affirm all five core tenets of critical leadership theory and extend them in important ways. Findings operationalize critical leadership praxis in mid-level leadership contexts and expand concepts of leadership to include embodied and emotional labour. The study positions human flourishing as a legitimate and necessary leadership goal, advances critical leadership studies from critique toward praxis, and highlights mid-level leaders as critical agents of change for human flourishing. Keywords: critical leadership, human flourishing, mid-level leaders, relational leadership, embodied reflexivity and emotional labour, disruption for transformative chang
Emergent Futures: Exploring Energy Transition Choices Through Serious Games
No full text2025Practitioners working with communities to build resilience face increasing challenges related to the rapid pace of the energy transition and worsening climate impacts. Meaningful participatory processes can enhance collective understanding of long-term trade-offs and uncertainties. Research indicates that serious games are increasingly employed to support this integrated planning challenge. This study contributes to the knowledge on this topic through an integrated literature review, case study analysis, and focus groups comprising of representative subject matter experts and stakeholders. A thematic analysis of participant feedback demonstrates the value of early stakeholder engagement in the design process and how co-development of serious games can foster emergent dialogue. The findings offer valuable insights into serious games as tools for social innovation and how they have been integrated into participatory planning through iterative co-development. The conclusions are illustrated within a serious game conceptual design structured to encourage systems thinking through foresight-driven design
Impostor Phenomenon: A Qualitative Study of the Journey Towards Resolution
No full text2025This study explores how former impostor phenomenon experiencing people experienced the resolution of their impostor phenomenon. A dominant conceptualization of impostor phenomenon is presented from the research to compare participants’ experiences of impostor phenomenon and its resolution against. Semi-structured interviews of seven participants were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis which revealed alignment with the dominant conceptualization for their experiences of impostor phenomenon, but minimal alignment with their experience of resolution. The resolution of impostor phenomenon was experienced as a process of attaining evidence of performance, focusing on self-identity, and reconnecting with their emotions. A focus on finding belonging in both personal and professional lives was also present. The relevance of findings to future research and proposed professional coaching interventions for impostor phenomenon are discussed. More research is needed to investigate alternative conceptualizations of impostor phenomenon and to test the efficacy of potential interventions in the future
Implementing a multi-campus model in the K-12 education system: a guide for leaders
No full textAlthough multi-campus education has been embraced by post-secondary institutions for years, a multi-campus model in the K-12 system has been considerably less researched. This project gives an overview of the considerations and challenges involved in implementing a multi-campus model in the K-12 education system. The literature review highlights the importance of school culture and the unique challenges with developing a cohesive school culture in a multi-campus model. Also discussed are the potential impacts on staff and students during this unique transition. The aim of this project is to create a research-backed resource for school districts and administrators who are considering implementing a multi-campus model in their school community. This includes offering recommendations for supporting staff with the transition in an informed and proactive way
How Does VR Enhance or Detract from the Value of Interactive Visualization Tools for Planning and Stakeholder Engagement?
No full text2025This study investigates the use of interactive visualization tools, prepared in computer-based and virtual reality formats, in supporting watershed planning and stakeholder engagement. Using the Millstream Creek Watershed as a case study, the visualization tools were created using the Unity game engine, and these tools consisted of representations of existing conditions and potential management scenarios for two areas of concern within the watershed. Both tools were tested through open house events and workshops. Data were collected via questionnaires and group discussion, and analyzed through (respectively) t-tests and thematic coding. Results show that virtual reality significantly enhanced user experience in immersion and engagement; however, it did not produce improvements in comprehension or decision-making compared to the computer-based version. Qualitative analysis suggests the potential for applying the tool in education and planning scenarios. The findings highlight the promise of immersive visualization for environmental communication and participatory planning purposes
Ketamine-assisted therapy within a community of practice: A novel approach to disordered eating
No full textThis article was originally published as: Jeletzky, L., Dames, S., Kryskow, P., & Tsang, V.W.L. (2025). Ketamine-assisted therapy within a community of practice: A novel approach to disordered eating. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 15. https://doi.org/10.1177/20451253251356980Given the high prevalence of eating disorders, affecting approximately 1 million Canadians, and their associated mortality rates—the highest among mental illnesses (with estimates of 10%–15% mortality), innovative approaches to treatment are crucial. Traditional therapies for disordered eating, particularly those addressing food restriction, such as group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are common; however, there is growing interest in alternative modalities such as psychedelic-assisted therapy (PaT). PaT, and more specifically, ketamine-assisted therapy (KaT), is increasingly being studied for its potential to treat various mental health condition
VIU Library Collections Spend Breakdown 2024-25
No full textA list of VIU Library collections-related expenses by format, acquisition model, and individual products. This includes data for fiscal year 2024-25.A list of VIU Library collections-related expenses by format, acquisition model, and individual products. This includes data for fiscal year 2024-25
Normative relationships between spinopelvic alignment and femoroacetabular orientation: A cross-sectional study
No full textThis article was originally published as: Ludwig, T., Bourget-Murray, J., Sridharan, S., Frederick, A., Smith, V., Johnston, K., Evaniew, N., Edwards, B., Asmussen, M., & Nicholls, F. (2025). Normative relationships between spinopelvic alignment and femoroacetabular orientation: A cross-sectional study. Global Spine Journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/21925682251353725Normative data describing the relationship between spinopelvic and femoroacetabular alignment is not thoroughly described in the literature; we aimed to explore potential associations in healthy young adults.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Alberta Spine Foundation, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
Bioaccessibility of Metals in Soils of Parks and Playgrounds – Fort McMurray, Alberta
No full text2025This study assessed the concentration and bioaccessibility of metals present in soils at parks and playgrounds in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Sixty soil samples collected from 20 parks and playgrounds were analyzed for pH, total metal concentration by X-ray fluorescence. In addition, in vitro bioaccessibility assay (IVBA) was conducted for seven of the samples. The pH values of all soil samples were within the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME) soil quality guidelines for residential/parkland use. The mean metal concentrations were below the CCME guidelines; however, a few samples had metal concentrations exceeding the guidelines. These included barium (1), cadmium (1), chromium (1), and nickel (3). The metal IVBA values ranged from 9.5% to 79.6%. Based on metal concentrations and the IVBA, the human health risk associated with the ingestion of metals in soils in the parks and playgrounds sampled was deemed low