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Impacting Cohesion on New Virtual Teams
No full text2025The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact that a team coach practitioner has on feelings of cohesion on a newly formed virtual team. The study is focused on the experience of seven participants, all members of a senior leadership team in a regional financial services company, who participated in a three-month long team coaching intervention. Each participant took part in a semi-structured in-depth interview that emphasized uncovering the specific nuance of their experience. Employing a transcendental phenomenological approach, the interview transcripts were analyzed and a composite textural-structural statement was created about the essence of this experience. The study found that the team coach practitioner impacted the level of participation, the formation of interpersonal connections, and strengthened psychological safety. These findings imply that practitioners would benefit from taking an active role in coaching interventions, ensuring that their influence is directed for the benefit of the team
Wearable upper arm SpO2 sensor for wellness monitoring
No full textThis article was originally published as: Kinnunen, M.T., Behfar, M.H., Santaniemi, N., Happonen, T., Nguyen, D., Kilpijärvi, J., Jaako, T., Happonen, J., Russell, M.K., Clermont, C.A., Asmussen, M.J., Day, T.A., Tuomikoski, M., & Hiltunen, J. (2025). Wearable upper arm SpO2 sensor for wellness monitoring. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 72(5), 1766-1774. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2024.3521189Objective: This paper describes the full development of a sensor for measuring optical heart rate (OHR) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2).
Methods: A wearable sensor with a new type of skin compatible dispensed lens was designed and manufactured. All critical optical components, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiode (PD) were close to skin and gave maximum light intensity due to minimal loss in the lens structure. Lens and optical components formed a thin monolithic structure.
Results: Suppressed crosstalk between LED and PD was achieved by using two types of dispensed material: light blocking and transparent. High signal to noise ratio (SNR) and amplitude in the alternating current (AC) part of the photoplethysmography (PPG) signal were achieved. User comfort was achieved by having a small sensor located on the upper arm. When re-training the algorithm from our first iteration, the multiwavelength PPG sensor showed an SpO2 RMSE of 2.61% with a 7-second average analysis for 25 participants. The average RMSE of heart rate over all 25 participants was 1.6 ± 1.1%.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates a sensor with a clinical grade SpO2 measurement and a highly accurate OHR measurement that is also comfortable and easy to wear.
Significance: A dispensing method provides a new way of manufacturing sensor elements for wearable sensors with increased performance with reduced crosstalk.This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant 871345
A pre-existing chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection promotes epileptogenesis and neuropathology in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
No full textThis article was originally published as: Baker, T.L., Wright, D.K., Thergarajan, P., Uboldi, A.D., Vo, A., Wilson, T., Tonkin, C.J., O'Brien, T.J., Antonic-Baker, A., Asmussen, M.J., McDonald, S.J., Casillas-Espinosa, P.M., Jones, N.C., Ali, I., Sun, M., & Shultz, S.R. (2025). A pre-existing chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection promotes epileptogenesis and neuropathology in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 128, 440-455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2025.04.026There is initial evidence that the common neurotropic parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a risk factor for the development of epilepsy; however, whether it influences epileptogenesis is unknown. This study investigated whether a pre-existing chronic T. gondii infection alters epileptogenesis and neuropathology in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.This study was funded by grants awarded to SRS, MS, and DKW from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and the Brain Foundation
Unpacking youth privacy management in AI systems: A privacy calculus model analysis
No full textThis article was originally published as: Shouli, A., Barthwal, A., Campbell, M., & Shrestha, A.K. (2025). Unpacking youth privacy management in AI systems: A privacy calculus model analysis. IEEE Access, 13, 115780-115803. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3585635The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in daily life has introduced substantial issues in protecting user privacy, particularly for young digital citizens. This study examines the complex dynamics of privacy management in AI systems utilizing the Privacy Calculus Model (PCM), with 482 participants: 176 young digital citizens (ages 16–19), 146 parents and educators, and 160 AI specialists. The research used a mixed methods approach to analyze key characteristics, including data ownership, user control, parental data sharing attitude, transparency, trust, perceived risks, benefits, and education. The results underscore the necessity of promoting digital literacy, establishing trust through transparent practices, and implementing collaborative approaches for privacy governance. The study emphasizes the significance of customized educational activities and regulatory frameworks that enable users to manage the trade-offs between the advantages and risks of data sharing by including varied views. This research enhances ethical AI development and advocates equal privacy safeguards for children and young adults.This work was supported by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s (OPC) Contribution Programs
Navigating educational goals and high-stakes testing: a study of public school teachers' and school leaders' challenges in Sri Lanka under the National Educational Policy Framework 2020–2030
No full textThe present study aimed to explore the specific challenges faced by public school teachers and school leaders in Sri Lanka as they attempted to implement the directives of the National Educational Policy Framework (NEPF) 2020–2030. This framework emphasizes a balance between fostering student-centered learning approaches and preparing students for academic success through high-stakes testing. The research question of the present study asked the following: What do teachers and school leaders in Sri Lanka report as their ideas and suggestions for effectively integrating the goals of the National Educational Policy Framework into daily educational practices, in order to improve and enrich the educational experience of students; and what do these same teachers and school leaders report as recommendations for changes and improvements regarding high-stakes exams? By February 2025, five participants completed individual telephone interviews with the researcher. Before the interviews, participants provided informed consent. Qualitative data were collected, and participants were later given the opportunity to review a summary of their responses for accuracy. The qualitative data collected from the interviews were analyzed soon after all the participants approved the transcriptions. The following five themes were identified across five participants’ full interview responses: (a) Integration of National Educational Policy Goals in Teaching, (b) Impact of High-Stakes Exams on Teaching and Learning, (c) Practicality and Challenges of Implementing Policy Goals, (d) Support Needed from School Leaders, and (e) Recommendations for Exam System Reforms. The findings highlight the complex realities of policy implementation in Sri Lankan classrooms, including systemic barriers, resource limitations, and tensions between policy goals and existing teaching practices. Participants emphasized the importance of institutional support, the need for professional development, and the role of leadership in facilitating effective policy implementation. This study contributes to ongoing discussions on policy execution, teacher autonomy, and education reform, offering insights into how policy directives can be better aligned with classroom realities in Sri Lanka
Public Montessori education progression: a Richmond School District case study
No full textThis study, the first of its kind, examined the historic progression of the public Montessori education movement in British Columbia (BC). To do so, a case study was created highlighting the growth of public Montessori education in the Richmond School District No. 38 [SD 38]. Using historic sources, school board minutes and local newspapers sourced within the City of Richmond archives and SD 38, a broad overview of the progression of the public Montessori movement in SD 38 was pieced together to create a high level understanding of the evolution of the program. Pinpointing recurrent themes that ran through the historic progression of the public Montessori program in SD 38 allowed for suggestions for the program’s future viability and continued growth to occur. These recommendations, although specific to the Montessori program in SD 38, were made with the intention of supporting public Montessori programs collectively in BC
Advances in paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) for on-site harm reduction drug checking and illicit supply surveillance
No full textThis article was originally published as: Zarkovi, T.M., Abruzzi, L.R., Kielty, C., Wallace, B., Hore, D.K., & Gill, C.G. (2025). Advances in paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) for on-site harm reduction drug checking and illicit supply surveillance. AppliedChem, 5(4), Article 36. https://doi.org/10.3390/appliedchem5040036Harm reduction drug checking utilizing paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) has been the focus of ongoing research since 2017 and has seen many refinements. The presented work is the result of this research and has led to the public-facing PS-MS use for on-site drug checking in Victoria, BC. Included are the improved methods and approaches required to develop and implement PS-MS as an on-site drug checking technology. Critical details regarding appropriate direct mass spectrometry tune and calibration suites required to avoid isobaric interferences, calibration details, quality control strategies, detailed MS scan approaches to implement rapid drug tests, as well as future work considerations are presented. The PS-MS method presented currently directly quantifies 107 targeted drugs in a two-minute measurement, and can be easily adapted to include additional new targets that appear in the unregulated drug supply that are detected by either low or high resolution PS-MS. The presented methodologies provide a framework to assist those interested in implementing PS-MS to reduce harms from the toxic drug supply, but will have value for those developing rapid, quantitative drug testing for other applications.This research was funded by a Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant (RGPIN-2021-02981) and a New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRFE-2022-00886). Additional support and contributions were made by the Vancouver Foundation (F0120-5607), BC Ministry of Health, and the Island Health Authority. Infrastructure funding was provided by the BC Ministry of Health and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation: John R. Evans Leaders Fund & British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (CFI 40274)
Fostering artists through choice: an approach to middle school visual arts education
No full textFostering Artists through Choice: An Approach to Middle School Visual Arts Education explores how integrating choice-based visual arts instruction with core principles of Montessori pedagogy can enhance student engagement and autonomy in middle school art classrooms. Grounded in the belief that young adolescents thrive when given meaningful choices in their learning, this thesis examines the intersection of learner-directed artmaking and Montessori’s emphasis on independence, grace and courtesy, and prepared environments. Through a project-based approach, the study culminates in the development of a practical teacher tool designed to support educators in implementing greater student choice within visual arts curricula. This tool aims to empower teachers to create classroom environments that nurture creativity, agency, and sustained artistic inquiry through a series of 21 short video lessons. Ultimately, this work contributes to the growing conversation around student-centered art education and the transformative potential of choice in fostering lifelong artistic engagement
Developing an Indigenous Tourism Course: Indigenizing Curriculum through Participatory Action Research
No full text2025This research documents a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project that supported the development of a new Indigenous Tourism course within the Master of Arts in Tourism Management (MATM) program at Royal Roads University (RRU). Guided by principles of Indigenous Resurgence (Simpson, 2011) and anti-racist education (Dei 1996, 2000), the study explored collaborative models for co-constructing curriculum that decolonizes tourism education and reflects aspirations on Indigenization of education.The project was conducted in partnership with Indigenous scholar and curriculum developer Jasmine Feather Dionne, MATM Program Head Rebecca Wilson-Mah, and the researcher, with valuable contributions from Indigenous educators, subject matter experts, and representatives of Destination British Columbia. Semi-structured interviews conducted with emerging Indigenous scholars at RRU and non-Indigenous MATM faculty, as well as with an Indigenous tourism industry expert were analyzed using Deductive Qualitative Analysis (DQA), which combined theory-informed constructs with openness to emergent insights (Fife & Gossner, 2024).
Six themes were identified: history and experiences of the land; Indigenous cultures and representation; governance and economies; Indigenous ways of teaching and learning; profiling Indigenous tourism businesses; and pedagogy for Indigenous business profiling. DQA allowed to capture three more emergent themes: local and global context; Indigenization out of time; and legacy of tourism. Together, these findings emphasized the importance of situating curriculum in land-based histories, respecting cultural protocols, promoting Indigenous governance and economic autonomy, and treating Indigenous tourism businesses as co-educators through relational, experiential, and storytelling pedagogies.
The study concludes that Indigenizing curriculum requires sustained institutional commitment, increased Indigenous faculty representation, and accountability for long-term collaboration with Indigenous communities and businesses. By documenting this process, the research contributes to scholarship on Indigenous tourism education and decolonizing education, offering a model for PAR-based curriculum design as both an educational and ethical act that supports Indigenous sovereignty and self-determined futures
Opinion: University's offerings full of holes after budget cuts
No full textThis article was originally published as: Alexander, D. (2025, July 10). Opinion: University's offerings full of holes after budget cuts. Nanaimo News Bulletin. https://nanaimobulletin.com/2025/07/10/opinion-universitys-offerings-full-of-holes-after-budget-cuts/An opinion piece regarding budget cuts at Vancouver Island University