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The origin of pressure resistance in deep-sea lactate dehydrogenase
No full textThis is an accepted manuscript of an article that was published as: Maguire, S.H., Mercer, S.R., & Wiebe, H.A. (2024). Origin of pressure resistance in deep-sea lactate dehydrogenase. The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 128(43), 10604-10614. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c04771High hydrostatic pressure has a dramatic effect on biochemical systems, as exposure to high pressure can result in structural perturbations ranging from dissociation of protein complexes to complete denaturation. The deep ocean presents an interesting paradox since it is teeming with life despite the high-pressure environment. This is due to evolutionary adaptations in deep-sea organisms, such as amino acid substitutions in their proteins, which aid in resisting the denaturing effects of pressure. However, the physicochemical mechanism by which these substitutions can induce pressure resistance remains unknown. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to study pressure-adapted lactate dehydrogenase from the deep-sea abyssal grenadier (Coryphaenoides armatus), in comparison with that of the shallow-water Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). We examined structural, thermodynamic and volumetric contributions to pressure resistance, and report that the amino acid substitutions result in a decrease in volume of the deep-sea protein accompanied by a decrease in thermodynamic stability of the native protein. Our simulations at high pressure also suggest that differences in compressibility may be important for understanding pressure resistance in deep-sea proteins.We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant Program. This project has also received funding support from the NSERC General Research Fund and the VIURAC Inquiry Grant. This work was enabled in part by the support provided by the BC DRI Group and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (alliancecan.ca).Accepted manuscrip
Snuneymuxw lands planning project: A journey towards rightful stewardship
No full textCopyright (2024) Planning Institute of British Columbia. The following article originally appeared as: Shaw, P., Deshmukh, S., & the Snuneymuxw First Nation (2024). Snuneymuxw lands planning project: A journey towards rightful stewardship. Planning West, 66.4, 40-41. Planning West is published by the Planning Institute of British Columbia. The PIBC website can be found at: https://www.pibc.bc.ca/Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) is currently developing a new Snuneymuxw Master Community Plan with the assistance of the Master of Community Planning (MCP) Program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). This plan is both a visioning exercise and a practical guide for all the lands and waters within SFN's jurisdiction and ownership, and includes detailed information on the cultural, economic, and environmental features or issues that tie to each parcel or area. The MCP Program is deeply grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation for this opportunity and hope that their efforts contribute to the achievement of the Nation's vision, goals, plans, and actions
Cities in the lead on climate action: A cross-border comparison (part 1)
Get PDFThis article was originally published as: Alexander, D. (2024). Cities in the lead on climate action: A cross-border comparison (part 1). Planning West, 66(4), 36-37.Though quite different in size and other characteristics, Portland, Oregon and Nanaimo, BC are both leaders in the field of climate action. This two-part article will examine this through the lenses of Doughnut Economics and Biophilic Cities, which both cities subscribe to in varying degrees
Chaos or chance: perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island tourism
Get PDFThis study explores the relationship between sustainability and tourism during COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic (Cucinotta & Vanelli, 2020). As of April 30th, 2023, there were 775 million confirmed cases worldwide, with seven million confirmed deaths (World Health Organization, 2024). There were 203,000 cases in Canada, with 239 of the confirmed cases being on Vancouver Island, British Columbia when data was collected for this research (BC Center for Disease Control, 2020; World Health Organization, 2024). The COVID-19 virus brought the world and tourism to a halt, thus dramatically changing Vancouver Island which is a hub for tourism. The coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Pandemic affected much of the globe as it began to spread in 2019. This had significant impacts on tourism, one of the most important industries on Vancouver Island and, more generally, British Columbia, making it important to understand the perceived impacts from the tourism operators’ perspective. This research is unique as it asked tourism operators their perspectives during the pandemic rather than after. While tourism and major world events have collided before, there has not been an event to this scale related to a global pandemic and tourism. This study helps to fill the knowledge gap with the experiences of tourism operators. The aim of the study was to inquire what economic, environmental, and socio-cultural impacts were being seen by the tourism operators between waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Using an hour-long interview guide, participants were able to share their perspectives on the impacts they saw on Vancouver Island’s tourism industry. The interviews were analyzed using a Qualitative Descriptive (QD) approach adapted from the nursing field to explore the phenomenon. The results showed examples of resilience with the collaboration amongst operators was paramount to surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic. The results showed that many funding sources from governmental and community organizations benefited tourism operators and enabled them to remain open. It showed a shift in the demographics of tourists and a shift in the roles of tourism operators during this challenging time. The operators shared that the decrease in tourists saw wildlife flourish and gave them time to reflect on their impacts on the environment. The operators began to plan with thoughts of making their operations more sustainability for the environment, their communities, and their operational budgets
Divine Feminine Leadership Praxis: A Qualitative Analysis of the Craft
No full text2024In this thesis, I examine divine feminine leadership praxis through the lens of systems thinking, leadership, and change management theory. Using the decolonized methodology of generationally practiced witchcraft ceremonies and moon magic, I sought to build my own divine feminine leadership praxis and discuss how the application of this paradigm might address and heal trauma while also effecting system change. I collected qualitative data over the course of 28 days, or a full lunar and menstrual cycle, also referred to as the moon cycle. I thematically analyzed and synthesized qualitative data gathered through reflexive and arts-based journaling and in dialogue sessions with feedback partners by way of grounded theory. I engaged participants from my faith community and dialogued with these witches about their experiences and my own experiences of making change. The results indicate that; being a witch is equally a spiritual orientation and a political stance, gathering in sister circles amplifies this cultural norm and is a determinant of health, and using imagination and storytelling can engage children in the discussion, as a strategy to pass teachings to future generations. Keywords: leadership, system change, witchcraft, wome
Evaluating English Fluency Effect on the Delivery of Water Campaign Messages to Residents in Metro Vancouver
Get PDF2024Amid growing pressures on freshwater availability, it is critical to ensure that language fluency is not a barrier to accessing water-saving knowledge in linguistically diverse societies. Therefore, this study’s goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of Metro Vancouver's residential water conservation campaign in delivering messages to fluent English speakers (FS) and non-fluent English speakers (NFS). Using an online survey, data were quantitatively analyzed to compare FS' and NFS' awareness of the campaign's existence and understanding of its messages, as well as psychological factors related to water conservation from the Theory of Planned Behavior. There was a significant difference between FS and NFS in the understanding of campaign messages but not in awareness or among the psychological factors. Preferences for communication methods among FS and NFS are also provided. This research highlights the importance of multilingual promotion of water campaign and tailoring targeting methods for FS and NFS
Improving Indigenous Engagement and Consultation for Oil Sands Development in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta, Canada
Get PDF2024This dissertation investigates and makes recommendations to improve Indigenous engagement and consultation (participation) undertaken in conjunction with environmental assessment for nine Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) oil sands developments in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta, Canada. It presents and applies a new framework designed to help identify opportunities to improve Indigenous participation in environmental assessment. This study is informed by a review of regulatory filings, interviews with 11 key informants, and more than 20 years of professional experience. It examines the participation goals, activities, and outcomes of SAGD developers, Indigenous communities, the Government of Alberta, and the Alberta Energy Regulator. Findings indicate that their goals include sharing knowledge about projects and potential impacts, ensuring decision-makers are informed about Indigenous communities’ knowledge and perspectives, addressing community concerns, protecting and satisfying Indigenous rights, facilitating direct Crown consultation, empowering Indigenous communities, ensuring project benefits to Indigenous communities, and maintaining positive relationships. Their key activities include notification, informal consultation, development of consultation plans, meetings, site visits, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Land Use studies, technical reviews, negotiated agreements, and the use of Statements of Concern. Most of the participants’ goals are satisfied by existing processes except those related to direct Crown consultation and positive Crown-Indigenous community relationships. Recommendations resulting from this research suggest that direct Crown consultation, improved scoping, improved Traditional Knowledge collection, and increased trust-building may help the Major Participants to achieve their goals more efficiently and meaningfully. Key findings and recommendations may inform researchers and practitioners about how to improve Indigenous participation for many types of natural resource development
Truth and Reconciliation through web design
No full textWe explore relationality and decolonization within the context of our shared attempts to blend Indigenist (Wilson & Hughes, 2019) and Western approaches to information sharing on a redesigned writing centre website. To reflect and honour the importance of storytelling in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, our core discussion is framed as a conversation that is experiential, reflective, and relational. We explain how the redesigned website supports students’ learning about themselves as academic storytellers through invitational, meaningful, personal online experiences. By telling the story of where the project started and our motivations, choices, emotional experiences, and lessons learned, we articulate an actionable, broadly adaptable pedagogical approach to decolonizing academic writing support
Employee Retention in the BC Wildfire Service
No full text2024My research focused on understanding factors that impact employee retention in the British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS) and devising action items, guided by the research question: “How might the BC Wildfire Service improve employee retention?” With adherence to the Royal Roads University Research Ethics Policy, I conducted participatory action research from an appreciative lens utilizing an action research engagement model. From a participant pool of approximately 2,000 employees in BCWS, I engaged with 10 participants in one-on-one interviews, and six of those participants in a design thinking exercise. Key findings and recommendations included enhancing connection between employees, revamping training, improving safety culture, increasing predictability in work scheduling, and improving pay and financial compensation
Exploring the Use of Inclusive Teaching Strategies to increase the Effectiveness of Adult Learning Programs related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within Canadian Public Sector Organisations.
No full text2024This study discusses EDI training in a Canadian context, friction between EDI training and the lived experience of the participants, and identifies elements of inclusive strategies. The research methodology is focused ethnography, and with the theoretical frame of social constructionism this research allows for a focus on the relationship between individuals and a particular aspect of their life i.e. corporate training. Participants were identified through convenience and purposive sampling. The findings presented through the novel use of the lattice framework indicate the following areas of inclusive design are critical: Behaviour Matters, Context Matters and Authenticity Matters. When all three modules are planned for in an inclusive pedagogy approach to EDI training, there is an opportunity to bring environmental influences through the philosophy of experiential learning. This study contributes to organisational behaviour research around leadership, the development of a prioritization matrix, and the development of a model for diverse learning environments. Keywords: Public sector; EDI training; critical pedagogy; measuring EDI training effectiveness; lattice framework; diversity management; bias; identity