VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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A recipe for resilience: from quarantine baking to ecofeminist pedagogy
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic caused me to reflect on how my home economics grade 8 to 12 pedagogy changed during crisis. In addition, the quarantine period from March to June of 2020 created an immersion in rapid adaptation of food practices during a time of socio-economic disruption. This multidisciplinary approach to resilience research explored autoethnographic narratives of personal identity and transformation with regard to food systems during crisis using an ecofeminist lens, in addition to writing as inquiry comprised of a selection of themed Twitter comments about quarantine baking intended to explore the relationship between cooking and socioecological resilience. A growing sense of connection to nature through food and finding my place in the feminist movement emerged through reflective practice and reflexive responses to bake from the public domain that I discovered. Finally, I reflect on how these insights fed my teaching practice to become more aligned with the values of environmental education and the caring ethic of feminism
Using remote sensing imagery to map and quantify aspen mortality in NW Alberta
No full textLand managers and researchers have documented a rapid decline in aspen health in western North America since the early 2000s, which has been linked to drought episodes combined with caterpillar defoliation outbreaks. As the most abundant commercial deciduous tree species in Alberta, aspen serves many functions in Alberta forests, including providing forage and habitat for many wildlife species, water cycling and conservation, carbon sequestration, and wood fibre. Aspen mortality first became apparent in northwest Alberta in the late 2000s, and aerial surveyors began mapping it in 2011. Because of its clumpy, dispersed distribution within stands, this is a difficult forest health disturbance to accurately map. The Grande Prairie Forest area in northwest Alberta was chosen as the study area for this research project because it has the highest aspen mortality rate in the province. The procedures developed for this area are intended to be used in other Alberta Forest areas that have only recently begun to see and map aspen mortality.
The goal of this research project was to map and categorise the current amount of aspen mortality in the Grande Prairie Forest area into the three mortality classes currently used by aerial surveyors in Alberta using remote sensing imagery. Using Landsat 8 OLI imagery, this project evaluated automated image classification methods to delineate and quantify mortality. Classification algorithms used in this project were Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Maximum Likelihood (ML), and ISO Data. A confusion matrix was used to compare overall accuracies as well as misclassifications. Both SVM and RF had similar acceptable accuracies with F1-scores of 79.4% and 78.4 respectively. The resulting categorized mortality map is to be used by land managers to focus detailed ground surveys and aid in forest management planning to ensure sufficient regeneration of stands experiencing high mortality.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26479/MelnickReport.pdf?sequence=
A multi-perspective study of effective learning for students with extensive support needs
No full textA continuing problem in inclusive education is the inconsistent and often minimal access to learning due to persistently low expectations for students with extensive support needs (ESN) that as a result detrimentally impact student growth and outcomes. This is in part due to conflicting research in the field, and the challenge with identifying evidence-based practices (EBPs) for this population. The purpose of my research study is to provide a multi-perspective understanding of effective learning for students with profound disabilities. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design this study explores the question: “What constitutes effective learning for students with extensive support needs and how do multiple stakeholder perspectives enhance this understanding?” Descriptive statistics and coding were used to interpret and analyze data in the following topics: physical accessibility of school environments, values and attitudes towards learning and placement, academic and social learning, student engagement and growth, evidence-based practices, and barriers to learning. Throughout the data analysis stakeholders’ knowledge, thoughts, and perspectives were compared. This study ultimately found that the multi-perspective lens of the school-based team, as well as parents has led to a better understanding of the importance of flexible, student-centered, and strength-based learning opportunities supported by EBPs and how critical this understanding is in supporting the unique learning needs of students with complex needs. One key theme was woven throughout the findings, the importance of all educational stakeholders along with parents working alongside each other by sharing their unique insights to support the effective learning of students with extensive support needs.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27260/Finlay.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Remembering Nathan Edelson
Get PDFCopyright (2023) Planning Institute of British Columbia. The following article originally appeared as: Alexander, D. (2023). Remembering Nathan Edelson. Planning West, 65(4), 28. The PIBC website can be found at: https://www.pibc.bc.ca/Obituary for Nathan Edelsen
Food systems planning in coastal BC communities
No full textPlanning for sustainable and resilient local food systems is a persistent concern for many coastal communities. This research compared food systems planning and integration in two coastal communities in British Columbia to investigate strategies to foster integrated food systems planning. The case studies focused on the place-specific features unique to the Sechelt Peninsula and the Squamish Valley that provide obstacles to and opportunities for integrated food system planning. This work identified and assessed strategies to enhance local food systems using a qualitative case study approach. Research methods included document analysis and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with representatives of local non-profit organizations, municipal and regional government, municipal and regional planners, food producers, and institutional food systems experts. The research objective was to improve understanding of how geographic isolation influences food systems planning. The thesis identifies and recommends strategies to enhance food system resilience through integrated planning for isolated coastal communities. This study suggests that social connectivity across formal and informal structures can have a greater impact than geographic isolation alone to motivate and facilitate integrated food systems planning. This study also supports existing evidence on how linear systems create challenges for systems planning, diversification, and resilience
Localised mass mortality of giant California sea cucumbers in Western Canada
Get PDFThis version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to the Springer Nature’s AM terms of use found at: https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-research/policies/accepted-manuscript-terms, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04230-3.Mass-mortality events are seldom reported in sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuria), but here we document a localized mass die-off of giant California sea cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus) in Western Canada from August to October 2021. We recruited volunteer divers to count wasting and healthy sea cucumbers, resulting in observations spanning 500 km of coastline. Reports of dead and wasting sea cucumbers were restricted to Nanoose Bay, BC (Snaw naw-as First Nation territory, 49°17'N, 124°08'W), with the exception of a single report from Hornby Island, some 55 km away. In Nanoose Bay in 2021, up to 94% of observed sea cucumbers were affected, with healthy sea cucumbers generally observed below 16 m. Following reports of wasting sea cucumbers, population abundance declined sharply. We returned in September 2022 to survey a subset of sites and observed similarly spatially isolated but less severe wasting symptoms. Although the mass-die off in 2021 occurred after an unprecedented summer heatwave, the cause of this event remains uncertain. This case study shows that mass illness events in echinoderms can be geographically isolated and negatively impact local populations.This work was by a Travel and Research Award from Simon Fraser University to EGL.Accepted Manuscript versio
Ion-to-image, i2i, a mass spectrometry imaging data analysis platform for continuous ionization techniques
No full textThis article was originally published as: Lillja, J., Duncan, K.D., & Lanekoff, I. (2023). Ion-to-image, i2i, a mass spectrometry imaging data analysis platform for continuous ionization techniques. Analytical Chemistry, 95(31), 11589-11595. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01615Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) techniques generate data that reveal spatial distributions of molecules on a surface with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, processing large volumes of mass spectrometry data into useful ion images is not trivial. Furthermore, data from MSI techniques using continuous ionization sources where data are acquired in line scans require different data handling strategies compared to data collected from pulsed ionization sources where data are acquired in grids. In addition, for continuous ionization sources, the pixel dimensions are influenced by the mass spectrometer duty cycle, which, in turn, can be controlled by the automatic gain control (AGC) for each spectrum (pixel). Currently, there is a lack of datahandling software for MSI data generated with continuous ionization sources and AGC. Here, we present ion-to-image (i2i), which is a MATLAB based application for MSI data acquired with continuous ionization sources, AGC, high resolution, and one or several scan filters. The source code and a compiled installer are available at https://github.com/LanekoffLab/i2i. The application includes both quantitative, targeted, and nontargeted data processing strategies and enables complex data sets to be processed in minutes. The i2i application has high flexibility for generating, processing, and exporting MSI data both from simple full scans and more complex scan functions interlacing MSn and SIM scan data sets, and we anticipate that it will become a valuable addition to the existing MSI software toolbox
Memories of the pool: a case for swimming
No full textWell-being is a term frequently discussed in connection to student physical and mental health, and academic life. The benefits of exercise and sport involvement to well-being is regularly examined, with limited information on the specific link between well-being and involvement on swim teams available. This study describes different definitions and assessments for well-being and makes connections to swimming and swim teams. The question explored was: How do individuals describe their lived experiences on swim teams and the impact of swimming on their physical, emotional, academic, and mental well-being? Through semi-structured interviews, participants in the roles of swimmer, coach, and/or parent, shared their experiences in swimming and swim clubs. These experiences were explored through a narrative research lens to determine how swimming impacted and affected their lives and how swimming could be connected to special education and students with learning disabilities. Eight Themes were discovered: View of Self; Friends and Relationships; Inclusion and Belonging; An Individual Sport Within a Team Environment; Learning and Skills; Hard work and Accomplishment; Emotional, Mental, and Physical Health; If Not Swimming. Recommendations for coaches, swim clubs, parents, families, school districts, and special education along with suggestions for future research are provided.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27372/Schilds.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Vacant to vibrant: The revitalization of Nanaimo North Town Centre
No full textShopping malls have been a pillar of suburban sprawl and consumerism for the last seven decades, however, in last 30 years their future has been uncertain. The original enclosed shopping mall as designed by the famous Victor Gruen is dying out due to various social and economic factors. Because most of these 1950 style building archetypes reside on large pieces of land, it is crucial that redevelopment is done diligently and effectively to foster community need and aspiration. New trends for redevelopment are beginning to unfold in British Columbia, setting a prime example of solutions for the rest of North America in shopping mall revitalization. Nanaimo BC has been known to have a reputation of being “the city of malls”, and with the 21st century decline of department stores and shopping malls, it is becoming more prominent in the city. Nanaimo North Town Centre, a mall located in the north end of the city, has had a reputation of dullness and disconnection since it opened in the early 1980’s. This research aims to discover the best revitalization strategy for Nanaimo North Town Centre. Using existing literature, applicable zoning and policies, as well as the expertise of professionals in the planning, commercial, developing, and land appraising fields, a recommended redevelopment plan is established in the form of a mixed-use community node.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27329/FeserThesis.pdf?sequence=3Major project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University
The role of phonology-to-orthography consistency in predicting the degree of pupil dilation induced in processing reduced and unreduced speech
No full textThe relationship between the ways in which words are pronounced and spelled has been shown to affect spoken word processing, and a consistent relationship between pronunciation and spelling has been reported as a possible cause of unreduced pronunciations being easier to process than reduced counterparts although reduced pronunciations occur more frequently. In the present study, we investigate the effect of pronunciation-to-spelling consistency for reduced and unreduced pronunciations in L1 and L2 listeners of a logographic language. More precisely, we compare L1 and L2 Japanese listeners to probe whether they use orthographic information differently when processing reduced and unreduced speech. Using pupillometry, the current study provides evidence that extends the hypothesis about the role of orthography in the processing of reduced speech. Orthographic realization matters in processing for L1 and L2 advanced listeners. More specifically, how consistent the orthographic realization is with its phonological form (phonology-to-orthography consistency) modulates the extent to which reduced pronunciation induces additional processing costs. The results are further discussed in terms of their implications for how listeners process reduced speech and the role of the orthographic form in speech processing.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27480/Mukai2023.pdf?sequence=3This research was supported in part by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council (SSHRC) Partnership Grant, “Words in the World,” 895-2016-1008