VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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GIS-based erosion models: Detecting potential erosion and determining model accuracy
No full textWith growing pressure on landscapes and natural resources, there is an increasing need to predict the occurrence of erosion and any changes to the environment. Erosion modelling using GIS applications can help predict these consequences by estimating areas of high erodibility. This can help plan land use strategies and guide government policy on soil conservation, and can also provide information about current erosion, its trends, and future scenario analysis. However, it is important to choose the right model in accordance with the type of features (i.e. soil type, slope steepness, etc.) that are considered relevant for the model at hand.
One of the main purposes of this study is to aim at comparing the predictions of soil erosion between three different models. These models include the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model and the Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) model. Lastly, the study aims at determining each models accuracy by using a confusion matrix, and presents the reader a variety of erosion models as options for future implementations.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27434/MosherReport.pdf?sequence=
Developing net zero neighbourhoods in Nova Scotia : a feasibility study
No full textIn this paper the feasibility of developing net zero neighbourhoods in Nova Scotia was determined. Analysis was split into two categories: technological feasibility and economic feasibility. In the technological feasibility category, current energy efficiency technologies were analyzed for their ability to reduce the energy requirements of new homes, and current microgeneration technologies were assessed for their capacity to meet those reduced energy requirements. In the economic feasibility category, the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of each technology was determined and compared to the cost of electricity in Nova Scotia to assess the economic feasibility of each individual technology. The cost per kWh of each technology was then compared to that of each of the other technologies to determine which of them was more cost-effective. Using these results, the total added cost of incorporating energy reducing and microgeneration technologies into new homes was determined so that a cost-benefit analysis could be conducted comparing the cost of an average new home to that of a net zero new home. Based on this cost-benefit analysis, the ultimate feasibility of developing net zero neighbourhoods in Nova Scotia was determined, and recommendations were proposed to improve the cost effectiveness of net zero housing
Selenium Contamination: The Environmental Effectiveness of Current Treatment Methods in the Mining Industry Based on Water Quality Guidelines
No full text2023Selenium (Se) contamination in water bodies and ecosystems presents challenges to the environment, including wild species, and human communities. The Elk Valley region in British Columbia (BC), Canada, exemplifies these challenges. This research examines the effectiveness of Teck's Saturated Rock Fill (SRF) technology in addressing selenium contamination in Elk Valley utilizing a desktop case study approach, literature review, data analysis, and site overview. The findings indicate that Teck's compliance position, with BC's water quality limits for selenium, is inadequate. However, monitoring data suggests that, despite non-compliance, contamination and environmental risks have not significantly increased. Teck's compliance was found to align with protective guidelines from WHO, Health Canada, and New Zealand, indicating sufficient protection for human and aquatic health. The study suggests that BC's more conservative standards may be unattainable, while guidelines from less-stringent jurisdictions are equally protective. Further analyses are recommended, to review the efficacy of BC's selenium management and treatment guidelines accordingly
Travel, leisure, and aging: leisure for older adults visiting immigrant children
No full textDespite its prevalence and potential impact, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel is remarkably understudied. Aging visiting parents of Persian immigrants are especially marginalized in scholarship and practice. This lack of attention is noteworthy, given the increase in immigrants to Canada and the rapidly aging population. This study aimed to understand the lived experience of 'visiting' immigrant relatives and the role of leisure (including leisure boredom and leisure constraints) during their visit. Specifically, this study explored whether leisure could help aging Persian parents visiting children in Canada with the cultural, familial, and economic challenges associated with their visit, including potential culture shock. Guided by a social constructivist paradigm and phenomenological approach, semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with a purposive, non-probability sample of 14 visiting parents of Persian immigrants from Tri-Cities, BC, Canada. Interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Overall, Persian parents' lived experiences were characterized by three major themes:(a) visiting parents' experiences encountering Canadian culture, (b) visiting parents' leisure constraints, and (c) visiting parents' leisure activities in Canada. Eight sub-themes were developed to elaborate upon these overarching themes. The first sub-themes distinguish between parents who experienced culture shock and those for whom no culture shock was experienced. Language barriers were considered a common source of shock in this scenario, despite some unexpected findings (e.g., being able to connect with others despite the language barrier). The second set of sub-themes identified three recurring leisure constraints: (a) the exchange rate, (b) the host's busy lifestyle, and (c) leisure boredom. These constraints impacted and shaped the nature of participants' desired leisure activities. The third set of subthemes captured adults' leisure experience while visiting relatives, including (a) desired leisure activities, (b) leisure opportunities, and (c) autonomy, competence, and relatedness experienced within leisure activities. These themes, supported by data, are discussed, and the existing literature is extended. In addition, practical implications for hosts/host communities are also discussed.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27444/Najafi.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Feasting names of Cimoca: An artifact to Haisla Nation ceremonies
No full textPosterThe intent of this poster is to be a teaching tool not only for Haisla Nation school children, but also for community members who may want to know more about the historical or present traditions of Haisla feasting ceremonies. This poster is also an artifact that can be revised as needed, as culture is always evolving. It is important to document how the Cimoca feast today. With the fast-changing times we find ourselves in, we will raise the contentious question, “are we now culturally bankrupt?”. Time is critical if we as a people are serious about reviving this integral ceremony of the people of Cimoca.
This poster is the winner of the Graduate Student Infographic Poster Award at Vancouver Island University's CREATE Conference in 2023.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27483/CimocaFeastingPoster.pdf?sequence=3CREATE 2023 Award Winner: Best Infographic - Graduate
Discovering the meaning of equity, diversity, and inclusion at the Environmental Health Department of Vancouver Coastal Health
No full textAbstract
Framed through a system-thinking lens of transformational change, this action-oriented inquiry presented an opportunity to explore the diverse background and perspectives of many frontline Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH) Environmental Health officers (EHOs) to determine the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to them. Applying the 5-D model of the Appreciative Inquiry, the EHOs of VCH were engaged to learn what the topic of EDI means to them, both individually and for the organization. This inquiry involved two methods - a survey, and two focus groups. The survey was conducted with all EHOs working in the Richmond to Garibaldi Coast area, followed by two focus group sessions with participants from the same population. These officers shared stories of success and their future vision of EDI in the Environmental Health Department while describing barriers and the needed resources. The thematic analysis of the data found that various opportunities exist for EH leadership to enhance the organization's culture and psychological safety at all levels. This inquiry revealed that success is achieved through collaboration towards a shared vision, EDI has differing interpretations, procedures need to be more consistent, and a change in culture and behaviour is required for a safe and equitable work environment. Six recommendations emerged from these findings providing specific calls to action. This inquiry recommends continuing this study using an Appreciative Inquiry approach to understand EDI in all Health Protection departments, implementing clear benchmarks for promotions and new hires, and developing actionable metrics to transform the current culture.
Keywords: action research; equity; diversity; inclusion; organizational culture; change; engagement; Environmental Health; VCH
Biosphere reserves and conservation of subterranean aquatic ecosystems in Brazil
No full textSubterranean systems and aquifers are functional units of karst, constituting habitat units for the aquatic fauna. These are open systems, under the influence of external factors controlling the internal processes. Major well-studied Brazilian karst areas, situated in diverse biosphere reserves, are briefly described with focus on total diversity (troglobites + troglophiles + trogloxenes) and diversity of troglobites, encompassing taxonomic, phylogenetic and genetic/morphological diversity. Different combinations of evolutionary and ecological processes are observed, producing unique diversity patterns. Consequently, the recognition of the importance of karst areas and their priority for conservation and management must be based on multiple criteria applied in a case-by-case analysis. Good practices for conservation and management of subterranean waters start with studies based on robust, scientifically sound criteria. The focus must be the subterranean systems, not caves per se, including the influence areas (recharge areas, the areas receiving their output, etc.), and results must be tested for sampling sufficiency. Biosphere reserves are a first step to ensure protection of subterranean waters and their ecosystems. At regional/local scale, their insertion in Conservation Units is an efficient tool for preservation if properly designed and managed.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27472/Trajano.pdf?sequence=
A strategy for the detection of benzodiazepine drugs using low-resolution paper-spray mass spectrometry for harm reduction drug checking
Get PDFThis article was originally published as: Miskulin, A., Wallace, B., Gill, C., & Hore, D. (2024). A strategy for the detection of benzodiazepine drugs using low-resolution paper-spray mass spectrometry for harm reduction drug checking, Drug Testing and Analysis, 16(10), 1085-1093. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3630The ability to detect newly emerging substances is of great importance in reducing harms for people who use drugs. New psychoactive substances including novel benzodiazepines in the illicit drug supply have been linked to high rates of overdose deaths while complicating drug checking as an overdose prevention strategy. Paper-spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) has emerged as a novel strategy to rapidly detect trace components in street drug samples. While targeted, low-resolution PS-MS methods have proven effective, newly emerging substances are often missed. To address this, a method was applied to low-resolution full-scan PS-MS data to aid in the early detection and identification of novel benzodiazepines in the unregulated drug supply. Using the developed method, true positives rates of 0.89 and 0.75 were achieved for bromazolam and etizolam in street samples obtained in a community drug checking service. The applicability of the method was further demonstrated for a novel benzodiazepine, desalkylgidazepam, that has recently emerged in the illicit drug supply.This project was funded by a grant from the Health Canada Substance Use and Addictions Program (1819-HQ-000042), with additional support from the Vancouver Foundation (UNR17-0265). Additional funding was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant Program funding (RGPIN-2021-02981) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (40274)
Strategies for educators to support the high-school learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in their employment
No full textThis project is designed to provide evidence-based practices and resources to assist high-school teachers in developing their efficacy to efficiently support high-school learners diagnosed with ASD, to acquire employment by ensuring a successful transition from teenage to merging into adulthood. With the increasing presence of learners with ASD in the classroom in an inclusive setting, it is difficult for educators to ensure quality education so that their learners with ASD can have the best possible outcomes in their lives. Teachers are trusted in providing academic, emotional, and social skills while also assisting in the development of non-cognitive qualities like student involvement, self-confidence, and self-awareness. Given the demands and high expectations from the educator, it is often difficult to manage the work pressure, keeping a balance between workload and quality check with such time constraints when there is a lack of resources and training to enhance their efficacy. These can directly have a domino effect on the whole educational system making the future of students with ASD uncertain. That is why having well-trained educators to support learners with ASD is critical. This project includes a professional development workshop series where participants are provided with opportunities to share their experiences and gain valuable insights and suggestions to support students with autism in their employment after their high-school graduation. This project is primarily created to support high-school general teachers, however, classroom assistant teachers, special education teachers, behaviour interventionists, and school administration staff will also benefit.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27248/Barua.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Leading my change from within: an exploration of self-talk, self-compassion, self-awareness, and leadership
No full textThis action-oriented thesis explored the question, “How might gaining more awareness of my daily self-talk, and treating myself with compassion, help me gain more confidence as an individual and leader?” Applying a first-person action research methodology, I utilized arts-based methods (collage and self-compassion letter) and daily reflexive journaling for 6 weeks. To gain a deeper perspective, I engaged in one-on-one coaching sessions with an arts-based research coach and a self-compassion teacher and focused sessions with two inquiry partners to explore emerging themes and personal insights. This study found individuals and leaders may be more effective and confident when they practise self-compassion, enhance self-talk awareness, and consider their impact on others. Findings included the importance of relationships, impact of ingrained beliefs on self-perception, the choice in change, and detaching from ingrained beliefs by tapping into creativity and play. Recommendations for individual and leadership practice and organizational implications arose from this study.
Keywords: first-person action research; leadership; confidence; self-compassion; self-talk awareness; chang