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Evaluating Nano Materials for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Exploring Potential Enhancements
No full textEmerging contaminants such as caffeine, artificial sugars, rodenticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been detected at low concentrations in the environment. The contaminants mentioned above may potentially negatively affect humans and ecological systems. It is crucial to be able to identify and analyze the extent of contamination as it can help us understand their potential threats and their respective mitigation methods. However, detection of low-concentration contaminants is a major challenge due to their weak signals as they blend into matrix and background noise of detection instruments.
Raman spectroscopy is a technique used to analyze the molecular composition and structure of substances by measuring their Raman signals. Raman signals are the light signals emitted when molecules scatter light, they can provide structural information to help identify molecules present in a sample. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a technique that can amplify Raman signals by placing the molecules of interest on specially designed surfaces, making it easier to detect and analyze trace contaminants in our environment. The surfaces are usually materials that exhibit surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and a localized SPR (LSPR). SERS has the potential to help overcome the challenges of weak signals.
This project investigates and compares the SERS enhancement of “sandwich” structures (and similar structures) assembled using gold, gold nanoparticles, and graphene oxide. The greatest enhancement was seen in samples with the “sandwich” morphology. The results from this project also demonstrated the importance and challenges in achieving a uniform sample preparation and the purposeful creation of SERS “hotspots”
(Re)framing Roots Beyond Binaries: A photovoice exploration of self-discovery and wellness among Asian, gender-diverse youth
Full text linkBackground: Being both Asian and gender-diverse can create unique experiences that may impact or shape one’s wellness, especially among youth who are often discovering and making sense of their identities. However, much of the existing research in this area focuses on health and wellness among either gender-diverse folks, or separately among Asian individuals.
Objective: The current study seeks to use an intersectional and strengths-based approach to explore self-discovery and wellness among youth who self-identify as both Asian (i.e., East, South, West, Central, or Southeast Asian by ethnic background or heritage) and gender-diverse (i.e., any non-binary identities).
Methods: Participant recruitment (target n = 6) for this qualitative, photovoice project is currently ongoing. Potential participants first complete a screening interview to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. After providing written consent, each participant is asked to take 3-5 photos over one week based on several study guiding questions. Participants also complete a brief demographic questionnaire. At the end of the week, photos are emailed to the researcher. Then, each participant engages in one 60-minute semi-structured interview to explore the content of their photos and the guiding questions. Interviews are audio-recorded and will be transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis will be conducted using NVivo to gather common themes that may appear across participants.
Results: Preliminary thematic findings will be shared in the presentation.
Impact: Gaining a deeper understanding of self-discovery and wellness among Asian, gender-diverse youth can inform real-world applications and further explorations in supporting these processes
Managing Consensual Non-Monogamy Stigma in a Monogamous Society
No full textIn Western societies, monogamy is idealized and consensual non-monogamy (CNM), where individuals consent to multiple sexual/romantic involvements, is stigmatized. We explored how 31 individuals in CNM relationships navigated stigma by qualitatively analyzing interviews about their relationship experiences. Monogamy is the norm in Western society and those who engage in consensual non-monogamy (CNM; consenting to multiple sexual/romantic involvements), are stigmatized. We interviewed 31 individuals in CNM relationships to understand their experiences of enacted and anticipated stigma. Participants were mostly White (77%), female (61%), LGBTQIA2S+ (81%), polyamorous (81%), and averaged 41 years of age. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) suggested that participants used approach or avoidance strategies to manage stigma. Approach strategies involved setting boundaries with people who stigmatized participants (ultimatums), correcting misconceptions, and being openly proud about CNM (CNM pride). Avoidance strategies included disengaging from people who stigmatized participants (disengagement), passing as monogamous, and avoiding CNM discussions. CNM pride and correcting misconceptions were the most used approach strategies, and over half of participants passed as monogamous and avoided CNM discussions. Most participants also used a combination of approach and avoidance strategies by weighing the possibility of stigma to decide whether and to whom to disclose their CNM experiences (selective disclosure). Approach strategies, such as CNM pride, could foster connection within participants' communities, which may buffer the harmful effects of minority stress. Conversely, avoidance strategies, such as passing as monogamous, may increase the editing behaviour of participants and possibly lead to increased minority stress. Participants flexibly used approach and avoidance strategies to effectively navigate the monogamous world. However, they did tend to use approach strategies more frequently, which may be an important way that CNM individuals bolster connection, possibly mitigating the negative effects of minority stress.
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Rebecca Cobb, Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University
Towards an Understanding of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Through Queer Assimilationism
Full text linkDon’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy marks an important moment in the history of queer rights in the United States of America—while outwardly ending the military’s ban on Queer servicemembers, the protections this policy offers hinges on any given servicemember’s willingness to conceal their queer identity. Historical research on the American queer rights movement contextualizes this era of policy within a broader move away from the radicalism of its past and towards demands of queer into inclusion into previously exclusive facets of American life. This presents space for analysis into how and why this rhetorical shift occurs, and consequently with what effectiveness this shift presents to the demands expressed by the American queer rights movement. Utilizing Michel Foucault’s conception of interest, this paper argues for an understanding of DADT through the interest generating potential of this rhetorical shift that makes possible the aims of DADT. Through widespread adoption of strategies aimed at aligning queer identities with heteronormative ideals, the American queer rights movement defines ‘the right to fight’ as an addressable issue, and thus makes possible a policy which acts upon this issue. This stresses the importance of interest theory in the analysis of the American queer rights movement, and thus contributes to an understanding of how social movements affect change
Structural Exploitation of Individual Vulnerabilities in the “Post-Truth Era”
Full text linkMany attempts have been made to understand the epistemic processes by which an individual is led to believe extreme and often dangerous conspiracy theories. The common view that conspiracy theorists simply lack information is demonstrably false, given the ease of access to information via the internet, so the issue lies in either the individuals themselves or the environment they find themselves in. However, upon reflection, it does not seem accurate to place the blame solely on either of these poles, as the epistemic practices of conspiracy theorists closely reflect those of non-believers, and clearly, not all individuals in a given environment end up with the same beliefs. In this paper, I consider two opposing diagnoses: Quassim Cassam’s argument for faulty individual thinking—namely, epistemic vices—as the root of conspiracy belief and Thi Nguyen’s case for the social-structural perspective—epistemic “luck”—as the catalyst for extreme beliefs. Ultimately, I reject both diagnoses and argue that the particular combination of individual “hero complexes” and for-profit media machines is to blame for the rise of extreme and corrosive conspiracy beliefs
The Role of Dreams In Moral Development
Full text linkDreams can be perceived as a range of possible experiences - from imaginative scenarios revealing nothing but the abstract nature of the human mind to almost life-like experiences that mimic considerations we undertake daily. Dreams have long been a topic of interest in various fields - much of the discourse in philosophy historically centers on questioning if agency exists within dreaming states and how this may impact the application of notions of morality to dream scenarios. The status of dreams as experiences may even aid in the development of a person's moral character, cultivating possible benefits for personal growth and revealing certain characteristics that are inaccessible through the restricted reality of the waking world. Furthermore, the different states of dreaming raise an increasingly complex state of being; lucid dreaming can greatly impact considerations for the agency in moral decision-making in simulated worlds. This article aims to examine two aspects of morality within dreams: firstly, assessing the state of agency within dreams, and secondly, exploring the capacity of dreams to act as an avenue to advance the exploration of personal moral character for moral development