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To what extent did Indigenous peoples manage clam gardens along the intertidal zone on the coast of British Columbia?
Full text linkWhile Indigenous knowledge has existed and sustained populations for thousands of years, it is only recently that Western science is beginning to scratch the surface on understanding Indigenous ways of life. Through developing this understanding, much Indigenous knowledge is being acknowledged as scientific. One of the many examples is the presence of Indigenous built and maintained clam gardens off the coast of British Columbia. These clam gardens were built by Indigenous peoples for the purpose of having a reliable and sustainable food source. This study serves as an analysis of the given Western and Indigenous scientific literature pertaining to clam gardens and how the given findings relate to Indigenous clam gardens being viewed as scientific. The results of the analysis illustrate that Indigenous people’s maintenance of clam gardens has been so extensive that it has ultimately increased marine production and biodiversity and can be dated back nearly 3.5ka off the coast of British Columbia. These findings are significant as they can go a long way towards countering the erasure of Indigenous peoples from the land and aiding in gaining land back.
 
Wedded Cages and Better Places: An Analysis of Central Metaphors Within Poems by Sylvia Plath & William Blake
Full text linkThis paper is an examination of the extended metaphors present in the “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake in the Songs of Innocence and “The Jailor” by Sylvia Plath. The significance of these metaphors is explored and shows how both poets documented similar experiences of oppression and suffering, instilling blame in their works. Blake’s poem delved into broad themes of suffering and being trapped, while also questioning the institutions of religion, and Plath’s poem provides a more personal focus on her experiences and marriage, serving as a warning to women. The core emotion and imagery dissected in their works provided a comprehensive analysis for the similarities and differences that the authors established
Black Media Literacy and the Pedagogy of Healing
Full text linkThis paper was originally written for Dr. Jennesia Pedri Communications 120W course Creativity and Communication Across Media. The assignment asked students to apply their knowledge of media literacy to address or intervene in a specific issue. The paper uses APA citation style.
This paper explores the transformative potential of media literacy as a liberatory tool for Black communities in North America. Media literacy offers a protective mechanism for Black media consumers of all ages, acting as a shield against the pervasive internalization of harmful stereotypes perpetuated in mass media. Proficiency in media literacy and production strengthens Black communities’ self and group esteem by providing agency to create empowering counter-narratives through authentic self-expression, subverting dominant narratives. Media literacy serves as a tool to combat internalized anti-Black racism and enrich the pedagogy of healing
Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Familial Hemiplegic Migraines
Full text linkVoltage-gated sodium channels, situated on cell membranes, are pivotal in initiating and propagating action potentials. An action potential is a crucial electrical signal that enables a neuron to communicate with other neurons, which is essential for our thoughts, movements, and sensations. These processes are particularly vital in the excitable cells of the brain. Any alterations in these channels can lead to significant physiological impacts and are often implicated in various diseases. For instance, Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) arises from mutations in the gene coding for Nav1.1, a specific protein forming voltage-gated sodium channel in neurons. These genetic changes cause increased neuronal excitability, which can trigger migraines.
Addressing this issue, there's a need for an inhibitor to reduce the heightened activity of these mutated Na+channels. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive extract from the cannabis plant, has been shown to modulate the activity of hyperexcitable Na+channels in several pathophysiological states, such as epilepsy, usually by decreasing their excitability. We hypothesized that CBD could also effectively mitigate the excitability of the ion channels responsible for FHM.
To test for this hypothesis, this research involved electrophysiological studies utilizing the patch-clamp technique. The preliminary data we collected indicates that CBD effectively diminishes the excitability of hyperactive mutated Na+channels linked with FHM. These observations propose that CBD may serve as a promising pharmacological treatment for genetically rooted diseases characterized by altered neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels.
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Peter Ruben, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
Research Team Member: Dr. Dana Page, Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University
Prevalence of Menstrual Cycle Symptoms and Tracking Methods Among Canadian Female Athletes
Full text linkPurpose: To better understand how Canadian female athletes are tracking their menstrual cycles and how that differs by symptoms experienced, age, and level of education. Methods: A survey was distributed to Canadian female athletes via social media channels, sports organisations, and snowball sampling. The survey inquired about age, ethnicity, level of education, and menstrual cycle history, symptoms, and tracking methods. Results: The survey was completed by 497 athletes aged 17-50 years (75% White/European). Symptoms including headache (75.4%), migraine (55.8%), nausea (65.8%), mood swings (92.0%), irritability (94.0%), depression (79.9%), breast tenderness (86.9%), food cravings (87.9%), acne (84.9%) were prevalent in athletes. A majority of athletes experiencing symptoms intentionally tracked their menstrual cycle. Those who experienced symptoms of headaches, migraines, and nausea, favoured use of tracking methods that did not include an app (p<0.05). Similarly, symptoms felt to negatively impact training, including mood swings, irritability, depression, breast tenderness, food cravings, and acne, were also associated with a preference for non-app-based tracking methods (p<0.05). Tracking method varied with the highest level of education achieved with some preferring using an app tracking method. Age did not significantly affect choice of tracking method. Conclusion: General symptoms, symptoms affecting training, and education level were associated with tracking method(s) utilised by female athletes. Future research should investigate the accuracy and perceived benefits of menstrual cycle tracking methods in the female athlete population and include ethnically diverse populations
Research Report Interactive Game Intervention to Educate Youth Environmentalists about the Adverse Health Effects of Climate Change
No full textImpacts of the built environment on public and paratransit accessibility among people with disabilities
No full textInvestigation of Experiential Learning Practices in K-12 Education
Full text linkExperiential learning is a teaching strategy and theory that emphasizes the individual student's experience "... there is one permanent frame of reference: namely, the organic connection between education and personal experience” (Dewey, 1938, p. 25). What is known about experiential learning methodology conclusively is that students experience superior learning outcomes when experiential learning methods are used (Burch et al., 2019). What requires further investigation are the factors of assessing experiential education to determine what procedures contribute to the achievement of student outcomes. There is a lack of formal research in K-12 experiential learning and available experiential frameworks are insufficient when applied to K-12 education. Experiential resources focus primarily on the student’s progress through a set of defined procedures when supporting material for the facilitation of learning by educators are noticeably absent. This paper establishes the need for a base of instructors' understanding in K-12 experiential methods assessment. This research identifies areas for further exploration of concepts and future studies to develop relevant supports to facilitate meaningful experiential education in K-12 education
The effects of probiotic treatment during puberty on LPS-induced immune response in male and female mice
Full text linkPuberty is a critical developmental period that is particularly vulnerable to stress and inflammation. In mice, exposure to an immune challenge (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) during puberty causes enduring effects on depression- and anxiety-like behaviour into adulthood. While the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown, the gut microbiome could play a role in mediating the immune system and can alter brain functioning. Thus, we investigated if colonizing the gut with beneficial microbes via probiotics could mediate the inflammatory response to pubertal LPS treatment, in 80 male and female CD1 mice. Sickness behaviour and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression via RT-qPCR were examined. LPS treatment increased sickness and inflammation in all mice. However, LPS-treated males showed more sickness behaviour, but less central cytokine mRNA expression compared to females and their control saline-treated counterparts. These effects were eliminated when the mice were treated with probiotics. In females, probiotic treatment reduced sickness behaviour, in a time-specific manner, and reduced cytokine mRNA expression in a region-specific manner following LPS treatment. Our results show that probiotics mitigate the LPS-induced immune response differently between males and females. These findings suggest that probiotics have a protective effect during puberty and may prevent the onset of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
A Thematic Literature Review of Decolonization and Abolitionist Approaches in Computing Education
Full text linkThis scoping review explores the role of critical and culturally responsive pedagogy in addressing the significant gap in computer science (CS) education. Despite ongoing efforts to increase diversity, many groups, including women, remain underrepresented in CS. The research draws on Paulo Freire's foundational ideas on critical pedagogy, advocating for a dynamic and ethical approach to teaching that fosters critical thinking and community involvement. The review also examines various interventions in literature which incorporate critical, decolonial, and abolitionist pedagogies in CS education. Addressing both the technical and social dimensions of computing, educators can equip students with the tools needed to challenge and transform existing power structures, contributing to a more just and equitable society