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Discrete App Simulator : A Simulator for Experimenting with Response Time Parameters for a Serverless Environment
No full textServerless is an increasingly popular application deployment option offered by
cloud providers, but one that offers many challenges in terms of resource management and system fine-tuning. With the recent release of real workload traces that
provide insights into serverless application invocation patterns, simulators have
gained traction as a method for evaluating the effectiveness of serverless environments. However, most simulators to date have focused on specific cloud provider
environments that use container-based or Function as a Service deployments. This
work introduces Discrete App Simulator, a simple and highly-customizable simulator built in Python on top of the SimPy discrete simulation framework that provides
a convenient tool for evaluating different scheduling and load-balancing policies in
the context of a multi-tenant web application hosting service, regardless of the
serverless cluster topology or deployed instance type. The simulator offers the opportunity to efficiently run many simulations of serverless environments with various system parameters and workload patterns, with the aim of discerning potential
areas of optimization or workload types that may cause system failure.Applied Science, Faculty ofElectrical and Computer Engineering, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat
Murine models of DICER1 syndrome-associated cancers : development and characterization
No full textDICER1 syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that predisposes individuals to hereditary cancers, with tumours arising in organs such as the lung, gynecologic tract, thyroid, kidney, and brain. This syndrome is driven by germline loss-of-function mutations in the DICER1 gene, typically inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Tumours acquire somatic mutations affecting the RNase IIIb domain on the alternate allele, resulting in compound heterozygosity. These mutations impair DICER1's ability to cleave precursor miRNAs, disrupting microRNA biogenesis, an essential process for gene expression regulation. While the role of DICER1 mutations in tumour initiation is well-established, the mechanisms underlying tumour progression remain poorly understood. To address this gap, a genetically engineered mouse model harbouring a specific Dicer1 RNase IIIb mutation was developed. Tumours in this model displayed histological and molecular characteristics resembling those of human DICER1-associated cancers, including renal cystic nephroma, Wilms tumours, and anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney. Exome sequencing indicated that tumour progression may be influenced by accumulating secondary mutations, such as alterations in Trp53 and Kras. Syngeneic models and cell lines derived from these tumours were established, offering a robust platform to evaluate therapeutic strategies. This study demonstrates that the Dicer1 RNase IIIb mouse model faithfully recapitulates DICER1-associated tumourigenesis and progression. By enabling the investigation of tumour biology and therapeutic testing, this model provides a foundation for identifying targeted treatments for DICER1 syndrome-associated cancers.Medicine, Faculty ofMedical Genetics, Department ofGraduat
Therapeutics Letter 154
No full textBackground:
Thyroid hormones regulate essential metabolic
processes and development. The hypothalamicpituitary-thyroid axis regulates hormone production,
with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels
being a key indicator of thyroid function in primary
hypothyroidism.
Aims:
This Therapeutics Letter emphasizes a TSH-centred
approach to the diagnosis and management of
primary hypothyroidism (dysfunction at the level of the
thyroid gland) in adults. It discourages routine thyroid
function screening in asymptomatic individuals
due to lack of demonstrated benefit and potential
harm from overdiagnosis and overtreatment. It
outlines appropriate diagnostic strategies, including
when to use TSH, free T4 (thyroxine), and free T3
(triiodothyronine) tests, and outlines indications for
antibody testing. Special considerations are provided
for subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism
during pregnancy. Recommendations:
▪ Do not perform routine thyroid function screening
in asymptomatic adults.
▪ Use TSH as the initial test for suspected primary
thyroid dysfunction and as the test to monitor
levothyroxine monotherapy for primary hypothyroidism.
▪ Wait six weeks before re-checking TSH after
therapy adjustments; once stable, annual testing
is sufficient.
▪ Avoid treating asymptomatic screen-detected
subclinical hypothyroidism, except when TSH >10
mU/L in patients under 70 years of age.
▪ In pregnancy, test TSH only in high-risk women; treat overt hypothyroidism, but avoid routine
treatment of subclinical cases.Medicine, Faculty ofAnesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Department ofReviewedThe UBC TI is funded by the BC Ministry of Health to provide evidence-based information about drug therapy. We neither formulate nor adjudicate provincial drug policies.FacultyResearche
Evaluating Marine Vessel Tracking Data (EMSA) for Analysis and Exploration with Norovirus Outbreaks
No full textNorovirus outbreaks linked to fecal contamination in shellfish harvesting sites in British Columbia present a significant threat to public health and the shellfish industry. Baynes Sound, in the Strait of Georgia (SoG), is one of the most prolific sites for shellfish aquaculture in BC and has been connected with several norovirus outbreaks over the last decade. Illegal sewage dumping from vessels has been presented as a potential contamination source. In partnership with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), this report analyzes the suitability of Transport Canada’s Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA) program data as a means to track vessel traffic to support norovirus outbreak investigations. EMSA, which includes data derived from the Automatic Identification System (AIS), is cross-referenced against Planet Labs satellite imagery and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) flyover photography. The cross-reference exercise highlighted inherent inaccuracies within EMSA’s AIS data, specifically a widespread undercounting of vessels across five years of data. Between EMSA and satellite imagery and EMSA and flyover photography, Spearman’s rs were 0.1277 and 0.3028, respectively. The findings illustrate the lack of effectiveness of EMSA for tracking vessel counts across the SoG. Experts and literature reviews suggest that vessel operators may turn off their AIS devices to hide illegal sewage dumping activities. The results lead to the following recommendations: 1) continuation of DFO flyover photography, 2) increasing enforcement of AIS usage around shellfish aquaculture, and 3) expanding the AIS program in Canada.Science, Faculty ofEarth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat
The Spiralled Chasm
No full textIn animate worlds, many layers of existence are accepted and allowed to persist and intertwine, as everything—from the earth, inanimate objects, plants, and celestial bodies—is allowed its own enigmatic existence as other beings. What can we learn from this perspective of treating everything as alive and intertwined in conscious conversation? What does it mean to be “alive” in an interconnected and interdependent world? And how can this perspective of a fully “alive” world translate itself into our architecture?
By diving deeper into this question of what it means to be “alive,” can other ways of being be understood, uncovered, and seen as equally valid in their experience and expression? This is a voyage into the realms of what our current frameworks have neatly defined as our “other” and proposes novel ways of interrelating and entering into conversation with the non-human elements that exist among us. This work will propose new methods for architectural site engagement that seek to honour and foster a deep respect for the agency of our world’s “others” by journeying through the senses, honouring the embodied experience, and employing heightened perceptual attunement. This approach aims to create space—a gap—that can be offered to the non-human and left to be filled in and exist on its own terms.Applied Science, Faculty ofArchitecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School ofUnreviewedGraduat
A Salmon-Centered Urban Stream Restoration Strategy for Still Creek Watershed
No full textWith the rapid urbanization of the Vancouver metropolitan area, natural hydrological systems have been severely disrupted. Streams have been buried and hardened, surface runoff intensified, and ecological corridors fragmented, resulting in reduced habitat quality, increased urban flood risk, and weakened ecological linkages between waterbodies, land, and life.
The Brunette River-Burnaby Lake-Still Creek system was once an essential tributary for Pacific salmon migration and rearing within the Fraser River Basin. However, urban development has resulted in the burial of river channels, loss of salmon habitat, blockage of migratory pathways, and loss of natural shallows, deep pools, and vegetated floodplains in the river. This has further disrupted the ability of fish to migrate and weakened the cultural ties between Indigenous peoples and the water body.
Upstream, Again focuses on Still Creek and its hydrological connections to Lake Burnaby and the Brunette River through daylighting, re-establishing a shallow-pool-turbulence system, and constructing stormwater -The project focuses on Still Creek and its hydrologic connections to Lake Burnaby and the Brunette River through daylighting, reconstruction of shallow pools and deep pools, construction of stormwater filtering wetlands, and shaping of waterfront cultural narratives.
The project aims to restore salmon migration and ecological connectivity at the urban scale, enhance regional ecological diversity and climate resilience, and, in the long term, contribute to the sustainable revitalization of salmon populations and the reconstruction of urban ecology and culture.Applied Science, Faculty ofArchitecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School ofUnreviewedGraduat
The Behemoth : Where Plastic Becomes Flesh and Architecture Remembers
No full textWe live in a world of crisis, our planet is unwell, and our future hangs in uncertainty. Plastic emerged as a revolutionary material in the post-World War II era. With its affordability, versatility, and durability, it quickly became a cornerstone of modern consumerism and the “throwaway” culture that defined mid-20th-century living. For decades, plastic was celebrated as a wonder material, a symbol of progress and convenience. Today, we are confronted with its darker legacy: plastic polluting our oceans, microplastics infiltrating ecosystems and even human bodies. Once revered, plastic is now vilified as a symbol of environmental degradation and unsustainable living. But let’s face an uncomfortable truth: we cannot entirely stop certain global phenomena once and all immediately. Populations continue to rise, cities continue to expand, and plastic remains embedded in modern life. The question is not whether we can eliminate plastic or not, but how we can right our wrong and rethink its role in our world. I believe design holds the power to challenge conventions and propose new paths forward. While architecture alone cannot solve all our crises, it offers a unique opportunity for intervention. What if we could transform plastic into a building material, one that is accessible, economical, and sourced locally from recycled waste? What if cities reclaimed ownership of their discarded plastics, creating a circular system where waste becomes a true local material? This thesis explores the potential of plastic as a material for architecture, and perhaps, as a tool for reimagining our relationship with waste, materials, and the built environment. It further explore how specific architectural interventions might influence psychology, perception, behavior, lifestyles, social hierarchies, and the political and socioeconomic fabric of urban landscapes.Applied Science, Faculty ofArchitecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School ofUnreviewedGraduat
Understanding the Disruptiveness of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) in the AEC Industry
No full textThe Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is plagued by persistent challenges such as low productivity, cost overruns, and frequent project delays. Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) has emerged as a potential solution, offering collaborative approaches to improve project outcomes. This study proposes a two-tiered methodology for evaluating the disruptiveness of innovations in the AEC industry, with a particular focus on IPD as a disruptive innovation. In the first tier, a multidimensional framework is developed to systematically assess the disruptiveness of innovations in the AEC sector. This framework, informed by a thorough literature review and disruptive innovation theory, includes dimensions such as business models, processes, and anticipated outcomes. The second tier applies the framework by analyzing the disruptiveness of IPD. The assessment draws on data from three comprehensive studies, including ethnographic research, interviews, and focus groups, which examine IPD’s impact on different stakeholder groups such as clients, consultants, and contractors. Findings reveal that IPD has the potential to significantly disrupt traditional business models, processes, and project outcomes, particularly at the project level. Notable disruptive characteristics include shifts in collaboration dynamics, redefined project financing models, and improved efficiency. However, several barriers hinder IPD adoption, including resistance to change and misalignment with conventional contractual structures. Expert interviews support these results, indicating that IPD represents a fundamental shift in the AEC industry. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a structured framework for assessing the disruptiveness of AEC innovations and demonstrating its practical application. In this way, AEC organizations, projects, and practitioners can better strategize for the adoption of any new disruptive innovation and thus pursue a strategic advantage in the highly competitive industry market.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofReviewedFacultyResearcherOthe
“I enjoy being a (Asian North American) girl” : the evolution of Asianness in North American musical theatre
No full text“I Enjoy Being a (Asian North American) Girl”: The Evolution of Asianness in North American Musical Theatre traces how Asian representations in North American musical theatre have evolved from the 1800s to present day through historical contexts of immigration and labor. I argue that while constructions of Asianness in North American musical theatre and its early forms created a limiting image of the Asian grounded in historical stereotypes, contemporary musical theatre has responded by expanding the possibilities for Asian representation as grounded in multiplicity. I analyze the presence of Asian stereotypes such as the China Doll, the Chinese Coolie, the Model Minority, and the Dragon Lady in well-known musicals such as Anything Goes (1934), On The Town (1944), The King and I (1951), Flower Drum Song (1958 and 2002), and Miss Saigon (1991 and 2017). I examine casting in specific Canadian musical theatre productions such as Musical Stage Company’s Next To Normal (2019), The Globe Theatre’s The Little Mermaid (2017), and the Confederation Centre’s Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (2022). I investigate representations of Asianness in new Asian Canadian musicals Soft Magical Tofu Boys (2024) and MEAT (2023).
I employ theoretical frameworks such as José Esteban Muñoz’s disidentifications, Anne Anlin Cheng’s ornamentalism, and Karen Shimakawa’s abjection to explore how Asian stereotypes emerged through repetition and how they function both in society and on-stage. I employ interviews conducted with Asian Canadian musical theatre artists such as Aaron Jan, Damon Bradley Jang, Genny Sermonia, Julio Fuentes, Kelsey Verzotti, Kevin Wong, Kimberly-Ann Truong, Nam Nguyen, Rosie Simon, and Stephanie Sy, in order to gauge their experiences and understandings of Asianness’s evolution in musical theatre.
Ultimately, this thesis insists upon the importance of unfolding the historical contexts that frame Asians in North America on and off stage in order to understand the emergence of stereotypes, as well as how to subvert, build upon, and evolve away from them and toward more expansive, heterogenous, and life-giving renderings. I aim to position my work as a vehicle that can impact both musical theatre creation and education, with a specific focus on how Asian experiences are represented.Arts, Faculty ofTheatre and Film, Department ofGraduat
A Simplified Water Balance Model with Macro-pore Flow for Mine Waste Facilities
No full textPredicting seepage rates and water quality from waste rock and heap leach facilities is critical for mine operations and closure management. Flow rates and the chemical composition of seepage from mine waste facilities (MWFs) are controlled by unsaturated solution and airflow dynamics and mineral dissolution/ reaction rates. Although spatially-distributed reactive unsaturated flow and transport models can be used to simulate physical and chemical interactions between the porous media, solution, and gas, they suffer from practical issues related to computational expense and lack of data to validate parameter choices in the highly heterogenous and large-scale novel flow systems that exist in MWFs. We introduce MWF MACRO, an Excel-based tool designed for practitioners to model the water balance within large catchment-scale variably saturated mine waste facilities. MWF MACRO simplifies computationally intensive physics into key processes relevant to the dump water balance while retaining physical interpretability. The application of the methodology to simulate MWF seepage under operations and a closure scenario is explored. The application demonstrates the model’s predictive capacity to simulate high-resolution (i.e., daily) seepage responses and provide reasonable estimates of unobserved variables, such as the effects of flow through less- and more-mobile (i.e., macro-) pore flow domains.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe