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Perspectives on climate change education and actions from environmentally conscious youth in British Columbia
Get PDFThis thesis employs mixed methods consisting of an initial survey followed by a focus
group looking into the views of youth aged 16-20 regarding climate change education.
The guiding question of this research is: What are the views of environmentally
conscious youth in British Columbia on climate change education and action?
Participants included in this research study are currently in secondary school or had
recently graduated from the province of British Columbia’s K-12 system and are
currently, or have recently been, involved in environmental organisations. This research
employed the methodology of participatory action research with youth as
co-researchers from the initial crafting of survey questions through to member checking
findings in a focus group. Data were collected using a survey style Google Form which
was distributed to environmental group leads around British Columbia and circulated
through word of mouth at activist events such as the September, 24th, 2021 School
Climate Strike hosted by Fridays4Future-BC. Data revealed youth are disheartened by
the current state of climate change and would like climate change to be incorporated
into K-12 schooling starting in elementary school with topics to be focused on the
science behind climate change as well as solutions. Findings include youth perspectives
on schooling and government that are relevant for educators and policymakers involved
in climate change education and action. Areas to build on this research include
broadening the participants to a general population as a comparison and to extend this
research across Canada for interprovincial comparisons
Dark Current modeling and characterization of amorphous lead oxide-based x-ray photoconductive devices for applications in medical imaging
Get PDFHigh atomic number (Z) polycrystalline and amorphous photoconductors are currently
being investigated to extend direct conversion X-ray detectors to real-time and high-energy lowdose applications. Amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) is one of the most promising photoconductor
candidates because of its negligible signal lag and high theoretical X-ray conversion efficiency.
However, a-PbO layers are still experimental; PbO technology has been developed to the point
where material science and engineering approaches must be applied to make a-PbO detector
prototypes suitable for low-dose X-ray imaging. This includes determining the most appropriate
a-PbO multilayer detector structures with specially designed blocking layers that will withstand
the high electric fields needed for efficient (i.e., complete) collection of X-ray generated charge
while maintaining an acceptable dark current (DC) level. DC is a source of noise in the detector
structure that degrades the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detector system in low-exposure
applications. Here we investigate the use of polyimide (PI) as a hole-blocking layer. PI blocking
layers were proven successful in the only commercially used direct conversion detectors, which
are based on layers of photoconductive amorphous selenium (a-Se). Experimentally, PI was shown
to have the most suitable electrical and physical properties for our a-PbO technology. In addition,
PI has a straightforward application process of spin coating. Therefore, PI was chosen as a hole
blocking layer to decrease DC to tolerable levels in an a-PbO-based detector. [...
Pre-clinical assessment of the selective androgen receptor modulator RAD140 to increase muscle mass and bone mineral density
Get PDFSelective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are important hypertrophic
molecules that pose as potential treatments for many types of myopathy and osteopathy.
The aim of this study was to determine if the SARM RAD140 had additive effects on
muscle hypertrophy when combined with the functional overloading (FO) of the plantaris
muscle. Male, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats (226-250g, n=24 rats/group) where randomly
selected into one of four treatment groups: (1) RAD140-FO, (2) RAD140-Control, (3)
Vehicle-Control, or (4) Vehicle-FO. RAD140 groups received drug through drinking
water and control groups received only vehicle (methylcellulose). Standard rat chow and
water were provided ad libitum. Muscle weights of the triceps-surae group and muscle
fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured. Muscle weight analysis showed a
marked increase in RAD140-FO groups but were not statistically different from the
vehicle-FO group. CSA results indicated similar findings. The data presented here show
the potential of RAD140 to stimulate muscle hypertrophy in participants. Further
investigation with longer treatment duration with RAD140 and FO are required to gain a
better insight into the physiological response of the muscle to the FO and SARMs
treatment
Harvest productivity analysis based on stand boundary length of Weyerhaeuser’s Pembina Timberlands
Get PDFHarvest productivity can be influenced by many different factors within a
harvest block and knowing the impact of those factors allows harvest efficiency to be
maximized. This thesis explored the effect that stand boundary length of different forest
polygons would have on the harvest productivity of feller bunchers. The data was
collected from four contractors within Weyerhaeuser’s Pembina timberlands in westcentral Alberta. The data was then analyzed using a sensitivity analysis and linear
regression models to determine the strength of the relationship between the two
variables and whether increased stand boundary length had a significant effect on
overall harvest productivity. The analysis determined that stand boundary length had no
significant effect on harvest productivity. However, stand boundary length could still
influence harvest productivity but it appears other factors within the harvest blocks will
have a greater influence
The benefits of implementing tire pressure control systems (TPCS) in northwestern Ontario
Get PDFTransporting raw forest products to processing facilities is one of the highest costs of overall
timber production. Many forestry contractors and log truck owners are looking for feasible
ways to minimize forest road transportation costs. This study proposes a practical solution to
reducing forest resource transportation costs by analyzing the costs and benefits of tire
pressure control systems (TPCS) in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Data from four log-hauling
contractors in the northwestern Ontario region was collected and used to compare the benefits
of implementing TPCS compared to trucks without TPCS. Various models provided by TPC
International, TIREBOSS Inc., and FPInnovations were used to compare the costs of log hauling
with and without TPCS implemented on log trucks. The findings in this study were compared,
summarized, and presented in this thesis. When implemented on log trucks, TPCS can
substantially benefit the log truck owner and contractor. The main benefits come in the form of
cost savings, specifically reduced tire costs, increased traction, reduced fuel consumption, and
increased truck utilization. TPCS also increases truck, trailer, and tire life while lowering the
income required by the truck owner to meet their costs and profit margin. Furthermore, the
results of this study imply that TPCS can reduce the costs of log-hauling and therefore reduce
forest transportation costs
Towards a blockchain-based trustful mechanism for IoT-enabled data trading systems
Get PDFInternet of Things (IoT) devices generate and collect massive amounts of IoT
data. Monetizing the flood of data generated by the IoT devices has enabled the
creation of IoT data trading systems where individuals and businesses may trade
data. In the current IoT data trading systems, a third-party broker collects and
manages IoT data for buyers who would like to promote their services and make more
profit. However, there are three main challenges that may hinder the development
of secure IoT data trading systems. First, there is a lack of data transparency and
ownership. While the economic value of IoT data is increasing, it is not very well
known how this data can be conceptualized, measured, and monetized in a trusted
and transparent way. Second, the literature lacks studies about performance models
to demonstrate IoT data trading system usability in real-world systems. Third,
the reputation of the trading parties is an important attribute that affects their
profitability and trading prosperity. However, current reputation systems are prone
to malicious manipulation and single point of failure.
This thesis identifies and addresses the three above challenges for IoT data trading systems. First, this thesis introduces a trustful IoT data trading system based
on the blockchain as a means of providing anonymity, security, transparency, and
mutual trust for participants. Using a game-theoretic approach, this study develops
a strategic negotiation model that maximizes data buyers’ utility. To ensure that
data owners’ IoT data are accessible by trustful buyers, a novel mechanism design is
used to impede untruthful buyers from accessing the IoT data. Second, this thesis
evaluates the performance of the blockchain-based IoT data trading system using the
Hyperledger blockchain. Unlike existing research, this study measures and analyzes
transaction throughput, latency, elapsed time, and resource consumption (memory
consumption, CPU utilization, and disc read/write operations). Third, this thesis proposes a blockchain-based reputation system capable of avoiding failures by
enhancing the Raft consensus mechanism. This thesis also proposes an adaptive
learning mechanism that allows the data providers and consumers to enhance their
reputation and review credibility scores. Lastly, this thesis carries out extensive
theoretical analysis with respect to economic and security properties
“Awe- Shucks”: uncovering the relationship between awe and domains of humility
Get PDFThe current study sought to examine the relationship between awe (both valences) and domains
of humility. In a preregistered study, 268 participants completed an online questionnaire with 12
measures of humility (ethical, intellectual, epistemic, environmental, religious, Einsteinian, self-abasing, modesty, sincerity, fairness, greed avoidance, and valuing humility) along with a video
and written task meant to induce positive or negative awe. Of all the domains of humility used, it
was hypothesized that positive awe (elicited and dispositional) would be best predicted by
intellectual humility whereas negative awe (elicited and dispositional) would be best predicted
by self-abasing humility. Results showed partial support for these hypotheses. Elicited positive
awe from the videos was best predicted by epistemic humility followed by a facet of intellectual
humility (appropriate discomfort of limitations) which were not significantly different. Religious
humility was the best predictor of elicited positive awe from the written task and valuing
humility was the best predictor of dispositional (positive) awe. Elicited negative awe from the
videos was best predicted by religious humility however “meek self-abasing humility” was the
best predictor amongst the emergent 18 humility factors. Modesty was the best predictor for
elicited negative awe from the written task and dispositional negative awe was best predicted by
appropriate discomfort of limitations followed by self-abasing humility which were not
statistically different. Overall, cognitive domains of humility were better predictors of awe than
(pro)social domains of humility which may have implications for the function of awe
Substance use motives and personality traits among a First Nation treatment-seeking population
Get PDFProblematic substance use is one of the top disparities affecting Indigenous people.
Among non-Indigenous people, specific personality traits and drinking motives are associated
with problematic patterns of alcohol use. The Modified Drinking Motives Questionnaire –
Revised (MDMQ-R) is a measure for examining drinking motives among youth and adults.
Despite cross-cultural use, the MDMQ-R demonstrated a different factor structure among
Indigenous youth in Canada (Mushquash et al., 2014). The MDMQ-R has also been examined in
relation to personality traits, where findings suggest that specific personality traits and drinking
motives together are associated with problematic patterns of alcohol use. This study examined
the factor structure of the MDMQ-R in a substance use treatment-seeking sample of Indigenous
adults. Additionally, this study sought to understand how personality traits are related to
substance use motives. Sex differences regarding substance use motives were investigated as
well. As hypothesized, a three-factor structure solution received support, consistent with findings
among Indigenous youth. Hypotheses regarding personality traits were supported, whereby
positive reinforcement motives were associated with impulsivity and sensation-seeking traits,
and negative reinforcement motives were associated with hopelessness and anxiety sensitivity
traits. Sex was not predictive of higher scores on any MDMQ-R subscales. Examining the
MDMQ-R structure may provide culturally relevant information about the use of this measure with Indigenous populations in Canada. These findings may inform future research led by
Indigenous communities to understand better the needs of their members facing problematic
substance use
Ambiguity of faith and reason: exploring the challenges of conscientious objection and the provision of effective referrals for medical assistance in dying among Christian physicians in Ontario
Get PDFThis paper explores the tensions experienced by Christian physicians in Ontario as they
navigate the Effective Referral Requirement. Physicians in Ontario are currently required by law
to provide an effective referral should they conscientiously object to Medical Assistance in
Dying, also referred to as MAiD (CPSO, 2015). This paper will consider the relationship
Christian physicians in Ontario have with the Effective Referral Requirement and the ways in
which they manage their competing values within their profession and their faith. Ultimately this
paper will aim to answer the following research question, “How do Christian Physicians in
Ontario understand the tension between their professional and religious obligations when
considering MAiD?”. To answer this question structured-qualitative interviews were conducted
with eight physicians who a.) identify as Christian, b.) are in a position to receive requests for
MAiD, and c.) practice medicine within Ontario with a license. Thematic analysis was used to
analyze the interview data. Participants suggested several alternatives that they feel would
adequately address their concerns with the Effective Referral Requirement such as the
implementation of a self-referral system and changing the requirement from providing a referral
to requiring the provision of a phone number to patients instead
