1722 research outputs found
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Phosphorus Release from Unamended and Gypsum- or Biochar-Amended Soils under Simulated Snowmelt and Summer Flooding Conditions
Get PDFProlonged flooding changes the oxidation–reduction status of soils, often enhancing P release to overlying floodwater. We studied P release from unamended, gypsum-amended, and biochar-amended soils under simulated snowmelt flooding (previously frozen, cold flooding at +4°C) and summer flooding (unfrozen, warm flooding at +22°C) using two soils, Fyala clay (FYL-Cl) and Neuenberg sandy loam (NBG-SL), from Manitoba, Canada. Amended and unamended soils were packed into vessels and flooded under cold and warm temperatures in the laboratory. Pore water and floodwater samples were taken weekly for 6 wk after flooding (WAF) and thereafter biweekly for 10 WAF and analyzed for dissolved reactive P (DRP), pH, and cation concentrations. The NBG-SL showed a significantly higher DRP concentration in pore water and floodwater despite its low Olsen P content. Redox potential (Eh) decreased slowly under cold versus warm flooding; hence, redox-induced P release was substantially lower under cold flooding. Gypsum amendment significantly decreased the floodwater DRP concentrations in NBG-SL by 38 and 35% under cold and warm flooding, respectively, but had no significant effect in FYL-Cl, which had low DRP concentrations (<1.2 mg L−1) throughout the flooding period. Biochar amendment significantly increased floodwater DRP concentrations by 27 to 68% in FYL-Cl under cold and warm flooding, respectively, but had no significant effect in NBG-SL. The results indicate substantially less P release under cold than under warm flooding. Gypsum was effective in reducing floodwater DRP concentrations only at high DRP concentrations; thus, the effectiveness was greater under warm than under cold flooding conditions."Funding for this research was provided by a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant and a University of Winnipeg Major Grant to Darshani Kumaragamage, and a fellowship awarded by the University of Winnipeg–Queen Elizabeth Advanced Scholar Program to R.S. Dharmakeerthi."https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2134/jeq2019.02.009
Basic and Applied Aspects of Thermal Acclimation in Juvenile Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Get PDFRising water temperatures are affecting the health and distribution of aquatic organisms. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a popular freshwater sport fish adapted to cooler environments, is at risk to high temperature due to its habitat preferences. Using six acclimation temperatures that span the thermal distribution of the species (5C, 10C, 15C, 20C, 23C, and 25C), I quantified the stress response of juvenile brook trout by measuring physiological and molecular parameters to understand the processes that occur when fish are thermally stressed. Evidence of a stress response was apparent via exposure to a range of temperatures outside their preferred range (i.e., >20C) and by exhaustive exercise using a chase and air exposure protocol. Using qPCR, I quantified mRNA abundance of genes associated with stress and temperature-induced cellular mechanisms to aid in the identification of a sub-lethal temperature threshold for this species. Furthermore, I sought to understand the effect of acclimation temperature on their recovery when exposed to acute stress events that simulate the paired stressors of exhaustive exercise and air exposure; stressors that may be potentially associated with catch-and-release angling. I predicted that exposure to acclimation temperatures beyond those to be preferred by brook trout caused individuals to exhibit an increased stress response and increased recovery duration. My results indicate that brook trout are negatively affected by temperatures above 20C and a sub-lethal threshold exists between 20C and 23C. Brook trout exhibited signs of cellular impairment with upregulation of genes at 20C and above (Hsp90ab1, Hspa8, Gpx1) or downregulation at 20C and above (Nkcc and Nupr1). After exposure to paired stress events there was increased activation of the HPI axis at 20C and above as exhibited by elevated levels of cortisol, lactate, and glucose. Additionally, metabolic results suggested that energy expenditure is higher at elevated temperatures. These findings are imperative to understanding the implication of global climate change on brook trout populations and will be useful for managing fish habitat and regulating recreational angling.University of Winnipeg; Research Manitoba; NSERC Discovery Grant; Fisheries and Oceans CanadaMaster of Science in Bioscience, Technology, and Public Polic
Canadian teachers' attitudes toward change, efficacy, and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFCanadian teachers (N = 1626) took part in a longitudinal, national survey conducted at two points early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated that teacher efficacy, attitudes toward change, and perceptions of administrative support were correlated with teacher resilience and burnout at the onset of the pandemic. Over the first three months of the pandemic, teachers demonstrated increasing exhaustion and cynicism but also increased efficacy for classroom management and increased sense of accomplishment. In addition, teachers' cognitive and emotional attitudes toward change became more negative. Implications of the deficit of resources to demands that result in teacher stress and burnout over time are discussed."The current study ... was funded by an Engage grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada to the primary investigator."https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266637402030016
The Significance of a Relations-based Approach to Indigenous Research Ethics and Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Indigenous people have been increasingly asserting self-determination in research to “research ourselves back to life”. There is a current knowledge gap regarding how gender is considered in Indigenous research ethics and its implications for Indigenous self-determination in research. METHODS: Utilizing critical discourse analysis and a decolonizing theoretical framework a systematic review was conducted to contribute to filling this knowledge gap. RESULTS: The dominant concept and language of gender as binary are being used in Indigenous research conducted in observance of Indigenous research and it is given significance through its continued use, particularly in relation to participant sampling and bias. The mainstream concept is also given significance because research involving Indigenous people is in response to inequities resulting from colonization. However, there is resistance to this concept and its significance by revitalizing and renewing Indigenous Ways of Knowing (research paradigms including epistemology, methodology, methods, and theories) such as language and most significantly, elevating relations (human-to-human and human-to-nature) as part of Indigenous Ways of Being (ontology). The implications of this recovery and renewal is alignment and strengthening of Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This is ethical Indigenous research. CONCLUSION: “Researching ourselves back to life” involves going back to the very beginning, to our very being as Indigenous peoples and relating this to how we understand, conduct, and utilize ethical research to express and reflect our reality for wellness, governance, and nation-(re)building.Master of Arts in Indigenous Governanc
City of Winnipeg Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment, January 2020
No full textThe primary purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive assessment of current and future housing needs in the City of Winnipeg. Components of this assessment will include: Identification of trends related to housing supply and demand spanning the entire housing continuum; A more detailed analysis of the demand and supply circumstances for low- and moderate-income households and households requiring significant levels of support; Identification of housing gaps along the housing continuum, again with a focus on low- and moderate-income households requiring subsidies to make housing affordable or support services to address special needs; Identification of areas within the City where housing needs are most significant, the types of households most in need and the type housing supports required; and, Evaluation of policies at all levels of government that are designed to stimulate supply to address demand requirements and provide the necessary housing supports required. This report establishes a baseline understanding of the City’s current housing needs across the housing spectrum. It provides a strong starting point for informing the City’s housing policies and programs in both the short and long-term. But it is just that: a starting point. Housing need is dynamic; it is affected by a multitude of factors including changes in population, the economy, and public policy at all levels. Accordingly, in order to be responsive to the most urgent needs as they emerge, the City needs to actively monitor housing supply, demand, affordability, and the effect of its policies and programs
Chief Paskwa’s Pictograph: Revisiting Treaty Four Through an Anishinaabe Philosophy
Get PDFThis research provides an understanding of Treaty Four 1874 through an Anishinaabe philosophy using Anishinaabe (Ojibway) research methods. Prior research conducted has been done by primarily non-Anishinaabeg, therefore, this research will add literature regarding Chief Paskwa’s pictograph from an Anishinaabe voice while following traditional protocols. Including Anishinaabe voice when revisiting history is crucial, especially when the history is deeply connected to who you as a human-being in todays society. The research conducted and the knowledge shared will benefit the community of Pasqua First Nation and other Treaty Four bands. It can be used as a teaching tool to introduce Treaty Four 1874 from Anishinaabe (Indigenous People) philosophy. Utilizing Anishinaabeg methodologies and research methods will ground this research back to its roots Completing this research will empower future generations to look deeper into the Treaty Agreements to advocate and exercise their Treaty Rights as Anishinaabeg.Master of Arts in Indigenous Governanc
The Effects of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) Diet and Growth in the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg
Get PDFThe freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a large-bodied fish found throughout the
Lake Winnipeg watershed. Little is known about freshwater drum diet and ecology in Manitoba, as they are not a fish of commercial interest or recreational popularity. However, freshwater drum may be a primary predator of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), which established in Lake Winnipeg in 2013. In this study, the diets and growth of 51 freshwater drum collected in 2019 (6 years post-zebra mussel invasion) were compared to the diets and growth of 64 freshwater drum sampled in 2000 (pre-zebra mussel invasion); all fish were collected from Lake Winnipeg’s south basin. Benthic insect larvae were the dominant food item in both sample years. Although mollusks occur in high densities in Lake Winnipeg, they were rarely consumed by freshwater drum in either sample year. Zebra mussels were not a frequent prey item in 2019 as they were only consumed by four of the sampled freshwater drum. Stable isotope analysis of white muscle tissue yielded similar δ13C and δ15N values in both sample years, which were consistent with a benthic, insectivorous diet. Length-at-age data derived from otolith aging revealed that the 2019 population had an equal or higher growth rate than the 2000 population. Weight-at-length data suggests that fish condition was greater in 2019 than in 2000, which coincides with increased benthic macroinvertebrate density in Lake Winnipeg. Based on these findings, Lake Winnipeg freshwater drum feed continue to feed preferentially on insect larvae over zebra mussels and were therefore unlikely to have consumed zebra mussels at the onset of invasion.Honours Thesis Course, Department of Biolog
Building the System: Follow-up, monitoring & adaptive management
Get PDFDoes impact assessment (IA) end when the license has been granted? While societal resources tend to focus on rigorous project approvals, what happens to the project, to the public and to the environment once approval is granted? Follow up and monitoring are often an afterthought for legislators, public servants and proponents. But they are critical to public confidence and to ensuring that proponents live up to their commitments in a rapidly changing world."This report draws from research funded by the Impact Assessment Agency as part of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Knowledge Mobilization Grant on Informing Best Practice in Environmental and Impact Assessment.
An Examination of Police Culture and its Effects on Patrol Officers Attitudes towards Restorative Justice
Get PDFThe purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between restorative justice and police culture, and the level to which this culture acts as barrier to the successful implementation and use of restorative justice by frontline police officers. Using a multi-level work group framework, frontline officer’s attitudes and understanding of restorative justice and police culture beliefs are examined, and then their impact on frontline police work is assessed. This study employs an explanatory sequential mixed methods design and is conducted in two phases. The initial quantitative phase involved distributing a Likert-style survey to frontline officers to measure their attitudes and understanding of restorative justice and police culture variables. After analysis of the initial quantitative findings, semi-structured interview questions were developed building on these findings to provide for a more in-depth qualitative analysis. Results indicate that police culture variables such as solidarity, teamwork, crime fighting and tough on crime attitudes are still persistent in policing, but frontline officers are generally accepting of restorative justice, and believe that it has a place in their frontline work as a dispositional tool. Findings indicate, however, that officers perceive restorative justice as another option only for less serious crimes and low risk offenders, and not as a new method of managing offender activity. Restorative justice is not being used to its fullest potential. To increase use of RJ diversion more thorough training, specialist designations and supervisory and middle management direction is recommended.Social Science and Humanities Research Council (Scholarship)Master of Arts in Criminal Justic
Accelerating Computation of Zernike and Pseudo-Zernike Moments with a GPU Algorithm
Get PDFAlthough Zernike and pseudo-Zernike moments have some advanced properties, the computation process is generally very time-consuming, which has limited their practical applications. To improve the computational efficiency of Zernike and pseudo-Zernike moments, in this research, we have explored the use of GPU to accelerate moments computation, and proposed a GPUaccelerated algorithm. The newly developed algorithm is implemented in Python and CUDA C++ with optimizations based on symmetric properties and k × k sub-region scheme. The experimental results are encouraging and have shown that our GPU-accelerated algorithm is able to compute Zernike moments up to order 700 for an image sized at 512 × 512 in 1.7 seconds and compute pseudo-Zernike moments in 3.1 seconds. We have also verified the accuracy of our GPU algorithm by performing image reconstructions from the higher orders of Zernike and pseudo-Zernike moments. For an image sized at 512 × 512, with the maximum order of 700 and k = 11, the PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) values of its reconstructed versions from Zernike and pseudo-Zernike moments are 44.52 and 46.29 separately. We have performed image reconstructions from partial sets of Zernike and pseudo-Zernike moments with various order n and different repetition m. Experimental results of both Zernike and pseudo-Zernike moments show that the images reconstructed from the moments of lower and higher orders preserve the principle contents and details of the original image respectively, while moments of positive and negative m result in identical images. Lastly, we have proposed a set of feature vectors based on pseudo-Zernike moments for Chinese character recognition. Three different feature vectors are composed of different parts of four selected lower pseudo-Zernike moments. Experiments on a set of 6,762 Chinese characters show that this method performs well to recognize similar-shaped Chinese characters.Master of Science in Applied Computer Scienc