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Narrative approaches for intergenerational preaching: a case study
No full textCurrent research in intergenerational worship studies has shown there is a great benefit when all the generations worship together. However, proven methods of preaching conducive to an intergenerational context are still an area that demands attention. The two primary paths that have developed in response to the need for more intergenerational preaching include a change to the preaching event altogether or a change to the form, content or design of a sermon to make it more intergenerational. This work focuses on the latter direction, using narrative forms of sermons to discover if they can be a meaningful and engaging way to include all the generations in the preaching event in a Christian worship service. This research addresses the question, “How does an intergenerational congregation respond to narrative forms of preaching?” The research used a qualitative case study in a local Baptist church where three narrative forms of sermons were preached to an intergenerational congregation to test the validity or non-validity of narrative sermons to include all the generations in the preaching event. An analysis of the individual survey questions and the focus group interviews showed that all three forms of narrative sermons generated a variety of meaningful and engaging responses from all the generations in three primary categories: affective, cognitive, and behavioural. This research shows that narrative forms of preaching were indeed a valid way to include all the generations in my own local congregation in the preaching of God’s Word. The primary significance of this research is that it strongly suggests narrative preaching forms could be a conducive way to include all the generations in the preaching event in a variety of Christian worship services and congregations beyond the one in this study.</p
Marine spatial planning tools and spatial analysis framework for skates and striped bass in the Minas Basin
No full textThe Minas Basin, located at the eastern end of the Bay of Fundy and its surrounding watershed, are vital ecosystems supporting a diverse array of habitats for marine species. Areas, such as these, face escalating challenges due to anthropogenic pressures and environmental changes, impacting marine species and ecosystems. Preservation of these habitats is paramount for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem integrity of the region. However, the current understanding of species distribution in Minas Basin is limited by fragmented data. This study aims to address these limitations by compiling datasets from various sources, cleaning and assessing the data, and conducting spatial analyses to identify data gaps and biases. Data visualizations and a framework for species distribution models were generated to showcase potential outcomes and highlight the need for additional sampling especially of environmental conditions. Integrating these efforts will support informed decision-making for marine spatial planning and conservation in the Minas BasinA comprehensive collection of five datasets from various providers was undertaken to gather information on marine species in the Minas Basin. These datasets were subjected to rigorous cleaning and wrangling processes to ensure data quality and consistency. Tools were developed to facilitate data compilation and cleaning. The result was 137,368 occurrence observations.Spatial and temporal assessments of the compiled data were conducted to examine the distribution of marine species in the Minas Basin over time and space. Spatially, the data exhibited considerable bias, with the majority concentrated in the Southern Bight subregion of the Minas Basin (88.3%), especially around Bramber weir (10.1%) and the Five Rivers Database (74.5%). Moreover, data aggregation was prevalent in coastal regions characterized by shallower depths, introducing a bias towards these areas. Temporally, gaps were identified, particularly evident during winter months (2.1%), and occurrences were largely confined to diurnal (71.6%) and high tide periods (79.0%).A framework for spatial analysis was done using two case studies: skates (Little Skate and Winter Skate) and Striped Bass. Skates (75.4%) and Striped Bass (45.2%) data were predominantly from Bramber weir in the Southern Bight. Species distribution models were generated to showcase potential outcomes such as species distribution maps and ecological niches.This study represents an integral step towards enhancing our understanding of marine species distributions in the Minas Basin. Further efforts to improve data collection, integration, and analysis will be essential for effectively managing and protecting the rich biodiversity of the Minas Basin in the face of ongoing environmental changes and increased anthropogenic developments and activities.</p
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt riverine and coastal minimum survival estimates for the Gaspereau River, inner Bay of Fundy, and a regional comparison of historic acoustic tag size and burden
No full textCollapsed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in the inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) have been a concern for over three decades. Low early marine survival has been suggested as a cause of reduced returns of adult salmon. This study examined the survival of 25 migrant iBoF smolts/post-smolts from Gaspereau River, Kings County, to Minas Passage using high residency (HR) acoustic tags. Smolts took an average of 5.3 days post tagging to first be detected at the river mouth, and strongly favoured the ebbing tide for departure. On average, smolts took a further 3.0 days to reach Minas Passage where they were typically detected near the sea surface for several tidal cycles. At time of migration, temperatures averaged 14.0 °C in the river and 10.8 °C in Minas Passage. In-river survival was at least 96% and minimum survival was 95.8% from the river exit to Minas Passage. The short transmission interval of HR signals (2 s) contributed to a high probability that passing tags would be detected, suggesting that new HR tag technology may improve estimates of minimum survival, over traditional coded acoustic tags used in historic studies in this region. When examining survival estimates of migrating smolts/post-smolts, fisheries researchers introduce tag burden bias on fish. A “2%” ratio of tag-to-fish-weight has generally been accepted, however, achieving this on small bodies smolts can be challenging. This study also compiled and compared 82 data points of historic tag size and burdens in BoF and GoM region to provide context to better compare recent and historical estimates of smolt survival. Historical tag burden and size was significantly higher in the earliest studies (1994 – 1999) compared to all others, including present day (2015 – Present), since tags used then were on average 75% larger. An overall decreasing trend was observed and generally maintained in all bins from past to present. Results from this study provide survival estimates for this region and can be used for improved management.</p
"When a door closes, a window opens... or something like that." Dontnod's Life is Strange as an evolution of the Bildungsroman prescription of choice and social conformity
No full textThis thesis examines how the power dynamics within the Bildungsroman prescription of social conformity are altered and challenged by the video game medium and its unique mechanics and opportunities for player interaction. This is achieved through a consideration of literary theories relating to authoritative disempowerment and Reader Response Theory, as well as theories from game studies regarding interactivity. Analyses of S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass explore the complexity of author-text-reader power dynamics, anticipating the ways that video games continue to move beyond the prescriptive function the Bildungsroman genre. Then, to representatively chart the developments made to the Bildungsroman genre by the video game medium, Season One of Telltale’s The Walking Dead is also analyzed. Finally, Dontnod Entertainment’s Life is Strange is utilized and further analyzed due to its specific mechanics and story elements. There are choices presented through video games that would not exist otherwise. These choices allow for freedom outside of the prescription. This thesis shows how video games can evolve and transform the genre through unique mechanics and opportunities for player interaction and agency within a range of prescriptive choices. The methodology of this research was a close reading of both the literary and digital texts.</p
Coming out as LGBTQ+: memories of parental reactions for different gender and sexual identity groups
No full textParents’ reactions to their child’s coming out are important, as they are associated with their child’s life outcomes. While research is growing, there is still little consensus regarding how LGBTQ+ individuals experience parental reactions that go beyond a simple positive to negative continuum. Further, comparisons of parental responses have not yet been made across a wide range of gender and sexual identities. The current study used a reflexive thematic analysis to explore the written coming out narratives of 1024 LGBTQ+ individuals, comparing the experiences of those in five different groups (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse, and other sexual identities). Results indicated that individuals in each group experienced the same general patterns of parental responses to the disclosure of their identity. Positive parental responses divided into clearly affirming, calm and relaxed, or pragmatic and matter-of-fact subthemes. Some parental responses were confused. Negative parental responses divided into awkward disappointment, avoidance, efforts at control, or abusive and retaliatory subthemes. Many parental responses were mixed or ambivalent, displaying aspects of more than one theme or subtheme. Parents generally became more accepting over time; however, explicitly negative parental responses were less predictable and sometimes worsened over time. Gender diverse individuals reported receiving negative and controlling parental reactions more frequently than other groups, and all groups experienced issues related to parents holding identity-specific stereotypes. The results of this study may be utilized to develop inclusive educational resources, to guide parents and LGBTQ+ individuals when coping with their disclosure conversation, and to inform clinicians in providing high-quality identity-affirming therapy services.</p
Petrology, tectonic setting, and mineralization potential of late Devonian plutons in the central Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia
No full textThe West Branch North River (WBNR), Bothan Brook (BB), Centre Road (CR), and Peters Brook (PB) plutons are in the eastern Aspy terrane of central Cape Breton Island, part of Ganderia in the northern Appalachian orogen. The plutons are undeformed and were intruded after regional (Acadian) deformation and metamorphism in their host rocks. Their distinctive elongate shapes are the result of mainly post-shear emplacement in major shear zones related to juxtaposition of the Bras d’Or and Aspy terranes and hence their ages of ca. 375 Ma (BB and WBNR) and ca. 360 Ma (CR) constrain timing of major shear zone movement. The age of the PB pluton is uncertain. Petrographic examination of cut rock slabs and thin sections from about 50 samples showed a wide range in rock types. Samples from the WBNR, BB, and PB plutons range from medium- to coarse-grained equigranular biotite granodiorite to monzogranite, whereas the Centre Road pluton consists of mappable areas of monzodiorite, quartz monzodiorite, and granodiorite/monzogranite. Chemical analyses of 42 samples show a range in SiO2 from about 51% to 77% with lowest contents in the CR pluton and highest in the BB pluton. High K2O in most samples suggests that they have shoshonitic affinity. Total REE content and light REE enrichment are highest in the CR pluton and lowest in the BB pluton. The plutons generally display I-type chemical characteristics, and trace element compositions indicate that the magmas formed in a post-collisional slab-failure tectonic setting. The tectonic setting of the BB and WBNR plutons are consistent with that of the S-type Park Spur pluton, and chemistry and tectonic setting suggest a magmatic link of the CR pluton with the more evolved Margaree pluton. Although no mineralization has been observed, the presence of pegmatite in the CR pluton and highly evolved compositions in the BB pluton suggest some potential for Cu, Li, or other critical elements.</p
Acaricidal effects of encapsulated thymol nanoparticles, thymol microemulsions, and synergistic agents on the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae)
No full textDue to rising global temperatures, tick populations are growing and extending to northern regions. As consequence, zoonotic tick-borne diseases are increasing in prevalence all around the world and are likely to lead to an escalating global health risk. As the incidence of these tick-borne diseases increase, so has the dependence on synthetic tick repellents and acaricides. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for plant essential oil (EO) pest management products because they are relatively safe and environmentally friendly. However, EO compounds lack environmental persistency and have low aqueous solubility. Therefore, encapsulation with wall materials is used to protect, slow the release of, and increase solubility of EO compounds. Another way to improve the efficacy of EOs is by combination with a synergistic compound. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is a commonly used synthetic insecticide synergist. Piperine is a natural compound that has similar structural features to PBO and may exert similar synergistic activity. In this work, the acaricidal effects on adult female Dermacentor variabilis ticks of unencapsulated thymol (main component in white thyme, Thymus zygis) were compared with the acaricidal effects of thymol gum Arabic nanoparticles (GA NPs), a thymol soybean oil in water (O/W) microemulsion, and a [10:1] [PBO:thymol] mixture. It was determined that the LC50 of thymol was 4.78 mg mL-1 (95% CI: 3.85 – 5.71) 96 hours post-exposure. The encapsulation efficiencies of thymol and piperine in the GA NPs were low, ranging from 12.0 ± 0.4% to 37 ± 3%, and 9 ± 2% to 23 ± 3%. Despite this, the GA NPs had significantly greater acaricidal activity than unencapsulated thymol at a comparable concentration, resulting in 76 ± 9% mortality 168 hours post-exposure. Therefore, encapsulating thymol in GA NPs is a promising method for delivering the active compound to ticks for future development of an acaricidal product. The encapsulation efficiency of thymol in the soybean O/W microemulsion was assumed to be ~100%. However, the soybean O/W microemulsion had significantly less acaricidal activity than unencapsulated thymol at a similar concentration. The emulsion only resulted in 40 ± 10% mortality 168 hours post-exposure, possibly due to the large particle size which may limit surface interactions with the ticks. The [10:1] [PBO:thymol] mixture had antagonistic acaricidal effects instead of synergistic. Investigations of different concentrations of the PBO and thymol mixture may improve the synergistic activity. Attempts to encapsulate piperine in GA NPs, a 𝛽-CD physical mixture, and zein encapsulations had very poor encapsulation efficiencies and were not evaluated further or used for acaricidal testing.</p
Mafic sills in the Meguma terrane, southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada: petrology, tectonic setting, and ages
No full textIn the western part of the Meguma terrane from Wolfville to Yarmouth the Cambrian to Silurian Goldenville, Halifax, and Rockville Notch groups are intruded by mafic sills. The sills are divided into type I and type II based on field relations, textures, and alteration. Type I sills are likely contemporaneous with their host rocks and display vesicular or pepperitic textures near convolute top margins, making them ideal way-up indicators for the host sedimentary rocks. They are usually 1–5 m wide and are folded with their host rocks. They also have more extensive carbonate, and silicic alteration than type II sills. The type II sills are much thicker (up to 100 m) having sharp contacts on the top and bottom margins and have less alteration containing intact clinopyroxene. The two types of sills have similar geochemical signatures, and all were formed in a within-plate environment with compositions that are mainly alkalic. Chemical analyses of about 120 samples show a range in SiO2 from about 35% to 51% with Fe2O3 Total from 9% to 16%, MgO from 3% to 11%, and CaO from 2% to 11% (CaO > MgO for all samples). Alteration is variable as shown by LOI values ranging from 1% to 15% and Sr values of 250–1300 ppm which suggest extensive fluid migration and alteration, complicating the use of chemical data in these sills. Additional geochemical analysis with trace element and rare earth element may reveal subtle differences between sills. Laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb analysis indicate that the Type 1 sills cooled through apatite closure (350 - 500°C) at ca. 430 Ma ± 71 which is broadly consistent with previous interpretations that they formed penecontemperaneously with their host rocks but the exact age is still unknown because of the large error range.</p
Novel heterocycles from gamma-ketoanilides
No full textHeteropolycyclic compounds occupy a central role in medicinal and natural products chemistrydue to their extensive prevalence in these spheres as bioactive components. Their versatility andimportance have led to the extensive synthetic study and functional utility. They are found in morethan 90% of clinically used drugs. Since the discovery of heteropolycyclic compounds, numeroussynthetic methodologies have been developed to facilitate their production. Many of such syntheticmethodologies are time consuming and require expensive starting materials. The central objectiveof my research project revolves around the synthesis of novel heteropolycyclic compounds,employing cheap commercially available starting materials, developing new syntheticmethodologies, and obtaining the desired products faster. The primary objective of the study wasto synthesize γ-keto-anilides (I, VII; Figure 1) and utilize them to develop synthetic methodologiesto assemble four distinct series of heteropolycyclic compounds (Series A-D, Figure 1).Figure 1. Four heteropolycyclic systems reported in the thesis (A-D) and the associated startingmaterials/intermediates (I-IX). Chiral centers are indicated by ‘*’.Condensation of anilines with 2-acetylbenzoic acid utilizing the carbodiimide approach, led to formation of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones (II) as the major isolated product rather than the expected 2-acetylbenzanilides (I). Isolation of hemiaminal-type cyclized form of keto-anilides (II) was a boon as they can act as surrogates of tert-enamides 3-methylene-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones III (by C-C dehydration) as well as N-acyliminium (3-methyl-1-oxo-2-aryl-1H-isoindol-2-ium) ion IV (by N-C dehydration) which are required to realize the synthesis of designed series of compounds.Synthesis of series A (3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3-methyl-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones, Figure 1) compounds was conceptualized via electrophilic aromatic substitution of substituted indoles (electron-rich aromatics) with electrophilic N-acyliminium ions (III) obtained from 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones (II). With the use of p-TSA as the dehydration catalyst, the synthesis of series A compounds were realized. The reaction conditions were optimized, and 22 analogs of series A compounds were synthesized in good yields using the optimized conditions demonstrating the scope and efficiency of this reaction.As alluded before, C-C dehydration of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones (II) is expected to form tert-enamides (3-methylene-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones) (III). These tert-enamides can be visualized as electron-rich alkenes that can potentially react with electron poor dienes in an inverse electron demand Diels Alder reaction. Such a reaction between an o-quinone methide (VI) (an electron poor diene derivable from Mannich bases of 2-naphthol (V) via thermal deamination) and these tert-enamides are expected to yield compounds of series B (Figure 1).Thermal reaction of the Mannich base 1-(morpholinomethyl)-naphthalen-2-ol (V) with 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-arylisoindolin-1-ones (II) in a microwave reactor using p-TSA as catalyst to yield the desired 2'-aryl-1,2-dihydrospiro[benzo[f]chromene-3,1'-isoindolin]-3'-ones (Series B) as products. The reaction conditions were optimized, and 20 analogs of series B compounds were synthesized using the optimized conditions demonstrating the versatility of this reaction.Like o-quinone methide (VI), N-acyliminium ions IV can also be visualized as electron poor diene. Thus, an inverse electron demand Diels Alder reaction between IV (as diene) and electron rich III (as dienophile) should be possible. Since III and IV are both derivable from II, synthesis of series C compounds were envisaged by self-coupling reaction of II under dehydrating conditions (in presence of Lewis or Brønsted acids).In the presence of a catalytic amount of BF3·Et2O, we were indeed able to obtain the cyclodimerized spiroheterocyclic products 6a'-methyl-2-aryl-6'H-spiro[isoindoline-1,5'-isoindolo[2,1-a] quinoline]-3,11'(6a'H)-diones (C). Six analogs of series C compounds were synthesized as diastereomeric mixtures using the optimized conditions. Using the same approach, 5 analogs of series D compounds were obtained utilizing levulinic anilides (VII) instead of II as the keto-anilide, where presumably tert-enamide VIII and N-acyliminium ion IX acted as the dienophile and diene pair, respectively.All compounds were thoroughly characterized using spectrometric techniques (1H & 13C NMR and ESI HRMS).</p
The politics of fish: how biopolitics make sense of conservation and species management
No full textThis thesis explores the dynamics of biopolitical governance and the implications of state intervention in fisheries. Drawing on Michel Foucault's concept of biopower, the thesis analyzes how governance shapes the management of both human and ecological populations, emphasizing the shift from sovereign power to biopower. This research demonstrates how regulatory frameworks governing fish populations reflect broader socio-economic structures, prioritizing particular species and interests over others. This biopolitical perspective extends to marine conservation policies, where the intersection of economic stability and ecosystem management becomes increasingly relevant. Furthermore, this thesis addresses conservation challenges amidst habitat loss and invasive species, advocating for an integrative approach that considers ecological realities in policymaking. It highlights the necessity of bridging scientific understanding and political decision-making to create effective governance strategies that benefit environmental health and community livelihoods. By exploring import and export regulations concerning invasive species, this research highlights the global implications of local governance decisions and the urgent need for comprehensive biopolitical frameworks in environmental conservation efforts.</p