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The future is coming, Run!: re-authoring climate narratives through participatory action research
No full textMy project involved forming a small group to undertake critical participatory action research investigating young adults' perceptions of the climate crisis and their role in it. We used narrative and arts-based methods to facilitate a collaborative inquiry and generate accessible and shareable research products. Environmental Education research suggests that much of the climate messaging the public is exposed to is dominated by disempowering doom narratives Four co-participants aged 21-27 and I (26 at the time) worked together to identify, interrogate, and re-author some such narratives.
The first component documents my research process and reflects on what I learned through it. Due to the nature of Critical Participatory Action Research, I learned things I didn't set out to learn about topics I didn't set out to explore. By letting my co-participants take me in directions I wasn't expecting, by listening to the stories they told, and reflecting on the ideas they shared, I allowed this process to change me as a researcher and as a person. I have written this paper to document and deepen my personal transformation. This is achieved through including my own and my co-participants' voices in reflecting on each phase of our research process.
The second component is a participant created zine consisting of art which challenges unhelpful climate narratives and dystopian futures and explores new narratives and alternative futures.
The third component of this thesis is an academic paper that identifies influences (including environmental education experiences) that contribute to the prevalence of unhelpful climate narratives and explores some of the effects that doom narratives have on ourselves and the world around us. For each negative narrative, we co-authored an alternative or counternarrative, and discussed the effects we feel these new narratives have on us personally and could, if they were broadly accepted, have on society. Through comparing and contrasting the doom and new narratives, I have generated a set of recommendations for facilitating environmental education experiences that empower students to organize and act in response to the climate crisis.
These three components work together to allow the reader of this thesis to challenge unhelpful narratives around the climate crisis (and the nature of research and its role in the climate crisis) along-side my co-participants and me
Efficacy of meristem tip culture, thermotherapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy and their combination for the remediation of Raspberry leaf mottle virus, Rubus yellow net virus and Raspberry latent virus on Rubus idaeus in vitro
No full textIn agriculture, viral pathogens are a major concern for farmers in terms of reduction of crop quality and yield. Raspberries, part of the genus Rubus genus (Rosaceae), have an important economic role in Canada. However, raspberry bushes are susceptible to numerous viral infections. Insects are the primary vectors for plant virus transmission with aphids being responsible for the transmission of over 50 % of viruses. The large raspberry aphid, Amphorophora agathonica, is responsible for the transmission of the raspberry leaf mottle virus (RLMV), the Rubus yellow net virus (RYNV) and the raspberry latent virus (RpLV). When present in combination, these viruses form a viral complex called raspberry mosaic disease (RMD) which induces severe symptoms in infected plants that has been linked to synergistic interaction. Several methods have been successful in eliminating viruses from plants including meristem tip culture, thermotherapy, chemotherapy and cryotherapy. However, there is still no clear evidence if synergistic activity affects the efficacy of these treatment. In this study, I aimed to shed light on synergistic interactions between viruses involved in the RMD viral complex on infected raspberry plants treated with thermotherapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy and their combinations. To test for the presence of raspberry viruses, I optimized a one-step RT-qPCR on crude plant extract for rapid screening and a two-step RT-qPCR using RNA for individual testing. In vitro raspberry cultures were subjected to shoot tip dissection followed by thermotherapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy or their combination, then a second meristem dissection post-treatment. Virus screening was done on leaf-petiole crude extracts using a one-step RT-qPCR. Results show that RLMV and RpLV can be eliminated using meristem-tip culture when they are present in single infection. RYNV was not eliminated from any of the plants infected with multiple viruses. RYNV is part of the Badnaviruses genus, which are known to integrate into their host's genome. qPCR is not able to distinguish the presence of viruses in their episomal or endogenous forms
Psychological aggression victimization and perceived social support as predictors of mental well-being in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships
No full textResearch suggests that psychological intimate partner aggression (IPA) victimization and psychological distress are positively associated, and that perceived social support acts as a buffer against adverse mental health outcomes of IPA victimization. However, relatively few studies have parsed out the unique effects of psychological IPA while controlling for the effects of physical and sexual IPA. Furthermore, few studies have examined this relationship across genders and relationship types (same-sex and mixed-sex). The present study addressed these gaps by administering daily diary surveys focusing on unique adverse mental health effects of psychological IPA victimization, and the potential moderating effects of perceived social support, gender identity, and relationship type. Two multi-level model analyses were conducted using two sub-samples from a pre-existing dataset. The first analysis focused on the largest demographic group (cisgender women in mixed-sex relationships), while the second analysis explored possible variations across gender identity and relationship type, by considering six demographic groups (i.e., cisgender women, cisgender men, and gender diverse individuals in same- or mixed-sex relationships). The first analysis indicated a significant positive association between psychological IPA and distress, which was moderated by perceived support. While the second analysis showed the same patterns as the first, the association between distress and
psychological IPA was non-significant and was not moderated by perceived support. The present study highlights the importance of inclusive psychological IPA research for generalizability of findings
Short term simulated microgravity models improve executive function
No full textThe purpose of the study was to determine whether executive function is altered due to variations on standard simulated microgravity head down tilt protocols. 28 healthy volunteers (19 females and 7 males; 20.00 ± 1.70 years; 165.60 ± 24.50 cm; 71.14 ± 15.89 kg; mean±SD) took part in two randomly assigned separate simulated microgravity sessions consisting of head down tilt (HDT) sessions. Each testing session lasted approximately 2.5 hours. One session consisted of the broadly used -6° HDT facing up (HDT-FU), while the other consisted of a -6° HDT facing down (HDT-FD), modification of the standard method. For each condition, the participant completed a computerized Stroop Color and Word Test during a thirty-minute horizontal position (0° tilt) prior to the interventions and again prior to the end of the 1.5-hour HDT protocols. The Stroop Color and Word test constituted of 3 tasks (60 trials per task) including a: 1) a Naming task, 2) an Inhibition task, and 3) an Inhibition/Switching task. To minimize the learning effect, both the HDT-FU and HDT-FD sessions were counterbalanced amongst all participants and were separated by a minimum of 48 hours. Our cognitive reaction time results demonstrate a main effect of time (pre HDT 777.60 ± 18.08ms vs post HDT 749.30 ± 19.11ms, p<0.01) and a main effect of Stroop test (Naming < Inhibition < Inhibition/Switching, p<0.01). Additionally, we observed that the 1.5-hour protocol selectively improved the Inhibition/Switching reaction times (the most executive component) for both the HDT-FU (pre HDT-FU 945.68 ± 32.87ms vs post HDT-FU 903.16 ± 33.78ms, p=0.02) and HDT-FD (pre HDT-FD 961.25 ± 38.55ms vs post HDT-FD 868.91 ± 30.40ms, p<0.01). When executive demand is increased under short-term simulated microgravity head down tilt conditions, regardless of the position (face up or face down), cognitive reaction time is decreased, suggesting an improvement in overall cognitive function
Comparing chlorophyll concentrations and plant vigor characteristics between strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) accessions
No full textThe pigment chlorophyll plays an important role in plant vigor and productivity. Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) are a popular and economically important crop in the agriculture sector. When choosing which variety of strawberry to plant, important characteristics include time of harvest, size, shape and yield of berries, and resistance to drought or high temperature conditions among other factors. The relationship of
these traits to chlorophyll content has not yet been widely studied in strawberry. This thesis examines the vigor characteristics and chlorophyll concentrations of 288 strawberry accessions grown in Kentville, Nova
Scotia. Weekly observations of vigor characteristics and monthly chlorophyll content measurements were completed from June to August 2021. Control plots of the cultivars 'Lila', 'Jewel', and 'Valley Sunset'
were also observed weekly. There were significant differences in chlorophyll content in the control plots and in the larger trial of 288 accessions due to date of observation, cultivar, and the interaction of date x
cultivar. Results showed control plots had a significant decrease in vigor from July 12 to August 10, but no difference between cultivars. The larger trial of 288 accessions indicated significant differences in vigor
ratings due to date of observation and cultivar, but not interaction between date x cultivar. Chlorophyll concentrations were weakly correlated with vigor. suggesting that the relationship between chlorophyll and plant vigor cannot be described by a single linear relationship. Future research should include measuring chlorophyll concentrations earlier in the season, and comparing ratios of chlorophylls to carotenoids
Gill morphology of the Mangrove Rivulus, Kryptolebias marmoratus, in response to predictable and stochastic temperature fluctuation
No full textClimate chaos is expected to grow in severity. We have a limited understanding on how aquatic life is responding to warming, natural fluctuating temperatures. To address this gap in knowledge, we capitalized on the unique reproductive strategy of the self-fertilizing, amphibious, mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) to determine the morphological consequences of chronic, ecologically relevant thermal variation on fish gills. We acclimated these fish to three different thermal regimes: 1) control (27 ̊C +/- 2 ̊C), 2) predictably fluctuating thermal cycle (27 ̊C - 35 ̊C), and 3) unpredictably fluctuating thermal cycle (27 ̊C - 35 ̊C). We first measured ventilation frequency and found significant increases in both the fluctuating conditions when compared to control for 1 lineage. We know that the gills of several fish species remodel with temperature, and specifically, gill surface area increases with exposure to stable, warm temperature. This increase in surface area is a result of the retraction of the interlamellar cell mass (ILCM). However, we do not know if the gills will remodel in the same way when exposed to regular temperature fluctuation. To this end, we sectioned and stained gills to measure the ratio of ILCM height to lamellar length and lamellar surface area. We found significantly more ILCM coverage in the unpredictable and predictable thermal regimes when compared to the control group. Furthermore, lamellar surface area was significantly reduced within the thermally
fluctuating groups, being the lowest within the predictable group. My findings show, for the first time, that gill surface area is reduced in warming, fluctuating environments. It may be that in warm, variable thermal environments, the energetic requirement of ion regulation is more costly than reduced oxygen uptake. Under these conditions, fish can reduce these costs by increasing ILCM coverage and decreasing gill surface area
Can average daily Fitbit sleep and activity data predict depression in undergraduate students?
No full textThis study attempted to use daily aggregate sleep and physical activity data measured by a Fitbit Charge 4 device to detect depression in university students. Undergraduate students have high levels of depression, and this study explores the use of wearables to monitor and predict student mental health. Participants were 10 students from Acadia University and their participation involved wearing a Fitbit device for seven days and seven nights and completing a standardized measure of depression (CESD-R). The first hypothesis of the study was that later waketimes and higher variability in sleep length would be correlated with higher depression scores. The second hypothesis was that lower activity metrics such as steps taken, and distance travelled will be predictive of higher depression scores. Both hypotheses were not supported, and no significant correlations were detected, most likely due to the small sample size. Note that 8 participants agreed to share their Intraday data, and that data was accessed using the Fitbit Web API. It is recommended that more data be collected
The student experience: how university students perceive success
No full textThis thesis considers the challenges of defining "success" as an undergraduate student. Previous research suggests that "self-authorship"—the practice of authoring ones' own journey—is the highest form of undergraduate success. That idea is consistent with cultural pressures to set aside other peoples' definitions of success and create your own. I show that the student experience is more complex than this. Through autoethnography, I examine the taboo of copying others, the drive to fit in, and the pressures of being a fourth-year student on the cusp of graduation. I explore these themes further through fictionalized accounts of real discussions with two senior undergraduate peers. Overall, I argue that student success is best understood in a raw and authentic way that resonates with other students
Eudaimonist virtue ethics and the charge of self-absorption
No full textThe aim of this work is to contribute to the ongoing debate between eudaimonist virtue ethicists (or EVE) and their detractors who claim that it is too egoistic or self-absorbed to seek one's own eudaimonia (i.e., happiness or flourishing) as the ultimate ethical goal of life and to develop the virtues on that account. This debate has its roots with the re-emergence of virtue ethics in the late 1950's after Elisabeth Anscombe published her famous paper Modern Moral Philosophy. But this paper will mainly focus on the more recent attempts by eudaimonist virtue ethicists like Julia Annas, Anne Baril, Mark LeBar and Daniel C. Russell to defend eudaimonist accounts from self-absorption objections, and the counter-responses to their arguments, most notably those laid out by Jeff D'Souza in his article The Self-Absorption Objection and Neo-
Aristotelian Virtue-Ethics. These critics appeal to the idea that so long as one's underlying or primary motivation is to seek one's own end, no matter how selfless or other-regarding one's actions actually are, the motivational account is deemed to be too self-absorbed. I begin by laying out the general history of the debate and its parameters before addressing the most prominent arguments and positions currently held by supporters of EVE as well as the objections to those arguments. Finally, I try to show that while the most recent criticisms of eudaimonist accounts are perceptive and more penetrating than any criticisms to come before, they are, nevertheless, mistaken, and that the arguments put forward by defenders of EVE can be salvaged. This can be done by closely examining the initial stages of human motivation and moral activity and discovering that humans have little choice but for their primary motives to be self-directed, but that this is not necessarily egoistic or self-absorbed in the problematic sense that critics would hold it to be. Finally, I argue that the pursuit of eudaimonia is a realistic end which is best suited for shaping virtuous character and therefore genuine altruistic behaviour toward others
Compiling incentivized citizen science data of fishes in Atlantic Canada using a virtual fishing tournament during coronavirus pandemic restrictions
No full textThe Atlantic Anglers Challenge occurred throughout the Atlantic provinces from 14 May 2020 to 01 November 2020 as a substitution for competitive, in-person fishing tournaments cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The tournament was held entirely virtually using the Angler's Atlas website and mobile application MyCatch, allowing recreational anglers to upload their catches to provide information for scientific research. Participant entries logged with Angler's Atlas and MyCatch included a photo, species identifications, fish total length and angling location. Specific location data was confidential and never revealed; only generalized location data was provided to researchers for analyses. Challenges used as incentives for data targeting were applied over the entire tournament and through mini challenges for more specific data
targets. Eligibility, challenges, and continuous engagement throughout the challenge were used as incentives to minimize biases in fishing data being collected. Throughout the tournament participants logged over 2440 fish entries with single anglers reporting up to 37 species from 56 different waterbodies. Species data from the challenge were compared to distribution data from Fish base, revealing species absent from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in Fish base were present. Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) were found present in New Brunswick, despite Department of Fisheries and Oceans reports of the species not being present in the province. Total length data trends between species were compared between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Results showed using a virtual fishing tournament compiled important fisheries data through citizen science and using challenges as incentives enabled focused data collections. Results proved information anglers had been claiming regarding species sightings were true