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Greenspace attachment and community resilience
No full textThis case study in the Town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia aimed to determine (a) the uses, functions, and meanings of greenspace in Wolfville as conveyed through people's descriptions and narratives, (b) the environmental and socio-cultural factors that contribute to greenspace attachment in a rural, Canadian context, and (c) how the uses, functions and meanings of local greenspace can foster community resilience. Four participant groups from underrepresented populations (youth, university students, community members with physical or mental disabilities, and seniors) in Wolfville engaged in two focus groups and a cumulative final vision session. Each participant completed two tasks between focus groups: a photograph task and an audio-recording task for participant reflection and further research data. Local greenspace was found to: fulfill critical health and well-being needs; provide a key social space for the community; and encourage visitors to reflect on humanity's relationship to nature. The meaning of local greenspace to participants varied depending on age and ability, largely due to social norms that impacted whether residents felt welcome or able to access greenspace. This study identified four main themes that lead to the formation of greenspace attachments. The findings suggest that the co-design of local greenspace could significantly increase social cohesion within the community and contribute to increased community resilience overall. This study provides five key recommendations for increasing community resilience in the Town of Wolfville.</p
Green zinc oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts and encapsulated plant essential oil as tick management tools
No full textThe incidence of reported tick-borne diseases has been increasing rapidly over recent years due to rising global temperatures. Because of this it is becoming important to manage tick populations and prevent bites to decrease transmission of these diseases and consequently pressure on public health systems. Recently, there has been a push towards utilizing plant extracts and essential oils as pest management tools since they are readily available, considered generally safe, and environmentally friendly. Because of their chemical nature, plant extracts and essential oils have a low environmental persistency and are easily degradable. To protect their properties and extend their longevity, different approaches have been explored, such as encapsulation and protection of the active ingredients with coating materials. In this work the mortality rates of nanoparticles synthesized with the plant extracts of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) were evaluated and compared to the mortality rates of encapsulated garlic essential oil particles against Ixodes scapularis ticks. Zinc oxide particles synthesized from both plant extracts through the green synthesis approach were found to have no effect on tested ticks. The LD50 of garlic essential oil was calculated to be 2.26 % v/v (95% CI: 2.31-2.21). Therefore, 2% (w/w) garlic oil was encapsulated in gum Arabic and maltodextrin with efficiencies ranging
from 38 – 60%. The highest oil retention was observed for the garlic oil encapsulated in gum Arabic which had a mortality rate of 24 ± 8.7% against I. scapularis adult females seven days after exposure. These results indicated that garlic essential oil encapsulated in gum Arabic is a promising tick management tool
An exploration of the impacts of temperature stress on an agricultural insect pest, the oblique banded Leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana)
No full textThe oblique banded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana) is a species of tortricid moth whose larval stage is an agricultural pest to orchards of fruit trees within the Rosaceae family. Due to its identification as an agricultural pest, OBLR was chosen as the model organism to study the effects of heatwave exposure on larval survival, weight gain and pesticide efficiency. OBLR larvae received either control or pesticide treatments at differing time points and were reared in normal and simulated heatwave conditions. These larvae were sampled at different time points, where mass and mortality were measured. Molecular studies
were performed to optimize primers for genes of interest involved in insect detoxification and immune pathways for use in future gene analysis studies. Primers for GST, GBP and GAPDH were chosen based on previous success in studies on Choristoneura species and run in qPCR assays to assess their specificity and compatibility with the OBLR genome. qPCR standard curves were also created for these primers. Larvae exposed to the heatwave gained more mass than those that remained in the control conditions. In addition, mortality rates decreased and mass increased as the pesticide was applied at later time points relative to heatwave exposure, indicating a potential relationship between heatwave exposure, the timing of pesticide application and pesticide efficiency. Overall, many gaps in knowledge still exist regarding how environmental changes relating to temperature and the length and frequency of heatwaves will impact pesticide efficiency, especially in OBLR. Due to the potential impacts on current pest mitigation strategies and thus on agricultural success, further research in this field is of importance as climatic conditions continue to change as predicted
Infrastructure and entertainment: a case study analysis of Halifax's viability to construct and support a professional sporting and live entertainment venue
No full textConstructing a full-sized professional sports stadium in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is not a new proposition. Since the early 1980s, there have been preliminary ideas to establish a Canadian Football League franchise in Atlantic Canada, which would further require an accompanying venue to host the team. Development proposals have been put forward multiple times dating back to the early 1980s, garnering substantial interest in the prospect of a stadium buoyed by local and national media attention. However, these proposals have consistently failed to initiate any substantial progress, apart from fostering public debate among supporters and opponents of the proposals. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the feasibility of Halifax supporting a professional sports stadium from an economic development perspective, analyzing the costs, benefits, limitations, and feasibility of such a project. Pursuing a focused case study approach, the research question is, "Can the city of Halifax economically support and benefit from the construction and operation of a full-sized professional sports stadium?". The case study includes a literature review to understand the factors that influence the feasibility of developing new professional sports facilities and an analysis of Halifax's situation relative to these factors based on secondary data sources. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the case study assesses several relevant factors, including both tangible and intangible benefits and limitations of a stadium being constructed in Nova Scotia's capital
Attachment and caregiver sensitivity predict relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThis study explored the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals' perceptions of relationship and sexual satisfaction with their current partner. The study examined how different adult attachment styles as well as recollected caregiver sensitivity predicted individuals reported levels of satisfaction. The participant sample consisted of 194 individuals who completed measures regarding recollected caregiver sensitivity, adult attachment and global measures of both sexual and relationship satisfaction in an on-line study. The data collected were analyzed using two hierarchical multiple regressions with bootstrapping. A significant three-way interaction between caregiver sensitivity, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety was found to predict relationship satisfaction. Two two-way interactions between caregiver sensitivity and attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety were also
found to predict levels of sexual satisfaction. These findings partially supported the hypotheses where caregiver sensitivity was predictive of both levels of satisfaction. However, secure attachment predictions were not supported in predicting levels of satisfaction
The impact(s) of South Sudanese cultural marriage practices on women's pursuit of post-secondary education in Canada
No full textThe central question asked in this thesis is "How/does South Sudanese cultural marriage practices impact South Sudanese women's pursuit of post-secondary education in Canada?" This thesis, therefore, aims to investigate how cultural marriage practices impact South Sudanese women in their quest for post-secondary education. This study focuses on the experiences of six South Sudanese women who immigrated to Canada as refugees. The focus is drawn toward their educational aspirations and their cultural experiences. To provide context for this research, literature on migration, the making of a refugee, the resettlement process, assimilation, refugee experiences in host societies, and refugee women's experiences are broadly discussed. The research findings explain the effects of South Sudanese cultural marriage practices on South Sudanese women who have immigrated to Canada as refugees. Using African Feminism as a theoretical perspective, the study explores the importance of centring African women's voices and experiences with the aim of creating gender equality. Data collection methods incorporated in this research are semi-structured interviewing and autoethnography, as they provide an in-depth analysis of the study. The study results show how South Sudanese cultural marriage expectations can coexist with women's desire to pursue post-secondary education
The vascular and neuronal effects of astrocytic HmgB1 in the cerebral cortex
No full textAstrocytes surround brain capillaries using endfoot processes, which contribute to the regulation of the blood brain barrier. Astrocytes are involved in initiating synaptogenesis and regulating synapse formation. An astrocyte specific knockout of HmgB1 was performed using Cre dependent gene knockout in mouse models. After genetic manipulation, brain sections were immunostained using NeuN and Tbr1 neuron markers. Distribution of neurons within the cerebral cortex was assessed using Fiji software and showed potential differences in cortical neuron distribution. To further evaluate this, immunostaining was used to explore the counts of cortical neurons in different layers of the cortex using Ctip2 and Pou3F2 neuron markers. Neuronal cells were visible and counted using Fiji and showed a significant difference in Pou3F2+ cells in the cortex relative to wild types (N = 4, P = 0.0396, α = 0.05). This analysis was repeated using Ctip2 where there was a non-significant decrease in Ctip2+ cells in mutant mice (N = 4, P = 0.0616, α = 0.05). Claudin-5 immunostaining was executed and used to calculate percent coverage of claudin-5 on CD31. The results show that HmgB1 in astrocytes is required in order for proper coverage of claudin-5 over CD31 in large cortical venules. This study presents novel insights into the roles of astrocytic HmgB1 in post-natal development of the neurovascular unit
An examination of exercise and depression in individuals with dementia
No full textIntroduction: Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease which causes memory loss, apathy, and a decline in cognition. Those with dementia have an increased incidence of depression and depressive symptoms when compared to same-age others. Physical activity has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms in those with dementia; however, little evidence has been presented regarding which type of exercise, if any, is most beneficial. Methods: There were a total of 10 participants in this study, all of whom have been diagnosed with dementia and participated with the help of a caregiver. A three-part survey was completed. The first survey, the Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS) was completed by a caregiver. The second survey, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and the third survey, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were completed by participants. Results: Increased physical activity participation was correlated with a decreased severity of dementia. Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that participation in multiple exercise types (combined aerobic and resistance exercise) may be related to both decreased severity of dementia and decreased displays of depressive symptoms. Discussion: The findings of this study point to participation in multiple exercise types as the most effective method to improve quality of life in individuals with dementia. There was some missing data on the GDS, which came entirely from sedentary participants, leading to the
inference of a likely bias when reporting depressive symptoms in these individuals. With previous literature stating that those with more severe dementia and those who are sedentary have higher incidences of depression, it can be assumed that those in the sedentary group would have had higher scores on the GDS than the full sample. Causal relationships cannot be stated based on the data collected; however, future researchers could benefit from investigating cause and effect relationships between exercise, depression, and severity of dementia
COVID-19-related stress, coping and substance use: investigating caregiver sensitivity as a moderator of attachment style outcomes
No full textTo understand how early caregiving relates to adaptability to stressful events, 279 adults completed an online survey regarding retrospective caregiver sensitivity, adult attachment, COVID-19 stress, and substance use. Generally, sensitive caregiving should develop a strong embodied foundation for handling stress, regardless of adult attachment. Low caregiver sensitivity was predicted to contribute to increased pandemic-related stress and substance use to cope. The data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regressions with bootstrapping. Attachment insecurity significantly predicted both dependent variables, but early caregiver
sensitivity did not. A significant two-way interaction between the dimensions of attachment insecurity predicted pandemic-related stress, where dismissively attached individuals were the most vulnerable. The present study suggests that attachment styles play a role in adapting to the unique circumstances of COVID-19
A wildly different perspective: western culture and the separate self
No full textWe have come to a crossroads in human history. A moment in time where if we continue down the same path, we will ultimately destroy ourselves in the process. A time where the only way to ensure the survival of humanity is through a complete shift in the way we fundamentally operate. We are being destroyed by unconsciousness. Our culture lacks any sense of connectivity and relatedness to the rest of life, the ecosystem, the past, or the future. If we were feeling these things, we would not be practicing culture as we are. Our modern institutions have ignored the interconnectedness and interdependency of all things and have been built upon the assumptions of ego, the separate self, and dominance hierarchies. Our goal should be to deconstruct these assumptions and build a new system out of the ashes of our old self. A globalized ego death.
Today, two of the most pressing threats of our time are the growing tribalism of our politics and the looming ecological collapse as we approach and exceed safe planetary boundaries. To solve both of these problems, we must start with the idea of the separate self that has become so central to western societies over the past few centuries. Even as our technological interconnection increases, our connections to our inner lives, each other, and our shared home have become weaker and more sparse.
In this thesis I use psychedelic writing to argue that we need to shift to a new system that is based around the harmonization of man and the universe that surrounds him. A system based in love and compassion, collaboration, and empathy. Lessons deeply embedded within the psychedelic experience. A system that prioritizes the mental and physical well-being of all people rather than short term profits. A system that turns the basic motivation for achievement away from competition and into a collaborative kind of enterprise. This thesis revolves around the idea of transformation and aims to mirror the process of ego death.