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Vine snobs: wine culture, the environment, and change
No full textThe most famous wines in the world are made from European vines. These are classified under the species Vitis vinifera, also called the common grape vine or simply viniferas. Hybrid vines – usually genetic crosses between viniferas and North American vines – are newer to wine industries, with a history of no more than 200 years. In comparison, the history of viniferas spans millennia. Observers can mark a clear difference between wine cultures: old and new. As the environment continues to change, winemakers are having to adapt to these changes very quickly. There is no playbook for how winemakers should react to climate change. There is, however, a long history of how cultures have been shaped by equally dramatic changes. Whether a cultural change has been brought about by an ecological, political, social, or economic problem, the responses to these problems can teach winemakers and lawmakers how to adapt to new conditions. The reason I focus so much on culture is that wine must be consumed by someone. Without a cultural incentive to drink and/or buy wine, any scientific or technological change in its production is meaningless. With this focus, I explore changes in cultural perceptions of wine within the context of a climate-changing world.</p
Diet and foraging movements of sympatric-nesting Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) on Country Island, Nova Scotia
No full textSympatrically-nesting seabirds may experience resource competition in various dimensions of the ecological niche, and in response often exhibit niche partitioning as either spatial segregation, dietary segregation, or some combination of the two. Furthermore, as central-place foragers seabirds must efficiently exploit resources away from the colony while spatially constrained by incubation or chick-rearing. Arctic Terns (Sterna paradisaea) and Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) are two ecologically similar small seabirds whose breeding range overlaps in the northwest Atlantic. I tracked 26 Arctic and 25 Common Terns with GPS loggers during the incubation period on Country Island, Nova Scotia, Canada in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate spatial niche partitioning and compare foraging patterns between the two species while nesting sympatrically. I used stable isotope analysis of δ15N and δ13C from blood plasma of captured birds to investigate isotopic niche, dietary partitioning and diet composition of incubating adults, and compared diet between sexes. Arctic Terns had depleted δ15N and δ13C signatures relative to Common Terns and a more restricted isotopic niche, however the isotopic niche of both species overlapped by an average of 55%. I observed greater intra-annual variation in isotopic signatures within than between species or between years, and did not detect any difference in isotopic signatures between sexes. Results of a Bayesian model of tern diet suggested Common Terns consumed a greater proportion and variety of fish and Arctic Terns consumed more marine invertebrates early in the breeding season and more terrestrial invertebrates later in the season. In contrast to the large overlap in dietary niche displayed by both species, I found clear spatial segregation between foraging adults consistent with species-specific habitat preferences observed elsewhere in their range; Arctic Terns tended to forage in more pelagic waters while Common Terns frequented coastal and estuarine areas. Foraging Arctic Terns traveled shorter mean linear distances from the colony and made more frequent and briefer foraging trips than Common Terns, which traveled greater mean and maximum distances when foraging and made longer and fewer trips per day. Mean maximum foraging distances reported in this study are greater than previously estimated for Arctic and Common Terns breeding at Country Island, confirming that this tern colony relies on coastal and estuarine habitat along a > 60 km stretch of coastline along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore and on pelagic areas up to 25 km offshore. I also examined impacts of tagging on adult body condition, reproductive success and chick growth, and found no significant impact of tagging on tern reproduction but marginally non-significant impacts on adult body condition. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of dietary and spatial resource use and niche partitioning among sympatric-breeding Arctic and Common Terns in eastern Canada, providing valuable data to inform conservation measures within the region.</p
Investigating trophic dynamics and food availability for Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1798 and Brook char Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814) in the Medway River watershed, Nova Scotia
No full textThis study investigates the trophic dynamics of the Medway River watershed, with a focus on food availability for Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and Brook char Salvelinus fontinalis. Given the decline of iconic Atlantic salmon in rivers across Nova Scotia, understanding the dietary sources and trophic interactions that support juvenile Atlantic salmon is essential for identifying factors that may limit their growth, survival, and recovery. Water quality was modeled throughout the watershed to identify seasonal patterns and to assess how sites vary in their suitability for both adult Atlantic salmon spawning and juvenile growth. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen was used to estimate the relative contributions of various food sources to Atlantic salmon diet, using Brook char as a proxy to avoid harming at-risk Atlantic salmon populations. Invertebrate community surveys were also conducted across sites within the watershed to assess temporal and spatial patterns in food availability.Analyses found that some tributaries were significantly colder and may provide thermal refuge; however, they tend to have lower pH levels, potentially posing challenges for Atlantic salmon development. Brook char had notable isotopic niche overlap with other fishes in the Medway River watershed, and crustaceans and mollusks were the dominant invertebrate group contributing to Brook char diets. Because Brook char have similar feeding habits and life histories to juvenile Atlantic salmon, their reliance on crustaceans and mollusks as dominant dietary sources provides insight into the types of food resources that may support juvenile Atlantic salmon in the watershed, as well as the potential competition juvenile Atlantic salmon may experience with other fish species for those resources. Invertebrate community composition varied both seasonally and spatially across the watershed, reflecting shifts in food availability over time and between sites. These findings provide valuable insights into the trophic interactions and food web dynamics of the watershed. The results also highlight the importance of considering seasonal and geographical variation in food availability when assessing habitat suitability for Atlantic salmon populations. In the context of climate change, which is expected to alter river temperature regimes and water chemistry, understanding these dynamics becomes increasingly important. Shifts in water chemistry may affect invertebrate communities and the broader food web that supports Atlantic salmon. This approach which combines SIA with traditional ecological surveys, offers a promising framework for monitoring river health and guiding Atlantic salmon conservation strategies in the Southern Upland rivers of Nova Scotia.</p
Encapsulation of allyl isothiocyanate using freeze drying and spray drying techniques: impact on chemical components, sensory properties, and saltiness perception
No full textExcessive salt consumption far surpasses human physiological requirements and is strongly linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Food reformulation has been explored to reduce CVD-related morbidity and mortality and improve consumer acceptance of sodium-reduced food products. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), found in wasabi, mustard, and horseradish, has been shown to enhance perceived saltiness in model tomato soups. However, it is limited by undesirable bitter, sour, and metallic notes, reducing consumer acceptance. This study investigated the encapsulation of AITC using maltodextrin (MD) and gum Arabic (GA) with and without Tween-20 (T20) or Tween-80 (T80) via spray-drying (SD) and freeze-drying (FD). Gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) revealed low AITC retention in all FD formulations, while SD formulations with surfactants achieved up to 136.71 mg AITC/g powder. Microcapsules exhibited high surface oil concentrations and low to moderate moisture content. Eight formulations were tested in model tomato soups (0.500 mg AITC/100 mL) using a nine-point hedonic scale, and RATA Likert scale to evaluate the perceptions of basic tastes and other sensory attributes in an untrained consumer panel (SD trial: n = 79, and FD trial: n = 93). None of the formulations significantly differed in basic taste perceptions (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or savoury). However, FD soups, particularly the FD-MD-T80 formulation, enhanced thickness, creaminess, and significantly enhanced tomato flavour, leading to increased overall liking, flavour, and texture ratings. These findings suggest that encapsulation may reduce AITC off-flavours, though it may also diminish its saltiness-enhancing properties. Future research should further investigate encapsulated AITC in various food products and concentrations and use a trained panel to discern small differences in the sensory properties of these food products.</p
Characterization of volatile organic compounds from different hosts and the impact on electrophysiological and behavioural responses in Ixodes scapularis ticks
No full textIn North America, the main vector of transmission of Lyme disease is the Ixodes scapularis tick. Due to their hematophagous feeding behaviour, they can transmit the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, to humans and animals. Currently, many synthetic repellents are effective in reducing tick exposure and pathogen transmission. However, the increased prevalence of ticks, tick-borne diseases, and potential harm of synthetic molecules to human health, provoke further research into the potential of new repellents made from natural products. This project applies the current understanding of the tick chemosensory system to better investigate tick attraction and tick host specificity, focusing on common tick hosts including sheep, horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, cows, dogs, and chickens. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected from a range of hosts using the dynamic headspace (DHS) volatile collection technique. Once extracted, VOCs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and identified using the NIST spectral library and chemical standards. Commonly occurring compounds included α-pinene, limonene, and 3-carene. In addition, many hydrocarbons and compounds with various ketone, aldehyde, and alcohol functional groups were identified. Tick electrophysiological responses to various identified compounds were tested using electrotarsography (ETG) and no significant responses were detected. Two-choice assays assessed tick behavioural responses. The greatest attraction 80% ± 10% (W: 20; p = 0.01) was elicited by wool and sheep VOC mixtures. Together, electrophysiological and behavioural response results may provide insight into better understanding tick host selection and the development of new tick management products made from natural compounds.</p
Meanings of ‘home’: the reproduced limitations and vulnerability of housing insecurity for Acadia University students
No full textThere is a housing crisis in Canada, and small towns such as Wolfville, Nova Scotia, are susceptible to it and its conditions. Additionally, university students are especially prone to bearing the brunt of housing insecurity due to their unique identities that are constructed via their material conditions and positionality, including their experiential and financial vulnerabilities. Wolfville is notably home to Acadia University, a primarily undergraduate post-secondary institution that is comprised of 3,574 students from across Canada and upwards of 60 countries (Acadia University 2024a). Here, an important aspect of the university experience is student housing, as it influences a student’s quality of life and experiences in various ways. This thesis examines differences in student identity, and how these characteristics contribute to an Acadia University students’ chance of securing and maintaining suitable off-campus housing. Through a mixed-methods survey, this study reveals how student tenants are disposed of and manipulated within unequal distributions of power between them and landlords, as well as the consequences of these experiences. This study utilized statistical and thematic analyses to indicate who seeks off-campus housing and why, how students are discriminated against in the pursuit for off-campus housing, and what resources and supports students need to avoid barriers in the off-campus student housing search. Additionally, my thesis identifies the visibility and invisibility of homelessness and housing security, and the importance of recognizing these discrepancies when examining these issues.</p
Decoding the sleeper effect: an ERP investigation into the unconscious and conscious processes of false fame recognition
No full textThe dual process model proposes that true-source recollection and familiarity are independent yet cohesive processes. True-source recollection involves a vivid awareness of specific details and context, whereas familiarity is a vague form of memory based on prior experience, which can lead to misattributions, one form of which is the sleeper effect. For example, Jacoby et al. (1989) found that prior exposure to nonfamous names led participants to mistakenly identify them as famous. The present study attempted to extend this work by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine neural components associated with recollection and familiarity, namely the Late Positive Component (LPC) and the FN400, respectively. Eleven participants were presented with a list of nonfamous names. After 24 hours, participants were asked to make a fame judgment for a list of names that consisted of previously presented names, new nonfamous names, and famous names. The behavioural data showed a trend consistent with Jacoby et al.’s original experiment: old nonfamous names were more likely to be judged as famous than new nonfamous names. An FN400 component was visible in the waveforms, however, the limited number of trials containing false fame misattributions prevented the required analysis. An LPC was visually larger for famous names than nonfamous names; however, it was not statistically significant. Overall, the results were promising, demonstrating the potential to electrify the false fame study to better understand the neural signatures of familiarity and recollection. A future experiment will increase trial and participant numbers to increase the power of the ERP findings.Keywords: memory, recollection, familiarity, event-related potentials</p
Theo-futures reflection: constructing a theological reflection method in dialogue with futures studies
No full textThis thesis examines the question: “How could the adoption of futures studies (FS) methods support local churches to navigate their changing contexts faithfully in the present and into the future?” The thesis argues that a future-oriented adaptation of Richard Osmer's method of practical theology which incorporates FS methods would provide an accessible tool for local churches to anticipate changes in their community and make strategic plans. Chapter one surveys literature on strategic planning for churches, church innovation, and church futuring to assess the current discussion on how churches think practically about the future. Chapter two draws on contemporary practical theology to lay a foundation for engaging with social sciences and then dialogues with FS to assess its philosophical foundations and practical methods. The discussion determines methods from FS are suitable for use by local churches. Next, chapter three constructs a method for church futuring by adapting Richard Osmer’s four tasks of practical theology to incorporate FS methods. Finally, the conclusion imagines how the proposed method could be applied accessibly in a local church.</p
Clean boots and dirty boots: The politics and reality of natural disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in Canada.
No full textBy examining two recent Canadian natural disasters, post-tropical storm Fiona in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in 2022 and atmospheric pressure floods in Merritt, British Columbia, in 2021, this paper explores the existing policy for disasters as well as policy flaws. It addresses the role of political will and organized abandonment within public and private institutions in transferring responsibility to the third sector or unpaid work, as well as what pushes groups and individuals to contribute on their own volition. This study utilizes the theories of reproductive labour, emergent groups, social capital, and vulnerability to reflect on how and why these natural disasters unfolded.</p
Do Canadian eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows harbour endophytes?
No full textZostera marina L. (eelgrass) is a widespread but globally declining seagrass species, and it is the most abundant seagrass in Canada. Eelgrass meadows are foundational components of many nearshore ecosystems and are crucial habitat for economically significant fish and shellfish species. They provide a suite of other ecosystem benefits, such as carbon sequestration and sediment stabilization. Much like terrestrial plants, marine plants form relationships with surrounding microbes. Endophytic fungi and bacteria support the health and fitness of their host, and though this dynamic has been documented in eelgrass and other marine plants elsewhere, it is an under-researched field in the Canadian Maritimes. This project aims to catalogue the microbial diversity of eelgrass endophytes, and identify pathogens present in samples. Eelgrass leaves were surface-sterilized, then endophytes were identified by extracting DNA from leaf tissue and from cultures emerging from plated sections of leaf tissue. PCR was used to amplify the extracted rDNA, then sequences were analyzed and characterized. A variety of fungal and bacterial endophytes have been identified, some with bioactive potential. This project contributes to the development of Zostera marina as a model organism for the study of marine plant-microbe interactions, and to the development of an eelgrass endophyte research protocol.</p