30921 research outputs found
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Intersection between ecological destruction and human rights: study of illegal mining activities in Ghana
No full textThis thesis explores the intricate relationship between ecological destruction and human rights abuses, specifically focusing on illegal mining activities in Ghana, commonly known as galamsey. Drawing on green criminology theory and human rights framework, this research aims to unravel how criminogenic conditions influence people to engage in illegal mining activities in Ghana and how the failure to regulate illegal mining, which causes environmental degradation, affects the fundamental human rights of those living around such mining areas.
In doing so, an autoethnographic recounting of my experiences as a Community Development Officer at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi and Iduapriem Mines and a community member in a mining town Obuasi-Tutuka since childhood is used as the primary source of data to address the research questions. Secondary data sources, including news publications, scholarly articles, the internet, and electronic media, complement the primary data source. This thesis addresses these overarching questions: (1) What criminogenic (or crime-producing) conditions influence people to mine illegally in Ghana? (2) How does the failure to regulate illegal mining in Ghana violate the human rights of those living near the mines?
The study indicates that galamsey mining in Ghana causes environmental degradation, thereby affecting the right to a quality life for those living around such mining areas. Several diseases and ailments, including birth defects in pregnant women, have been linked to the release of toxic substances into the environment as a result of galamsey mining in Ghana. The study also reveals the criminogenic conditions that encourage galamsey mining in Ghana and the interventions to mitigate the environmental harm and human rights abuses driven by illegal mining.
The research underscores the importance of ensuring adequate employment opportunities, community engagement on the health impacts of galamsey, financial literacy programmes, and alternative sources of livelihood for mining communities, institutional and legal reforms, and sustained political will to protect the environment for future generations.February 202
Mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in Brassica napus L. for tolerance to water stress
No full textBrassica napus L. plants are sensitive to water stress throughout their life cycle from seed germination to seed setting. This study aims to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked to B. napus tolerance to water stress mimicked by application of 10 % polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000). Two doubled haploid populations (1901 and 1904), each consisting of 150 genotypes, were used for this research. Plants at the two-true leaf stage of development were grown in the absence (control) or presence (water stress) of PEG-6000 under controlled environmental conditions for 48 h, and the drought stress index (DSI) was calculated for the fresh weight and dry weight of whole plant, root, and shoot of each genotype. The 300 genotypes along with their parents were genotyped using the Brassica Infinium 90K SNP BeadChip Array. Inclusive Composite Interval Mapping was used to identify and confirm QTL. Eighteen QTL associated with water stress tolerance were identified across six chromosomes (A2, A3, A4, A9, C3, and C7). Collectively, 2,154 putative candidate genes for drought stress tolerance in B. napus were identified for all the identified QTL. Among them, 213 genes were chosen as directly associated with drought stress tolerance based on nine functional annotations. These results can be incorporated into future breeding initiatives to select plant material with the ability to effectively cope with water stress.Bunge
Nutrien Ag SolutionsFebruary 202
Role of thyristor controlled series compensators in damping sub-synchronous resonance in power systems
No full textSub-Synchronous Oscillations (SSOs) pose significant challenges to both conventional and modern power grids. For years, the power industry has relied on Fixed Series Compensators (FSCs) for long-distance AC power transmission, but heavily compensated lines are a major cause for SSOs. Most Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) applications use Sub-Synchronous Damping Controllers (SSDCs) to avoid SSR. The TCSC inherently provides some level of damping in the sub synchronous frequency range even without SSDCs. However, the mechanism behind the inherent damping capability of the TCSC and its application of it to mitigate SSR is not well established. Furthermore, there remains uncertainty regarding the extent to which the inherent damping capability can be relied upon to mitigate SSOs and the need for SSDCs. This thesis investigates the role of TCSC in damping SSOs in power systems, mainly considering its inherent damping nature, while accommodating SSDCs when required. A simplified Dynamic Phasor (DP) small signal model of the TCSC is proposed for SSO studies, which accurately represent its inherent damping capability in the sub-synchronous frequency range. The proposed model is used to evaluate the inherent damping capability of the TCSC to mitigate Induction Generator Effect (IGE) and Torsional Interactions (TIs) in conventional power systems and Wind Sub-Synchronous Controller Interactions (W-SSCIs) in systems with Type 3 Wind power plants, through DP based small signal stability analysis. The study reveals that proper selection of TCSC parameters and operation close to its highly non-linear range improves its inherent damping capability. The inherent damping capability of the TCSC is adequate to avoid IGE and W-SSCIs even at low levels of TCSC. However, to mitigate TIs in Conventional Turbine Generator (CTG) systems with low mechanical damping, high levels of TCSC and operation near highly non-linear region are necessary. Consequently, the utilization of SSDCs becomes imperative to ensure effective mitigation of TIs. In networks with multiple series compensated lines and CTGs, there can be many network resonances which can excite IGE and TIs, and replacement of all FSCs with TCSCs is not a feasible solution. This thesis proposes a methodology to utilize TCSCs to address SSO problems in such networks.University of Manitoba Graduate FellowshipOctober 202
The application of composting for phosphorous recovery from alum and ferric precipitated sludges
No full textIn this study, the recovery of phosphorous (P) from sludge produced during phosphorous removal
from secondary wastewater lagoons by using a controlled composting process was investigated.
Two compost piles, one using Alum (Al) and the other Ferric (Fe) precipitated sludge, were
established. Sludge was mixed with dry woodchips (1:3 ratio), manually turned weekly, and
monitored for temperature, moisture, and pH, every two days. After an eight-week thermophilic
phase and six-week maturity phase, compost met Category A criteria per CCME guidelines. The
compost products were tested on switchgrass and canola to assess phosphorus availability, with
control experiments using topsoil and Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) fertilizer. Three
cropping cycles, each lasting 50 days, were completed, and analysis of harvested biomass for total
phosphorus content using the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) method was conducted.
The analysis of the data showed that the phosphorus source with the greatest P uptake and biomass
yield for switchgrass was Ferric Compost. Across different growth cycles, P uptake increased for
all phosphorus sources, indicating a gradual release of P from composted chemical sludge over
time through mineralization. In terms of canola, Fe compost was the most effective phosphorus
source in promoting P uptake. P uptake increased steadily throughout growth cycles when
cultivating canola with MAP. However, P uptake decreased with Al compost and Fe compost as
growth cycles progressed. Regarding canola, among the three phosphorus sources, Al Compost
resulted in the highest biomass yield for all phosphorus sources, while biomass yield decreased as
growth cycles progressed. Overall, Fe compost proved most effective for P uptake and biomass
yield in switchgrass, while Al compost showed better results for canola. Furthermore, the
evaluation of phosphorus recovery efficiency (PRE %) underscored the fluctuating nature of
phosphorus retention in both switchgrass and canolaMay 202
Investigating the Role of Telemedicine in Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Adults
No full textIntroduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing concern in Canada and around the world leading to life-threatening complications if left untreated. Rural populations are disproportionately affected due to the inaccessibility of specialist care and diabetes self-management education (DSME). The use of telemedicine for the management of chronic disease is a growing field of research in recent years. This literature review investigates the role of teleconsultation with an endocrinologist for managing T2D in rural adults in North America.
Methods: A literature search on PubMed using appropriate search terms was conducted. Studies in rural North American communities involving teleconsultation with an endocrinologist and a component of DSME were included. The primary outcome measured was HbA1c.
Results: A total of six articles met inclusion criteria. No Canadian studies were identified. All studies found a significant decrease in the HbA1c measures after the telemedicine intervention.
Discussion: The findings of this literature review suggest that telemedicine is effective at reducing HbA1c measures in North American adults with T2D. However, given the small sample sizes and non-randomised control trials, further research is needed, especially in rural Canadian populations, to determine the role of telemedicine for T2D management and its implementation in rural Canada. Telemedicine has many advantages, including increased accessibility to specialist care and reduced travel costs to urban centres. Barriers to telemedicine include implementation difficulties, access to the internet and technology and security concerns.
Conclusions: Telemedicine for managing T2D is shown to be effective in reducing HbA1c measures in North American rural adults. However, further primary evidence is required to determine a causative effect
The effects of lowering arm ergometer crank axis in relation to the shoulder joint on exercise duration, physiological responses, and perceived function in people living with spinal cord injury: a randomized cross-over trial
No full textIntroduction: Currently, there is no cure for spinal cord injury (SCI). People living with SCI face numerous life-threatening risks due to motor, sensory, autonomic, cardiovascular, and respiratory dysfunctions. Exercise is fundamental for these individuals to manage these diverse risks, where arm crank ergometry (ACErg) exercise is one of the most commonly used methods. However, the efficiency of the traditionally recommended crank axis height at shoulder level (ASL) during the ACErg has not been systematically investigated. Furthermore, their exercise capacity is significantly low, particularly those with cervical injury, making it challenging to maximize exercise benefits. So, exercise optimization is fundamental to improving exercise performance and physiological responses and promoting health benefits. Thus, this study aims to determine the effects of lowering the arm crank height during ACErg on exercise duration, physiological responses, and perceived function during maximal and submaximal exercise of persons with SCI. Methods: This randomized cross-over trial was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024 at the Spinal Cord Research Centre Human Laboratory in Winnipeg, Canada. Eight participants (C5-T12 injury level) underwent two peak oxygen uptake (V ̇O2peak) tests and two constant workload tests (CWT) until fatigue with the axis of the arm crank height ASL and below shoulder level (BSL). The Wilcoxon sign-rank test (two-tailed) was used to compare exercise durations and physiological responses between the two crank heights. Results: Exercise duration during the CWT was significantly longer with the crank axis BSL compared to ASL (Mdn=512 vs 410, W = 35, p = 0.016, r = 0.944). However, there was no effect on V ̇O2peak, peak carbon dioxide output (V ̇CO2peak), peak respiratory quotient (RQpeak), peak heart rate (HRpeak), time to all these variables, and test duration during the V ̇O2peak test. For perceived function, 87.5% of our participants favoured BSL over ASL (12.5%) during both the V ̇O2peak and the CWT. Conclusion: Arm crank exercise performed below shoulder level resulted in longer duration and better perceived function in people with SCI. These results prompt reconsideration regarding the recommendation of using the ASL condition in clinical and research settings as well as rehabilitation programs for this population.October 202
Improving protocols and miner strategies for modern cryptocurrencies
No full textBitcoin, envisioned as a decentralized currency, facilitates secure micro-payments through a distributed consensus and ensures security via its widespread network. However, prioritizing security and decentralization imposes constraints on performance. My thesis explores strategies to boost the blockchain's throughput and performance alongside improving miners' financial incentives.
We analyze the effects of increasing block size on throughput and security and how strategic transaction selection by miners before mining can elevate fee collection. We introduce a novel transaction-selection strategy that produces high-quality blocks more efficiently by avoiding traditional sorting and examining the benefits of regularly updating transaction sets to maximize fees.
Additionally, we assess the Lightning Network's impact on reducing blockchain load and transaction costs and its potential to lower miners' fee revenues and profits. This study balances the Lightning Network's adoption and integration with third-layer applications to mitigate transaction migration from the blockchain.
This thesis contributes to blockchain scalability and efficiency, presenting new transaction selection and block formation strategies that enhance network performance and miners' incentives. It also navigates the economic implications of the Lightning Network, offering a nuanced view of its effects on the blockchain ecosystem.Mitacs Accelerate Program (Fluidefi), Fellowship directly from my Advisors Grants: Shahin Kamali and Ruppa K. Thulasiram, Graduate Enhancement of Tri-Agency Stipends (GETS)October 202
Investigating strain diversity of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Canada
No full textPrions are infectious proteins that cause rare but invariably fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and other mammals. Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is the most common form of human prion disease, with an annual prevalence of 1-2 cases per million individuals. Though extremely rare, sCJD is devastating. This disease is rapid, with most patients dying within 5 months from the onset of symptoms and no available treatments. sCJD is heterogeneous, with diverse clinical signs, brain lesion profiles, and disease durations. It is believed this variability is attributed to different prion strains, which are influenced by host genetics and the shape of the misfolded protein. Strain diversity is poorly understood and remains to be explored experimentally. For these reasons, we have developed methodologies to exploit strain-specific properties and applied them in a retrospective analysis of 31 sCJD cases in Canada. We characterized the biochemical properties of the pathogenic prion proteins from these cases using thermal denaturation assays, capillary-electrophoresis immunoassays, and protein seeding kinetic assays. Atypical cases were inoculated into a novel animal model to analyze strain-specific properties such as incubation periods, clinical signs, and brain lesions. Within our cohort of 31 sCJD patients, we identified two atypical sCJD cases and two cases of a rare strain of sCJD called variably-protease sensitive prionopathy. We propose the two atypical sCJD cases represent novel strains of sCJD in Canada. Additionally, we have developed a sCJD strain baseline through which atypical cases could readily be identified in the future. Understanding prion strains has implications for the detection of zoonotic transmission as well as for the development of therapeutics.May 202
Development and optimization of methods for molecular detection of sexually transmitted blood-borne infections in wastewater
No full textSexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBIs) are a group of infectious diseases that spread through sexual contact or blood-to-blood contact. STBBIs are of international concern due to their severe impact on quality of life and morbidity. Surveillance strategies are imperfect, in part due to the frequency of asymptomatic infection. Wastewater-based testing (WBT), the analysis of sewage influent for a pathogen, is one possible solution to supplement current clinical surveillance approaches. WBT has proven to be an effective strategy for monitoring the spread of other pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by allowing for the community-level detection of the infection markers and can act as an early indicator of transmission that precedes clinical indicators. In this work, detectability in wastewater was investigated for six pathogens: Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Neither HIV nor HCV were detected in this study in any Canadian wastewater samples. N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, HBV, and HPV-16/18 were detected in the solids fraction of wastewater. The methodology was optimized by evaluating multiple extraction kits and input volumes, resulting in a final protocol utilizing 100 mL of wastewater influent extracted with the MagAttract PowerMicrobbiome DNA/RNA Kit. This protocol was employed to survey nine to eleven Canadian correctional facilities and one urban wastewater treatment plant over two six-week testing periods for N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, HPV-16/18, and HBV. Methods were also developed to evaluate circulating HPV genotypes using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. Using direct-to-sequencing primers conjugated to the GP5+/GP6+ primers, two urban wastewater treatment plants, two town sites, and three correctional facilities were surveyed. Ultimately, we detected 26 distinct HPV types, all belonging to the alpha-papillomavirus genus. This included high- and low-risk types, types of unknown risk, and cutaneous and mucosal types. Ultimately, the ability to detect STBBIs in wastewater can strengthen existing public health surveillance systems and allows for targeted allocation of outreach and resources to affected communities.May 202
Quercetin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevents syncytium formation by cells co-expressing the viral spike protein and human ACE2
No full textBackground
Several in silico studies have determined that quercetin, a plant flavonol, could bind with strong affinity and low free energy to SARS-CoV-2 proteins involved in viral entry and replication, suggesting it could block infection of human cells by the virus. In the present study, we examined the ex vivo ability of quercetin to inhibit of SARS-CoV-2 replication and explored the mechanisms of this inhibition.
Methods
Green monkey kidney Vero E6 cells and in human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and incubated in presence of quercetin; the amount of replicated viral RNA was measured in spent media by RT-qPCR. Since the formation of syncytia is a mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 propagation, a syncytialization model was set up using human embryonic kidney HEK293 co-expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein and human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), [HEK293(S + ACE2) cells], to assess the effect of quercetin on this cytopathic event by microscopic imaging and protein immunoblotting.
Results
Quercetin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6 cells and Caco-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with a half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 166.6 and 145.2 µM, respectively. It also inhibited syncytialization of HEK293(S + ACE2) cells with an IC50 of 156.7 µM. Spike and ACE2 co-expression was associated with decreased expression, increased proteolytic processing of the S protein, and diminished production of the fusogenic S2’ fragment of S. Furin, a proposed protease for this processing, was inhibited by quercetin in vitro with an IC50 of 116 µM.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that at low 3-digit micromolar concentrations of quercetin could impair SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells partly by blocking the fusion process that promotes its propagation