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Values: Building a Better World for All
No full textCarney, M. (2021). Value(s) : building a better world for all (Paperback edition). Signal/McClelland & Stewart. ISBN: 978077105157
Handbook of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapies
No full textRichards, P. S., Allen, G. E. K., & Judd, D. K. (2023). Handbook of spiritually integrated psychotherapies. American Psychological Association. ISBN: 978143383593
EXPLORING LAURIER HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF LGBTQ+ HEALTH
No full textIn all health-related fields, the need for well-informed, holistic healthcare providers is paramount. For the heathcare field to be impactful in positive ways, providers should emerge from multifaceted academic backgrounds, equipped with an array of knowledge and skills to address the complex needs of different patients. Central to this is the idea that all aspects of an individual\u27s identity and the intersectionality of these identities should be considered when providing care. Intersectionality recognizes that various social and personal identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status, intersect to shape individual experiences and health outcomes (Kelly et al., 2022).
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals face unique challenges, including when accessing and receiving healthcare (Goldsmith & Bell, 2022). They often experience prejudice and discrimination, which can lead to significant health disparities and outcomes (Goldsmith & Bell, 2022; Tran et al., 2023). Despite this, minimal hours are allocated to LGBTQ+-specific education and training in Canadian health programs (Obedin‐Maliver et al., 2011). This gap in LGBTQ+ health education is concerning, as it may leave recent healthcare providers ill-prepared to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ patients (Minturn et al., 2021; Obedin‐Maliver et al., 2011).
Most of the research regarding LGBTQ+ health education has focused on medical or physiotherapy students’ preparedness to treat and care for LGBTQ+ patients. This research has highlighted a lack of preparation, identifying a shortfall in current medical and physiotherapy school curricula, failing to equip future healthcare providers with the necessary knowledge to not only offer adequate care, but to also demonstrate empathy and compassion when caring for LGBTQ+ individuals (Greene et al., 2018; Minturn et al., 2021). With much of the literature on LGBTQ+ health education centering on medical school and other professional programs, it is warranted to explore content earlier, in undergraduate programs that feed into these professional programs, and also other graduate programs, as it might provide an earlier opportunity to shape inclusive, informed health professionals. There is very minimal research examining the knowledge and attitudes of health sciences students regarding LGBTQ+ health topics and healthcare, especially in Ontario, and many of these students move on to work in healthcare settings where they will inevitably encounter LGBTQ+ patients.
This thesis further explores these gaps in depth by examining the provision of LGBTQ+ health education in Laurier’s Health Sciences program by developing an understanding of the knowledge and attitudes of upper-year health sciences students. This research outlines areas where improvements or alterations in the curricula are suggested. The intention is to contribute to the development of more inclusive and effective LGBTQ+ health education in health sciences, recognizing the importance of understanding and the diverse needs of all patients
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in New Brunswick’s Justice System: Exploring the Dynamic Interplay of knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Among Justice Professionals
No full textFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term describing the lifelong impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). As one of Canada’s most prevalent neurodevelopmental disabilities, FASD conservatively affects approximately 4% of the population. PAE disrupts development, increasing susceptibility to adverse childhood events (ACEs) and poor life outcomes such as mental health challenges and disrupted schooling experiences, which, when left unsupported, can contribute to pathways to criminal legal involvement. Despite the overrepresentation of individuals with FASD in criminal legal settings, gaps persist between knowledge and practice. In New Brunswick (NB), where FASD-related funding, research, and resources are limited, individuals with FASD face amplified challenges. Addressing regional disparities is crucial to mitigate inequities for justice-involved individuals with FASD. The current study investigates gaps in understanding and supports for justice-involved individuals with FASD. The study addresses the following question: What do justice professionals in NB know, think, and do about FASD? Data collection included a 10–12-minute online Qualtrics survey and 30–45-minute online interviews. Surveys explored justice professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and knowledge-sharing preferences, while interviews provided nuanced insights and in-depth contextualization. Survey respondents and interviewees revealed discrepancies in FASD-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Findings will inform the NB FASD Centre of Excellence’s plans to advocate for and advance FASD-informed policies in NB, such as mandatory training for justice professionals. Collaborating with interest-holders ensures policy relevance and meaningful support for individuals with FASD, fostering an equitable and inclusive justice system
IMMUNE PATHWAY MODULATION IN MELANOMA USING CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLE-MEDIATED DSRNA DELIVERY
No full textCancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, which typically results in the formation of tumours. Even with advances in treatments, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer which is highly malignant, develops in the pigment-producing cells of the skin, melanocytes, and in the late stages of the disease poses a significant challenge for therapeutic intervention due to its multidrug resistance. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and can recognize and destroy aberrant cells, including cancerous ones. Because cancer, including melanoma, is immune evasive, it becomes difficult for the immune system to detect and clear cancerous cells. Existing therapeutic options include surgical removal of tumours and conventional chemotherapy, but these approaches have been characteristically marked by cases of recurrence and severe cellular damage to healthy cells, which can lead to long-term side effects. Additionally, melanomas on sensitive body parts, for example, the eyelid, are more challenging to treat with surgery. There is a need for more diversity in melanoma therapies and innovative treatments with fewer side effects and decreased risks for resistance.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a ground-breaking approach that holds promise for melanoma therapy. By helping enhance or assist the immune system, it can better perform its role in clearing tumour cells. Double-stranded (ds) RNA is a potent immunostimulant, activating innate immune pathways, including type I interferon and proinflammatory cytokines. Nucleic acid-based therapies benefit from a carrier, which provides protection from host nucleases and enhances uptake. As nucleic acids are anionic, cationic nanoparticles can be employed as a delivery system. Chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) have been extensively studied as a drug delivery biopolymer for properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, anti-microbial activity, and non-toxicity. ChNPs offer a versatile platform for delivery of dsRNA to a tumour and surrounding environment, as well as protection of dsRNA from degradation by serum nucleases. This research explored the potential of ChNPs as a delivery system for dsRNA for immunotherapy in B16F10, murine melanoma cells. This study will investigate the following objectives: (a) characterization of dsRNA-chitosan nanoparticle complex physical properties, (b) elucidating immune responsiveness and cytotoxic effects, and (c) determining uptake and the role of class A scavenger receptor for dsRNA-chitosan in mouse melanoma cells. ChNPs were synthesized and demonstrated to have a positive zeta value of +25mV, thus forming stable electrostatic complexes with dsRNA exhibiting sizes around 200nm. Gene expression studies revealed that ChNP-dsRNA complexes significantly upregulated key interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs; CXCL10, ISG15 and ISG20) in B16F10 melanoma cells, with enhanced upregulation seen when treatments were performed in DMEM culture media compared to F10/HAMs media. Cell viability assays demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent decline in viability over 72 hours, and competitive receptor binding assays confirmed that class A scavenger receptors facilitate the uptake of these complexes. The findings of this study position ChNP as a promising delivery system for dsRNA and ChNP-dsRNA as an ideal candidate for immunotherapy
The Influence of Self-Efficacy on Support Provision in People with Low Self-Esteem
No full textPeople with lower self-esteem (LSEs) tend to underestimate their capabilities and are reluctant to provide support to close others. The literature has primarily focused on how self-esteem affects individuals as support recipients. However, less is known regarding how to improve LSEs’ reluctance and perceived capabilities as support providers. The present research examines how LSEs could be led to be more willing to provide support to a close other through enhancing their support self-efficacy. I also examined whether LSEs (vs higher self-esteem; HSEs) differ in their abilities and perceptions of the support they provide. I hypothesized that encouraging LSEs to see themselves as efficacious would heighten their willingness to provide support to close others and would no longer influence their perceptions of their support provision. Using hypothetical scenarios and false feedback designed to resemble Artificial Intelligence (Studies 1 and 2), human counsellors (Study 2) or no feedback (Studies 1 and 2) to manipulate self-efficacy, Study 1 (N = 501) found that bolstering self-efficacy led LSEs to be as willing as HSEs to provide support to a close other in the future. No differences were found in LSEs’ support abilities compared to those of HSEs. Study 2 (N = 141) found that LSEs tended to be less willing to offer support and viewed their support as lower quality, less effective, and less responsive, compared to HSEs, which persisted among those who were made to feel efficacious. Thus, Study 2 did not find an effect of experimental condition. Study 2 also did not find differences between experimental conditions (AI vs counsellor). However, insufficient power may have hindered the ability to detect meaningful effects for Study 2. The present work suggests that there may be promise in improving LSEs’ willingness to offer support to close others, allowing them to experience the benefits of social support provision
Feeling blue: The Effects of Blue Light Exposure on Reproduction and Physiology in Drosophila melanogaster
No full textBlue light, the wavelengths ranging from ~400-500 nm, is emitted from the sun and more recently, by artificial lights including those in technology. In humans, prolonged exposure to blue light has been consistently linked to circadian rhythm disruption and retinal damage, and has also been associated with changes in neurodegeneration, aging, mortality, and oxidative stress in model organisms. This thesis explores the multifaceted effects of blue light exposure through two independent but complementary approaches. An initial rapid review of the current state of knowledge on blue light induced oxidative stress in humans was conducted. This revealed that the most studied topics in this context were the use of blue light in treatments, and the damage that it can cause, particularly in eyes, skin, and cancer. It also highlighted a key research gap in both humans and model species: a lack of studies investigating the effects of blue light on mating behaviours and reproduction. To begin addressing these gaps, the second component of this thesis outlines an experimental investigation of blue light exposure in Drosophila melanogaster, focusing on mating behaviours, reproductive outputs, and locomotory abilities. In this study, male and female flies of various ages were exposed to white, blue, or red light, and were assessed for mating rates, latencies, durations, offspring production, egg size, and climbing performance. Results showed that intermediate durations of blue light exposure had significant effects on male and female flies, especially in mating latencies, offspring production, and climbing speed. Together, the results from these two studies add to the growing body of research on the potential effects of long term blue light exposure and highlight directions for future research into blue light induced oxidative stress
Issue Paper No. 7: Strengthening Sustainable Tourism’s Role in Biodiversity Conservation and Community Resilience
No full textTourism, defined widely to include all types and forms of permitted outdoor recreation and visitation to Protected and Conserved Areas (PCAs) including by local, national and international visitors, plays a complex and often contested role in PCAs. While a significant share of global tourism depends on the ecological richness of these areas, their conservation value does not automatically translate into sustainable financial returns. Nonetheless, when effectively managed, tourism in PCAs can generate conservation funding, support local livelihoods, and provide infrastructure investment, particularly in under-resourced landscapes (Leung et al., 2018). Beyond economics, public use of PCAs contributes to building social license for conservation, enhancing environmental literacy, and improving physical and mental health. These benefits underline the role of tourism not only as a financing mechanism, but also as a vehicle for cultivating societal support for biodiversity protection. However, these opportunities coexist with considerable risks: unregulated or poorly managed visitation can result in ecosystem degradation, cultural dislocation, and exacerbation of existing social inequalities. Navigating these tensions requires robust, evidence-based planning and governance frameworks that align tourism strategies with biodiversity targets and equitable development