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Review of Stalingrad Lives: Stories of Combat and Survival by Ian Garner
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The characterization of Vig-1’s expression patterns in IPNV-infected, or dsRNA-treated, rainbow trout cells
Get PDFIn Canada, annual trout production is valued at over $60M with approximately 10,000 tonnes of trout produced per year. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are one of the most commonly farmed fresh-water fish in Canada. The high-density farming practices involved in aquaculture increase rainbow trout susceptibility to aquatic viruses such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). The innate antiviral immune response in rainbow trout is poorly characterized, and the functions of numerous interferon stimulated genes (ISG) in rainbow trout remain unclear. One such gene, virus-induced gene 1 (vig-1) has been poorly studied; however, the human orthologue for vig-1, viperin (also known as radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2)), has been widely characterized and numerous antiviral mechanisms have been attributed to it. Vig-1 is thought to be a potentially important interferon-stimulated gene since its expression is induced by various stimulants, including polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) (a viral double stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) mimic) and viruses. This project sought to better characterize the role of vig-1 in the innate antiviral immune response in rainbow trout cells.
This thesis explored the induction kinetics of vig-1 in two rainbow trout cell lines, rainbow trout spleen-11 (RTS-11) and rainbow trout gonad-2 (RTG-2). This was accomplished by analyzing expression of vig-1 at the transcript level using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and then expression at the protein level was investigated by western blot. Both analyses were completed following treatment with a range of concentrations of high molecular weight (HMW) poly I:C, or IPNV at various incubation points to better understand the expression patterns of vig-1 at the transcript and protein levels. This work suggests that firstly, vig-1 expression peaks at 24 hours following poly I:C treatment in both RTS-11 and RTG-2 cells, with a greater fold increase observed in RTG-2 cells despite RTS-11 being an immune cell line. Secondly, vig-1 expression in RTG-2 cells was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner when treated with increasing concentrations of poly I:C. Thirdly, infection with IPNV resulted in a transient increase of vig-1 expression at both 24- and 48- hours post-infection. The first steps of identifying vig-1’s antiviral function were completed by optimizing transfection efficiencies in the rainbow trout cell line, RTG-2, and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) cell line, Atlantic salmon gill-10 (ASG-10), with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression plasmid and a non-liposomal transfection reagent. This work found that ASG-10 cells exhibited low transfection efficiency and RTG-2 cells exhibited 0% transfection efficiency under the conditions tested, suggesting that ASG-10 cells are more effective at DNA uptake. Given the low and zero transfection efficiencies observed in this study, alternative transfection reagents or methods should be explored for these cell lines before work continues to elucidate vig-1’s antiviral function by overexpression studies. Together, this work contributes to a better understanding of rainbow trout innate immune responses
Dancing around and through harm: Examining the lived experiences of women of colour with gender-based violence in the Toronto & Kitchener-Waterloo Latin dance communities
Get PDFGiven the systemic nature of gender-based violence in Canada, as well as the increasing popularity of Latin dance, it is important to better understand the particular and culturally-specific ways gender-based violence manifests itself within the Latin dance community. This research study examines the lived experiences of women of colour with gender-based violence in the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo Latin dance communities. Two groups of participants took part in semi-structured interviews: 14 women of colour dancers, and six “Power Players”, leaders in the Latin dance community who are in a position of power (e.g., instructors, organizers, DJs). The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis. The results indicate that gender-based violence in the scene is engrained, normalized and accepted. Women of colour dancers report having to consistently negotiate power dynamics and navigate gender-based violence in the Latin dance community. Study results also show that there appears to be a dissonance between lived experiences of women of colour with gender-based violence and perceptions of Power Players of gender-based violence in the scene. Women of colour dancers experience pervasive racialized sexism; for example, they are asked to dance significantly less than white women. Participants report higher levels of gender-based violence in white-washed dance forms (e.g., sensual bachata). As a result of these intersecting experiences of violence, women of colour dancers have developed diverse and extensive coping skills, to dance around and through harm. These coping skills take significant emotional labour, time, and strategic planning. Recommendations to foster safer spaces in the Latin dance community include practicing community care, upholding organizational responsibility, and integrating embodied consent education
Understanding the Dynamics of Food and Economic Development in the Community of Kakisa, Northwest Territories, Canada
Get PDFFor Indigenous Peoples, the land embodies a source of cultural and spiritual well-being that is linked to their way of life and identities through divine and traditional connections. Unfortunately, colonial powers, the global food system, socioeconomic inequalities and environmental degradation are impacting northern Indigenous lands and food systems, leading to food insecurity. Nevertheless, communities are still thriving in the face of adversity. In the Northwest Territories, on the lands of Ka’a’gee Tu First Nations (KTFN) in the community settlement of Kakisa, people are growing food through vegetable gardens and greenhouses to support their vision of a resilient food system.
Through partnerships with researchers and other communities, residents of Kakisa have been learning to grow food in ways that connect to the land and its traditional food system. After several successful years of growing food, there is a possibility of growing more food than the community needs. Community members are determining what to do with a surplus of food and considering adopting a store (food hub/social enterprise) as a method of distributing and selling produce to outside communities.
Using one-on-one interviews, community members were asked to envision what a food distribution model would look like in Kakisa. Community partners revealed that a new enterprise should be centered on food sharing, building relationships, and empowering women while enhancing socioeconomic opportunities through the creation of jobs. Thereby, an Indigenous-led enterprise will help to improve socioeconomic conditions, mitigate the effects of climate change, increase access to food, and foster self-determination and Indigenous food sovereignty, while enhancing Indigenous culture. This thesis also aims to present valuable lessons and ethical considerations for non-Indigenous enterprises, encouraging an alternative pathway beyond the conventional \u27capitalistic colonial\u27 entrepreneurial system
Review of “French Generals of the Great War: Leading the Way” edited by Jonathan Krause and William Philpott
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Market Information, Human Behaviour, and Policy: Dissecting the Trucking Freight Spot Markets in Three Essays
No full textThis multidisciplinary dissertation seeks to provide a theoretically and practically informed, contemporary understanding of the mechanisms of trucking freight spot markets in North America. This thesis builds upon background from technology and policy innovations in markets and adopts an increasingly broader interdisciplinary lens in operational sciences. To this end, I consulted a broad range of literature, designed and conducted three experiments, and completed a theoretical review. The work, presented in the form of three essays, showcases the workings of trucking freight spot markets and operational sciences at large from a comprehensive perspective, emphasizing the role of information, human cognitive biases, and regulatory and market policy.
The first essay initiates high-level discussions, suggesting that the distinct characteristics of the trucking spot market provide an optimal platform for introducing new policies. One of the key research gaps that this essay narrows is based on technologies (e.g., information) that are often neglected by policy makers and scholars. Essay 2 delves into how information can impact the spot market beyond just financial metrics, with potential implications for its carbon footprint and service levels. Finally, Essay 3 explores the influence of individuals\u27 cognitive attributes on their behavior in market auctions, particularly emphasizing the role of perceived scarcity. This essay highlights how such perceived scarcity can give rise to information bias and risk aversion.
This dissertation provides several contributions to supply chain management scholars and trucking industry practitioners. Specifically, the first essay draws on a historical empirical account of the trucking spot market\u27s operation in North America at the societal level. It presents a set of high-level theoretical propositions. These propositions suggest ways to enhance market efficiency and environmental sustainability through potential market and governmental policy interventions. The second essay elucidates how the availability and application of information at the market level can impact both economic and environmental outcomes. The primary contribution of the second essay centers on the notion that the absence or presence of knowledge about the shipper\u27s value can result in suboptimal outcomes. The third essay found that past failures in auctions could foster perceptions of resource scarcity. Such behavioral tendencies can lead to decision biases that diminish profits. Addressing these biases is of paramount importance for the trucking industry, given the active participation of numerous small carriers and single-truck operators in trucking spot markets
A Critical Review of Canada-Chile Solidarity, 1973–1990 Lessons for Faith-Based Public Action
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Review of The Second World War: An Illustrated History by James Holland and Keith Burns (illustrator)
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Review of Traitor By Default: The Trials of Kanao Inouye, the Kamloops Kid by Patrick Brode
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