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The effect of protein source on weight loss, body composition, and substrate oxidation following a 12-week high-protein, ketogenic diet: A randomized trial
Get PDFBackground: Ketogenic diets, diets high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates, have been shown to be effective for weight loss. Recently, plant-based diets and protein sources have gained in popularity as they are thought to be a healthier alternative to animal-based protein sources. There is limited evidence as to whether protein source impacts ketogenic dietary outcomes.
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate how plant- and animal-based protein supplementation impact weight loss, body composition, and substrate oxidation following a 12-week high-protein, hypocaloric, ketogenic diet in adults with obesity.
Methods: Adults with obesity were recruited and randomized (N= 35) to receive a 12-week high-protein ketogenic diet which included plant- or animal-based protein supplements. Body composition was assessed through dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and computed tomography (CT). Substrate oxidation was assessed via indirect calorimetry before and after the intervention.
Results: Both the plant-based and animal-based groups saw significant reductions in overall weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass (p<0.001 for all). The plant-based group saw a significant reduction in carbohydrate oxidation (p=0.037), a trend to suggest an increase in lipid oxidation (p=0.054), and a trend to suggest a decrease in respiratory exchange ratio (p=0.057). There were no differences in any body composition variables nor resting energy expenditure following the intervention for either group.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that regardless of protein source, people who followed a 12-week high-protein ketogenic diet saw significant loss of weight, fat mass, and fat-free mas. Following a 12-week plant-based high-protein ketogenic diet may lead to a reduction in carbohydrate oxidation and an increase in lipid oxidation, but this may be due to differences in baseline dietary composition and further research is needed to determine the validity of the proposed conclusion
Beyond Dichotomies: Identifying Alcohol and Cannabis Co-use Patterns Across Gender Through Tests of Predictive and Explanatory Similarity in Emerging Adults
Get PDFEmerging adulthood is a developmental period marked by increased risky behaviours, including alcohol and cannabis co-use (AC co-use). AC co-use is associated with more health and occupation-related negative consequences compared to the isolated use of any one of these substances. Several studies examine co-use as a dichotomy (i.e., whether someone co-uses or not), which limits our understanding of the heterogeneity of co-use profiles and its impact on negative consequences. Furthermore, given emerging evidence supporting gender differences in negative consequences experienced specific to AC co-use, it is critical to consider how gender may influence the nature of emerging adult co-use profiles, determinants, and consequences. The present study addresses these limitations by pursuing three core objectives: (i) identify single and co-use patterns across gender; (ii) examine personality factors (i.e., impulsivity) as a predictor of patterns; (iii) link patterns with negative consequences to measure risk. This online study included 468 first-year undergraduate participants who completed measures of alcohol and cannabis quantity and frequency of use, impulsivity, and negative consequences for both alcohol and cannabis use. Latent profile analyses revealed four AC co-use patterns. Two were identical across gender: Profile 1 – Heavy Alcohol Single Use and Elevated Alcohol Co-Use and Profile 2 – Primarily Moderate Alcohol Single Use. Profile 4 (Light AC Single Use and Elevated Alcohol Co-Use) was also highly similar across genders. However, gender-diverse individuals and women tended to use and co-use cannabis to a greater extent than men. In contrast, Profile 3 differed in women relative to men and gender-diverse individuals. Indeed, women in this profile primarily heavily use alcohol on co-use days (Primarily Heavy Alcohol Co-Users); men and gender-diverse individuals displayed a more problematic pattern (Heavy Cannabis Single Use and Elevated Alcohol Co-Use) involving heavy use and co-use of cannabis, coupled with a heavy co-use of alcohol. Interestingly, however, predictions and outcomes generalized across genders, suggesting that despite these differences in patterns, these profiles seem to capture similar psychological mechanisms. Consistent with our hypotheses, two facets of impulsivity (i.e., negative urgency and sensation-seeking) predicted risky AC co-use patterns. However, another facet (positive urgency) was related to less problematic AC co-use patterns. More negative consequences were associated with the heaviest co-use pattern (i.e., Profile 3). Unexpectedly, Profile 4 (also displaying high AC co-use) was associated with a similarly high level of negative consequences. Profile 1 (dominated by alcohol use and co-use) also had a similar level of alcohol-related negative consequences as Profiles 3 and 4. Our findings add meaningful implications and improve refined measurement of AC co-use. Furthermore, this study has contributed to risk model etiology which will further the literature and have clinical implications
Spatial Cohesion of Blond Capuchins (Sapajus flavius) in an Atlantic Forest Fragment
Get PDFThe blond capuchin (Sapajus flavius) is an Endangered species of capuchin monkey largely confined to Atlantic Forest fragments in northeastern Brazil, where dispersal is restricted, and resources are limited. In this thesis, I investigated how the spatial cohesion and group movements of blond capuchins were affected by the conditions of the forest fragment they inhabited. My first manuscript (Chapter 2) focused on forest strata use (for age/sex classes), and group cohesion according to the strata used. My second manuscript (Chapter 3) looked at group movement and leadership in age/sex classes. My study site was a 90 hectare forest fragment located on the border of the states of Paraíba and Pernambuco in Brazil (7°52'85,2"S; 34°96'29,4"O), with a group of ~120 blond capuchins. My collaborators and I collected 633 group scans samples, with 15119 individual observations (October 2021 to July 2022), recording age, sex, location and behaviour of each individual. I found that capuchin use of forest strata varied among age/sex classes, a finding that suggests behavioural adjustments to avoid direct competition in this small fragment. I found that capuchin group movement could be characterized as two waves, with adults in the front wave and juveniles in the back wave, a finding that suggests adults reach preferred foods before juveniles. My work contributes to our understanding of how capuchins use forest fragments and underscores the need for further research in forest fragments to better inform conservation practices for this and other threatened primate species, and the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forests
Decoding Bias: Exploring Sexism in Software Development Through Online Narratives and AI Analysis
Get PDFThe persistent gender gap in Software Engineering (SE) and related software development fields necessitates a thorough examination to expose the root causes and advance women’s engagement in technological innovation. This disparity presents both societal and technical challenges, perpetuating implicit gender biases in technology due to the limited representation of women. Online forums provide insight into women’s experiences with sexism in technical environments, but the unstructured nature of this data complicates the extraction of such specific instances. Our research aims to address this issue by analyzing online narratives from women software developers illustrating their experiences with sexism in technical teams. We initiate this study by constructing a taxonomy to identify various forms of sexism. Subsequently, we apply conventional data extraction techniques, such as static keyword-matching, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) methods, including semantic similarity, to identify sexist experiences in the online dataset. Lastly, we evaluate the AI model’s effectiveness with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) experts to ensure alignment with nuanced human understandings of sexism. Our results reveal the development of a taxonomy encompassing four distinct classes of sexism, supported by definitions, anchor examples, and lexicons. We observe that while semantic similarity techniques are proficient in extracting narratives of sexist experiences, the model encounters difficulties in accurate classification. Furthermore, our results highlight the intricate challenges of trying to align AI systems with human interpretations of sexism as defined in our taxonomy. Additionally, our findings reveal three previously overlooked instances of sexism. Based on our outcomes, we propose a code of conduct for practitioners to mitigate sexism within technical teams, enhancing women’s participation in SE and technological innovation
How Loneliness Shapes Socially Responsible Consumption
No full textThis thesis examines when and why lonely consumers choose products that benefit others. According to the Evolutionary Theory of Loneliness, while loneliness promotes motivations to socially connect and develop relationships, it also enhances focus on self-preservation motives and implicit hypersensitivity to social threats. Prior literature demonstrates that increased self-centeredness and social pain derived from feelings of loneliness lead lonely individuals to prioritize their own interests over the interests of others and seek their own welfare. However, under certain conditions, lonely individuals may sacrifice personal interests for the benefit of others (i.e., when there is a chance to socially connect with others or to signal their unique identity).
This research explores how loneliness influences socially responsible consumption, operationalized as a preference for socially responsible products (e.g., fair trade tea or coffee, child-labor-free apparel, eco-friendly cleaning products, organic cotton apparel). Specifically, it investigates whether the type of beneficiary of socially responsible choice (human or the environment) evokes different responses from lonelier individuals.
Across five studies, the results suggest that lonelier consumers exhibit a lower preference for socially responsible products linked to benefits for humans but not for the environment. The findings elucidate the underlying process in various ways: the mediation analyses in Studies 1 and 2 show that loneliness lowers compassion for others, which reduces preferences for socially
responsible products benefiting humans but not the environment. Introducing interventions focusing on compassion in Studies 3 and 4 reveal that lonely individuals who experience self-affirmation and Loving-Kindness Meditation practices exhibit greater compassion toward others, consequently, increasing the likelihood of choosing socially responsible products associated with benefits for humans. Finally, Study 5 demonstrates that temporal distance (future vs. immediate consumption) alters lonely consumers' preferences and decreases the negative impact of loneliness on preference for socially responsible products associated with benefits for humans but not for the environment.
The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, including alternate pathways for engaging lonely consumers in socially responsible consumption, specifically for products associated with human benefits
Setting Dopamine's Rhythm: The Role of The Habenula as a Pacemaker for Rhythmic Dopamine
Get PDFDopamine (DA) plays a crucial role in regulating a variety of behaviours, including motor function and reward. While the presence of DA is essential, its rhythmic release into regions such as the striatum is equally critical for maintaining normal physiological functions. This thesis investigates the hypothesis that the lateral habenula (LHb) serves as a pacemaker for rhythmic DA release, independently of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The habenula's circadian pacemaker properties and its projections to the substantia nigra (SN) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) suggest it could regulate DA rhythms.
To test this hypothesis, we performed a targeted knockout of Bmal1 in the LHb of male and female mice and assessed the impact on motor and alcohol consumption behaviours. Our findings indicate significant disruptions in motor function, DA levels, and gene expression in the SN and dorsal striatum (DS) following LHb Bmal1 knockout. Specifically, we observed altered rhythms in clock genes and DA-related genes, supporting the LHb's role in regulating DA rhythms.
We further explored therapeutic strategies to mitigate the observed motor deficits using pharmacological (quinpirole) and non-pharmacological (running wheels) interventions. Both interventions improved motor performance, with notable sex-specific responses, highlighting the complexity of motor regulation by circadian mechanisms. However, neither intervention fully restored normal DA levels, suggesting involvement of additional pathways, such as the serotonergic system.
Additionally, we found sexually dimorphic effects on alcohol consumption behaviours following LHb Bmal1 knockout. Male mice showed increased voluntary alcohol intake and binge drinking, while female mice displayed reduced consumption under specific conditions. These results underscore the interaction between the LHb, DA, and serotonin systems in regulating alcohol-related behaviours.
In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that the LHb acts as a pacemaker for rhythmic dopamine release, influencing both motor and reward behaviours. The findings provide new insights into the complex interplay between circadian rhythms and the dopaminergic system, with potential implications for the LHb as a novel site for therapeutic interventions targeting both systems. Understanding the role of the LHb in setting DA's rhythms offers a novel perspective on neuronal functioning and circadian biology
The Experiences of Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Transitioning from Preschool to Kindergarten: A Qualitative Exploration
Get PDFThe transition from preschool to kindergarten is a very exciting time in a child’s life (Rimm-Kaufman & Pianta, 1999). This transition introduces the students to new changes in their environment, where they are exposed to new teachers, classmates, and responsibilities (Yamuchi, 2020). These new changes can affect children behaviourally, socially, and emotionally since preschool and kindergarten have very different dynamics. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to have more difficulty transitioning to kindergarten compared to neurotypical children, causing them to be more vulnerable during this change (Fontil & Petrakos, 2015). This study explored the experiences of ten (10) parents with children with ASD during their children’s transition to kindergarten from preschool. A semi-structured interview was used to understand their perspectives and the experiences of their child’s transition to kindergarten. These questions explored their thoughts and feelings about their child’s transitions, challenges, and successes. The findings found that participants had a lot of support from their child’s daycare, but as they went to kindergarten, the amount of support decreased significantly. Participants who experienced successful transitions were due to the collaboration between parents, daycare, and school personnel, as well as intensive support and understanding of the child’s needs. Several challenges included unsupportive teachers, a lack of resources from elementary schools, and unrepresentative IEPs. This study underscores the importance of collaboration among kindergarten teachers, parents, and daycare educators to facilitate the successful transition of children with ASD and assist children in preparation for kindergarten
Shared Spaces: Relationships Between Human Recreation and Avian Conservation in Urban Greenspaces
Get PDFUrban greenspaces are often intended for the use of people and wildlife; however, balancing the dual priorities and needs of people and wildlife from these spaces can be challenging. In the two chapters of this thesis, I investigated the impact of human activity on avian nesting success, diversity, and community structure. In my first chapter, I assessed whether human presence in urban greenspaces influences the nest survival of common species of open- cup shrub nesting birds on the island of Montreal. We conducted a field study in the summer of 2023 to collect data on bird diversity and nest survival on the island of Montreal. Through this work, we found that human activity did not significantly influence bird nest survival. In my second chapter I assessed how the presence of trails and human activity are related to bird species richness, diversity, and composition in both formally and informally managed urban greenspaces. We found that bird communities further from trails, as well as in informal urban greenspaces, were the most diverse; however, we did not find a relationship between the number of people using trails and bird diversity. This work provides land and urban greenspace managers with integrated science advice to help them support access to nature for people while maintaining existing avian biodiversity
Impact of Behavioral Biases on Investment Decision - A Study in the Context of Bangladesh
Get PDFThis paper delves into behavioral biases in finance which often cause investors to diverge from rational decision-making. These biases, rooted in psychology, profoundly influence investment outcomes and market dynamics. By understanding their impact, investors can better navigate financial decisions and mitigate potential pitfalls. Recognizing and addressing these biases not only enhances individual investment strategies but also contributes to a deeper understanding of market behavior. Ultimately, this research aims to provide insights that enable more informed and effective investment practices in the face of psychological influences on decision-making
Not All Fun and Games: Videogame Labour, Project-based Workplaces, and the New Citizenship at Work
Get PDFMotivated by the goal of understanding the labour conditions of workers in the videogame industry and their participatory power to create decent work, Not All Fun and Games is a critical examination of a global entertainment juggernaut with revenues that top film, television, and music production combined. Jobs in the industry are heralded as the vanguard of the new economy, governments offer lucrative tax credits to lure game studios to their regions, and game developers often express commitment and passion for their work. Yet, the industry is also known for its toxic workplaces.
To understand these disparities and gain insight into twenty-first-century labour conditions, Marie-Josée Legault and Johanna Weststar have carried out a comprehensive mixed-methods study of the North American industry over the past fifteen years. They combine detailed survey data from thousands of game developers with over one hundred qualitative interviews to systematically reveal labour issues such as precarity, lack of workforce diversity, unpredictable schedules, unpaid overtime, low unionization rates, worker burnout, and significant pay inequality.
Updating the theoretical concept of citizenship at work, the authors connect these labour issues to a fundamental lack of voice and representation in the workplace. They determine that videogame workers and others in contemporary project-based work environments lack agency in regulating their work and lack fundamental protections. Not All Fun and Games comprehensively documents conditions in the North American industry and highlights ways to counter workers’ lack of voice and representation in their workplaces to better create healthy, equitable, and inclusive workplaces