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Assessing policy influencer and general public support for healthy eating policies for chronic disease prevention in Newfoundland and Labrador
No full textUnhealthy food environments result in poor diets and chronic diseases in populations.
Addressing upstream determinants of diet through policies supported by policy influencers and
the public is proven to be more effective than targeting individual-level determinants. This thesis
contains two cross-sectional studies that aimed to assess and compare policy influencer and
public support and acceptability for healthy eating policies in Newfoundland and Labrador. The
Chronic Disease Prevention Survey was used to collect healthy eating policy support data from
both groups. The difference in policy influencer and public support in Study 1 was analyzed
using Pearson's χ² test. In Study 2 policy acceptability among both groups was analyzed using
the Net Favourable Percentage, and the Nuffield Intervention Ladder was used to categorize
policies according to the appropriate intrusiveness level. Results showed ³80.0% support from
both groups for 16/21 policies, and three policies showed significant difference in support
(p<0.05). Among both groups, level 2
"provide information" and level 5 "guide choices through
incentives" policies were most accepted, while level 6 "guide choices through disincentives" and
level 7 "restrict choice" were least accepted. In conclusion, collectively high policy support and
acceptability for less intrusive policies were noted among both groups in the province.Includes bibliographical reference
A field and laboratory investigation of the influence of light on the behaviour of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
No full textEnhancements to fishing gears that could increase their efficacy are becoming globally popular both in use and in research. Effective enhancements could facilitate fishing, encourage sustainability through economic incentives, and mitigate bycatch. Visually mediated behaviours can be exploited by fishers to influence the capture of target species through modifications to the light environment, such as LED lures. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) are a commercially harvested species adapted to a low-light environment with a narrow range of available wavelengths in the blue-green range, and devices using green light are commonly available to fishers. To test the behaviour of cod in relation to LEDs, I assessed the catch efficacy of handline gear with green LED attachments and performed experiments in an artificial setting with multiple colours of LEDs to study phototactic responses to various wavelengths of light. Catch rates of handlines did not improve with the use of LED lures. As well, no behavioural responses were observed in choice test experiments, indicating that light may not be effective for exploiting the behaviour of Atlantic cod. These findings can be applied directly to fishery and aquaculture practices and encourage further research into the role of visual ecology in the conservation of Atlantic cod.Includes bibliographical reference
What it means to have a body as a trans* person: an inductive, qualitative approach to understanding body image in trans* populations
No full textand non-binary people are individuals who do not identify with their sex assigned at birth. Body image, particularly body dissatisfaction, has played a major role in the conceptualization of what it means to be a transgender or nonbinary person, as evidenced in transgender diagnoses since the 1980s. However, little research exists where researchers ask trans* people to describe, in their own words, how they feel about their bodies. Further, even less research exists that does not interpret these findings through the lens of pathology. Researchers have not yet explored how trans* people think, feel, and perceive their bodies or how they conceptualize body image using an inductive approach. This study interviewed a diverse sample of 10 transgender and non-binary individuals across Canada to better understand how trans* people think and feel about their bodies and how they conceptualize body image. Using thematic analysis, six main themes and four subthemes were identified, revolving around both personal aspects of body image (e.g., evaluations of one’s body, decisions about gender-affirming care) as well as social aspects, such as the influence that the dominant, cisgender society and social spaces can have on a trans* person’s body image. The current findings support that body image is a highly individualized and highly variable experience influenced by several factors, including social factors such as discrimination and stigma. These findings also highlight a need to reassess mainstream narratives about body image for trans* people, particularly the reliance on body dissatisfaction, as well as a need for body image measures conceptualized, designed for, and sensitive to the unique needs of transgender and nonbinary populations.Includes bibliographical references (pages 119-134
How to take care of the earth: a sociopragmatic analysis of cultural identity and contextualized meaning in Canadian environmentalist discourse
No full textThis thesis uses current sociopragmatic theory to investigate the effects of cultural identity
and related contextualizing elements (e.g., knowledge of relevant history) on linguistic
meaning in environmentalist discourse, as well as framing theory for an interdisciplinary
interpretation and additional support of its findings. More specifically, this entails the
application of Acton (2014)’s Sociopragmatic Framework to speech data from a
documentary film about environmental racism in Canada, which simultaneously provides an
instance of substantiated use and validation for the underutilized framework. In order to test
the framework’s hypothesized predictive capabilities, the project additionally includes a short
survey designed to probe the perception and interpretation of speaker identity and motivation
in correlation with linguistic and contextual variables, based on predictions derived from data
analysis with the framework. Survey results indicate mixed potential of and the need for
further research on the framework’s predictive capabilities, but clearly demonstrate its
immense usefulness and versatility as an analytic tool for applied sociopragmatics. The main
analysis illustrates the extensive pragmatic influence of cultural identity on environmentalist
discourse, particularly with respect to its role as an effective contextualizing element. The
thesis concludes that future research on the topic likely needs to focus more specifically on
the effects of individual sociocultural background and ideology.Includes bibliographical references (pages 102-105
Pore Perfection vs. Defect Design: Examining the Complex Relation-ship Between Pore Structure and Carbon Dioxide Adsorption in Zr-Based MOFs
No full textThis work examines the relationship between defects, pore size, and pore functionalization as it pertains to the enthalpy of adsorption between carbon dioxide and zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks (UiO-66 and UiO-67). When UiO-66 is synthesized without defects, carbon dioxide adsorption is more exothermic relative to when UiO-66 contains de-fects (–24.3 vs. –20.9 kJ/mol). We repeated the experiments with pristine/defective UiO-67 and observed the opposite trend (–16.9 vs. –21 kJ/mol), albeit less exothermic. Dehydrating the cluster of pristine/defective UiO-66 (–21 kJ/mol) and UiO-67 (–14 kJ/mol) the adsorption capabilities decreased considerably. This work indicates that there is a hierarchy of adsorption interactions that can work independently or in tandem to increase the enthalpy of adsorption. These include the small tetra-hedral pore of UiO-66, hydrogen bonding, and dispersion interaction enhanced by the electron-withdrawing Zr(IV). Post-synthetic modification of the node with methanol/methoxy groups had a strong effect on the defect containing UiO-66. In this MOF, the pore sizes appeared nearly identical to the pristine UiO-66 and contained an enthalpy adsorption of –28 kJ/mol; this is the highest value obtained in this work
Implementing learning health systems in the nephrology program to enhance value-based healthcare delivery
No full textThe Health Accord for Newfoundland and Labrador recommended the creation of learning
health system (LHS) to improve healthcare delivery in our province. The Nephrology
Program identified two opportunities to collect data to implement improved care
consistent with a local LHS: (1) decreased time on in-centre hemodialysis (ICHD) and (2)
increased uptake of home dialysis. First, a direct method for calculating urea distribution
volume in ICHD patients was compared to the current method of monitoring dialysis dose.
The two volumes were used to calculate independent dialysis doses, Kt/V. The mean Kt/V
difference was significantly higher for the direct method, a difference that was greater in
obese patients and amputees. This suggests current methods overestimate volume,
underestimate Kt/V, and lead to prescriptions for increased dialysis time. Second, metrics
of newly started dialysis patients were analyzed for differences between ICHD and home
dialysis patients and their care, to identify barriers to transitioning to home modalities.
Five barriers were identified, including less pre-dialysis staff exposure and lower rates of
discussions of home dialysis options. These data can be used to implement Nephrology
Program LHS cycles in ongoing quality improvement initiatives, with multifaceted outcome
goals in healthcare delivery, including patient care experience, population health, and
health care delivery cost.Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-66
Gait rehabilitation and monitoring in multiple sclerosis; optimal rehabilitation interventions, longitudinal changes, sex differences and the protective role of cardiorespiratory fitness
No full textMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating and autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, characterized by episodes of new or worsening neurologic symptoms, followed by partial or complete recovery. Despite an expanding body of literature on the effectiveness of exercise in MS, the optimal approaches to improve gait are lacking. Notably, people with MS often have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, limiting their exercise capacity. Furthermore, covert gait changes precede clinical signs, often not detectable on observation, and measurement of subtle changes in gait, such as variability, could be a potential biomarker of covert neurodegeneration. Both cognition and fitness could influence changes in gait variability over time. The purpose of my doctoral work was to systematically review the optimal interventions to improve gait speed, the intricate relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, and gait variability—a potential longitudinal biomarker of covert gait changes.
The first study critically synthesized randomized controlled trials, consolidating knowledge on optimal rehabilitation interventions to improve gait speed in individuals with MS. Lower limb resistance and treadmill training emerged as the most effective interventions. Overall, there was a positive albeit small effect of interventions on gait speed in individuals with MS. The second study focused on the early detection of covert gait changes in clinically stable people with MS and highlighted gait variability as a sensitive longitudinal biomarker. Notably, it proposed the protective role of cardiorespiratory fitness against covert worsening of gait variability over two years in individuals with MS. The third study assessed cardiorespiratory fitness and examined its association with self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity, with an emphasis on sex-related differences. The findings showed that males and females had low levels of
cardiorespiratory fitness. Furthermore, there was an agreement between self-reported physical activity and aerobic fitness only in females, indicating potential over-reporting by males. This comprehensive thesis contributes valuable insights into treatments and monitoring of gait in MS, specifically identifying optimal rehabilitation interventions, identifying gait variability as a potential longitudinal biomarker for covert neurodegeneration, the protective role of cardiorespiratory fitness and sex differences in fitness and reporting of physical activity.Includes bibliographical references (pages 140-163
Dynamic Simulation of a Hybrid Energy System for Powering a Water Treatment Facility in McCallum, Newfoundland and Labrador
No full textPublishedClean water, a basic human need, is in short supply in McCallum, Newfoundland and Labrador, primarily due to lead contamination, forcing residents to rely on collected rainwater. Reverse Osmosis (RO) has been identified as the most suitable desalination method because of its lower energy requirements and high effectiveness in treating lead-contaminated water. Powering the RO system with renewable energy sources (RES) offers a promising solution for this remote, off-grid area, currently powered by a diesel generator. The proposed hybrid energy system (HES) provides not only the most economically optimal configuration but also greater reliability. The system consists of a 3.6 kW solar array, a 2-kW wind turbine, a 3-kW DC diesel generator, and a 680 Ah 48 V battery bank to supply the single-phase water treatment system, which includes a 0.3 kW resistive load, lighting, and two asynchronous machines rated at 0.5 hp and 0.75 hp, respectively. A dynamic simulation of the proposed system, based on calculation done in Kafrashi and Iqbal [1], is presented in this paper. All system components are modeled in MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation results show expected dynamics in the system. Results indicate proper system operation with reasonable within-range system voltage and current during normal operation
The curious case of V CVn
No full textFrom many decades of observations, the star V Canum Venaticorum (V CVn) has
strange behaviour regarding the maxima and minima of its light curve and linear
polarisation, which have an approximately inverse relationship (sometimes with a
lead/lag time between them) and an almost constant polarisation position angle.
One theory proposed to explain this strange behaviour is the existence of a bow shock
driven by a spherically symmetric dusty wind from the star. In this theory, the wind is
assumed to vary with time due to radial pulsations. This work uses a new framework
developed in Zeus3D, a multi-physics magnetohydrodynamics code, to test this theory.
The results of this work show that when a time-varying stellar wind is at its maximum
brightness the polarisation signal is at a minimum due to a dense, symmetric shell
which forms around the star. Conversely, when the brightness is at a minimum, the
symmetric shell around the star is much less dense, and the polarisation is instead
dominated by the asymmetric bow shock structure, causing the polarisation signal to
attain a maximum value. Numerically reproducing the observed inverse relationship
between the polarisation and light curve provides a strong theoretical argument that
a variable stellar wind bow shock is the solution to the curious case of V CVn.Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-101
A history-matching analysis of Antarctic Ice Sheet evolution since the last interglacial
No full textOne technique to explicitly quantify uncertainties of glacial systems is a history-matching analysis (HMA) of a model against a large observational database. This is achieved by ruling out simulations that are inconsistent with an observational constraint database. A comprehensive database (“AntICE2”) was compiled for state-space estimation of past Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) changes and to evaluate model reconstructions. This research applies a HMA on a 3D glacial systems model (GSM) for Antarctica against the AntICE2 observational constraint database. A HMA represents a crucial steppingstone towards a comprehensive Bayesian calibration. A HMA consists of identifying model reconstructions that are consistent with observations given uncertainties in the model and data. Our HMA extensively samples model uncertainties against fits to observational data through Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods using Bayesian artificial neural network emulators of the full GSM. This methodology produced several large ensembles exceeding 40,000 simulations that were evaluated against observational constraints. The terminal large ensemble consisting of 9,293 members represents the culmination of this research.
The GSM simulation output is scored against the AntICE2 database to evaluate the model reconstruction. The HMA rules simulations as being broadly inconsistent with the AntICE2 database based on being within a 3σ or 4σ threshold of each various observational data type. The simulations from the full ensemble that are tentatively not inconsistent with the observational constraint database are classified as the not-ruled-out-yet (NROY) sub-ensemble.
The HMA of the AIS since the last interglacial and the resulting NROY sub-ensemble addresses several outstanding research questions. Considering the extent to which uncertainties across the glacial system and data were incorporated in the HMA, the NROY sub-ensemble should approximately bracket the past evolution of the actual ice sheet. The NROY simulations have excess Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) volumes ranging between 9.2 to 26.5 meters equivalent sea level. This range has upper limits that are considerably higher than past studies and this addresses in large part inferential deficits in the LGM sea-level budget. Moreover, the NROY sub-ensemble represents an envelop of chronologies which can be used as input boundary conditions for general circulation models and glacial isostatic adjustment models to better understand past atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and sea-level change.Includes bibliographical reference