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The Art of Change: Eco-Art and Bio-Art as Catalysts for Critical STEAM Education
No full textThis project utilizes a decolonial science and ecological framework to look at bio-art and eco-art as a means to teach critical STEAM education. Research has shown how interdisciplinary learning can build better understanding and equality across the curriculum when done in a purposeful and meaningful way (Wilson et al., 2021).
Teaching STEAM with a critical approach challenges the Eurocentric educational practices of teacher-centred independent subject learning. Bio-art and eco-art are interdisciplinary in nature by incorporating parts of the natural world, typically studied and manipulated in the sciences, into art practices and vice versa. Bio-art can introduce students to ways in which artists and scientists across different disciplines have come together to create critical interdisciplinary art works.
Suzanne Anker (2021) explains how bio-art questions how our society has and continues to alter the natural world by acting as a spotlight, critique, and proposal for our future relationship with the natural world (p.1390). It is through bio-art that she believes "repositioning our acquisition of knowledge-producing systems is key to a speculative redesigning of the future" (Anker, 2021, p. 1394). Eduardo Kac is a prominent bio-artist that coined the term "bio art" and whose own work involves molecular biology to question the ethics and impacts of scientific advancements including those in molecular biology or space exploration (Kac, 2025). Eco-art is shown to make us consider the relationship between humans and the natural world as well as how social, political, economic, cultural, and ecological issues are interconnected (Tsevreni, 2022). This can help students to think about our current ecological crisis such as climate change in different and at times more hopeful ways (Jacob et al., 2024). Eco-artist Agnes Dene uses mathematics, computer renderings, and environmental design in her art to make both lasting impressions and impacts on the human and non-human world
Advancements in Grid-Forming Control Applications, Modeling, and Interactions within Power Systems
No full textThe global efforts to reduce carbon emissions have been reflected in power generation worldwide, where inverter-based resources are increasingly replacing synchronous generators. The resultant reduction in system inertia and stability has led to the development of grid-forming (GFm) control as a key enabler in this transition, providing autonomous voltage and frequency support. However, the literature lacks an effective GFm control strategy for renewable energy resources interfaced by emerging solid-state transformers (SSTs), as well as a comprehensive analysis and stabilization of the dynamic interactions in GFm converters (GFmCs) to ensure reliable operation under different loads and grid conditions. Motivated by these gaps in grid-connected GFmC deployment, this thesis develops 1) a coordinated GFm control system for an SST-interfaced photovoltaic (PV) farm, 2) a unified sequence impedance model and an impedance-coupling-weakening method for systematic stability analysis of GFmCs and 3) a comprehensive analysis of GFmC interactions with dynamic and constant-power loads, along with an effective stabilization method.
First, a comprehensive and coordinated GFm control system is developed for a two-stage SST-interfaced PV farm, offering coordination among the controllers of both SST stages to allow the PV power to directly interact with grid-side frequency events while minimizing dc-link voltage variations, a bandgap ac voltage control to reduce active and reactive power coupling and ensure accurate reactive power sharing—even under parallel operation with line parameter mismatches, an effective low-voltage ride-through mechanism, and a systematic control parameters design method considering control loop interactions. Secondly, a unified harmonic linearization-based sequence impedance model is proposed and validated for six different GFm algorithms: droop control, power synchronization control, virtual synchronous generator (VSG), matching control, dispatchable virtual oscillator control, and Andronov-Hopf virtual oscillator control. Impedance comparisons reveal that the six approaches exhibit similar impedance behavior when designed to provide the same steady-state drooping characteristics, regardless of their conceptual and structural differences. Small deviations are depicted in inertial topologies around the synchronous frequency. Thirdly, the proposed unified impedance model is extended by considering the couplings between the positive and negative impedances. A detailed comparative analysis of the sequence impedance coupling in the droop control and VSG schemes is provided. It is demonstrated that the VSG has notably less impedance coupling than the typical droop control, mainly due to its virtual exciter’s integrator, which also poses an impedance-coupling saturation phenomenon. Furthermore, a simple yet effective control-design-based mechanism is proposed to weaken the impedance coupling in GFmCs, thereby easing their stability and interaction studies. Fourthly, the interactions between a VSG and local dynamic loads and constant-power loads (CPLs) are characterized using the developed impedance model and decoupling mechanism. It is shown that dynamic loads, e.g., direct-on-line induction motors (IMLs), weaken the VSG’s damping and limit the stability ranges of droop gains and virtual inertia constant, thereby limiting the GFmC’s features and grid-supporting capabilities. In contrast, CPLs improve the dynamics and stability margins of the grid-connected VSG, both with and without the presence of IMLs. Finally, the VSG-IML-grid system is further analyzed under weak-grid conditions using frequency-domain and eigenvalue analyses. An active compensator is proposed to maintain stability while extending the stable operating range of VSG droop and virtual inertia settings, enhancing robustness under varying operating conditions.
Extensive offline and real-time simulations verified the theoretical analyses, demonstrated the effectiveness of the developed models and proposed compensators, and validated the significant contribution made to the control, modeling, dynamic interaction analysis, and stabilization of GFmCs in modern power systems
REPEATABILITY AND RELIABILITY OF LARGE-STRAIN CONSOLIDATION TEST METHODS ON VARIOUS OIL SANDS TAILINGS
No full textThe disposal and management of oil sands tailings continue to present significant environmental and operational challenges. Field observations indicate that tailings undergo a lengthy consolidation process, often involving substantial volumetric deformation. Characterizing the relationships between vertical effective stress (σ'), void ratio (e), and hydraulic conductivity (k) is crucial for evaluating tailings storage facility (TSF) volumes, predicting post-reclamation settlements, understanding vertical stress distributions, and estimating chemical mass loading. Large strain consolidation testing, based on Gibson's large strain consolidation theory, is a commonly employed approach for determining the consolidation properties of highly deformable, slurry-like materials. However, inherent differences in large strain testing methods can influence result reliability, underscoring the importance of testing for repeatability and consistency in consolidation assessments.
This study evaluates five methods—multi-step loading large strain consolidation (MLSC), seepage-induced consolidation (SIC), bench-top centrifuge (BTC), geotechnical beam centrifuge (GBC), and filtration-consolidation (F-C) tests—to determine their effectiveness in measuring consolidation behavior. Each method was rigorously tested through multiple trials, allowing for the identification of potential differences due to variations in setup, assumptions, and data interpretation.
The results reveal that while both benchtop and beam centrifuge methods yielded similar compressibility trends, they consistently predicted faster consolidation rates than the MLSC method — by up to an order of magnitude — suggesting an overestimation of hydraulic conductivity. Conversely, the filtration-consolidation (F-C) method predicted slower consolidation behavior than all other methods, with hydraulic conductivity values up to one order of magnitude lower than those from MLSC. The divergence in predictions implies that the F-C and BTC methods may represent the lower and upper bounds of the expected consolidation responses for oil sands tailings. Additionally, the compressibility results indicate that the GBC test generally defines the lower boundary of the dataset, while the SIC test represents the upper limit, with SIC exhibiting lower compressibility than the MLSC test.
The study highlights how testing method variability influences key performance indicators (KPIs), including post-deposition settlement, average solids content, and percentage of dissipation. These KPIs showed sensitivities ranging from 20% to over 60% across methods, underscoring the importance of test selection for accurate consolidation modeling and engineering decision-making. For example, BTC and GBC results yielded average void ratios within 3–10% of each other and within 10–33% of those predicted by simulations using MLSC parameters. This indicates that compressibility is primarily influenced by material properties and remains relatively consistent across test methods, whereas hydraulic conductivity is more susceptible to variation due to both material and methodological differences. Regardless of fines content, compressibility curves converge at stresses exceeding 100 kPa, consistent with void ratios at the liquid limit.
Given the ease of implementation and scalability, both the BTC and F-C methods offer practical advantages for rapid, preliminary evaluation of tailings consolidation behavior. The F-C method, in particular, enables efficient assessment of filterability and compressibility, though it may underestimate hydraulic conductivity. Together, these methods provide a practical range that can reduce reliance on more resource-intensive MLSC tests during early project stages. Moreover, the centrifuge tests demonstrated the lowest uncertainty propagation, making them especially reliable, whereas the SIC test exhibited the highest level of uncertainty.
This study’s findings emphasize that while no single method is universally superior, a combination of benchtop centrifuge and filtration tests can define upper and lower bounds of expected KPI behavior, guiding method selection based on specific project needs. However, laboratory testing alone may be insufficient to fully assess long-term tailings performance. Integration of field observations and continuous model validation is necessary to confirm the accuracy of laboratory-based predictions and to support adaptive TSF designs. By quantifying KPI uncertainties and revealing the effects of methodological differences, this research offers a framework for improving reliability in tailings behavior prediction, enabling geotechnical engineers to optimize design, risk management, and long-term performance of TSFs
Examining the Perceptions and Experiences of Women & Gender-Diverse People Who Have Survived a Drug Poisonning & Overdose in Edmonton's Inner City
No full textSSHRC PEG awarded 2025: Women and gender diverse persons (womxn) who use drugs experience a complex
interplay of social, psychological, economic, and cultural factors, with distinct patterns of drug use, health risks, and structural vulnerabilities when compared to men. They fac-e unique experiences of stigma and discrimination rooted in gender inequities, which can dramatically affect their access to healthcare and social support and negatively impact their risk of drug poisoning/overdose. Very few studies have explored the perceptions and experiences of individuals who have experienced a drug poisoning/overdose and there is a paucity of gender-specific research. A recent cross-sectional study of people who use drugs in Edmonton's inner city undertaken by members of our research team found that 168/499 participants (33.7%) identified as female (7/499 or 1.4% gender diverse). A total of 56/168 (33.3%) of women and 3/7 (43%) of gender diverse people indicated that they had overdosed in the past 6 months. While womxn are at risk, they have not received sufficient targeted attention with respect to the toxic drug crisis. This research seeks to provide an evidence base with which to guide a more gender-specific response.
We will use narrative research paired with arts-based methods to explore how experiences of drug poisoning/overdose as described by womxn in Edmonton's inner city are shaped by gender and its intersection with structural disadvantages. More specifically, our research objectives are to: 1) Inquire into the subjective experiences of drug poisoning/overdose as described by womxn (including the circumstances that precipitated drug poisoning/overdose and its impacts); 2) Map the current health and social service utilization patterns of womxn; 3) Identify the need for gender-sensitive and gender-specific programs and policies for womxn; and 4) Examine the strengths that womxn possess as survivors of dmg poisoning/overdose. We will utilize culturally appropriate methods that are grounded in a trauma and violence-informed
approach.
This project will generate evidence to guide practices aimed at supporting womxn who use drugs. We will contribute to the development of gender-sensitive and gender-specific policies while enriching public awareness about the struggles that womxn who use drugs face in light of the current and ongoing drug poisoning crisis
Selection of Fermentation Cultures for Dairy Products and Plant-Based Alternatives
No full textFermentation serves as a sustainable approach to enhancing product quality while extending shelf life. The selection and application of appropriate fermentation cultures significantly affects the quality and shelf life of fermented dairy and plant-based alternatives. The research in this thesis investigates the metabolic diversity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the fermentation of both dairy and plant-based substrates. By integrating advanced sequencing technologies with culture-based methods, this work improves microbial detection and identification, informs the selection of robust strains, and advances the functional understanding of fermentation cultures. The findings contribute to the development of targeted fermentation strategies that enhance product quality, safety, and sustainability in both traditional and emerging food systems.
Sequence-based methods were critically assessed, revealing key challenges and concerns: the limited taxonomic resolution of gene amplicon sequencing; PCR biases that distort quantitative relationships; the inability to distinguish viable from dead cells; and the completeness and contamination of metagenome-assembled genomes. Advances in sequencing technologies, applied through culturomics, live basecalling, high-accuracy whole-genome sequencing, and hybrid assembly, are proposed as smart microbial detection strategies to improve the accuracy, resolution, and sensitivity of microbial analysis in food systems.
To address fungal spoilage in dairy products, 113 LAB strains were screened, identifying Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Furfurilactobacillus milii, and Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri as potent antifungal adjuncts. The antifungal effects were strain-specific and metabolite-dependent, with hydroxy fatty acids and acetate identified as key inhibitory compounds. When applied in cheese models, selected strains of LAB extended the mold-free shelf life of both Crescenza and Gouda cheeses, though their efficacy varied with cheese type and ripening time. Yeast growth was not inhibited in Crescenza cheese, whereas in Gouda cheese, inhibition occurred but diminished with longer ripening. Finally, the fermentative properties of Lactococcus lactis from different phylogenetic lineages were compared in dairy and plant-based matrices. Plant-associated strains exhibited superior performance in plant substrates, linked to their genomic traits, while dairy strains performed best in milk. One ancestral strain demonstrated high adaptability to both environments. Collectively, this work advances our understanding of strain selection, antifungal protection, and microbial ecology, contributing to the development of high-quality, bioprotective fermenting cultures for dairy and plant-based systems
Discontinuous PWM Strategy for Circulating Current Control in Three-Phase Parallel-Connected VSCs
No full textParalleling two-level voltage-sourced converters (2L-VSCs) allows the system to handle higher currents and power levels, while interleaved switching improves AC-side filtering and lowers magnetic component sizes, all together enhancing power density and system performance. However, circulating currents between parallel converters must be properly suppressed and controlled to prevent increased power losses and system instability. A dynamic phase-shifted discontinuous pulse width modulation (DPS-DPWM) strategy for circulating current control in parallel-connected VSCs is discussed to eliminate dc offsets in circulating currents. For the purpose of the discussion, coupled inductors are used to connect the parallel inverter legs, providing better circulating current suppression and offering a high-quality PWM outputwith a low series inductance for the output voltage, resulting in a minimal fundamental voltage drop. A high-quality multilevel AC line voltage output is achieved through dynamic PWM phase switching of inverter legs in each phase. The issue of dc offsets in circulating current, which increases the coupled inductor core flux and may lead to the saturation of the coupled inductor core, is analyzed. To implement DPS-DPWM, a single-carrier-based phase-shifting technique with reference signal manipulation is introduced, and then, a half-carrier-cycle transition period is used to prevent dc offsets in circulating currents, ensuring balance and smooth transitions between phase changes and DPWM sector changes without affecting the output voltage waveform. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed PWMscheme with closed-loop control, tested on a 3.3 kW (300 Vdc, 180 Vac) SiC-module based laboratory-scale hardware setup, comprising two paralleled 2L-VSCs paralleled with ac grid connection
Translational Proteomics of Low-Abundance Tissue-Specific Proteins by Immunoaffinity-Mass Spectrometry
No full textThe identification and quantification of human proteins are critical for advancing biological research and clinical diagnostics, as proteins mediate key cellular processes, signaling pathways, and disease mechanisms. In particular, the detection of tissue-specific and low-abundance proteins can enable early diagnosis, inform disease progression, and support treatment decisions for conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders. Conventional immunoassays, including ELISA and Western blotting, have long been used to analyze proteins in clinical samples but are limited by cross-reactivity, lack of isoform specificity, and dependence on high-quality antibodies, many of which are unavailable for less-studied proteins. These limitations hinder the evaluation of promising biomarker candidates. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods, particularly when combined with immunoaffinity enrichment (IA-MS, IA-SRM), offer high sensitivity, selectivity, and the ability to distinguish protein isoforms and post-translational modifications. By overcoming key limitations of antibody-based methods, MS assays provide powerful tools for studying protein expression and function in clinical contexts. The primary goal of my research was to develop novel MS and IA-MS assays for detection of low-abundance tissue-specific proteins in clinical samples and demonstrate their translational potential for disease diagnostics.
The first objective of this dissertation was to develop MS-based assays to evaluate the diagnostic potential of prostate-specific relaxins, REL1_HUMAN and REL2_HUMAN. These peptide hormones, members of the Insulin/IGF/Relaxin superfamily, are known for their roles in reproduction. Using IA-shotgun MS/MS, IA-SRM, and sandwich immunoassays, I investigated their expression across human cell lines and biological fluids. REL1_HUMAN protein was undetectable despite high mRNA levels in prostate cancer cells, suggesting RLN1 is a non-coding gene. In contrast, REL2_HUMAN was detectable only in maternal serum. IA-SRM proved more reliable than conventional immunoassays, which showed susceptibility to false positives.
The second objective focused on the TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion, present in about 50% of prostate cancers. Using IA-MS and IA-SRM, we quantified the low-abundance TMPRSS2-ERG fusion protein and its isoforms in VCaP prostate cancer cells as well as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) prostate cancer tissues. Expression of TMPRSS2-ERG correlated with higher Gleason scores, and a unique N-terminal peptide specific to the T1E4 isoform was identified. These findings may contribute to improved diagnostics of prostate cancer.
The third objective was to develop innovative IA-SRM assays to detect endogenous autoantibodies against prostate-specific antigens. Autoantibodies against antigens from immune-privileged tissues like the prostate have been historically detected by indirect immunoassays, requiring independent verification. Novel IA-SRM assays independently confirmed the presence of autoantibodies against KLK3_HUMAN protein (also known as Prostate-Specific Antigen, a clinically used biomarker of prostate cancer), KLK4_HUMAN (also known as kallikrein 4), FOLH1_HUMAN (also known as Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen), and PPAP_HUMAN (also known as Prostatic Acid Phosphatase), outperforming traditional assays with greater selectivity and sensitivity, and facilitated discrimination of prostate cancer from benign disease. The multiplex IA-SRM approach enabled quantification of antigen-specific IgG1, IgA1, and IgM autoantibodies at low ng/mL concentrations. The presented IA-SRM assays will facilitate the quantification of prostate cancer autoantibodies, paving the way for improved prostate cancer diagnostics and a comprehensive evaluation of the immune response to prostate-specific antigens.
Collectively, my research studies contributed novel assays for the quantification of low-abundance, tissue-specific proteins, clarified the expression of human relaxins, REL1 and REL2, addressed the isoform diversity of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion at the protein level, and resolved the longstanding debates about the existence and serum levels of prostate cancer autoantibodies. The IA-SRM assays presented in this dissertation can be expanded and used in future translational studies to evaluate REL2 as a marker for pregnancy complications, determine the biological significance of TMPRSS2-ERG isoforms in larger cohorts, evaluate other prostate tissues-specific proteins as antigens, and investigate the functional and diagnostics roles of autoantibodies in prostate cancer
Fundamental Adsorption Process of Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) and Applications in Immunoassays using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
No full textHalloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are natural aluminosilicate nanomaterials with high surface area and tunable surface chemistry. The growing interest in HNTs has brought new challenges in accurately evaluating and optimizing the performance of biosensing platforms. This study explores the adsorption behavior, dispersion optimization, and surface interaction of HNTs. It also focuses specifically on their performance in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based immunoassays. Dispersion was improved using optimized probe sonication combined with adjusting solvent conditions and characterized through dynamic light scattering (DLS). Adsorption experiments were conducted on gold surfaces modified with CH₃-, COOH-, and NH₂-terminated thiols. Real-time monitoring was performed using SPR, and the results were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model. To evaluate their biosensing potential, HNTs were coated with rabbit IgG and applied in a model SPR immunoassay system using goat anti-rabbit IgG. SEM imaging was performed to provide direct visual evidence of surface binding. This work highlights the potential of HNTs as mass enhancing labels in SPR detection, while identifying key challenges such as nonspecific binding and protein-induced surface shielding. By optimizing dispersion strategies and surface modifications, HNTs based detection platform may be further developed for sensitive and specific detection in biosensing applications
Plant community response to operational use of glyphosate for conifer release
No full textGlyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) is the active ingredient in many commercially used herbicide formulations. Primarily manufactured by Bayer Group (formerly Monsanto Company), these herbicides are cost-effective, non-selective, and degrade relatively quickly , making them desirable for both agriculture and forest industries. In Alberta, glyphosate-based herbicides are commonly used to control vegetative competition during reforestation, primarily with the goal of aiding conifer release. However, concerns persist about potential negative impacts of glyphosate on human and animal health, biodiversity, forest composition, and ecological succession, which has compelled government and industry to re-evaluate the use of glyphosate for operational forestry purposes. The objective of this research is to assess the persistence of glyphosate within operationally treated forestry cut-blocks to evaluate plant biomass recovery, potential exposure of wildlife through browse, species diversity, and plant community change. Data were collected throughout thirty-nine recently treated planted cut-blocks across western Alberta over three years, and glyphosate concentration was quantified for eighteen plant species of interest. Biomass sampling was used to estimate biomass of available browse, and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordinations were done to evaluate plant community change. Results indicate minimal persistence of glyphosate at one-year post-treatment, and further rapid decline. Preferred ungulate browse species are initially reduced, and many do not exhibit significant recovery within the study period, suggesting limited potential for wildlife exposure to glyphosate through browse. Glyphosate has the strongest influence on plant community composition in the first year following application; however, in subsequent years, shifts in community structure appear to be more closely driven by climatic factors. This suggests that glyphosate persisting within plant tissues does not adversely impact the community composition when used for operational forestry purposes
A continuing re-evaluation of the de novo protein hypothesis of memory: Activity-dependent aspects of protein synthesis inhibition
No full textThe process of memory consolidation—the transformation of short-term memory (STM) into long-term memory (LTM)—has been a fundamental focus of neuroscience research for over a century. Central to this field is the de novo protein hypothesis, which posits that new protein products are essential for LTM formation. This hypothesis is primarily supported by studies demonstrating that protein synthesis inhibitors (PSIs), such as anisomycin (ANI), cycloheximide, and puromycin, impair LTM while sparing STM. However, recent findings challenge this interpretation, revealing that inhibition of intracellular protein synthesis profoundly suppresses neural activity. This thesis critically examines the confounding impact of PSIs on neural function, questioning the traditional view that their effects on memory consolidation stem from an absence of proteins needed to “lock-in” neural changes.
Chapter 2 investigates the effects of emetine, another PSI, on neural activity in anesthetized rats. Unilateral intrahippocampal infusion of emetine, like other PSIs, resulted in significant suppression of both local field potentials and multiunit activity compared to the control hippocampus. This suppression correlated with the extent of protein synthesis inhibition, confirmed by autoradiography. These findings support the notion that different PSIs, with distinct modes of translational inhibition, exert detrimental effects on neural activity independent of their mechanisms of action. This suggests that protein synthesis suppression broadly impairs neurobiological function.
Chapter 3 examines the effects of emetine and ANI on essential rhythmic neural activity in an the preBötzinger complex, a central pattern generator critical region for inspiratory rhythm. The breathing-related influence of local infusions in rats were compared across both PSIs and lidocaine, a well-known neural inactivator. As predicted, lidocaine, emetine and ANI rapidly eliminated respiratory activity, as indicated by suppressed diaphragmatic activity. In all cases, mechanical ventilation was needed to sustain the animals. A major difference was that the suppressive influence of lidocaine was reversible, whereas those of emetine and ANI were much longer lasting. These results provide direct evidence that PSIs broadly inactivate neural function, compromising physiological processes beyond memory. The next chapters used fear conditioning to compare the neural suppressive effects of PSIs to those of neural inactivators like muscimol (MUSC) and tetrodotoxin (TTX). Chapter 4 examines the effects of ANI, MUSC, and TTX infusions into the amygdala prior to training. If protein synthesis per se strictly delineates STM from LTM, translation inhibition should yield distinct results from neural inhibition. This was not the case. ANI impaired both STM and LTM of cued fear memory, producing deficits similar to those observed with MUSC and TTX. This finding challenges the axiomatic notion that STM is independent of protein synthesis, in contrast to LTM.
Chapter 5 extends this comparison by assessing post-training infusions of ANI and MUSC into the amygdala. Both drugs disrupted the consolidation of cued and contextual fear memory when tested 48 hours later. This finding aligns with our hypothesis regarding the impact of these PSIs on neural activity. Notably, memory impairments were similar to those induced by neural inactivation, suggesting that the effects of ANI on memory arise from its suppression of neural function rather than solely from blocking protein synthesis.. Similarly, Chapter 6 examines post-training infusions of ANI and MUSC into hippocampus. As in Chapter 5, both drugs disrupted the consolidation of cued and contextual fear memory when tested 48 hours later. This again suggests that the behavioral deficits may stem more from broad neural effects of ANI than from its inhibition of translation alone. Furthermore, contrary to the prevailing view that the hippocampus is primarily involved in contextual memory but not cued memory, our findings indicate that hippocampal inactivation—whether through MUSC or ANI—also disrupted cued memory. This unexpected result highlights the need for further research to clarify the extent of hippocampal involvement in cued memory processing. Collectively, this work underscores the catastrophic impact of translational inhibition on neuronal function and raises critical concerns about the confounding effects of PSIs. The findings show that the behavioral disruption bythese drugs may be better understood by the impaired neuronal signaling and communication rather than by a lack of new proteins involved in plasticity. This work advocates for a major reinterpretation of results obtained using PSIs, one which emphasizes the essential role of neural activity in learning and memory, beyond a purely molecular perspective