HARVEST
University of Saskatchewan's Repository for Research, Scholarship, and Artistic Work
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Recent Submissions
The effects of feeding ground flaxseed and mechanically processed flaxseed meals on feed intake, milk production, milk composition and fatty acid profiles, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows
(2025-07-09) Warnasooriya, Viraji B; Mutsvangwa, Timothy; Brook, Ryan; Christensen, David; Penner, Gregory; Yu, Peiqiang
This study aimed to determine the effects of feeding ground whole flaxseed and two types of mechanically processed flaxseed meals on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, ruminal fermentation characteristics, total-tract nutrient digestibility, and N balance in dairy cows. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows [122 ± 20 days in milk (DIM) at the start of the study] were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 dietary treatments. One square had 4 ruminally cannulated cows that were used to determine ruminal fermentation characteristics and total tract nutrient digestibility. The 4 dietary treatments tested were a barley silage-based diet with canola meal (CM; 21.1% of diet DM) as the main protein source (designated CON), and diets containing ground whole flaxseed (designated GWF; 4.92% of diet DM), defatted flaxseed meal (designated DFM; 19.7% of diet DM), or organic flaxseed meal (designated OFM; 20.2% of diet DM) as partial replacements for CM. Experimental diets were balanced for ether extract content (3.66%; DM basis). Contrasts were used to compare CON vs. GWF; CON vs. [DFM + OFM]; and GWF vs. [DFM + OFM]. Dry matter intake was lower (P < 0.01) for cows fed CON compared with those fed GWF and [DFM + OFM]. However, milk yield tended to be greater (P = 0.06) for cows fed CON compared with those fed GWF (P = 0.06) and [DFM + OFM] (P = 0.06). Milk fat content and yield were unaffected by diet. Milk urea-N (MUN) concentration was greater (P ≤ 0.001) in cows fed CON compared with those fed GWF and [DFM + OFM]. Also, MUN concentration was decreased for cows fed GWF compared with those fed [DFM + OFM]. Ruminal pH and short-chain fatty acid concentrations were unaffected by diet. When expressed as g per d, N apparently (P = 0.05) or truly (P = 0.02) digested in the rumen was greater in cows fed the GWF diet compared to those fed the [DFM + OFM] diets. Omasal flow of C18:3n-3 was greater (P < 0.01) in cows fed the [DFM + OFM] diets compared to the CON diet. Further, the milk fatty acid concentration of C18:3n-3 was greater (P < 0.01) for cows fed the GWF diet and the [DFM + OFM] diets compared to those fed the CON diet. In conclusion, partial replacement of canola meal with ground whole flaxseed or flaxseed meal increased DMI; however, a trend of decreased milk yield associated with flaxseed supplementation was observed. Rumen fermentation parameters, ruminal digestibility of nutrients, N balance, and microbial protein production were largely stable, indicating that flaxseed could be incorporated without negatively impacting core rumen functions.
Multi-contaminant removal from synthetic mine-impacted water by permeable reactive barriers under cold conditions
(Elsevier, 2025-06-14) Desmau, Morgane; Skierszkan, Elliott K.; Oka, Gladys; Kaur, Inderjeet; Schoepfer, Valerie A.; Flather, David; Nielsen, Guillaume
Permeable reactive barriers (PRB) effectively attenuate multiple groundwater contaminants in temperate climates, but their efficacy remains uncertain in sub(Arctic) climates where cold temperatures inhibit kinetic biogeochemical reactions governing contaminant removal. This study applies bench-scale columns mimicking PRBs, containing varying proportions of zero-valent iron (ZVI), gravel, and wood chips, to treat synthetic mine-impacted water containing nitrate, arsenic, and uranium at low temperatures (5 °C) over 36 weeks. Columns were amended with sodium acetate during weeks 20–33 to stimulate microbial activity. Speciation was investigated by combining X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and geochemical speciation modeling using PHREEQC. Arsenic removal efficiency exceeded 95 % over the experimental duration in all ZVI-bearing columns and was mostly driven by adsorption and coprecipitation with ZVI oxidation products. Nitrate removal was limited in the absence of acetate amendments but improved to ∼50 % during the amendment. Denitrification to N2 gas was incomplete, likely due to kinetic limitations on the various nitrogen reduction reaction steps. Uranium removal was >95 % in ZVI-bearing columns before the acetate amendment and was predominantly explained by U(VI) adsorption onto Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides. However, U was remobilized during the amendment, likely due to increased aqueous complexation of U by calcium and carbonate that drove the desorption of U from Fe-(oxyhydr)oxides. These experiments show that PRB technology holds promise for multi-contaminant removal under cold conditions, while exposing ongoing challenges associated with concurrent removal of contaminants exhibiting contrasting geochemical behavior.
ASSESSING SOLID MEDIA MIXTURES FOR AQUEOUS METAL TREATMENT FROM NEUTRAL MINE DRAINAGE
(2025-07-08) Burelle, Collin; McBeth, Joyce; Lindsay, Matthew; Urquhart, Stephen; Morozov, Igor
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Hydrogen in pipeline steels under electrochemical and gaseous environments
(2025-07-08) Jack, Tonye Alaso; Szpunar, Jerzy; Oguocha, Ikechukwuka; Cree, Duncan; Odeshi, Akindele; Meda, Venkatesh; Dalai, Ajay; Omanovic, Sasha
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Ligand Binding Properties of Substrate Binding Proteins of a Maltose Uptake System in Gardnerella swidsinskii
(2025-07-07) Nguyen, Agnes Truc; Hill, Janet E; Dumonceaux, Tim; Ellis, John; Phenix, Christopher
Multiple Gardnerella species are resident in the vaginal microbiome, and their overgrowth is associated with a common gynecological condition, bacterial vaginosis. The combination of species and their relative abundances vary among individuals, with G. vaginalis and G. swidsinskii being most frequently dominant. Glycogen and its breakdown products, maltose and malto-oligosaccharides are important carbon sources for vaginal bacteria including Gardnerella and differences in the ability to uptake these nutrients may contribute to Gardnerella population structure and dynamics. In the MusEFGKI transport system for maltose and malto-oligosaccharides, the operon encodes one substrate binding protein (SBP) in all Gardnerella species except G. swidsinskii where it encodes two SBPs. One G. swidsinskii SBP (MusE1346) phylogenetically clusters with orthologs in other Gardnerella species while the other (MusE1345) forms a separate cluster with ~60% amino acid sequence identity. Since SBPs provide specificity to transporters, we hypothesized that G. swidsinskii has competitive advantages in accessing nutrients by having two MusE SBPs with different binding properties to glycogen breakdown products. Our objective was to measure and compare the specificity and affinity of G. swidsinskii MusE SBPs for glycogen breakdown products.
We modelled structures of MusE1345 and MusE1346 to compare their conformation. Escherichia coli cells were transformed with vectors carrying codon-optimized DNA sequences encoding MusE1345 or MusE1346. SBPs were expressed, purified, and analyzed with size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS) and circular dichroism (CD) to determine conformation. Binding affinities of MusE SBPs for different ligands were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC).
Predicted structures were highly similar with distinct N and C domains and a ligand-binding cleft. Both proteins comprised mainly α-helices (consistent with CD data). The purified proteins were determined to be monomeric, suggesting an expected ligand:protein ratio (n) of 1. ITC results showed that both proteins had the highest affinities (lowest dissociation constant, Kd) for maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose (Kd 10^-6 - 10^-7 M), however, the calculated stoichiometry for the unique MusE1345 (n = 0.1-0.2) was unexpected for a monomeric SBP. Both proteins had much lower affinities to longer oligosaccharides, maltopentaose and maltohexaose (Kd 10^-3 - 10^-4 M). Neither protein exhibited binding to glucose, isomaltose, or lactose, indicating that binding to MusE SBPs was not only determined by carbohydrate length but also was affected by the type of linkage between subunits. Our results demonstrate that the affinities of G. swidsinskii MusE SBPs for maltose and malto-oligosaccharides are similar under the same experimental conditions. It remains a possibility that having two MusE genes confers an advantage to G. swidsinskii by producing more SBP relative to other Gardnerella species. Future studies co-culturing Gardnerella species and quantifying expression levels of MusE SBP genes will shed more light on the contributions of these proteins to G. swidsinskii fitness.
Breastfeeding Experiences of African-Black Immigrant Women in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
(2025-07-07) Kene-Ibeagha, Nneka Christina; Premkumar, Kalyani Dr; Alhassan, Jacob Dr; Palmer-Clarke, Yolanda Dr
Breastfeeding confers numerous benefits to both the mother and child. Despite these benefits, global breastfeeding rates remain low compared to the World Health Assembly targets. Migrating to another country adds another dimension, playing a significant role in shaping breastfeeding practices. This study examined African-Black Immigrant women’s breastfeeding experiences pre- and post-migration to highlight important facilitators and barriers.
This qualitative study explored the lived experience of African-Black Immigrant women using an Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. From August to October 2024, five participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Interviews were semi-structured, in English, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Data management was done with Microsoft Word and Excel. To ensure rigour, member checking, peer debriefing, and reflexive journaling were applied. Ethics was granted by the University of Saskatchewan’s Behavioural Research Ethics Board (Beh-REB) (ID 4995).
Five main themes emerged: (1) Positive breastfeeding experiences & maternal experiences, (2) family and community support, (3) cultural practices and societal acceptance, (4) healthcare support & access to resources and (5) barriers and challenges to breastfeeding. The first 3 themes are related to the breastfeeding experiences, while themes 4 and 5 are related to the facilitators and challenges. Migration created barriers such as cultural shifts, healthcare navigation, language difficulties, and social isolation. Despite this, resilience, traditional knowledge and community support helped women continue breastfeeding.
These findings highlight the importance of culturally inclusive breastfeeding support services that enable African-Black Immigrant women to address breastfeeding challenges in Canada. This information can be used to craft healthcare policies and interventions aimed at enhancing both maternal and child health outcomes.
Why is Fido Stressed? Crossover of Employees' Job Stress to their Dogs
(2025) Mitropoulos, Tanya; Andrukonis, Allison
Benefits of Open Access
(2025) Tornblom, Heather E.
Medical cannabis in schools: The experiences of caregivers
(Oxford Academic, 2023) Mansell, Holly; Zaslawski, Zina; Mbabaali, Sophia; King, Patricia M; Kelly, Lauren E; Lougheed, Taylor; Anderson, Jennifer; Huntsman, Richard J; Alcorn, Jane
Objectives
Implementing medical cannabis (MC) into a child’s daily routine can be challenging and there is a lack of guidance for its therapeutic use in schools in Canada. Our objective was to learn about the experiences of caregivers of school-aged children who require MC.
Methods
Qualitative description was used and caregivers were interviewed about MC in schools and in general. The transcripts were entered into Dedoose software for qualitative analysis and content analysis was performed. Sentences and statements were ascribed line by line into meaning units and labelled with codes, and organized according to categories and subcategories.
Results
Twelve caregivers of school-aged children who take MC participated. The most common reasons for treatment were drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), autism, or other developmental disorders. Approximately half of the participants’ children (n = 6) took MC during the school day and most (5/6) perceived their experiences to be positive or neutral but reported a lack of knowledge about MC. While data saturation was not reached regarding MC in schools, rich dialogues were garnered about MC in general and three categories were identified: challenges (subcategories stigma, finding an authorizer, cost, dosing, and supply); parents as advocates (subcategories required knowledge, attitudes, skills, and sources of information); and caregiver relief for positive outcomes.
Conclusions
Caregivers demonstrate remarkable tenacity despite the many challenges associated with MC use. Education and practice change are needed to ensure that children using MC can benefit from or continue to experience its positive outcomes within the school environment and beyond.
Design and Evaluation of Visual Summaries to Improve Readability of Large Network Visualizations
(2025-07-04) Mahfuza, Rezwana; Gutwin, Carl; Mondal, Debajyoti; Gutwin, Carl; Hasan, Mohammad Khalad; Yeh, Yen-Ting
Node-link visualizations are commonly used to gain insights into large network data where the entities of the networks (nodes) are represented as points, and relationships (edges) are drawn as straight-line segments or links. With the growing access to network data and visualization tools, such visualizations are increasingly appearing in infographics and documents intended for non-specialist readers. This necessitates understanding how these visualizations are perceived by end users who are not necessarily domain experts, and determining how visual summaries can be provided to ensure consistent interpretation of the displayed information. In this paper, we investigate the interpretability of node-link visualizations of large graphs. Despite the popularity of node-link layouts, little work has systematically studied how intuitive or reliable these representations are for everyday users when graphs become large and complex. Understanding such layouts' user interpretation is therefore critical for designing effective visualizations. We designed intuitive summaries that could be provided alongside the visualization to improve interpretation and evaluated these designs through two user studies with 20 participants each. We used real-life datasets such as online social networks and author collaboration networks for the studies. We automatically detected clusters using the HDBSCAN tool and filtered the top 50 high-quality clusters by alignment with modularity-based clustering. We also investigated the extent to which participants agreed on the identification of clusters in ForceAtlas2 visualizations and whether the automatically detected clusters align with those identified by participants. Our results indicate that the information perceived from traditional node-link representations can vary substantially, especially when the nodes are uniformly distributed rather than forming obvious visual clusters or tangled structures. When the clusters appeared as clear tangled structures, agreement was high and when the clusters were less visible in one dataset, agreement dropped substantially. We also observed that visual summaries greatly enhance the readability of these visualizations -- summaries that effectively reduce clutter were preferred by participants and were more accurate for typical interpretation tasks.