Graduate Theses and Dissertations

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https://hdl.handle.net/10388/381

This collections holds all University of Saskatchewan graduate level electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) published since 2005. More than 700 print theses published before 2005 have been digitized and added to the collection as well.

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PHARMACISTS’ ROLES IN DIABETES CARE IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN SASKATCHEWAN
(2025-06-18) Ejie, Izuchukwu Loveth; Vatanparast, Hassan; Mansell, Kerry; Lane, Ginny; Yee, Jarron; Froehlich Chow, Amanda; Labrecque, Mary Ellen
Diabetes mellitus presents a significant and growing public health burden globally and in Canada, with Indigenous peoples experiencing disproportionately higher prevalence and poorer outcomes due to systemic, social, and historical inequities. Pharmacists, given their accessibility and expertise in medication management, chronic disease prevention, and health promotion, are uniquely positioned to support diabetes care in underserved Indigenous communities. However, there is limited evidence on their specific roles and experiences in this context within Canada. This research aimed to identify knowledge gaps in the literature, assess pharmacists’ current roles in Indigenous diabetes care in Saskatchewan, and explore the barriers and facilitators influencing their service delivery. This study employed a critical review of existing literature and an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, consisting of a cross-sectional survey and qualitative interviews. The critical review synthesized international evidence on pharmacist involvement in Indigenous diabetes care and was guided by the Two-Eyed Seeing Framework and the Framework for Diabetes in Canada. A cross-sectional survey of Saskatchewan pharmacists captured the scope of services provided, perceived barriers and facilitators, and professional characteristics. Qualitative interviews with selected participants provided greater insight into pharmacists’ lived experiences and contextual understanding and were guided by the Framework for Diabetes in Canada. Three major findings were identified. First, the critical review highlighted pharmacists’ involvement in medication management, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration, while also revealing a lack of Canadian-based research. Second, survey findings showed pharmacists frequently provide diabetes-related services: 83% (39/47) “Often/Always” counsel on the use of blood or continuous glucose monitors, and 88.6% (39/44) “Often/Always” provide dietary counseling. Key barriers included patient receptiveness (72.1%; 31/43) and access to communities (65.1%; 28/43), while facilitators included positive patient/community feedback (78.6%; 33/42) and personal commitment (76.2%; 32/42). Third, qualitative interviews revealed pharmacists’ roles in device education, medication management, lifestyle counseling, and management of hyperglycemia and related conditions. Barriers were categorized into four themes: patient-related, systemic and workforce limitations, accessibility challenges, and interprofessional barriers. Facilitators included pharmacist empowerment, patient engagement, improved access, and trust-building within communities. Recommendations for future policy, practice, and research include expanding pharmacist involvement in Indigenous health, enhancing cultural competency training, and supporting interprofessional collaboration. In conclusion, pharmacists play a valuable role in diabetes care for Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan, but systemic reforms and culturally responsive strategies are essential to maximizing their impact.
Impacts of Salinity on Germination, Growth, Oxalate and Inorganic Ion Relations
(1992-04) Abouguendia, Zoheir Mohammed
Kochia (Kochia scoparia (L. ) Schrad.), an introduced annual herb with a wide geographical distribution, has a potential as a high yielding forage plant for saline soils. However, the autecology of kochia in general, and the Saskatchewan populations in particular, is virtually unexplored. Germination and early seedling growth responses of different populations of kochia to salinity and water stress were studied under controlled conditions. Populations from saline habitats exhibited greater reduction in germination with increased salinity than those from nonsaline habitats. Kochia from Texas was more tolerant of water stress at the germination stage than Saskatchewan populations. Both Saskatchewan and Texas populations were tolerant of low temperature at the germination stage, but the northern population maintained greater seedling growth under low temperature, particularly at high salinity. Kochia responded to salinity by reduced plant water and osmotic potentials, increased stomatal resistance, and maintained turgor pressure. It also responded to soil-induced water stress by decreased plant water potential and increased stomatal resistance. The Saskatchewan populations had similar water relations in response to soil-induced or atmosphere-induced water stress. Kochia from a Saskatchewan saline habitat was more resistant to water loss from its leaf tissues in response atmosphere-induced water stress than that from Texas. Growth room and field investigations were conducted to determine the ionic relations and growth response to salinity of a number of kochia populations. Kochia accumulated oxalate in all plant parts, with highest levels in mature leaves and lowest in roots, and intermediate levels in young leaves and stems. Water-soluble oxalate levels exceeding the safe limits for ruminants were found in mature leaves. Leaf oxalate correlated positively with soil osmotic potential but negatively with soil sulphate, chloride, total cations, and matric potential. Oxalate levels were also significantly correlated with plant ion concentrations. The growth room experiments showed generally similar relations but also indicated interpopulation variations in the capacity to accumulate oxalate. Kochia responded salinity by increased internal inorganic ion concentration, with highest accumulation in mature leaves. Ion levels in kochia varied with the concentration and composition of ions in the external medium. In contrast to most halophytes which accumulate sodium even under low salinity, K+ was the principal cation in kochia plants under nonsaline or low salinity conditions. High Mg and Na depressed K+ and total Ca++, but increased soluble Ca++ levels in the plant. Sulphate and Mg++ levels in shoots exceeded their safe limits for livestock. Total Cats concentrations were high in kochia, but the soluble Catt levels were below the animal nutritional requirements. Early growth response to salinity of a lowland and an upland populations was comparable, but the latter was more tolerant to salinity than the former during a more advanced growth stage. Kochia from a saline habitat in Saskatchewan was more salt tolerant than kochia from Texas. Yield reduction was related to external salinity and to mature leaf succulence. The two populations showed also some differences in ionic relations.
Improvements in bison semen cryopreservation
(2025-06-17) Yang, Steve; Adams, Gregg; Anzar, Muhammad; Dadarwal, Dinesh; Benson, James; McCorkell, Robert; Ferrari, Maud; Thundathil, Jacob
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
The Functional Properties and Digestibility of Round and Wrinkled Pea Flour in Swine
(2025-06-17) Bentley, Bria Emily; Beaulieu , A. Denise; Columbus , Dan; Newkirk, Rex; Ai, Yongfeng
Round and wrinkled peas are both a source of starch, but their starches differ in the proportion of amylose and amylopectin. Wrinkled peas have a higher proportion of amylose due to the deficiency of the starch branching enzyme I (SBEI). In contrast, round peas have a lower proportion of amylose and higher total starch content. A higher proportion of amylose content may result in decreased starch digestibility and increase hindgut fermentation, potentially altering the availability of energy. Extrusion is a processing method that causes the starch granule to swell and become gelatinized, thereby altering its structure and digestibility. This thesis evaluated the effect of extrusion and the amylose to amylopectin ratio of round or wrinkled peas on starch digestibility, gut microbial characteristics and glycemic response in pigs. Starch digestibility, short-chain fatty acid content, and microbial diversity was determined in pigs fed round (RPF) or wrinkled pea flour (WPF) that were either unprocessed or extruded using barrows fitted with an ileal cannula, enabling the assessment at both ileal and total tract level. Ileal starch digestibility in pigs fed RPF was increased compared to WPF (P < 0.05). Conversely, pigs fed RPF had the lowest total tract digestibility of starch compared to other three treatments (P < 0.05). There was no effect of extrusion on ileal or total tract digestibility of starch (P > 0.05). There was no effect of treatment on SCFA production in the ileal digesta (P > 0.05). However, regardless of pea type, extrusion resulted in decreased acetic and isobutyric acid concentration in feces, while valeric and hexanoic acid concentrations increased in pigs fed WPF compared to those fed RPF (P < 0.05). The Shannon index, measure of microbial diversity within a sample, revealed that WPF-E fed to pigs decreased microbial diversity compared to those fed RPF-E (P < 0.05) in ileal samples. There was no significant difference in Shannon index among treatments from fecal samples. In the second experiment, glycemic response in response to a bolus of either ground round (RP) or wrinkled peas (WP) that were either unprocessed or extruded indicated extrusion of either RP or WP affected time to peak (TP) and peak height (PH), with pea type having no effect. Extruded peas led to a quicker rise to maximum blood glucose levels following a bolus given to pigs compared to non-extruded peas (48.7 vs 77.8 min; P < 0.05). Additionally, pigs given a bolus of extruded RP or WP had higher concentration of blood glucose compared to non-extruded peas (8.2 vs 7.1 mg/L; P < 0.05). In summary, ileal digestibility in the first experiment indicating RPF with lower amylose content resulted in increased starch digestibility. However, this effect was not observed in the second experiment, where higher glucose release into the bloodstream was expected. This discrepancy may be attributed to a number of factors, including differences in physiological process, feed matrix vs. purified ingredient or the delivery method of starch to the pigs.
Using Nonvascular Water Storage to Characterize Controls of Rainfall and Condensation on Understory Evapotranspiration in a Mature Jack Pine Stand
(2025-06-13) Riis, Nathan; Helgason, Warren; Ireson, Andrew; Davison, Bruce; Stewart, Katherine
This study examined the contribution of a moss and lichen understory to the total ecosystem evapotranspiration (ET) of a mature jack pine forest in the boreal plains ecozone of central Saskatchewan, Canada. Using laboratory-calibrated electrical impedance sensors to estimate the water-storage of three nonvascular forest floor cover types—lichen-dominant, moss-dominant, and mixed lichen and moss—this study made observations in a boreal stand from June through October, 2023, to observe the understory response to rainfall and condensation as well as a relationship to below-canopy ET determined using eddy covariance. Additionally, the controls on the contribution of the lichen and moss mat understory exerted by its water storage were characterized, demonstrating the importance of nonvascular processes in boreal hydrology. The hydrology of nonvascular plants is a poorly understood topic. Despite their importance and contribution to ET, lichens and mosses are often poorly represented in models or not included at all. Fire prediction and hydrologic modelling would greatly benefit from measurements of such a key water storage, especially in the use of those measurements to examine fluxes of water between the atmosphere, understory vegetation, and soil. Observations using impedance sensors showed wetting responses to rainfall and condensation events as well as drying during periods of high ET. This sensitivity allowed for comparisons of response to different types of events. The lichen and moss understory showed similar wetting behaviour during rainfall and condensation, though the latter served mostly to keep the understory wet by regular dampening from morning dew and the former served to more heavily saturate it. Days without condensation exhibited consequential drops in below-canopy ET while longer-duration rainfall events resulted in higher contribution of the understory to total ecosystem ET for longer after rainfall. Moss-dominant understory ground cover showed the highest water storage and lichen-dominant the least. Below-canopy ET contributed 51% of ET observed above the canopy. Understory contribution was highest 2-8 hours after last rain at 62%. Early understory ET was suppressed by rainfall interception of the lichen and moss mat and decreased thereafter with time after rainfall to a minimum of 29% after one week. Though understory ET followed a diurnal cycle, it showed no notable relationship to shallow soil water. Contrastingly, above-canopy ET was independent of time after rainfall and more dependent on soil moisture and vapour pressure deficit. This was consistent with the ability of the overstory to uptake soil water through roots while the understory depended on atmospheric water directly in the form of rainfall and condensation. The understory ET responded more quickly than that above due to a greater nonvascular capacity to transpire in the presence of canopy interception storage. Due in part to its high interception capacity, the lichen and moss understory also showed wet conditions for longer than the overstory or leaf wetness measurements made below the canopy. Long-duration rainfall events resulted in higher saturation of the understory which allowed it to remain wet for longer, a phenomenon exacerbated by regular condensation which the nonvascular lichens and mosses could absorb. This maintenance of understory wetness by frequent wetting events was mirrored in energy partitioning and understory ET alike. Latent heat fluxes dominated during wet conditions and lasted longer after rainfall below the canopy than above. Similarly, contribution to total ecosystem ET stayed higher for longer after long-duration wetting and was reduced after an absence of morning condensation. The lichen and moss understory influenced ET through water storage mechanisms which behave differently from a vascular canopy. Nonvascular ET was shown to be dependent on differing water sources, to have different evaporation and transpiration controls, and exhibit different partitioning of latent and sensible heat fluxes. This study affirms the need to account for nonvascular vegetation and its distinct properties in our understanding of boreal hydrology.
Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass: Pelletization and Catalytic Gasification
(2025-06-13) Seraj, Somaye; Azargohar, Ramin; Dalai, Ajay; Zhang , Lifeng; Acharya, Bishnu; Tabil, Lope; Ghosh, Supratim; Tyler, Robert; Mahinpey, Nader
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Quantification of palaeo-reconstruction models
(2025-06-09) Nguyen, Hoang Anh Tu (Lavie); Eglington, Bruce; Butler, Samuel; Osgood, Nathaniel; Aitken, Alec; Ansdell, Kevin; Pratt, Brian; Zahirovic, Sabin
A global palaeo-reconstruction model is a conceptual digital model to show the dynamic behaviours of tectonic plates and hence support researchers in examining how plate tectonics have interacted and influenced the mantle, the atmosphere, and the biosphere over the Earth’s history. The architecture of a reconstruction model often consists of a collection of geodynamic units (GDUs) and a rotation file. GDUs are conceptual building blocks of the model, while the rotation file contains information to move GDUs on the spherical Earth’s surface over time. Some global palaeo-reconstruction models can now perform reconstruction reasonably well back to about 3.0 Ga. However, these deep-time reconstruction models do not have kinematic line features which are the building blocks of modelling plate tectonic boundaries. In the last two decades, some publicly available global reconstruction models, specifically full-plate models, have let users visualize and extract the consequences from the movements and dynamic interaction of GDUs with each other over time, because full-plate models have built-in plate tectonic boundaries. Subsequently, these full-plate reconstruction models now provide users the capability to examine how tectonic activities at the lithosphere level can exchange and influence the atmosphere and the mantle. As new evidence becomes available, global palaeo-reconstruction models must be updated to reflect these changes. However, plate tectonic boundaries in any available reconstruction model were manually defined. Consequently, it is a very time-consuming, challenging, and error-prone process to integrate new evidence and update any current reconstruction model. The conventional manual workflow with global reconstruction models is also difficult to adapt across architecturally different reconstruction models. Overall, the manually intensive workflows when working with global palaeo-reconstruction models limit the geoscientific community from quantifying various characteristics of a single palaeo-reconstruction model as well as comparing one model to another. Based on the fundamentals of plate tectonic theory and basic vector calculation, we have developed a series of Python 3.8 modules by using several open-sourced packages and software tools (e.g., GPlates, QGIS, pyGPlates, Numpy, Pandas, GeoPandas, PyProj, and Shapely) to address the lack of comprehensive and semi-automatic workflows, so the whole geoscientific community can effectively evaluate the imbedded kinematic information and define kinematic features for any advanced global palaeo-reconstruction model. Besides semi-automatically generating kinematic line features, we have produced SuperGDU features which allowed us to quantify the degree of continental amalgamation and thus systematically evaluate several proposals regarding supercontinents. The resulting SuperGDU features were also used to assess the similarities and differences quickly and quantitatively among multiple palaeo-reconstruction models. We have also applied the relationships between GDUs and SuperGDUs to effectively examine the spatio-temporal distribution of geochronology data. Finally, we develop a process to create a first-order palaeo-DEM for any advanced palaeo-reconstruction model (i.e., both full-plate and continental-drift). The main objective of this thesis is to develop and introduce a comprehensive semi-automatic workflow to quantitatively examine the characteristics, specifically the imbedded kinematic information, of any present-day advanced global palaeo-reconstruction model. We then demonstrate how we have utilized this information in different geoscientific examinations such as supercontinents, palaeo-topography, and palaeo-climate.
Evaluating Beef Production Parameters Through Backgrounding Steers by Swath-Grazing Monocrop Cereals and a Complex Forage Mixture During Winter in Alberta
(2025-06-05) Obiora, Somtochukwu Nzubechukwu; Lardner, Herbert A; Durunna, Obioha N; Kelln, Breeanna; Larson, Kathy; Brook, Ryan; Coulman, Bruce
This 3-yr study was a field assessment of the effects of grazing either (i) a polycrop mixture (PC) comprised of CDC SO1 oat (Avena sativa L.), Golden Globe turnip (Brassica rapa L.), Hunter turnip (Brassica rapa L.), Goliath forage rape (Brassica napus L.) and 4010 forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) or (ii) a monocrop of CDC SO1 oat (OM) on dry matter yield (DM), nutrient composition, soil characterization, forage utilization, estimated DM intake (DMIestimated), beef cattle performance and economics in a winter swath grazing system. A 12-ha field was sub-divided into six, 2-ha paddocks. Each paddock was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 replicated (n=3) forage systems, seeded in June at the seeding rate of 157 kg ha-1 for OM while PC was 45 kg ha-1 (oat), 11 kg ha-1 (forage pea) and 6 kg ha-1 (brassica). Forage systems were sampled at soft dough (SD), hard dough (HD), post-hard dough (PHD), and regrowth (RG) stages. At hard dough stage, forages were swathed into windrows for grazing, except for a 9-m strip in each PC paddock, which was cut approximately 31 d later. Crossbred beef steers (n=42, yr 1; n=60, yr 2; n=54, yr 3; BW=267.4 ± 14.1 kg) were stratified by body weight (BW) and, randomly allocated to forage systems which were grazed for an average of 84 d over the 3 yr study. Soil samples were collected prior to seeding in yr 1 and after grazing in yr three. Effect of maturity stage on DM yield (P = 0.02) showed an additional 1140 kg ha-1 DM of OM at HD compared to soft dough yield. Oat monocrop yielded greater (P < 0.01) DM compared to the PC, regardless of stage of maturity. Deferring swathing of the PC to the PHD stage yielded similar (P = 0.85) DM yield and similar nutritive values compared to SD and HD stages of maturity. No effect of stage of maturity (P = 0.07) or forage system on crude protein content was observed (P = 0.61). Forage systems had an effect (P < 0.05) on NDF, starch, sugar, fat, calcium, phosphorus and sulphur levels. The NDF decreased by 5.9%, starch increased by 36.8%, TDN increased by 2.5%, and sugar decreased by 37.1% as forages matured from SD to HD stage. No difference (P > 0.05) was observed for final BW, ADG, DMIestimated and rib-fat change of steers grazing OM or PC systems. A higher (P = 0.03) residual soil nitrate level was observed in the PC paddocks compared to the OM paddocks. This may suggest a supply of nitrogen generated by the N-fixing pea in the polycrop mixture. No difference (P = 0.38) in swath cost per kg steer gain ($0.56 vs. $0.69 kg⁻¹) of the forages was observed while cost per head per day for PC ($0.45 hd⁻¹ d⁻¹) tended (P = 0.07) to be greater compared to OM ($0.38 hd⁻¹ d⁻¹) system. These results suggest that both OM and PC swathgrazing are cost-effective methods for winter backgrounding weaned steers. However, PC can potentially enhance soil nitrogen.
NUTRITION CARE IN “HOUSE MODEL” LONG-TERM CARE: A COLLECTIVE CASE STUDY
(2025-06-03) Naidoo, Seshni; Goodridge, Donna; Yakiwchuk, Erin; Peacock, Shelley
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Non – invasive Diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis with PET CT Imaging
(2025-06-03) Mehrabanpour, Dorsa; Snead, Elizabeth; Singh, Jaswant; Ferrari, Muad; Dadachova, Kate; Frey Belotta, Alexandra
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Study of Electron Beam Instabilities in the Storage Ring at the Canadian Light Source Using the Transverse Feedback System
(2025-06-03) Martens, Stephen J; Tse, John; Moewes, Alexander; Wurtz, Ward; Klymyshyn, David
The Canadian Light Source (CLS) 2.9 GeV electron storage ring circulates hundreds of approximately 1 nC bunches of charge in an electromagnetic trap. The oscillatory motion of these electron bunches is coupled through the electromagnetic interaction with the vacuum chamber in which they circulate. If this motion is left uncontrolled, this coupling can result in unstable motion. These so called coupled bunch instabilities can lead to the beam size enlarging or worst case beam loss. Consequently, mitigation strategies against these coupled bunch instabilities have become a critical element of modern synchrotron design. As part of their mitigation strategy, the CLS utilizes a Transverse Feedback System (TFBS), to identify and correct against these instabilities via active damping where they arise. The TFBS also doubles as a diagnostic tool, enabling the study of these coupled bunch instabilities. This research project studied the properties of the coupled bunch instabilities in the CLS storage ring using simulations and experiments. Experiments have been performed using the TFBS to measure the exponential damping rates of the induced beam oscillations. To study these beam instabilities, experiments were largely done via adjustment of in-vacuum insertion device gap heights, which changes the vertical vacuum chamber profile height. Early experiments focused on grow-damp methods, where the feedback loop is briefly disabled to allow instabilities to grow before being damped by the system. To yield new results, later experiments involved excite-damp methods, where the beam is deliberately excited to study damping rates. To better understand and compare against experiment results, eigenmode and equivalent-circuit simulations of the Brockhouse beamline’s in-vacuum wiggler insertion device have been performed. Characterizing and controlling the instabilities found in this project will be a limiting factor for higher storage ring beam current or the addition of new insertion devices at the CLS in the future.
Enabling Compositional System Dynamics Modeling via Category Theory
(2025-06-02) Li, Xiaoyan; Osgood, Nathaniel D.; Dutchyn, Christopher; Liu, Juxin; Weekes, Alex; Subrahmanian, Eswaran
This dissertation develops a novel, modular, compositional, and relational framework for System Dynamics (SD) modeling, leveraging the higher mathematics of Applied Category Theory (ACT). System Dynamics, a methodology for understanding and managing complex systems over time, has been widely used in various fields such as public health, business, and environmental management. Despite its strengths, traditional SD modeling methods face several critical limitations, including a lack of modularity, inadequate representation of complex relationships, stratification that obscures model transparency, rigid coupling of model syntax and semantics, and limited support for model composition and reuse. These challenges hinder the scalability, flexibility, and accuracy of models, especially for large or interdisciplinary systems. To address these limitations, this dissertation introduces a new framework based on ACT, which provides a mathematical foundation for representing, relating, composing, and stratifying complex systems. Key contributions include the development of a categorical framework for modular representation of commonly used SD tools such as Causal Loop Diagrams, System Structure Diagrams, and Stock and Flow Diagrams using co-presheaves; a compositional framework for open systems based on Decorated / Structured Cospans, enabling modular design and reuse; and a separation of graphical syntax (diagrams) from mathematical semantics (e.g., Ordinary Differential Equations), enhancing clarity and adaptability. Additionally, the dissertation defines functor mappings to establish relationships among SD diagrams, introduces a stratification framework for constructing hierarchical models from aggregate structures, and implements these theoretical advancements in the Julia-based software \texttt{StockFlow.jl}. The utility of this framework is demonstrated through several case studies, mainly focused on models of communicable diseases and other models in public health area, highlighting the efficiency and flexibility of the modular approach compared to traditional methods. While addressing many challenges in SD modeling, this dissertation also acknowledges limitations, such as the need for enhanced representation of feedback loops in Causal Loop Diagrams and improved support for stratified systems with complex mixing structures. Future work will aim to refine the mathematical frameworks, enhance software implementation, and explore broader applications across other domains. This research establishes a next-generation SD modeling approach, bridging mathematical rigor and practical utility, and significantly advances the capabilities and scope of System Dynamics for researchers and practitioners in diverse fields.
Effect of CFTR Modulators on Chloride Homeostasis and Excitability in Sensory Neurons from CFTR F508del Mice
(2025-05-28) Dada, Michael Adeoluwa; Verge, Dr. Valerie; Krishnan, Dr. Anand; Gauvrit, Dr. Sebastien; Campanucci, Dr. Veronica
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The F508del mutation represents the most prevalent variant, affecting approximately 80% of patients. While advancements in medical technologies have significantly extended life expectancy, many adult people with CF (pwCF) now experience long-term complications, including peripheral neuropathy. Previous findings from the Campanucci lab demonstrated disrupted chloride homeostasis and reduced excitability in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from CFTR-/- swine. To further bridge these findings to human relevance, this study analyzed chloride homeostasis and neuronal excitability in DRG neurons from mice carrying the F508del mutation and assessed the effect of the CFTR modulator Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI). Chloride imaging with MQAE (N-Ethoxycarbonylmethyl-6-Methoxyquinolinium Bromide) dye revealed impaired chloride homeostasis in F508del DRG neurons, which ETI failed to correct. Voltage-clamp electrophysiology showed increased action potential (AP) generation in DRG neurons from both male and female mice carrying the F508del mutation and following ETI treatment. However, further investigation into T-type calcium channel (Cav 3.2) functionality revealed no significant effect of the F508del mutation or ETI treatment on activity. These findings suggest that the F508del mutation and ETI’s influence on neuronal excitability do not extend to voltage-gated calcium (Cav) channels, implying that other mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy are associated with CF. This study highlights the contrasting tissue-specific effects of ETI therapy and calls attention to the need for further research into its limited effectiveness in nervous tissues.
Effectiveness of Peer-Based Interventions Among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review
(2025-06-02) Kumoji Ayamsegna, Hilda Nnako; Spurr, Shelley; Bally, Jill; Peacock, Shelley; Bullin, Carol A
Introduction: Pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common life-long condition that affects adolescents psychologically, socially, and physically due to the necessity of self-management. Adolescents with T1D may be stressed due to their inability to perform self-care activities to control blood glucose levels, adhere to diet management, depression, peer discrimination, anxiety, and eating disorders. Peers play an important role in diabetes management during adolescence. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review (SR) was to assess the effectiveness of peer-based interventions (PBIs) in improving the health outcomes among adolescents with T1D globally and identify potential future research areas. Methods: The completion of this SR was done using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for SRs as a guide. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses Global, Scopus and PsycINFO databases were searched. The title and abstract of the articles were reviewed using the eligibility criteria. Subsequently, two reviewers screened the full text articles and critically appraised the remaining articles using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. An adapted Pinch Table was used to extract relevant information from the included articles which facilitated data organization, synthesis, and drawing conclusions. The quantitative data were analyzed using narrative synthesis and the findings were reported herein. Findings: The primary finding of this SR was the lack of evidence on the effectiveness of PBIs in adolescents who have T1D. However, three studies were included in this review and, through analysis of the studies, clinical, behavioural, psycho-social, and quality of life (QOL) outcome measures were identified. In this SR, PBIs included peer interaction and group diabetes education, peer education and web-based interactive treatment setting to enhance glycemic control, self-care habits, self-esteem, and adherence. Following the interventions, the authors of three studies found a decrease in HbA1c while other results showed increased self-esteem, social support, knowledge levels, diabetes self-management self-care scores, self-efficacy for diabetes, self-reported adherence, and diabetes-related QOL among adolescent participants. Conclusion: The findings from the three studies included in this review indicated that PBIs are effective in supporting management of T1D and ensuring significant positive health outcomes. These findings can be used by healthcare providers to provide insight into future use and continued development of PBIs for adolescents living with T1D and their families, globally. Future studies including randomized controlled trials and qualitative studies are highly recommended to explore development and evaluation of PBIs.
A Provenance-Aware Visual Framework for Explorative and Reproducible Computational Scientific Experiments
(2025-06-02) Hossain, Muhammad Mainul; Roy, Chanchal K; Schneider, Kevin A; Roy, Banani; Mohamed, Ebrahim Bedeer; Mondal, Manishankar; Hamou-Lhadj, Wahab; Derek, Eager; McQuillan, Ian
Researchers encapsulate diverse tools and data into a cohesive pipeline, known as a scientific workflow, to conduct computational scientific experiments. This workflow is then submitted to a runtime infrastructure for execution. Scientific Workflow Management Systems (SWfMSs) integrate various tools, techniques, languages, and graphical interfaces to provide platforms for specifying, executing, monitoring, and managing workflows, effectively abstracting the complexities of data and process management for researchers. These systems support both reproducible research, which ensures valid results through established protocols, and exploratory research, which investigates new phenomena iteratively. Provenance information collected during workflow composition and execution validates workflow structure and execution results via queries and visualization. SWfMSs provide graphical or textual interfaces for workflow composition using either a graphical or textual language. Graphical languages are user-friendly but can become unwieldy with complex workflows, whereas textual languages offer concise expressions but require steeper learning curves. Despite advancements in execution environments, limited usability in composition interfaces hinders SWfMS adoption, leading to the retirement of once-prominent systems. Additionally, managing tool integration poses challenges, especially in web-based SWfMSs, which must serve many users simultaneously and deal with platform and tool incompatibility. Empowering end-users to integrate external tools via extensibility mechanisms is essential for improving usability and flexibility in explorative research. Similarly, reproducing external experiments within SWfMSs is challenging and requires innovative solutions. To address these issues, we conducted five studies. First, we investigated existing SWfMS architectures and derived a novel architecture for a graphical SWfMS framework designed for intuitive workflow composition, along with abstracted execution and data and process management. Second, we examined the challenges in designing scientific workflows and addressed them by proposing an interactive experiment development environment. This framework facilitates the rapid development of scientific experiments by combining textual Domain-Specific Language (DSL)-based workflow specifications with graphical tools that intuitively accelerate composition and enhance comprehension. The third study designed a domain-specific environment for capturing, querying, and visualizing provenance information. The fourth study addressed tool integration challenges through bioinformatics and software analytics case studies. The fifth study proposed packaging experiments and complex tools in Docker containers and registering them via a graphical interface, overcoming installation barriers of entire experiments and complex tools and enhancing integration with SWfMS composition and runtime environments. Through prototypes, experiments, user studies, and case studies, our work advances the usability, flexibility, reproducibility, extensibility, and scalability of SWfMSs for computational scientific experiments.
Accelerating the Smith–Waterman Algorithm with the Actor Model
(2025-06-02) Rafati Bonab, Reza; Raymond J; McQuillan, Ian; Wu, Fang X
The Smith--Waterman algorithm is a fundamental tool for local sequence alignment in computational biology, but its high computational complexity poses significant challenges for large-scale datasets. This thesis investigates the parallelization of the Smith--Waterman algorithm. It introduces inter- and intra-alignment parallelization along with a bi-level parallelization strategy combining inter- and intra-alignment tasks is introduced, leveraging the actor model, OpenMP, and MPI frameworks. The actor model demonstrated superior performance for inter-alignment tasks, achieving near-linear scalability, with speedups of up to 28× on 40 cores for the BRCA1 dataset, outperforming OpenMP (15.14×) and MPI (14×). OpenMP proved most efficient for intra-alignment tasks, completing sequence alignment in 4.91 seconds for sequences of 51,000 and 53,000 nucleotides, while the actor model followed closely at 6.42 seconds. The bi-level parallelization approach, particularly the Actor-Serial configuration, consistently outperformed state-of-the-art tools, including SeqAN, Parasail, and SWIPE, in terms of wall-clock time and scalability. For instance, Actor-Serial completed the BRCA1 task 1.83× faster than Parasail, 3.42× faster than SeqAN, and 4.32× faster than SWIPE. In distributed environments, Actor-Serial demonstrated exceptional scalability, achieving speedups of 77.56× and 78.05× for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 datasets at 160 CPUs, respectively, far exceeding SWIPE's 16.80× and 17.49× speedups under the same conditions. This research also highlights trade-offs between computational speed and resource usage, with the actor model requiring additional memory despite its minimal overhead in task management. The main contribution of this work is the demonstration of the Actor-Serial model as a scalable and efficient solution for parallelizing the Smith--Waterman algorithm, particularly for large datasets and distributed computing environments. Overall, the thesis underscores the effectiveness of the actor model for managing computational tasks due to its minimal overhead, the exceptional performance of OpenMP for intra-alignment parallelization, and the Optimal performance of the Actor-Serial configuration for bi-level parallelization in both single and distributed nodes.
Temperature Dependence in the NEXAFS Spectra of Organic Molecules
(2025-06-02) ., Ruhisha; Urquhart, Stephen; Bowles, Richard
Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy is a versatile technique for chemically characterizing organic materials. Its sensitivity arises from spectral features tied to functional group identities, oxidation states, and electronic structures, analyzed through electronic transitions from core electrons to unoccupied molecular orbitals. Recent studies emphasize the influence of nuclear motion, such as thermally excited vibrations, gauche defects, and conformational changes, on NEXAFS spectral shapes. This research project investigates nuclear motion effects on NEXAFS spectra in n-alkanes and amino acids through variable temperature experiments. For n-alkanes, the study examines C 1s NEXAFS spectra of protonated (n-C60H122) and deuterated (n-C60D122) n-hexacontane. Temperature-dependent spectra reveal spectral broadening and redshifts in dominant C-H bands at higher temperatures due to elevated nuclear motion. Deuterated isotopologues display narrower features, highlighting isotope effects. These results, corroborated by molecular dynamics and density functional theory (MD-DFT) simulations, demonstrate the importance of temperature and isotopic substitution in modulating nuclear motion effects. The study extends to the N 1s NEXAFS spectra of glycine and its derivative, glycine hydrochloride. Variable temperature experiments show how nuclear motion, including molecular vibrations and conformational changes, influences spectral broadening, peak shifts, and inconsistencies. These findings validate computational predictions and underscore the critical role of nuclear motion in defining spectral features. This project highlights the complex interplay of temperature, isotopic effects, and nuclear motion in shaping NEXAFS spectra, advancing its application for chemical and structural characterization of diverse molecular systems.
Production of biocrude by hydrothermal liquefaction of Canadian barks
(2025-06-02) Kalagnanam, Ramesh S; Dalai, Ajay K; Acharya, Bishnu; Yang, Qiaoqin
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Middle Cambrian linguliformean brachiopods of the Pika and Sullivan formations, southern Canadian Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada
(2025-06-02) Kline, Amy Marie; Sproat, Colin D; Pratt, Brian R; Buatois, Luis A; Aitken, Alec E; Mangano, Gabriela M
Linguliformean brachiopods were collected and described from the middle Cambrian Pika and Sullivan formations in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. These formations consist of coarse-grained grainstone interbedded with lime mudstones and siltstones in a storm-influenced, distal offshore setting. Grainstone and rudstone beds record high-energy events such as storms and tsunamis. Brachiopods occur mostly in the grainstone interbeds along with disarticulated trilobite sclerites and eocrinoid ossicles, all of which likely did not experience long-distance transport. Breakage of brachiopod valves is common in grainstone and is also observed alongside rare abrasion in lime mudstone, suggesting occasional bottom turbulence. Only rare specimens of the paterinid Micromitra Meek 1873 sp. indet. were found in the Bolaspidella trilobite Biozone (Drumian Stage) of the Pika Formation. The assemblage from the Cedaria trilobite Biozone (Guzhangian Stage) of the Sullivan Formation includes the obolids Dicellomus politus Hall 1871, D. cf. D. amblia Bell 1944, D. appalachia Walcott 1905, and D. nanus Meek and Hayden 1862. No acrotretids were recovered. This low-diversity fauna could reflect the deeper water and more outboard depositional setting of the Sullivan Formation in comparison to other contemporaneous units elsewhere. Brachiopods recovered from the Sullivan Formation at Mount Murchison, the most seaward locality, show a wider range of sizes by comparison to those from Windy Point, except for those belonging to D. politus. This suggests that the sorting of the valves at Mount Murchison was not as significantly affected by environmental factors such as intensity of high-energy events.
Discovering Value in Potash Mining Byproducts: Producing a Value-Added Soil Amendment From Natural Canadian Zeolite
(2025-06-02) Stoner, Brandon W; Chang, Wonjae; Ferguson, Grant; Acharya, Bishnu; Schoenau, Jeff; Beneteau, Donna
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.

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