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Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies collections containing Graduate Theses and Practica. The content will include textual material with images of data when available.
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Recent Submissions

Access status: Embargo ,
Transsynaptic organization underlying a cerebellar gateway
(2026-08-11) Siddiqui, Mohd Sarim; Wang, Jun-Feng (Pharmacology and Therapeutics); Eftekharpour, Eftekhar (Physiology and Pathophysiology); Siddiqui, Tabrez
Transsynaptic adhesion molecules coordinate the precise alignment of presynaptic release machinery with postsynaptic receptor nanodomains, serving as fundamental architects of neural circuits. Among these, leucine-rich repeat transmembrane neuronal protein 3 (LRRTM3) is an understudied postsynaptic organizer and a genetic risk factor for autism spectrum disorder. Despite its known role in excitatory synapse development, how LRRTM3 governs nanoscale synaptic organization within the cerebellar glomerulus, a key gateway for sensory integration, remains poorly understood. To address this gap, I used two novel mouse models generated using CRISPR Cas9 genome editing, an endogenous 2xHA-tagged-LRRTM3 knock-in line for protein visualization and a global knockout line Lrrtm3⁻/⁻ for functional analysis. Immunohistochemical mapping showed that LRRTM3 is broadly expressed across the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum, colocalizing extensively with excitatory postsynaptic markers. LRRTM3 expression follows a tightly regulated spatiotemporal pattern. In the hippocampus, it emerges by postnatal day 12 and refines to the outer molecular layer of the dentate gyrus by day 21. In the cerebellum, LRRTM3 initiates at day 7 within the granule cell layer. Using super-resolution airyscan imaging, I found that LRRTM3 progressively tightens its association with the postsynaptic density in cerebellar glomeruli, becoming significantly enriched by postnatal day 30, marking it as a key player in circuit stabilization. In Lrrtm3⁻/⁻ mice, I confirmed no compensatory upregulation of related family members, establishing its non-redundant functional role. Expansion microscopy revealed a specific and bidirectional disruption of transsynaptic nanocolumn alignment, with increased distance between AMPA receptors and presynaptic release sites paired with compression of the Homer1 to active zone axis, while NMDA receptor associated organization and inhibitory axis remained intact. This indicates pathway-specific regulation of receptor-release site geometry. Electron microscopy further revealed coordinated reductions in excitatory and inhibitory synapse numbers, with the excitatory-inhibitory balance preserved. Surviving excitatory synapses showed shortened postsynaptic densities, reduced active zone lengths, and fewer docked vesicles, without changes to cleft width or PSD thickness. Together, these findings identify LRRTM3 as an essential, pathway-specific nanocolumn organizer, offering a mechanistic link between transsynaptic adhesion disruption and the sensory and cognitive phenotypes observed in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Access status: Embargo ,
The agri-food supply chain and short-line railways: an examination of benefits and challenges through a social capital perspective
(2026-07-15) DE ALWIS, DANDENIYAGE THARAKABHANU; Appadoo, Srimantoorao (Supply Chain Management); Gajpal, Yuvraj (Supply Chain Management); Ramachandran, Divya (Marketing); Malalgoda, Narendra
This study examines the social mechanisms underlying the formation and operation of community-led short-line railways within the agrifood supply chain in Canada following the institutional withdrawal of national Class I railways, while simultaneously providing a mathematically rigorous framework for macro-economic investment prioritization. While the technical and economic impacts of short-line railways are documented, the role of rural community collective action in the resilience of rural transport infrastructure remains understudied. Utilizing a sequential mixed-methods design, the first phase of this research conducts a deductive content analysis of Canadian short-line operators, providing evidence on how aspects of social capital facilitate collective action amidst institutional withdrawal. The findings reveal the presence of trust, associative density, and civic participation in narratives on the formation of Canadian short-line railways. Furthermore, this study identifies perceived environmental, social, and economic benefits and challenges of Canadian short-line railways, which are subsequently discussed through the forms of social capital. Although strong bonding capital can be attributed to the beneficial outcomes, the sector faces critical challenges rooted in a deficit of bridging and linking social capital, leading to technical resource gaps and regulatory navigation challenges. Crucially, the study also argues that this reliance on local communities represents an unfair burden where the responsibility of maintaining the supply chain is offloaded onto rural communities. To address these institutional constraints, the second phase of this research develops a quantitative Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model to evaluate infrastructure investment readiness across the four Western Canadian provinces. By integrating the Entropy and Variance Weight methods, the model establishes objective criteria weights derived directly from regional data behavior across five indicators: Agrifood Sector GDP, Road Network Density, Existing Short-Line Rail Density, Agrifood Export Values, and Agricultural Employment. These weights are funneled into the Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) framework, where a robust sensitivity analysis confirms mathematical invariance under parameter variations, yielding a stable prioritization hierarchy with Saskatchewan ranking first, followed by Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia. This research advances social capital theory by applying the framework to the novel context of rural transport infrastructure resilience, providing evidence of the underlying social and relational mechanisms. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that rural transportation infrastructure is a critical part of the rural community, couples’ grassroots resilience with a stable optimization model, and provides empirical recommendations on cultivating social capital and targeted capital allocation for rural transport infrastructure resilience.
Access status: Open Access ,
5 Simple Prompts to Streamline the Evidence Synthesis Process
(14th International Congress on Medical Librarianship, 2026-07-16) Lê, Mê-Linh
Aim: The rapid development of readily available artificial intelligence (AI) has resulted in numerous tools and software that can streamline the evidence synthesis process. Depending on an information specialist's expertise, access to funds, and comfort, AI can be integrated into almost any stage of an evidence synthesis. But what about those who don’t have the time, training, or money to access the best models and tools? This presentation will introduce attendees to simple prompts that can be used in any freely available genAI tool (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini) to easily and efficiently streamline repetitive tasks when creating and translating comprehensive search strategies, documenting search documentation, and drafting communication with team members. Methods: Using freely accessible models provided by OpenAI (ChatGPT), Google (Gemini), and Anthropic (Claude), prompts will be developed and tested that streamline repetitive tasks that are typically performed by information specialists as part of an evidence synthesis. Results: Testing on the prompts using different models is currently underway, and results will be fully available in early 2026. Preliminary use of the prompts in a single model has resulted in decreased time spent on search term development, modification of search syntax, and project administration. Discussion/Conclusion: The use of machine learning and generative artificial intelligence in evidence synthesis has spurred the development of numerous tools and applications. Research on how these technologies affect the work of information specialists is growing rapidly, sometimes to the point of feeling overwhelming or even concerning.1-3 Yet, because information specialists are often asked to contribute to more reviews than they can reasonably accept, AI offers an opportunity to streamline repetitive tasks and free time for higher-level work, whether that means supporting additional projects or focusing on the most complex aspects of a review. The prompts shared in this session can be readily incorporated into any information specialist’s toolkit to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in evidence synthesis.
Access status: Open Access ,
Trajectory of Kidney Function in T1D over Time: A Scoping Review
(Springer Nature, 2026-07-15) Co, Favian; Whitlock, Reid; Katta, Arvind; Aldworth, Carolina; Mares, Jon; Zheng, Zihe; Ferri, Mauricio; Askin, Nicole; Tangri, Navdeep
Introduction: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Contemporary data on the natural history of kidney function decline and the effect of therapies on slowing disease progression in T1D-related CKD are limited. We conducted a scoping review to describe the natural trajectory of kidney function and its effects in individuals with T1D in the USA. Methods: In our scoping review of observational studies and grey literature, we searched EMBASE (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL; Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO)], MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), Global Health (Ovid), and the Food and Drug Administration from inception to 25 April 2025. The study population included adults (age ≥ 18 years) with T1D in the USA. Our outcomes were change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), MACE (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, cardiovascular death, unstable angina, or heart failure hospitalization), and healthcare resource use (HCRU). We screened 6437 abstracts and selected 22 texts that matched our criteria. Results: In one cohort, more than 50.0% of individuals with T1D developed moderately increased albuminuria (UACR > 30–299 mg/g) after 20 years and two cohort studies in T1D observed a progressive annual eGFR decline of 3 mL/min/1.73 m2. Five cohort studies found higher proportions of individuals with T1D experienced MACE or kidney failure versus those without T1D. Cross-sectional studies estimated total annual cost of HCRU in the USA at $17–27.8 billion for those with T1D, with annual per-patient costs ranging from $73,534–$112,833 for kidney failure and $40,889–$86,417 for components of MACE. Conclusions: T1D is associated with a high burden of CKD, MACE, and healthcare costs. A clearer understanding of the trajectory of kidney function decline in T1D would help providers and policymakers understand the impact potential therapies to treat T1D-related CKD may have on reducing the risk of kidney failure, MACE, and HCRU.
Access status: Open Access ,
A population-based study on the impact of social determinants of health on time to treatment of stage I lung cancer in Ontario, Canada
(BMC, 2026-05-20) Hanna, Nader M.; Shakeel, Saad; Akhtar-Danesh, Gileh-Gol; Finley, Christian; Akhtar-Danesh, Noori
Background: Timely treatment of Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is essential to improving outcomes, yet disparities persist in access to treatment across patient populations. This study aimed to assess the association between social determinants of health (SDOH) and time to treatment for patients with Stage I NSCLC in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using linked administrative databases. Adults diagnosed with Stage I lung cancer between 2007 and 2023 were included if they underwent either surgery or radiotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy, or surgery and radiotherapy were excluded. Flexible parametric models were used to evaluate associations between SDOH and time to treatment, stratified by treatment modality. Results: Among 10,734 patients with Stage I NSCLC, 7,366 (68.6%) received surgery only and 3,022 (28.2%) received radiotherapy only. Only 346 (3.2%) received both surgery and radiation. Increased time to treatment was significantly associated with advanced age (> 80 years: HR = 0.61, p < 0.001), higher comorbidity burden (> 5 comorbidities: HR = 0.80, p = 0.004), and being virtually rostered with a family physician (HR = 0.91, p = 0.001). Patients in the lowest neighbourhood income quintile had significantly longer time to treatment compared to higher quintiles (Q5: HR = 1.13, p < 0.001). Those living 50–100 km from a cancer centre experienced longer time to treatment (HR = 0.93, p = 0.011), as did patients treated in the Eastern region (HR = 0.79, p < 0.001) compared to those in the Central region. Time to treatment shortened over time, with improvements seen in 2015–2023 compared to 2007–2009. Conclusions: This study identifies age, comorbidity, socioeconomic status, geographic distance, and regional location as key SDOH associated with prolonged time to treatment for Stage I NSCLC in Ontario. These findings highlight ongoing inequities in cancer care and underscore the need for targeted policy and system-level interventions to improve timely treatment for vulnerable populations.
Access status: Open Access ,
Essays on CEO vocal emotions, financial disclosure, and capital market responses
(2026-07-30) Jin, Linlin; Wang, Jun (Accounting and Finance); Wang, Xikui (Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies and Research); Wood, Geoffrey (Western University); Wu, Zhenyu
This dissertation examines whether CEOs’ vocal emotions during earnings conference calls convey value-relevant information beyond traditional financial disclosures and textual content. Using Layered Voice Analysis (LVA) on earnings call recordings of S&P 500 firms, I investigate how non-verbal vocal cues reveal managerial beliefs, shape capital market participants’ interpretations, and predict future firm outcomes. The dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay examines CEO excitement and distinguishes between authentic and inauthentic emotional expression. The findings show that performance-consistent excitement is associated with favorable stock market reactions and lower perceived risk, whereas excessive or misaligned excitement is interpreted as less credible and is associated with weaker subsequent performance and higher risk perception. The second essay focuses on CEO vocal stress as an involuntary signal of private concern. I find that high vocal stress predicts more negative analyst forecast revisions and greater analyst forecast dispersion, suggesting that analysts partially recognize stress as an adverse signal. However, vocal stress also predicts negative future earnings surprises and post-earnings announcement drift, indicating that analysts and investors do not fully incorporate the information embedded in CEO voice. The third essay develops a multidimensional framework of CEO emotional incongruence. Using principal component analysis, I identify two dimensions of vocal negativity: Cognitive Burden, reflected in stress, hesitation, and sadness, and Defensive Arousal, reflected in uneasiness and aggression. These vocal signals predict future earnings management and financial reporting quality. A two-stage decomposition further shows that residual vocal signals, after purging current earnings management, retain predictive power for future reporting outcomes. Together, the three essays show that CEO voice is an economically meaningful information channel. This dissertation contributes to the literature on corporate disclosure, behavioral finance, analyst underreaction, post-earnings announcement drift, and financial reporting quality by demonstrating that non-verbal executive communication reveals hidden information about firm risk, future performance, and reporting credibility.
Access status: Open Access ,
Smartwatch intervention for stress management: a pilot study amongst undergraduate students
(2026-08-10) Sitka, Madissen; Roos, Leslie (Psychology); Kim, Sunmee (Psychology); Giuliano, Ryan
Experiences of stress result in the activation of a variety of psychophysiological systems designed to address the increased demands of the environment that exceed routine demands. While such activation is initially productive in supporting one's ability to manage and address stressors, prolonged activation as a result of exposure to chronic and unpredictable stressors can lead to maladaptive physiological and psychological outcomes. Here, we investigated how a smartwatch psychoeducational intervention grounded in key principles of biofeedback might impact sleep duration and cardiovascular reactivity and recovery from a laboratory acute stressor. Thirty-three undergraduate students were randomized to either a self-guided smartwatch intervention or control group, and completed a longitudinal intervention, with pre- and post-intervention laboratory assessments of cardiovascular responsivity to acute stress. In total, 14 participants had useable data and were included in analysis. Permutation-based mixed-model analyses revealed no significant time-by-condition change in HRV responsivity, phasic HRV, or HR (p’s > 0.05) during the second administration of the acute stressor task. Furthermore, no time by condition specific improvement in sleep duration or negative affect was evident (p’s > 0.05). Feasibility analysis indicated that 54% of participants evidenced improvement in their sleep hygiene knowledge with 27% indicating a perceived improvement in sleep quality. Although results indicate promising effects of the intervention on participants perception and knowledge of sleep, findings suggest more research is needed to explore how to effectively translate key concepts of biofeedback interventions into a light-touch smartwatch intervention.
Access status: Open Access ,
The role of visual and proprioceptive feedback for motor imagery tasks
(2026-06-17) Wood, Stephen; Greening, Steven (Psychology); Glazebrook, Cheryl (Kinesiology and Recreation Management); Marotta, Jonathan
Motor imagery refers to the internal simulation or rehearsal of movements without physical execution. These internal action simulations are thought to evoke the same cognitive and neuronal processes involved in motor performance. One significant difference between motor imagery and motor execution is the availability of online sensory feedback for performance. The present study evaluated whether online sensory feedback systems are involved in motor imagery. Fifty participants completed the Hand Laterality Judgement Task (HLJT) in four conditions that altered the availability of visual and proprioceptive feedback from participants’ hands during task performance (control, no vision, disrupted proprioception, no vision + disrupted proprioception). The results indicate: 1) Online sensory feedback is used to simulate actions effectively; 2) implicit motor imagery continues to be used to identify the laterality of hands when sensory feedback is disrupted; 3) both visual and proprioceptive feedback contribute to motor imagery performance in the HLJT, which indicates that participants use both internal and kinesthetic imagery to make hand laterality judgements.
Access status: Open Access ,
Assisted reproductive technology: governance challenges for the European Union
(2025-08-15) Carlson, Michayla
The research seeks to examine the relationship between Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and Cross-Border Reproductive Care (CBRC) within the European Union (EU). The research finds that an increased level of transnational governance is needed to regulate the ART industry and mitigate CBRC. Prevailing issues within the ART industry require regional coordination and cooperation between EU states. Human and gamete trafficking, labour exploitation and contested citizenship have increased as the EU has overlooked CBRC as a policy and governance issue. This research highlights the gaps in EU regulations and standards on surrogacy. Five court cases; [Mennesson v. France, 2014 (65192/11), Labassee v. France, (65941/11), Foulon and Bouvet v France, (9063/14, 10410/14), Paradiso and Campanelli v. Italy, (25358/12) and D. v. France, (11288/18)] presented before the European Court of Human Rights are examined to understand the legal precedents and implications for EU policy. As global infertility rates rise the EU will need to implement an integrated governance strategy to ensure equity and transparency in ART practices.
Access status: Open Access ,
Reimagining justice: exploring the possibilities and pitfalls of alternative approaches for addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Bangladesh
(2026-08-08) Meghla, Mansura Akter; Woolford, Andrew (Sociology & Criminology); Anderson, Kjell (Law); Laperrière, Marie
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a pervasive issue in Bangladesh despite decades of legal reforms. While these reforms have expanded criminal sanctions, existing literature suggests that concerns regarding survivors’ access to meaningful justice persist nonetheless. Informed by anti-carceral feminism, intersectionality and postcoloniality, I examine the perceived inadequacies of Bangladesh’s current punitive approaches to SGBV. And consequently, explore how SGBV advocacy stakeholders in Bangladesh understand and imagine alternative approaches to justice within the country’s socio-legal context as a response to the existing system’s inadequacies. Using a qualitative research design, I interviewed lawyers, researchers, NGO practitioners, and caseworkers. The findings of my study are twofold. First, the analysis revealed that Bangladesh’s criminal justice system, like many criminal justice systems globally, is constrained by procedural delays, institutional shortcomings, and broader structural barriers. Second, despite such intersecting socio-legal and structural inequalities that continue to shape survivors’ ability to access justice, imagining justice beyond punishment remains profoundly difficult (even among SGBV advocacy stakeholders who are deeply aware of the limitations of punitive justice). This tension suggests that the challenge is not simply the absence of alternatives but the broader social, legal, and historical conditions that constrain justice imagination in the first place.