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Access status: Open Access ,
From fields to friendships for Winnipeg’s young emerging adult male newcomers: how soccer facilitates social cohesion, integration, cross community relationships and peacebuilding
(2026-05-11) Oulai, Diwan; Khan, Saad Ahmad (Peace and Conflict Studies); Strachan, Leisha (Kinesiology & Recreation Management); Byrne, Sean
Winnipeg is a major Canadian destination for immigrants and refugees and a multicultural urban space where many young emerging adult male newcomers (18–25 years) confront structural and interpersonal barriers to integration, including racism, precarious employment, constrained access to education and work, social conflict, and risks such as exploitation and gang recruitment. Sport participation can also be constrained by cost, transportation, and exclusionary environments. Against this backdrop and building on critical and emancipatory peacebuilding perspectives that prioritize localized, youth-centered, and justice-oriented practices, this qualitative master’s thesis explored how soccer can function as a peacebuilding intervention that fosters social cohesion, social integration, and builds cross-community relationships among young emerging adult newcomers in Winnipeg. Primary data were generated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with four newcomers who had immigrated to Winnipeg within the past five years and were participating in programs delivered by the IPAC-Ukraine Soccer Club and Sport Without Boundaries. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Using a generic qualitative research methodology to foreground lived experience, the study found that soccer participation supported the formation and deepening of friendships that extended beyond the soccer field contributing to a sustained sense of belonging and community through repeated interaction and shared interests, serving as a mechanism for stress release that participants associated with a more peaceful everyday outlook. However, benefits were tempered by practical accessibility barriers, notably inadequate transportation to soccer fields and prohibitive registration fees. Overall, the findings suggest that soccer can meaningfully contribute to everyday peacebuilding and newcomer integration in Winnipeg, and its impact depends on reducing structural obstacles to participation as targeted policies and program investments that enhance affordability and mobility may strengthen social cohesion outcomes and inform locally grounded peacebuilding interventions.
Access status: Open Access ,
Alcohol–Wnt Signaling Interactions Induce Alterations in Early Tooth Morphogenesis: Insights from Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
(2026-05-08) Chen, Sophie; Dr. Vimi Mutalik (Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry); Dr. Raj Bhullar (Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry); Atukorallaya, Devi
Alcohol is a widely consumed psychoactive substance. However, its consumption during pregnancy acts as a potent teratogen that adversely affects fetal development. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been consistently associated with characteristic birth defects, categorized as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Individuals with FASD commonly present with several dental anomalies, including hypodontia, dysmorphic teeth, and enamel hypoplasia. Interestingly, similar dental phenotypes are observed following disruption of the Wnt signaling pathway, a highly conserved pathway that regulates multiple stages of tooth development. To better understand the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes, we aimed to investigate the cellular and molecular alterations associated with alcohol-induced dental defects, focusing on alcohol’s interaction with the Wnt signaling pathway. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with alcohol and Wnt signaling pathway modulators: LiCl (agonist) and WC-59 (antagonist). Histological analysis with toluidine blue staining revealed disrupted morphology and organization of enameloid-secreting epithelial cells, altering tooth germ number and size. Ultrastructural analysis further showed irregular mineralization density and patterning. Whole-mount immunohistochemistry using Wnt10a antibodies revealed reduced protein expression in alcohol and combined alcohol-Wnt treatment groups. Our results suggest that alcohol may suppress the Wnt pathway agonist and act synergistically with the Wnt pathway antagonist. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying FASD-associated dental defects and highlight the impact of PAE on tooth development.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring factors that contribute to keeping children safe at home: developing a model for preventing child apprehensions and supporting family unity
(2026-04-08) Pfau, Jamie; Stewart-Tufescu, Ashley (Social Work); Brownell, Marni (Community and Global Health); Levasseur, Karine (Political Studies); Maiter, Sarah (York University); Mignone, Javier
Manitoba has one of the highest child apprehension rates in the world, with Indigenous children accounting for approximately 90% of children in care. Despite significant structural reforms, the province’s child welfare system continues to reproduce colonial legacies and systemic inequities. This dissertation investigates how the General Authority of Manitoba has achieved a significant and sustained reduction in child apprehensions. Between 2017 and 2024, the General Authority reported a decline in the number of children in care by 46%. Furthermore, the General Authority reported a 54% reduction in the number of children and youth who were apprehended during this time. Given this significant reduction in apprehensions, this dissertation examines internal strategies, decision-making frameworks, and organizational philosophies that support family preservation and reduce apprehensions without compromising children’s safety and well-being. Using a qualitative embedded single-case study design, my research drew on twelve semi-structured interviews with child welfare professionals across three selected agencies within the General Authority. Supplementary data sources included internal documents and policy materials, as well as researcher reflexivity informed by lived experience as a foster parent, social worker, and child welfare advocate. Thematic analysis revealed five major findings: (1) the primary reasons children are apprehended remain rooted in complex intersections of domestic violence, substance use, and unmet mental health needs; (2) internal practices, including structured decision-making tools, the Safe & Together model, and increased tolerance for risk, have reduced unnecessary apprehensions; (3) external supports such as single-envelope funding and Bill C-92 have facilitated greater flexibility and innovation; (4) persistent structural challenges, including under-resourcing, worker burnout, and systemic bias, continue to hinder prevention efforts; and (5) participants offered practical recommendations to further shift child welfare culture toward relational, collaborative, and culturally safe practice. Drawing on critical theory and standpoint theory, my dissertation presents a nested conceptual model that illustrates how child welfare decision-making is shaped by micro-level (worker-family interactions), meso-level (organizational climates), and macro-level (systemic structures) factors. The model problematizes traditional “power-over” practices that rely on surveillance, compliance, and risk aversion, and instead elevates “power-with” approaches rooted in shared decision-making, cultural safety, and family-led planning. However, the model also identifies key tension points, or moments where systemic constraints disrupt even the most progressive practices. My study offers both a practical and theoretical contribution to the field of child welfare in Manitoba. It advances understanding of how structural reform, professional discretion, and relational practice can converge to reduce child apprehensions and support family unity. While centered on the General Authority, the findings may have broader implications for jurisdictions across Canada and beyond. These novel strategies are not a panacea for solving all problems related to child welfare. Instead, this new conceptual model seeks to build more equitable, prevention-focused, and culturally responsive child welfare systems. Recommendations are situated within decades of prior calls for change, including the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry and Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth reports.
Access status: Embargo ,
Advancing preclinical laser interstitial thermal therapy research through the establishment and validation of a murine model of glioblastoma
(2026-05-01) Spence, Andrew Jeremy; Ghavami, Saied (Human Anatomy Cell Science); Del Bigio, Marc (Pathology); Beiko, Jason (Surgery); Hombach-Klonisch, Sabine; Klonisch, Thomas
Introduction: Glioblastoma (GB) accounts for 48%-60% of all high-grade primary brain tumors in adults, and the prognosis is exceptionally grim, with a 5-year net survival of only 4.8%. Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) is a minimally-invasive hyperthermic in-situ tumor ablation method for inoperable brain tumors that provides an attractive therapeutic alternative to conventional surgical resection. However, a well-characterized murine model for LITT treatment of GB is lacking, which hinders preclinical research. Methods: Syngeneic glioma cell line CT2A was orthotopically implanted into male C57BL/6 mice aged 8-12 weeks using a stereotactic frame. Tumor burden was assessed using T2-weighted MRI, and pre- and post-treatment scans were obtained 1-day prior to and 1-day following treatment, respectively. The LITT procedure was performed using a custom 1064 nm Nd: YAG fiber-optic laser setup and compared with a novel sham treatment intended to mimic mechanical tissue damage from conventional surgery. Animals were sacrificed at 2- and 10-days post-treatment for tissue collection. The brain, cervical lymph nodes (cLN), and blood plasma provide both local (brain) and systemic (cLNs and plasma) views of the inflammatory and immune processes in response to LITT. For molecular validation, single-cell spatial transcriptomics using the 10X Genomics Xenium platform was performed using a targeted gene panel of 247 mouse brain genes plus 100 inflammatory markers, using sections from representative animals at the 2-days post-treatment timepoint. Data preprocessing included quality filtering, negative control probe expression assessment, and cell segmentation refinement via ProSeg. Downstream analyses employed Seurat and BANKSY for unsupervised clustering, cell-type annotation, and spatial niche identification. Results: A reproducible and clinically relevant preclinical animal model was developed. Initial validation using single-cell-level spatial transcriptomics provided detailed insights into the acute post-LITT microenvironment including an increased proportion of infiltrating macrophages, and the molecular characterization of a highly inflammatory injury-repair ablation niche. Conclusion: The successful establishment of this LITT murine model provides a valuable platform for investigating the unique features of LITT ablation and its effects on the tumor microenvironment, potentially leading to improved therapeutic strategies.
Access status: Open Access ,
Coparenting quality and family quality of life in families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders
(2026-04-28) Ronaghan, Dana; Newton Montgomery, Janine (Psychology); Hiebert-Murphy, Diane (Psychology); Dubois-Comtois, Karine (Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières); Malik, Sayma (Westchester Psychology); Theule, Jennifer
Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), present in childhood and are associated with needs in cognitive, social, academic, and adaptive domains. Parents of children with NDs face unique challenges, as they strive to meet the needs of their children. Having a parenting partner, or a coparent, with whom to share childrearing experiences and responsibilities can be beneficial. Individual family-member factors (e.g., child NDs) and family dynamics (e.g., coparenting) have the potential to impact family quality of life (FQOL), or the subjective sense of well-being within families. Objectives: The current study compared FQOL and coparenting quality across families of neurotypical (NT) children, children with clinically significant symptoms of ASD, ADHD, and co-occurring ASD and ADHD (ASD+ADHD), and between mother-father dyads. In addition, the extent to which coparenting quality predicts FQOL in neurodevelopmentally diverse families and the potential moderating role of child ND symptomology were explored. Method: 456 North American parents of children, ages 5 – 18 years, participated in an online survey including questions about coparenting quality and FQOL. Results: Mothers of NT children reported higher levels of coparenting quality and FQOL than mothers of children in the ADHD and ASD+ADHD groups. Fathers of NT children reported greater coparenting quality than fathers in the ASD, ADHD, and ASD+ADHD groups, and fathers’ coparenting quality was greater in the ADHD group than the ASD+ADHD group. Fathers of NT children reported greater FQOL than fathers in the ASD+ADHD group. No significant mother–father differences emerged within dyads. Coparenting quality significantly predicted FQOL, above and beyond effects of child age and child cognitive functioning for mothers and fathers in several neurodevelopmental groups. Child ND symptomology did not significantly moderate the association between coparenting quality and FQOL. Implications: This research expands upon existing knowledge on the connection between coparenting quality and FQOL of life in neurodevelopmentally diverse families. This research may inform the practices of parent and family support services, by aiding in identifying families who would benefit from coparenting interventions and emphasizing the importance of tailoring coparenting targets with neurodevelopment and family strengths in mind.
Access status: Open Access ,
Investigating the relationship between food & nutrition security among Manitoba youth using survey and linkable adminstrative data
(2026-05-01) Webb, Nikki; Nickel, Nathan C. (Community and Global Health); Katz, Alan (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences); de Souza, Russell (McMaster University); MacKay, Dylan
Background: Food and nutrition insecurity are shaped by social determinants of health and threaten adolescent health and academic potential. Limitations in nutrition surveillance and gaps in youth-specific food security assessment tools in Canada, have restricted the understanding of how social and economic factors intersect with food and nutrition security, and academic outcomes. Objectives: 1) Establish baseline data on the food and nutrition security among Grade 9 youth in Manitoba. 2) Describe patterns of food insecurity. 3) Examine associations between food insecurity, nutrition-related behaviours and key social determinants of health linked to worsening food insecurity. 4) Assess the impact of these factors, along with mental health, on academic achievement. 5) Identify social and economic factors influencing nutrition security to inform school food and nutrition policy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Grade 9 students (n=1587) across 14 schools divisions in Manitoba (2018-2019). Students completed a web-based survey assessing food security status, diet, eating behaviours, and well-being. With parental consent, a sub-sample (n=943) were linked with administrative records via the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Bivariate analyses and multivariable regression models examined associations between sociodemographic factors, diet quality (Healthy Eating Index Canada), eating behaviours, mental health, food security, and academic outcomes (p<0.05). Results: Overall, 20% of participants experienced food insecurity, 70% had suboptimal diets (mean HEI-C=56/100), and 9% did not achieve sufficient academic credits. Food security was positively associated with rural residence and higher neighbourhood income, and negatively associated with northern residence, infrequent lunch and family dinners, and poorer self-reported health. Food insecurity was not independently associated with diet quality. Better nutrition was associated with being female and eating lunch at school, while poorer diets were associated with northern residence, a mental health diagnosis, poorer self-reported health, and receipt of income assistance. Food insecurity, income assistance, and non-urban residence were all negatively associated with academic achievement. Conclusion: Food and nutrition insecurity remain public health concerns for Manitoba youth. Socioeconomic and geographic disparities contribute to food insecurity and academic achievement, while overall diet quality remains low. Current interventions appear insufficient to address these issues; harmonized approaches are needed to improve youth well-being.
Access status: Open Access ,
Pi-bracket sensor for crack detection monitoring near stiffeners in bridge girders
(2026-05-01) Telehanic, Boris; Bakht, Baidar (Civil Engineering); Svecova, Dagmar (Civil Engineering); Mukhopadhyaya, Phalguni (University of Victoria); Mufti, Aftab; Thomson, Douglas
This study investigates the design, validation, and performance of a pi-bracket sensor system for structural health monitoring of fatigue cracks in steel bridge girders through fiber optic sensors (FOSs), with a focus on detecting cracks near stiffeners, areas traditionally not monitored due to bending limitations of FOSs. Combining experimental testing, Finite Element Analysis, and theoretical validation, the research demonstrates that the pi-bracket configuration overcomes the limitations of FOSs by enabling strain measurements in critical, hard-to-access regions. Laboratory experiments confirmed the system’s sensitivity to crack openings as small as 0.2mm, with measurable strain magnitudes (129 µɛ) captured by FOS on the pi-bracket. FEA simulations isolated strain variations attributable solely to crack formation near stiffeners, revealing distinct strain differences at the pi-bracket crown (-2.37 µɛ for 0.1mm cracks and -4.74 µɛ for 0.2mm cracks) and contact point (-29.52 µɛ and -59.04 µɛ, respectively). The strain subtraction methodology effectively distinguished crack-induced strains from load-related effects, enabling targeted assessments of structural integrity. Integration with Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis technology ensured reliable distributed strain measurements while protecting sensors from mechanical damage. The system’s crack detection ability was confirmed through FEA simulations on full-scale girder models, demonstrating its adaptability for the field applications. These findings validate the pi-bracket system as a robust addition for detecting cracks in traditionally undetectable areas near stiffeners, overcoming FOS bending limitations and enhancing infrastructure resilience through monitoring. A comprehensive case study on a steel bridge in Manitoba, Canada, further demonstrated the capability of the pi-bracket sensor system for continuous, high-resolution strain measurement, specifically in fatigue-critical stiffened regions. A conservative crack detection threshold of 37µɛ was established and validated through extensive field instrumentation. The proposed crack detection procedure, grounded in FEA simulations and enhanced by signal processing techniques to compensate for temperature and environmental noise, was successfully validated against field data. Although no active cracks were detected during monitoring, the system showed sensitivity and robustness in differentiating crack-related strain signals from structural and environmental variations. These results provide a strong foundation for future deployments aimed at early crack detection, promising improvements in structural safety, maintenance prioritization, and longevity of steel bridges.
Access status: Embargo ,
Time domain reflectometry techniques in grounding electrodes fault detection
(2026-03-26) Alam, A K M Monsurul; Thomson, Douglas (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Sri Ranjan, Ranjan (Biosystems Engineering); Kandic, Miodrag (Electrical and Computer Engineering); El-Hag, Ayman (University of Waterloo); Bridges, Greg
A grounding system is an integral part of any electrical network, especially in substations, power plants, and industrial operations. Faults in grounding systems pose a serious threat to compromising power equipment protection and worker safety. A large number of vertical electrodes are used to construct a grounding network, and breakpoints in these electrodes due to soil-induced corrosion are one of the prime reasons for faults. This thesis proposes, for the first time, the use of time domain reflectometry (TDR) techniques for fault detection in vertical grounding electrodes. First, an approach based on a rod insertion method is presented. Here, a secondary electrode is inserted adjacent to the grounding electrode while a fast risetime pulse is continuously applied to excite a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) wave that propagates along the electrodes and reflects from the breakpoint. The reflected signals for different depths of the secondary electrode are analyzed to identify the location and severity of the breakpoint. Second, a single wire time domain reflectometry (SW-TDR) technique is developed and shown to be a viable method for grounding electrode fault detection. In SW-TDR, a fast rise-time pulse is injected onto the single conductor grounding electrode primarily exciting transverse magnetic (TM) mode surface wave propagation. The surface wave propagates along the electrode and is reflected at any impedance mismatch such as a fault in the electrode. The mismatch location and severity of the fault can be identified using the reflected signal waveform. Expressions for the fields of the surface wave supported by a finite-length single electrode in a lossy medium are presented. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed techniques, a full-wave simulation approach is used to evaluate the wideband input impedance of both a single grounding electrode and a configuration with grounding and inserted electrodes. FFT is then applied to obtain the corresponding TDR responses. The results show the proposed TDR techniques are capable of detecting faults for a wide range of soil conductivity for a system bandwidth of 300MHz. Experimental methods have been developed for both the rod insertion and single wire TDR techniques. The electrode dimensions, soil electrical parameters of the ground media, and input pulse bandwidth are scaled to maintain the same transient pulse propagation characteristics as in the full-scale numerical analysis. Both full-scale numerical simulations and scale-model measurements demonstrate that full breakpoints and partially damaged regions can be identified along with the fault severity and type. In the full-scale simulation case, a maximum deviation of 6.5% from the theoretical estimation is observed for the rod insertion method, and 4% for the single-wire TDR method. The experimental results show a deviation of less than 7% from both the theoretical estimation and numerical simulations in determining the fault location using the rod insertion approach, and a deviation of 9% for the single-wire TDR approach.
Access status: Open Access ,
Optimization of BESS placement and control parameters for frequency stability in renewable-intensive power systems
(2026-03-26) Malekan, Mina; Kordi, Behzad (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Annakkage, Udaya (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Filizadeh, Shaahin
The increasing integration of renewable energy resources into power systems has heightened the need for advanced optimization methods to maintain the grid's stability and efficiency. This thesis presents a framework that integrates Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) simulations in PSCAD/ EMTDC with a genetic algorithm (GA) optimizer, implemented through Python’s PyGAD open-source library, to optimize the placement and sizing of battery energy storage systems (BESS). The primary objective is to enhance frequency regulation in response to disturbances caused by the variability of solar power generation. A 12-bus power system, incorporating both synchronous machines and a solar power plant, is modeled and simulated. Candidate BESS locations are selected with the goal of optimization being to determine the most suited location as well as the size of the required BESS. The objective function considers both the frequency nadir and a measure of the cost associated with the number of BESS units deployed. Simulation results show that the GA successfully identifies optimal BESS configurations, demonstrating that without a cost constraint, the optimizer favors the deployment of a large number of units with low droop settings to minimize frequency deviation. Including the cost terms results in a more balanced trade-off between performance and asset cost. The study further highlights the significant impact of BESS placement on system frequency response, underscoring the importance of strategic siting in future grid planning. The proposed EMT-based optimization framework provides a robust and accurate approach for addressing complex, non-linear optimization problems in modern, renewable-rich power systems.
Access status: Open Access ,
Targeting non-genetic kinase-dependent signaling pathways to prevent group 3 medulloblastoma tumor relapse
(2026-04-29) Chawla, Ujala; Doble, Brad (Biochemistry and Medical Genetics); Haigh, Jody (Pharmacology and Therapeutics); Sharif, Tanveer
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain tumor, accounting for about 25% of childhood brain tumor cases. Among its molecular subgroups, Group 3 (G3) is particularly aggressive, marked by high rates of metastasis at diagnosis and a devastating 30% recurrence rate that is nearly fatal because of its therapy-resistant nature. Although the transcriptional programs driving primary tumors are well characterized, the molecular mechanisms underlying the transition to therapy resistance remain poorly understood. This challenge is further complicated by the extreme scarcity of matched primary and recurrent patient specimens. To overcome this challenge, we established a clinically relevant experimental model in which G3 MB cells were treated with standard-of-care chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and living cells were isolated. We then mapped signaling adaptations in these CRT-surviving cell populations, discovering that the non-receptor tyrosine kinase SRC and its downstream effectors were significantly upregulated following CRT. Interestingly, this adaptive increase was exclusive to the G3 MB and was not observed in the SHH subgroup, Group 4 MB, normal human astrocytes, or neural stem cells. Functional validation through genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition showed that SRC acts as a central survival anchor for these cells. Disrupting SRC affected the stemness circuitry, involving key factors such as SOX2, NOTCH1, OCT4, and NANOG, and further hindered both migratory and proliferative capabilities. The loss of progenitor identity was accompanied by increased expression of the neuronal marker TUBB3, indicating a forced shift toward terminal lineage differentiation. This fundamental change effectively stripped the cells of their plasticity, initiating dual-mode programmed cell death through both apoptotic and necroptotic pathways. Finally, repurposing the blood-brain-barrier-permeable SRC inhibitor, Saracatinib, in combination with standard CRT in patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models led to a significant reduction in tumor burden and an extension of overall survival, all without causing neurotoxicity. By uncovering a previously hidden mechanism of recurrence in G3 MB, our research provides a rationale for the clinical application of SRC inhibitors. This approach offers a transformative, neuro-sparing opportunity in pediatric oncology by specifically targeting the signaling pathways that enable the most aggressive tumors to survive, adapt, and recur.