Manitoba Heritage Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/1993/3098

Contains full text Manitoba-related theses dating from 1902 to the present.

The University of Manitoba Libraries gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Manitoba Department of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Sport in the digitization of many of these theses.

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 6515

Open Access
The 1819-20 measles epidemic : its origin, diffusion and mortality effects upon the Indians of the Petit Nord
(1992) Hackett, F. J. Paul
In 1819-20, measles swept through the native populations of the fur trading lands of the Canadian Northwest. This was the first such epidemic in this region and was accompanied by mortalities characteristic of virgin soil epidemics. This study seeks to establish the origins of this epidemic and the pathways by which it reached the Northwest. It then examines in detail the diffusion of the disease throughout the Petit Nord, or the eastern section of the Northwest lying to the east of Lake Winnipeg and between Hudson Bay and Lake Superior. Finally, it attempts to reconstruct the distribution and magnitude of the mortalities among the native peoples of this region. The evidence indicates that the measles diffused from the northeastern U.S. from an endemic focus comprised of the cities of Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia. The virus was then relocated westward along two routes, entering the Canadian Northwest at Brandon House, on the eastern plains, and at Fort William, at the western end of Lake Superior. Within the Petit Nord, the disease was confined to the more heavily populated souihwestern sector, where it was carried by North West Company canoe brigades from Fort William. Among the afflicted populations, the severity of the disease and resultant mortality varied widely, with as many as two-thirds succumbing in some places and relatively few at others. The 1819-20 measles epidemic marked the beginning of a new era in the disease history of the Canadian Northwest. lt was the result of the breakdown in the isolation of the Northwest, a process which accelerated as the nineteenth century progressed and led to frequent epidemics of diseases previously absent from the region.
Open Access
The 1819-20 measles epidemic : its sociocultural and economic consequences in the Brandon House area
(2002) Nordland, Lori Rae Podolsky
The Plains Cree, Assiniboine and Ojibwa of the Brandon House area were afflicted by the 1819-20 measles epidemic. Each group experienced different mortality rates as a result of differences in their coping strategies. This study examines the various mortality rates through factors such as nutritional intake, suitable housing and overall health. It then attempts to apply the Human Behaviour Model, as developed by Michael Trimble, to the situation at Brandon House and look for anomalies in his model. Finally, this thesis seeks to take a holistic approach in understanding the interrelationship between the local and global events occurring in the early part of the 1800s, as well as the political, social and economic changes experienced by the First Nations peoples. At this time, these people experienced sociocultural and economic changes that both impacted and were impacted by the 1819-20 measles epidemic. In examining the diffusion of the 1819-20 measles epidemic, Michael Trimble's model is based upon the Mandan-Hidatsa horticultural community. While some aspects of his model are applicable to the hunting-based economy of the First Nations people at Brandon House, socioeconomic factors including alcohol consumption are neglected. In addition, a more in-depth analysis of nutritional intake (diet) and social and mental health illuminate the importance of these factors on the immune system and their impact on mortality rates. As nutritional deficiency increases and health decreases, the immune system becomes compromised and a person becomes more susceptible to disease and secondary infections. As the Plains Cree and Assiniboine experienced a decline in their role as middlemen in the fur trade, they began to lose their economic and political position with the Mandan First Nations. Within the historical fur trade literature, political and socioeconomic events such as the "Horse Wars" appear to be removed from the affects of the disease, this is not always the case. Thus, the consequences of the 1819-20 measles epidemic were influenced by human behaviour since the cultural responses to disease are as important as the epidemiological factors.
Open Access
1988 Manitoba woodlot owner survey : an assessment of private forest owners, within Forest Management Units 01, 20 and 23
(1992) Hreno, J. Trent
Open Access
A 3 DOF pneumatic manipulandum for wrist rehabilitation
(2020-09-24) Aleed, Yasser; Liang, Xihui (Mechanical Engineering) Szturm, Tony (Physical Therapy); Sepehri, Nariman (Mechanical Engineering)
Robotic assistive technologies are increasingly used to enhance the physical rehabilitation of patients who have suffered disorders such as strokes. Not only does it make the lives of disabled and elderly patients easier, but it also improves their body functionalities. Robotic assistive technologies offer people a second chance to overcome challenges that come with their disability. The objective of the thesis is to design, prototype and evaluate a 3 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) pneumatic manipulandum for wrist rehabilitation that is capable of accommodating to wrist motions (ulnar deviation, radial deviation, flexion or extension). Since the wrist is the most mobile part of the hand, its post-stroke rehabilitation is difficult. In order to accommodate the wrist motion, 3 DOF are needed. 2 DOF are needed for the horizontal motion and another DOF to allow the manipulandum to move up and down with the wrist. Each DOF is actuated by one pneumatic actuator. The design is prototyped using a 3D printer. The workspace and the required force are analyzed and calculated based on the kinematics of the manipulandum. The pneumatic actuators that were chosen are available in non-magnetic material, which means they are compatible with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI-compatible). The manipulandum is connected to a Neuro Function Evaluation (NFE) game which is used in the Rehabilitation Centre in Winnipeg. While running the game, the manipulandum is tested and evaluated in assistive and resistive modes. The performance of the manipulandum is analyzed using two methods: image processing and file streaming. The image processing method determines the location of the ball and the location of the paddle of the NFE game in the screen by taking screenshots, while the file streaming method is used to obtain those two locations from the code of the game itself.
Open Access
692 Main Street : a revisioning of an urban void : an exploration into challenging cultural perceptions of an urban vacant lot
(2008) Little, Gregory M.
Open Access
738 years of global climate model simulated streamflow in the Nelson-Churchill River Basin
(2016) Vieira, Michael John Fernandes; Rasmussen, Peter (Civil Engineering) Stewart, Ronald (Environment and Geography) Koenig, Kristina (Manitoba Hydro); Stadnyk, Tricia (Civil Engineering)
Uncertainty surrounds the understanding of natural variability in hydrologic extremes such as droughts and floods and how these events are projected to change in the future. This thesis leverages Global Climate Model (GCM) data to analyse 738 year streamflow scenarios in the Nelson-Churchill River Basin. Streamflow scenarios include a 500 year stationary period and future projections forced by two forcing scenarios. Fifty three GCM simulations are evaluated for performance in reproducing observed runoff characteristics. Runoff from a subset of nine simulations is routed to generate naturalized streamflow scenarios. Quantile mapping is then applied to reduce volume bias while maintaining the GCM’s sequencing of events. Results show evidence of future increases in mean annual streamflow and evidence that mean monthly streamflow variability has decreased from stationary conditions and is projected to decrease further into the future. There is less evidence of systematic change in droughts and floods.
Open Access
A bout of time: decolonization and futurity in Indigenous speculative fiction
(2024-01-04) Burns, Nicole; Joo, Hee-Jung Serenity (English, Theatre, Film and Media); Thorpe, Jocelyn (Women's and Gender Studies); Cariou, Warren
Works of Indigenous speculative fiction (SF) depict a perspective of temporality that differs from the mainstream Western conception of time as linear and teleological. Novels such as Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves and Hunting by Stars and Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow portray settler colonialism as an ongoing process rather than a historical event; in doing so, they challenge hegemonic notions of settler futurity by asserting an Indigenous presence and affirming the inevitability of Indigenous futures. This thesis analyzes Dimaline’s and Rice’s works to examine how Indigenous SF reorients readers into Indigenous temporalities and critiques assumptions of Indigenous disappearance or victimry through their portrayals of settler colonial violence and environmental destabilization. These authors use apocalyptic and dystopian settings to demonstrate how Indigenous peoples will survive the end of colonial capitalism through self-determination and a reliance on their own epistemes. Both the characters in and readers of Indigenous SF are motivated to generate Indigenous futurisms from within the present through a revitalization of Indigenous languages and practices. This critical examination of Indigenous SF situates the genre within the contexts of ecocriticism, decolonization (or biskaabiiyang), and futurity to showcase how different perceptions of time alter the possibilities for the future.
Open Access
A comparison of the Canadian Rangers with the Canadian Army’s Primary Reserve Force
(2024-08-07) Holden, Ashley; Fergusson, James (Political Studies); Peeler, Bryan (Political Studies); Charron, Andrea
The Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) Canadian Rangers program is lauded by allies as an inventive program to provide remote Canadian communities and Arctic hamlets with Indigenous Army Reserve units. While the Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the CAF Army Reserve, they employ a separate operation model than the Primary Reserve Forces. CAF Primary Reserve units are located in hundreds of larger communities across Canada with many part-time positions and training often occurring on weekends. While the Primary Army Reserves and Canadian Rangers both fall under the large umbrella that is the Army Reserves, there are significant differences. A comprehensive analysis of the Canadian Rangers and Primary Reserve Force members is examined in this thesis. Both internal and external characteristics of each group are examined. The internal factors compared include: leadership, rank structure, typical tasks, guiding documents, discipline, military professionalism, training plans, command and control structures and combat capabilities. The external characteristics compared include each group’s geographical location, recruitment demographics, and different ways of knowing. This thesis asks, why does the Government of Canada have separate Army Reserve systems with differing internal and external characteristics? What are the differences and similarities between the groups and what are the lessons learned? These are the questions this research project addresses to glean policy-informed advice for the CAF, Government of Canada, and allies.
Open Access
A comprehensive metabolomic-assisted investigation of bioactive phenolic and lipophilic compounds in underutilized Canadian wild berries
(2024-03-25) Kodikara, Chamali; Aluko, Rotimi (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences); Suh, Miyoung (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences); Bandara, Nandika; Wijekoon, Champa
Prairie berries are cold hardy fruits consumed by Canadians for their perceived health benefits. Phenolic compounds, fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenes are important bioactive molecules in berries. Assessment of the bioactive compounds is essential to identify their potential as a functional food. The objective of this study was to comprehensively examine the contents of phenolic compounds, fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenes content of fourteen different berries grown in prairies. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) method was developed and used for the comprehensive and simultaneous analysis of 66 phenolic compounds in fourteen different types of Canadian wild berries. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenes in the aforementioned berries. In vitro, lipid peroxidation was tested in all the selected wild berry types. Principal component analysis and analysis of variance were performed to identify the significance of the results. Wild grapes were rich in phenolic compounds such as resveratrol, while gooseberries were rich in isoquercetin and p-coumaric acid. Saskatoon berries were rich in chlorogenic acid. Rutin and chlorogenic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in chokecherry. Essential fatty acids such as linoleic and α-linolenic acids were found in wild grapes, buckthorn and Saskatoon berries. Predominant phytosterols and terpenes identified in Canadian wild berries included β-sitosterol, isofucosterol, phytol, and α-amyrin. The novel UHPLC-HRMS method for phenolic compounds and a GC-MS method for lipophilic compounds proved that the underutilized wild berries consist of unique and beneficial phenolic compounds, essential fatty acids, phytosterols and terpenes. As a source of these important bioactive compounds, these berries have the potential to function as antioxidants and antihypertensive agents. The information from this study will help in finding applications for underutilized prairie berries as potential sources of functional food in the neutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
Open Access
A contemporary temple: designing a centre to promote mindfulness
(2023-04-04) Agoushi, Hussein; Espersen-Peters, Kurt (Interior Design); Hare, Jason (Architecture); Roshko, Tijen
Humans have always tried to achieve deeper levels of meaning and find answers to the most fundamental question of “who we are.” Spirituality and religion are two of the most influential fields that provide an intellectual and social atmosphere for individuals to think, meditate and investigate the sacred and meaningful aspects of our existence. While doing this, as a side effect, the prevailing belief systems have divided people into groups and sects that often cannot necessarily coexist. This project aims to use interior design elements to build a centre that revives the classic sacred space concept, where contemporary individuals can experience mindful rituals and practice the spirituality rooted in our common understandings of human values. By promoting a sense of spatial coexistence, this project will try to alleviate tension caused by opposing worldviews. This centre will provide the necessary facilities for an interfaith community, including a meditation space, gallery, conference area, workshop area and a restaurant serving world cuisine. These spaces will help communities perform their cultural rituals and expose other individuals to our world's cultural diversity. The main research investigates the sacred architecture’s language and how we can apply it to contemporary architecture. This project attempts to revive the traditional relationship between space and individual understanding of spirituality. This will happen by analyzing the common interior design elements among meditative spaces which respond to our common desire for spirituality. The research explores the architectural qualities that were used throughout the world among various traditions that turn a space into a meditative and sacred space. The methodology used in this paper is mainly done by literature search from secondary resources including books and academic papers about sacred architecture, meditative spaces, spirituality and symbolism in sacred spaces. In addition, the study proposes architectural solutions to regenerate the architectural qualities that resemble the timeless classic worship spaces around the world that has spiritual and sacred qualities embedded within their design. This project attempts to create meditative and playful spaces that help visitors build a connection with their innermost selves and contemplate the common human values. The created spaces also include dialogue zones that will facilitate conversation between visitors and will help them enjoy coexistence and harmony.
Open Access
A different mind: an educational and communal hub for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
(2024-08-27) Barber, Emily; Espersen-Peters, Kurt (Interior Design); Thomson, Kendra (Brock University); Roshko, Tijen
This practicum project explores the intersection of interior design, social forms, and the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through the adaptive reuse of the Odd Fellows Home. An Educational and Communal Hub was designed to explore how interior design can play a role in creating inclusive environments not only for children diagnosed with ASD but also for neuro-typical children. Drawing on theories by Pallasmaa and Zumthor, as well as strategies from Gaines et al and Patron-Wildes, the project proposes a design approach focused on creating flexible, mindful, and accommodating spaces within the Hub. By considering sensory experiences and incorporating soothing elements, such as colours, lighting, and textures, the design aims to promote well-being, learning, and development for children with ASD. This project emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating the specific needs of these individuals to foster their full potential. Ultimately, it advocates for interior design to be a tool to create inclusive and memorable environments that cater to the multisensory experiences of individuals, both in built and natural settings.
Open Access
A matter of human rights, not luxury: enacting legislation for uniform guaranteed access to menstrual products across Canada
(2025-03-26) Selby-Lyons, Avery; Perry, Adele (History); Henry, Rory
Access to menstrual products is essential in protecting the human rights of menstruators. Limited access to menstrual products infringes on several fundamental human rights, including the right to health, education, work, gender equity, and dignity. The protection of these rights remains inadequately addressed across Canada. Ensuring access to menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and public institutions such as prisons and public facilities is crucial for protecting the rights of all menstruators in Canada. Using a policy analysis, this paper aims to understand if existing government laws and initiatives in Canada addressing access to menstrual products align with international human rights standards. The findings of this research show that current efforts to provide access to menstrual products are uneven and fail to meet the needs of Canadians, particularly marginalized communities. Despite some progress, significant gaps in legislation leave many without guaranteed access to these products, failing to adhere to international human rights law. This paper argues for comprehensive legislation across Canada to ensure access to menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and public institutions. Such legislation would protect the rights of menstruators and align with international human rights standards, addressing disparities in access. Standardizing legislation across provinces and territories, allocating funds for menstrual products through federal and provincial budgets, requiring businesses to provide products, providing coverage through insurance are key recommendations for achieving uniform access.
Open Access
A novel care model: maternity care experiences of pregnant individuals who use substances
(2023-12-17) Gulbransen, Kristen; Gregory, Patricia (Nursing); Mignone, Javier (Community Health Sciences); Phillips-Beck, Wanda (Nursing); Pauly, Bernie (University of Victoria); Watson, Heather (Medicine); Thiessen, Kellie
Background: The overall incidence of substance use for individuals during childbearing years is rising. Pregnant individuals who use substances commonly have complex circumstances and face barriers such as systemic racism and judgment when health care services are accessed. Interprofessional care models and provider approaches driven by patient perspectives is a necessity in effort to provide best practice. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to critically examine interprofessional maternity care models among pregnant individuals and women who use substances. A sequential research study was undertaken. Phase 1 involved a scoping review of the literature. This led to Phase 2 an exploratory, qualitative design informed by the five processes of appreciative inquiry. Patient participants who received perinatal care from an interprofessional care team (midwife, obstetrician, and psychiatrist) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was guided by thematic analysis along with on-going consultation provided by Knowledge Carrier and Grandmother Shingoose. Methods: The scoping review was conducted to systematically search for articles from seven health-related databases. Eleven articles met full inclusion criteria and were summarized. Optimal care models for pregnant individuals who use substances exist and reported improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. Interprofessional care teams all included a maternity provider along with other various care providers and aimed to provide continuity of care from prenatal through postpartum. A few care provider characteristics that were identified on the interprofessional care teams included: nonjudgmental, trustworthy, respectful, and relational. The qualitative research took place in a clinic setting that offered interprofessional care for pregnant individuals who use substances. There were 14 participants who participated in semi-structured interviews and shared their insights and experiences regarding an interprofessional maternity care model and team. Participants provided detailed descriptions of actionable ways for care providers to provide safe, compassionate, dignified, and connected care. The care approaches were detailed and nuanced on how to provide care that does not judge, provides reassurance, fosters a peaceful relationship, incorporates harm reduction, is kind, demonstrates listening, shows acceptance, honors natural supports, and is trusting. Areas to improve the interprofessional maternity care approach were also explored. Participants suggested that increased integration of cultural programming, further partnering with other specialists, and individualized pain approaches during birth and postpartum could be improved.
Open Access
A preliminary human rights-based analysis of Winnipeg's municipal budget
(2024-09-11) Maybituin, Trixie; Curnow, Joe (Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology); Hudson, Ian (Economics); Derejko, Nathan
Each year, the City of Winnipeg formulates an operating and capital budget for municipal-ran services, including Water and Waste, Fire Paramedic Services, Community Services, Property and Development, City clerks, and the Police Service. The two departments that receive the most money in the tax-supported operating budget are the police services and public works despite community demands in Winnipeg for more resources towards libraries, public washrooms, transit, and housing due to its declining conditions. The continued prioritization of these services poses a question: are economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR) priorities of the City of Winnipeg? Article 2(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) obliges States to use its maximum available resources to progressively realize ESCR. Using the ICESCR’s Article 2(1) framework, the study conducts a preliminary human rights-based budget analysis of Winnipeg’s municipal budget from 2020 to 2024. The findings reveal that, in addition to the disproportionate allocation of resources between services benefitting civil and political rights (CPR) and ESCR that prioritizes the former than the latter, the City of Winnipeg is failing to utilise its maximum available resources to progressively realize the ESCR under Community Services by underspending resources already adopted for the department.
Open Access
A prospective and retrospective program evaluation of a community-based behaviour stabilization service
(2024-05-01) Summers, Jessica; Ediger, James (Psychology); Temple, Beverley (Psychology); Yu, C.T. (Psychology); Rivard, Mélina (Université du Québec à Montréal); Martin, Toby
As many as 20% of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) display challenging behaviours such as self-injury or aggression, which may negatively impact quality-of-life, learning, employment, and social integration (Bowring et al., 2019; Emerson et al., 2001; Sheehan & Hassiotis, 2017). Without adequate intervention, disruptive challenging behaviours may lead to a behavioural crisis (McCombe et al., 2022; Weiss et al., 2009). A behavioural crisis occurs when an individual with ID engages in aggressive behaviour that results in imminent and significant threats to safety (their own, or safety of others) (McCombe et al., 2022; Rubin et al., 2007). In the context of behavioural crises, behavioural stabilization services can provide assistance through behavioural consultation and assessment to create a path for successful community integration (Rubin et al., 2007; Wieseler et al., 2002). Previous literature is lacking in guidance on the best way to structure a behaviour stabilization service (McCombe et al., 2022). A logic model framework to evaluate a behaviour stabilization program provides a consistent and systematic way to understand program components and compare programs. Prior evaluations of behaviour stabilization programs that performed outreach and capacity building did not use a logic model framework and lacked social validity information from multiple perspectives. The purposes of this research were to comprehensively evaluate St.Amant's Community Stabilization Service (CSS) through the use and co-construction of a logic model and social validity measures, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of CSS at St.Amant, and provide a list of recommendations to strengthen the program and improve service. Two studies were conducted that used anonymized retrospective data and prospective data. Retrospective data from CSS and two outside organizations were collected and analyzed from April 1, 2017-March 31, 2021, to characterize the program’s inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. The nine prospective survey respondents were generally satisfied with the program. This research contributes to the current, limited research in this area by providing a methodological improvement over prior work by using a logic model framework to evaluate a behaviour stabilization program.
Open Access
A qualitative interpretive description study exploring factors that influence emerging Nurse leaders on the path to leadership in Northern Manitoba
(2023-12-21) Nowak, Heather E; Martin, Donna (Nursing); Neville, Lukas (Business Administration); Scanlan, Judith
The purpose of this study was to explore factors that shape emerging nurse leaders’ interest to step into a nurse leadership role in the Northern Health Region of Manitoba. Nurse leaders have a pivotal role in health care. Unfortunately, there is a relatively low proportion of nurses who plan to pursue nursing leadership roles, and an anticipated high number of nursing leaders expected to retire and leave the profession. A qualitative design using the approach of interpretive description was chosen to explore factors that influence emerging nurse leaders in northern Manitoba on their pathway to leadership. Using a modified version of Collings and Mellahi’s (2009) framework of strategic talent management, several factors were explored, including factors of work motivation, organizational commitment, and extra roles behaviour. This study also examined perception of organizational investment and the participant’s retrospective perceptions of experiential knowledge as it pertains to their interest in leadership. Based on the limited information available about talent management and nurse leaders in northern Canada, a purposive sample of 10 participants were recruited in northern Manitoba. Using a semi-structured interview guide, participants engaged in 1:1 virtual, one-hour interviews that were digitally recorded. Digital recordings were transcribed verbatim. Additional data source was a reflexive journal. Transcripts and journal were read and reread. Using constant comparison analysis, I identified three themes related to factors that influenced participants’ decision to move into formal leadership roles: i) relationships as the foundation of becoming a leader, ii) push and pull, and iii) the context of the north. Within the theme of relationships, supportive recognition and trust were described as crucial factors that motivated participants to consider leadership positions. Given the important role of the nurse leaders and the vital necessity of positioning our healthcare teams for success, it is imperative to understand the factors that shape emerging leaders. Talent management may provide a new lens through which to recruit and develop emerging nurse leaders.
Embargo
A study of bacterial endophytes in barley under Fusarium Head Blight infection
(2024-12-12) Weerasinghe, Vinuri; Badea, Ana (Plant Science); Bakker, Matthew (Microbiology); Fernando, Dilantha; Wijekoon, Champa
Endophytes are microorganisms that exist in the internal plant tissues without substantial harm to the host plant, and they are suggested to confer beneficial roles in promotion of plant growth and protection from phytopathogens. Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a devastating plant disease affecting cereal crops worldwide, predominantly caused by Fusarium graminearum. Barley production and subsequently the feed and malting industries can be severely affected by FHB as the pathogen may diminish both the yield and quality of grains. Apart from that, FHB may also influence the endophytic microbiome of barley, particularly in the infected tissues. In this study, we collected grains, stems and roots from cultivated and wild barley genotypes with varying resistance to FHB that were artificially infected with F. graminearum in the field. Plant samples from control plots (i.e., non-FHB-infected) were also obtained. Sampling was conducted at the booting (S1), mid-dough (S2) and physiological maturity (S3) stages of barley in 2021 and 2022. Source grains of 2021 field experiments were also incorporated for the analyses. The endophytic bacterial community profiles of grains of four cultivated barley genotypes sampled at S2 and S3 from FHB-infected and non-FHB-infected plots were analyzed by metabarcoding of the 16S rRNA gene. In addition to FHB, the effects on the microbiome from the sampling year, barley growth stage at sampling, and the barley genotype were tested. We observed a significant change in the overall bacterial endophytic community structure with FHB and the plant growth stage, but not with the barley genotype or the year of sampling. Seven bacterial taxa were significantly associated with FHB, plant growth stage and barley genotype. Further, bacteria that belong to 27 genera were shared among all three years, and 122 more genera were shared between 2021 and 2022, whereas very few genera were unique to a particular year. Moreover, bacterial endophytes were isolated from grains, stems and roots of cultivated and wild barley genotypes sampled at S1, S2 and S3 in 2022 from FHB-infected and non-FHB-infected field plots. They were characterized in vitro for the inhibition of seven pathogen species/chemotypes causing FHB, including F. graminearum. Species, mainly Serratia and Bacillus isolated from barley tissues inhibited the mycelial growth of FHB-causing pathogens up to 75%. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the importance of exploring bacterial endophytes in barley to understand the microbial shifts as well as to determine biological control agents for FHB.
Open Access
A study of the Canadian student visa application experience of Nigerian international graduate students in Canada.
(2023-08-21) Olanubi, Olusewa; Wilkinson, Lori (Sociology and Criminology); Kouritzin, Sandra (Curriculum, Teaching and Learning); Edgerton, Jason
This study explores the student visa application experiences of Nigerian international graduate students at the University of Manitoba and addresses the research question: how do Nigerian international graduate students at the University of Manitoba perceive the Canadian student visa application process based on their experiences? The purpose of this research is to increase awareness of the visa application challenges and concerns of Nigerian international graduate students applying to study in Canada—with the intention of informing future policy and research. This study uses Giddens’ (1984) structuration theory to examine the effect of the bureaucratic structure (Canada’s visa system) on individual student agency, as evident in how individuals’ goals are modified to fit within the structural requirements. Critical race theory is also used to examine how racism and its various intersections affect student visa requirements and outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine Nigerian international graduate students at the University of Manitoba, each of whom had applied for a Canadian student visa from Nigeria using a Nigerian passport. Three sub-themes related to the bureaucratic complexity of the visa application process emerged from the interview data: “life on hold” (the process was laborious with no definite timeline regarding how long the wait for a decision would be, which resulted in life delays, stress and emotional turmoil); “social networks and social capital” (students commented on the importance of peer groups and online sources in navigating the visa process); and “discrimination” (students discussed the influence of race and other intersecting forms of discrimination on visa outcomes). Several recommendations and future research directions are also discussed.
Open Access
A vision-based error compensation method for accurate path tracking in robotic trimming
(2023-08-16) Tayaranian Marvian, Keyvan; Salimi, Elham (Electrical and Computer Engineering); Liang, Xihui (Mechanical Engineering); Khoshdarregi, Matt
Trimming is a common step in the fiberglass manufacturing process. During the trimming operation, outer edges and inner cutouts of molded fiberglass parts are removed to get the final part. This process is commonly performed manually by workers in many fiberglass manufacturing plants. Robotic automation of trimming processes is a challenging task due to the highly variable nature of fiberglass manufacturing. Fiberglass parts typically suffer from manufacturing inconsistencies and deformations, and rendering pre-defined offline robot programs is impractical. To enable robotic automation of trimming processes, it is necessary for robots to detect and adjust to part variation. This research develops a methodology in which a fusion of vision and laser sensors along with advanced image processing and robot control techniques are used to automatically detect and accurately follow trimming paths on fiberglass parts. A multi-stage real-time and offline error compensation framework is proposed. An external 3D camera and point cloud processing techniques are used to automatically detect trimming paths and generate target points to guide a robot. To improve the accuracy of the robot path, a 2D camera mounted on the robot is used to directly measure and correct the path deviation. A laser displacement sensor is also used to implement real-time height control, ensuring a constant distance between the onboard camera and the surface. A laser cross sensor is also utilized to measure and correct the orientation errors. Moreover, a deep learning model is developed to improve the robustness of the path detection step. In comparative experiments, variants of the U-Net architecture and backbones with different hyperparameters are compared to find the best-performing model. A U-Net model with an Xception backbone is trained to be a classifier with an AUC value of 0.99 and 96.38% accuracy on test data. The developed model is tested on a sample fiberglass part using an industrial robot. The results show that errors can be reduced to less than 0.5 millimeters and 3 degrees, which meet the required tolerance in typical fiberglass manufacturing applications.
Open Access
ABA concentration in shoot tips of Amelanchier ainifolia during the growing season and in relation to micropropagated plantlets
(1994) Ramsey, Susan A.