University of Manitoba Scholarship
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This collection contains open access research publications authored or co-authored by University of Manitoba researchers. Content within this collection includes pre and post-print versions of articles and book chapters, conference proceedings and technical reports. MSpace is where faculty and students can deposit their research output to meet the open access requirements of grant funding agencies and other related mandates. Deposit is subject to copyright compliance, distribution license and other license restrictions that may be imposed on the work.
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- ItemOpen AccessSPINEX-anomaly: similarity-based predictions with explainable neighbors exploration for anomaly and outlier detection(SpringerOpen, 2025-04-01) Naser, M. Z.; Naser, Ahmad Z.Abstract This paper presents a novel anomaly and outlier detection algorithm from the SPINEX (Similarity-based Predictions with Explainable Neighbors Exploration) family. This algorithm leverages the concept of similarity and higher-order interactions across multiple subspaces to identify outliers. A comprehensive set of experiments was conducted to evaluate the performance of SPINEX. This algorithm was examined against 21 commonly used anomaly detection algorithms, and across 39 synthetic and real datasets from various domains and of a variety of dimensions and complexities. Furthermore, a complexity analysis was carried out to examine the complexity of the proposed algorithm. Our results demonstrate that SPINEX achieves superior performance, outperforms commonly used anomaly detection algorithms, and has moderate complexity (e.g., O(n log n × d)). More specifically, SPINEX was found to rank at the top of algorithms on the synthetic datasets and the 7th on the real datasets. Finally, a demonstration of the explainability capabilities of SPINEX, along with future research needs, is presented.
- ItemOpen AccessAn introduction to statistical models used to characterize species-habitat associations with animal movement data(BMC, 2025-04-17) Florko, Katie R. N.; Togunov, Ron R.; Gryba, Rowenna; Sidrow, Evan; Ferguson, Steven H; Yurkowski, David; Auger-Méthé, MarieAbstract Understanding species-habitat associations is fundamental to ecological sciences and for species conservation. Consequently, various statistical approaches have been designed to infer species-habitat associations. Due to their conceptual and mathematical differences, these methods can yield contrasting results. In this paper, we describe and compare commonly used statistical models that relate animal movement data to environmental data. Specifically, we examined selection functions which include resource selection function (RSF) and step-selection function (SSF), as well as hidden Markov models (HMMs) and related methods such as state-space models. We demonstrate differences in assumptions while highlighting advantages and limitations of each method. Additionally, we provide guidance on selecting the most appropriate statistical method based on the scale of the data and intended inference. To illustrate the varying ecological insights derived from each statistical model, we apply them to the movement track of a single ringed seal (Pusa hispida) in a case study. Through our case study, we demonstrate that each model yields varying ecological insights. For example, while the selection coefficient values from RSFs appear to show a stronger positive relationship with prey diversity than those of the SSFs, when we accounted for the autocorrelation in the data none of these relationships with prey diversity were statistically significant. Furthermore, the HMM reveals variable associations with prey diversity across different behaviors, for example, a positive relationship between prey diversity and a slow-movement behaviour. Notably, the three models identified different “important” areas. This case study highlights the critical significance of selecting the appropriate model as an essential step in the process of identifying species-habitat relationships and specific areas of importance. Our comprehensive review provides the foundational information required for making informed decisions when choosing the most suitable statistical methods to address specific questions, such as identifying expansive corridors or protected zones, understanding movement patterns, or studying behaviours. In addition, this study informs researchers with the necessary tools to apply these methods effectively.
- ItemOpen AccessPrion replication in organotypic brain slice cultures is distinct from in vivo inoculation and is species dependent(BMC, 2025-04-30) Slota, Jessy; Lamoureux, Lise; Myskiw, Jennifer; Frost, Kathy L.; Medina, Sarah J.; Kielich, Dominic M. S.; Leonhardt, Melanie; Thapar, Gunjan; Bailey-Elkin, Ben A.; Booth, StephanieAbstract Cultured brain slices rapidly replicate murine prions, exhibit prion pathology, and are amenable towards drug discovery, but have not been infected with human prions. As deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are susceptible to human prions in vivo, here we investigated deer mouse organotypic brain slice cultures as a potential model of human prion disease. Deer mouse brain slices supported replication of rodent-adapted strains of scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), but they resisted infection with primary human prion inoculum. To better understand this discrepancy, we quantified prion replication rates, characterized cellular and molecular changes, and estimated inoculum clearance within wildtype CD1 and deer mouse brain slice cultures. Prion replication rates varied by species, strain, and brain region, independently of PrP sequence homology. Scrapie-infected CD1 cerebellar slice cultures exhibited the fastest prion replication rate, closely matching in vivo bioassay kinetics and showing neuronal and synaptic degeneration at similar timepoints. However, deer mouse slice cultures replicated deer mouse-adapted sCJD MM1 prions less efficiently than in vivo inoculation. These findings clarify both the utility and constraints of brain slice cultures in modeling prion disease and imply that the slice culture molecular environment may be suboptimal for human prion replication.
- ItemOpen AccessMoral foundations underpinning attitudes toward supervised consumption services across Canada’s prairie provinces(BMC, 2025-04-29) Pijl, Em; Golding, Michael; Gudi, Sai Krishna; Nayak, Nichole; Serieux, John; Fries, Christopher J.; Billings, Annie; Shaw, Souradet; Rabbani, Rasheda; Laurencelle, Francine; Guest, Corey; Mexico, JonnyAbstract Background Although there is indisputable evidence that supervised consumption services (SCS) help to keep people safe and decrease significant harms associated with substance use, the Canadian public often holds divergent and polarized views towards SCS. Polarized perspectives can be resistant to evidence and can prevent productive discourse that might otherwise lead to better public health services and outcomes. Objective The main objective of the study was to determine the degree to which individuals' moral foundations predict attitudes toward SCS and whether attitudes are impacted by stigmatizing views of, and proximity to, people who use drugs. Methods The study was based upon conceptual frameworks related to moral foundations theory (MFT), stigma, and personal experience with people who use drugs (PWUD), using associated instruments to determine alignment with public attitudes towards SCS. A series of hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were employed to identify variables that significantly predict support for SCS. Results The panel sample comprised 2116 participants from the three prairie provinces in Canada (Manitoba, n = 716; Saskatchewan, n = 700; and Alberta, n = 700). Higher scores on the Harm/Care and Fairness/Reciprocity subscales were associated with higher levels of support for SCS. Conversely, higher scores on the Authority/Respect and Purity/Sanctity subscales predicted lower levels of support for SCS. Greater support for SCS was found to be predicted by lower levels of stigma towards people who use drugs. Overall, participants from Alberta and Saskatchewan were less supportive of SCS than those from Manitoba, although Manitoba lacked an SCS at the time of the study. Conclusion The results enhance our understanding of factors that predict support levels for SCS among the public in Canada’s Prairie Provinces. These findings can inform researchers, policy and decision-makers in developing strategies for bringing the public on board to increase the acceptance of SCS in their communities by specifically addressing underlying concerns that may not be overtly articulated by those with opposing views.
- ItemOpen Access“Our needs, our priorities, listen to us!” recommendations for improving HIV prevention and the cascade of care from people living with HIV in Manitoba, Canada: a qualitative study(BMC, 2025-04-23) Villacis, Enrique; Haworth-Brockman, Margaret; Maier, Katharina; Sobie, Cheryl; Pashe, Heather; Baliddawa, Joel; Daniels, Nikki; Murdock, Rebecca; Russell, Robert; Dan, Clara; Woodhouse, Freda; Cusson, Susie; Patrick, Lisa; Schenkels, Marj; Payne, Michael; Kasper, Ken; MacKenzie, Lauren J.; Ireland, Laurie; Templeton, Kimberly; Keynan, Yoav; Rueda, Zulma VanessaAbstract Background The Canadian province of Manitoba has reported a 52% increase in HIV diagnoses during the past 5 years. Females are disproportionately affected by HIV and multiple intersecting health and social challenges, including houselessness, injection drug use, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, and mental health conditions. Program and service development often ignore people’s complex lived experiences. Our aim was to describe recommendations made by people living with HIV (PLHIV) to inform a person-centred HIV cascade of care valuing the needs and ideas from PLHIV. Methods This qualitative study was conducted between October 2022 and May 2023. Thirty-two women, men, and gender-diverse participants completed a semi-structured interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo 12, deploying thematic analysis to understand major themes related to recommendations to care. This manuscript focuses on questions related to recommendations for the HIV cascade of care. Results Recommendations fell within two major themes: ‘Meeting people where they are at’ and an HIV educational strategy. The first theme included three main categories to make HIV services more accessible. (1) psychological (social programming, peer support during diagnosis, increased mental health services), (2) biomedical (HIV outreach, HIV services outside 9 –5 h, specialized care outside metropolitan areas, universal coverage for HIV medicines), and (3) social (transportation support, emergency housing, financial support) supports. The HIV educational strategy included five major categories: (1) physical posters and billboards in highly transited areas; (2) community meetings with peer-led education; (3) comprehensive sex education in schools; (4) training primary healthcare providers on stigma and discrimination; (5) and social media campaigns to reach younger audiences. We report on gender differences for recommendations where they arose. The themes described by PLHIV suggest a need to implement HIV care delivery models that will connect and maintain people in HIV care in Manitoba. Conclusions This study provides practical and person-centred strategies that could bridge the barriers PLHIV face when accessing and remaining in HIV care and expanding education and prevention about HIV in Manitoba.