MSpace

MSpace is the University of Manitoba’s Institutional Repository. The purpose of MSpace is to acquire, preserve and provide access to the scholarly works of University faculty and students within an open access environment.

 

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Open Access
The material semiotics of “heavy drinking” among young people in Taita-Taveta, Kenya: an ethnographic examination
(2025-06-23) Kombo, Bernadette K.; McPhail, Deborah (Community Health Sciences); Hatala, Andrew (Community Health Sciences); Thomann, Matthew (University of Maryland); Raikhel, Eugene (University of Chicago); Lorway, Robert
Introduction: Alcohol consumption is a significant global public health concern. According to the World Health Organization, harmful alcohol use contributed to approximately 2.6 million deaths globally in 2019, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths that year. Young people, in particular, are disproportionately affected by the health and social consequences of harmful alcohol use. In Kenya, national statistics, local research, and news media reports consistently portray problematic drinking as an urgent public health issue requiring intervention. However, current public health interventions tend to prioritize individualistic, biomedical, and prohibitionist approaches that pathologize alcohol use, focusing on policing, restriction, and abstinence as primary interventions. These approaches fail to account for the complex socio-material and structural realities that shape alcohol consumption within localized contexts. Methodology: In my dissertation research, I critically examine the persistence of problem drinking despite these interventions and explore the broader social, economic, and political realities that sustain it. Between July 2023 and March 2024, I conducted a multi-sited ethnographic study in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. Drawing on material semiotics, I examine how alcohol functions as a socio-material actant, shaping and being shaped by human and non-human actors, including drinking spaces, regulatory frameworks, economic systems, and cultural practices. Through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and participatory material-semiotic geospatial mapping, I trace how alcohol consumption is enacted within dynamic networks of sociality, economic vulnerability, gendered norms, and regulatory governance. Findings: I introduce the concept of Liquid Kinship to describe how alcohol consumption mediates social bonds by establishing relationships of care, reciprocity, and belonging while also reinforcing dependency, exclusion, and vulnerability. I also develop the concept of Liquid Fugitivity to capture how individuals within informal alcohol economies strategically evade regulation, negotiate risk, and adapt to economic marginalization and state surveillance. Conclusion: My research findings demonstrate that problem drinking among young people is not just an individual pathology but a reality woven into broader socio-material assemblages. I recognize this complexity and argue for a paradigmatic shift in alcohol policy and practice. Policymakers must design and reform policies that reflect the lived realities of young people in Taita-Taveta and similar contexts, shifting away from punitive and prohibitionist approaches and toward structural, harm-reduction, and community-led strategies. Achieving this shift requires legalizing and regulating traditional brews, strengthening community-based harm reduction initiatives, expanding local economic opportunities, and reforming licensing frameworks to address corruption and socioeconomic disparities.
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Open Access
Muscarinic receptor antagonism activates TRPM3 channels to augment mitochondrial function and provide neuroprotection
(2025-06-25) Chauhan, Sanjana; Jackson, Michael (Pharmacology and Therapeutics); Stobart, Jillian (Pharmacy); Dobrowsky, Rick (University of Kansas); Fernyhough, Paul
Peripheral neuropathy, commonly associated with diabetes, chemotherapy, and HIV- induced nerve damage, leads to progressive sensory deficits and nerve dysfunction. While muscarinic acetylcholine type 1 receptor (M1R) antagonism promotes sensory axon repair, the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects remained unclear. Transient receptor potential melastatin-3 (TRPM3), a heat-sensitive cation channel, plays a crucial role in calcium signaling, mitochondrial function and neuronal metabolism, positioning it as a potential mediator of M1R antagonist-driven neuroprotection. This thesis investigated the mechanistic link between M1R antagonism and TRPM3 activation and explored the therapeutic potential of TRPM3 modulation in sensory axon regeneration. M1R antagonists pirenzepine (PZ) and muscarinic toxin 7 (MT7) enhanced TRPM3-mediated Ca²⁺ influx in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, an effect that was abolished by TRPM3 inhibitors or extracellular Ca²⁺ removal. TRPM3 activation using CIM0216 and pregnenolone sulfate (PS) elevated intracellular Ca2+, promoted AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation via the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase  (CaMKKβ) pathway, leading to enhanced mitochondrial function, glycolysis, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity. Further analysis established that M1R antagonism stimulated TRPM3 by inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis, facilitating sustained calcium signaling and metabolic enhancement. TRPM3 knockdown via adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated shRNA suppressed the neurite-promoting effects of M1R antagonists, confirming its essential role in axonal plasticity. To assess whether these findings translated to an in vivo setting, the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic neuropathy model was utilized, which recapitulated key sensory impairments such as mechanical allodynia, slowed motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), and thermal hypoalgesia. PZ treatment restored sensory function in diabetic mice, but co-administration of TRPM3 inhibitors (isosakuranetin and primidone) abolished these improvements, confirming that M1R-mediated neuroprotection was TRPM3-dependent. Despite the emergence of sensory impairments at 16 weeks post-STZ induction, corneal nerve loss was less pronounced than expected, suggesting a gradual progression of neuropathy, where functional impairments preceded structural degeneration. However, TRPM3 inhibition significantly reduced corneal nerve density, further highlighting its potential role in sensory fiber maintenance. This thesis established TRPM3 as a key modulator of sensory axon regeneration via Ca²⁺-dependent AMPK signaling, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic target for peripheral neuropathy and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Open Access
Life performance
(2025-06-12) Wang, Lisha; Olafson, Freya (School of Art); McCafferty, Daniel (School of Art); Alward, Sharon (School of Art); Nickel, Grace
This thesis attempts to show the inextricable relationship between art and life by combining individual life experiences and reflections, different periods from my art practice, and its contextualization within the history of art. The first chapter will be set in the context of my art practice prior to my MFA program at the University of Manitoba. From painting to jewellery to performance, these seemingly huge leaps are actually traceable, and these changes correspond to certain periods in art history. In this process, I took my life as a source of inspiration for my art practice and materialized it until I found a way to dematerialize it. The second chapter will introduce my artistic practice during my MFA program at the University of Manitoba, which can be broadly divided into language, image and sound. I will cite different works in each section and discuss theoretical reflections related to them. The third chapter will focus on my graduate exhibition at the School of Art Gallery, which involves the topics of technology, humans and space. I consider the exhibition as a work of art in its own right, rather than a vessel for other works.
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Open Access
Exploring the applicability and reliability of machine learning tools in streamflow forecasting
(2025-06-20) Lewkebandara, Kavindra; Rajulapati, Chandra (Civil Engineering); Henry, Christopher (Computer Science); Mantilla, Ricardo
Recent advancements in machine learning, particularly Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, have demonstrated remarkable success in hydrological modelling, often outperforming traditional hydrological models. This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of LSTM networks for streamflow forecasting under various conditions. First, the impact of incorporating historical streamflow data as an input was evaluated, demonstrating significant improvements in prediction accuracy across diverse catchments. While LSTM outperformed the persistence for one-day-ahead forecasts, accuracy decreased for longer lead times for both models. The effect of noisy precipitation inputs was subsequently investigated, revealing that while noise generally reduces performance, LSTMs trained with noisy data exhibit resilience. Basin sensitivity to precipitation noise varied and correlated with catchment attributes. Lastly, interpolation and extrapolation under stationary and non-stationary climate scenarios were examined. LSTM performed remarkably well under stationary conditions but showed biases when predicting under changing precipitation regimes, highlighting challenges in extrapolation. In conclusion, the thesis summarizes the key findings, addresses its limitations, and suggests avenues for future research, such as incorporating forecasted forcing data and developing hybrid models to improve the robustness of LSTM-based streamflow forecasting.
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Open Access
StepFree stair climber design
(2025-06-19) Barteaux, Missy; Derksen, Patricia; Ilyas, Joshua; Sanderson, Lily; Wahid, Wardah; Jacobson, Natasha; Petkau, Don; White, James; Topping, Aidan
The goal of this project was to develop a wheelchair stair climber to help manual wheelchair users navigate their environments safely and with greater ease. This device addresses the challenge that stairs pose to our client and other wheelchair users, who have difficulty accessing a variety of spaces due to the lack of accessible infrastructure. The StepFree stair climber, operated with assistance, improves accessibility for our client. During the design process the key requirements considered were smooth and stable operation, compatibility with different staircases and different wheelchairs, and affordability for the client. Additional criteria, such as cost, manufacturability, portability, force reduction ability, user comfort and safety were also evaluated. A tracked wheel design, inspired by high traction mechanisms like those in tanks excavators, best met these requirements. The StepFree stair climber consists of a dolly-like frame, in which, the user in their wheelchair is secured facing away from the stairs. The frame features tracked wheels which are fixed at an angle such that they can rest on the stairs and transport the device up or down. To achieve controlled and smooth movement up and down the stairs, a button-controlled motorized system, powered by a lithium-ion battery, was used. This system allows the user to be safely transported with minimal force required by the operator. The StepFree stair climber successfully passed the weight capacity test, carrying over 90 kg of weight without any detectable deflection. Additionally, the device met all collapsible size requirements and had an average device set up time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds, well within the desired time frame and the electrical housing proved to be water-resistant. The device was able to be adjusted to accommodate most wheelchairs tested in a width range of 40-70 cm. Unfortunately, the team was unable to test for the operator force input requirement, number of stairs accommodated and battery life under load, due to the tracks not rotating in the completed assembly. As a result, these tests were considered failed and reported in the verification procedure. The total project cost was $1,844, reflecting the expenses of a first-generation prototype. However, with industrial-scale manufacturing and custom-made parts, the final product price can be significantly reduced. In future iterations or modifications of this device, it is recommended that a lighter-weight track system and a more powerful motor be selected to better suit the application. A lighter material is recommended for the frame to increase ease of transport, and modifications to the frame and wheel bracket dimensions would increase the range of wheelchairs compatible with the device. By addressing this specific accessibility challenge, the StepFree stair climber has the potential to improve the lives of other manual wheelchair users facing challenges in similar environments.
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Open Access
Horizontal grain aeration testing and measurement system
(2025-06-19) Wolfe, Annika; Maruhe, Mackdonald; Abosheloua, Mohamed; Le Heiget, Stephane; Jacobson, Natasha; Petkau, Don; White, James; Topping, Aidan
Farmers around Canada, specifically in Manitoba, predominantly utilize vertical grain aeration in their post-harvest grain storage systems to extend the storage life of the grain. Using horizontal aeration presents a more energy-efficient alternative to vertical aeration. However, manufacturers lack the information and theoretical calculations necessary to optimize the design of horizontal aeration systems. This means that despite its advantages, manufacturers remain hesitant to adopt horizontal systems due to insufficient data to inform their design. This project aimed to address this issue on behalf of Dr. Fuji Jian and the grain storage research group at the University of Manitoba. The project focused on creating a bench-scale device for testing and measuring air resistance in horizontal grain aeration systems. The device measures the performance of horizontal airflow through an aeration system that results from different types of grain and system configurations. Project deliverables included the constructed and verified device, and preliminary testing and data collection for future Ph.D. research and eventual industry application. The project's technical specifications were verified to ensure that the final prototype would meet the client's demands for a grain bin that could hold a load of grain and measure the performance of horizontal grain aeration. A structural design was carried out to ensure that the grain bin could hold a whole load of grain during operation. Other verifications included testing the radial airflow uniformity, whether vertical airflow is negligible, and adapting the grain bin to be used with various system configurations. The grain bin was found to satisfy all the criteria required by the client. The overall project successfully provided a method to measure horizontal grain aeration performance from the data collected. There are several recommendations for how to improve this project further. The main recommendation is to minimize instrumentation in the grain bin. A combination of pitot tubes and mass flow sensors were used to measure airflow. This combination provides highly detailed measurements, but the consequence is several disruptions to the airflow. Replacing or reducing the instrumentation disruption to the airflow would be reduced, producing higher quality results. Additionally, some operation procedure improvements are recommended to help future researchers transition to working with pilot-scale prototypes.
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Open Access
Development of a rubber tire-derived asphalt binder product
(2025-06-19) Harris, Abigail; Sutherland, Kate; Wainikka, Tori; Yarechewski, Zach; Jacobson, Natasha; Topping, Aidan; Petkau, Don; White, James
The processing of rubber tire waste poses significant health and environmental risks, while potholes pose safety risks to commuters and patches often provide a temporary and unreliable solution to roadway maintenance. The incorporation of rubber tire waste into pothole patches offers a sustainable solution to both problems. The use of rubber tire waste in asphalt pothole patches has shown improvement in structural properties. Improved structural properties include resistance to rutting, fatigue, thermal cracking, and high temperature failure. The main components of asphalt mixtures are aggregates and binder materials. Asphalt mixes have displayed success with modification of rubber for virgin components, such as aggregates and binder. Reliable Tire Recycling is a Manitoba company which converts rubber tire waste materials into value added products. This project explores the incorporation of crumb rubber obtained from Reliable Tire Recycling into an asphalt binder. Four (4) asphalt binder samples were prepared with high-speed shear mixing which included a virgin binder sample as a control and samples with varying quantities of crumb rubber and warm mix additives. Quality of rubber was confirmed to meet technical specifications for moisture content, fiber and metal content, and crumb rubber size prior to mixing. Following mixing, each sample was subjected to verification tests to quantify success. The tests displayed results for the rheological and mechanical properties of the binders. The properties indicate the binders’ performance at high temperatures, resistance to common modes of failure, and workability. The results displayed that an increase in rubber led to an increase in the viscoelastic properties. This indicates an improved resistance to rutting and fatigue failure. However, incorporation of warm mix additives increased viscosity more than double the binder mix at the same rubber quantity. This indicates poor workability of the mix with incorporations of warm mix additives. Further research on rubber use in asphalt binders for pothole patching is recommended. Additional testing should be conducted on rubber-modified binder samples to analyze cold temperature performance and the effects of long-term aging. It is recommended to mix and test more formulas with varying quantities of crumb rubber to optimize the results.
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Open Access
NRC – automated compost mixing tool
(2025-06-19) Al-Fakih, Ayat; Odaisky, Danika; Patel, Karan; Ramos, Sam; Jacobson, Natasha; Petkau, Don; Topping, Aidan; White, James
The National Research Council (NRC) requires an automated compost stirring device to replace the current manual process used in its biodegradability testing of plastics. Lab technicians spend four hours each week manually mixing compost in 48 glass vessels, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and causes ergonomic hazards to technicians. The objective of this project is to automate the process by ensuring uniform mixing, reducing labor, and maintaining the integrity of the glass vessels used for testing. The design combines internal and external mechanisms for effective operation. The internal mechanism features a segmented auger to break compost clumps, a wiper blade to scrape compost from vessel walls, and a grate-holding sleeve to secure the metal grate and prevent scratches on the glass vessel, enabling mixing of compost with varying consistencies. The external mechanism consists of a motor with adjustable speeds, a secure clamping system, and a user-friendly control panel allowing a single operator to set up and mix all 48 vessels in under four hours. Users set up the device by assembling internal components, placing the vessel in the frame, lowering the motor-lid system, and activating the mixer via a speed-adjustable control, reducing manual effort to a simple, ergonomic process. The verification process confirmed the design’s success in achieving goals for durability, safety, cost, ease of use, and size. The device operates quietly and supports single operator use, significantly reducing manual effort while meeting key safety and operational requirements. Tests for compost uniformity and spillage tolerance require further evaluation due to clamping challenges at high speeds. This offers areas for engineering recommendations, such as improving automation and user-friendliness. The device improves the efficiency and reliability of biodegradability testing while reducing strain on lab technicians.
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Open Access
Optimizing soilless substrates and germination pods with Typha fiber
(2025-06-19) Duha, Dylan; Mooney, Hannah; Dupuis, Janelle; Tremblay, Spencer; Jacobson, Natasha; Topping, Aidan; White, James; Petkau, Don
This report presents the development of a peat-free seed germination pod utilizing Typha-based soilless media. In collaboration with Typha Co., the project builds on prior research done by the 2024 Typha capstone team on optimizing Typha-based growing media. The objective of this project is to provide a sustainable alternative to peat-based seed germinations pods within the commercial floriculture industry. The project focused on improving the Typha-based media by incorporating soil amendments including perlite, pine fibre, and biochar. A six-week growth trial of petunia seedlings was conducted in a hydroponic wall system to assess the impact of these amendments on plant growth. Twelve different compositions of amended Typha-based media were tested against conventional growth substrates. Additionally, 11 technical specifications were identified to evaluate how the chemical and physical properties of amended Typha-based media compare to those of peat. Primary technical specifications include water holding capacity, nitrogen immobilization, and pH. The research also investigated the feasibility of forming Typha-based media into seed germination pods by application of a binding agent. Agar, yucca powder, molasses, and flaxseed mucilage were tested as binding agents during seed pod design. Binder performance was evaluated by structural integrity, impact resistance, and rehydration properties of the seed pod to ensure durability during transportation and usability in greenhouse settings. Growth trials showed that [REDACTED]. Further testing for the manufacturing process is recommended. By leveraging Typha’s nutrient retention and release properties, this project provides a sustainable media alternative for floriculture consumers, while also contributing to the ecological restoration of Lake Winnipeg. The development of a cost-effective solution has the potential for wide-scale adoption, reducing reliance on peat and its environmental impact. This approach aligns with the growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices, offering both environmental and economic benefits.
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Open Access
Reliable Tire Recycling – development of a playground tile product
(2025-06-19) Pattharwala, Ayushi; Munro, Cam; Chaytoo, Chunanda; Kolbauer, Lhili; Petkau, Don; Jacobson, Natasha; White, James; Topping, Aidan
The Reliable Tire Recycling (RTR) Playground Tile Project aims to develop an innovative, sustainable, and safe playground surfacing solution made from recycled rubber tires. This project was initiated to repurpose waste rubber into a functional, high-performance product. Playground tiles made of such material are not widely available in Canada which this project aims to address. The project was completed in collaboration with RTR, Manitoba’s leading tire recycling company, to expand their product line. The playground tile is designed to meet ASTM F1292 impact attenuation safety standards, contribute to environmental sustainability, and enhance product innovation in the recycled rubber industry specifically in Canada. The design process involved extensive research and experimentation in several key areas: material composition, tile shape, connection method, aesthetics, and manufacturing. The final material formula was selected based on performance test results that met the expected safety rating but also ensured durability, impact resistance, and ease of production. The Team developed a unique base design with a channelled, grid structure to improve shock absorption and water drainage, further enhancing the product’s safety and longevity. Additionally, a dowel pin connection system was implemented to facilitate secure and easy tile assembly, improving product usability in playground installations. The tile’s visual appearance was improved with the integration of coloured rubber from recycled shoes to which added a potential avenue for future product development at RTR. To ensure the tiles met the main design objectives and specifications, various verification procedures were conducted. The Triax Impact Test in accordance with ASTM F1292 confirmed that the material composition and design features achieved the critical fall height desired by the client for playground applications. Additional tests evaluated the tile’s performance under different environmental conditions including extreme temperatures and moisture resistance. These evaluations demonstrated the tile’s durability and suitability for outdoor use, confirming its potential as a marketable product for RTR. By successfully developing a high-quality playground tile using recycled rubber, this project not only contributes to sustainable waste management but also provides RTR with a viable, eco-friendly addition to their product line. The results validate the potential for further research and commercialization.