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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Experimental and numerical analysis of steel I-multigirder bridges under traffic loads
(2025-03-27) Manouchehri, Navid; Svecova, Dagmar (Civil Engineering); Cha, Young-Jin (Civil Engineering; Fiorillo, Graziano
This thesis investigates two critical aspects of bridge engineering: the fatigue life of bridges under traffic loads and the impact of cold temperatures on their ultimate capacity for composite I-girder bridges. The first part of the study examines the fatigue resistance of continuous steel I-girder bridges, analyzing the influence of girder profiles and stress concentrations on fatigue damage. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that optimizing girder geometry can reduce the risk of fatigue damage by up to 35% over a 75-year service life. The second part of the study explores the structural behavior of steel I-girder and reinforced concrete deck bridges under cold temperature conditions. Experimental testing using a scaled bridge model subjected to four-point bending tests demonstrated a 10.3% increase in ultimate load resistance in cold conditions compared to tests conducted at normal temperatures. However, this improvement came at the cost of a 44.5% reduction in maximum deflection and a 55.4% decline in ductility for the most deformation-sensitive girder (G1). While cold temperature exposure resulted in a modest increase in strength, these findings provide valuable insights for designing bridges in cold climates.
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Open Access
Restorying of the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School
(2025-03-27) Nienhuysen, Jamie; Carleton, Sean (Indigenous Studies); Woolford, Andrew (Sociology and Criminology); Miller, Cary
This thesis aims to uncover the untold history of the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School (SBIRS), located in the centre of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. Using community-based processes, I examine the intentions of government officials and missionaries in establishing and operating the school, the student experiences at the SBIRS, and the lasting impacts it has made. My research utilizes a collaborative approach that combines archival work, storytelling, and community-based historical documentary work. Throughout my research, I used Indigenous methodologies that prioritized Sandy Bay’s cultural protocols and values of reciprocity and respect. Throughout this process, community members were considered partners rather than subjects of research. This thesis reveals that the intentions of the government and missionaries were rooted in efforts to erase Indigenous culture, traditions, spirituality, and language. Survivors’ oral histories reveal that the students at the SBIRS were subjected to abuse, neglect, and isolation. These impacts continue to be felt, and Survivors’ offer suggestions for healing. This thesis contributes to the field of residential school literature by offering a localized history that is representative of Sandy Bay’s experiences and perspectives, challenging the colonial misrepresentations of residential school history. This narrative provides Canadians the opportunity to learn residential school history through a community perspective and offers Sandy Bay community members a deeper understanding of the historical transformations within the community and the lasting legacies of the residential school, which can adequately inform strategies for healing. Through this work, we commemorate Survivors, honour the lives of students who have passed, and begin a pathway toward healing.
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Open Access
Hena kiksuya mayanipte ye! ‘Remembering’ for Indigenous data, research, and spectrum sovereignty
(2025-03-17) Daniels, Ashley Justine Wacanta; Gamache, Mylène (Indigenous Studies); Ladner, Kiera (Political Studies, Women's and Gender Studies); Daborn, Merissa
This research calls for epistemic justice where Treaty One, Oceti Sakowin, and the Red River Métis Nation can exercise rights over data, and research that is free from the constraints of settler colonial oversights and manipulation. This research stands alongside Indigenous research sovereignty scholars’ who provide the rationale for critiquing settler colonial infrastructures by placing rights-based frameworks at the forefront to advance the broader movement of Indigenous data sovereignty. I do this research through evaluation and analysis of settler-imposed policies in place-based context, referring to the University of Manitoba and administrations’ external influences, including the provincial and federal government. My thesis is rooted in the core methodologies of truth-telling, remembering, telling it straight, and takes a language revitalization approach to invoke collective memory and to assert Indigenous data, research, and spectrum sovereignty. I argue that language reflects place-based and nation specificities as dialects differ from nation to nation, place to place but also re-make relationality to data, law making, science, and technologies. Through the synchronized kinetic energy produced within this thesis, I identified a limitation of place-based and nation-specific infrastructures or collective collaboration, consent, and consensus with treaty and inherent rights holders of Treaty One, Oceti Sakowin, and the Red River Métis Nation at the University of Manitoba. By transmitting kinetic energy, this thesis contributes to the larger field of Critical Indigenous Studies through centering Anishinaabeg and Dakota Oyate ontologies, epistemologies, and methodologies to demonstrate nation-rebuilding practices of re-making relationality beyond and outside of colonial bounds that further Indigenous data, research, and spectrum sovereignty movements. My thesis is here to remind Indigenous Peoples to refuse the ongoing colonial harms, and colonial ideologies within data, and research ecosystems.
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Open Access
Development of chickpea beverages through enzymatic treatments: from rapid visco analyzer to pilot plant production
(Oxford Academic, 2025-02-08) Ruiz-Zambrano, Nidia Leticia; Gasparre, Nicola; Pérez-Carrillo, Esther; Rosell, Cristina M
Plant-based beverage production generally involves enzymatic treatments to overcome technological challenges. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the potential use of the Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) to simulate pilot plant (PP) conditions and determine the enzyme(s) and enzyme-concentrations to be used in PP for beverage production using chickpea flour. α-Amylase-TA, maltogenase-MA and amyloglucosidase-AMG were tested individually and in combination at three concentrations. Chickpea suspensions with 3% protein, equivalent to milk contribution, were produced at laboratory scale in RVA while simulating PP. Highest viscosity reductions was obtained with the highest enzymatic activity (TA.3 = 1.21 CU/g flour; MA.3 = 0.15 CU/g flour; AMG.3 = 0.69 mg of glucose released/g flour). TA was the most effective in reducing final viscosity and increasing free sugars, particularly combined with TA + MA + AMG. RVA findings were validated in PP-production using TA.3 + MA.3 + AMG.3. Viscosity decreased from 50,697 ± 8,907 cP observed in the control to 4,505 ± 171 cP when using TA.3 + MA.3 + AMG.3. Due to homogenization, the whiteness index was higher for PP beverages (67–71) than for RVA suspensions (65–67). This study demonstrates the potential of using RVA as a tool to optimize enzyme concentrations for chickpea beverage production and the successful scale-up of the process to PP-level.
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Open Access
Revisionary superheroes and speculative romance: disidentificatory tactics of South Asian representation and fandom in Western popular culture
(2025-03-27) Shaji Marar, Lakshmisree; Joo, Hee-Jung Serenity (English, Theatre, Film and Media); MacKendrick, Kenneth G. (Religion); Keating, Erin
This thesis analyzes how creators deploy nuanced and inherently political tactics to represent and maintain a presence for South Asian subjectivities in Western popular culture. I borrow the term “tactics” from Micheal de Certeau’s theorization of the idea as “styles of social exchange, technical invention, and moral resistance” (106) that are capable of insinuating into sociopolitical hegemonic systems that support and sustain imperialism and neoliberalism. In order to “trick the order” (de Certeau 106), the authors/creators (and, in some cases, the fictional characters and the fandoms) go through tactical disidentificatory processes which can be understood as “a partial disavowal of [a] cultural form that works to restructure [the power structure] from within” (28) as José Esteban Muñoz describes. The disidentificatory politics of popular culture, its subgenres (superhero comics and historical romance), and the tactical inclusion of South Asian representation by the creators of the works are the primary areas of analysis. Chapter One studies Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ms. Marvel, the story of a Pakistani-American teenage superhero. The second chapter continues the discussion by analyzing the Disney+ adaptation of the comic. The chapters on Ms. Marvel argue that the characterization of the superhero proposes a revisionary understanding of the term superhero, unlike the one currently deriving from white, patriarchal societal values. Chapter Three analyses Netflix’s show Bridgerton’s second season and its story of two British-Indian sisters living in a mixed-race upper class in Regency-era Britain. This chapter advocates for the speculative tendencies of the romance show and establishes the disidentification as practiced by Brown characters and the fandoms. Ultimately, this thesis contends that disidentificatory tactics used in Western popular culture lend theoretical scaffolding for praxis, which is vital for our analysis of art in a neoliberal society still dominated by structures of whiteness.
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Open Access
Biomimetic vibroprobes for lunar and terrestrial subsurface exploration
(2025-03-26) Alaei Varnosfaderani, Mahdi; Telichev, Igor (Mechanical Engineering); Liu, Hongwei (Civil Engineering); Skonieczny, Krzysztof (Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University); Maghoul, Pooneh; Wu, Nan
Space exploration presents challenges, particularly in adapting soil drilling tools for efficient subsurface investigation of the Moon and other extraterrestrial bodies. Traditional tools used on Earth are impractical due to payload restrictions in space missions. To address this issue, the development of light and compact probes is essential for overcoming payload barriers. This research focuses on the development of two concepts for subsurface investigation tools: 1) the utilization of subsonic projectile probes, which can be launched from a lunar orbiter or lander to the surface of the Moon, and 2) bio-inspired vibroprobes, which can be mounted on a lunar rover. As such, in the first part of this thesis, an analytical model is developed to predict the deceleration rate and final penetration depth of a rigid projectile probe under perpendicular subsonic impact. The analytical model, developed based on the spherical cavity expansion theory, considers plastic and elastic stress fields by incorporating the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. The proposed solutions in the subsonic range have been validated using field ground-based experimental data found in the literature. This validation confirms the model’s reliability in estimating the dynamic motion of the penetrator and highlights its potential as a benchmark for more complex, sophisticated numerical calculations. The second part of this thesis involves the development of a biomimetic vibro-based probe, which deploys energy-efficient high-power vibrations to enhance penetration into granular materials. This is carried out by drawing inspiration from observed bending vibrations in biological mechanisms such as snakes, horned lizards, and sandfish. First, the influence of vibration frequency, amplitude, and probe head on penetration resistance is assessed computationally using the discrete element method. The simulation outcomes suggest that high-frequency lateral vibrations hold promise in decreasing the required overhead load for the penetration of probes into granular media. Then, the impact of lateral vibration is physically investigated by developing proof-of-concept bio-inspired vibroprobes in the laboratory. The probes are equipped with thin piezo patches to induce lateral vibration, manifesting as bending vibrations in the structure of the probes. Through experimental testing, the capability of the vibroprobes to reduce penetration force and enhance the penetration process into granular materials is assessed. The experimental results demonstrated a significant reduction in penetration force, reaching up to 42%, when employing bi-directional bending vibrations in the circular cross-section probe. This highlights the effectiveness of bending vibration in developing compact subsurface drilling tools. These two concepts provide a promising strategy for overcoming soil drilling challenges in remote subsurface investigations.
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Open Access
High pressure processing at different hydration levels as a tool to enhance rice bran stability and techno-functionality
(Elsevier, 2024-12-31) Grau-Fuentes, Eva; Garzon, Raquel; Rodrigo, Dolores; Rosell, Cristina M
High-pressure processing (HPP) enhances food safety and shelf life by inactivating microorganisms and preserving food quality, yet its effectiveness in low-humidity environments has not been evaluated. This study investigated the effects of HPP at 500 MPa for 15 min across varying hydration levels (15, 30, 60, 77 %) on rice bran (RB), aiming to identify microbial effectiveness, besides techno-functional and physicochemical properties. HPP effectively reduced mesophilic bacteria, molds and yeast of RB at > 15 % hydration level, achieving reductions of up to 4 logarithmic cycles in the latter, nearing the detection limit of the method. However, it did not significantly impact spore inactivation. HPP treatment of ≥ 30 % hydrated RB induced particles aggregation and a honeycomb formation. The interaction between hydration and HPP treatment significantly affected the distribution of total dietary fibers, with an increase in soluble dietary fiber from 8.73 g/100 g to 11.03 g/100 g after HPP treatment at 15 % hydration level. Protein solubility was enhanced by hydration (15, 30 and 60 %), and peroxide values decreased after HPP treatment at low hydration (≤30 %) but increased when applied to high hydrated (>30 %) RB. Emulsifying activity decreased upon HPP treatment of highly hydrated RB (≥60 %), but more stable emulsions were achieved after HPP, regardless of the hydration level. Therefore, this study highlights the potential of HPP as a sustainable approach to enhance the utilization of rice bran in food applications, addressing existing knowledge gaps regarding its processing under different moisture conditions.
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Open Access
Lupin flour as a wheat substitute in conventional and sourdough breadmaking: impact on bread physicochemical properties and volatile profile
(Springer Nature, 2025-02-28) NIGRO, GIANFILIPPO; Gasparre, Nicola; Vurro, Francesca; Pasqualone, Antonella; Rosell, Cristina M
Enhancing the nutritional profile of baked goods while addressing sustainability challenges means finding different sources of functional, sensory and nutritional ingredients. The aim of this study was to evaluate native lupin flour versus spontaneously fermented lupin flour as ingredient for wheat breadmaking. For that purpose, wheat flour was supplemented with 15–30 g/100 g lupin flour (LF15, LF30) or freeze-dried lupin sourdough (LS15, LS30) and dough and breads were assessed in comparison with wheat bread (control). Both lupin flour and lupin sourdough decreased dough stability, delayed the fermentation and lowered the pH. The incorporation of lupin flour increased the hardness of the crumb, except for when adding sourdough (15 g/100 g) that increased the bread expansion and enriched the volatile profile of bread. The analysis of the volatile compounds confirmed that lupin flour conferred fatty, green odor due to octanal, and when in the form of sourdough brought sour, and almond notes from acetic acid and benzaldehyde, respectively. Overall, lupin addition is a strategy to produce bread aligned with current trends towards sustainable and plant-based diets, particularly in the form of spontaneous type IV whole lupin sourdough up to 15 g/100 g wheat replacement.
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Open Access
Safety of cannabinoids used for medical purposes in children and adolescents
(2025-03-24) Chhabra, Manik; Katyal, Sachin (Pharmacology and Therapeutics); Oberoi, Sapna (Pediatrics and Child Health); 't Jong, Geert (Pediatrics and Child Health); Denovan-Wright, Eileen (Dalhousie University); Kelly, Lauren
Background: Over the last two decades, there has been growing interest and research in using cannabinoids for medical purposes in children. The main goal of my doctoral thesis was to examine the safety of cannabinoids used for medical purposes in children to generate data to guide clinical practice and future research. Methods: First, we conducted a living systematic review (LSR) to study the available evidence on cannabis products used for medical purposes in children. Second, to learn more about specific indications and safety profiles, we conducted three separate subgroup systematic reviews of studies including children with cancer, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials where adverse event (AEs) profiles were compared between those receiving cannabinoids and control arms. Third, a pharmacovigilance database study was conducted to evaluate the real-world safety reporting on cannabidiol (CBD) and investigate its drug interactions in children. Results: In the LSR, among identified interventional and observational studies, common indications for cannabinoids in children were refractory epilepsy (n=146 studies, 188,726 participants), followed by cancer and cancer symptom management (n=30 studies, 208,753 participants), and ASD (n=18 studies, 1285 participants). The most common cannabinoids studied in interventional studies were purified CBD (78.6%, n=66 studies, 5235 participants) with dose-range of 2-50 mg/kg/day, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (6%, n=5 studies, 148 participants) with dose-range of 2.5-10 mg/day (with a max dose of nabiximols containing 32.4 mg of THC) and nabilone (6%, n=5 studies, 267 participants) with dose-range of 0.5-2 mg/day. In a cancer symptom management systematic review, cannabinoids were commonly used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (11/19, 58%) management. In controlled studies, somnolence, dizziness, dry mouth, and withdrawal due to adverse events were more commonly associated with the use of cannabinoids in children with cancer compared to active control group. In the ASD review, the pooled prevalence of AEs across single-arm studies and observational studies was 44.8% (95% CI, 24.1-67.4; I2 = 94%; 9 studies) in children with ASD. Somnolence, changes in appetite, restlessness, and tiredness were the commonly reported AEs (> 10%). Validated efficacy measures were reported inconsistently across studies. Epilepsy, sleep impairment, hyperactivity, concentration impairment, and irritability were the most common symptoms managed with cannabinoids in children with ASD. In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials, cannabinoids were associated with an overall increased risk of adverse events (risk ratio [RR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16; I2 = 54%; 12 trials), withdrawals due to adverse events (RR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.73-5.43; I2 = 0%;14 trials), and serious adverse events (RR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.21-2.71; I2 = 59%; 11 trials) compared with control group. In real-world pharmacovigilance data, Signals were detected for hospitalization [Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) 30.83 (95% CI, 26.03-36.51), 127 reports], sudden unexplained death in epilepsy [PRR 27.64 (95% CI, 10.06-75.91), 4 reports], seizures [PRR 19.77 (95% CI, 18.03-21.66), 328 reports] and death [PRR 14.07 (95% CI, 12.27-16.13), 176 reports]. CBD was commonly reported to interact with clobazam (n=8/19, 42.10%), valproic acid (n=4/19, 21.05%), mTOR inhibitors (everolimus and sirolimus; n=3/19, 15.78%), topiramate (n=2/19, 10.50%), and zonisamide (n=2/19, 10.50%). Conclusions This thesis's findings identified evidence gaps while synthesizing dosing, safety, and reported benefits of cannabinoid use in children for medical purposes. Long-term safety studies, especially those exploring cannabinoid-related drug interactions and tools that improve adverse event reporting and harmonize cannabis exposure definitions, are needed.
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Open Access
Beyond language: tracing social identity through pottery. Stylistic analysis of Early Iron Age communities in southeastern South Africa
(2025-03-26) Jordaan, Francois; Greenfield, Haskel (Anthropology); Lawall, Mark (Classics); Russell, Thembiwe (University of the Witwatersrand); Fowler, Kent
This dissertation examines the relationship between pottery style and social identity among Early Iron Age communities in southern Africa, offering an alternative and novel framework for interpreting stylistic variation. While effective in mapping large-scale cultural patterns, traditional analytical methods are limited in their ability to capture smaller-scale social dynamics. This research combines design symmetry analysis with Bayesian modelling, introducing a temporal approach emphasizing continuity and gradual change over rigid, periodized phases. Through this approach, the study demonstrates that pottery style is not simply a static marker of cultural identity but a dynamic expression of social relationships, environmental factors, and shifting design networks. By interpreting ceramic design within broader assemblages, this dissertation shows how pottery reflects the intricate processes of community interactions, learning networks, and identity formation across multiple scales. The findings suggest that “design networks,” rather than fixed cultural groups, shaped regional stylistic patterns and that pottery served as a medium for stability and transformation within these communities. This new framework expands the potential for archaeological analysis to explore social identities beyond language groups, contributing to a deeper understanding of how early farming societies in southern Africa engaged with and adapted their material culture over time.