title: Exploring capillary electrophoresis methods for the affinity interaction of indolicidin and lipopolysaccharide

contributor: Huttunen-Hennelly, Heidi (hhuttunen) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Science (Degree granting institution)

contributor: Van Hamme, Jonathan (jvanhamme) (committee member)

contributor: Paetkau, Mark (mpaetkau) (committee member)

format: electronic 96p electronic

subject:
Capillary electrophoresis -- Technique
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides

abstract:
Indolicidin (indol) is a cationic antimicrobial peptide that is isolated from the cytoplasmic granules of bovine neutrophils. Known primarily for its high percentage of tryptophan residues, indol is of particular interest due to its broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. While there is currently a lot of information available on the minimum inhibitory concentration for indol, as well as for its overall spectrum of activity, there remains a gap in knowledge about the mechanism of action and a binding constant (Kb) has not yet been reported for its interaction with its proposed receptor- lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This thesis focuses on investigating capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods for studying the interaction of indol with LPS at physiological pH with the ultimate goal of generating a Kb.

In Chapter 2, the effect of incubation time is explored using pre-incubation CE. The findings indicate a slow equilibrium that is established at upwards of six hours. Kb values of decreasing magnitude are generated at 2, 5.5 and 10 h (± 0.5) incubation times, each data set indicated that formation of the complex is favoured and multiple binding stoichiometries are likely present.

Chapter 3 outlines optimized affinity CE parameters with indol as a constant concentration sample and LPS added to the background electrolyte. A molecular mass range is assumed for LPS to produce a conservative Kb range for the interaction of indol and LPS. The results agreed with those of Chapter 2, suggesting multiple binding sites and that complex formation is favoured. Finally, attempted use of the frontal analysis CE (FACE) method is described in Chapter 4, outlining optimized parameters and suggestions for successful use of the FACE method. Combined, Chapters 2, 3 and 4 set the groundwork for a confident Kb to be reported for the interaction of indol with LPS. Additionally, those methods will translate nicely to the study of indol or its derivatives with mammalian cells in future work.


title: Evaluating the grazing response index of three key forage species in the southern interior of British Columbia by using multiple clipping treatments to determine impact on plant vigour

type: Text thesis

contributor: Gardner, Wendy (wgardner) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Fraser, Lauchlan (lfraser) (committee member)

format: electronic 79p electronic

subject: Range management -- British Columbia

subject: Range management -- Environmental aspects -- British Columbia

abstract: In British Columbia, many practices related to rangeland management are not working as effectively as they used to due to fluctuating environmental factors. The Grazing Response Index (GRI) is a tool which was developed in Colorado, USA to help rangeland managers and producers evaluate the effects of grazing in a current year by integrating management and climate factors which relate directly to growing conditions. To determine if this tool could be used in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, in conjunction with range condition assessments and range health assessments, the effectiveness of the GRI was determined by comparing the responses of three key forage species to various levels of clipping: clipped once at 40% or 70% or clipped three times at 40% or 70% removal of biomass. Results varied by species: bluebunch wheatgrass was impacted greater by intensity of clipping rather than frequency, rough fescue showed interactions between frequency and intensity while pinegrass results were variable. Though results varied by species, the GRI scoring for each species response was considered appropriate though it was conservative in its scoring of the more severe treatments. I conclude that the GRI could be a beneficial tool for annual range management in the Southern Interior to supplement long term management tools.


title: Inclusive collaboration: The use of the push-in model of intervention and growth mindset approach in the general mathematics classroom

contributor: Ramirez, Gloria (gramirez) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Stevens, Nan (nstevens) (committee member)

contributor: Nazemi, Mahtab (mnazemi) (committee member)

contributor: Rollans, Shane (srollans) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Education and Social Work (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
vi, 121 pages

subject: Mathematics -- Study and teaching

abstract: This thesis examines the effectiveness of providing in classroom (push-in model) support for learners struggling with mathematics. Using a collaborative teaching model between the classroom teacher and the Learning Assistant Resource Teacher, two aspects were examined in children from grades four to seven: 1) Change in Growth Mindset as measured by a growth-mindset self-rating scale pre and post intervention and students’ reflections and 2) The experiences of teachers during the implementation of a collaborative push-in model intervention. The children who received the intervention showed important changes in their mindset as suggested by the increasing scores in the growth mindset questionnaires from pre- to post-intervention, and the difference was statistically significant as revealed by a paired sample t-test. Their growth mindset was corroborated by their journals entries. Examination of the teachers’ collaborative experience revealed that collaborations facilitated curriculum alignment, timely language scaffolding in math, and variation within the learning environment. It also improved curriculum scope, sequence, and learning continuity. Moreover, it afforded flexibility in timing and organization of the learning environment. The importance of this study directly relates to the issues of inclusion and providing effective services to students.

abstract: collaborative teaching

abstract: inclusive education

abstract: mathematics

abstract: growth mindset

abstract: push-in student support


title: The shift from traditional to developed curriculum: A study of the Saudi Arabian secondary school English curriculum

contributor: Churchley, John (jchurchley) (committee member)

contributor: Handford, Victoria (vhandford) (committee member)

contributor: Sanchez-Flores, Monica J. (msanchez) (committee member)

format: electronic 85p electronic

subject: Saudi Arabia -- Education

subject: Saudi Arabia. Education, Ministry of

subject: English language -- Study and teaching -- Saudi Arabia

abstract: The effectiveness of an English curriculum, called Traveller, newly implemented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was investigated.  The research identified advancements in the new curriculum that contributed to better achievement of academic goals in English language study.  In 2011 the Ministry of Education introduced new teaching approaches; of the four new methods that the Ministry of Education adopted in secondary schools, this research focused on the Traveller curriculum.  Senior secondary female students and English language teachers were chosen as participants to evaluate this new method.  Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied.  The results showed that the Traveller method has brought remarkable benefits to the teaching and learning process.  The majority of the students thought it was a valuable learning experience, and students worked harder because they found that the course challenged them appropriately.  Therefore, this research shows that the introduction of this new approach positively impacted student achievement.  Furthermore, the credit system showed success, as 63% of the students agreed that it increased their desire to learn.

abstract: Curriculum

abstract: Traveller

abstract: Saudi Arabia

abstract: Secondary

abstract: English


title: "It will never be my first choice to do an online course": Examining experiences of Indigenous learners online in Canadian post-secondary educational institutions

contributor: McCormick, Rod (rmccormick) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Mason, Courtney (cmason) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Ramirez, Gloria (gramirez) (committee member)

format:
electronic
205 pages

subject: Indigenous peoples -- Education (Higher)

abstract: In the era of Truth and Reconciliation (TRC), educational administrators have a responsibility to answer the Calls to Action to transform post-secondary education, to increase access for Indigenous learners and decreasing education disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners (TRC, 2015a). If distance education is an option for expanding educational opportunities, online learning environments should be scrutinized to ensure learner engagement and meaningful support for Indigenous students. This thesis uses a Community of Inquiry (CoI) (Garrison, Anderson & Archer, 2000) framework to examine existing literature and to frame the voices of 21 Indigenous participants about their experiences of supports, preferences, and online best practices. By exploring, understanding and incorporating what may be unique preferences, cultures, languages, worldviews, and ways of knowing, mechanisms to transform distance learning environments to improve engagement for Indigenous students can be identified. With the aim of synthesizing potential findings with online best practices, it may be possible to transform online delivery and development to provide a rich educational experience for students.

abstract: Indigenous learners

abstract: post-secondary

abstract: online learning

abstract: distance education

abstract: CoI

abstract: community of inquiry

abstract: Indigenous education

abstract: e-learning

abstract: student support

abstract: student retention


title: Establishment of drip-irrigated poplar in semi arid British Columbia

contributor: Karakatsoulis, John (jkarakatsoulis) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
xii, 105 pages

subject: Poplar -- Planting

subject: Tree farms -- Skeetchestn Reserve (B.C.)

subject: Forestry engineering

abstract: The need for research into systems that augment diminishing wood fibre supplies is underscored by escalating pressures on primary forests. In semi-arid forest plantations, small-scale site preparation can reduce competition from non-crop species, but interplanting amongst existing vegetation may create favorable establishment conditions including altered soil water content and hindered deer browsing. The objectives of this thesis are to determine: (1) the impact of mechanical site preparation versus interplanting on the survival and initial growth of Populus cuttings, (2) differences in survival and initial growth between four different selectively-bred Populus clones and (3) whether there is an interaction between the establishment treatments and the different clones in an intensively managed plantation. In 2016, a drip irrigation system was constructed to deliver approximately 2.5 l day-1 of water to cuttings of 4 selectively-bred poplar (Populus deltoides x petrowskyana (P. laurifolia x P. nigra)) clone types (Green Giant, Griffin, Hill, Walker) planted across 6 blocks in a 10-hectare plantation on Skeetchestn Reserve west of Kamloops, BC. Before planting, 50% of each block was treated with mechanical site preparation, and 50% was not mechanically site prepared to allow for interplanting of the cuttings with existing vegetation. Watering took place from July-September 2016 and from May-September 2017. In 2016, trees were watered for 48 days, totaling 1.06 x 106 l. In 2017, trees were watered for 96 days, totaling 2.12 x 106 l. At the end of each growing season, non random sampling including measurements of basal diameter, total height and length of longest stems as well as counts of tree survival were conducted. Generalized linear models were constructed to investigate responses of survival, diameter, height and volume index to establishment treatment, clone type and initial cutting size predictors. Significant differences in tree survival, basal diameter, basal diameter increment, total tree height, total tree height increment, volume index and volume index increment were found between clones (p<0.05) but not between establishment treatments after the first (2016) and second growing season (2017). No significant treatment*clone interactions were detected. By fall 2017, the best performing clone was Green Giant with 75% survival, 15.6 mm basal diameter, 0.6 mm two-year diameter increment, 43.6 cm height, 14.3 cm two-year height increment, 0.10 dm3 volume index and 0.06 dm3 two-year volume index increment. The worst performing clone was Griffin with 32% survival, 12.0 mm basal diameter, 0.2 mm two-year diameter increment, 38.7 cm height, 4.9 cm two-year height increment, 0.06 dm3 volume index and 0.03 dm3 two-year volume index increment. Cuttings with larger initial diameters exhibited significantly better (p<0.05) survival, diameter increment, height increment and volume index increment in the first year after planting. With first year survival being paramount to establishment success, cuttings planted in similar conditions should be selected for large basal diameters. The mechanical site preparation establishment treatment showed consistent improvement of establishment and growth parameters over the interplanting treatment, but mixed significant (p<0.05) and non-significant (p>0.05) results did not support recommending it for future use.

abstract: Silviculture

abstract: Forest engineering

abstract: Irrigation

abstract: Plantation forestry

abstract: Populus


title: An annual cycle approach to studying Bullock's Orioles: Examining infraspecific variation in moult-migration and the influence of primary productivity on breeding abundance

contributor: Reudink, Matt (mreudink) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Science (Degree granting institution)

contributor: Carlyle-Moses, Darryl (dcarlyle) (committee member)

format: electronic 70p electronic

subject: Icterus (birds)

subject: Orioles

subject: Monsoons -- Mexico

subject: Birds -- Migration -- Canada -- British Columbia

subject: Stable isotope -- Analysis

abstract: I investigated moult and migration in Bullock’s orioles (Icterus bullockii) using acombination of geolocators and stable hydrogen isotope analysis. Our results clearly demonstrate that Bullock’s orioles use a stopover site in the Mexican monsoon region to moult en route to their overwintering grounds. This migration strategy appears to be consistent across all age and sex classes of Bullock’s orioles from our population at the Northern extent of their range in Kamloops, BC. We also assessed how breeding abundance throughout the oriole’s breeding range varies with changes in primary productivity on their breeding, moulting, and overwintering grounds. Our data revealed that primary productivity on the breeding grounds, and potentially in some overwintering areas, affects subsequent season breeding abundance in several Bird Conservation Regions. This study has implications for other moult-migrant songbirds in Western North America and illustrates the importance of studying birds throughout their annual cycle.

abstract: Bullock’s orioles

abstract: moult-migration

abstract: NDVI

abstract: breeding abundance

abstract: stable isotope analysis

abstract: geolocator

abstract: Mexican monsoon region


title: An examination of the role of white teachers working in Aboriginal communities

format: electronic 139p electronic

subject: Indigenous peoples -- Education -- Canada

abstract: Research in education asserts that racism and discrimination in schools and in our wider society are factors that impede the success of Aboriginal learners. White teachers, who currently make up the majority of those who teach Aboriginal students in British Columbia, have a role to play in transforming our schools. This requires them to challenge their own preconceptions and confront structures of power and dominance. Through semi-structured interviews and a focus group session, this qualitative, case study fills a gap in the literature by exploring the views of seven White teachers, working in rural Southern British Columbia. It seeks to understand how they describe their experiences and perceptions of their role in order to learn how they can best be supported to combat the inequity that exists within the system. The findings of the study demonstrate that while some teachers do have an understanding of the impact of race in the classroom, others maintain ‘colour-blind’ perspectives. Although they expressed the desire to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing in curriculum, many participants felt that the decision to do so was largely left to them as classroom teachers. They also expressed anxiety about doing so in a respectful and authentic way. Relationships with students and community members were viewed as vital; however, those who were new to the community expressed the desire to make stronger connections with both parents and community members. Time living in the community was viewed as an important factor in developing these relationships. Areas where teachers can be supported to work as allies alongside community members towards a more equitable system for Aboriginal students are highlighted through the analysis of the findings of this case study.


title: Engaging communities in collaboration through online communities of inquiry

contributor: Rees, Carol (Carol Rees (crees)) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
98 pages

abstract: This research examined the community of inquiry as a framework for collaborative, online community engagement with the goal of supporting collaborative participation of community members inhibited from attending face-to-face engagement opportunities. The community of inquiry framework was used to design a two-week, online, asynchronous community engagement experience for ten participants divided into two groups. Case study qualitative methods were used to explore the records of discussion to determine how the community of inquiry supported online community engagement as well as identify impediments to its development. The framework supported community engagement; however, participants did not complete the inquiry cycle. Potential inhibitors to the framework’s development included participant motivation, lack of engagement between participants, response timing in asynchronous discussion, and the overall time available to complete the study. In response to these results, promising practices and a modified community of inquiry model were proposed for application in a community engagement setting.

abstract: community of inquiry

abstract: community engagement

abstract: collaboration

abstract: makerspace

abstract: cognitive presence

abstract: social presence

abstract: facilitation

abstract: inquiry


title: Voices of racialized and Indigenous leaders in Canadian universities

contributor: Handford,, Victoria (vhandford) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Ramirez,, Gloria (gramirez) (committee member)

contributor: Jeyapal,, Daphne , (djeyapal) (committee member)

subject: Educational leadership -- Canada

abstract: Despite increasing interest in the development of K-12 educational leadership, and the slowly growing interest in leadership within higher education, the experiences of racialized and Indigenous leaders remain largely unheard and undocumented in Canada. Using a multiple-case study research design, participants were asked to answer the research question: What are the experiences of racialized and Indigenous leaders in Canadian universities? Ten racialized and Indigenous leaders serving various leadership roles in Canadian universities were interviewed in relation to this question using individual, semi-structured interviews and interpreted through the framework of Critical Race Theory. Six themes emerged to describe the complex and demanding roles of the participating leaders: a) Navigating Power, Politics, & Action, b) Resilience & Managing Distractions, c) Maintaining Values and Principles, d) Practicing Sustainable Leadership, e) Negotiating a Unique Identity: Insiders & Outsiders, and d) Negotiating Organizational Trust. The findings show that the nature of leadership practiced by the participating leaders is dynamic, fluid, and evolving. This research also revealed the important role race plays in influencing the day to day experiences of these leaders in higher education and how their presence, positive identity leadership traits, and personal politics, directly or indirectly result in socially just and equitable leadership outcomes, ultimately making Canadian universities more equitable. These findings support Applied Critical Leadership (ACL), an emerging theory in educational leadership research. It also captures insights, which inform future research agendas in educational leadership generally, and leadership in higher education more specifically.

abstract: higher education

abstract: critical race theory

abstract: Canadian universities

abstract: racialized and Indigenous leaders

abstract: multiple-case studies

abstract: Delphi technique

abstract: leadership


title: Learning environment and education leadership: A comparative study that includes British Columbia, Canada and Saudi Arabia

contributor: Handford, Victoria Handford (Victoria Handford (vhanford)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Sullivan, Terry (Terry Sullivan (tsullivan)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Sanchez-Flores, Monica J. (Monica Sanchez-Flores (msanchez)) (committee member)

format:
electronic
v, 80 pages
electronic

subject: Classroom environment -- British Columbia

subject: Classroom environment -- Saudi Arabia

subject: Educational leadership -- British Columbia

subject: Educational leadership -- Saudi Arabia

abstract: This research sheds light on the similarities as well as the differences between the administrative as well as leadership styles in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A). This study was conducted with a total of eight participants (four from British Columbia and four from Saudi Arabia respectively). A narrative inquiry approach was utilized in this research, through which the participants’ lived experiences and their impact on the learning environment were examined. Through the stories shared by the participating school leaders from both jurisdictions in the conversational interviews, a candid and clear picture of educational leadership in relation to their lived experience was provided. It was through careful analysis of the administrators’ narrative account with respect to their experiences that the researcher recognized the narrative trends in which the administrators’ build their stories. This approach revealed the cultural landscapes within the educational leadership in relation to their lived experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and British Columbia respectively. This study found that BC school leaders viewed their job as having to do with every aspect of the school administration and leadership with a ‘wide spectrum’ of tasks, while the principals in Saudi Arabia saw their major responsibility as ‘general supervision’. It was also revealed through this research that in spite of their cultural differences, school leaders in these two countries viewed unnecessary bureaucratic hierarchies as a common barrier toward the smooth running of schools within the two cultures. Generally, it was found that irrespective of the well-established cultural and geographical differences between Saudi Arabia and British Columbia, educational leaders in these two countries do share some similarities in their leadership approach and styles.


title: Determinants of a win-win in environmental and economic growth trends of nations: 2000-2010

contributor: Tsigaris, Peter (Peter Tsigaris (ptsigaris)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Wood, Joel (Joel Wood (jwood)) (committee member)

contributor: Kading, Terry (Terry Kading (tkading)) (committee member)

contributor: Gardner, Wendy (Wendy Gardner (wgardner)) (committee member)

contributor: Crespo Cuaresma, Jesus (committee member)

format:
electronic
x, 142 pages
electronic

subject:
Environmental economics
Sustainable development
Econometrics

abstract:
The consequences surrounding the rise in economic growth of a nation at the expense of a
deteriorating environmental quality for any given nation in the long-run could reflect
deterioration of human health, quality of life and a further ecosystem destruction which
reflects a win-loss situation. This research identifies those nations that have had progress in
their economic growth and environmental performance simultaneously over the recent decade
in order to identify the nations in a win-win situation. With the use of the environmental
performance trend data available from Yale University and Gross Domestic Product per
capita from the World Bank database, we provide insights into nations which had a win-win
in economic growth and environmental performance trends simultaneously between 2000-
2010 and which did not. Also, we explore nations which had a high win-win trend using
thresholds and some of the underlying factors that can help to explain differences in
performances across nations. This study employs the K-means clustering technique to
identify the different clusters of nations within win-win or other pre-defined clusters for over
200 nations. The environmental performance is divided into environmental health which
focuses on human health and ecosystem vitality which focuses on the health of the
ecosystem. Within this period, low-income, middle-income and high-income nations had an
overall win-win situation in environmental issues that affect human health especially the
child mortality indicator in comparison to its water and air quality counterparts. Nations had
more of a win-loss situation in environmental issues that affect the ecosystem which connotes
win for the economy but a declining ecosystem indicator. The statistically significant
variables found to impact the likelihood of win-win in the environmental health category
using logistic regressions consists of the initial GDP, initial non-income HDI, average
investment spending and improvements in political stability. The explanatory power of the
independent variables is strongest for win-win in child mortality and economic growth but
not much power to explain for water and air quality situation. On the other hand, having a
higher likelihood of a win-win case for the health of the ecosystem and economic growth
included improved governance effectiveness, initial income-level, average investment
spending and the initial environmental performance level of a nation which all varied by
magnitude in its influence on biodiversity, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, air quality, climate
change and water use indicators.


title: Screening of cave bacteria for antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

contributor: Cheeptham, Naowarat (ncheeptham) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Urban, Joanna (jurban) (committee member)

abstract: The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa may grow in a biofilm structure, which can be up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics compared to planktonic isolates. The P. aeruginosa biofilms have serious implications with regard to infection, especially in individuals with weakened immune defenses such as burn and cystic fibrosis patients. Antibiotic studies are usually based on planktonic antibiotic susceptibility results, so the treatment may be less effective when used in patients. The aim of this study was to further screen previously studied cave bacterial isolates with potential activity and determine their antimicrobial capabilities against P. aeruginosa biofilms. Three strains; A1A3, RA003 and 58B were cultured in different media over 10 days, with collections of supernatant on days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. The MBEC P&G Assay device was used to culture P. aeruginosa biofilms, which were then exposed to the collected supernatants. After exposure, the surviving biofilms were recovered, and spot plated in order to measure any inhibition of P. aeruginosa. Dilution and spot plating were also used to enumerate surviving cells, and give a percent survival quantification of antimicrobial activity. As well, Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assays were used to determine the cave isolates’ inhibitory effect on planktonic cells. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine biofilms structures and 16S rRNA sequencing was used to identify cave bacterial isolates. The biofilms showed a noticeably decreased percent survival when exposed to the cave isolate supernatant. The cave isolate 58B showed to be very promising, demonstrating significant reduction in the surviving biofilm cells. This study shows that cave bacteria produce antimicrobials that are effective against pathogenic bacteria even in a biofilm structure.


title: Canadian and Iranian graduate students' conceptions of critical thinking: A comparative study

contributor: Howe, Edward (Edward Howe (ehowe)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Nazemi, Mahtab (Mahtab Nazemi (mnazemi)) (committee member)

contributor: Freimuth, Hilda (Hilda Freimuth (hfreimuth)) (committee member)

contributor: Kinnear, Penny (Penny Kinnear (pkinnear)) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Education and Social Work (Degree granting institution)

abstract: This qualitative study compares Canadian and Iranian students’ conceptions of critical thinking during their graduate studies in Canada. Critical thinking is an essential skill in higher education that enables students to have the art of making reasoned judgements from their observation and experimentation. The present narrative inquiry in the light of open-ended interviews describes the lived experiences of eight students: four Canadian and four Iranian, from different master’s programs at a public mid-sized university in British Columbia province to examine their experiences and notions of critical thinking during their studies. The study’s findings indicated that while all Canadian participants had a reasonable perception of critical thinking, some Iranian contributors required knowledge to build their critical thinking conceptualization. In addition to different cultural and educational backgrounds, content knowledge, instructors’ competence, and teaching methods played vital roles in influencing the cultivation and development of critical thinking among both groups of students. The results recommend the need to re-examine the curriculum and ways instructors can facilitate critical thinking among Canadian and Iranian students.

abstract: critical thinking

abstract: Canadian students

abstract: Iranian students

abstract: culture

abstract: narrative inquiry

abstract: comparative study


identifier: u2: Faculty of Education and Social Work

title: Exploring parents' perceptions of young children's growth, learning, and development in a Western Canadian forest school

contributor: Rees, Carol (Carol Rees (crees)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Handford, Victoria (Victoria Handford (vhandford)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Liu-Baergen, Patricia (Patricia Liu-Baergen (pliubaergen)) (committee member)

contributor: Jobb, Cory (Cory Jobb (cjobb)) (committee member)

abstract:
Forest School is an alternative early childhood education (ECE) approach that aims at taking
the classes outdoors. The aim of this research is to reveal and understand the viewpoints of
parents whose children are enrolled in forest school. The primary research question is “What
are parents’ perceptions of their children’s growth, learning, and development (connection to
nature) in Forest School?” The study was conducted in a forest school in Western Canada.
Qualitative research following case study methodology was used for this research. A total of
five semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using thematic
analysis. Findings revealed that parents viewed forest school as a stepping-stone for
kindergarten which strengthened children’s autonomy and made them stewards of nature.
According to parents, forest school supported children in their physical, mental, and emotional
growth. Findings also suggested that parents considered learning in the forest school was
effective and made children confident and independent. Interview data revealed that children
learnt about the Indigenous culture in the forest school. Parents viewed educational philosophy
of forest school as a valuable experience for their children. Thereupon, the researcher suggests
detailed research about forest schools from varied lenses including parents, children, teachers,
and policy makers and varied places across Canada and other countries.

abstract: forest school

abstract: ECE

abstract: outdoors

abstract: parent's perception

abstract: growth

abstract: learning

abstract: development

abstract: case study


title: The effect of nitrate supplementation on Porphyromonas gingivalis abundance in the oral microbial community

contributor: Rakobowchuk, Mark E. (Mark Rakobowchuk (mrakobowchuk)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Biological Sciences (Degree granting institution)

abstract: Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, is characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive function. As a neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer’s is distinguished by neuronal loss and atrophy in regions of the brain responsible for learning and memory. Despite many hypotheses to explain the potential causes of Alzheimer’s disease, its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Although risk factors such as aging and poor cardiovascular health have been historically  well-established  in Alzheimer’s  disease pathology,  researchers  are  continually exploring new hypotheses to explain its onset and progression. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative bacterium that is the main etiological agent in periodontal disease, has recently been attributed to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Researchers suggest that P. gingivalis can travel from the oral cavity into the brain, where it may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, treating P. gingivalis colonization in the oral cavity could potentially offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease. One proposed treatment is a dietary nitrate supplement, which may reduce the abundance of P. gingivalis in the oral cavity and improve overall vascular health. In this study, we administered a 10-day potassium-nitrate supplement of 4.84mmol nitrate per day to ten healthy participants and assessed changes in oral microbiome composition and vascular health before and after the intervention. Participants attended the laboratory twice:once before and once after the 10-day nitrate supplementation. At each lab visit, we took oral samples from saliva, hard tissue (floss), and soft tissue (tongue swab) to evaluate the oral microbiome composition. Additionally, we took measurements of endothelial function and blood pressure as markers of vascular health. We assessed the composition of the oral microbiome, specifically the relative abundance of Porphyromonas, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Blood pressure was measured using photoplethysmography in the finger and endothelial function was analyzed using a flow-mediated dilation test. Paired t-tests were used to analyze changes in the abundance of Porphyromonas, blood pressure,and flow-mediated dilation responses from pre to post nitrate supplementation. We  hypothesized  there  would  be  a  decrease  in  the  relative  abundance  of Porphyromonas in the oral cavity, a decrease in blood pressure, and an improvement in FMD response post supplementation. We found that there were no clear changes in bacterial composition and no significant shifts in the abundance of Porphyromonas from pre to post nitrate supplementation from the different sample sites. However, we did find that the oral microbiome associated with each sample site was closely related among individuals, and that the oral microbiome composition remained relatively stable over time. Furthermore, we found the highest relative abundance of Porphyromonas in the subgingival sulcus (i.e., the floss sample type) as compared to other areas of the oral cavity. As for vascular health, there were no significant changes in blood pressure or flow-mediated dilation response. Although we did not detect significant changes in oral microbiome composition or markers of vascular health after a short-term nitrate supplementation, we did detect differences in the prevalence of Porphyromonas in the oral cavity. The methodology and results presented here lay a foundation for future work and have the potential to be developed into a larger scale study. If future studies see improvements post supplementation in both oral microbiome composition and vascular health, the novel use of a dietary nitrate supplement could be administered to people suffering from cognitive impairment, with the hope of potentially providing protection against Alzheimer’s disease.

abstract: oral microbiome

abstract: vascular health

abstract: Porphyromonas gingivalis

abstract: nitrate supplementation

abstract: Alzheimer's disease


title: Disentangling the mechanisms of plumage color evolution in tyrannid flycatchers

contributor: Reudink, Matthew (Matthew Reudink (mreudink)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Singh, Natasha Ramroop (committee member)

abstract: In birds, plumage coloration is an important visual signal involved in communication and survival that varies greatly across species. Plumage colour evolution is influenced by a variety of factors including phylogeny, predation pressure, sexual selection, light and resource availability, and ecological context. Tyrant flycatchers are an interesting group because although there are many monomorphic species with drab plumage, some species are quite colourful. Given the complexity of factors involved, the mechanisms influencing plumage colour evolution in Tyrant flycatchers are likely complex, involving multiple drivers. To account for the fact that differences in the availability of resources and light will result in differences in the acquisition and transmission of plumage signals, we calculated red and blue chromaticity values from red, blue, green scores originally extracted from digitally scanned images from the Birds of the World. Next, we used phylogenetically controlled analyses to assess the influence of a variety of ecological factors on plumage colouration, and dichromatism. Finally, we examined the extent of range overlap among species to test if plumage varies to a greater extent in overlapping species due to reinforcement of pre-mating isolating mechanisms (i.e., for species recognition). We found that diet, precipitation, and temperature all influence colour expression, that precipitation and latitude influence the extent of dichromatism, and finally that the extent of range overlap affects plumage divergence between species. Taken together, our results highlight the complexity of plumage evolution in Tyrant flycatchers and demonstrate that the evolution of plumage colouration is driven by a combination of ecological, geographic, and biological factors.

abstract: evolution

abstract: species recognition

abstract: colouration

abstract: birds

abstract: ornithology


title: Disentangling the mechanisms of song evolution in tyrannidae flycatchers

abstract: Tyrannidae is the largest family of birds, and its species breed throughout North and South America across broad climatic and ecological ranges. Across species, songs within the Tyrannidae family are highly variable, and as suboscine songbirds, their songs are innate, meaning that their songs are inherited rather than learned. Song variation among suboscine species therefore represents adaptive differences that may be associated with reproductive barriers. The overall goal of this study was to investigate how morphological, ecological, and geographic factors may have affected song evolution and ultimately whether song evolution is linked to the radiation of the Family Tyrannidae. To do this, we used phylogenetically controlled analyses to test the relative influence of morphology (body size, beak size), ecology (habitat, diet, climate) and range overlap on song evolution. Our results indicate that song structure in Tyrannidae appears to be driven by a combination of range overlap, selection on signaling via the environment as well as selection on morphological traits. Environmental properties seem to have the strongest effect on song length, while morphological properties appear to drive song frequency in tyranids. Understanding the ways in which differences in song between related species arise and the role of song divergence in species radiation is an important topic in evolutionary ecology because it addresses a fundamental question in biology—the origin of species.

abstract: Tyrannidae

abstract: speciation

abstract: sencory drive

abstract: morphological adaptation

abstract: species recognition


title: Ecological, morphological and geographic predictors of extinction risk in bats

abstract: Bats comprise a diverse and speciose order (Chiroptera) with over 1,400 species inhabiting every continent on earth except Antarctica. Globally, bat species are experiencing unprecedented declines due to factors such as habitat loss and degradation, climate change, direct persecution, and disease. Unfortunately, many bat species are found in parts of the world that are difficult to access (e.g., Africa, Amazonia), roost deep in caves or hollow trees, and are most commonly active at night, all of which pose challenges to data collection. As a result, little data on the population abundance of many species of bats is available. It is thereby difficult to assess the conservation risk of data deficient bat species, as conservation status is based largely upon changes in population abundance. In this project, we conducted a phylogenetically controlled analysis to examine 835 species of bats with an International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing status with respect to 20 morphological (e.g., body size and forearm length), ecological (e.g., mean annual temperature and precipitation of the species’ range), and geographic (e.g., range size, latitude) variables. Our analysis suggests that species with primary diets of nectar/pollen, those that inhabit islands, and those with large forearms and hindfeet are at a higher risk of extinction.

abstract: Bats

abstract: Predicting

abstract: Conservation

abstract: Extinction

abstract: Biology


title: Snow characteristics with the blade hardness gauge

contributor: Paetkau, Mark (Mark Paetkau (mpaetkau)) (author)

contributor: Stewart-Patterson, Iain (Iain Stewart-Patterson (spatterson)) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract:
Snow profiles are carried out in the snowpack to provide avalanche forecasters and technicians
information of the snow stratigraphy relative to avalanche formation and propagation. Snow
hardness, which is a measure of the snow’s resistance to penetration by an object is a standard
characteristic measured in a snow profile. The current International and Canadian standard
technique for measuring snow hardness is the hand hardness test, which is a subjective test that
can be compromised by human biases. The blade hardness gauge is a technology designed to
quantitatively measure the hardness of snow in newtons of force.
During the 2020-21 and 2021-22 winter seasons, research was carried out in the mountains of
British Columbia and Alberta to test the reliability and integrity of the blade hardness gauge in
relation to measuring snow hardness. The research set out to determine standard techniques to use
the gauge with respect to insertion rate of the gauge, the replication of the gauge and the orientation
of the gauge to the snowpack. Blade hardness measurements were compared to snow density
measurements, hand hardness measurements and extended column test results.
The blade hardness gauge proves to be a reliable and consistent tool for measuring snow
hardness. The gauge should be inserted into the snow with an insertion rate of approximately 10
cm/s and oriented parallel to the snowpack to gain consistency amongst users. The gauge is more
consistent amongst users for measuring snow hardness compared to the use of the hand hardness
test. A chart was made to convert blade hardness to hand hardness to utilize the gauge as a teaching
tool for the hand hardness test. The blade hardness measurements can be utilized to estimate snow
density using linear and non-linear regressions. With the consistency and reliability of the blade
hardness gauge it has potential for use as a teaching tool for the hand hardness test and for
measuring snow hardness over time.


title: Characterization of granular materials using a blade hardness gauge

contributor: Gu, Jianzhong (James) (committee member)

abstract:
This study was a preliminary investigation of the ability of a Blade Hardness Gauge (BHG) to reveal distinct
behaviours in granular materials. A blade hardness gauge was constructed and used to investigate force
versus time curves in dry/moist sand, polystyrene beads and snow. The effects of blade details, insertion
speed (6-20mm/s), insertion direction (vertical or horizontal) of the blade were examined. There was a small
but measurable effect on the blade details. The smaller cross-sectional area resulted in reduced forces. The
insertion of blades vertically into dry sand is well described by an exponential force versus depth
relationship, and importantly, independent on insertion speed. The vertical insertion into polystyrene beads
shows a linear (weak exponential) dependence of the force as a function of the speed. The investigation into
moisture laden sand shows an increasing force required for insertion up to about 20% moisture content, then
decreasing back to dry sand equivalent for saturated sand (slurry). The use of the blade hardness gauge with
snow revealed the force has a sigmoidal increase followed by a plateau, then an unexpected increase again.
This preliminary study suggests the blade hardness gauge to be capable of identifying distinct granular
materials and their behaviors, including moisture content and differences in snow layers

abstract: Blade hardness gauge

abstract: granular material

abstract: penetration force

abstract: snow hardness

abstract: snow behaviour


title: Anther development in the staminate flower of the lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium americanum

contributor: Smith, Ron (ronsmith) (committee member)

contributor: Urban, Joanna (jurban) (committee member)

abstract: Dwarf mistletoes (genus Arceuthobium) are parasitic angiosperms that infect commercially valuable conifer trees across North America, resulting in millions of dollars of damage annually. The purpose of this study was to examine the developmental processes taking place during anther development in the dwarf mistletoe species, Arceuthobium americanum, and to describe the eventual three-dimensional relationship between the anther and the columella (a region of sterile tissue within the anther). Angiosperms typically have anther walls comprised of several layers. However, the composition of the anther wall layers and aspects of layer development varies from species to species. These processes have only been superficially examined in the Arceuthobium genus. In order to obtain insight into anther wall development in A. americanum, thin sections were cut, mounted and stained on slides, and viewed with a light microscope. The data indicate that A. americanum have three distinct anther wall layers including 1) the epidermis, 2) the middle layer, and 3) the tapetum. Most angiosperms have a sub-epidermal layer called the endothecium, but this work shows that A. americanum possesses an “exothecium” similar to that of gymnosperms. The eventual three-dimensional orientation of the anther with reference to the columella was described using a combination of light and dissecting microscopy. Previously, it was thought that the columella spanned the length of the anther to such an extent that the loculus (anther chamber) was bisected; however, this study reveals that the columella does not span the length of the anther in either direction, even though it does originate centrally.


title: Use of unmanned aerial vehicles to quantify social affiliations in beef calves

contributor: Church, John S. (jchurch) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Whitworth, Garrett (gwhitworth) (committee member)

contributor: Reudink, Matt (mreudink) (committee member)

contributor: Flood, Nancy (nflood) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Biological Science (Animal Biology) (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
v, 23 pages

abstract: We developed a novel method to quantify cow-calf social affiliations by using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to quantify the distance between pairs of individuals in a herd. Using two UAVs equipped with video-capable digital cameras, as well as photogrammetry and image analysis software, we measured the distance between cow-calf pairs. We hypothesized that this distance can be accurately measured by UAVs and has the potential to provide valuable information in studies of animal behaviour and welfare. Twelve cow-calf pairs were uniquely identified with the use of penning tags and coloured fabric squares glued to their backs. Aerial videos of the calves held with their dams in a pasture were made over four days using UAVs. Recordings were made during two periods on most days of study: Daytime (Day) and Evening (Eve). Calves were acclimated to the UAVs by flying one UAV intermittently at distance of 10 m away from the calf on the days before experimental recording began. We used two UAVs to video-capture the following: (1) the location of all individuals (UAV flown at 100 m) and; (2) the identity of cowcalf pairs (UAV flown at 15 - 30 m). Still-images extracted from the UAV-acquired video screenshots were used to produce orthomosaics using Agisoft Photoscan software to correct geometric distortions from the original images. The orthomosaics captured all of the cows and calves in a single image, from which we measured the distance between calves and their dams and the distance between calves and non-related cows in the herd. We constructed a mixed model to test the effect of time period and cow-calf relationship (related or non-related) on cow-calf distance. Time period and cow-calf relationship each had a statistically significant effect (F1,849 = 101.79 and F1,849 = 26.75, respectively, P < 0.001) on the distance between cows and calves, but there was no significant interaction between these variables (F1,849 = 1.35, P = 0.245). The mean distance between calves and their dams (X̅ = 43.8 m, SD = 24 m) was smaller than that between calves and non-related cows (X̅ = 55.6 m, SD = 28 m). The mean cow-calf distance was smaller in the daytime (X̅ = 39.8 m, SD = 15 m) than in the evening (X̅ = 84.3 m, SD = 24 m).  Distance measurements were tested for accuracy using reference lengths that were measured in the field; the mean difference between our software-measured length and the true length was 0.9 ± 0.7 m (mean and standard deviation). Our novel and non-invasive method appears to be sufficiently accurate and precise to study social behaviour in beef cattle in a field setting.


title: Emotional attachment: Does place play a role?

contributor: Wallin, Mark Rowell (mwallin) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Interdisciplinary Studies (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
vi, 37 pages

subject: Place attachment

abstract: The importance of natural spaces and positive connections to nature in the field of Early Care and Learning is well documented. It would be beneficial to the field to explore a possible relationship between attachment to a physical place, natural or urban, as a child, and secure emotional attachment, as an adult. This questionnaire research project adds to the discussion on the correlation of place and emotional attachment. The results of this analysis indicated (a) there is a relationship between emotional attachment and physical place; and (b) females were found to have stronger physical place attachment than males.


title: Charitable tax credits: A poor excuse for welfare concerns

contributor: Woodrow, Jenna (Jenna Woodrow (jwoodrow)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Lamb, Laura (Laura Lamb (llamb)) (committee member)

contributor: Fergus, Andrew (Andrew Fergus (afergus)) (committee member)

contributor: Wallin, Mark Rowell (Mark Wallin (mwallin)) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
iv, 50 pages

subject:
Tax credits
Charities
Feminist ethics

abstract: This paper examines charitable tax relief literature from a feminist standpoint, exposing flaws in the rationales put forward for the policy. I outline economic and behavioural facets of charitable relief, and evaluate standard justifications and criticisms. The assessment highlights ways in which charitable tax relief prioritizes wealthy or privileged populations, and burdens subordinated populations through democratic dilemmas caused by different populations’ access to and benefit from charitable tax relief. I argue that charitable tax relief systems are not efficacious in producing equitable benefits across classes. It ought to be replaced with a system of taxation better suited to supply society with necessary welfare benefits.


title: The human dimension of Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus) conservation in Southeast Bangladesh

contributor: Karakatsoulis, John (jkarakatsoulis) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University (Degree granting institution)

abstract: The ‘human dimension’ must be at the forefront when crafting effective management plans for large mammals in heavily-populated countries such as Bangladesh. There, Asian elephants have been declared critically endangered with only 210–330elephants remaining in highly fragmented pockets of forest, mainly in the southeast part of the country where I based my study. I used a structured questionnaire to explore conflict between the animals and humans; in particular,I investigated how patterns of land use are altering the availability of forage for the animals.The questionnaire was delivered through face-to-face interviews with 171 respondents across 109 villages in and near elephant habitat in southeast Bangladesh. Crop raiding, damage to houses, fruit gardens, and seedlings and other important human values were identified as proximate causes of the human-elephant conflict, occurring throughout the year resulting in at least 18 elephants and 50 humans being killed during 2013-2015. Retaliation methods currently adopted by farmers to deter incursions are traditional and may escalate aggressive interactions. Despite an increasing frequency of incursions, approximately73% of people surveyed favoured elephant conservation, at least in principle.  My second objective in this thesis was to improve our appreciation of how the remaining elephant habitat has been altered as a consequence of human activities. For this work, I collected and analyzed Landsat images from the years 1989-2015,and conducted a ground inventory of the elephant habitat. My study indicates≈ 36% of elephant habitat has been lost in the past 26 years from this region. The average canopy cover of the patches I sampled was 31%, at the lower threshold of forest cover suggested to support elephants. Within these patches, forage stocking quantity and quality are likely very poor. Moreover, the existing vegetation communities are currently dominated by non-native species, hampering the growth of native forage. However, dung surveys suggest that elephants are using habitats with vegetation that provides more trees and cover. Effective elephant conservation strategies in Bangladesh will need to incorporate human awareness and attitudes as well as the restoration of habitat to be successful.To achieve this, sufficient funding as well as dedication is required.

abstract: forage stocking

abstract: Asian elephant

abstract: Elephas maximus

abstract: human dimension

abstract: conservation

abstract: questionnaire survey

abstract: satellite imagery

abstract: habitat

abstract: non-native species


identifier: u2: Department of Natural Resource Science

title: Living on the edge: Ecology of a suburban western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis Elegans) population

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract: There is modicum of literature describing the gestational behaviour and habitat selection of northern reptiles, even less so in urban-centered areas such as city parks. Over parts of its range, the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans) appears to be relatively successful at persisting in areas with considerable human activity, such as parks. This study will provide crucial insight on how snake species may persist in areas subject to various amounts of developments – particularly during periods of extreme weather and a rapidly changing climate. My study used mark-recapture and telemetry to gather population and behavioural data of T. elegans in a municipal park in Kamloops, British Columbia Canada. The park sits on the current edge of the city, with suburban neighbourhoods to the north and northeast, a busy highway to the west, and ranchlands to the south. I caught 30 snakes throughout the course of the summer (4 recaptures) with the most success occurring at the start of the field season (May, June, and early July) and the least amount of success mid-July onward. Distribution of snakes was split between three locations with minimal intermingling of snakes between locations, but I was unable to determine which factor(s) (extreme heat, transmitter injury, or other) limited their movements to other microsites within the park. Body condition (body mass in relation to length) were consistent across the range of sizes I sampled. Female:male snakes were caught at a ratio of 1:1.7, which may reflect males being easier to catch, or that females generally were more cryptic. I used Radiotelemetry to follow five snakes throughout the park with the initial goal of identifying overwintering and communal gestation (rookery) sites. I was unsuccessful on both counts, with a record-setting heatwave possibly altering gestational behaviour by the females. Complications also prevented me from tracking any snake to a specific hibernaculum, but general directional movements toward putative denning site(s) were documented, which suggest a location outside the park boundary is likely where the snakes overwinter. This work provides baseline population data for The City of Kamloops and a framework for future research on this northern suburban snake population.

abstract: northern reptiles

abstract: garter snakes

abstract: Thamnophis elegans

abstract: rookery

abstract: hibernation

abstract: radiotelemetry

abstract: site selection

abstract: habitat analysis


title: Machine learning and patient partner engagement to predict the usage of home care services

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Science (Degree granting institution)

abstract: This research is a comparative analysis of the application of different machine-learning methods to health care data to predict home care usage in consultation with patient partner involvement. The data used are from the interRAI Home Care assessment after instrument, collected in central British Columbia, Canada. The  original data set used contains 837,536 records, gathered from 2010 to 2019, and 423 attributes. The model is developed for predicting the average hours per day usage of home care services in the three weeks following an assessment using different regression and classification methods. For regression, I used multiple linear model, lasso, ridge, decision tree, and ensemble methods, where the last appeared as the most promising. For classification, I used KNN, logistic regression, decision tree, and ensemble methods. Apart from the machine learning algorithms, both patient partners and health care experts participated and provided feedback regarding home care practices and issues. These formed essential elements in designing the research questions, selecting variables, and improving the models. The ensemble methods, namely Random Forests and Bagged trees, are found promising for both regression and classification problems. The Random Forests has achieved the largest R2(0.53) in predicting the average hours per day. For classification, the largest accuracy and ROC AUC scores are 0.96 and 0.97 respectively, obtained from the Random Forest and Bagging algorithms.

abstract: machine learning

abstract: healthcare

abstract: ensemble methods

abstract: RandomForests s

abstract: k-nearest neighbors

abstract: patient-oriented research

abstract: feature selection


title: Tracking changes in migration for Vaux's swifts and chimney swifts using community science

contributor: Dickinson, Thomas (tdickinson) (committee member)

format:
electronic
x, 72

abstract:
Climate change has resulted in changes to weather patterns with earlier springs in
temperate zones, warmer winters, and more frequent droughts and high-intensity storms.
These changes present challenges to migrating bird species if they are unable adjust to the
changing environment. In Chapter 2, using an extensive database of observations from
citizen scientists, I asked if Vaux’s Swifts (Chaetura vauxi) altered their first arrival dates
(date the first swift arrived) and peak roost occupancy dates (date the maximum number
of swifts were observed at a roost) over a ten year period. I also asked if they altered
migration timing in response to weather conditions experienced at migratory roosts
during both spring and fall. The migration data analyzed was provided by the community
science organization, Vaux’s Happening over a 10-year period from 2008-2017. In
spring, first arrival and peak roost occupancy advanced over time, and first arrival
advanced with an increase in local wind gust speeds. During fall migration, timing did
not change over time, but higher temperatures were associated with later first arrival and
peak roost occupancy. Also, higher local wind speeds were associated with earlier peak
roost occupancy dates. These findings may indicate that Vaux’s Swifts are tracking
earlier onset of spring conditions, as well as altering migration timing in response to
weather conditions experienced during migration, especially during fall. In Chapter 3, I
asked if Vaux’s Swifts and Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) changed their breeding
distribution, migration routes, timing of migration, or speed of migration over time. The
migration data analyzed was provided by eBird and covered the years 2009-2018. My
results indicate a south-east shift in the breeding centroid for Vaux’s Swifts and a western
shift in the breeding centroid for Chimney Swifts, as well as an eastern shift in the
migration route for Vaux’s Swifts, almost equal in magnitude to its eastern breeding
range shift. I also found an advance in the start of spring migration for Vaux’s Swifts and
a delay in the start of fall migration for Chimney Swifts. Similar to my findings in Ch. 2,
these results, using a much larger community-science dataset, may similarly indicate a
response to earlier onset of spring conditions, and a possible delay in the onset of fall
conditions. Surprisingly, my results also indicate a shift in breeding range to a more
iii
central location in North America (i.e., east for Vaux’s Swifts, west for Chimney Swifts)
for both species, possibly as a result of anthropogenic changes to the environment.
Results from both chapters indicate that the species show some behavioural plasticity in
response to changing weather conditions and, likely, changes in the environment. What
remains unclear is whether these species will be able to keep up with more extreme
changes in weather and climate predicted with climate change.

abstract: Climate change

abstract: Vaux’s Swifts

abstract: Chimney Swifts

abstract: Migration

abstract: Migration timing

abstract: Migration route

abstract: Breeding grounds


title: Face to face, online or something in between: student perceptions of student engagement in different learning environments

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Education and Social Work (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
120 pages

abstract: According to UNESCO (2020), the COVID-19 impact on education is global. There were more than 1.5 billion learners and students worldwide, from children in early childhood education to students at tertiary education affected by the global pandemic, which led most schools and universities to pivot to online classes. Online teaching and learning became the primary model for teaching, and we are calling this learning Emergency Remote Education (ERE) (Bozkurt et al., 2020). Previous studies have accumulated rich theories in both face-to-face (F2F) and online. However, the theoretical underpinnings of educational theory are weak relative to the global scale of practical applications that have occurred in online education. Therefore, there is a great need in the academic community for research on differences in student engagement in the context of ERE. Using the Critical Incident Technique, this study interviewed ten students in a Master of Education Program. The analysis of interviews produced three main themes: 1) teaching practice; 2) learning behavior; and 3) supportive environment. The findings indicated that there were differences in student engagement between F2F and ERE, and the main reasons causing differences were course design and organization, student-faculty interaction, learning with peers, and social interaction. Based on the literature and findings, the results were discussed, and future study areas were recommended.

abstract: student engagement

abstract: distance education

abstract: online education

abstract: Emergency Remote Education

abstract: Critical Incident Technique

abstract: graduate student


title: The later prehistory of the Lillooet area, British Columbia: A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

type: thesis Text

publisher: University of Calgary, Faculty of Graduate Studies

rights: The author, Arnoud H. Stryd, has given permission for this to be added to TRU space.  For all other copyright uses, please contact the copyright owner.

subject: Excavations (Archaeology) -- British Columbia -- Lillooet

abstract: Excavations were undertaken near the town of Lillooet in 1970 and 1971 to collect information about the prehistoric cultures of the area.  Attention was focused upon the last 2,500 to 3,000 years of regional prehistory, a period poorly understood at that time.  Six sites were selected for intensive excavation.  These sites are described along with the artifacts, features, and burials which were uncovered.  Age estimates are offered for most components based primarily on radiocarbon and obsidian hydration dating.

abstract: Peer reviewed

abstract: thesis

abstract: excavation

abstract: prehistory

abstract: Lillooet


title: Kamloops agency and the Indian Reserve Commission of 1912-1916

contributor: University of British Columbia Department of Sociology (Degree granting institution)

subject: First Nations reserves -- British Columbia

subject: British Columbia. Royal Commission on Indian Affairs

subject: Kamloops Agency

subject: E 78 .B9 I38 1979

abstract: In this thesis I review and attempt to provide a critical analysis of the work of the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs in the Province of British Columbia, otherwise known as the McKenna-McBride Commission of 1912 to 1916.  This commission was established to review and assess the acreage of land set aside for the use and benefit of the Indians and was empowered to cut-off land from reserves, create new reserves or to add land to existing reserves.  The Commission came into existence due to contention of the increasing number of settlers in British Columbia and their governments that there was an excessive amount of valuable land locked up and lying in idle waste within reserves.  I have outlined the social events and forces which led up to the formation of the Commission.  Ultimately, the Commission represented a small aspect of the struggle between the colonizers and the colonized for the land and its resources.

abstract: Ronald Eric Ignace


title: Structure and representation of ecological data to support knowledge discovery: A case study with bioacoustic data

contributor: Kwiatkowska, Mila (mkwiatkowska) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Dickinson, Tom (tdickinson) (committee member)

contributor: Reudink, Matt (mreudink) (committee member)

format:
electronic
xiv, 91 pages

subject:
Bioacoustics
Decision support systems
Data warehousing

abstract: Bird communities have long been surveyed as key indicators of ecosystem health and biodiversity. Adoption of Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) to perform avian surveys has shifted the burden of species recognition from “birders” in the field, to “listeners” who review the ARU recordings at a later time. The number of recordings ARUs can produce has created a need to process large amounts of data. Although much research is devoted to fully automating the recognition process, expert humans are still required when entire bird communities must be identified. A framework for a Decision Support System (DSS) is presented which would assist listeners by suggesting likely species. A unique feature of the DSS is the consideration of the recording “context” of time, location and habitat as well as the bioacoustic features to match unknown vocalizations with reference species. In this thesis a data warehouse was built for an existing set of bioacoustic research data as a first–step to creating the DSS. The data set was from ARU deployments in the Lower Athabasca Region of Alberta, Canada. The Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD) and Dimensional Design Process protocols were used as guides to build a Kimball–style data warehouse. Data housed in the data warehouse included field data, data derived from GIS analysis, fuzzy logic memberships and symbolic representation of bioacoustic recording using the Piecewise Aggregate Approximation and Symbolic Aggregate approXimation (PAA/SAX). Examples of how missing and erroneous data were detected and processed are given. The sources of uncertainty inherent in ecological data are discussed and fuzzy logic is demonstrated as a soft–computing technique to accommodate this data. Data warehouses are commonly used for business applications but are very applicable for ecological data. As most instructions on building data warehouse are for business data, this thesis is offered as an example for ecologists interested in moving their data to a data warehouse. This thesis presents a case–study of how a data warehouse can be constructed for existing ecological data, whether as part of a DSS or a tool for viewing research data.

abstract: Symbolic aggregate approximation

abstract: Bioacoustics

abstract: Decision support system

abstract: Data warehouse

abstract: Fuzzy logic

abstract: Birds

abstract: Autonomous recording units

abstract: Piecewise aggregate approximation


title: Kroak: A metadata collection system for long term microbial community monitoring

contributor: Van Hamme, Jonathan D. (jvanhamme) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Kwiatkowska, Mila (mkwiatkowska) (committee member)

contributor: Nelson, Don (dnelson) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Biological Sciences (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
vi, 25 pages

subject:
Microorganisms
Bacteria
Metadata
Cloud computing

abstract: Amplytica is start-up company whose software, called the Amplytica Cloud Platform, helps organizations determine how microbes influence their bioprocesses. Examples of such bioprocesses include anaerobic digestion, wastewater treatment and mine site reclamation. The Amplytica Cloud Platform does this by integrating and analyzing metagenomically derived microbial community data (species composition, diversity, and abundance) and industrial bioprocess data (e.g. temperature, pH, nutrients). To achieve data integration, industrial bioprocess data is considered metadata to the microbial community information and describes the environmental conditions where the microbial community is found. The capture of this industrial metadata requires a robust metadata capture system. Kroak is a metadata capture system for the Amplytica Cloud Platform that facilitates tagging per-sample microbial community information with industrial environmental metadata. It uses a modern web interface for easy deployment, Office Open XML Workbook (XLSX) template files for easy metadata capture, and metadata classes to ensure data consistency and type identification for follow on automated statistics and machine learning. Kroak is a functional metadata capture system which will be iteratively improved upon by Amplytica. Potential improvements include changes to Kroak’s data model, increasing the reliability of its metadata parsing and the expansion of its existing web application programming interface.


title: Determination of vitamin K concentration in Canadian cheese using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

contributor: Church, John S. (jchurch) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Donkor, Kingsley (kdonkor) (thesis advisor)

abstract: Vitamin K refers to a family of fat soluble vitamins which includes phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamin K2). All forms of vitamin K act as cofactors for γ-glutamyl carboxylase, an enzyme which adds Gla residues to certain proteins and are required for the protein to bind calcium. Differences in metabolism of phylloquinone and menaquinones result in phylloquinone being primarily used to help activate blood clotting factors while menaquinones help activate other proteins such as osteocalcin and Matrix-Gla protein. These two proteins have been shown to help fight osteoporosis and heart disease. Increased vitamin K intake has been shown to fight these diseases, but little information is available on the amount of vitamin K in food. To gain more information on the amount of vitamin K in Canadian foods, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to measure phylloquinone, menaquinone-4 (MK-4), and menaquinone-7 (MK-7) in Canadian cheese obtained from grass-fed cows and conventional supermarket cheese. Samples were homogenized in water, melted in a boiling water bath with HCl and then extracted with hexanes before filtration and injection into the LC-MS. A calibration curve from 0.1 to 1 µg/g was obtained for phylloquinone and MK-4, but was unsuccessful for MK-7. Gouda cheese made from grass-fed cows during the early spring and summer contained very high amounts of phylloquinone and MK-4, as did Maasdammer cheese from grass-fed cows. Vitamin K was not detected in conventional supermarket cheddar cheese and only MK-4 was detected in Gouda from the spring. The extraction procedure likely had a low recovery as the peak area of the internal standards was 10-20x larger in the standards than in the samples. A LC-MS method was successfully used to detect low concentrations of phylloquinone and MK-4, but further optimization of the extraction procedure is required for analysis of a larger number of samples.


title: Effects of acute sympathetic activation on eye temperature using infrared thermography

contributor: Rakobowchuk, Mark (mrakobowchuk) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Matthews, Les (lmatthews) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Baldwin, Lyn (lybaldwin) (committee member)

format:
electronic
v, 22 pages

abstract: Using physiological markers to measure sympathetic activation can be used to infer pain and stress in humans. To date, the only methods in humans that reproducibly do this are invasive and poses an undesired risk to participants. Previous work on cattle (Bos taurus) has used infrared thermography to measure the temperature of the lacrimal caruncle region and provides a promise of a novel method for measuring stress and pain non-invasively. The current study attempted to determine if this method could be transferred for use in humans. Sixteen participants were recruited for the study and underwent temporary painful stimuli using validated methods (that have previously been shown to induce sympathetic activity known as the cold pressor test and the muscle chemoreflex). During the trials, measurements included temperature of the lacrimal caruncle, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure and pulse transit time. Following each trial, blood was drawn to measure concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine in the plasma. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was then performed to attempt to quantify the catecholamine concentrations, however, the standards of the concentrations were not reliably determined so these results were excluded from the study. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed with the factors of condition and time. A condition x time interaction was observed in heart rate (df= 8, F= 8.020, p<0.01), mean arterial pressure (df= 6 F= 12.6, p<0.01), and pulse transit time (df= 8, F= 2.269, p= 0.03), but not temperature of the lacrimal caruncle. The results of this study suggest that infrared thermography is not a reliable tool to measure sympathetic activation in humans. This study also suggests that changes in blood flow at the lacrimal caruncle region in response to sympathetic activation may be more complicated than previously proposed.


title: Our oral histories are our iron posts: Secwepemc stories and historical consciousness

contributor: Simon Fraser University Department of Sociology and Anthropology (Degree granting institution)

subject: Secwepemc -- History

subject: Secwepemc -- Historiography

subject: Indigenous peoples -- North America -- Historiography

subject: Indigenous peoples -- North America -- History

subject: Indigenous Peoples -- British Columbia -- Historiography

subject: Indigenous peoples -- British Columbia -- History

abstract: This dissertation is about the history of my people, the Secwépemc. I treat the concept of history here as more than a chronological ordering of events in the lives of our people; my purpose is to construe the sense of history, or historical consciousness, of my people as it emerged during the last 10,000 years. Relying on multiple sources that include converging lines of evidence between geological, archaeological and oral history sources for the early period, and increasingly, written - explorers and traders - sources, and most importantly, my own ancestors' recorded narratives, I trace my people's motivations and interests in the unfolding of events, along with the meanings, from the vantage point of our culture, that we ought to employ to read such sources. Among the important stories that my people tell are the narratives that deal with our perception the early newcomers, and of missionaries and the new religion they were imposing on us. In addition, it is worthwhile to listen to the ways that my people reflected on the relationship with the Crown as it emerged in the late 1800s, and early 1900s. As I argue, such stories, ultimately, need to be connected to our sense of land, livelihood, title and autonomy as an Aboriginal Nation. Our people's stories, as I will show, defy the colonizers' attempts to separate us out into small portions of our land and livelihood, and bring back our sense of nationhood as a people, Secwépemc, connected to Secwépemcul'ecw, our land.

abstract: Stsmel'ecqen

abstract: secwepemc

abstract: consciousness


title: Secondary school teachers' conceptions of critical thinking in British Columbia and Japan: A comparative study

contributor: Howe, Edward (Edward Howe (ehowe)) (author)

contributor: University of British Columbia Department of Educational Studies (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
123, [2] pages

subject: Teaching -- British Columbia

subject: Teaching -- Japan

subject: Education -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- British Columbia

subject: Education -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Japan

subject: Critical thinking -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- British Columbia

subject: Critical thinking -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Japan

abstract:
Critical thinking has received much attention among educators yet remains largely undeveloped in traditional teacher-centered classrooms. A study was conducted to: (1) obtain a sense of what secondary school teachers believe critical thinking entails; (2) compare and contrast British Columbia (BC), Canada, and Japanese secondary teachers' conceptions of critical thinking; (3) investigate the nature of BC and Japanese secondary teachers' conceptions of critical thinking with respect to gender, age, teaching experience, and subject taught; and (4) determine whether critical thinking is a significant part of BC and Japanese teaching and the curriculum at the secondary level. Over 150 teachers from BC and Japan were asked to: (1) sort through 50 potential definers denoting possible attributes of
critical thinking; (2) rank the 10 most significant; and (3) answer a questionnaire about the nature of critical thinking. Quantitative data, reduced through factor analysis, yielded a 5-factor solution: Scientific Reasoning, Cognitive Strategizing, Conscientious Judgments, Relevance, and Intellectual Engagement. From a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data from teachers surveyed as well as expert opinion, critical thinking was found to be a process in which an individual is actively engaged in analyzing, reasoning, questioning, and searching for alternatives to solve a problem or to make a decision or judgment. While over half the teachers indicated critical thinking was part of their curriculum and teaching, many were unable to articulate how to teach it effectively, and there were significant differences in their conceptions of critical thinking.

abstract: British Columbia

abstract: Japan

abstract: Teacher Knowledge

abstract: Thinking Across the Curriculum


title: Cultural change: An analysis of Taiwanese hot beverage consumption

contributor: Wallin, Mark (mwallin) (committee member)

format:
electronic
iii, 35 p.
electronic

subject:
Tea -- Taiwan
Coffee drinking -- Taiwan
Taiwan -- Social life and customs

abstract: Tea had been the leading beverage in Taiwan hot drink industry until the coffee-drinking culture was introduced to Taiwan. This paper speculates that many Taiwanese people have altered their preference from tea to coffee causing Taiwanese tea industry to suffer and tea culture to decline. The purpose of this paper is to check this speculation and find out the reasons causing this social phenomenon of cultural change of Taiwanese hot beverage consumption. This paper has used ‘Starbuckization’ as an example indicating that the introduction of a foreign culture can cause effects of local culture. Nevertheless, the Starbucks effect leads to western culture adoration, where study has shown a positive correlation between western culture vanity and western culture adoration in coffee consumption. Overall, western culture adoration has become the most significant factors in consumer preferences and decision-making in beverage consumption. However, future research should keep track the trend of Taiwan hot drink industry, and see whether or not there is another reason that is causing the cultural change of Taiwanese hot beverage consumption. Nevertheless, future research should test if experiential purchase would work in the tea industry.


title: The Phenomenon of adventure: A critical look at motivation and emotion in risk taking

contributor: Stewart-Patterson, Ian (istewart) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Baugh, Bruce (bbraugh) (committee member)

contributor: Sanchez, Monica (msanchez) (committee member)

contributor: Wallin, Mark Rowell (mwallin) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Interdisciplinary Studies (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
79 pages

subject: Risk-taking (Psychology)

abstract: The object of this project is to create a better understanding of adventure as a phenomenon by examining the role of motivation and emotion in risk taking. This paper uses secondary research, embedded in social theory, existential phenomenology and outdoor education, to identify and close the gap pertaining to how individuals deeply connect the world through adventure. Throughout this paper, the social construction of adventure is analyzed in contrast to adventure as a natural phenomenon. This is explored in regards to how one perceives death which has a profound effect on how an individual connects to the world. This creates a platform to analyze motivation and emotion in adventure. The motivations analyzed in this paper range from historical narratives to deeper existential motives. From this paper, one can gain an important understanding of anxiety in decision making as well as authentic and inauthentic adventure. This has the potential to influence how adventure is used and understood in formal and informal outdoor education.


title: Optimizing outdoor adventure education programs for learning transfer

contributor: Ramirez, Gloria (gramirez) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Cloutier, Ross (rcloutier) (committee member)

contributor: Walllin, Mark Rowell (mwallin) (committee member)

format:
electronic
iii, 66 pages

subject: Adventure education -- Life skills

abstract: Outdoor adventure education programs are fertile environments for teaching transferable skills that can benefit students in their day to day lives. This interdisciplinary research project draws on research from psychology, human resource development, education, and outdoor adventure education to identify mechanisms affecting learning transfer. The mechanisms are organized according to Baldwin and Ford’s (1988) transfer construct input factors, and subsequently evaluated in order to determine their potential for use in outdoor adventure education programing. The findings from this project will help outdoor adventure education program designers and instructors facilitate experiences that benefit students beyond the outdoor context.


title: International perceptions of risk in adventure tourism experiences

contributor: Terwiel, Anne (aterwiel) (committee member)

contributor: Caton, Kellee (kcaton) (committee member)

format:
electronic
68 pages

subject: Tourism -- British Columbia -- Kamloops

abstract:
As globalization continues to grow, the supply and demand of the adventure tourism industry has continued to grow with it, meaning greater intersectionality between adventure tourism activities and the impacts of culture. As a result of this trend, this study sought to answer the question “how does nationality influence perceptions of risk in adventure tourism activities”? While risk perception and adventure tourism research has been quite extensive, there is an existing gap in
the literature which remains to account for the impact of national culture in this relationship. This study analyzed participants from 30 different countries around the world in a mixed methods approach to the research question. This was delivered via surveys to 192 participants and 3 interviews conducted with participants of various nationalities at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. Eight adventure activities were used within the scope of the study including ice climbing, ocean surfing, and whitewater kayaking to determine risk perceptions of international and domestic participants. The results of this study indicate that experiencing risk is valued higher by international adventure tourists than domestic adventure tourists, drawing a link between culture and risk perceptions in adventure tourism. These findings help contribute to the growing literature surrounding culture and adventure tourism.

abstract: Adventure Tourism Perception

abstract: Risk perception

abstract: Adventure Tourism

abstract: Nationality and Risk

abstract: Nationality and Tourism


title: Indigenous-settler relations and the emparkment of the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park

contributor: Mason, Courtney (cmason) (committee member)

contributor: Learie, Sharman (slearie) (committee member)

format:
electronic
iv, 75 pages

subject: Marine parks and reserves -- British Columbia -- Broughton Archipelago

subject: Indigenous peoples -- British Columbia -- Land tenure

abstract: The purpose of this research paper is to examine and discuss Indigenous-Settler relationships in the context of the Broughton Archipelago with a focus on the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park. The literature regarding the displacement and dispossession of land from Indigenous peoples in order to create protected and park lands is examined along with the surrounding literature of settler-colonialism. Analyzing current policies and cultural artifacts presented by BC Parks provides the foundation of this paper and is interpreted using concepts from Cronon’s (1995) perspective on the creation of wilderness, Braun’s (2002) view on tourism and nature, and Harris’ (2002) work on the ways that power relations work through dominant geographies. My own experiences as a guide in the archipelago situate the events and actions on the land which adds a personal contextual element to this work. This thesis will aim to highlight the gap that has emerged between what is said and claimed by BC Parks and what actually takes place on the ground. My goal is to offer a discussion of the benefits of these actions taking fruition and the evolving position of First Nations. The findings of this project will not directly recommend actions to be taken by First Nations or governmental agencies but will challenge the perspective and discourse of the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park for both scholars and land users.


title: The decision making journey of parents to enroll their teen in an adventure therapy program

format:
electronic
108 pages
electronic

subject: Adventure therapy for teenagers -- parental participation

subject: Parent and teenager

abstract: Many parents choose to send their children to adventure therapy programs for the potential benefits these programs provide. Research has shown that the potential benefits of adventure therapy programs include changes related to enhanced self-concept, improved social skills, and decreased substance abuse (Gass, Gillis, & Russell, 2012), however little research has been done on whether parents choose AT programs for these same reasons. Using a theoretical framework of mindful inquiry this study analyzes ten interviews, of parents who had teenagers enrolled in an adventure therapy program, to understand parental expectations and perceptions of the program, and to comprehend why parents chose this kind of program  for their children. Thematic analysis was utilized for the data incorporating the six stage model of Braun and Clark (2006), including: 1. Familiarizing yourself with your data 2. Generating initial codes 3. Searching for themes 4. Reviewing themes 5. Defining and naming themes 6. Producing the report. The parents interviewed chose adventure therapy for various reasons including difficulty in the home situation, lack of available support within the community, the positive challenge of a new environment, separation from their teen, the opportunity for personal growth, and the hope of a different future. Implications for strengthening family relationships, the impacts on society, and the development of adventure therapy programming are discussed in relation to the findings. Parent interviews took place at a residential therapeutic wilderness camp for youth located on Vancouver Island, Canada.


title: We come from the land of camp camp baby: A settler reflection on wilderness education at residential summer camp

contributor: Cooke, Lisa (Lisa Cooke (lcooke)) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Learie, Sharman (Sharman Learie (slearie)) (committee member)

contributor: Caton, Kellee (Kellee Caton (kcaton)) (committee member)

contributor: Wallin, Mark Rowell (Mark Wallin (mwallin)) (committee member)

contributor: Thompson Rivers University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (Degree granting institution)

format:
electronic
iv, 64 pages

subject:
Colonization -- Social aspects
Indigenous peoples -- Outdoor education
Race relations

abstract: Residential summer camps are fascinating cultural productions. Physical spaces arproduced with the aim of offering youth a chance to ‘escape’ their modern urban lives. This escape is framed as a way of building connections to the natural and social worlds while nurturing a particular kind of character building. I grew up going to camp, and now I work at the same camp that has deeply shaped my sense of being in the world. Looking back at my experiences here, I also now see that this very space, Camp Thunderbird, is rooted in settler colonial ideology and practice. From the name, to the land upon which the camp sits, to the philosophical orientation of the camp’s mission, this camp, and my experiences here (including connections with nature, people, history, and personal character building), are positioned in a settler colonial place of privilege and complexity. These spaces have a history of the separating people from nature, cultural appropriation of Indigenous cultures, and supporting social divisions based on identities such as gender and race. Summer camps have been part of a failed attempt to slow or oppose the momentum of modernism. Summer camps must forge a new place in the postmodern world. If camps are spaces aimed at creating social and environmental connection, they must take steps to reconcile their troubled past. This paper explores the complex relationships of settler colonialism and wilderness education at residential summer camp.

abstract: Wilderness

abstract: Settler colonialism

abstract: Summer camp

abstract: Outdoor education

abstract: Adventure

abstract: Social justice

abstract: Environmental justice

abstract: Postmodernism


title: A comparative analysis of leadership styles used at NOLS and Outward Bound

contributor: Stewart-Patterson, Iaian (spatterson) (thesis advisor)

contributor: Baker, Steve (sbaker) (committee member)

contributor: Fergus, Andrew (afergus) (committee member)

format: electronic 47p electronic

subject: Outward bound schools

subject: Outdoor education

subject: Wilderness survival -- Study and teaching

subject: Leadership

abstract: The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and compare leadership styles used at National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound. Specifically, the literature on general leadership styles, Educational models, NOLS and OB were used to situate the question within a context. Referenced are models such as experiential education, adventure education, outdoor education, environmental education, Bruce’s (2006) motivational needs theory, Hersey’s (2009) situational leadership model, Priest’s (2005) Five sources of power and conditional outdoor leadership theory model (COLT). I will also be using my own experience as an outdoor leader to further investigate what my finding will mean to me. This research will bring to light the issues leaders face in the outdoors and what needs to be done to keep participants safe. OB and NOLS leadership styles will be the focus that gives my research more direction and helps relate the theories to real life practices. Recommendations for leaders of the future based on my findings are also included.

abstract: leadership styles

abstract: educational models

abstract: NOLS

abstract: Outward bound

abstract: experiential education

abstract: adventure education

abstract: outdoor education

abstract: environmental education


title: The benefits of art therapy with children affected by acute trauma

contributor: Webster, Reid (rwebster) (thesis advisor)

format:
electronic
v, 29 pages
electronic

subject:
Art therapy for children
Mental Disorders -- Therapy
Child psychotherapy

abstract: There are differing opinions whether art therapy has a positive effect on people’s lives; limitations inherent in most studies undermine the potential validity of this claim. Demonstrating that art therapy has positive affects has been hindered by the paucity of well-designed empirical studies in this area. Despite the perceived limitation of art therapy, it remains a useful tool to aid in the enhancement of a child's life. Art expression allows children to process the distressing event in a way that is more easily communicated compared to relying solely on their verbal skills. Art therapy is commonly used when treating victims of trauma, which implies that there is something about this type of therapy that allows for further insight into their recovery. This specific type of therapeutic process provides an opportunity for children to view the trauma in a new way. It is often seen as a way for children to reframe and integrate the traumatic experience as a way to help them cope with the traumatic event. Rather than having therapy and art stand in isolation from one another, I highlight the importance that the integration that these two disciplines bring towards helping children. Reviewing the literature on this subject has not only given me a better understanding of the process, but it has also given some insight into the types of concerns that are involved with working with children, such as the nature of the trauma, the different types of trauma that may be treated, and the ethics of working with children.