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Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Traduire dans le domaine des technologies transformatrices: enjeux et difficultés, théorie et méthodologie
(2026-05-12) Toukam, Dieudonné; Not Applicable; Doctor of Philosophy; Department of French; Not Applicable; Patrick Drouin; Not Applicable; Raymond Mopoho; René Tondji-Simen; Jasmina Milićević; Yannick Marchand
This doctoral thesis aims to study the specialized language of disruptive technologies (Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain), their terminology, and the challenges and opportunities related to English-French translation in this field. In order to familiarize linguists and translators with this specialized discourse and provide them with a reliable terminological resource, we built 5-million-word text corpus hosted by Sketch Engine, and adopted an ECL-augmented lexicosemantic approach, with the Explanatory Combinatorial Lexicology (ECL) enriching terminology by leveraging the Government Pattern for describing the syntactic cooccurrence of terms, Lexical Functions for describing the lexical relationships of terms, and a more rigorous methodology for formulating lexicographic definitions. We then created an English-French glossary (the GLOTECHT, also available online) based on our corpus and a fine-tuned methodology. Finally, we tackled translation challenges, as well as issues regarding semantic taxonomic classification, lexicographic definitions, neology, polysemy, etc.
Access status: Open Access ,
S-acylation of ATGL at Cys15: mechanism of activation and its relationship to ABHD5 coactivation
(2026-05-06) Afshari, Arezoo; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Department of Pathology; Not Applicable; Dr. Graham Dellaire; Not Applicable; Dr. Neale Ridgway; Dr. Barbara Karten; Dr. Gregory D. Fairn
Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of triacylglycerol hydrolysis and is therefore a central regulator of lipid droplet catabolism in hepatocytes. Recent work identified S-acylation of ATGL at Cys15 as essential for lipase activity and lipid droplet homeostasis, but the mechanism by which this modification supports ATGL function remained unresolved. In particular, it was unknown whether Cys15 S-acylation influences ATGL activation through its major coactivator, α/β-hydrolase domain-containing protein 5 (ABHD5), and whether the requirement at Cys15 reflects a chemically specific need for cysteine modification or a more general requirement for local hydrophobicity. This thesis investigated the role of Cys15 S-acylation in ATGL activation and its relationship to ABHD5 coactivation. First, the effect of the S-acylation-deficient mutant C15S on ATGL interaction with and coactivation by ABHD5 was examined using confocal microscopy, co-immunoprecipitation, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy–Förster resonance energy transfer (FLIM-FRET), and cell-free lipase assays. Second, hydrophobic substitutions at Cys15 (C15F, C15L, and C15W) were tested to determine whether local hydrophobicity could partially substitute for S-acylation. Third, a preliminary microscopybased screen of candidate acyl-protein thioesterases was performed to identify potential negative regulators of ATGL deacylation. C15S retained localization to lipid droplets and co-immunoprecipitated with ABHD5, indicating that loss of S-acylation did not abolish association between the two proteins. However, FLIM-FRET showed that C15S did not exhibit the same degree of close-range proximity to ABHD5 observed for wild-type ATGL. Wild-type ATGL showed robust ABHD5-dependent activation, whereas C15S exhibited only weak stimulation, indicating that Cys15 S-acylation is required for full catalytic activation. Hydrophobic substitutions preserved lipid droplet localization and reduced lipid droplet retention relative to C15S, consistent with partial functional rescue. C15F mutant particularly restored FRETdetectable proximity to ABHD5 and partially recovered lipase activity, supporting the idea that hydrophobicity at position 15 contributes to ATGL activation, although it does not fully replace the effect of S-acylation. Finally, the thioesterase screen did not identify an obvious candidate regulator under the conditions tested. Together, these findings support a model in which Cys15 S-acylation promotes ATGL activation not by controlling lipid droplet targeting, but by enabling a productive functional relationship with ABHD5 and by contributing local hydrophobic character near the Nterminal catalytic region. This work refines the mechanistic understanding of ATGL regulation in hepatocytes and provides new insight into how defective ATGL activation may contribute to hepatic lipid accumulation and steatotic liver disease.
Access status: Open Access ,
'Bringing Information Literacy Into Your Clinical Teaching' Instructor Package
(2026-05-08) Phinney, Jackie
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is an important component of undergraduate and postgraduate medical training, and health sciences librarians may be called to teach this given their expertise. Yet, learners refine their EBM skills in the real-world setting, where they are guided by clinical educators who may not recognize that EBM exists as part of a wider information literacy (IL) ecosystem. The continuing professional development program Bringing Information Literacy into your Clinical Teaching was designed to train clinical educators (specifically physicians) on the importance of information literacy skills, and how to incorporate discussions about this into their teaching at the bedside. It was first launched in March 2026 in the Canadian medical education setting. This instructor package offers the compiled materials from this program. Licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0, it is available for health sciences librarians who wish to recycle its content in their own teaching of healthcare faculty and/or learners. The materials are in Microsoft Word format to facilitate copying/pasting, and handouts are available as Canva templates for easy customization. While this program was designed to run in a learning management system, the materials can be used/combined in various formats and do not require access to a learning platform to be useful to instructors.
Access status: Embargo ,
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVALUATION OF A NOVEL HYDRAULIC SPRAY SYSTEM FOR MACHINE VISION-BASED REAL-TIME TARGET APPLICATION OF PESTICIDES ON BOOM SPRAYERS
(2026-04-30) Maambo, Humphrey; Not Applicable; Doctor of Philosophy; Faculty of Agriculture; Not Applicable; Mohamed Khelifi; Not Applicable; Travis J. Esau; Yves Leclerc; Madan Avulapati; Ahmad Al-Mallahi
A novel spraying mechanism assembly designed for machine vision–based, real time target application of pesticides on self propelled boom sprayers was developed and evaluated. The research addressed key limitations in modern precision spraying – such as nozzle valve actuation latency, boom pressure instability, and spray accuracy at higher ground speeds. The study investigates how 3D spray nozzles and a controller area network (CAN)–based feed forward pressure stabilization system can enhance timing accuracy and spraying at prescribed application rate. A comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted to characterize and optimize spray atomization parameters, including droplet size, velocity, breakup behaviour, spray coverage, and collision outcomes, across system pressures ranging from 275 to 482 kPa. Results show that 3D nozzles generate backward inclined spray patterns that effectively compensate for mechanical nozzle valve latency during real-time operation. A system pressure of 275 kPa emerged as the optimal pressure due to coarser droplets, minimized drift risk, favourable droplet coalescence, and reduced pumping power requirements. A CAN compatible feed forward pressure stabilization technique was developed to regulate boom pressure in anticipation of nozzle activation events, outperforming conventional feedback based systems by reducing pressure deviations by up to 63% and shortening pressure settling times by up to 5.7 fold. The system was prototyped on a 60 nozzle target spraying boom as an add-on system and validated through laboratory and field experiments, including tests on artificial and real Colorado potato beetle (CPB) targets. Field results demonstrated accurate real time actuation, consistent droplet placement, and practical integration of machine vision detection with hydraulic and electronic control subsystems. Overall, the research establishes an effective, scalable framework for deploying real time, target specific pesticide application technology that reduces chemical use, improves timing accuracy, and advances the feasibility of precision pest management in commercial agriculture
Access status: Embargo ,
Testing Implicit Safety Science Assumptions in Maritime Waterway Risk Control Options: An Empirical Analysis of PAWSA Reports
(2026-04-29) Adeli, Mehdi; Not Applicable; Master of Science; Department of Industrial Engineering; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Dr. Jakub Montewka; Dr. Ron Pelot; Dr. Floris Goerlandt
Maritime waterway safety remains a critical concern due to the severe human, environmental, and economic consequences of shipping accidents. The Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA) method relies on expert judgment to propose and evaluate Risk Control Options (RCOs), including their perceived Risk Reduction Effectiveness (RRE). This thesis analyzes an empirical dataset of 50 unique RCOs extracted from 21 PAWSA reports (2016–2023) using content analysis and a tailored Strength-of-Evidence (SoE) framework. Results show substantial variation in RRE and SoE, with many RCOs lacking strong empirical support and only a small subset demonstrating both high effectiveness and strong evidence. Further analyses examine RCOs across actor groups, hierarchy of controls, and risk management phases. Findings indicate that expert judgments only partially align with common safety science assumptions. This study contributes to understanding how expert judgment reflects underlying safety concepts and supports more evidence-informed decision-making in maritime risk management.
Access status: Embargo ,
DRINKING WATER TREATMENT ADAPTATION FOR LEAD CORROSION CONTROL UNDER CLIMATE-DRIVEN WATER QUALITY CHANGE
(2026-04-30) Hood, Kalli; Not Applicable; Doctor of Philosophy; Department of Civil and Resource Engineering; Not Applicable; Dr. Kelsey Pieper; Yes; Dr. Heather Murphy; Dr. Amina Stoddart; Dr. Graham Gagnon
Lead in drinking water remains a public health concern worth mitigating. Drinking water treatment and distributed water chemistry are key determinants of lead release. Gradual and acute climate-driven changes in source water quality, treatment technology and regulatory targets create new challenges for corrosion control related to natural organic matter, coagulant selection, inorganic compounds, and excess product in wastewater. The goal of this work was to investigate how drinking water treatment adaptation influences lead corrosion control with an emphasis on organic matter and treatment strategies for enhanced removal, orthophosphate-based corrosion inhibitors, trade-offs with sequestration, and the feasibility of zinc-reduction. Pilot- and bench-scale studies in combination with time-series modelling and screening-level exposure projections were used to evaluate lead response to environmental events and experimental treatments. Following an extreme precipitation event, natural organic matter increased in source water and was associated with a prolonged elevation in total lead in a model distribution system and projected increases to short-term exposure risk. Enhanced organic matter removal via granular activated carbon improved lead control in a bench-scale reactor of galvanic lead solder. Equivalent total organic carbon removal was achieved at lower product doses of a chloride-based (polyaluminum chloride) coagulant relative to sulfate- based (alum), but was linked with increased galvanic lead corrosion. Orthophosphate- silicate may be an alternative to blended phosphate for systems needing to manage discolouration due to high iron/manganese, though risks of increased dissolved lead must be considered. In low-alkalinity water, reducing zinc in orthophosphate inhibitors may be feasible without compromising lead or cement corrosion, but may result in small increases in copper. These reductions could offer a more sustainable option with lower burden for wastewater treatment. This work demonstrated shifts in source water quality and treatment processes like coagulation, filtration, corrosion inhibitors and sequestrants can be protective or destabilizing for lead control and infrastructure maintenance. Utilities should consider whole-system trade-offs in lead control, treatment performance, and downstream sustainability during process adaptation or redesign.