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Recent Submissions
Evaluation of Metal Ion-Releasing Glass Particles to Enhance Antibiotic Efficacy Against Cystic Fibrosis Infection
(2025-06-30) Wolverton, Maxwell; Not Applicable; Master of Applied Science; School of Biomedical Engineering; Not Applicable; Dr. Mark Filiaggi; Not Applicable; Dr. Daniel Boyd; Dr. Zhenyu Cheng; Dr. Brendan Leung
In cystic fibrosis (CF), thickened airway mucus impairs mucociliary clearance, leading to chronic bacterial infections that cause lung damage and respiratory failure--the leading causes of mortality in CF patients. Although antibiotics are the primary treatment, incomplete bacterial eradication can promote antibiotic resistance. This project investigates whether combining conventional antibiotics with antibacterial metal ions delivered via borate bioactive glass can improve treatment efficacy. An in vitro airway infection model was developed to mimic the CF lung microenvironment using bronchial epithelial cells, a mucus-like hydrogel, and bacteria deposited via an aqueous two-phase system. Bioactive glass formulations demonstrated additive and synergistic antibacterial effects against common CF bacteria when used with antibiotics, without harming epithelial cell viability. These findings suggest that antibiotic-glass combinations may enhance bacterial clearance in CF airway infections and reduce the risk of resistance development, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for CF patients and others vulnerable to persistent lung infections.
Clerical Marriage and the Eleventh-Century Reformers
(2025-04-07) Bouthillier, Matthew
Local Catch Canada Retreat: Summary Report
(Ecology Action Centre, 2025-06-13) Callegari, Christina; Zekonic, Tanner; Strobel, Sonia; Hills, Bretton; Whitmore, Christy; Olson, Andy; Harrison, Hannah L.
Data-Driven Design: Leveraging Predictive Modeling for the Development of Soluble and Insoluble Glasses for Medicine
(2025-06-25) Kettlewell, Brenna; Not Applicable; Doctor of Philosophy; School of Biomedical Engineering; Not Applicable; Dr. Anthony Wren; Yes; Dr. John Frampton; Dr. Locke Davenport-Huyer; Dr. Mark Glazebrook; Dr. Daniel Boyd
The rational design of biomaterials that interact with biological systems to promote healing and regeneration remains a central challenge in medicine. Traditional materials discovery approaches, particularly for bioactive glasses, are limited by trial-and-error methods. This thesis adopts a data-driven approach aligned with the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) to predict composition-property relationships in both soluble and insoluble glasses for medicine. A systematic investigation of 23 multi-component soluble borate glasses enabled the development of statistical models capable of predicting the individual and interaction effects of glass constituents on structure, dissolution, ion release, and cytocompatibility. In parallel, 16 aluminosilicate glass microsphere formulations were developed for transarterial radioembolization (TARE), optimized for thermal and chemical stability, low cytotoxicity, and compatibility with CT and SPECT imaging. Across both systems, predictive modeling enabled the identification of optimal formulations, demonstrating the power of integrated experimental and computational strategies in advancing bioactive glass design for clinical applications.
Groceries Online - Eating, Acquisition, & Technology (GO-EAT)
(2025-07-04) Wong, Helen; Not Applicable; Doctor of Philosophy; School of Health Administration; Received; Dr. Sophie Desroches; Yes; Dr. Sara Kirk; Dr. Irena Knezevic; Dr. Leia Minaker; Dr. Catherine Mah
Grocery shopping is important for healthy eating. Online grocery shopping (OGS) has become popular in Canada, but its impact on diets remains unknown. With a multi-methods approach informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this thesis by manuscript examined how OGS, and digital touchpoint usage (any instances when a consumer interacts directly or indirectly online with a brand, company, or business) in grocery routines, contributed to food-related purchasing decisions and diets. Healthcare professionals who were 18-64 years old and OGS consumers were recruited in Nova Scotia. Interviews were conducted with ten participants and in-depth behavioural questionnaires were administered over a 28-day study period to seven participants. This thesis identified ‘how’ (i.e., behaviours) participants shopped online for groceries and used digital touchpoints, but also the ‘why’ (i.e., beliefs) behind their behaviours. Findings support the importance of considering individuals as free agents and key implications for environmental restructuring in healthy eating behaviours.
THE EFFECT OF GROUND MOTION UNCERTAINTY ON THE SEISMIC RELIABILITY OF GEOTECHNICAL SYSTEMS
(2025-07-04) Esposito, Gennaro; No; Doctor of Philosophy; Department of Engineering Mathematics & Internetworking; Not Applicable; Dr. Luc Choiunard; Not Applicable; Dr. Craig Lake; Dr. Farzane Naghibi; Dr. Gordon Fenton
The ground motion variability is typically not included in earthquake design. The main goal of this research was to quantify the effect of the ground motion intensity variability on the seismic reliability of geotechnical systems. This is to calibrate the seismic design of geotechnical systems included in codes and to assess if the standard of practice is adequate to estimate the seismic resiliency of geotechnical systems not regulated by design codes. Due to the complexity of the problem, a simplified probabilistic model was developed, which is based on the execution of few numerical analyses and the use of simple functions correlating the random variables of the problem. The simplified probabilistic model still requires numerical integration, however integration can be performed using commercial spreadsheets. The simplified probabilistic model overcomes the distinction between epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty. It is believed that this distinction is not real and that the total estimated variability of the ground motion is necessary for design and performance assessment. The simplified probabilistic model was applied to three problems described below. For the problems where no target performance is available, target reliability indexes were proposed based on available literature and engineering judgement.
First, geotechnical resistance factors were determined for single piles subject to vertical and horizontal seismic loads. The results of the calibration produced geotechnical resistance factors which are smaller than those indicated in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (2019). During this effort, an algebraic approximate solution of the probabilistic model was developed. The algebraic expression can be used to check future calibration executed using either the simplified probabilistic model or more complex methodologies. It was found that, when considering different sites having the same load and soil distributions, the calculated probability of failure depends on the local ground motion hazard. As a consequence, to achieve the same reliability level at different sites, either different geotechnical resistance factor for different seismic regions should be selected, or the national ground motion hazard should be adjusted to achieve a uniform risk level. The author of this research believes that the second approach is the only one able to achieve similar levels of geotechnical risk throughout Canada.
Second, the effect of the ground motion variability on the probability of failure of tailing dams was assessed using the same simplified probabilistic model used for the pile problem. There is no official dam “design code” in Canada. The design standard used in practice is the Canadian Dam Association Manual (CDA, 2013), which is in reality a code as it is referred to by provincial regulation of Canada. The performance targets given by CDA (2013) are in terms of loss of life, which are conditional on the occurrence of a dam seismic failure. As result, an accurate estimation of the dam probability of seismic failure is essential. It was found that the inclusion of the ground motion variability has a profound impact on the calculated probability of failure and on the dam classification and as such it should be always included in the calculation of the probability of failure.
The third problem investigated in this research concerns how the ground motion uncertainty affects the calculated probability of damage caused by induced seismicity in an area located in the northeast of British Columbia. The simplified probabilistic model was applied to this problem, including a conditional probability of failure related to structural damage. Since damage states and associated acceptable reliability levels for these problems are not defined, reliability indexes were derived from existing codes or literature and proposed for the area. In addition, a probabilistic seismic hazard model was developed to describe the non-Poissonian nature of the problem.