Investigating the Effects of Oligogalactolipid-Synthesizing Sensitive To Freezing 2 (SFR2) on Plastid Shape and Behaviour in Arabidopsis thaliana

The plastid is the site of numerous metabolic activities in the plant cell, including photosynthesis and de novo fatty acid synthesis. While generally ellipsoid, plastids spontaneously extend and retract stroma-filled tubules (stromules) through mechanisms and for functions not yet understood. Our laboratory’s investigations on stromule formation have led us to consider to the synthesis of galactolipids, the predominant and exclusive constituents of plastid membranes. While galactolipids mainly consist of bilayer-distorting monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and bilayer-promoting digalactosyldiacylglycerol, bilayer-promoting oligogalactolipids accumulate under certain membrane-damaging conditions (s.a. freezing stress). This study explores the relationship between galactolipid synthesis and stromule formation with focus on the outer envelope membrane-localized oligogalactolipid synthesizer SENSITIVE TO FREEZING 2 (SFR2; At3g06510). Using model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana, the transgenic overexpression of fluorescently-tagged SFR2 along with a stromule-inducing 40 mM sucrose treatment have been characterized through lipidomic and stromule formation frequency analyses.University of Guelph2026-02-0

The Interactive Effect of Cover Crop Diversity and Tillage Type on Grain Corn Yield (Zea mays L.) on a Sandy Loam Soil in Southwestern Ontario

Best management practices such as cover crops (CC) and reduced tillage can replenish and protect soil, yet the magnitude of their interactive effects are largely unknown. This study evaluates the effects of tillage types (no-tillage, strip-tillage, and bio-tillage) and CC diversity on corn grain yield in a temperate, humid climate. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and HV+rye (Secale cereale L.) showed the highest yields, with HV comparable to noCC+180 kg N ha⁻¹. Generally, HV outperformed pea, in terms of corn yield, and penalties associated with rye were offset in bi- and polycultures. Fall CC biomass was related to species diversity but was better explained by lifecycle (i.e., winter killed > overwintering). Strip-tillage improved yields by ~0.4 Mg ha⁻¹ compared to no-till and bio-tillage. Although no interaction between tillage*CC was observed, bio-tillage shows promise in Ontario, offering comparable yields to no-till while potentially enhancing soil health and reducing fuel and labor costs.Grain Farmers of OntarioOntario Ministry of Farming, Agriculture and Agribusiness and Ministry of Rural Affair

Evaluating the Stability of Soil Organic Matter in Relation to Microbial Efficiency: Analysis of Canadian Long-Term Land Management by Pyrolysis and Isothermal Microcalorimetry

This thesis investigates the relationship between soil microbial energetics and soil organic matter (SOM) across different land uses and management practices in Canada. The study employed Isothermal Microcalorimetry and Programmed Pyrolysis to measure thermal yields, calorespirometric ratios, normalized heat averages, and T-50 S2 averages. Soils were sampled from long-term management sites representing a range of land uses, including agricultural, forest, and subarctic environments. Soils with more labile organic matter, showed lower microbial efficiency, while more processed horizons with greater organo-mineral interactions exhibited higher efficiency. Agricultural soils amended with organic matter, such as manure, demonstrated increased microbial activity, suggesting the importance of organic matter quality in shaping microbial responses. We examine the thermodynamic stability of different soil horizons and its effect on microbial efficiency. Lower soil depths and less degraded horizons showed higher thermal stability and microbial efficiency, supporting the idea that more stable soils promote better microbial processes

An Exploration of The Virtual Care Landscape in Veterinary Medicine

Understanding the role virtual care may play in the veterinary profession is important to support the adoption of novel models of care. Qualitative interviews and Delphi methodology were used to explore veterinarians and pet owners’ perspective of virtual care. Twenty-two companion-animal veterinarians practicing across Canada and the United States were interviewed. A thematic analysis of the verbatim transcripts was carried out, revealing eight overarching themes, of which access to care and communication are presented. In relation to access to care, most participants viewed virtual care to have the potential to overcome some barriers. Yet, limitations inherent to virtual care were mentioned as an obstacle to provide optimal care. In general, promoters and detractors toward virtual care expressed that virtual care is “better than no care” where no other option is available. In relation to communication, most participants considered virtual care to require additional communication skills, specifically with regards to the physical exam. Participants mentioned the importance of transparent communication in virtual interactions, with divergent opinions with regards to virtual care’s impact on relationship-building. Eighteen Canadian pet owners who used telemedicine when faced with access to care issues for their pet participated in semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was performed, revealing feelings of uncertainty associated with their situation drove most participant’s expectations. Many recounted a strong feeling of anxiety, and an appreciation for the collaborative nature of their virtual consultation. A modified Delphi study was carried out to investigate the virtual physical exam. Fourteen veterinarians with telemedicine expertise, through three rounds, were asked if each component on the questionnaire could be included in a companion-animal physical exam by video. In all, agreement was reached on 35 components relevant to the physical exam as being possible to perform over video. Conversely, 15 components reached agreement for not being possible over video. This thesis provides further understanding of virtual care as a tool to access veterinary care, from both veterinarians’ and pet owners’ perspectives. Identifying limits to the virtual physical exam, this thesis also provides initial guidance to the profession with regards to performing a physical exam by video

Advancing Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI): Practical Approaches for Enhancing Interpretability and Transparency

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to influence human decision- making processes, establishing trust in these AI systems becomes paramount. Despite significant advancements in trustworthy AI research, a gap persists between theoretical concepts and their practical implementation. This thesis addresses some aspects of this research gap by translating the research theoretical insights into practical approaches to support implementation. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study begins by exploring the challenges faced by AI developers, based on interviews with 19 AI developers. The findings highlight the need for practical approaches, techniques and tools that extend beyond theory. To address aspects of these challenges, the study conducts an in-depth meta-survey analysis of interpretability research to identify common concepts and examines transparency requirements derived from legislation, international standards, and organizational principles. The insights from these analyses inform the development of two practical approaches: (1) an approach to assist AI developers in selecting appropriate interpretability techniques, and (2) an approach to clarify transparency requirements, providing clarity for both AI developers and end users by conducting preliminary testing and validation. These practical approaches bridge aspects of the gap between theory and practice by providing AI developers actionable guidance. This research not only contributes to the field of trustworthy AI but also provides insights for regulators and organizations seeking practical approaches. This is a significant contribution to the field by offering various approaches that can be used for future researchers to translate theory into practice.2025-11-0

Improving the domain adaptation of camera trap image classifiers using inserted animal cutouts

Camera trap studies are increasingly utilising deep neural network (DNNs) models to automate animal classification. Data collected in this domain are dominated by few species and locations, causing models to overfit to training locations whilst limiting applicability to new areas. To mitigate this, we extract animal cutouts and insert them into empty camera trap images to synthetically augment image variation. We employ a factorial design to determine the optimal composition of DNN training data by manipulating the distributions of one or more potential sources of overfitting: imbalanced animal classes, day vs. night photos, and camera trap locations. We demonstrate that DNN generalisation and performance in new real-world locations is significantly improved through incorporating synthetic images with diverse but equally represented locations in training data, but imbalanced classes. We provide analytic insights for other studies looking to use this technique to reduce model dependence on background features to classify animal species.Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource

Vulnerable Parent Populations and Injuries in Young Children: Mechanisms Contributing to Increased Injury Risk

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children under 5 years of age. While children of vulnerable mothers have higher rates of injury, little is known as to why. A diverse sample of first-time mothers (N=74) completed an interview to share their perspective on unintentional childhood injuries and home safety practices. A smaller subsample (N=56) completed an executive functioning (EF) task. The qualitative study compared coded responses from vulnerable mothers (N = 19; 3 or more risk factors) with those from non-vulnerable mothers (N = 20; zero risk factors), along with comparisons to the larger diverse sample. Vulnerable mothers viewed injuries as having benefits to children (e.g., "He won't do it again") I in more cases, identified children's risk behaviours as posing a concern for injury less often, and endorsed supervision as a key prevention strategy less often than non-vulnerable parents. They also viewed injury prevention as common sense and not necessitating their accessing any sources of information on home safety. The quantitative study investigated EF as a statistical moderator of the relationship between socio-demographic risk factors and frequency of childhood injuries. EF was found to moderate the relationship between maternal age and injury and, in specific circumstances, to moderate the conditional effect of social support, life stress, and mental health challenges on childhood injury. Parental beliefs related to home safety and parental EF are two areas for future research that may explain the higher rates of injury in vulnerable populations. Implications for child injury prevention and intervention are discussed

Practicing for more care-filled futures: Exploring the possibilities of collective artmaking, community care, and caring research praxis through research-creation

This dissertation shares insights from a research-creation project that explored community care and collective artmaking in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-created in partnership with community partners – Art Not Shame, the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition (GNSC), and social artist Melanie Schambach – this research was shaped alongside a community mural project exploring individuals’ experiences of community care in the city of Guelph. The central goals of this dissertation are: 1) to build community-based knowledge exploring how participants of the Art in a Just Recovery Mural Project experienced community care in their everyday lives, and how it might be mobilized in pandemic recovery to more equitably meet residents’ care needs; 2) to explore the role of collective artmaking in creating spaces of community care; and 3) to critically analyse the possibilities and challenges of practicing a methodology of care in research practice. This research-creation project was guided by feminist, participatory, and arts-based methodologies. Those involved in the Mural Project were invited to shape the research through a series of participatory planning sessions, which took place before data collection began. Data collection involved a follow-up survey (n=28) and art-elicitation interviews (n=18) with participants of the Mural Project, conducted after the mural was unveiled. Survey data were analysed using thematic analysis. Interviews were analysed using both thematic and narrative analysis. I also conducted an autoethnography of my role as a participant-researcher, which involved taking part in the Mural Project alongside other participants and critically reflecting on my experiences during the research process. The community-led knowledge shared in this dissertation contributes praxis-based insights to urban feminist literature exploring infrastructures of community care, as well as literature considering the ability of collective artmaking to create spaces of care in the city. It also provides a critical exploration of the possibilities and challenges of practicing a methodology of care in collective artmaking research, contributing to emerging feminist scholarship conceptualizing this approach. Ultimately, through research-creation, this dissertation positions community care, collective artmaking, and a methodology of care as practices that can contribute to creating more care-filled futures

Treatment of fungal urinary tract disease in dogs and cats: a scoping review protocol

Fungal urinary tract disease has been poorly studied in veterinary medicine. While it is an uncommon condition, identification of fungal lower urinary tract disease or, rarely, fungal pyelonephritis, raises many clinical questions about optimal management practices. Treatment guidelines for fungal urinary tract disease in dogs and cats have not yet been developed; therefore, treatment can be challenging as information about pathogens, drugs and treatment regimens are lacking. To better understand optimal management approaches and inform guideline development, understanding of the available information and gaps regarding optimal treatment regimens. The objective of this scoping review is to identify available evidence pertaining to treatment of fungal urinary tract disease in dogs and cats

Exploring Evolutionary Relationships of Ray-finned Fishes Through a Nested Tree-Building Approach

Phylogenies reveal historical relationships among species and form a foundation for inferring evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes. My research explores the integration of heterogeneous DNA sequence data into large-scale phylogenetic tree construction for ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) and the potential applications of such large trees. I first evaluate the accuracy of placing species on a fish backbone tree based on their COI sequences (i.e. DNA barcodes) using phylogenetic placement analysis. The accuracy is consistently high with various backbone tree completeness, with 70%-78% species correctly placed as the reference tree. Taxonomically stratified sampling of species for the backbone tree also improves the placement accuracy. These results suggest that COI-based placement analysis is a viable approach to expand large phylogenetic trees. Second, I develop a nested tree-building approach to incorporate heterogeneous data and construct a tree for 17,407 ray-finned fish species, which is the largest tree presented in the literature for this group. A tree of 168 species with genomic data is first constructed; the tree is then used as a constraint tree for a tree with 12,193 species and sequences of 27 genes, and finally, 5,217 species with COI data are placed on the backbone species tree. Our final tree provides strong support for early branching groups (e.g. Clupeocephala), resolves controversial deep nodes (e.g. monophyly of Syngnathiformes), and clarifies taxonomic ambiguities. Finally, I explore the ecological applications of this large tree and investigate thermal tolerance and body size variation in ray-finned fishes across climatic zones. Fish species in cold climatic regions tend to be large after eliminating impacts of phylogenetic relatedness, and the pattern is partially consistent with Bergmann’s rule. Fish in the cold zone also exhibit broad thermal tolerance compared to those in tropical zones, and the pattern is consistent with the climate variability hypothesis. In addition, the broad coverage of the tree allowed for the identification of over 3,560 habitat-switching events, offering significant insights into the ecological patterns of fish species. Overall, this research demonstrates how combining diverse molecular data and computational approaches can resolve phylogenetic relationships, refine taxonomy, and reveal ecological patterns