Smoking Cessation Tools in the Urological Context: Considering the Genitourinary Impacts of Smoking Cessation Tools

Electronic cigarette use is rising globally. Although it may represent a potential smoking cessation tool, amidst misinformation and social media promotion, there is a growing concern regarding the health risks associated with its usage. These risks include adverse effects on the genitourinary system. This commentary investigates the genitourinary effects of approved smoking cessation tools versus electronic cigarettes, urging urologists to prioritize established methods over electronic cigarettes due to their potential for multisystem toxicity and uncertain long-term health implications. Further research is warranted to evaluate comprehensively the genitourinary effects of these interventions.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCMedicine, Department ofUrologic Sciences, Department ofReviewedFacultyResearche

Alterations in countermovement jump performance following completion of a mountainous ultramarathon

BACKGROUND: Ultramarathons lie on the extreme end of endurance sport duration. With ultramarathon participation increasing in recent years, there is a need for more research to understand factors that influence ultramarathon performance, and the potential effects of completing an ultramarathon on muscular fatigue. This study investigated countermovement jump mechanics in ultramarathon runners and identified potential changes following a race. METHODS: Twenty-one runners (6 female, 15 male) were recruited from an ultramarathon trail race. Runners were examined before and after ultra-endurance races of 64 km, 80 km, 100 km, and 192 km. Height, weight, percentage body fat were collected, and the participants performed five jumps on a dual force plate system (Hawkin Dynamics, USA) to assess jump height, as well as related force-time variables in the braking and propulsive phases of the jump. Paired samples T-tests were conducted to assess changes from pre- to post. Pearson product correlations were calculated to determine the association between indices of vertical ground reaction forces and race performance RESULTS: Significant decreases were observed in jump height (-33.6 ± 17%, p < 0.001), average relative net braking impulse (-33.1 ± 19 % change, p < 0.001), braking rate of force development (-60.1 ± 25%, p < 0.001), and propulsive net impulse (-19.3 ± 11%, p < 0.001). Significant increases were observed in braking phase time (s) (52.7 ± 55%, p < 0.001), and propulsive phase time (s) (8.85 ± 16%, p = 0.012). Peak propulsive force was not significantly different between pre- and post-race (-1.39 ± 9.8%, p = 0.474) No countermovement jump variables displayed significant correlations to relative finishing time. However, both body weight (r = 0.49, p = 0.025), and BMI (r = 0.52, p = 0.015), demonstrated significant associations with race performance. CONCLUSION: Ultramarathons elicit altered jump timing, limiting the ability to use elastic energy, but does not affect maximal concentric force generated. This research may translate to improving strength training or running programs for ultrarunners.Education, Faculty ofKinesiology, School ofGraduat

China’s health diplomacy and soft power play in Chile and Argentina : a cross-country comparison

China's growing influence in Latin America has drawn increasing attention in academia. It is often compared to the region's historical ties with North American and European countries. Past studies have focused on Sino-Latin America's cooperation in trade and investment. But during the pandemic, China stepped in and became an alternative for the region in medical assistance. This project has taken a comparative case study approach that contrasts a pair of similarly situated countries that have been on the receiving end of the same Chinese pandemic outreach but with different results: while Chile perceives China relatively positively, Argentina has experienced anti-China protests, and its healthcare practitioners and policymakers have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Chinese anti-COVID vaccines. The study also aims to demonstrate an effective evaluation of soft power. Despite being frequently studied, what soft power stands for has sparked debates since the concept was coined by American political scientist Joseph Nye three decades ago. A consensus has begun to form about the concept’s resources, actors, and relationship to democracy. But it remains notoriously difficult to measure and even harder to identify the causes of its “success”. In academia, surveys are the most widely used tool for operationalizing soft power to examine general perceptions. However, this research is interested in policy outcomes, so semi-structured interviews with decision-makers are a more effective tool. A field trip was conducted in Chile and Argentina for semi-structured interviews with half a dozen healthcare practitioners in each country. Participants include two former Minister of Health and front-line workers. Unlike previous soft power studies which emphasize generators' capability to produce soft power, this study’s main finding is that the domestic politics of soft power receivers play a significant role. It seems that for practitioners and the general public in the recipient country, if they believe the self-interest of their own politicians reached a level that endangers public interest, they will be warier about future cooperation with a foreign great power, regardless of the soft power that the foreign great power has generated. Findings from the study should shed new light on future global health policy.Arts and Social Sciences, Irving K. Barber Faculty of (Okanagan)Graduat

The Cedar Project : an exploration of Indigenous survivance, connection, and vaccine uptake amid concurrent public health emergencies experienced by urban Indigenous People who use drugs in British Columbia

Background: Urban Indigenous Peoples who use drugs (IPWUD) were more likely to face multiple harms from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in British Columbia. Canada’s history of racist medical experimentation resulted in a rational skepticism of health interventions for many Indigenous Peoples. This study focuses on the experiences of IPWUD during COVID-19 to inform public health practices and improve vaccine acceptance and uptake. Methods: Mixed methods were used to understand IPWUD experiences during COVID-19, including vaccine acceptance and uptake as part of the Cedar Project COVID-19 Study. Data were gathered using in-depth qualitative interviews and a questionnaire administered at two distinct time points. Emerging themes informed the direction of quantitative analysis of survey data, where we explored correlates of vaccine uptake, and integrated qualitative data to understand vaccine acceptability. Results: Data were collected between February 2021-December 2022. N=212 participants were enrolled at baseline, and N=127 completed the end of study questionnaire. Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in Vancouver (n=9) and Prince George (n=10). Four themes were identified from qualitative interviews that describe the enduring impacts of colonialism on stress; cycles of isolation and crisis; fear and trauma-driven distrust; and resilience and connection. Perceived vaccine effectiveness (aOR=5.30 95% CI = 1.34, 20.93), historic trauma (aOR = 5.25 95% CI = 1.27, 21.76), age (aOR = 1.10 95% CI = 1.02, 1.19), and being a woman (aOR = 0.26 95%CI = 0.07, 0.94) were significantly associated with vaccination. Women engaged in sex work during COVID-19 were significantly less likely to get vaccinated (aOR = 0.14 95% CI = 0.02, 0.91). Medical distrust, misinformation, and past experiences challenged vaccine acceptance. Many participants experienced barriers to vaccination and challenges accessing services, and those who were unsure about getting vaccinated had the lowest vaccination rate by the end of study. Conclusion: This study connects and contextualizes experiences during the pandemic, and perceptions and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, through the significant roles of age, gender, vaccine perceptions, historic trauma, stability and basic hygiene, and sex work. Institutions should consider cultural and historical contexts surrounding vaccine uptake, emphasize relationship building, and prioritize Indigenous women in public health practices.Medicine, Faculty ofPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofGraduat

Development and implementation of multi-agent cyber-physical systems for vision-based structural health monitoring

Advances in computer vision and automated data collection methods, such as the integration of physical and computational components in cyber-physical systems, have provided opportunities for rapid and automated monitoring of infrastructures. The recent shift towards edge computing in AI-based applications has enabled data processing closer to the source, reducing the need for costly data transmission and providing a real-time response with lower latency and cost. Additionally, this approach can extend operations to remote locations where reliable high-speed internet is inaccessible. The application of mobile robots in various fields, including structural health monitoring, has gained significant attention in recent years. However, research and development in unmanned vehicles for structural health monitoring has been limited and primarily focuses on manual outdoor operations with GPS availability. Indoor operations, such as construction site hazard inspections or indoor mapping, pose significant navigation and data collection challenges. An intelligent ground robot equipped with advanced hardware and software is needed to efficiently collect high-resolution data for structural health monitoring and navigation, process information in real-time, and save data for post-processing. The integration of robots has accelerated data collection and processing in structural health monitoring. However, current applications need more autonomous capabilities, leading to time-consuming, subjective, and expensive applications. To address the limitations of the earlier studies and fill the gaps found in the literature, this dissertation proposes an affordable solution for SHM using a cyber-physical system that incorporates both unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles through a wireless robot operating system network. In addition, a novel transformer-based technique is proposed in this dissertation for high-resolution image segmentation to enable more accurate detection and quantification of structural elements and damages. The key feature and contribution of the proposed method are to achieve high-accuracy pixel-level segmentation in a faster way. An extension of image segmentation is developed to process point cloud data generated from 3D mapping and 3D scene reconstruction.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofGraduat

High T-cell concentration bioprocessing for cell therapy manufacturing

The full abstract for this thesis is available in the body of the thesis, and will be available when the embargo expires.Applied Science, Faculty ofBiomedical Engineering, School ofGraduat

Towards Precision Ophthalmology: The Role of 3D Printing and Bioprinting in Oculoplastic Surgery, Retinal, Corneal, and Glaucoma Treatment

In the forefront of ophthalmic innovation, biomimetic 3D printing and bioprinting technologies are redefining patient-specific therapeutic strategies. This critical review systematically evaluates their application spectrum, spanning oculoplastic reconstruction, retinal tissue engineering, corneal transplantation, and targeted glaucoma treatments. It highlights the intricacies of these technologies, including the fundamental principles, advanced materials, and bioinks that facilitate the replication of ocular tissue architecture. The synthesis of primary studies from 2014 to 2023 provides a rigorous analysis of their evolution and current clinical implications. This review is unique in its holistic approach, juxtaposing the scientific underpinnings with clinical realities, thereby delineating the advantages over conventional modalities, and identifying translational barriers. It elucidates persistent knowledge deficits and outlines future research directions. It ultimately accentuates the imperative for multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance the clinical integration of these biotechnologies, culminating in a paradigm shift towards individualized ophthalmic care.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCSouthern Medical Program (Okanagan)ReviewedFacult

Peruvian teachers’ conceptions of students’ motivation for learning

In the field of education, motivational research explores the processes guiding educational actors’ behaviour. Teachers’ conceptions or ways of understanding students’ motivation for learning has, nonetheless, been overlooked. My research aimed to identify and examine Peruvian teachers’ conceptions of students’ motivation for learning, including how they perceive teachers’ roles when planning supports for students’ learning and development in the classroom. Particularly, the research questions guiding my study were: How do Peruvian teachers conceptualize motivation in students’ learning? How do Peruvian teachers understand teachers’ roles in motivating students? Employing phenomenography, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 Peruvian women teachers working in early childhood, primary, and secondary settings at a large-size all-girls private school in Lima, Peru. Using an inductive and data driven approach, I identified three categories of description which represented teachers’ distinct ways of understanding the phenomenon: as a personal and indirectly observable phenomenon; as a dynamic and malleable phenomenon; and as a socio-contextual process promoting learning. These categories and the relationship between them were described and graphically represented in an outcome space depicting a logical and hierarchical structure. Employing a deductive and theory driven approach, I then relied on contemporary motivational theories to examine the outcome space. Sense of competence and control in students’ motivation; sources and types of students’ motivation; and contexts and environments shaping students’ motivation were proposed as motivational propositions when examining teachers’ conceptions along with the literature. Furthermore, teachers’ accounts suggested that they considered building autonomy-supportive environments, fostering group cohesion and community, and valuing the teacher role and profession as part of teachers’ role in motivating students. Research findings evidenced variation in teachers’ conceptions on a collective level, alignment with motivational science theories, and nuances surrounding popular motivational assumptions. Findings support the importance of diversifying motivational research across contexts and populations, amplifying teachers’ voices, and incorporating interpretive methodologies in motivational research. Results appear to highlight the potential value of teacher training to deepen teachers’ awareness and understanding of motivation, which would likely contribute to students’ motivational experiences. The limitations of this study and considerations for future research are also discussed.Education, Faculty ofEducational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department ofGraduat

Essays in optimal monetary policy

This research delves into the factors shaping inflation targeting. Chapter 1 details the way the literature has evolved. Chapter 2 reveals significant insights into the interplay between a monetary authority’s commitment and the zero lower bound (ZLB) on nominal interest rates. The study unveils that monopolistic inefficiency can lead to increased optimal inflation under discretion (inflation bias), and the emergence of the ZLB can improve welfare in all commitment levels by lowering inflation expectations. Chapter 2 asserts that the effectiveness of forward guidance versus higher inflation during ZLB scenarios is contingent on the level of commitment by the monetary authority. In highly committed economies, where for- ward guidance is more efficient, inflation can be kept low and selectively increased during ZLB episodes. This strategic inflation management can lower the duration and likelihood of hitting the ZLB. Consequently, com- mitted economies experience lower and less volatile inflation. In contrast, economies with high discretionary tendencies and ineffective forward guidance reduce the likelihood of the ZLB, through higher inflation rates. Nonetheless, economies show better welfare outcomes with increased commitment. The paper also identifies an intriguing non-homogeneous relationship between the probability of hitting the ZLB and the level of commitment. It shows that a fully committed economy is less likely to encounter the ZLB, experience lower variance in inflation, and achieve higher consumption and overall welfare compared to an almost fully committed one. Chapter 3 scrutinizes the optimal inflation target, utilizing a small New- Keynesian model, and its link with the ZLB on nominal interest rates. This research argues that a high inflation target helps avoid the ZLB without in- creasing welfare loss only when the free-of-cost inflation is close to the target. Despite theoretical models suggesting negative or zero targets, real-world data consistently display positive targets, often around 2%. This Chapter shows that a target around that level significantly reduces the likelihood of hitting the ZLB, and is optimal provided the free-of-cost price adjustment is near 1.6%. By highlighting these findings, this dissertation enhances our under- standing of inflation targeting, commitment levels, and their implications for monetary policy.Arts, Faculty ofVancouver School of EconomicsGraduat

Psychosocial challenges in adolescents and young adults affected by cancer : a systematic review of qualitative research

Background: Psychosocial challenges in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) affected by cancer encompass wide-ranging concerns, including emotional distress, impaired cognition, reduced self-concept, existential concerns, sexual and reproductive health issues, interruptions to education and/or employment, and strained relationships, which can have negative implications on quality of life. The prevalence of psychosocial challenges has been estimated to impact over 60% of AYAs affected by cancer. Yet, no synthesis of qualitative evidence describing psychosocial challenges from the perspectives of AYAs themselves has been conducted leaving important knowledge gaps. Further, healthcare providers (HCPs) have described lacking AYA- specific knowledge and skills to deliver age-tailored cancer care, possibly hindering their capacity to support this population. Objective: The primary objective of this systematic review was to appraise and synthesize qualitative evidence regarding the psychosocial challenges in AYAs affected by cancer. A secondary objective was to discuss implications for HCPs caring for this population. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for qualitative studies published between 2006 and July 13, 2023. Included studies reported on psychosocial challenges experienced by AYAs, diagnosed with any cancer, between the ages of 15 and 39. A meta- aggregative approach was utilized to synthesize data and report the findings. Findings: Forty-seven articles were included and 13 distinct psychosocial challenges were generated that were organized into 4 overarching themes: (1) physical, (2) psychological, (3) interpersonal, and (4) daily living challenges. Clinical implications for HCPs were discussed in 25 articles and synthesized into 4 thematic findings: (1) providing information; (2) shared decision-making; (3) connecting to resources; and (4) assessing and affirming. Conclusion: This systematic review of qualitative research extends extant literature, affording an integrated and nuanced understanding of the psychosocial challenges in AYAs affected by a cancer experience. The findings provide insights that HCPs may utilize to better address the psychosocial challenges of this unique population through age-tailored and effective care.Applied Science, Faculty ofNursing, School ofGraduat