Community Driven Land Use Planning in the Haida Village of Skidegate : An Indigenous Community Planning Practicum

Applied Science, Faculty ofCommunity and Regional Planning (SCARP), School ofUnreviewedGraduat

Pro-Inflammatory Signaling Upregulates a Neurotoxic Conotoxin-Like Protein Encrypted Within Human Endogenous Retrovirus-K

Motor neuron degeneration and spinal cord demyelination are hallmark pathological events in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) expression has an established association with ALS neuropathology, with murine modeling pointing to a role for the ERVK envelope (env) gene in disease processes. Here, we describe a novel viral protein cryptically encoded within the ERVK env transcript, which resembles two distinct cysteine-rich neurotoxic proteins: conotoxin proteins found in marine snails and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Tat protein. Consistent with Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-induced retrotransposon expression, the ERVK conotoxin-like protein (CTXLP) is induced by inflammatory signaling. CTXLP is found in the nucleus, impacting innate immune gene expression and NF-κB p65 activity. Using human autopsy specimens from patients with ALS, we further showcase CTXLP expression in degenerating motor cortex and spinal cord tissues, concomitant with inflammation linked pathways, including enhancement of necroptosis marker mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein and oligodendrocyte maturation/myelination inhibitor Nogo-A. These findings identify CTXLP as a novel ERVK protein product, which may act as an effector in ALS neuropathology.AlumniNon UBCReviewedFacultyOthe

UBC SCARP UNA Campus Safety Report

This study examines University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) residents' perception of safety of campus public spaces at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Point Grey Campus. A series of sexual assaults were reported at UBC in 2013, which prompted a number of responses from the university. Both the series of sexual assaults and UBC’s responses to the events have generated campus-wide conversations regarding the complexities and challenges of campus safety for students, faculty, and staff. However, perceptions of safety from the perspective of long-term, permanent residents at UBC are not well examined. This study addresses the research gap by using a community safety audit to understand UNA residents’ perceptions of safety of campus public spaces and how these perceptions are influenced by built and natural environment characteristics. Several recommendations are made to the UNA, UBC campus planning staff, and UBC regarding lighting, traffic, transportation, wayfinding, community connections, campus blue phones, CPTED, and safety messaging.Applied Science, Faculty ofCommunity and Regional Planning (SCARP), School ofUnreviewedGraduat