Scars of an Empire: A Juxtaposition of Duncan Campbell Scott and Jacques Soustelle

Scars of Empire juxtaposes the lives and careers of the Canadian poet and civil servant Duncan Campbell Scott (1862-1947) and the French ethnologist and politician Jacques Soustelle (1912-1990). The work adopts a transnational approach to intellectual history that involves Algeria, Canada, France and Mexico. It argues that a juxtaposition of these individuals illuminates the struggles of liberal modern nation-states in relationship with Indigenous peoples. The dissertation explores the failures of both French liberal imperialism and Canadian domestic colonization in native policy, in Canada in the half century following the establishment of the Canadian nation state, and in France, during an acute crisis of de-colonization in the conflict over independence for l’Algérie française. This exploration of Scott and Soustelle features examinations of Scott’s poetry and fictional prose; Soustelle’s ethnological works concerning Mexico; archives of the Canadian Indian Department during Scott’s tenure; Canadian literary archives concerning Scott’s career and the post-Confederation development of arts and letters in Canada; French governmental archives concerning Soustelle’s stint as Governor General of Algeria; archival sources in Mexico concerning Soustelle’s engagement with Mexican colleagues and his role as representative of the French resistance to Nazism while stationed in Mexico; and archives in French museums and academic institutions concerning the history of French anthropology, archaeology and ethnology during Soustelle’s lifetime. Employing a transnational approach in comparative intellectual history this dissertation puts Canada into a global conversation about legacies of settler colonialism and European imperialism. It argues that national challenges concerning Aboriginal peoples in Canada and in France’s relationship with its former territorial possessions in Africa are manifestations of contradictions and exclusions inherent in the application of liberalism. Scott and Soustelle are juxtaposed in this dissertation in order to better understand the history and ideology of policies directed at Indigenous populations in Canada and in l’Algérie française

Design Process and Technology Implementation for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

This thesis follows the design process of a safety restraint for a wheelchair occupant travelling in a passenger vehicle. The introduction of design processes and technologies that are new to the GM Coachwork they were established into the company is also documented. Seven design concepts were created for the wheelchair occupant safety system. These underwent varying levels of development, from 3D CAD models to physical mock-ups and included a number of FEA studies. These concepts were then evaluated against each other and a concept chosen to take forward for further development and physical testing. 3D CAD technology was introduced to GM Coachwork by demonstrating its capabilities by a number of case studies. These showed where and how the technology could be used specifically for GM Coachworks requirements. The wheelchair occupant safety restraint project followed closely the development of the design process. A Products Design Specification was introduced and used with this project, 3D CAD and FEA was an integral part to the products development and evaluation techniques such as matrix analysis was used at various places within the design process. By the end of the project a final product had been finalised, physical testing had been completed and the product presented to the staff within GM Coachwork. The design process had been tested and some recommendations and changes suggested and put in place to better suit GM Coachworks requirements

Psychological inflexibility and non-epileptic attack disorder

Overview: This thesis explored concepts important to the construct of psychological inflexibility within non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD). NEAD is the presentation of seizure like attacks, which cannot be explained medically, and are thereby thought to be psychological in nature. Psychological inflexibility is defined as the view that one is unable to change their internal or external behaviour to be in accordance with their own desires and values. This exploration was done over the course of three separate papers: a systematic literature review, an empirical paper, and a critical appraisal of the thesis. Systematic Literature Review: The systematic literature review explored avoidance within NEAD, through narrative synthesis and quantitative meta-analyses. The review identified that individuals with NEAD utilise avoidance more than individuals with epilepsy or healthy controls. Avoidance appears to be an important component of NEAD. Empirical Paper: The empirical paper included 285 individuals with NEAD and utilised an online, one group observational design. Variables relevant to psychological inflexibility: cognitive fusion, experiential avoidance and mindfulness were explored in regards to relationships with three outcome variables in NEAD: somatisation, impact of NEAD upon life, and non-epileptic attack (NEA) frequency. It was found that all of the psychological inflexibility variables were correlated with somatisation and impact upon life. Only mindfulness was found to be correlated, with NEA frequency. Mindfulness was the only psychological variable which uniquely and independently predicted somatisation in NEAD. Somatisation in turn contributes significantly to the impact upon life and NEA frequency. Critical Appraisal: Further background on the theory which was considered in the conceptualisation of this thesis are provided and future directions of research are discussed

Avoidance in nonepileptic attack disorder:A systematic review and meta-analyses

Background Avoidance is the active process of trying to escape from or not experience situations, places, thoughts, or feelings. This can be done through behavioral or cognitive strategies, or more broadly, a combination of both, utilized in an attempt to disengage from private experiences referred to as experiential avoidance (EA). Avoidance is considered important in the development and maintenance of nonepileptic attack disorder (NEAD). This review aimed to understand avoidance in NEAD and evaluate its role as a contributory factor. Methods Fourteen articles were identified by searching Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, and EMBASE and were combined in a narrative synthesis. Six of these articles were included in a meta-analysis comparing levels of EA for individuals with NEAD and healthy controls (HC), and four were included in a meta-analysis comparing EA in NEAD to epilepsy comparisons (EC). Conclusions Experiential avoidance appears to be a strategy that is used by a high proportion of the population with NEAD. The group with NEAD utilized significantly more avoidance compared with both the HC and EC. However, further research is needed to understand the extent and types of avoidance that are relevant

Integrating the landscape epidemiology and genetics of RNA viruses: rabies in domestic dogs as a model

Landscape epidemiology and landscape genetics combine advances in molecular techniques, spatial analyses and epidemiological models to generate a more real-world understanding of infectious disease dynamics and provide powerful new tools for the study of RNA viruses. Using dog rabies as a model we have identified how key questions regarding viral spread and persistence can be addressed using a combination of these techniques. In contrast to wildlife rabies, investigations into the landscape epidemiology of domestic dog rabies requires more detailed assessment of the role of humans in disease spread, including the incorporation of anthropogenic landscape features, human movements and socio-cultural factors into spatial models. In particular, identifying and quantifying the influence of anthropogenic features on pathogen spread and measuring the permeability of dispersal barriers are important considerations for planning control strategies, and may differ according to cultural, social and geographical variation across countries or continents. Challenges for dog rabies research include the development of metapopulation models and transmission networks using genetic information to uncover potential source/sink dynamics and identify the main routes of viral dissemination. Information generated from a landscape genetics approach will facilitate spatially strategic control programmes that accommodate for heterogeneities in the landscape and therefore utilise resources in the most cost-effective way. This can include the efficient placement of vaccine barriers, surveillance points and adaptive management for large-scale control programmes

Psychological Inflexibility and Somatisation in Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder

Background There is no clear understanding of what causes and maintains nonepileptic attack (NEA) disorder (NEAD), or which psychological therapies may be helpful. The relationships between variables of psychological inflexibility: experiential avoidance (EA), cognitive fusion (CF), mindfulness, and key outcome variables in NEAD: somatization, impact upon life, and NEA frequency were investigated. Method Two hundred eighty-five individuals with NEAD completed validated measures online. Linear regression was used to explore which variables predicted somatization and impact upon life. Ordinal regression was used to explore variables of interest in regard to NEA frequency. Results Mindfulness, EA, CF, somatization, and impact upon life were all significantly correlated. Mindfulness uniquely predicted somatization when considered in a model with EA and CF. Higher levels of somatization increased the odds of experiencing more NEAs. Individuals who perceived NEAD as having a more significant impact upon their lives had more NEAs, more somatic complaints, and more EA. Conclusions Higher levels of CF and EA appear to be related to lower levels of mindfulness. Lower levels of mindfulness predicted greater levels of somatization, and somatization predicted NEA frequency. Interventions that tackle avoidance and increase mindfulness, such as, acceptance and commitment therapy, may be beneficial for individuals with NEAD. Future directions for research are suggested as the results indicate more research is needed

The process of co‐design for a new anxiety intervention for autistic children

Background: Mental health difficulties are common for autistic people; however, almost no interventions have been co‐designed with the autistic community. Co‐design has the potential to add important insights from lived experience into intervention design, but there are currently limited examples of how rigorously to undertake this practice. This paper details a worked model of co‐design and its process, focussed on adapting an evidenced parent‐led intervention for non‐autistic child anxiety (HYC), to meet the needs of young autistic children. The aim is to provide an example of co‐design, integrating autistic, parental, academic, clinical, experience and expertise. Methods: Using prior literature and theory, including Experience‐Based Co‐Design, we developed an iterative and collaborative process between the research team and an expert reference group (ERG). The research team comprised autistic and non‐autistic members. The ERG included parents (autistic and non‐autistic) of autistic children with anxiety problems, autistic adults with experience of anxiety problems, and clinicians with experience supporting autistic children with anxiety problems. The ERG and research team reviewed information from qualitative research interviews with autistic children with anxiety problems and their parents along with information from clinical experience and the academic literature to reach consensus on the adapted intervention design. Results: The creation of a truly co‐designed intervention that includes a neurodiversity‐affirmative perspective, alongside CBT techniques. With anxiety problems experienced by autistic children being framed by combining the impacts of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world, developmental science and well known cognitive behavioural models of child‐anxiety. Conclusion: Co‐design can help to integrate multiple perspectives and result in the creation of interventions that are potentially relevant and acceptable to autistic people, their family members, and clinicians