Conducting Participatory Action Research with Canadian Indigenous Communities: A Methodological Reflection

A central challenge with participatory action research (PAR) pertains to discrepancies between principles and practice. What sounds simple in theory (e.g., establishing a respectful collaboration) is often much more complex in real community settings. The challenges, lessons learned, and successes of PAR were examined within the context of a large national research project that involved 8 First Nation communities and academics. To engage in the process of reflective examination, two methodological approaches were utilized: (1) a qualitative interview study with 19 project members about their experiences within the project, and (2) a secondary qualitative analysis of the author’s own experiences and observations (as recorded in research journals). This paper summarizes some of the barriers to conducting PAR with Indigenous communities (i.e., themes of distrust/personal safety concerns, community readiness, waning motivation, financial stress, power differences, and differing norms/expectations) , as well as some of the lessons that were learned about how to overcome these challenges and cultivate strong, healthy research relationships

From Past to Future: Revitalization of the Pollination/Meadow Garden and a Site Assessment for the Baxter Memorial

The primary objective of the project is the completion of detailed analysis work of the area currently known as the Baxter Memorial and the Pollination Garden. Located at a highly visual intersection of the Pennock Garden, Rose Garden, and Garden Railway areas, the site provides an opportunity for a gathering and educational space. Analysis work covered topics of context, historical analysis, existing conditions, current vegetation, circulation, soils, focal points, views-vistas, topography, and hydrology. This is all compiled into an opportunities and constraints (potential and problem areas) analysis, which is a discussion of the analysis results. Following the analysis phase is a research phase. This phase examined case studies of projects with similar themes, learning from their successes and failures. Potential site materials such as the path surfaces and furnishings were also studied. Regionally appropriate native plants were studied to understand their benefits and associated relationships to wildlife including: birds, bees, flies, butterflies, and biological control insects. The final objective is to create a design proposal for the site including a planting design and species list. This phase will also look at how the design will be implemented. The garden will educate visitors of all ages about the evolutionary relationships between plants, pollinators, and wildlife. This educational garden will include signage and potentially a sculpture (created by Greg Leavitt) to create an entry focal point. The sculpture will memorialize Samuel Newman Baxter and his horticultural contributions to the Philadelphia region. This is to be a multi-use space that connects and relates to the Arboretum through aesthetic, mission, and forward vision

Conducting Participatory Action Research with Canadian Indigenous Communities: A Methodological Reflection

A central challenge with participatory action research (PAR) pertains to discrepancies between principles and practice. What sounds simple in theory (e.g., establishing a respectful collaboration) is often much more complex in real community settings. The challenges, lessons learned, and successes of PAR were examined within the context of a large national research project that involved 8 First Nation communities and academics. To engage in the process of reflective examination, two methodological approaches were utilized: (1) a qualitative interview study with 19 project members about their experiences within the project, and (2) a secondary qualitative analysis of the author’s own experiences and observations (as recorded in research journals). This paper summarizes some of the barriers to conducting PAR with Indigenous communities (i.e., themes of distrust/personal safety concerns, community readiness, waning motivation, financial stress, power differences, and differing norms/expectations) , as well as some of the lessons that were learned about how to overcome these challenges and cultivate strong, healthy research relationships

Veteran\u27s Psychosocial Needs: How Higher Education Gets Impacted

The purpose of this study was to identify if institutions of higher learning were able to address the psychosocial needs of veteran students upon reintegration. This quantitative study asked the University of St. Thomas\u27s (UST) students to take part in an exploratory survey. Data was collected by sending out an anonymous survey via email where respondents (N=37) were requested to answer 11 questions in regards to their experience at UST and reintegrating into an institution of higher learning after military involvement. Findings showed veteran students attending UST feel their expectations have been met in an institution for higher learning. The findings also show that obstacles were experienced in adapting to life as a non-traditional college student making reintegrating a challenge. The results of this study report that institutions of higher learning, primarily UST, have the ability to assist their veteran students in beneficial ways. Also, this study identified that veteran students do need assistance in adjusting to civilian life, balancing subsystems (military, family, school subsystems), as well as succeeding in school. Veteran students at UST have identified skills the military has taught them to help them succeed even when an obstacle is present. This research highlights the needs veteran students at UST have but also highlights that they are still succeeding and moving forward while still struggling with reintegration obstacles

Improving the microbiological quality and safety of fresh-cut tomatoes by low dose electron beam irradiation

The effect of electron beam irradiation upon microbiological quality and safety of fresh-cut tomatoes was studied. Preliminary studies were conducted to ensure reliability of the rifampicin-resistant strain versus the parent strain of Salmonella serovar Montevideo for use in this study. Growth curve, heat tolerance and lactic acid resistance studies were performed, all of which showed no differences in behavior between the organisms. Fresh tomatoes were obtained from a local supplier and then cut into cubes with stem scars being separated. Both cubes and stem scars were inoculated with a rifampicin- resistant strain of either Salmonella Montevideo or Salmonella Agona, separated into treatment groups and treated by electron beam irradiation at 0.0 kGy (control), 0.7 kGy or 0.95 kGy. The effect of electron beam irradiation was determined for Salmonella, yeast, mold, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations as well as pH on tomato cubes and stem scars over a 15-day storage period at 4??C. Results indicated that while irradiation treatment significantly reduced most microbial populations on tomato samples, there were no differences in the microbial populations between treatments of 0.7 kGy or 0.95 kGy. Irradiation at either dose resulted in a significant reduction of Salmonella Montevideo when compared to the control, with an initial reduction of 1.8 and 2.2 log10 CFU/g on tomatoes for 0.7 kGy and 0.95 kGy, respectively. LAB, yeasts and molds were more resistant to the treatment than Salmonella. Populations present on stem scars and tomato cubes did experience some differences in log reductions, possibly due to the protective effect of the stem scar on microorganisms. However, no differences were detected between the two Salmonella serotypes in response to irradiation treatment. This study indicates that doses of irradiation greater than 1 kGy should be used in fresh-cut tomatoes to eliminate significant populations of pathogens, as well as to ensure the microbial quality of the product. Additional studies also need to be conducted to examine the effects of higher irradiation doses on the sensory qualities of fresh-cut tomatoes

Veteran’s Psychosocial Needs: How Higher Education Gets Impacted

The purpose of this study was to identify if institutions of higher learning were able to address the psychosocial needs of veteran students upon reintegration. This quantitative study asked the University of St. Thomas’s (UST) students to take part in an exploratory survey. Data was collected by sending out an anonymous survey via email where respondents (N=37) were requested to answer 11 questions in regards to their experience at UST and reintegrating into an institution of higher learning after military involvement. Findings showed veteran students attending UST feel their expectations have been met in an institution for higher learning. The findings also show that obstacles were experienced in adapting to life as a non-traditional college student making reintegrating a challenge. The results of this study report that institutions of higher learning, primarily UST, have the ability to assist their veteran students in beneficial ways. Also, this study identified that veteran students do need assistance in adjusting to civilian life, balancing subsystems (military, family, school subsystems), as well as succeeding in school. Veteran students at UST have identified skills the military has taught them to help them succeed even when an obstacle is present. This research highlights the needs veteran students at UST have but also highlights that they are still succeeding and moving forward while still struggling with reintegration obstacles

Integrated transcriptomics contrasts fatty acid metabolism with hypoxia response in β-cell subpopulations associated with glycemic control

BACKGROUND: Understanding how heterogeneous β-cell function impacts diabetes is imperative for therapy development. Standard single-cell RNA sequencing analysis illuminates some factors driving heterogeneity, but new strategies are required to enhance information capture. RESULTS: We integrate pancreatic islet single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data to identify β-cell subpopulations based on gene expression and characterize genetic networks associated with β-cell function in obese SM/J mice. We identify β-cell subpopulations associated with basal insulin secretion, hypoxia response, cell polarity, and stress response. Network analysis associates fatty acid metabolism and basal insulin secretion with hyperglycemic-obesity, while expression of Pdyn and hypoxia response is associated with normoglycemic-obesity. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating single-cell and bulk islet transcriptomes, our study explores β-cell heterogeneity and identifies novel subpopulations and genetic pathways associated with β-cell function in obesity