HARVEST
University of Saskatchewan's Repository for Research, Scholarship, and Artistic Work
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Recent Submissions
Tropical stratospheric upwelling as seen in observations of the tape recorder signal
(Copernicus Publications, 2026) Brehon, Meghan; Tegtmeier, Susann; Bourassa, Adam; Davis, Sean M.; Grabowski, Udo; Kerzenmacher, Tobias; Stiller, Gabriele
Tropical upwelling constitutes the ascending branch of the global mean stratospheric circulation and governs the thermal and chemical properties of the tropical stratosphere. A lack of direct observations and a spread in upwelling structure across the modern reanalysis creates difficulties in determining variability and long-term changes of tropical upwelling. We have derived time series of effective vertical transport in the tropical lower and middle stratosphere from MLS and SWOOSH water vapour for 2005–2020 and 1995–2020. Our calculated upwelling is found to be in the range of 0.21–0.33 mm s−1 for 73–28 hPa in very good agreement with reanalysis vertical velocities (ERA5, JRA-3Q, MERRA-2) and other observation-based estimates (ANCISTRUS).
We show that interannual variations of upwelling in the middle stratosphere are dominated by the QBO signal, which explains a large fraction of the upwelling anomalies. In the lower stratosphere, tropospheric modes of variability also play a role with the QBO and ENSO being equally important for explaining interannual variability. Individual peaks of strongly enhanced upwelling in the lower stratosphere in 2000/01 and 2011/12 cannot be explained by QBO or ENSO variability and coincide with known drops in water vapour and cold point temperatures. We use independent observational data to show that tropical upwelling is anticorrelated with long-lived stratospheric tracers such as ozone as expected, lending confidence to the derived values. A reduction in variability is observed for 2016–2020 in our calculated upwelling and observed ozone, which is consistent with the disruption to regular QBO variability over this period.
Snowballing oral pathology: an innovative approach to dental education
(Springer Nature, 2026) Boaro, Leticia; Moffa, Eduardo; Rodrigues, Marcela; Sperandio, Felipe Fornias
Background
To evaluate the efficacy of a modified snowballing method in teaching Oral Pathology to dental students, aiming to enhance their understanding and performance in elaborating clinical diagnoses and in preparation for dental board exams.
Methods
Oral Pathology topics relevant to the dental curriculum were introduced to students throughout the course. At the end of the term, practice sessions were booked and essential information about this active methodology was provided to the students, who reviewed the content and individually tackled a multiple-answer quiz mirroring the format of their upcoming dental board exams. Subsequently, students formed small groups to retake the same quiz, this time, sharing knowledge and discussing answers collaboratively amongst themselves. Each group reached a consensus on their answers and submitted a single group response. The exercise concluded with a class discussion led by the course coordinator to consolidate learning outcomes.
Results
The class average on the individual quiz was 51.7% ± 5.8%, which significantly improved to 80.6% ± 4.3% on the group quiz (p = 0.001). Every student exhibited up to 61.6% of improvement in their scores when comparing individual and group quiz results.
Conclusions
Integrating a modified snowballing technique into dental education enhances diagnostic reasoning, teamwork, and exam preparedness among dental students. This active learning approach fosters essential skills for interprofessional collaboration and better equips future practitioners to manage complex oral health cases within integrated health care settings. The modified snowballing technique employed herein has significantly and positively impacted the performance of dental students in their performance on board exam-style Oral Pathology questions. It is expected that implementing a modified snowballing technique in dental education can lead to better learning outcomes and increased confidence among students in handling clinical cases and exam scenarios, also helping them prepare more effectively for dental board exams.
Prevalence and psychological risk factors: a structural equation model of voyeurism engagement in men
(Taylor & Francis, 2026) Lister, Victoria; Gannon, Theresa; Olver, Mark
Voyeurism has been, and continues to be, a growing problem worldwide, particularly with the rise of technology. Yet, unlike many other sexual offences, the characteristics and risk factors associated with voyeurism remain underexplored. Using a sample of UK men (N = 492), Study 1 examined sexual arousal, proclivity, and engagement in voyeurism in the general population. Results indicated that 32.30% reported engaging in voyeurism, supporting the suitability of the sample for further investigation. Study 2 sampled UK men (N = 513) and categorised participants into three groups: (1) no desire or engagement, (2) desire without engagement, and (3) engagement in voyeurism. Groups differed across several psychological measures. A structural equation model demonstrated that sexual interest in voyeurism strongly predicted engagement, with sexual compulsivity and socio-relational factors (loneliness, self-efficacy in romantic relationships, and resilient coping) also playing important roles. Findings are discussed in relation to the aetiology of sexual offending and implications for practice.
Mg-based multicomponent complex hydrides with Fe, Co, Ni and V for hydrogen storage
(Elsevier, 2026) Matheus, Felipe Henrique; Leiva, Daniel; Zepon, Guilherme; Leontowich, Adam F.G.; Huot, Jacques
We present the synthesis and crystallographic characterization of novel Mg-based multicomponent hydrides. Several Mg2FeH6-type hydrides were synthesized by substituting Fe with combinations of V, Ni, Co, and Fe by high-energy reactive milling. The materials were characterized by conventional and in situ XRD, alongside DSC analysis to determine H-desorption temperatures and activation energies. Hydrides with three or four transition metals in the composition successfully formed a single Mg2FeH6-like phase. The results show that these hydrides decompose into Mg2Ni, Mg and BCC phases upon desorption and exhibit activation energies equal to or lower than those of Mg2FeH6.
Magnetic Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized by Superhydrophilic Polymer Brushes with Exceptional Kinetics and Catalysis
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2024) Dolatkhah, Asghar; Dewani, Chadni; Kazem-Rostami, Masoud; Wilson, Lee
Stimuli-responsive catalysts with exceptional kinetics and complete recoverability for efficient recyclability are essential in, for example, converting pollutants and hazardous organic compounds into less harmful chemicals. Here, we used a novel approach to stabilize silver nanoparticles (NPs) through magneto/hydro-responsive anionic polymer brushes that consist of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) moieties at the amine functional groups of chitosan. Two types of responsive catalyst systems with variable silver loading (wt.%) of high and low (PAAgCHI/Fe3O4/Ag (H, L)) were prepared. The catalytic activity was evaluated by monitoring the reduction of organic dye compounds, 4-nitrophenol and methyl orange in the presence of NaBH4. The high dispersity and hydrophilic nature of the catalyst provided exceptional kinetics for dye reduction that surpassed previously reported nanocatalysts for organic dye reduction. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were carried out to study the colloidal stability of the nanocatalysts. The hybrid materials not only showed enhanced colloidal stability due to electrostatic repulsion among adjacent polymer brushes but also offered more rapid kinetics when compared with as-prepared Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), which results from super-hydrophilicity and easy accumulation/diffusion of dye species within polymer brushes. Such remarkable kinetics, biodegradability, biocompatibility, low cost and facile magnetic recoverability of the Ag nanocatalysts reported here contribute to their ranking among the top catalyst systems reported in the literature. It was observed that the apparent catalytic rate constant for the reduction of methyl orange dye was enhanced, PAAgCHI/Fe3O4/Ag (H) ca. 35-fold and PAAgCHI/Fe3O4/Ag (L) ca. 23-fold, when compared against the as prepared AgNPs. Finally, the regeneration and recyclability of the nanocatalyst systems were studied over 15 consecutive cycles. It was demonstrated that the nanomaterials display excellent recyclability without a notable loss in catalytic activity.
Anti-racism in CanMEDS 2025
(Open Journal Systems, 2023) Osei-Tutu, Kannin; Duchesne, Nathalie; Barnabe, Cheryl; Richardson, Lisa; Razack, Saleem; Thoma, Brent; Maniate, Jerry
Black, Indigenous, and people of color are frequent targets of racism and oppression in Canada. Black people in Canada have diverse origins–centuries old communities and communities of recent immigration in the last few generations (such as with those of Caribbean or African descent). All share a common experience of oppression by policies and practices rooted in Canadian educational, healthcare, and justice organizations that reinforce beliefs, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping, and/or discrimination. Indigenous peoples have been oppressed by the race-based discrimination, negative stereotyping, and injustice stemming from the legacy of settler colonial policies and practices that have established, maintained, and perpetuated power imbalances, systemic barriers, and inequitable outcomes. People of color span a myriad of groups with diverse histories and backgrounds that are oppressed in similar ways. Additionally, intersecting identities of race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, gender and gender identity exacerbate exclusion and discrimination.
Clinical Reasoning in CanMEDS 2025
(Open Journal Systems, 2023) Young, Meredith; Szulewski, Adam; Anderson, Robert; Gomez-Garibello, Carlos; Thoma, Brent; Monteiro, Sandra
Clinical reasoning was one of the early cornerstones of medical education research, and this early research focus reflects its central role in medical training. Therefore, it may be surprising that clinical reasoning was identified as an underrepresented concept in the CanMEDS physician competency framework. However, a close examination of the framework demonstrates that clinical reasoning, despite its central importance, is rarely explicitly mentioned or integrated in CanMEDS. While some aspects of clinical reasoning are woven within the Medical Expert role as enabling competencies, our understanding of clinical reasoning has expanded beyond these few explicit mentions in CanMEDS 2015. This primer will orient readers to why clinical reasoning is a key concept for CanMEDS 2025, how our understanding of clinical reasoning has evolved, highlight how clinical reasoning is represented in CanMEDS 2015, and suggest ways that CanMEDS 2025 could be revised to more deliberately and comprehensively incorporate competencies related to clinical reasoning.
Implementation of virtual primary care: a comparative study of family medicine residents’ experiences
(Open Journal Systems, 2025) Okpalauwaekwe, Udoka; MacLean, Cathy; Baerwald, Angela
Background: Virtual care (VC) was rapidly adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity of primary care. In this study, we explored Family Medicine (FM) residents’ evolving experiences with VC across early (2020), late (2022), and post-pandemic (2024) phases in Saskatchewan, focusing on satisfaction, preparedness, supervision, and perceived impact on training and well-being.
Methods: FM residents across eight distributed sites were surveyed at three time points using a standardized tool. Responses were analyzed using chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc Mann-Whitney U tests (p < 0.05).
Results: Seventy-eight residents participated (2020: n = 26; 2022: n = 19; 2024: n = 33). Satisfaction with VC tended to decline over time (p = 0.074), while requests for additional VC training did not change (p = 0.269). Confidence to use VC post-residency dropped significantly from 100% (2020) to 60.6% (2024; p < 0.001), despite a consistent and moderate amount of supervision. The negative impact of COVID-19 on training declined by 2024 (p = 0.008), while trust in the provincial response to the COVID-19 pandemic also decreased (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: Although FM residents adapted to VC during the pandemic, long-term sustainability to use VC requires improved training, structured supervision, and curricular integration. Embedding VC competencies into postgraduate education is essential to support hybrid models of care in the evolving primary care landscape.
Insights into effective rest breaks for reducing cognitive and musculoskeletal strain in farm machinery operators: a qualitative reflexive analysis
(Taylor and Francis, 2025) Okpalauwaekwe, Udoka; Burnett, Wadena; Milosavljevic, Stephan
Background
Agricultural machinery operators are frequently exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV), which contributes to musculoskeletal discomfort, cognitive fatigue, and impaired balance. While engineering controls such as improved seating and suspension systems have been widely studied, there is growing interest in complementary behavioral interventions, such as regular movement-based rest breaks, to mitigate the negative health effects of WBV exposure.
Objective
We explored operators’ perceptions of rest break activities aimed at reducing WBV-related strain, with attention to factors influencing uptake, acceptability, and real-world feasibility.
Methods
This was a reflexive-descriptive qualitative piece, to a broader experimental study involving 15 participants (10 in-lab, 5 in-field). In-lab participants completed a WBV simulation protocol and evaluated structured break activities (sitting, walking, stretching); in-field participants were observed on machinery and interviewed about their usual practices. Thematic analysis was conducted using an inductive approach.
Results
Five overarching themes emerged. Participants preferred movement-based breaks but noted barriers such as time constraints and ingrained work habits posed significant barriers to regular break-taking. Greater awareness of WBV’s long-term health impacts was considered as motivators. Perceptions of WBV exposure differed between lab and field participants, influencing the perceived urgency for rest breaks. While engineering controls (e.g. seat design) were valued, they were viewed as necessary but insufficient without complementary active self-care strategies.
Conclusion
Movement-based breaks were perceived as beneficial, but their adoption requires flexible, context-sensitive integration into daily routines. Interventions like gaze stabilization exercises offer physiological benefit, but must be adapted to respect farmers’ work routines and productivity imperatives for successful uptake.
Bilateral Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck in an Adult Female: A Case Report
(Sage Publications, 2024) DHANJU, GURINDER; Kirkpatrick, Iain; Goubran, Ashraf; Mina, Fady
Bilateral hydrocele of the canal of Nuck (HCN) is very rare, in adult females. Primary care physicians can misdiagnose this pathology without diagnostic imaging. A 37-year-old female complained of right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, for a few months, reported to the emergency room. A non-reducible bulging protrusion was visualized in the RLQ. After performing the necessary blood work, the emergency physician ordered an emergent sonogram and computed tomography (CT). A transvaginal sonogram was performed to exclude gross adnexal masses, in the RLQ. An HCN canal was suspected in the right inguinal region. A non-contrast CT demonstrated a bilateral HCN, with the left significantly smaller than the right. In this case, a bilateral surgical excision of the hydrocele was recommended. Owing to the recurrence of the HCN, a cyst aspiration was not suggested. Physicians should consider the diagnosis of HCN in any female presenting with inguinolabial swelling. Sonography, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the three diagnostic imaging techniques commonly used to diagnose this pathology. A multimodality approach is sometimes necessary when the sonography diagnosis is no definitve.
