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Item type: Person , Item type: Item , Access status: Embargo , Uncovering host interaction partners of NleG effectors secreted by Escherichia coli(2026-01-22) La, Jordan; Savchenko, Alexei; Devinney, Rebekah; MacDonald, Justin A.The pathogenic strategy of Escherichia coli (E. coli), particularly enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), involves an arsenal of over 60 translocated proteins termed effectors. These effectors enable manipulation of the host cellular mechanisms to aid colonization and promote bacterial survival and infection. Among these effectors are 14 members that form the largest T3SS effector family, the NleG effector family, which can manipulate the ubiquitin pathway despite their bacterial origin. This family consists of ubiquitin E3 ligases, with two members having demonstrated ubiquitin-mediated degradation of two different host eukaryotic proteins, despite sharing nearly identical structures. How these effectors differentiate between substrates, as well as the remaining members’ targets, remains unknown. To better understand this family's prevalence and role in pathogenesis, we initially conducted an in silico analysis of all completed E. coli genomes to identify NleG family members, revealing that the majority of EHEC strains encode all 14 members. They are also found in E. albertii, S. bongori, C. braakii, and C. rodentium. Subsequently, we characterized NleG substrates using affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) and yeast-2-hybrid (Y2H) validation, uncovering cross-species substrate redundancy for HK2 and MED, along with potential novel interactions. Finally, we aimed to identify the molecular determinants responsible for substrate specificity. Using sequence analysis, AlphaFold3-generated protein complexes, and Y2H, we pinpointed substrate-specific residues that mediate interactions between NleG2-3 and HK2, and NleG5-1 and MED15. Our findings offer further insights into the pathogenic behaviour of the NleG effector family, particularly regarding targeted substrates and specificity—potentially supporting its development as a biological tool and reducing the burden of EHEC infection.Item type: Item , Access status: Open Access , Open Learning Architecture: A Policy Guide To Unlocking Human Capital(2026-01-12) Finch, David J.; Taron, Joshua; Parker, Matthew; Hart, Gregory; Hapton, Daniel; Boddy, Trevor; Stanford, DawanThis doctoral dissertation advances a comprehensive policy and systems design framework for reimagining how regions develop, recognize, and mobilize human capital in an era of labour-market volatility, technological disruption, and extended working lives. Drawing on Design Science Research (DSR), the study conceptualizes, designs, and tests the Lifelong Open Learning Architecture (LOLA): a federated, competency-based human capital infrastructure intended to replace institution-centric, credential-bound learning systems developed for the industrial era. The research integrates an extensive review of global literature on adult learning, credentialing, labour-market transformation, and natural monopoly dynamics with 34 semi-structured interviews across employers, policymakers, learning providers, and credentialing bodies. Findings reveal that legacy learning architectures are structurally constrained by credentialism, regulatory rigidity, fragmented pathways, and monopoly control over recognition, limiting adaptability, equity, and mobility. LOLA responds by unbundling learning from assessment, shifting recognition from credentials to verified competencies, and reorganizing governance through independent Competency Colleges supported by interoperable digital and policy infrastructure. Using Alberta, Canada as a design context, the dissertation presents a ten-year transition roadmap, multiple adoption pathways, and design fictions that illustrate lived system impacts. The study contributes an evidence-based, scalable model for transforming regional human capital systems, offering policymakers and system designers practical tools to unlock human potential, strengthen labour-market alignment, and support lifelong learning across a fifty-year working life.Item type: Item , Access status: Embargo , Interfacial Dynamics of Drops from Emulsions to In-situ Formed Soft Particles(2026-01-30) Cordova-Gonzalez, Mario; Hejazi, Hossein; Bazazi, Parisa; Sanati Nezhad, Amir; Lotus, AdriaMultiphase systems are ubiquitous in natural and engineered processes, where interactions between distinct fluid phases govern stability, transport, and dynamic behavior. In such systems, interfaces play a key role, governing capillary forces, interfacial stresses, and mass transfer processes that ultimately determine system performance. While the mechanics of simple fluid interfaces are well understood, many practical applications involve complex fluids whose interfacial and bulk properties evolve in time due to chemical reactions or physical transformations. Understanding how these evolving properties influence interfacial dynamics remains a significant challenge. This thesis investigates how in situ colloidal particle formation and time-dependent internal phase evolution affect the behavior of oil-water interfaces under both static and dynamic conditions. The work focuses on reactive emulsion systems in which microemulsion formation and sol–gel chemistry enable the generation of surface-active colloidal structures directly at oil–water interfaces or within dispersed droplets. These systems provide a controlled platform to examine the coupling between interfacial material formation, evolving rheology, and macroscopic flow behavior. At static oil–water interfaces, in situ particle generation leads to the formation of interfacial assemblies that modify interfacial properties and introduce mechanical resistance to deformation. Under dynamic conditions, internal phase evolution and particle formation significantly alter filament thinning and pinch-off dynamics, resulting in slower thinning rates and increased filament stability compared to systems with liquid internal phases. During droplet impact, spreading, and evaporation on solid surfaces, internal phase transformations suppress spreading, reduce evaporation rates, and produce distinct final deposition morphologies characterized by heterogeneous and mechanically constrained deposits. This thesis establishes direct links between interfacial material formation, internal phase transitions, and dynamic interfacial behavior. The findings provide physical insight into how reactive emulsions can be used to engineer adaptive interfaces and offer strategies for controlling interfacial mechanics and deposition outcomes in applications such as coating, printing, enhanced oil recovery, and controlled material delivery.Item type: Item , Access status: Embargo , Surgical care for African, Caribbean, and Black communities in high-income universal healthcare countries: A scoping review focused on access and quality indicators(2026-01-30) Bakunda, Linda; Sauro, Khara; Roach, Pamela; Marshall, Zack; Daodu, OluwatomilayoIntroduction: African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) populations experience disparities in access to and quality of surgical care, but most existing research is from the United States (U.S.), limiting the generalizability to countries with universal healthcare systems. The experiences of inequities for ACB populations in access to and quality of surgical care are increasingly recognized. However, existing evidence remains fragmented and not well characterized in current research, highlighting the need for examination of the evidence. Objective: This scoping review aims to synthesize the literature on access and quality indicators of surgical care among adult ACB populations in high-income countries with universal healthcare and identify evidence gaps. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A systematic search of multiple databases and grey literature sources was completed, with studies eligible for inclusion if published from database inception to April 2025. Eligible studies reported on surgical access and/or quality outcomes stratified by adult ACB in high-income countries with universal healthcare. Titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers, and those that met the screening criteria were reviewed in full. Data from included studies were charted using a standardized form informed by the Surgical Disparities and PROGRESS-Plus frameworks. To address heterogeneity across study designs, outcomes were categorized by direction of effect, defined as whether findings indicated worse, better, or no difference for ACB populations in relation to comparator groups. Results: Of the 19,182 unique references identified by the search, 29 original studies were included. Three of 29 studies provided a rationale for how ACB groups were aggregated or disaggregated. Commonly reported outcomes included mortality, complications, and wait times. ACB patients often had longer wait times and worse postoperative outcomes. Significant gaps were found in access outcomes, patient-centred outcomes, and there was no qualitative data capturing ACB patient experiences. Discussion: The findings reveal gaps in understanding structural, cultural, and patient-centred factors influencing access to and quality of surgical care for ACB populations. Key challenges include methodological limitations, specifically transparency and data stratification which often includes oversimplified racial/ethnic categories, and reliance on administrative datasets that overlook contextual factors shaping surgical experiences. Future research should collect and analyse disaggregated racial/ethnic data to examine within group differences when possible and increase transparency in reporting methods and approaches. In parallel, qualitative exploration of patient and provider experiences, and research studies that incorporate end-users in identifying and prioritizing relevant outcomes are needed to meaningfully advance equity in surgical care research.
