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Item type:Item, Optimization of myoelectric control via context-informed incremental learning(University of New Brunswick, 2026-06) Campbell, Evan; Scheme, ErikMyoelectric control systems translate muscle activity into control signals for external devices, offering intuitive interfaces for assistive technologies and human–computer interaction. However, these systems are highly sensitive to distributional shift—the mismatch between calibration and deployment conditions—caused by changes in limb posture, electrode placement, and, inescapably, user behaviour. This thesis introduces and evaluates Context-Informed Incremental Learning (CIIL), a generalizable adaptation framework that leverages situational task context to guide real-time model updates without requiring explicit supervision. CIIL is validated across classification and regression control schemes, statistical models, static neural networks, and temporal neural network models, and a range of closed-loop control tasks, including target acquisition and object manipulation in virtual reality. Through experiments involving over 60 participants, CIIL is shown to outperform conventionally calibrated models and unsupervised high-confidence adaptation both in favourable conditions and under severe distributional changes, such as electrode shifts. The framework enables stable adaptation by assigning pseudo-labels based not on model confidence but on the alignment between the user’s behaviour and the inferred task context in a more tolerant strategy than existing environment-dependent incremental learning approaches. A systematic review of prior incremental learning approaches is provided, and CIIL’s compatibility with diverse model classes—including feedforward and temporal architectures—is empirically demonstrated. Extensions to velocity-based control and proportional regression further highlight CIIL’s flexibility. The thesis also positions CIIL within existing context-derived adaptation literature and discusses its unique suitability for non-unique control tasks. Limitations are acknowledged, including the exclusive use of able-bodied participants. The work concludes by outlining future directions, including principled system analysis using control theory, evaluation of user psychological metrics such as agency, and clinical deployment in stroke or neuromuscular populations. Together, this thesis advances the field by demonstrating that situational context can serve not only as a behavioural cue but also as a powerful supervisory signal for stable, scalable, and user-aligned myoelectric adaptation.Item type:Item, Improving near real-time acoustic monitoring of two whale species that make similar calls(University of New Brunswick, 2026-06) MacDonald, Kerkeslin Reid; Davies, Kimberley; Indeck, KatherinePassive acoustic monitoring can be used to detect and classify whales. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence, endangered blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales are acoustically monitored in near real-time; however, their similar vocalizations can hinder species discrimination. To determine whether blue whale misclassification could be reduced in a region with irregular sei whale presence, a new blue whale call library for automated detection and classification and revised detection protocols were implemented during the 2025 monitoring season. Comparing detections from 2025 to previous monitoring seasons (2022-2024), before both advancements, showed that days with sei whale acoustic presence decreased, and days with blue whale acoustic presence increased. Modelling analyses revealed blue whale acoustic detections can vary depending on season and location. Overall, misclassifications were reduced, and blue whale call discrimination was improved, which is important as detections are used to monitor these species and must accurately reflect their presence.Item type:Item, Ontogenetic changes in the salinity tolerance and ionoregulatory plasticity in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)(University of New Brunswick, 2026-06) Berthelot, Evan Matthew; Zimmer, AlexMummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) exhibit a remarkable euryhaline capacity in adulthood, attributed to their highly plastic ionoregulatory mechanisms. Although adult mummichogs are highly tolerant of varying salinities, early developmental stages exhibit reduced tolerance, and the mechanisms underlying this ontogenetic difference remain unclear. My thesis aimed to understand the relationship between salinity tolerance and ionoregulatory plasticity during early development. I identified specific developmental stages at which salinity tolerance changes, with freshwater tolerance appearing after hatch and hypersaline tolerance developing later. I also determined that reduced freshwater tolerance in embryos coincided with limited ionoregulatory plasticity, reflected by reduced transcriptional responses to salinity challenges. These differences are also evident in a reduced capacity of embryos to maintain ion content across different salinities compared to larvae. Overall, I linked the reduced salinity tolerance during early development to a lower degree of ionoregulatory capacity, a novel finding in this area of research.Item type:Item, Dietary patterns of Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) during fall staging(University of New Brunswick, 2026-06) Toner, Charlotte; Nocera, Joseph J.Agricultural ecosystems present complex trade-offs between human and conservation priorities, especially for migratory or at-risk species whose life cycles depend on managed habitats. Many avian species can provide valuable ecosystem services in agroecosystems, such as pest and weed control, yet these roles are often poorly quantified, especially during energetically demanding periods such as prior to migration. The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a long-distance migratory grassland passerine and species-at-risk with a distinct knowledge gap surrounding its dietary function within ecosystems, as well as its dietary patterns during pre-migratory staging. My study examines Bobolink diet during the post-breeding, pre-migratory staging period of July and August. I collected fecal samples across eight agricultural sites in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. Using DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples, I identified the dietary composition of plants and insects over time, between age groups, and in relation to plant origin and insect pest status. My results indicate that the Bobolink consumes a diverse dietary community of both plants and insects, including weeds and pests. This composition shifted significantly over time as migration approached, and insect dietary composition differed significantly between adults and juveniles. This study provides the first DNA metabarcoding analysis of the Bobolink, as well as the first fine-scale identification of the fall staging diet of the Bobolink. Together, these findings indicate that the Bobolink may contribute ecosystem services within agroecosystems while simultaneously shifting its diet to meet the energetic demands of migratory staging. By contributing to the knowledge of the Bobolink during a potentially limiting period of the life cycle, I hope to improve conservation management techniques by identifying important prey sources and emphasizing the value of this species-at-risk in agricultural ecosystems.Item type:Item, A qualitative inquiry into the transition to adulthood for autistic youth in New Brunswick(University of New Brunswick, 2026-06) Thebeau, Danielle; Dombrowski, StephanBackground: The transition to adulthood is a critical developmental period often defined by goals such as post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. For autistic youth, this transition can be more complex due to systemic barriers, service gaps, and social challenges, and their lived experiences remain underexplored, particularly within the New Brunswick context. Method: Four autistic youth (ages 19–24) and four caregivers in New Brunswick participated in semi-structured interviews. A basic qualitative descriptive design with purposive sampling was used to explore experiences following high school, access to adult services, and perspectives on psychosocial outcomes. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: (a) what success means to us, (b) a road full of challenges, and (c) taking it at our own pace. Conclusion: Findings suggest that successful transitions are individualized, highlighting the need for person-centered, coordinated services informed by autistic perspectives.
