VIURRSpace
The Libraries of Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University collaboratively offer VIURRSpace to digitally preserve and showcase selected scholarly and creative works of the universities, together with special collections that represent the unique character of the region.
Recent Submissions
Item Advances in paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) for on-site harm reduction drug checking and illicit supply surveillance(MDPI, 2025-12-01)Harm reduction drug checking utilizing paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) has been the focus of ongoing research since 2017 and has seen many refinements. The presented work is the result of this research and has led to the public-facing PS-MS use for on-site drug checking in Victoria, BC. Included are the improved methods and approaches required to develop and implement PS-MS as an on-site drug checking technology. Critical details regarding appropriate direct mass spectrometry tune and calibration suites required to avoid isobaric interferences, calibration details, quality control strategies, detailed MS scan approaches to implement rapid drug tests, as well as future work considerations are presented. The PS-MS method presented currently directly quantifies 107 targeted drugs in a two-minute measurement, and can be easily adapted to include additional new targets that appear in the unregulated drug supply that are detected by either low or high resolution PS-MS. The presented methodologies provide a framework to assist those interested in implementing PS-MS to reduce harms from the toxic drug supply, but will have value for those developing rapid, quantitative drug testing for other applications.Item Computational and design of experiment strategies to improve differentiation and quantitation of trace-level cannabinoids by copper cationization paper spray mass spectrometry(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025-11-19)The medicinal and recreational use of cannabis products is quickly rising from increased worldwide legalization and decriminalization. Despite this, current analytical methods have compromises when analyzing common isobaric cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD) or (−)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). We report on the use of computational chemistry, combined with design of experiment (DoE), to optimize and develop a paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) method with on-paper cationization to simplify workflow for trace level differentiation and quantitation of THC and CBD. Computational methods allowed for pre-screening of candidate metal ions prior to experimental measurements, with promising candidates then being evaluated by electrospray ionization high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS). A direct mass spectrometry method using copper cationization with PS-MS was then developed and optimized using DoE. Copper cationization with both ESI and PS-MS tandem mass spectrometry demonstrated the best CBD/THC selectivity and sensitivity, with 1% interference between CBD and THC copper adduct product ions with ESI. DoE results increased the analytical performance of the PS-MS method for quantifying cannabinoids in methanol, acetonitrile/water, and saliva matrices. Methanolic detection limits were 10 ng mL−1 for CBD and 20 ng mL−1 for THC by PS-MS allowing rapid (one-minute measurement), direct mass spectrometry differentiation, whereas detection limits in both saliva and acetonitrile/water matrices were <2 ng mL−1 for THC and CBD. This work illustrates the advantages of using DoE and computational chemistry to develop PS-MS and ESI methods for the rapid differentiation and quantitation of isobaric cannabinoids.Item Blue and green forays into planning for a resilient future: The example of Vancouver(Strong Towns Nanaimo, 2025-12-07)From daylighted streams to car-free rainways, Vancouver's blue-green infrastructure showcases how landscape design, hydrology, and urban resilience converge at street level.Item The effect of reduction and orthographic consistency in an auditory repetition task(Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University, 2025-12)This research examines the relationship between effects of reduction and orthographic consistency on Japanese word production.Item Segmenting visitor behaviour in the Comox Valley: a comparative analysis of purpose-based Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) and holiday tourists(Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University, 2025)This study compares the behaviour of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) tourists with holiday tourists in the Comox Valley region, British Columbia. Drawing on General Consumer Behaviour Theory, Expected Utility Theory with Utility Maximization Model, and Distance Decay Theory, the research tests five hypotheses concerning activity preferences, accommodation choice, likelihood of recommending the destination, transport mode, and temporal patterns of travel. Findings reveal a divergent accommodation preference pattern. 58.6 % of VFR visitors relied exclusively on non‑commercial accommodation versus 8.7 % of holiday tourists (χ² = 62.18, p < .001). Importance ratings for certain outdoor activities also differed, indicating that the two segments value the destination’s recreational offerings in subtly different ways. By contrast, segments did not differ significantly in Net Promoter Score categories, main transportation mode, overall trip nights (t = –1.03, p = .304), or the allocation of time spent in certain destination. In summary, the findings suggest that in the Comox Valley region the behavioural differences between the two groups of tourists are not dramatic. The different lodging choices may be due to the fact that utility attainment for VFR visitors relied on social bonds rather than the experience of traveling. In contrast, the convergence of trip length, mode of transportation, and satisfaction with Comox Valley region suggests that all short-haul tourists in this context of Comox Valley region may share common constraints. Therefore, local DMOs should target short-haul tourists in BC with packages that promote social bonding-oriented travel and relevant information about local communities, as well as avoid assuming large behavioural differences when designing transportation or length-of-stay programs for the broader tourist market.
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