title: Steady state analysis of oscillators

subject:
Harmonic analysis
Harmonic oscillators
Oscillators, Electric

abstract:
A common method used for steady-state analysis of oscillators is called Harmonic
Balance. Harmonic balance finds the steady-state solution directly in frequency-domain.
However, Harmonic Balance is very sensitive to the initial guess and may not converge if the
oscillation frequency is not known a priori. Sometimes it may converge to the unstable DC
operating point of the oscillator. Moreover, it is usually difficult to have such good initial
guess.
In this thesis, a fast approach is developed to improve the initial guess for Harmonic
Balance (HB). This approach is derived from Minimal Polynomial Extrapolation (MPE) and
Warped Multi- time Partial Differential Equation (WaMPDE). The WaMPDE works by
separating the fast and slow variations in the response of oscillators, thus minimizing time
and CPU consumption. The role of MPE is to accelerate the work of WaMPDE. The advantage
of the MPE method is that it saves Jacobian matrix decomposition and it is easy to
implement. Simulation results of different oscillators (Colpitts and LC-tuned bipolar) are
presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.


title: An economic analysis of an American ginseng growing operation in a woodlot in Janetville, Ontario

subject:
American ginseng
Cultivation methods (Ginseng)

abstract: American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has been valued for centuries as a medicine, particularly in Asian cultures. It is highly valuable, and as a result it has been poached to endangered levels throughout much of its range. This thesis first reviews the ecology, history, market, cultivation methods and legality of ginseng in Ontario. Second, a business plan for growing and selling ginseng in southern Ontario is presented. This plan shows that American ginseng can be a profitable, long-term crop, and that, when grown as a crop, it can increase the value of private forested land in Ontario versus other crops. Finally, the results of the business plan were compared with a similar study done in New Zealand, where ginseng was grown beneath radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don.) plantations. The conclusion of this thesis is that American ginseng has excellent potential as a woodlot crop in southern Ontario.


title: Understanding the acculturation experience of First Nations workers in Northwestern Ontario's urban workforce

subject:
Acculturation
Aboriginal People
First Nations workers
Urban workforce

abstract:
I was raised in Thunder Bay, a city in Ontario, on the northwest shore of Lake Superior. During university I studied in Sweden for one year in a university with 150 other exchange students from over 21 countries. Living in a foreign culture involved some expected challenges such as learning to read a new language, and many unexpected challenges, such as the time that I went to a phone store to buy a cell phone, and was surprised that no salespeople would speak to me. In my Canadian culture, salespeople in electronics stores often approach customers, or will offer their assistance when approached, and it took me a while to realize that this store was built on a different model. After much frustration, I deduced that to speak to a sales associate, I would have to take a ticket from a machine by the door, and wait until my number was signalled on a light-up board. Another time, in a grocery store when shopping with two German friends, one of the girls picked up a roll of garbage bags which she was planning on using to carry her groceries. When I asked why she was buying garbage bags when there were free grocery bags at the cash register, I found out that I’d been stealing grocery bags all year. My year in Sweden afforded me the opportunity to experience acculturation (not to be confused with assimilation), a process of adjustment and coping within a different cultural context, and to observe the acculturation of my fellow exchange students (Berry, Kim, Minde & Mok, 1987). Without knowing any of the specific terminology or theories, I was fascinated with
the different ways that other students functioned, from their food choices, to their selection of friends, social activities, and participation in sports and recreation. Some people lived in a foreign country as if they were still at home, surrounding themselves with friends from their own cultures and eating their traditional food, while others did the opposite, immersing themselves in the new culture, making friends with Swedish people, and there were also some who lived in isolation from all cultural groups, and others who ended up with a lifestyle that was a mix of cultures.


title: Impact force testing of long distance running shoes

subject: Running shoes (Testing)

subject: Marathon running (Equipment and supplies Testing)

abstract:
The primary purpose of the study was to calibrate and validate a shoe impact
machine designed to replicate heel strike impact force produced during running.
The secondary purpose was to compare impact force attenuation magnitudes of
four selected brands of running shoes. A major focus of footwear research has
been on heel strike impact force due to its link to pain and injury (Frederick,
1984; Nigg, 1986; Nigg, Cole, Bruggemann, 1995). However gross participant
gait variation during testing has made it difficult to consistently measure and
compare impact forces between shoes. To correct for this variance, an ideal
testing method would be mechanical simulation of heel strike to validate actual
human response (Frederick, 1986, B). Eleven healthy male participants
performed 25 trials of barefoot force platform running at 3 m sec. Using the
vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) curves generated, mean barefoot impact
force values were calculated. An impact machine was calibrated to the mean
barefoot impact force scores produced from the force platform running for each
participant. The impact machine then duplicated 5 heel strikes using four
selected brand name running shoes. All impact force data was represented in
percent body weight to normalize each shoe’s performance magnitude. Impact
machine validity was established through a paired sample t-test. No significant
differences were found between barefoot running and the barefoot impact
machine results where, t (11) = .222, p > .05. The results demonstrate that the
impact machine generated equivalent impact force results compared to running
over a force platform using multiple trials. A One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between midsole attenuation rates
between the four pairs of running shoes; where, F(3,40) = 5.766, p < .05.
Scheffe’s post hoc comparison determined that Nike was significantly different
from Adidas and New Balance. No other significant differences were found. Nike
had the greatest attenuation rate absorbing 7.9% of the impact force per step
followed by Saucony 6.5%, then Adidas 4.6%, and finally New Balance 4.5%.


title: Navigating Barriers: A Grounded Theory of the Experiences of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

subject: Veterans

subject: PTSD

abstract:
This research project serves as an initial foray into the experiences Canadian Armed Forces
veterans with PTSD. Several problems are identified with the current sociological and social
scientific literature on military veterans, the foremost of which was a lack of Canadian data. This
study was conducted using a grounded-theory approach; several interviews were conducted with
Canadian Armed Forces veterans with PTSD living in Southern Ontario, in order to uncover
themes and patterns of experience. Analysis of these interviews indicated that the experience of
Canadian Armed Forces veterans with PTSD is patterned by encounters with barriers. Veterans
perceive, negotiate, and navigate these barriers as they progress through the processes involved
in having PTSD. Participants in this study also identified several navigational aids with regards
to these barriers, the most prominent being that of social support, especially on the part of fellow
veterans. This study provides several possible avenues of further research that are indicated by
the analysis.


title: Technical feasibility and economical viability of remote hybrid power systems in Northern Ontario

subject: Hybrid power Ontario, Northern

subject: Hybrid power systems Ontario, Northern

subject: Diesel electric power-plants Ontario, Northern

abstract:
As of 1996 there were 302 remote communities with a total population of 205,041 in
Canada. These communities are not connected to the Bulk Electric System (BES)
and as such are responsible for maintaining their own power systems to meet their
energy requirements. As of 2010, 43 of the 302 remote communities were located
in the province of Ontario. These remote communities are primarily powered with
diesel generators which are a proven technology that are not limited by external environmental
constraints. However this begets a dependency upon hydrocarbon based
fuels which are: costly to purchase and transport, subject to volatility in the market,
and diminishing in supply. These trends indicate that fuel prices will continue to
escalate. Due to the relative isolation and cost of expanding the BES it is assumed
that these communities will continue to operate as remote power systems for the foreseeable
future. As such, this thesis focuses on increasing self-sufficiency within these
communities to positively impact community welfare and the Canadian presence in
the North. This is achieved through a technical feasibility and economical viability
analysis of the application of remote hybrid power systems in Northern Ontario.
To facilitate this research a model of a typical remote power system, located within
Northern Ontario, is developed. This model may be employed for multitudinous tasks
including the technical feasibility and economical viability analysis of this thesis.
Using this model a base case representing the existing diesel based generation is
performed. The technologies investigated for hybrid system implementation include:
methods of energy storage, solar energy conversion systems, wind energy conversion
systems, and fuel cells. The proposed hybrid power systems are compared to the
base case to determine their relative viability. The investigated technologies are also
analyzed to determine their technical feasibility in the North. This investigation was
completed to aid with: the reduction of fossil fuel dependencies and of the net cost
of power generation, the creation of localized employment opportunities, and the
promotion of better planning and infrastructure development to increase community
self sufficiency.


title: Transformation of a union local : local 1075 International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW-CIO), 1952-1962

subject: Labor unions Ontario Thunder Bay History

subject: Labor unions Ontario Fort William History

abstract:
What is there in common between socialism and labour in Canada? Or, phrased
differently, is there a history of socialism and the labour movement in Canada?
Historians and other academics have asked themselves these questions, or ones like them,
for a long time. Some students of history doubt the relevance of such questions at all.
But there is a historiography attesting to the importance of associating ideas of socialism
with a labour movement. Historians of the left, E.P. Thompson foremost among them,
have concentrated a great deal of their work upon consciousness in “working class”
culture. Historically, class consciousness has developed, in part, through its own
opposition to other interests in capitalist society.
And here we ask ourselves, to what extent is a class conscious of itself? How
does this consciousness manifest itself? In Canada, there is a history of socialism, to be
sure. Yet, to speak of a labour movement that actively engages itself with the aim of
bettering the condition of working people is to speak of something different. The 1932
Regina Manifesto of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (Farmer, Labour,
Socialist) is a historical document testifying to the socialist aspirations of a large
membership drawn from Canadian society.


title: Effect of seasonal wrestling training and unavoidable interventions on selected physiological parameters

subject:
Sports Physiological aspects
Wrestling Training

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate, 1) the effect of seasonal wrestling training on aerobic and anaerobic power, physical working capacity (170), resting, maximal and recovery heart rate, 2) to determine the effect of unavoidable interventions in the training program, and 3) to determine whether peak levels were found on the parameters just prior to the College and National wrestling championships.  The research design selected was a repetitive bi-weekly testing schedule for physical working capacity (170), recovery heart rate and anaerobic power, and a monthly testing schedule for resting, maximal and recovery heart rate and maximum oxygen uptake. The data were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance and a Tukey test was
applied to judge appropriate contrasts. The results indicated that the 18 weeks of wrestling training had a significant (p. < .05) effect on maximum oxygen uptake, resting and recovery heart rate and the heart rate after 12 minutes of submaximal work. There were apparent differences in the other parameters investigated, however, they were not significant. The unavoidable interventions in the training program were the examination period and the Christmas holidays which extended from December sixth to the 18th and December 19th to January third, respectively. The interventions were detrimental to the fitness level of the present sample. The test values obtained immediately following the intervention period were less favourable than the pretraining values for all parameters investigated with the exception of the five minute recovery heart rate following 12 minutes of submaximal work. This finding indicated that the training effect that had occurred prior to the intervention period had totally deteriorated over the intervention period. Peak levels of fitness were achieved just prior to the College and National championships, thus suggestingvthat the wrestlers were not experiencing symptoms of overtraining or had reached peak fitness levels at an earlier date and were now at
a maintainance or detraining state.


title: Using homophily to analyze and develop link prediction models with deep learning framework

contributor:
Mago, Vijay
Srivashtava, Gautam

subject:
Homophily in social media
Artificial intelligence
Deep learning

abstract:
Twitter is a prominent social networking platform where users’ short messages or “tweets”
are often used for analysis. However, there has not been much attention paid to mining the
medical professions, such as detecting users’ occupations from their biographical content.
Mining such information can be useful to build recommender systems for cost-effective advertisements. Conventional classifiers can be used to predict medical occupations, but they
tend to perform poorly as there are a variety of occupations. As a result, the main focus
of the research is to use various deep learning techniques to examine the textual properties
of Twitter users’ biographic contents, network properties, and the impact of homophily of
Twitter users employed in medical professional fields. In Chapter 2, a survey is presented
based on the concept of homophily as well as important social network topics that summarize the state of art methods that has been proposed in the past years to identify and
measure the effect of homophily in multiple types of social networks. This enables us to
find open challenges and directions for future research. In Chapter 3, a model has been
developed to identify Twitter users working in medical professional fields by using textual
properties of the Twitter Users’ bio contents. We have conducted our analysis by annotating
the content of Twitter users’ bios and propose a method of combining word embedding with
state-of-art neural network models. Finally, in Chapter 4, the research introduces a link
prediction model based on the homophily concept by using the Twitter users’ followers and
following IDs identified from Chapter 3. Recent research has centered on analyzing rapidly
evolving networks. While predicting links in dynamic networks is difficult, deep learning
techniques and network representation learning algorithms, such as Node2vec, have demonstrated significant improvements in prediction accuracy. However, Node2vec’s Stochastic
Gradient Descent (SGD) approach is prone to falling into a local optimum, and as a consequence, Node2vec fails to capture the network’s global structure. To address this problem,
we propose NODDLE (integration of NOde2vec anD Deep Learning mEthod), a deep learning system in which we combine Node2vec’s features and feed them into a four-layer hidden
neural network. integration of NOde2vec anD Deep Learning mEthod (NODDLE) takes advantage of adaptive learning optimizers for improving the performance of link prediction. On
different social network datasets, experimental findings show that our approach outperforms
conventional methods.


title: Exploration of the relationships between strengths, academic performance, and classroom behavior in young students

subject:
Child psychology
Motivation (Psychology) in children
Achievement motivation in children

abstract:
Positive psychology is a theoretical framework, which emphasizes the importance
of understanding and utilizing individuals’ strengths, as opposed to focusing on their
deficits. Since this framework is relatively new, there is little research that has explored
the utility of strengths in a school setting, and in particular, the relationship between
young students’ strengths, their academic performance, and classroom behavior. The
current study examined these relationships through the use of 3 questionnaires: 1) the
Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) of the Behavioral Emotional Rating Scales (BERS 2;
Epstein, 2004), 2) a modified version of the Strength Assessment Inventory (SAT,
Rawana, Brownlee, & Hewitt, 2006), and 3) a modified version of the Teacher Report
Form (TRF) from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA;
Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001). It was hypothesized that: I) all students, regardless of
academic performance and behavior, will have some strengths in all domains measured,
2) strengths will be positively correlated with academic performance, 3) scores on the
BERS 2 will be negatively correlated with scores on the TRF, and additionally, 4) total
scores on the BERS 2 and the S AI will be highly positively correlated and those scales
that measure overlapping content areas will be more highly correlated than other scales.
Data was analyzed using both Pearson correlations and canonical correlations, and
yielded results that supported all hypotheses. Perhaps most interestingly, strengths were
found to be related to both performance and behavior, however, the nature of the
relationship was different for boys and girls.


title: Changes in soil nutrient status and seedling performance in response to harvest intensity on upland, shallow site types in Northwestern Ontario : 10th year results

subject:
Effect of logging on forest soils
Effect of logging on tree seedlings
Harvesting impacts
Ion exchange resins
Boreal forest

abstract: Although based on limited empirical data, concerns have been raised that increased nutrient removals associated with full-tree harvesting on shallow-soiled sites may result in reduced productivity in subsequent rotations. The objective of this study, therefore, was to compare and contrast the soil nutrient status and early stand development that resulted from a range of harvest intensities (i.e., a gradient of biomass and nutrient removals), including a full-tree harvest treatment, to determine if such treatments did result in reduced site productivity. The sites (3) selected for the study were mature, fire-origin, black spruce-dominated stands with well-drained, shallow-to-bedrock (<20 cm of mineral soil overtopped by a moderately thin Fibrimor humus layer), coarse loamy soils. Experimental harvests were conducted in 1995 that consisted of five, replicated (3) treatments: uncut (UC), tree-length (TL)--delimbed at the stump, full-tree chipping (FTC)--chipped debris was returned to the harvested plot, full-tree (FTH)--delimbed at roadside, whole-tree (WTH)--complete removal of vegetation and forest floor.


title: Environment Tobacco Smoke Exposure Reduction and Smoking Cessation Interventions Targeted at Parental Populations: A Meta-analysis and Exploration of Implementation Measures

contributor:
Stones, Michael
Smith, R.
Mazmanian, Dwight
Klein, Rupert

subject:
Second-hand smoke
Smoking cessation interventions

abstract:
Background
Second hand smoke can cause disease and death in both adults and children who do not smoke (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2006). To protect children, interventions with parents who smoke have been conducted. These have the added benefit of protecting multiple people, and arguments have been made that parents are more engaged with the health of their child than their own, both emotionally and for more practical reasons (Agee & Crocker, 2007; Tanski & Wilson, 2011; Winickoff et al., 2003).
Objectives
A number of reviews of studies in this area have been conducted. This study sought to replicate and expand on previous reviews. Intervention implementation measures were explored with a different approach than in previous reviews. This revealed some potential gaps in current reporting that if filled would increase study quality appraisal. Two major outcomes were explored through meta-analysis. Cessation was explored through biochemical and self-report measures. Reduced child exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was explored through the implementation of environmental smoking bans and child cotinine measures.


title: Linearization of an abstract convexity space

subject: Convex sets

abstract:
Axiomatic convexity space, introduced by Kay and Womble [22] ,
will be the main topic discussed in this thesis.
An axiomatic convexity space (X,C), which is domain finite
and has regular straight segments, is called a basic convexity
space, A weak complete basic convexity space is a basic convexity
space which is complete and has C-isomorphic property. If in
addition, it is join-hull commutative then it is called (strong)
complete basic convexity space.
The main results presented are: a generalized line space is
a weak complete basic convexity space, a complete basic convexity
space is equivalent to a line space; and a complete basic convexity
space whose dimension is greater than two or desarguesian and of
dimension two, is a linearly open convex subset of a real affine
space.
Finally, we develop a linearization theory by following an
approach given by Bennett [3]. A basic convexity space whose
dimension is greater than two, which is join-hull commutative
and has a parallelism property, is an affine space. It can be
made into a vector space over an ordered division ring and the
members of C are precisely the convex subsets of the vector
space.


title: The Effectiveness of environmental communication with scuba divers : a case study comparing the curricula of BSAC, PADI, and SSI entry-level certification courses

contributor:
Koster, Rhonda
Hunt, Len

subject:
Scuba divers
Training of
Handbooks, manuals
Evaluation
Environmental aspects
Study and teaching

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the
environmental communications contained in novice certification course manuals. This
was accomplished by reviewing the effectiveness of these communications across three
certifying bodies, the British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), the Professional Association of
Diving Professionals (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SS I), using the
framework of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasive Communication (Petty,
McMichael & Brannon, 1 992), and its associated message delivery styles, as a
framework for evaluation.The messages conveyed to scuba divers through each agency' s novice
certification course manual were analyzed using software-assisted content analysis. The
content analysis examined the manifest and latent content to determine the overt and
covert messages inherent within the texts. This was accomplished using a mixture of
inductive emergent category development and deductive category application. Images
were also coded to indicate whether they supported or contradicted the environmental
messages espoused in the manual. All written messages were assigned codes that
indicated the message delivery style, and route to persuasion, used. Once each certifying
bodies' textbook had been systematically coded, and categories I themes had been identified, a comparison of the environmental messages communicated across certifying
bodies was undertaken to determine the manuals' relative efficacies.


title: The effects of therapeutic patellar taping techniques on lower extremity kinematics during running in individuals with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome

contributor:
Kivi, Derek
Sanzo, Paolo
Zerpa, Carlos

subject:
Therapeutic taping
Patellar taping
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Kinematics of running
Effect of taping on running gait cycle

abstract:
The effectiveness of patellar taping techniques for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS),
including McConnell’s Medial Glide and Mechanical Correction Technique with Tension in the
Base, remains controversial, with no research comparing their effectiveness during running. The
purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the aforementioned therapeutic patellar
taping techniques on lower extremity kinematics in runners with and without PFPS. Thirty-two
individuals volunteered to participate: 20 healthy participants (10 males, 10 females), and 12
participants diagnosed with PFPS (4 males, 8 females). Three taping interventions (McConnell’s
Medial Glide taping technique, Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base taping
technique, and no tape) were randomized, and lower extremity kinematics and stride
characteristics were obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and mixed factorial
ANOVAs.
Significant taping effects were found for hip and knee flexion angles at initial contact (F
(2, 60) = 16.796, p = 0.000, ηp
2 = 0.359; F (2, 60) = 17.274, p = 0.000, ηp
2 = 0.365), and peak hip
flexion angles during swing (F (2, 60) = 6.556, p = 0.003, ηp
2 = 0.179). McConnell’s Medial
Glide produced more flexion than the Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base (p=0.000;
p=0.000; p=0.011) and no tape condition (p=0.000; p=0.000; p=0.031). Similarly, peak knee
flexion angles during stance (F (2, 60) = 3.509, p = 0.036, ηp
2 = 0.105) and flight time (F (2, 60)
= 5.016, p = 0.010, ηp
2 = 0.143) revealed significant taping effects, with McConnell’s Medial
Glide resulting in more flexion and shorter flight times than the no tape condition (p=0.040;
p=0.012). Furthermore, a significant taping effect was seen for peak knee flexion angles during
swing (F (2, 60) = 4.964, p = 0.010, ηp
2 = 0.142), with the Mechanical Correction with Tension in the Base resulting in less flexion than McConnell’s Medial Glide (p=0.042) and no tape
condition (p=0.041).
While therapeutic taping techniques were found to influence angular displacements and
time differently throughout the running gait cycle, McConnell’s Medial Glide was always
associated with more hip and knee flexion. Based on the conclusions of this study, it is suggested
that tape is better than no tape, with McConnell’s Medial Glide being the best option, since it
allowed for more hip and knee flexion at initial contact, as well as shorter flight times during
swing.


title: Counsellor response modes, counsellor intentions, and client reactions at four levels of counsellor experience and training

subject:
Counselor and client
Counselors

abstract:
This study examined counsellor verbal responses, intentions,
and client reactions for counsellors of four levels of experience
and training. Five students at the first year Master level, five
students at the second year Master level, five psychologists who
had been registered for less than five years, and five
psychologists who had been registered for more than five years
conducted an initial 30 minute interview with undergraduate
volunteers. Dependent measures included the Hill Counsellor
Verbal Response Category System, the Therapist Intention List,
and the Client Reaction System. Response mode results yielded
evidence that Master level counsellors made more frequent use of
approval statements and minimal encouragers. The most advanced
Doctoral level group of counsellors used more responses from the
interpretive cluster. The analyses of therapist intentions
suggested that Doctoral level counsellors are more intent than
Master level counsellors on educating clients in a first
interview. The first-year novice group of counsellors had more
intentions to explore client issues and initiate change. The
analyses of client reactions revealed differences only between
Master level counsellors as a group compared with Doctoral level
counsellors. Subjects reported feeling supported more frequently
when they were interviewed by M.A. level counsellors. Ph.D.
level counsellors received a higher mean number of negative
reactions. The results of this study are discussed in the
context of the microskills counselling research literature.


title: Study of several problems in nonlinear control by backstepping

subject:
Adaptive control systems
Parallel robots
Nonlinear control theory
Differential-algebraic equation

abstract:
Adaptive control is investigated for a class of nonlinearly parameterized systems by
backstepping. An adaptive controller is constructed for MIMO nonlinearly parameterized
systems with nested triangular form. The design procedure is developed based on the
adaptive backstepping design technique. The designed controller guarantees that the
corresponding closed-loop system is globally asymptotically stable for any unknown
parameters which enter the system nonlinearly.
Adaptive control problem is also investigated for MIMO nonlinear DAE systems with
unknown parameters appearing linearly in both differential and algebraic equations. The
DAE system is converted into an equivalent ODE system. An adaptive controller is
designed by the backstepping technique and the asymptotic stability o f the system is
guaranteed.
A parallel robotic system is studied as a test-bed to illustrate the backstepping control
approach. For comparison, PD control is also designed and implemented on the parallel
robot. The given simulation and experimental results are satisfactory for both
backstepping and PD control approaches.


title: Effects of concentric and eccentric contractions on strength, retention and bilateral transfer

subject:
Muscle strength
Exercise
Muscle contraction

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two
different strength training methods, (concentric and eccentric) on
strength, retention and bilateral transfer. Subjects were 22 male
volunteers, aged 16 to 17. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of
two treatment groups and to exercise the left or right elbow flexor -
extensors. Following a preliminary training and safety period the
subjects were pre-tested on the four dependent variables static flexion,
static extension, dynamic flexion and dynamic extension at multiple
angles of 90, 105, 120, and 135 degrees. The groups alternated each
week training Monday, Wednesday and Friday while the other group trained
Tuesday and Thursday. Both groups performed 3x6 RM at a velocity of
7.2 revolutions per minute. The instrumentation designed by the
investigator was used for training and testing. The non-trained arm remained in a standardized position during training and testing. Subjects
were assessed for strength at the beginning of a 6 week training
program, at the conclusion of training and after a 4 week retention period. Data were analyzed with a four-way split plot ANOVA, t-tests
and percentage changes. The statistical index was represented by the
higher score of two trials. An alpha level of .05 was accepted for all
statistical procedures. Results showed: (a) strength training methods
(concentric and eccentric) improved static and dynamic strength, (b) a
significant difference was demonstrated amon^ test angles, (c) specificity
between static and dynamic testing procedures was present on a percentage
basis, (d) there was a wide range of response among subjects to the
exercise regimen, (e) eccentric tension was greater than concentric or
isometric tension, (f) neither strength training method was superior
to the Other, (g) following 4 weeks of detraining neither training procedure
resulted in a significant loss of strength, (h) neither training
procedure resulted in a significant transfer of strength and (i) the
trained arm was superior to the non-trained arm on the 4 test items.


title: Common characteristics of behaviour, habitat, and diet of endangered wetland birds

subject:
Wetlands
Endangered species
Wetland bird

abstract:
Wetland birds are birds that depend on wetlands for survival. They can be
separated into endangered and abundant species. The protection of wetland birds has
become a critical topic, as pollution, habitat loss and changes to food sources are
major factors leading to some extinctions. This review reveals that the endangered
group of species has slower rates of reproduction. The best way to protect this group
from extinction is to reduce the rate of loss of wetland habitats. In addition,
degradation of wetlands must stop by reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers.


title: Synthesis and electrochemical study of Ptlr and PtRu nanomaterials

contributor:
Chen, Aicheng
Floriano, Wely
MacKinnon, Craig

subject:
Electrocatalysts
Fuel cells
Platinum

abstract:
The rapidly growing need for clean energy on a global scale has led to the emergence of
new fields of scientific research to facilitate the discovery and development of novel energy sources, such as fuel cells, which generate significantly lower environmentally harmful contaminants, in contrast to traditional fossil fuels. The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a promising future energy technology alternative due to its high energy conversion efficiency, minimal level of pollutant emissions, the attractive energy density of methanol fuel, and its ease of availability. To date. Platinum (Pt) has been the most effective catalyst in DMFCs, and has been utilized as anodic and cathodic catalysts in many other applications. In this M.Sc. thesis, Platinum-Iridium (Ptlr)-and Platinum-Ruthenium (PtRu)-based nanomaterials have been synthesized and investigated to demonstrate their application in DMFCs, as anodic and cathodic catalysts. Analyses of the surfaces of synthesized Pt, and Ptir-and PtRu-based nanomaterials
were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical properties of the synthesized nanomaterials were elucidated via cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
A nanostructured Ti02NT substrate was used for these investigations. The synthesis of
Titanium dioxide nanotube materials (Ti02NT) was accomplished through the anodization of Ti02NTs possess a highly active surface area following their treatment with UV light. Pt and Ir were subsequently deposited onto the Ti02NTs, and the resulting Ti02NT/PtIr electrodes were fabricated by chemical reduction method. Several Ti02NT/PtIr and Ti02NT/PtRu electrodes with different compositions were studied and compared with the Pt modified Ti02NT electrodes. The fabricated Pt and Ptir, and PtRu catalysts were characterized by SEM, EDX, whereas the electrocatalytic activity toward methanol oxidation was investigated by CV, CA, and EIS. The results indicated that the PtIr/Ti02NT with a Pt:Ir ratio of 60:40 andPtRu/Ti02NT with a Pt:Ru composition of 60:40 composites possessed the highest methanol oxidation activity and stability.
In addition, a series of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PtRu nanoparticle
nanocomposites with different atomic ratios of Pt:Ru (100:0, 84:16, 69:31, 64:36, 42:58 and 0:100) were deposited onto the Ti02NTs (as Ti02NT/rGO-PtRu) and tested for their impacts on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the DMFCs. Ti02NT/rGO-PtRu nanocomposites were fabricated using a electrochemical deposition technique, and then characterized by SEM, EDX, and XRD. The electrocatalytic activity was subsequently investigated by CV, CA, and EIS. The Pt:Ru with a ratio of 64:36 exhibited the highest stability and electrocatalytic activity toward ORR, which is promising for environmental and green energy applications.


title: Constructing unitizing: the critical strategies and models that build this essential mathematical concept

contributor:
Lawson, Alex
Beatty, Ruth

subject:
Teaching mathematics
Reform-oriented mathematics instruction
How children learn mathematics

abstract:
The focus of this longitudinal case study was to investigate the progressive development
of unitizing in a cohort of students receiving reform-oriented mathematics instruction.
One-on-one videotaped mathematics interviews were conducted twice annually for 4
years from Grade 1 to Grade 4 with a varying number of participants from 61 to 45
respectively. Multiplication and quotative division questions were analyzed for
correctness, the physical model used to solve the problem, and the computation strategy
used to solve the problem. Multiplication and adding up for division models that required
the development of more sophisticated unitizing included modelling only one group,
modelling just the groups, modelling the groups with the composite numeral, and
modelling the new whole. Multiplication and adding up for division strategies that
indicated the development of a unitizing structure included rhythmic counting, starting
with a doublet, skip counting, regrouping to form a new composite, and splitting the
composite and then iterating the sub-composites to find the total. The varying levels of
simultaneity demonstrated by students were also noted as they pertain to the development
of a unitizing structure. A theoretical landscape of the development unitizing is proposed.


title: Overweight women who join weight reducing clubs and the internal-external personality trait

subject:
Motivation (Psychology)
Personality
Obesity

abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between attempts made by overweight women to lose weight and the internal-external (I-E) personality dimension. It was hypothesized that: 1) Overweight women who joined a weight reducing club would tend to be more internal than a control group of overweight women who had not joined a weight reducing club; 2) Overweight women who were relatively internal would lose more weight than those who were relatively external; 3) Decreases in individual I-E scores over a 4-6 week period would correlate with the degree of personal success at losing weight.


title: An investigation on the occurrence of the pathogen Sirococcus conigenus  infecting natural and planted red pine at the Hogarth Plantation

subject:
Deertail disease
Hogarth Plantation
Sirococcus conigenus
Sirococcus shoot blight
Red pine disease

abstract: Sirococcus conigenus is a pathogen common in forests of the northern temperate zone and is the causal agent of deertail disease or Sirococcus shoot blight on red pine.  This disease has been present on red pine at the Hogarth Plantation in Thunder Bay, Ontario for several years in an area of natural regeneration parallel to the 8-year old planted red pine.  Red pine is a commercially important species and holds educational value for Lakehead University so this investigation took place to assess if the disease had spread or has the potential to significantly spread into the planted stock.  The investigation confirmed that the natural red pine is being heavily impacted by the disease, most likely due to their location under overstory red pines that are suspected to be infected with S. conigenus.  It was revealed that there was no major spread into the planted stock, other than a few planted pines that were infected because they were close enough or intermingled with infected trees.


title: Depositional processes operating on the paleoproterozoic gowganda ice margin

subject:
Glacial sedimentary rocks
Gowganda formation rocks
Glaciogenic formations
Huronian supergroup
Paleoproterozoic

abstract:
Glacial sedimentary rocks of the Huronian Supergroup crop out along the north shore of Lake Huron and were likely deposited on what is thought to have been a divergent
continental margin (Fralick and Miall, 1981; 1989). The rocks of the Gowganda Formation record one of three glacial events preserved in the Supergroup and are therefore of interest for developing further glaciomarine  models (Puffett, 1974) and furthering understanding of this early stage in Earth’s history. Data has been collected in five main study areas in an attempt to cover as much of the ancient continental margin as possible. The study areas include Espanola, Elliot Lake, Thessalon and Cobalt, Ontario and Marquette, Michigan. There are two glaciogenic formations in the Marquette area of Paleoproterozoic age, the Reany Creek Formation and the Enchantment Lake
Formation. The Enchantment Lake Formation has been chronostratigraphically correlated to the Huronian Supergroup based on U-‐Pb age determination on detrital zircon, 2317±6 Ma, and diagenetic xenotime, 2133±11 Ma (Vallini et al., 2006). As these formations are present in such close proximity to each other, and there are no Archean glacial events recorded in the rest of the Canadian Shield, it is reasonable to correlate them with the Gowganda Formation, the thickest and most commonly preserved of the three Huronian glacial events.


title: Outplanting performance of Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Pinus banksiana, and Picea glauca from different nurseries, and with different container types within Algonquin Park

subject:
Sustainable forest practices
Forest ecology
Planting performance of seedlings
Containerized seedlings
Nursery practices (seedlings)

abstract: Understanding planting performance of seedlings is integral to the forest industry of Canada. Many factors are involved in the performance of the seedlings once planted in the field. Factors include site conditions, planter competency, environmental conditions, nursery practices, container types and species characteristics. Information on the general location and environment of the site is included as well as information on species characteristics and studies involving past research with regards to container type comparisons, nursery comparisons and variations in site conditions and site preparation techniques. Four different species were examined by means of measuring tree heights, tallying number of dead and affected trees and performing prism swings to measure the mature residual basal area around homogenous plots. The seedlings were planted on similar sites in spring 2010. Each plot consisted of a specific container type, species and nursery origin. Differences between average mean height, percent defect and percent mortality were compared for container type, originating nursery, species characteristics and mature residual basal area. The results yielded stronger correlations between species characteristics than did nursery background and mature residual basal area with regards to mean height, and percent mortality. Percent defect with regards to mature residual basal area did have a correlation for P. banksiana. Container type had conflicting results, however, significant correlations between container type and the variables assessed were present. Trees from one container type were much taller in mean height than the remaining container types, therefore yielding a significant result, however, the remaining 6 container types proved to be insignificantly different from each other.


title: Relationships between iron status and academic performance / by Tony Valente

contributor:
Newhouse, Ian
McAuliffe, Jim
Newhouse, Donna

subject: Iron deficiency anemia in adolescents

subject: Cognition in adolescence - Health aspects

subject: Academic achievement - Health aspects

abstract:
Adolescent females are susceptible to iron deficiency. Iron may be linked to cognition based on its contribution to central nervous system function. Effects of iron deficiency may be reflected in academic performance as measured by grades. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an association existed between iron status and academic performance. Participants were 14- to 16-year-old healthy female students in the 10th grade. Relationships between academic performance, vitamin B12 and albumin were also examined. Blood parameters for 71 participants included: serum ferritin, hemoglobin (Hb), vitamin B12, and albumin. Academic performance was assessed by school grades and included the following measures: Overall average, plus individual scores in, Math, Science, Physical Education, and English. The prevalence of iron deficiency (serum ferritin <= 20 µg/L) in the sample was 58%.  One participant was iron deficient anemic (Hb < 120 g/L). Two participants were deficient in vitamin B12 (≤ 150 pmol/L). No participants displayed low albumin levels (< 35 g/L). In a bivariate correlation, serum ferritin was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with Grade Average and English. There was no relationship betweenv itamin B12 and academic performance. Albumin was correlated (p < 0.05) with Grade Average, Physical Education, and English, and was a significant predictor of
grades in multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Between subject t-tests revealed no
significant difference in grades between those who were iron deficient and those who were not. It was concluded that the presence of serum ferritin below 20  µg/L does not pose a significant hazard to scholastic achievement.


title: Characteristics of in-patient versus out-patient drop outs in addiction treatment / Michael Bryson. --

subject:
Patient compliance
Addicts Rehabilitation.
Substance abuse Treatment

abstract:
The relative merits of in-patient and out-patient treatment of
substance abuse have been widely debated. For severe, chronic
clients, the best form of treatment may be intensive in-patient
care. Less severe clients may fare better with out-patient
treatment.
Regardless of the type of treatment, clients' drop-out rates
are high. Since the client may be three times as likely to be free
from drugs one year later if they complete treatment, serious
attempts need to made to determine the factors affecting client
drop-out.
The research examined this issue by means of an archival
search of client records from the Lakehead Addiction Centre
treatment program at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital (LPH) in
Thunder Bay, Ontario. The demographic, personality, and social
stability characteristics related to drop-out of clients who had
attended either the in-patient or out-patient program were
examined. Treatment drop-outs were studied for 98
out-patients and 406 in-patients.
This study confirms research which found a high rate of early
attrition from treatment for substance-abusing clients. The
results indicate that treatment completers in either program
differed significantly from non-completers by: patient type
(P<0.05), use of LSD (P<0.01), and treatment mandated (P<0.05).
Out-patients had significantly more completers. This may be due to
the significant differences between in-patient and out-patient attenders. These differences included: social support (P<0.01),
attendance at AA/NA (P<0.01), and maximum drug intake per day or
binge (P<0.05). Natives were found to be significantly more likely
to drop-out of either treatment (P<0.01).


title: Effects of container volume and shape on the growth of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) seedlings

subject:
Black spruce
Seedlings

abstract:
The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the growth of black spruce seedlings in containers with four soil volumes (45, 90, 180, 360 cm3) and at three diameter/depth shapes (1:2, 1:3, 1:4). Seedling height, root collar diameter, top dry weight and root dry weight were measured after 16 weeks in the greenhouse and after one growing season in the -field. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regressions (MLR) were
completed for each of the morphological characteristics and for the corresponding seedling quality indices. The ANOVAs and MLRs were used to evaluate seedling growth and quality in order to determine the optimum container volume and shape necessary for the production
of high quality black spruce stock. The growth and quality of black spruce stock significantly increased with increasing container volume and with change in container shape from deep and narrow (1:4 diameter/depth ratio) to shallow and wide (1:2 diameter/depth ratio). These changes were detected in the greenhouse production phase and became very evident after outplanting in the field.
To produce high quality black spruce seedlings for outplanting, the container  volume should exceed 80 cm3  and the container shape should have a 1:2 diameter/depth ratio. Black spruce grown in 1:2 diameter/depth shaped containers that range from 30 to 180 cm3 in volume will be of high quality and have a total dry weight between 1.0 and 1.4 g after 16 weeks in a greenhouse. Black spruce grown in 1:2 diameter/depth
shaped containers that range from 180 to 360 cm3 in volume will be of superior quality and have a total dry weight between 1.4 and 1.7 g after 16 weeks in a greenhouse.


title: Investigation of age-related changes in responsiveness of mirror neuron systems using fMRI

contributor:
Lawrence-Dewar, Jane
Kristman, Vicki
Bedard, Michel
Livingston, Lori

subject:
Observational learning
Mirror neuron system
Functional magnetic resonance imaging

abstract:
Observational learning, or the ability to learn a new skill by watching that same skill being performed by others, is one of the fundamental principles of motor learning. It is believed to be driven by a neural network known as the mirror neuron system (MNS), a group of brain regions that show a specialized response to both the observation and performance of motor activities. The MNS is traditionally thought to involve the inferior parietal lobule (IPL), ventral premotor cortex (vPMC), and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), which are located in brain regions known to atrophy with age. It is not yet known if the responsiveness of the MNS declines or otherwise changes as a result of atrophy caused by natural aging. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe the MNS in three increasing age groups with the purpose of determining whether there are any observable differences in MNS activity at different stages of aging.
Methods: Thirty-two participants, in three age groups (Group 1 = 18-40 years, Group 2 = 41-60 years, Group 3 = 61-80 years), were given an observational learning task while undergoing fMRI. fMRI data were analysed using general linear models (GLMs) on an individual and group level. Groups were compared using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA and a cluster threshold estimation with 1000 permutations to determine minimum cluster size to avoid false positives. A cluster threshold of 300 was set to find areas representing the greatest differences in signal change between groups.
Results: Group 2 showed significantly higher activation (percent signal change) than groups 1 and 3 in the IFG, precuneus, and insula, as well as lower activity in the putamen. Group 2 showed higher signal change than Group 1 in the IPL. Group 3 was higher than group 1 in the vPMC and postcentral gyrus.
Discussion: The MNS does not appear to be immune to effects of aging. The changes in IPL and IGF with age, in combination with the observation of more widespread and bilateral brain regions suggest that older participants not only work the motor circuits harder, but also recruit more cognitive brain regions in order to complete the tasks at the same level of efficiency. Capitalizing on these cognitive compensatory networks may be beneficial in improving on video therapy techniques in the future.


title: A Design Methodology for Low Power CMOS Current Source

subject:
CMOS current reference circuit
Simple current source
MOSFET transistor

abstract:
A current reference circuit is a basic building block in analog, digital and mixed-signal design systems.
This work focuses on one type of integrated CMOS current reference circuit. This source only uses one
type of MOSFET transistor and is suitable to produce very low currents in the order of nano Amperes.
Despite being used in several works in the literature, there is no clear methodology to produce an optimal
design for this source. With the absence of a design methodology, process variability becomes critical in
affecting the performance of the current source. This variability issue is prominent in nanometer scaling
of the technology. This work addresses that problem by developing a methodology to achieve a design
with low area and low sensitivity to transistor mismatch.
Presented are the sensitivity and mismatch analysis, methodology, design example and results in addi-
tion to performance figures for a lesser sensitive circuit as compared with its traditional counterpart.
Future scope of research has also been included in this thesis.


title: Environmental and economic impact assessment of biochar-based bioenergy production in Northwestern Ontario, Canada

contributor:
Shahi, Chander
Luckai, Nancy
Sharma, Mahadev

subject:
Biomass feedstock
Economic analysis
Forest biomass
Soil amendment
Biochar-based bioenergy

abstract: Bioenergy is becoming very popular in Ontario with the 2014 ban on the use of coal in power generation. Biochar is produced as a by-product or a co-product of bioenergy. Past literature shows that if biochar is produced as a co-product with bioenergy from sustainably managed forests and used for soil amendment, it could provide a carbon neutral or even carbon negative solution for current environmental problems. It also shows that detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) that compares the potential environmental and economic impacts of BBBP system with those of conventional coal-based system is missing. This study fills that gap by assessing environmental and economic implications of a BBBP system in northwestern Ontario throughout its lifecycle using SimaPro® Ver. 8.1, EIOLCA® software and spreadsheet modeling. Under the assumption that only forest residues and/or under-utilized species are used, results show that although a system including biochar based land application consumes 4,847 MJ t-1 dry feedstock more energy than the conventional coal-based system, it reduces the GHG emissions by 68 kgCO2e t-1 dry feedstock during its life cycle. It also improves the ecosystem quality by 18%, reduces global warming potential by 15%, and resource use by 13% but may impact human health by increasing disability adjusted life years (DALY) by 1.7% if biomass availability is low to medium. The economic viability of this BBBP system, within the LCA system boundary, is directly dependent on the costs of pyrolysis, feedstock processing (drying, grinding and pelletization), feedstock collection and the value of total carbon offset provided by the system. The BBBP system is economically viable only in case of high biomass availability within 200km and when the cost of carbon sequestration exceeds C$60 t-1 of CO2e. The environmental and economic impact assessment results developed through this study, can be scaled up to a larger regional scale which is expected to help in reinforcing the confidence of industries and its partners in promoting BBBP systems and the use of biochar as a soil amendment in the region.


title: Literacy through graphic novels : an autobiographical journey of developing teaching identity

contributor:
Courtland, Mary Clare
Russell, Connie

subject:
Identity (Philosophical concept)
Graphic novels in education
Literacy
Study and teaching (Secondary)

abstract:
This study explored the writer’s growth as a literate person and her emerging
identity as a teacher and describes personal and educational experiences that influenced
her beliefs about teaching. There is particular emphasis on the comics medium as a
continuing thread in the development of her teaching identity. An autobiographical
graphic novella was created to demonstrate the reflective process, the effectiveness of the
graphic medium, and personal teacher identity. Among the influences on her identity
were gender, race, class, adolescent experiences, academic experiences in undergraduate,
preservice teacher education and graduate school. Her findings include an understanding
of how many factors throughout her life influenced both her literate and teacher
identities. By understanding the factors that shape one’s identity, one can better
understand and embrace one’s evolving identity as a teacher; this can result in ultimately
more effective, and sometimes more passionate, teaching.


title: Trade analysis of timber forest products between China and the United States

subject: Timber and wood products (import and export)

subject: Forest products industry

subject: International trade (forestry)

abstract:
Forest products have become a significant part of internationally traded products. United
States forestry has achieved sustainable development, with the improvement of forest
management and logging systems more and more forest resources are able to be harvested.
In addition to meeting their own domestic demands, the wood production of The United
States also has a large surplus for export. This paper discusses the factors that influence
the trade of timber forest products in China with the United States from two aspects of
trade development pattern and trade friction. To look into this information sources such
as forest products import and export trade between China and the United States in recent
years, data for quantitative analysis, import and export commodity structure, the
international market distribution, woody forest products of China import and export trade,
and trade development and prospects were acquired. The results show that: The trade scale
of China's wood forest products shows a dynamic growth trend, the import and export
commodity structure is relatively concentrated, and the international market is mainly
distributed in the United States, Japan and other developed economies. With the increasing
diversification of timber forest product export markets, forestry enterprises should
strengthen international production capacity and co-operation to deal with trade barriers,
accelerate the transformation of the forestry industry, and implement fiscal and taxation
policies to promote the sustainable development of the forest products trade.


title: Mechanisms of change within group cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxiety

contributor:
Maranzan, Amanda
Mazmanian, Dwight
Stroink, Mirella

subject:
Cognitive therapy
Anxiety
Group therapy
Group psychotherapy

abstract: Although the efficacy of group Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (GCBT) is well documented, the mechanisms by which this therapy works are not well understood. Evaluating mediators and moderators of symptom change during therapy is an important step in the process of identifying the mechanisms that contribute to symptom change (Kazdin, 2007). Two studies were conducted in order to elucidate the process of symptom change within GCBT and to better understand how mediation of change during GCBT was evaluated in recent literature. The first study consisted of adults (N = 15) attending transdiagnostic GCBT for anxiety, whereby clients with different anxiety presentations were treated in the same group. The efficacy of this therapy group was evaluated, and cognitive change was examined as a potential mediator of symptom change. Results did not indicate significant symptom improvement, and the mediation hypothesis was not supported. The small sample size is a prominent limitation that may have contributed to the lack of statistically significant findings. The second study consisted of a systematic review of recent literature to determine how mediation is assessed during GCBT. A total of 30 studies met inclusion criteria, and were rated based on when potential mediators and outcomes were assessed. The most frequently used design measured outcomes and mediator variables at pre- and post-treatment only, which is a design that cannot determine the time sequence of change. Though many studies have investigated mediation, research designs that can truly identify a mediator have rarely been used. Together, the findings of the present studies highlight the need for future research to investigate mediation with more rigorous designs, while also using samples that are sufficient enough in size and representativeness to provide important information about how GCBT for anxiety works.


title: Comparison of oxygen consumption and selected kinematics between and within the 1-skate, 2-skate and offset techniques

contributor:
McPherson, Moira
Socha, Teresa
Lavoie, Norm

subject: Cross-country ski racing Physiological aspects

subject: Oxygen in the body

subject: Cross-country skiing Skating Physiological aspects

abstract:
The 1-skate, 2-skate and offset techniques are the three most prevalent skate-skiing
techniques used during cross-country ski racing. Although kinematic differences
at maximum velocity have been observed between techniques (Bilodeau et al., 1991,
1996), physiology based criteria for choosing between techniques during a race have
not been examined.
The primary purpose of this study was to determine any differences in oxygen
consumption between the 1-skate, 2-skate and offset when performed by highly trained
cross-country ski racers over flat terrain at a submaximum velocity of 5.4 m *s-1. The
secondary purpose was to identify the kinematic parameters that may be associated
with economical skiing for each of the techniques by examining correlations between
kinematic variables and economy for each of the techniques under the same conditions.
Eleven male sub-elite cross-country skiers skied behind a snow-machine at a
submaximal velocity of 5.4 m*s-1 using the 1-skate, 2-skate or offset exclusively.
Oxygen consumption was measured throughout each trial (KB1-C, AeroSport Inc.) to
assess economy. Three-dimensional videography (Peak Performance Technologies)
was used to measure kinematic parameters. A randomized block ANOVA and
Scheffé’s test was used to assess differences in oxygen consumption between
techniques. Correlation coefficients between economy (expressed as percentage of
VO2Max and HRmax) and selected kinematic parameters were examined to determine the
kinematic performance variables associated with the economical performance of each
technique.
Minute ventilation was observed to be lower (p<0.05) during performance of the
2-skate (84.77 L *min-1) than the 1-skate (91.37 *mi-1 ). This difference was attributed
to the increased poling demands of the 1 -skate. Although no other significant
physiological differences were observed between techniques, small differences in
oxygen consumption between the 1 -skate and 2-skate, representing 2.5% of VOzMax.
could potentially be manifested in performance discrepancies at higher, race-specific
velocities. Correlations observed between oxygen consumption and the kinem atic
parameters suggest that increased gliding tim e and more vigorous application of
propulsive forces characterize more economical performance of the 2-skate.
Economical performance of the 1-skate appears to feature more sustained poling and
increased side-to-side movement of the centre of mass.
Future study of between and within group differences for the 1 -skate and 2-skate
should be completed at velocities approaching race pace. Few clear findings were
observed with the offset and in the future it should be examined on uphill terrain where it
is typically performed.


title: Novel toll-like receptor 4 ligands: synthesis, biological studies and applications in molecular vaccines

contributor:
Ulanova, Marina
Jiang, Zi-hua Justin

subject: Immune system

subject: Toll-like receptors

subject: Toll-like receptor 4

subject: Cancer immunotherapy

subject: Diethanolamine-containing lipid A mimics

subject: Improving immunostimulatory potency

subject: Aromatic-based lipid A mimics

abstract:
Lipid A, a unique disaccharide glycolipid, is the active principle of Gram-negative
bacterial lipopolysaccharide in activating the innate immune response via Toll-like
receptor 4 (TLR4). Given the important role that TLR4 plays in innate immunity, and
ultimately, the development of an adaptive immune response, ligands that can modulate
TLR4-mediated signalling have great therapeutic potential as both vaccine adjuvants, and
anti-sepsis agents. In attempting to develop novel ligands which can successfully
modulate TLR4-mediated signalling in a well defined fashion, simplified structures
which aim to mimic the natural lipid A structure have shown great promise.
The notion of cancer immunotherapy, in which the vast power of the immune system is
tapped to prevent and/or eradicate the disease has begun to garner considerable attention.
Tumour associated carbohydrate antigens, carbohydrate containing epitopes which are
either unique of over-expressed by cancer cells, are viable targets of said immunotherapy.
A major limitation, however, is the low antigenicity displayed by these carbohydrate
epitopes. Studies have shown that the inclusion of adjuvant structures, especially when
directly chemically conjugated to the antigen, improve the success of anti-cancer
vaccination efforts.
The primary goal of this study has been aimed at the development of novel vaccine
adjuvants, specifically the design of novel molecular frameworks to mimic the structure
of lipid A in the activation of TLR4. A secondary goal of this study has aimed at the application of successful novel lipid A mimics as the immunostimulatory component of
self-adjuvanting carbohydrate antigens for use in therapeutic cancer vaccines.
One novel molecular framework that has been designed and synthesized employs a
flexible, acyclic diethanolamine-based scaffold to mimic one of the sugar moieties
natural to the lipid A disaccharide. Several structural variations of this framework were
generated for structure-activity relationship studies in an effort to maximize
immunostimulatory potency. The mimics were evaluated in vitro for their ability to
induce TLR4-mediated cytokines. All variations showed confirmed TLR4 stimulatory
activity, the potency of which was dependent on the functionalization of the terminal
ethanol moiety of the diethanolamine-based acyclic scaffold. In vivo studies evaluating
the adjuvant potential of this novel family of lipid A mimics are currently underway.
As part of an industrial partnership aimed at the development of novel vaccine adjuvants,
a second lipid A mimic framework was designed and synthesized, in which an aromatic
residue has been incorporated into the structural backbone. Two structural variations of
the framework were generated which vary in the functionalization of the phenolic
hydroxyl of the aromatic-based backbone. Several in vivo studies have shown that both
mimics exhibit potent TLR4 immunostimulatory activity, and successful adjuvant
properties.
In an effort to construct a fully synthetic, self-adjuvanting tumour associated
carbohydrate antigen for eventual use in therapeutic cancer vaccines, the
immunostimulatory activity of the diethanolamine-based lipid A mimic framework
designed herein, was tapped. As such, a conjugate structure in which the lipid A mimic framework and the Thomsen-Friedenreich carbohydrate antigen are directly linked via a
flexible chemical linker was designed and synthesized. Future studies will determine the
ability of the conjugate to induce an effective antibody response towards the carbohydrate
epitope.


title: Undergraduate nursing students' attitudes toward persons with mental illness : do theory and clinical exposure make a difference / by Nicole Brown.

subject:
Nursing students Attitudes.
Mental illness Public opinion
Mentally ill Public opinion

abstract:
Statement of Problem: The primary goal of this paper was to explore the attitudes, comfort
level and knowledge of undergraduate nursing students toward persons with mental illness.
The secondary objective of this paper was to examine the impact of a Psychiatric Nursing
Practice Course in the Collaboration for Academic Education in Nursing (CAEN) curriculum
of British Columbia and the Northwest Territories on those attitudes, comfort levels, and
knowledge. Results: The results demonstrated that student nurses experienced a high level
of fear, discomfort and unease providing nursing care to persons with mental illness before
taking a Psychiatric Nursing Practice Course. After taking this course, the student nurses’
reported feelings of higher levels of ease, confidence and expressed comfort in their own
level of mental health nursing knowledge. Conclusions: The importance of educating
undergraduate student nurses in psychiatric issues was evident. Further recommendations and
implications for practice are presented and include strategies to address the educational needs
of undergraduate student nurses’ as well as ongoing education and training of registered
nurses.


title: Synthesis and electrochemical study of Pt- and IrO2-based nanostructured materials

contributor:
Chen, Aicheng
Spivak, Greg
MacKinnon, Craig

subject: Electrodes, Platinum

subject: Iridium catalysts

subject: Electrocatalysis

subject: Diabetes and non-enzymatic glucose sensing

subject: Electrochemical oscillators

abstract: With ever increasing awareness that our environment is being ravaged at an alarming rate and the very seriously high rate of diabetes, there has been much research into understanding, controlling and reversing these processes. In my M.Sc. studies, the oxidation of methanol and glucose on Pt based nanomaterial electrodes has been examined while the electrochemical oxidation of white liquor has been studied on a nanostructured Ir02-based electrode. Surface morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrochemical analysis was performed by methods including cyclic and linear voltammetry (CV and LV), chronoamperommetry (CA), chronopotentiommetry, (CP), amperometric (i-t), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).


title: Aid to Jamaica : a study of the role of foreign aid in the development of post-independence Jamaica

subject: Economic assistance in Jamaica


title: Adaptive optimizer based on the sequential simplex method applied to the control of a thermo-mechanical pulping screening room

subject: Mechanical pulping process (Automatic control, Computer simulation)

subject: Mathematical optimization (Computer programs)

abstract:
An adaptive optimizer is designed for control of multi-variable processes where the
operating characteristics of the plant are time varying. Based on the original sequential
method for static applications, the modified direct search method is made adaptive by
allowing only limited expansion and contraction and by re-measuring all points of a
simplex when improvement of the simplex position is not possible by reflection of the
vertices, and when expansion or contraction occurs. In one method, suitable for
performance functions that have a known optimum value, i.e., sums of squares of errors
from target values, expansion and contraction is determined by a threshold value of the
performance function. In a second method, expansion and contraction is determined by
ranking the newest measurement against the historical measurement values in the
simplex, similar to the Nelder-Mead method.
The optimizer was tested on simulated two by two multi-input multi-output first order
plus delay processes. It worked best in the absence of dynamics, but could give
acceptable performance where the delay and time constants were less than five
measurement sample times.
The adaptive optimizer is applied also to a simulated model of a thermo-mechanical
pulping screening room to control the accepts fibre distribution, using the main line and
reject screen volumetric rejects ratios. Two types of screens are modeled: screens with
smooth holed apertures in the screening baskets, and screens with slotted apertures. The
adaptive optimizer is capable of controlling the accepts fibre distribution over limited
ranges of disturbances in mean fibre length. The control range o f the slotted screen is
narrower than that of the holed screen because of its flatter fractionation profile.
Transport and capacity lags do not have a great impact because most of the fibre flow
follows the main accepts line.


title: Prediction of a modern gold mine's contaminant dispersion and deposition in a river mixing zone

contributor:
Lee, Peter
Meyer, Lense
Mackereth, Rob

subject: Gold mines and mining Environmental aspects Ontario Pickle Lake Region

subject: Water Pollution Ontario Pickle Lake Region

subject: Tailings (Metallurgy) Environmental aspects Ontario Pickle Lake Region

abstract: Study site: Placer Dome Canada's Musselwhite Mine near Pickle Lake Ontario.

abstract:
A predictive spatial model of contaminant dispersion and deposition was produced for
the river mixing zone of Placer Dome Canada’s Musselwhite Mine. Discriminant analysis
classified water and sediment quality into three groups based upon seven parameters; total
aluminum, total zinc, total copper, total iron, nitrate, sulphate, and pH at three depths. The first
group consisted of three sites situated immediately outside of the mine’s outfall, and was
characterized by high mean discriminant function scores used to describe both water and
sediment. The second and third groups consisted of the remainder of sites downstream and
the control sites respectively, and were characterized by relatively lower scores in the water
and sediment. Spatial predictions of contaminant dispersion and deposition, based upon the
regression of discriminant function score to effluent tracer measurements taken at sampling
sites, delineated an area of lower water and sediment quality within the vicinity of outfall. The
effluent-receiving water body, within a minimum mixing length of 300 m, was found to be
capable of diluting all parameters identified as being significantly higher at point of outfall to
concentrations that were not significantly different from those found upstream of discharge.
Parameters of current or potential environmental concern in the mine’s effluent mixing zone
were also identified in this study.


title: An Analysis of Ontario's pre-service teacher candidates' attitudes and approach towards teaching the Holocaust

contributor:
Epp, Walter
Fennell, Hope-Arlene

subject:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Study and teaching
Student teachers
Ontario

abstract: Unexpectedly, 79% of the respondents expressed no discomfort in teaching lessons about the Holocaust, despite the complexity and sensitivity of the topic. Respondents indicated the necessity of Holocaust Education as a means to explore historical evidence, while developing students' empathy and morals. Most significantly, along with an anti-racist pedagogy that was evident in the findings, the respondents expressed a strong commitment to advance Holocaust Education in their classrooms beyond what is currently specified in Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum documents.


title: Riparian vegetation patterns and links with surface waters in the boreal forest

contributor:
Prepas, Ellie
Luckai, Nancy
McCready, Tim
Chen, Han

subject:
Riparian plants (Canada)
Riparian ecology
Riparian forests
Boreal forest
Vegetation dynamics

abstract: Riparian areas in the Canadian boreal forest represent the transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Factors that influence riparian vegetation communities and the associated interactions with boreal streams were reviewed. Regional and local drivers (e.g., climate and site hydrology) that affect upland boreal vegetation also operate in riparian areas. However, the proximity of riparian areas to the stream channel not only modifies some of these drivers, but it means that the stream itself becomes a driver of riparian vegetation dynamics. For example, hydrological disturbances like flooding and ice scour affect soil texture and alter successional pathways, sometimes completely denuding streambanks of vegetation. Even in riparian areas unaffected by such catastrophic disturbances, saturated soil conditions can influence riparian forest composition and nutrient cycling.


title: An examination of forest-dwelling birds in recreational areas within Thunder Bay, ON.

contributor:
McLaren, Brian
Luckai, Nancy

subject:
Forest-dwelling birds
Biodiversity
Conservation
Forest management
Forest management disturbance
Boreal forest birds
Anthropogenic disturbance

abstract:
Forest-dwelling birds hold various social, economic, and ecological
values. This study aims to identify the habitat elements that recreational
areas provide or lack for various forest birds. Three recreational areas
across Thunder Bay, Ontario were visited in order to gain insight about
the effects these areas have on avifauna. The study areas include:
Thunder Bay Spacing Trials, Cascades Conservation Area and
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. These sites were chosen based on their
recreational value, size and location. Thunder Bay Spacing trials
represents a homogenized recreational forest in comparison to the other
two forests which are heterogeneous in structure. Observations of
species, weather, time and date, and forest structure were all noted
during each trial. Sampling techniques, duration of visits and the
presence of a flowing water body remained constant amongst all sites.
The relationship between bird observations and weather, bird presence
based on forest structure (homogeneous and heterogeneous) and the
anthropogenic qualities of each site were all investigated. From the
results, there was a slight relationship between bird availability and
weather. The bird and tree species composition of each site varied
significantly, as well as the total number of species observed at each site.


title: The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Ni-Cu-PGE Shakespeare deposit, Ontario, Canada

subject:
Geology of the Nipissing Gabbros
Geology of the Shakespeare intrusion
Contamination of Shakespeare magmas
Shakespeare Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposit

abstract:
The Shakespeare intrusion, which hosts the Shakespeare Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposit, is part of the 2.2 Ga Nipissing Gabbro magmatic event, a large mafic-ultramafic suite located in the southern Superior and Southern Province. The Shakespeare intrusion intrudes the 2.2-2.45
Ga Huronian Supergroup and is located in the northern part of the Southern Province, only a few km from the Archean – Proterozoic unconformity which separates the Superior Province from the Southern Province and is adjacent to the ~ 2450 Ma East Bull Lake and Agnew Lake intrusions.
The Shakespeare deposit is the largest Ni-Cu-PGE deposit in the Nipissing Large Igneous Province (LIP). Field mapping and drilling have provided a detailed stratigraphic understanding of the deposit and provide the framework for geochemical models of sulfide segregation related to assimilation. The U-enriched rocks that interacted with the intrusion during ascent through the crust provide an excellent opportunity to gauge the role of assimilation during the formation of the Shakespeare deposit while providing further evidence that crustal sulfur is necessary in order to generate economic concentrations of magmatic sulfides.


title: Aspects of the mineralogy of the Murun alkaline complex, Yakutia, Russia

subject: Alkalic igneous rocks Russia (Federation) Sakha

subject: Mineralogy Russia (Federation) Sakha

abstract:
The Murun complex contains a number of unusual and mineralogically unique rocks.
Many of them are problematic in terms of their genesis and petrographic interpretation. These
enigmatic rocks include charoite assemblages, as well as unique Ba-Sr-rich carbonatites and
alkaline ultramafic dykes referred to as lamproites or lamprophyres.
Charoitites occur in about 25 localities along the southern margin of the Little Murun
intrusion. Obtained compositional data for charoite suggests, in general, the empirical formula:
(K,Na)3(Ca,Sr,Ba,Mn)5Si1203o(OH,F)* SH2O. X-ray diffraction patterns of mosaic-fibrous and
schistose charoite are indexed using a primitive monoclinic cell with the following parameters: (see document)
Comparison of the compositional and structural data of
charoite and “tube”-chain silicates of similar composition (canasite and miserite) suggests that
charoite has a significantly higher relative proportion o f Si04 tetrahedra to octahedrally-coordinated
cations than two other minerals. Possible similarities between the structural motifs
of charoite and phyllosilicates are demonstrated.
The carbonatite bodies are confined to the aegirine-microcline fenite aureole in the
southern contact zone of the Little Murun massif with the Precambrian crystalline basement.
Three mineralogical types o f the studied carbonatites are distinguished: calcite carbonatite (i),
Ba-Sr-Ca carbonatite (ii), and phlogopite-calcite carbonatite (iii). In addition, the quartz-feldspar-
carbonate rock is classified as a distinct lithological type. Carbonatites of types (i) and
(ii) noticeably differ in terms o f the composition of rock-forming silicates (potassium feldspar
and clinopyroxene) and primary carbonates (Sr-rich calcite or barytocalcite, respectively). In
both cases, the primary carbonates underwent complex exsolution processes. Typical
exsolution textures are represented by primary carbonates in a core, and the subsolvus mineral
assemblage confined to marginal parts o f the crystal. The composition of the primary
carbonates becomes progressively depleted in Ba + Sr (calcite) or Sr (barytocalcite) towards the
margin, suggesting that interstitial fluids played an important role in the onset of exsolution
processes promoting an outward diffusion o f components in the peripheral zones of carbonate crystals.


title: Genecology of jack pine in north central Ontario

subject:
Jack pine
Genetic variation
Provenance test
Seed source, origin, transfer

abstract:
To understand the pattern of adaptive variation of jack pine in north
central Ontario better, short-term provenance tests were established. Seed
was collected from 64 sites to the east and west of Lake Nipigon and
grown in three common garden tests, including a greenhouse trial at
Lakehead University, a farm field trial at Lakehead University, and a field
trial near Raith. Eight growth variables were measured (two annual
heights from the greenhouse trial and three annual heights from each of
the field trials), fourteen phenological variables were determined
(elongation initiation and cessation dates, elongation duration and needle
flush date at each trial; and foliage purpling at the greenhouse and
Lakehead University field trials), and survival at the Raith trial was
examined. Variation expressed among seed sources was significant for all
growth variables and many phenological variables. Multiple regressions
were run for 18 of the 23 variables against climatic variables interpolated
using geographic information systems techniques from weather data of 56
weather stations, as well as spatial, soil, and vegetative variables which
described the environment at seed origin resulting in coefficients of
determination as high as 0.57. Principal components analysis (PCA) was
used to summarize the variables examined, with 33 and 21 per cent of the
variation accounted for by the first and second component respectively.
Multiple regressions were run on the factor scores produced from PCA
against the variables describing environment at seed origin. These
regression models had coefficients of determination of 0.323 and 0.429
for the first and second factor scores respectively. The pattern of
variation in this portion of the range as displayed in the mapping of the
predicted factor scores was clinal with numerous irregularities. July and
average annual temperatures, heating degree days, frost dates, and soil and
vegetation variables were included in the predictive models. The contrast
displayed in height performance between seedlings from the southwestern
portion of the range and those from the north shore of Lake Superior
reflects trends seen in a previous study of cone and needle characteristics.


title: French Canadian adolescents in a minority milieu

contributor:
Southcott, Chris
Dunk, Tom
Stafford, Jim

subject: Youth, French-Canadian Ontario Thunder Bay

subject: Minority youth Ontario Thunder Bay

subject: French-Canadians Ontario Thunder Bay Ethnic identity

abstract:
This inquiry describes the lived experience of minority francophone adolescents in Thunder Bay, Ontario. A
snowball sampling approach was used to recruit 22 participants for interviews where they were asked to talk
about the environment, the constraints upon their community, and the ways in which they maintain a lifestyle
celebrating language and culture in the minority milieu. The findings reflect how francophone identity and
ethnolinguistic vitality are sustained, even as minority group members must also participate in domains of
activity where English predominates. Within these pages there is an echo of young voices telling what it is
like to be French Canadian in this particular city.


title: Examining the effects of trial order and conditioning on the covert orienting of visual attention task (COVAT)

contributor:
Kivi, Derek
McAuliffe, Jim
Farrell, Joey

subject:
Visual perception
Testing
Motion perception (Vision)
Attention

abstract: It has recently been reported by Deller (2006) that the mechanisms of early facilitation followed by late inhibition of return (IOR) attenuated upon ANS activation, manipulated through head-down neck flexion (HDNF). The responses to peripheral targets were measured in a series of trial conditions (i.e. seated, prone, HDNF, prone) all performed in the same trial order. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether the trial order utilized by Deller (2006) led to the attenuated faciliatory and inhibitory mechanisms of attention during ANS activation.


title: A hybrid approach to condition assessment of paved roads

subject:
Road structures & surfaces
Road condition data
Smartphone-based vehicle telematics
Data collection (smartphones)
Pavement management systems
Road infrastructure

abstract:
Road reconstruction is drastically more expensive than an appropriate maintenance program.
Performing targeted maintenance requires a comprehensive inventory of road conditions. To create
and maintain a road condition inventory, many cities use expensive, purpose-built road profiling
vehicles. With the abundance of smartphones, and the variety of sensors they hold, there is an
opportunity to collect road condition data more pervasively and at a lower cost. This study shows
that smartphones can be used to collect road surface data for the purpose of creating an inventory
of road conditions. The data sources within the phone are its onboard accelerometer and camera.
Readings from these sensors are taken simultaneously while the phone is mounted to the
windshield of a vehicle driving over paved city streets. The collected data was used for measuring
road surface roughness and automatically identifying specific defects, such as cracks and potholes.
Road roughness is quantified using the range between acceleration values and pairing them with
readings from the smartphone’s GPS antenna to create roughness intensity maps. Defect
identification is done by a convolutional neural network that can label the pixels of an image it
receives into one of several defect pixel label classes. The neural networks used for this study were
trained using a manually labelled image set of several hundred images. The novel hybrid approach
used in this study combines the accelerometer data with the camera footage. The data are
synchronized so that frames can be extracted from the video footage based on anomalies in the
acceleration data. Peaks in the acceleration data are used as a trigger to extract and analyze images
from the video footage. This approach to defect identification can be done at a much lower
computational burden than if all the video footage was processed by a convolutional neural
network.
The defect identification results show strong performance in terms of identifying locations of
defects, as determined by the acceleration data, and identifying the defects at the identified
locations themselves. Our study found that an unmodified vehicle with a smartphone mounted to
its windshield can generate data that our system, developed in MATLAB, can find over 60% of
road defects. This is achieved in just one pass over the road surface.


title: Dieting practices, influences, beliefs and self-concept of female high school students

subject:
High school students Canada Attitudes
Self-perception
Teenage girls Canada Attitudes

abstract:
There has been a recent explosion of interest in anorexia nervosa and
bulimia nervosa. There are many social influences which are thought to
encourage women to strive for unrealistic thinness. The suggestion that with
early Intervention, eating disorders are associated with good outcome,
implies that the investigation of subclinical cases may have important
therapeutic implications.
This study aimed to Identify subclinical cases (weight preoccupation) in
female high school students. One hundred and ninety students from four
different schools and two different provinces participated in the study.
Individuals who were classified as weight preoccupied,as determined by the
Eating Attitudes Test, were compared to non-weight preoccupied females on
measures of dieting practices, self-concept,irrational beliefs and social
influences to diet. Significant differences were found in all areas except
self-concept.
By identifying contributing factors involved in weight preoccupation it
may be possible to deal with these issues before the Individual reaches the
criteria for a serious clinical disorder, namely anorexia or bulimia. The
results yield preventative implications.


title: Contextualized garden-based mathematics

contributor:
Beatty, Ruth
Mastrangelo, Sonia

subject:
Culturally responsive education
Holistic education
Mathematics education
Ontario mathematics curriculum

abstract:
Research has investigated the use of locally valued activities to contextualize mathematics for
First Nations students; for example, Beatty and Blair (2015), Lipka, Sharp, Adams, and Sharp
(2007) , Nicol, Archibald, and Baker (2013), and Wagner and Lunney Borden (2010) . In this
multidisciplinary case study, I have explored the mathematical thinking that resulted from a
contextualized mathematics unit collaboratively implemented in a small Ontario First Nation
elementary school. Although not considered decolonizing research, this project was
influenced by culturally responsive methods and pedagogy (Battiste, 2002; Doige, 2010;
Lipka, 2007; Lunney Borden & Wiseman, 2016; Nicol, Archibald & Baker , 2010). The
Education Manager (EM), a local resident and member of the First Nation who represented
the community in matters of education, collaborated on this project. She shared information
gleaned from community surveys that expressed a desire for more outdoor and hands-on
activities for elementary school students. Along with the teacher, the EM and I choose to use
a school garden to contextualize the mathematics. Through collaboration with the teacher, a
variety of mathematics problems were created that connected to the garden. Some of the
problems were inquiry based, which is more closely related to Indigenous Ways of Knowing
than traditional school mathematics (Battiste, 2005; Doige, 2010; Lipka, 2007; Lunney
Borden & Wiseman, 2016; Nicol, Archibald & Baker , 2010). Lessons were implemented by
the researcher over three weeks in a Grade 3/4/5 classroom. The mathematical thinking that
resulted from the problems was organized and analyzed. The effectiveness of inquiry and
contextualized mathematics was compared to more teacher-led methods. The findings of this
study suggest that contextualized inquiry-based mathematics, connected to locally valued
activities, elicits rich mathematical thinking.


title: Review of children's mental health services for children aged 0 to 6 years old in Ontario

subject: Child mental health services Ontario.

abstract:
One in 5 children suffer from mental illness within Ontario, with little information known
about the 0 to 6 year old population and service provision outcomes. This paper presents
the definition and prevalence of mental illness among children aged 0 to 6 years old,
identifies services provided for addressing children’s mental health issues in Ontario for
this population, and presents evidence related to the outcomes of such services.
Discussion and recommendations for both practice and future research in the area of
children’s mental health are provided, with some final thoughts to conclude the paper.


title: Developing machine learning coding similarity indicators for C & C++ corpora

contributor:
Fiaidhi, Jinan
Mohammed, Sabah
Al-Khanjari, Zuhoor

subject:
Plagiarism
Plagiarism detection software
Lexical analysis
ANTLR
Machine learning

abstract:
The digital data in this modern world is vulnerable to copying, altering and claiming
someone else’s work as their own. Performing the same activity in programming
assignments can be referred to as source-code theft or e-plagiarism. Despite years of
efforts, the already existing similarity detection engines perform pretty well in detecting
plagiarism for novice programmers, but provides insufficient results when a student uses
complex and smart plagiarism hacks such as word substitution, structure change, line
spacing placeholder comments. This thesis research aims to deliver an assistive forensic
engine named ‘SimDec’, for the evaluators to help detect similar assignments to address
the aforementioned issues. The system's primary objective is to aid the assignment
evaluators to get closer to the code thieves and abide by the university's dishonesty
regulations. The forensic engine has been developed in Java programming language to
detect C and C++ source code's similarities. The research has been split into two modules
labelled as ‘software forensic engine development’ and ‘Similarity level classification with
machine learning’. The proposed system has a workflow of three stages starting with
lexical analysis, tokenizer customization and the final stage displaying similarity
percentage and the corresponding level of ‘Low’, ‘Average’ and ‘High’. The combination
of similarity algorithms integrated in the engine are Levenshtein distance, Jaro & JaroWinkler measure, Dice coefficient and Cosine similarity. The workflow of lexical analysis
and implementing the set of similarity measures on token categories is defined as the first
module. The machine learning algorithms selected for performing the classification task
are multi-class SVM, logistic regression and a simple neural network. In this second
module, the data gathered and generated by the similarity detection engine is fed to the
ML algorithms to train the models and make them efficient for predicting the plagiarism or
similarity level of newly entered data. This hybrid approach would be impactful in reducing
the time complexity and processing speed for the software engine.


title: Density dependent extinction : phase II

subject:
Extinction (Psychology)
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Rats Behavior

abstract:
In two separate experiments, an 8 rat 8 station operant arena
was used to study resistance to extinction to test learning and
optimal foraging theories of behaviour. The learning theory, called
the generalized decrement theory (GDT) assumes that increased
resistance to extinction will occur with increased partial
reinforcement schedules. It becomes more difficult to distinguish
the acquisition phase from the extinction phase as the time
interval increases and as a result less generalized decrement is
observed during extinction. An extention of optimal foraging
theory called the skill pool effect (SPE) describes a foraging
group as composed of either active producers (active participants
in locating food) or scroungers (passive participants who
specialize in following others to food sites). The producers
determine when to leave a food patch and move on. The GDT and SPE
were tested by allowing the population access to all stations with
some bars capable of producing food reward and others as not
producing food reward. For three consecutive sessions the
population was exposed to either 1,2,4 or 8 bars functioning and
then extinguished under the same conditions. In Experiment 1, an
attempt was made to provide an equal distribution of food as the
number of functioning bars decreased. This was done by enriching
schedules of reinforcement as the functioning bars decreased. In
Experiment 2, the schedule of reinforcement was held constant at a
VI of 120 in order to control for any schedule differences.
According to the GDT, the population should manifest the greatest
number of responses with the least amount of bars working, during
extinction. However, the SPE would anticipate the greatest number
of responses occurring with the most amount of bars functioning.
The results showed the greatest number of responses occurring with
4 bars functioning. This occurred in both experiments. The
findings did not support either the GDT or the SPE. It appears
that additional work is needed to account for the above phenomenon.