title: Infant-directed behaviour in the naturally paternal male dwarf hamster, Phodopus campbelli, is neither activationally nor organizationally regulated by activity at the progesterone receptor

contributor:
Wynne-Edwards, Katherine E.
Biology

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subject:
progesterone
dwarf hamster
RU486
paternal behaviour

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-04 13:23:18.733

abstract: Phodopus campbelli is a naturally biparental dwarf hamster with males so paternal they will act as midwives during the birth of their litter.  The hormonal regulation of parental behaviour has been well established in many species.  However, to date, no causal mechanism for the extensive paternal behaviour displayed by male P. campbelli has been discovered.  Recently, activity at the progesterone receptor has been shown to inhibit infant-directed behaviour in male mice.  Therefore, the first study in this thesis was carried out to determine if antagonism of the progesterone receptor (PR) would enhance infant-directed care behaviour in naïve P. campbelli males.  Despite detectable serum progesterone concentration in males, PR antagonism did not alter progesterone concentration, nor did it alter infant-directed behaviour in males with antagonized PR in adulthood.  A slight increase in the latency to retrieve a pup seen in males with antagonized PR during adolescence suggests that there may be a developmental effect of PR activity on infant-directed behaviour in adulthood.  Neonatal male rats express high levels of PR in brain regions important for parental behaviour.  Since hormones can act very early in life to organize adult behaviour, the second study was carried out to determine if progesterone acting much earlier than adolescence is important in the regulation of paternal behaviour in P. campbelli adulthood.  Males were treated daily for the first week of life with transdermal progesterone, which increased neonatal serum progesterone concentration fivefold.  Despite the significant increase in progesterone (and therefore presumably activity at the PR), male behaviour in three different stages of adulthood (sexually naïve, during the birth of the male’s first litter, and in new fatherhood) towards pups was not altered.  Measures of paternal contribution such as pup weight throughout the lactational period were altered by progesterone treatment during the neonatal period, but litter quality was ultimately high in both groups.  Therefore, activity at the PR in adulthood, puberty, or during the neonatal period does not inhibit paternal behaviour in the naturally biparental hamster, P. campbelli.  Thus, progesterone and its receptor do not organizationally or activationally regulate paternal behaviour in P. campbelli.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Deposition and Diagenesis of the Miocene Saumane-Venasque Limestones, southeastern France

contributor: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering

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rights: This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.

subject:
carbonates
diagenesis
deposition
temperate carbonates

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-04 16:00:33.914

abstract:
The Burdigalian Saumane-Venasque carbonate succession is located in the Rhodano-Provençal basin of southeastern France. These carbonates accumulated in a paleovalley that was flooded by marine waters.  This marine embayment was filled by carbonates composed of twelve different facies.  These sediments form two thick third-order sequences (S1 & S2) and several, thinner higher-order sequences (S1a, S1b, S1c).  S1a is composed of quartzose grainstones with barnacles, echinoids, and bivalves derived from a rocky substrate paleocommunity in a high-energy, open-marine environment during the early phases of sea level rise.  Compound dunes of S1a and S1b are composed of bryozoans and echinoids that are mixed with bioclasts from seagrass facies.  Pervasive cross-bedded grainstones grade upward into low-energy mudstones and packstones of the S1 highstand.  Bryozoan thickets populated sequence 2 during the second sea level cycle.
	Seven different phases of cement, including cloudy epitaxial, fibrous, isopachous columnar, isopachous equant, clear epitaxial, blocky, and pendant types, can be distinguished in these limestones.  Marine hardgrounds are present throughout the area as steep, stepped margins in tidal channels.  Marine cements are interpreted to have precipitated in the upper portion of subaqueous dunes with their location controlled by sedimentation rate and tidal pumping.  Zoned epitaxial cements are interpreted to record shifts in the paleo-water table related to fluctuations in sea level throughout the Miocene in the Rhodano-Provençal basin.   Shallow burial pressure dissolution features are present throughout the deposit.  They are interpreted to result from extended exposure to fresh water, which produced grains that were particularly susceptible to compaction.  The Saumane-Venasque temperate carbonates are different in that they were lithified without significant burial diagenesis, a situation that resulted from multiple sources of cement from marine and meteoric waters.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Studies of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis

contributor:
Nesheim, Michael E.
Biochemistry

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subject: Biochemistry Coagulation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-04 16:11:07.151

abstract:
The mechanism and regulation of prothrombinase function in the activation of prothrombin and prethrombin-1 were studied. In addition, the kinetics of plasmin-mediated fibrin degredation were determined.
First, the mechanism of prothrombin activation by prothrombinase was investigated using two models – a one-form model which posits a single form of prothrombinase and a two-form model which posits the existence of two, equilibrating forms of prothrombinase each specific for either activation cleavages. In summary, the two-form model fit the data better, as well as predict the initial rates of prothrombin activation better than the one-form model, and thus better represents the mechanism of prothrombinase on prothrombin activation.
Second, the differences observed in the activation kinetics of prethrombin-1 by prothrombinase consisting of either human or bovine factor Va (FVa) was investigated. The difference was due to the species origin of the heavy chain. Because the conserved domains show high sequence homology, the carboxy-terminus was studied. The calculated pI of the ten carboxy-terminal residues are 12.5 for human and 4.26 in bovine, suggesting that with bovine FVa, the net negative charge of the ten residues augments the negative charge of DSDYQ, thus facilitating the FVa-prethrombin-1 interaction required for Arg320 cleavage.
Third, the kinetics of activated protein C (aPC)-mediated inactivation of FVa in real-time, during prothrombin activation was investigated. A profound protection of FVa from aPC was observed (>100-fold), which was much greater than the individual protection with either factor Xa (3 to 10-fold) or prothrombin (10-fold) alone. The addition of protein S, the cofactor for aPC, resulted in a two-fold increase in the rate constant, but did not ameliorate the protection.
Lastly, the kinetics of plasmin-mediated lysis of fibrin clots was investigated. The clot lysis by plasmin showed a low Km (1 to 2uM) suggesting zero-order kinetics. In contrast, the clot formation showed first-order kinetics. These results suggest that as the concentration of fibrinogen increases, especially above the physiologic level, the balance between fibrinolysis and clotting shifts toward the latter, thus providing a biochemical rationale for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with elevated level of fibrinogen.

abstract: PhD


title: Synthesis of Bipyridine-Derived Ligands for DNA Binding and Shape Switching

contributor:
Petitjean, Anne
Chemistry

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subject:
DNA bending
Pyrene
2, 2'-bipyridine

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-06 01:06:41.646

abstract:
The objective of this project is synthesizing bipyridine-derived ligands in order to study DNA conformational bending. The synthesis of bipyridine derivatives has been investigated. 6,6’-Dibromo-2,2’-bipyridine and small scale of 6,6’-diformyl-2,2’-bipyridine have been successfully synthesized in the laboratory. The ynthesis of large amount of a direct precursor to 6,6’-diformyl-2,2’-bipyridine in an multiple step way has been achieved. The synthesis of mono functionalized pyrene derivatives and of 1,6-dissymmetrically functionalized pyrene derivatives has been heavily studied. Successfully methods have been reported in this thesis.
The complete assembly of bipyridine and pyrene units into the final ligands and their model has also been studied. Palladium borylation and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling have been used to successfully connect the bipyridine with pyrene units.
In addition to Suzuki-Miyaura methodology, the direct coupling of N,N’-dioxide-2,2’-bipyridine with aromatic bromides under palladium catalysis has been investigated. This method could be an alternative way to access to mono-substituted 6-bipyridines, symmetrically or even asymmetrically 6,6’-disubstituted-2,2’-bipyridine derivatives.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Making Settler Space: George Dawson, the Geological Survey of Canada and the Colonization of the Canadian West in the Late 19th Century

contributor:
Godlewska, Anne
Geography

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subject:
Geography
History
Colonialism
Canadian West
Science
Exploration

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-06 12:15:39.943

abstract: This dissertation examines George Dawson’s efforts to traverse several of the significant blank spaces that pervaded the map of Western Canada in the two decades following Confederation in 1870-71 on behalf of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). By analyzing how Dawson went about making these vast, remote and hitherto poorly-known territories legible we can better understand how he and his GSC colleagues helped to transform the Canadian West into a settler space that miners, traders, loggers, ranchers and many more could inhabit and exploit. As Dawson’s survey work in British Columbia and the North-West Territories reveals, the GSC helped to transform the Canadian West into settler space in two important ways. First, his western reconnaissance surveys yielded a wealth of practical knowledge about travel routes, natural resources, soils, climates, existing Native populations, potential hazards and the overall suitability of particular districts for settlement and resource extraction. This information was widely distributed in published reports and maps and served to draw the lands, natural resources and Indigenous inhabitants of the West more fully into the administrative orbit of the Dominion government. Moreover, Dawson’s reports and maps often depicted colonization as both inevitable and imminent, giving scientific weight and tangible expression to a colonial imaginary that, in practice, was never as certain nor as swift to unfold as these depictions intimated. Second, the GSC’s scientific surveys signified Canada’s desire and capacity to assert its epistemological dominion over the West. In this context, the work of a publicly-funded scientific survey was a profound symbol of authority because a state’s power to explore and map its national territory signified its power to rule over that territory. By exploring and reporting on these lands, Dawson and the Survey helped to cement the Dominion’s authority over its recent territorial acquisitions and affirm their status as a Canadian West. By offering important practical and symbolic contributions to Canada’s colonization of the West in the decades following Confederation, the Geological Survey of Canada played a vital role in transforming this region into a Canadian settler space.

abstract: PhD


title: Predicting Parenting Practices: A Study of Individual and Contextual Predictors of Parenting Practices in Canada

contributor:
Craig, Wendy M.
Psychology

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subject: parenting support community national partner

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-06 15:16:22.485

abstract:
Understanding factors that influence parenting practices is important, as parents play a critical role in the healthy development of children (Sanders, 1999). From an ecological perspective, both individual and contextual factors must be considered when examining predictors of parenting practices (Bronfenbrenner, 1977). There is limited research, however, that combines both individual and contextual factors within one model to predict parenting practices. The objective of the current research was to examine parents’ contextual sources of support as a buffer and as a mechanism of the relationship between the individual factors of parental stress, and beliefs and knowledge about parenting, and parenting practices.
 	The two studies analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 3,008 Canadian parents who had at least one child under the age of five. In the first study, hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine the availability of community support as a moderator. Our result indicated that having a high number of community resources available buffered the additive effect of high stress and negative beliefs and knowledge about parenting on parenting practices. In the second study, structural equation modeling was used to develop multiple mediator models to examine three levels of support. The results indicated that: Partner support was a mechanism through which stress affects negative discipline; partner support was a mechanism through which beliefs and knowledge about parenting affect positive and negative parental discipline; community support was a mechanism through which beliefs and knowledge about parenting affect positive parenting practices and positive parental discipline; and national support was a mechanism through which beliefs and knowledge about parenting affect positive parenting practices. Together, these findings emphasize the importance of the environment in shaping parenting practices and demonstrate that support within each environment differentially impacts parenting. Interventions that enhance the support that parents receive at the individual, community, and national levels have the potential to increase positive parenting and decrease negative parenting, and in doing so, promote the healthy development of children.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: All Talk and No Action: International Norms and the Democratic Republic of Congo

contributor:
Nossal, Kim Richard
Political Studies

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subject:
Humanitarian intervention
International norms
Humanitarianism
Democratic Republic of Congo
Realpolitik
Normative life cycle

abstract: Thesis (Master, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-18 02:05:57.536

abstract:
In the decade from 1998 to 2008, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was witness to one of the most brutal violent conflicts in recent history. Crimes against humanity and large-scale violations of human rights occurred on a regular basis, resulting in the death and displacement of millions of people.  The international community responded to this crisis with humanitarian efforts such as the donation of billions of dollars in aid and engagement in diplomatic mediations.  However, despite the increasing viability of humanitarian intervention as a policy option for international actors, as well as the ‘groundbreaking’ formal adoption of the Responsibility to Protect at the 2005 United Nations World Summit, no intervention was undertaken.  This produces a puzzle: why, despite acknowledgement of the severity of the crisis, did the international community respond with humanitarianism, but stop short of intervening?

The answer can be found in an examination of the international normative environment at the time of the conflict.  Using a three-stage normative life-cycle model developed by Martha Finnemore and Kathryn Sikkink, this thesis posits that the reason the international community engaged in humanitarian actions was because the norm of humanitarianism is at stage 2 of its life cycle, making it well-entrenched enough to compel members of the international community to act.  However, the norm of humanitarian intervention is only at stage 1 of its life cycle, meaning that it is weak and underdeveloped.  Its weakness is exacerbated by the fact that humanitarian intervention often clashes with the highly entrenched stage 3 norms of realpolitik, and specifically the norm of self-interested engagement, which demands that a state only become engaged with another if it is in the first state’s interests to do so.  Thus, despite the brutality of the conflict, the norm of humanitarian intervention was not strong enough to provoke an intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

abstract: M.A.


title: Anarca-Islam

contributor:
Day, Richard J. F.
Srivastava, Sarita
Sociology

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subject:
Anarchism
Islam
Social Movements
Poststructuralist Political Philosophy
Post-colonial Theory

abstract: Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-08 12:11:39.996

abstract: As an anarchist and a Muslim, I have witnessed troubled times as a result of extreme divisions that exist between these two identities and communities. To minimize these divisions, I argue for an anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian Islam, an ‘anarca-Islam’, that disrupts two commonly held beliefs: one, that Islam is necessarily authoritarian and capitalist; two, that anarchism is necessarily anti-religious. From this position I offer ‘anarca-Islam’ which I believe can help open-minded (non-essentialist/non-dogmatic) Muslims and anarchists to better understand each other, and therefore to more effectively collaborate in the context of what Richard JF Day has called the ’newest’ social movements.

abstract: M.A.


title: Recognition of Human Emotion in Speech Using Modulation Spectral Features and Support Vector Machines

contributor:
Chan, Wai-Yip Geoffrey
Electrical and Computer Engineering

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subject:
Emotion recognition
Speech modulation
Spectro-temporal representation
Affective computing

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-08 13:01:54.941

abstract:
Automatic recognition of human emotion in speech aims at recognizing the underlying emotional state of a speaker from the speech signal. The area has received rapidly increasing research interest over the past few years. However, designing powerful spectral features for high-performance speech emotion recognition (SER) remains an open challenge. Most spectral features employed in current SER techniques convey short-term spectral properties only while omitting useful long-term temporal modulation information.

In this thesis, modulation spectral features (MSFs) are proposed for SER, with support vector machines used for machine learning. By employing an auditory filterbank and a modulation filterbank for speech analysis, an auditory-inspired long-term spectro-temporal (ST) representation is obtained, which captures both acoustic frequency and temporal modulation frequency components. The MSFs are then extracted from the ST representation, thereby conveying information important for human speech perception but missing from conventional short-term spectral features (STSFs).

Experiments show that the proposed features outperform features based on mel-frequency cepstral coefficients and perceptual linear predictive coefficients, two commonly used STSFs. The MSFs further render a substantial improvement in recognition performance when used to augment the extensively used prosodic features, and recognition accuracy above 90% is accomplished for classifying seven emotion categories. Moreover, the proposed features in combination with prosodic features attain estimation performance comparable to human evaluation for recognizing continuous emotions.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Preliminary Investigations of Dopaminergic Contributions to Preschoolers' Theory of Mind Development

contributor:
Sabbagh, Mark A.
Psychology

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subject:
theory of mind
developmental psychology

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-08 12:45:24.627

abstract:
During the preschool years, children across all cultures that have been tested seem to come to an explicit understanding of the fact that mental states are related to but ultimately separate from the reality that they are meant to represent. This understanding is sometimes called a representational theory of mind (RTM). I hypothesized that the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) would be associated with RTM development in
preschoolers. I selected DA because several lines of work now suggest that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critical for RTM and its development. In both animals and
humans DA has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of frontal regions. In the first study, I recorded the spontaneous eyeblink rates (EBR) of 60 preschool aged children (range: 48-62 months) who were also given tasks that assessed their RTM and response-conflict executive functioning (RC-EF) skill. In both animal and human models EBR increases with available DA, and thus EBR can be used as an indirect measure of
DA functioning. Regression analyses showed that EBR predicted unique variance in RTM and one Stroop-like measure of RC-EF performance after controlling for the effects of age and language ability. In the second study, I also administered a battery of RTM and RC-EF tasks to 79 preschool aged children (range: 42- 54 months). I recorded their spontaneous EBR in addition to collecting genetic material which was processed for allelic variations of DA turnover, transport, and receptor genes. Polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyl transferase gene (COMT) and the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) were associated with children’s RTM performance. These findings provide preliminary evidence that DA functioning is associated with RTM development in the preschool years. Results suggest that there may be a selective effect of DA on RTM ability.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: An Investigation of Sleep Architecture and Consequent Cognitive Changes in Olanzapine Treated Patients with Depression

contributor:
Milev, Roumen
Reynolds, James
Neuroscience Studies

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subject:
Depression
Sleep Architecture

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-09 13:46:57.159

abstract: Objective: Primarily, to determine the effect of olanzapine augmentation therapy on sleep architecture, specifically slow wave sleep (SWS), in the treatment of depression. Secondarily, to determine the effect of olanzapine augmentation therapy on illness severity and cognitive function. Finally, to examine the correlation between sleep architecture, illness severity and cognition. Methods: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.  Patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder currently experiencing a major depressive episode were included. Patients were on a stable medication regime for 4 weeks prior and throughout the study. Sleep architecture was measured by overnight, ambulatory, polysomnography. Illness severity was determined using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Cognitive function was examined using Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Spatial Working Memory (SWM), Spatial Span (SSP), and Reaction Time (RTI) tasks. Polysomnographs, clinical measures and cognitive test were administered at baseline, after 2-4 days of treatment and after 28-31 days of treatment. Results: Twenty-five patients participated in the study. There was no significant difference between olanzapine and placebo treated groups on age, gender, diagnosis, education level, employment or marital status and number of children. Latency to SWS, duration of SWS, sleep efficiency, total sleep time, total wake time and sleep latency significantly improved in olanzapine treated participants over placebo treated participants. Latency to and duration of rapid eye movement sleep was not significantly different between olanzapine and placebo treated participants. HDRS scores were significantly improved in olanzapine treated versus placebo treated participants. No significant difference between treatment groups was seen in MADRS, HARS, and subjective sleep quality scores. There was no significant difference between olanzapine and placebo treated participants in SWM, SSP or RTI tasks. Change in sleep architecture was not significantly correlated to clinical change or change in SWM, SSP or RTI. Clinical change was not significantly correlated to SWM or SSP. Clinical change, however, was significantly correlated to change in RTI, in the placebo treated group only. Conclusion: Olanzapine augmentation treatment improves SWS, sleep continuity and depressive symptoms.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Relationship Between Pain Sensitivity and Vasocongestion Due to Sexual Arousal in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia

contributor:
Pukall, Caroline F.
Psychology

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subject:
Vulvar Pain
Sexual Arousal
Women's Health

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-10 12:17:44.952

abstract: Women with chronic vulvar pain report reduced sexual function in comparison to non-affected women, including decreased sexual arousal. Experimentally induced sexual arousal has been examined in women with and without chronic vulvar pain, with contradictory results: some studies have found that only subjective arousal is affected in women with versus without vulvar pain, while other research has suggested that only genital responsiveness is affected in women with pain. As a result of these inconsistent findings, the role of arousal mechanisms in the causation and maintenance of provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) remains unclear. Thirty women with (n = 15) and without PVD (n = 15) were recruited to examine the relationship among physiological and subjective arousal, pain sensitivity and psychological/sexual function. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) directly measured blood flow to the external genitals in response to an erotic film, and pain sensitivity was assessed before and after imaging. The PVD group had significantly lower blood flow than the control group during the erotic film when baseline blood flow levels were controlled; there were, however, no group differences in ratings of subjective arousal during the erotic film. Vestibular pain thresholds were significantly lower in the PVD group before and after the erotic film compared to the control group. In contrast, pain intensity ratings were significantly higher pre-erotic film in the PVD group, but there was no group difference post-erotic film. Pain thresholds did not significantly change in either group following exposure to the erotic film. Lastly, the PVD group had significantly lower sexual and psychological function in comparison to the control group, and intercourse frequency and pain catastrophizing significantly predicted genital responsiveness in the PVD group. The results suggest that women with PVD show an attenuated physiological response to erotic stimuli in an experimental setting, in the absence of differences in subjective arousal. The findings thus support the role of arousal in the maintenance of PVD, potentially in interaction with other physical and psychological factors. The study also has implications for the assessment and treatment of PVD, whereby arousal processes should be explicitly and separately managed in women with this condition.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: An Analysis of the 3-He Proportional Counter Data from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Using Pulse Shape Discrimination

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subject: solar neutrinos, proportional counters, SNO, neutron detection, pulse shape discrimination, Markov Chain Monte Carlo

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-16 15:56:28.195

abstract:
This thesis presents an independent analysis of the data from 3-He-filled proportional counters from the third phase of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) data. These counters were deployed in SNO's heavy water to independently detect neutrons produced by the neutral current interaction of 8-B solar neutrinos with deuterium. Previously published results from this phase were based on a spectral analysis of the energy deposited in the proportional counters. The work in this thesis introduces a new observable based on the time-profile of the ionization in the counters. The inclusion of this observable in a maximum-likelihood fit increases the potential to distinguish neutrons from backgrounds which are primarily due to alpha-decays. The combination of this new observable with the energy deposited in the counters results in a more accurate determination of the number of neutrons.

 The analysis presented in this thesis was limited to one third of the data from the proportional counters, uniformly distributed in time. This limitation was imposed to reconcile different time-lines between the submission of this thesis, a thorough review of this work by the SNO Collaboration and results from an independent analysis that is still underway. Analysis of this reduced data set determined that 398 +/- 29 (stat.) +/- 9 (sys.) neutrons were detected in this reduced data-set. The number compares well to the previous analysis of the data, based only on a spectral analysis of the deposited energy, which determined that 410 +/- 44 (stat.) +/- 9 (sys.) were detected in the same time period. The analysis presented here has led to a substantial increase in the statistical accuracy. Assuming that the statistical accuracy will increase when the full data set is analyzed, the results from this thesis would bring the uncertainty in the 8-B solar neutrino flux to down 6.8% from 8.5% in the previously published results. The work from the thesis is intended to be included in a future analysis of the SNO data and will result in a more accurate measurement of the total flux of solar neutrinos from 8-B as well as reduce the uncertainty in the $\theta_{12}$ neutrino oscillation mixing angle.

abstract: PhD


title: Assessment of Long-Term Changes in Water Quality from Halifax Region Lakes (Nova Scotia, Canada) Using Paleolimnological Techniques

contributor:
Smol, John P.
Cumming, Brian F.
Biology

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subject:
Diatoms
Acidification
Nutrient Enrichment
Climate Change
Urban Development
Halifax
Nova Scotia
Paleolimnology
Multiple-Stressors

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-10 15:18:07.01

abstract: The current study developed a paleolimnological approach  to assess changes in diatom assemblages (class Bacillariophyceae) from present-day lake sediments in comparison to those deposited before significant human impact (ca. pre-1850) from 51 Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) region lakes in conjunction with a regional diatom-based transfer functions for pH and total phosphorus.  All 51 lakes showed changes in diatom assemblages between the present-day and pre-industrial assemblages that was greater than would be expected (i.e. similarity between ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ samples was much less than the similarities within triplicate ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ samples).  To help identify the most important environmental stressors impacting diatom assemblages in these lakes, diatom-based reconstructions of inferred changes in pH (DI-pH) and total phosphorus (DI-TP) that were greater than the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of the respective inference models were reconstructed for each of the 51 lakes.  For example, a decrease in DI-pH greater than the RMSE of the pH model would be a strong indication of recent acidification, whereas an increase in DI-TP greater than the RMSE of the model indicates nutrient enrichment.  Based on this approach, 4% of the lakes are showing acidification-related trends occurring in lakes with low pre-industrial pH values and relatively undisturbed watersheds.  Almost 14% of the study lakes have been impacted by nutrients and characterized by watershed development and high concentrations of TP.  Approximately 4% of lakes showed oligotrophication and acidification.  Diatom assemblages from almost 20% of the study lakes that were relatively unimpacted by the afore-listed environmental stressors show trends consistent with climate warming.  These lakes show an increase in DI-pH greater than the RMSE of the inference model, and floristic changes typically showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Aulacoseira distans paralleled with increase in Cyclotella stelligera and other planktonic diatoms in the modern sediments.  In addition, Diatoma tenue and Diploneis parma, diatoms tolerant of high conductivity, increased in 45% of the study lakes suggesting road salt as an additional stressor.  This thesis provides a rapid paleolimnological-based technique to assess regional water-quality changes, and further demonstrates the complexity of ecological changes within freshwater resources.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Robust Signal Extraction Methods and Monte Carlo Sensitivity Studies for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory and SNO+ Experiments

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subject:
Sudbury Neutrino Observatory
SNO+
neutrino
neutrinoless double beta decay

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-10 21:07:00.25

abstract:
The third and final phase of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO)
experiment utilized a series of 3He proportional counters called
Neutral Current Detectors (NCDs) to detect the neutrons produced by
the neutral current interactions of solar neutrinos in the
detector. The number of neutrons detected by the NCDs, and hence the
total flux of 8B solar neutrinos, has been determined using two
novel signal extraction techniques which were designed to be robust
against potential unexpected behaviour in the NCD background. These
techniques yield total 8B solar neutrino flux measurements of
5.04(+0.42-0.40(stat))(+/-0.28(syst))x10E6/cm2/s
and (4.40 - 6.43)x10E6/cm2/s, which are in good agreement
with previous SNO results and with solar model
predictions, and which confirm that previous NCD analyses were not
unduly affected by unexpected background behaviour.

The majority of the hardware from the now-completed SNO experiment
will be reused to create a new liquid scintillator based neutrino
experiment called SNO+. An important part of the SNO+ physics
program will be a search for neutrinoless double beta decay, carried
out by dissolving 150Nd into the scintillator. The sensitivity of
the SNO+ experiment to neutrinoless double beta decay has been
evaluated. If loaded at 0.1% (w/w) with natural neodymium, after
1 kTa of data taking SNO+ would
have a 90%C.L. sensitivity equivalent to a neutrinoless double beta decay half life of  8.0x10E24a or better 50%
of the time; if the experiment were run with neodymium enriched to 50% in 150Nd this
limit improves to 57x10E24a. Under a reasonable choice for the
150Nd neutrinoless double beta decay matrix element, these half lives correspond
to upper limits on the effective Majorana neutrino mass of 112 meV and
42 meV, respectively. These limits are competitive with those expected from all other
near-term neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.

abstract: PhD


title: Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of Small Aromatic Molecules on Semiconductor Surfaces

subject:
STM
Si(111)-7x7
aromatic molecule
chemisorb
site selection
Monte Carlo model

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-11 10:14:10.118

abstract: Understanding the behaviour of molecules on a semiconductor surface is necessary if molecular self-assembly is going to be employed, with existing semiconductor technology, to create useful devices. Si(111)-7x7 is an invaluable surface upon which to study molecular adsorption. The surface reconstruction has been well characterized and it possesses seven symmetrically distinct dangling bonds that can serve as reaction sites. Aromatic molecules on Si(111)-7x7 have been investigated with a variety of techniques and have been shown to chemisorb at room temperature. However, it is not trivial to predict how an ensemble of aromatic molecules might distribute themselves amongst the available bonding sites on this surface. The work presented in this thesis begins with a joint STM and ab initio investigation of thiophene on 7x7 that demonstrates kinetics are necessary to describe the chemisorption sites occupied at various coverages. A kinetic Monte Carlo model, taking into account a mobile physisorbed state, is shown to accurately describe this site occupancy at room temperature. This model disregards molecule-molecule interaction because thiophene does not sterically hinder chemisorption to a neighbouring dangling bond. A larger molecule, mesitylene, was then studied on Si(111)-7x7, and shown to form an ordered molecular lattice on the Si(111)-7x7 surface. This is the first demonstration of a porous molecular lattice grown on Si(111)-7x7 at room temperature. Finally, molecular chemisorption on the related 5x5 reconstruction, grown by depositing Ge on 7x7, is studied. It is found that the presence of Ge hinders molecular chemisorption, preventing formation of the mesitylene lattice.

abstract: While we have already written up some of this material for publication in peer-reviewed journals, there is further material we have not submitted yet.  We hope to have these manuscripts submitted within the following few months.  Thank you for your understanding.

abstract: PhD


title: The Influences of Stress and Structure on Mining-induced seismicity in Creighton Mine, Sudbury, Canada

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subject:
Creighton Mine
Mining-Induced seismicity

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-11 10:35:17.525

abstract:
The Creighton Mine is a structurally complex and seismically active mining environment.  Microseismic activity occurs daily and increases with depth, complicating downward mine expansion.  Larger magnitude events occur less frequently but can damage mine infrastructure, interrupt operations and threaten worker safety.  This thesis explores the relationships between geological structure and mining-induced seismicity through geological, seismological and numerical modelling investigations in an area known as the Creighton Deep, with concentration on the 7400 Level (2255 m).

Geological features within the Creighton Deep have a reported association with seismic activity. Four families of shear zones were identified during field investigations, the most prominent striking SW and steeply dipping NW.

Seismicity from 2006-2007 is analyzed.  Spatial and temporal trends and seismic event parameters show little correlation to shear zone geometry.  Instead, seismic event parameters correlate to spatial clusters of events.  A remote cluster of events to the southwest of the excavation exhibits anomalously high seismic parameter values.  This area of the mine continues to be a source of elevated seismicity.

Fault plane solutions are utilized to compare shear zone geometry with active slip surfaces.  Solutions for macroseismic events are inconsistent, while microseismic event focal mechanisms have similar pressure, tension and null axes.  The resulting solutions do not align with shear-zone orientations.  A stress inversion using microseismic focal mechanism information yields a stress tensor that is comparable to the regional stress tensor.

Universal Distinct Element Code numerical models demonstrate that a yield zone exists immediately surrounding the excavation.  SW-striking shear zones modify the stress field, resulting in increased stress to the southeast of the excavation.   These high-stress zones are areas of preferred seismic activity.  Slip is induced on select SW-striking shear zones to the south of the excavation as well as localized yielding.

The characteristics of mining-induced seismicity do not correlate to shear zones.  Seismicity does compare to modelled stress:  the yielded rock mass adjacent to the excavation has little seismicity; areas of high stress are areas of rock mass damage and dense seismic activity.  It is thus proposed that seismicity in the Creighton Deep results from stress-induced rock mass degradation rather than fault-slip.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Evolution of Oxidative Metabolism in Fishes

contributor:
Lougheed, Stephen C.
Moyes, Christopher D.
Biology

subject:
Oxidative Metabolism
Billfish
Flatfish
Cytochrome Oxidase
Isoforms
Evolution

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-11 11:00:12.562

abstract: My study investigated the evolution of oxidative metabolism in fishes. While intense selection for, or against, non-synonymous point mutations in coding sequence drives the evolution of mitochondrial OXPHOS genes, genome-specific mechanisms such as gene duplication events can play major roles in the evolution of nuclear OXPHOS genes. My thesis focused on the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (COX), principally in fish because of their evolutionary origins and functional diversity in terms of energy metabolism. In the first part of my thesis, I examined a highly aerobic group of fishes (billfishes and tunas) to study the evolution of mitochondrial COX genes. Though the study began as a structure-function analysis of COX, my approach changed when my preliminary results called into question the accepted phylogenetic relationships of my species of interest. We generated a robust multigene phylogeny of this group to interpret data in a phylogenetically informative context. Phylogenetic analyses in this group provided us with a framework to study the evolution of mitochondrial OXPHOS genes, but unexpectedly revealed that: 1) billfishes are only distantly related to tunas, and share greater evolutionary affinities with flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) and jacks (Carangidae), and 2) regional endothermy has evolved in a non-scombroid suborder in teleosts. These results collectively imply that regional endothermy has evolved independently at least twice within teleost fish. The second part of my thesis explored the evolution of the nuclear COX subunits, focusing on their origins in fish. Isoform transcription profiles coupled with phylogenetic analyses for each subunit show that vertebrate isoforms arose from a combination of early whole-genome duplications in basal vertebrates or specific lineages (e.g. teleosts), and more recent single gene duplication events. While there is evidence for retained function of some COX orthologues across fishes and mammals, others appear to have diverged in function since their earlier radiation, possibly contributing novel evolutionary functions. Together these two studies provide insight into the evolutionary forces facilitating adaptive change in mitochondrial and nuclear OXPHOS genes.

abstract: Commercial Publication Opportunities.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Performance Analysis of Decode-and-Forward Protocols in Unidirectional and Bidirectional Cooperative Diversity Networks

contributor:
Kim, Il-Min
Electrical and Computer Engineering

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subject:
Cooperative diversity
Decode-and-Forward
Performance analysis

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-12 14:36:05.05

abstract:
Cooperative communications have the ability to induce spatial diversity, increase channel capacity, and attain broader cell coverage with single-antenna terminals. This thesis focuses on the performance study of both unidirectional and bidirectional cooperative diversity networks employing the decode-and-forward (DF) protocol.

For the unidirectional cooperative diversity network, we study the average bit-error rate (BER) performance of a DF protocol with maximum-likelihood (ML) detection. Closed-form approximate average BER expressions involving only elementary functions are presented for a cooperative diversity network with one or two relays. The proposed BER expressions are valid for both coherent and non-coherent binary signallings. With Monte-Carlo simulations, it is verified that the proposed BER expressions are extremely accurate for the whole signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range.

For the bidirectional cooperative diversity network, we study and compare the performance of three very typical bidirectional communication protocols based on the decode-and-forward relaying: time division broadcast (TDBC), physical-layer network coding (PNC), and opportunistic source selection (OSS). Specifically, we derive an exact outage probability in a one-integral form for the TDBC protocol, and exact closed-form outage probabilities for the PNC and OSS protocols. For the TDBC protocol, we also derive extremely tight upper and lower bounds on the outage probability in closed-form. Moreover, asymptotic outage probability performance of each protocol is studied. Finally, we study the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) performance of each protocol both in the finite and infinite SNR regimes. The performance analysis presented in this thesis can be used as a useful tool to guide practical system designs for both unidirectional and bidirectional cooperative diversity networks.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Reliability- and Variation-Aware Placement for Field-Programmable Gate Arrays

contributor:
Shang, Li
Manjikian, Naraig
Electrical and Computer Engineering

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subject:
Reliability in CMOS
Process Variation
Computer Aided Design
Placement and Routing
Reconfigurable Systems
Field-Programmable Gate Array

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-24 17:23:29.626

abstract:
Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have the potential to address scaling challenges in CMOS technology because of their regular structures and the flexibility they possess by being re-configurable after fabrication. One of the potential approaches in attacking scaling challenges, such as negative-bias temperature instability (NBTI) and process variation (PV), is by using placement techniques that are aware of these problems. Such techniques aim at placing a circuit in an FPGA such that the critical path delay is
improved compared to the expected worst case. This can be achieved by placing NBTI-critical blocks of a circuit in areas with fast transistors in an FPGA chip.

In this thesis, we present a detailed research effort that addresses the joint effect of NBTI and PV in FPGAs. We follow an experimental methodology in that we use actual PV data that we measure from 15 FPGA chips. The measured data is used to study the joint effect of NBTI and PV on the timing performance of circuits that are placed and routed in FPGAs. Enhancements are made to a well-known FPGA placement algorithm, T-VPlace, in order to make the placement process aware of the joint effect of NBTI and PV. Results are given for the placement and routing of Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) benchmark circuits to show the effectiveness of the proposed techniques in addressing scaling challenges in FPGAs.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Sensorimotor testing for the early identification of individuals at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome

contributor:
McLean, Linda
Rehabilitation Science

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subject:
Median Neuropathy
Nerve Compression Syndrome
Neurophysiology
Electrophysiology
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Ergonomics
Early Detection
Sensation
Motor Skills
CTS

abstract: Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-15 12:15:45.208

abstract: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common injuries  responsible for lost time claims to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). The main purpose of this study was to determine whether measurable sensorimotor changes exist in asymptomatic individuals who are at risk for CTS such that sensory impairment and/or functional tests may be used in the early detection and intervention to reduce the impact of CTS on individuals, industry and the health care system. Participants were recruited into three strata: (1) individuals diagnosed with mild CTS, (2) asymptomatic individuals who were deemed to be at risk of developing CTS due to exposure to etiological risk factors and (3) asymptomatic individuals who were deemed to be at minimal risk of developing CTS based on non-exposure to risk factors. The main outcome measures included two-point discrimination ability, pressure acuity, vibration sense, Purdue Pegboard Test performance and tracking error and tracking variance on a manual tracking task performed at two different speeds.  Seven individuals with CTS, fourteen individuals at risk of developing CTS and nine control individuals with minimal risk participated. The CTS group was significantly different from the at-risk and control groups on the main and work sections of the DASH questionnaire, and the symptom severity scale and functional status scale of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire.  The only outcome measure that showed a significant difference between the at-risk and the minimal risk group was the assembly task of the Purdue Pegboard Test (p = 0.044), however other measures including median nerve conduction latencies, and manual tracking abilities showed promise that with further recruitment, a significant difference may be seen. The sensory impairment tests did not demonstrate degradation in sensory function in individuals at risk of developing CTS, however analysis of sensory nerve conduction latencies and some aspects of fine motor skills testing did show some promise in their ability to detect individuals at risk of developing CTS. A future prospective study that follows individuals at risk of developing CTS may determine that it is possible to implement a screening tool for the early identification and treatment of CTS.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Challenging Normalcy? Masculinity and Disability in Murderball

contributor:
King, Samantha J.
Kinesiology and Health Studies

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subject:
Disability
Masculinity
Media
Popular Culture
Films
Sports

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-14 16:16:58.087

abstract:
In 2005, MTV Movies and ThinkFilm released Murderball, a groundbreaking documentary about wheelchair rugby. Due to its popularity and its subject matter, the film presents a unique opportunity to reflect on representations of disability in the contemporary North American context. The narrative of the film constructs a rivalry between Team U.S.A., captained by Mark Zupan, and Team Canada, coached by Joe Soars. Murderball works exceptionally well to disrupt notions of people with disabilities as fragile and helpless, countering ableist assumptions about what persons with quadriplegia can accomplish. However, based on a close reading of the film, I suggest that Murderball accomplishes this disruption by also celebrating ableist, sexist and heterosexist representations. I critique the film’s construction of the relationship between competitive international sport settings, disability, and masculinity by drawing on the tools of feminism and anti-normative politics. I also examine representations of hegemonic masculinity that are discursively linked to sport competition and violence in ways that work to support a U.S. nationalist and imperialist impulse. Overall, I suggest
that recuperations of normative identity in Murderball rely on a jingoistic and violent air of moral authority where American men work to preserve the winning reputation of the U.S.A., while subjecting themselves to the constraints of normalcy.

abstract: M.A.


title: Sidera Augusta: The Role of the Stars in Augustus' Quest for Supreme Auctoritas

contributor:
Lehoux, Daryn
Classics

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subject:
Auctoritas
Augustus
Late Republic
Rome
Astrology
Catasterism
Horologium

abstract: Thesis (Master, Classics) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-14 18:14:44.877

abstract: Auctoritas was the foundation of Augustus' legitimacy, success, and survival in Roman politics. The necessary precondition of successfully founding political legitimacy upon auctoritas, however, was that Augustus' auctoritas had to be supreme. This thesis will show that one of the most important ways Augustus achieved supreme auctoritas was by integrating himself into traditional beliefs about the stars and by harnessing the associations with the divine and supernatural that were latent in these beliefs. Augustus reinforced his association with these beliefs by employing a number of powerful symbols drawn from among the stars. Chapters Two and Three will focus upon one of these symbols, the sidus Iulium (the comet of Caesar). Chapter Two will demonstrate how Augustus harnessed the general acceptance of Caesar's astral apotheosis (catasterism) and of catasterism in general in the Roman world at that time and then used the sidus Iulium as a symbol of his connection with Divus Iulius and of his own semi-divine status. Chapter Three will explore how Augustus promoted the sidus Iulium as the harbinger of a golden age for the Roman people and as an omen of the fact that it was his destiny to lead them into it. Chapter Four will turn to another astral symbol, the constellation Capricorn. This chapter will examine how Augustus integrated himself into the greatly popular discipline of astrology and used its language of fate to promote himself as a man of great destiny. Throughout we will consider a variety of evidence, particularly numismatic and literary. This will help us to achieve the fullest possible picture of the lengths to which Augustus went to create a useful ally of the stars in his never-ending quest for auctoritas.

abstract: M.A.


title: Dynamical Evolution and Growth of Protoplanets Embedded in a Turbulent Gas Disk

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subject:
planet formation
turbulent planetary disk

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-17 14:41:52.607

abstract:
Simulations were performed to determine the effect of turbulence on protoplanets as they accrete inside of a planetary gas disk at the stage of planet formation that involves interactions between relatively large, similar sized bodies. The effect of turbulence was implemented into an existing N-Body code using a parameterization of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence performed by Laughlin et. al. (2004). The investigation focussed on the effect of turbulent perturbations on planetary dynamics and accretion at various locations in the disk, particularly at large semimajor axis. At these distances, protoplanet collisions are generally less frequent due to the large induced eccentricities from close encounters and due to the trapping of protoplanets in mutual resonances. It is, however, essential that large protoplanets develop at these distances since some must eventually grow large enough to accrete the massive gas envelopes indicative of the giant planets.

The interaction between a protoplanet and the surrounding gas disk creates a torque imbalance acting on the protoplanet, which is generally believed to result in the rapid inward spiraling of the protoplanet. In order to create a fixed region in the disk within which protoplanets may interact without migrating into the central star, two scenarios were considered that would inhibit the inward migration of the protoplanets. The first scenario involved a gas disk that had been truncated at the inner edge, referred to as a planet trap, and the second involved the existence of a stationary giant planet within a gap in the disk, referred to as a planet barrier. Each scenario was tested using different density profiles of the gas disk, different numbers and masses of initial protoplanets, various rates of gas disk decay and also four different levels of turbulence intensities.

The results demonstrated that the addition of turbulence to the gas disk promotes planet mixing and results in an increased number of collisions between planets, even at large heliocentric distances. A turbulent disk has the tendency to create a final system where the planets are, on average, larger than those produced in a non-turbulent disk.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Fictions of a New Imperial Order: WWII Nostalgia in Contemporary British Literature

contributor:
Bongie, Christopher
English

subject:
WWII nostalgia
British literature

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-15 15:06:49.056

abstract:
In this dissertation, I focus on a number of British novels written since 1995 that engage with the events of the Second World War. I analyze the extent to which these literary representations of WWII enable and/or subvert the consolidation and justification of current imperialist ideology and practice, through the reproduction and/or deconstruction of WWII nostalgia. I argue that nostalgia for the “just war” depends upon the repression of the colonial past and, thus, I also explore evidence in this literature of the return of the repressed: colonialism haunts these narratives. However, alongside the racialism of colonialism, my readings of these texts expose traditional gender norms and capitalist triumphalism as the other major ideological currents that sustain both WWII nostalgia and contemporary forms of imperialism.
The novels I deal with are from a range of literary categories, from those characterized as “low” or “middle-brow,” to those canonized within the pantheon of “high-brow” literature, as well as those characterized as “multicultural” or “postcolonial.” I examine the ways in which the literary “classes” or categories, within which these various texts are circumscribed, condition and frame their reception. Ultimately, I seek to to reveal the ways in which various accounts of the past, and specifically the Second World War, enable different understandings of the present.

abstract: PhD


title: The Physiological Actions of Adiponectin in Central Autonomic Nuclei: Implications for the Integrative Control of Energy Homeostasis

contributor:
Ferguson, Alastair V.
Physiology

subject:
Adiponectin
Paraventricular Nucleus
Nucleus of the Solitary Tract
Energy Homeostasis
Autonomic Function

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-15 16:50:13.933

abstract:
Adiponectin regulates feeding behavior, energy expenditure and autonomic function through the activation of two receptors present in nuclei throughout the central nervous system, however much remains unknown about the mechanisms mediating these effects. Here I investigate the actions of adiponectin in autonomic centers of the hypothalamus (the paraventricular nucleus) and brainstem (the nucleus of the solitary tract) through examining molecular, electrical, hormonal and physiological consequences of peptidergic signalling.
     RT-PCR and in situ hybridization experiments demonstrate the presence of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus. Investigation of the electrical consequences following receptor activation in the paraventricular nucleus indicates that magnocellular-oxytocin cells are homogeneously inhibited while magnocellular-vasopressin neurons display mixed responses. Single cell RT-PCR analysis shows oxytocin neurons express both receptors while vasopressin neurons express either both receptors or one receptor. Co-expressing oxytocin and vasopressin neurons express neither receptor and are not affected by adiponectin. Median eminence projecting corticotropin releasing hormone neurons, brainstem projecting oxytocin neurons, and thyrotropin releasing hormone neurons are all depolarized by adiponectin. Plasma adrenocorticotropin hormone concentration is increased following intracerebroventricular injections of adiponectin.
     I demonstrate that the nucleus of the solitary tract, the primary cardiovascular regulation site of the medulla, expresses mRNA for AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 and mediates adiponectin induced hypotension. Adiponectin has electrical effects on a majority of medial solitary tract neurons and depolarizes those expressing mRNA for the hypotensive neuropeptide Y, revealing a central mechanism to modulate blood pressure.
     Finally, I show that adiponectin controls paraventricular nucleus neuron excitability by either inhibiting a tetraethyl ammonium-sensitive potassium current thereby depolarizing neurons or activating a glibenclamide-sensitive voltage independent potassium current hyperpolarizing neurons. Therefore, adiponectin differentially modulates potassium current to confer its central effects.
     These results are the first to show the physiological and electrical actions of adiponectin on individual neurons in blood brain barrier protected central autonomic nuclei. This thesis provides a framework for how adiponectin acts centrally to coordinate whole body energy homeostasis and feeding behavior in the rat.

abstract: The final chapter is currently being reviewed for publication in a scientific journal and therefore needs to remain confidential. Restricted access for 6 months should provide ample time for publication. Thanks

abstract: PhD


title: Tunnelling in horizontally laminated ground: The influence of lamination thickness on anisotropic behaviour and practical observations from the Niagara Tunnel Project

contributor: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering

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subject: Anisotropy Tunnelling TBM Sedimentary

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-15 16:34:47.134

abstract:
The Niagara Tunnel Project is a 10.4 km long water diversion tunnel being excavated under the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario by a 14.4 m diameter tunnel boring machine. This tunnel has descended through the entire stratigraphy of the Niagara Escarpment, including dolomites, limestones, sandstones, shales and interbedded zones of these rock types, passed under St. Davids Buried Gorge ascending to surface. Working at the tunnel provided an opportunity to assess and
document the horizontally laminated ground behaviour for this large diameter circular tunnel and provided the backdrop for this study. A detailed understanding of the geological history was necessary.
 Modelling of laminations, ranging between 0.16 to 16 m in thickness, was conducted to
determine critical behaviour and cut-offs for failure modes. A critical normalized lamination thickness (thickness/radius) of 0.9 was found to exist, above which the excavation response is similar to the equivalent isotropic model, and below which the laminated behaviour corresponds
to a characteristic failure mode controlled by bed deflections and bed parallel shear. Initially, as the normalized lamination thickness is decreased below 0.9, the stresses are channeled through
the crown beam which concentrates the yield and increases the crown deflections. This results in crown beam failure. As the lamination thickness decreases, further the stresses are shed to multiple laminations increasing the displacements significantly and changing the shape and extent
of the yield zone. From multiple lamination coupling to self-limiting yield the development of chimney style failure is controlled by the degree of tensile yielding. Tensile yielding first begins
in the haunch area and progressively extends above the crown, as the lamination thickness
decreases, until a self-limiting plastic yield zone shape is reached at normalized lamination thicknesses below 0.026. Incorporation of discrete anisotropy is necessary to accurately model
the excavation response in horizontally laminated ground.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Techniques and Tools for Mining Pre-Deployment Testing Data

contributor:
Zou, Ying
Electrical and Computer Engineering

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subject:
Field Testing
Visualization of User Logs
User Perceived Quality Metrics
Problem Prioritization
User Log Analysis

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-16 17:50:31.094

abstract:
Pre-deployment field testing in is the process of testing software to uncover unforeseen problems before it is released in the market.  It is commonly conducted by recruiting users to experiment with the software in as natural setting as possible.  Information regarding the software is then sent to the developers as logs.  Log data helps developers fix bugs and better understand the user behaviors so they can refine functionality to user needs.  More importantly, logs contain specific problems as well as call traces that can be used by developers to trace its origins.  However, developers focus their analysis on post-deployment data such as bug reports and CVS data to resolve problems, which has the disadvantage of releasing software before it can be optimized.  Therefore, more techniques are needed to harness field testing data to reduce post deployment problems.
We propose techniques to process log data generated by users in order to resolve problems in the application before its deployment.  We introduce a metric system to predict the user perceived quality in software if it were to be released into market in its current state.  We also provide visualization techniques which can identify the state of problems and patterns of problem interaction with users that provide insight into solving the problems.  The visualization techniques can also be extended to determine the point of origin of a problem, to resolve it more efficiently.  Additionally, we devise a method to determine the priority of reported problems.
The results generated from the case studies on mobile software applications.  The metric results showed a strong ability predict the number of reported bugs in the software after its release.  The visualization techniques uncovered problem patterns that provided insight to developers to the relationship between problems and users themselves.   Our analysis on the characteristics of problems determined the highest priority problems and their distribution among users.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Developmental Metamorphoses: An Investigation into the Phenomenon of Epiphany

contributor:
Upitis, Rena
Education

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subject:
Epiphanies
Vital Moments

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-16 08:21:56.269

abstract:
ABSTRACT
     Learning through epiphanies, especially those not born out of dire crises, can be exciting, hugely satisfying, and life-validating ways to augment the significance of a lesson. In a moment of clarity, they have the ability to transform knowledge into wisdom, to provide a sense of interconnectedness within the grander scheme, and to contribute instant resolutions to persistent dilemmas seemingly irresolvable by less extraordinary means. This study involves a hermeneutic phenomenological investigation of epiphanies as they occur in lived experience. Its primary goal was to address the question, “What does it mean to have an epiphany?” Using data collected from 16 first-person, retroactive accounts of the experience, an analysis strategy using six spectra of contrasting dimensions was used to highlight the importance of the interplay between various characteristics of epiphanies. A significant finding of the study is that there is no such thing as an archetypical epiphany. Nevertheless, we can still recognize the phenomenon as a coherent entity mainly because there is agreement about many of its characteristics in the moment that it happens. Having an epiphany involves inductively rearranging patterns of deductively organized information with personally, and sometimes universally significant results. These may include dramatic shifts of perspectives, impulses that lead us to action on important matters, and occasionally whole-scale transformations of identity. Enhancing formal education settings to facilitate the experience can renew one’s passion for learning by making lessons more personally meaningful. In order to reap the benefits of the experience, we must hold space for the creative and introspective pursuits that allow them to happen. However, a challenge for facilitators of epiphanies involves learning how to direct the result of an epiphany to an intended outcome, such as a curricular goal.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Bullying in a Multicultural Context: The Influences of Race, Immigrant Status, and School Climate  on the Incidence of Bullying in Canadian Children and Adolescents

contributor:
Craig, Wendy M.
Psychology

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subject:
Bullying
Race
Immigrant Status
School Climate

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-16 12:29:46.885

abstract: Strong group affiliations based on race have been found in children at a very young age (Aboud, 1988) and may lead to a higher risk of involvement in bullying for certain racial groups. Little research, however, has addressed the relationship among bullying, race, and immigrant status in a Canadian sample. As well, few studies have directly examined racial bullying and victimization. Thus, the two studies in the current project aim to examine race and immigrant status as individual risk factors for bullying involvement, while also examining the individual- and school-level factors associated with racial bullying. In Chapter Two, an empirical examination of the relationship among race, immigrant status, and bullying and victimization in adolescence reveals that racial minority adolescents experience racial bullying. Immigrant status, however, does not appear to predict victimization, but it may be a risk factor for bullying others. In Chapter Three, a multilevel investigation of racial bullying and victimization at the individual and school levels indicates that African-Canadian students are at risk of engaging in both racial bullying and victimization, and that being male is also associated with participation in this type of bullying. At the school level, school climate is not found to account for the differences in racial bullying and victimization across schools, but increased school support is associated with decreased racial bullying in schools with more teacher diversity. Together, the results of the current research clarify the roles of race and immigrant status in bullying and victimization, but these results also raise important concerns and further questions regarding possible interventions in schools for students who engage in racial bullying and racial victimization.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Influence of Caffeine on Exercising Muscle Blood Flow and Exercise Tolerance in Type II Diabetes

contributor:
Tschakovsky, Michael E.
Kinesiology and Health Studies

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subject:
Caffeine
Muscle Blood Flow
Type II Diabetes
Red Blood Cell
Oxygen Delivery
Forearm Exercise

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-16 16:19:42.537

abstract:
BACKGROUND: Exercise is a critical treatment modality in persons with Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), however people with this disease experience chronic fatigue and a decreased exercise capacity, which affects their ability or willingness to participate in physical activity.  Studies suggest that this exercise intolerance may be partly due to a reduced exercising muscle blood flow (MBF), and in particular to a reduced ability of red blood cells (RBCs) to evoke ATP-mediated vasodilation and an increase in MBF as they traverse areas of high O2 demand.  Additional evidence suggests that caffeine may attenuate this impairment by enhancing the release of ATP from RBCs.

HYPOTHESIS:  Persons with T2DM would have reduced Forearm Blood Flow (FBF), oxygen consumption (VO2), and exercise tolerance responses to exercise compared to control (CON) subjects, and caffeine would attenuate these impairments.

METHODS:  T2DM (n = 4) and CON (n = 4) participants performed rhythmic forearm handgrip exercise at an intensity equivalent to 17.5 kg until “task failure” or 20 minutes of exercise was reached, after having consumed either a caffeine (5mg/kg; Caff) or placebo (Pl) capsule.  FBF (Doppler and Echo ultrasound of the brachial artery), VO2 and lactate efflux (deep venous blood sampling), forearm vascular conductance (FVK), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were quantified for each minute of exercise.

RESULTS:  Steady state FBF was similar across groups and treatment conditions (mean ± SE ml/min; CONCaff 553.80 ± 82.35, CONPl 583.42 ± 112.62, T2DMCaff 523.33 ± 105.39, T2DMPl 569.08 ± 134.20, NS), and this was due to similar MAP and FVK (across groups and treatment conditions, NS).  VO2 and Time to Task Failure (TTF) were not different between groups and treatment conditions (NS), although TTF tended to be improved with caffeine versus placebo (10.00 ± 2.02 vs 8.24 ± 1.79 min, P=0.295).  There was a strong positive relationship between FBF and TTF (r2=0.763; P=0.005).

CONCLUSIONS:  In the exercise model utilized, persons with T2DM do not have impaired cardiovascular responsiveness or reduced exercise tolerance, and caffeine does not provide any benefit.  Differences in exercising MBF may be an underlying mechanism regarding differences in exercise tolerance.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Survival of Brown Colour in Diamond During Storage in the Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle

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subject: brown diamond

subject: mantle

subject: plastic deformation

subject: high-pressure–high-temperature treatment

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-17 17:10:11.078

abstract:
Common brown colour in natural diamond forms by plastic deformation during storage in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). Dislocation movement generates vacancies, which aggregate into clusters of perhaps 30–60 vacancies. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) support such vacancy clusters as the cause of brown colour.

Brief treatment in a high-pressure–high-temperature (HPHT) vessel at 1800–2700 °C can destroy the brown colour. There has been speculation that similar colour removal should occur continuously at depth in the SCLM. Diamonds are stored at 900–1400 °C in the SCLM, according to inclusion thermometry. The effect of temperature on the time required to destroy brown colour has been calculated from published data. The activation energy for the breakup of vacancy clusters is a critical component.

The time required to destroy brown colour in the SCLM is significant at the scale of geological time. Brown diamonds should easily maintain their colour for millions of years during cooler mantle storage at or below about 1000 °C. Warmer temperatures toward the base of the lithosphere may be able to reduce or eliminate brown colour within thousands of years. The survival of brown colour in the lithospheric mantle does not require the colour to be formed late
in the storage history nor does it require metastable storage in the graphite stability field.

Crystal strain is preserved upon loss of brown colour during HPHT treatment. Inhomogeneous crystal strain was measured in 18 natural diamonds using micro-X-ray diffraction (μXRD) χ-dimension peak widths. There is a correlation between strain and depth of brown colour. None of the colourless diamonds examined have high strain, as should be expected for a
diamond that has gained and lost brown colour. This suggests that removal of brown colour is not a common natural occurrence.

Infrared spectroscopy was used to determine nitrogen concentration and aggregation state
in 60 natural diamonds. A loose association was found between brown colour and lower total nitrogen content. Within single diamonds, regions with less nitrogen tend to exhibit more anomalous birefringence due to strain. Colour zoned diamonds tend to have less nitrogen in the darker brown regions. This supports the hypothesis that diamonds with less nitrogen are more susceptible to plastic deformation and the development of brown colour.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: A Role for Fer in Prostate and Breast Cancer

contributor:
Greer, Peter A.
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

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subject: Fer Cancer

abstract: Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-17 22:23:35.451

abstract: Phosphorylation of substrates by kinase proteins is one of the most prominent mechanisms by which signal transduction occurs and dysregulation of this activity is implicated as a major underlying cause of a number of diseases including cancer. Much of the current work focuses on developing inhibitors for various kinases in an effort to restore normal function in pathways where this deregulation occurs. However the vast majority of kinases remain uncharacterized and the roles they play in many of these signaling pathways are still unclear.  This study examines the role of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Fer in two malignant cells lines, MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) and PC3 (prostate cancer). Using a lentiviral based RNA interference approach, the level of Fer was reduced to 6% in MDA-MB-231 and 10% in PC3 cells relative to WT levels.  Fer knockdown correlated with enhanced migration in MDA-MB-231 cells, but impaired migration in PC3 cells, suggesting opposing roles for Fer in regulating migration in each cell type. Fer knockdown correlated with enhanced proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells, but was slightly reduced in the PC3 cells, again suggesting opposing roles for Fer in regulating proliferation between these two cell lines. In Fer knockdown PC3 cells, N-cadherin expression was increased, while E-cadherin levels were decreased; and in a fraction of cells E-cadherin relocalized from a predominantly intracellular vesicular compartment to a plasma membrane localization. In xenografting experiments, Fer knockdown MDA-MB-231 cells showed reduced tumor growth rates compared with tumors established with WT cells, suggesting that Fer may influence tumorgenesis on a tumor cell intrinsic basis. Separate xenografting studies showed that MDA-MB-231 derived tumors grew slower in fer-knockout compared to fer-wild type nude mice. This trend failed to show any statistical significance however it may still suggest an additional tumor promoting role for Fer in the stroma.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Second Law Performance Analysis of a Large Thermal Energy Storage Vessel using CFD

contributor:
Harrison, Stephen J.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

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subject:
thermal storage
solar thermal
district heating
stratification
exergy

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-18 05:50:58.362

abstract:
This work is an example of a CFD-assisted design and characterization process for thermal energy storage vessels. A general modeling technique for future works is also proposed. The Short-Term Thermal Storage (STTS) tanks at the Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) were used as the principal case study.
The performance characterization of the STTS tanks and the evaluation of other tank designs were made under solar charging conditions and for the STTS “Hot Tank” only. Three sets of simulations were undertaken for each tank design, each representing a different state of inlet conditions reflected in the DLSC’s operational manual. Characterization of the STTS tanks was done mainly by applying a set of 2nd Law characterization indices, both existing and new, using exergy as the primary Figure of Merit.
It was evident that significant mixing occurs in the current STTS tanks due to the ineffective placement of the inlet ports and the lack of an appropriate flow diffuser to prevent mixing. For example, at the end of the simulations exhibiting constant inlet temperature and flow rate, the total exergy in the original STTS tank was only 68% of a perfectly-stratified vessel. A modified design of the STTS tanks, which only shifted the position of the inlet port and center baffle, significantly improved this value to over 90%. Additional analysis also indicated that the STTS tanks would benefit from a simple flow distributor or inlet manifold that would address stratification issues inherent to variable temperature inlet conditions. However, further analysis on this particular design configuration is needed.
The characterization methods employed in this work represent an effective means to differentiate between the stratification effectiveness of various thermal storage vessel designs. This work would further benefit from a future study that compares changes to the STTS tanks’ stratification efficiency with changes to the DLSC’s overall performance, including a cost-benefit analysis.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The effect of weight and weight distribution on upper extremity muscular fatigue during static rifle aiming

contributor:
Stevenson, Joan M.
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject: Electromyography Fatigue Rifle

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-18 10:24:26.909

abstract:
Modern weapon-mounted technologies, such as novel sighting devices, detachable grenade launchers, and telescopic butt stocks, add considerable weight to weapons and alter the center of mass (COM).  Currently, few objective studies have investigated the effects of these alterations on soldiers’ rifle handling.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of weight and weight distribution on upper extremity muscular fatigue during static rifle aiming.  Custom testing rigs were designed to allow the weight and COM of the in-service C7A2 assault rifle to be altered using supplementary weights and an adjustable rail system.  Seven rifle configurations, each of which represented the weight and COM of a potential future design, were assessed.  Soldiers performed static rifle holds with each of the rifle configurations.  Upper extremity muscle activity was monitored using surface electromyography (EMG) and a subjective scale of perceived exertion.  Dependent measures included muscular activity level (integrated EMG), rate of muscular fatigue (slope of the median power frequency), and subjective ratings of perceived exertion (Borg CR10 scale).  The body areas exhibiting the most muscular strain throughout testing were also subjectively assessed using a body map.
The results revealed that the muscle activation levels of the supporting arm were substantially greater (>30% increase) when the COM was shifted forward 7cm.  This objective finding was supported by the soldiers’ subjective perceptions of muscle effort.  Conversely, muscle activity levels did not make evident the effects of added weight; although this may have been largely due to the fact that muscle activity from the lower back was not captured.  Rates of muscle fatigue were found to be greater in the anterior deltoid than other extremity muscles and fatigue levels were greater in the supporting arm than the trigger arm.  However, using rates of fatigue it was not possible to differentiate between weight conditions and COM positions.   Despite the limitations of this study, it has provided a starting point toward developing a standardized protocol for assessing muscular demands during rifle aiming.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Shrub expansion in the low Arctic: The influence of snow and vegetation feedbacks on nitrogen cycling

contributor:
Grogan, Paul
Biology

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subject:
Arctic
Shrub Expansion
Snow-Shrub Feedback Hypothesis
15N
Betula
Nitrogen
Winter Processes

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-18 13:36:29.401

abstract:
Climate change has coincided with expansion of deciduous shrub species in the Arctic. Increased deciduous vegetation in the tundra could have profound implications on regional climate, carbon balance, and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. Winter biological processes may be a mechanism explaining shrub expansion in the Arctic. Tall shrubs accumulate relatively deep snowcover, raising winter soil temperature minima, enhancing microbial activity and promoting nitrogen mobilization that may then be taken up by shrubs. However, it has yet to be determined if shrubs can acquire winter-mobilized nitrogen, and if so, whether they acquire it early in the spring, or over the growing season. The purpose of this study was to test if increased snow alone or the combination of vegetation-type and snow depth affect nitrogen cycling and plant uptake.  To test this, inorganic 15nitrogen tracer was added to control and experimentally deepened snow plots (using snowfences) in low birch hummock tundra, and to tall birch-dominated plots near Daring Lake, N.W.T. in the Canadian low Arctic.
	The first study (Chapter 2) characterizes soil 15nitrogen cycling over a single winter to investigate if experimentally deepened snow in low birch hummock ecosystems enhances nutrient availability to plants in the early spring. In addition, 15nitrogen cycling in low birch hummock and tall birch ecosystems were compared to characterize the combined impacts of vegetation-type and snow depth on nutrient availability to plants by early spring. The second study (Chapter 3) investigated the longer term fate of added 15nitrogen to determine if 15nitrogen acquisition and allocation differs among plant species over a two year period. Together, the results indicate that nitrogen cycling in the low birch hummock tundra was not significantly affected by deeper snow over short (after one winter) or longer terms (two years). By contrast, nitrogen availability in early spring, and birch shrub 15nitrogen uptake after two years were enhanced in the tall birch as compared to the low birch hummock ecosystem. These results suggest that the combination of vegetation-type and snow depth effects in the tall birch ecosystem could be a mechanism contributing to tundra to shrubland transitions across the Arctic.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Role of Compartmented cAMP Signalling in the Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Cell Permeability

contributor:
Maurice, Donald H.
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

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subject:
barrier function
phosphodiesterase 4D
vascular endothelial cells

abstract: Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-18 16:09:59.12

abstract: Vascular endothelial cells (VECs) maintain vascular integrity by regulating the passage of solutes, macromolecules, and cells between the vascular and perivascular space and are critical in a wide number of physiological processes, such as the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to surrounding tissues, leukocyte trafficking, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. VEC permeability is regulated, at least in part, by VE-cadherin-based adherens junctions that coordinate inter-VEC contacts and communicate the strength of these interactions to the cell via the actin cytoskeleton. Although the ubiquitous second messenger, cyclic adenosine 3'€™, 5'€™-monophosphate (cAMP), has been shown to reduce VEC permeability, the molecular basis of this effect is currently unclear. Herein, we report that cAMP and its two effectors, cAMP-dependent protein kinase A-II (PKA-II) and exchange protein activated by cAMP-1 (EPAC1), improve barrier function and differentially coordinate this effect through both VE-cadherin and actin cytoskeletal structures. We have also identified cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4 as the major PDE regulating VEC barrier function. Through the use of cAMP-elevating agents and RNAi-mediated knockdown of PKA-Cα, EPAC1 and PDE4D, we have identified a dominant role for EPAC1 in VEC permeability as well as recognized PDE4D as a potential adaptor protein VE-cadherin-based complexes. Our results are consistent with previous reports of a role for both PKA and EPAC1 in controlling VE-cadherin mediated barrier function and additionally provide novel insight into the differential roles that PKA, EPAC1 and PDE4D play in stabilizing VEC barrier function.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Calcium Influx and Release Controls Neuroendocrine Cell Secretion and Excitability

contributor:
Magoski, Neil S.
Physiology

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subject: Calcium Neuroendocrine

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-18 19:30:32.957

abstract: Ca2+ dynamics affect many critical cellular processes. In the bag cell neurons of Aplysia californica, intracellular Ca2+ is elevated during a prolonged period of firing known as the afterdischarge. This consists of a fast and slow phase of firing, which triggers peptide secretion and culminates in egg-laying.  The present study examines how Ca2+ influx and release shape neurosecretion and membrane activity.  Using capacitance tracking as an index of secretion, a 5 Hz, 1 min train, to mimic the fast phase, induced a clear elevation in the membrane surface area of cultured bag cell neurons. The capacitance change was abolished by replacing external Ca2+ with Ba2+ or addition of the Ca2+ channel blocker, Ni2+.  Additionally, the response was reduced by either strong buffering of intracellular Ca2+ or pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide, an alkylating agent that disrupts vesicular transport.  Depleting mitochondrial Ca2+ with the protonophore, carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP), also elevated capacitance, while depleting endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ with the Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, did not.  Similarly, FCCP alone depolarized bag cell neurons.  In a concentration-dependent manner, FCCP elicited an inward current that was insensitive to Ni2+, associated with an increase in conductance, and a linear current/voltage relationship that reversed around -40 mV.  Removal of extracellular Ca2+ reduced the current and left-shifted the reversal, consistent with opening a Ca2+-permeable, voltage-independent, non-selective cation channel.  The current was decreased when intracellular Ca2+ was strongly buffered, while fura-imaging demonstrated that FCCP elevated intracellular Ca2+ with a similar time course, suggesting a dependence on intracellular Ca2+.  Although both oligomycin A and bafilomycin A, inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP sythetase and V-type H+-ATPase, respectively, gradually increased Ca2+, neither produced a current.  The FCCP-induced Ca2+ elevation and the current were also diminished by disabling the mitochondrial permeability transition pore with N-ethylmaleimide.  The data suggests that a cation current is preferentially gated by Ca2+ released from the mitochondria, rather than disruption of ATP production. This current could provide depolarizing drive for the afterdischarge.  While Ca2+ entry appears to be responsible for initiating neurosecretion, mitochondrial Ca2+ may support prolonged peptide release during and subsequent to the afterdischarge.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Identifying Crosscutting Concerns from Requirement Specifications - A Case Study

contributor:
Shepard, Terry
Computing

subject:
Crosscutting Concerns
Aspect-Oriented Requirement Engineering

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-21 15:09:27.262

abstract: Aspect-Oriented Requirement Engineering (AORE) is an emerging software engineering paradigm with increasing attention from academic as well as industrial communities. AORE aims at the systematic identification, modularization, composition and analysis of crosscutting concerns that manifest in requirements. It is believed that systematically managing crosscutting concerns early on at the requirement engineering stage can provide valuable insight at the architecture design and implementation stages and can help identify and thus manage crosscutting concerns at these stages. Moreover, identifying crosscutting concerns in requirements can help to reveal the scope of each concern in a software system, to detect potential conflicts between concerns and to facilitate trade-off negotiation early on. Hundreds of papers regarding AORE have been published in AORE communities. However, few of them address crosscutting concerns in real world requirements. Whether the proposed AORE approaches are productive when applied to real world requirements is unknown. In this thesis, we conduct an AORE case study consisting of an experiment using a real world software requirement specification in order to examine how crosscutting concerns present in real world requirement documents, explore the difference between crosscutting concerns in requirements and crosscutting concerns in code, and reason whether identifying and thus managing crosscutting concerns from real world requirements is a productive practice.

abstract: I and my supervisor plan to make a conference paper based on this thesis. Therefore, this thesis needs to be restricted until our paper is published.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Carbon Monoxide and Pregnancy: a Search for a Possible Therapeutic in the Treatment of Pre-Eclampsia

contributor:
Smith, Graeme N.
Anatomy and Cell Biology

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subject:
Pregnancy
Carbon Monoxide
Pre-Eclampsia
Therapeutic

abstract: Thesis (Master, Anatomy & Cell Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-19 08:55:06.548

abstract:
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder that affects roughly 5-7% of all pregnancies and is a leading cause of both maternal and fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality.  With no present cure for the disease, researchers are interested in the lower incidence of PE observed among the cigarette smoking pregnant population.  However, women who use smokeless tobacco do not experience the same decreased incidence of PE, leading to hypothesis of protection against PE from the largest combustible product of cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide (CO). Studies evaluated levels of CO in PE women and found that they were statistically lower than those of healthy pregnancy. Researchers have found CO to possess many cytoprotective and regulatory properties and specifically within the placenta, it has been found to increase perfusion pressure, decrease oxidative stress, decreases ischemia/reperfusion induced apoptosis and maintain endothelial functioning.  The idea for use of CO as a possible therapeutic for PE has thus become a real possibility.

This study determined CO levels in pregnant women ± smoking as well as in PE women±smoking, as to discover a possible therapeutic range for future treatments.  The best correlated automated CO measurement device with blood CO levels was determined, for use in future clinical studies. This thesis also sought a possible CO delivery concentration, in order to achieve the CO levels observed in the human correlation study. A threshold level of maternal CO exposure in a murine animal model was found, for which fetal and maternal negative toxicities were not observed.  The results of this thesis lend a few more pieces to the complicated puzzle involving CO and PE and offer another step toward the possibility of a therapeutic treatment/prevention using this gaseous molecule.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: An Examination of Canadian Family Physicians’ Knowledge and Practice Patterns Regarding Breast Cancer Prevention

contributor:
Richardson, Harriet
Groome, Patti A.
Community Health and Epidemiology

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subject:
Epidemiology
Breast Cancer Prevention

abstract: Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-19 13:11:22.899

abstract: Family physician (FP) knowledge regarding breast cancer risk assessment and prevention strategies such as chemoprevention are important in ensuring that women at high risk for breast cancer are identified and receive proper preventive care. There are many factors which can moderately increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, such as short-term hormone replacement therapy use and being nulliparous over the age of 30 years. Some factors increase a woman’s risk to such an extent that she is deemed “high risk” for breast cancer development, including having a family history of breast cancer or having a personal history of atypical benign breast disease. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a stratified random sample of 2500 family physicians selected from across Canada to examine breast cancer risk assessment knowledge and practices, chemoprevention knowledge and prescribing practices, attitudes towards breast cancer chemoprevention, and barriers towards its utilization in Canadian FPs. We found that while the majority of physicians identified a woman with a family history of breast cancer (97%) as being high risk, a large proportion of physicians (40%) underestimated the risk associated with having a personal history of atypical benign breast disease. Physicians also tended to overestimate the risk associated with hormone replacement therapy use (70%) and the risk associated with nulliparity over the age of 30 years (50%). We also found that less than 15% of our sample had knowledge about chemoprevention and less than 7% had ever prescribed breast cancer chemoprevention (i.e. tamoxoifen or raloxifene) for primary prevention. Possible predictors of both knowledge of risk assessment and chemoprevention and prescription of chemoprevention were examined. Using multiple logistic regression, we found that several variables significantly predicted physician knowledge of these risk factors and prescription practices including patient load, medical experience and sex. The results of this study indicate that family physicians may need to become more aware about breast cancer prevention methods and risk factors for breast cancer, and in particular those that place a woman at high risk for breast cancer development.

abstract: M.Sc.