title: Sable Island National Park: Design with a Dynamic Ecosystem

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Andrea Kahn
Steve Parcell
Catherine Venart
Richard Kroeker
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: Innovation in building details and connections

subject: Green building methods

subject: Adaptive structures

subject: Dynamic ecosystem

subject: National Park Infrastructure

abstract: The thesis is a architectural case study for designing with dynamic ecosystems. To test a methodology for designing in dynamic ecosystems, a National Park infrastructure is designed for Sable Island, Canada. The exercise requires learning from the dynamic ecosystem, extracting guidelines for making design choices and developing designs with the capacity to adapt to their surroundings.

abstract:
To design with a changing ecosystem requires examining and understanding site dynamics, extracting guidelines for making architectural decisions and defi ning processes that allow for change. Sable Island National Park is an ideal case study to test this method because its simple and dynamic ecosystem defi nes clear guidelines and requirements for adaptation.
The proposed National Park infrastructure remodels human interaction with Sable Island
by replacing and remediating existing settlements. Designed to be sensitive to and participate in the island’s natural processes, the new architecture protects the delicate ecosystem and facilitates low impact visitation. The systems, spaces and experiences serve to deepen understanding of human interdependence with the environment.


title: Computational Design: Developing and Applying Computational Tools for Architectural Design

contributor:
Faculty of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Andrea Kahn
Steve Parcell
Emanuel Jannasch
Sarah Bonnemaison
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
computational design
parametric architecture

abstract:
This thesis explores the intersection between computation and architectural design. The thesis first develops several computational design tools, specifically focussing on three problem domains: (1) speedy generation and modification of architectural schemes sharing a common typological language, (2) analysis of urban and neighbourhood conditions, and (3) performance modelling and prediction
. To test the tools, the thesis subsequently applies the tools to design several variations of a condominium tower in downtown Toronto. Despite some limitations, the computational toolkit proved powerful and flexible enough to generate viable condominium schemes under various sets of assumptions.


title: Impacts of Bubbles on Optical Estimates of Calcium Carbonate in the Great Calcite Belt

contributor:
Department of Oceanography
Master of Science
Dr. Daniel Kelley
Dr. William Balch
Dr. Susanne Craig
Dr. Marlon Lewis
Dr. Christopher Taggart
Dr. Jonathan Grant
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
remote sensing
bio-optics
bubbles
coccolithophores
particulate inorganic carbon
Great Calcite Belt
Patagonian Shelf

abstract: In this MSc thesis I determine if wind-generated bubbles elevated measurements of above-water normalized water-leaving radiance (nLw) and subsequent remote sensing estimates of particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) in a coccolithophore bloom on the Patagonian Shelf. Although no measurements were made of bubbles, shipboard wind speed was used as a proxy for bubble backscattering. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was performed on nLw. The first EOF accounted for 95% of the variance, and was attributed to changes in spectral amplitude. Scores of the first EOF were positively correlated with flow-through PIC backscattering (bb′) > 5x10-4 m-1, indicating that above this threshold PIC was an optically active seawater constituent. There was only evidence for a bubble elevation of nLw at values of bb′ < 5x10-4 m-1 and wind speeds > 12.5 m s-1. There was no evidence for a bubble elevation of PIC estimated using the two-band PIC algorithm.


title: “Grievance before Supply”: Omnibus Budget Implementation Legislation as a Case when Party Discipline Damages Parliamentary Democracy

contributor:
Department of Political Science
Master of Arts
Dr. Katherine Fierlbeck
Dr. Jennifer Smith
Dr. Robert Finbow
Dr. Louise Carbert
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Parliamentary Democracy
Westminster Budget Process

abstract: This thesis explores the circumstances under which party discipline damages parliamentary democracy in the Canadian House of Commons. It uses omnibus budget implementation legislation as a case study of an instance when party discipline damages parliamentary democracy. While party discipline is central to parliamentary democracy, it can also undermine it if imposed too strictly. This thesis establishes a model of parliamentary democracy in which the House of Commons is meant to scrutinize, deliberate on, and occasionally amend legislation. It then identifies omnibus budgets as a trend in Canada through the following data on budget bills: number of pages, number of amendments, and length of debate. Finally, this thesis describes three key ways that omnibus budget legislation damaged the model of parliamentary democracy outlined at the beginning. The passage of omnibus budget legislation is a perfect illustration of the “parliamentary decline” thesis and provides a useful departure for future efforts at the reform of parliament to enhance the role of backbench members.


title: HOW CAN THE RE-DESIGN OF A RIVERSIDE SITE RECONCILE AN OLD URBAN FABRIC AND NEW COMMUNITY? THE ADAPTIVE REUSE OF URBAN RIVERSIDE SITE IN HONGKOU DISTRICT, CITY OF SHANGHAI

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Geoffrey Thün
Stephen Parcell
Catherine Venart
Cristina Verissimo
Christine Macy
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
architecture
river
public space
Shanghai
community

abstract:
For hundreds of years, the riverside area of Shanghai was one of the city's most vibrant
places, making it an important part of Shanghai’s history. By following the story of the rivers, the life and culture of Shanghai's riverside neighbourhoods can be traced. While
the river has always been important to the inhabitants of central Shanghai, it has become
largely inaccessible during the last several decades. First, the booming manufacturing
industries of the 20th century resulted in heavily polluted rivers. Second, physical barriers
such as walls and roads were built, preventing access to the rivers. Both of these combine
to create a landscape in which urban neighbourhoods are separated from the river as well as from each other. This thesis proposes ways in which a redesign of the riverside can strengthen the culture and community of neighbourhoods while also looking towards the present and future needs of residents and visitors.


title: Evaluating the Effect of Biodiesel on the Efficacy of the Wood Preservative Copper Naphthenate

contributor: Dr. Glenn Stratton and Dr. Gordon Brewster

subject:
copper naphthenate
biodiesel
wood preserving
wood decay

abstract: The efficacy of biodiesel as a co-solvent for copper naphthenate wood preservative treating solutions was evaluated using two fungal decay methodologies (AWPA E10-09, British Standard Method EN113).  Four fungal species (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Trametes versicolor, Poria xantha, Postia placenta) and three wood species (Douglas fir, Southern yellow pine, Western red cedar) with six replicates were utilized in both studies.  Two levels of biodiesel: diesel (30:70 and 50:50) were compared to diesel-only solvent systems for copper naphthenate treating systems and treated to AWPA recommended retentions. No differences in decay efficacy between the biodiesel blends and diesel-only treatment in either the AWPA or the EN113 decay studies were detected for either standard method. Copper distribution was evaluated using SEM-EDX and no differences were noted with either solvent system. It was determined that the presence of biodiesel did not have a negative impact upon the efficacy of copper naphthenate as a wood preservative.


title: UNDERSTANDING SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS’ WORK PRACTICES AND THE ROLE FOR ENHANCED VISUALIZATIONS IN THEIR TOOLS

contributor:
Faculty of Computer Science
Master of Computer Science
Dr. Evangelos Milios
Dr. Derek Reilly
Dr. Nur Zincir-Heywood
Dr. Kirstie Hawkey
Yes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Visualization
System administration
System models

abstract: Visualization can be an effective way to explore and understand abstract data. Due to the rapidly changing technological environment of sys admin work and the scale of data involved, enhanced visualizations might provide benefit in this domain; however, despite research efforts, to-date the tools for system administrators (sys admins) minimally employ the use of interactivity in models and provide limited visualizations in tools.  This may be because sys admins have a culture of command-line interface (CLI) use that is at odds to the graphical user interface (GUI) that accompanies most tools that incorporate interactive visualizations. We designed a two phase study to gain a better understanding about the work of sys admins, their current tool environment, their preferences for CLI and GUI based tools, and their perspective about how the inclusion of interactive visualizations in tools and system models might enhance their routines. The first phase of contextual inquiries and semi-structured interviews with 37 participants gave us a rich understanding of system admin work practices and their desired functionality for future tools. In the second phase, an on-line survey with 331 sys admins allowed us to generalize our findings. Based on our research, we generated recommendations for desired tool features in each of the sub-domains of sys admin work (i.e., network, virtualization etc.,). We also conducted an analysis of the type of visualizations that could be implemented in future tools to support the challenging nature of sys admin work.


title: Act think eat drink, locally? Understanding the motivations of student consumers to support the local food movement in Nova Scotia

subject: citizenship

subject: commodity fetishism

subject: consumer

subject: cosmopolitanism

subject: ecological citizenship

subject: food

subject: food system

subject: local food movement

subject: survey

subject: sustainabililty

subject: Local foods--Nova Scotia

subject: Community gardens--Nova Scotia

subject: Food supply--Nova Scotia

subject: Local foods--Social aspects--Nova Scotia

subject: Consumer behavior--Nova Scotia

abstract: The local food movement has become a popular alternative to industrialized agriculture in the global North. The goals of the local food movement are to support local farmers, build strong local communities and to reconnect the consumer to the source of their food. This paper challenges the local food movement, arguing that consumers tend to fetishize local food without asking the critical questions that led to the local food movement in the first place. This paper argues that the local food movement has become romanticized as a social good, and that rather than addressing the issues of the global food system, the local food movement represents an exit strategy instead of addressing the problems within the global food system. In order to explore the research question, “what motivates students in Nova Scotia to eat local?”, a survey of 148 student consumers was conducted at Dalhousie University. Survey responses reflect the popular rhetoric of the local food movement, supporting the local food movement for it’s perceived environmental superiority, ethical production and economic benefit. The local food movement is based on well-meaning values; however, it is moving away from deeper concerns of equity and citizenship. The local idea becomes problematic when our sense of justice becomes territorially bounded by a shared, exclusionary, sense of place. This paper argues that local activity could be adapted to offer more equity and stability to higher, more global levels of the food system. This would contribute to the resilience of the food system as a whole, while allowing for the values of the local food system to be extended beyond a bounded sense of place.


title: The Role of β-adrenergic Signalling and Natriuretic Peptide Receptors in Cardiac Myofibroblast Proliferation and Differentiation

contributor:
Department of Pharmacology
Master of Science
Dr Jana Sawynok
Dr Jean-Francois Legare
Dr Chris Sinal
Dr Kishore Pasumarthi
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
β-adrenergic signalling
Cardiac fibroblast proliferation
Natriuretic peptide receptors

abstract: Uncontrolled proliferation of cardiac myofibroblasts (CMFs) leads to increased extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, resulting in cardiac fibrosis.  Cardiac fibrosis occurs in many forms of heart disease and increases the risk of progression to heart failure.  Treatment with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was shown to decrease CMF proliferation.  Chronic treatment of adult mice with a synthetic catecholamine, isoproterenol (ISO), induced cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) expression in non-cardiomyocytes.  The aims of this study were to develop and characterize an in vitro cell culture system for adult mouse CMFs, and determine the effects of ISO treatment on the status of CDK1 expression, and proliferation and differentiation of CMFs.  We also investigated the effect of genetic ablation of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor 1 (Npr1) on CMF proliferation and their sensitization to further treatment with catecholamines.  Results showed that CDK1 expression, DNA synthesis and proliferation increase in adult mouse CMFs in response to ISO treatment.  Analysis of cAMP levels in CMFs treated with ISO in the presence or absence of β adrenergic receptor (βAR) subtype specific blockers indicated that the β2AR response may be predominant in these cells.  Consistent with this, the β2AR specific blocker ICI-118,551 and the non-selective βAR blocker carvedilol effectively blocked ISO induced CMF proliferation.  ISO is also able to modulate pro-fibrotic gene expression program in CMFs by significantly increasing the transcription of genes such as collagen type 3 α1, connective tissue growth factor, α-smooth muscle actin and plasminogen activator inhibitor. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of CDK1 using RO-3306 effectively decreased CMF proliferation.  In contrast, genetic ablation of both copies of Npr1 significantly increased CMF proliferation compared to wild type CMFs.  Unexpectedly, CMFs lacking either one or both copies of Npr1 receptor revealed blunted mitogenic responses to ISO treatment compared to wild type cells.  Collectively, these results suggest that CDK1 levels may be increased in response to the over-activated adrenergic signalling seen in heart failure.  As such, it may present a possible drug target for inhibiting the expression of pro-fibrotic genes and CF proliferation.  In addition, β2AR specific blockers, ANP and other synthetic Npr1 ligands may be effective in amelioration of excessive cardiac fibrosis commonly seen with many cardiovascular diseases.


title: CONSPICUOUS SEXUALITY: BOURDIEU’S AFFECTIVE PHENOMENOLOGY AND THE NORMATIVE ORIGINS OF HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE

contributor:
Department of Political Science
Master of Arts
Dr. Katherine Fierlbeck
Dr. Susan Dodd
Dr. Ruben Zaiotti
Dr. Margaret Denike
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Bourdieu
Homophobia
Homophobic Violence

abstract:
Through an elaboration Bourdieu I argue that the embodiment of heterosexist norms produces negative dispositions towards gay men and women. Though this position relates to the literature on homophobic violence in its critique of social structures that contribute to homophobia, analyzing dispositions as nonconscious, bodily effects differentiates Bourdieu's position. Here Bourdieu provides a means for theorizing how norms are reproduced on the surface on the body as looks, gestures, and feelings, and not in the unconsciousness or the deep-seated beliefs of individuals. The particular contribution that Bourdieu makes to the study of homophobia argues that homonegativity is transferred from “body to body, below the level of conscious control” (Bourdieu, 2000, 95), and not only through the verbal denunciations or the rational devaluation of sexual minorities.
	Below the present work engages several of Bourdieu's central concepts, namely habitus, doxa, and symbolic violence, and applies his theoretical perspective to homophobia and homophobic violence. This engagement is necessary as Bourdieu does not address homophobic violence in his writing. In applying Bourdieu in this manner this work contributes to the scholarship on Bourdieu as well as the study of homophobia and homophobic violence.


title: Political Responses to Environmental Activism Tactics: A matrix analysis approach using case studies from the anti-pesticide movement in eastern Canada between 1960-2000

subject:
Antonio Gramsci
case study analysis
environmental movement
anti-pesticide spraying movement
Counter-hegemony
Herbicide trials
matrix analysis
pesticides
Spruce Budworm
activism

abstract: Despite scientific and social support, campaigns of the environmental movement often struggle to gain political traction. This research explores political responses to environmental activism using a matrix analysis approach that compares various activism tactics with six designations of potential political response in order to better understand the relationship between activism tactics and the polity, and to consider the relevance of Antonio Gramsci’s Counter-Hegemonic theory within the environmental movement. Case studies are drawn from five campaigns within eastern Canada’s anti-pesticide spraying movement between 1960-2000, largely collected from the archives of the Ecology Action Centre. Discussion of the case study results suggest that Gramsci’s indicators of successful counter-hegemony do not appear to affect the overall likelihood of receiving a political response, but that some individual tactics or trends in tactical approach consistently appear more advantageous. A critical analysis of the method also reflects on the matrices’ ability to synthesize information about complex and interconnected events, so that they can be displayed, understood, and compared visually, while also maintaining their complexity and narrative depth. This research provides an interdisciplinary analysis approach, applies activism theory to tactics and events as the intersection between polity and activism, and also adds to the understanding of environmental activism within the Canadian context.


title: The Effectiveness of Compost and Biosolids for Land Remediation on Tailings from an Iron Mine

subject: Bioremediation Compost Biosolids Phytoremediation Microorganism Remediation

abstract: Mine tailings inhibit the growth of living organisms and give rise to unstable living conditions for the existing flora and microorganisms. The abandoned iron mine site in Londonderry, Nova Scotia is almost completely barren save the occasional tree or bush. The area has not been used for nearly 90 years and should this land be able to be remediated, it could help revive the town or potentially become an area for agricultural purposes. Because they are proven to be somewhat effective on their own, this study attempted to combine microorganism remediation and phytoremediation together in order to execute a thorough bioremediation process. The purpose of this experiment was to test the theory that compost, biosolids and well-chosen native plants can help produce biodiversity on the abandoned Londonderry site. Various combinations of compost and biosolids were poured into plastic pots that had exactly 500mL of tailings from the Londonderry mine site. Roadside mix seeds were added. The replicates were watered every three days for 25 days and then plant height and weight for each replicate was determined. Compost was extremely effective on its own and biosolids were not. However, when biosolids were mixed into the tailings, they were effective at producing high biomass yields. The experiment showed that a threshold point for compost is present. 73.5mL of compost on top of the tailings and 25mL of both compost and biosolids mixed into the tailings to simulate tilling were hypothesized to be the ideal mixture for producing maximum yields. Further studies on the actual site to determine the validity of this hypothesis are required. A soil analysis determined that iron levels were still extremely high and wild blueberries were suggested as the plant to be used for phytoremediation as it is an iron-loving plant and is native to Nova Scotia. A cost analysis revealed that the organic material will cost a mere $4000 to remediate the Londonderry site but labour and transportation costs will likely drive the cost up to $80,000 or higher. However, it is unfair to the Londonderry residents to leave a mine site that was abandoned 90 years ago unremediated. The Government of Nova Scotia should take some accountability and fund the project especially since $100,000 or less is not an obscene amount of money.


title: An exploration of the range in public perceptions of small-scale and large-scale wind power developments in Nova Scotia, Canada

subject:
wind energy
renewable energy
public perception
policy
NIMBY
Wind power - Nova Scotia
Wind power - Environmental aspects
Environmentalism - Political aspects
NIMBY syndrome - Nova Scotia

abstract: Hostility towards wind energy developments is prevalent in Nova Scotia in recent years, and has culminated in the formation of wind-opposition groups, such as the Friends of Jeddore and the Friends of South Canoe. These two groups are against the development of industrial-scale wind energy developments near their communities. This research explores the differences in public perceptions of large- and small-scale wind- energy developments in Nova Scotia, as seen through online news articles. A conceptual content analysis was conducted of 128 articles from 12 on-line-news sources from January 2013 to January 2014. The data show that there is a discernible difference in volume and types of public commentary about large-scale and small-scale wind energy developments, with comments about small-scale developments being overall more positive than those regarding both large-scale and unspecified-scale developments. The data suggest that the public perceptions of small- and large-scale wind energy are different enough that communities who are opposed to large-scale developments may be supportive of small-scale developments. However, consideration of other factors is also necessary in the face of new developments. Specifically, consideration of levels of public engagement and ownership of new projects, and being able to answer to citizens’ environmental concerns are especially important. Other emergent ideas include NIMBYism, the politicization of wind energy, and differences among real and perceived risks and benefits of wind developments and how they affect behaviour.


title: Pilot Test for Reliability and Validity of a New Assessment Tool Measuring Relationships between Individual Health and Environmental Sustainability

subject:
Sustainability
Environment
Health
Reliability
Validity
Pilot Test
Survey
Self-Report
Sustainable development

abstract:
This study surrounds the creation of a comprehensive assessment tool designed to measure the relationships between
individual health and environmental sustainability. The existing literature surrounding health and sustainability shows
there is currently no assessment tool of this kind available. A self-reporting survey comprised of 103 questions divided
among ten categories was created based on the existing literature. The five categories for health include: Mental
Health, Physical Health, Physical Functioning, Eating Habit, and Stress/Relaxation. The five categories of sustainability
are: Recycling, Energy Consumption, Greenhouse gas (GHG) Emissions, Water Usage, and Connection with Nature. The
survey was tested for several reliability and validity measures. Participants (N=60) were students from Dalhousie
University. Results of the pilot test show the tool to be reliable and valid in many of the psychometric categories.
Recommendations to improve reliability, validity, and to create a more usable tool are included.


title: Experiences of Silence: An exploration of peoples' experiences of intentional silence

subject: mindfulness practices

subject: sustainability

subject: intentional silence

subject: Creative Analytic Practice (CAP)

subject: cognitive flexibility

subject: Sustainability Leadership Certificate (SLC),

subject: pedagogy

subject: interconnectedness

subject: action

abstract: Practice may not make perfect, but let us hope that it can make change.

abstract:
Guided by literature that suggests that mindfulness practices can be used to cultivate cognitive flexibility, creative thinking, compassion and a sense of interconnectedness, this study explored peoples experiences of opportunities for silence in a university student leadership program focused on sustainability. Guided by the research question: What are participants' reflections of their experiences of intentional silence within the Sustainability Leadership Certificate program?, this research explored experiences of intentional silence as an example of mindfulness practice. This study drew on Grounded Theory and Creative Analytic Practice (CAP) in its analysis and presentation of the findings.
The Sustainability Leadership Certificate (SLC) program at Dalhousie University's College of Sustainability incorporates intentional silence into its programming with the goal of creating skilled, motivated leaders committed to actions of sustainability. Participants of the SLC were asked to reflect on their experiences of two, thirty-second moments of silence within the SLC's programming. Overall, participants felt appreciative of the opportunities to be silent and expressed an increased ability to absorb what they were learning, to engage with the material, and to take the silences as breaks from a mentally and socially demanding learning experience. Participants reflected on their experiences within three layers of context: their personal context; their immediate surroundings; and abstract concepts of the value of silence, mindfulness, reflection and more. These layers of context are explored as being nested within one another. A parallel is discussed, of people's experiences of sustainability challenges and experiences of silence. It is possible that mindfulness practices such as intentional silence can be used as the bridge between theory and action, enabling and inspiring people to develop a personal practice of mindfully enacted sustainability.


title: White Gold or Fool's Gold? An analysis of the textual representation of GM cotton production in Burkina Faso

subject: Burkina Faso, GMOs, cotton, GM cotton, Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, FDA

subject: GMOs

subject: cotton

subject: GM cotton

subject: Foucauldian Discourse Analysis

subject: FDA

subject: Cotton - Genetic engineering.

abstract: This study uses Foucauldian Discourse Analysis to examine textual representations of genetically modified cotton production in Burkina Faso. Media, organizational, and academic sources are included in the analysis. Three main discourses are identified from the chosen texts: “Poor, Smallholder Farmers as Justification” explores the power corporate actors exercise in the creation of promotional narratives; “The Textual Silencing of Poor Producers” describes the way in which the use of language can make certain stakeholders invisible; and “Cotton Production as Incontestable” reveals the power that the cotton sector itself holds in the discourses. These discourses provide a basic understanding of power relations surrounding GM cotton production in Burkina Faso, an important aspect to consider when regarding the Burkinabe GMO experience as a model for other African nations. This study can be used as an overview of textual representations of GM cotton in Burkina Faso, as well as an introduction to the power structures existing within the discourse.


title: Cookbooks as cultural indicators: An examination of protein consumption trends in North America

subject: Protein Consumption Meat Cookbooks

abstract: The production of animal-derived products from cattle, pigs, poultry, and fish has negative impacts on the environment. These negative effects such as climate change and eutrophication are being driven by consumer demand. As population increases, demand for animal protein increases. Demand, however, is increasing in excess of population growth. It is important to understand why animal protein consumption is increasing in excess of population growth in order to predict and, if possible, limit negative impacts on the environment. This study seeks to document whether there has been a change in what North American society considers a “typical” portion of animal protein over the past 100 years. Cookbooks were used to collect information on what authors and readers of these books understood as an acceptable serving size of protein in the year the book was published or printed. Documenting the trend demonstrated that portion sizes in the recipes examined have, in fact, been decreasing. This suggests that increased protein consumption may be caused by factors such as increasing meal frequency rather than portion size. Further studies should be done to examine the frequency of meals being eaten containing animal protein as this is likely contributing to the increase.


title: Forward Moving Growth: Dartmouth as a Candidate for Transit Oriented Development

subject:
Transit Oriented Development
Dartmouth (N.S.)
Halifax Regional Municipality
Local transit
Urban transportation

abstract:
Urban sprawl is becoming an increasingly serious problem faced by the Halifax Regional Municipality. It is an unsustainable form of growth whose consequences include traffic congestion and the elimination of open space and local resources. In response to this issue, many scholars have argued the merit of Transit Oriented Development (TOD), which can be defined as any dense, mixed-use, walkable development within close proximity to a transit station. They are often built in urban areas as infill, and they attempt to increase transit use by reducing the need for the car.
This study explores the potential for TOD implementation in the area within 800 meters of the Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It begins by investigating the benefits and limitations of TOD in general, and includes a bus-based TOD case study in the comparable suburb of Westboro, Ontario. It then develops a ‘best practice’ framework to help define the scale and scope of development that is needed to increase transit use. The study area is divided into 6 land use categories for individual assessment: (1) Low-Density Residential, (2) Park and Institutional Zones, (3) Vacant Lots, (4) Land with Intensification Potential, (5) the Brightwood Golf and Country Club, and (6) Harbour-Oriented Industrial Zones. Finally, each land use category is assessed based on its ability to contribute to TOD, as outlined in the framework and comparable case study. To determine suitability of the area, the study identifies the challenges and opportunities with TOD implementation under each land use category.
This study has determined that TOD potential is widely varied among land use categories. The land use category with the greatest short term potential was determined to be ‘Vacant Lots’. The most prominent challenges with TOD implementation among all categories include political resistance to development, and current policy restrictions. To mitigate these issues, this study recommends that HRM re-evaluate several restrictive regulations under the Dartmouth Land Use By-Law, including zoning and view plane requirements. Municipal support is vital to TOD success. To deal with community resistance, it recommends that each potential development be taken on a case-by-case basis, with consistent community engagement sessions sponsored throughout the process.
While this study is location specific, its implications traverse the boundaries of its study area. The framework can be used, and the methods replicated, in order to assess other areas with potential for TOD implementation.


title: HIGH VOLTAGE AC-DC LOAD FLOW IN ELECTRICAL POWER NETWORKS

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

subject:
Power flow
Newton-Raphson Power Flow (NRPF) method
AC/DC Load Flow
HVDC power flow

abstract:
Power losses in the grid are important, and as the power losses decrease the efficiency increases. Not much research has been done recently on the Newton-Raphson Power Flow (NRPF) method in polar form for systems with High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsystems. The point of departure for this thesis is based on decoupling the NR Power Flow method Power flow problems are solved for many fundamental problems in the operation and planning of the power system. Although many methods are available to solve these problems, this thesis focuses on developing an enhanced HVDC power flow method with improved computational efficiency and convergence stability.

A comparison of the results with full Newton-Raphson Power Flow method is presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Simulations were conducted on the 14-bus and 30-bus IEEE systems. Two and three converters are shown to improve the voltage magnitude, active and reactive power profile .The overall results indicate which  mode  is the best mode compared to others depending on the bus importance.


title: TIME DIFFERENCE AMPLIFIER USING CLOSED LOOP ADJUSTABLE FRACTIONAL GAIN CONTROL

subject:
Fractional gain
closed loop TDA
Time Difference Amplifier (TDA)

abstract:
As CMOS technologies advance to 22-nm dimensions and below, constructing analog circuits are difficult to design within permitted specifications. One of the reasons for this is a limit of voltage resolution. In this situation, time-mode processing is a technique that is believed to be well suited for solving many of these challenges. A primary advantage of this technique is the ability to achieve analog functions using digital logic structures. Time difference amplifiers (TDA) can be a key component to realize fine time solutions. TDA are an innovative method to improve the time resolution as well as the evolution of ADC.
This thesis introduces a TDA that amplifies the input time difference between two signals by a fractional gain. The closed loop gain control system used in this work consists of a pseudo differential current starved delay element (PDCSDE) and a monotonic digitally controlled delay element (DCDE). By using these elements to create a delay chain and a control loop, the result is a stable fractional time difference gain (TD gain). The system was designed and simulated in 65nm process at 1.2V power supply. The measured results show that this TDA achieves a fractional TD gain offset lower than 1.3%, with supply variation of ±15%, and input range as wide as ±250ps. The new design was also more resilient to process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations


title: Exploring intersex wellness: A social work approach

contributor:
Maritime School of Social Work
Master of Social Work
Dr. Catrina Brown
Prof. Brenda Richard
Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan
Dr. Catrina Brown
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: Intersex

subject: Intersexuality

subject: Sex-variance

subject: Difference of Sex Development

subject: Disorder of Sex Development

subject: Social Work

subject: Evidence-based practice

subject: Anti-oppressive practice

subject: wellness

subject: biopsychosocial

subject: holistic

subject: heteronormativity

abstract: This thesis explores some of the themes and issues that social workers may wish to consider when investigating and addressing matters pertaining to wellness in individuals with sex-variances. Foundational literature includes writings by John Money, the Chicago Consensus, and the clinical guidelines of the Intersex Society of North America. A three pillars model is introduced as a potential means for fostering better understanding and diversity in relation to sex, gender, and sexuality. Semi-structured interviews surrounding wellness are conducted with four individuals who have sex-variances. Interview results are analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Recommendations are put forth in a manner designed to allow social workers to work collaboratively with individuals who have sex-variances and their families, as well as with other medical and health professionals who provide services thereof. The analyses and recommendations presented in this thesis are situated within a context of evidence-based anti-oppressive practice.


title: Examining the Media’s Portrayal of Idle No More: A Critical Discourse Analysis

subject:
Aboriginal
Indigenous
Journalists
Mainstream Media
Sustainability
Idle No More movement
Aboriginal peoples
Indigenous peples


subject:
Journalists
Mainstream Media
Sustainability
Idle No More movement
Aboriginal people
Indigenous  people

abstract:
In November 2012, the Idle No More movement began as a series of teach-ins and
protests in Saskatchewan, which drew attention to the continued settler-colonial
relationship between the government of Canada and Indigenous peoples, as well as
changes to environmental regulation. The movement gained momentum and quickly
became nationally recognized. This study explores the mainstream media’s portrayal of
the Idle No More movement over a one-year timeline, using qualitative methods
including a critical discourse analysis of media content and semi-structured interviews
with journalists. The critical discourse analysis phase of this study revealed themes and
patterns of coverage of the movement, while the interviews with journalists provided
valuable insight into the context of the coverage. The themes of the coverage were
determined to be Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike, protests, internal politics and the
relationship between the Canadian government and Aboriginal people. The findings
suggest that coverage of Idle No More perpetuated colonial and stereotypical
understandings of Aboriginal people as the nature of the media, such as the appeal to
emotion and inability to contextualize the issues, restricts challenges to colonial thought.


title: DO WOMEN REALLY WANT PART-TIME JOBS? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON WHETHER FULL-TIME JOBS OR PART-TIME JOBS GIVE HIGHER SATISFACTION

contributor:
Department of Economics
Master of Arts
Peter Burton
Peter Burton
Mutlu Yuksel
Shelley Phipps
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: part-time jobs

abstract: The study explores the relationship between working status and the welling-being of prime-aged men and women with young children. By using the Canadian GSS cycle 19 dataset, I studied two aspects of well-being: “satisfaction with jobs or main activities” and “satisfaction with life as a whole”. The main findings are that for partnered moms, those with part-time jobs report lower job satisfaction and higher life satisfaction than their full-time counterparts.


title: VIRTUALEYEZ: DEVELOPING NFC TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO SHOP INDEPENDENTLY

contributor:
Faculty of Computer Science
Master of Computer Science
Dr. Evangelos Milios
Dr. P Bodorik
Dr. B MacKay
Dr. Q Ye
Dr. S. Sampalli
Received
No
No

subject: NFC technology, mobile phone, blind users

abstract:
A large number of people throughout the world have visual impairments that make
everyday tasks difficult, ultimately reducing independence and quality of life.
VirtualEyez is a low cost system that uses a mobile phone app and NFC tags to allow
visually impaired people to shop independently within grocery stores. Although this
system is primarily designed for visually impaired people, anyone can interact with it to
obtain indoor navigation services and product information from the tags. The overall
objective of the VirtualEyez system is to improve the quality of life for visually impaired
people by using NFC and smartphone technologies to support navigation and product
identification. The prototype tested here was designed to check product availability,
generate optimal directions to that product, and provide information about it upon arrival.The VirtualEyez system was developed using a Google Nexus 7 tablet with an Android
4.3 platform, NFC tags (NTAG 203 tags), and a small database containing two tables,
one containing general product information and the other containing product location
information. This thesis describes a study conducted in a mock grocery store, in which
sighted, blind and visually impaired participants used the VirtualEyez system to navigate
through the store and locate specific products. By measuring their performance in this
task and interviewing them afterwards about their experience with the system, we
illustrated the effectiveness and usability of VirtualEyez and established what
improvements are needed in order to develop it in to a commonly used aid for visually
impaired shoppers.


title: EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF DOW NWARD FLAME SPREAD RATE ON PMMA

contributor: Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science

subject: Downward flame, PMMA

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to experimentally study the downward flame spread rate and the angle of pyrolysis with different shapes of PMMA at different oxygen concentrations. The effect of sample shape is considered. The effect of oxygen concentration on flame spread rate and the angle of pyrolysis were studied.
A modified Critical Oxygen Index Apparatus was used to perform these experiments. The samples of PMMA were burned at different oxygen concentrations. A camera was used to capture the images of the burning and ImageJ software was also used to analyze the images.
The result of this work shows that the shape of the sample plays an important role in burning time, where the fuel with a large surface area takes a longer time to burn.  It also showed that the velocity increases as the oxygen concentration increases, while the angle of pyrolysis decreases as the oxygen concentration increases for all of the sample shapes tested.


title: A New Toolkit For Measuring Spasticity: A Pilot Study Investigating The Validity And Reliability Of The Biotone System For Patients Post-Stroke

contributor:
School of Physiotherapy
Master of Science
Dr. Diane MacKenzie
Dr. Shaun Boe
Dr. Shaun Boe
Dr. Gordon Gubitz
Dr. Marilyn MacKay-Lyons
Received
Yes
Not Applicable

subject: Spasticity Assessment

abstract: This study investigates the validity and reliability of a new instrumented measure of spasticity (the BioTone). Conventional clinical measures are used to assess the validity of the BioTone. Additionally, test-retest reliability is investigated in a subgroup of the recruited participants.

abstract: Purpose: This pilot study assessed the concurrent and construct validity and test-retest reliability of the BioTone system as a tool to quantify spasticity in patients following stroke. Methods: 15 adults post-stroke (65±11 years, 11 males) with spasticity in upper and/or lower limb muscles participated. The BioTone system was used to measure spasticity elicited during fast (120-140 deg/sec) passive stretching of bilateral elbow flexors, elbow extensors and knee extensors. Spastic reaction onset time, angular velocity at onset (ΔV) and acceleration at onset (ΔA) were determined by analyzing, using MATLAB, departures of electrogoniometric data from a theoretical kinematic model based on a constant jerk profile. In addition, the root mean square departure for angular velocity (εV) and acceleration (εA) were calculated. EMG recordings were also analyzed to identify spastic reaction onset time, discrete change in EMG intensity and EMG amplitude density of the stretched muscle (ΔStr, εStr) and its antagonist (ΔNStr, εNStr). Other variables from the theoretical curve, which were the maximum velocity and absolute maximum acceleration of the theoretical model (MAX-V and MAX-A) and the root mean square of the theoretical model angular velocity and acceleration (V and A), were derived to determine the construct validity by comparing them to the corresponding variables obtained from the movement curve of the non-hemiparetic side. For knee extensor muscles, the relaxation index (RI) was calculated using the pendulum test. Relationships between the biometric results and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Tardieu scale (TS) were explored. Test-retest reliability of all measurements was conducted with six participants, using an inter-test interval of <1 week. Results: Most participants displayed mild spasticity. Significant correlations were found in MAX-A and V of elbow flexors calculated using the theoretical profile and the non-hemiparetic side as references (rho=0.66, p=0.003; rho=0.56, p=0.015). No significant differences were revealed between spastic onset time predicted from kinematic data and EMG data. Significant correlations were found between Elbow flexor MAS and ΔV and εV (rho=0.49, p=0.03; rho=0.47, p=0.04), and between TS of elbow extensors and ΔNStr (rho=0.46, p=0.04). For the knee extensor muscles, the RI index was significantly correlated with the MAS (rho=–0.54, p=0.023) and with TS (rho=–0.65, p=0.006). Significant correlations of certain variables were demonstrated on repeat testing — ΔA and εA during stretch of elbow flexors (p=0.012, p=0.017) and εStr during stretch of elbow extensors (p=0.018) and RI during pendulum test (p=0.002). Conclusion: These findings provide preliminary information of aspects of validity and reliability of the BioTone system. The results showed that the BioTone measures have low to moderate concurrent validity, and low construct validity, whereas test-retest reliability was moderate for some of the variables. Further investigation of this device as a clinical tool to objectively measure spasticity in patients post-stroke is warranted. Impact of the study: To reduce functional, emotional, and financial burdens of a common aftermath of stroke — spasticity— a valid, reliable and user-friendly tool of objectively measuring its clinical presentation is needed. This study provides preliminary evidence to support further development of the BioTone system as a potential device to fill this void.


title: THROUGH ASPHALT DETECTION OF CORROSION DAMAGE IN CONCRETE USING GROUND-COUPLED GPR

contributor:
Department of Civil Engineering
Master of Applied Science
Dr. Naggar
Dr. Jarjoura
Dr. Liu
Dr. Newhook and Dr. Barnes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject: GPR Concrete Bridge NDT

abstract:
Many transportation departments (DOT) use Bridge Management Systems (BMS) to assist in planning, maintenance and repairs. BMS keep track of a number of aspects regarding a department’s bridge infrastructure that include location, data of construction, “original” drawings, and current state of the structure in addition to many other parameters. The most important of these is the current condition. This is generally assessed using visual inspection techniques. These inspection techniques are very subjective and lead to high contingencies for DOT’s and conservative bids from contractors. To assist in developing more accurate condition assessment of bridge deck deterioration, this thesis examines a number of methods that use a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system with a single Ground Coupled Antenna (GCA) on bridge decks with an asphalt overlaid deck.
Currently, when assessing bridge deck slabs with an asphalt overlay using GPR, air coupled antennas need to be used in order to determine the permittivity of the asphalt. If the permittivity of the asphalt is known then the permittivity of concrete can be determined using the reflection coefficient and then the losses due to geometric spreading can be calculated. A number of laboratory tests were conducted using asphalt and concrete samples to investigate the feasibility of determining the permittivity of the uppermost layer using a ground coupled antenna. Once the permittivity of the laboratory samples was accurately determined, field tests were conducted. The field testing consisted of assessing the conductivity of concrete for four unpaved bridge decks in Nova Scotia. The conductivity results were compared with a method being developed by another graduate student in the same research team. The field tests strongly indicated that the surface reflection for a GCA is unable to be used to accurately determine the permittivity of concrete. However one of the structures had a number of asphalt patches that produced reasonable permittivity and conductivity results.
Field tests to confirm the accuracy of the method in determining the permittivity of asphalt using a GCA were unable to be done due to the lack of available test subjects; for this reason it was assumed from the laboratory results that a GCA is able to accurately determine the permittivity of asphalt. A number of methods were proposed for analysing bridges with an asphalt overlay; but due to the lack of ground truth data and limited sample size, success was assumed to be achieved if the estimated permittivity and conductivity value were within the generally accepted range. The two proposed methods tested were, a conductive model that assumed a constant signal velocity in concrete and a semi-conductive model that assumed the asphalt was non-conductive. The results from these tests indicated that asphalt may be treated as a non-conductive medium. The tests also raise the question of whether the asphalt/concrete interface reflection can be used to accurately determine the permittivity of concrete.


title: Demulsification of Water in Crude Oil

subject:
Oilfield emulsion treatment
Crude oil dehydration
water in oil emulsion

abstract: Mabruk is a mature oilfield located in Libya's Sirte basin

abstract: The aim of this thesis was to optimize the concentration of demulsifier required to remove water from water-in-oil emulsions in the crude oil from Mabruk oil field, Libya. This was achieved by conducting a series of industrial standard Bottle-Test’s on the crude oil emulsions from Mabruk oil field. Mabruk oil field is located in Libya's Sirte basin. Mabruk’s crude oil has a moderate emulsion tendency easily treated by injecting an emulsion breaker (EB) into the inlet crude oil of the separation plant, to enhance oil-water separation by weakening the rigid film existing between the water and the oil that prevents the drops from coalescing. Optimizing the EB dosage in the field was a field trial based method, with dosages ranging from 5 – 100 ppm depending on emulsion stability and hardness.


title: COASTAL EVOLUTION OVER THE PAST 3000 YEARS AT CONRADS BEACH, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF TRANSGRESSIVE COASTS

contributor: Dr. Martin Gibling, Dr. Mladen Nedimovic

subject:
Conrads Beach
Coastal barrier system
Ground-penetrating radar
Nova Scotia
transgressive coast
sea-level changes
coastal geomorphology
global positioning system
seismic refraction
vibracore
radiocarbon dating
grain-size analysis

abstract: Although many modern coastlines are retreating as a result of global sea-level rise, periods of stability and progradation may result from time-varying sediment supply.  In formerly glaciated regions, where sediment is derived primarily from finite glaciogenic sources, sediment input may support progradation for a time, but decline when the source deposit becomes exhausted.  For Conrads Beach on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, georectified maps based on aerial photographs, maps and LiDAR data, coupled with beach profiles and historic records show that the shoreline has retreated overall during the past ~230 years.  The western and eastern shoreline have also experienced stasis and progradation, respectively, over intervals of years to decades, as well as rapid erosion and accretion over periods of days to months, largely as a result of powerful storms.  In the 1960s, a tidal inlet formed and filled within a few decades, migrating ~60 m laterally during this time.       To investigate timescales of centuries to millennia, ground-penetrating radar profiles which imaged to depths of 6-8 m were linked to 13 vibracores that penetrated up to 4.2 m, and supplemented by refraction seismic data to 23.5 m depth.  Grain-size parameters were used to support facies identification for sand samples.  An age profile based on radiocarbon dating suggests that the area was open-marine or littorial at about 2800 calendar years BP.  Locally increased sediment supply caused rapid buildup and progradation of beach ridges along the eastern beach from ~600-150 years BP.  Landward of the beach-ridge area, cores from a lagoon and marsh connected to the ocean by tidal inlets yields dates that correspond to the period of beach-ridge formation.  As the coast retreated, erosion of drumlins provides large sediment pulse over a periods of centuries, temporarily building out the coast and creating a lagoon.  The results support previous models for the Atlantic coast of short-term progradation in response to intermittent sediment supply from discrete sources, superimposed on prevailing coastal retreat.  Conrads Beach may serve as a model for the behaviour of other high-sensitivyt coastal with local sediment sources.        To test the Conrads Beach model, comparably detailed studies at other sites would be required.  To check whether such studies are feasible, reconnaissance ground-penetrating radar/global position system data were collected at five additional Atlantic Canada study sites.  These sites represent three distinctive environments of coastal evolution (Atlantic Ocean, Northumberland Strait and Gulf of St. Lawrence) located in areas of both moderate and high coastal sensitivity.  Radargram facies similar to Conrads Beach were identified, study site features were compared and sediment sources evaluated.  Aerial photographs, maps and LiDAR were also located for some of these sites.  The abundance of aerial/map data and encouraging preliminary ground-penetrating radar results suggest that the Conrads Beach model could be tested at those locations.


title: Loss of mitochondrial quality control protein Yme1 is deleterious to the viability of yeast lacking tafazzin.

contributor: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

contributor: Dr. Grant Hatch, Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba

contributor: Dr. John Archibald, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University

subject:
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Lipids
Yeast
Barth Syndrome
Tafazzin
Mitophagy
Mitochondrial quality-control
cardiolipin
yeast genetics

abstract: Role of mitophagy and mitochondrial quality-control in Barth syndrome.

abstract: The Saccharomyces cerevisiae TAZ1 gene is an orthologue of human TAZ; both encode the protein tafazzin. Tafazzin is a transacylase that transfers acyl chains with unsaturated fatty acids from other phospholipids to monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) to generate cardiolipin (CL) with a prevalence of unsaturated fatty acids. Transacylase activity is evolutionarily conserved between yeast and humans, as TAZ1 deficiency in yeast can be compensated for by the expression of human TAZ. Mutations in human TAZ cause Barth Syndrome (BTHS), a fatal infant disease biochemically characterized by reduced CL mass, increased MLCL levels and mitochondrial dysfunction. Although a plethora of symptoms are manifested, children with BTHS primarily suffer from cardiomyopathy and neutropenia. How an inability of tafazzin to function results in Barth syndrome pathology is not clear. To uncover cellular processes that require tafazzin to maintain cell health, I performed a Synthetic Genetic Array (SGA) analysis using taz1∆ yeast cells to identify genes whose deletion aggravated their fitness. The genome-wide screen identified that the mitochondrial quality-control protein Yme1 was crucial for yeast cell growth in the absence of tafazzin function. I then explored mechanisms that lead to the decrease in cell fitness in yeast lacking both tafazzin and Yme1, and found severe mitochondrial ultrastructural defects, defective mitophagy and ineffective superoxide scavenging. Mitophagy is a quality-control process cells use to rid themselves of damaged mitochondria. I show that these are not caused by gross changes in mitochondrial phospholipid levels, increased superoxide generation, or abnormal vacuolar function. I was able to identify an important role for tafazzin in mitochondrial dynamics. The SGA screen also uncovered several other cellular processes that require tafazzin that can be explored by future researchers interested in CL metabolism, mitochondrial function, or Barth syndrome.


title: ARCHITECTURE FOR LIVING WITH DYING AND DEATH: THE DESIGN OF A HOSPICE AND FUNERARY COMPLEX IN HALIFAX, NS

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Andrea Kahn
Steve Parcell
Sarah Bonnemaison
Pamela Mosher
Christine Macy
Not Applicable
No
No

subject:
architecture
Halifax (NS)
hospice and funerary complex
palliative care
death
funeral
ritual

abstract:
Since 1900, Western culture has distanced itself from death and now depends on funeral
homes to manage the care of the dead. Today, Western families have little interaction
with the deceased in the interval between death and burial. This period, once filled with
ritual and ceremony, is now a sales opportunity for the funeral home industry. By contrast,
many non-Western cultures have maintained their funerary rituals, which often involve
the deceased’s family and friends. These rituals appear to be consistent with the ethos of
compassion found in hospices. Therefore, Western culture may benefit from other cultural
perspectives on death rituals as an extension of care in Western hospices. It is hoped that
the proposed hospice and funerary complex in Halifax, NS, Canada will provide the opportunity for authentic experiences with the dying and recently deceased and will deepen the meaning of this universal human experience for all.


title: STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS OF ELECTROLYTE ADDITIVES ON THE REACTIVITY BETWEEN CHARGED ELECTRODES AND ELECTROLYTES IN LI-ION BATTERIES USING ACCELERATING RATE CALORIMETRY

contributor:
Department of Chemistry
Master of Science
Mark Stradiotto
Mark Obrovac
Peng Zhang
Jeff Dahn
Not Applicable
Yes
Yes

subject:
accelerating rate calorimetry
electrolyte additive
elevated temperatures
safety
solid electrolyte interphase

abstract: Electrolyte additives can extend lifetime of Li-ion cells because they can modify the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the negative electrode and the passivation layer on the positive electrode. Electrolyte additives affect the reactions between the charged electrodes and electrolytes at high temperature and may impact the safety of Li-ion cells. In order to be able to distinguish the effects of an additive or additive blends on the reactivity of positive or negative electrodes with electrolytes at elevated temperatures, an experimental method has been developed based on accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC). This method proved to be useful and showed that selected additives affected the reaction between lithiated graphite and electrolytes more than that between delithiated Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 and electrolytes. Some of the selected additives or additive combinations dramatically decreased the self-heating rate compared to control electrolyte. Incorporating such additives or additive combinations into Li-ion cells should lead to safer Li-ion cells.


title: THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTANTS AND GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION IN WOMEN RESIDING IN URBAN HALIFAX

contributor: Department of Community Health & Epidemiology

subject:
Gestational hypertension
Preeclampsia
Air pollution

abstract: This population-based retrospective cohort study examined the relationship between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and gestational hypertension (GH). The Atlee Perinatal Database was used to determine GH and potential covariates. Spatial estimates of air pollution were determined from land-use regression models. National Air Pollution Surveillance estimates were used for temporal adjustment. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression. Of 11,724 singleton births analyzed, 7.7% of mothers developed GH. Significant inverse relationships were observed between GH and exposure to all pollutants (top quartile of exposure relative to lowest quartile); SO2 (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.92), NO2 (0.66; 0.54, 0.81), PM1 (0.71; 0.57, 0.87), PM2.5 (0.68, 0.56, 0.83), PM10 (0.71; 0.58, 0.87) toluene (0.68; 0.56, 0.83) and benzene (0.62; 0.51, 0.75). The inverse relationships could be a true protective effect or due to an unknown confounding factor coupled with a weak signal. A better understanding of the characteristics that influence the relationship between air pollution and GH may explain the observed results.


title: Are Human Rights an Effective Remedy? Children, Sexual Violence, and Criminal Justice in Ethiopia

contributor: Department of International Development Studies

abstract: This thesis is an in-depth examination of the rights of child victims of sexual violence seeking legal redress in the Ethiopian criminal justice system. It explores children’s susceptibility to various injustices as they take part in the criminal justice process. These injustices are mainly inherent in gaps in law and lack of effective child-centred enforcement mechanisms. Discriminatory laws based on sex and gender insensitivity among law enforcement and judicial personnel creates additional challenges for female victims as they go through the criminal justice process. Using a human rights-based approach, which is anchored to international human rights principles and mechanisms, this thesis examines how these principles and mechanisms can remedy violations of children’s rights. Looking at Ethiopia’s reporting mechanism as the main monitoring mechanism; this thesis concludes that this is an efficient and effective strategy to pressure the Government of Ethiopia to take the necessary legislative, administrative and judicial measures. Eventually, these measures not only ensure the rights of child victims throughout the criminal justice process but also Ethiopia’s compliance with its international human rights obligations.


title: THIS IS SACKVILLE CALLING: A MEDIA ARTS CENTRE ON THE FORMER SITE OF THE RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL SHORTWAVE TRANSMISSION STATION, SACKVILLE, NB

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Andrea Kahn
Steve Parcell
Jonathan Mandeville
Niall Savage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Architecture
Design
Broadcast
Media Centre
Tantramar
Sackville (N.B.)

abstract:
This thesis explores how the loss of the Radio Canada
International Shortwave Radio Transmission Station may
inform a new architecture that builds upon the collective
memory of a place while introducing program that will
vitalize and connect the site back to the town of Sackville,
New Brunswick, once more.
The program of a media arts school and residency will test
the varying technologies and activities associated with
broadcast and creative campus design. This study also
investigates how the inclusion of a media arts school may
create public engagement and strengthen the connection
between the people of Sackville and the surrounding
landscape, reconnecting this charged site to the traditions
and fabric of the town of Sackville.


title: De(mock)ratizing the Nova Scotia Legislature: A Socio/Architectural Deconstruction

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Andrea Kahn
Steve Parcell
Diogo Burnay
Christine Macy
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Nova Scotia Legislature
Postmodern Architecture
Criticism
Narrative
Adaptive Re-Use
Province House

abstract: This thesis explores architecture as a mode of criticism. The project interrogates the western neoliberal status quo through an architectural deconstruction of the Nova Scotia Legislature in the heart of downtown Halifax. The legislature represents a stage upon which socio/economic and political hierarchies play out. This project’s critical statement is executed through an adaptive reuse of the existing neoclassical legislature building. The resulting architectural proposal examines how the different social subjects (building users) interact and how existing hierarchies can be made explicit and questioned. The project’s narrative examines the interrelation of its subject through the decentralization and manipulation of the existing legislature’s programmed spaces. The architectural folies that result from the legislature’s deconstruction are then articulated in ways that interrupt their associated hierarchies.


title: Impact of yoga on quality of life for adolescent and young adult non-curative cancer patients: A pilot study

contributor:
School of Health & Human Performance
Master of Science
Dr. Holly Richardson
Lynne M. Robinson
Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed
Dr. Marie-Claude Gregoire
Dr. Lori Dithurbide
Dr. Melanie Keats
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Cancer
Adolescent and Young Adult
Non-curative
Physical Activity
Yoga
Advanced
Palliative

abstract: Four young adult non-curative cancer patients participated in a 7-week home-based Hatha yoga program, completing measures of quality of life (QOL) and program satisfaction. On average, participants engaged in 71.2 minutes per session while adhering to 45% (3.14/7 sessions) of requested frequency, with participants engaging in an average of 71.2 minutes per weekly session. No adverse events were reported. Although no significant changes in QOL were found, meaningful trends were noted. Improved scores were reported for all four participants on functional well-being (p =.066); the Palliative Care Subscale; (p = 0.68); and Meaning and Peace (p = 0.066).  Participants noted improvements in flexibility and mindfulness and found the program to be an opportunity to promote self-care. While these preliminary findings are positive, further exploration using larger samples and more rigorous study designs is required.


title: RATES AND DETERMINANTS OF PRETERM BIRTH IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY DIABETES MELLITUS

subject:
Pregnancy
Diabetes mellitus
Preterm birth

abstract: This population-based retrospective cohort study involving all singleton births between 1988 and 2009 in Nova Scotia estimated the rate of preterm birth less than 37 weeks and less than 34 weeks among pregnancies complicated by pre-gestational and gestational diabetes mellitus using the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database (NSAPD). The highest risk of preterm birth less than 37 weeks occurred in women with pre-gestational diabetes (22.0%) compared with gestational diabetes (8.1%) and non-diabetics (4.9%). After adjusting for potential confounders, there was a four-fold increased risk of preterm birth less than 37 weeks in pregnancies complicated by pre-gestational diabetes mellitus compared with non-diabetics (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 4.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.19-5.02) and a nearly two-fold increased risk among women with gestational diabetes (aRR 1.63, 95% CI 1.43-1.85) compared with non-diabetics. Using multivariate regression analysis, determinants of preterm birth among pregnancies complicated by diabetes were identified.


title: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF MITOCHONDRIAL CHOLESTEROL IN NIEMANN-PICK TYPE C DISEASE

subject:
Mitochondria
MLN64
Neurodegeneration
Niemann-Pick type C
NPC1
NPC2
Glutamate
Glycolysis
Energy metabolism
Cholesterol
Oxidative stress

abstract: Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in Npc1 or Npc2 gene. Npc1 and Npc2 encode a late-endosomal transmembrane and lumenal cholesterol-binding domain protein, respectively. Together NPC1 and NPC2 mediate the transport of endosomal cholesterol to the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Loss of function mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 leads to cholesterol accumulation in late endosomes, neuronal dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and premature death. The link between cholesterol trafficking and NPC pathogenesis is unclear. I performed metabolomics analyses of different brain regions from wildtype and Npc1-/- mice at pre-symptomatic, early-symptomatic and late-stage disease by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Metabolic profiling revealed increased lactate and decreased acetyl-CoA levels in Npc1-/- cerebellum and cerebral cortex at all ages. Protein and gene expression analyses indicated a deficiency in the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, an upregulation of glycolytic gene expression, and alterations in glutamate oxidation at the early-symptomatic stage. I also observed a pre-symptomatic increase in several indicators of oxidative stress and antioxidant response systems in all Npc1-/- brain regions. Furthermore, mitochondrial cholesterol levels were increased in Npc1-/- murine brain and NPC1-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Using CHO cells that express CYP11A1 fusion protein that converts cholesterol to pregnenolone at the mitochondrial inner membrane I determined that the endosomal cholesterol-binding protein, metastatic lymph node protein 64 (MLN64) and NPC2 but not NPC1 were required for transport of endosomal cholesterol to mitochondria. To investigate the effects of elevated mitochondrial cholesterol levels on energy metabolism I manipulated mitochondrial cholesterol by genetic alterations of NPC1, MLN64, and NPC2. I found that the depletion of NPC1 increased lactate secretion, decreased glutamine-dependent mitochondrial respiration, and decreased ATP transport across mitochondrial membranes in CHO cells. These metabolic alterations did not occur when transport of endosomal cholesterol to mitochondria was blocked. Additionally, the elevated mitochondrial cholesterol levels in NPC1-depleted cells and in NPC2-depleted cells expressing mutant NPC2 that allows endosomal cholesterol trafficking to mitochondria were associated with increased expression of the antioxidant response factor Nfe2l2. These results suggest that mitochondrial cholesterol accumulation causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction and contributes to NPC disease pathogenesis.


title: Effects of Errors in the Hamiltonian Programming Process of Adiabatic Quantum Computing

contributor: Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science

subject:
Physics
Adiabatic Quantum Computation
Adiabatic Quantum Computer
Adiabatic Quantum Computing

abstract: Computer Simulation Study which uses MPI and CUDA

abstract:
In order to measure the effects of the errors we measure of the likelihood an erroneous instance of a Hamiltonian shares the same ground state as the intended Hamiltonian (resilience). The effects of errors on the spectrum of the instantaneous Hamiltonian through the evolution of the system is studied through the instantaneous gap as well as the minimum.
 For this work a simplistic model is used. An Ising Spin Glass to model the adiabatic quantum computer. The structure of the computers spins and allowable couplings are taken to be in accordance with the D-Wave architecture. The errors are modelled with Gaussian distributions.
 The model allowed for a simple scaling relation to be extracted for resilience. It was observed that resilience drops quickly as system size grows; although, computational complexity limited the study of larger systems. A minimal effect on the evolution process itself was observed through the simulations.


title: Impaired autonomic regulation of the sinoatrial node in diabetes mellitus

contributor:
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
Master of Science
Dr. Robert Rose
Dr. Alex Quinn
Dr. Younes Anini
Dr. Susan Howlett
Dr. Robert Rose
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

abstract: Diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) are frequently associated with a number of cardiovascular complications.  Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a severe cardiovascular complication in diabetes and results in a progressive decline of proper autonomic regulation of heart rate. CAN is associated with impaired parasympathetic and sympathetic responsiveness of the heart and was originally thought to be solely a consequence of nerve damage.  In this study we used both in vivo and ex vivo techniques to investigate the effects of parasympathetic and sympathetic agonists on the activity of the sinoatrial node (SAN) in diabetic mice.  Our measurements show responsiveness of the SAN to sympathetic and parasympathetic agonists is blunted in diabetic mice and that this impairment is reversed by insulin treatment. This work implicates intrinsic alterations in the SAN itself in diabetes. These experiments provide novel insight into the impaired autonomic regulation of the heart in diabetes.


title: The Lasting Legacy of Munich: British Public Perceptions of Neville Chamberlain During the Phoney War

contributor:
Department of History
Master of Arts
Dr. Kirrily Freeman
Dr. Justin Roberts
Dr. John Bingham
Dr. Christopher Bell
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Phoney War
History
Britain
Second World War
Neville Chamberlain
Home Front Experience
Mass Observation
Munich Agreement
Appeasement

abstract: History remembers Neville Chamberlain as the personification of Britain's shame over the 1938 Munich Agreement. Literature that discusses contemporary attitudes towards Chamberlain relies on the misleading satisfaction ratings gathered by BIPO and, therefore, concludes that his popularity did not begin to wane until the evacuation of British forces from Norway and the German invasion of the Low Countries in May 1940. Yet my analysis of Mass Observation diaries shows that much of Chamberlain’s legacy is rooted in contemporary public opinions. During the Phoney War, many Britons thought Chamberlain was untrustworthy, ineffectual, and weak, and a majority of their condemnations were rooted in his actions at Munich. While displaying a spectrum of opinions, diarists show that perceptions of Chamberlain had been worsening since September 1938. The spring of 1940 was not the sudden end of Chamberlain’s popularity but the public recognition of long-held private thoughts that gained strength with Allied defeats.


title: A HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURED MACHINE-LEARNING METHOD FOR LARGE-SCALE MULTI-CLASS PROBLEMS

contributor: Department of Mathematics & Statistics - Statistics Division

subject:
Machine-learning
Data mining
Multi-class

abstract:
When a clinician diagnoses a patient, they do so by choosing one from many possible diagnoses. This is a laborious process, one that requires input from many different sources of information.  It would be useful to have an objective tool to give a prediction of a patient’s diagnosis using readily available clinical information.\\

Although this would be useful, one needs to still choose from many different possible choices, a large scale multi-class problem that conventional classification methods may not be suited to solve. We describe a method that assigns a class label to an observation from a large number of class possible labels, and gives the probability of said observation having such. The method uses a combination of support vector machines, and an agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm to perform the task. We display the performance of the method on a benchmark problem, and a hospital-based dataset from Halifax, NS.


title: Integrating Distributed Generation in Power Distribution Networks using Fuzzy Logic

contributor: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

contributor: Dr. M. E. El-Hawary and Dr. Michael Cada

subject:
Power Distribution Network
Fuzzy Logic

abstract: In this research simulations have been carried out on a 10 kV and IEEE 13 node test distribution feeder to show the impact of adding distributed generations (DG) in the medium voltage distribution network. Equations of power line loss coefficients have been derived for both test feeders in order to determine the best possible case. A fuzzy logic controller has been proposed in the IEEE13 node test distribution feeder to determine the amount of DG output to be added in the network on the basis of power supply-demand gap and time of the day. Another fuzzy logic controller is proposed to select the bus where the DG need to be connected using the input of DG amount needed to be installed and distance of generation from the distribution transformer in the power distribution network.


title: Quantification and spatial analysis of seagrass landscape structure through the application of aerial and acoustic remote sensing

contributor:
Department of Oceanography
Doctor of Philosophy
Susan Bell
Dan Kelley
Alex Hay
Michael Dowd
Katja Fennel
Herb Vandermeulen
Jon Grant
Not Applicable
Yes
Yes

subject:
Oceanography
Remote Sensing
Seagrass
Zostera marina
Landscape Ecology
Spatial Statistics

abstract: Biogenic components of the marine environment such as eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) provide numerous valuable ecosystem services and function as ecosystem engineers in the coastal environment.  The spatial distribution and arrangement of eelgrass in the coastal landscape greatly influences ecological functions, necessitating mapping and monitoring of eelgrass habitat for effective management, though quantification of landscape structure has been hindered by challenges collecting and analyzing spatial data in the coastal zone.  In this thesis, the spatial structure and distribution of eelgrass was studied through the application of acoustic and optical remote sensing and spatial analysis to quantify aspects of eelgrass landscape pattern.  Single-beam acoustic data representing a seagrass landscape were collected and analyzed at multiple spatial scales through geostatistical methods and local spatial statistics (i.e., Getis-Ord Gi*), identifying areas of high and low cover in a spatially continuous seagrass bed.  Acoustic data from the same site were compared to a satellite-derived dataset using remote sensing techniques for the evaluation of map accuracy.  Performance of the satellite classification algorithm was found to vary depending on the spatial scale and degree of fragmentation in the landscape, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the method, and contrasting the landscape conceptualization of acoustic and aerial remote sensing.  The spatial resolution of modern satellite data has greatly improved, though at pixel size of 2.4 m the ability to discern fine-scale patterns is limited.  In contrast, very high-resolution aerial photography (pixel size ~3 cm) collected at a second site from a tethered helium-balloon platform was classified to depict a complex landscape mosaic comprised of eelgrass and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L.).  The application of landscape pattern metrics with high-resolution imagery additionally allowed tracking the temporal change in eelgrass patch metrics over a period of 26 months.  The multidisciplinary approach of this thesis advance the application of spatial analysis in coastal ecosystems through the novel use of spatial statistics and remote sensing.  Continued research and technological developments promise to improve management and provide new insights to the spatial dynamics and function of coastal landscapes.


title: Reforming Refuse: Designing a Community Recycling Centre for Halifax's North End

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Brian Carter
Stephen Parcell
Stephen Parcell
Cristina Verissimo
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

abstract:
Set in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this thesis proposes a design for a new kind of urban recycling facility—one that integrates the processes of recycling with a program of public education and recreation. Using a centrally located vacant lot in the north end of the city, the work explores the question of how a recycling depot can engage with its surrounding community to promote recycling and reuse.

As is the case in many urban centres, recycling facilities in Halifax are largely peripheral—existing within the city on back alleys, and as major industrial facilities on the fringe of the urban core. Despite a comprehensive recycling program, improper disposal of recyclable materials is a problem in the city, while dealing with the growing municipal waste load is a mounting concern.

This thesis aims to address the issue of how a recycling depot—an industrial building type—can bridge the gap between the warehouse floor and daily life of city residents to become a place of community learning and engagement, drawing emphasis to recycling behaviour in its community.


title: The Metaphysical Origin of the Two-Fold Conception of Human Selfhood in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

contributor:
Department of Classics
Master of Arts
Eli Diamond
Wayne Hankey
Michael Fournier
Eli Diamond
Not Received
No
No

subject: Aristotle Ethics Platonism Metaphysics

abstract: This thesis aims to unearth the root of the apparent contradiction in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics between the endorsement of the life devoted to, on the one hand, the practical good, and, on the other hand, the theoretical good. This will be accomplished through a detailed study of the theoretical thinking from which Aristotle’s conception of human ethics originates in the first place. In doing so, it finds that Aristotle’s development of an autonomous realm of human activity is motivated not, as is commonly held, by a common-sense rejection of the lofty idealism of his predecessors (indeed, such common-sense presupposes the existence of that realm); but rather, by a theoretical insight into how the divine aspirations of his predecessors may be more perfectly fulfilled. In Nicomachean Ethics there is a tension, as well as a balance, between mortal contingency and philosophical transcendence more systematic and deliberate than previously understood.


title: The Aliment of Anxiety: Nutritional Advice Pertaining to Sugar in Post-WWII Canada

contributor:
Department of History
Master of Arts
Justin Roberts
Todd McCallum
Jerry Bannister
Shirley Tillotson
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
sugar
canadian council on nutrition
cold war
sugar research foundation
dietary advice

abstract: This thesis traces changes in dietary recommendations regarding sugar from WWII to the 1970s, considering the ways advice was shaped, disseminated, and digested as it related to three competing but interconnected factors: the emergence of the Canadian state as a nutrition authority, food industry involvement in nutrition education, and affective dimensions of food selection during a turbulent period of Canada’s social and political history. It shows how nutrition experts were sometimes fettered and sometimes abetted by their relationship to science and the state.  It demonstrates that, despite nutrition advertisers’ focus on economics and science in framing their advice, non-rational, non-nutritive food selection motivators persisted, and may have been especially potent in the Cold War age of anxiety. By examining the place of a beloved but nutritionally ambiguous food such as sugar in dietary advice, this thesis reveals the ideological underpinnings of such advice, and illuminates nutrition experts’ changing concerns.


title: Quantifying the patterns of functional connectivity within the brain during imagined and overt movement of a functional task in non-disabled systems

contributor:
School of Physiotherapy
Master of Science
Dr. Derek Kimmerley
Dr. Shaun Boe
Dr. Tim Bardouille
Dr. Lori Dithurbide
Dr Shaun Boe
Received
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
functional connectivity
graph theory
motor imagery
neurorehabilittion
electroencephalography
source reconstruction

abstract: This project was aimed at quantifying functional connectivity within the brain during motor imagery (MI) and the actual performance of a motor task, and comparing these networks using graph theory. Fifteen participants took part. Following three days of familiarization, brain activity was recorded using high-density electroencephalography during MI and actual performance of the motor task. After localizing source-level brain activity, functional connectivity and graph theory analyses were performed. Graph theory metrics included determining the number and density of connections in the network, as well as assessing network efficiency via small worldness. Findings of this study show that the network active during MI involved connectivity within prefrontal, premotor, and primary sensorimotor regions. During performance of the motor task, the network was characterized by sensorimotor and cerebellar connectivity. Both the MI and motor networks were efficient, exhibiting small world properties. This research contributes to our knowledge related to brain activity underlying movement.


title: MEDIATING BETWEEN LAND AND SEA: PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AS A RESERVATION OF THE URBAN WATERFRONT

contributor:
School of Architecture
Master of Architecture
Brian Carter
Stephen Parcell
Diogo Burnay
Catherine Venart
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Swimming pool
Halifax
Urban
Water

abstract:
This thesis primarily explores the materiality of water by focusing on its containment and experiential qualities. By identifying the urban waterfront as a porous medium belong- ing to both the city and the sea, the design attempts to medi- ate the built and natural environments and utilize the water- front for public inhabitation.
The decentralization of heavy industry has created a void in the Halifax waterfront. Now mostly occupied by parking lots, this vacant land has lead to a physical dis- tancing of the city from the water. A recent increase in the privatization of the public waterfront through high income condominium development could further exaggerate this disconnection. This thesis aims to reserve public access to the water by reclaiming the shoreline and examine the rela- tionship between the city and its waterfront and to seek ways to redefine the water as an accessible civic amenity.


title: Layered Oxide Phases for Sodium-ion Battery Electrodes

contributor:
Department of Chemistry
Master of Science
Mark Stradiotto
Jeff Dahn
Mary Anne White
Mark Obrovac
Not Applicable
No
Yes

subject:
Chemistry
Battery
Na-ion Battery
Electrochemistry

abstract: Sodium-ion batteries could offer an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries, however many challenges must be overcome first.  This project focused on the investigation of layered sodium transition metal oxide phase systems.  These systems are of great importance for the development of not only cathode materials but anode materials as well for sodium-ion batteries.  The high energy densities and ease of sodium intercalation of these layered systems make them prime candidates for implementation in sodium-ion batteries.  It is desirable that simple, low cost synthesis methods be used to obtain these materials.  The work herein aimed at understanding the synthesis and electrochemistry of the Na-Ni-Mn-O and Na-Ni-Ti-O phase systems, as well as other select phases that allow for facile sodium-ion diffusion.


title: “Earthbound geographies” and Land-Based Activism:  An Investigation of Relationships and Land Reform on the Isle of Eigg

contributor: Department of Sociology & Social Anthropology

subject:
environmental anthropology
land relations
scotland
community land ownership
crofting
companion
island
islandness
relationship to the land
property relations

abstract: In this thesis, I explore the political possibilities opened up on Scotland’s Isle of Eigg in 1997 when the then-landlord-owned island was bought out in a community ownership scheme that has empowered islanders to step outside of conventional western property ownership, and begin to engage with the island as what Asch calls a relational other. I argue the island is best understood as a Deleuzian assemblage, an entity greater than the sum of its parts, that is perceived and related to by the islanders as an agential companion deserving of love and care. This perception engenders a rejection of western dominance-based thinking and generates more productive ways of moving forward, in the face of irreversible human-generated climate change, for western humans. The mode of relating to land on Eigg is reminiscent of indigenous lifeways and offers hope that more just relationships to the land may be possible for us all.


title: MICROSTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN FRONTAL WHITE MATTER ASSOCIATED WITH CANNABIS USE IN EARLY PHASE PSYCHOSIS: A DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING (DTI) STUDY

contributor:
Medical Sciences
Master of Science
Sean Barrett
Jesslyn Kinley
Jason Berman
Aaron Newman
Sherry Stewart
Philip Tibbo, Denise Bernier
Received
Not Applicable
Yes

subject:
Psychosis
Cannabis
DTI
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
White matter
Schizophrenia

abstract: Introduction: This project aimed to examine the impact of cannabis use on the brain white matter (WM) tissue abnormalities associated with psychosis, in individuals at the early phase of psychosis (< 5 years from diagnosis). Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), it was predicted that there would be evidence of WM disruption in patients with psychosis compared to healthy controls, and more so in patients with earlier and heavier lifetime cannabis use.  Methods: The primary outcome measure was fractional anisotropy (FA) which reflects WM integrity. There were two groups of subjects: 1) Patients with early phase psychosis and 2) Healthy controls with no cannabis use. Scans were acquired on a 1.5T MRI and imaging analysis was done both within a volume of interest (VOI - left superior longitudinal fasciculus) and at the full-brain level. Results: A trend level decrease in mean VOI FA was found in patients relative to healthy controls, but no difference was found at the full-brain level. Within the patient group, there was a significant positive correlation found between cumulative lifetime cannabis use and mean VOI FA (but not mean full-brain FA), however there was no relationship between age of onset of cannabis use and mean FA either at the full-brain level or within the VOI. Discussion: There was trend level evidence of WM abnormalities in the VOI (but not at the full-brain level) in patients at the early phase of psychosis. Furthermore, contrary to what was hypothesized, there was evidence of increased WM integrity in patients with heavier lifetime cannabis use within the VOI. By accounting for concomitant alcohol and substance use, this study provides novel insight about WM microstructure, as it relates to early phase psychosis and adolescent cannabis use.


title: The Effect of Cognitive Skills on Aboriginal People's Employment Outcomes

contributor:
Department of Economics
Master of Arts
Peter Burton
Mutlu Yuksel
Courtney Ward
Casey Warman
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable

subject:
Aboriginal people
Canada
2012 PIAAC
cognitive skills
employment outcomes

abstract: This paper uses the 2012 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (2012 PIAAC) and examines how cognitive skills affect the labour market outcomes of Aboriginal people in Canada. The results show that literacy, numeracy, and solving problems in technology-rich environment skills have a significant impact on earnings, but there is no difference in the returns on these skills between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people. A one point increase in literacy, numeracy or PSL skills is estimated to increase hourly wages by about 3% to 4%, when they are included in separate regressions. In addition, Aboriginal people have comparatively lower cognitive skills than non-Aboriginal Canadians as measured by 2012 PIAAC. Education attainment is an effective way to increase people's cognitive abilities. A Bachelor’s degree is associated with a 30 to 50 point increase in cognitive skills relative to high school education.


title: Regulation of Programmed Cell Death and Lipid Droplet Formation by CTP:Phosphocholine Cytidylyltransferase Alpha (CCTα)

contributor: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

subject:
H-ras
anoikis
cancer
CCT
lipid droplets
lipids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids

abstract: Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), the most abundant phospholipid in eukaryotic cell membranes, is synthesized by the CDP-choline pathway under the control of the rate-limiting nuclear enzyme CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT)α. Increased production of PtdCho is often observed in tumours and during the formation of lipid droplets (LDs). To understand how CCTα regulates PtdCho synthesis during LD formation and apoptosis, we examined its activity, cellular localization, phosphorylation and association with membranes. Using caspase 3-replete MCF7 cells, we showed that CCTα is cleaved by caspase 3 and released from the nucleus during apoptosis. However, inhibition of high-affinity choline transport was the mechanism for inhibition of PtdCho synthesis during apoptosis in MCF7 cells and during anoikis in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-18). During detachment of anoikis-resistant Ras-transformed IEC-18 (IEC-Ras) from an extracellular matrix (ECM), CCTα activity and PtdCho synthesis were increased, with no change in enzyme localization. PtdCho synthesis is also required for LD biogenesis which involves targeting CCTα to the phospholipid surface. CCTα-GFP was previously shown to localize to the surface of expanding LDs in Drosophila S2 cells, but localization of endogenous CCTα in mammalian cells was not reported. In oleate-treated cells and differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, endogenous and V5-tagged CCTα localized to the nuclear envelope and cytoplasm, whereas CCTα-GFP localized to the surface of LDs in IEC-18. Silencing CCTα resulted in larger LDs and sensitized IEC-18 to oleate-induced toxicity, indicating an important role for cytoplasmic and nuclear CCTα in LD formation. I conclude that CCTα activity is regulated through changes in nuclear and cytosolic distribution that control PtdCho synthesis during apoptosis and LD formation.


title: Probing GPCR Activation: Functional Analysis of the N-terminus and Extracellular Loops of the Apelin Receptor

subject: G-protein Coupled Receptor Activation and Signalling

abstract:
The apelin receptor (AR or APJ) is a class A (rhodopsin-like) G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) with wide distribution throughout the human body. Activation of AR by its cognate peptidic ligand, apelin, induces diverse physiological effects including vasoconstriction and dilation; strengthening of heart muscle contractility; angiogenesis; and, regulation of energy metabolism and fluid homeostasis. Recently, another endogenous peptidic activator of the AR, Toddler/ELABELA, was identified as having a crucial role in zebrafish embryonic development. The AR is also implicated in several pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer, making it a promising therapeutic target. Despite its established importance, the precise roles of AR signalling remain poorly understood. Moreover, little is known about the mechanism by which peptides activate the AR. Additional complexity arises because the AR is modulated by two endogenous peptide ligands, both of which appear to have multiple bioactive isoforms of varying length. This is compounded by the fact that the various apelin and Toddler/ELABELA isoforms are differently distributed and produce distinct cellular effects. This work aims to identify functionally critical amino acid residues on the extracellular face of the AR, as this region may contribute to the specificity and affinity of apelin binding, and to larger conformational changes preceding AR activation and internalization.
Alanine-substitution mutants of negatively charged and aromatic residues in the N-terminus and extracellular loops 1 and 2 of the AR were prepared. Apelin-13-induced activation of the wild-type (WT) AR and mutants was then evaluated in HEK293A cells using western blotting to measure extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. These studies revealed several mutations of interest. In particular two N-terminal mutants, E20A and D23A, previously shown to have reduced apelin-binding affinity and internalization, exhibit maximal apelin-induced ERK activation comparable to the WT AR. This suggests that the binding affinity and ability of apelin to activate downstream signalling via the AR are two separate parameters. Lastly, one element of this work was the production and purification of recombinant apelin-36, to be used in future structural and functional studies of AR ligand-binding and activation.


title: Studies of the effects of electrolyte additives on the performance of lithium-ion batteries

contributor: Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science

subject:
Li-ion batteries
Electrolyte additives
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
solid electrolyte interphase

abstract:
Electrolyte additives are an effective way to improve the lifetime and performance of Li-ion cells. Electrolyte additives can modify the solid electrolyte interphase layers on the positive and/or negative electrodes, resulting in improved Li-ion cells. However, the function of additives and why they work are poorly understood. Through a series of high precision cycling and storage experiments, combined with measurements of gas evolution and cell impedance, the effectiveness of electrolyte additives and additive combinations have been investigated. This combination of experimental methods proved to be useful and was used to probe the performance of additives and understand their role in Li-ion cells in a timely fashion. Cells containing a combination of additives resulted in better performance than those containing a single additive, demonstrating the distinctive contributions of each additive to improvements to cell performance and lifetime.
Li[Ni1-x-yMnxCoy]O2/graphite pouch cells containing the additive prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES) had equivalent performance to cells containing the “famous” additive vinylene carbonate, except that prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone nearly eliminated all gas production during cycling and storage at elevated temperature. Cells containing PES combined with methylene methane disulfonate (MMDS) and tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TTSPi) exhibited superior performance during cycling and storage experiments. In general, the impedance of Li[Ni1-x-yMnxCoy]O2/graphite cells varied strongly with voltage above 4.3 V, and was basically reversible during a single cycle, but increased slowly and continuously during dozens of charge-discharge cycles to 4.4 V or 4.5 V. Additive blends of PES combined with MMDS and TTSPi were very effective at reducing this impedance growth. Further work will address why this is the case.