title: Teachers' professional learning within communities of mathematics-for-teaching practice

subject: Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Research

subject: Mathematics teachers -- Training of

subject: Effective teaching

subject: Mathematical ability

abstract:
Ontario bansho is an emergent mathematics instructional strategy used by
teachers working within communities of practice that has been deemed to have a
transformational effect on teachers' professional learning of mathematics. This study
sought to answer the following question: How does teachers' implementation of
Ontario bansho within their communities of practice inform their professional learning
process concerning mathematics-for-teaching? Two other key questions also guided the
study: What processes support teachers' professional learning of content-for-teaching?
What conditions support teachers' professional learning of content-for-teaching? The
study followed an interpretive phenomenological approach to collect data using a
purposive sampling of teachers as participants. The researcher conducted interviews and
followed an interpretive approach to data analysis to investigate how teachers construct
meaning and create interpretations through their social interactions. The study developed
a model of professional learning made up of 3 processes, informing with resources,
engaging with students, and visualizing and schematizing in which the participants
engaged and 2 conditions, ownership and community that supported the 3 processes. The
3 processes occur in ways that are complex, recursive, nonpredictable, and contextual.
This model provides a framework for facilitators and leaders to plan for effective,
content-relevant professional learning by placing teachers, students, and their learning at
the heart of professional learning.


title: Collective violence : a study of the gendered and socio-economic factors behind early modern Italian and English witch hunts

contributor: Studies in Comparative Literatures and Arts Program

subject:
Witchcraft -- England
Witchcraft -- Italy
Violence
Trials (Witchcraft)

abstract:
In this study, I build upon my previous research in which I focus on religious doctrine as
a gendered disciplinary apparatus, and examine the witch trials in early modem England
and Italy in light of socio-economic issues relating to gender and class. This project
examines the witch hunts/trials and early modem visual representations of witches, and
what I suggest is an attempt to create docile bodies out of members of society who are
deemed unruly, problematic and otherwise 'undesirable'; it is the witch's body that is
deemed counternormative. This study demonstrates that it is neighbours and other
acquaintances of accused witches that take on the role of the invisible guard of
Bantham's Panoptic on. As someone who is trained in the study of English literature and
literary theory, my approach is one that is informed by this methodology. It is my
specialization in early modem British literature that first exposed me to witch-hunting
manuals and tales of the supernatural, and it is for this reason that my research
commences with a study of representations of witches and witchcraft in early modem
England. From my initial exposure to such materials I proceed to examine the
similarities and the differences of the cultural significance of the supernatural vis-a.-vis
women's activities in early modem Italy. The subsequent discussion of visual
representations of witches involves a predominance of Germanic artists, as the seminal
work on the discernment of witches and the application of punishment known as the
Malleus Meleficarum, was written in Germany circa 1486.
Textual accounts of witch trials such as: "A Pitiless Mother (1616)," "The
Wonderful Discovery of the Witchcrafts of Margaret and Philippa Flower (1619),"
"Magic and Poison: The Trial ofChiaretta and Fedele (circa 1550)", and the "The Case of Benvegnuda Pincinella: Medicine Woman or Witch (1518),"and witchhunting
manuals such as the Malleus Melejicarum and Strix will be put in direct dialogue with
visual representations of witches in light of historical discourses pertaining to gender
performance and gendered expectations. Issues relating to class will be examined as they
pertain to the material conditions of presumed witches.
The dominant group in any temporal or geographic location possesses the tools of
representation. Therefore, it is not surprising that the physical characteristics, sexual
habits and social material conditions that are attributed to suspected witches are attributes
that can be deemed deviant by the ruling class. The research will juxtapose the social
material conditions of suspected witches with the guilt, anxiety, and projection of fear
that the dominant groups experienced in light of the changing economic landscape of the
Renaissance. The shift from feudalism to primitive accumulation, and capitalism saw a
rise in people living in poverty and therefore an increased dependence upon the good will
of others. I will discuss the social material conditions of accused witches as informed by
what Robyn Wiegman terms a "minoritizing discourse" (210). People of higher economic
standing often blamed their social, medical, and/or economic difficulties on the less
fortunate, resulting in accusations of witchcraft.


title: Chronic mild social stress increases neurogenesis in adolescent male rats

subject:
Neuropsychology
Stress (Psychology)

abstract:
Once thought to occur only during specific periods of development, it is now
clear that neurogenesis occurs in the rat hippocampus into adulthood. It is wellestablished
that stress during adulthood decreases the rate of neurogenesis, but during
adolescence, the effects of stress are much less understood. I investigated the effect of
short-term or chronic stress during adolescence (daily lhr isolation and change of cage
partner from postnatal day (PND) 30-32 or 30-45) on hippocampal neurogenesis. In
experiment 1, rats were administered Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) daily on PND 30-32, or
46-48, to mark neurogenesis at the beginning of the stressor or after the stressor had
ceased, respectively. Neither short-term nor chronic stress had an effect on
proliferation or survival (evidenced by BrdU and Doublecortin (Dcx)
immunohistochemistry respectively) of cells born at the beginning of the stress
procedure. Compared to controls, BrdU-labeling showed chronic stress significantly
increased proliferation of cells generated after the stressor had ceased, but survival of
new neurons was not supported (Dcx-Iabeling). However, it may be that BrdU injections
are inherently stressful. In experiment 2, the stressor (described above) was applied in
the absence of BrdU injections. Ki67 (a marker of proliferation) showed that stress
transiently increased cell proliferation. Dcx-Iabeling showed that stress also increased
neuron survival into adulthood. Labeling with OX.,.42 (a marker of macro phages)
suggested that the immune system plays a role in neurogenesis, as stress transiently
decreased the number of activated microglia in the hippocampus. It can be concluded
that in the adolescent male rat, chronic mild stress increases neurogenesis.


title: Measurement of growth in the lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum using a new photographic technique

subject:
Lichens -- Monitoring
Lichens -- Ecophysiology
Photography -- Digital techniques

abstract:
Lichenologists and users of lichenometry have long used calipers or
photogrammetry to measure the growth of crustose lichens. Now, digital photography
and popular computer software provide methodological alternatives. This thesis
developed and tested a new methodology for tracking change and growth of the lichen,
Rhizocarpon geographicum. Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended software and a
photographic time series (1996,2003,2006 and 2007) were used to measure thallus
diameter, area, prothallus width and areolae area in 115 small R. geographicum thalli
(0.53-1049.88 mm2
). Measures of 8 diameters per thallus showed that change in diameter
was highly variable and is a weak index of growth. Thallus area was a reliable measure of
growth (power correlation, R2 = 0.89). Rapid, highly irregular growth occurred in small
thalli «30 mm2
), and steady, uniform growth occurred in larger thalli (>30 mm2
). This
new methodology is tedious but can potentially generate accurate and precise measures
for even the tiniest of lichens.


title: Using GPS, GIS & remote sensing to understand Niagara Terroir : Pinot noir in the Four Mile Creek & St. David's Bench sub-appellations

subject: Pinot noir (Wine)

subject: Global positioning system

subject: Geographic information systems

subject: Remote sensing

subject: Terroir -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

subject: Wine and wine making -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

abstract:
The relationships between vine water status, soil texture, and vine size were observed
in four Niagara, Ontario Pinot noir vineyards in 2008 and 2009. The vineyards were divided
into water status zones using geographic information systems (GIS) software to map the
seasonal mean midday leaf water potential (,P), and dormant pruning shoot weights
following the 2008 season. Fruit was harvested from all sentinel vines, bulked by water
status zones and made into wine. Sensory analysis included a multidimensional sorting
(MDS) task and descriptive analysis (DA) of the 2008 wines. Airborne multispectral images,
with a spatial resolution of 38 cm, were captured four times in 2008 and three times in 2009,
with the final flights around veraison. A semi-automatic process was developed to extract
NDVI from the images, and a masking procedure was identified to create a vine-only NDVI
image. 2008 and 2009 were cooler and wetter than mean years, and the range of water status
zones was narrow. Yield per vine, vine size, anthocyanins and phenols were the least
consistent variables. Divided by water status or vine size, there were no variables with
differences between zones in all four vineyards in either year. Wines were not different
between water status zones in any chemical analysis, and HPLC revealed that there were no
differences in individual anthocyanins or phenolic compounds between water status zones
within the vineyard sites. There were some notable correlations between vineyard and grape
composition variables, and spatial trends were observed to be qualitatively related for many
of the variables. The MDS task revealed that wines from each vineyard were more affected
by random fermentation effects than water status effects. This was confirmed by the DA;
there were no differences between wines from the water status zones within vineyard sites for
any attribute. Remotely sensed NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) correlated
reasonably well with a number of grape composition variables, as well as soil type. Resampling
to a lower spatial resolution did not appreciably affect the strength of correlations,
and corresponded to the information contained in the masked images, while maintaining the
range of values of NDVI. This study showed that in cool climates, there is the potential for
using precision viticulture techniques to understand the variability in vineyards, but the
variable weather presents a challenge for understanding the driving forces of that variability.


title: Using GPS, GIS & remote sensing to understand Niagara Terroir

subject: Global positioning system

subject: Geographic information systems

subject: Remote sensing

subject: Terroir -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

abstract:
The focus of this study was to detennine whether soil texture and composition variables
were related to vine water status and both yield components and grape composition, and
whether multispectral high definition airborne imagery could be used to segregate zones
in vineyards to target fruit of highest quality for premium winemaking. The study took
place on a 10-ha commercial Riesling vineyard at Thirty Bench Winemakers, in
Beamsville (Ontario). Results showed that Soil moisture and leaf'l' were temporally
stable and related to berry composition and remotely-sensed data. Remote-sensing,
through the calculation of vegetation indices, was particularly useful to predict vine
vigor, yield, fruit maturity as well as berry monoterpene concentration; it could also
clearly assist in making wines that are more representative ofthe cultivar used, and also
wines that are a reflection of a specific terroir, since calculated vegetation indices were
highly correlated to typical Riesling.


title: Writing and science connections : integrated instruction and assessment

contributor: Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education

subject: Composition (Language arts) -- Study and teaching (Primary)

subject: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary)

subject: English language -- Composition and exercises

abstract:
Learning to write is a daunting task for many young children. The purpose of this
study was to examine the impact of a combined approach to writing instruction and
assessment on the writing performance of students in two grade 3 classes. Five forms and
traits of writing were purposefully connected during writing lessons while exhibiting
links to the four strands of the grade 3 Ontario science curriculum. Students then had
opportunities to engage in the writing process and to self-assess their compositions using
either student-developed (experimental group/teacher-researcher's class) or teachercreated
(control group/teacher-participant's class) rubrics. Paired samples t-tests revealed
that both the experimental and control groups exhibited statistically significant growth
from pretest to posttest on all five integrated writing units. Independent samples t-tests
showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group on the persuasive +
sentence fluency and procedure + word choice writing tasks. Pearson product-moment
correlation r tests revealed significant correlations between the experimental group and
the teacher-researcher on the recount + ideas and report + organization tasks, while
students in the control group showed significant correlations with the teacher-researcher
on the narrative + voice and procedure + word choice tasks. Significant correlations
between the control group and the teacher-participant were evident on the persuasive +
sentence fluency and procedure + word choice tasks. Qualitative analyses revealed five
themes that highlighted how students' self-assessments and reflections can be used to
guide teachers in their instructional decision making. These findings suggest that
educators should adopt an integrated writing program in their classrooms, while working
with students to create and utilize purposeful writing assessment tools.


title: Introduction to engineering : a case study of an interdisciplinary course in Mathematics, Science and Technology

subject: Engineering. Mathematics Science Technology

abstract:
This thesis research was a qualitative case study of a single class of
Interdisciplinary Studies: Introduction to Engineering taught in a secondary school. The
study endeavoured to explore students' experiences in and perceptions of the course, and
to investigate the viability of engineering as an interdisciplinary theme at the secondary
school level. Data were collected in the form of student questionnaires, the researcher's
observations and reflections, and artefacts representative of students' work. Data analysis
was performed by coding textual data and classifying text segments into common themes.
The themes that emerged from the data were aligned with facets of interdisciplinary
study, including making connections, project-based learning, and student engagement and
affective outcomes. The findings of the study showed that students were positive about
their experiences in the course, and enjoyed its project-driven nature. Content from
mathematics, physics, and technological design was easily integrated under the umbrella
of engineering. Students felt that the opportunity to develop problem solving and
teamwork skills were two of the most important aspects of the course and could be
relevant not only for engineering, but for other disciplines or their day-to-day lives after
secondary school. The study concluded that engineering education in secondary school
can be a worthwhile experience for a variety of students and not just those intending
postsecondary study in engineering. This has implications for the inclusion of
engineering in the secondary school curriculum and can inform the practice of curriculum
planners at the school, school board, and provincial levels. Suggested directions for
further research include classroom-based action research in the areas of technological
education, engineering education in secondary school, and interdisciplinary education.


title: Dyad function-based cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder in two school aged children with high functioning autism

subject:
Autism in children -- Treatment.
Cognitive therapy
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

abstract:
Children with High-Functioning Autism (HF A) are more vulnerable to
developing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) than typically developing
children and those with Low-Functioning Autism (Gadow et al., 2005). This
study used a multiple baseline design across behaviours (Cooper, Heron, &
Heward, 2007) to investigate if a two phase function-based Cognitive Behaviour
Therapy (CBT) would decrease obsessive compulsive behaviours (OCBs) in two
children ages 7 and 9 who met criteria for OCD and HF A. This multimodal
treatment package consisted of treatment enhancements to meet the children's
cognitive, linguistic, and social challenges associated with their HF A diagnosis,
as well as a manual and accompanied children's workbook (Vause, Neil, &
Feldman, in progress). In line with previous research conducted on CBT as a
treatment for OCD in this population (e.g., Wood et at, 2009), the children in this
study experienced clinically significant decreases in their OCBs as a result of
receiving the CBT protocol.


title: Functional analysis and treatment of OCD-related behaviour in a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

subject:
Autism in children -- Treatment
Autism in children -- Diagnosis
Obsessive-compulsive disorder

abstract:
Research indicates that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD; DSM-IV-TR, American
Psychiatric Association, 2000) is the second most frequent disorder to coincide with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD; Leyfer et aI., 2006). Excessive collecting and hoarding are also
frequently reported in children with ASD (Berjerot, 2007). Although functional analysis (Iwata,
Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982/1994) has successfully identified maintaining
variables for repetitive behaviours such as of bizarre vocalizations (e.g., Wilder, Masuda,
O'Connor, & Baham, 2001), tics (e.g., Scotti, Schulman, & Hojnacki, 1994), and habit disorders
(e.g., Woods & Miltenberger, 1996), extant literature ofOCD and functional analysis
methodology is scarce (May et aI., 2008). The current studies utilized functional analysis
methodology to identify the types of operant functions associated with the OCD-related hoarding
behaviour of a child with ASD and examined the efficacy of function-based intervention.
Results supported hypotheses of automatic and socially mediated positive reinforcement. A
corresponding function-based treatment plan incorporated antecedent strategies and differential
reinforcement (Deitz, 1977; Lindberg, Iwata, Kahng, and DeLeon, 1999; Reynolds, 1961).
Reductions in problem behaviour were evidenced through use of a multiple baseline across
behaviours design and maintained during two-month follow-up. Decreases in symptom severity
were also discerned through subjective measures of treatment effectiveness.


title: Psychotropic medication use by adults with intellectual disabilities living in community settings

subject: People with mental disabilities

subject: Psychotropic drugs

subject: Community mental health services -- Ontario

abstract:
This study examined the variables related to psychotropic medication use among 73
adults with intellectual disabilities living in community residential settings in Ontario, Canada
over a one-year period based on staff reports. Despite only 16% percent having a documented
psychiatric diagnosis, 84% of these individuals were receiving psychotropic medications, and
74% were receiving two or more psychotropic medications (polypharmacy). Anti-psychotics,
anti-anxiety medications, and anti-convulsant medications were the most frequently reported
drug classes. While problem behaviour was reported for 60% of the participants, only 33% had a
formal behaviour plan. There was a significant relationship between the reported number of
problem behaviours and the reported number of prescribed psychotropic medications. Reported
medication reviews did not adhere to the Canadian 'Consensus Guidelines for the Primary Care
of Adults with Developmental Disabilities' (Sullivan et aI., 2006). Results, based on staff
reports, suggested incongruence with recommended best practices, and raised concern about
over-reliance on psychotropic medication with these individuals.
Keywords: intellectual disabilities, psychotropic medication, problem behaviour


title: Teachers' processes of negotiating meaning of new curriculum

subject:
Education -- Curricula
Education -- Standards
Curriculum planning

abstract:
This qualitative study addresses the question of how teachers negotiate meaning
of new curriculum to better understand how curriculum is transformed from a theoretical
construct to a practical one. Through interviews with 5 teachers, their experiences were
examined as they negotiated the process of implementing new curriculum. Three
theoretical constructs provided the entry point into the study: epistemology, teacher
knowledge, and teacher learning. Using inductive analysis, 4 points or attributes of
negotiation emerged: reference, growth, autonomy, and reconciliation. These attributes
provided a theoretical framework from which a constructivist conceptualization of
teacher learning and teacher knowledge could serve to understand the process of how
teachers negotiate meaning of curriculum. Studied and theorized in this way, teacher
knowledge and teacher learning are seen to be inextricably linked in a relationship that is
dynamically changed by forces of stability and instability. Theorizing the negotiation of
meaning from a constructivist epistemology also strengthened the assertion that
negotiating meaning is a unique structural process, and that knowledge construction is
therefore unique to each knower and subject to experience in a particular time and place.
The implications for such a theory are, first, that it questions the legitimacy of privatized
teacher practice and, second, that it calls for a renewed conceptualization of collegial
network and relationship to strengthen the capacity for negotiating meaning of curricular
initiatives. Understanding the relationship of curricular theory and negotiating meaning
also has implications for curriculum development. In particular, the study highlights the
necessity of professional discretion and the generative process of negotiating meaning.


title: Family attitudes toward the deinstitutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities in Ontario : a quality of life analysis

subject: Developmentally disabled -- Family relationships

subject: Deinstitutionalization -- Ontario

abstract:
The deinstitutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities to community-based
residential services is a pervasive international trend. Although controversial, the remaining three
institutions in Ontario were closed in March of 2009. Since these closures, there has been limited
research on the effects of deinstitutionalization. The following retrospective study evaluated family
perceptions of the impact of deinstitutionalization on the quality of life of fifty-five former residents
one year post-closure utilizing a survey design and conceptual quality of life framework. The
methods used to analyze the survey results included descriptive statistical analyses and thematic
analyses. Overall, the results suggest that most family members are satisfied with community
placement and supports, and report an improved quality of life for their family member with a
developmental disability. These findings were consistent with previously published studies
demonstrating the short-term and long-term benefits of community living for most individuals with
developmental disabilities and their families.


title: Response curves of deterministic and probabilistic cellular automata in one and two dimensions

subject: Cellular automata

abstract:
One of the most important problems in the theory of cellular automata (CA) is
determining the proportion of cells in a specific state after a given number of time
iterations. We approach this problem using patterns in preimage sets - that is, the
set of blocks which iterate to the desired output. This allows us to construct a
response curve - a relationship between the proportion of cells in state 1 after niterations
as a function of the initial proportion. We derive response curve formulae
for many two-dimensional deterministic CA rules with L-neighbourhood. For all
remaining rules, we find experimental response curves. We also use preimage sets to
classify surjective rules. In the last part of the thesis, we consider a special class of
one-dimensional probabilistic CA rules. We find response surface formula for these
rules and experimental response surfaces for all remaining rules.


title: Turning points : meaning-making and its association with psychological well-being, academic achievement and parental relationship quality among adolescents

subject:
Happiness
Mental health
Academic achievement
Parent and child

abstract:
There is substantial research linking meaning-making ability and psychological well-being in the
context of turning point events. Still, an important research question remains: whether
individuals who report meaning-making and psychological well-being were already better
adjusted psychologically, prior to the experience of their turning point. In addition, the role of
meaning-making on academic achievement and parental relationship quality has received little
empirical attention although both variables have been shown to be positively associated with
positive adjustment among adolescents. This longitudinal study examined differences in
psychological well-being, academic achievement, and parental relationship quality between
adolescents who reported meaning-making (lessons or insights) and those who reported no
meaning-making within their turning point narratives. Participants were 803 (52% female) grade
12 adolescents, 26% (N = 209) of whom had reported experiencing a turning point. Participants
also completed measures on the outcome variables (psychological well-being, academic
achievement, and parental relationship quality) 3 years prior, when they were in grade 9.
MANOVA results indicated that, of the participants who experienced a turning point,
adolescents who reported meaning-making reported significantly higher psychological wellbeing
and more positive parental relationship quality than adolescents who reported no meaningmaking.
Importantly, these two groups did not differ on the outcome variables prior to their
experience of a turning point event when they were in grade 9. Academic achievement scores did
not differ significantly between adolescents who reported meaning-making and those who
reported no meaning-making. These findings highlight the importance of meaning-making in
relation to positive adjustment subsequent to a turning point among adolescents.


title: Accountants' ethical sensitivity

subject:
Accountants -- Professional ethics
Accounting -- Moral and ethical aspects
Business ethics
Anti-intellectualism.

abstract:
O'Fallon and Butterfield (2005) in a review of the business ethics literature concluded that
"ethical awareness" also called ethical sensitivity has received the least attention of the four steps
in Rest's (1986) ethical decision making model. Available measures for ethical sensitivity are
limited to specific contexts and suffer from several limitations. I extend the previous literature by
creating a new measure for ethical sensitivity (AESS) that encompasses relevant dimensions for
the accounting profession and is not specific to a particular setting. I also introduce a new
individual differences variable to the accounting ethics literature. Specifically, I investigate the
relationship between anti-intellectualism and ethical awareness. My findings support AESS as a
measure of ethical sensitivity.


title: The information content of Canadian implied volatility indexes

subject:
Risk management
Liquidity (Economics)
Rate of return

abstract:
For predicting future volatility, empirical studies find mixed results regarding two
issues: (1) whether model free implied volatility has more information content than
Black-Scholes model-based implied volatility; (2) whether implied volatility outperforms
historical volatilities. In this thesis, we address these two issues using the Canadian
financial data. First, we examine the information content and forecasting power between
VIXC - a model free implied volatility, and MVX - a model-based implied volatility.
The GARCH in-sample test indicates that VIXC subsumes all information that is
reflected in MVX. The out-of-sample examination indicates that VIXC is superior to MVX
for predicting the next 1-, 5-, 10-, and 22-trading days' realized volatility. Second, we
investigate the predictive power between VIXC and alternative volatility forecasts
derived from historical index prices. We find that for time horizons lesser than 10-trading
days, VIXC provides more accurate forecasts. However, for longer time horizons, the
historical volatilities, particularly the random walk, provide better forecasts. We conclude
that VIXC cannot incorporate all information contained in historical index prices for
predicting future volatility.


title: Comparison of classification ability of hyperball algorithms to neural network and k-nearest neighbour algorithms

subject:
Pattern recognition systems
Algorithms

abstract:
The main focus of this thesis is to evaluate and compare Hyperbalilearning
algorithm (HBL) to other learning algorithms. In this work HBL is
compared to feed forward artificial neural networks using back propagation
learning, K-nearest neighbor and 103 algorithms.
In order to evaluate the similarity of these algorithms, we carried out
three experiments using nine benchmark data sets from UCI machine
learning repository. The first experiment compares HBL to other algorithms
when sample size of dataset is changing. The second experiment
compares HBL to other algorithms when dimensionality of data changes.
The last experiment compares HBL to other algorithms according to the
level of agreement to data target values.
Our observations in general showed, considering classification accuracy
as a measure, HBL is performing as good as most ANn variants.
Additionally, we also deduced that HBL.:s classification accuracy outperforms
103's and K-nearest neighbour's for the selected data sets.


title: Formalizing affordances in situation

subject:
Gibson, James Jerome, 1904-
Robotics
Visual perception
Depth perception

abstract:
The representation of a perceptual scene by a computer is usually limited
to numbers representing dimensions and colours. The theory of affordances
attempted to provide a new way of representing an environment, with respect
to a particular agent. The view was introduced as part of an entire field of
psychology labeled as 'ecological,' which has since branched into computer
science through the field of robotics, and formal methods. This thesis will
describe the concept of affordances, review several existing formalizations,
and take a brief look at applications to robotics. The formalizations put
forth in the last 20 years have no agreed upon structure, only that both
the agent and the environment must be taken in relation to one another.
Situation theory has also been evolving since its inception in 1983 by Barwise
& Perry. The theory provided a formal way to represent any arbitrary piece
of information in terms of relations. This thesis will take a toy version of
situation theory published in CSLI lecture notes no. 22, and add to the given
ontologies. This thesis extends the given ontologies to include specialized
affordance types, and individual object types. This allows for the definition
of semantic objects called environments, which support a situation and a set
of affordances, and niches which refer to a set of actions for an individual.
Finally, a possible way for an environment to change into a new environment
is suggested via the activation of an affordance.


title: Elucidation of a mechanism of cell lysis by chorhexidine : a biophysical approach

subject:
Molecular biology
Chlorhexidine.
Lipids

abstract:
Chlorhexidine is an effective antiseptic used widely in disinfecting products (hand
soap), oral products (mouthwash), and is known to have potential applications in the
textile industry. Chlorhexidine has been studied extensively through a biological and
biochemical lens, showing evidence that it attacks the semipermeable membrane in
bacterial cells. Although extremely lethal to bacterial cells, the present understanding
of the exact mode of action of chlorhexidine is incomplete.
A biophysical approach has been taken to investigate the potential location of
chlorhexidine in the lipid bilayer. Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance was used
to characterize the molecular arrangement of mixed phospholipid/drug formulations.
Powder spectra were analyzed using the de-Pake-ing technique, a method capable of
extracting both the orientation distribution and the anisotropy distribution functions
simultaneously. The results from samples of protonated phospholipids mixed with
deuterium-labelled chlorhexidine are compared to those from samples of deuterated
phospholipids and protonated chlorhexidine to determine its location in the lipid
bilayer.
A series of neutron scattering experiments were also conducted to study the biophysical
interaction of chlorhexidine with a model phospholipid membrane of DMPC,
a common saturated lipid found in bacterial cell membranes. The results found the
hexamethylene linker to be located at the depth of the glycerol/phosphate region of
the lipid bilayer. As drug concentration was increased in samples, a dramatic decrease in bilayer thickness was observed.
Differential scanning calorimetry experiments have revealed a depression of the
DMPC bilayer gel-to-lamellar phase transition temperature with an increasing drug
concentration. The enthalpy of the transition remained the same for all drug concentrations,
indicating a strictly drug/headgroup interaction, thus supporting the
proposed location of chlorhexidine.
In combination, these results lead to the hypothesis that the drug is folded approximately
in half on its hexamethylene linker, with the hydrophobic linker at the depth
of the glycerol/phosphate region of the lipid bilayer and the hydrophilic chlorophenyl
groups located at the lipid headgroup. This arrangement seems to suggest that the
drug molecule acts as a wedge to disrupt the bilayer. In vivo, this should make
the cell membrane leaky, which is in agreement with a wide range of bacteriological
observations.


title: Representations of swinging London in 1960s British cinema : Blowup (1966), Smashing Time (1967), and Performance (1970)

subject: Culture in motion pictures.

subject: Motion pictures -- Social aspects -- Great Britain

subject: Nineteen sixties

subject: London (England) -- In motion pictures

abstract:
This thesis explores the representation of Swinging London in three examples of
1960s British cinema: Blowup (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1966), Smashing Time
(Desmond Davis, 1967) and Performance (Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg, 1970). It
suggests that the films chronologically signify the evolution, commodification and
dissolution of the Swinging London era. The thesis explores how the concept of
Swinging London is both critiqued and perpetuated in each film through the use of visual
tropes: the reconstruction of London as a cinematic space; the Pop photographer; the
dolly; representations of music performance and fashion; the appropriation of signs and
symbols associated with the visual culture of Swinging London. Using fashion, music
performance, consumerism and cultural symbolism as visual narratives, each film also
explores the construction of youth identity through the representation of manufactured
and mediated images.
Ultimately, these films reinforce Swinging London as a visual economy that
circulates media images as commodities within a system of exchange. With this in view,
the signs and symbols that comprise the visual culture of Swinging London are as central
and significant to the cultural era as their material reality. While they attempt to
destabilize prevailing representations of the era through the reproduction and exchange of
such symbols, Blowup, Smashing Time, and Performance nevertheless contribute to the
nostalgia for Swinging London in larger cultural memory.


title: Automatic evolution of conceptual building architectures

subject:
Three-dimensional imaging
Architecture -- Designs and plans
Architectural design -- Data processing

abstract:
This thesis describes research in which genetic programming is used to automatically
evolve shape grammars that construct three dimensional models
of possible external building architectures. A completely automated fitness
function is used, which evaluates the three dimensional building models according
to different geometric properties such as surface normals, height,
building footprint, and more. In order to evaluate the buildings on the different
criteria, a multi-objective fitness function is used. The results obtained
from the automated system were successful in satisfying the multiple
objective criteria as well as creating interesting and unique designs that
a human-aided system might not discover. In this study of evolutionary
design, the architectures created are not meant to be fully functional and
structurally sound blueprints for constructing a building, but are meant to
be inspirational ideas for possible architectural designs. The evolved models
are applicable for today's architectural industries as well as in the video
game and movie industries. Many new avenues for future work have also
been discovered and highlighted.


title: The historical game-changes in the philosophy of devotion and caste as used and misused by the Bhagavad-gita

subject:
Bhakti
Caste
Social classes
India -- Civilization.

abstract:
This thesis considers that the purport of the Bhagavadgita is to prioritize the
philosophy of loving devotion to God (bhakti), not the propagation of color-coded-caste
(varna system). The distinction between bhakti and caste becomes clear when one sees
their effect on human life and on the society. Jnana and karma, two of the other
polarities with which the Gita contends, finally support bhakti towards betterment, not
deterioration, if done selflessly and with balance. Caste, however, is a totally different
tension, which is always detrimental to the well-being of the person and the society.
In the Gita, the devotees' mystical or emotional love of, God apprehends their
~
oneness with the Supreme God and with all beings, and transcends the pitiless
segregation of the caste system, and opens the path of salvation to all irrespective of race,
color, caste, class or gender in life. In spite of much opposition from orthodoxy, the
bhakti movement spread allover India, and bhakti itself rose to the level of orthodoxy
and has become the faith of millions of people especially of the south, and surprisingly,
of even of those of the so called highest caste.
And yet, caste still remains as an indelible mark of every Hindu, even after they
change their religion. Although caste is less venomous now, it is still openly present in
all walks of Indian life and shows up its ugly head at important moments such as
marriage, elections for public office, admission to school or employment.
True, bhakti is the antidote for. caste; but only real bhakti can remove caste
completely, not mere lip-service to it. This thesis claims that bhakti is the deliberate
major thrust of the teaching of the Gita while caste seems to be a contradiction of this
thrust.


title: Impact of different irrigation strategies on grapes and wine quality of four grapevine cultivars (Vitis sp.) in cool climate conditions. An investigation into the relationships among ABA, water status, grape cultivar and wine quality

subject: Wine and wine making -- Environmental aspects -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

subject: Grapes -- Varieties

subject: Viticulture

subject: Vineyards -- Management

abstract:
Niagara Peninsula of Ontario is the largest viticultural area in Canada.
Although it is considered to be a cool and wet region, in the last decade many water stress events
occurred during the growing seasons with negative effects on grape and wine quality. This study
was initiated to understand and develop the best strategies for water management in vineyards and
those that might contribute to grape maturity advancement. The irrigation trials investigated the
impact of time of initiation (fruit set, lag phase and veraison), water replacement level based on
theoretical loss through crop evapotranspiration (ETc; 100,50 and 25%) and different irrigation
strategies [partial root zone drying (PRD) versus regulated deficit irrigation (RD!)] on grape
composition and wine sensory profiles. The irrigation experiments were conducted in a
commercial vineyard (Lambert Vineyards Inc.) located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, from
2005 through 2009. The two experiments that tested the combination of different water regimes
and irrigation time initiation were set up in a randomized block design as follows: Baco noir - three
replicates x 10 treatments [(25%, 50% and 100% of ETc) x (initiation at fruit set, lag phase and
veraison) + control]; Chardonnay - three replicates x seven treatments [(25%, 50% and 100% of
ETc) x (initiation at fruit set and veraison) + control]. The experiments that tested different
irrigation strategies were set up on two cultivars as follows: Sauvignon blanc - four replicates x
four treatments [control, fully irrigated (100% ETc), PRD (100% ETc) and RDI (25% ETc)];
Cabemet Sauvignon - four replicates x five treatments [control, fully irrigated (100% ETc), PRD
(100% ETc), RDI (50% ETc) and RDI (25% ETc)]. The controls in each experiment were nonirrigated.
The irrigation treatments were compared for many variables related to soil water status,
vine physiology, berry composition, wine sensory profile, and hormone composition [(abscisic
acid (ABA) and its catabolites]. Soil moisture profile was mostly affected by irrigation treatments
between 20 and 60 em depth depending on the grapevine cultivar and the regime of water applied.
Overall soil moisture was consistently higher throughout the season in 100 and 50% ETc compare
to the control. Transpiration rates and leaf temperature as well as shoot growth rate were the most
sensitive variables to soil water status. Drip irrigation associated with RDI treatments (50% ETc
and 25% ETc) had the most beneficial effects on vine physiology, fruit composition and wine
varietal typicity, mainly by maintaining a balance between vegetative and reproductive parts of the
vine. Neither the control nor the 100 ETc had overall a positive effect on grape composition and
wine sensory typicity. The time of irrigation initiation affected the vine physiology and grape
quality, the most positive effect was found in treatments initiated at lag phase and veraison. RDI
treatments were overall more consistent in their positive effect on grape composition and wine varietal typicity comparing to PRD treatment. The greatest difference between non-irrigated and
irrigated vines in most of the variables studied was found in 2007, the driest and hottest season of
the experimental period. Soil water status had a greater and more consistent effect on red
grapevine cultivars rather than on white winegrape cultivars.
To understand the relationships among soil and plant water status, plant physiology and the
hormonal profiles associated with it, abscisic acid (ABA) and its catabolites [phaseic acid (PA),
dihydrophaseic acid (DPA), 7-hydroxy-ABA (TOH-ABA), 8' -hydroxy-ABA, neophaseic acid and
abscisic acid glucose ester (ABA-GE)] were analyzed in leaves and berries from the Baco noir and
Chardonnay irrigation trials over two growing seasons. ABA and some of its catabolites accurately
described the water status in the vines. Endogenous ABA and some of its catabolites were strongly
affected in Baco noir and Chardonnay by both the water regime (i.e. ET level) and timing of
irrigation initiation. Chardonnay grapevines produced less ABA in both leaves and berries
compared to Baco noir, which indicated that ABA synthesis is also cultivar dependant. ABA-GE
was the main catabolite in treatments with high water deficits, while PA and DPA were higher in
treatments with high water status, suggesting that the vine produced more ABA-GE under water
deficits to maintain rapid control of the stomata. These differences between irrigation treatments
with respect to ABA and catabolites were particularly noticeable in the dry 2007 season.
Two trials using exogenous ABA investigated the effect of different concentrations of
ABA and organs targeted for spraying, on grape maturation and berry composition of Cabemet
Sauvignon grapevines, in two cool and wet seasons (2008-2009). The fIrst experiment consisted of
three replicates x three treatments [(150 and 300 mg/L, both applications only on clusters) +
untreated control] while the second experiment consisted in three replicates x four treatments [(full
canopy, only clusters, and only leaves sprayed with 300 ppm ABA) + untreated control].
Exogenous ABA was effective in hastening veraison, and improving the composition of Cabemet
Sauvignon. Ability of ABA to control the timing of grape berry maturation was dependant on both
solution concentration and the target organ. ABA affected not only fruit composition but also yield
components. Berries treated with ABA had lower weight and higher skin dry mass, which
constitutes qualitative aspects desired in the wine grapes. Temporal advancement of ripening
through hormonal control can lead to earlier fruit maturation, which is a distinct advantage in
cooler areas or areas with a high risk of early frost occurrence. Exogenous ABA could provide
considerable benefits to wine industry in terms of grape composition, wine style and schedule
activities in the winery, particularly in wet and cool years.
These trials provide the ftrst comprehensive data in eastern North America on the response
of important hybrid and Vitis vinifera winegrape cultivars to irrigation management. Results from
this study additionally might be a forward step in understanding the ABA metabolism, and its
relationship with water status. Future research should be focused on ftnding the ABA threshold
required to trigger the ripening process, and how this process could be controlled in cool climates.


title: TA tales : [re]storying the teaching and learning experiences of university teaching assistants

subject:
Graduate teaching assistants
Teaching experiences

abstract:
This inquiry examines reported critical incidents that shaped the lived experience
of 5 university  TAs as they negotiated multiple roles and relationships within the
teaching and learning context. Questions and ensuing conversations explore the ways in
which these critical incidents in teaching contributed to the TAs' understanding of
themselves as teachers, of teaching and learning tensions in higher education, and of the
institutional contexts in which they work. The inquiry also explores the ways in which
narrative, particularly creative fiction, can represent the stories TAs tell of their experiences.


title: Delineation of within-site terroir effects using soil and vine water measurements in Riesling vineyards within the Niagara Peninsula

subject: Terroir -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

subject: Viticulture -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

subject: Riesling (Wine)

abstract:
The major focus of this dissertation was to explain terroir effects that impact wine
varietal character and to elucidate potential determinants of terroir by testing vine water
status (VWS) as the major factor of the terroir effect. It was hypothesized that consistent
water status zones could be identified within vineyard sites, and, that differences in vine
performance, fruit composition and wine sensory attributes could be related to VWS. To
test this hypothesis, ten commercial Riesling vineyards representative of each Vintners
Quality Alliance sub-appellation were selected. Vineyards were delineated using global
positioning systems and 75 to 80 sentinel vines per vineyard were geo-referenced for data
collection. During the 2005 to 2007 growing seasons, VWS measurements [midday leaf
water potential ('l')] were collected from a subset of these sentinel vines. Data were
collected on soil texture and composition, soil moisture, vine performance (yield
components, vine size) and fruit composition. These variables were mapped using global
information system (GIS) software and relationships between them were elucidated.
Vines were categorized into "low" and "high" water status regions within each vineyard
block and replicate wines were made from each. Many geospatial patterns and
relationships were spatially and temporally stable within vineyards. Leaf'l' was
temporally stable within vineyards despite different weather conditions during each
growing season. Generally, spatial relationships between 'l', soil moisture, vine size,
berry weight and yield were stable from year to year. Leaf", impacted fruit composition
in several vineyards. Through sorting tasks and multidimensional scaling, wines of
similar VWS had similar sensory properties. Descriptive analysis further indicated that
VWS impacted wine sensory profiles, with similar attributes being different for wines
from different water status zones. Vineyard designation had an effect on wine profiles,
with certain sensory and chemical attributes being associated from different subappellations.
However, wines were generally grouped in terms of their regional
designation ('Lakeshore', 'Bench', 'Plains') within the Niagara Peninsula. Through
multivariate analyses, specific sensory attributes, viticulture and chemical variables were
associated with wines of different VWS. Vine water status was a major contributor to the
terroir effect, as it had a major impact on vine size, berry weight and wine sensory characteristics.


title: Erwinia amylovora bacteriophage resistance

subject:
Erwinia amylovora -- Biological control
Bacteriophages
Lysogeny

abstract:
It has been proposed that phages can be used commercially as a biopesticide for
the control of fire blight caused by the phytopathogen Erwinia amylovora. The aim of
these studies was to investigate two common bacterial resistance mechanisms, lysogeny
and exopolysaccharide production and their influence on phage pathogenesis. A multiplex
real-time PCR protocol was designed to monitor and quantify Podoviridae and
Myoviridae phages. This protocol is compatible with known E. amylovora and Pantoea
agglomerans rtPCR primers/probes which allowed simultaneous study of both phage and
bacterial targets. Using in vitro positive phage selection, bacteriophage insensitive
derivatives were isolated within sensitive populations of E. amylovora. Prophage
screening with real-time PCR and mitomycin C induction determined that the insensitive
derivatives harboured the temperate Podoviridae phage ΦEaTlOO. Lysogenic conversion
resulted in resistance to secondary homologous phage infections. Prophage screening of
environmental samples of E. amylovora and P. agglomerans collected from various
locations in Canada, United States and Europe did not demonstrate lysogeny. Therefore,
lysogeny is rare or absent while these bacterial species reside on the plant.
Recombineering was used to construct exopolysaccharide deficient E. amylovora
mutants. The EPS amylovoran mutants became resistant to Podoviridae and certain
Siphoviridae phages. Increasing amylovoran production increased phage population
growth, presumably by increasing the total number of bacterial cell surface receptors
which promoted increased phage infections. In contrast, amylovoran did not playa role in
Myoviridae infections, nor did production of the EPS levan for any phage pathogenesis.


title: Cryptic species status of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in Canada using a multidisciplinary approach

subject: Mosquitoes -- Canada -- Identification.

abstract:
Many species of Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are now recognized
as species complexes whose members are often indistinguishable morphologically but
identifiable based on ecological, genetic, or behavioural data. Because the members of
species complexes often differ in their vector potential, accurate identification of vector
species is essential for successful mosquito control. To investigate the cryptic species
status of Anopheles mosquitoes in Canada, specimens were collected from across the
country and examined using morphological, molecular, and ecological data.
Six of the seven traditionally recognised species from Canada were collected from
locations in British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and throughout
Ontario, including Anopheles barberi, An. earlei, An. freeborni, An. punctipennis, An.
quadrimaculatus s.l., and An. walkeri. Variation in polymorphic traits within An. earlei,
An. punctipennis, and An. quadrimaculatus s.l. were quantified and egg morphology
examined using scanning electron microscopy. Morphological identification of adult and
larval specimens suggested that two described cryptic species, An. perplexens and An.
smaragdinus, were present in Canada.
DNA sequence data were analysed for evidence of cryptic species using three
molecular markers: COl, ITS2, and ITS!. Intraspecific COl variation was very low in
most species «1 %), except for An. punctipennis with 2% sequence divergence between
those from British Columbia (BC) and Ontario (ON), and An. walkeri with 7% sequence
divergence between populations from Manitoulin Island (NO) and Long Point Provincial
Park (LP). Similar patterns were also seen using ITS2 and ITS 1. Therefore, molecular data revealed the presence of two putative cryptic species within two species examined
(i.e., An. walkeri and An. punctipennis), corresponding to collection location (i.e., NO vs.
LP and BC vs. ON, respectively). Surprisingly, there was no molecular support for the
presence of either An. perplexens or An. smaragdinus in Canada despite the
morphological assessments.
Ecological data from all collection sites were recorded and are available in an
online database designed to manage all collection and identification data. Current
bionomic information, including regional abundance, larval habitat, and species
associations, was determined for each species. This multidisciplinary study of Anopheles
mosquitoes is the first detailed investigation of these potential disease vectors in Canada
and demonstrates the importance of an integrated approach to anopheline systematics that
includes molecular data.


title: Competing demands for a complex system : photosystem II repair, photoprotection and quantum yield

subject: Photosynthesis Plants Photochemistry

abstract:
Photosynthesis in general is a key biological process on Earth and Photo system II (PSII)
is an important component of this process. PSII is the only enzyme capable of oxidizing water
and is largely responsible for the primordial build-up and present maintenance of the oxygen in
the atmosphere. This thesis endeavoured to understand the link between structure and function in
PSII with special focus on primary photochemistry, repair/photodamage and spectral
characteristics. The deletion of the PsbU subunit ofPSII in cyanobacteria caused a decoupling of
the Phycobilisomes (PBS) from PSII, likely as a result of increased rates of PSII photodamage
with the PBS decoupling acting as a measure to protect PSII from further damage. Isolated
fractions of spinach thylakoid membranes were utilized to characterize the heterogeneity present
in the various compartments of the thylakoid membrane. It was found that the pooled PSIILHCII
pigment populations were connected in the grana stack and there was also a progressive
decrease in the reaction rates of primary photochemistry and antennae size of PSII as the sample
origin moved from grana to stroma. The results were consistent with PSII complexes becoming
damaged in the grana and being sent to the stroma for repair. The dramatic quenching of variable
fluorescence and overall fluorescent yield of PSII in desiccated lichens was also studied in order
to investigate the mechanism by which the quenching operated. It was determined that the source
of the quenching was a novel long wavelength emitting external quencher. Point mutations to
amino acids acting as ligands to chromophores of interest in PSII were utilized in cyanobacteria
to determine the role of specific chromophores in energy transfer and primary photochemistry.
These results indicated that the Hl14 ligated chlorophyll acts as the 'trap' chlorophyll in CP47 at
low temperature and that the Q130E mutation imparts considerable changes to PSII electron
transfer kinetics, essentially protecting the complex via increased non-radiative charge Photosynthesis in general is a key biological process on Earth and Photo system II (PSII)
is an important component of this process. PSII is the only enzyme capable of oxidizing water
and is largely responsible for the primordial build-up and present maintenance of the oxygen in
the atmosphere. This thesis endeavoured to understand the link between structure and function in
PSII with special focus on primary photochemistry, repair/photodamage and spectral
characteristics. The deletion of the PsbU subunit ofPSII in cyanobacteria caused a decoupling of
the Phycobilisomes (PBS) from PSII, likely as a result of increased rates of PSII photodamage
with the PBS decoupling acting as a measure to protect PSII from further damage. Isolated
fractions of spinach thylakoid membranes were utilized to characterize the heterogeneity present
in the various compartments of the thylakoid membrane. It was found that the pooled PSIILHCII
pigment populations were connected in the grana stack and there was also a progressive
decrease in the reaction rates of primary photochemistry and antennae size of PSII as the sample
origin moved from grana to stroma. The results were consistent with PSII complexes becoming
damaged in the grana and being sent to the stroma for repair. The dramatic quenching of variable
fluorescence and overall fluorescent yield of PSII in desiccated lichens was also studied in order
to investigate the mechanism by which the quenching operated. It was determined that the source
of the quenching was a novel long wavelength emitting external quencher. Point mutations to
amino acids acting as ligands to chromophores of interest in PSII were utilized in cyanobacteria
to determine the role of specific chromophores in energy transfer and primary photochemistry.
These results indicated that the Hl14 ligated chlorophyll acts as the 'trap' chlorophyll in CP47 at
low temperature and that the Q130E mutation imparts considerable changes to PSII electron
transfer kinetics, essentially protecting the complex via increased non-radiative charge.


title: Electrocortical indices of cognitive control in working memory : exploring the effects of proactive interference, cognitive load, and aging

subject:
Cognition -- Physiological aspects
Memory -- Age factors
Cognition -- Research

abstract:
Cognitive control involves the ability to flexibly adjust cognitive processing in
order to resist interference and promote goal-directed behaviour. Although frontal cortex
is considered to be broadly involved in cognitive control, the mechanisms by which
frontal brain areas implement control functions are unclear. Furthermore, aging is
associated with reductions in the ability to implement control functions and questions
remain as to whether unique cortical responses serve a compensatory role in maintaining
maximal performance in later years. Described here are three studies in which
electrophysiological data were recorded while participants performed modified versions
of the standard Sternberg task. The goal was to determine how top-down control is
implemented in younger adults and altered in aging. In study I, the effects of frequent
stimulus repetition on the interference-related N450 were investigated in a Sternberg
task with a small stimulus set (requiring extensive stimulus resampling) and a task with
a large stimulus set (requiring no stimulus resampling).The data indicated that constant
stimulus res amp ling required by employing small stimulus sets can undercut the effect
of proactive interference on the N450. In study 2, younger and older adults were tested
in a standard version of the Sternberg task to determine whether the unique frontal
positivity, previously shown to predict memory impairment in older adults during a
proactive interference task, would be associated with the improved performance when
memory recognition could be aided by unambiguous stimulus familiarity. Here, results
indicated that the frontal positivity was associated with poorer memory performance,
replicating the effect observed in a more cognitively demanding task, and showing that
stimulus familiarity does not mediate compensatory cortical activations in older adults. Although the frontal positivity could be interpreted to reflect maladaptive cortical
activation, it may also reflect attempts at compensation that fail to fully ameliorate agerelated
decline. Furthermore, the frontal positivity may be the result of older adults'
reliance on late occurring, controlled processing in contrast to younger adults' ability to
identify stimuli at very early stages of processing. In the final study, working memory
load was manipulated in the proactive interference Sternberg task in order to investigate
whether the N450 reflects simple interference detection, with little need for cognitive
resources, or an active conflict resolution mechanism that requires executive resources
to implement. Independent component analysis was used to isolate the effect of
interference revealing that the canonical N450 was based on two dissociable cognitive
control mechanisms: a left frontal negativity that reflects active interference resolution,
,
but requires executive resources to implement, and a right frontal negativity that reflects
global response inhibition that can be relied on when executive resources are minimal
but at the cost of a slowed response. Collectively, these studies advance understanding
of the factors that influence younger and older adults' ability to satisfy goal-directed
behavioural requirements in the face of interference and the effects of age-related
cognitive decline.


title: Hydrosilylation and hydroboration catalyzed by imido-hydride complexes of molybdenum (IV)

subject:
Chemistry, inorganic
Catalysis

abstract:
This thesis describes the synthesis, structural studies, stoichiometric and catalytic
reactivity of novel Mo(IV) imido hydride complexes (Cp)(ArN)Mo(H)(PMe3) (1) and
(Tp )(ArN)Mo(H)(PMe3) (2). Both 1 and 2 catalyze hydrosilylation of a variety of
carbonyls. Detailed kinetic and DFT studies found that 1 reacts by an unexpected
associative mechanism, which does not involve Si-H addition either to the imido group or
the metal. Despite 1 being a d2 complex, its reaction with PhSiH3 proceeds via a a-bond
metathesis mechanism giving the silyl derivative (Cp )(ArN)Mo(SiH2Ph)(PMe3). In the
presence of BPh3 reaction of 1 with PhSiH3 results in formation of
(Cp)(ArN)Mo(SiH2Ph)(H)2 and (Cp)(ArN)Mo(SiH2Ph)2(H), the first examples ofMo(VI)
silyl hydrides.
AI: 1 : 1 reaction between 2, PhSiD3 and carbonyl substrate established that
hydrosilylation is not accompanied by deuterium incorporation into the hydride position
of the catalyst, thus ruling out the conventional mechanism based on carbonyl insertion
carbonyl. As 2 is nomeactive to both the silane and ketone, the only mechanistic
alternative we are left with is that the metal center activates the carbonyl as a Lewis acid.
The analogous nonhydride mechanism was observed for the catalysis by
(ArN)Mo(H)(CI)(PMe3), (Ph3P)2(I)(O)Re(H)(OSiMe2Ph) and (PPh3CuH)6.
Complex 2 also catalyzes hydroboration of carbonyls and nitriles. We report the first
case of metal-catalyzed hydroboration of nitriles as well as hydroboration of carbonyls at
very mild conditions. Conversion of carbonyl functions can be performed with high
selectivities in the presence of nitrile groups. This thesis also reports the first case of the HlH exchange between H2 and Si-H of
silanes mediated by Lewis acids such as Mo(IV) , Re(V) , Cu(I) , Zn(II) complexes,
B(C6Fs)3 and BPh3.


title: Half-sandwich silane complexes of ruthenium and iron : synthesis, structure and application to catalysis

subject:
Silane compounds
Catalysis

abstract:
The present thesis describes syntheses, structural studies, and catalytic reactivity of
new non-classical silane complexes of ruthenium and iron. The ruthenium complexes
CpRu(PPri3)CI(T]2-HSiR3) (1) (SiR3 = SiCh (a), SiClzMe (b), SiCIMe2 (c), SiH2Ph (d),
SiMe2Ph (e» were prepared by reactions of the new unsaturated complex
CpRu(PPri3)CI with silanes. According to NMR studies and X-ray analyses, the
complexes la-c exhibit unusual simultaneous Si··· H and Si··· CI-Ru interactions. The
complex CpRu(PPri3)CI was also used for the preparation of the first examples of late
transition metal agostic silylamido complexes CpRu(PPri3)(N(T]2-HSiMe2)R) (2) (R=
Ar or But), which were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The iron complexes
CpFe(PMePri2)H2(SiR3) (3) (SiR3 = SiCh (a), SiClzMe (b), SiCIMe2 (c), SiH2Ph (d),
SiMe2Ph (e» were synthesized by the reaction of the new borohydride iron complex
CpFe(PMePri2)(B~) with silanes in the presence NEt3. The complexes 3 exhibit
unprecedented two simultaneous and equivalent Si··· H interactions, which was
confirmed by X-ray analyses and DFT calculations. A series of cationic ruthenium
complexes [CpRu(PR3)(CH3CN)(112-HSiR'3)]BAF (PR3 = PPri
3 (4), PPh3 (5); SiR'3 =
SiCh (a), SiClzMe (b), SiClMe2 (c), SiH2Ph (d), SiMe2Ph (e» was obtained by
substitution of one of the labile acetonitrile ligands in [CpRu(PR3)(CH3CNh]BAF
with sHanes. Analogous complexes [TpRu(PR3)(CH3CN)(T]2 -HSiR' 3)]BAF (5) were
obtained by the reaction of TpRu(PR3)(CH3CN)CI with LiBAF in the presence of
silanes. The complexes 4-5 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and the
observed coupling constants J(Si-H) allowed us to estimate the extent of Si-H bond
activation in these compounds.
The catalytic activity in hydrosilylation reactions of all of the above complexes was
examined. The most promising results were achieved with the cationic ruthenium precatalyst [CpRu(PPri3)(CH3CN)2t (6). Complex 6 shows good to excellent catalytic
activity in the hydrosilylation of carbonyls, dehydrogenative coupling of silanes with
alcohols, amines, acids, and reduction of acid chlorides. We also discovered very
selective reduction of nitriles and pyridines into the corresponding N-silyl imines and
l,4-dihydropyridines, respectively, at room temperature with the possibility of
catalyst recycling. These chemoselective catalytic methods have no analogues in the
literature. The reactions were proposed to proceed via an ionic mechanism with
intermediate formation of the silane a-complexes 4.


title: Exploring Teacher Candidates’ Experience, Perception, and Knowledge of Multicultural Education in Two Ontario Universities

contributor: Social Justice and Equity Studies Program

subject:
Multicultural Education
Antiracist Education
Teacher Education
Teacher Candidates

abstract: In this study, teacher candidates’ experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of multicultural education at 2 Ontario universities were used determine to the effectiveness of their teacher education programs in preparing them to teach in multicultural classrooms.  The research also strived to highlight the most effective practices in these programs that contributed to the preparation of teacher candidates for employment in culturally, racially, and ethnically diverse classrooms in Ontario. A questionnaire and interviews were used to determine the effectiveness of the program in preparing them to teach in diverse classrooms.  The findings revealed the need for a greater emphasis of multicultural education in teacher education programs at these universities.  The data showed that teacher candidates were most critical of the courses and the delivery of the curriculum in relation to multicultural education.  Teacher candidates were also concerned with the lack of multicultural education in their practicum placements.  In addition, teacher candidates indicated in the questionnaire that they felt competent adapting instruction to the needs of students in multicultural classrooms.  However, the results obtained from the interviews were more varied.  The interviews highlighted that teacher candidates were hesitant about teaching in culturally diverse classrooms and less likely to state that they were prepared for these teaching environments.  As well, many teacher candidates believed their peers were not prepared for multicultural issues.  Teacher candidates believed the program could be improved in many ways including specific instruction across all classes, more diverse practicum experiences, guest speakers, case studies, and the creation of new courses that specifically address multicultural education.


title: Exploring School Principals’ Perspectives on Emotional Intelligence

subject:
Emotional Intelligence
Leadership
School Leaders
Principals
Emotion

abstract: Ontario school principals’ professional development currently includes leadership training that encompasses emotional intelligence.  This study sought to augment the limited research in the Canadian educational context on school leaders’ understanding of emotional intelligence and its relevancy to their work.  The study utilized semi-structured interviews with 6 Ontario school principals representing disparate school contexts based on socioeconomic levels, urban and rural settings, and degree of ethnic diversity.  Additionally, the 4 male and 2 female participants are elementary and secondary school principals in different public school boards and represent a diverse range of age and experience.  The study utilized a grounded theory approach to data analysis and identified by 5 main themes: Self-Awareness, Relationship, Support, Pressure, and Emotional Filtering and Compartmentalization.  Recommendations are made to further explore the emotional support systems available to school leaders in Ontario schools.


title: The effect of governance mechanism and structure on fees and performance of  Mutual Funds in Canada

subject:
mutual funds
governance
performance
fees
stewardship

abstract: Taking advantage of the unique Canadian setting, this study empirically analyzes the impact of presence of the board of directors, as an internal governance mechanism, on fees and performance of mutual funds. Further, the impact of the board structure on fees and performance of corporate class funds is analyzed. We find that corporate class funds, which have a separate board of directors for the fund, charge higher fees; however, they also provide superior performance than trust funds. Furthermore, we find that for corporate class funds, smaller board, with higher percentage of independent directors, and with the fund CEO acting as the chairman of the board is likely to charge lower fees. Also, more independent boards are strongly associated with superior fee-adjusted performance.


title: Unveiling the Influence of Consumer Wine Appreciation Dimension on Purchasing Behavior

subject: consumption values situation purchasing decisions

abstract:
Consumption values and different usage situations have received extensive interest from scholars; however, there is a lack of understanding regarding how these two constructs interact when it comes to the purchase decisions of  consumers. This  study examines the relationship between consumption values, consumption situations, and consumers’ purchasing decisions in terms of their willingness to pay and the purchase quantity. First of all, my model proposes that all four consumption values and different situations have a positive effect on consumers’ willingness to pay as well as the quantity they  purchase. It  also proposes that varying usage situations moderate the effect of consumption values on consumers’ purchasing decisions. In my conceptual model, I have  also integrated the epistemic and conditional values where there is a gap in the existing literature. Prior literature has isolated the consumption values when studying how they affect consumer behavior and has not examined how consumption situations moderate
the relationship between consumption values and purchasing decisions. Also, the existing literature has mostly focused on how consumption values affect purchase intentions, brand loyalty, or satisfaction, whereas my study focuses on purchasing decisions. For my study, the participants were randomly chosen from the general wine consumer population and the age range was between 20 and 75, which included 83 male respondents and 119 female respondents. The
data received from my respondents support my hypotheses for the model. In my final chapter, I
discuss the theoretical and managerial implications as well as suggestions for future research.


title: Investigating Player Salaries and Performance in the National Hockey League

subject:
tournament theory
interdependence
NHL
performance

abstract:
This thesis examines salary structure types (hierarchical or compressed) as predictors of team performance in the National Hockey League (NHL). Additionally, an analysis of goalie statistics is completed in order to determine what, if any, performance measures relate to salary. Data in this research were collected from the 2005-06 season up to the 2010-11 season.
Salary inequality/equality (Gini coefficient) was used in a regression analysis to determine if it was an effective predictor of team performance (n = 178) (winning percentage). The results indicated that a hierarchical salary structure increased team performance, although the amount of variability explained was very small.
Another regression analysis was completed to determine if any goalie performance measures (n = 245) were effective predictors of individual salary. A regression analysis was employed and indicated that goalie performance measures predicted 19.8% of variance to salary. The only statistical significant variable was games played.


title: Information Asymmetry and Accounting Conservatism under IFRS Adoption

subject:
information asymmetry
accounting conservatism
IFRS

abstract:
LaFond and Watts (2008) provide evidence that information asymmetry might be a determinant of accounting conservatism. One implication of their paper is that regulators trying to reduce information asymmetry by lowering the level of
accounting conservatism might be wrong. However, there is a trend in moving away from conservative accounting. The typical example is IFRS adoption. Therefore, this paper studies information asymmetry and accounting conservatism under IFRS adoption. The results show that the level of accounting conservatism decreases after mandatory IFRS adoption, but the adoption of IFRS is likely to weaken the
relationship between information asymmetry and accounting conservatism. Moreover, this paper investigates how the change of accounting conservatism under IFRS is related to the change in information environment. The finding shows that accounting conservatism increases information environment, supporting the idea that, by providing comparatively credible information, conservative accounting is beneficial to the information environment.


title: History and Theorizing: The Case of Winemaking in the Ontario Wine Industry

subject:
history
theorizing
Ontario wine industry
rhetorical history
rhetorical analysis

abstract: Despite the fact that theorization has been established as an important social mechanism in a variety of contexts, little research has explicated how this process works.  I argue that theorization entails strategic constructions of history, or rhetorical history, in order to persuade audiences of legitimacy.  I examine the role that history plays in actors’ theorizations of the Ontario wine industry as world class.  By conducting a rhetorical analysis of the newsletters and websites of Ontario wineries, I find that various themes of history are routinely employed to re-theorize the industry as one that produces world class wines.  In general, the findings suggest that the narratives of Ontario wineries tap into global repertoires of fine wine to portray the continuity of current practices with those of Old World winemaking.  In addition, wineries sometimes tap into local histories to convey a sense of uniqueness, but they also obscure the history of poor winemaking in the region.


title: CEO Compensation, Compensation Risk, and Corporate Governance: Evidence from Technology Firms

subject:
ceo compensation
compensation risk
corporate governance
board structure
ownership structure

abstract:
Literature suggests that CEOs of technology firms earn higher pay than CEOs of non-technology firms. I investigate whether compensation risk explains the difference in compensation between technology firms and non-technology firms. Controlling for firm size and performance, I find that CEOs in technology firms have higher pay, but also have much higher compensation risk compared to non-technology firms. Compensation risk explains the major part of the difference
in CEO pay. My study is consistent with the labor market economics view that CEOs earn
competitive risk-adjusted total compensation.


title: Market reactions to changes in the Nasdaq-100 Index membership

subject:
financial markets
nasdaq-100 index
price pressure hypothesis
investor awareness hypothesis
liquidity hypothesis

abstract: We examine stock market reactions around the Nasdaq-100 Index reconstitutions. We find a symmetric and transitory price response accompanied by a significant increase in trading volume on the effective date. Firms added to the Nasdaq-100 Index experience significant increases in institutional ownership, the number of market makers, and the number of shareholders. In contrast, firms removed from the index show significant decreases in the number of institutional shareholders. Additions to the Nasdaq-100 Index also show significant increases in four liquidity measures, whereas deletions demonstrate significant decreases in two liquidity measures. These changes in liquidity are related to the abnormal return on the announcement day. Taken together, the results suggest support for the price pressure, liquidity, and investor awareness hypotheses.


title: Physical Activity and Fitness in Children with Developmental Disorder

subject:
Developmental coordination disorder
Cardiorespiratory fitness
Physical activity
Prospective cohort
Oxygen cost

abstract:
Introduction: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a prevalent condition characterized by poor motor proficiency that interferes with a child‟s activities of daily living. Children with DCD often experience compromised health-related fitness components such as cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).
Purpose: To better understand the physical activity and fitness characteristics of children with probable DCD (pDCD), with a particular focus on CRF. Specifically: (1) to present a synopsis of current literature; (2) to determine the longitudinal trajectories of CRF; (3) to compare the submaximal CRF of children with and without pDCD.
Methods: A comprehensive, systematic literature review was conducted of the recent available data on fitness and physical activity and pDCD (Chapter 2). This review provided the background for the other two studies included in this thesis. In Chapter 3, a prospective cohort design was used to assess how CRF in children with pDCD changes over time (56 months) relative to a group of typically developing controls. Using a nested-case control design, 63 subjects with pDCD and 63 matched controls from the larger sample were recruited to participate in the lab-based component of the study (Chapter 4). In this investigation CRF was examined using the oxygen cost of work (VO2) during an incremental test on a cycle ergometer.
Results: The literature review showed that fitness parameters, including CRF and physical activity levels, were consistently reduced in children with pDCD. Chapter 3 demonstrated that the difference in CRF between children with pDCD and typically developing children is substantial, and that it tends to increase over time. Results from VO2 assessments showed that children with pDCD utilized more oxygen to sustain the same submaximal workloads compared to typically developing children.
Conclusions: Findings from this thesis have made several important contributions to our understanding of children with pDCD. Since differences in CRF between children with and without pDCD tend to worsen over time, this adds to the argument that interventions intended to improve CRF may be appropriate for children with motor difficulties. This thesis also presented the first evidence suggesting that DCD involves higher energy expenditure, and could help explain why children with pDCD perform poorly on tasks requiring CRF.


title: Crystallinity, Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Bi doped LaVO3

subject:
Doped LaVO3
Energy dispersive analysis of x-rays
X-ray diffraction
Magnetic and electrical properties

abstract:
We report the results of crystal structure, magnetization and resistivity measurements of
Bi doped LaVO3. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that if doping Bi in the La site is less
than ten percent, the crystal structure of La1-xBixVO3 remains unchanged and its
symmetry is orthorhombic. However, for higher Bi doping (>10%) composite
compounds are found where the XRD patterns are characterized by two phases:
LaVO3+V2O3. Energy-dispersive analysis of the x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) results are
used to find a proper atomic percentage of all samples. The temperature dependence of
the mass magnetization of pure and single phase doped samples have transition
temperatures from paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic region at TN=140 K. This
measurement for bi-phasic samples indicates two transition temperatures, at TN=140 K
(LaVO3) and TN=170 K (V2O3). The temperature dependence of resistivity reveals
semiconducting behavior for all samples. Activation energy values for pure and doped
samples are extracted by fitting resistivity versus temperature data in the framework of
thermal activation process.


title: Exploring the Perceptions of Cultural Competence Among Personal Support Workers in an Ontario Long-Term Care Home: A Case Study

subject:
personal support workers
cultural competence
long-term care

abstract: Personal Support Workers (PSWs) spend a large amount of time with long-term care (LTC) home residents providing assistance with their activities of daily living.  The s limited research on their perceptions of cultural competence presents the need to bridge this knowledge gap. The researcher conducted a qualitative case study at a LTC home in Ontario. Data were collected by conducting a policy document analysis, a key informant interview with the Director of Care (DOC), and two focus groups with PSWs.  The five major overarching themes were: The Culture of the LTC Home, Provision of a Supportive Environment, Collaborative Team Approach to Care, Building a Relationship with the Residents, and Maintenance of Staff Morale. The findings illuminated the broad nature of culture, connections to person centered care, and the factors that facilitate or hinder PSWs’ culturally competent care. The ambiguous perception of cultural competence among PSWs suggests further research and education on cultural competence in LTC home settings.


title: STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION

subject: hepatitic C virus, DNA vaccine, adenoviral vector, RNA interference

abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the causative agent of Hepatitis C, a serious global health problem which results in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently there is no effective treatment or vaccine against the virus. Therefore, development of a therapeutic vaccine is of paramount importance. In this project, three alternative approaches were used to control HCV including a DNA vaccine, a recombinant viral vaccine and RNA interference.
The first approach was to test the effect of different promoters on the efficacy of a DNA vaccine against HCV. Plasmids encoding HCV-NS3 and E1 antigens were designed under three different promoters, adenoviral E1A, MLP, and CMV ie. The promoter effect on the antigen expression in 293 cells, as well as on the antibody level in immunized BALB/c mice, was evaluated. The results showed that the antigens were successfully expressed from all vectors. The CMV ie promoter induced the highest antigen expression and the highest antibody level.
Second, the efficiency of a recombinant adenovirus vaccine encoding HCV-NS3 was compared to that of a HCV-NS3 plasmid vaccine. The results showed that the recombinant adenovirus vaccine induced higher antibody levels as compared to the plasmid vaccine.
The relationship between the immune response and miRNA was also evaluated. The levels of mir-181, mir-155, mir-21 and mir-296 were quantified in the sera of immunized animals. mir-181 and mir-21 were found to be upregulated in animals injected with adenoviral vectors.
Third, two recombinant adenoviruses encoding siRNAs targeting both the helicase and protease parts of the NS3 region were tested for their ability to inhibit NS3 expression. The results showed that the siRNA against protease was more effective in silencing the HCV-NS3 gene in a HCV replicon cell line. This result confirmed the efficiency of adenovirus for siRNA delivery.
These results confirmed that CMV ie is optimum promoter for immune response induction. Adenovirus was shown to be an effective delivery vector for antigens or siRNAs. In addition, miRNAs were proved to be involved in the regulation of immune response.


title: Self-Esteem and Mastery in Maintenance Cardiac Rehabilitation

subject: Mastery, Self-Esteem, Maintenance Cardiac Rehabilitation, Risk Factors, Cardiovascular Disease

abstract:
Background: CVD is the second leading cause of death in Canada. Mastery and self-esteem are psychosocial factors, suggested to be emerging risk factors for CVD.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was two-fold; first to establish whether mastery and self-esteem predicted adherence to maintenance CR; and second, whether mastery and self-esteem improved after a 6-month maintenance CR program.
Methods: Data were collected at the Brock University Heart Institute. The study involved a sample of 98 participants. At intake to the program and 6-month follow-up, participants completed a questionnaire battery which included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Pearlin-Schooler Mastery Scale.
Results: Mastery and self-esteem scores did not alter the likelihood of adherence to the CR program. Mastery and self-esteem did significantly improve after 6-months of CR amongst participants with the lowest exercise capacity.
Conclusion: Maintenance CR does improve mastery and self-esteem amongst those with diminished exercise capacity.


title: Mapping one university's response to internationalization : a case study

subject:
Students, Foreign -- Education (Higher)
College students.
Foreign study

abstract:
This study explored one university's response to the internationalization of higher
education. Case study methodology was employed through a review of current and
archival documents and interviews with key actors in the international spheres of the
university. The historical, current, and future contexts were considered to situate the case
study on a time line. Data analysis revealed that there were several points of division
among the university community related to the response to internationalization, but also a
major point of coherence in the centrality of inter-cultural understanding in efforts to
internationalize. Other key findings included strengths, areas for improvement, and future
directions of the university's response to internationalization. All of these findings were
contextualized in findings related to the history of the university. In addition to these
major findings, three themes in relation to the vision for internationalization at the
institution were revealed: ( a) intercultural understanding, (b) the comprehensive status of
the university, and (c) the financial benefits of internationalization. Recommendations
are made for practice at the university in order to clarify this vision to develop a clear
foundation from which to further build a response to internationalization that is solidly
based on inter-cultural understanding, and recommendations for future research into the
process of internationalization at the institutional level in Canada are suggested.


title: Breaking the silence : exploring the workplace experiences of six women with learning disabilities

subject:
Women with disabilities -- Employment.
Employees -- Training of.
Occupational training

abstract:
In the current economic climate, employees are expected to upgrade their skills in
order to remain productive and competitive in the workplace, and many women with
learning disabilities! may feel doubly challenged when dealing with such expectations.
Although the number of people with reported learning disabilities who enter the
workforce is expected to increase, a dearth of research focuses on work-related
experiences of women with learning disabilities; consequently, employers and educators
often are unaware ofthe obstacles and demands facing such individuals.
This qualitative narrative study sheds light on the work experiences of women
with diagnosed or suspected learning disabilities. The study used semistructured
interviews to explore their perspectives and reflections on learnlng in order to: (a) raise
awareness of the needs of women with learning disabilities, (b) enhance their
opportunities to learn in the workplace, and (c) draw attention to the need for
improvement of inclusiveness in the workplace, especially for hidden disabilities. Study
findings reveal that participants' learning was influenced by work relationships, the
learning environments, self-determination, and taking personal responsibility. Moreover,
the main accommodation requested was to have supportive and understanding work
relationships and environments. Recommendations are made for future research and
workplace improvements, most notably that no employees should be left behind through
an employee-centered approach.


title: Two rows : assimilative transformations impacting Six Nations' educational and communal circles

subject: Six Nations Indian Reserve No. 40 (Ont.) -- Education.

subject: Indians of North America -- Ontario -- Education

subject: Indians of North America -- Cultural assimilation -- Ontario

abstract:
This study examines the current educational and community realities faced by a
large First Nations community in Canada. First, the research explores the voices of youth
and parents to determine the current issues and trends of an Aboriginal community.
Second, the work discusses the transformation of Six Nations youth and parents and its
impacts on student educational and community life. Third, I relate my personal
experiences as a First Nation student, parent, and community agency representative.


title: Experiences with cultural capital in education : exploring the educational life stories of first-generation postsecondary students

subject: First-generation college students -- Ontario

subject: Education, Higher -- Social aspects -- Ontario

abstract:
This study used a life history research design to explore first-generation university
students' educational life stories and experiences with cultural capital. The project
sought to examine how 3 first-generation university students experience cultural capital
that is privileged in Ontario's education system and how the interactions between capital
acquired through experiences within the home and school and capital privileged by the
education system affect these students' educational experiences and perceptions. Using
Pierre Bourdieu's (1984; 1986) theory of cultural capital as a framework, 3 firstgeneration,
first-year university students participated in two 1- to 2-hour interviews. A
focus on each participant's experiences with culture, capital, and education revealed
themes corresponding to navigating, utilizing, and confronting familial, institutional,
economic, and embodied forms of cultural capital. The study highlights the importance
of recognizing how cultural capital influences the education system and how firstgeneration
students can recreate normative pathways and achieve academic success
despite challenges posed by the cultural capital privileged within the education system.
Given cultural capital's effect on academic success, understanding first-generation
students' educational life stories sheds light on the complex challenges facing students
who confront and deal with privileged culture in the education system.


title: Synthesis and utilization of guanidine catalysts for applications directed towards the preparation of butenolide and modified amino acid derivatives

subject:
Guanidine
Catalysis.
Asymmetric synthesis.

abstract:
Development of guanidine catalysts is explored through direct iminium chloride and
amine coupling, alongside a 2-chloro-l,3-dimethyl-IH-imidazol-:-3-ium chloride (DMC)
induced thiourea cyclization. Synthesized achiral catalyst N-(5Hdibenzo[
d,t][1,3]diazepin-6(7H)-ylidene)-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) aniline proved
unsuccessful towards O-acyl migrations, however successfully catalyzed the vinylogous
aldol reaction between dicbloro furanone and benzaldehyde. Incorporating chirality into
the guanidine catalyst utilizing a (R)-phenylalaninol auxiliary, generating (R)-2-((5Hdibenzo[
d,t] [1,3 ]diazepin-6(7H)-ylidene ) amino )-3 -phenylpropan-l-ol, demonstrated
enantioselectivity for a variety of adducts. Highest enantiomeric excess (ee) was afforded
between dibromofuranone and p-chlorobenzaldehyde, affording the syn conformation in
96% ee and the anti in 54% ee, with an overall yield of30%. Attempts to increase
asymmetric induction were focused on incorporation of axial chirality to the (R)phenylalaninol
catalyst using binaphthyl diamine. Incorporation of (S)-binaphthyl
exhibited destructive selectivity, whereas incorporation of (R)-binaphthyl demonstrated
no effects on enantioselectivity. Current studies are being directed towards identifying the
catalytic properties of asymmetric induction with further studies are being aimed towards
increasing enantioselectivity by increasing backbone steric bulk.


title: Reliability of muscle fiber conduction velocity in the tibialis anterior

subject:
Muscle contraction -- Research
Neuromuscular diseases.
Electromyography

abstract:
This document could not have been completed without the hard work of a number
of individuals. First and foremost, my supervisor, Dr. David Gabriel deserves the utmost
recognition for the immense effort and time spent guiding the production of this
document through the various stages of completion. Also, aiding in the data collection,
technical support, and general thought processing were Lab Technician Greig Inglis and
fellow members of the Electromyographic Kinesiology Laboratory Jon Howard, Sean
Lenhardt, Lara Robbins, and Corrine Davies-Schinkel.
The input of Drs. Ted Clancy, Phil Sullivan and external examiner Dr. Anita
Christie, all members ofthe assessment committee, was incredibly important and vital to
the completion of this work. Their expertise provided a strong source of knowledge and
went to ensure that this project was completed at exemplary level.
There were a number of other individuals who were an immense help in getting
this project off the ground and completed. The donation of their time and efforts was
very generous and much needed in order to fulfill the requirements needed for
completion of this study.
Finally, I cannot exclude the contributions of my family throughout this project
especially that of my parents whose support never wavers.


title: "Weathering a hidden storm" : an application of Andersen's behavioral model of health, and health services use for those with diagnosable anxiety disorder

subject:
Anxiety disorders -- Treatment
Behavior therapy

abstract:
"Weathering a Hidden Storm": An App~ication of Andersen's
Behaviora~ Mode~ of Hea~th, and Hea~th Services Use for
Those With Diagnosab~e Anxiety Disorder
Research has primarily focused on depression and mood
disorders, but little research has been devoted to an
examination of mental health services use amongst those
with diagnosable anxiety disorder (Wittchen et al., 2002;
Bergeron et al., 2005). This study examined the possible
predicting factors for mental health services utilization
amongst those with identifiable anxiety disorder in the
Canadian population. The methods used for this study was
the application of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health
Services Use, where predisposing, need and enabling
111
characteristics were regressed on the dependent variable of
mental health services use. This study used the Canadian
Community Health Survey (cycle 1.2: Mental Health and Well-
Being) in a secondary data analysis. Several multiple
logistics models predicted the likelihood to seek and use
mental health services. Predisposing characteristics of
gender and age, Enabling characteristics of education and
geographical location, and those with co-occurring mood
disorders were at the greatest increased likelihood to seek
and use mental health services.