title: ETV5 as a Regulator of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 in Human Chondrosarcoma

contributor:
Ghert, Michelle
Medical Sciences

subject:
Bone resorption
transcription factor
gelatinase
metastasis
collagen
Cancer Biology
Medical Genetics
Molecular genetics
Cancer Biology

abstract: Chondrosarcoma is a unique type of bone cancer in that it does not respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and therefore many affected patients die from metastatic disease. Metastasis has been correlated to upregulation of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of proteases, which can degrade a wide range of extracellular components. MMP2 is an enzyme secreted from the cell and degrades extracellular gelatin, as denatured collagen. ETV5 is a transcription factor which has shown to be overexpressed in multiple types of invasive tumours. The regulatory relationship between ETV5 and MMP2 has not been studied in chondrosarcoma. We hypothesized that ETV5 regulates MMP2 in human chondrosarcoma with the protease acting as a downstream effector. We have determined that both ETV5 and MMP2 are upregulated in the KC human chondrosarcoma cell line. Gene knockdown of ETV5 in KC cells resulted in a reduction in MMP2 mRNA expression as well as decreased protein production, and significantly decreased MMP2 gelatinase activity. When ETV5 is overexpressed, MMP2 expression is upregulated at the RNA and protein levels. Data from our bone resorption studies revealed that when a matrix metalloproteinase 2 inhibitor is added to the KC cell growth media, collagen released from bone chips decreased significantly. Upon histological examination, bone chips incubated with KC cells and the MMP2 inhibitor showed less bone resorption. Analyses of patient cell lines show similar expression profiles of ETV5 and MMP2 as the KC cell line. ETV5 knockdown (KD) in the patient cell lines also showed a decrease in MMP2 expression, similar to the KC cells, suggesting that the ETV5-MMP2 pathway has clinical importance. This data advocates that ETV5 has a significant role in regulating MMP2 expression and activity, and bone resorption in human chondrosarcoma, and thus may be a targetable effector of the metastatic cascade in this cancer.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: THE ROLE OF GP130 CYTOKINES IL-6 AND OSM ON TUMOR DEVELOPMENT IN MOUSE MODELS FOR LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA

contributor: Kjetil Ask, Martin Stampfli, Jonathan Bramson

contributor: Medical Sciences (Molecular Virology and Immunology Program)

subject: lung cancer

subject: OSM

subject: IL-6

subject: gp130

subject: KRAS

subject: Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity

subject: Neoplasms

abstract: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in both the US and Canada and efforts still need to be made towards understanding the disease. The role of inflammation in the promotion of cancer development represents a newer avenue of research. The glycoprotein (gp)-130 cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a well established role in promoting inflammation and recent evidence suggests roles in development of certain tumors in animal models. Less is known of the related family member oncostatin M (OSM) and the functions of either IL-6 or OSM in lung cancer development is not known. Based on the hypothesis that these cytokines promote lung cancer development, IL-6 and OSM were overexpressed in the lungs of two separate mouse models for lung cancer utilizing adenovirus vectors encoding IL-6 or OSM. The first mouse model utilized a Cre-conditional oncogene KRAS G12D (developed by Tyler Jacks) in which endotracheal administration of adenovirus (Ad)-encoded Cre-recombinase resulted in increases in lung densities in a dose-dependent fashion over a period of 6 weeks that were measurable by CT scanning and histology. Increases in cytokines IL-6 and kertinocyte chemoattractant (KC) were detectable in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by week 4, as well as marked increases in alveolar macrophage numbers. Macrophages were also shown as a possible target for Cre-mediated recombination and mutant KRAS expression. Administration of either AdIL-6 or AdOSM as well as AdCre resulted in a trend toward increases in tumor burden with AdOSM based on experiments terminated at 4 weeks. The second mouse model involved endotracheal administration of the lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cell line, which after 7 days resulted in detectable tumor burden. Administration of either AdIL-6 or AdOSM and LLC cells simultaneously was shown to increase tumor burden relative to AdDl70 co-administration. These results suggest a possible role of IL-6 or OSM in promoting lung tumor development in animal models and may ultimately reveal gp130 cytokines IL-6 or OSM as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of lung cancer.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Up in the Sky: Literary Typology and "All-Star Superman"

contributor:
Donaldson, Jeffery
Savage, Anne
Adamson, Joseph
English

subject:
Superman
Frye
graphic novel
comic book
typology
American Literature
American Literature

abstract: Using the discussion of Biblical typology from Northrop Frye’s The Great Code as a starting point, this paper proposes a typological lineage of fiction growing from the foundational kerygmatic stories of Western culture. After briefly proposing canonical texts that would fit into this lineage, there is an analysis of the graphic novel All-Star Superman which demonstrates this contemporary text’s place in the typological line and its status as a prime example of the sorts of texts that would fit this lineage. Specific characteristics of the graphic novel and of superhero fiction are discussed that demonstrate All-Star Superman’s place in the typological line, and this placement also argues for the consideration of superhero narratives as worthy parts of the American literary canon. The final chapter discusses some of the ramifications arising from the analysis of both the form and the text, pointing to ways in which critical frameworks for both the typological lineage and the critical elucidation of the graphic novel format can move forward.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Gene profiling v-Src transformation in primary avian cells and the identification of the novel Src-responsive gene DAPK1 as a mediator of apoptosis in Src-transformed cells with repressed AP-1 activity

contributor:
Bedard, Andre
Biology

subject:
Src
gene profiling
gene expression
AP-1
C/EBPβ
DAPK1
Cancer Biology
Cell Biology
Molecular genetics
Cancer Biology

abstract:
Cell transformation by the Src tyrosine kinase is characterized by extensive changes in gene expression. Previous studies have indicated that many of these changes are dependent on the activity of transcription factors belonging to the AP-1, STAT and Ets families. This study took advantage of transformation-deficient and temperature sensitive mutants of the Rous sarcoma virus to characterize transformation-induced patterns of gene expression of two primary cell types, chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and chicken neuroretina (CNR). In these cells, v-Src alters the expression of up to 6% of the protein coding genes. Comparison of this program with independent breast carcinoma data sets identified a group of 42 v-Src inducible genes associated with reduced disease-free survival. Pathway and ontological analyses of the genes differentially regulated by transformation in CEF and CNR indicated a generalized program of de-differentiation induced by Src.

To investigate the role of AP-1 inSrc-mediated transformation, a gene profiling study was conducted to characterize the transcriptomes of v-Src-transformed CEF expressing the Jun dominant-negative allele or the JunD short-hairpin RNA (shRNA). Microarray data analysis indicated a cluster of 18 co-regulated probe-sets activated in v-Src-transformed CEF with repressed AP-1 activity but not activated in normal CEF or CEF transformed only by v-Src. One gene, death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1), is a C/EBPβ-regulated mediator of apoptosis in IFN-γ-induced cell death. Inhibition of DAPK1 abrogated cell-death in v-Src-transformed CEF expressing the JunD shRNA and expression of DAPK1 was dependent on C/EBPβ but antagonized by AP-1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that C/EBPβ, but not JunD, is recruited to the DAPK1 promoter. In conclusion, JunD promotes survival by indirectly antagonizing C/EBPβ-dependent expression of DAPK1.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Synthesis of Dendrimer-based Radioimaging Agents

contributor:
Adronov, Alex
Valliant, John
Chemistry and Chemical Biology

subject:
dendrimer
radioimaging
therapeutics
epr effect
drug delivery
polymer chemistry
Diagnosis
Organic Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Radiochemistry
Diagnosis

abstract:
The synthesis of new macromolecular diagnostic imaging agents has been a growing field in polymeric chemistry research. Dendrimers provide a viable scaffold for such applications due to their unique, defined macromolecular architecture. The precise structural control afforded via the step-wise synthesis of dendrimers yields exceptional and precise macromolecules that can be functionalized to include necessary imaging moieties with the same degree of precision.

We have herein contributed to this growing field by attempting the synthesis of a series of PEGylated poly(2,2-bis[hydroxymethyl]propanoic acid) PMPA dendrons using thiol-ene "click" chemistry. The series consisted of three dendritic architectures peripherally functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains of varying length (n= 3, 8, 16), with the goal of determining the effect of PEG chain length on blood circulation times. Synthesis of these conjugates began first with functionalization of the dendron periphery to incorporate alkene functionalities using anhydride-mediated esterification chemistry.

The core of the alkene PMPA dendrons was then modified to introduce a metal chelating bis-pyridyl functionality, which has been observed to chelate the radionuclide technetium-99m (99mTc) with high binding affinity. 99mTc is the most widely used diagnostic radioisotope in diagnostic medicine due to its ideal isotopic properties, widespread availability, low cost, and its ability to be traced, in real time, in vivo using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).

PEGylation at the periphery was performed by thiol-ene “click” chemistry using thiol-terminated PEG chains. Metallation of the core of each PEGylated dendron was then attempted according to literature procedures for 99mTc radiolabeling with the bis-pyridyl chelate.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Investigating the Role of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3α in the Initiation and Progression of Atherosclerosis

contributor:
Werstuck, Geoff H.
Brad Doble, Suleiman Igdoura
Biochemistry

subject:
atherosclerosis
diabetes
ER stress
unfolded protein response
GSK-3
inflammation
Biochemistry
Biochemistry

abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall and is the primary cause of coronary artery disease, the most common cause of death in western societies. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. These risk factors have also been shown to promote vascular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress; a cellular response characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER. Thickening and decreased stability of arterial plaque can lead to thrombosis and subsequent clinical complications of myocardial infarction and stroke. However, the exact mechanisms that lead to the development of atherosclerosis remain unclear. Here we show that inhibition, as well as a deficiency of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3α, can protect against accelerated atherosclerosis in a low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) knockout mouse model. Compared to LDLR-/- controls, mice deficient in GSK-3α showed a decrease in lesion volume in the aortic root as well as protection against diet-induced hepatic steatosis. In addition, necrotic core volume was significantly reduced in LDLR-/-GSK-3α-/- mice compared to controls, a characteristic indicative of advanced plaque formation. Furthermore, hepatic and vascular ER stress levels were unaffected by the deletion of GSK-3α, a result that is consistent with the hypothesis that GSK-3α functions downstream of ER stress. Macrophages isolated from GSK-3α deficient mice had a reduction in unesterified cholesterol accumulation as well as a significant increase in the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Finally, BMT experiments showed a significant decrease in plaque size in the aortic sinus of LDLR-/-GSK-3α+/+ mice transplanted with GSK-3α deficient bone marrow. These results demonstrate a possible link between ER stress-induced activation of GSK-3α and the downstream effects leading to atherogenic initiation and progression.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Three Essays in the Economics of Education

contributor:
Payne, Abigail
Jones, Stephen
Dooley, Martin
Economics

subject:
school choice
education economics
competition
full-day kindergarten
Labor Economics
Labor Economics

abstract:
Education has become increasingly important in today’s society. In the three essays of this dissertation, I analyze the impacts of government education policies on elementary and high school students in Ontario.

The first two essays measure the costs and benefits of programs that allow students to choose from a wider range of high schools. Theoretically, increased choice could benefit students since schools might compete for students by improving their productivity. The third essay of this dissertation, coauthored with Jean Eid and Christine Neill, examines the impacts on students of a switch from half-day to full-day kindergarten.

In the first essay (Chapter 2), I document that students living in areas with more choice are more likely to apply to university. These outcomes seem to be due to competition between Public and Catholic school boards. I find that students attending public schools are more likely to apply to university when they are surrounded by more Catholic schools (and vice versa).

In Chapter 3, I examine a potentially negative outcome of increased choice. I find that it is the brightest students (as measured by their standardized test scores) who are the most likely to take up the choice and opt in to a different school. These bright students move to what are perceived to be the better schools, leaving behind weaker students at poorer schools. If peer effects are important, this has the potential to be harmful for weaker students.

In Chapter 4, my coauthors and I measure the impact of full-day kindergarten on standardized test scores once the students are in grades 3 and 6. We find that this universal program had no effect on the overall likelihood that a student passes these standard tests; however, we do observe some small improvements for students living in low-income and low-education neighbourhoods.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Effect of Concurrent Motor Activity on the Perception of Biological Motion

contributor:
James L. Lyons, PhD.
Timothy. D. Lee, PhD.
Luc Tremblay, PhD.
Kinesiology

subject:
Action Observation
Concurrent Movement
MOSAIC
Perception
Biological Motion
Cognition and Perception
Cognition and Perception

abstract: Recent efforts to explain the underlying mechanisms of action observation have resulted in several theoretical frameworks. The Common Coding framework proposes that the perception and action areas of the brain share representations of visual and motor feedback such that areas are activated concurrently, there is a benefit to an individual’s perceptual ability and confidence. The MOSAIC framework, on the other hand, proposes that these benefits derive from self generations of motor commands during voluntary movement. This study aimed to observe the effects of concurrent motor activity on perceptual ability and judgments of performance. Participants observed an animated avatar performing pairs of symbol tracings on a screen. Participants were also placed into one of three concurrent movement groups: voluntary concurrent symbol tracing, non-voluntary concurrent symbol tracing or observation (no concurrent symbol tracing). It was expected that the group with voluntary concurrent movement would exhibit a higher perceptual accuracy and greater ability to judge performance than both the non-voluntary concurrent movement group and the observation group. However, all participants demonstrated the same level of perceptual accuracy, regardless of the level of concurrent movement. The decreased ability for voluntary movement participants was likely due to significant movement initiation time delays associated with cognitive processing of visual stimuli. As such, voluntary participants did not move in synchrony with the display. Nevertheless, both movement groups had a greater ability of judging performance, suggesting that judgments of performance may be obtained using different pathways than those involved in perceptual accuracy. Findings support both the Common Coding and MOSAIC frameworks, suggesting that a perceptual benefit can only be obtained when movement is in synchrony with perception.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: A comparison of strain gradient and conventional plasticity theories and their application to surface texturing

contributor:
Wu, Peidong
Dr. Jain
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
strain gradient
indentation
rolling
necking

abstract: There have been considerable requirements for improved products of sheet metal in automobile industry. A quick and economical route to new products is to design novel surface textures of varying scales for improved product enhancement in better optical appearance and formability. The critical deformation in the surface texturing is on the order of only a few microns, and can not be accurately predicted by the classical plasticity due to the size effect. The theory of strain gradient plasticity has been developed to capture the size effect based on the concept of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs). A selected strain gradient theory has been implemented into the finite element (FE) model to simulate the surface texturing process. A 3D FE model was developed to simulate the rolling process of sheet metal which has band-type feature on the original surface. The numerical results show that a textured roller can efficiently modify the band-type feature without changing the whole mechanical property of the sheet. Size effect has significant contribution to the magnitude of the rolling force. A FE model was developed to simulate the tensile test of the sheet with textured surface. A textured surface of the sheet is prepared through the indention on the sheet surface. The results show that the textured surface becomes harder due to the strain gradient effect, and finally improves the formability of the sheet.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Bioarchaeological Analysis of Trauma in a Skeletal Sample from Smith's Knoll Historic Cemetery

contributor:
Brickley, Megan
Prowse, Tracy
Anthropology

subject:
bioarchaeology
palaeopathology
trauma
War of 1812
Battle of Stoney Creek
Biological and Physical Anthropology
Biological and Physical Anthropology

abstract:
The Smith’s Knoll collection is composed of the disarticulated, fragmentary, and commingled remains of battle dead from the War of 1812. Historical and archaeological context of this site can be well established, making it particularly valuable in helping to unveil the conditions experienced by individuals in the past. In this thesis, the Smith’s Knoll collection was analyzed for evidence of postcranial perimortem traumatic skeletal lesions. Further context for these injuries was provided through comparison with contemporaneous skeletal and surgical collections, historical documentary sources, and other bioarchaeological studies on violence and warfare in the past.

Injuries associated with fractures, sharp force, and musket trauma were observed in the postcranial elements of the collection. Although the overall prevalence of lesions is low, the majority of observed lesions can be attributed to sharp force trauma. Sharp force injuries are present in fourteen of the ribs as well as one fibula, one femur, one carpal, one vertebra, and one ulna. Musket injuries are present in three innominates and one scapula, and perimortem fractures are present in one rib and one scapula. The sharp force injuries can be further differentiated into those most likely caused by the bayonet, found in the torso, and those most likely caused by the sword, found in the extremities. Musket trauma is present in the form of impact from both musket balls and buckshot. Importantly, this is the first study to identify buckshot lesions on archaeological skeletal material.

The results of the analysis of Smith’s Knoll demonstrate the value of examining postcranial lesions in relation to violence in the past, which has frequently been overlooked in bioarchaeology. As well, this collection illustrates that fragmented, disarticulated, and commingled collections, despite their limitations, have much to contribute to knowledge of interpersonal violent conflicts, both in prehistory and in the more recent past.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: APPLICATION OF THERMALLY ENHANCED HUISGEN CYCLOADDITION ON POLYSILOXANE FUNCTIONALIZATION

contributor:
Brook, Michael A.
Stover, H.
Adronov, Alex
Chemistry

subject:
Cycloaddition
Silicone
Polysiloxane
Functionalization
Azide
Alkyne
Polymer Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry

abstract: The thermal azide-alkyne cycloaddition using electron deficient alkynes was used to functionalize polysiloxanes at low temperatures and without the need of a metal catalyst. We observed that the temperature at which cycloaddition began can be attributed to the identity of the alkyne's substituents (Chapter 2). We propose that the location of functionalization can be controlled by the specific introduction of electron deficient alkynes on terminal or pendant points on the polysiloxane. Polysiloxanes, each containing two electronically different alkynes, were prepared to show preferential functionalization of the more reactive alkyne without consuming the less reactive alkyne. The alkyne's reactivity can be modified by our choice of substituents. The extension of these results led to polysiloxane difunctionalization where the more reactive alkyne was consumed by a small azide followed by consumption of the less reactive alkyne with a bisazide siloxane. Thermal cycloaddition was used to introduce carbohydrates onto polysiloxanes without complicated protection/deprotection schemes and without catalysts (Chapter 3). The process was successful as propiolate-functionalized siloxane and azide-functionalized gluconamide reacted to produce a trisiloxane-functionalized gluconamide. Trisiloxane-functionalized gluconamide gelled diethyl ether at 3.0% gelator/solvent volume ratio becoming one of the few siloxane-based gelling agents.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Educating Pious Citizens: Local Politics, International Funding, and Democracy in Bamako's Islamic Schools.

contributor:
Rothenberg, Celia
Lukens-Bull, Ronald
Badone, Ellen E.F.
Religious Studies

subject: Islam; Mali; education; madrasa; anthropology

subject: African Languages and Societies

subject: History of Religions of Western Origin

subject: Social and Cultural Anthropology

subject: African Languages and Societies

abstract:
In this study, I emphasize the agency of the Malian arabisant community (individuals usually trained in médersas who use Arabic as their first language of communication and who often identify first and foremost as Muslims) in creating, maintaining, and improving an education system which provides the tools needed for young Malians to be pious Muslims and productive citizens of the Republic of Mali. By creating an extensive médersa system over the years, in collaboration and confrontation with the successive governments in Mali and abroad, Malian arabisants have answered the need for a new definition of what it is to be a modern Muslim democrat in a secular democracy. I suggest that the specific formation of the educational system in Mali is related to the development of the uniquely Malian configuration of what it is to be an arabisant.

I show how médersas have allowed and still encourage the development of a new mentality that gives Malian Muslims the tools necessary to re-define themselves in their own environment. Malian arabisants have reformulated their religious practice and sociability towards what has been called Islam mondain: a moralization of the mundane. One's energy is focused on morally purifying daily life in order to render it “islamically” sound while living in an environment that is not Islamic per se. It is an internalization of faith that allows the believer to enjoy the benefits of a rapidly modernizing environment by re-imagining both modernity and tradition as compatible and complementary. Islam mondain offers a model for virtuous socio-economic comfort, and an islamization of the benefits of globalization and modernization that renders them morally pure.

This research thus contributes to the theoretical and anthropological study of Islam as a lived faith in a secular democracy; such a study is central to an understanding of the developing relationships between Islam, modernity, and secular democracy across the Muslim world. It also speaks to the very current issues faced by Muslims living in “Western” countries and vice versa. This research illustrates the agency of the Malian arabisants in defining their relationship to modernity and democracy, and thus engages with the variety of research that shows other Muslim communities in the world also engaged in such a re-definition of themselves and of their tradition.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Prediction, Tracking and Retrodiction for Path-Constrained Targets

contributor:
Kirubarajan, T.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
prediction
target tracking
retrodiction
path-constrained targets
segment hypothesis
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Signal Processing
Electrical and Computer Engineering

abstract: Prediction, tracking, and retrodiction for targets whose motion is constrained by external conditions (e.g., shipping lanes, roads) present many challenges to tracking systems. The targets are moving along a path, defined by way-points and segments. Measurements are obtained by sensors at low revisit rates (e.g., spaceborne). Existing tracking algorithms assume that the targets follow the same motion model between successive measurements, but in a low revisit rate scenario targets may change the motion model between successive measurements. A prediction algorithm is proposed here, which addresses this issue by considering possible motion model whenever targets move to a different segment. Further, when a target approaches a junction, it has the possibility to travel into one of the multiple segments connected to that junction. To predict the probable locations, multiple hypotheses for segments are introduced and a probability is calculated for each segment hypothesis. When measurements become available, segment hypothesis probability is updated based on a combined mode likelihood and a sequential probability ratio test is carried out to reject the hypotheses with low probability. Retrodiction for path constrained targets is also considered, because in some scenarios it is desirable to find out the target's exact location at some previous time (e.g., at the time of an oil leakage). A retrodiction algorithm is developed for path constrained targets so as to facilitate motion forensic analysis. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed algorithms.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Evidence for Two Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya Traditions in the Gilgit Prātimokṣa-sūtras

contributor:
Clarke, Shayne
Religious Studies

subject:
Buddhism
Prātimokṣa
Buddhist Monasticism
History of Religions of Eastern Origins
History of Religions of Eastern Origins

abstract: The Sanskrit prātimokṣa-sūtras contained in the Gilgit Buddhist manuscripts have been identified as belonging to the Mūlasarvāstivāda school. However, the identification of these manuscripts as Mūlasarvāstivādin texts is problematic. A key factor for determining the school affiliation of a prātimokṣa is the rule order. The Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras, however, differ in their rule order. In this thesis, I explore the relationship of these Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras to Mūlasarvāstivādin literature. In order to do so, I have conducted a comparative analysis of the Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras focusing on differences in rule order in Gilgit Serials 2, 3a, and 4b/4c. I have also compared the rule order contained within the Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras to known Mūlasarvāstivādin commentaries. I argue that we have evidence for two distinct Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya traditions within the Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras. The author(s)/redactor(s) of Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras 2 and 3a were aware of a tradition similar, if not identical, to that known to the author(s)/redactor(s) of the Mūlasarvāstivādin prātimokṣa-sūtra contained in the Tibetan canon. Serial 4b/4c contains a different Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya tradition, one that has close parallels to Mūlasarvāstivādin commentaries. The Gilgit prātimokṣa-sūtras, therefore, contain Sanskrit evidence for multiple Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya traditions.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: “TEACH ME HOW TO CURSE MY ENEMIES”: POLITICAL WOMEN AND THEATRICAL POWER IN SHAKESPEARE’S FIRST TETRALOGY

contributor:
Gough, Melinda
Ostovich, Helen
Silcox, Mary
English

subject:
Henry VI
Richard III
Margaret of Anjou
Joan la Pucelle
history play
Literature in English, British Isles
Literature in English, British Isles

abstract:
Drawing on Katherine Eggert’s discussion of Joan la Pucelle’s dramatic skills, this thesis argues that, through effective performances on the characters around them, the women of Shakespeare’s first tetralogy achieve and exercise extensive political power and that the male project of silencing these women through vilification and condemnation is an attempt to diminish that political power. The women in these plays are not born to the power they achieve, and it is not bestowed upon them by others. The female characters of the first tetralogy use theatrical power to enter and, in some cases, dominate the masculine world of political authority through their theatrical skill. They persuade, seduce, manipulate, and argue their ways through the highest circles of political authority and, transgressing patriarchal notions of political authority, they wield decidedly unfeminine power.

These plays demonstrate the potential public impact and rebellious or resistant power of the female voice. In the first chapter of this thesis, I argue that these characters, through dramatically effective speech, exert significant female political agency. In the second chapter, I further contend that the male project of silencing these women's voices, expressed through gendered slurs and accusations of sexual misconduct, is a method of subduing the women’s political power. By examining the subversive women of Shakespeare's first tetralogy, this thesis explores the ways in which these characters use voice to enter and, in some cases, dominate the masculine world of political authority.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: SMALL MOLECULE INTERROGATION OF S. COELICOLOR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND SECONDARY METABOLISM

contributor:
Nodwell, Justin
Biochemistry

subject:
streptomyces
secondary metabolism
small molecule screening
Biochemistry
Biochemistry

abstract: Secondary metabolites are vital to human health and strategies to improve their production and detection are equally essential. The blue pigmented metabolite actinorhodin produced by Streptomyces coelicolor, a genus renowned for their diverse secondary metabolites, provides a unique opportunity to identify small molecules probes of secondary metabolism. Small molecules capable of altering secondary metabolism will have widespread application in the streptomycetes due to their ease of addition to any culture condition. Taking advantage of the phenotypic versatility of the S. coelicolor lifecycle, we extended our search for small molecule modulators further to include the entire developmental process. In addition to alterations in secondary metabolism, these processes include growth inhibition, precocious sporulation and alterations in aerial hyphae formation and sporulation. This work provides the foundation for studying Streptomyces by chemical manipulation. Those compounds which stimulate secondary metabolism were narrowed down to 19 ARCs (for antibiotic remodeling compounds). From these, a set of 4 structurally related molecules, the ARC2 series, was identified as weak inhibitors of fatty acid biosynthesis and most likely lead to alterations in secondary metabolism through shifting precursors from primary to secondary metabolism. Consistent with the conservation of fatty acid biosynthesis within bacteria, the effect of the ARC2 series extends in general to the actinomycetes. This provides a simple strategy to alter the secondary metabolic profiles of a diverse range of actinomycetes.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Continuity of Positive Functionals and Representations

contributor:
Husain, T.
Mathematics

subject: Mathematics Mathematics

abstract: This dissertation is mainly concerned with the study of the continuity of positive functionals on topological *-algebras and of the representations of topological *-algebras by operators on a Hilbert space. In each case, both the locally convex and the non-locally convex topological *-algebras are considered. First we examine the general situation; then we discuss the results for the various known classes of topological *-algebras as special cases of our general considerations. These algebras include bounded algebras, MQ*-algebras, uniformly A-convex algebras and Banach algebras for the locally convex case, and F-algebras and p-normed algebras for the non-locally convex case. Meanwhile we relax the condition for the requirement of an identity element and the condition on the continuity of the involution map in the algebra. In this way we partially generalize some previous results, and the known results in some cases follow from ours. Those that are not particular cases of our results will also be discussed.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: “THE POWER OF THE AUTHOR OF NATURE”: AN EXPLORATION OF JOHN WOODWARD’S FUSION OF NATURAL AND REVEALED RELIGION

contributor:
Walmsley, Peter
Jenkins, Gena Zuroski
Grisé, Cathy
English and Cultural Studies

subject: John Woodward

subject: early modern science

subject: physico-theology

subject: Natural History of the Earth

subject: Universal Deluge

subject: Biology

subject: Christianity

subject: Literature in English, British Isles

subject: Other Life Sciences

subject: Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

subject: Biology

abstract: Sir Isaac Newton’s famous discovery of gravity marks the rapid advancement of science in the English seventeenth century, and a permanent shift away from the scientific methods of antiquity. Natural philosophers were beginning to look at the physical world in new and dynamic ways. However, much of this new theory conflicted with traditional theology, which was problematic for Christian followers of this ‘new science’. To negotiate this conflict, a group of natural philosophers developed a new branch of science entitled physico-theology. This stream aims to prove that science does not dismiss religion, but is able to reinforce the existence of God and the truth of Biblical texts. John Woodward is a largely overlooked participant in physico-theology, but his literary works supply key information to modern readers in the understanding of this field. This study critically examines Woodward’s Natural History of the Earth for its significant contributions to early modern science and literary techniques of this discipline. This work is indicative of an emerging scientific method that aims to accommodate both physical observation and creative thinking. I argue that Woodward’s reliance on theology, while scientifically problematic, does not hinder his research, but is perversely productive by challenging him to pursue innovative hypotheses. This prominent, understudied text is remarkable for its fusion of science and theology, and for what it can illuminate about the interdependence of faith and reason in early modern science.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: RpoS Regulon Modulation by Environmental Selection

contributor:
Schellhorn, Herb E.
Biology

subject:
RpoS
regulon
Escherichia coli
evolution
oxidative stress
gene regulation
adaptation
environmental isolates
mutations
Bioinformatics
Biology
Microbiology
Bioinformatics

abstract: Regulatory interactions evolve to incorporate new genomic material and contribute to bacterial diversity. These regulatory interactions are flexible and likely provide bacteria with a means of rapid environmental adaptation. In this thesis, the RpoS regulon is used as a model system to investigate the hypothesis that regulon composition and expression are modified according to environmental pressures. Several novel findings are presented, namely the distribution of RpoS homologs in bacteria, the flexibility of the RpoS regulon, and the effect of diverse environmental pressures on RpoS regulon expression. Based on phylogenetic and reciprocal best hits analyses, RpoS was determined to be conserved in gamma-, beta-, and delta-proteobacteria, likely because it confers a selective advantage in many bacterial niches. Regulon composition, however, was highly flexible. Even between species of the same class, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, only 12 of 50 orthologs were regulated in common by RpoS. RpoS regulon flexibility may thus be the result of adaptation to different bacterial habitats. Indeed, mutations in rpoS and differential regulon expression could be identified among environmental E. coli isolates collected from diverse sources. Among environmental E. coli isolates, RpoS mutant frequency was found to be 0.3%, and activity of KatE, a prototypical RpoS regulon member, was undetectable in some isolates despite the presence of functional RpoS. Modulated RpoS regulon expression among environmental E. coli isolates is consistent with environment as a key factor shaping regulatory interactions. Regulon flexibility was similarly apparent in oxidative stress regulons, OxyR and SoxRS, of E. coli. SoxRS regulon function is weakly conserved, possibly due to low selective pressure for a superoxide stress response regulon in some bacterial species. Environment, therefore, is a crucial element that defines the dynamics of regulatory networks.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: What drives tactile spatial acuity enhancement in the blind?

contributor:
Goldreich, Daniel
Neuroscience

subject:
tactile
blind
psychophysics
somatosensory
neuroscience
plasticity
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience

abstract: In recent years, many studies have reported that the tactile spatial acuity of blind participants is enhanced relative to that of sighted participants, but it is unclear what factors drive this enhancement. In the series of three psychophysics studies (of tactile spatial acuity) presented in this thesis, we attempted to tease apart two hypotheses explaining tactile spatial acuity enhancement in the blind: visual deprivation and tactile experience. To measure tactile spatial acuity in these studies, we used a grating orientation task. In the first study (Chapter 2), we found that blind participants outperformed sighted participants, but only on body parts where tactile experience is presumably greater in blind than in sighted participants (i.e., fingertips, not lips); we found additionally that blind participants’ tactile acuity correlated with their Braille reading behaviour (e.g., style, frequency of reading). In the second study (Chapter 3), we found that visual deprivation of sighted participants for periods up to 110 minutes did not enhance their sense of touch. In the third study (Chapter 4), we found that extensive training on a tactile task can substantially improve sighted participants’ sense of touch. The findings from our three studies thus provide consistent support for the hypothesis that tactile experience, but not visual deprivation, drives tactile spatial acuity enhancement in the blind.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Health Advocacy and Doctoring: A Mercurial Relationship Between Old Friends

contributor:
Gillett, James B.
Sinding, Christina
Schwartz, Lisa
Health and Aging

subject:
advocacy
medicalization
doctoring
residency
Arthur Frank
demoralization
Medicine and Health
Sociology
Medicine and Health

abstract: The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons recognizes the role of health advocate as a central aspect of doctoring that can greatly impact the quality of care one receives. Current literature discussing physicians as health advocates is sparse, particularly in the area of medical training. This study aims to identify how medical residents negotiate between their identity as a physician, which is bound by the narrow confines of biomedicine, and a more comprehensive vision of health care that incorporates advocacy. A thematic narrative analysis of four weblogs authored by medical residents was employed to complete this study. The culture of medicine and the hidden curriculum surfaced as impediments to advocacy in residency training, resulting in residents experiencing a crisis in caring, compassion and communication. When residents were not able to care for their patients in ways that met their moral expectations of what it means to be a healer, they felt depersonalized and became disenchanted with medicine. Arthur Frank’s theory regarding the demoralization of medicine is used to illuminate the importance of dialogue within the doctor-patient relationship, as well as its impacts on health advocacy. This study explores the concept of advocacy and brings forth the question: Given what we know about medicalization and the culture of medicine, should physicians be health advocates for their patients when their training is restricted to biomedical interventions and notions of care?

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: An investigation into expectations-driven business cycles

contributor:
Johri, Alok
Letendre, Marc-Andre
Scarth, William
Economics

subject:
expectations-driven business cycles
news shock
sunspot
credit shock
technological change
financial friction
Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics

abstract:
In this thesis I explore dimensions through which changes in expectations can serve as a driver of business cycles in a rational expectations setting. Exploiting both the ``sunspot'' and ``news-shock'' approaches to expectations-driven business cycles, I use various theoretical models to investigate how changes in expectations may have played a role in macroeconomic events such as the technological revolution of the 1990's and the financial boom and bust of 2003-2008.

In the first chapter, I explore the ability of a model with knowledge capital to generate business cycles driven by expectations of future movement in total factor productivity (TFP). I model knowledge capital as an input into production which is endogenously produced through a learning-by-doing process. When firms receive news of an impending productivity increase, the value of knowledge capital rises, inducing the firm to hire more hours to ``invest'' in knowledge capital. The rise in the value of knowledge capital immediately raises the value of the firm, causing an appreciation in stock prices. If the expected increase in productivity fails to materialize, the model generates a recession as well as a crash in the stock market.

In the second chapter, I explore the extent to which expectations about innovations in the financial sector may have contributed to both the boom and bust associated with the ``Great Recession''. Making a connection between the ``boom-years'' of easy credit and the crises of 2008, I argue that agents' overly-optimistic expectations of the benefits associated with financial innovation led to a flood of liquidity in the financial sector, lowering interest rate spreads and facilitating the boom in asset prices and economic activity. When the events of 2007-2009 led to a re-evaluation of the effectiveness of these new products, agents revised their expectations regarding the actual efficiency gains available to the financial sector and this led to a withdrawal of liquidity from the financial system, a reversal in credit spreads and asset prices and a bust in real activity. Following the news-shock approach, I model the boom and bust cycle in terms of an expected future fall in the costs of bankruptcy which are eventually not realized. The build up in liquidity and economic activity in expectation of these efficiency gains is then abruptly reversed when agents' hopes are dashed. The model generates counter-cyclical movement in the spread between lending rates and the risk-free rate which is driven purely by expectations, even in the absence of any exogenous movement in bankruptcy costs as well as an endogenous rise and fall in asset prices and leverage.

In the final chapter, I explore the extent to which a ``bout of optimism'' during a period of technological change such as the 1990's could produce not just a boom in consumption, investment and hours-worked, but also rapid growth in productivity itself. I present a theoretical model where the economy endogenously adopts the technological ideas of a slowly evolving technological frontier, and show that the presence of a ``technological gap'' between unadopted ideas and current productivity can lead to multiple equilibria and therefore the possibility that changes in beliefs can be self-fulfilling, often referred to as sunspots. In the model these sunspots take the form of beliefs about the value of adopting the new technological ideas, and unleash both a boom in aggregate quantities as well as eventual productivity growth, increasing the value of adoption and self-confirming the beliefs. In this sense, the model provides an alternative interpretation of the empirical news-based results that identify expectational booms that precede growth in TFP. Finally, I demonstrate that the scope for the indeterminacies is a function of the steady-state growth rate of the underlying frontier of technological ideas, and that during times of low growth in ideas or technological stagnation, the potential for indeterminacies and thus belief-driven productivity growth diminishes.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Effect of High Voltage Electric Fields on Two Phase Flow Pattern Redistribution and Heat Exchanger Performance

contributor:
Cotton, J.S.
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Electrohydrodynamics
two phase flow
high voltage
electric fields
flow pattern
control
Electro-Mechanical Systems
Energy Systems
Heat Transfer, Combustion
Electro-Mechanical Systems

abstract:
A short, 30cm, test section was used to study the effect of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) forces on flow redistribution in a horizontal, shell and tube heat exchanger subject to both boiling and condensation. The use of a short test section allows for a consistent flow pattern across the test section length which provides further insight into the true effect of EHD.

It was found that the voltage polarity of the applied voltages influences the flow distribution. For the current geometry studied, it was found that positive polarity voltages tend to pull liquid away from heat transfer surface and that negative voltages tended to repel more liquid toward the heat transfer surface. Using this knowledge we were able to show that positive voltages were more effective for convective condensation heat transfer enhancement, whereas negative voltages were more effective for convective boiling heat transfer enhancement. A twofold enhancement of convective boiling heat transfer was achieved for positive voltages and a 4fold enhancement was achieved for negative voltages. Similar pressure drop penalties were seen for both cases, approximately twice that of the no EHD case.

Furthermore, the effect of DC level, peak to peak voltage, frequency and duty cycle waveform parameters on convective boiling enhancement were studied to explore the range of controllability for the current set of flow parameters. It was found that these various waveform parameters can induce different flow patterns and consequently different heat transfer and pressure drop configurations. In general the heat transfer is enhanced by EHD, but different pressure drop penalties can be achieved for a given enhancement ratio using different waveforms. High heat transfer for relatively low pressure drop was achieved using either negative DC signals or 50%duty cycle pulse waveforms. In some cases the enhancement is quite little compared to the pressure drop, for example the zero DC level, varying peak to peak voltage data. It is suggested that in a system where the heat exchanger pressure drop due to EHD is more dominant than the system pressure drop, it may be possible to use EHD as a method of retarding the system rather than enhancing it thereby broadening the scope of controllability.

Finally we showed the proof of concept of using DC EHD as a rapid control mechanism for the load conditions. Using -8kVDC the water side heat flux could be varied by approximately ±3.2 kW/m2 within 5 seconds. As a comparison, the same experiment was repeated using the refrigerant flow rate to control the load. Response times were similar for both experiments and although the power required for the flow rate control was less, the minimal variability in flow parameters for the EHD control make it a more attractive method of load control.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: The Search for Supernova Light Echoes from the Core-Collapse Supernovae of AD 1054 (Crab) and AD 1181

contributor:
Welch, Doug
Christine Wilson, Laura Parker
Physics and Astronomy

subject: astronomy

subject: supernova

subject: light echoes

subject: Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

abstract:
A deep, wide-ﬁeld survey was conducted to hunt for the light echo systems associated with SN 1054 (Crab) and SN 1181 as an initial step to acquiring spectra and the prospect of extracting lightcurves of these historical, core-collapse supernovae. Images were acquired by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope’s MegaCam during the 2011A and 2011B semesters for ﬁelds adjacent to SN 1054 and SN 1181, respectively. A total of 367 Sloan g’ ﬁelds for the Crab and 195 Sloan r’ ﬁelds for SN 1181 were imaged twice, with a minimum of one month separation.

Examination of 13,880 and 11,052 diﬀerence images for the Crab and SN 1181, respectively, revealed no light echoes with surface brightnesses brighter than 24.0 mag/arcsec2 (the threshold for being able to acquire useful spectra). Based on our non-detections and assuming similar dust properties to nearby (detected) supernova light echo systems (Tycho and Cas A), we conclude it is unlikely that either SN was a Type II-L outburst but cannot provide constraints on other sub-types.

We further examined the known light echo locations for Tycho and Cas A and found a statistically-signiﬁcant correlation between CO brightness temperature and the presence of scattering dust. However, the spacing of grid points in existing CO surveys is too sparse to be useful even a few degrees away from the galactic plane. We have yet to identify a search strategy based on survey data which is superior than random ﬁeld placement.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Robust Estimation of Autoregressive Conditional Duration Models

contributor:
Chen, Bei
Balakrishnan, Narayanaswamy
Viveros-Aguilera, Roman
Mathematics and Statistics

subject: Robust Estimation of ACD Models

subject: Applied Statistics

subject: Longitudinal Data Analysis and Time Series

subject: Applied Statistics

abstract:
In this thesis, we apply the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) methods for the estimation of Autoregressive Conditional Duration (ACD) models, as opposed to the typical approach of using the Quasi Maximum Likelihood Estimation (QMLE).

The advantages of OLS and GLS as the underlying methods of estimation lie in their theoretical ease and computational convenience. The latter property is crucial for high frequency trading, where a transaction decision needs to be made within a minute. We show that both OLS and GLS estimates are asymptotically consistent and normally distributed. The normal approximation does not seem to be satisfactory in small samples. We also apply Residual Bootstrap to construct the confidence intervals based on the OLS and GLS estimates. The properties of the proposed methods are illustrated with intensive numerical simulations as well as by a case study on the IBM transaction data.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Holy Spirit in the Life and Writings of Gregory of Nazianzus

contributor:
Widdicombe, Peter
Religious Studies

subject:
Gregory of Nazianzus
Holy Spirit
Trinity
Pneumatology
Council of Constantinople 381
Basil of Caesarea
History of Christianity
History of Christianity

abstract:
This thesis comprises the first full-length study of Gregory of Nazianzus's theology of the Holy Spirit. Gregory was a major political and intellectual figure during the pneumatological controversies of the late Fourth Century. Gregory is the first author whose works are extant to declare that “the Holy Spirit is God” in so many words. He advocated, against leading figures including Basil of Caesarea, that such a declaration should be made by the Church, but largely met with failure in his lifetime. Yet, Gregory's affirmation of the Spirit's divinity was eventually to be embraced by nearly all Christians, and it remains so today. Despite these facts, Gregory is usually treated by historians as a minor influence on Fourth Century pneumatology. This thesis will not necessarily challenge this assessment, but will seek to establish a fuller understanding of how Gregory's pneumatology functions in itself such that his historical place can be reassessed in the future.

Our key observation is that Gregory's pneumatology is rooted in his understanding of the Spirit's relationship to the Church. A discussion of Gregory's ecclesiological pneumatology comprises Part I. Having presented Gregory's understanding of the Spirit's relationship to the Church, and his understanding of his own place within this relationship, we explore, in Part II, some of the texts in which Gregory argues for his pneumatological doctrine in the face of various opponents. We note that Gregory remains consistently concerned with ecclesiology when engaging other thinkers on the Spirit. We conclude that when Gregory's ecclesiological pneumatology is accounted for, his reactions to the pneumatological controversies of his day appear as consistent, pastorally motivated responses to concerns about the Church's relationship to the Holy Spirit and the preaching of pneumatological truth which Gregory thought this relationship demanded.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Poggendorff Illusion: Variants and Perceptual Geometry

contributor:
Newbigging, P.L.
Psychology

subject: Psychology Psychology

abstract:
Nine experiments involving 147 subjects are described. Experiments 1 to 5 were designed to produce evidence relevant to the question "do the classic Poggendorff figure and its variants activate the same perceptual process(es) or are they distinct and give rise to different phenomena?" Experiments 6 to 8 constitute an attempt to determine the ways in which the perceptual geometry of the Poggendorff differs from its Euclidean geometry. The ninth and final experiment is addressed to the cause of the illusion.

Experiments 1 and 2 show that the classical Poggendorff figure and three of its variants all produce the same illusory effect and that, for all four figures, that effect is increased as the angle of interception of the oblique decreases and as the separation between the parallels increases. Experiment 3 shows that the differences in the magnitude of illusion produced by the variants is due to the particular component retained and not the total amount of the illusion figure present. Experiments 4 and 5 extended this analysis to study the effects of practice and the extent to which practice on the variants transfered to the classical figure. Decrements with practice were obtained for all figures and the figures were ordered, in terms of magnitude of illusion produced, precisely as they were for the initial two experiments. This result is noteworthy because it shows that the effects obtained are not dependent on either the details of the stimulus, psychophysical method, or mode of presentation. Also, equal or greater positive transfer to the classical figure is obtained from the variants as from the classical figure itself. The conclusion is reached that the classical figure and the variants arouse the same single perceptual process. Unfortunately, the data do not permit the identification of that process.

The results of Experiments 6 to 8 provide a model of what the visual system does when confronted with the classical Poggendorff figure. It was determined that the presence of a single transversal is all that is required to produce the full illusory effect (Experiment 7). The angle of interception of this transversal is perceptually enlarged (Experiment 8). This perceptual representation is then projected linearly across the space between the parallels (Experiment 6). An across-experiment test shows that the model fits the data reasonably well. Although the experiments were not designed to test any theory of the cause of the illusion, the resulting model has some features that are similar to angular distortion explanations. The ninth and final experiment was direct test of Burns and Pritchard's (1971) proposal that lateral inhibition in the visual system is the basis for the distortion of cortical images and thus the Poggendorff illusion. The result was a significant reduction, but not the elimination, of the illusory effect.

In the final chapter it is noted that while lateral inhibition seems to figure causatively in the classical figure, certain configurations, particularly those that do not include acute angles, present some difficulty. Suggestions for further research which will explicate the phenomenon are also noted.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ASTRO-ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE TRIANGULUM GALAXY: STUDYING GALAXY FORMATION AND EVOLUTION WITH THE GLOBULAR CLUSTERS AND STELLAR HALO IN M33

contributor:
Harris, William E.
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
galaxies
evolution
halos
globular clusters
M33
Triangulum
External Galaxies
External Galaxies

abstract: The currently-favoured cosmological paradigm, Lamda-CDM, predicts that galaxies are built up from smaller galaxies in a bottom-up process known as hierarchical merging. Lambda-CDM is extremely successful for large-scale structures, but is less so for the detailed features of individual galaxies. We can study these features - the galaxies’ foundations and the remnants of the smaller components that built them - only in the closest galaxies in which we can resolve individual stars. In this thesis, we use data from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT)/MegaCam as part of the Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) to observe M33 (the Triangulum Galaxy) and the detailed features of its old stellar population. The study of these details is vital for our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. We search for two types of components within the old stellar population: globular star clusters and the faint, diffuse stellar halo. We find only one new unambiguous outer halo star cluster, in addition to the five previously known in the M33 outer halo (r=10-50 kpc). A further 2440 cluster candidates are identified, which we analyse using two different types of simulated clusters. We are able to describe the type of clusters that are likely to remain hidden from our searches. Our study of a population of red giant branch (RGB) stars far from the M33 disk reveals a low-luminosity, centrally concentrated component which we interpret as the discovery of M33’s halo. It is everywhere in our data fainter than mu_V ~ 33 mag arcsec^−2, with scale length r_exp ~ 20 kpc, an overall luminosity not more than a few percent of the total luminosity of M33, and is possibly also not azimuthally symmetric. For M33 to have so few outer halo clusters compared to M31 and to have such a low-luminosity halo, with the possible asymmetry that we see, suggests tidal stripping of M33’s halo components by M31 - a view that is also favoured by the morphology of the disk substructure and recent modelling.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Mindfulness: Helping Social Workers 'Bring Themselves Home'

contributor:
Sammon, Sheila
Dumbrill, Gary
Social Work

subject:
mindfulness
social work
relationship-based
social justice
Social Work
Social Work

abstract:
Abstract

Social work’s heritage involves valuing relationship-based work, while attending to social justice issues. The emotional intensity inherent in social work practice, combined with the stress that is currently characteristic in managerial practice environments, can diminish capacity for relationship-based work, and relegate social justice issues to the periphery. Mindfulness practice has recently has been the subject of investigation for potential benefits that might accrue to helping professionals.

Through an interpretive social science and social constructive lens, a small qualitative study was undertaken to explore the experiences of social workers who have a personal practice of mindfulness, with a view to understanding what mindfulness offers to social workers. The seven participants had extensive social work experience, as well as their own well-developed practice of mindfulness.

Informed by grounded theory, findings suggest that mindfulness complements the traditional roots of social work. The phrase, ‘bringing yourself home’, is utilized as a central metaphor for an explanatory model for what mindfulness offers to social workers. Mindfulness is a practice that can ‘bring social workers home’ in two significant ways. Firstly, mindfulness can assist social workers in the personal realm by nourishing their connection to their inner self so that they can be authentic and empathetic in doing solid relationship-based social work practice. Secondly, mindfulness can help bring social workers ‘home’ to the roots of social work practice, by keeping them attuned to their professional values in terms of social justice issues.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Mobilizing the Use of Policy-Relevant Documents in Evidence-Informed Health Policymaking: The Development and Contents of an Online Repository of Policy-Relevant Documents Addressing Healthcare Renewal in Canada

contributor:
Lavis, John
Wilson, Michael
Carter, Nancy
Global Health

subject:
health policy
health system
research evidence
colloquial evidence
knowledge translation
database development
Knowledge Translation
Knowledge Translation

abstract:
Research objectives: 1) Develop an online repository of policy-relevant documents addressing healthcare renewal in Canada; and 2) describe the general contents of policy-relevant documents addressing healthcare renewal in Canada. Methods: The methods for this study were iteratively developed using an approach similar to a scoping review. Documents were identified through website hand-searches and sixteen Canadian health organizations that contributed to the development of the online repository. The majority of organizations are government health ministries/departments or government-supported health organizations. The focus of the analysis was to calculate general descriptive frequencies of the distribution of documents included in the online repository, specifically: 1) the general characteristics of the documents, such as document type, publication year and jurisdictional focus; 2) document themes by national priority areas; 3) document themes by health system topics; and 4) contributing organizations. Results: A total of 304 documents were coded for inclusion in the online repository
(http://eihrportal.org). The Health Council of Canada contributed the largest amount of documents (n=60, 19%). The top three types of documents are health and health system data (n=75, 25%), situation analysis (n=72, 24%) and jurisdictional review (n=49, 16%). The top three national priority areas addressed in the documents are health human resources (n=270, 89%), quality as a performance indicator (n=210, 69%) and information technology (n=183, 60%). The least commonly addressed national priority areas are technology assessment (n=19, 6%), prescription drug coverage (n=68, 22%) and Aboriginal health (n=87, 29%). Conclusion: The process of developing a systematic method for identifying policy-relevant documents and retrieving useful information from these documents can be reproduced by anyone interested in using this type of evidence to inform their health policymaking. A number of implications exist for policy and research, both in Canada and in low- and middle-income countries, which have to be considered in relation to the unique nature of this type of evidence.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Nathaniel Hawthorne and Metafiction

contributor:
Adamson, Joseph
Donaldson, Jeffery
Monture, Rick
English

subject:
nathaniel hawthorne
metafiction
metafictional
american literature
romance
romanticism
dark romanticism
paratext
genre
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature

abstract: This thesis approaches the work of Nathaniel Hawthorne from a narratological paradigm, arguing that metafiction is one of the primary elements of Hawthorne’s style and literary project as a Romantic author. Metafiction informs his themes, characters and aesthetics as Hawthorne is majorly concerned with bridging the gap between author and reader, text and physical book, and ultimately, the imaginary and the real. Hawthorne is incessant in his assertions about his work being authored works of fiction, and becomes concerned about readers properly receiving his fiction as authored literary surface. Engaging with and incorporating the work of major literary theorists such as Frye, Booth, Genette and Todorov—as well as new, emergent critics of Hawthorne—this study carefully examines his major novels, a number of his tales and sketches, and his paratextual materials. Metafiction is rarely considered in much of the scholarship discussing Hawthorne’s style, and is a convenient way of unifying many aspects of his style that have been previously fractured, including the distance and delicacy of his narration and voice, his experiments in genre, and his techniques of framing and diegesis.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Bubble Mediated Surface Modification in the Copper Electropolishing System

contributor:
Kruse, Peter
Goward, Gillian
Chemistry

subject:
copper
electropolishing
oxygen evolution
bubbles
surface roughening
phosphoric acid
Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry

abstract: Electropolishing is a commonly used method of mitigating surface roughness and yielding a polished appearance. One of the first described and most studied of electropolishing systems is the anodization of copper in phosphoric acid. Under normal conditions this reduces copper surface roughness substantially; however deviating from optimal electropolishing conditions can promote the development of semi-ordered surface roughness. Anodizing copper substrates in 98-100% H3PO4 solutions generated feature heights ranging from 0.5 - 2µm and surface area increases in excess of 30% were obtained. The samples demonstrated a macroscopic optical dullness characteristic of this type of surface roughening. Investigations as to their applicability in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and electron field emission were conducted. And while their formation mechanism is still speculated on, it is believed that oxygen evolution and subsequent bubble formation plays a key role. Electrochemical and microscopic imaging techniques were the primary methodologies used to probe the optical dulling phenomenon. With data obtained from experiments utilizing these techniques and others a qualitative mechanism is proposed.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: JOB SEARCH EXPERIENCES OF FEMALE REGISTERD NURSES FROM EAST AFRICA IN TORONTO

contributor:
Watt, Susan
Social Work

subject:
Job
professional
women
Racialized
Trained
Internationally
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social and Behavioral Sciences

abstract:
This study examined the challenges female-professional immigrants from East Africa face within the Canadian workforce. The analysis of their experiences helps us understand the employment challenges professional immigrants may face upon settlement in Canada. The main goal of the study was to explore the experiences of East African (Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian) immigrant-female registered nurses in navigating the Canadian labour market. The evidence for the study was collected through interviewing five East African nurses. Although there is research that focuses on labour market experiences of women of colour, few researchers have specifically focused on African immigrant women’s connection with the Canadian labour force. The study particularly focuses on strategies nurses used to cope with the job search barriers encountered, the challenges they faced with the College of Nurses of Ontario with regard to the evaluation of their international-nursing credentials, and their job expectations before and after arriving in Canada. Their experience was examined through gender, race, and place of origin lenses.

The study highlights the need for future longitudinal studies exploring East African nurses’ experience with integration to their profession within the Canadian workforce. The analysis of the results emphasizes that the Canadian government in conjunction with the regulatory bodies need to be more transparent in relation to internationally trained nurses so that they do not feel they are being wasted in Canada. This, in turn, will address the existing barriers and consequential negative impacts such as health conditions, tensions, and discrepancies outlined within the study, as well as encourage changes to Canadian immigration practices and policies

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF SYNTHETIC PROTOCOLS FOR THE GENERATION OF HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUND LIBRARIES

contributor:
Capretta, Alfredo
Paul Harrison, James McNulty
Chemistry

subject:
Compound libraries
Isoquinolines
Pyrazolopyrimidines
Toxoflavin
Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling
Microwave-assisted heating
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

abstract: The development of parallel syntheses that allow for rapid access to compound libraries is widely sought after in drug development and in the study of biological systems. These compound collections can be screened for biological activity and thereby provide useful structure-activity relationships (SAR) to help better understand the biological systems under investigation. This present thesis uses a small molecule library/SAR approach to probe a variety of biological problems such as: inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer stem cells; inhibiting glutamine fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT, a key enzyme involved in Type II diabetes); and inhibiting aminoglycoside phosphotransferases (APHs, enzymes prevalent in antibiotic resistance). Specifically, synthetic protocols for the parallel preparation of libraries of 3-aryl-pyrimido[5,4-e][1,2,4]triazine-5,7-(1H,6H)-diones, 1-alkyl-3-aryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amines, 6-amino-1-alkyl-3-aryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-ones, substituted 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amines and substituted isoquinolines are described. In all cases, a robust synthetic approach was developed allowing for the generation of a library of heterocycles based on hit compounds from high throughput screening. The SARs gained from the assaying of the libraries generated are shown to help in the furthering of the biological understanding of each system.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Warped Ideas: Geometric Morphometrics as a Complementary Technique for Studying Gastropod Shell Morphology

contributor:
Stone, Jonathon
Wood, Chris
O`Donnell, Mike
Biology

subject:
Dimethoate
Geometric Morphometrics
Snail
Shell Morphology
Toxicology
Toxicology

abstract: Geometric morphometrics (GM) provides a complementary method for studying morphology. Snails have been analyzed in the field of morphometrics since the 1960s because their shells serve to record information about their life histories and environmental habitats. In this thesis, we present an annotated bibliography for advancements in GM, using applications to snail shells as a representative case study. We categorize 30 publications into four fields, morphology, ecology, taxonomy and evolution, and show that developments have been unequal among them. We conclude by predicting that GM applications on snail shells will increase, especially in hybrid fields, such as, ecotoxicology, which currently are underrepresented. As a demonstration, we describe an experiment wherein we applied GM as a complementary morphological method to study the garden snail species Cepea nemoralis in an organophosphatepesticide, ecotoxicological setting. We conclude by showing that GM reveals subtle morphological differences among treatment groups with no relation to pesticide dosage.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: A Marginal Hero: The Representations of Diomedes in the Greek World

contributor:
Mattison, Kathryn
Murgatroyd, Paul
Haley, Evan
Classics

subject: Diomedes

subject: epic hero

subject: hero cult

subject: Homer

subject: Greek literature

subject: Greek art

subject: Greek religion

subject: Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity

subject: Classical Archaeology and Art History

subject: Classical Literature and Philology

abstract: The epic hero Diomedes is, in my opinion, considered a marginal hero, as he is relegated to a backbench in ancient Greek thought and ideology. I examine why this is the case, considering his role and impact in Homer's Iliad. Greek society valued its epic heroes beyond the words of the poets, yet some heroes received much more attention that others as central characters in tragedy and iconography, consequently regarded as favourites by mass audiences. I believe that examining a marginal hero like Diomedes is important in order to understand why Greek culture generally disregarded some warriors in favour of others, especially in the case of Diomedes, who displays heroic virtues more evidently than several other heroes who have received more attention. Overall Greek attitudes toward him offer an intriguing perspective on the epic heroes and the ways in which the Greeks idealized them. An examination of Greek literary, visual, and religious spheres of influence effectively aid in determining the reasons behind this phenomenon. In summary, this work attempts to understand Greek attitudes towards a hero who has received very little scholarly attention. The concept of the epic hero requires analysis of even the most neglected characters; one cannot understand Odysseus, Achilles, or Hector without examining Diomedes, who has a notable role in the very same tradition as the aforementioned heroes.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Anatomical Characterization and Cellular Physiology of Rat Aortic Body Chemoreceptors

contributor:
Nurse, Colin A.
Biology

subject:
Aortic body
chemoreceptor
O2-sensing
ATP
Ca2+ imaging
carotid body
Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Cellular and Molecular Physiology

abstract: Aortic bodies (ABs) are putative peripheral arterial chemoreceptors located near the aortic arch. They are hypothesized to contribute to O2 homeostasis by sensing arterial O2 content and initiating cardiovascular reflexes during hypoxia; however, information on their cellular physiology is lacking. The primary goal of this thesis was to elucidate chemosensory mechanisms among mammalian (rat) AB cells, located specifically at the bifurcation of the left vagus nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), where they are found in association with a group of local neurons (>30). In vagus nerve-RLN whole-mounts, AB chemoreceptor (type I) cells were immunoreactive against the vesicular acetylcholine (ACh) transporter, and were surrounded by nerve terminals immunopositive for purinergic P2X2 and P2X3 receptor subunits, suggesting that ACh and ATP may act as neurotransmitters as in the related carotid body. In a novel dissociated AB culture model, subsets of type I cells exhibited elevated intracellular Ca2+ responses to hypoxia, isohydric hypercapnia, isocapnic acidosis, and acidic hypercapnia, demonstrating their direct chemosensitivity for the first time. Interestingly, surviving local neurons also responded to these chemostimuli, suggesting that they are sensory. Patch clamp electrophysiological and Ca2+ imaging studies revealed functional heteromeric P2X2/3 and nicotinic ACh receptors on local neurons, consistent with ACh and/or ATP mediating chemotransmission between receptor cells and local neurons. These neurons were also found to be interconnected by electrical synapses. Finally, the short-term survival of red blood cells (RBCs) in AB cultures, along with the finding that blood-borne factors (e.g. ATP released from RBCs) may have access to AB nerve terminals in situ, implicates RBCs as O2-sensors in AB function. Altogether, these results suggest an important role for purinergic P2X2/3 receptors on local neurons/nerve terminals and ATP release from type I cells and RBCs, in the unique ability of ABs to sense and process information about blood O2 content.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Hydrogenolysis of Some Paraffinic Hydrocarbons on Supported Catalysts of Ruthenium, Nickel, Cobalt, and Iron

contributor:
Anderson, R.B.
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering

abstract: The hydrogenolysis of propane, n-hexane, 2,3-dime-thylbutane, and 2,2-dimethylbutane was studied over supported catalysts of ruthenium, nickel, cobalt, and iron, some containing structural promoters. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of several supports, and were characterized using mainly atomic absorption and chemisorption techniques. A differential reactor system was used, consisting of a fixed-bed reactor and an external recycle pump. The data from propane hydrogenolysis were fitted to a power rate equation and a selectivity equation. The results are in general agreement with those of similar experiments with ethane. The products from the hydrogenolysis of the hexanes were fitted to selectivity equations that were based on reaction networks derived for reversible adsorption-desorption of the hydrocarbons and irreversible rupture of the carbon-carbon bonds of the surface species. The product distributions were measured over a wide range of conversion (10 to 80%), but in most cases only at one temperature. In the sequence -ruthenium, nickel, cobalt, iron - the distribution shifts toward smaller hydrocarbons. Ruthenium tends to split the carbon-carbon bonds in a straight chain with equal probability, while nickel preferably splits terminal bonds. Structural promoters increase the activity of the nickel and cobalt catalysts, and stabilize the iron catalysts. Because of this the catalysts on low area supports had activities very similar to those on high area supports; the amount of metal, however, was higher on the low area supports.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Tunable Focused X-rays For Patterning and Lithography

contributor:
Hitchcock, Adam P.
Andrew P. Knights, Harald D.H. Stöver
Chemistry and Chemical Biology

subject:
lithography
radiation damage
x-ray optics
synchrotron
NEXAFS
microscopy
Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry

abstract: Scanning transmission x-ray microscopes (STXM) focus monochromatic x-rays into an intense sub-30 nm diameter spot. Samples are then positioned at the focal plane and raster scanned through the spot while the transmitted x-rays are acquired to build up images at x-ray photon energies. In addition, x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) can be performed by recording image sequences over a photon energy range of interest. STXMs excel at characterizing thin sections of inhomogeneous soft matter with their combination of high spatial (<30 nm) and photon energy (<0.1 eV) resolution. However, the overarching theme of this thesis is to apply the intense, tightly focused spot of x-rays to induce spatially resolved chemical and physical changes, and directly pattern materials, primarily thin polymer films. The irradiated areas are then investigated using several types of microscopy (scanning transmission x-ray, atomic force, scanning electron) and XAS. The experiments cover three broad areas: i) Nanofabrication; realization of the smallest possible feature sizes, and fabrication schemes unique to focused x-rays with applications including nanofluidics. ii) Radiation chemistry and physics; investigating the mechanisms of radiation-induced processes such as bond formation/loss, morphological change, carbon contamination, and temperature increase. iii) X-ray optics; the spatial distribution of x-rays at a focal plane can be recorded in a thin polymer film and later read out using an atomic force microscope. Applications include feedback for optics fabrication and enhanced image processing, the ultimate goal being increased spatial resolution.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Social Work Practice in Health Care: Time to Care?

contributor:
Aronson, Jane
Sammon, Sheila
Sinding, Chris
Social Work

subject:
time pressures
social programs
process time
cut backs
management model
lean
Social Work
Social Work

abstract:
Due to the profound restructuring and erosion of social services and social programs, health and social services have been reorganized using business models that prize efficiency and cost saving rather than client centered service. Literature on social work practice in this context highlights the pressure on practitioners to standardize their work in order to manage higher workloads and to give primacy to employing organizations’ budgetary interests, rather than the interests of clients, patients and communities. Within this regulation of practice lies the regulation of time, yet in the literature there is relatively little explicit focus on the temporal control of social workers, or on how social workers manage and negotiate institutional time controls.

This study sought to explore the intricacies of social workers’ negotiation of time pressures in health care settings. It aimed to examine how social workers perceived these time pressures, the strategies they employ to accommodate multiple demands on their time and how, in the end these time pressures influence social work practice.

A small qualitative study was employed, using personal interviews to explore the experience of social workers employed in the health care industry. Participants were chosen according to their unique experiences within the health care system. An analysis of participants’ accounts suggests that, in the face of continuous and ever present time pressures, social work in health care is changing. As case loads increase and become more complex, social workers often find themselves negotiating time in order to manage the unavoidable collision between clock time and process time.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Exploring the Health and Health Care Experiences of Refugee and Refugee Claimant Women in Hamilton, Ontario: A Qualitative Study

contributor:
Newbold, Bruce K.
John Eyles, Alllison Williams
School of Geography and Geology

subject:
refugee women
refugee claimant women
health
health care
feminist geography
determinants of health
Human Geography
Human Geography

abstract: Refugee women experience important physical and mental health disparities which are often unmet during resettlement to host countries. These health disparities have been attributed to the gendering of the refugee process, such that women are more vulnerable to gender-specific violence and abuse during flight from war and conflict. Despite having unmet health needs, they face multiple barriers to leading healthy lives and healing during resettlement to a new host country. This paper seeks to respond to the need for research in understanding the health of refugee women in western nations within feminist geographical scholarship by exploring the ‘lived experiences’ of refugee and refugee claimant women during resettlement to Hamilton, Ontario. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups with key informants (n=9) and refugee women and refugee claimant women (n=37) from various source countries. Results from this study provide in-depth understandings on the experiences of resettlement including the particular challenges refugee and refugee claimant women face in attempting to rebuild their lives in Canada. Perceptions of good health are closely related to various dimensions of gender (roles and identities) and citizenship (status). This paper explores important health determinants as expressed by the participants: pre-migration experiences, citizenship (status), employment and housing experiences and health care during resettlement. Accounts from this study reflect the need to address ongoing immigration reform and refugee policy in a manner that will honour Canada’s commitment to international humanitarian agreements such as the 1951 Geneva Convention.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: LIKELIHOOD INFERENCE FOR LOG-LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTION UNDER PROGRESSIVE TYPE-II RIGHT CENSORING

contributor:
Balakrishnan, Narayanaswamy
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Log-logistic distribution
Progressive Type-II right censoring
Maximum likelihood estimates

abstract: Censoring arises quite often in lifetime data. Its presence may be planned or unplanned. In this project, we demonstrate progressive Type-II right censoring when the underlying distribution is log-logistic. The objective is to discuss inferential methods for the unknown parameters of the distribution based on the maximum likelihood estimation method. The Newton-Raphson method is proposed as a numerical technique to solve the pertinent non-linear equations. In addition, confidence intervals for the unknown parameters are constructed based on (i) asymptotic normality of the maximum likelihood estimates, and (ii) percentile bootstrap resampling technique. A Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the methods of inference developed here. Some illustrative examples are also presented.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Modeling and Control of Three-DOF Robotic Bulldozing

contributor:
Bone, Gary M.
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Robotics
Modeling
Control
Hybrid Dynamic System
System Identification
Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls
Controls and Control Theory
Electro-Mechanical Systems
Other Mechanical Engineering
Robotics
Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls

abstract: There is an increasing interest in automated mobile equipment in the construction, agriculture and mining industries to improve productivity, efficiency and operator safety. In general, these machines belong to a class of mobile vehicles with a tool for manipulating its environment to accomplish a repetitive task. Forces and motions are inherently coupled between the tool (e.g. bucket or blade) and the means of vehicle propulsion (e.g. wheels or tracks). Furthermore, they are often operated within uncertain and unstructured environments. A particularly challenging case involves the use of a bulldozer for the removal of excavated material. Modeling and control of mobile robots that interact forcibly with their environment, such as robotic excavation machinery, is a challenging problem that has not been adequately addressed in prior research. This thesis investigates the low-level modeling and control of a 3-DOF robotic bulldozing operation. Motivated by a bulldozing process in an underground mining application, a theoretical nonlinear hybrid dynamic model was developed. The model includes discrete operation modes contained within a hybrid dynamic model framework. The dynamics of the individual modes are represented by a set of linear and nonlinear differential equations. An instrumented scaled-down bulldozer and environment were developed to emulate the full scale operation. Model parameter estimation and validation was completed using experimental data from this system. The model was refined based on a global sensitivity analysis. The refined model was found to be suitable for simulation and design of robotic bulldozing control laws. Optimal blade position control laws were designed based on the hybrid dynamic model to maximize the predicted material removal rate of the bulldozing process. A stability analysis of the underlying deterministic closed-loop process dynamics was performed using Lyapunov’s second method. Monte Carlo simulation was used for further performance and stability analysis of the closed-loop process dynamics including stochastic state disturbances and input constraints. Results of the Monte Carlo simulation were also used for tuning the blade position control laws. Experiments were conducted with the scaled-down robotic bulldozing system. The control laws were implemented with various tuning values. As a comparison, a rule-based blade control algorithm was also designed and implemented. The experimental results with the optimal control laws demonstrated a 33% increase in the average material removal rate compared to the rule-based controller.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: A Prototype Decision Support System for the Productive Reuse of Vacant and Underutilized Urban Land

contributor:
Baetz, Brian W.
Smith, Spencer
Dickson, Sarah
Civil Engineering

subject:
decision support
vacant land
life cycle costing
green infrastructure
Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Natural Resource Economics
Natural Resources and Conservation
Sustainability
Civil Engineering

abstract:
Many cities around the world struggle with the presence of vacant and underutilized land in the urban environment. There is growing momentum across many municipal jurisdictions in North America to reuse public and privately held vacant and underutilized urban land on a temporary to potentially permanent basis for community-based projects; however, there are limited community-based tools available to assess the suitability of vacant land for potential reuse.

This thesis presents three papers (Chapters 2-4) that describe the development and application of a prototype community-based decision support tool (PDSS), developed in Microsoft ExcelÒ. The PDSS provides a methodology for evaluating up to fifteen community-based reuse strategies across three green infrastructure categories: parks, urban food production, and stormwater/ecosystems management. The PDSS aids in deriving community-focused goals, objectives and solutions for the efficient reuse of vacant and underutilized land.

The PDSS includes a vacant and underutilized land inventory for identifying and inventorying the physical and spatial attributes (i.e. location and condition) of vacant and underutilized land across the urban environment (VULI); a methodology for quantifying the suitability of vacant land for a suite of reuse strategies (SSI); a multi-objective, binary-integer programming formulation for the allocation of reuse strategies across the urban environment (LOCAL), and a tool for municipal green infrastructure investment decision-making (DECO).

The information derived from VULI and SSI can be used by community groups to help articulate the inherent potential of these spaces for future reuse. If this methodology was adopted at the municipal level, the prototype tool has the potential to expedite applications to reuse city-owned lands on a temporary basis. LOCAL provides a methodology to facilitate the allocation of multiple reuse strategies to a single parcel, to achieve a mix of green infrastructure uses at each site, and provides users with the ability to readily generate “what-if” scenarios based on user-specified allocation constraints. DECO can be utilized to design and investigate material alternatives, maintenance schedules, and different cost regimes, which can be useful for construction and long-term preventative maintenance decision-making. Finally, the results of a tree growth-stormwater attenuation modeling exercise are presented (Chapter 5). The methodology and results presented aid in articulating the stormwater attenuating benefits of trees that are planted on a temporary basis on vacant land.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: OSM Regulation of Responses to TLR-ligands in HASMC

contributor:
Richards, Carl
Karen Mossman, Param Nair
Health Sciences

subject:
Asthma
Oncostatin M
Airway Smooth Muscle cells
Toll-like Receptors
Medical Immunology
Medical Immunology

abstract: Allergic atopic asthma is a respiratory condition that involves immune responses to specific allergens resulting in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. During an atopic asthmatic attack, the immune system initiates cellular infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophils, airway hyper-responsiveness and ECM remodeling, which manifests in lung dysfunction in chronic disease. ASMC have recently been shown to play a role in the inflammatory processes of asthma through the production of inflammatory mediators. Various cytokines and chemokines serve as stimulants for these pathways and therefore require further attention to examine inflammatory signaling. OSM, a member of the gp130 family of cytokines, is secreted by inflammatory cells and has been detected in the sputum of asthmatics. Previous findings have established the potential of OSM in induction of lung inflammation, its role in increasing ECM, and its potential role in asthma. Viral or bacterial infections cause asthma exacerbations which result in increased severity of symptoms. The innate immune system relies on pattern recognition receptors including the TLRs to recognize invading pathogens and activate cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells. Although there are a number of these TLRs, this project will focus on the role of TLR3 and TLR4 in ASMC. I generally hypothesized that OSM markedly increases lung cell airway smooth muscle cell responses to external stimulae, such as products of bacteria or viruses that activate toll-like receptors. This exacerbates inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling which contributes to pathology in asthmatic patients. Findings in this thesis have demonstrated that OSM stimulation increases the production of various cytokines and chemokines and growth factors seen in asthma. Co-stimulations with OSM and TLR-ligands augmented the production of a variety of these inflammatory mediators in comparison to ligands alone. TLR responses were shown to be associated with TLR expression, at both the mRNA and protein level, as well through the activation of the JAK-STAT and NFκB pathways. These findings implicate ASMC in immunomodulatory roles in response to TLR-ligands and OSM, and could play a role in the increased severity of asthma seen during exacerbations.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Determinants of Physical Performance in People with Knee Osteoarthritis

contributor:
Maly, Monica
Rehabilitation Science

subject:
Knee
Osteoarthritis
Physical Performance
Medicine and Health Sciences
Rehabilitation and Therapy
Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative joint disease affecting over 4 million Canadians. The knee is most commonly affected joint, making knee OA a leading cause of chronic disability. Leg power is more closely related to physical performance than leg strength in healthy older adults, but power has yet to be studied in people with knee OA. Self-efficacy beliefs, or the confidence one has in their own abilities, is a variable closely related to physical performance in people with knee OA.

The objective of this study was to identify the extent to which knee extensor strength, knee extensor power and self-efficacy explained variance in physical performance measures in adults with knee OA.

Thirty-three participants diagnosed with clinical knee OA were included (5 men; mean age 61.1 ± 6.2 y). Dependent variables included a timed stair ascent, a timed stair descent, and the six minute walk test (SMWT). Independent variables included self-efficacy beliefs for pain, mean peak knee extensor power and mean knee extensor strength.

Pearson correlations and linear regression models were completed using SPSS 15.

Average values on the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), self-efficacy beliefs for pain and mean peak knee extensor power explained 34.7 % and 42.7% of the variance observed on the timed stair ascent and the timed stair descent, respectively. The determinants of the SMWT were different, with 29.4 % of the variance being explained by average NPRS and body mass index.

Similar to previous work conducted on healthy older adults, it appears that in adults with knee OA, knee extensor power is a closer determinant of physical performance when compared to knee extensor strength, on challenging everyday tasks, like ascending or descending a flight of stairs. For longer endurance type activities like the SMWT, the physical requirements may be different. Clinicians should consider these results when advising patients on the exercise interventions needed to maintain or improve physical performance.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)