title: RBF neural network based generalized predictive control for nonlinear stochastic systems

contributor:
Liu, Xiaoping
Li, Deli

subject:
Neural network
Nonlinear stochastic systems
Control methods

abstract:
Almost all practical systems are nonlinear, which are subject to disturbances and contain uncertainties. In most cases, disturbances and uncertainties can be modeled as stochastic processes, which make it necessary to develop controllers for nonlinear stochastic systems.
Due to the disturbances and uncertainties, it is difficult to get the exact model of the nonlinear stochastic systems. Neural network techniques are found to have advantages in system identification. Any unknown function can be approximated to any degree of accuracy by a multiple-layer neural network.
In addition, time delay occurs in many real systems. One of the most effective control methods to reduce the impact of delay on the closed-loop systems is predictive control, which is obtained by predicting the future control to minimize the errors.
A RBF Neural Network based Generalized Predictive Controller (NNGPC) is introduced to control nonlinear stochastic systems. The input-output relationship of a nonlinear stochastic system is approximated by an RBF neural network. A learning algorithm is developed to train the RBF neural network by updating the neural network parameters, such as centers, widths, and weights, either on-line or off-line. The parameters are updated using the modified gradient decent method to minimize a cost function, which is a quadratic function of errors between the real system output and the output from the neural network. Based on the model obtained from the neural network learning algorithm, a multistep-ahead generalized predictive control algorithm is designed to minimize a cost function, which is constructed using future control signals and errors between future references and future outputs estimated from the model. The optimization problem involved in the predictive control is solved using Nelder-Mead method and Quasi-Newton method. The comparison between these two methods is made using simulation results.


title: Technology-facilitated sexual harassment: scale development and the role of self-objectification in psychological functioning

subject: Technology-facilitated sexual harassment (TFSH)

subject: Self-objectification

subject: Psychological functioning

subject: Mental health (technological environments)

abstract:
The evolution of technology and emergence of technology giants, like Activision Blizzard,
Tinder, Facebook, and Instagram, has created an entirely new world for social interaction. Many
of the pervasive problems that women historically faced with in-person situations, such as sexual
harassment, can now follow them everywhere. Indeed, technology-facilitated sexual harassment
(TFSH) is more prevalent in female than male populations (e.g., Cripps & Stermac, 2018;
Douglass et al., 2018; Henry & Powell, 2018; Snaychuk & O’Neill, 2020). The purpose of this
study was to create comprehensive scales specific to TFSH behaviours and examine
psychological symptoms, such as eating pathology, substance use, and sexual function that may
be associated with TFSH. This study also tested the mediating role of self-objectification, as
posited by objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), in the relationships between
TFSH and these psychological symptoms in a sample of women (N = 481). These women were
recruited through a course credit system at Lakehead University, as well as through online
advertisements. The SurveyMonkey platform was used for online data collection. Results
indicated that TFSH, specifically frequency of these incidents, was associated with eating
pathology, alcohol use, and sexual function. Furthermore, self-objectification was supported as a
potential mediator in the relationships between frequency of TFSH and eating pathology and
alcohol use, in addition to the relationships between distress from TFSH and these measures of
psychological function. This research may help shed light on the role of objectification processes
in the context of TFSH, as well as inform prevention strategies and mental health interventions
for victims of TFSH.


title: Physiology of development, germination and ubiquitination in pea seeds

contributor:
Malek, Ladislav
Macdonald, Alastair D.
Tripp-Knowles, M.

subject: Morphology & physiology of developing seed

subject: Seedling establishment

subject: ATP & ubiquitin conjugate levels in pea seed

subject: Seed maturity and subsequent autotrophic growth

subject: Dynamics of ubiquitin conjugation in seed development and germination

abstract:
The development of entire seeds and axes of Pisum sativum L. cv. Spring
was followed between 18 and 47 days after flowering, in terms of changes in fresh
weight, dry weight, water content, protein level and chlorophyll content. The seed
developed normally, but somewhat slower than suggested in other reports. Fresh
immature seeds and axes placed in culture were able to germinate after a lag phase
which varied depending upon the time of detachment of the seed from the legume
pod and the axis from the seed. The seeds from all stages tested produced a viable
seedling. Except for the least mature, the axes germinated fully, but grew only
slightly. Root growth was particularly impaired.
Ubiquitin conjugates were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blotting and labelling with rabbit anti-ubiquitin
followed by 125 I goat antiRabbit-IgG. Ubiquitinated proteins were detected
in seeds during development and germination, but not in dry mature seeds. Only
free ubiquitin was observed in extract from dry seed. A correlation between higher
concentration of ATP in the seed, and presence of ubiquitin conjugates was
observed. These results demonstrate that pea seed can contain both unconjugated
and conjugated ubiquitin.


title: Within and between-species competition and individual tree growth in a young jack pine-aspen stand

subject:
Jack pine
Aspen
Plant competition

abstract:
The competitive relationship between jack pine (Finns banksiana Lamb.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) was studied in an 8-year-old mixed stand in North Central Ontario, Canada. During the summer of 1984, a total of 298 subject trees were selected at random within the stand. Half of the study trees were jack pine, the other half aspen. From the trees neighbouring each subject tree, competitor trees were identified by
means of a modified horizontal point sample centered on the subject tree. The data include a wide range of conditions with respect to both stand density and composition. Subject trees were measured for initial size (stemwood volume, stem radius at stump height and height)
and the 1983 annual increment of the same size attributes. Live crown ratio at the time of sampling was also measured. The current annual increment data were analysed with respect to initial subject tree size and competitive environment by means of multiple linear regression. The objective was to investigate a hierarchy of mutually exclusive hypotheses regarding the nature of the competitive interaction between the 2 study species. The results indicate that jack pine and aspen responded differently to competition, and that the competitive effect of the jack pine component was different than that of the aspen component when both species occurred in a mixture. Specifically, the annual volume increment and annual radial increment of aspen subject trees was affected only by the aspen
component of the competing stand. The annual volume increment and annual radial increment of jack pine subject trees, on the other hand, were affected by both the jack pine and aspen components of the competing stand. Although the study is of limited scope, it does provide some interesting insights into the possible dynamics of mixed stands of these
important, and commonly associated, boreal species. The work also gives some indication that the competitive effect of aspen on jack pine may be sufficiently strong to warrant the consideration of silvicultural control in situations where jack pine is the crop species.


title: Development of a scale to assess individual differences in children's trust-value basis of friendship / Cathy J. Morgan.

subject:
Friendship in children.
Child psychology

abstract:
Rotenberg (1986, 1991) has shown that children acquire a "trustvalue"
basis of friendship, whereby friendship is a function of how much
a child believes a peer will keep secrets, promises and tell the truth.
The purpose of the present study is to examine the notion advanced by
Rotenberg (1991) that there may be individual differences in the
importance children assign to the trust-value basis of friendship. This
was accomplished by constructing a scale (Rotenberg-Morgan Trust-
Value Friendship Questionnaire) for the measurement of individual
differences for two related but distinct aspects of children’s friendships:
(a) friendship preferences and (b) actual friendships. The study was
also designed to assess the reliability and validity of this scale. One
hundred and thirty children (70 girls and 60 boys) from fifth and sixth
grade were obtained through parental consent to participate in the
study. The children were administered three questionnaires: (1)
Rotenberg-Morgan Trust-Value Friendship Questionnaire, (2) Chumship
Checklist, and (3) a Values of Friendship Scale. The latter two
questionnaires served as validity measures for the scale developed.
Approximately one month later, a subsample of children (103) were given the Rotenberg-Morgan Trust-Value Friendship Questionnaire as a
measure of test-retest reliability. Factor analysis of the Rotenberg-
Morgan Trust-Value Friendship Questionnaire for the first testing yielded
three factors for both friendship preferences and actual friendships: (a)
trust confirming, (b) trust violating and (c) school trust. Analysis of the
second testing yielded highly similar factors having acceptable test-retest
reliability and internal consistency with the exception of school trust for
friendship preferences. In support of the validity of the scale, school
trust for friendship preferences and trust confirming for actual friendships
correlated positively with the Chumship Checklist and trust confirming for
actual friendships correlated positively with dependability.


title: Neighborhood-based information systems

subject: Set theory

subject: Knowledge representation (Information theory)

abstract:
The concept of neighborhood systems originated from studies in topology. In this
study, semantical interpretations of neighborhood systems are given by introducing
certain assumptions on neighborhoods. Based upon the notion of neighborhood systems,
a structure called n-closure is proposed, which is a convenient and powerful
tool to model the nearness among elements in a universe. A binary relation is defined
on the n-closure, based on which it is possible to rank all elements in a universe
according to their nearness to a given element.
The notion of information systems is enriched by adding neighborhood systems
on attribute values. A Pawlak information system, (see document)
In a Pawlak information system, the retrieval method is based upon an exact matching
mechanism by using the equality relation =. In this study, a retrieval model is
proposed in the framework of neighborhood-based information systems. Queries are
relaxed by using the notion of neighborhood systems. The retrieved results are ranked
by adopting the proposed ranking structure. This model provides more useful results
than that of Pawlak information systems.


title: The stereochemical impact of chiral ionic liquids on [2+2] photochemical cycloadditions and aldol reactions

contributor:
Gottardo, Christine
Campbell, M
Jiang, Zi-Hua (Justin)

subject:
Chiral ionic liquids
Photochemical cycloadditions
Aldol reactions
Stereochemistry

abstract:
Eight chiral ionic liquids have been prepared for use as solvents to test whether they can
induce enantioselectivity in both photochemical [2+2] cycloadditions and aldol reactions using a
variety of starting materials. The chiral ionic liquids include 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Llactate (chiral anion), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium camphorsulfonate (R and S chiral anions), 2-
amino-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-butanol-bis(trifluoromethanesulfon)imidate (R and S chiral cations), 1-
butyl-3-menthoxymethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (chiral cation), 1-
[(3R)-3,7-dimethyloct-6-enyl]-3-methyl-1H-imidazolium bromide (chiral cation), and 1-butyl-3-
[(3R)-3,7-dimethyl-6-enyl]-1H-imidazolium bromide (chiral cation). The stability of each chiral
ionic liquid was tested to ensure they were well suited for both reaction types. To date, the eight
chiral ionic liquids have been used as solvents to impart enantioselectivity in 28 photoadditions
and 22 aldol reactions. Specific rotations of the purified products have been obtained. Enhanced
optical activity was seen when switching from the achiral environment that utilized classical organic solvents to the chiral environment that utilized chiral ionic liquids as the solvent.
Enantiomeric excesses could not be calculated. All products have been characterized by gas
chromatography (GC), infrared (IR) spectrometry, mass spectrometry (MS), and most of them by
1H NMR spectroscopy.


title: A hybrid prognostic approach for battery health monitoring and remaining-useful-life prediction

contributor:
Wang, Wilson
Narasimhan, Sriram
Ikki, Salama
Benlamri, Rachid

subject:
Battery health monitoring
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries
Battery degradation
Remaining useful life (RUL)

abstract:
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are commonly used in various industrial and domestic
applications, such as portable communication devices, medical equipment, and electric vehicles.
However, the Li-ion battery performance degrades over time due to the aging phenomenon,
which may lead to system performance degradation or even safety issues, especially in vehicle
and industrial applications. Reliable battery health monitoring and prognostics systems are
extremely useful for improving battery performance, to diagnose the battery’s state-of-health
(SOH), and to predict its remaining-useful-life (RUL). In general, it is challenging to accurately
track the battery's nonlinear degradation features as battery degradation parameters are almost
inaccessible to measure using general sensors. In addition, a battery is an electro-chemical
system whose properties vary with variations in environmental and operating conditions.
Although there are some techniques proposed in the literature for battery SOH estimation and
RUL analysis, these techniques have clear limitations in applications, due to reasons such as
lack of proper representation of the posterior probability density functions to capture and model
the nonlinear dynamic system of Li-ion batteries. In addition, these techniques cannot effectively
deal with the time-varying system properties, especially for long-term predictions.
To tackle these problems, a novel hybrid prognostic framework has been developed in
this PhD work for battery SOH monitoring and RUL prediction. It integrates two new models:
the model-based filtering method and the evolving fuzzy rule-based prediction technique. The
strategy is to propose and use more efficient techniques in each module to improve processing,
accuracy and reliability. Firstly, a newly enhanced mutated particle filter technique is proposed
to enhance the performance of particle filter technique and improve the modeling accuracy of the
battery system’s degradation process. It consists of three novel aspects: an enhanced mutation
approach, a selection scheme, and an outlier detection method. Secondly, an adaptive evolving
fuzzy technique is suggested for long-term time series forecasting. It has a novel error-assessment method to control the fuzzy cluster/rule generation process—also, a new optimization
technique to enhance incremental learning and improve modeling efficiency. Finally, a new
hybrid prognostic framework integrates the merits of both proposed techniques to capture the
underlying physics of the battery systems for its SOH estimation, and improve the prognosis of
dynamic system for long-term prediction of Li-ion battery RUL. The effectiveness of the
proposed techniques is verified through simulation tests using some commonly used-benchmark
models and battery databases in this field, such as the one from the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) Ames Prognostic Center of Excellence. Test results have shown
that the proposed hybrid prognostics framework can effectively capture the battery SOH
degradation process, and can accurately predict its RUL.


title: Optimal black spruce seed sources for anticipated future climates

subject:
Black spruce (Picea mariana)
Climate shift
Regeneration (forestry)
Seed source selection (regeneration)
Vegetation and climate change

abstract:
Climate change is occurring at an increasingly rapid pace. Many tree species,
even those with wide seed dispersal and high genetic variability, are long-lived
and unable to “keep pace” with these shifting climates. The combination of the
longevity of trees and human-caused fragmentation of habitat makes it unlikely
that these species will adapt on their own. Therefore, local seed sources, though
once adapted to local conditions, will no longer be the optimal seed source and
will decline in health and rate of growth. Instead, seeds adapted to areas with
temperature and precipitation conditions typically seen in more southern sources
and lower latitudes will be the best solution. This thesis explores the importance
of considering climate shift when selecting seed sources for regeneration. A
study of data from provenance tests with various Ontario seed sources was
conducted to identify the optimal growing conditions for each seed source. It
was found that, in most cases, optimal growth occurred for sources originating
from lower latitude. This growth implies to replant harvested forests that are
ideally suited for climatic variables present at that site, seeds should be sourced
from these “more suitable” locations.


title: A review of anthropogenic threats and the decline of at-risk lichen populations in Canada

subject:
Anthropogenic
Deforestation
Farming
Lichen
Logging
Overexploitation
Urban forestry
Wood harvesting

abstract:
Lichens are among the most common species in Canada, but their population has
declined in recent years. This review focuses on the key factors associated with the
decline in lichen species in Canada. The study investigated the anthropogenic threats
linked to the deterioration of at-risk lichen species. The study mainly focused on the
effect of human factors since they have been established to have a significant role in the
decline of lichen species in Canada. Existing studies from Lakehead University Library
Database and Google Scholar were used as data sources. The study found that loss of
habitat through deforestation and fire is associated with a decline in the lichen
population. Also, overexploitation through large-scale logging and wood harvesting,
agricultural activities, including clearing forests for land use or farming activities, and
urbanization and air pollution from industrial activities are associated with a decline in
the number of lichen species in Canada. Lichen conservation measures should be
enacted and supported in Canada to reduce human activities and improve the growth and
survival of lichens.


title: Design and electrochemical study of Pd-based nanostructures for hydrogen economy

contributor:
Chen, Aicheng
Reznik, Alla
Mawhinney, Robert

subject:
Hydrogen production
Hydrogen storage
Oxygen reduction reaction

abstract:
Hydrogen storage remains one of the most challenging prerequisites to overcome toward the realization of a hydrogen based economy. The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier for fuel cell applications has been limited by the lack of safe and effective hydrogen storage materials. Another major challenge associated with fuel cells is the design of highly efficient electrocatalysts to reduce the high overpotential of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Palladium has a high affinity for hydrogen sorption and has been extensively studied, both in the gas phase and under electrochemical conditions. Palladium has strong potential to play a major role in many aspects of a hydrogen based economy, leading to promising applications, encompassing hydrogen purification, storage and as a cathode to facilitate the oxygen reduction reaction.
During my PhD study, Cd@Pd core/shell nanostructured materials were synthesised for enhanced hydrogen sorption and storage. The effect of a capping agent was investigated, showing that it plays a critical role in the formation of the uniform and small size of the Cd@Pd nanostructures. The capacity for hydrogen sorption and storage was strongly contingent on the composition and structure of the formed Pd-based nanomaterials, as well as the applied electrode potential. The Cd@Pd core/shell nanostructure with an optimized composition of 1:2 exhibited the highest capacity for hydrogen storage, where a 340% increase was achieved in contrast to pure Pd nanoparticles.
The behaviours of the electrosorption of hydrogen into untreated and annealed Pd thin foils were systematically investigated with a primary effort concentrated on elucidating the effects of annealing on hydrogen uptake capacities. The change of the crystalline structure of Pd during the annealing process was monitored by in situ X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopic images revealed the significant effect of the annealing temperature on the morphology of Pd thin foils. Cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric techniques were employed to study the kinetics of hydrogen electrosorption, where α phase, β phase, and their transition were determined with respect to the electrode potential. The morphological and structural changes, as well as lattice parameters, played an important role in hydrogen uptake. A Pd thin foil annealed at 700 °C exhibited an over 19.4-fold increase in hydrogen uptake capacity in comparison to an untreated one.
In the next step, Pd nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites were synthesized using a facile one-step electrochemical approach for promising applications in hydrogen sorption. The prepared nanocomposites exhibited significantly improved performance toward hydrogen sorption and storage in contrast to rGO and pure Pd nanoparticles. The Pd/rGO nanocomposite exhibited an increased hydrogen storage capacity of over 11 fold in the α phase and more than a fivefold enhancement in the β phase when compared to Pd nanoparticles.
Finally, to reduce the high overpotential of the oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells, a facile photoassisted method was employed for the direct deposition of palladium nanoparticles onto graphitic carbon nitride for the efficient reduction of oxygen. The synthesized Pd-g-C3N4 nanocomposite exhibited robust electrocatalytic behavior toward the ORR in 0.1 M KOH solution, where the desirable four electron pathway was achieved. In addition, the developed catalyst demonstrated a significantly improved tolerance against methanol as well as enhanced stability in comparison to the commercial benchmark platinum-loaded carbon catalysts.


title: Energy states of a hydrogen atom placed between two metal slabs

subject:
Energy levels (Quantum mechanics)
Hydrogen

abstract: In this thesis, we utilize the hydrodynamical model to evaluate the potential energy and self-energy for an electron and a hydrogen atom placed between two semi-infinite metal slabs. The potentials and self-energies are obtained by taking into account of the dispersion of the surface plasmons and the effect of confinement by the metal slabs.


title: Barren-ground caribou - a cyclic species: The development of a cycle-stratified harvest model and a cycle analysis of North American barren-ground caribou subpopulations

contributor:
Taylor, Mitchell
Dowsley, Martha
Cornwell, Adam

subject: Barren-ground caribou

abstract:
Unlike all other members of the deer family, subpopulations of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) exhibit fluctuations in numbers that have been described as cyclic. We created a cyclic individual-based annual life table harvest model to examine the sustainability and user-benefits of regulating the harvest during the portion of the cycle characterized by low numbers, low unharvested population growth rates, or both for the Qamanirjuaq caribou subpopulation (Chapter 1). Cyclic population dynamics were modeled using density-driven dynamic responses of both per capita survival and calf production to a cyclic carrying capacity function. Model parameters were empirically identified to produce cycles that replicated observed Qamanirjuaq (Nunavut, Canada) subpopulation dynamics, including changes in population numbers, human harvest, calf production and calf survival rates.
We modified the cyclic barren-ground caribou harvest model, developed for the Qamanirjuaq caribou subpopulation, to model the Bathurst and George River subpopulations. We were able to develop models that corresponded to time-series field estimates of population numbers, calf production rates, and calf survival rates of the Bathurst and George River subpopulations, suggesting that the structure of program CARIBOU 1.0 general and robust. We identified three harvest options for the Qamanirjuaq, Bathurst and George River subpopulations: 1) maximized the total number of removals per cycle, 2) minimized the number of years with imposed restrictions, and 3) minimized the degree and frequency of differences between strata harvests (maximized “evenness”). The range of sustainable harvest options was large for all three subpopulations, and thus offers a framework to exploring harvest strategy options in consultations and co-management planning. Deliberate reduction of harvest during the decline and early increase phases of the cycle significantly reduced the period when subpopulations were too small or increasing too slowly to sustain a harvest at basic needs levels.


title: Trends in growth and soil nutrients following fire and logging

contributor:
Chen, Han
Taylor, Anthony
Kayahara, Gordon
Man, Rongzhou

subject:
Boreal forest
Calcium
Carbon
Clearcut
Compound disturbance
Conifer
Deciduous
Harvesting intensity
Meta-analysis
Mixedwood
Soil nutrient dynamics
Stand development
Stoichiometry
Temperate forest

abstract:
Understanding the impact of natural and anthropogenic disturbance on soil fertility and tree growth is critical to the sustainability of forest management, yet there remains much uncertainty regarding how both harvesting and wildfire affect soil nutrient dynamics, espe-cially over several decades and in varying overstory types. Historically, wildfire has been the dominant stand-replacing disturbance and an important mechanism of ecosystem renewal. However, intensive forest harvesting is replacing fire as the primary disturbance in many parts of the world, sparking concerns about nutrient depletion and decreased site productivity associated with biomass removals.
I conducted a global meta-analysis of northern forest ecosystems to examine the ef-fects of forest harvesting on total concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of soil carbon ([C]), nitrogen ([N]), and phosphorus ([P]) relative to natural, uncut control stands, and whether these effects differed as a function of harvest intensity, soil depth, overstory type, and time since harvesting. I then used an age chronosequence from 7- to 33-years-old to ex-amine and compare the effects of clearcut harvesting and fire on soil nutrient concentrations and tree growth in three predominant upland boreal stand types (dominated by deciduous or coniferous trees, or a combination of both) during early stand development.
The results of the meta-analysis indicated that harvesting negatively affects [C], [N], and [P] in the forest floor soil layer, but has positive or neutral effects on the mineral soils layer, except for when it is coupled with fire disturbance (through post-fire salvage logging or prescribed burn following harvest), which resulted in strong, negative effects on mineral soil [C] and [N]. The negative effect of harvesting on forest floor nutrients increased with harvesting intensity. Time since harvesting had a positive effect on soil [C] and [N], but less so for [P], which likely requires more time to recover given its reliance on inputs from min-eral weathering.
Our chronosequence study also highlighted the important role of stand age (i.e. time since disturbance). Although fire resulted in more dramatic effects on soil nutrient concentra-tions and stand basal area than harvesting in the 7-year-old stands, these differences con-verged in the 15- and 33-year-old stands. Similar to the meta-analysis, the effects of disturb-ance were most profound in the forest floor layer, and temporal trends differed between bio-logically controlled nutrients (C and N), which recovered rapidly and linearly, and nutrients that are more geochemically controlled (P, K, and Ca).
The results of both studies indicated that conifer stands are more sensitive to nutrient loss following disturbance than deciduous stands, and mixedwood stands are intermediate. Our findings highlight the importance of harvest intensity and rotation length on long-term soil nutrient health when managing northern forest ecosystems, particularly in conifer stands.


title: Numerical integration of systems of differential equations arising in celestial mechanics / by Roy D. North. --

subject:
Celestial mechanics
Numerical integration Computer programs

abstract:
This thesis deals primarily with solving systems of
autonomous ordinary nonlinear differential equations arising in
Celestial Mechanics initial value problems using various finite-difference
techniques. Those methods investigated are the classical
Runge-Kutta, Gill’s modification to the classical Runge-Kutta,
Runge-Kutta-Nystrom, rational extrapolation a la Bulirsch and
Stoer, and Taylor’s series.


title: Indigenous knowledge centres & the transmission of knowledge

contributor:
Robson, Rob
Randall, Todd
Stewart, Rob

subject: Indigenous knowledge (acquisition, storage, and transmission)

subject: Preservation of cultural knowledge

subject: Indigenous knowledge centres

abstract:
The research study “Indigenous Knowledge Centres and the Transmission of Knowledge” was
undertaken in order to understand the process of Indigenous knowledge (IK) acquisition, storage,
and transmission. The undertaking offered a means for participant knowledge centres, in
Australia and Canada, to share their wise practices, methods, concepts and ideas amongst other
Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) and aspiring community IKCs.
Data were collected from informed participants by means of a personal interview on IKCs and
their operations (Bainbridge, Whiteside, & McCalman, 2012) (Gray & Densten, 2005) (Kovach,
2009) (Mills, Van de Bunt, & de Bruijn, 2006). Four IKCs were chosen for the research project:
three centres in Canada and one centre in Australia. Indigenous Knowledge Centres were chosen
in Canada and Australia because of their similar political and colonial backgrounds as well as the
similarity in current governmental relations with Indigenous populations within respective
countries. Australia was chosen, in contrast to Canada, because the state of Queensland has one
of the most well-known government funded IKC models in the world. Australia is a world leader
in terms of developing and analyzing the successes/challenges of IKC’s.
The results of the research, based on participants interviewed, align with Chandler and Lalonde
(1998), Marks and Lyons (2010), and Duran, Firehammer and Gonzalez (2008). They highlight the
essential role culture, land, language, and traditional knowledge can play in the healing of
intergenerational trauma in conjunction with Indigenous resurgence and self-determination
movements. The importance of cultural revitalization and community healing are evident in this
research study


title: Using a novel methodology to test whether group size affects foraging behaviour in elk

contributor:
McLaren, Brian
Rodgers, Art
Ranta, Bruce

subject:
Elk
Group formation
Predation
Foraging behaviour

abstract:
Group formation is one of the most striking patterns in the natural world.
Elk (Cervus elaphus and C. canadensis) are well known for their social and gregarious nature, but motivations for this behaviour are not fully understood. In particular, how elk perceive and deal with predation risk and modify foraging behaviour as group size changes requires further study.
This thesis begins by describing how group behaviour might add to the
security of individuals, using a model that varies adult elk survival with group size. The model might explain why a Lake of the Woods, Ontario, elk population (C.canadensis manitobensisi) declined following re‐introduction in a translocation program that occurred between 2000 and 2001. The population suffered initially from high levels of predation, possibly due to the predator‐naïve nature of the source population from Elk Island National Park, Alberta. A model forcing elk into one of several group sizes, each varying in degree of predation risk describes the
predator‐naïve nature of introduced elk as contributing to the decline. If
individuals adapt to novel predation risks by joining larger groups with higher survival, the population stabilizes and eventually increases.


title: Reactions of Ni (II) with sodium cyanotrihydroborate in presence of some bidentate phosphines

contributor:
Holah, D. G.
Hughes, A. N.

subject:
Sodium cyanotrihydroborate
Phosphenes
Nickel Isotopes

abstract: Cyanotrihydroborate-transiton metal ion chemistry has been reviewed.


title: Satisfaction with a primary care-based diabetes management program

subject: Diabetes Ontario Peel region

subject: Diabetics Services for Ontario Peel region

abstract:
Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and affects approximately 7% of
the population (Hupke, Camp, Chaufoumier, Langley, & Little, 2004; Piatt et al., 2006). It is an
established fact that the long-term complications of diabetes can be reduced by tight glycemic
control. There is a clear relationship between control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid
level, and the ability to decrease microvascular and macrovascular morbidity (Nutting et al.,
2007). A common measure of blood sugar control is that of glycosylated hemoglobin, or HbAlc. This
laboratory test provides a measure of blood sugar control over the previous 3 months (Canadian
Diabetes Association [CDA], 2007). A Cochrane collaboration review reported that an average
reduction of HbA1c of 1% or more can result in a 21% reduction in mortality, a 14% reduction in
acute myocardial infarction (AMI) , and a 37% reduction in microvascular complications if sustained
over time (as cited in Wagner, Austin, et al.,
2001).
There is, however, a gap between this evidence and what is achieved in clinical practice (Nutting
et al., 2007). Wagner, Austin, et al. (2001) argued that fewer than half of patients in the United
States with diabetes are receiving proper treatment. A primary care management study of Type 2
diabetes reported that 47.5% of patients had at least one diabetes-related complication (Spann et
al., 2006). Over half of the patients (60.8%) in this study had a body mass index greater than 30
and a mean HbAlc of 7.6%; 35.3% had adequate blood pressure control; and 43.7% had adequate
low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol levels.


title: Upland boreal forest northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario : ecology and applications to silviculture

subject: Forest ecology

subject: Forests and forestry Ontario Thunder Bay (Ont. : District)

abstract:
Multivariate phytosociological methods were used
to investigate the ecology of upland boreal forest
stands. The ecological information was used to derive
silvicultural recommendations. The boreal forest stands
did not form tight associations. Species were distributed
individualistically; most species have broad, overlapping,
environmental tolerances. Most of the variability among
stands was attributed to the environment and to species
precedence on a site. Geomorphology and moisture regime
were related to community composition. Pinus banksiana
dominates sandy glaciofluvial deposits. Picea mariana
achieves moderate abundance on glaciofluvial deposits
which are moister due to finer soils or to topographic
position. picea mariana may also dominate shallow
moraines. Deeper moraines were dominated by mixedwoods
composed of all species common to uplands in the study
area. Succession is of minimal importance; other factors
override successional trends.
While plant communities were related to
the landforms are much more discrete than
communities. Therefore, landforms were used
silvicultural recommendations. Land types were
by combining or dividing simple features. The seven land types were
associated with trends of community composition and of productivity.
Silvicultural recommendations were derived for each of
these land types. These recommendations were primarily
determined by potential hardwood competition and
productivity.


title: Pilot study to measure the relationship between myocardial infarction and periodontal disease : application of a case-control design

subject:
Periodontal disease
Myocardial infarction

abstract:
Recent public health reports have identified Northwestern Ontario and Thunder
Bay for increased risk of coronary heart disease among several cohorts.
The present study investigated the relationship between myocardial infarction and
periodontal disease in individuals' aged 55 and over. As well, a biological mechanism,
which may be an indicator to coronary heart disease and periodontal disease, was
measured among the sample population.
Both myocardial infarction and periodontal disease can result from inflammation
of the micro-vascular blood supply that provides oxygenated blood to the tissue of the
heart and gums, respectively. Several research studies have reported a link between
periodontal disease and coronary heart disease/myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the
suggested association between myocardial infarction and periodontal disease is based on
the simultaneous occurrence of the two events and therefore the potential co-incidence
may have a measurable probability. In both coronary heart disease and periodontal
disease clinicians may observe an increased concentration of c-reactive protein and/or
fibrinogen. Not only are these proteins prevalent in individuals who are diagnosed with
coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and periodontal disease, but also the
presence of these proteins may further exacerbate the inflammatory condition and
thereby, degrade the integrity of the micro-vascular system. Thus suggesting that the
underlying causal mechanism for both myocardial infarction and periodontal disease
might be the presence of c-reactive protein and/or fibrinogen.
Participants were identified and recruited from a population of cardiac patients in
the region of Thunder Bay. All participants have cardiac disease confirmed clinically and
objectively by symptoms, stress test, cardiolite and/or angiogram. At least half of the
selected participants had experienced a myocardial infarction within the past twelve
months (February 2001 to February 2002) as verified by the cardiologist.
The periodontal evaluation included, a count of the number of teeth present, a
measure of gingivitis, the average probing depth (six sites- medial and distal), and the
individual's BANA hydrolase (will be referred to as BANA from this point) test score.
The composite of the measures was thus considered representative of the individual's
periodontal disease.
Forty-two people were involved in this study as research participants. The results
indicated that negative relationship was apparent between the risk of having a myocardial
infarction and the measure of periodontal disease. However, a relationship was found
between the risk of having a myocardial infarction and the blood measures of c-reactive
protein and fibrinogen. This research has provided a baseline for future research, and
many suggestions and recommendations have come from the results.


title: A Grounded Theory Study of the Approaches and Mechanisms Used in Public Health Practice for Everyday Ethical Dilemma Negotiation and Resolution

contributor:
Wiersma, Elaine C.
Katolik, Jaro

subject:
Public health
Everyday ethics
Grounded theory

abstract: Public health professionals experience dilemmas in their everyday work and many of these dilemmas are challenges where they must find the most ethical way to manage the situation. How these dilemmas are approached, negotiated, and resolved is an area that has been given little attention in the literature and in the Canadian public health system. This paper describes the everyday ethical dilemmas experienced by public health professionals working in two publicly funded health units along with the mechanisms they used to negotiate and resolve these challenges. Using grounded theory this thesis also outlines the approaches used by these public health professionals to manage the everyday ethical dilemmas they experienced in practice. The findings may provide guidance for other public health professionals who are faced with making challenging decisions concerning everyday ethical dilemmas experienced in practice.


title: Genetic variation and adaptation of white birch populations across Canada

subject:
White birch
Climate change
Population
Common garden
Phenology

abstract:
Trees adapt to local climates, however growing concern surrounding climate
change has generated predictions suggesting mass extinction or redistribution of taxa
across the landscape. A lack of redistribution will result in species inhabiting suboptimal
conditions for growth and survival. Current reforestation efforts are to
understand how species will respond to different climates. Seed representing twenty-one
white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) populations were collected, grown and planted in
a common garden study. Populations were observed for height, root collar diameter
(RCD) and survival percentage. There was a significant effect of population on each
growth variable. Survival had a positive correlation with height and RCD growth (May
to September) (Pearson’s r = 0.828 and 0.660 respectively). Summer temperature had a
strong relationship to each measured trait (r2 = 0.326 to 0.682 respectively).
The second set of observations was bud flush, bud cessation and leaf yellowing.
Bud flush observations began in early May and categorized bud development into six
stages from dormant to fully flush. Bud cessation commenced in the first week of
September every four days until bud set requirements were met. Leaf yellowing was
observed simultaneously with bud cessation until 50% leaf yellowing was achieved.
These traits represent phenological responses to temperature and photoperiod. There was
a significant effect of population on each variable. Bud flush had a strong negative
relationship with height growth, RCD growth and survival (r = -0.735, -0.693 and -0.539
respectively). Bud set influenced season length (Julian days), which had a positive
correlation to height growth, RCD growth and survival (r = 0.568, 0.407 and 0.537
respectively). Leaf yellowing also showed a positive correlation to height growth and
survival (r = 0.443 and .590 respectively).
Principal component analysis was utilized to summarize the 21 white birch
populations in regards to their growth and phenological responses to the common garden
study. Principal component analysis produced two components, which represented
24.2% and 16.61% of the variation respectively. No definitive titles were given to each
principal component. Temperature was a main predictor of growth and phonological
responses during the study. Summer and winter temperatures, along with growing
degree days (a function of temperature), were influential in predicting both growth and
phenological responses.


title: Out in the cold: examining northern and rural teachers' preparedness for teaching LGBT students

contributor:
Walton, Gerald
Kaefer, Tanya

subject:
LGBT-inclusive education
Rural preservice teachers
Rural school climate
LGBT identities (rural contexts)
Educators' perceptions of LGBT youth

abstract:
In 2013, the Ontario Ministry of Education extended teacher training programs
across the province with the goal of improving student mental health, well-being and
addressing diversity issues. Climate surveys have consistently shown the need for the
need for these interventions; particularly for queer youth, especially those in rural areas.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well rural preservice teachers are prepared
to interact and support LGBT youth. A single-case design method was employed, in
which six preservice teachers participated in a workshop on inclusivity practices, then
subsequently contrasted their pre-workshop knowledge of these topics through a
retrospective group interview. This study examines perceived barriers that these
preservice teachers experience in employing inclusivity practices in their professions.
Findings from this study have the potential to help refine teacher education programs,
as well as to provide direction for rural-specific interventions to support LGBT-inclusive
education.


title: Smoking, aerobic exercise, and health locus of control

subject:
Smoking.
Tobacco Physiological effect
Aerobic exercises

abstract:
This study examined the effect of aerobic exercise, health locus
of control, and health value on smoking behavior. Thirty-eight subjects
were randomly assigned to either an exercise treatment group or a selfmonitoring
control group. They were administered the HLC scale and a
measure of health value and were instructed to use self-monitoring procedures
in order to establish a smoking and exercise baseline. After the
seven-day baseline was completed, the subjects in the exercise group
continued to self-monitor. They also began an exercise program of
steadily increasing aerobic exercise. Subjects in the control group
simply continued to monitor their smoking and exercise as they did during
the baseline. Following the program, the pretest measures were readministered
with the STAI and BDI added to the battery. Results indicated
that the exercise group smoked significantly fewer cigarettes than
the control group. No differences were found between the exercise and
control groups' HLC scores, health value scores, depression scores, or
state anxiety scores. However, a difference in trait anxiety scores did
approach significance. These results suggest that there may be some
utility in including aerobic exercise in smoking treatment programs.
Possibilities for future research are discussed.


title: An intelligent system for temperature monitoring and brake drum cooling

subject:
Vehicle braking
Overheating of drum brakes
Piezoelectric energy harvester
Cantilever beam harvesting

abstract:
Brakes convert the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle into heat energy due to friction between fixed and moving brake parts. Frequent applications of the brakes will cause overheating in brake parts, which could generate the lubricating layer between frictional parts and result in a temporary reduction or complete loss of braking power of a vehicle. Several brake cooling methods have been proposed in the literature to solve this problem, but the effective brake cooling is still a challenging task in trucks. The objective of this research is to develop an intelligent system for temperature monitoring and active cooling in drum brakes for heavy utility trucks. The air is used as the medium of the cooling system. The buildup heat is dissipated by use of air blow across the brake elements. The cooling system incorporates an automatic controller. A specifically designed air compressor is used to discharge air with a high flow rate. Temperature is measured by using an infra-red thermal sensor. The air cooling is turned ON when the brake drum temperature is higher than a threshold value and is switched OFF once the temperature is lower than another threshold. This self-regulating controller and efficient air compressor play an integral role in the cooling system.
The second research project is to develop a piezoelectric energy harvesting system to provide power for infra-red temperature monitoring sensors. A new energy harvesting model is proposed to generate power from the ambient vibration of the vehicle. A moving vehicle generates vibrations with different frequencies. A general piezoelectric system is efficient mainly around its resonance frequency. By systematic experimental tests, a new energy harvesting system is proposed to improve power generating capacity over a wider vibrational frequency range. The energy harvesting circuit stores power using piezoelectric transducer into battery, which in turn to charge temperature sensors. The effectiveness of the proposed energy harvesting methodology and system is verified experimentally under different excited frequencies.


title: Landscape indicators of Old Tower Road archaeological site (DbJm-6), Thunder Bay District

contributor:
Cornwell, Adam
Hamilton, Scott
Zaniewski, Kamil

subject:
Archaeology
Northwestern Ontario
Computer-generated landscape model
Plano time period
Paleo-Indians

abstract: This thesis addresses two research objectives. The first investigates landscape factors in the paleo-environment which may have influenced the geographic positioning of an archaeological site near Thunder Bay. The time period under consideration is the Plano, or Late Paleoindian, which spans approximately 6500 to 8500 14C years BP in northwestern Ontario (Julig 1994). Secondly, an assessment is made of whether a computer-generated landscape model is able to accurately portray real-world conditions at the present time, and whether this process can be applied to future research projects. Because archaeological sites are often discovered in shoreline environments around Thunder Bay (Hamilton 1996; Phillips 1988), the question arises of whether shorelines may be a major factor in the siting of Plano camps. Field investigations provide evidence that the Old Tower Road site location could have been influenced by its proximity to an ancient shoreline. Other factors that might have also affected the decisions made for that particular site location may never be known. By studying the environs of the Old Tower Road site in detail, landscape indicators may provide important clues (Fry et al. 2004). Put simply, the query is, "Why is it there?" Weeks of thesis fieldwork permitted a landscape visualization that includes a proglacial lake approximately 2 km north of the study site, one or more debris flows in a high-energy alluvial environment, and the presence of humans who manufactured stone tools at some time period, possibly related to these events. Due to insufficient spatial resolution of the DEM which was created for use in a GIS application, the terrace feature which was discovered during fieldwork is not visible in the final map document. Landscape visual cues may potentially be used in archaeological site prediction (Bellavia 2002; Ebert 2004), although that is not a primary focus of this thesis.


title: Hemlines and hairdos : body management for the feminine ideal in the Canadian Women's Army Corps

contributor:
Smith, Helen
Wakewich, Pam

subject: Women soldiers Canada Social conditions History

subject: Beauty, Personal Canada History

subject: Women soldiers Costume Canada

abstract:
The onslaught of World War II (WWII) brought with it an unprecedented mobilization of the
female population in both Allied and Axis countries, as well as a rapid "masculinizatlon " of
women's roles. In the absence of men, women donned trousers, entered traditionally male
fields of employment, brought home sizable paychecks, increasingly supported dependants,
and entered military service. Under widespread media coverage and public scrutiny,
enthusiasm for women's patriotic efforts was soon dampened by concems for the maintenance
of their femininity on the part of a society anxious for an eventual return to idealized prewar
conditions. Nevertheless, as both military and home front demands for labour increased,
women continued to be called upon to step into the places that men vacated.
The formation of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC ) in August 1941 marked the
first time that women had been officially recruited into the Canadian military. The military
embarked upon the task of recruiting women with preconceived notions of their abilities and
appropriate roles. The image of womanhood that emerged from recruitment propaganda was
shaped not only by these preconceived Ideals, but also by the military’s need for women to fill
secondary" roles. To an even greater extent than private sector employers, the military strove
to ensure that female volunteers maintained a feminine appearance and presented a
stereotypically feminine image to the rest of the world. To no small degree, this necessitated
generating an element of sexual allure, of appeal and attractiveness to men, among the women
volunteers. On the other hand, the moral integrity of Canada’s first force of women soldiers had
to be maintained at all costs. This thesis will consider the extent to which the military’s desire to
maintain the ideal of femininity among CWAC volunteers conflicted with maintaining public images of their sexual propriety and resulted in the generation of confusing and frequently
contradictory views of the femininity and sexuality of Cwacs.


title: Cardiac oxidative stress and antioxidant status in response to radiation and monocrotaline induced cardiac dysfunction

contributor:
Khaper, Neelam
Boreham, Doug
Ulanova, Marina
Yang, Guangdong

subject:
Cardiovascular disease
Oxidative stress
Autophagy
Antioxidant potential

abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Oxidative stress has been implicated in many types of cardiovascular disease. Chronic cardiac stress conditions have been shown to be associated with an increase in myocardial oxidative stress following myocardial infarction, which in turn may lead to depressed contractile function, myocardial remodeling and heart failure. Antioxidants play a protective role against oxidative stress damage through the removal of free radical intermediates and inhibition of oxidation reactions. An imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants results in cellular and sub-cellular damage. Therefore, treatment with non-enzymatic antioxidants may provide protection against high levels of free radicals. We investigated, in three different studies, if treatment with antioxidants can protect the heart under conditions of oxidative stress. In the first study, a complex dietary supplement composed of numerous antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components was given to C57BL/6 mice that received a whole body radiation dose of 5 Gy to investigate potential cardioprotective effects by measuring cardiac antioxidant status and apoptosis. In the second study, the same complex dietary supplement was given to Thy1-GFP mice that received a radiation dose of 10 Gy to the head to investigate the abscopal effect on the heart by measuring cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. In the final study, the potential cardioprotective effects of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, a compound found in flaxseed, was investigated in a Wistar rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension by correlating cardiac functions with oxidative stress. We have shown that treatment with antioxidants may offer some protection to the heart in these models of oxidative stress though it is important to consider the extent of oxidative stress and when developing a antioxidant treatment protocol.


title: Knowledge and practices of women in rural Nkwerre, Nigeria, regarding cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening / by Cynthia Ihekwoaba.

subject:
Medical screening Nigeria Nkwerre
Cervix uteri Cancer Nigeria Nkwerre
Cancer Nigeria Nkwerre

abstract:
The International Network of Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR, 2004) has
identified cancer as a major health problem in Nigeria, as in most other African countries.
Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer in the Nigerian female and it is the leading
cause of death in Nigerian women (Ayinde et al.,1998). Unfortunately, the importance of
cancer as a health problem has been underplayed or totally neglected over the years by all
agencies that have been advising or financing health projects in Africa. Agencies such as
the World Bank and USAID give priority to infectious diseases and infant and maternal
health. The apparent neglect of cancer by these agencies and the lack of emphasis on this
problem has resulted in few cancer treatment facilities and cancer therapists (WHO,
2002).
The Ibadan Cancer Registry, one of six cancer registries in Nigeria, a population based
registry serving a population of 1.22 million within 70 square kilometers in Ibadan
in the Oyo state of South West Nigeria, reported that the current estimated number of
cancer cases in Nigeria is 100,000 at the present time; by 2010, it is estimated that
500,000 new cases will be diagnosed annually, 22.6% of which will be cervical cancer
(INCTR, 2004).
Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in Nigeria.
Data have suggested that the maximum incidence occurs at age 50. In Nigeria, there is
very little information about the prevalence rates in the general population. However,
published studies have suggested that cervical cancer rates are higher than in most
European countries. More recent studies have suggested that the incidence of cervical
cancer in Nigeria is increasing (Okobia, 2003). Because most women in Nigeria are still not encouraged to have Pap tests, cervical cancer mortality rates are rising. The
increasing mortality and morbidity rate in Nigeria from cervical cancer is a public health
issue that needs to be addressed.


title: Ecology of pathogenic Escherichia coli in water : survival and molecular detection

contributor:
Leung, Kam Tin
Lankester, Murray W.
Malek, Ladislav

subject: Escherichia coli

subject: Enterohemmorhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)

abstract:
Recently there has been a surge of interest in the ability of enterohemmorhagic
Escherichia coli (EHEC) to survive in aquatic environments. It has been speculated a
correlation may exist between the genotype of an E. coli strain and its ability to persist in
an aquatic environment. One of the objectives of this study was to determine if any
correlation could be made between the persistence of EHEC strains in natural well
water and their ERIC-genotype. Sixteen strains of EHEC were monitored, individually, in
untreated well water microcosms incubated at 10°C and 22°C for 56 days. The strains
were selected from three serogroups (026, 0111 and 0157) and represented six
distinct genotypes determined by ERIC-PCR. The microcosms were prepared, in
triplicate, each sample having a final cell concentration of approximately 10^ cfu/ml well
water. Levine Eosin Methylene Blue agar was used to determine the cell density of
culturable E. co//cells. At 10°C, cell density declined depending on the strains by 1.78
to 6.07 log units in 8 weeks, with six strains falling below the detection limit of 0.8 log
cfu/ml by day 56. Of the ten persisting strains, four showed superior survival with cell
density decreasing to an average of approximately 5 log cfu/ml while the remaining six
strains showed moderate levels of survival, decreasing to a average cell density of
approximately 3.5 log cfu/ml. At 22°C all strains eventually dropped by 4.87 to 6.52 log
in 56 days with 14 strains dropping below the detection limit. The 16 strains
demonstrated highly variable levels of survival with no correlation between ERIC-genotype
and the strain’s ability to persist being evident.
The second objective of the study was to develop a molecular detection method
for pathogenic E. coli employing multiplex-PCR and DIG-labeled DNA probes. The
molecular detection of EHEC and other pathogenic £. coli of virotypes, entertoxigenic
(ETEC), enteropathogenic (EPEC) and enteroinvasive (EIEC), has been the topic of
numerous studies. A multiplex PCR-DNA probing assay to detect the four major E. coli
virotypes was developed. Six highly specific PCR primer sets and DIG-labeled
chemiluminescent probes were designed to target the shiga-like toxin I and II genes {sitl
and sitll) of EHEC, heat stable and heat labile toxin genes (hs and hl) of ETEC, EPECadherence
factor gene (eaf) of EPEC and the invasiveness plasmid (iai) of EIEC. The
primer sets generate amplicons 350, 262, 170, 322, 293 and 390 bp in length,
respectively. The multiplex primers were tested for specificity against 31 pathogenic £.
coli strains, various non-pathogenic £. coli strains and non-E.coli enteric and
environmental bacterial strains. The results showed a high degree of specificity for
strains from their corresponding virotypes and minimal non-specific reaction with the
non-target E. coli and control bacterial strains. To improve the specificity of the
multiplex-PCR amplification, six DIG-labeled oligonucleotide probes were designed to
hybridize with the six multiplex-PCR amplicons. Chemiluminescent detection of probe
hybridization against multiplex-PCR dot blots revealed high degrees of specificity of
probes for the target amplicons. The proposed multiplex PCR-DNA probing assay
provides rapid and specific detection of four major E. coli virotypes.


title: Econometric model of Canada's newsprint exports to the United States of America

subject: Newsprint industry Econometric models Canada

subject: Newsprint industry Econometric models United States

subject: Ordinary least-squares methods

subject: Simultaneous-equation model

abstract:
An econometric model was built for predictive purposes and
for understanding the relationship between the US market and
Canadian newsprint producers. In this study, a
simultaneous-equation model was developed, which consists of
four equations, one each for the supply, export, consumption
and price of newsprint. The period of 1955-1986 was covered
by this model. The data for the years 1985 and 1986 were
reserved to test the predictive power of the model. In
fitting the four equations for the period of 1955-1984, the
coefficients of determinations, the R-square values, between
observed and predicted values were higher than 99 per cent.
The test results of the forecasting power showed that there
was no difference between predicted and observed values at
the 5 per cent level of significance. Sources of forecasting
error are expressed as three partial inequality coefficients
associated with bias, variance and covariance of predicted
and observed values. In the present forecast, the major
source of error came from the covariance between the
predicted and observed values. This could not be further
reduced. The model can be used to make annual predictions
and provides an accurate means of predicting demand, supply,
consumption and price of Canadian newsprint exports to the
United States of America.


title: Visible light positioning systems under imperfect synchronization and signal-dependant noise

contributor:
Ikki, Salama
Alsmadi, Malek
Wang, Ruizhong
Yassine, Abdulsalam

subject:
Optical wireless communication
Visible light communication
6G communication technology

abstract:
Optical Wireless Communication (OWC) is an enabling technology for sixth-generation
(6G) and beyond communication networks. Visible light communication (VLC) is a
crucial branch of OWC technology expected to meet 6G communication system requirements. The VLC system can facilitate multiple functionalities simultaneously including
illumination, ultra-high data rate communications, positioning such as location and
navigation services. In VLC systems, a light-emitting diode (LED) functions as a transmitter. A photodetector or imaging sensor acts as a receiver and the visible light is used
as the transmission medium. Researchers have shown a great deal of interest in VLC
based positing and localization techniques, as visible light positioning (VLP) systems
have shown better localization accuracy than radio frequency (RF) based positioning or
global positioning system (GPS). This thesis considers the problem of position estimation accuracy in VLC systems in the presence of signal-dependent shot noise (SDSN).
We investigate distance and 3D position estimation approaches in different scenarios,
focusing on error estimation performance bounds. Additionally, this work attempts to
resolve the synchronization problem found in VLP systems.


title: The effect of discontinuing iron supplementation on the iron status of women

subject: Iron metabolism, absorption & balance

subject: Body iron

subject: Iron excretion, deficiency & supplementation

subject: Serum ferritin, iron and hemoglobin

abstract:
Twenty four women were studied in order to examine the effect that discontinued iron
supplementation has on the hematological values of serum ferritin, serum iron and hemoglobin.
Initially, 111 female volunteers were screened for iron deficiency by blood analysis (serum
ferritin below 20 µg/L and/or hemoglobin below 120 g/L). On the basis of ferritin and hemoglobin
measurements, 44 women (39.6%) qualified as iron deficient. Twenty four of the selected women
completed the 24 week study. Mean age was 27.6 ± 7.5 years (range 18 to 40 years). Each of the
subjects received the treatment of oral iron supplements (320 mg ferrous sulfate= 100 mg elemental
iron taken as SLOW-Fe twice a day) for
12 weeks. Supplementation was then discontinued for an additional
12 weeks. Measurements of serum ferritin, serum iron and hemoglobin were taken at o,  6, 12, 18 and
24 weeks of the study.
Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant changes (p<.05) in
serum ferritin and serum iron values. No significant (p<.05) change was found in hemoglobin values
over the course of the study. Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test was used to identify specific mean
differences when a significant F ratio was observed.  Serum ferritin values
were significantly (p<.05) increased following 6 (11.5 ±  5.3  to
26.4 ± 14.3 µg/L) and 12 (11.5 ± 5.3 to 30.6 ± 14.9 µg/L} weeks of oral iron supplementation.
Twelve weeks of discontinued
supplementation did not significantly (p<.05) alter serum ferritin values as noted by mean values
of 29.0 ±  15.0 µg/L and 28.2 ± 17.1
µg/L for weeks 18 and 24, respectively. Serum iron values were significantly {p<.05) increased
{15.9 ± 6.7 to 25.4 ± 15.6 µmol/L) after 6 weeks of oral iron supplementation. Serum iron values at
12, 18 and 24 weeks of the study were not significantly {p .05) different from the values at week O
and week 6.
It can be concluded that oral iron supplementation {320 mg ferrous sulfate= 100 mg elemental iron
taken as Slow Fe twice a day for 12 weeks) was successful in raising serum ferritin values
{from 11.5 ±  5.3 to 30.6 ±  14.9 µg/L) in iron deficient   women.
Within the limitations of this study, 12 weeks of discontinued oral iron supplementation does not
pose a threat to the iron status of
iron repleted women.


title: Pattern and chronology of prebasic moult in wood-warblers (Parulidae)

contributor:
Hughes, Janice
Mackereth, Rob
Thomson, Dave

subject:
Wood warblers (Ontario)
Moult & migration

abstract:
This study compared the pattern and chronology of the prebasic moult in
seven warbler species (Parulidae) at two locations in Ontario. Yellow Warblers
{Dendroica petechia) were the earliest to start flight feather moult. Ovenbirds
(Se/urus aurocapillus) underwent the most rapid flight feather moult, being only
22 days. Yellow-rumped Warblers (D, coronata) had the longest moult period
(62 days) and were the last species to finish moult. These findings suggested
that some warblers overlap the early and final stages of moult with the later
stages of breeding and/or the onset of migration. Furthermore, a positive
correlation between the duration of moult and timing of migration for all species,
except Ovenbirds, suggested that earlier migrants moult more quickly and later
migrants take a longer period to moult. Ovenbirds may be anomalous with
regard to moult scheduling and migration because of their atypical ecological and behavioural attributes or their systematic position among parulids. A
combination of external and internal factors may explain variations in the
relationship between breeding, moult, and migration in warblers, allowing each
species to fine-tune the onset of prebasic moult accordingly.
I examined the relationship between raggedness scores and moult rates
among five species of wood-warblers with similar moult patterns to determine if
raggedness could be used as an index of moult rates. Positive correlations
between raggedness and moult rates derived from pooled recaptures, least
squares linear regressions, and individual species recapture methods suggested
that average raggedness for the primary and secondary scores within a
determined primary moult score range is a good index of the rate of moult in
warblers. Therefore, mean raggedness scores may be a useful tool for (1)
providing baseline moult rate assessments in populations with insufficient
recaptures, allowing for comparisons to other populations with known moult
rates; and (2) estimating the rate and duration of moult in some species.
I compared the timing and patterns of the prebasic body moult between
Hatch Year and After Hatch Year American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla), and
Hatch Year and After Hatch Yellow Warblers. Both species displayed no
difference in the number of moulting individuals in each designated body region.
In addition, moult started in early July and lasted until mid-August for both age
classes of American Redstarts. In contrast. Hatch Year Yellow Warblers started
body moult in late June to early July, whereas adults began body moult in mid-July. Both American Redstarts and Yellow Warblers displayed differences in
intensity and timing of moult among specific body regions between age classes.
In addition, After Hatch Year individuals of both species underwent body moult
concurrently with primary moult. Extrinsic and intrinsic factors may contribute to
the variations in body moult scheduling observed in these two species.


title: Annual production and population dynamics of a relatively unexploited walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (Mitchill 1818), population in Savanne Lake, Ontario

subject:
Walleye (Fish)
Fish populations Ontario Savanne Lake

abstract:
Most studies of the walleye have been conducted on highly
exploited populations. Savanne Lake in northwestern Ontario, and
having an area of 364.29 ha, was exploited until 1969, whereupon
it was designated a fish sanctuary. Study was conducted during
the spring months of 1973, 1974 and 1976. Walleyes were marked
and recaptured in trapnets. Marking was accomplished by attaching
a Floy tag FTF69 under the second dorsal fin with monofilament
line. The 6th, 12th and second dorsal spines were clipped In the
springs of 1973, 1974 and 1976, respectively, for Schumacher-
Eschmeyer estimates. Schumacher-Eschmeyer spring population estimates
of 5211, 5184 and 5463 for the three study years represent
the spawning population most vulnerable to the gear.
The annual mortality rates were a high 8 to 85% for the component
of the population sampled and characteristically increased
with age over the three years of study.
Growth retardation was observed among tagged walleyes; some
of the walleyes neither grew in length nor laid down a new annulus
in each year of their life. These observations were attributed
to limited food supply and extensive handling, tagging and finclipping
of the fish over the study period.
No relationship was noted between year-class strength and
year-class growth. Walleyes showed similar annual percentage
increments in their growth during the three sampling years. Relative
growth of walleyes increased substantially by the end of the
first year, decreased sharply the second year and continued to
decrease at a lesser rate until, on the average, the fifth or
sixth year. After this, growth was very slow.
Annual biomass of 6.58 kg.ha[superscript 1] for 1973-74, 6.06 kg.ha[superscript 1] for 1974-75 and 2.64 kg.ha[superscript 1] for 1975-76 for age groups 7 and older was low. Production estimates of 1.0 kg.ha[superscript 1].yr[superscript 1] for 1973-74, 1.31 kg.ha[superscript 1].yr[superscript 1] for 1974-75 and 0.52 kg.ha[superscript 1].yr for 1975-76 for age groups 7 and older are likely values for a theoretical yield of 1.9 kg.ha[superscript 1].yr[superscript 1] based on the morphoedaphic
index (Ryder 1965) and support the 30 percent rule. The brood
stock production estimate of 1.85 kg.ha[superscript 1].yr[superscript 1] for fish of age 5.5 (weighted mean age to first maturity) and older, and representing
about 20% of the total walleye production in the lake,
relates closely to the theoretical yield of 1.9 kg.ha[superscript 1]..yr[superscript 1] based on the 30 percent rule.
The slow growth of the walleyes was attributable to chemical
characteristics typical of lakes in this region of the Canadian
Shield, as well as to their high density relative to the available
food.


title: Investigating the relationship between social capital and health

subject:
Social capital (Sociology)
Smoking (Psychological aspects)
Health behavior

abstract:
The social determinants of health and health related behaviours have been studied
extensively. Social capital is a construct first used in economic and sociological research, which
is currently being used to investigate health. Health is often cited as one of the most important
things in one’s life. Many individuals, however, practice lifestyle behaviours which place them
at risk. For example, smoking is recognized as a health risk for all persons and many young
adults attending post-secondary institutions may smoke. To what extent, is a young adult’s social
capital associated with their health and can social capital be used to describe a specific health
behaviour such as smoking? In the present study, a pilot survey was developed specific to a post-secondary
population to assess individual social capital indicators, formulate a social capital
index, and determine the extent to which the index was associated with health and a specific
behaviour - smoking . Knowledge of the strength or weakness in the social capital of a post-secondary
community may assist health care practitioners with strategies to assist young people.


title: eFRI and Growth & Yield in Ontario: A Literature Review

subject: Aerial photography

subject: Policies and legislation (foresty)

abstract: The forests of Ontario are a vast resource owned by the Crown that has been subjected to many methods of forest management since the beginning of Ontario as a province. The forest resource was thought of as inexhaustible at first and was exploited greatly. It was soon realized that there was a need for sustainable forest management. The progression of aerial photography and the advancement of both airplane and camera technology have greatly advanced forestry in Ontario. Enhanced forest resource inventory (eFRI) and growth and yield (G&Y) programs were set up to collect data for various methods of forest modelling. With the advancement of technology also came light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology that can take various measurements via laser pulses creating multispectral data layers with accurate measurements helpful to forest managers when in planning phases. Advancing with the times also includes the updating of policies and legislation for the forests in Ontario to better guide forest management when creating operational plans. There is a brief description and comparison on the current status of forest operations and the status of the eFRI programs in Finland that have taken place for nearly a century and where they are placing their focus today for the best outcomes in G&Y in the future.


title: Relationship of pre-competition arousal assessments to self-perceived performance competencies in collegiate wrestlers

subject:
Wrestling
Arousal (Physiology)
Self-perception

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of pre-competition arousal assessments to self-perceived performance competencies in collegiate wrestlers. This author employed the technique of self-reporting in order to examine this relationship. The research design
selected was a number of replications of a single subject case study. A modified version of Rushall's (1977) Pre-Competition Psychological Checklist allowed each subject to report his pre-match arousal symptoms, his pre-match arousal (excitedness) level, his estimation of winning, and the
post-match assessment of his performance for each match. The data were analyzed to determine, 1) the existence of arousal patterns that were performance-grade specific on a five category scale, 2) the arousal estimate and performance level relationship, 3) the relationship between estimation
of winning and performance, 4) the arousal estimate and estimation of winning relationship, and 5) the interaction between arousal, estimate of winning and performance level.
All subjects exhibited performance-grade specific arousal patterns. The highest calibre wrestlers illustrated increasedsensitivity of pattern indicators and performance discriminators.
This subgroup also evidenced the highest increases as well as the highest absolute values in arousal level. When all wrestlers were considered together the relationship between arousal and performance was positive and linear thereby supporting the Drive theory. This information suggested that the highest calibre wrestler also experienced the greatest control of arousal levels and symptoms.


title: The restoration projects in Thunder Bay and further development

subject:
Ecological restoration
Stormwater management
Watershed protection
Shoreline erosion
Environmental degradation
Ecosystem conservation

abstract:
Ecological restoration is the scientific study and process that restore the
ecosystem’s functions and services by field study and planning in order to enhance the
value of the ecosystem and sites return to society. The restoration progress in Thunder
Bay is undergoes an early stage compared with southern Ontario. The four restoration
projects and plans of this study were all initiate under the Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement, Thunder Bay Area of Concern. With the study of City of Thunder Bay
Offcial Plan, 2002, a general idea of future development of restorations in Thuder Bay is
gained. There will be a increasingly number of restoration projects within 20 years, and
the majority of the restorations will focus on the stormwater management and watershed
protection.
This thesis will begin with the introduction of four restoration projects and plans:
McVicar Creek Protection & Rehabilitation Plan, City of Thunder Bay Stormwater
Management Plan, George Creek Brook Trout Rehabilitation Project, Mission Island
Marsh Conservation Area Master Plan; and delinate the land use policy in the City of
Thunder Bay. Followed with the discussion of the further development of restoration
activities in the area.


title: The Role of primary care physicians in return to work after occupational injury or disease : a systematic review of guidelines and literature

contributor:
Cassidy, David
Andersen, Joel
Boyle, Eleanor
Montelpare, William

subject:
Sick leave
Employees
Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation
Work capacity evaluation

abstract: There was strong evidence that, in addition to usual care, collaborative effort among stakeholders, early contact between the physician and workplace is associated with early RTW. There was also strong evidence to support several key concepts in physician's disability management, including time and incentives, advocacy, trust and respect, knowledge and education, awareness of external factors, processes of care. There was moderate evidence that the use of evidence-based care has limited effect on disability improvement and RTW. The level of evidence regarding the effect of early RTW advice on RTW and degree of recovery was mixed.


title: Robust control techniques for DFIG driven WECS with improved efficiency

contributor:
Uddin, Nasir
Natarajan, Krishnamoorthy
Liu, Xiaoping
Saleh, Saleh
Tayebi, Abdelhamid

subject:
Wind energy technology
Aerodynamic efficiency
Maximizing turbine output power
Wind energy conversion
Nonlinear control

abstract:
Wind energy has emerged as one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources since mid-80‘s due to its low cost and environmentally friendly nature compared to conventional fossil fuel based power generation. Current technologies for the design and implementation of wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) include induction generator and synchronous generator based units. The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) is chosen in this thesis because of its economic operation, ability to regulate in sub-synchronous or super-synchronous speed and decoupled control of active and reactive powers. Among the major challenges of wind energy conversion system, extraction of maximum power from intermittent generation and supervision on nonlinear system dynamics of DFIG-WECS are of critical importance. Maximization of the power produced by wind turbine is possible by optimizing tip-speed ratio (TSR), turbine rotor speed or torque and blade angle. The literature reports that a vast number of investigations have been conducted on the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of wind turbines. Among the reported MPPT control algorithms, the hill climb search (HCS) method is typically preferred because of its simple implementation and turbine parameter-independent scheme. Since the conventional HCS algorithm has few drawbacks such as power fluctuation and speed-efficiency trade-off, a new adaptive step size based HCS controller is developed in this thesis to mitigate its deficiencies by incorporating wind speed measurement in the controller. In addition, a common practice of using linear state-feedback controllers is prevalent in speed and current control of DFIG-based WECS. Traditional feedback linearization controllers are sensitive to system parameter variations and disturbances on grid-connected WECS, which demands advanced control techniques for stable and efficient performance considering the nonlinear system dynamics. An adaptive backstepping based nonlinear control (ABNC) scheme with iron-loss minimization algorithm for RSC control of DFIG is developed in this research work to obtain improved dynamic performance and reduced power loss. The performance of the proposed controller is tested and compared with the benchmark tuned proportional-integral (PI) controller under different operating conditions including variable wind speed, grid voltage disturbance and parameter uncertainties. Test results demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits excellent performance on the rotor side and grid side converter control. In addition, the compliance with the modern grid-code requirements is achieved by featuring a novel controller with disturbance rejection mechanism. In order to reduce the dependency on system‘s mathematical model, a low computational adaptive network fuzzy interference system (ANFIS) based neuro-fuzzy logic controller (NFC) scheme is developed for DFIG based WECS. The performance of the proposed NFC based DFIG-WECS is tested in simulation to regulate both grid and rotor side converters under normal and voltage dip conditions. Furthermore, a new optimization technique known as grey wolf optimization (GWO) is also designed to regulate the battery power for DFIG driven wind energy system operating in standalone mode.
In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control schemes, simulation models are designed using Matlab/Simulink. The proposed model for MPPT and nonlinear control of grid-connected mode and GWO based power control of standalone DFIG-WECS has been successfully implemented in the real-time environment using DSP controller board DS1104 for a laboratory 480 VA DFIG. The comparison among different controllers suggests that each control technique has its own specialty in wind power control application with specific merits and shortcomings. However, the PI controller provides fast convergence, the ANFIS based NFC controller has better adaptability under grid disturbances and ABNC has moderate performance. Overall, the thesis provides a detailed overview of different robust control techniques for DFIG driven WECS in grid-connected and standalone operation mode with practical implementation.


title: Invasive plant cover and density following emerald ash borer-induced mortality in southern Ontario forests

subject:
Ash (Fraxinus spp.)
Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)
Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)
Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Invasive species

abstract:
The emerald ash borer has caused widespread ash mortality in eastern North
American forests, where forest managers are also facing challenges due to invasions of
undesirable exotic plant species. This study aims to explore relationships between the
two phenomena based on existing evidence that disturbance caused by insect pests may
facilitate invasive plant colonization. The presence of invasive species was analyzed in
the context of ash mortality following emerald ash borer infestation in four forests in the
Region of Waterloo in Ontario. Multivariate analysis with generalized linear models
was used to detect relationships between invasive plants and various environmental
variables. Significant relationships with invasive plant cover and density are found for
decline in ash basal area, ash mortality occurrence, change in total basal area, current
basal area, canopy closure, regeneration density, and tree species composition. Potential
effects of competitive exclusion and site richness on invasive plant species are
discussed.


title: On-line estimation of first order plus dead time process parameters based on under or over-parameterized models

subject:
PID controllers
Feedback control systems
Process control (Automation)

abstract: Simple on-line process identification methods that can be used in tuning PID controllers or any other controllers have been studied in this work. The underlying continuous-time first order plus dead time FOPDT process model parameters ('k', [tau], [tau]'d') have been estimated effectively at every sampling period from the frequency response of an under or over-parameterized model assigned for the process and enhanced with recursive least squares. It is shown that for any under or overparameterized model structure and with any SNR as low as 0dB, the parameters of the FOPDT model are estimated reliably. This has been accomplished by using either the Nelder-Mead optimization approach or the line fitting approach. Line fitting approach provides better estimation results and faster parameter convergence than the Nelder-Mead optimization approach especially when small sampling periods are used. Line fitting approach is applied experimentally to a distillation column and evaluated successfully in this thesis.


title: The sharing of traditional aboriginal knowledge of pipe carriers from Winnipeg, Manitoba and the implications for the health of Aboriginal Peoples living in urban centers

subject:
Aboriginal cultures
Pipe carriers
Aboriginal health
Traditional healers
Aboriginal peoples

abstract:
Aboriginal peoples are part of the history and culture of Canada. The history is a tragedy as the Europeans exerted control of the land, resources and Aboriginal peoples themselves. The years of control, oppression and assimilation have caused historical trauma, scarring generations of Aboriginal peoples in physical, emotional, mental and spiritual ways. In spite of the trauma, the literature suggests that Aboriginal traditions are being passed on to future generations.
Traditionally, the knowledge and traditions of Aboriginal cultures have been passed on through stories and experiences. This indigenous knowledge is part of the collective wisdom and culture of our world. It is important to ensure the knowledge is being passed on to ensure Aboriginal cultures thrive and the diversity of the world continues (Davis 2009).
This thesis explores the dynamics of the passing on of the traditional Aboriginal teachings in an urban setting. Specifically, it explores the role of Pipe Carriers, how they acquired their knowledge and how they are passing it on to the next generation. This information is discussed in the context of the history of colonization and the health care needs of Aboriginal peoples today.
This study is important as it builds on previous research that has documented the intricacies of the Aboriginal cultures and the impact of colonization on Aboriginal peoples. Previous research has also documented the disparity between the health of the general population and Aboriginal peoples, the inability of the health care system to meet the needs of Aboriginal peoples, and the growing percentage of Aboriginal peoples in Winnipeg. The existing literature on these topics, combined with the lack of literature on the role of Pipe Carriers as traditional healers, provide the justification for this study.


title: Bravery, accountability, and praxis: decolonizing international education

subject:
International education
Decolonization (education)
Holistic education
Pedagogy

abstract:
International education operates in a fundamentally post/colonial paradigm. This study aims to
amplify the voices of a diverse group of students, learning at Green School, Bali (an international
school environment) around their experiences of education, community, and reflective practices
within this colonial landscape. Specifically, it aims to answer the following question, “What is the
impact of high school students’ implicit (non-curricular and out-of-school) learning on their
engagement with content, community, and their own metacognitive processes at the Green
School?”
This study was completed using a participative model of Grounded Theory, combined with Critical
Action Research in which students were taught about research in education, then participated in
group interviews, which were adjusted as needed based on their responses. From there,
students worked with the researcher to code and analyze the interview data, and finally to
propose guidelines for potential solutions. Their voices are paramount to this research.
The results of this study suggest a number of categories in which international schools should
ask deeper questions and implement changes in order to both decolonize and build community.
Specifically working towards true accountability for all community members, empowering diverse
voices and trusting them with this power, providing transparency around decision making and
finances, and finally, asking the right questions and implementing a Brave Praxis. The
recommendations and conclusions section of this study includes questions and supportive
protocols for teachers and administrators to adapt and utilize in group discussions in order to
spark change in their communities. It is meant to be both a practical and living document.


title: Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside reduces cell death and upregulates antioxidants in cardiac iron overload

contributor:
Khaper, Neelam
Lees, Simon
Schraft, Heidi

subject:
Cardiac iron overload
Oxidative stress
Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
Antioxidant defense system

abstract: Iron is essential to many biological and metabolic processes used in all organisms, but excess iron can result in complications such as cirrhosis, diabetes, and heart failure. Cardiac iron overload has been linked to increased oxidative stress and cell death. Oxidative stress has been shown to play a role in cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants can counter the effect of oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Protein kinase B (Akt) promotes cell survival by regulating growth, antioxidant production, and cell death in cardiomyoctes. The aim of this study was to examine the cardioprotective role of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), a phytochemical extracted from flax seeds, in an in vitro cardiac iron overload condition. H9c2 cardiac cells were incubated with 50 μM iron for either 6, 12 or 24 hours and/or received a SDG pretreatment of 250 μM or 500 μM for 24 hours. Flow cytometry was used to assess necrotic cells and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of antioxidants (manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase) and redox sensitive proteins, 5’AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Akt, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Pretreatment of SDG reduced the amount of necrotic cells (24.3%) after iron treatment. Pretreatment of SDG resulted in increased protein expression of catalase after 24 hours of iron treatment, and increased activity of AMPK and STAT3 after 12 hours of iron treatment. Akt activity and 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) levels were decreased after 6 hours of iron treatment when pretreated with SDG. This study demonstrates that SDG can act as an antioxidant by attenuating cell death, oxidative stress, and increasing the level of intrinsic antioxidants.