title: A Qualitative Study of Attendings’ and Residents’ Perspectives on Feedback in Pediatrics Clinical Settings

contributor:
Klinger, Don A.
Education

subject:
Feedback
Context
Medical Education

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-10 12:10:54.839

abstract:
Although the role of context in various aspects of medical education has been highlighted as an area needing further research, to date few studies have explored how contextual factors shape feedback interactions within various clinical settings. Consequently, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how contextual factors shape feedback interactions within and across various clinical settings. In particular, this study explored the nature of feedback in inpatient and outpatient Pediatrics clinical settings from attendings’ and residents’ perspectives. Three research questions guided this study: (a) What are residents’ and attendings’ conceptions of feedback? (b) What contextual factors shape the nature of feedback interactions between residents and attendings? and (c) Which types of feedback interactions, if any, may be classified as dialogic feedback processes?
An embedded single case-study design was used to study feedback interactions in four Pediatrics clinical settings (i.e., Ward, NICU, Ambulatory Clinic, and General Pediatrics Clinics). Direct observations, interviews, and researcher memos served as data sources. Twelve Pediatrics physicians participated in the study including four residents and eight attendings. Data analysis involved a three-step process of data analysis and presentation that used coding techniques (i.e., open coding and axial coding) from Strauss and Corbin’s (1990) approach to Grounded Theory coupled with situational mapping from Adele Clarke’s (2003) Situational Analysis.
	Findings suggest scheduling constraints, physical space, trusting relationships, and residents’ and attendings’ behaviours are contextual factors that can impact feedback interactions. Key contributions of this research include: (a) highlighting the relationships among forms of feedback, embedded feedback strategies, and existing models of feedback in medical education; (b) exploring the role of physical space as a possible barrier to feedback; (c) highlighting that residents may have narrower conceptions of feedback than attendings; (d) highlighting the distinction between practices related to structured and embedded feedback; (e) suggesting that due to constraints within different clinical settings, there is space for all models of feedback to coexist to support residents’ competence development; and (f) filling a gap in Pratt and colleagues’ (2006) study that highlighted how various contextual factors influenced residents’ competence development.

abstract: PhD


title: Exploration of Worker Perceived Workplace Organizational Justice for Injured Workers Who Have Participated in a Return to Work Program

contributor:
Lysaght, Rosemary
Krupa, Terry
Raver, Jana
Rehabilitation Science

rights: Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada

rights: ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement

rights: Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University

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

subject:
Return to Work
Rehabilitation
Fairness
Organizational Justice

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-07 16:01:42.457

abstract:
Recent interest in organizational justice and disability management has resulted in this thesis, the purpose of which was to examine the relationship between perceived organizational justice and return to work (RTW).  Three studies were conducted to this end. First, a scoping study mapped current literature and identified gaps in the justice and RTW literature. Secondly, a phenomenological study was conducted with 12 injured workers in a RTW program to examine their “lived experience” of justice and to identify emergent themes around justice and RTW. Finally, a quantitative study was conducted with injured workers who were participating in RTW programs to determine the relationship between organizational justice, organizational support and RTW outcomes.
The scoping study identified 14 justice/RTW articles that were reflected within three themes: claims, RTW interventions and outcomes. The scoping study demonstrated that there was very little research examining justice and RTW and that it was important to continue to explore this area. The phenomenological study revealed in five major themes: consistency of treatment of injured workers; accommodation equals fair treatment; outcomes of fair treatment; intensity of injured worker response; and support and 5 subthemes related to the experience of justice.  The results of the quantitative study demonstrated that justice is positively correlated with job satisfaction, affective commitment and support, while being negatively correlated with intent to withdraw. Justice had no correlation with continuance commitment or duration. Support was positively correlated with job satisfaction and affective commitment, but not correlated with continuance commitment, intent to withdraw or duration.  Further hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that support mediates the effect of justice on job satisfaction and affective commitment. Justice accounts for ten percent of the variance in intent to withdraw.
The results of the thesis show that justice is an important psychosocial factor to consider in RTW. Consideration is also given to how the results of these studies add to both social exchange theory; a major theory within the justice literature, and the disability management literature. This thesis provides recommendations for practice and future scholarship.

abstract: PhD


title: Low melting point and amphiphilic polymer microspheres for therapeutic protein delivery

contributor:
Amsden, Brian
Chemical Engineering

subject:
biodegradable microspheres
electrospraying
protein delivery
poly(ethylene glycol)
poly(ε-caprolactone-co-glycolide)

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-08 14:29:04.841

abstract: Biodegradable microspheres have been extensively studied for controlled and minimally invasive in situ protein delivery. Their small size and thus ready injectability makes this device extremely popular for localized administration, which is particularly advantageous for protein delivery applications. In this study, amphiphilic low melting biodegradable tri-block copolymers of PEG, ε-caprolactone and glycolide monomers were synthesized using bulk ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The design and characterization of this biodegradable copolymer was focused on the formation of microspheres for localized, controlled delivery of the therapeutic chemokine protein SDF-1α. Molecular weight and compositional changes were used to tailor the thermal properties of the copolymers so that the produced materials were solid at room temperature but had minimum crystallinity after hydration at 37 °C. A complete degradation was achieved for the copolymers studied within eight weeks with minor acidic degradation effect on the external and internal microenvironment pH of the microspheres. The copolymers exhibited great ability for microsphere formation with high protein encapsulation efficiency (≥75%) using an electrospraying technique. Prolonged release of SDF-1α was observed with its bioactivity well retained after encapsulation and release, as analysed using cell-based assays.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Transcriptional Response of Bioenergetic Genes to Exercise

contributor:
Moyes, Christopher D.
Biology

subject:
Transcriptional Response
Bioenergetic Genes
Adaptive Muscle Remodeling
Exercise

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-09 15:45:17.735

abstract: Transcriptional responses to stressors are typically measured as changes in mRNA levels, despite a broad awareness that transcript levels do not equate to transcription rates. I was able to use goldfish (Carassius auratus) to assess the impact of a single exercise bout on transcription and transcript levels by measuring unprocessed mRNA (pre-mRNA) and mature mRNA levels for critical bioenergetics genes in red and white muscle tissue.  I examined housekeeping genes (β-actin: BACT and tubulin: TUB) and select genes for mitochondrial metabolism (citrate synthase: CS and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4-1: COX4-1), and hexokinase II: HXK. In red muscle, I found that the transcript level for mitochondrial genes (CS and COX4-1) and the housekeeping gene BACT does not change significantly regardless of exercise intensity, but that there is an increase in pre-mRNA levels for these genes at the highest exercise intensity. HXK mRNA showed complex patterns. The mature HXK mRNA increased after a 3 h bout of exercise at the highest exercise intensity (in red and white muscle) but only in recovery after exhaustive exercise in white muscle. The increases in HXK pre-mRNA occurred following exercise and after recovery (in red muscle) and after a period of recovery (in white muscle). In red muscle, exercise didn’t increase the mRNA for any gene within a recovery period of 1 h, except exercise at 80% Ucrit. Analysis of white muscle tissue after a 3 h bout of exercise indicated that there was no change in COX4-1 mRNA post exercise or after recovery, a slight decrease in BACT mRNA after recovery, a significant increase in CS mRNA after recovery and a significant increase in HXK mRNA post exercise. Overall, I found that: the levels of pre-mRNA changed more dramatically than did mature mRNA, the greatest changes occurred at the highest exercise intensity, the increases were mainly seen in recovery rather than during exercise, and there was a greater response in the pathways and tissues that are recruited during the exercise activity.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The effectiveness of cognitive work hardening in preparing people with depression to return to work

contributor:
Krupa, Terry
Rehabilitation Science

subject:
Cognitive Work Hardening
Return-to-Work
Occupational Therapy
Depression

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-09 23:41:08.061

abstract: RATIONALE: Work absences due to depression are prevalent, suggesting the need for interventions addressing the challenges facing people returning to work following depression. Few such interventions have been developed and evaluated. Cognitive work hardening is a return-to-work intervention for people on mental health disability leaves. Anecdotal evidence supports its use for individuals returning to work following a depressive episode; however, it has not been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to: 1) examine the theoretical underpinnings of cognitive work hardening; 2) test the effectiveness of cognitive work hardening in preparing people to return to work following a depressive episode; and 3) identify key elements of cognitive work hardening based on participants’ experiences. METHODS: Intervention mapping was used to analyze cognitive work hardening by deconstructing it into fundamental elements and theoretical underpinnings including occupational therapy models. Intervention effectiveness was assessed with a single group (n = 21) pre-post study design. Participants reported their return to work readiness using work ability, fatigue, and depression measures. Participants shared their experience at intervention completion and at 3-month follow-up. Work status and sense of well-being were also reported at follow-up. RESULTS: The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model, the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E), and the Canadian Model of Client-Centred Enablement (CMCE) emerged as occupational therapy models underlying cognitive work hardening. Self-reported work ability, fatigue, and depression severity significantly improved from pre to post intervention. At follow-up, most participants were off disability with 76% either working or engaged in other meaningful occupation. Main gains were reported in routine, work stamina, self-confidence, cognitive abilities, and coping strategies. Participants identified structure, work simulations, realism of simulated work environment, support, and education as key intervention elements. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive work hardening shows promise as a return-to-work intervention following a depressive episode. Participation in cognitive work hardening improved participants’ self-reported work readiness with positive work status and well-being at 3-month follow-up. Findings inform the fields of return-to-work and occupational therapy by offering an occupationally-focused return-to-work intervention with the potential for wider adoption and improved health outcomes.

abstract: Restricting publication of my thesis would enable me to explore commercial implications associated with manualizing the intervention and creating workshops with the potential of branding the intervention and possibly developing therapist certification.

abstract: PhD


title: The Pannexin-1 hemichannel and neuroinflammation in acute focal cerebral ischemia

contributor:
Jin, Albert Y.
Neuroscience Studies

subject: Hemichannel

subject: IL-1beta

subject: neuroinflammation

subject: NLRP1

subject: stroke

subject: ischemia

subject: pannexin-1

subject: interleukin-1beta

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-10 16:06:34.412

abstract:
The pannexin-1 (panx1) hemichannel is associated with the Nod-Like Receptor Protein-1 (NLRP1) inflammasome following MCAO in a mouse model of focal ischaemic stroke.  We investigated how blocking panx1 using probenecid affects post-stroke neuroinflammation and the formation of the NLRP1 inflammasome complex.  We first investigated the expression levels of panx1, NLRP1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) using semi-quantitative Western blotting of brain tissue lysates.  We investigated the presence of a spatial distribution overlap between NLRP1 and panx1 using confocal microscopy on acute brain slices taken from the brains of mice that had had strokes.  To determine whether or not NLRP1 and panx1 for a direct protein-protein interaction, we also performed co-immunoprecipitation on brain tissue lysates collected from mice that had been given strokes.
	We make several key findings.  The first is that the normalized optical density of IL-1β Western blot bands were increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the post-stroke brain relative to the contralateral one (n=6; meanODipsilateral=0.94±0.1; meanODcontralateral=0.81±0.1; p=0.04).  Further, we found that the normalized OD of NLRP1 Western blot bands was also increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere relative to the non-ischaemic hemisphere (n=6 per hemisphere; meanODipsilateral=0.27±0.05; meanODcontralateral =0.21±0.04; p=0.04).  Band optical densities for panx1 protein did not differ between hemispheres of mice given strokes. Importantly, probenecid attenuated the interhemispheric difference between IL-1β and NLRP1 levels after stroke, displaying an anti-inflammatory effect in the post-stroke brain.  We performed co-immunoprecipitation o brain tissue lysates from mice that had strokes and found that NLRP1 did not coimmunoprecipitate with panx1. We draw the conclusion that they do not form a direct protein-protein interaction in acute stroke.  Confocal imaging revealed demonstrated an overlap in the spatial distribution patterns of pannexin-1 and NLRP1 that occurred after stroke, but only in ischaemic tissue.  The results of Western blot protein quantification studies, co-immunoprecipitation and confocal imaging together suggest that panx1 and NLRP1 are related by function but not by a direct protein-protein relationship.
	The anti-inflammatory effects of probenecid that we observed make it an attractive target for future studies on the prevention of post-ischaemic brain damage after stroke.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Investigation of the Relationship Between Urban Form and the Energy Use of Water Distribution Systems

contributor:
Speight, Vanessa L.
Filion, Yves R.
Civil Engineering

subject:
water demand
urban form
urban development
water supply and distribution systems
energy use

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-11 14:40:51.579

abstract:
The physical configuration of water distribution systems is closely tied to the layout of the urban areas they serve. Over the last century, urban areas in North America have changed significantly in design, moving from high-density grid-based neighbourhoods to low-density suburban developments. The objective of this thesis is to examine the impact of urban form on the energy use in water distribution systems. This relationship was investigated at the neighbourhood-level through an energy analysis of scenarios characterized by different street topologies and population densities. The results suggest that gridiron neighbourhoods have lower energy requirements than warped parallel or cul-de-sac/loop neighbourhoods because their networks are highly connected. Gridiron neighbourhoods also have lower irrigation requirements due to their native high population densities, resulting in lower pumping energy requirements.

The link between long-term urban development and energy use was investigated at the city-level through an energy analysis of a real-world, complex water distribution system. The system's three pressure zones corresponded well with areas from different periods of development, with distinctly different urban form characteristics. An energy balance approach was used to quantify the operating energy inputs and outputs for each of the system's pressure zones. The results suggest that there is an increasingly large "energy penalty" associated with expanding the city's urban fringe due to the sharp increase in ground elevation moving away from the water source. An alternative development scenario was also investigated, where instead of expanding outward, an existing urban area was intensified through an increase in population density. The results suggest that intensification can contribute to significant energy savings because more of the system's overall demand is met nearer to the water source, at lower elevation. Although the results obtained from this analysis are specific to the case study system, the general trends identified in the study can be relevant to other systems with similar characteristics, and could be used to guide future urban development plans.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Re-politicizing State Sovereignty in Global Governance: A Political Economy of Transparency in the Oil Sectors of Gabon and Ghana

contributor:
Grant, J. Andrew
Political Studies

subject:
Postcolonial States
State
Third World
Oil
Sovereignty
Transparency
Global Governance

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-11 14:49:22.055

abstract: In the last two decades, the study of transnational corporations (TNCs) and other non-state actors has gained an undisputed momentum in the fields of International Political Economy (IPE) and global governance, thus challenging realist notions of the state as the main actor in International Relations (IR). This dissertation argues that along with this paradigm shift, IPE and global governance scholars have increasingly understated the role that sate actors –especially those from the global south– play within global governance structures. My dissertation undertakes an in-depth examination of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a voluntary global governance initiative launched in 2002, which aims to foster transparency in the oil, gas and mining sectors. The dissertation asks why some African states have complied with the EITI requirements, while others have not. I focus on the primary cases of Ghana and Gabon, two key illustrations of oil-rich African countries that have, in respective order, complied with, and failed to comply with, the EITI Standard. To explain this puzzle, dominant theories in African Politics and in IR focus on 1) “good” or “bad” governance within host states as an aid or challenge to compliance; 2) corporate behaviour as a hindrance, or as a boost, to host state compliance; or on 3) the voluntary nature of the initiative as a challenge to compliance. Based on in-person interviews and participant observations from fieldwork, as well as extensive primary document analysis, I argue that African postcolonial states, through their continued negotiations for equality in the current world order, place a top value on their sovereignty, which affects their behaviour on the global stage. My argument theorizes the role of postcolonial states in global governance, and addresses limitations in the extant literature, which I suggest is marked by both a technocratic and Eurocentric approach to the study of voluntary regulation. My analysis draws upon Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) scholarship and de-colonial critiques of IR, to unpack the design and governance process of the EITI, as well as its implementation in Gabon and Ghana. The analysis also considers South Africa’s non-adherence to the EITI, in order to further make sense of findings in Ghana and Gabon. This dissertation has key implications for the relevance of contemporary IR theory in explaining postcolonial state behaviour in the international system, and points to the need to recognize the active role that postcolonial states play in shaping global governance structures.

abstract: I would like to restrict access to my full thesis, due to publisher requirements. Once all the publication of my findings from my thesis is completed, the restriction can be lifted.

abstract: PhD


title: Long Term Correction of GM2 Gangliosidoses in Sandhoff Mice Through Intravenous Neonatal Gene Therapy, Using a Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Expressing a New Hexosaminidase Variant

contributor:
Walia, Jagdeep
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
Sandhoff Disease
GM2 Gangliosidoses
Tay-Sachs Disease
Hexosaminidase
Gene Therapy
AAV Adeno-Associated Virus

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-11 17:45:21.072

abstract: GM2 gangliosidoses are a group of neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the malfunctioning β-Hexosaminidase A (HexA) enzyme, for which there is no current treatment. HexA is composed of two similar, non-identical subunits, the alpha and the beta, which must interact with the GM2 activator protein, a substrate-specific co-factor, to hydrolyze GM2 gangliosides. Mutations in either subunit (or the activator) result in the development of GM2 gangliosidoses due to the toxic accumulation of GM2 gangliosides, within the neurons of the central nervous system. The resulting neuronal death induces the primary symptoms of the disease; motor and sensory impairments, and seizures. The aim of this study was to observe the long-term in vivo effects of an innovative gene therapy treatment method in a Sandhoff (β-subunit deficient) mouse model. The treatment utilized a new engineered variant of Hexosaminidase isoenzyme, HexM, which is formed by the homodimerization of a modified human Hex α-subunit called Hex µ, which contains critical beta-components that allow it to form stable homodimers and interact with the GM2 activator protein to reduce substrate storage. We tested this scAAV vector expressing HexM through intravenous injections of the neonatal mice.  Previous work on a systemic gene therapy treatment saw drastic increases in lifespan to approximately 43 weeks in the Sandhoff mice using a beta-subunit treatment. We monitored one cohort for 8 weeks and another cohort long-term (>40 weeks) for biochemical, behavioural and molecular analyses. Through the enzymatic and GM2 ganglioside lipid analyses, we observed that with a slight non-significant increase in enzyme activity, there is a significant decrease in the storage of GM2 gangliosides. On behavioural tests, the treated mice outperform their knockout age matched controls and perform similarly to the heterozygous controls. While the untreated controls were humanely euthanized by 16 weeks, the treated animals have survived significantly longer, to an average of 41 weeks. The molecular analyses revealed a slightly variable distribution of the vector between brain and spinal cord regions. In conclusion, the neonatal delivery of our newly synthesized viral vector expressing HexM to the Sandhoff mice provided long-term correction of the disease. This study will have implications not only for treatment of Sandhoff disease, but also Tay-Sachs disease (α- subunit deficiency).

abstract: 2 manuscripts need to be published before thesis can be made public. 1-The proof of concept of the enzyme used in this study (by our collaborators), and 2- the manuscript stemming from my thesis.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Process development for fed-batch production of medium-chain-length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) from decanoic acid

contributor:
Ramsay, Juliana A.
Ramsay, Bruce A.
Chemical Engineering

subject: β-oxidation inhibition

subject: Decanoic Acid

subject: MCL-PHA

subject: Poly-hydroxydecanoate

subject: Fed-batch

subject: Fermentation

subject: Medium-chain-length Poly-3-hydroxyalkanoate

subject: Pseudomonas putida

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-15 10:11:43.51

abstract:
The main goal of the thesis is to develop strategies for the fed-batch production of medium-chain-length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) by Pseudomonas putida KT2440 from decanoic acid (DA) co-feeding with glucose (G). Since decanoic acid is poorly water soluble and a solid at room temperature, two methods were tested to maintain it as a liquid by either mixing it with acetic acid (AA) or heating it to feed into the bioreactor. Exponentially feeding the carbon substrates at a ratio of 3:3:4 of DA:AA:G at a specific growth rate (µ) of 0.15 h-1 resulted in 26 g L-1 biomass containing 57% PHA. The final PHA composition was 74 mol% 3-hydroxydecanoate (3HD), 14 mol% 3-hydroxyoctanoate (3HO) and 12 mol% 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx). As the ratio of DA:AA:G increased from 3:3:4 to 5:1:4, 50% higher biomass and 73% higher PHA were obtained. An even higher biomass concentration of 75 g L-1 containing 74% PHA was achieved by applying the same specific growth rate followed by constant substrate feeding strategy. Heating decanoic acid without acetic acid was performed as a control experiment at feeding ratio of DA:G (1:1) resulting in a final higher biomass of  41 g L-1 but containing only 58% PHA.
A fadB and fadA knockout mutant of P. putida KT2440 named P. putida DBA-F1was constructed to increase the fraction of the dominant monomer (3HD) in PHA by limiting the fatty acid β-oxidation activity. Using a feeding ratio of decanoic acid and acetic acid (DAA) to glucose (G) (6:4) at specific growth rate of 0.15 h-1, significantly different monomeric composition (97% 3HD:3% 3HO) but a lower biomass (8.5 g L-1) and PHA concentrations (3.5 g L-1) were obtained compared to the wild type. The performance could be improved at a feeding ratio of DAA:G of 2:8, leading to 18 g L-1 biomass containing 100% poly(3-hydroxydecanoate) (PHD). MCL-PHA with enriched 3HD monomers could also be obtained using acrylic acid (Aa) as a chemical inhibitor of the β-oxidation pathway by P. putida KT2440. At a ratio of DAA:G:Aa (6:4:0.2), 21 g L-1 MCL-PHA with 84 mol% 3HD was produced.

abstract: patent application

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Using Insect Model Systems to Study Mechanisms of Spreading Depression

contributor:
Robertson, Mel
Biology

subject:
CNS
Potassium
Neurophysiology
Spreading Depression
Insect

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-14 15:35:52.44

abstract: Spreading depression (SD) occurs as a slowly propagating wave of neural inactivity and plays an important role in both the vertebrate and invertebrate CNS.  Mammalian SD is associated with human pathologies such as migraine, stroke and traumatic brain injury while SD in the insect nervous system is involved in environmental stress-induced neural shutdown. Despite obvious differences in the design of the vertebrate and invertebrate CNS evidence suggests that the cellular mechanisms underlying mammalian and insect SD are conserved. In my thesis I investigated mechanisms of SD in the CNS of Locusta migratoria and demonstrate its occurrence in the brain of Drosophila melanogaster. I show that increases in neural activity heighten susceptibility to SD while reductions in activity are inhibiting, demonstrating that SD in the locust is strongly dependent on existing levels of neural activity.  Additionally, my work demonstrated that glial cells play a critical role during locust SD.  I show that treatments that inhibit glial spatial buffering or that disrupt the perineurial cells (specialized glia) of the blood-brain barrier exacerbate SD. Moreover, I found that SD induced under hypotonic conditions was associated with shorter latencies to onset, greater ionic disturbances and faster propagation rates compared to SD induced under hypertonic conditions. The results suggest that hypotonic-induced cell swelling promotes the accumulation of extracellular K+ ions ultimately promoting SD initiation. Indeed, reducing the accumulation of extracellular K+, either by limiting cell swelling or by inhibition of voltage-gated K+ channels, was found to protect against SD development. Lastly, I demonstrate that SD can be reliably induced and monitored in the brain of Drosophila melanogster. I characterized fly SD and show that different genetic strains vary in their vulnerability to the ionic disturbance. Overall, the results from my locust experiments led to a better characterization of invertebrate SD which was important at substantiating previously proposed models.  My work also expanded on the comparative similarities between invertebrate and vertebrate SD providing further evidence that insect SD is a useful model for mammalian SD. Furthermore, I provided a new model system, the fly brain, on which control mechanisms involved in SD can be genetically dissected.

abstract: PhD


title: The Separate Effects of Exercise Amount and Intensity on Total and Abdominal Adipose Tissue in Men and Women Who Are Abdominally Obese

contributor:
Ross, Robert
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Abdominal Obesity
Exercise Intensity
Visceral Adipose Tissue
Exercise Amount

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-16 11:47:21.904

abstract:
It is well established that exercise is an efficacious method for the management of abdominal obesity; however, the optimal amount and intensity of exercise that is required to combat obesity remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the separate effects of exercise amount and intensity on abdominal and whole body adipose tissue in adults who are abdominally obese.
One-hundred eight participants who were previously sedentary and had abdominal obesity were randomized into one of 4 groups: Control (n=21 (10 females)), low amount, low intensity (LALI) (180 kcal/session for females and 300 kcal/session for males at 50% VO2peak, n= 25 (15 females)) high amount, low intensity (HALI) (360 kcal/session for females and 600 kcal/session for males at 50% VO2peak, n=32 (21 females)), or high amount, high intensity (HAHI) (360 kcal/session for females and 600 kcal/session for males at 75% VO2peak n=30 (19 females)). Participants performed supervised exercise 5 times/wk for 24 wks. Daily dietary logs were completed throughout the intervention and unstructured physical activity was monitored using accelerometers. Change in total and abdominal adipose tissue (AT) and skeletal muscle mass was measured via magnetic resonance imaging.
Exercise duration in minutes was 32 (SD, 4.8) for LALI, 58 (SD, 6.6) for HALI, and 40 (SD, 6.7) for HAHI. There was no difference in unstructured physical activity change and there was no difference in the adherence to prescribed diets between groups. Reductions in VAT was greater in LALI (-0.5 kg; SE, 0.1; p=0.001), HALI (-0.5 kg; SE, 0.1; p<0.001), and in HAHI (-0.5 kg; SE, 0.1; p<0.001) compared to control but did not differ between the exercise groups p>0.139. Reductions in total AT, SAT, total abdominal AT, abdominal SAT, weight and waist circumference was also greater in all exercise groups compared to control (p<0.002) but did not differ between groups (p>0.05).
These findings indicate that there is an intensity and amount independent reduction in adipose tissue depots with exercise with a preservation of skeletal muscle mass, which highlights that there are several exercise treatment options for the management of abdominal obesity.

abstract: The manuscript (Chapter 3) will be under review at a journal shortly

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Bidirectional DC-DC Converters For Aerospace Application

contributor:
Jain, Praveen K.
Bakhshai, Alireza
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
More Electric Aircraft
Bidirectional DC-DC Converters
Soft Switching

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-22 12:58:03.427

abstract: This thesis deals with soft-switching bidirectional converters for aerospace applications. The modern More Electric Aircrafts (MEA) have a great demand for efficient, compact, and lightweight converters to interconnect their conventional low voltage (28V) and new high voltage (270V) utility buses. Fulfilment of these requirements is quite challenging, especially from no-load to full-load with wide voltage variations of the buses. Dual active bridge (DAB) converters have been proposed for high power bidirectional DC-DC conversion, but still suffer from shortcomings such as limited soft switching range, bulky filter requirements, and low utilization of converter capability for maximizing efficiency. In this thesis new modulation techniques and new topologies are proposed for full-range soft switching and optimal efficiency without auxiliary circuits. Two converter topologies are explored for use in single or modular high power converters. First, the dual half-bridge converter with a new duty cycle plus phase shift control is presented to obtain a fully soft-switched and efficiency optimized converter. The soft-switching zones in the control space are found and a design method to get full range soft-switching is presented. The minimum loss points inside the soft-switching zones for all conditions are also obtained and presented. The converter is operated at minimum loss using lookup tables containing the optimal points. To obtain higher power and more flexibility, a new current-fed dual active full-bridge converter with 3 control degrees of freedom is also proposed and its operation under different combinations of control parameters is analysed. Also an interleaving modular design is presented to use the aforementioned converters as building units to construct higher power modular converters. Finally, a dynamic modeling technique based on state space averaging is proposed to obtain an approximate full order dynamic model of the converter in continuous time such that classic control design can be applied to the multivariable control system. Simulation and experimental results are provided. Experimental results are obtained from a 1kW dual half-bridge and a 2kW dual full-bridge converter operating at 250kHz. Despite the common imperfections in lab prototypes, efficiencies as high as 96% are measured, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.

abstract: 1) Need to patent some of the proposed techniques and ideas. 2) Need to publish papers before disclosing the contents 3) The New proposals have potentially commercial value

abstract: PhD


title: IMU-Based Lower-limb joint angles: A comparison of methods

contributor:
Deluzio, Kevin J.
Li, Qingguo
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Anatomical Calibration
Inertial Measurement Units
Method Comparison
Frame Alignment
Joint Angles
Motion Capture

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-19 18:18:38.295

abstract:
Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are a popular option for human movement analysis. The untethered, self-contained nature of IMUs overcomes many limitations of conventional measurement systems. The potential of IMU systems makes it worthwhile to pursue clinical and research use. However, IMUs have not proven to be sufficiently reliable or valid. Two barriers facing IMU-based joint kinematics are: (i) the misaligned, unique reference frames of each IMU in the system, hindering joint angle calculation, and (ii) anatomical calibration accuracy and reproducibility, hindering the anatomical relevance of joint angles. A comparison of available methods would help to understand and overcome the current barriers preventing IMU use. The present thesis aimed to provide these comparisons.
Several methods have been proposed to align coordinate frames. Three methods were compared mathematically and experimentally. The equivalency of all methods was proved mathematically. Experimentally, all three methods were equivalent (<2° different) in two applications relevant to biomechanics (finding a common IMU reference frame and comparing the IMU orientation to a marker-based orientation).
Several methods have also been proposed to find anatomically relevant axes of the lower limb body segments. The joint angles from five methods were compared using the joint angles of a marker-based method as reference. The methods were used for the hip, knee and ankle joint, if they were applicable. The joint angles from three of the methods were similar, while two methods had some joint angles that differed, primarily by a bias. The two dissimilar methods relied on static-normalization, which caused the errors, particularly in the transverse plane angles. Drift (degradation of IMU accuracy over time) between trials was the problem affecting the static-normalization, so it was the IMU sensor fusion and not the method itself that was the cause of dissimilarity. Further research is required to recommend one method for future use.
Overall, current methods performed similarly in both methodological options, suggesting that current research is reaching a plateau in improvements. Further research in reliability and agreement is required to understand the strengths, weaknesses and fields of improvement required for research and clinical use of IMUs in human movement analysis.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Impacts of the Patient-Centred Medical Home on Healthcare Access and Utilization Indicators For Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Ontario

contributor:
Green, Michael
Ouellette-Kuntz, Hélène
Community Health and Epidemiology

subject: Primary Care

subject: Patient-Centred Medical Home

subject: Access to Care

subject: Health Services and Policy Research

subject: Difference-in-Differences

abstract: Thesis (Master, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-23 11:49:48.744

abstract:
Background: This study assessed the relationship between the patient-centred medical home (PCMH), as exemplified by the Family Health Team (FHT) program in Ontario, and healthcare access and utilization by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aged 18-64 years.

Methods: Using administrative data from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, a retrospective cohort was developed to compare an intervention group, patients treated through a PCMH model, the FHT, against a control of patients treated through primary care models lacking key features of PCMH care. A difference-in-differences (DiD) approach was used to estimate the effect of the PCMH model on four access indicators – uptake of the periodic health exam, and screens for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers – and one utilization indicator – avoidable emergency department (ED) utilization rate.

Results: FHT-based care reduced the proportion of patients who had an exam over three years by 4.4 percentage points (p<0.0001). It the proportion of patients who were up-to-date with colorectal cancer screens by 4.9 percentage points (p=0.0035). Breast and cervical cancer screenings also showed positive results of 2.9 and 2.4 percentage points respectively, although the results in both were not significant (p=0.214 and 0.0565, respectively). The PCMH care showed no impact on avoidable ED visits. Models were tested for potential confounders including patient demographics, comorbidities, physician demographics, and practice characteristics. In all five tests, the DiD estimator remained relatively constant between simple models and full models which adjusted for confounding variables, suggesting that the models are robust.

Conclusions: The results show the complexity of evaluating the impacts of primary care models. The positive trends in cancer screening uptake under PCMH care suggests that with proper incentives PCMH does have a positive impact on access to care by adults with IDD. The negative impact on periodic health exam uptake highlights the need for a tool specific to this population’s needs to ensure guidelines are met. Future research should assess PCMH care against a broader range of healthcare utilization indicators and advance this study’s identification of relevant covariates including complex comorbidities and the effects of physician and practice characteristics on healthcare access and utilization.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Supporting High Performance Athletic Students Balance Sport and Education:  An Examination of the Teacher’s Role

contributor:
DeLuca, Christopher
Education

subject:
High Performance Athletes
Teaching
Athletes
student-athlete
balance
Education

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-22 11:28:47.044

abstract: The demands placed on high performance student athletes (athletes who perform at a competitive level) continue to intensify (Conzelmann & Nagel, 2003) and finding a balance between athletic and educational responsibilities can be a significant challenge (European Commission, 2004). When students are unable to find a balance between their athletics and education responsibilities, they run the risk of decreased performance in at least one of these areas. I decided to complete qualitative research that examined the role that teachers play in supporting high performance athletes in balancing sport and academic responsibilities.  I discovered that limited research has been conducted on the role that teachers play in supporting high performance athletes with their sports and academics. The research indicated that various aspects could influence high performance athletes’ inability to balance their sports and academics. My research examined how private secondary school teachers promote and support a more balanced orientation to athletic and academic development; ultimately, aiming to provide valuable information to teachers on how to do so. This research was conducted through a two-phase, qualitative study. The first phase involved individual interviews with three teachers and three student athletes. The second phase involved paired interviews with the same student athletes and teachers.  Three core themes emerged from this research related to teachers’ support for high performance athletes: (a) flexibility, (b) relationship, and (c) support. With the application of these three themes, it is believed that teachers can better assist student athletes in balancing their athletics and education, which will result in a positive outcome in both areas.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: The Role of Stress Waves and Gases in the Development of Fragmentation

contributor:
Katsabanis, Panagiotis (Takis) D.
Mining Engineering

subject:
Gases
Stress Waves
Fragmentation
Blasting

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mining Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-22 15:22:16.45

abstract:
There are two components to a blast which create damage in a rock or grout material: the initial stress wave, followed by the crack penetrating gases. In order to understand the development of fragmentation in grout as a result of the individual and combined action of these components, three types of experiments were conducted.
Medium scale grout cylinders were used to measure pressures in the material away from a detonating charge, located in a borehole having the same axis. Some of the cylinders were lined with copper tubes to minimize gas penetration from the detonation of the charge. It was determined that there are statistically significant differences in the slope of the attenuation of pressure for unlined spherical and lined cylindrical samples.
Small scale grout cylinders loaded with various charges and coupling configurations were blasted with reduced loads in order to crack the cylinders without destroying them. This process allowed for measurement of the crack patterns produced. A third of the samples were lined with copper tubes, another third were stemmed without tubes. The remaining samples were not stemmed nor lined. Post blast analysis revealed that individual cracks were significantly propagated by gases in unlined samples. However, when measuring overall damage, there were no significant differences between copper lined, unlined and stemmed samples. These results suggested that stress waves were mainly responsible for the crack patterns produced.
Computer modelling using Particle Flow Code (PFC) was performed to confirm experimental crack patterns of small scale grout cylinders. PFC produced similar cracks as the small scale cylinders, in number and length, without modelling gas penetration. A secondary study into delay times showed evidence of short delay times being the most effective in producing smaller fragments. This confirmed the role of stress waves as a major contributor towards developing fragmentation.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Exploring the regulation of YAP and TAZ in antitubulin drug response and mammary tumorigenesis

contributor:
Yang, Xiaolong
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

subject:
TAZ
Cdk1
PIK3CB
YAP
antitubulin drug resistance
mammary tumorigenesis

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-21 14:47:21.9

abstract:
TAZ and YAP are transcriptional coactivators negatively regulated in the tumor suppressor (TS) Hippo pathway. TAZ and YAP play essential roles in tumorigenesis, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) as well as cell resistances to different chemotherapeutic drugs such as the antitubulin drug Taxol. Although previous studies from the Yang Lab have shown that TAZ induces Taxol resistance through activation of downstream targets Cysteine rich 61 (Cyr61) and Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), the upstream regulations of YAP and TAZ during Taxol treatment is largely unknown.
In this study, a Hippo independent negative regulation of YAP and TAZ is identified. In response to antitubulin drug treatments, Cyclin dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) kinase can directly phosphorylate YAP and TAZ at multiple sites with SP/TP (S, serine; T, threonine; P, proline) motifs. The phosphorylation of YAP abolishes its interactions with transcription factor (TF) TEAD, whereas phosphorylation of TAZ by Cdk1 decreases the stability of TAZ. Our studies provide potential strategies and biomarkers to treat and predict antitubulin resistance. In addition to Cdk1, another kinase PIK3CB was identified as a positive regulator of TAZ/YAP. PIK3CB induces EMT and tumorigenesis by activating TAZ/YAP through inhibition of LATS. Collectively, the findings in our study provide another two novel regulators of TAZ and YAP in addition to the canonical Hippo pathway, which broadens our understanding of the molecular signaling network of the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, our research findings have significant implications for the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer patients in the future.

abstract: Chapter 4 is the work that is currently not finished but will try to be published in the future.

abstract: PhD


title: Effects of Increased Inflammation on Antiviral CD8+ T Cell Responses in Mice Overexpressing the Human-Cysteinyl Leukotriene 2 Receptor (hCysLT2R)

contributor:
Basta, Sameh
Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

subject:
Cysteinyl Leukotrienes
Effector T Cells
Memory T Cells
Inflammation
LCMV
CD8+ T Cells

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-22 17:45:52.244

abstract:
Inflammation plays a vital role in promoting naïve cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CD8+ T cell) differentiation. Infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) elicits a robust CD8+ T cell response in the mouse. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are involved in inflammation and the transgenic mice (TG) overexpressing the cysteinyl leukotriene 2 receptor (hCysLT2R) exhibit increased expression of pro-inflammatory transcription factors after stimulation. Here, we investigate how increased inflammation can affect the activation of CD8+ T cells during viral infection in TG mice with different doses (low vs. high) of LCMV.
Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum of TG mice were increased after infection with low or high viral doses. The data also showed the accumulation of a higher number of effector CD8+ T cells in TG mice compared to WT mice on day 12 p.i with low or high viral doses in peripheral tissues.
Analysis of memory CD8+ T cells 40 days p.i indicated increased accumulation of central memory CD8+ T cells in peripheral tissue (lungs) of TG mice compared to WT mice, irrespective of the viral doses. However, for the lymphoid tissue (spleen) no difference in memory CD8+ T cell formation was recorded during infection with a low viral dose, but a lower central memory CD8+ T cell number was recorded in the spleen of TG mice compared to WT mice with higher viral doses.
From the results obtained, it can be concluded that increased inflammation can cause a stronger migration of effector and memory CD8+ T cells to peripheral tissue irrespective of the viral dose. On the other hand, increased inflammation resulted in decreased central memory CD8+ T cell formation in lymphoid tissue (spleen) during a high viral dose infection, but not during infection with a low viral dose. Therefore, using mice expressing the hCysLT2R has enabled us to examine how increased inflammation during viral infections can impact the activation of T cells and how this influences their memory phenotype formation.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Revisiting the Sixties Scoop: Relationality, Kinship and Honouring Indigenous Stories

contributor:
Morgensen, Scott Lauria
Gender Studies

subject:
Sixties Scoop
Indigenous Storytelling
Child Welfare

abstract: Thesis (Master, Gender Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-21 15:40:32.189

abstract: During the Sixties Scoop, there was a mass apprehension of indigenous children from their families and communities during the 1960’s and 1980’s within Canada. This unprecedented disruption to the fabric of indigenous communities still resonates in the contemporary over- representation of indigenous children within the settler colonial child welfare system. In the field of indigenous studies, there is little research documenting this history and in this thesis I sought to contribute to this existing literature. Drawing upon indigenous and black feminist theories and Foucaudian genealogy I analyze archival materials, memoir and creative texts that explain the Sixties Scoop as part of an ongoing displacement of indigenous peoples. This thesis explores the underlying racist and colonial logics to question the legitimacy of the child welfare system. Coupling this frame, I sought to highlight the significance of relationality and kinship bonds among indigenous and non-indigenous people. The thesis positions the creative writings of Beatrice Mosionier’s novel In Search of April Raintree (1983) and her memoir Come Walk with Me (2009) and my autoethnographic story as narratives that work across as well as outside a colonial frame. Within entangled threads of colonial histories, and through indigenous storytelling we can witness the narrative threads of indigenous peoples surviving displacement and familial separations and practicing cultural continuity. Storytelling allows us to build our communities and envision renewed ways to relate to each other.

abstract: M.A.


title: Ovide Brunet, the Atelier Photographique de Livernois & Cie., and Sites et végétaux du Canada: The Art and Science of Early Canadian Botanical Photography

contributor:
Schwartz, Joan M.
Art History

subject:
Botanical Photography
Nineteenth-Century Photography
Sites et végétaux du Canada
Ovide Brunet
Québec
International Science
Jules-Isaïe Benoît dit Livernois
Botanical Illustration
Élise L’Hérault dit L'Heureux
Photo-History

abstract: Thesis (Master, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-21 22:00:48.582

abstract: Published in 1866, Sites et végétaux du Canada was an early photographic experiment in botanical illustration. It was the result of a collaboration between Abbé Ovide Brunet (1826-1876), a botany professor at the Université Laval, and the photography studio of Livernois & Cie., noted Québec City photographers and artists. Previous research has considered the album as the aesthetic accomplishment of Jules-Isaïe Benoît dit Livernois (1830-1865), excluding Brunet from the art historical narrative. In this thesis, I present an analysis of the various contexts through which the images were imbued with meaning, considering the botanical alongside the aesthetic, to understand how this album fit into the visual culture of early Canadian science. I examine Sites et végétaux du Canada as a physical object and the product of an international network of art and science. Viewed internationally at the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris, it showcased thirty-five albumen print photographs as part of the Canadian displays. In its representation of Canadian landscapes and native plant specimens, the album effectively employed photography to present Canada as a centre of cutting-edge scientific investigation.

abstract: I wish to publish this MA thesis as a book.

abstract: M.A.


title: The sensitivity of articular chondrocytes to dynamic mechanical stimulation

contributor:
Waldman, Stephen D.
Bryant, J. Tim
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
stochastic resonance
mechanical desensitization
cartilage tissue engineering

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-22 12:11:56.739

abstract: Chondrocyte sensitization and desensitization to mechanical stimuli are complex phenomena that can limit the effectiveness of mechanical stimulation in cartilage tissue engineering.  The studies in this thesis aim to provide a more complete understanding of chondrocyte mechanical sensitivity as well as to develop new methods to aid in the successful use of dynamic compressive stimulation for tissue engineering applications.  Through the examination of the durations of dynamic compressive loading, it was observed that a minimum amount of stimulation was required to elicit an anabolic response, but desensitization could quickly be reached with increased loading cycles.  These anabolic responses could be predicted through the observation of calcium signaling, where an increase in intracellular calcium signaling levels correlated with an anabolic response.  Calcium signaling could also be used to predict the wait time needed between successive applications of stimuli, where a return to baseline signaling levels indicated a full recovery of mechanosensitivity.  To maintain mechanosensitivity throughout loading and to mitigate load-induced desensitization, which could negatively impact the anabolic response to mechanical stimuli, stochastic resonance in the form of superimposed random vibrations was investigated.  In younger cells, stochastic resonance was able to improve cellular sensitivity and elicit further increases in matrix synthesis.  Load-induced desensitization was also limited by stochastic resonance, allowing the cells to remain sensitive to increased loading durations.  The recovery rate also appeared to be decreased by stochastic resonance indicating that less time would be required between successive applications of stimuli.  In older cells which are normally insensitive to mechanical stimuli, stochastic resonance was able to induce sensitivity resulting in a positive anabolic response.  The beneficial effects of stochastic resonance were able to be maintained over long term culture, where matrix accumulation was enhanced through the increased production of collagen and the mitigation of proteoglycan loss during dynamic compressive loading.  Therefore the overall positive effects of stochastic resonance observed in this thesis indicate that it can be a valuable tool for the successful application of mechanical stimuli to engineered cartilage constructs.

abstract: PhD


title: Land use and land cover dynamics in the Ganges Delta region, Bangladesh

contributor:
Danby, Ryan K.
van Loon, Gary
Environmental Studies

subject:
Land use
Remote Sensing and GIS
Coastal dynamics
Land cover

abstract: Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-22 13:20:15.54

abstract: The Ganges Delta is a dynamic landscape that has experienced substantial transformation over the last half century and is particularly susceptible to future change as a result of rising sea levels. The aim of this project was to analyze recent trends in land cover in southwest Bangladesh, and to better understand the natural and anthropogenic factors responsible for this transformation. Three study areas spanning a salinity gradient across the region were selected for analysis. Research was conducted by linking multi-temporal remote sensing data (Landsat MSS, TM, and OLI; 1973-2014) and validating these data with ground-based survey information to understand historical land use and vegetation changes. Results indicate that throughout the basin, ecosystems ranging from freshwater to saline (all of which are found in the low-lying topographical zones of Bangladesh) have experienced a wide range of anthropogenic influences and geophysical driving forces. Cultivable areas have been decreasing substantially in the freshwater floodplain due to expansion of waterlogged and settlement areas. It was frequently observed that a decrease of agricultural land and natural freshwater bodies was accompanied by an increase in shrimp farms in the southernmost brackish and saline zone; this process has been moving northward over the past several decades. These interferences have physically altered the ecosystems of the basin and the land therein. As a result, agricultural land has diminished by approximately one percent per year during our 40 year study period, most significantly in the last two decades. This study also indicates that part of the world’s largest mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta has not significantly decreased during the last decade; however, dynamic coastal processes and excessive anthropogenic activities on the peripheries could cause mangrove deforestation. The outcome of this research will be important for coastal communities seeking to protect the ecosystem and its dependent population. Improved policies on the control and monitoring of anthropogenic activities related to land use and resource extraction, would create a zone suitable for sustainable farming and living.

abstract: M.E.S.


title: Effects of Wall Roughness on Adverse Pressure Gradient Boundary Layers

contributor:
Piomelli, Ugo
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Separation
Recirculation region
Large-eddy Simulations
Fully-rough
Sand-grain roughness
Double-averaging
Adverse pressure gradient

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-23 16:12:25.038

abstract:
Large-eddy Simulations were carried out on a flat-plate boundary layer over smooth and rough surfaces in the presence of an adverse pressure gradient, strong enough to induce separation. The inlet Reynolds number (based on freestream velocity and momentum thickness at the reference plane) is 2300. A sand-grain roughness model was implemented and spatial resolution requirements were determined. Two roughness heights were used and a fully-rough flow condition is achieved at the reference plane with roughness Reynolds numbers 60 and 120. As the friction velocity decreases due to the adverse pressure gradient the roughness Reynolds number varies from fully-rough to transitionally rough and smooth regime before the separation. The double-averaging approach illustrates how the roughness contribution decreases before the separation as the dispersive stresses decrease markedly compared to the upstream region.
Before the flow detachment, roughness intensifies the Reynolds stresses. After the separation, the normal stresses, production and dissipation substantially increase through the adverse pressure gradient region. In the recovery region, the flow is highly three dimensional, as turbulent structures impinge on the wall at the reattachment region. Roughness initially increases the skin friction, then causes it to decrease faster than on a smooth wall, generating a considerably larger recirculation bubble for rough cases with earlier separation and later reattachment; increasing the wall roughness also leads to larger separation bubble. In addition, roughness causes early flow reversal upstream of the real separation (which occurs when the zero-velocity line moves away from the wall) because the small-scale separation regions downstream of the roughness elements become larger and merge together as a result of the APG. However, this flow reversal remains below the roughness crest. The reasons for the earlier separation are larger momentum deficit in rough-wall flows and the shutting down of the production of shear both before and after the separation, mainly due to the decrease in the velocity gradient in the outer layer. After the separation, roughness effects can be felt throughout the boundary layer because of the advection of near-wall fluid around the recirculation region.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The Untapped Power of Section 28 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

contributor:
Baines, Beverley
Law

subject:
Legal History
Originalism
Feminist Legal Theory
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Women's Rights
Constitutional Law

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Law) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-23 14:04:56.484

abstract:
This dissertation is the first comprehensive examination of the history, interpretation, and potential application of section 28 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, guaranteeing rights and freedoms "equally to male and female persons."  It seeks to answer two questions: first, why, despite women being only marginally successful in advancing Charter claims involving gender equality, courts have so profoundly marginalized section 28; and second, whether and how section 28 might be transformed into a fully effective constitutional provision in accordance with its original, feminist meaning.
The dissertation approaches these questions first by examining flaws in the existing interpretative approach to Charter adjudication, arguing instead for a new approach that structures consideration of a provision’s original meaning and legislative history.  It then demonstrates the wealth of resources history has to offer in relation to construing the meaning of section 28. At its core, section 28 was meant to require courts to view rights through a gender equality lens and channel judicial discretion towards transformative interpretations of rights that support the eradication of women’s subordination.  The dissertation relies on cultural theories and theories of feminist geography to demonstrate how the liminal spatiotemporal location of section 28’s feminist framers in the patriation process became embedded in section 28’s meaning.  Ultimately, section 28’s liminality led most courts to construct the provision as a “threat.” Through a forgetting of the work of its feminist framers, they applied section 28 in a manner that perverted its meaning and ultimately attempted to consign it to desuetude.
In the end, this dissertation demonstrates that properly interpreted, section 28 could fundamentally reshape how rights are adjudicated, ensuring the Charter delivers on its promise of guaranteeing Canadian women’s equal personhood in fact.

abstract: PhD


title: Permissible Feeling: Men Mourning Mothers, 1904 - 1949

contributor:
Rae, Patricia
English

subject:
george orwell
mourning
grief
vulnerability
masculinity
feeling
emotion
mothers
affect
psychoanalysis
modernism
Freud
james joyce

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-23 09:25:58.22

abstract: The emotional history of men represents a frontier in masculinity studies that often promises to give authentic feeling back to men, and to give men who feel back to women. So-called vulnerable feelings such as grief sustain these hopes for male self-awareness and transformation above all. In such narratives, however, male grief remains mostly aspirational, stuck in the process of recovering or opening up, thus deferring the work of mourning beyond the reach of readily claimed experiences of manhood. I hope to unsettle this narrative by exploring one permissive and quite animated site of male grief: men mourning mothers in the early twentieth century. Such a study in modernism is long overdue considering how this period produced numerous images of toughened masculinity and pointed to their invariably performative nature. My first chapter explores how Freud’s reading of mourning solidifies this dualism by conceiving of the affect of grief as an always surprising response to the pain of loss, to a wound that exists outside the self strictly speaking but materializes in mind and body. Grief represents lingering extensions of the self that tell the history of its desire and socialization. One place where these desires are regularly contested and adapted in representations of men’s emotional lives is in memories about lost or dead mothers. Most often, mothers in men’s writings about grief work serve as permissible locations of emotional injury in languages about otherwise hardened, unfeeling masculinity. The chapters below consider how British and Irish modernists explore specific iterations of masculinity by grieving mothers in the context of colonialism, nationalism, and totalitarianism. I argue that narratives about men mourning mothers participate in fashioning key discourses of masculinity during modernism. Many of the writers I consider resist accepting the loss of a mother as a sign of accomplished male autonomy. Instead, they unpack customary consolations for surviving mothers, and open spaces to take a critical look at the social and political conditions that authored such losses. In the process, they enrich our understanding of how emotion and grief function in men’s ideas about masculinity during the modernist period.

abstract: My supervisor and committee recommend that I try to publish my thesis as a book as soon as possible, so I am restricting for the immediate time being.

abstract: PhD


title: Textile Production Tools from the Excavations at Caere, 2012 — 2014.

contributor:
Colivicchi, Fabio
Classics

subject:
Caere
Textile Production

abstract: Thesis (Master, Classics) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-23 10:38:22.576

abstract: It is the aim of this thesis to present the textile production tools from the 2012–2014 excavations at Caere, an Etruscan city northwest of Rome. While all textile tool finds — loom weights, spools, and spindle whorls — are presented, the discussion is focused on complete loom weights. The likely loom set-up, thread type, and appearance of the final fabric are suggested.

abstract: M.A.


title: Intimate Partner Violence against Women: An Examination of Spousal Abuse and Maternal, Child Health and Economic Outcomes in Ghana

contributor:
Baron, Stephen W.
Sociology

subject: Health and economic consequences

subject: Structural socioeconomic  and cultural factors

subject: Intimate partner violence

subject: Individual level factors

subject: Ghana

subject: Multilevel modeling

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-23 18:17:23.073

abstract: While research suggests that context, structural socioeconomic and cultural factors matter in intimate partner violence research, quantitative research on the subject in sub-Saharan Africa, and in particular Ghana, has disproportionately focused on prevalence and individual level correlates of spousal violence. This research has ignored the role of the structural socioeconomic and cultural factors and contexts in understanding the causes and consequences of spousal violence in a setting where family life is heavily influenced by traditional norms and beliefs. These norms and beliefs may lead to inadequate and ineffective interventions geared at preventing or reducing spousal violence and its consequences. Guided by an integrated theoretical approach and Macmillan’s sociogenic framework, this study addresses these issues by estimating a series of multilevel logistic regression models where the effects of both individual and community level risk factors of spousal violence and its health and economic consequences are assessed. Data for the study come from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey and the Ghana Population and Housing Census. The findings confirm the salient role of structural socioeconomic and cultural factors, such as patriarchal norms and residential instability, in the perpetration of spousal violence against women. Consistent with the sociogenic framework, this study found support for the view that women’s exposure to spousal victimisation has deleterious effects on their health and economic outcomes and that these adverse effects may be exacerbated by the same risk factors that contribute to women’s abuse. An anticipated buffering effect of social support on spousal victimisation and its consequences was largely unsupported by the findings. Policy implications of the findings and directions for further research are discussed.

abstract: PhD


title: Fitting of Photometry in S4G galaxies using DiskFit

subject: photometry models galaxy infrared

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-29 15:42:23.215

abstract: This thesis presents an in-depth structural analysis of infrared images of nearby galaxies and considers the difficulty of constraining the disk, bar, and bulge components in these galaxies. The Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S4G) provides a view at a wavelength largely unaffected by extinction that probes the older stellar populations of 2352 galaxies, of which a subset of 316 galaxies are selected for analysis based on size and morphology. The non-parametric fitting algorithm DiskFit is first used to model the bar, bulge, and disk from S4G-like simulated galaxy images to validate DiskFit's effectiveness and assess its strengths and weaknesses on the subsample. DiskFit is easily able to recover input disk and bar properties, while struggling to recover the input bulge properties. After validating DiskFit on simulated galaxy images, DiskFit is then used to model the components of the S4G subsample, while comparing to existing models made using the parametric algorithm GALFIT from the literature. It is found that DiskFit and GALFIT constrain the bar and disk similarly for the majority of the subsample galaxies, but the bulges are recovered differently. Most of the models with the two algorithms agree well, but many of them fail in either DiskFit or GALFIT. It is suggested that the verification of an algorithm on a relevant set of models is necessary, that parameterizing all of the bars with the same functional form is not optimal for all galaxies, and that the large scatter between values recovered in DiskFit and GALFIT relative to the mean uncertainty values returned by DiskFit's bootstrap resampling technique implies a reconsideration of how uncertainties are handled when constraining these components, in order to test current models of galaxy formation and evolution.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Investigating the efficacy of telephone health helpline mediated self-swabbing for the detection of influenza viruses: a viable tool for community based surveillance in Ontario.

contributor:
Majury, Anna
Richardson, Harriet
Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

subject:
Ontario
Epidemiology
Surveillance
Respiratory viruses
Influenza virus

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-31 14:52:51.518

abstract: Self-swabbing mediated by a telephone health helpline (THHL) was explored as a community based surveillance tool for the detection of influenza viruses in Ontario. This surveillance system was designed to complement other surveillance systems and clinical based testing for influenza viruses by extending the reach of surveillance, through self-swabbing, to persons outside of the traditional health care setting. The “self-swabbing study” population, in terms of age and gender, residential environment, and marginalization, were explored and compared to influenza data captured by Public Health Ontario Laboratories (PHOL) during the same influenza year. Although these two populations were similar in many ways, the evaluation highlighted an increased use of the self-swabbing system among young children (age two to four years) and adults (age 20 to 39 years), and those from an area of greater ethnic concentration. Also, a larger portion of participants from rural or small population centres completed all steps of the study, as compared to those who agreed to participate initially but did not follow through. Further, this study was evaluated as a tool for early detection of influenza A and influenza B viruses relative to Public Health Agency of Canada’s FluWatch data, PHOL data, and Ontario’s Acute Care Enhanced Surveillance system. The self-swabbing study detected a rise in influenza B cases at the same time as the earliest corresponding surveillance sources using the peak comparison method; however, no sooner than any system. Lastly, the efficacy of using self-swabbing to sample influenza A and influenza B viruses was evaluated by comparing molecular test results from two different platforms: real-time reverse- transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR. In conclusion, self-swabbing is an appropriate method for obtaining and testing samples for influenza A and influenza B viruses based on a moderate and strong level of agreement between the results for the two viruses, respectively. Moreover, self-swabbing proved to be a successful sampling method for respiratory viruses broadly, given the detection of 13 additional respiratory viruses using this method. As such, the THHL mediated self- swabbing surveillance system has significant potential for use as a tool for laboratory-confirmed community based viral surveillance in Ontario.

abstract: This thesis it to be restricted as some of the results discussed in this work will be published in an another publication and any issues with regards to the publishing process would like to be avoided.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Momentum: A Rational Interpretation

contributor:
Johnson, Lewis
Management

subject:
Momentum
Asset Pricing

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2015-12-31 17:02:51.404

abstract: In this thesis, I examine existing theories that attempt to explain the asset pricing phenomenon known as momentum.  I revisit the seminal work of Chordia and Shivakumar (2002); Cooper, Guiterrez and Hameed (2004); and Stivers and Sun (2010). Using an updated sample, I reexamine their findings, while also comparing the results by credit rating. It has been shown that, among rated firms, momentum appears to exist only among firms with a non-investment grade credit rating. By comparing the results of the investment grade firms with those of the non-investment grade firms, we can see which are being driven by firms that experience momentum. The results indicate that momentum is more closely related to the state of the market than the state of the economy. However, among market-state variables, it is the return dispersion within the market that is more important, as opposed to the returns of the market themselves. Return dispersion is negatively related to momentum returns. If return dispersion is considered to be a measure of market uncertainty, then this is inconsistent with many leading behavourial theories that include uncertainty as a driving factor of momentum. In response to this, I present an alternative risk-based explanation that is consistent with these findings, as well as reconcile them with much of the existing empirical evidence supporting these behavioural theories.

abstract: PhD


title: Cool by my Own Standards: the Essence of the Expansion of the Standard of Humanness Through the Reinterpretation of Normativity

subject:
Hermeneutic Phenomenology
Nonnormative
Education
Standard of Humanness
Strong Poets
Inclusion

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-04 13:02:35.361

abstract: In 1993, Maxine Greene issued a call to expand the standard of humanness and to look beyond normative culture in the hopes of moving toward a greater inclusivity of diversity in schools. Current Canadian curriculum theory is seeking to include more voices into a conversation that seeks to recognize unheard narratives. To contribute to this goal this study sought to speak to those who successfully navigate the normative world through their unique narratives, unswayed by the pull towards the norm. In a discussion of successful arts teachers, Smithrim and Upitis (2001) describe a person who is unswayed by normative pressures as “someone who is able to write his or her life like a poem, who marches to his or her own drum, and whose identity is strong enough to withstand the many influences of the dominant culture” (p. 21). They name these individuals strong poets. By exploring the perspectives and experiences of students who are strong poets, this research contributes to the understanding of how curriculum can encourage people to extend the standard of humanness by embracing their non-normative narratives. This study used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Data were collected through two phases that emphasized the interpretation of texts and the negotiation of the meaning of those texts through a community of strong poet interpreters. The data were analyzed and presented through the use of hermeneutic windows in order to develop an understanding of those who accept their own unique narratives without hesitation. The four windows described present the essence of how the strong poet participants interpreted the expansion of the standard of humanness through their awareness of self, their ability to humanize the humans around them, and the ways in which they creatively resist and negotiate norms. The strong poets who participated in this study shared their experiences of the lived curriculum and shed light on how they embraced their own non-normative narratives and how they encouraged others to embrace their own stories.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Asymmetric Homogeneous Hydrogenation of Prochiral Substrates Mediated Through Carboxylic Acid and Carbamic Acid Metal-Binding Functional Groups

contributor:
Jessop, Philip G.
Chemistry

subject: Hydrogenation Asymmetric

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-04 13:53:27.668

abstract:
The need for enantiopure chiral compounds has driven the development of asymmetric synthesis, and more specifically asymmetric catalysis. The ability to selectively produce one enantiomer versus another has been a significant discovery for the production of natural products and pharmaceuticals, as both enantiomers may elicit very different interaction in living animals, either being therapeutic or toxic. This thesis investigates the structure of the substrate and its effect in the homogeneously-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of C=C and C=O double bonds.

In a study of the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids, the effects of the length of the linker between the unsaturation and the carboxylic acid functional group on the yield and selectivity of the asymmetric hydrogenation reaction were investigated. We selected Noyori’s Ru-binap catalysts and their derivatives as they are known to work well, in terms of high conversions and enantioselectivities, for the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as atropic or tiglic acid. Other catalysts selected were a Rh-catalyst, and two Ir-catalysts reported to hydrogenate unsaturated carboxylic acids.

In the subsequent chapter, this study was extended to ketoacids. The effect of the change in unsaturation, i.e. olefin to ketone, is discussed, as well as the effects of the length of the linker on the asymmetric hydrogenation.

In these two studies, it was found that a gamma, delta-unsaturated carboxylic acid and a gamma-ketoacid could be asymmetrically hydrogenated in medium to high yield and enantioselectivity; however, the asymmetric hydrogenation of substrates with a greater distance between the unsaturation and the acid group had poor yield and selectivity.

In the fifth chapter, a new methodology for the asymmetric hydrogenation of allylamines was developed. This new method takes advantage of a reversible reaction between amines and carbon dioxide (CO2) to suppress unwanted side reactions. The effects of various parameters on the enantioselectivity and conversion of the reaction were studied. It was found that the homogeneous-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 2-phenylprop-2-en-1-amine resulted in complete conversion and good enantioselectivity. Also, the presence of CO2(g) impeded the side reactions and the formation of unwanted byproducts.  The best results found for 2-phenylprop-2-en-1-amine were implemented in the hydrogenation of its derivatives.

abstract: PhD


title: Employment associated with Renewable and Sustainable Energy Development in the Kingston Region

contributor:
Mabee, Warren
Geography

subject:
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Energy
Environmental Policy
Green Jobs
Renewable Energy
Employment

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-05 13:25:09.221

abstract:
The Kingston region has become a hub for sustainable energy development, in part because of the local geography’s potential to support biomass, wind and solar energy, as well as the availability of workers with necessary skill sets and knowledge, and the presence of educational institutions associated with alternative energy. A 2011 review of the region also found that Ontario’s Green Energy and Green Economy Act (2009), which provides incentives for renewable energy development, has had a significant influence on the initial growth of the local renewable energy sector.
        Kingston’s renewable energy sector will be assessed to explore the local green labour trends and specific features of work, using four green job definitions (new direct, new indirect, ongoing direct and ongoing indirect)  to effectively characterize green employment. This research combines a review of local projects, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews to gain a comprehensive perspective of green work within the sector. Green work was categorized into new, ongoing and temporary as well as direct and indirect employment to provide greater detail based on the type of green work.  The results suggested that the region’s renewable energy sector is dominated by employment in solar energy, and that workers are predominantly specialized with technical skills.   Approximately 65% of survey respondents noted their work indirectly supports renewable energy projects, providing secondary services and products.
	A series of multipliers were developed to estimate the number of jobs created in each category of employment on a per megawatt (MW) basis.  Specifically, survey data estimates that for every one new direct job, 0.65 new indirect jobs might be created, while 0.39 ongoing direct jobs and 1.06 ongoing indirect jobs might be retained.  Using these multipliers, it can be estimated that 242 direct and indirect green jobs related to the renewable energy sector will be created across twelve wind and solar projects completed, approved or proposed within the region.

abstract: M.A.


title: Evaluating Energy Dynamics in Small to Medium-Sized Water Distribution Systems in Ontario, Canada

contributor:
Filion, Yves R.
Civil Engineering

subject:
Energy Indicators
Water Distribution

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-06 21:42:26.141

abstract: Water distribution systems (WDSs) are responsible for delivering potable water to millions of consumers in urban centers around the globe. These systems consist of a multitude of interconnected components, including pipes, pumps, tanks, and reservoirs. The intent of this thesis was to characterize the energy dynamics of four real WDSs located in Ontario, Canada. First, a critical review of the existing body of research related to energy indicators for WDSs was completed. The review focused on two main themes: the relationship between water distribution and energy consumption and the application of energy indicators to provide meaningful guidance to WDS operators and owners regarding energy use. Previously developed energy indicators were then used to evaluate and compare the energy efficiency, energy lost to friction, energy lost to leakage, and the surplus energy of the four systems. Hypothesis testing was completed to identify statistically significant correlations between system characteristics (topography, hydraulic redundancy, peak demand) and energy use patterns in each system. The test systems were found to have a high energy efficiency ranging from 75-94% (leak-free) and 58-70% (leaky). Friction losses comprised 3-22% of the total energy input to the systems. Energy lost to leakage comprised 23-26% of total energy input to the test systems. The standard deviation of node elevation and hydraulic redundancy did not have a statistically significant correlation with the energy use indicators. High frictional energy losses during peak demand periods was identified as the cause of a strong and statistically significant correlation between peak hour factor and energy use in the four systems for the leak-free scenario.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Evaluation of the Age-Related Pathophysiology of von Willebrand Factor

contributor:
Lillicrap, David
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

subject:
Mouse Model
Aging
Hemostasis
Cardiovascular Disease
ABO Blood Type
Oxidative Stress
von Willebrand Factor

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-06 23:55:44.444

abstract:
von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is a plasma multimeric glycoprotein involved in platelet
adhesion and aggregation at sites of vascular injury, and the carrier for coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII). Levels of VWF are influenced by many genetic and environmental factors, but appropriate
levels are needed for a balanced hemostasis, since high levels of VWF are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, while low levels result in prolonged bleeding. Aging is associated with both increased levels of VWF and a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease,
however, the exact mechanism responsible for this age-related increase remained unknown.
In this thesis, we describe the age-related pathophysiology of VWF and the mechanisms
responsible for the quantitative changes in VWF using human and mouse models. First, we found that the increase in VWF levels with age is highly dependent on ABO blood type, as both factors exert interrelated influences on VWF levels through secretion and clearance mechanisms. Second, we evaluated if similar age-related increases in VWF levels occurred in mice and found that
C57BL/6 mice showed similar increases. Consequently, we used the mouse model to test the three mechanisms that influence VWF levels in plasma: synthesis, secretion and clearance. An age-related
increase in Vwf expression was observed in lung, brain, spleen and liver samples obtained from aging mice. In addition, increased secretion of VWF, measured by mouse VWF propeptide levels, was also observed with advancing age. No significant changes with age were observed in VWF clearance, but several findings suggested that the mouse might not be the appropriate model to study age- and ABO-related VWF clearance mechanisms. Finally, we found that despite increased VWF oxidation and reduced ADAMTS13 activity, a neutral effect on VWF function was attained in later life.

In conclusion, this is the first detailed study of the age-related pathophysiology of VWF. This thesis provides new insights into the mechanisms that control the increase in VWF levels with aging. The findings of this thesis could also have implications on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in older individuals, and on the treatment of patients with von Willebrand disease and
hemophilia A in later life.

abstract: The chapters of this thesis have not been published in scientific journals as yet. One is under consideration, and the other two will be submitted in the coming months. This thesis presents novel data, that will ideally be kept away from global access until it is published in the appropriate journals first. Thus, I am kindly asking to restrict this thesis for publication for the period of 1 year while the submissions are completed.

abstract: PhD


title: The Design and Development of an Electromagnetically Actuated Nozzle/Diffuser Micropump

contributor:
Lai, Yongjun
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
MEMS
Valveless Micropump
Nozzle/Diffuser
Wireless Actuation
Glaucoma

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2016-02-24 06:41:27.579

abstract: This research presents the design and development of a magnetically actuated nozzle/diffuser micropump for use in the treatment of glaucoma. The micropump is composed of a cast poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) body containing all fluidic features, a spin coated PDMS membrane for sealing the fluidic features, and commercial silicone tubing for an inlet and an outlet. All components of the micropump are sealed together using only PDMS. The micropump has a final thickness of approximately 1mm due to a novel in-plane inlet and outlet tube attachment method, is flexible due to an all PDMS construction, easily fabricated due to a simple fabrication procedure, and is made of materials which show evidence of good biocompatibility. The pump is wirelessly actuated using a solenoid actuator and a small magnetic or ferromagnetic object placed on the surface of the PDMS membrane. The geometry of the solenoid has been optimized to produce the greatest magnetic field strength. Research work also involved the characterization of the thickness and Young’s Modulus of PDMS and iron-PDMS composite membranes. Various pumps were fabricated and tested. For the most successful design, a peak flow rate of 135.0μL/min and a maximum back pressure of 25mmH2O were obtained using an actuation frequency of 12Hz, duty cycle of 25%, and a 4-40 low strength steel nut for membrane actuation. Results show that increasing the membrane thickness, using the most strongly attracted membrane actuator, and using a 50% actuation duty cycle increases micropump performance. The results also suggest that using a magnetic material as opposed to a ferromagnetic material would allow for the membrane actuator to be reduced in size. The peak flow rate of the micropump is significantly greater than the rate of aqueous humor production (2.8 ± 0.8μL/min), meaning that the performance of the micropump is sufficient for the intended application.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The calling of an engineer: High school students' perceptions of engineering

contributor:
Strong, David S.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Engineering
Students
Perceptions
High school

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-08 17:37:32.148

abstract:
The focus of this research study was to provide insight into high school students’ perceptions of engineering and the work engineers do. Participants included Grades 9 and 10 students, all of which were enrolled in academic English, Math, Science courses and are on the pathway towards college or university. This research was framed within a constructivist theoretical framework, and sequential multiple methods were utilized for data collection. The phase 1 questionnaire incorporated closed and open-ended questions pertaining to the engineering profession and was completed by 97 students, while 11 students participated in the phase 2 semi-structured interviews.
The findings show that the major categories that emerged from these students’ descriptions of engineering involve the mental aspects of designing or creating, knowledge in Math and Science, and the physical aspect of building. In addition, some students were very clear that designers are the source of creative and innovative ideas, scientists are the source of new theories, and engineers are responsible for turning those creative ideas and/or the new theories into reality by physically building something. The perception that engineering involves building was a major source of confusion as many of these students described engineers in roles that could also be used to describe skilled trades. Therefore, a significant percentage of these Grades 9 and 10 students have unclear views about engineering, which suggests they currently cannot make an informed decision in considering engineering for a possible career path.
An increase in student awareness of the engineering profession is needed to ensure students have the knowledge to make informed career choices, which may lead to achieving high-quality engineering graduates and diversifying the profession in Canada. One way to meet the current demand for engineers within Canada may be to ensure that pre-university students have sufficient knowledge about the work of a professional engineer as well as the important aspects of the profession. With this knowledge, they can make an informed decision in considering engineering as a possible choice for post-secondary study.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: An Investigation of the Biochemical Properties and Physiological Roles of the Arabidopsis Calmodulin-Like (CML) Genes CML15 and CML16

contributor:
Snedden, Wayne A.
Biology

subject: Ca2+ Sensor

subject: Arabidopsis

subject: CML15

subject: Ca2+ signaling

subject: CML16

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2016-01-11 12:48:59.886

abstract: Plants, as sessile organisms, require rapid and efficient signalling pathways in order to respond to environmental stimuli and to coordinate developmental programs. Stimulus-specific transient elevations in free cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]cyt ), otherwise referred to as calcium (Ca2+) signals, are known to encode information regarding external stressors or internal developmental cues, which can be interpreted by Ca2+-binding proteins (CBPs), termed Ca2+ sensors. Though much is known about Calmodulin (CaM), the most abundant Ca2+ sensor, relatively little is known about the CaM-like family of Ca2+ sensors (CMLs), which comprise a 50-member family in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). In order to understand how CMLs contribute to Ca2+ signalling, it is necessary to study their biochemistry and physiological roles. In this study, two paralogous CMLs of unknown function, CML15 and CML16, were studied through a combination of approaches including protein biochemistry, gene promoter-reporter analysis, and physiological assays. Promoter-reporter analysis demonstrated that the CML16 promoter is constitutively active across a range of Arabidopsis tissues, whereas CML15 promoter activity is restricted to the stamen. Among a range of environmental conditions tested, salinity stress was observed to inhibit CML16 promoter activity. Phenotypic analysis, across a range of growth stages, of gene-knockout transgenic plants lacking either CML15 or CML16 did not reveal any differences from wild-type plants. Biochemical characterization of CML15 and CML16 indicated that these CMLs possess properties consistent with their predicted roles as Ca2+ sensors. CML15 and CML16 were observed to undergo Ca2+-dependent conformational changes that expose hydrophobic residues, likely for interaction with unknown protein targets. Furthermore, both CMLs were found to bind magnesium (Mg2+) in the absence of Ca2+, but demonstrated high affinity Ca2+ binding in the presence of Mg2+. Putative protein targets for CML15 and CML16 were isolated by yeast two-hybrid screening although the physiological relevance of these as CML effectors remains unknown. Collectively, my data reveals that these CMLs behave biochemically like typical Ca2+ sensors, possess distinct and largely non-overlapping gene expression patterns, and do not appear to be critical for Arabidopsis growth and development under typical growth conditions.

abstract: We are looking to publish the data in this thesis in the near future. Consequently, we do not want it to be available to the public before this occurs.

abstract: M.Sc.