title: Personality and early maladaptive schemas differentiating persons who engage in infrequent versus pathological non-suicidal self-injury

contributor:
Tan, Josephine
Voros, Peter

subject:
Non-suicidal self injury
Personality
Cognitive schema
Depression

abstract: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is used as a coping mechanism for regulating emotions and communicating distress. Research has contributed to understanding the prevalence, forms, and functions of NSSI, but little is known about the characteristics that distinguish individuals who have a brief NSSI history from those who repetitively self-harm. One hundred and fifty-six nonclinical participants selected from a larger pool and matched on sex, age, and clinical status were classified into a non-pathological NSSI group (less than 10 NSSI incidents and less than 3 methods), a pathological NSSI group (10 or more NSSI incidents or 3 or more methods), and a control group (no history of NSSI). The groups were then compared on the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire - Short Form (EMSQ-SF), assessing personality and cognitive distortions, respectively.


title: Qualitative differences in the effects of food and water on learned behavior

subject:
Animal behavior
Reinforcement (Psychology)

abstract: Experimental interest for the present research stemmed from the traditionally accepted notion that qualitatively different reinforcers, such as food and water, have similar effects on learning. The present investigation examined the rat's ability to learn an alternation and a position habit for food or water reward by using an incentive-oriented approach. It was found that food rewarded animals were superior to the water rewarded on the alternation habit but inferior on the position habit.


title: Assessment of land cover changes and hydrologic response of Tamne River Basin

subject:
Hydrology (Ghana Tamne River Watershed)
Land degradation
Watershed management
Flood frequency analysis
Geographic information systems

abstract:
Northeastern Ghana, West Africa, is characterised by a high population growth rate and adverse
climatic conditions, e.g., a long dry season followed by a short-duration but intense rainfall
pattern. Land degradation in this part of the country has caused farmers to extend their
agricultural activities into marginal lands including flood plains. The consequence is an increase
in flood damage to cropland, livestock, infrastructure and human lives. In this study, the nature
of vegetation change in the Tamne River Basin was assessed by integrating remote sensing and
geographic information systems (GIS). Inter-annual variation in rainfall and streamflow were
assessed using statistical hypothesis testing. Gumbel Extreme Value distribution was used to
estimate peak flow magnitudes for selected return periods. Field observations and interviews
with farmers provided first hand information about the farming systems in the Tamne River
Basin. There was no significant change inter-annual variation in rainfall and hydrologic response
and the estimated 100 year peak flow was 59.9 m3/s. Less than one percent of the total area in
Tamne River Basin changed between 1975 and 1991. The distribution of the potential land cover
changes confirmed the assertion that, farming systems constitute a primary cause of land
degradation in the Upper East Region. The potential land cover changes have little or no effect
on the hydrologic response in the Tamne River Basin. The study also provided a broad
framework for detailed watershed analysis at the basin and sub-basin level, including the
monitoring of land use change and distributed hydrologic modelling. In addition, the study
highlighted some o f the problems related to incomplete and outdated environmental information,
and their implications on the effective integration of remote sensing and GIS for resource
management and policy formulation in Ghana. Suggestions have been made for: integration of
‘expert systems’ into GIS and image processing in Ghana; quantitative accuracy assessment for
the potential land cover changes; and, event-based hydrologic modelling for sub-catchments in
the Tamne River Basin.


title: Patterns of mercury accumulation in northern Ontario walleye and relationship with watershed characteristics

contributor:
Thomson, Ashley
Mackereth, Rob

subject:
Aquatic ecosystem
Coniferous forest
Dissolved organic carbon
Forest operations
Harvest disturbance
Mercury accumulation

abstract: Mercury is a well known toxic contaminate that poses health risks to humans and wildlife. In Ontario 85% of consumption restrictions of fish from inland lakes is due to mercury contamination. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between total mercury concentration in walleye and lake chemistry, watershed characteristics, and forest harvesting. Data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Broad Scale Fisheries Monitoring Program, Land Information Ontario, and Ontario Land Cover 2000 were utilized for analysis in this study. Linear regressions showed that lake surface area (9.8%), total land area (6.1%), total forest area (4.1%), coniferous forest area (5.3%), dissolved organic carbon (8.9%), pH (16.4%), nitrate and nitrite (8.1%), and dissolved inorganic carbon (13.8%) had a significant relationship with total mercury. Further, multivariate regressions showed that lake surface area and coniferous forest area (13.3%), dissolved organic carbon and pH (23%), and dissolved organic carbon and nitrate and nitrite (12.6%) had a significant relationship with a higher R-square value. This study supports that lake chemistry variables and landscape variables including dissolved organic carbon, pH, nitrate and nitrite, dissolved inorganic carbon, coniferous forest area, total forest area, total land area, and total lake surface area played a larger role on the impacts on total mercury concentration in high predatory fish than harvest disturbance and wetlands within the watershed which showed no significant relationship with mercury concentrations.


title: Effects of cognitive strategies on the performance of female swimmers

subject: Swimmers. Strategy.

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of cognitive
strategies on the performance of three female swimmers. The independent
variables were the three strategy conditions that were used by the
subjects. The major dependent variable was the time taken by each
subject to swim the 400 metre effort. Questionnaires also generated
information on a number of factors. Treatment conditions were randomly
assigned according to a 3 x 3 Latin squares format. An analysis of
performance data emphasized the individual nature of athletic performance.
Two of the athletes appeared to be able to use cognitive strategies to
improve performance, while the other did not demonstrate this ability.
Questionnaire data revealed that improved performances did not appear
to be related to reduced discomfort or altered pain perception. A Phi
Coefficient analysis indicated that expectation to perform well or
poorly was not related to actual performance. The ability of the
subjects to concentrate on the prepared strategy was generally high.
Two of the three subjects swam their best under their preferred condition.
Ratings of discomfort and assessment of performances varied with
the individuals. The performance of each subject appeared to be
affected differently by measured factors with confounding potential.


title: Factors influencing distribution of aquatic macrophytes in a small northwestern Ontario lake

subject:
Freshwater plants Ontario, Northwestern
Grassy Lake
Aquatic vegetation

abstract:
In October, 1968, 5.0 Kilograms of wild rice (Zizania aquatica
L.) seed were planted at 11 selected sites in Grassy Lake, in an attempt
to introduce a self-sustaining crop. Some success was obtained at all
sites, subject to the various effects of wind and wildfowl. As a sound
understanding of the aquatic environment was necessary before further
research could be carried out in connection with the wild rice, the temperature
relations, of primary importance in all limnological investigations,
were chosen as the subject of this study.
Temperatures in air, water, and soils were measured by a series
of 55 thermocouple units, mounted on 4 standards established in line
across the shore zone. Sixteen sets of weekly and diurnal readings
illustrate a pattern of uniform temperature in the vertical water column,
and the lack of any evidence of seasonal thermal stratification in the
water mass. Turbidity in varying degrees was present at all times, and
with increased adsorption of solar radiation in the upper layers of the
lake, mean water temperatures remained higher than mean air temperatures.
The distribution of heat in the surface layers of the water
was found to be relatively uniform, and temperature checks made throughout
the depth of the lake supported the findings at the thermocouple
station.
Heat energy was found to be readily transferred to the bottom
sediments, and mean temperatures for the first 20 centimetres of the substrate
remained within a few centigrade degrees of the temperature of
the vertical water column. Grassy Lake, situated near the southern tip of Sibley Peninsula,
on the north shore of Lake Superior, is exposed to the force of
the wind, and comparative anemometer readings give strong support to
this fact. The wind is believed to be instrumental in the constant
turnover and mixing of the lake waters, and to a considerable extent in
governing the distribution of the aquatic macrophytes in the region of
the shore.


title: Comparing the effects of two proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching techniques and static stretching on active knee extension range of motion and vertical jump performance

contributor:
Newhouse, Ian
Sinden, Kathryn
Sanzo, Paolo

subject: Stretching

subject: Range of motion

subject: Vertical jump

subject: Autogenic inhibition

subject: Reciprocal inhibition

abstract: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching has often been identified as an effective stretching technique for improving range of motion (ROM) prior to exercise. The two PNF stretching techniques that are most commonly performed are autogenic inhibition and reciprocal inhibition stretching. These techniques increase ROM by applying resistance to either agonist (i.e. autogenic) or antagonist (i.e. reciprocal) muscle groups to reduce reflex activity. Variability in PNF stretching procedures, however, cause difficulty comparing studies and translating findings to clinical practice. Limited research has also been performed on the effects of PNF stretching on athletic performance. The present study compared the effects of static, autogenic inhibition, and reciprocal inhibition stretching on knee extension ROM and vertical jump performance. Thirty healthy participants (16 male and 14 female) performed an Active Knee Extension test and a Vertical Jump test after 4 counter balanced stretching conditions. The stretching conditions consisted of no stretching (control), static stretching, autogenic inhibition stretching, and reciprocal inhibition stretching. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and the Bonferonni post hoc test identified static stretching, autogenic inhibition stretching, and reciprocal inhibition stretching significantly increased knee extension ROM by means of 7.8, 8.1, and 9.4 degrees, respectively when compared to no stretching (p<.001). No significant differences were identified between the ROM increases associated with each technique (p>0.05). Pairwise comparisons also identified no significant differences in vertical jump height (cm) before or after the use of static, autogenic inhibition, or reciprocal inhibition stretching (p>0.05). The present study was the first to compare these stretching techniques using recommended pre-activity procedures. The results of this study identified all three stretching techniques as effective techniques for improving ROM prior to exercise without decreasing vertical jump performance.


title: Client perception of therapy and the variables implicated in length of stay

subject:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy patients Attitudes

abstract:
Consistently high rates of premature termination from counselling concern
the providers and researchers of psychotherapy. In this thesis three variables were
explored for a better understanding of premature termination. Social support,
therapist qualities, and client demographics were hypothesized to impact on how
long clients would remain in therapy. Thirty participants were placed in one of
three groups, late terminators (LT), early terminators (ET) or remainers (R). Levels
of perceived social support were assessed by the Social Support - Behaviors
questionnaire, therapist and counsellor characteristics by the Counselor Evaluation
Inventory and the Counselor Rating Form - Short. Demographics and clients'
perceptions were obtained on a brief form included with the questionnaires. Social
support was not found to be related to attrition rates which is in conflict with
previous research. Age, sex and number of children were found to be somewhat
related to termination, the results did not, however, meet the criteria for
significance. Counsellor experience, attractiveness and trustworthiness were, to
some extent, linked to length of stay in therapy. With regard to premature
termination, some differences were noted in favour of the R group but they were
not large and on some varibles the ET, LT and R groups did not differ. Further
studies should make the distinction between early and late terminators as some
differences do appear to exist between these two groups of premature terminators.


title: Lipoic acid and its potential role in the treatment of oxidative-induced injury of A549 lung epithelial cells

contributor:
Suntres, Zacharias
Malek, Ladislav
Khaper, Neelam

subject:
Oxidative stress
Reactive oxygen species
Oxidative DNA damage
Hydrogen peroxide
Paraquat
Lipoic acid

abstract: Oxidative stress is the imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants within a cell that can cause and/or contribute to the progression of many pathological conditions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed from the metabolism of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or paraquat (PQ) can damage DNA, proteins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). A cell’s ability to defend against oxidative stress depends on multiple factors including genetic make-up, subcellular organelle function and environmental factors. Lipoic acid (LA) is an antioxidant with high reactivity to free radicals, but because of its low redox potential, it is also known to regenerate ascorbic acid and -tocopherol, elevate intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and modulate transcription factor activity. We used A549 lung epithelial cells in an in vitro model to study the mechanism(s) of LA effects against H2O2- and PQ-induced oxidative injury. We observed that LA was incapable of protecting against H2O2 toxicity; thus, we used PQ as the agent to induce oxidant-induced damage. Challenge of cells with PQ resulted in decreases of cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential and increases in DNA fragmentation and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Challenge of cells with LA resulted in an increase in cell viability, but a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Interestingly, LA pretreatment of PQ-challenged cells resulted in the potentiation of DNA fragmentation and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Our results indicate that LA enhanced the PQ-induced oxidative injury in A549 lung epithelial cells, perhaps by acting as a prooxidant.


title: Adaptive and Maladaptive Outcomes of Perfectionism and Changes After Mindfulness Training

contributor:
Mazmanian, Dwight
Maranzan, Amanda
Bédard, Michel
Gotwals, John

subject:
Perfectionism
Anxiety
Stress management
Mindfulness

abstract: Considerable debate exists in the personality literature regarding the adaptiveness versus maladaptiveness of perfectionism. Study 1 (N = 240) involved a two-phase design to examine main and interactive effects of perfectionism dimensions predicting adaptive outcomes (i.e., well-being, achievement, motivation) and maladaptive outcomes (i.e., psychological distress, repetitive thought, procrastination) over a semester. The results largely supported the 2 × 2 model of perfectionism. Pure personal standards (PSP) predicted higher levels of many of the adaptive outcomes and lower levels of some of the maladaptive outcomes compared to no tendency towards perfectionism. Pure evaluative concerns (ECP) predicted lower levels of adaptive outcomes and higher levels of maladaptive outcomes than no tendency towards perfectionism. A mixed combination buffered both the adaptive benefits of high personal standards and the maladaptive effects of high evaluative concerns. Mediation models indicated that: (1) worry and rumination mediated pure ECP and negative affect, (2) self-regulation mediated pure ECP and procrastination, (3) mindfulness mediated pure PSP and positive affect, and (4) intrinsic motivation mediated pure PSP and goal achievement, while extrinsic motivation did not mediate this relationship. Study 2 used a randomized controlled trial to investigate if perfectionism’s adaptive and maladaptive outcomes are altered through mindfulness training. Although the mindfulness group (n = 23) and the control group (n = 25) did not change in adaptive outcomes, the control group increased in ECP and many maladaptive outcomes compared to the mindfulness group. Training in mindfulness, and particularly in observing and non-reactivity, may protect against increases in negative affect, rumination, stress, and procrastination among students.


title: Selective processing of emotional information in subclinical depression and hypomania / by David R. T. Davies.

subject:
Depression, Mental.
Emotions and cognition.
Hypomania.


title: Building trust, addressing uncertainty: developing Aboriginal consultation practices for mineral exploration companies

subject: Mining and Aboriginal social relations

subject: The development of Impact and Benefit Agreements

subject: Social impacts on Aboriginals

subject: Employment in the mining sector

subject: Mining regulations

subject: Cultural Intelligence Theory

abstract:
This thesis examines how mineral exploration companies in the Thunder Bay region are consulting with Aboriginal communities. The research is based on new regulations put forth by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) which, as part of a new plans and permits regime, require mining companies to consult with Aboriginal communities prior to any exploration occurring on their traditional lands. Historically, Aboriginal peoples have been left out of resource development decision making, but with increased recognition of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, they have begun demanding prior consultation, and have become influential in natural resource development. For background information and better understanding of the new regulations, interviews were conducted with two representatives from
the MNDM. Next, in order to examine what effect these new regulations have had on the mining industry, I interviewed representatives of 15 companies from April 2013 to December 2013. To quantify aspects of this research, this study evaluated companies using Cultural Intelligence
(CQ) and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) frameworks. My analysis of interview data yielded 21 prominent themes, 7 of which were queried while 14 occurred spontaneously. The most common themes that occurred were „concerns with government‟ and „operational difficulties‟. CQ scores ranged from 50% to 89.3% and DC scores ranged from 14.3% to 82.5%. The results show that many companies were already consulting with Aboriginal communities before it became mandatory, but are still facing challenges. The main issues that companies are facing as a result of the regulations are: lengthened project timelines, lack of capacity and resources to properly consult communities, communication with Aboriginal management, unregulated community expenses, uncertainties of role responsibility, and lack of government involvement. I explain the usefulness of the CQ and DC scales in this study and how they are excellent tools for comparing companies that have had successful engagement experiences with those that experience unproductive engagement. I believe that companies are consulting with communities as best
they can with the resources they have, but consultation must not be just between company and community; the government must play a stronger role in such proceedings.


title: CFD Modeling of an activated sludge bubble column

subject:
Bubble columns
Superficial gas velocity
Flow regimes
Gas sparger, holdup
Computational fluid dynamic
Electrical resistance tomography system

abstract:
The bubble columns are widely used in different industries such as wastewater treatment,
chemical, petrochemical, and biochemical. The current design of the bubble columns including
but not limited to the geometry and dimensions of the column, the location, size, and type of the
gas spargers, gas superficial velocity, and fluid rheology relies on the assumptions about the gas
and liquid behavior and the mixing performance. The main objective of this study was to evaluate
the effect of superficial gas velocity and sparger type on the liquid and gas phase flow patterns,
gas hold up, and mixing time through computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling and
simulation. The CFD model was simulated the multiphase flow based on the Eulerian-Eulerian
approach and validated by experimental measurements. The standard k-ε model was employed to
predict the turbulent flow and circulations of the liquid phase. The activated sludge as a shear
thinning non-Newtonian fluid has been modeled as a power-law rheological model. The trends of
the mixing process were calculated by using the specious and transport model. The CFD model
accurately predicted the flow pattern and mixing process. The results reveal that the increase of
the superficial gas velocity increases the value of gas holdup. Moreover, the mixing time have
been decreased by increasing the rate of superficial gas velocity. One of the most important results
of this study highlighted the significant effect of the tracer injection location on the mixing time.
The typical star shape sparger has also been modified in this study. The performance of the
modified sparger was assessed and compared to the performance of the typical star shape in terms of liquid and gas flow pattern and mixing time. The modified sparger exhibited better performance
in sparging the gas through non-Newtonian activated sludge.
The validated CFD data was employed to investigate the effect of superficial gas velocity, type of
gas sparger, and tracer injection location on the mixing time of the activated sludge bubble column.
A statistical-based experimental design with full factorial design method was applied to evaluate
the individual and interactive effects of the design parameters.


title: Use of semantic, syntactic and sentiment features to automate essay evaluation

contributor:
Mago, Vijay
Du, Shan
Yang, Yimin
Giabbanelli, Philippe

subject: Natural language processing

subject: Automated essay evaluation (Computer Science)

abstract:
Manual grading of essays by humans is time-consuming and likely to be susceptible to
inconsistencies and inaccuracies. Mostly performed within an academic institution,
the task at hand is to grade hundreds of submitted essays and the major hurdle is the
homogeneous assessment from the first till the last. It can take hours or sometimes
even days to finish the assessment. Automating this tedious manual task is not only
a relief to the teachers but also assures the students of consistent markings throughout.
The challenge in automatizing is to recognize crucial aspects of natural language
processing (NLP) which are vital for accurate automated essay evaluation.
NLP is a subset of the field of artificial intelligence which deals with making computers
understand the language used by humans for expression and then further process
it. Since essays are a written textual form of expression and idea exchange, automating
the essay assessment process through a computer system leverages progress
from NLP field and automates one of the biggest manual tasks of educational systems.
In recent years, an abundance of research has been done to automate essay evaluation
processes, yet little has been done to take into consideration the syntax, semantic coherence
and sentiments of the essay’s text together. Our proposed system incorporates
not just the rule-based grammar and surface level coherence check but also includes
the semantic similarity of the sentences. We propose to use graph-based relationships
within the essay’s content and polarity of opinion expressions. Semantic similarity
is determined between each statement of the essay to form these graph-based spatial
relationships. Our algorithm uses 23 salient features with high predictive power,
which is less than the current systems while considering every aspect to cover the
dimensions that a human grader focuses on. Fewer features help us get rid of the
redundancies of the data so that the predictions are based on more representative
features and are robust to noisy data. The prediction of the scores is done with
neural networks using the data released by the ASAP competition held by Kaggle.
The resulting agreement between human grader’s score and the system’s prediction
is measured using Quadratic Weighted Kappa (QWK). Our system produces a QWK
of 0.793. Our results are repeatable and transparent, and every feature is very well
explained as compared to other existing systems where authors have not explained
the methodologies and feature extraction to a similar extent for the results to be reproduced.


title: Bilateral finger temperature differences under hemisphere-specific cognitive activation

subject:
Cerebral dominance
Laterality


title: Long-term effects of timber management on marten (Martes americana) habitat potential in an Ontario boreal forest

subject: Forest management Ontario Timmins Region

subject: Martens Ontario Timmins Region

subject: Habitat Suitability Index (HSI)

subject: Ontario boreal forest

subject: Simulation modelling

subject: Harvest Schedule Generator (HSG)

subject: Geographic Information System (GIS)

abstract:
To evaluate the hypothesis that current forest management practices in the
boreal forest are decreasing the quantity and quality of long-term marten
habitat, and alternative, more suitable strategies exist, a Geographic
Information System (GlS)-based simulation study was initiated to determine
the habitat suitability for marten of a boreal forest under various timber management
strategies. Two simulation models were used in this study. The
first was the Harvest Schedule Generator (HSG), a wood-supply model created
at the Petawawa National Forestry Institute (Forestry Canada). The second
was a marten Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model developed for this study.
Each of the timber harvest strategies decreased the amount of long-term
marten habitat. However, slight decreases in the level of spruce harvest
provide significant future increases in suitable habitat. In the short term,
delayed harvest of mature black spruce stands provides an improvement in
marten habitat suitability. The procedures developed in this study provide
valuable quantitative information which can be used to aid in forest
management decision making.


title: Dietary restraint and stress-induced alterations in eating: Exploring the role of heart rate variability as a proxy for self-regulation, attentional bias, and perceived safety

contributor:
Mushquash, Aislin
Davis, Ron
Newhouse, Ian
Mazmanian, Dwight
De Young, Kyle

subject:
Restrained eating
Eating disorders
Heart rate variability
Self-regulation

abstract:
Restraint theory posits that the capacity to successfully diet is cognitively demanding, requiring
exertion of cognitive control over eating. Demands that deplete this limited inner resource (e.g.,
stress) can thus lead restrained eaters to become disinhibited and consume large amounts of food.
This program of research aimed to objectively investigate the causal role of self-regulation in
restrained eaters’ disinhibition. As a robust literature indicates that higher heart rate variability
(HRV) indexes self-regulatory capacity, HRV was used to quantify changes in self-regulation.
Study One explored whether HRV mediated disinhibition in 93 female undergraduates exposed
to a laboratory stressor and subsequent bogus taste test. Though HRV significantly mediated the
link between the stressor and food intake, the stress-induced reduction in HRV was associated
with decreased intake. Dietary restraint also moderated the pathway between HRV and intake,
such that the indirect effect of stress on intake via HRV was only significant for less restrained
eaters, but restrained eaters did not show evidence of disinhibition. In a subsequent study of 147
females, Study Two examined whether a serial mediation via HRV and attentional bias to food
accounted for these unexpected findings. It was predicted low HRV may attenuate attentional
bias to food and reduce intake in less restrained eaters while it would enhance attentional bias to
food and intake in more restrained eaters. It was further posited that the model would only
emerge for those uncertain about safety from additional stress. None of the hypotheses were
supported. However, an exploratory moderated serial mediation revealed sympathetic nervous
system activity led to a significant reduction in hunger that attenuated intake for less restrained
eaters uncertain about their safety. Although hunger among more restrained eaters similarly
decreased, they did not reduce their intake. Overall, these findings imply restrained eaters show a
disconnect from internal physiological cues that may facilitate disordered eating when stressed.


title: Competition trials of Pinus banksiana and Populus tremuloides under a range of proportions and densities

subject:
Jack pine
Aspen
Trees Growth

abstract:
This study was the -first study designed specifically to
analyse the competitive effects of density and species mixture
for both Pinus banksiana and Populus tremuloides
seedlings during the initial stages of growth and development.
To this end, replacement series experiments with jack pine and
trembling aspen seedlings were used in both a greenhouse and
field study. In a 12~week greenhouse pot study species ratios
of 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 were planted at
densities of 729, 2,344, and 10,000 pi ants/m In a. field
study, similar mixes were planted at densities of 17, 83, 204,
494, and 2,500 plants/m[superscript]2.  This field test will be continued
for a period of three to four growing seasons.
In the greenhouse study, jack pine assumed a dominant
role at the highest density (10,000 plants/m[superscript]2). As the
density was lowered, trembling aspen gained dominance over the
pine in the mixtures. This relationship was reflected in
relative crowding coefficients, as well as in replacement
series diagrams for relattive yield. Also, it was determined
that an adjustment in allocation of biomass with respect to
the dominant competitor occurred. Trembling aspen increased
its percentage biomass allocated to leaf weight, when jack
pine was the dominant competitor. However, the aspen
seedlings allocated a greater percentage to stem weight in
response to aspen assuming the dominant role, A final
observation included the lowering of aspen survival as the
percentage of aspen in mixture increased. Increased density
further accentuated this relationship , Jack pine survival was
consistently high across the range of treatments..
From the preliminary measurements carried out on the
field trial, it was found that both aspen height growth and
crown development were affected by species composition. In
general, as the percentage of aspen decreased at a given
density, both height and crown volume increased. Furthermore,
both height growth and crown volume for jack pine decreased,
as density decreased. The cause for this response to density
was related to the influence of environmental factors.


title: A critical comparison of copies of the first three editions of Arden of Feversham

contributor:
Merrill, George
Ishak, F.

subject:
Arden of Feversham
Arden, Thomas, 1551-

abstract: This critical comparison of copies of the first three editions of Arden of Feversham includes in the introduction a description of the text, sources and stage history, followed by an examination of the problems of dating and authorship.  The genre of domestic tragedy also is investigated, according to its development and influence: i.e. the contributing factors of the preceding drama, its individual merits, and a general study of comparative drama.  The criticism of the past and an independent evaluation of the play as a literary work are also presented.


title: From ethnic towards transnational : The green library by Janice Kulyk Keefer

subject: Ukrainian Canadians in literature

abstract:
This thesis argues that The Green Library by Janice Kulyk Keefer can be
read as a Canadian national narrative. In the novel, Keefer sets a task to explore how
ethnic minorities in Canada (Ukrainian Canadians in this case) construct their
identity and how their transnational experiences affect their identification process in
the New World. By exploring the stories of three generations of Ukrainian
immigrants in Canada, The Green Library shows the shift in the immigrants’
perception of themselves; while the first-generation immigrants cling desperately to
the Old Country, and their children try to reject their ethnic heritage altogether, the
third-generation Canadians need to rediscover their origin. The urge to redefine
their ethnicity often sends them on a “return journey” to the homeland abandoned
by their ancestors. This “return journey” involves exploration and rereading of
history; in The Green Library, history becomes one of the most important constructs
of identity of the novel’s characters. In addition to history, Keefer recognizes gender
as one of the major markers of identity; the novel seeks to explore gender relations
in Canada from ethnocultural rather than majority perspective. Thus, the ultimate
purpose of the “return journey” that the third generation Canadians undertake is to
rewrite Canadian national narrative from the minority perspective using what Homi
Bhabha calls a transnational knowledge of the world. The shift from an ethnic to a
transnational understanding of identification, as well as the recognition of the
existence of multiple narratives in Canadian culture, will allow ethnic minorities to
accept the plurality of Canadian identity.


title: Positive and negative caregiver appraisal and caregiver health outcomes / by Sarah A. Vernon-Scott.

contributor:
Bedard, Michel
Mazmanian, Dwight

subject:
Caregivers - Evaluation
Caregivers - Health
Caregivers - Psychology

abstract: "The current study examined the role that positive appraisal (i.e., gain) and negative appraisal (i.e., burden) of caregiving can play in understanding caregivers' physical and mental health outcomes. Gender and kinship were examined to investigate any differences in caregiving appraisals or health outcomes. Secondary analyses of two databases, Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer Caregiver Health (REACH) and the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) were conducted. Positive appraisal and negative appraisal were established as separate constructs that both change over time. These findings were contributed to the understanding of this newer variable. Adding positive appraisal at the last step of a hierarchical regression after demographics and negative appraisal improved the prediction of caregivers' anxiety, but not other health outcomes (i.e., self-rated health, number of illnesses diagnosed, and depression). Negative social interactions emerged as a significant predictor of health outcomes. Surprisingly, some robust findings from the literature were not replicated. In both databases, women did not report more burden than men. Women caring for men (as opposed to other combinations of caregivers and care recipients) did not report significantly more caregiver burden."--from Abstract


title: The Literacy gap: an investigation of the role of hegemonic ideology in literacy education

contributor:
Epp, Juanita
Walton, Gerald
Berger, Paul
Cooper, Karen

subject:
Literacy
Social aspects
Canada
Reading (Adult education)

abstract: In this research the notion of hegemonic ideology is explored within the stories told by three returning adult students. These students were unsuccessful in attaining literacy skill in their elementary and secondary education and were later enrolled in an upgrading program. They described in recorded interviews how their lives unfolded in terms of education and progress in literacy. The study is a phenomenological investigation that ties the potential hazards of hegemonic ideology grounded in capitalist values to the educational outcomes for these students in terms of individual success valued over community support, misdirected violence, powerlessness, self-blame and acquiescence to the status quo.


title: Wireless sensor network scheduling schemes

contributor:
Wei, Ruizhong
Li, Deli

subject:
Wireless sensor networks
Computer scheduling

abstract: Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) consists of small sensing devices with constrained power and resources. It is widely used for environment monitoring. WSN usually works in hostile environments and performs critical tasks, for example, battlefield surveillance, forest fire detection. This requires sensor network applications to conserve the limited energy and meanwhile provide reliable service. Our goal was set to address these issues on WSN.


title: The mineralogy of NYF pegmatites from the Coldwell alkaline complex, Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Mineralogy
Pegmatites
Coldwell alkaline complex

abstract:
The Coldwell Complex, northwestern Ontario, is a multiphase alkaline intrusion that is host to
rare earth element, actinide and other high field strength element mineralization. Preliminary
studies have shown that these minerals are concentrated in pegmatites associated with Center
One ferrorichterite-ferroaugite syenites and Center Three syenites. The Center One syenites
differentiate to pegmatitic residua and are characterized by cumulus perthitic-to-cryptoperthitic
alkali feldspar, hedenbergite-aegirine pyroxenes, and intercumulous quartz, calcite, and calcicto-
sodic-calcic-to-sodic amphiboles. Center Three residua are similar, except that amphiboles are
limited to calcic varieties (hastingsite) and precipitate before feldspar (as opposed to after). All
pegmatitic residua are of the niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) type. Back-scattered electron
petrography has been used to characterize the mineral paragenesis. Pegmatitic syenitic residua
emplaced in, but not derived from the border gabbro (Border Gabbro pegmatite), and residua
within ferroaugite syenite units (Railway pegmatites) contain a wide range of rare element
minerals which include britholite, chevkinite, fergusonite, monazite, allanite, kainosite,
xenotime, REE tluorocarbonates bastnaesite, synchysite and parisite. Other rare element
enriched minerals include apatite, thorite, zircon, zirconolite, niobium rutile and U-Th-Sipyrochlore.
Early-formed rare element minerals such as allanite, britholite, chevkinite, kainosite,
and pyrochlore are commonly replaced by complex aggregates of later-forming phases such as
REE-tluorocarbonates. Other riebeckite-quartz (Upper Marathon Shore pegmatites), richteritequartz
(Black pegmatites) and hastingsite-quartz (Center Three pegmatites) bearing pegmatitic
residua contain a more restricted range of rare element minerals, which include zircon,
xenotime, monazite and tluorocarbonates together with REE-bearing apatite, thorite and
pyrochlore. The differences in rock forming and accessory mineralization suggest that most, if
not all, residua are derived from different batches offerroaugite syenite and syenite magma.
Intensive parameters have been estimated using the habit of perthites, the coexistence of zircon
and baddeleyite, Fe-Ti-oxide compositions, amphibole mineralogy, and tluorocarbonate
stability. These parameters indicate all pegmatitic units are similar, with initial silica activities of
1 o-0
·
75
, alkali-feldspar precipitation at approximately 750 °C, magnetite-ilmenite subsolidus
equilibration temperatures of 531 to 633 oc and oxygen fugacities of 1 o-'6
·
5 to 1 o-22
·
9 bars,
subsolidus quenching of magnetite occurs at approximately 450 °C, and subsequent 200 oc
hydro- and carbothermal induced recrystallization of rare earth mineral and REB-bearing
minerals.


title: Fuzzy logic based efficiency optimization of IPM synchronous motor drive

subject:
Electric motors, Synchronous
Automatic control

abstract:
Interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) is highly appreciated by
researchers in variable speed drive applications due to some of its advantageous features
such as small size, high power density, simple maintenance, high output torque, high
power factor, low noise and robustness as compared to the conventional IM and other ac
motors. Although these motor drives are well known for their relatively high efficiency,
improvement margins still exist in their operating efficiency. Particularly, the reduction
of power loss for IPMSM still remains a challenge for researchers. Improvement of motor
drives efficiency is important not only from the viewpoints of energy loss and hence cost
saving, but also from the perspective of environmental pollution. The thesis presents
development of a fuzzy logic based efficiency and speed control system of an IPMSM
drive. In order to maximize the efficiency in steady state operation while meeting the
speed and load torque demands a search based fuzzy efficiency controller is designed to
minimize the drive power losses to achieve higher efficiency by reducing the flux. The
air gap flux level can be reduced by controlling the d-axis armature current as it is
supplied by rotor permanent magnet. In order for the drive to track the reference speed in
transient operation another fuzzy logic based controller is designed to increase the flux
depending on the speed error and its derivative. The torque component of stator current
(q-axis component of stator current) is generated by fuzzy logic based speed controller
for different dynamic operation depending on speed error and its derivative. In this work
a torque compensation algorithm is also introduced to reduce the torque and speed
fluctuations.


title: Shared response and young adolescent readers' comprehension and re-interpretation of picture books

contributor:
Courtland, Mary Clare
McLeod, Roderick W.

subject: Picture books for children Educational aspects

subject: Picture interpretation

subject: School children Books and reading

abstract:
This study describes the relationship between shared response and the comprehension and re-interpretation
of picture books with four members of a response group of students in a grade 7/8 class
during the implementation of a seven-week unit on picture books. A key construct in the study was
Kiefer’s (1995) classification of verbal response to picture books which includes four functions of
language; informative, heuristic, imaginative, and personal.
Six themes emerged from the analysis of data: patterns of shared response to picture books;
verbal response to picture books; intertextual connections; aesthetic response to picture bodes;
integrity of text and pictures; and students’ perceptions of picture books. Although many of the
response group members’ verbal responses could be classified under Kiefer’s framework, the
categories did not accommodate the intertextual relationships evoked by readers during engagement
with and re-interpretation of picture books. Factors which influenced students’ comprehension and reinterpretation
of picture books included: the organization of the unit which provided time, structure
and flexibility; opportunities for shared response, which enabled social constructions of meaning;
opportunities to re-interpret texts through symbolic systems such as art and drama; and a group project
on text sets in which students worked collaboratively to select a “text set", identify the connections
across the picture books, and illustrate these in some form.


title: Perceived numerosity and gestalt principles of perceptual organization

subject:
Gestalt psychology
Pattern perception
Optical pattern recognition


title: Understanding Chinese tourists' satisfaction with their travel experiences in Canada / by Kun Zhang.

contributor:
Payne, R. J.
Johnston, Margaret
Robson, Mark

subject:
Chinese tourists - Attitudes
Chinese - Travel - Canada
Tourism - Canada - Public opinion

abstract:
The purpose of this study is to better understand Chinese tourists' satisfaction with their travel experiences in Canada. Primarily, tourism studies to date have addressed and examined the consumer or tourism satisfaction with services and destination performances. However, there is little research on Chinese tourists' satisfaction with their travel experiences to Canada, an issue of special relevance since China and Canada have begun to discuss Approved Destination Status (ADS) for Canada. This study seeks to examine existing Chinese tourists' expectations and satisfactions in order to meet their demands in the coming years. Participants in the study were Chinese tourists who have had recent travel experiences in Canada. Surveys were administered in Toronto during October to November 2005. Participants were asked to rate the importance of a set of attributes of tourism experience and then to assess performance on the same set of attributes.  The resulting importance-performance analysis (I-P) forms the basis for the research.
From I-P analysis, it is found that Chinese tourists expect to travel with standard service and look for different experiences in Canada. Destination attractiveness and hospitality services are important to all tourists, but they are less interested in tourist attractions and facilities. Language service and dealing with complaints need better performance. Hotel service, transportation, package price and travel route also need to be taken into considerations by tourism planners and destination management. Overall, Chinese tourists are satisfied with their experiences in Canada.


title: The effect of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside on oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiac iron overload

contributor:
Khaper, Neelam
Schraft, Heidi

subject:
Cardiac iron overload
Reactive oxygen species
Cardiac dysfunction
Iron-induced cardiac damage
Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside

abstract:
Chronic cardiac iron overload directly correlates with cardiac dysfunction and
may ultimately cause heart failure. Although recent studies have suggested that altered
calcium homeostasis and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) play roles in iron
overload-induced cardiac dysfunction, the exact mechanism(s) of oxidative stressmediated cardiac inflammation, matrix remodelling and cell death remain unclear. Here we examined iron-induced cardiac damage in terms of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in an in vitro model of cardiac iron overload using the H9c2 cardiac cells. We also investigated the effect of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), a component of flaxseed, on the above mentioned parameters. H9c2 cells were treated with 50 μM iron and a pre-treatment of 500 μM SDG was performed by dissolving SDG into serum- and antibiotic-free Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and for each treatment type, cells were incubated for 24 hours. Cardiac iron overload resulted in increased intracellular ROS while SDG treatment prevented this increase, as measured by the H2DCFDA assay using flow cytometry. Increased gene expression of inflammatory mediators Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)γ, as well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and 9, and antioxidants glutathione reductase (GSR), superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2 and peroxiredoxin (Prdx)-6 and a decrease in SOD
concentration correlated with increased apoptosis as measured by active caspase 3/7
activity and increase in FOXO3. SDG attenuated the increase of gene expression of
inflammatory and apoptosis mediators as well as the increase of caspase 3/7 activity
caused by iron treatment. SDG also lead to an increase in gene expression of antioxidants GSR, SOD-2 and Prdx-6 when compared to iron treatment. Cardiac iron overload also resulted in an increase in protein levels of p70S6K1 and a decrease in the AMPK levels. The increase of p70S6 and decrease in AMPK levels was prevented by SDG. Pretreatment with SDG attenuated the iron-induced increases in oxidative stress,
inflammation and apoptosis, suggesting a cardio-protective role for SDG against cardiac
iron overload.


title: Towards marine tourism management recommendations for the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site, Nunavut, Canada

contributor:
Johnston, Margaret
Koster, Rhonda
Lemelin, Harvey

subject:
Marine tourism in the Canadian Arctic
HMS Terror
HMS Erebus
Marine and shipwreck tourism management
Regulating marine tourism

abstract:
Over the last 25 years, climate change-induced increases in open water have led to a dramatic
environmental and social transformation in the Canadian Arctic (Dawson, Pizzolato et al., 2018;
Johnston, Viken et al., 2012). Increasing numbers of tourists aboard cruise ships and pleasure
craft now venture farther into Canada’s Arctic waterways seeking unique natural and cultural
experiences (Dawson et al., 2018; Johnston, Dawson, & Maher, 2017; Stewart & Draper, 2008;
Stewart et al., 2007, 2019). While tourism growth presents important opportunities for the
region, it is not void of challenges. This research examined marine tourism management
concerns in relation to the recent discovery of the Franklin shipwrecks in shallow waters of the
Northwest Passage. It is anticipated that the wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror will
become a popular tourist attraction, leading to the need to explore context-specific management
recommendations for the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site (WET
NHS). This thesis used a systematic, three-staged data collection approach to examine: concerns
related to marine and shipwreck tourism management; management “best” practices that have
addressed similar concerns; and, expert feedback on the feasibility of applying these strategies to
management of marine tourism at the WET NHS. Key management issues explored throughout
included: which site(s) should be open to various visitor types; how tourism should use the sites;
and, where and how visitor experience opportunities should be developed and managed. Based
on the findings from the three-staged approach, ten context-specific management
recommendations were made for the WET NHS, including: creating visitor guidelines, requiring
local guides, developing anchoring restrictions, expanding the Inuit Guardian program, and
offering high-quality visitor experiences on and off-site. Together, these recommendations
helped inform recommendations for marine tourism management at the WET NHS for its
protection and enjoyment by future generations, and the benefit of local Inuit communities.


title: Modeling the transport of Escherichia coli through the subsurface environment

contributor:
Kjartanson, Bruce
Leung, Kam Tin

subject:
Biological transport
Microbial metabolism
Escherichia coli
Metabolism
Escherichia coli infections
Transmission
Subsurface bacteria

abstract: Subsurface microbial transport is an important concern in many engineering projects. Expanding the knowledge of this process is important for the risk assessment of sites capable of releasing pathogenic bacterial species into the environment, as well as remediation efforts that involve bacterial injections into the subsurface.


title: Experimental and theoretical studies on microalgal cell adhesion and interactions on membranes

contributor:
Liao, Baoqiang
Fatehi, Pedram

subject: Microalgae

subject: Membrane fouling

subject: Microalgal cell adhesion

subject: Algae and microalgae for wastewater treatment

abstract:
Microalgae Cell adhesion is global and plays a critical role in different scientific and engineering
problems especially in wastewater treatment. This study focused on both experimental and
theoretical studies on microalgal cell adhesion and interactions on membrane surfaces. Microalgal
cells (Chlorella vulgaris (C.V.)) were cultivated and characterized for cell adhesion study on
various hydrophobic membrane surfaces (PDMS, PU and PTFE). Microalgal cell adhesion kinetics
were studied using a Quartz Crystal Microbalance D (QCM-D). Furthermore, a quantitative scale
to predict cell adhesion was suggested by identifying the major interaction between microalgae
and membrane surface. This thesis reports the total interaction energy between algae cells and
membrane surfaces in the different group of membranes based on the Extended Derjaguin, Landau,
Verwey, Overbeek (XDLVO) method using the Physiochemical particle and surface properties.
The simulation and calculation were on membrane and two different shapes of microalgae (Circle
and ellipse). The results of cell adhesion kinetic studies using QCM-D showed that the properties
of membranes had a significant impact on cell adhesion. A more hydrophobic membrane led to a
fast and large quantity biofilm formation. The modelling results indicated that membrane asperity
height and particle asperity number were more and less effective factors in the range of total
interaction energy and adhesion. Also, the results show that membrane material is another
significant factor in interaction energy because proximity was observed between the results of two
sensors. The interaction energy trends were consistent with the experimental results in that a
stronger attractive interaction energy favored a fast and large quantity of microalgal biofilm
formation on more hydrophobic membrane surface.


title: Geochemistry and petrography of the ultramafic metavolcanic rocks in the eastern portion of the Shebandowan greenstone belt, Northwestern Ontario

contributor:
Hollings, Peter
Lodge, Robert

subject:
Greenwater assemblage
Shebandowan assemblage
Ultramafic volcanic rocks
Geochemistry
Siliceous high-magnesium basalt

abstract:
The 2.7 Ga Shebandowan greenstone belt in the Wawa-Abitibi terrane
contains unusual ultramafic rocks. The two main assemblages present within the
study area are the Greenwater and Shebandowan assemblages. The 2719.7 ± 1.0 Ma
Greenwater assemblage is characterized by tholeiitic magmatism whereas the 2690-
2680 Ma Shebandowan assemblage is characterized by calc-alkalic magmatism.
Mapping of a 16 km2 area and 7 trenches has identified the following lithologies in
the field area: orthocumulate ultramafic rocks, komatiites, pyroxenite, vesicular
komatiites, serpentinite, ultramafic breccia, variolitic ultramafic rocks, mafic
intrusive rocks, intermediate intrusive and extrusive rocks, felsic volcaniclastic
rocks, monzonite, conglomerate, banded iron formation, argillite and chert.
The ultramafic rocks are dark black in colour, but light green on surface as a
product of serpentine alteration of olivine. They are highly magnetic, with magnetic
susceptibility readings from 20 to 150 x10-3 SI. In some areas they occur as finegrained,
massive rocks with no distinct textures, and they also occur as mediumgrained
dark black rocks with a cumulate texture. The komatiites occur as finegrained,
light grey, highly silicified rocks. Several types of spinifex texture were
observed throughout the field area, including: thin chaotic spinifex, thick chaotic
spinifex, oriented spinifex, and pyroxene spinifex. Mafic intrusive rocks are massive,
medium-grained, equigranular grey-blue gabbro with weakly disseminated pyrite.
The intermediate intrusive rocks consist of a fine-grained, green-grey matrix with
hornblende phenocrysts and red-pink autoliths. The intermediate extrusive rocks
are fine-grained, light grey-blue metavolcanic rocks with medium-grained
plagioclase phenocrysts. Felsic rocks in the field area are very fine-grained, light
grey, siliceous rocks. They are massive with no flow textures observed in any of the
outcrops and the weathered surfaces range in colour from beige to blue-grey. A
monzonite dyke occurs alongside an interpreted fault through the field area. The
distinctly magnetic rock consists of a fine-grained, green-grey matrix with
hornblende phenocrysts and red-pink autoliths. The conglomerate is a heterolithic
pebble to boulder conglomerate consisting of a fine-grained matrix with clasts of basalt, monzonite, and jasper ranging in size from ~2 cm to 40 cm. The argillite is a
very fine-grained dark black mudstone. It typically showed no bedding and locally
contains graphite and abundant radial pyrite concretions up to 5cm in diameter. It is
seen in the trenches intercalated with the hypabyssal komatiitic intrusions.
The komatiitic rocks have SiO2 values of 47-67 wt. % and MgO values of 2-17
wt. %. Despite being outside the accepted values for komatiites, these rocks were
identified as komatiites based on spinifex texture and spatial association with other
ultramafic units. The abnormally high silica content in the ultramafic rocks was
determined to be caused by silica alteration, and was not a primary feature of the
rocks when they were emplaced. The rocks in the field area have undergone silica
and carbonate alteration as well as greenschist facies metamorphism. The
Al2O3/TiO2 ratios of the ultramafic rocks are 17-29, and the CaO/Al2O3 ratios of the
ultramafic rocks are 2-2.5. These ratios, combined with a flat pattern on a primitive
mantle normalized multi-element diagram, identify the rocks as aluminiumundepleted
komatiites. A distinct negative Nb anomaly is present in all samples,
which could be caused by either the melt being derived from a heterogeneous deepmantle
source, where perovskite fractionation depleted the Nb, or crustal
contamination. Sm-Nd isotope analysis was completed on six ultramafic samples
from the field area. The εNd of all samples ranged from +2.34 to +2.83, which is not
consistent with contamination by older continental crust. Consequently, melting of a
heterogeneous deep mantle source is the favoured model for petrogenesis of the
ultramafic rocks.
Based on the close spatial association of tholeiitic and calc-alkalic rocks as
well as the presence of thick sequences of deep-ocean argillites, the geological
environment was determined to be an oceanic-rifted arc through which a plume of
heterogeneous deep-mantle melts ascended, that subsequently closed and then
collided with the Superior Province.


title: Detecting trends in walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum, Mitchill) abundance using catch-effort data

contributor:
Momot, Walter T.
Colby, P. J.
Lee, Peter

subject: Walleye (Fish)

abstract:
Three methods of analyzing catch-effort data were
investigated regarding their relationship to walleye abundance:
mean CUE, Gini coefficient and the relative frequency of zero CUE
(RFZ). Walleye recreational fishery data were obtained for
Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin (1966 to 1985) and the Bay of Quinte,
Ontario (1985 to 1989). A linear regression model was used to
analyse the relationship of mean CUE, Gini coefficient and RFZ to
walleye abundance in Escanaba Lake. Mean CUE was not linearly
related to walleye abundance. The Gini coefficient was weakly
correlated with abundance. RFZ correlation with walleye
abundance was highly significant. Only RFZ was capable of
accurately predicting walleye abundance levels.


title: Effect of population density on the foraging effort of deer mice / by Douglas L. Davidson.

subject:
Peromyscus Feeding and feeds.
Peromyscus Behavior.


title: Effects of water depth increases on the production and growth of wild rice, Zinzania aquatica L.

subject: Wild rice

abstract:
Wild rice, grown in plastic buckets suspended from specially
designed rafts, was subjected to increases in water depth during
the submerged-leaf, first floating-leaf, second floating-leaf,
and the first aerial-leaf stages. The depth was increased from
the initial depth of 45cm by either 0cm (control), 15cm, 30cm,
or 50cm. With the exception.of the 15cm treatment, increases in
water depth resulted in decreases in the vegetative
characteristics of plant height, total and component (root, stem,
leaf) dry weights, and the number of tillers on each plant. As
water depth increased similar reductions occurred in the
reproductive characteristics of the number of inflorescences per
plant, the number of pedicels per plant, and the dry weights of
the inflorescences. The 15cm treatment had higher production
values than the control, possibly because the lower light levels
at the greater depth were closer to optimum for the particular
seed source used. The final biomass did not seem to be
influenced by the phenological stages when these depth increases
occurred.
The growth of wild rice subjected to increases in water
depth was analysed using growth curves and modelling techniques.
The growth of the plants in the control treatment was accurately
described by the logistic equation. Growth for plants
experiencing increases in water depth, for all phenological
stages studied, was also described by the logistic equation. The
derived parameters of K and r, in each phenological stage, were plotted versus water depth. Equations describing the resultant
relationship between r and Increases in water depth was
determined to be the same. This suggested that for wild rice the
maximum instantaneous rate of growth is constant. Thus, under
conditions of optimum nutrient levels, water depth increases have
the same effect on wild rice production during all phenologlcal
stages.


title: The role of personality in predicting unsafe driver behaviour in young and older adults

contributor:
Bedard, Michel
Bedard, Michel
Stones, Michael
Mazmanian, Dwight

subject:
Unsafe driving
Personality
Driving & personality
Measuring driving performance

abstract: Traffic-related collisions represent a considerable social and economic burden on our society. In Canada, drivers aged 16 to 19 years and 70 years or older are consistently overrepresented in victim statistics. Identified risk factors for crash involvement are quite different among young and older drivers. One factor consistently linked to dangerous driving among young and middle-aged adults is personality. Surprisingly, little research has examined the role of personality characteristics in dangerous driving behaviour among older adults. Given the empirical evidence demonstrating a relationship between personality and driver safety among younger populations and the relative stability of personality throughout adulthood, the question arises as to whether personality features recognized to be related to dangerous driving in young adults are also related to dangerous driving in older adults. One hundred and fourteen active drivers ranging in age from 18 to 89 years (M = 42.30 years) were recruited. In addition to capturing self-reported information regarding driving performance and personality, cognitive and simulated driving performance data was collected on all participants. Overall, the current study suggests that personality appears to play some role in the prediction of observational driving performance among older adults. While unexpected, personality did not emerge as a significant predictor of self-reported unsafe driver behaviour. Furthermore, our results suggest that personality may not have equal effects on all groups of drivers. As this study is the first observational investigation of the role of personality in the prediction of unsafe driving behaviour among both young and older adults concurrently, further investigation is needed to provide more conclusive inferences. Future research directions are discussed.


title: Does maternal influenza cause schizophrenia? : a Northwestern Ontario study / by Gillian Elizabeth Graham.

subject:
Influenza
Influenza Ontario, Northwestern
Schizophrenia Etiology


title: Exciton operators : commutation relations and dynamics

subject: Exciton theory

abstract:
The electron-hole pair operator commutation relations for a semiconductor
are explicitly derived showing that the pairs are quasi-bosons
with statistics intermediate between bosons and fermions. These pair
operators are transformed into exciton operators, that incorporate the
intra-pair Coulomb interaction, and it is found that the commutation
relations remain quasi-bosonic. The exciton dynamics written in terms
of the exciton operators are derived in the Heisenberg picture and
compared with the traditionally used semiconductor Bloch equations.


title: The impact of the teacher's questions on the learning of part-whole relations and a benchmark model in fractions

contributor:
Lawson, Alex
Bartley, Anthony

subject:
Benchmark model
Learning fractions
Teaching mathematics

abstract: The focus of this case study was to explore how my questions as a teacher impacted my students‟ construction of part-whole relations and their use of a benchmark model in learning fractions. The research conducted in my classroom comprised of 12 Gr. 4 students and 12 Gr. 5 students. There were 13 boys and 11 girls. A pre-test, instruction and post-test sequence was used. The teaching unit was developed to assist the students in building a benchmark model for comparing and ordering fractions and to develop an understanding that a fraction is a relationship between its parts and the whole. A math class consisted of a small mini-lesson, which focused the students‟ thinking, a contextual problem that they solved in pairs, and a congress in which the strategies and solutions were debriefed and discussed. At the beginning of the unit most, but not all, of my students struggled with these concepts, but by the end of the unit most were comfortably using the benchmark model and had a very good understanding that a fraction was a relationship between its parts and the whole.


title: Perceived importance of technical knowledge and skills for human resources professionals

subject: Evolution of the human resource management fundtion

subject: Changing role of human resource department

subject: HR as strategic business partner

subject: HRM and development of human capital

subject: HR professionals in Canada and Pakistan

subject: Technical managers in Canada and Pakistan

abstract: The evolution of the human resource management (HRM) function over the years has led to increased expectations from HR professionals to act as strategic business partners. This study explores the perceived importance of industry related technical knowledge and skills for HR professionals working in engineering and IT industries in Canada and Pakistan from the perspective of HR professionals as well as technical managers. This is an exploratory collective case study in which the HR professionals in technical industries within Pakistan and Canada have been used as bounded systems within which the study is conducted. This study found a lot of similarities between Canada and Pakistan regarding perceived importance of technical knowledge and skills for HR professionals as well as confirming findings from earlier studies on the strategic role of HRM.


title: Beaver central place foraging : literature review, model and field test

subject:
Beavers
Beavers - Food

abstract:
The spatial distribution of tree cutting activity by
beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl) and tree availability were
measured at two beaver colonies near Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Beaver maximize the net rate of energy acquisition
(e/t) when they minimize the distance travelled from the
lodge, their central place, while obtaining a balanced
diet. However, beaver must travel through two mediums to
obtain terrestrial forage so minimum distance is a function
of the relative costs of swimming and walking. A continuum
of relative costs was used to generate two contrasting
foraging models: 1) swimming equalled the cost of walking
and the foraging path was a straight line from the lodge to
a tree; 2) swimming was costless and the foraging path was
the shortest distance from water to a tree.
The models were compared for relative goodness of fit
with the observed foraging pattern using chi-square and
linear regression goodness of fit tests. The water costless
model was the best fit model and empirically supported the
implicit assumption of most workers that the pond is the
effective central place. In practical terms 'water costless*
was judged to be indistinguishable from a 5-10 times
advantage for swimming over walking. Although experimental
confirmation is required, this advantage was considered too
large to be explained by energy or time savings and was
therefore not an optimization of e/t. It was tentatively concluded that the pond should be viewed as a refuge from
predators which probably constrain the relative availability
of terrestrial forage to beaver.
A test for optimal foraging, given the predation constraint,
showed that beaver were maximizing e/t at Northbranch
Pond. At Pinetop Pond, a relatively old site, beaver
expanded their refuge to obtain patches of relatively high
food quality. They could have realized higher e/t with
perfect knowledge of their site, but apparently they maximized
e/t with a patch use strategy that minimized search
time.
A review of beaver literature discussed optimization
processes at four levels: evolution of body form and
function, the individual lifespan, yearly, and seasonally.
Arguments of particular interest were developed for dispersal
(population regulation), central place, and the size-distance
relationship.


title: Metrization and sigma bases

contributor:
Whitfield, John
Eames, William

subject:
metrization
sigma bases

abstract: In this thesis, we use the concept of sigma base to study the metrizability of various topological spaces.  Chapter 1 is devoted to the definition of basic terms, a proof of Urysohn's Metrization Theorem, and an introduction to sigma structures.


title: Variation of wood properties within a dominant and suppressed tree of tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch)

subject:
Wood
Tamarack
Tracheid length
Specific gravity
Latewood percentage

abstract:
Radial and axial variations of tracheid length, specific gravity, ring width, and latewood
percentage were studied from the stems of a dominant and a suppressed tamarack tree. The
trees were 81 and 83 years old respectively, grown in a natural stand near Thunder Bay,
Ontario. Specimens were taken from every other ring from the pith to bark along the south
and north aspect, at heights 0.15, 1.5, 4.5, 7.5, 10.5, 13.5, and 16.5 m in the tree stems.
Juvenile wood and mature wood in the stem were distinguished by using the variation pattern
of tracheid length as the criterion.
In the mature wood of the dominant and suppressed trees, the average tracheid lengths
were 3.16 mm and 2.96 mm, specific gravities 0.48 and 0.45, ring widths 1.09 mm and 0.85 mm,
and latewood percentages 36.7% and 35.1% respectively. In the juvenile wood of the two
trees, the average tracheid lengths were 2.11 and 2.10 mm, specific gravities 0.48 and 0.44, ring
widths 2.36 mm and 1.97 mm, and latewood percentages 29.7% and 33.1% respectively.
At all heights sampled, tracheid length increased radially from the pith outward, and
leveled off at a certain ring age towards the bark. The rate of increase in tracheid length with
ring age increased with height. The ring age at which tracheid length started to level off was
used as the boundary of the juvenile and mature wood. The ring age of the boundary
decreased with increasing height. Average tracheid length of the juvenile and mature wood
increased axially from the base upward, reaching a maximum at the 4.5 m height, then
decreasing to the top. Specific gravity and latewood percentage increased radially from the
pith outward in the juvenile wood for most of the heights, while they fluctuated in the mature
wood. Specific gravity and latewood percentage varied axially without a definite pattern with
increasing height in the dominant tree, and they decreased upward in the suppressed tree.
Ring width decreased radially from the pith outward in the juvenile wood, and fluctuated in
the mature wood. Axially, the ring width decreased with increasing height slightly in the
mature wood, and it increased in the juvenile wood with height from the 1.5 m height upward,
reaching a maximum at the 4.5 to 7.5 m heights, and then decreasing to the top. The
difference between the south and north aspect was not significant in tracheid length and ring
width. Specific gravity and latewood percentage was significantly higher in the south than
north aspect. The dominant tree on average had significantly higher values of tracheid length,
specific gravity, and ring width than the suppressed tree.


title: Gender differences in mathematics anxiety : a function of response bias, math background or socialization?

subject: Mathematics Study and teaching Psychological aspects

subject: Sex differences (Psychology)

abstract:
Previous research has found that females are more
vulnerable to experiencing mathematics anxiety. The
present study examined two explanations for the gender
difference, the ”sex-role" hypothesis, which suggests
that gender differences occur as a result of
differences in socialization, and the response bias
hypothesis, which suggests that males and females may
hold different views about the acceptability of
expressing math anxiety. Introductory psychology
students completed a series of questionnaires examining
mathematics anxiety, attitudes and mathematical
background. Neither of the explanations were supported
by the data. An alternative explanation for the gender
difference in math anxiety is proposed based on the
finding that females are more self critical.


title: The behavioural effects of anthropogenic noise on Rainbow Trout in a holding facility

subject:
Pile driving
Anthropogenic noise
Rainbow trout
Aquatic facility

abstract:
There is a growing concern within the scientific community about the effects of
anthropogenic noise on fish. Pile driving creates large amounts of noise, and especially
in the creation of bridges it has the ability to affect fish. Additionally, fish are now being
used in research studies within laboratories and can be exposed to a wide variety of
noises. Chronic exposure to extreme noises can lead to an increase in stress, reduced
growth, and ultimately mortality. The purpose of this thesis is to explore what
behavioural effects sounds from pile driving and closing doors have on the behaviour of
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhychus mykiss). To determine their effects, parameters measured
were the amount of time spent hiding, in groups and in the upper portion of the tank, on
a reference day, while the trout were exposed to recorded sounds, and during breaks
with sounds that simulated pile driving and closing doors.
The effects to the test sounds were limited to the amount of time spent in groups,
which was higher during the reference day when no noise was playing, suggesting fish
were dispersing as a result of the sounds. No differences in the amount of time spent
hiding or in the upper portion of the tank were found as they were approximately the
same during the reference and test days. Although effects were limited to group
behaviours, the effects of our tests sounds may have had an impact cortisol levels, which
was not tested.


title: Towards examining the effectiveness of boxing headguards with thermoplastic polyurethane in mitigating acceleration and risk of head injury using a dynamic head model

contributor:
Zerpa, Carlos
Liu, Meilan
Sanzo, Paolo

subject:
Head trauma (Boxing)
Concussions
Boxing injury
Protective headguards
Mild traumatic brain injuries
Concussion risk mitigation

abstract:
The sport of boxing historically symbolises a high-risk injury sport due the number of
concussions occurring on athletes. Indeed, boxing has shown to have the highest rate of
concussions of any individual male sport. Research studies, however, indicate that boxing
headgears are generally effective in minimizing concussion risk for training and
competitions. Unfortunately, concussions continue to occur even when wearing a protective
headguard. As a result, athletes do not always use boxing headguards during training,
matches and competitions at the professional level. Based on these concerns, this study
examined the capacity of three different types of boxing headguard models to mitigate the
risk of concussions by using static and dynamic headguard testing techniques. The researcher
included the use of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material inserts in one of the
headguard models to observe changes in headguard performance to mitigate concussion risk.
The researcher performed static quasi-compression tests to observe changes to the material
properties of the headguards, specifically testing percent reduction in the energy absorption,
force and deformation of the headguard material. The researcher also performed dynamic
tests by mounting the headguard on a surrogate headform and imparting linear and shear
impacts to the headform model at different velocities across different headgear locations. The
researcher used the dynamic measures of linear and angular accelerations to compute the risk
of head injury across the headgear locations. A set of analyses were conducted to examine the
capacity of the headguards with and without the TPU material to limit these acceleration
measures, and subsequently mitigate the risk of concussion. The results of this study revealed
that the TPU material, when implemented into the headguard, had significant effects in
mitigating linear accelerations and risk of head injury. This study also found significant
interactions between headguard types and impact locations on measures of angular
accelerations and risk of head injury, which included measures of Angular Gadd Severity
Index and GAMBIT (Generalized Acceleration Model for Brain Injury Threshold) – an index
that the combines linear and rotational accelerations. This study is the first to implement TPU
material into a boxing headguard and provides strong evidence to mitigate concussion risk in
the sport of boxing based on measures of linear and rotational accelerations. In addition, it
offers another avenue for manufacturers to improve the capacity of current boxing headgear
technologies to better support athletes’ safety while practicing in the sport.


title: Comparison of group and individual approaches : to the cognitive-behavioral treatment of bulimia

subject:
Psychotherapy
Cognitive therapy
Group psychotherapy

abstract:
The current study is a comparative investigation of
two treatment approaches to the eating disorder
bulimia, A cognitive-behavioral group therapy approach
was compared to a cognitive-behavioral individual
psychotherapy approach. Eight subjects participated
in group therapy while seven were involved in the
individual mode. Group sessions lasted for
approximately 90 minutes and occurred once weekly
over a period of 8 weeks. Individual sessions were
approximately 50 minutes in length, also occuring once
each week over 8 weeks. Assessment measures were
administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment and at
12-16 week follow-up. Quantitative examination of the
results revealed undifferentiated rates of change
across the two treatment groups. A conclusion that
the two forms of treatment delivery are similarly
effective in the treatment of bulimia is thought to be
premature in light of the limitations of the study.


title: Response of Cypripedium and Goodyera to disturbance in the Thunder Bay area

subject:
Claude E. Garton Herbarium
Orchids
Cypripedium spp.
Goodyera spp.
Orchid populations (Sibley Peninsula)

abstract: Orchids constitute a family of rare plants on the landscape that are facing additional threats from anthropogenic changes to their habitat. Orchids have very specific habitat requirements and can be used as early indicators of changing ecosystems and forest health. The purpose of this study is to update the status of Cypripedium spp. and Goodyera spp. in the Thunder Bay area in response to change in habitat. The city and surrounding area have been developed further in recent years. Locations that were once ideal habitats for certain orchid species, such as wetland habitats, have been lost. In contrast, orchid populations on the Sibley Peninsula, part of which is protected as Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, have continued to thrive, likely due to the seclusion of some of the locations. As a means to preserve orchids, conservation efforts that focus on increasing local stewardship should be implemented.


title: Evaluation of the Good Readers' Club : an early literacy intervention program

contributor:
van Barneveld, Christina
Courtland, Mary Clare

subject: Language arts (Elementary)

subject: Literacy Study and teaching (Elementary)

subject: Reading (Elementary)

abstract: Programs reviewed include : Success for All, Reading Recovery, the 5th Block Program and the Good Readers' Club at the Lakehead District School Board (Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario).  29 grade two students from ten elementary schools in the LDSB participated in this study. The Good Readers' Club identifies struggling readers prior to the introduction of formal reading instruction in grade one and grade two.

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of an early
literacy intervention program, The Good Readers’ Club implemented by the Lakehead
District School Board (LDSB). A mixed method sequential exploratory design was used,
and data were collected via semi-structured interviews, document review, and reading
level assessment. Quantitative data were analyzed using a 2-way ANOVA, and the
qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and summarized into themes. The
results suggested that improvement in reading scores of students in The Good Readers’
Club was significantly greater than the improvement of reading scores of students in the
control group. Staff agreed that students benefited from participation in the program. The
program had the proper resources, staff had sufficient training, and there was adequate
administrative support to make it a well implemented and valued program in the LDSB.
Improvements to the program were suggested by the staff participants. Recommendations
for further strengthening of the program are provided.


title: Petrogenesis of the ferrogabbroic intrusions and associated Fe-Ti-V-P mineralization within the McFaulds Greenstone belt, Superior Province, Canada

subject: Mineralogy Petrology Petrography

abstract:
The McFaulds Lake area (commonly known as the Ring of Fire), has been the site of
much recent exploration within northern Ontario. The area represents a recently discovered
Archean greenstone belt which is host to world class chromite deposits along with significant
Cu-‐Zn VMS, magmatic Ni-‐Cu-‐PGE and Fe-‐Ti-‐V occurrences. Much emphasis has been placed on
the chromite mineralized ultramafic intrusions with little attention focused on the Fe-‐Ti-‐V
mineralized ferrogabbroic intrusions.
The Butler and Thunderbird intrusions represent the best described intrusions within
the volumetrically significant ferrogabbroic suite within the McFaulds Lake area. These
intrusions are characterized by a suite of well layered magnetite-‐ilmenite rich rocks which are
dominantly composed of gabbroic to anorthositic units with lesser stratigraphically
conformable units composed of pure magnetite-‐ilmenite. The Fe-‐Ti oxide rich layers contain
variable vanadium mineralization and low chromium contents within magnetite (up to 2.45
V2O5 wt. %, 0.99 % Cr2O3 wt. %) and ilmenite (up to 0.57 V2O5 wt. %). The massive and semi-‐
massive oxide layers occur as basal members of repeated cycles characterized by sharp lower
contacts which grade upwards into oxide-‐rich pyroxenite, followed by oxide-‐bearing
leucogabbros and/or anorthosites. The layers are believed to be caused dominantly by
magmatic convection currents within a system which is at least partially open to oxygen. No
evidence has been found to suggest multiple pulses of magma. Oxide-‐silicate liquid
immiscibility is thought to only occur within the evolved, apatite-‐bearing margins of the
Thunderbird intrusion; however, additional drilling may reveal further apatite mineralization.
The ferrogabbroic intrusions are thought to have originated from a shallow depleted
mantle source, possibly related to a plume event. The ferrogabbros have likely undergone a
two stage differentiation to account for the extreme iron enrichments. The first stage is
characterized by an anhydrous, tholeiitic melt, within the upper mantle (above the garnet
stability field, <110 Km) which underwent Fe-‐Ti enrichment due to the crystallization of Fe-‐
poor phases (e.g., olivine, plagioclase, etc.) within a system closed to oxygen. The second stage
is considered to be a very shallow intrusion within the McFaulds Lake mafic-‐felsic volcanic
rocks. This final stage is characterized by a system which was at least partially open to oxygen
from an originally reduced magma (<QFM buffer). These magmas initially crystallized Cr-‐V-‐rich
magnetite-‐ilmenite horizons and gradationally evolved into Cr-‐V-‐poor, apatite-‐bearing
ferrogabbros. These ferrogabbros likely share a parental magma with the coeval Cr-‐Ni-‐PGE-‐
bearing ultramafic intrusions of the McFaulds Lake greenstone belt. Additionally, spatial and
geochronological evidence suggests that abundant VMS-‐style mineralization within the
McFaulds Lake area may be a result of a thinned lithosphere during plume tectonics.


title: Winter use of upland conifer alternate strip cuts and clearcuts by moose in the Thunder Bay District

contributor:
Cumming, Harold
Murchison, Gary
McNicol, John

subject: Clearcutting Ontario Thunder Bay (Ont. : District)

subject: Moose Ontario Thunder Bay (Ont. : District)

subject: Alternate strip cuts, clearcuts, habitat, snow

abstract:
Moose (Alces alces) utilization o£ five paired strip cut -
clearcut areas was studied during the winters of 1983 - 84 and
1984 - 85. Winter aerial reconnaissance flight data were
supplemented by snow condition observations and spring browse and
pellet group data. Greater (P < 0.05) numbers of moose were
located in the clearcuts than the strip cuts in the first winter,
and approximately equal numbers of moose were observed in both the
following winter (non significant). Clearcuts had significantly
(P < 0.05) more track aggregates and area covered by tracks during
both winters. Forage production (kg/ha) and browse stem densities
were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the clearcuts. No
significant correlations occurred between browse production or
browse availability and observed utilization levels in the strip
cuts or clearcuts. In the strip cuts, moose preferred the open
harvested strips and 94% of all moose observed in the strip cuts
were cows with calves or single cows. Moose preferred the 30 m
influence zone edge habitat in the clearcuts, and adult bulls were
the most often observed moose in the clearcuts (38% of all moose
sighted). Wolf tracks were observed in both types of timber
harvest, ranging freely across the clearcuts and only on road
systems or waterways in the strip cuts. Snow conditions in the
strip cuts appear to inhibit wolf movements throughout these
areas; however, they may preclude the use of strip cuts by moose
in heavy snowfall winters. Alternate strip cuts provide suitable
winter habitat for moose, particularly for the reproductive social
groups. Clearcuts are not avoided by moose in the winter months,
although seasonal utilization of individual habitats within the
clearcuts does occur.


title: Influence of the combination of alcohol and benzodiazepines on driving

subject: Automobile drivers Psychology

subject: Automobile driving Psychological aspects

subject: Drugged driving

abstract:
Although the increased risk associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or
benzodiazepines on their own has been recognized, several variables make their
combined effects difficult to study. As a result, the small body of research on the subject
is contradictory. The current study aimed to further explore the effects of the
combination of alcohol and benzodiazepines on driving. Data from the years 1993 -
2006 were taken from the American Fatality Analysis Reporting System and examined
using a case control design. All subjects were drivers, aged 20 years and older, had been
tested for alcohol and drugs, and, if positive for benzodiazepines, were only positive for a
single half-life class of benzodiazepine. Cases had at least one unsafe driver action (e.g.,
weaving) recorded in relation to the crash. Controls had no such record. Logistic
regression was performed to determine the odds ofperforming an unsafe driver action
(UDA) for drivers positive for benzodiazepines (stratified by short, intermediate and long
half-life) with BACs ranging from 0.00 to 0.10 mg/100 ml. When compared to an
alcohol- and benzodiazepine-free referent group, the alcohol plus benzodiazepine groups
showed significantly higher odds of committing an UDA at nearly every BAC / half-life
combination. When using the alcohol only and benzodiazepine only groups as referents,
additive, possibly synergistic effects were observed for long benzodiazepines in
combination with alcohol at BACs of 0.02 and 0.04 mg/100 ml. This study demonstrates
the detrimental effects that the combination of alcohol and benzodiazepines can have on
driving, and suggests that further research is necessary.


title: Stratigraphic architecture of a paleoproterozoic iron formation depositional system : the Gunflint, Mesabi and Cuyuna iron ranges

subject:
Geology, Stratigraphic Proterozoic
Iron ores Geology Minnesota
Iron ores Geology Lake Superior Region

abstract:
Understanding iron formation depositional processes has been hindered by
the lack of precise modern analogues. However, by combining a regional basin
analysis of sedimentary and volcanic rocks surrounding an iron formation with
detailed examination of sedimentary structures and lithic associations within an iron
formation, the depositional setting and physical processes of sedimentation can be
inferred (Fralick and Barrett, 1995). This technique departs significantly from
previous methods used for interpreting iron formation sedimentoiogical
environments. Instead of focusing on their mineralogy, the description of iron-bearing
formations and members, and the erection of stratotypes the basis of this
method is the application of Walther's Law and the facies model concept to large
scale depositional tracts, up to and including the entire basin (Miall, 1984).
Three Paleoprotoerozoic iron formations from the Lake Superior region were
investigated using this approach. The Gunflint, Biwabik, and Trommald iron
formations are correlative ferruginous units from the Animikie and North Range
Groups along the north shore of Lake Superior in Ontario and Minnesota. Two
clastic, two volcaniclastic, nine chemical sedimentary, and two cryptalgal facies are
present: clast and matrix supported pebble conglomerate, massive quartz
sandstone, slate, lapilli tuff, massive and/or cross stratified chert-carbonate
grainstone, massive and/or cross stratified hematite-rich grainstone, massive chert-carbonate
grainstone with rip up clasts, flaser bedded chert-carbonate grainstone,
wavy bedded chert-carbonate grainstone, hummocky cross-stratified chert
grainstone, parallel and wavy laminated chemical slate interbedded with chert
grainstone, parallel and wavy laminated chemical slate, stromatolites, and
oncolites. Chemical sedimentary facies may be grouped into associations
comprising seven informal stratigraphic members.
Lateral and vertical facies transitions within these members are similar to
many Phanerozoic marine shelf systems. Like sediments accumulating along the
margins of modern oceans, the chemical sedimentary rocks in Ontario and
Minnesota also form a sedimentary wedge which fines and thickens from coarse
wave reworked, nearshore deposits of the foreshore and shoreface to parallel
laminated mudstones of the outer shelf and slope break. One important difference
is the absence of a mud dominated inner shelf. This may be the result of the
development of "grainstone factories" below fairweather wave base. Grainstone
factories are thought to have formed in proximal offshore areas where iron oxide
and silica gel actively precipitated, and where currents could rework these chemical
precipitates into rip-up grains. They are broadly similar to modern "subtidal
carbonate factories". Stratigraphic data also indicates that iron-bearing members
are diachronous and that their deposition was governed by five changes in relative
sea level and three pulses of volcanism. The final volcanic episode marks the
cessation o f iron formation accumulation as the depositional system was rapidly
overwhelmed with volcaniclastics.