title: IT Business Value: Pygmalion Effect, In-Group Favouritism, and Illusory Correlation

contributor:
McKeen, James D.
Management

subject:
Organizational Performance
IT Business Value

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-18 10:44:13.778

abstract: The transformative power of Information Technology (IT) presents many exciting opportunities for organizations to use IT to achieve business success. While some CEOs of leading organizations are taking advantage of IT’s transformative potential, others are not due to their lingering doubt concerning the potential of IT and the ability of IT executives to contribute to business value and competitive advantage. These expectancies of IT and IT executives, held by CEOs, are believed to be instrumental in decisions regarding the eventual deployment of IT. To examine this important organizational phenomenon, this dissertation studies the existence and nature of CEOs’ expectancies of IT and their IT executives  in increasing business value and strategic advantage, and investigates the antecedents and consequences of these value expectancies using data of large- and medium- sized Canadian organizations. Based on prominent social and cognitive theories, the research frameworks can provide a powerful lens for examining this organizational phenomenon. Through this lens, the dissertation contributes to the theoretical underpinnings and empirical findings about CEOs’ value expectancies of IT and IT executives, their performance implications, their social and cognitive antecedents, and ultimately suggesting how managers can leverage IT resources and capabilities to enhance their organizational performance.

abstract: The thesis is to be restricted because it's in preperation for submission to journals for publication.

abstract: PhD


title: A Great War of Expectations: Men, Mothers, and Monsters in Toronto, 1914-1918

contributor:
Dubinsky, Karen
Errington, E. Jane
History

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

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

rights: Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University

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

subject:
Canada
Veterans
First World War
Enemy Aliens
Internment
Masculinity
Recruitment
Toronto
Gender

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, History) -- Queen's University, 2015-10-01 22:09:32.678

abstract:
Gendered expectations about wartime duty were central to Toronto’s mobilization during the First World War. How Torontonians defined these duties and responsibilities – and how they imagined the war they were waging – exposes attitudes and reactions towards war that were contrary to those expected and promoted by the war effort. Many of these expectations were based on the prevailing imperial understandings of manhood, war, and militarism of the era. The historiography of the First World War generally presents ideas of a national coming of age. However, how Torontonians lived and imagined war from 1914 to 1918 demonstrates this experience was both contested and gendered.
This case study of wartime Toronto examines how municipal, provincial, and federal authorities reinforced masculine expectations during wartime, and especially how active service was framed as the ultimate expression of manhood and masculinity. This study traces links between masculine duty and enlistment for war as communicated through war posters and the city’s municipal organizations. Wartime activities – including recruitment and conscription, the identification of enemy aliens, and civil unrest – were framed by understandings of manhood that valued active military service as its ultimate test. Toronto was a military centre for the recruitment of acceptable soldier-volunteers, and later soldier-conscripts; it was also a place where “enemy aliens” were identified, suspected, and registered and where veterans struggled to readjust to civilian life. While some Torontonians supported the war and the ideals of freedom and democracy it was believed to safeguard, others voiced their displeasure about the war and its effects within the city.

abstract: Restriction is requested in order to prepare this research for future publication.

abstract: PhD


title: Manufacturing Ideologies of the "Bad" Mother in Ontario Child Welfare

contributor:
Burfoot, Annette J.
Sociology

subject:
Mothering
Material Feminism
Marginalized Mothers
"Bad" Mothers
Neoliberalism
Intensive Mothering
Child Welfare
Pierre Bourdieu

abstract: Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-18 20:31:40.786

abstract: In Canada, under the guise of austerity measures, the state is increasingly distancing itself from the responsibility of helping families raise their children (Vandenbeld Giles 2012; Walmsley and Tessier 2015). This distancing is evident in Canada’s provincial legal-judicial child welfare systems, where the focus on protective child services significantly outweighs preventative programming and family support. A tenant of neoliberalism, a focus on individual responsibility is evident in the increasing concern that parents are risk factors in their children’s lives (Brown 2006; Romagnoli and Wall 2012). This ideology is apparent in the constructed “bad” mother label applied to mothers involved with Canadian child welfare, where 89% of involved caregivers are biological mothers (CIS 2008:40). Focusing specifically on the Ontario child welfare system, this case study examines how manufactured ideologies of the “bad” mother become synonymous with marginalized mothers. Using the theoretical lens of Pierre Bourdieu and the material-feminist work of Angela McRobbie, the institution, practices, and policies of Ontario child welfare are discussed as both class and racially biased. Further, prescriptive ideologies of intensive mothering, a concept coined by sociologist Sharon Hays, are found intertwined with notions of “good” mothering and normalized within the intersecting fields of mothering and child welfare. The landscape of “bad” mothers involved with child welfare is discussed surrounding the non-essentialist categories of monstrous mothers, the incarcerated mother, and the mother next door – the vague category where marginalization and disadvantaged social positioning serves as an invitation for increased scrutiny and gaze from the state (Appell 1998; Reich 2005; Swift and Callahan 2009; Swift and Parada 2004). This thesis challenges assumptions and stereotypes held about mothers involved with child welfare by highlighting the marginalized contexts in which they navigate life for both themselves and their children including experienced poverty, racism, colonialization, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Moreover, a specific analysis of language constructions and reforms to Part III of the Child and Family Services Act made in 2000, reveal how such changes are manufactured more so for the protection of the state and its governing agencies, than they are for the protection of children and their families.

abstract: M.A.


title: Does administration of vitamin C attenuate an acute mental-stress induced impairment in endothelial function?

contributor:
Pyke, Kyra E.
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Vitamin C
Acute mental stress
Flow-mediated dilation

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-19 13:06:57.584

abstract: Acute mental stress has been shown to elicit a transitory impairment in the function of the endothelial cells that line the arteries. While this effect of mental stress on endothelial function is generally accepted, the mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. One putative mechanism is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The objective of the study performed for this thesis was to examine whether orally administered vitamin C (an antioxidant which can combat the negative effects of ROS) can attenuate reductions in brachial artery endothelial function due to mental stress. Fifteen men (21 ± 2 yrs) were given 1000mg of vitamin C or placebo over two experimental days (one per visit) in a randomized, double-blinded, within-subject study. Acute mental stress was induced using the Trier Social Stress Task (TSST), which consists of both a speech and mental arithmetic task. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), an index of endothelial function, was assessed using ultrasound at baseline, prior to the acute mental stress task, and 30, and 90 minutes post-stress. Saliva samples were taken to measure the stress hormone cortisol at all FMD time points as well as immediately post-stress. Stress reactivity was also characterized by changes in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP).  A significant stress response was elicited by the TSST in both conditions as MAP, HR and salivary cortisol all increased significantly. Contrary to the hypothesis, endothelial function was unaffected by time (p = 0.631) or condition (p = 0.792). However, a correlation was found between Δ%FMD at 30 minutes and ΔMAP (p = 0.015) and Δsalivary cortisol (p < 0.001) in the placebo condition but not the vitamin C condition (p = 0.480, p = 0.461). These findings indicate that acute mental stress may not impair endothelial function in healthy, young adults. The observation that relationships between stress reactivity parameters and changes in FMD were abolished in the vitamin C condition may indicate that ROS signaling influences FMD post-stress. Further research is required to elucidate the role of ROS in modulating stress-induced changes in endothelial function.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Use of NDVI and Tree Ring-widths to Evaluate Changes in Vegetation Production in a Mountainous Boreal Landscape

contributor:
Danby, Ryan K.
Geography

subject:
NDVI
Vegetation Production
Remote Sensing
Dendrochronology

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-21 12:00:18.185

abstract: Recent climate warming has resulted in substantial changes in vegetation production at high northern latitudes (above 60°N). Understanding the direction, magnitude, and rate of these changes warrants investigation given that tundra and boreal biomes play important roles in global energy partitioning and carbon sequestration. Satellite-based measures of aboveground production have indicated both positive and negative trends across tundra and boreal biomes over the last 30 years, respectively. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between the remotely-sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a widely used indicator of primary production, and interannual variation in ring-widths of dominant coniferous and deciduous species situated in a boreal mountainous region of southwest Yukon, Canada. Trends in maximum annual NDVI from 1990 to 2013 were generated from two Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) datasets: The Alaska Composite NDVI (1km), and the third generation Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS3g) NDVI (8km). Results from the NDVI trend analysis indicated a dominant low-level greening trend across the study region. Twenty 1km2 sites, divided equally between those undergoing “high greening” (NDVI/yr > 0.004) and “low greening” (NDVI/yr 0 – 0.003) trends were selected for dendrochronological sampling. During the summer of 2014, the dominant coniferous and deciduous species were sampled at each site. Annual rings were measured and standardized, yielding two chronologies (coniferous and deciduous) for each site. Ring-width trends varied in direction and magnitude for both coniferous and deciduous species. Agreement between NDVI trends and ring-width trends was low; however, eight coniferous site chronologies showed significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with GIMMS3g NDVI during the growing season. Our findings suggest that while trends in maximum annual NDVI do not consistently reflect changes in radial growth of dominant species, ring-widths may be reflected in NDVI at some point during the growing season. We hypothesize that correlation between NDVI and ring-widths remains low in southern Yukon due to landscape heterogeneity, low spatial resolution of NDVI time series, and shifts in energy and resource allocation within individual plants as a response to a changing climate.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Role of Breeding Habitat Loss in the Decline of Eastern Whip-Poor-Will (Antrostomus Vociferus) Populations in Canada

contributor:
Martin, Paul R.
Biology

subject:
Aerial Insectivore
Habitat Loss
Antrostomus vociferus
Eastern Whip-poor-will

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-21 12:24:48.134

abstract: Populations of birds that feed on flying insects (i.e., aerial insectivores) have been declining for several decades in North America, yet the cause of these declines is poorly understood. Among aerial insectivores, Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus; “Whip-poor-will”) populations have declined across their breeding range since at least the late 1960s, and breeding habitat loss is thought to be a primary cause. Here we test this hypothesis using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey — the same data that were used to document long-term Whip-poor-will population declines in Canada. If breeding habitat loss contributed to the observed Whip-poor-will population declines, then we predicted that changes in breeding habitat cover would, in part, explain changes in Whip-poor-will occurrence at precise survey locations. We used aerial photographs and satellite imagery to measure changes in land cover at Breeding Bird Survey stops in Canada that have lost or gained Whip-poor-wills over time. We found support for our hypothesis: the loss of useable open habitat (e.g., forest clear-cuts, old fields) within 1140 m of Breeding Bird Survey stops predicted the declines in Whip-poor-wills at the same stops. The loss of useable open habitat at stops was primarily caused by forest succession of clear-cuts and old fields; any gains in useable open habitat were primarily a result of forest clear-cutting and initial succession of abandoned farmland. Overall, declines in useable open habitat explained approximately 40-57% of the variation in Whip-poor-will occurrence, suggesting that breeding habitat loss was an important contributor to the declines in Whip-poor-wills at Breeding Bird Survey stops in Canada. The results also suggest that breeding habitat loss cannot fully explain the reductions of Whip-poor-will populations, and that other unidentified factors, such as habitat loss on the wintering grounds or declines in available insect prey, have also contributed to the population declines of this species in Canada.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: But What Kind of Thing is a 'Fusion'?: Circular Reasoning in Sider’s Argument from Vagueness

contributor:
Mozersky, Joshua
Philosophy

subject:
Mereology
Argument from Vagueness

abstract: Thesis (Master, Philosophy) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-21 12:51:43.885

abstract: Ordinarily, we suppose that material objects sometimes do, and sometimes do not, form a further object.  In his book Four-Dimensionalism, Theodore Sider develops an argument that attempts to show this assumption is mistaken.  Sider’s argument from vagueness is one of the most influential arguments in support of universalism, the thesis that composition is unrestricted: whenever some concrete entities exists, so does their mereological fusion.  The argument from vagueness is defective – I submit – because it begs the question.  Sider distorts the notion of a ‘concrete object’ so that it does not coordinate with ordinary object-sortals and so that it presumes any arrangement of matter forms a unit, thereby assuming the very claim his argument intends to prove.  I begin by reconstructing the argument from vagueness and assessing its two crucial denials: that there can neither be sharp cut-offs in composition, nor indeterminate cases of composition.  I survey a variety of responses to these claims, which prove either unsatisfactory or ontologically burdensome, and offer my own response, which avoids ontological burdens.  My strategy forces Sider into the dilemma of either recanting one of his two denials, or admitting that the fusions generated by his argument cannot bear ontological weight.  Neither option can support a universal theory of composition.  My purpose here is to refute the argument from vagueness; this paper does not advance a novel theory of composition.  Nonetheless, the flaws I identify in Sider’s position advocate that an adequate theory of composition should countenance vague objects and attend to the distinct mereological nature of non-individuative physical substances, which requires further exploration.

abstract: M.A.


title: Exploring the Simple View of Reading in Two Adult French as a Second Language Groups

contributor:
Wade-Woolley, Lesly
Education

subject:
Simple View of Reading
FSL
reading

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-21 21:01:48.448

abstract:
The Simple View of Reading is a theoretical model that explains reading comprehension as a product of listening comprehension – the process and ability to understand information by listening – and decoding – the ability to make a letter-sound correspondence to process written information (Gough & Tunmer, 1986). The present study uses the Simple View of Reading model to explore reading comprehension in two different second language-learning groups – the first group from a Core French background (n=16) and the second group from a French Immersion background (n=19). These are both adult groups who completed initial programming in French as a Second Language in secondary school and were studying French at the university level.
	The Simple View of Reading has often been used to predict reading comprehension outcomes for children from both first language settings and second or foreign language settings. The present study seeks to compare the skills associated with the Simple View of Reading within the two aforementioned groups, the first of which did not receive as much French instruction as the second (compare 600 hours to 3800 hours by end of high school for each respective group; Ministry of Education, 2013a). This study fills the gaps in research by using a sample of adult participants in a Canadian context that looks specifically at how two different French programming backgrounds both lead to the development of reading skills and the way in which reading comprehension is accounted for by three essential aspects – listening comprehension, decoding, and the Simple View of Reading model itself. The results are somewhat consistent with the research that show that listening comprehension and decoding are significant predictors of reading comprehension, however, there is not enough evidence in the present study to show that the Simple View of Reading is a significant predictor of reading comprehension.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Spatially and Temporally Predictive Saccades and Their Neural Correlates

contributor:
Munoz, Douglas P.
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
fMRI
Eye tracking
Prediction
Saccades

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-30 09:03:38.889

abstract:
Prediction is needed to compensate for neural delays between a sensory input and an
appropriate motor output. We designed an eye movement task to clarify the behavioural control
and neural correlates that are involved in both temporal and spatial prediction. A task involving
temporally and spatially predictive and non-predictive saccades was employed in an MRI machine in which four conditions were tested: spatially/temporally predictive (ST-PRED), temporally predictive/spatially non-predictive (T-PRED), spatially predictive/ temporally non-predictive (S-PRED), and spatially/temporally non-predictive (NON).
Data from 24 normal human participants (mean age = 22.4 yrs) showed distinct behavioural
differences between conditions. All participants elicited primarily predictive saccades (saccadic
reaction time: SRT < 100ms) in the ST-PRED condition. The NON condition elicited primarily
reactive saccades (SRT > 100ms). The average SRT of the S-PRED condition fell between the
average of the ST-PRED and NON conditions, and no significant differences in SRT were
observed between the T-PRED and the NON conditions. Analysis of the functional imaging data
identified regions with activations that correlated to the predictive conditions.
Contrasts of predictive conditions isolating both spatially and temporally predictive areas
showed activation of the PEF, insular cortex, and DLPFC which may play a role in the control of predictive saccades. Contrasts that isolated spatially predictive areas also showed activation of the PEF, insular cortex, and DLPFC while contrasts that isolated temporally predictive areas showed select activation of the
cerebellum which may serve as the internal clock that drives the regular rhythmic behaviour
observed for the temporal aspect of predictive saccades. Surprisingly, activation or frontal areas
responsible for saccadic control such as the Frontal and Supplementary Eye fields were equal
among all conditions. The behavioural differences validated the activity of the contrasts to isolate
brain areas that are correlated with both spatial and temporal prediction. The results from these
contrasts indicated that brain activation in the ST-PRED and S-PRED conditions reflects
predictive responses to visual stimuli while brain activation in the T-PRED condition reflects
motor-timed responses. This suggests that utilizing a predictive saccade task is a valuable tool
for simultaneously testing both spatial and temporal prediction that involves fast internally-guided
responses.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Religion and Self-Control

contributor:
Jacobson, Jill A.
Psychology

rights: Creative Commons - Attribution-Non-commercial-No Derivate Works - CC BY-NC-ND

subject:
Priming
Assimilation and Contrast
Self-Control
Religion

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-22 10:45:16.665

abstract: Unconscious reminders of religion boost people’s ability to exercise self-control even after they have completed an earlier self-control task. However, other research has shown that when people initially engage in a task does not involve self-control, people who are high in religiosity or who engage in personal prayer do not engage in greater self-control than do people who are low in religiosity or do not pray.  The goal of the current research was to see if first completing a task that does not involve self-control similarly would undermine the positive effects of a religious prime on subsequent self-control and prosocial behavior.  In the first three studies, following a task that purportedly required self-control, people who were primed with religious concepts consistently exhibited greater self-control (Study 1) or prosocial behavior (Studies 2a or 2b) on a subsequent task than did people who were primed with neutral concepts.  However, after completing a task that should not necessitate self-control, the religious and neutral prime condition participants either did not differ in their performance on a subsequent task (Studies 1 and 2a) or the religious prime participants exhibited less self-control than did the neutral prime participants (Study 2b).  In Study 3, a distraction task was administered in between the prime task and the dependent measure.  This methodological change was sufficient to yield the religious priming effect consistently found in prior research and the first three studies regardless of whether or not the first task required self-control.

abstract: PhD


title: Expression patterns of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 paralogs in relation to development and environmental challenges

contributor:
Moyes, Christopher D.
Biology

subject:
Hypoxia
Cytochrome c Oxidase

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-22 22:12:02.278

abstract: Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is a multimeric complex of the electron transport system. The largest of the 10 nuclear-encoded subunits, subunit 4, contains two paralogs COX4-1 and COX4-2. In species studied to date (humans, rodents), COX4-1 is the more abundant paralog in all tissues, the highest expression of COX4-2 is found in brain and lung. In mammals, the two paralogs differ in hypoxia responsiveness; the COX4-2 gene is induced in response to hypoxia. The COX4-2 gene in other lower vertebrates (goldfish, zebrafish, anoles and turtles) did not appear to be hypoxia-responsive. To add to the current range of vertebrates studied, I examined the levels of COX4 transcripts and proteins in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) across tissues and in response to hypoxia. In contrast to mammals, (1) COX4-2 was the dominant isoform in most tissues, and (2) hypoxia did not trigger any consistent induction of the COX4-2 mRNA or protein levels.  Focusing on tissues that expressed both COX4-1 and COX4-2, I used immunohistochemistry to assess the intercellular patterns of expression. In most tissues (brain, gill, and liver) the distribution of COX4-1 and COX4-2 protein appeared to be specific to individual cells, with cells expressing predominantly one paralog or the other. However, in heart, individual myocytes appeared to express both COX4 paralogs, although select non-myocytes did not express detectible COX4-2. In addition to intertissue differences in relative paralog abundance, there were transitions seen in select tissues in relation to body size. Heart, for example, was dominated by COX4-1 mRNA and protein in small fish but transitioned to predominately COX4-2 in large fish. Collectively these studies show that fish COX4-2 differs from mammalian COX4-2 in that it is generally not hypoxia responsive, but more abundant in each tissue. Whether these differences are related to metabolic regulation in relation to hypoxic metabolism remains to be demonstrated.

abstract: I want to protect the rights for publication of this thesis.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Implementation of an Online Quiz Program to Support Learning For All Students in a First-Year Course

contributor:
Klinger, Don A.
Education

subject:
Formative Assessment
Higher Education
Online Assessment
First-Year Students

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-22 16:18:03.423

abstract:
Information and communications technology (ICT) is increasingly being incorporated into undergraduate courses to use resources efficiently without compromising teaching and learning quality. While instructors have started to revisit the use of assessment as a means to support students’ learning by encouraging greater levels of self-directed learning, traditional forms of assessment are often resource-intensive. The use of online assessment can better support students’ learning by enabling students to take more assessments, resulting in more frequent feedback. Moreover, the features found within online assessments can make administration more accessible and efficient by decreasing the necessary level of external learning supports, which can benefit both students and faculty. These features are pertinent to the application of universal design to assessment, a set of principles that focuses on minimizing differences in access between students with and without disabilities.
This research reports on a case study of an undergraduate psychology course that transitioned to online quizzes, replacing one of the course’s paper-based assessments. The quizzes set out to bring forth improvements in efficiency, feedback, self-directed learning, and accessibility through practices consistent with universal design. Based on faculty and student perceptions gathered through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, in addition to quiz data, the study aimed to identify the benefits and challenges of implementing these quizzes to support teaching and learning in a large-enrolment course.
The study found that timing and scheduling issues during quiz administration interfered with the expectations of course staff. Consequently, students used the quizzes for unintended purposes (e.g., maximizing their marks). Moreover, because of these aforementioned issues, instructors did not express confidence that the quizzes were supporting student learning. Course administrators addressed these issues by changing the period of access one year, and then removing time limits the next. It was only after these two years that consistent and immediate feedback for students became possible; prior to these changes, among three desired properties of online assessment–accessible, efficient, and consistent–only two of them were satisfied at a given time. Thus the perceived usefulness of the quiz information (feedback) to teaching and learning was largely determined by the properties that were considered.

abstract: PhD


title: Reading the Golden City: Spatial Representation and Urban Semiotics in the Work of Ivan Vladislavić

contributor:
Bongie, Christopher
English

subject:
South African Literature
Urban Space
Johannesburg
Ivan Vladislavić

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-28 01:05:12.424

abstract:
With the fall of apartheid in 1994 came the erosion of previously demarcated social spaces throughout South Africa, a process which necessitated a drastic reimagining of South African national identity. Since this transition, South Africa has legislated the collapse of apartheid and the attendant reorganization of movements of people through urban landscapes while simultaneously negotiating its re-entry into international networks of commerce and cultural exchange. There are, however, numerous ways in which literary works have challenged the narrative of the “rainbow nation” by pointing to how South African urbanscapes physically manifest various anxieties of post-apartheid subjectivity. To illuminate this interaction, this thesis explores the interrelationship between formations of national identity and fictionalized representations of urban space in the works of Ivan Vladislavić.
Vladislavić is an acclaimed yet surprisingly under theorized South African author whose work gestures to the conceptual challenge of rethinking the relationship between subjectivity and social space. Vladislavić's characters are frequently architects or city planners; his narratives focus on the symbology of the contemporary cityscape, enabling him to illustrate how, in the specific context of Johannesburg (the setting for each of his major works), imagining and representing space is foundational to understanding and influencing the material reality responsible for controlling human movement. The central contention of this thesis is that Vladislavić’s novels The Restless Supermarket, The Folly, and The Exploded View, provide a critique of urban development discourse by deconstructing discursive systems that produce static, closed, and diagrammatic spatial representations and in doing so reveal key ideological foundations of apartheid that both pre-existed and currently survive its formal regime. Additionally, his novels Double Negative and Portrait with Keys provide examples of alternative subjectivities whose spatial imaginations offer different vantage points for mapping the built environment that remain changeable and open to alterity and that therefore suggest a potential ethical response to existing inside/outside social demarcations that are currently spatially realized in South Africa.

abstract: PhD


title: Maternal Depression and Children's Theory of Mind Understanding

contributor:
Harkness, Kate
Psychology

subject:
Theory of Mind
Development
Maternal
False Belief
Depression

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-29 08:46:14.128

abstract: This study examined group differences in theory of mind understanding of children with versus without a maternal history of major depressive disorder (MDD) and potential mechanisms underlying these differences, in particular, maternal mental state talk and physical touch. Children of depressed mothers have been shown to experience a number of negative outcomes; however, little is known about the effects of maternal MDD on children’s theory of mind understanding. In this study, children with (n= 19) and without (n= 44) a maternal history of MDD were administered a battery of four false belief tasks and a theory of mind scale. Children with a maternal history of MDD performed significantly poorer on the false belief battery compared to children without a maternal history of MDD. Regardless of diagnostic status, less maternal mental state talk was also related to poorer child performance on the false belief battery. Similarly, children experiencing little or moderate physical touch performed significantly poorer on the false belief battery compared to those receiving high physical touch. A lack of maternal vocal inflection was significantly related to less mother-child physical touch. The results remained while controlling for child language ability. Finally, child executive functioning did not significantly moderate relations between either maternal mental state talk or physical touch, and child false belief performance. Results are discussed in light of specific vulnerabilities to depression, with possible alternative explanations and directions for future research presented.

abstract: The thesis is to be restricted to allow for the author to publish the ideas within and findings of the thesis in a peer reviewed journal. Due to often lengthy review processes, the thesis is to be restricted to permit enough time for the author to publish.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Regulation of the mexCD-oprJ multidrug efflux operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: characterization of the NfxB-EsrC repressor interaction

contributor:
Poole, R. Keith
Microbiology and Immunology

subject:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
MexCD-OprJ
Multidrug resistance
NfxB
EsrC
Efflux

abstract: Thesis (Master, Microbiology & Immunology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 10:23:59.344

abstract: The MexCD-OprJ multidrug efflux pump of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a RND-type efflux system that is capable of exporting, and thus providing resistance to, multiple classes of clinically-relevant antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, β-lactams and macrolides. Although quiescent in wild-type P. aeruginosa, mexCD-oprJ is induced by membrane-damaging agents such as detergents and the biocide chlorhexidine (CHX), which perturb the cell envelope. Induction of mexCD-oprJ by membrane-damaging agents requires the envelope stress sigma factor AlgU, an indication that MexCD-OprJ is a component of the envelope stress response in P. aeruginosa. In the absence of CHX-mediated envelope stress, the expression of mexCD-oprJ is regulated solely by the NfxB repressor, which binds as a tetramer to the nfxB-mexC intergenic region to repress transcription of the mexCD-oprJ operon. Recently, a second repressor of mexCD-oprJ with homology to NfxB, EsrC, was discovered. In the absence of CHX-mediated envelope stress, the expression of esrC is negatively regulated by NfxB. In the presence of CHX-mediated envelope stress, the repressor activity of NfxB is alleviated and EsrC is produced, where it contributes to moderate repression of the mexCD-oprJ operon, which is expressed at moderate levels. Interestingly, EsrC requires NfxB in order to act as a repressor of the mexCD-oprJ operon. Consistent with previous research, this study demonstrated a physical interaction between NfxB and EsrC. In addition, this study showed that the C-terminal domains of NfxB and EsrC are required for the NfxB-EsrC interaction to occur. The demonstration of an interaction between NfxB and EsrC suggests that these two repressors co-regulate the expression of the mexCD-oprJ operon in the presence of envelope stress to either prevent the potentially detrimental effects of MexCD-OprJ overexpression, or to modulate mexCD-oprJ expression in response to multiple envelope stress signals which are recognized by the NfxB and EsrC components of the heteromultimeric repressor.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Investigating the Role of Neuropeptide Y in the Ventral Hippocampus in Regulating Rats’ Elevated Plus-Maze and Shock-Probe Burying Behaviours

contributor:
Menard, Janet L.
Psychology

subject:
Neuropeptide Y
Anxiety

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-25 16:43:07.006

abstract: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has recently gained interest as a potential regulator of anxiety-like behaviours. However, its anxiety-associated effects in the ventral hippocampus are not well known, even though this structure is also heavily implicated in anxiety regulation. The goal of this thesis was to investigate whether neuropeptide Y and its Y1 and Y2 receptors are associated with anxiety regulation in the ventral hippocampus. To determine whether NPY has a role in anxiety regulation in the ventral hippocampus, I infused rats with either NPY or vehicle control. Next, to determine whether the effects of NPY on anxiety-related behaviour are associated with the Y1 receptor, I infused rats with either the Y1 antagonist, BIBO 3304 or saline, followed by infusions of either NPY or saline just prior to testing (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, I infused the Y2 antagonist, BIIE 0246 prior to infusions of either NPY or saline. In all experiments, the rats were tested in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the shock-probe burying test (SPBT). Infusions of NPY alone into the ventral hippocampus decreased rats’ shock-probe burying duration (p = .007), but did not affect rats’ open-arm exploration (Experiment 1). This pattern of findings was replicated in Experiment 2 and 3. The results demonstrate that infusions of NPY into the ventral hippocampus powerfully suppress defensive burying in rats, while not affecting their open-arm activity. This suppression of burying was attenuated by infusions of BIBO 3304 but not BIIE 0246, suggesting that this anxiolytic-like effect is associated with the Y1, but not Y2, receptor. Thus, NPY seems to have an anxiolytic-like effect in the ventral hippocampus, in a test-specific fashion, that is associated with the Y1 receptor.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Repercussions: Indigenous New Media Art and Resurgent Civic Space

contributor:
Lord, Susan
Cultural Studies

subject:
Indigenous Contemporary Art
New Media
Artist-Run Centre
Resurgence
Blood Memory
Indigenist Materialism
Art Archives

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Cultural Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 13:49:48.605

abstract: This dissertation investigates Indigenous new media artworks shown at Urban Shaman: Contemporary Aboriginal Art Gallery, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I argue that Urban Shaman is an institution of Indigenous resurgence and translocal citizenship in Winnipeg. The new media artworks I examine operate as authoritative civic spaces by drawing upon Indigenous aesthetic traditions and new media technologies. The first chapter centers on new media artworks by artists Scott Benesiinaabandan (Anishinaabe) and Rosalie Favell (Métis), conveying Winnipeg’s histories through their artistic renditions of personal and public archives that frame Winnipeg’s city spaces. The chapter locates these works in conversation with artists Terril Calder (Métis) and Terrance Houle (Blood) whose new media artworks reframe and restage civic archives in Toronto and Calgary. The next chapter considers how new media artworks at Urban Shaman by Jude Norris, Nadia Myre, Jordan Bennett, and Terril Calder enact what I am calling Indigenous civic ecology, relating human and non-human elements of the city through Cree, Anishinaabe, Mi'kmaq and Métis genealogies. The final chapter discusses how new media artworks by Jason Baerg (Cree/ Métis), Rebecca Belmore (Anishinaabe), and Scott Benesiinaabandan (Anishinaabe) advance a lexicon of aesthetic values, particularly “travelling traditional knowledge” and “blood memory,” in response to globalization. This dissertation illustrates how new media artworks shown at Urban Shaman embody critical Indigenous methodologies in relationships of ongoing praxis. Ultimately, it demonstrates that Indigenous new media art functions as, and through, practices of translocal Indigenous citizenship, rearticulating urban civic ecology, and resurging, maintaining, and developing Indigenous epistemology and values in Winnipeg.

abstract: PhD


title: Systematic Structural Optimization of a Next Generation Lunar Rover Chassis

contributor:
Kim, Il-Yong
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Structural Optimization
Design Optimization
Spacecraft
Planetary Rover
Lunar Rover
Mass reduction
Topology Optimization

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 14:49:09.35

abstract:
This research utilized topology and size optimization to optimize a lunar rover chassis in order to reduce structural mass while satisfying the required surface and launch vehicle loading criterion. Renewed interest in lunar exploration has provided an opportunity for Canada to participate in a Lunar Prospecting Mission in collaboration with NASA. Queen’s University, in collaboration with Neptec Design Group, has developed methodology to produce the structural design of a next generation lunar rover chassis using systematic design optimization techniques to minimize the structural mass of the chassis. Typical lightweight design can be achieved using lightweight materials, advanced manufacturing processes or systems, and design optimization. Due to the unique requirements for spacecraft, the proposed research is limited to specific materials and processes, therefore weight reduction is achieved exclusively through design optimization.
The structural design was completed using a three stage design approach: Conceptual, Preliminary, and Detailed Design Stages. The Conceptual Design Stage developed chassis designs considering component layout and bounding box topology. The generated concepts were evaluated qualitatively to select the best candidates for design optimization. The Preliminary Design Stage utilized Hyperworks© Optistruct  commercial software to complete topology optimization to optimize the chassis bounding box topology while considering lunar surface and launch vehicle loading. The topology optimization results were then used to create preliminary optimum designs. In the detailed design stage, size optimization with Optistruct was used to refine the preliminary design further to produce a final optimum design which had characterized mass and structural performance. All optimization work was constrained to satisfy displacement, stress, and natural frequency constraints.
The final optimum design reduced the weight of the chassis by 38.7% when compared to the baseline design while satisfying all required loading scenarios. By current valuation, this mass reduction can be valued at approximately $24 million dollars [2] from the current cost per kg of transporting payload on the lunar surface. This research has shown that new methods can achieve substantial weight reductions in the structural design of spacecraft. Mass reduction of the magnitude found in this research stands to have significant benefits to the development of future space exploration programs.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The Transcription Factor NFIL3 Is Not Required For Uterine Natural Killer Cell Differentiation But Contributes To Placental And Conceptus Development

contributor:
Croy, B. Anne
Anatomy and Cell Biology

subject: Pregnancy

subject: NFIL3

abstract: Thesis (Master, Anatomy & Cell Biology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 16:36:41.2

abstract:
Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the most abundant lymphocyte in early human and mouse decidua. UNK cell functions have been deduced by histopathologic comparisons of implantation sites between alymphoid (NK-T-B-), NK cell reconstituted alymphoid (NK+T-B-) and normal NK+T+B+ mice. Circulating (c)NK cells are reported to be absent from C57BL/6 mice genetically ablated for the transcription factor Nfil3 (cNK-T+B+) and these mice experience midgestation Th17 cell-mediated fetal loss when mated by BALB/c males. Recently, tissue resident subsets of NK cells have been described in this mouse.
A histological time-course examination of syngeneic Nfil3-/- male x Nfil3-/- female and allogeneic BALB/c-Tg(UBC-GFP)30Scha/J
male x Nfil3-/- female pregnancy (gestation day; GD 6.5-15.5) was performed to determine the consequences of a maternal cNK-T+B+ phenotype on pregnancy with an Nfil3-/- or Nfil3+/- conceptus. Whole mount immunofluorescence (WM-IF) was used as an additional technique to provide greater insights at midgestation. Nfil3 is a pleiotrophic factor; to examine Nfil3-dependent uNK cell-specific effects, pregnancies in Nfil3-/- bone marrow engrafted alymphoid mice (BME) were studied.
UNK cells were less frequent in Nfil3-/- pregnancies and viability of Nfil3-/- implantation sites (IS) did not differ from wild type (WT) matings. Early gestation pathologies included impaired antimesometrial decidualization (AMD) and delays in lumen closure and embryo development (ED). WM examination revealed an enrichment of CD45+CD11c+ cells at GD 8.5 in Nfil3-/- IS compared to WT. Mid-late gestation placental development, including labyrinth vascular space area and interhemal membrane width, deviated significantly less from WT in allogeneic compared to syngeneic matings. BME and alymphoid placental development was similar to WT. Spiral artery (SA) remodeling did not occur in any experimental mating.
Results of the present investigation suggest Nfil3-independent uNK cells do not promote AMD or GD 8.5 ED and cannot remodel SAs. Nfil3 plays a role in placental tissue layer (specifically labyrinth) development possibly through trophoblast-dependent mechanisms. The absence of Nfil3 may promote recruitment or differentiation of CD45+CD11c+ cells in the early gestation implantation site. Although not an effective model for studying NK-T+B+ pregnancy, the Nfil3-/- mouse deepens the understanding of innate lymphoid cells and their respective subsets.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Vestibular System: its Role in Postural Control and its Functional Assessment Using Spatial Orientation

contributor:
Deshpande, Nandini
Culham, Elsie
Rehabilitation Science

subject:
Postural Control
Spatial Orientation
Vestibular Dysfunction Screening
Vestibular System

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 18:39:51.391

abstract: The vestibular system plays a role in postural control and spatial orientation. Ageing adversely affects vestibular function, postural control and the ability to maintain accurate spatial orientation. Study I investigated the interaction of vestibular input with lower limb somatosensory and visual inputs for head and trunk control during normal walking (NW) and narrow-based walking (NBW) and the effect of age on these interactions. The association of clinically measured functions of the vestibular system, lower limb somatosensation and vision with head/trunk control in the frontal plane during NW and NBW, and the impact of age were also examined. Study II evaluated the inter-trial reliability of three tools which can be used to screen for vestibular dysfunction via assessing spatial orientation, in young and older participants, and their sensitivity of these tools to age-related difference in vestibular function. In Study I, 15 young [25.40(3.56) years, 7 females and 8 males] and 15 older [72.60(5.33) years, 8 females and 7 males] were asked to perform NW and NBW. Vestibular, lower limb somatosensory and visual information was manipulated using galvanic vestibular stimulation, medium density foam and blurring goggles respectively; either concurrently or individually. The variables representing head control were more affected by visual and vestibular manipulation. The variables representing trunk control were more affected by lower limb somatosensory manipulation. Further, trunk roll angle during NW was significantly associated with lower limb vibration sensitivity, indicating the importance of lower limb somatosensory signals for trunk control. Age-related difference was only reflected in head control. In Study II, 15 young [28.27(4.61) years, 7 females and 8 males] and 15 older [75.47(4.42) years, 7 females and 8 males] were asked to perform 6 trials of each of the Fukuda Stepping Test (FST), Triangle Walking Test and Straight Walking Test. Reliability and variability of all the relevant variables in the tests were evaluated. Distance of displacement (DD) in the FST was the only variable that exhibited moderate to high reliability and acceptable variability in both age groups. DD was also significantly higher in the older group, suggesting its sensitivity to potential age-related difference in vestibular function.

abstract: We need to protect rights to publication of manuscripts based on the thesis.

abstract: PhD


title: Modulation of Axonal Transmission by Metabolic Stress

contributor:
Robertson, Mel
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
computer modeling
metabolic stress
DCMD
locust
Axons
energetics
electrophysiology
persistent sodium

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 18:32:48.392

abstract: Electrical signaling by neural tissue is responsible for ~20% of the basal metabolic rate.  This high-energy consumption predisposes neural tissue to metabolic stress that can compromise signaling and cause irreversible damage. The locust central nervous system (CNS), however, has adaptive mechanisms for surviving metabolic stress and the axon of the descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD) of the locust visual system is capable of modulating high-frequency performance after an anoxic coma to conserve energy.  We investigated how other metabolic stresses could modulate the DCMD axon’s performance and what channels are involved in high-frequency signaling that may be a target for metabolic stress.  To investigate metabolic stress, we compared azide, a mitochondrial toxin, with starvation of 1- and 4-days.  We found azide caused a similar reduction in high-frequency signaling as previously reported after an anoxic coma, reducing conduction velocity (CV) and the number of elicited, high-frequency APs.  However, starvation had little effect on the DCMD's performance, and 1-day starvation increased the number of high-frequency APs, suggesting an increase in energy consumption.  So, given that after anoxic stress and during azide exposure, high-frequency APs are fewer and conduct slower, we explored mechanisms involved in faithful high-frequency conduction.  The DCMD has been previously reported to produce an afterdepolarizing potential (ADP) at high temperatures that could be caused by a T-type calcium channel that may improve high-frequency firing.  At high temperatures, we exposed the DCMD axon to cadmium and nickel, both calcium channel blockers, and observed a decrease in CV with a larger effect size for high-frequency APs.  Cadmium and nickel exposure also significantly increased the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) that could be caused by blocking T-type calcium channel.  However, removal of extracellular calcium failed to confirm the presence of a calcium channel as it did not mimic exposure to divalent cation.  Persistent and resurgent sodium channels could also be responsible for the ADP and are known to be blocked by divalent cations. Computer modeling confirmed that a persistent sodium channel could shorten AHP and improve CV.  Therefore, we believe persistent sodium channels could be a source of modulation during metabolic stress.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Photophysical Properties and Reactivity Studies of Phosphine-Borane Donor-Acceptor Compounds

contributor:
Wang, Suning
Chemistry

subject: Phosphine-Borane

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-23 21:38:40.529

abstract:
This thesis describes the preparation of several phosphine-borane species containing bulky aryl groups on the heteroatoms for steric protection. Depending on the system, they either exhibit interesting photophysical properties, unusual reactivity, or both, based on the environment around the heteroatoms as well as the linking unit connecting them.

A highly congested P-B donor-acceptor compound with a 1,8-naphthalene backbone has been synthesized. Despite the high degree of steric congestion, this molecule was found to possess a P-B dative bond which persistents in solution. The new P-B molecule is thermally and photochemically inert, displaying no reactivity toward some common small molecules with the exception of halogens. The high stability of the molecule is attributed to the crowded environment around P and B, as well as the highly rigid 1,8-naphthyl linker. The reaction of this new P-B molecule with halogens in the presence of water leads to the formation of a P-O-B compound.

An unbound U-shaped new phosphine-borane compound has been synthesized and displays distinct through-space CT transition and intense dual emission. The use of this new P-B compound in turn-on/switchable fluorescent sensing of fluoride has been demonstrated. The P-B compound was found to have a ratiometric response toward fluoride ions greater than that of the related N-B compounds.

Converting the unbound U-shaped donor-acceptor compound to its phosphonium salt greatly enhanced its fluoride binding affinity at the boron center by 2 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, despite the significant steric congestion present in the phosphine-borane species, it behaved as an effective ligand towards metal ions such as Au(I) and Pt(II) yielding their respective coordination complexes. In the case of the Pt(II) complex, it displayed interesting “turn-on” fluorescent to fluoride addition.
Finally, the cationic phosphonium-borane compound was found capable of effectively tearing apart an NHC molecule, yielding a vinyl-amine bridged P-B species. In addition to IMe which plays a key role in its self-destruction, a FLP-like ylide-borane and IMeH+ salt have been identified as key species involved in this transformation. The balance of Lewis acidity/basicity and the cooperativity among the phosphonium/ylide, IMe, and borane appear to all be critical in this unprecedented fragmentation.

abstract: PhD


title: Understanding Nursing and Organizational Contributions to Chronic Disease Management within Primary Care

contributor:
Tranmer, Joan E.
Nursing

subject:
organizational attributes
primary care
type 2 diabetes
nursing roles
chronic disease management

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-25 14:07:29.602

abstract:
Background: Innovative strategies have been implemented within primary care across Canada to improve the quality of care that is delivered. One such strategy has been the utilization of interprofessional teams, of which nurses are an integral component. The overall purpose of this thesis was to understand nursing contributions within primary care, specifically related to chronic disease management.
Objectives: (1) To determine the roles of nurses in chronic disease management and the extent to which chronic disease management strategies have been implemented within primary care in Ontario, (2) to identify data collection tools that describe/measure primary care organizational attributes, (3) to determine the distribution and nature of organizational attributes across primary care practices in eastern Ontario, and (4) to explore relationships between the presence of nurses within Family Health Teams in south eastern Ontario and Type 2 diabetes health outcomes.
Methods: Four studies were performed to address the stated objectives. A provincial nursing survey was conducted to obtain information about the roles of nurses working in primary care in Ontario and the extent to which chronic disease management strategies have been implemented in practices in which nurses work. A systematic search and review was completed to identify data collection tools that collect a broader range of organizational attribute data within primary care. Using the ‘Measuring Organizational Attributes of Primary Health Care Survey’ organizational-level
data from practices in eastern Ontario were collected and then linked to diabetic patient outcomes.
Results: The nursing survey and organizational attribute survey identified that nurses engaged in a broad range of chronic disease management activities and that chronic disease management strategy implementation was not uniform across practices. Registered nurses were identified as the most prominent non-physician healthcare provider within practices, and the inclusion of registered
nurses in practices was associated with improved diabetes outcomes.
Conclusions: Nurses are an integral component of primary care and undertake many important activities to support chronic disease management. However, there is an ongoing need to clarify roles between different nursing regulatory designations. This thesis showed positive associations between having at least one registered nurse in a practice and diabetes management indicators.

abstract: In agreement with my supervisor (Dr. Joan Tranmer), we would like to restrict this thesis until the final manuscript is published.

abstract: PhD


title: Fracture Initiation and Propagation in Low Porosity Crystalline Rocks: Implications for Excavation Damage Zone (EDZ) Mechanics

contributor: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering

subject:
Grain-Based Model
Brittle Rocks
Acoustic Emission
Laboratory Testing
Crack Initiation
Critical Damage
Micro-Fracturing
Rock Mechanics
Excavation Damage Zone

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-27 18:00:35.604

abstract:
The Deep Geological Repository (DGR) is the globally preferred concept for long-term storage of nuclear waste, in which the combination of engineered barriers and the surrounding geology are designed to safely and securely contain the radioactive waste. The construction processes of underground openings in hard rocks at depth are commonly associated with introducing some damage to the surrounding rock mass through the initiation and propagation of fractures parallel to the excavation boundary due to disturbance to the in situ stress condition, as well as the excavation process quality. The induced fractures in depth away from the excavation surface can provide a migration path for the radionuclides in case of damage to the engineered barriers. Therefore, different damage zones are defined according to the crack density and change in hydraulic permeability of the rock mass surrounding the waste storage tunnel and rooms, these are commonly referred to as the Excavation Damage Zones (EDZs). Crack initiation (CI) and propagation (CD) characteristics of massive rock masses have a significant influence on the mechanics and geometry of EDZs, and this research aims to provide a better understanding of these parameters for brittle rocks.
This research addresses the short- and long-term in situ behaviour of massive brittle rock masses through characterization of the micro-mechanics of crack initiation and crack damage progress for rock specimens in the laboratory. Particular attention is paid to formulize the laboratory estimation of the crack damage thresholds. The effect of inherent fabric in intact rocks on the fabric-guided micro-fracturing is investigated through laboratory tests on different rock types. Similarly, the influence of the excavation process (i.e. confinement) and geological processes such as the glacial cycle (i.e. stress fatigue) are investigated for different brittle rocks in the laboratory.
A developed approach for a three-dimensional discontinuum Grain-Based Model (GBM) complemented the laboratory investigation of crack damage in brittle rocks. The developed approach provides an in-depth understanding of the micro-mechanics of crack damage and demonstrates great potential as a predictive design tool. Finally, the laboratory and numerical investigations are discussed within the context of the short- and long-term behaviour of excavation damage zones (EDZs).

abstract: PhD


title: Teaching it "Write": Teacher Perspectives on Writing Instruction Within English and French Immersion Classrooms

contributor:
Lee, Elizabeth
Education

subject:
Teacher perspective
Writing Instruction
Qualitative
Writing
English
French Immersion
Instruction
Interview
Grade 9

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-24 13:51:59.598

abstract:
Writing today is a means of communication: a medium through which we learn, share and self-express (Graham, 2006). In the classroom, writing is used to acquire, remember, and share knowledge; writing aids in the process of discovering, shaping and refining ideas about a topic (Durst & Newell, 1989). Although writing instruction is a fundamental component of both Academic English and French Immersion language courses at the Grade 9 level (Ontario Ministry of Education, 1999, 2007), concern remains that many adolescents do not develop the skills necessary in writing to be successful in academic, workplace or personal life domains (Graham & Perin, 2007). Yet, little research has been conducted to determine what teachers are doing instructionally at the high school level.
This study investigated the described individual pedagogies of teachers regarding writing instruction within two Grade 9 language contexts: English and French Immersion. I interviewed seven teachers, one-on-one, about their approach to writing instruction and the function of writing within their classroom, either in person or over the phone. A corresponding document of teaching materials referenced by teachers during the interviews was conducted. The data were thematically analyzed individually, by participant, and then subsequently analyzed within and between language contexts. The data analysis yielded four recurring themes: (1) Perceived Individual Experiences and Beliefs Informing Practice, (2) Role of Curriculum, (3) Individual Teaching Practice, and (4) Assessment. The findings from this study suggest that teachers, based on their beliefs and experience, make informed pedagogical decisions within their classrooms to meet the needs of their students. Writing is used in a variety of forms, and is utilized as a vehicle for assessment of other strand requirements.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Structural studies on a 1.5-MDa bacterial adhesin reveal its adhesive and cohesive properties in biofilm formation

contributor:
Davies, Peter L.
Biochemistry

subject:
Adhesin
Ice-Binding Protein

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-24 17:32:48.353

abstract:
Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) have long been known to help organisms resist freezing (antifreeze) or tolerate freezing (ice recrystallization inhibition). Discoveries made in my thesis research reveal a third function for an IBP, which is host adhesion to ice. The IBP found on the cell surface of an Antarctic Gram-negative bacterium, Marinomonas primoryensis, is part of an exceptionally large protein of 1.5 MDa. The highly motile M. primoryensis swims to ice and attaches to the surface to form bacterial clusters. We suggest that MpAFP facilitates the formation of bacterial communities or biofilms underneath lake or sea ice, where oxygen and nutrients are most abundant due to the photosynthetic activity of other microorganisms.
MpAFP can be divided into five distinct regions. The N-terminal end (RI) attaches to the bacterial cell envelope, likely by binding to the cell wall peptidoglycan or other polysaccharides on the cell surface while spanning the outer membrane. Next are ~ 120 identical tandem repeats of a 104-aa Ig-like domain (RII) that makes up 90% of the protein. Region III, which contains a carbohydrate-binding domain, separates the highly repetitive region II (RII) from the moderately repetitive region IV (RIV). The 34-kDa RIV, which folds as a Ca2+- dependent β-solenoid, is the only ice-binding domain of MpAFP. At the C terminus RV also contains Ca2+-binding RTX repeats that may serve as the secretion sequence for the giant protein.
Using a “dissect and build” approach I succeeded in piecing together >95% of the structure of MpAFP. With this knowledge, I was able to postulate a general mechanism by which RTX adhesins enable their hosts to form biofilms by using a combination of surface adhesion and cell cohesion. X-ray crystallography suggests tandem arrays of the Ig-like repeats (RII) attract and slide along each other in an antiparallel fashion until their sugar binding domains lock onto each other’s’ surface glycans. Thus MpAFP not only binds the bacteria to ice but can potentially link the bacteria together in clusters to increase the total number of adhesins binding the group to the underside of ice where the environment is most favourable for growth.
Given that many bacteria produce adhesins similar to MpAFP, work described in this thesis can be extended to give insight into the formation and disruption of other bacterial biofilms, including those of human pathogens.

abstract: PhD


title: A Model for Hierarchical Open Real-Time Systems

contributor:
Dingel, Juergen
Rudie, Karen
Computing

subject:
Hierarchical Systems
Model-Based Development
Open Systems
Automotive Systems
State-Space Reduction
Survey
Compositional Analysis
Timed Automata
Compositional Modeling
Case Study
Game Theory
Timed Games
Timed Process Automata
Real-Time Systems

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-24 23:23:22.625

abstract: Introducing automated formal methods for large industrial real-time systems is an important research challenge. We propose timed process automata for modeling and analysis of time-critical systems which can be open, hierarchical, and dynamic. The model offers two essential features for large industrial systems: (i) compositional modeling with reusable designs for different contexts, and (ii) automated state-space reduction technique. Timed process automata model dynamic networks of continuous-time communicating control processes which can activate other processes. We show how to automatically establish safety and reachability properties of timed process automata by reduction to solving timed games. To mitigate the state-space explosion problem, an automated state-space reduction technique using compositional reasoning and aggressive abstractions is also proposed. Before working on timed process automata, we did a survey on semantics, decision problems, variants, and tools of timed automata. The insights gained from this survey motivated us to use timed game theory and Uppaal Tiga in a couple of industrial case studies and the development of timed process automata. Both the case studies show that state-space explosion is a severe problem for timed games.  Suitable abstractions, however, dramatically improve the scalability of timed games in one case study. These case studies motivate the development of timed process automata and an automatable state-space reduction technique for them based on aggressive abstraction.

abstract: PhD


title: Pinay, Balikbayan, Canadian: The Transnational Trajectories of Filipinas (As Domestic Workers)

contributor:
Little, Margaret
Gender Studies

subject:
Political Economy
Migration
Globalization
Neoliberalism
Gender
Race
Domestic Workers
Canada
Transnationalism
Philippines
Resistance
Filipina

abstract: Thesis (Master, Gender Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-24 23:53:30.66

abstract: This thesis examines and critiques how the intersections of race, gender, and class in our current neoliberal environment produce particular complexities that are unique to women within the global chain of care. I will specifically investigate how Filipinas engage in domestic work and create transnational labour trajectories that stretch from rural and urban spaces in the Global South (the Philippines), to intermediary households in international ports (Hong Kong) to urban centres in the Global North (Canada).  My project expands and nuances existing models of labour migration by Filipinas who perform domestic labour, seeking to understand the creative struggles and strategies they employ in order to create lives for themselves and their families within and outside the Philippines.  This project will investigate how these women’s journeys are informed by global neoliberal reform, and will examine the counterhegemonic strategies that Filipinas employ to resist exploitation.  By examining the larger macrostructures of global labour alongside the everyday experiences of women who are employed as domestic workers in the Philippines, intermediary countries, and Canada, I seek to also illustrate how these women are agents of resistance, carving out stable spaces for themselves in ever-shifting and uncertain geographical locations.  My thesis interweaves feminist theory and geographies, migrant policy, hegemonic discourse, personal interviews, and ethnographic data in order to explore how migrants are constantly reworking, contesting, and transforming hierarchal structures.

abstract: I would like to publish my work before it is released on QSpace.

abstract: M.A.


title: An Investigation into Energy Requirements and Conservation Techniques for Sustainable Buildings

contributor:
Vlachopoulos, Nicholas
Harrison, Stephen J.
Environmental Studies

subject:
Green buildings
Energy conservation
Energy requirements
Sustainable buildings
Building rating systems

abstract: Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-29 22:04:52.717

abstract: Traditionally, societies use to design their built environment in a way that was in line with the climate and the geographical location that they evolved in, thereby supporting sustainable lifestyles (i.e. thick walls with small windows in cold climates). With the industrial revolution and the heavy use and reliance on cheap fossil fuels, it can be argued that the built environment has become more focused on aesthetics and cost savings rather than on true sustainability.  This, in turn, has led to energy intensive practices associated with the construction of homes, buildings, cities and megalopolises.  Environmental concerns with regards to the future have pushed people, entities and industries to search for ways to decrease human’s energy dependency and/or to supply the demand in ways that are deemed sustainable. Efforts to address this concern with respect to the built environment were translated into ‘green buildings’, sustainable building technologies and high performance buildings that can be rated and/or licensed by selected certifying bodies with varying metrics of building construction and performance. The growing number of such systems has brought real concerns: Do certified sustainable buildings really achieve the level of sustainability (i.e. performance) they were intended to? For the purpose of this study, buildings’ energy consumption will be analysed, as it is one of the main drivers when taking into consideration greenhouse gas emissions. Heating and cooling in the residential and commercial/institutional sector, combined account for approximately a fifth of the secondary energy use in Canada. For this reason, this research aims at evaluating the main rating systems in Canada based on the efficacy of their rating systems’ certification methodology and the weighting and comparison of energy requirements under each scheme. It has been proven through numerous studies that major energy savings can be achieved by focusing primarily on building designs (such as Thermal Building Envelopes) and Passive Systems and that rating systems may wish to incorporate such criteria more thoroughly and explicitly within their evaluation scheme of metrics. Hence, this paper will also aim at evaluating the inclusion of energy conservation techniques into the different rating schemes.

abstract: M.E.S.


title: Controlled fiber laser bone ablation using inline coherent imaging

subject:
Laser depth control
laser bone ablation

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-25 11:53:25.081

abstract: Laser material processing is becoming increasingly popular in various disciplines of science and industry due to its clean and quiet operation, absence of tool wear and high positioning accuracy. In particular, laser osteotomy ("bone cutting") offers new opportunities with its well-identified advantages over conventional methods utilizing mechanical saws/drills. However, lack of depth control is a long-standing barrier to wide clinical implementation. In-process monitoring and real-time feedback is highly desirable for depth-sensitive surgical operations where cutting is performed above critical tissues (e.g., brain surgery). In this work, a low-coherence imaging technique known as inline coherent imaging (ICI) is utilized to monitor bone ablation processes and provide depth information about the sample with on-the-fly signal processing. ICI is analogous to spectral domain optical coherence tomography with its sample arm built "inline" with the ablation laser beam path. ICI is capable of an imaging speed up to 240 kHz and a high dynamic range of over 60 dB. The laser system used for bone ablation is a 1070 nm ytterbium-doped fiber laser. Its fiber delivery allows flexible cutting angles to access hard-to-reach areas in surgery. Laser bone ablation by the fiber laser is characterized by percussion drilling experiments and ICI depth tracking of the sample. The ablation parameters are optimized for high ablation efficiency and minimal thermal damage. Closed-loop feedback based on in situ ICI measurement is developed to achieve controlled ablation with complexity and high precision. Designed features, including 1D holes, 2D trenches and 3D morphologies, are ablated with accuracy verified by an ex situ stylus profiler. The thermal damage to the surrounding bone tissue is assessed by histology. The heat-affected zone is quantified as 5-10 um for 3D features created on both fresh and dry bone samples. This proof-of-principle study shows promising potential for ICI-guided laser osteotomy.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Source-Channel Coding Techniques in the Presence of Interference and Noise

contributor:
Alajaji, Fady
Chan, Wai-Yip Geoffrey
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Joint source-channel coding
Shannon-Kotel'nikov mapping
Broadcast channels
Correlated interference

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-25 13:07:18.156

abstract:
As wireless systems proliferate worldwide, interference is becoming one of the main problems for system designers. Interference, which occurs when multiple transmissions
take place over a common communication medium, limits system performance. Wireless devices can coordinate the use of scarce radio resources in order to manage the interference and establish successful communication. To effectively deal with the interference problem, some wireless devices must have a certain level of knowledge about the interference. In practice, this knowledge comes at the expense of using more resources (such as employing a proper channel training mechanism). With the remaining available resources, the question is how to achieve reliable communication? This thesis investigates an information theoretic approach and employs several coding techniques to improve system performance by either cancelling the interference or extracting knowledge from it about the information signal.
The  first part of this thesis considers the transmission of information signals over a fading channel that is disturbed with additional interference. The system's information
theoretic limit in terms of mean square error distortion is assessed. Moreover, hybrid coding schemes are proposed and analyzed to obtain an achievable performance.
As an extension to this problem, source channel-state estimation is investigated; in this case, the receiver is interested in estimating the information signal and the channel-state (interference). It is shown that the achievable performance is close to the derived limit. Motivated by multi-terminal systems, the transmission of a pair of sources over the two-user Gaussian broadcast channel in the presence of
interference is then studied. Inner and outer bounds on the system's mean square error distortion are obtained. Unlike the  first part of the thesis, in the second part, two additional constraints are added to the picture: 1) low coding delay and 2) low complexity. Similar communication scenarios as the ones in the first part are investigated under low delay
and complexity requirements. These two constraints are motivated by the increased popularity of wireless sensor networks; a sensor node, often conceived as having limited
lifetime and processing power, communicates its sensed field information to a fusion centre over a noisy wireless channel. To meet these challenges, we propose to use analog source-channel mappings. Parametric and nonparametric mappings are investigated in this last part of the thesis; it is noted that parametric mappings based on spiral and sawtooth curves are able to outperform linear scheme. Moreover, nonparametric mappings based on joint optimization of the encoder and the decoder are shown to outperform other low delay schemes.

abstract: PhD


title: Vagal Integration of Cardiopulmonary Regulation

contributor:
Cutz, Ernest
Fisher, John T.
Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

subject:
Airway Hyperresponsiveness
Vagus Nerve
Ovalbumin
Heart Rate Variability
Slowly-Adapting Receptors
Oyster
Acclimation
Murine
Cardiorespiratory
Calcium-Sensing Receptor

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-25 15:20:04.42

abstract: Cardiopulmonary control relies on local and central integration of sensory inputs and reflex efferent signaling. Heart and lung sensors, integrators, and effectors are routinely studied in a reductionist manner to elucidate molecular mechanisms. This is accompanied by a need to explore mechanisms of cardiopulmonary integration within the autonomic nervous system. I focused on two elements of cardiopulmonary regulation: in vivo afferent signaling from the lung, and the use of whole animal heart rate variability (HRV) as a window into cardiac control in mammals and an aquatic invertebrate. In the former I characterized the mechanosensitivity of 85 single murine slowly-adapting receptors (SARs) to address the hypothesis that polymodal neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) are linked with mechanosensitive SARs via a common vagal afferent population by assessing the impact of: i) chemostimulation (10% O2 or 10% CO2); ii) pharmacologic blockade (serotonergic - tropisetron or purinergic-suramin); and iii) loss of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) on quasi-static SAR signaling. Expression of CaSR is reported in murine NEBs and implicated in asthma pathogenesis. Loss of CaSR increased NEB size and proliferative markers (immunohistochemical staining); however, we found no evidence for NEB-SAR interactions based on Na+/K+-ATPase staining. Murine SARs possess greater mechanosensitivity than reported for large mammals, and loss of CaSR reduced SAR mechanosensitivity by > 35%. Chemostimulation/pharmacologic antagonism had minor effects on SAR behaviour, consistent with minimal NEB-mechanosensor interactions. To address the later, I applied in vivo HRV analysis to assess autonomic (ANS) control in the development of murine airway hyperresponsiveness. Sensitization decreased HRV prior and subsequent to antigen challenge, suggesting that HRV reflects early changes in ANS function and may be useful in the detection of early lung disease. I also applied HRV analysis for the first time in juvenile Pacific oysters using a novel, non-invasive video-microscopy method developed to assess HR/HRV during acute temperature changes in oysters acclimated to 22°C or 10°C. Acclimation to 10°C reduced the incidence of asystole and increased HRV vs. warm-temperature acclimation. HRV increased as temperature (and HR) decreased in both acclimation groups. Application of HR/HRV analyses in oysters may provide a new tool to optimize aquaculture rearing protocols and explore the ontogeny of cardiac control in a simple model organism.

abstract: Select chapters of thesis are currently under review for publication or pending publication.

abstract: PhD


title: Glucocorticoid Receptor Function and its Role in Tamoxifen Resistance

contributor:
Mueller, Christopher
Biochemistry

subject:
Breast Cancer
Tamoxifen Resistance
Estrogen Receptor
Glucocorticoid Receptor

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-26 15:49:19.108

abstract:
The function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is crucial for the development and proliferation of normal human breast cells. The primary activity of GR is in its binding to glucocorticoids and the subsequent activation of its transcriptional target genes. However, GR is also able to transcriptionally regulate target genes in the absence of ligand in EPH4 mouse mammary cells, which is termed the unliganded activity of GR. Unliganded GR stimulates the activity of the BRCA1 and CH25H promoters and is important in modulating apoptosis and cell growth. The activity of unliganded GR in normal human breast cell lines was investigated in this study in order to validate its regulatory role. Unliganded GR did not upregulate BRCA1 or CH25H expression in the human breast cell lines MCF-10A and 184-hTERT. As well, no novel target genes of unliganded GR were identified in normal human breast cells, however both PRLR and CDKN1A were found to be negatively regulated by liganded and possibly unliganded GR respectively.
The second portion of this study focused on the exploration of the role of GR in modulating tamoxifen response in ER+ breast cancer. GR was overexpressed in response to tamoxifen in ER+ breast cancer cells in the ER+ cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. As well, GSTM1 expression was increased by tamoxifen in a GR-dependent manner which suggests that downstream GR signaling is also increased in response to tamoxifen. This is crucial as it suggests that the increase in GR leads to increased GR activity and signaling. The ERα pioneer factor, FOXA1 was overexpressed by tamoxifen as well and may be responsible for activating GR overexpression. Finally, loss of GR may initiate a survival signal in ER+ cells as tamoxifen also increased the expression of cancer stem-like marker genes, EpCAM and ALDH1A3. EpCAM expression was found to be upregulated by tamoxifen and loss of GR expression and ALDH1A3 expression was increased 5-fold by tamoxifen alone. This upregulation of cancer stem-like markers suggests that tamoxifen resistance could occur through the formation of a stem-like chemotherapeutic resistant cell population.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Connections and Fatigue Behaviour of Precast Concrete Insulated Sandwich Panels

contributor:
Fam, Amir Z.
Civil Engineering

subject:
fatigue
BFRP
connections
shear connector
model
sandwich panel

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-26 02:20:19.714

abstract:
This study investigates two aspects of precast concrete insulated sandwich wall panels, namely mechanical connections and fatigue behaviour. In the first part, flexural tests were performed on panels with various end support conditions, loading orientations, and reinforcement and shear connector materials. Bolted angle connections were used to simulate practical support conditions, while loads were applied in a manner to simulate windward pressure as well as suction. Panels with steel and basalt fibre-reinforced polymer (BFRP) longitudinal reinforcement were tested and compared. Discrete steel and BFRP shear connectors were also used and evaluated. The bolted angle connections provided partial end fixity, thereby increasing the overall strength and stiffness relative to identical panels simply supported by rollers during testing. In all cases the bolted connections succeeded in developing the full strength of the sandwich panels. Panels with steel reinforcement failed due to rupturing of flexural reinforcement, while a panel with BFRP reinforcement failed due to rupturing of shear connectors and crushing of concrete in one wythe. Panels loaded in the direction of wind pressure achieved higher peak loads than identical panels loaded to simulate suction. An analytical model accounting for material nonlinearity, end support conditions and partial composite action from the shear transfer system was developed. The model accurately predicted flexural stiffness, while the peak load was underestimated in most cases.
In the second part of the study, seven fatigue tests were performed on four panels with either steel or BFRP flexural reinforcement and shear connectors. Cyclic bending was conducted at two loading amplitudes: a high (Pdef) and a low (Pstr) load, representing serviceability limits for deflection and stress, respectively; both considerably higher than the maximum national wind load. The effect of a moderate axial load, as in loadbearing walls, was examined. The panels initially had a Degree of Composite Action (DCA) of 76-84%. The axially-loaded steel-reinforced panel achieved 1M cycles under Pstr, then another 1M under Pdef. Its DCA reduced to 73 then 65%. Without axial load, 1M and 0.24M cycles were achieved under Pstr and Pdef, and DCA reduced to 69 and 22%, respectively. The BFRP-panel failed at 0.07M cycles at Pstr. Its DCA reduced from 76 to 69%. It was then axially loaded and retested successfully to 1M cycles. Stiffness degradations of 12-50% consistent with DCA reductions were observed.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The Effect Manipulating AMPK Activity has on Ouabain-Induced Spreading Depression in Fed and Starved Locusta Migratoria.

contributor:
Robertson, Mel
Biology

subject: Biology Neurophysiology

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-26 20:09:47.045

abstract: Neurons, though highly metabolically active, have a poor capacity for nutrient storage and are sensitive to energy fluctuations. One mechanism for maintaining energetic homeostasis involves activation of the heterotrimeric AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a cell- autonomous sensor to energetic changes regulated by ATP to AMP ratios. Starvation, which reduces nutrient availability, has been shown to decrease susceptibility to spreading depression (SD) in Locusta migratoria. Although AMPK activation is thought to be involved in this phenomenon, its presence has not yet been confirmed in the locust. In my thesis I established that AMPK is present in locust neural tissue, and that starvation increases its activation. I also investigated the effects of manipulating AMPK activity, via pharmacological agents and RNA interference (RNAi), on ouabain-induced SD in fed and starved locusts. Application of 5x10-5 M A-769662, a potent AMPK activator, did not have an effect on susceptibility to or recovery from ouabain-induced SD, in either fed or starved animals. Increasing the concentration of A-769662 to 10-4 M also yielded no significance. However, injecting AMPK dsRNA reduced the number of preparations that displayed SD-like events. This suggests that RNAi-mediated downregulation of AMPK decreased susceptibility to SD. Overall, I provide evidence of AMPK’s involvement in potassium ion homeostasis, which may further our understanding of SD and its effects within the nervous system.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Understanding How Raters Communicate in the Context of Medical High-Stakes, Performance-Based Assessments

contributor:
Klinger, Don A.
Education

subject:
Rater-Based Assessments
Competency-Based Assessment
Psychometrics
Medical Education

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-27 17:35:28.998

abstract: It is well established in the medical education literature that raters represent a significant source of unexplained variance in performance assessments. To better understand the variance associated with raters’ evaluative judgments, this dissertation investigated how raters, in various assessment contexts, communicate and articulate what they observe during performance assessments. Empirical data collected from three different performance assessments: a multiple mini-interview (MMI), an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), and workplace-based assessments (WBAs) were analyzed to better understand raters’ behaviours. Relationships that exist between different forms of assessment were also examined. The first study established a proof of concept, showing that raters are not always consciously aware of the associations they make during assessments. The second study examined conditions under which raters find it difficult to make a seemingly uncomplicated judgment. Finally, the third study examined relationships that exist between quantitative and qualitative methods used in the evaluation of performance assessments. The empirical findings from this dissertation suggest that although raters may behave idiosyncratically, there exist patterns of behaviour that could be used to attain better information from raters about a learner’s performance and potentially allow raters to be more suitably matched according to their strengths in performance-based assessments. The findings of this research should help to overcome some of the challenges associated with rater-mediated assessments.

abstract: PhD


title: Auguries of Elegy: The Art and Ethics of Ecological Grieving

contributor:
Kibbins, Gary
Cultural Studies

subject:
Ecological Grieving
Environmental Ethics
Anticipatory Grieving
Eco-art
Environmental Art
Melancholia
Melancholizing
Proleptic Elegy
Visual Elegy
Resistant Mourning
Ecological Mourning
Elegy

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Cultural Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-28 00:10:49.937

abstract: Elegy is an appropriate mode for expressing the complex feelings that may accompany an awareness of the state of human-caused climate change and the concomitant ailing health of the biosphere.  In order to understand these contemporary concerns, I look back to the early part of the twentieth century, when the cataclysms of global wars and their destructive effects on human and other-than-human life inspired the first generation of modern ‘resistant’ elegists.  Like modernist anti-war elegies, the contemporary ecological (visual) elegies – by artists such as Brandon Ballengée, Edward Burtynsky, Gwen Curry, Chris Jordan, Deborah Samuel, Kade Twist, and me – that I examine engage in deliberate, ethical mourning and melancholia to both express and demand affective engagement with ecological issues in an ultimately hopeful attempt to create a better future.  It is my hope that such works inspire viewers to think critically about their own potential to engage in what Clifton Spargo would call “wishful interventions” with regard to climate crisis.  The second part of the dissertation text is an ‘analytical archive’ of the ecological artworks that form the main component of my Ph.D. work, including Augury : Elegy, Indicator, National Elegy, 1,000 Flyers, and Vernal Pool.

abstract: PhD


title: The City and the Reds: Leftism, the Civic Politics of Order, and a Contested Modernity in Montreal, 1929-1947

contributor:
McKay, Ian G.
History

subject:
Modernity
Great Depression
Communists
Leftism
Resistance
Repression
Montreal
Quebec

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, History) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-28 08:25:08.438

abstract:
From 1929 to 1947 the city of Montreal was renegotiating the boundaries of belonging. This dissertation examines the relationship between the left and the city during this period of crisis. Attempts to impose order on the chaos of the period – from deportation to an all-out war on leftism – serve as valuable fault-lines in notions of citizenship and exclusion. Reinterpreting Montreal’s history in this period through Zygmunt Bauman’s conception of cultural modernity, this study challenges notions of Montreal’s left as lacklustre. It also probes the contours of municipal and clerical definitions of ‘Montrealer.’ Complicating existing scholarship on Montreal’s left as compliant, this dissertation broadens the definition of leftism and recasts leftists as resistant to state and clerical repression – not as passive victims of Montreal’s Grande Noirceur but as active participants in modern planning for the future of the city.
Modernity is the common thread that weaves this dissertation together. This study opens with the Catholic Church – exemplified here by the École sociale populaire – as it attempts to redefine belonging in opposition to the radical left. It turns to the City of Montreal’s attempts to purge ambivalence through mass deportation campaigns that treated the unemployed and the foreign-born as outsiders to modern Montreal. It then examines a series of vigorous left moments as case studies of repression and resistance: Albert Saint-Martin’s Université ouvirère, the sedition trials of the 1930s, the Canadian Youth Congress, the Padlock Act, the War Measures Act, and Henri Gagnon’s Ligue des vétérans sans-logis.
In so doing, this study argues that Montreal’s leftists, though cast as enemies by the state, contested their status as ‘outsiders’ by engaging with modernity on their own terms. While there were crushing defeats, there were also significant victories. In these diffuse, linguistically diverse communities, we find Montreal’s left developing an alternative vision of the city. Moments of convergence between Montreal’s French-Canadian students and the Anglophone-dominated CPC bear witness to the power of the left to challenge state-sanctioned repression. These leftists saw themselves as part of a larger global movement for change, peace, and a better tomorrow – one which concentrated on challenging narrow notions of belonging in Montreal.

abstract: In the interest of publishing through a commercial publisher, I would like to restrict my thesis. An interested editor supported and encouraged the decision to restrict, as did my supervisor.

abstract: PhD


title: Investigation of the Failure Mechanisms of Intact and Deteriorated Culverts

contributor:
Hoult, Neil A.
Moore, Ian D.
Civil Engineering

subject: Cuvlert Deteriorated

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-28 12:16:15.27

abstract: The goals of this research are to better understand the impact of wall section loss due to corrosion as well as the influence of different failure mechanisms on corrugated steel culverts. An accelerated corrosion technique was first developed to degrade multiple pipe specimens to different degrees of deterioration. A total of six deteriorated pipe specimens were created. Two dimensional maps of the remaining wall thickness of each specimen were then developed using an ultrasonic thickness gauge, showing that the average remaining wall thicknesses for the samples ranged from 18% to 47%. Seven corrugated steel pipes specimens (six accelerated corroded samples and one intact pipe) were then buried in the test pit at Queen’s University and examined under single wheel loading at both 0.9 m and 0.45 m of cover. The test results show that the surrounding soil compaction has a greater impact on the overall behaviour of corrugated metal culverts than the level of deterioration. However, the results suggest that a potential for a critical level of corrosion may exist which dictates the controlling failure mechanism. Current design procedures may consider the wrong failure mode in some instances, as the capacity of the intact pipe tested in this study was controlled by local bending in the top half of the pipe rather than thrust at the springlines. Lastly a full scale test was conducted on an intact horizontal ellipse culvert to understand the behaviour of these structures during backfilling and live loading. The horizontal ellipse culvert was tested at two different burial depths (0.9 m and 0.45 m) using tandem axle loading. The results suggest that the ellipse behaves similar to a circular culvert during backfilling, although the vertical stiffness of the ellipse was less than the horizontal stiffness. The live loading of the culvert suggests that the load carrying mechanism changes from thrust at 0.9 m of cover to bending at 0.45 m of cover. The structure ultimately failed due to the formation of a three-hinge plastic collapse mechanism across one shoulder.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: "Here's Looking at You," Rick: Casablanca and Pyrrhonian Skepticism

contributor:
Davies, Jacqueline
Philosophy

subject:
Sextus Empiricus
Skepticism
Casablanca
Pyrrhonian

abstract: Thesis (Master, Philosophy) -- Queen's University, 2015-09-28 12:56:29.836

abstract: The Ancient Green philosopher Sextus Empiricus provides us, in the Outlines of Skepticism, with arguably the most complete surviving account of Pyrrhonian Skepticism. He conceived of Skepticism as a way to live your life peacefully, free from the worries that are caused by oppositions in the world around us. For every claim, there is an equally plausible opposition, and this creates stress for the dogmatist. The Skeptic, on the other hand, by recognizing that there are oppositions and thus practicing suspension of judgement along with investigation, is able to be tranquil in the face of oppositions. To better be able to understand Skepticism, it is useful to see a practical application. Therefore, I will argue that Rick Blaine, from 1942’s Casablanca, matures into a Skeptic during the course of the film. Although the film is a work of fiction, there is enough character development to argue that the earliest version of Rick chronologically is not a Skeptic. As the film progresses, we can see his development and at the end of the film he is able to face making the decision to send his love, Ilsa, away without experiencing turmoil. I will also argue that the film has Skeptical qualities of its own which mean that it should be read as more than a wartime propaganda piece. Both of these arguments will be shown by completing a close reading of the film’s script, written by Julius and Philip Epstein and Howard Koch, as documented in Casablanca: Script and Legend by Howard Koch as well as my viewings of the film. The reading has been organized into the four phases that Rick experiences in his relationship with Skepticism.

abstract: M.A.