title: Learning Together: Applying Socio-cultural Activity Theory to Collaborative Consultation in School-Based Occupational Therapy

contributor:
Hutchinson, Nancy L.
Education

subject:
School Health
Socio-Cultural Activity Theory
Occupational Therapy
Collaborative Consultation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-28 21:31:58.308

abstract:
Socio-cultural activity theory (SCAT) was used to examine the nature of collaborative working in a case study of school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) in Ontario. Collaborative consultation has been widely adopted in SBOT practice. However, we know little about the impact of collaboration for students and lack understanding about how the organization of SBOT service contributes to collaborative working among educators and occupational therapists. Grounded in theoretical understanding about the distributed nature of group learning, SCAT was used as a conceptual and analytical tool in this study to describe SBOT collaborative consultation from multiple stakeholder perspectives.
The research took place in two phases. Phase One involved case study research to describe SBOT for three students with disabilities from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Data were gathered using a combination of observation, document analysis, and interviews involving participants directly involved in the delivery of SBOT with each focal participant. SCAT provided a framework for describing the nature of joint effort. Dilemmas emerging from incongruence between elements in the activity system were identified and described. Common characteristics in two cases enabled cross-case analysis to also identify features of collaborative working that facilitated educational programming and outcomes for students with developmental disability.
In Phase Two, program administrators participated alongside service recipients and service providers in a series of focused discussion workshops to reflect on case study findings and prioritize areas for program improvement. Developmental Work Research (Engeström, 2000) and Appreciative Inquiry (Cooperrider, Whitney, & Stavros, 2003) methods were used within a participatory action research approach to facilitate organizational learning among stakeholders. Engagement of stakeholders supported program administrators in critically examining decision-making for the delivery of SBOT service in the region studied. Combining practice-driven dilemmas with conceptual tools of analysis enabled a multiple-perspective understanding about the social, cultural, and historical work practices that have influenced collaborative interactions in SBOT practice and led to the development of principles for improving how work is shared. Program administrators used their shared understanding to propose a new model for delivering SBOT services.

abstract: PhD


title: How to Be Alone: An Exploration of Activities in Solitude and Connections to Processes of Learning

contributor:
Lewis, Magda Gere
Education

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:
Learner Autonomy
Flow
Solitude
Experiential Learning
Physical Education
Education

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 01:14:31.786

abstract:
Learner autonomy, the ability to take charge of one’s own learning, is one of the most valuable skills educators can encourage their students to develop.  The ability to learn how to learn provides opportunities for students not only to take responsibility for their own learning, but also to determine its direction.  What are the avenues one can take to promote the development of learner autonomy?
A large body of literature articulating the importance of learning as a structured, experiential process has emerged over the last three decades. The research of John Dewey and David Kolb regarding experiential education has contributed to the formal structure of a method of this kind of learning.   Kurt Hahn, whose ideas about experiential learning stress reflection and also solitude, a state of being alone, offer a significant connection to psychologist Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory, where one is “intensely involved in a meaningful activity [and is] able to remain focused for the length of time needed to achieve a deeply valued goal (Csikszentmihalyi, 2008, p. 6).  This connection is seen most clearly in what Csikszentmihalyi suggests are the conditions for flow, one of which is concentration.  The ability to concentrate is certainly a condition for higher learning processes and is therefore an important condition to take into consideration with regard to education and learning.  Conditions for concentration however, seem to be rooted in solitude (Behuniak, 2006; Csikszentmihalyi, 2008).  Although solitude is something that is needed to concentrate and to develop our complex selves, (Csikszentmihalyi, 2008) current cultural trends expose an avoidance of solitude.  Importantly, it seems that neither schools nor the culture of schooling value the importance of, nor the conditions needed to foster positive experiences of being alone, of fostering experiences in solitude.  Instead, current school climate seems to dissuade us from experiencing learning at a pace that will help develop learner autonomy, indeed the ideals of education (Gatto, 2003).  This qualitative study will explore how six participants who engage in a variety of activities during which they believe themselves to be engaged in a deep level of concentration express how concepts related to flow as a learning process affects them as learners. Additionally, the study will consider the value of experiential learning as central to the participants’ overall understanding of and success in their chosen activities.  The purpose of this study is to illustrate the value of and conditions for learning that takes place during flow-based activities; the process of learning that takes place through the practice of activities at which healthy competence and engagement at a deep level of concentration is required.  It will in turn investigate the implications these activities have in relation to the development of learner autonomy.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Interrater and Retest Reliability of Mulit-Joint Upper Limb Position Sense in Children

contributor:
Pelland, Lucie
Rehabilitation Science

subject:
Proprioception
Robot-Based Assessment
Paediatrics
Reliability
Sensory-Motor Control
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Development
KINARM

abstract: Thesis (Master, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 05:43:47.255

abstract:
The contribution of deficits in limb position sense to the motor impairments of children with cerebral palsy, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders, is increasingly being recognized.  A more complete understanding of the development of multi-joint upper limb position sense is needed and has been limited, to date, by the absence of a reliable measurement technique to produce clinically meaningful information.

The KINARM Exoskeleton’s bilateral position matching task, which involves passive movement of one of the subject’s arms to one of eight positions requiring different combinations of elbow and shoulder positions and active matching by the participant’s other arm, was evaluated for interrater and retest reliability.  Intraclass correlation coefficients, absolute difference, minimum detectable difference that would be considered a significant change in performance, standard error of the measure, coefficient of variation, index of reliability, limit of agreement and confidence intervals were used to determine reliability on three measures of multi-joint position sense: (1) inter-trial variability in end-point position, (2) the ratio between actual and matched position, or spatial contraction/expansion, which provides a measure of the absolute accuracy of position matching, and (3) systematic errors in matching.

Interrater index of reliability was very good to excellent with values of 72% for systematic errors in matching to 93% for contraction/expansion. Interrater intraclass correlation values were fair to excellent at 0.46 for systematic errors in matching to 0.81 for contraction/expansion. Standard errors in measurement were low and ranged from 0.002 to 0.06, for inter-trial variability and contraction/expansion respectively.  Similarly, minimal detectable difference values for retest reliability ranged from 0.005 for inter-trial variability to 0.161 for contraction/expansion. Retest intraclass correlation values were fair to excellent at 0.38 for systematic errors in matching to 0.82 for contraction/expansion.

Moderate to strong interrater and retest reliability and high measurement precision support the use of robot-based assessment of multi-joint position sense for developmental studies and promises to be a reliable clinical and research tool in the advancement of knowledge on sensory-motor coordination difficulties in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Category-Specificity of Women’s Sexual Arousal Across the Menstrual Cycle

contributor:
Chivers, Meredith L.
Psychology

subject:
Sexual Psychophysiology
Sexual Arousal
Category-Specificity
Menstrual Cycle

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 08:51:26.973

abstract:
Unlike men, women’s genital arousal is category-nonspecific with respect to sexual orientation, such that their genital responses do not differentiate stimuli by gender. A possible explanation for women’s nonspecific sexual response is the inclusion of women at different phases of the menstrual cycle or women using hormonal contraceptives in sexual psychophysiology research, which may be obscuring a specificity effect. The present study employs the ovulatory-shift hypothesis – used to explain a shift in women’s preferences for masculine traits during peak fertility – as an explanatory model for women’s nonspecific sexual arousal. Twenty-nine naturally-cycling women were tested at two points in their menstrual cycles (follicular and luteal) to determine the role of hormonal variation, as estimated by fertility status, on the specificity of genital (using vaginal photoplethysmograph) and subjective sexual arousal. Cycle phase at the time of first testing was counterbalanced; however, no effect of order was observed. Inconsistent with the ovulatory-shift model, the predicted mid-cycle shift in preferences for masculinity or sexual activity at peak fertility was not obtained.
Category-specificity of genital arousal did not increase during the follicular phase. A statistical trend was observed for higher genital arousal to couple sex stimuli during the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase, suggesting that women’s genital arousal may be sensitive to fertility status with respect to sexual activity (specifically, couple sex), but not gender. Subjective arousal was not influenced by fertility status. This study is the first to provide evidence that women’s genital arousal may be influenced by the probability of conception.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Park Usage and Physical Activity: An Exploration of Park Features, Neighbourhoods, and Park Programs

contributor:
Hamilton, Kerry
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Physical activity
Park

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 10:21:42.042

abstract: Parks have a long-standing history of providing leisure and recreation environments to local neighbourhood residents. They are designed to enhance the livability of communities and to provide recreation opportunities for individual health benefits. Recent studies have found that parks are underutilized for physical activity. In order to address this concern, this thesis research included two studies addressing the association between five park characteristics (i.e., park feature and amenity type, condition, cleanliness, neighbourhood type, and a park program) and levels of park usage and physical activity behaviour.  Manuscript 1 explores park feature and amenity type, condition, cleanliness, and neighbourhood type in association with park usage and physical activity using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) and the Environmental Assessment of Public Recreation Spaces (EARPS) observational measurements. Park usage differed between park feature types (p<.001) and neighbourhood types (p<.001), with higher rates of park use and physical activity noted in urban neighbourhoods, and on splash pad, pool, path, and play structure feature types. Physical activity levels were associated with park feature type (p<.001), condition (p<.001) and cleanliness (p<.001) as well as neighbourhood type (p< .05). Manuscript 2 reports on the effectiveness of a family park physical activity program using questionnaire feedback (n=28), and observational comparisons’ of park usage and physical activity when the program was and was not occurring. No significant difference was found for overall park usage and physical activity levels, however the program target area significantly reported more usage (p<.05) when the program was offered.  A majority of program participants were currently moderately-vigorously active (79%), met Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (57%), came to the park with family members (93.1%), walked to the park (85.7%), and visited the park regularly (62%). From these collective findings, this thesis makes an important contribution to furthering our understanding of associations between park characteristics and park usage and physical activity levels.  Findings from this study will be useful in guiding park researchers, planners, and designers as well as, park program practitioners and community agencies in promoting and creating more user-friendly and active neighbourhood park environments, as a means to increase population health amongst Canadians.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: If She Can Do It, I Can Do It: An exploratory analysis of peer mentoring as an intervention strategy to increase exercise program adherence in sedentary adults with chronic health conditions

contributor:
Bruner, Brenda
Lévesque, Lucie L.
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Exercise program adherence
Peer mentoring intervention
Social support
Efficacy
Barriers and facilitators
Mixed-methods research
Community-based research
Physical activity
Chronic health conditions

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 10:44:19.343

abstract: The main purpose of this study was to explore the influence of social support and self-efficacy on the physical activity beliefs and behaviours of participants in a peer-mentoring intervention embedded in a community-based exercise program. A second purpose was to explore social support, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers and facilitators to exercise program adherence for study participants within the community-based exercise program setting. Participants (N=10, plus 6 mentors) were adults with chronic health conditions living in a low-income neighbourhood. Intervention (n=4) and comparison (n=6) groups completed self-report measures of physical activity, social support, and barrier self-efficacy at baseline, 6-weeks, and 12-weeks.  Interviews were used post-intervention to explore the impact of peer mentoring, perceived social support and self-efficacy within the exercise setting, and barriers and facilitators to physical activity for study participants. Intervention participants showed greater exercise program adherence than comparison participants at 6-weeks. Qualitative findings suggest the peer mentoring intervention increased motivation and sense of obligation to adhere to the exercise program, and provided vicarious learning opportunities that may have indirectly influenced exercise program adherence for intervention and mentor participants. Findings also suggest that the exercise program was highly influential to participants’ social support and self-efficacy beliefs. Multiple barriers and facilitators to physical activity were reported. Overall, the current study supports the use of peer mentoring as an intervention strategy in combination with additional strategies to promote exercise program adherence in the study population. Practical implications are discussed in relation to the promotion of exercise program adherence in older adults with chronic health conditions participating in a community-based exercise program in a low-income neighbourhood.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Role of Prepotent Sexual Features in Female Nonspecific Sexual Response

subject:
Sexual Arousal
Psychophysiology

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 10:36:22.441

abstract:
Research has found that men’s sexual response demonstrates specificity; men’s genital sexual arousal patterns to sexual stimuli match their stated sexual orientation. Heterosexual women’s genital responses are nonspecific in that they show sexual responses to both their preferred and non-preferred gender (Chivers, 2010). It is unclear why women show this pattern; however, examining the specific stimulus features associated with sexual arousal in women may provide clarification. Prepotent sexual features, that is, stimuli that involuntarily elicit nervous system activity (cf. Lang, Rice & Sternbach, 1972), may be associated with an automatic sexual response (Blader & Marshall, 1989; Chivers, 2005; Ponseti et al., 2006; Van Lunsen & Laan, 2004). It is possible that heterosexual women show genital responses to both preferred and non-preferred stimuli because prepotent sexual features are present in both male and female sexual stimuli.
In order to better understand women’s nonspecific genital response, we examined whether stimulus prepotency was associated with nonspecific sexual response in heterosexual women. We assessed 36 heterosexual women’s genital and subjective arousal to slideshows of male and female prepotent stimuli (erect penises and aroused vulvas), non-prepotent stimuli (flaccid penises and female pubic triangles), and neutral stimuli (images of clothed men and women engaged in nonsexual activities). Counter to prediction, women demonstrated category-specific genital and subjective sexual responses, such that sexual arousal was significantly higher to prepotent male stimuli (images of erect penises) versus prepotent female stimuli; genital responses were nonspecific to non-prepotent and neutral stimuli. Results are discussed in terms of the sexual competency of stimuli and the Information Processing Model of Sexual Response.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Non-domination and the Accommodation of Minority Social Practice

contributor:
Moore, Margaret
Political Studies

subject:
Non-domination
Democratic authority
Relational autonomy
Minority practice
Political legitimacy
Polygamy
Accommodation
Multiculturalism

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 11:13:58.516

abstract:
This thesis develops an account of non-domination as a principle of legitimacy that ought to govern both inter-group and intra-group relations in multicultural states. It applies this principle to the question of how political institutions should respond to claims for the accommodation of controversial minority practices, using the example of the polygamous community in Bountiful, British Columbia. In developing this account, the thesis engages with three bodies of theoretical literature – of multiculturalism, of political legitimacy, and of autonomy.
In the dominant normative theories of multiculturalism, answers are centered on what the limits of toleration are, what it means to recognize a collective identity, or what group rights can be claimed and how group rights are balanced with individual rights. While not rejecting the importance of these issues in a pluralistic state, my approach de-centers them by subsuming them under the broader problem of what makes a political authority morally legitimate vis-à-vis particular collective - as well as abstract individual - subjects. I argue that the most promising response to this problem lies with the concept of non-domination, conceived as a foundational principle of political legitimacy for multicultural states. This principle both demands and checks a democratic method for determining specific forms of accommodation.
In some cases the advancement of non-domination between groups conflicts with the advancement of non-domination within groups.  In political theory this question is often taken up by feminist scholars concerned with the ‘paradox of multicultural vulnerability’ and, more generally, with the dilemma of how to identify and critique internalized oppression while promoting full respect for individual moral agency. Borrowing from these debates, I outline a conception of the relational moral autonomy of the person and argue that it forms a necessary component of a non-domination- based analysis. The conclusion of the thesis with respect to minority social practices is that specific claims should be determined on the basis of a democratic process aimed at uncovering whether and when, all things considered, the accommodation of that particular practice is consistent with non-domination both between and within groups.

abstract: PhD


title: Voice Lessons: Teaching and Writing in the Northwest Territories

contributor:
Luce-Kapler, Rebecca
Education

subject:
Aboriginal Education
Place-Conscious Writing Practices

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 11:38:17.767

abstract: This dissertation investigates writing practices attuned to northern places. Eight experienced teachers from six regions in Canada’s Northwest Territories agreed to think-together in a study which took a hermeneutic approach to the focusing, gathering, and the analysis of data. Writing was both the subject for the inquiry and the methodology, as I asked participants to engage in ten workshops designed to move conversations away from familiar answers to the question: what practices invite northern students to write? In a place where the majority of students are Indigenous, I hoped that the writing workshops would invite the non-Indigenous teachers to consider their relationship to the many interconnecting dimensions of place. While writing seems to take one away from the particulars of experience to more universal concerns as one tries to capture meaning, paradoxically, writing returns to the particular. In the first four chapters, I use my 19 years of experience as a northern teacher as a heuristic for the study by contrasting the thinking of ‘the new teacher who has just arrived in the North’ to the voice of ‘the researcher.’ Four data chapters take up the ideas that emerged from the thinking-together with the teachers. I examine how the teachers used complexity thinking to approach their writing pedagogy. I consider how new literacies might overlap Indigenous pedagogies and Western writing pedagogies. I assert that the qualia of individual experience might serve as engaging subject matter for student writing. And finally, I explore how teachers might orient writing practices toward the development of voice rather than overemphasize procedural text-based approaches. This study will add to the literature on teaching writing with Indigenous students and to the literature on post-process pedagogy, particularly as it draws from Geography. Through example, this dissertation may illustrate how non-Indigenous educators can draw from Indigenous education in a way that respects and integrates its philosophical foundations.

abstract: PhD


title: Bystander Narratives: The Fiction of J.M. Coetzee and the Holocaust

contributor:
Jolly, Rosemary
English

subject:
J.M. Coetzee
Holocaust
TRC
South Africa
Apartheid

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 12:15:58.377

abstract: J.M. Coetzee’s novels are suffused with a pervasive, though often oblique, Holocaust awareness.  Direct references to the event and to the historical era to which it belongs, subtle stylistic and thematic echoes of Holocaust writing, and the recurrent mobilization of Holocaust imagery in Coetzee’s novels all contribute to suggest the significance of the event to the author’s work and thought.  Providing Coetzee with a lens through which to view the contemporary situation, both local and global, the Holocaust offers Coetzee a means by which difficult and complex questions of ethics and historiographical truth may be approached.  Above all, the Holocaust and its representation contribute to Coetzee’s exploration of the dilemmas of translating the traumatic lived experience of atrocity – including, but not limited to, life in apartheid South Africa – into narrative form.  Taken as a whole, Coetzee’s oeuvre initially anticipates and later responds to, in characteristically oblique fashion, the narrative project(s) facing post-apartheid South Africa as the newly-democratic nation sought to make sense of its past through a variety of means, the most important of which was the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  Implicitly challenging the TRC’s findings as well as its narrative assumptions, the Coetzean oeuvre accordingly invites being read as offering a continuous and evolving counter-narrative to the TRC and its construction of a narrative of the apartheid past for the post-apartheid nation.  In utilizing the Holocaust, its representations, and the reception thereof to frame his response to apartheid, Coetzee implicates both in a critique of the Western model of modernity, suggesting, in the process, the importance of reconfiguring modernity in a more ethical shape.

abstract: I would like to retain copyright for the purposes of future publication.

abstract: PhD


title: Physical activity and postpartum functional status in primiparous women

contributor:
Tranmer, Joan E.
Nursing

subject:
Functional status
Pregnancy
Postpartum fatigue
Physical activity
Postpartum

abstract: Thesis (Master, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 15:57:25.901

abstract:
Background:  During the early postpartum period, new mothers commonly experience fatigue and depressive symptoms which may affect their ability to function and care for themselves and their newborn.  Given the demonstrated positive effects of physical activity on mood and fatigue, the purpose of this study was to describe physical activity levels across late pregnancy and the first three months postpartum, and to determine the associations between physical activity and postpartum functional status, mood, and fatigue at 6- and 12-weeks postpartum.
Design:  We employed a longitudinal, descriptive study design.  Prenatal classes were used to recruit women.  Questionnaires containing validated measures of functional status, physical activity, mood, and fatigue were administered at baseline (pregnancy), 6- and 12-weeks postpartum.
Results:  The sample consisted of 73 primiparous women with a mean age of 30 (+3.7) years.  The majority were married (83%), Caucasian (98%), educated (70%) and middle to upper-middle class.  Women in this study were physically active, with the majority being moderately active (52%).  Few women had low physical activity levels (n = 4-8) throughout the study. Household activities and walking accounted for the majority of physical activity. Women in this study reported moderate levels of fatigue, with fatigue levels decreasing over time.  For most postpartum women, mood and fatigue scores improved from six to 12 weeks; however, for 26% of women, scores did not.  Self-care and social/community activity subcategories of functional status were the slowest to improve.  Women who were low/moderately physically active at six weeks postpartum were three times as likely to have low functional status in comparison to highly physically active women (OR 3.22, 95% CI: 1.07, 9.73).  At 12-weeks women with higher mental (OR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.79) and physical fatigue (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.40) were more likely to be in the lower functional status group at 12-weeks postpartum.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that high levels of self-reported mental and physical fatigue relate to lower functional status for primiparous women at six and twelve weeks postpartum.  Women who are highly physically active at six and twelve weeks postpartum are more likely to have higher functional status, but this effect is influenced by perception of both mental and physical fatigue.

abstract: MNSc.


title: Place Marketing and Place Making: Toront, Tourism, and the Fractured Gaze

contributor:
Hand, Martin
Cultural Studies

subject:
Place Marketing
Tourism
Tourist Gaze
Culture
Toronto

abstract: Thesis (Master, Cultural Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 16:22:22.467

abstract: This thesis is an empirical and theoretical investigation into the changing trends in place marketing as it relates to urban tourism, particularly in the city of Toronto. It begins by exploring broader discourses to do with capitalism and creativity and their impacts on city space and people’s interactions with it and within it. These perspectives are then situated in the Toronto context, a city that currently embraces the notion of the Creative City, as promulgated by Richard Florida, which encourages the branding of the city for the purpose of stimulated economic growth and in which tourism plays an increasing role. Thirdly, it examines the theoretical implications of the prominent belief that tourism and place marketing are imperative for Toronto’s economic well-being. Official efforts at place marketing and place branding construct what John Urry terms the tourist gaze, and frame the city in particular ways to particular people. Fourthly, this thesis gives an empirical account of how the gaze comes to bear on the physical city space in terms of infrastructure and financing projects in the interest of creating a Tourist City. The penultimate chapter brings to light how the rise of new media has allowed for the greater possibility to puncture the traditionally linear narrative of the city with new voices, thus fracturing the monolithic gaze in some instances. The thesis concludes by questioning the implications of new media on the existing systems of city management and promotion, recognizing the ambivalence of new media and its potential to both challenge and reproduce current discourse.

abstract: M.A.


title: Changes in Scaled-Chrsyophyte Assemblages in Response to Recent Climate Change in Northwestern Ontario

contributor:
Cumming, Brian F.
Biology

subject:
Scaled Chrsyophytes
Temporal Coherency
Breakpoint Analysis
Paleolimnology
Climate Change
Experimental Lakes Area

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 16:42:06.753

abstract: A two-part paleolimnological study was conducted to: i) understand the important factors that are related to the present-day distribution of scaled-chrysophytes; ii) investigate changes in the scaled-chrysophyte assemblages in the Experimental Lakes Area northwestern Ontario, in response to recent climate warming. Scaled-chrysophyte assemblages were analyzed in the modern sediments of 40 ELA lakes to determine their relationship to measured environmental variables. The sediment record from 210Pb dated cores from six ELA lakes were analyzed at a sub-decadal resolution to evaluate if chrysophytes were changing in a consistent fashion and if these changes could be accounted for by measured climatic factors. Ordination analysis of the modern chrysophyte flora was significantly related to pH, lake depth, and the degree of thermal stratification, as well as water temperature. Mallomonas punctifera ‘small’ and Mallomonas acaroides were indicators of warm surface-waters. High-resolution analysis of six ELA lakes revealed pronounced shifts in the chrysophyte assemblages over the last ca. 150 years. The most notable shift in the chrysophyte assemblage was characterized by an overall shift towards higher relative abundances of colonial taxa. In several lakes increases in unicellular warm-water taxa were also observed. Breakpoint Analysis identified significant changes in the chrysophyte assemblages beginning in the late-1800s to mid-1900s in most lakes. An interclass correlation coefficient (ri) was used to assess the temporal coherency of the chrysophyte assemblages over the past ca. 100 years. All lakes displayed a similar directional change which was significantly coherent (p<0.05). A Brien’s Test identified sub-sets of lakes that were temporally coherent and homogenous. The high coherency of two groups, (Group A, grand mean=0.89, p-value=5.3x10-15; Group B, grand mean=0.38, p-value=0.038), suggests the dominance in extrinsic factors in governing the lake responses. The average PCA axis-1 scores of Group A (r-value=0.62, p=0.03) and Group B (r-value=0.60, p=0.038) were significantly correlated to regional mean annual temperature. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that changes observed in the scaled-chrysophyte assemblages in the ELA region are consistent with recent climate warming.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: PASIF A Framework for supporting Smart Interactions with Predictive Analytics

contributor:
Martin, Patrick
Computing

subject:
Smart Interactions
Business Intelligence
Predictive Analytics

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 18:11:02.374

abstract:
As computing matures, it is becoming increasingly obvious that a change is necessary for the manner in which web services interact with users. Server-centric models are inconvenient for users. A new paradigm, Smart Interactions, provides a web service architecture which is centered around the user's needs, rather than the simplistic server view currently being used.  The system responds to the individual user and is able to adapt to changes to better serve the user. The Smart Internet system helps the user accomplish their tasks efficiently and intuitively.

An important aspect of Smart Interactions is that of cognitive support, which provides enhanced information and guidance to the system or user linked to the current task. This thesis examines predictive analytics and its application to cognitive support in Smart Interactions, and presents and evaluates a framework for using predictive analytic support within the Smart Internet model.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Validation Platform for Ultrasound-Based Monitoring of Thermal Ablation

contributor:
Fichtinger, Gabor
Computing

subject:
Pathology
Registration
Ultrasound
Line Fiducial Pattern
Pose Recovery
Image-Guided Procedures
Tumor Ablation
Validation Platform
Thermal Therapy
Medical Imaging

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 20:31:55.159

abstract:
PURPOSE: Thermal ablation therapy is an emerging local cancer treatment to destroy cancer tissue using heat. However variations in blood flow and energy absorption rates make it extremely challenging to monitor thermal changes. Insufficient ablation may lead to recurrence of the cancer while excessive ablation may damage adjacent healthy tissues. Ultrasound could be a convenient and inexpensive imaging modality for real-time monitoring of the ablation. For the development and optimization of these methods, it is essential to have ground truth data and a reliable and quantitative validation technique before beginning clinical trials on humans. In this dissertation, my primary focus was to solve the image-to-physical space registration problem using stereotactic fiducials that provide accurate correlation of ultrasound and pathology (ground truth) images. METHOD: A previously developed validation test-bed prototype was evaluated using phantom experiments to identify the shortcomings and limitations. In order to develop an improved validation platform, a simulator was implemented for evaluating registration methods as well as different line fiducial structures. New fiducial line structures were proposed, and new methods were implemented to overcome the limitations of the old system. The new methods were then tested using simulation results and phantom studies. Phantom experiments were conducted to improve the visibility of fiducials, as well as the quality of acquired ultrasound and pathology image datasets. RESULTS: The new system outperforms the previous one in terms of accuracy, robustness, and simplicity. The new registration method is robust to missing fiducials. I also achieved complete fiducial visibility in all images. Enhancing the tissue fixation medium improved the ultrasound data quality. The quality of pathology images were improved by a new imaging method. Simulation results show improvement in pose recovery accuracy using my proposed fiducial structure. This was validated by phantom studies reducing spatial misalignment between the US and pathology image sets. CONCLUSION: A new generation of test-bed was developed that provides a reliable and quantitative validation technique for evaluating and optimizing ablation monitoring
methods.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Short-time asymptotics of heat kernels of hypoelliptic Laplacians on Lie groups

contributor:
Mansouri, Abdol-Reza
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Non-commutative Harmonic Analysis
Hypoelliptic heat kernel
Sub-Riemannian geometry

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-08 01:32:32.896

abstract: This thesis suggests an approach to compute the short-time behaviour of the hypoelliptic heat kernel corresponding to sub-Riemannian structures on unimodular Lie groups of type I, without previously holding a closed form expression for this heat kernel. Our work relies on the use of classical non-commutative harmonic analysis tools, namely the Generalized Fourier Transform and its inverse, combined with the Trotter product formula from the theory of perturbation of semigroups. We illustrate our main results by computing, to our knowledge, a first expression in short-time for the hypoelliptic heat kernel on the Engel and the Cartan groups, for which there exist no closed form expression.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Optical Characterization of Indium Gallium Nitride for Application in High-Efficiency Solar Photovoltaic Cells

contributor:
Pearce, Joshua M.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Photovoltaics
III-V Alloy
Semiconductor Characterization

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 21:28:58.898

abstract: The semiconductor alloy indium gallium nitride (InxGa1-xN) offers substantial potential in the development of high-efficiency multi-junction photovoltaic devices due to its wide range of direct band gaps, strong absorption and other optoelectronic properties. This work uses a variety of characterization techniques to examine the properties of InxGa1-xN thin films deposited in a range of compositions by a novel plasma-enhanced evaporation deposition system. Due to the high vapour pressure and low dissociation temperature of indium, the indium incorporation and, ultimately, control of the InxGa1-xN composition was found to be influenced to a greater degree by deposition temperature than variations in the In:Ga source rates in the investigated region of deposition condition space. Under specific deposition conditions, crystalline films were grown in an advantageous nano-columnar microstructure with deposition temperature influencing column size and density. The InxGa1-xN films were determined to have very strong absorption coefficients with band gaps indirectly related to indium content. However, the films also suffer from compositional inhomogeneity and In-related defect complexes with strong phonon coupling that dominates the emission mechanism. This, in addition to the presence of metal impurities, harms the alloy’s electronic properties as no significant photoresponse was observed. This research has demonstrated the material properties that make the InxGa1-xN alloy attractive for multi-junction solar cells and the benefits/drawbacks of the plasma-enhanced evaporation deposition system.  Future work is needed to overcome significant challenges relating to crystalline quality, compositional homogeneity and the optoelectronic properties of In-rich InxGa1-xN films in order to develop high-performance photovoltaic devices.

abstract: Two of the chapters have been used for journal publications and are awaiting acceptance

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Reducing Diesel Dependence in Nunavut: Integrating Renewable Energy Technologies Through Policy Actions

contributor:
Pearce, Joshua M.
Environmental Studies

subject:
Nunavut
Renewable Energy Policy
Solar Energy
Wind Energy

abstract: Thesis (Master, Environmental Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-29 23:47:11.775

abstract:
In the last fifty years, Nunavut has developed a deep dependence on diesel for virtually all of its energy needs, including electricity. This dependence has created a number of economic, environmental and health related challenges in the territory, with an estimated 20% of the territory’s annual budget being spent on energy, thereby limiting the Government of Nunavut’s ability to address other essential infrastructure and societal needs, such as education, nutrition and health care and housing. One solution to address this diesel dependency is the use of renewable energy technologies (RETs), such as wind, solar and hydropower.

As such, this thesis explores energy alternatives in Nunavut, and through RETScreen renewable energy simulations, found that solar power and wind power are technically viable options for Nunavut communities and a potentially successful means to offset diesel-generated electricity in Nunavut. However, through this analysis it was also discovered that accurate data or renewable resources are often unavailable for most Nunavut  communities. Moreover, through qualitative open-ended interviews, the perspectives of Nunavut residents with regards to developing RETs in Nunavut were explored, and it was found that respondents generally supported the use of renewable energy in their communities, while acknowledging that there still remains a knowledge gap among residents regarding renewable energy, stemming from a lack of communication between the communities, government and the utility company. In addition, the perceived challenges, opportunities and gaps that exist with regards to renewable energy policy and program development were discussed with government policy-makers through further interviews, and it was discovered that often government departments work largely independently of each other rather than collaboratively, creating gaps and oversights in renewable energy policy in Nunavut.

Combined, the results of this thesis were used to develop a number of recommended policy actions that could be undertaken by the territorial and federal government to support a shift towards renewable energy in order to develop a sustainable and self-sufficient energy plan in Nunavut. They include: gathering accurate renewable resource data in Nunavut; increasing community consultations on the subject of renewable energy; building strong partnerships with universities, colleges and industry; developing a knowledge sharing network; and finally increasing accessibility to renewable energy programs and policies in Nunavut.

abstract: Material in this thesis has been submitted to journals for publication, and is in the process of being reviewed.

abstract: M.E.S.


title: Representing the properties of object classes in manipulation and weight perception

contributor:
Flanagan, J. Randall
Psychology

subject:
Weight Prediction
Size-Weight Illusion

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 12:51:49.413

abstract: The ability to accurately predict object weight is essential for skilled manipulation and recent studies suggest that such prediction is based, in part, on learned size-weight maps associated with families of objects. Weight prediction based on size-weight maps is also involved when judging weights; there is strong evidence that weight judgments are biased by expected weight, based on size. This bias is revealed by the size-weight illusion (SWI) whereby the smaller of two equally weighted and otherwise similar objects is judged to be heavier because it is heavier than expected based on its size. The overall aim of the current set of studies was to examine how size-weight maps for different families of objects are organized and represented at the perceptual and sensorimotor levels. We found that distinct and independent size-weight maps, used to predict weight, were used when lifting objects and judging their weights. At the perceptual level, interference between size-weight maps for the different sets of cubes was observed; participants could learn the inverted size-weight relationship for the green cubes when experienced alone but not when experienced along with the black cubes with a normal size-weight relationship. However, about half of participants learned to scale lift forces accurately for both sets of cubes indicating that the sensorimotor system can learn, without interference, opposite size-weight maps. We further investigated why not all participants learned to accurately scale their lift forces and found that learning to lift objects with different and arbitrary size weight maps involves visuomotor working memory resources. Moreover, an outside task that steals attentional resources can interfere even after previous learning of the size-weight maps.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Performing Resistance/Negotiating Sovereignty: Indigenous Women's Perofrmance Art in Canada

contributor:
Jessup, Lynda
Art History

subject:
Indigenous Performance Art
Resistance
Sovereignty
Self-Determination
Aboriginal Performance
Indigenous Women
Indigenous Storytelling
Decolonization

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 09:07:41.999

abstract: Performing Resistance/ Negotiating Sovereignty: Indigenous Women’s Performance Art In Canada investigates the contemporary production of Indigenous performance and video art in Canada in terms of cultural continuance, survivance and resistance. Drawing on critical Indigenous methodology, which foregrounds the necessity of privileging multiple Indigenous systems of knowledge, it explores these themes through the lenses of storytelling, decolonization, activism, and agency.  With specific reference to performances by Rebecca Belmore, Lori Blondeau, Cheryl L'Hirondelle, Skeena Reece and Dana Claxton, as well as others, it argues that Indigenous performance art should be understood in terms of i) its enduring relationship to activism and resistance ii) its ongoing use as a tool for interventions in colonially entrenched spaces, and iii) its longstanding role in maintaining self-determination and cultural sovereignty.

abstract: I have chosen restricted access for future publication reasons.

abstract: PhD


title: Cucurbit[7]uril Host-Guest Complexes With Drug Molecules Containing Isoquinoline Groups

contributor:
Macartney, Donal H.
Chemistry

subject: isoquinoline

subject: Cucurbit[7]uril

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 10:02:47.285

abstract:
This thesis describes the host-guest chemistry between cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and various guests that contain isoquinoline groups, including tacrine, papaverine, N-methyl papaverinium, N-methyl laudanosinium, 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydroisoquinoline, N, N-dimethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinium, α,α'-bis(isoquinolinium)-p-xylene and a series of 1,n-bis(isoquinolinium) alkane dications (Isq(CH2)nIsq2+, where n = 2, 4-6, 8-10 and 12). The stoichiometries and strengths of the host-guest interactions were studied using UV-visible and 1H NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. A focus of this thesis is an investigation of the effects of varying the chemical structure within a series of isoquinoline-based guest  on the strength of the binding affinity .
	The 1H NMR spectra indicates that CB[7] prefers the saturated ring of tacrine as opposed to the aromatic ring, resulting in a binding constant of (2.7 ± 0.25) x 104 M-1. The N-methylations of papaverine and 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydroisoquinoline increased their respective binding constants from those of the protonated forms and changed the nature of the interaction of the guest with CB[7]. .
	  With the series of 1,n-bis(isoquinolinium)-alkane dications, the mode of binding to CB[7] depends on the number of carbons in the polymethylene chain that bridges the two isoquinolinium groups. When the bridge is less than six carbons, CB[7] binds sequentially on the isoquinolinium groups to form 1:1 and 2:1 host-guest complexes. If the polymethylene chain length is between six and ten carbons, or is replaced with a p-xylyl group, the first CB[7] will bind over the central bridge, resulting in both of the polar portals forming ion-dipole interactions with both positively charged nitrogens. A second CB[7] binds to a terminal isoquinolinium group, which forces the original bound CB[7] to relocate to the other isoquinolinium group.  When the polymethylene bridges contains twelve carbons, two CB[7] binds sequentially to the isoquinolinium groups, as observed with the shortest polymethylene bridges. With this series of guest, the binding constant is the largest when the bridge is two carbons long. This is due to the two isoquinolinium groups being in close proximity to each other, allowing CB[7] to interact with both nitrogens while still binding around the isoquinoline group.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Role of Non-Ferritic Phase in the Micro-Void Damage Accumulation and Failure of Dual-Phase Steels

contributor:
Pilkey, A. Keith
Boyd, Doug
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
dual-phase steel
void damage
banding
X-ray micro-computed tomography

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 11:49:18.645

abstract:
Dual-phase (DP) sheet steels are a class of advanced high strength steels which boast a desirable combination of properties for the forming of automotive components, including: high strength, continuous yielding behaviour, and a high initial work hardening rate. The higher strength of DP steels relative to predecessors used to form automotive components allows for a reduction in part gauge, translating to the potential for reduced automobile weight, emissions, and fuel consumption.

However, a form of premature failure during component forming known as `shear fracture' has become a prominent challenge to manufacturers' adoption of DP steels. Martensite particles in DP steel microstructures act as nucleation sites for the development of void damage during deformation, resulting in a deleterious effect upon formability and thought to contribute to the observed shear fractures.

This dissertation contributes to the overall goal of offering guidance for the improvement of DP steel microstructures for more desirable fracture behaviour. Specifically, the role of non-ferritic phase/constituent (NFP) volume percent and spatial distribution in the accumulation of void damage in DP steels was investigated. Void damage accumulation in ten DP steel microstructural variants tested to failure under near plane-strain deformation was qualified and quantified in three dimensions using an X-ray micro-computed tomography technique. These results were correlated to the microstructural parameters of the variants, which clearly indicated the detrimental effects of NFP banding in DP steels.

It was observed that DP microstructures with increased severity of NFP banding (generally aligned in the sheet rolling direction) incurred a reduced strain to failure. Often, microstructural variants with NFP bands aligned transverse to the major loading direction incurred a reduced strain to failure, accumulated a greater number of voids, and exhibited a larger void volume percent than a specimen with oppositely oriented NFP bands. Void damage spatial distribution was generally reflective of the spatial distribution of the most coarse NFP bands through the sheet thickness. In microstructural variants with NFP bands aligned transverse to the major loading direction, accumulated void damage was often observed to be highly elongated in the direction of NFP banding.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: End-User Driven Service Composition for Constructing Personalized Service Oriented Applications

contributor:
Zou, Ying
Computing

subject:
Context aware service recommendation
ad-hoc process
End-User Driven Service Compostion
business process kowledge extraction
Service Oriented Computing

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 11:43:39.151

abstract:
Service composition integrates existing services to fulfill specific tasks using a set of standards and tools. Existing service composition techniques and tools are mainly designed for SOA professionals. The business processes used in the service composition systems are primarily designed by experienced business analysts who have extensive process knowledge. Process knowledge is the information about a process, including the tasks in a process, the control flow and data flow among tasks. It is challenging for end-users without sufficient service composition skills and process knowledge to find desired services then compose services to perform their daily activities, such as planning a trip. Context-aware techniques provide a promising way to help end-users find services using the context of end-users. However, existing context-aware techniques have limited support for dynamic adapting to new context types (e.g., location, time and activity) and context values (e.g., “New York City”).
To shelter end-users from the complexity of service composition, we present our techniques that assist non-IT professional end-users in service composition by dynamically composing and recommending services to meet their requirements. To acquire the desired process knowledge for service composition, we propose an approach to automatically extract process knowledge from existing commercial applications on the Web. By analyzing the context of end-users, our techniques can dynamically adapt to new context types or values and provide personalized service recommendation for end-users. Instead of requiring end-users to specify detailed steps for service composition, the end-users only need to describe their goals using a few keywords. Our approach expands the meaning of an end-user's goal using process knowledge then derives a group of tasks to help the end-user fulfill the goal. The effectiveness of our proposed techniques is demonstrated through a set of case studies.

abstract: PhD


title: Sequence and Structure Based Protein Folding Studies With Implications

contributor:
Jia, Zongchao
Biochemistry

subject:
Protein Structure
Protein Folding

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 12:32:41.379

abstract:
As the expression of the genetic blueprint, proteins are at the heart of all biological systems.  The ever increasing set of available protein structures has taught us that diversity is the hallmark of their architecture, a fundamental characteristic that enables them to perform the vast array of functionality upon which all of life depends.  This diversity, however, is central to one of the most challenging problems in molecular biology: how does a folding polypeptide chain navigate its way through all of the myriad of possible conformations to find its own particular biologically active form?  With few overarching structural principles to draw upon that can be applied to all protein architecture, the search for a solution to the protein folding problem has yet to produce an algorithm that can explain and duplicate this fundamental biological process.
In this thesis, we take a two-pronged approach for investigating the protein folding process.  Our initial statistical studies of the distributions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues within α-helices and β-sheets suggest (i) that hydrophobicity plays a critical role in helix and sheet formation; and (ii) that the nucleation of these motifs may result in largely unidirectional growth.  Most tellingly, from an examination of the amino acids found in the smallest β-sheets, we do not find any evidence of a β-nucleating code in the primary protein sequence.
Complementing these statistical analyses, we have analyzed the structural environments of several ever-widening aspects of protein topology.  Our examination of the gaps between strands in the smallest β-sheets reveals a common organizational principle underlying β-formation involving strands separated by large sequential gaps: with very few exceptions, these large gaps fold into single, compact structural modules, bringing the β-strands that are otherwise far apart in the sequence close together in space.  We conclude, therefore, that β-nucleation in the smallest sheets results from the co-location of two strands that are either local in sequence, or local in space following prior folding events.  A second study of larger β-sheets both corroborates and extends these findings: virtually all large sequential gaps between pairs of β-strands organize themselves into an hierarchical arrangement, creating a bread-crumb model of go-and-come-back structural organization that ultimately juxtaposes two strands of a parental β-structure that are far apart in the sequence in close spatial proximity.  In a final study, we have formalized this go-and-come-back notion into the concept of anti-parallel double-strandedness (DS), and measure this property across protein architecture in general.  With over 90% of all residues in a large, non-redundant set of protein structures classified as DS, we conclude that DS is a unifying structural principle that underpins all globular proteins.  We postulate, moreover, that this one simple principle, anti-parallel double-strandedness, unites protein structure, protein folding and protein evolution.

abstract: We would like this protected until it is published in peer-reviewed journals

abstract: PhD


title: Effects of Leaving Group Ability and Microstructure on the Reactivity of Halogenated Poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)

contributor:
Whitney, Ralph A.
Parent, J. Scott
Chemical Engineering

subject: Leaving Group Ability

subject: Chlorinated Poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)

subject: Brominated Poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)

subject: Sulfur Cure

subject: Nucleophilic Substitution

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 12:55:25.665

abstract:
Halogenation of poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) (IIR) increases its reactivity towards sulphur and other nucleophiles. Currently brominated (BIIR) and chlorinated (CIIR) derivatives are commercially available; however, an iodinated derivative has been briefly investigated. The effects of leaving group ability and microstructure on the reactivity of halogenated poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) were studied to put iodobutyl rubber reactivity into context and to compare existing commercial products to their isomeric derivatives.

Polymers containing halomethyl (r-CIIR, r-BIIR, r-IIIR) isomers of butyl rubber were prepared from as-received BIIR to compare the effect of leaving group on thermal stability and reactivity towards nucleophilic substitution. The polymer containing (E,Z)-endo-iodomethyl isomers (r-IIIR) readily underwent nucleophilic substitution at low temperatures; however, it was sensitive towards dehydrohalogenation at temperatures above 65⁰C. At temperatures between 100⁰C and 135⁰C, the bromomethyl derivative (r-BIIR) demonstrated the best balance between reactivity toward nucleophilic substitution and dehydrohalogenation. Exceptional thermal stability at temperatures up to 190⁰C was displayed by the chloromethyl derivative (r-CIIR); however, it was unreactive at low temperatures towards certain nucleophiles. This lack of reactivity shown by r-CIIR was not consistent with all nucleophiles, as reaction dynamics with TBAAc display its variable reactivity towards nucleophilic substitution with results parallel to those of r-BIIR.

Exo-methylene allylic halides (Exo-Br, Exo-Cl) and (E,Z)-endo-halomethyl (r-BIIR, r-CIIR) isomers were vulcanized with sulphur to determine the effect of microstructure on reactivity. Results showed a clear effect of microstructure on the ability to cure with sulphur. While the Exo-Cl isomer has no ability to cure, when rearranged to its (E,Z)-endo-chloromethyl isomer curing occurs readily. Both the Exo-Cl and (E,Z)-endo-bromomethyl isomers readily vulcanize in the presence of sulphur, however Exo-Br cures to a greater extent.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The Effect of Short-Term Intermittent Aerobic Exercise Training on the Carbohydrate Metabolism of Goldfish (Carassius Auratus) Subject to Environmental Hypoxia

contributor:
Wang, Yuxiang S.
Biology

subject:
Goldfish
Exercise Training
Hypoxia
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Ethanol Production

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 13:25:36.148

abstract: Goldfish subjected to an intermittent short-term aerobic exercise training regime prior to acute hypoxic exposure demonstrated a shift in hypoxia response.  Intermittent aerobic training enhanced the aerobic potential of goldfish in the red muscle by increasing maximal activity of citrate synthase by 72% and reduced pyruvate kinase activity by 21% in white muscle.  Across red and white muscle tissue, aerobic training caused a decrease in glycogen storage by 19% and 32%, respectively.  Liver glycogen stores remained unchanged by training during normoxia. Subsequent hypoxic exposure demonstrated a significant training effect with a77% glycogen depletion in the liver of trained fish compared to a 53% depletion in untrained fish.  Hypoxia caused glycogen depletion, glucose mobilization, and ATP depletion in trained and untrained fish muscle tissue.  Meanwhile, the liver of trained recovered ATP slower than untrained fish and both liver and plasma had greater lactate accumulation by 1 h hypoxic recovery in trained fish.  Alcohol dehydrogenase maximal activity of trained fish responded to hypoxia with a 50% reduction and trained white muscle significantly reduced alcohol dehydrogenase activity during hypoxic recovery.  Ethanol was produced with and without training preconditioning in response to hypoxia in red muscle; however, trained fish white muscle showed an ethanol accumulation trend following training and 12 h hypoxia that was significantly cleared during recovery.  Ethanol accumulation in white muscle of trained fish may reveal greater perturbation caused by training and hypoxia and/or some developed mechanism for ethanol retention.  In effect, this training regime created a very different metabolic profile in goldfish such that during environmental oxygen limitation, trained fish may experience an enhanced metabolic perturbation and greater glycogen depletion which may compromise hypoxic tolerance.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Development of Enzymatic Microreactors for the Analysis of Proteins via Mass Spectrometry

contributor:
Oleschuk, Richard
Chemistry

subject:
Mass Spectrometry
Proteins

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-02 19:11:35.576

abstract:
Many techniques exist for protein analysis including gel electrophoresis, immunoassays and mass spectrometry to name a few. Although each of these techniques offers different advantages there are challenges associated with protein analysis that present limitations and drawbacks for each technique. These include limited sample volumes, incompatible matrices, complex mixtures, limit of detection, and complicated and time consuming analysis techniques. The research described in this thesis deals with methods which address the above mentioned challenges. The fabrication of enzymatic microreactors and the development of an extraction technique to remove proteins from incompatible matrices are presented.
A low temperature solvent bonding technique was developed that can easily be modified to accommodate pH and temperature sensitive enzymes such as pepsin. Microfluidic chips fabricated with poly(methyl methacrylate) were constructed using this bonding method. The low temperature bonding method allows enzymes to be patterned on microfluidic devices prior to bonding with no negative impact on enzyme activity. Both peptic and tryptic reactors were fabricated using this technique. These devices have a lifetime of one month and can perform protein digestions in as little as 2.4 seconds.
Alternatively, enzymatic microreactors were developed using a novel enzyme immobilization method on porous polymer monolith columns. These columns have the advantage of having the dual functionality of an enzymatic microreactor and an electrospray emitter permitting on-line digestions to be performed. Furthermore, the new immobilization method allows columns to have a longer lifetime as this method permitted the regeneration of the columns with fresh enzyme once enzyme activity was lost.
To overcome the issues associated with incompatible matrices, an extraction technique using acetonitrile and octyl-β-D-glycopyranoside was developed to remove proteins from organic matrices. This was developed to detect the presence of prion proteins in biodiesel. Afterwards, the prion proteins were enzymatically digested and detected by mass spectrometry.
Finally both types of enzyme microreactors were applied to proteins that are difficult to digest with traditional in-solution digestions. The digestion of prion proteins and α-1-protease inhibitor were found to be more efficient and conducted in significantly less time demonstrating the potential use of these devices in clinical research.

abstract: PhD


title: The Effects of Feature-Based and Memory-Driven Attention on Appearance

contributor:
Wilson, Daryl
Psychology

subject: Attention Memory Psychology Perception

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 14:25:01.967

abstract: Recent evidence suggests that, in addition to improving performance, spatial attention alters the perceptual experience of visual stimuli. We investigated whether two other forms of attention – feature-based attention, and memory-driven attention – also produce an increase in the perceived contrast of stimuli. Perceived contrast was measured by requiring participants to report which of two Gabor stimuli appeared higher in contrast, under different attentional or memory conditions. In Experiment 1, our results indicated that participants indeed allocated attention in a feature-based manner, but no increase in perceived contrast when attending to a given colour was found. Instead, feature-based attention appears to have produced a response bias, such that a stimulus was selected more often when it was attended. In Experiment 2, no change in perceived contrast due to the memory task was observed. A subsequent experiment indicated that our memory task may not have succeeded in causing an attentional shift, which limits the scope of our conclusions on the relationship of memory to perception, but is informative for the development of effective memory manipulations. Overall, our results have provided evidence that the mechanisms of feature-based attention may not be identical to those of spatial attention, but have left the effects of memory-driven attention to be determined.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Measuring Dependence via Mutual Information

contributor:
Alajaji, Fady
Takahara, Glen
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Mutual Information
Dependence Measure

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 14:29:35.153

abstract:
Considerable research has been done on measuring dependence between random variables. The correlation coefficient is the most widely studied linear measure of dependence. However, the limitation of linearity limits its application. The informational coefficient of correlation is defined in terms of mutual information. It also has some deficiencies, such as it is only normalized to continuous random variables.

Based on the concept of the informational coefficient of correlation, a new dependence measure, which we call the L-measure, is proposed in this work which generalizes Linfoot's measure for both continuous and discrete random variables. To further elucidate its properties, simulated models are used, and estimation algorithms are also discussed. Furthermore, another measure based on the L-measure, which we call the intrinsic L-measure, is studied for the purpose of studying nonlinear dependence. Based on criteria for a dependence measure presented by Renyi and simulation results in this thesis, we believe that the L-measure is satisfactory as a dependence measure.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Investigations of Novel Uses for Boron Compounds in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

contributor:
Crudden, Cathleen M.
Chemistry

subject:
Cross-Coupling
Regeneration of Ammonia Borane

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 14:43:02.652

abstract:
Herein I describe a model study to determine the feasibility of organic hydride donors as a source of hydride in the regeneration of ammonia borane. Hydride transfer was observed in the model system comprised of Hantzsch ester and several analogues, as the organic hydride donor, and tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, as the boron-based hydride acceptor akin to BBr3. Side reactions could be minimized by varying the reaction conditions. We determined that a Lewis acid-base adduct was forming between the carbonyls of the donor and the hydride acceptor, that this adduct was dynamic in the case of Hantzsch ester and that it could be inhibited by bulkier ester groups or promoted by reducing the steric bulk at the carbonyl in the case of a methyl ketone. The thermodynamics of the hydride transfer reaction with an N-substituted analogue were probed via variable temperature NMR and compared to two differently substituted analogues.
In addition, the scope of the sp2-sp3 Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling previously developed in our lab was extended to include 2-(1,2-diaryl)ethane pinacolborane scaffolds. In order to access this asymmetric scaffold, reaction conditions for the cross-coupling of a primary boronic ester in the presence of a secondary one were developed. Yields achieved for the linear cross-coupling were in the 70 % range and varied from 42 % to 69 % for the secondary position. These latter yields are in the same range as the hydroborated styrene scaffolds described in our first account demonstrating the broad scope of these reaction conditions.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Passive and Naturalized Landfill Leachate Treatment Systems for Source Water Protection

contributor:
Champagne, Pascale
Anderson, Bruce
Civil Engineering

subject:
Passive Treatment
Landfill Leachate

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 15:55:45.73

abstract:
Landfill leachate production is an unavoidable by-product of landfilling solid waste. Mitigation of the adverse environmental impacts of landfill leachate is required at all active and closed landfill sites. Since leachate production continues long after the landfill is closed and no longer generating revenue, management strategies including low-cost passive and naturalized landfill leachate treatment systems are ideal.
The past practice of dumping solid waste into unused tracts of land has created many brownfield sites with uncontrolled discharges of leachate to the receiving environment. Belle Park in Kingston, Ontario is an example of such a site that has been reclaimed for recreational use. A seep management strategy, which included the installation of leachate extraction wells, has been implemented at the site. Passive treatment systems, a coastal fringe wetland and a phreatophyte plots, were installed to evaluate their effectiveness in conjunction with the leachate seep management. Modelling estimated that originally, the pumping wells decreased leachate discharge by 60%, and with the newer wells in 2007 the discharge was decreased by 75- 85%.
In situ pilot-scale evaluations of treatments systems are required to ensure adequate treatment of the leachate. The Merrick Landfill in North Bay, Ontario currently captures leachate produced on site and is assessing the potential of a hybrid-passive landfill leachate treatment system. This design process started with bench-scale design and assessment of active pretreatment options, followed by an evaluation of passive and semi-passive treatment systems at the bench-scale (treating 2-3 L/day) at both room (24oC) and cold (2oC) ambient temperatures. The design process culminated with a pilot-scale assessment of hybrid-passive treatment systems (treating 2000 L/d).
Assessment of flow in passive treatment system is usually conducted with tracer evaluations. Vertical-flow passive treatment systems with intermittent dosing of leachate for passive aeration have both saturated and unsaturated flow regions. This research shows that tracer evaluation of these types of system was insufficient to measure the clogging within the pore spaces. Therefore a time-lagged flux method was created, based on the pilot-scale hybrid passive treatment system at the Merrick Landfill. This analytical solution quantified the changes in saturated hydraulic conductivity in the treatment system cells.

abstract: PhD


title: Static Recovery of a Clad Aluminum Alloy After Cold Rolling

contributor:
Diak, Bradley J.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Clad Aluminum Alloys
Microstructure
Mechanical Properties
Recovery

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 19:02:44.02

abstract: This study examines the static recovery behaviour of a clad aluminum alloy manufactured by Novelis FusionTM technology after 72% cold rolling.  The clad alloy system studied consisted of a core AA6XXX alloy clad on one side with AA3003.  The Recovery at the inter-alloy region is compared with the recovery of core AA6XXX at the same depth from the rolling surface.  Sample coupons from the inter-alloy region and core AA6XXX were heated isochronally and isothermally, at different temperatures and times, respectively, to probe the recovery kinetics of the X-ray peak broadening, X-ray macro-texture and micro-hardness from the cold rolled state. The recovery of the {220} and {311} X-ray line profiles were observed between the anneals.  A pseudo-Voigt fit function was fit to the profile to obtain the defect related information. Recovery in the peak broadening began by 100°C and correlated to a decrease in the hardness.  Sharpening of X-ray profiles during recovery is attributed to the microstructural evolution resulting from preferred release of the stored energy due to dislocation rearrangement and annihilation.  Kinetic behaviour of the recovery is measured by observing the evolution of X-ray profiles and hardness during isothermal annealing at two different temperatures.  Recovery behaviour in the inter-alloy region is measured to be relatively slower than the recovery of the core AA6XXX after same macroscopic pre-strain.  Activation energy for recovery is calculated from the isothermal data to deduce a recovery mechanism. The activation energy calculated in core AA6XXX, 1.7eV, is close to the activation energy value for diffusion of Mg in Al (1.3-1.7eV).  This indicates a possible role of Mg diffusion in the recovery of AA6XXX.  The relatively higher activation energy for recovery of 2.9eV measured in the inter-alloy region may be due to pinning by nano-scale Al-Mn precipitates. The X-ray broadening data is deconvoluted to determine the apparent dislocation content using a modified Williamson-Hall model.  The dislocation density measured in the AA6XXX and inter-alloy regions in the deformed and recovered conditions indicates that dislocation density is a suitable parameter that represents the stored energy that drives subsequent structural evolution during recovery.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Development of a novel link-segment model for estimating lower back loading in paramedics

contributor:
Costigan, Patrick
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
paramedics
low back
ergonomics
compression
link-segment modeling
biomechanics

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 19:26:18.28

abstract:
Work conducted as part of this thesis evaluated the lifting techniques of paramedics using a novel link-segment model that was validated against a commercially available software package, 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP).
 Twenty-five paramedics visited the Biomechanics Lab at Queen’s University to participate in testing sessions mimicking the daily lifting and carrying tasks performed by paramedics on the job.
Participants were outfitted with the Xsens Motion Tracking System and asked to lift and carry bags ranging from 5-20kg. Output from the Xsens system was used in a 3D-inverse dynamic model to estimate loading at the L5/S1 joint. The compressive and shear force estimates at this joint are of particular interest given their correlation with low back pain and injury.
Across all conditions the greatest compressive forces were seen during bag pickup and bag release. Additionally, reaching forward 50 cm at pickup increased peak spinal compressive loads by nearly 300N and 500N for a 5kg and 10kg handbag respectively. Not surprisingly, at bag release greater trunk lean values were correlated with higher compressive force estimates. Single-shoulder backpack carries showed similar loading characteristics when compared to double-shoulder backpack carries. Shear force estimates remained well below acceptable levels across all conditions.
Based on paramedic feedback, a supplementary testing session was performed with a single participant to evaluate multi-bag carries and stair climbing. The results of this testing session showed that loading was reduced at pickup and release when the load was distributed across two bags.
This research led to the development of four recommendations that have been presented to the Association of Municipal Emergency Medical Services of Ontario.
1.	Paramedics should not lift single bags or a combination of bags that exceed 20kg.
2.	Prior to lifting, bags should be located as close to the paramedic as possible.
3.	When placing bags on the ground and when picking bags up off of the ground, paramedics should use a squat lift technique to prevent forward and side bending.
4.	When multiple bags are carried the load should be evenly distributed within bags and across sides of the body.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Cognitive resources in audiovisual speech perception

contributor:
Munhall, Kevin G.
Psychology

subject:
attention
cognitive load
audiovisual distractors
audiovisual speech perception
temporal integration
perception
multisensory integration
selective attention

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 23:31:07.754

abstract:
Most events that we encounter in everyday life provide our different senses with correlated information, and audiovisual speech perception is a familiar instance of multisensory integration. Several approaches will be used to further examine the role of cognitive factors on audiovisual speech perception. The main focuses of this thesis will be to examine the influences of cognitive load and selective attention on audiovisual speech perception, as well as the integration of auditory and visual information in talking distractor faces. The influence of cognitive factors on the temporal integration of auditory and visual speech, and gaze behaviour during audiovisual speech will also be addressed.
The overall results of the experiments presented here suggest that the integration of auditory and visual speech information is quite robust to various attempts to modulate the integration. Adding a cognitive load task shows minimal disruption of the integration of auditory and visual speech information. Changing attentional instructions to get subjects to selectively attend to either the auditory or visual speech information also has a rather modest influence on the observed integration of auditory and visual speech information.

Generally, the integration of temporally offset auditory and visual information seems rather insensitive to cognitive load or selective attentional manipulations. The processing of visual information from distractor faces seems to be limited. The language of the visually articulating distractors doesn't appear to provide information that is helpful for matching together the auditory and visual speech streams. Audiovisual speech distractors are not really any more distracting than auditory distractor speech paired with a still image, suggesting a limited processing or integration of the visual and auditory distractor information.

The gaze behaviour during audiovisual speech perception appears to be relatively unaffected by an increase in cognitive load, but is somewhat influenced by attentional instructions to selectively attend to the auditory and visual information. Additionally, both the congruency of the consonant, and the temporal offset of the auditory and visual stimuli have small but rather robust influences on gaze.

abstract: PhD


title: The Effects of a Mathematics Course on Candidates’ Beliefs About Learning and Teaching Mathematics

contributor:
Colgan, Lynda
Education

subject: Education Mathematics

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 23:52:04.164

abstract:
This qualitative case study examined a cohort of prospective teachers who completed a university mathematics course during which they were given the opportunity to relearn geometry conceptually and gain experience teaching using contemporary approaches.  The course embedded mathematics content using the context of (a) problem solving in university-based seminar classes and (b) a concurrent Grade 7 and 8 teaching placement.  Questionnaires, administered at the beginning and end of the semester, and individual interviews were used to obtain data about the prospective teachers’ beliefs about the nature of mathematics and its teaching, and about their pedagogical content knowledge.
The pre-course profile was that of a group who held comparable views about mathematics teaching as passive, learning as procedural, and mathematics itself as instrumental.  The post-course profile, however, was of a radically different group who once again claimed to hold comparable beliefs about reform-based teaching methods, conceptual learning, and a dynamic view of the utility of mathematics.  There are five findings from this study with import for preservice mathematics teacher education.  First, learning best occurs within a community.  Second, an inquiry-based approach to mathematics provides a rich learning opportunity for students.   Third, the instructor, who must have expertise in both mathematics and mathematics pedagogy, must embody reform-based teaching practice.  Fourth, to enhance their competence and confidence, teacher candidates must have opportunities to emulate the instructor in a safe environment.  Fifth, reflecting critically about course experiences is an essential part of learning for prospective educators.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Quelques figures de monstres tragiques dans la littérature française des XVIe et XVIIe siècles.

contributor:
Conacher, Agnès
French

subject:
tragédie
Racine
Théodore de Bèze
Agrippa d'Aubigné
Pascal
monstre

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, French) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-02 18:48:23.748

abstract:
This thesis explores the relationship between the monster and the tragic in 16th and 17th century French literature, in particular through the analysis of the figure of the tragic monster. We borrowed the term “tragic monster” from F. Dupont (Monstres de Sénèque) and we have elaborated this concept in conjunction with the structure of Ancient Greek and Roman tragedy, composed of dolor, furor, néfas and the tragic monster. Our first chapter explores the many connotations associated with the monster in 16th and 17th century France (prodigious births, grotesques, and monstrous heroes of Greek and Roman tragedy) and establishes the similarities between the scenario of Ancient tragedy and the story of the Fall of man.
	In our second chapter, we take note of the coincidence between monstrous form and monstrous behaviour in Aubigné’s depiction of France as a “monstrous giant” in Les Tragiques and also demonstrate the strong connection between the tragic and the monstrous for Aubigné. In chapter three, a comparison of Bèze’s Abraham sacrifiant to the medieval treatment of the story of Abraham and Isaac reveals the concept of the tragic monster as an innovation that Bèze develops from his Greek and Roman models. We also note the important differences between Bèze’s biblical tragedy and his models. In chapter four we follow the tragic arc of both Thésée and Phèdre in Racine’s Phèdre, highlighting the importance of self-knowledge in this play and that of lucidity for the concept of the tragic monster. In chapter five, lucidity continues to be a major theme as Pascal attempts to convert his reader by impressing upon him his status as a “monstre incompréhensible” in Les Pensées. In our conclusion, we attempt to trace an evolution in the concept of the monster – originally thought of  something “against nature”, to finally being defined with Pascal, as the very essence of the human being – and we point to the possible consequences of this evolution.

abstract: PhD


title: A Mobile Army of Metaphors: Archiving, Sharing, and Distributing the Social in Digital Photography

contributor:
Hand, Martin
Sociology

subject: Culture Metaphor Technology Memory

abstract: Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-03 11:45:10.155

abstract: This thesis charts the shifts in metaphors of memory associated with the digitization of personal photography – from ‘archiving’ to ‘sharing’ – developing  a strong account of the role of metaphor in shaping cultural conceptions and material technologies of memory making in relation to photography. Early discourse surrounding the emergence of photography heralded the camera as a medium capable of capturing the imprinted trace (light) of the real.  By extension, photography has routinely been figured as an essential means through which ‘the social’ can be captured, framed, communicated, and distributed, with personal photographs historically positioned as visual ‘archives’ of the self. Underlying this are specific metaphorical conceptions of the relationships between human memory, reality and representation. This thesis considers how metaphors of the ‘memory-archive’ have naturalized historically specific ideas about human memory which have in turn come to serve as models for the design and ongoing use of photographic technologies. This thesis argues for a sociology of metaphor, which can account for the ideological potential of metaphor in constructing a specific paradigm of memory, while advancing the material consequences of metaphor as a constitutive agent that enables and constrains the possibilities for memory making. The thesis focuses upon the metaphoric shifts from analogue preservation or ‘archiving’ to online distribution or ‘sharing’ within digital landscapes. The central chapters of the thesis consider the ways in which particular metaphors of memory – as archive, as distributed, as shared – are materialized as technologies, in this case photographic media. By exploring three key technologies – the Kodak EasyShare Camera, Cloud Computing, and the Instagram Application – the thesis examines the ways in which new metaphors of memory and of the social are becoming materially embedded. The thesis further reveals residual anthropocentric ideas of memory and technology, which continue through metaphors of photo-sharing which further disguises the role of the ‘technological unconscious’ in shaping potential memories.

abstract: M.A.


title: Human Rights Violations under the Guise of Counter-Terrorism Measures: A Question of Reconciling Security Concerns and Protecting the Fundamental Right to Life

contributor:
Lahey, Kathleen
Law

subject:
Counter-Terrorism
Terrorism
Human Rights
Right to Life

abstract: Thesis (Master, Law) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-03 13:40:21.534

abstract:
Both security and human rights are important to all within the civilized world. Yet there are some serious tensions between the two political norms. For instance, it may not be easy for a state or the international community to reconcile well intentioned acts to maintain security and to preserve human rights. In the recent past, such a difficulty has been played out not only in the events, but also in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. The result of the attacks, culminating in the massive loss of lives and property, has been in the adoption of various international treaties and domestic laws that have swiftly been enacted and deployed to counter terrorism, and the development of a concept of a state of “urgency” that appears to shadow the obligation to protect fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life under international law. This thesis thus focuses on the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights, particularly, the right to life with the subsequent declaration of the “war on terror” by the United States. The work targets the debate between security and human rights in the light of terrorism post 9/11, highlights the impact of choosing one ideal over another, and eventually rationing out a balance that would serve as a threshold for upholding standards in both security and human rights in the face of terrorism threats.
  Essentially, however, this thesis is hinged on the argument that to allow the ideal of security which apparently appears advantageous to a “continuing state of urgency” to overwhelmingly influence the implementation of counter-terrorism measures while paying no attention to the fundamental right to life would constitute a paradox in combating terrorism. I posit that the result of the above exercise, if chosen, implies more tragic consequences when implemented than the singular acts of terrorism in themselves.

abstract: LL.M.


title: Immobilization and Catheter Guidance for Breast Brachytherapy Using Patient-Specific Templates

contributor:
Fichtinger, Gabor
Computing

subject:
Immobilization
Breast cancer
Guidance
Patient-specific template
Brachytherapy
Radiotherapy

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-03 15:17:07.933

abstract:
Brachytherapy is an important method of breast cancer treatment; however, improvements in both treatment planning and delivery are needed. The procedure involves insertion of catheters in the tumor site, which, in current practice, is prone to clinically significant error. In order to improve on contemporary catheter placement accuracy, integration of pre-operative imaging, supplemented by computerized surgical planning and mathematical optimization were used to develop and test an intra-operative immobilization and catheter guidance system.

A custom-template specific to each patient with optimally-placed guide-holes for catheter insertion was designed and fabricated for use on phantom studies. Template creation is based on a virtual reality reconstruction of the patient's anatomy from computed tomography imaging. The template fits on the patient's breast, immobilizing the soft tissue, to provide pre-planned catheter insertion holes for guidance to the tumor site.

Agar-based phantom and target models were used for quantitative validation of the template using computed tomography imaging for template planning and validation. Planned catheter tracks were compared to post-insertion image data and distance measurements from target location were used to create an error measure.  Using the latest template design spanning multiple experiments resulted in a mean of 2.6 mm, 95%, CI =3.1-2.2, which is within the clinically acceptable range of 3 mm, as validated with our clinical collaborators.

Validation of the brachytherapy template on phantom tissue produced clinically acceptable results.  Use of a patient-specific template for breast brachytherapy is feasible and may improve the procedure accuracy and outcome. This work has been a proof-of-concept, providing evidence to support moving forward with the next phase of patient-specific breast template trials for use in brachytherapy.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Globular Cluster Kinematics and Dark Matter Content of NGC 4649

subject:
Galaxy
Globular cluster

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-03 20:45:36.205

abstract:
The globular cluster system (GCS) of the elliptical galaxy NGC 4649 has been examined using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS); spectra for 156 candidate globular clusters (GCs) were obtained, extending to a galactocentric radius of 42 kpc.  The system was found to have an even 78 GC candidates per population, using a colour of g-i = 0.92 (Faifer et al. 2011) to split the system into sub-populations. The  populations refer to their metalicity; a g-i<0.92 is considered metal-poor (MP), and a g-i>0.92 is metal-rich (MR).

Line-of-sight-velocity measurements and subsequent modelling, were used to measure the full GCS rotational velocity as 59+/-28 km/s, with a position angle of 218+/-28 degrees. The MR population was found to have rotational velocity of 81+/-42 km/s with a position angle of 221+/-29 degrees, while the MP population measures a rotational velocity of 30+/-36 km/s with a position angle of 202+/-73 degrees.  The average velocity dispersion for the full GCS was calculated at 247+/-61 km/s, the MR population 266+/-94 km/s, and the MP population, 221+/-76 km/s.  These findings are consistent (within uncertainties) with previous studies by Hwang et al.(2008), and Bridges et al. (2006).
The velocity dispersion profile for all populations is constant with increasing radius, suggesting the presence of a dark matter (DM) halo.  A tracer mass estimator was used to measure the mass at 42 kpc as (2.01+/-0.05)X10^{12} solar masses, for an isothermal potential, and (1.21+/-0.05)X10^{12} solar masses if the tracers followed the DM profile.  Finally, it was estimated that M/L_{B}=22 - 44, consistent with the presence of considerable amounts of DM for a luminous galaxy.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Towards Web Service Tagging  By Similarity Detection

contributor:
Cordy, James R.
Computing

subject:
Computer Science
Clone Detection
Web Services

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-04 09:33:36.932

abstract: The web of the future will require automated tagging of equivalent or similar services in support of service discovery and the selection of appropriate alternatives in case of failure. Code similarity detection tools, or clone detectors, provide a mature and scalable method of identifying these kinds of similarities and can be used to assist in this problem. However, they require a set of units to be compared; something to which the most popular description language, WSDL (Web Service Description Language), does not lend itself. First, each WSDL description can contain more than one operation description, which does not provide the granularity we need to compare services on the operation level. Secondly, these operation descriptions are mixed together throughout the file, often sharing some common elements. This thesis describes a technique for extracting the elements of each operation description and consolidating them into a self-contained unit using TXL, a source transformation language. These units, referred to as Web Service Cells or WSCells (pronounced “wizzles”), can then be used by similarity detectors to search for similarities. We describe a modified architecture to the NICAD clone detector to support the creation of WSCells, and the implementation of a special WSDL extractor we used to emulate this modification in its absence.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: A comparative paleolimnological assessment of the influences of early Arctic population groups on freshwater ecosystems from southern Baffin Island, Nunavut

contributor:
Smol, John P.
Douglas, Marianne S. V.
Biology

subject:
Baffin Island
Paleolimnology
Nitrogen isotopes
Diatoms
Arctic
Marine-derived nutrients
Thule
Archaeology
Dorset

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2011-10-04 15:52:18.29

abstract: Recent paleolimnological research in the eastern Canadian high Arctic on the ecological impact of the Thule c.1000-1500 AD has documented the influence of prehistoric anthropogenic activities.  Six lake and pond sites (three pairs) on the south-western coast of Baffin Island, Nunavut, were used to compare impacted and non-impacted sites in the southern-most region of Thule occupation, as well as to compare Thule occupation sites with sites occupied by another early Arctic population group, the Dorset.  Tanfield 1 and Tanfield 2 (impacted and control, respectively) are adjacent to several multiple-occupation Dorset sites on Cape Tanfield; Juet 1 and 2 (impacted and control, respectively) are adjacent to a short-term occupation Dorset site on Juet Island; McKellar 1 is adjacent to a multiple-occupation Thule site near McKellar Bay. A nearby site (McKellar 2) was also studied, but it was clearly an anomalous, eutrophic site, rather than a control for McKellar 1.  Diatom assemblages and sedimentary 15N profiles were analyzed in sediment cores from all study sites.  Selected paired sediment intervals were AMS radiocarbon dated using both humic acids and terrestrial macrofossils in an attempt to establish basal dates for each core.  Significant differences between several of the paired AMS radiocarbon dates serve as a cautionary note for dating Arctic sediments using either humic acids or terrestrial macrofossils.  Paleolimnological analyses revealed that at both multiple-occupation sites (Tanfield 1 and McKellar 1), the activities of the Dorset and the Thule influenced lake ecology, while at the short-term occupation site (Juet 1), the Dorset occupation was not sufficiently large to have a discernible impact.  McKellar 1 showed a greater impact compared to Tanfield 1, consistent with the intense marine mammal hunting by Thule at the former, compared to the moderate marine mammal hunting by Dorset at Tanfield 1.  The origin of marine-derived nutrients at McKellar 2 could not be ascertained with certainty. The influence of early Arctic population groups remains obvious in present-day nutrient- and production-related water chemistry variables.  This research points to the value of collaborations between paleolimnologists and archaeologists and may provide insight into the future implications of current anthropogenic activities in the Arctic.

abstract: M.Sc.