title: Multidimensional measurement of self concept : a preliminary study

subject: Self-perception Testing

abstract:
The purpose of this research was to develop a preliminary multidimensional
measurement of self concept, within the framework of
phenomenological theory and acknowledging previous work in the field.
Twelve preliminary scales were investigated in terms of reliability,
validity and cross-validation. Further work was not done to establish
normative data, accounting for demographic differences.
Self concept was defined as "an organized, fluid, but consistent
conceptual pattern of characteristics and relationships of the "I” or
the "me", together with values attached to these concepts" (Rogers,
1951, p. 498).
Two groups of participants consisting of university and college
students at all levels were used. The first group (n = 325) was used
for item analysis and cross-validation measures, and the second group
(n = 96) for retest reliability and validity measures.
The questionnaire used consisted of thirteen scales: five scales
represented an internal frame of reference, and seven scales an external
frame of reference of the self concept. The last scale was a Lie Scale,
or "Faking Good".
There were four major sfages to the research: item develofxnent
and three psychometric studies; two approaches were used in it&n development;
the development of items for the Family Self, Social Self, Religious
Self, Occupational Self, Masculine/Feminine, Body Self, Public Self,
and Past/Present/Future Scales; and the revision of items for the Lie, Enpathy, Altruism, Self Esteem, and the Purpose In Life Scales, v^ich
were modified from already developed tests.
Prior to the first administration of the questionnaire, nine judges
rated each item of the developed scales for face validity. Inter-judge
reliability was not performed on the judges' responses due to the high
agreement found between judges.
The process of item analysis was completed in Study One. The best
16 items that resulted in the highest item-total correlation within
the eight developed scales were retained.
The second study established reliability and validity data on the
scales after item analysis. Retest reliability on 24 college students
over a three month interval was unacceptable for all scales, with the
exception of the Masculine/Feminine Self Scale. Overall, coefficient
alpha results were poor, with only two scales (Past/Present/Future and
Errpathy Scale) meeting the criteria of acceptable hcmbgeneity estimates
(n = 96). Convergent and discriminant validation was estimated using
the Counselling Fom of the TSCS and 16PF (n = 35). Results of the
TSCS revealed that most predictions made, occurred. Only a few predictions
were successful vdien the revised questionnaire's scales were
correlated with the factors of the 16PF Test. Factor analysis for
individual scales revealed ambiguous findings.
Study Three, the cross-validation estimates, were found to be more
favourable. However, the sample size was small (n = 41). Overall, the studies suggested that there is a firm enough base
to warrant further development of this multidimensional self concept
scale.


title: Relationship between sexual empowerment and risky sexual behaviours

subject: Risk-taking (Psychology)

subject: Sex (Psychology)

subject: College students Ontario Thunder Bay Sexual behavior

abstract:
The present study explored the relationship between empowerment and risky sexual
behaviours. Participants were 104 University students. All participants individually
completed a questionnaire package that included the Scale of Sexual Risk Taking and the
Sexual Empowerment Scale. The latter, is an instrument developed for this study as a
measure of sexual empowerment in undergraduate students. The questionnaires were
followed by a 30-minute interview on the determinants ofboth safe and unsafe sexual
behaviours. Students engaging in high-risk behaviour were compared to low-risk
students, using both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative measures of sexual
empowerment failed to predict Risky Sexual Behaviours although a variety ofaspects of
sexual empowerment emerged in the qualitative data. These findings are interpreted as
support for treatment programs which focus on individual needs as opposed to a general
increase in sexual empowerment.


title: Patterns and mechanisms of understorey vegetation associated with stand development in boreal forests

subject:
Boreal forest
Bryophytes
Coarse woody debris
Epixylic plants
Lichens
Understorey vegetation
Overstorey composition
Vascular plants

abstract:
The understorey vegetation comprises the greatest plant diversity and contributes
substantially to ecosystem functioning and services in boreal forests. Although many studies
have examined patterns of understorey species diversity in relation to stand development
following stand replacing disturbances and overstorey characteristics, the mechanisms driving
these patterns remain largely speculative. Furthermore, despite their ecological importance, the
dynamics of understorey biomass, production and turnover rates following stand-replacing
disturbance and overstorey succession remain poorly understood. The objective of this
dissertation is to improve the understanding of patterns and mechanisms of understorey
vegetation, and their ecological functions with stand development in central boreal forests of
Canada. To achieve this goal, I first studied the effects of coarse woody debris (CWD) decay
class and substrate species on the patterns of epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity and
composition in the boreal forest. Second, I examined the mechanisms underlying patterns of
understorey vegetation by linking resource availability and heterogeneity to understorey species
diversity. Finally, I investigated the dynamics of understorey biomass, production and turnover
rates in the central boreal forests of Canada.
In chapter 2 and 3, the pattern of epixylic vegetation abundance, diversity and
composition on coarse woody debris decay class and substrate species were examined in stands
of varying ages and overstorey compositions types. The percent cover, species richness and
evenness of epixylic vegetation differed significantly with both CWD decay class and substrate
species. Multivariate analysis showed that understorey species composition differed significantly
with decay classes and substrate species and their interactions. My findings suggest that
conservation of epixylic diversity would require forest managers to maintain a diverse range of
CWD decay classes and substrate species. Since stand development and overstorey compositions
influence CWD decay classes and substrate species as well as colonization time and
environmental conditions, our results further suggested that managed boreal landscapes should
consist of a mosaic of different successional stages and a broad suite of overstorey types to
support diverse understorey plant communities.
In chapter 4, the mechanisms for understorey species diversity and cover were studied
using structural equation modeling (SEM) to link time since fire (stand age), light availability
and heterogeneity, substrate heterogeneity and soil nitrogen to understorey vegetation cover and species diversity in boreal mixedwood stands. The best model for total understorey cover showed
a positive direct effect of stand age, and an indirect effect via mean light level and shrub cover,
with a positive total effect; percent broadleaf canopy had a direct negative effect and an indirect
effect via shrub cover. The model for total understorey species richness showed an indirect effect
of stand age via mean light, light heterogeneity, and substrate heterogeneity, with a positive total
effect; percent broadleaf canopy had an indirect effect via light heterogeneity, and substrate
heterogeneity. The models for vascular plants followed similar trends to those for total
understorey cover and species richness; however, there was an opposite indirect effect of light
heterogeneity for both cover and species richness of non-vascular plants. The overall results
highlight the importance of time since colonization, light availability and heterogeneity, substrate
specialization and growth dynamics in determining successional patterns of boreal forest
understorey vegetation.
In chapter 5, the dynamics of understorey biomass, production and turnover rates
following stand-replacing disturbance and throughout forest succession were examined. I found
that herbaceous biomass and production peaked in early stages of stand development, whereas
total, woody and bryophytes biomass and production peaked at intermediate stages of
succession. Herbaceous and woody turnover rates were higher is early stages, and bryophytes
turnover rates were higher at intermediate stages. Understorey total, woody and herbaceous
biomass, production and turnover rates were higher under deciduous broadleaf overstorey, and
those of bryophytes were higher under conifer stands. However, mixedwood stands favoured the
growth of both woody and non-woody plants, and were intermediate between broadleaf and
conifer stands in supporting understorey biomass and production. This study highlights the role
of overstorey succession in long-term forest understorey biomass, production and turnover
dynamics and its importance for modeling total forest ecosystem contribution to the global
carbon cycle.
In summary, this study demonstrated that multiple processes determine changes in
understorey vegetation with stand development in boreal forests and highlight that understorey
vegetation species diversity, and its biomass, production and turnover dynamics are driven by
time since colonization following stand replacing fire, coupled with associated changes in
resource availability and heterogeneity mediated via overstorey succession. This study highlight
that the shifts in forest age structure and composition have strong impact on the dynamics of understorey vegetation and its ecological functions. Therefore management interventions should
aim at maintaining diverse range of stand ages and overstorey types for conserving biodiversity
and their ecological functions in the boreal forest of Canada.


title: Optimization of the process for sol-gel derived ZnO:Al thin films for transparent conducting oxide applications

subject:
Sol-gel
Thin film transistors
Transparent electrodes
Transparent conducting oxides
Zinc oxide

abstract:
Transparent and conducting Al-doped ZnO thin films with c-axis-preferred orientation were
prepared on glass substrate via sol-gel route. The physical, optical and electrical properties were
investigated to determine an optimal withdrawal speed, aluminum source and treatment in order
to obtain a smooth, dense, highly crystalline, conductive and transparent thin film with a high
figure of merit for transparent conducting oxide applications. An optimal withdrawal speed was
found to be 2.5 cm/min. Optimal aluminum source and concentration was found to be 0.5 at.%
using aluminum chloride hexahydrate. An additional treatment in an N2 environment was found
to be the best method to improve the electrical properties of the films while maintaining high
crystallinity and transparency.


title: Power line use by nesting raptors

contributor:
Crowe, Kevin
Long, Zachary

subject:
Aerial imagery
Raptors
Wildlife monitoring
Power poles as nesting habitat
Stick nest observations

abstract:
Raptors represent an important species group often targeted in wildlife
monitoring efforts. Incidental raptor stick-nest observations were recorded in SaskPower
power line aerial imagery. Analyses were conducted to determine if the nest location
were chosen at random along the power line infrastructure. It was determined that
raptors may non-randomly select nest sites to avoid anthropogenic features. This data
source does not seem to be valuable for future wildlife monitoring studies.


title: Effect of periphytic Escherichia coli and lake water bacterial population on the biofilm establishment of a Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain

contributor:
Leung, Kam Tin
Schraft, Heidi
Qin, Wensheng
Gao, Wa

subject: E. coli in Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay, Ontario

subject: Escherichia coli - Ontario - Thunder Bay Region

subject: Biofilms

subject: Boulevard Lake (Thunder Bay)

abstract:
Biofilm studies Escherichia coli (E. coli) have typically focused on 0157:H7 in
defined, laboratory medium. While there is value in such studies, they offer little in the
way of explaining the behaviour and interactions of this group of bacteria with other
environmental bacteria under biofilm conditions. Furthermore, with evidence mounting to
support the persistence of naturalized populations of E. coli in the environment, a study to
determine the effect of the naturalized E. coli and other environmental microbial
populations on the biofilm development of E. coli 0157:H7 is called for.
The biofilm developments of E. coli H32 strain (a pathogenic E. coli 0157:H7 strain),
E coli 1A strain (isolated from a periphyton sample collected at Boulevard Lake, Thunder
Bay, Ontario, Canada) and a microbial population collected from Boulevard Lake were
examined using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Biofilm formation was studied in a minimal salt medium supplemented with 0.04% glucose (MSMG). The CSLM
allowed for the determination of biofilm structures. It was observed that the periphytic E.
co//strain was able to form a thick (approximately 40 pm) structured biofilm which water
channels and mushroom-like pillars were observed. The pathogenic E. co//strain H32,
was unable to form a structured biofilm. The biofilm was scarce forming a monolayer of
coverage. The lake water microbial population was able to form a structured biofilm with lots of variations in structures from mounds to thin layers of cell coverage. The biofilm
thickness was very diverse ranging from 5 to 30 Mm.
In addition, the effect of the periphytic E. coli 1A strain and the lake water bacterial
population on the biofilm establishment of the E. coli 0157:H7 H32 strain was examined.
In order to study the interactions between the two E coli strains, a rifampicin resistant
mutant of 1A (1A-Rif) and a green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) labelled and kanamycin
resistant H32 mutant (H32-gfp) were created. These two mutant strains were used to
replace the 1A and H32 strains in the mixed culture study. Three treatments were
performed in the mixed culture study. The first treatment was to determine the biofilm
establishment of the pathogenic H32-gfp strain when exposed to a pre-established
periphytic E. coli 1A-Rif biofilm. The inoculum densities of the H32-gfp strain in this treatment were 1x10[superscript 7], 1x10 [superscript 6], 1x10[superscript 5] and 1x10 [superscript 4] CFU/mL and the biofilm cell densities of
H32-gfp and 1 A-Rif were determined by drop-plating after 48 h. At the inoculum density
of 1x10[superscript 7] CFU/mL of H32-gfp, the pre-established lA-RIf biofilm helped H32-gfp to form more blofilm by increasing the biofllm density of H32-gfp by a magnitude of 1 log, when compared with the monoculture H32-gfp biofilm cell density in the absence of the preestablished 1 A-Rif biofilm. However, at inoculum densities of 1x10[superscript 5] and 1x10 [superscript 4] CFU/mL, the 1 A-Rif biofilm decreased the ability of H32-gfp to form biofllm significantly (p<0.05).  The inverse of this experiment was performed where the 1 A-Rif strain was exposed to a pre-established H32-gfp biofilm. In this setting, the pre-established H32-gfp biofilm significantly decreased the ability of 1 A-Rif to form biofilm (p<0.05) regardless the inoculum densities of 1 A-Rif ranging from 1x10 [superscript 7] and 1x10 [superscript 4] CFU/mL.


title: We deserve that care and attention we are trying to nurture within other people: exploring the experiences of co-active life coaches on self-care and professional practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

contributor:
Pearson, Erin
Sinden, Kathryn
Irwin, Jennifer
Mushquash, Aislin

subject:
Self-care
Helping professions (self-care)
Life coaching
Co-active life coaching

abstract:
Self-care is broadly defined as a chosen, proactive initiated practice, with the goal of
promoting well-being. Self-care provides many social, emotional, and psychological benefits,
and it is important to understand its role among those who are responsible for helping others.
Helping professionals such psychologists, social workers, and nurses are tasked with promoting
self-care and nurturing individual growth amongst their patients and clients. Working in these
industries can lead to excess stress, burnout, and professional impairment, all of which can
negatively impact clinical work and personal health. Ironically, these helpers’ personal self-care
is not always an immediate priority. In light of these challenges, it would seem that enhanced
self-care may provide an avenue to reduce negative outcomes seen in the personal and
professional lives of helpers. Beyond exploring self-care and health among helping
professionals, it is also important to understand how self-care relates to professional practice
during COVID-19, an era fraught with government restrictions mandating lockdowns and the use
of telecommunications. Certified Professional Co-Active life coaches (CPCC), helping
professionals who provide highly personalized support endorsing self-care for their clients and
are trained in using virtual tools, have yet to be examined in this context and are poised to
provide unique insights. [...]


title: Chemoreception in invasive rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus): learning and adaptation in aquatic ecosystems of Northwestern Ontario

contributor:
Pyle, Greg
Carney, Joseph
Hecnar, Stephen

subject:
Chemoreception
Crayfish
Ecosystems
Northwestern Ontario
Aquatic organisms

abstract:
Crayfish utilize chemosensory cues, in addition to other sensory inputs, to mediate a
variety of fundamental life processes. Exotic species, like the rusty crayfish (Orconectes
rusticus), are known to employ a broader range of chemosensory stimuli owing to their
superior adaptability and behavioural plasticity relative to native crayfish species. The
ability to respond rapidly to changing biotic and abiotic conditions contributes to the
successful establishment of many introduced species in newly adopted ecosystems. I
report two behavioural studies designed to measure chemically mediated associative
learning, and environment-specific chemical cue utilization, in rusty crayfish. I found that
rusty crayfish could quickly and easily form a learned attraction to a walleye (Sander
vitreus) egg cue when paired with a food stimulus using a single, two-hour exposure. I
also found that rusty crayfish from two ecologically distinct habitats responded
differently to sympatric v. allopatric conspecifc injury cues. Specifically, both
populations tested were attracted to injury cues from a lake where crayfish were likely to
cannibalize with higher frequency, but showed no response to the same cue from the
other study lake. My results help describe how aquatic invasive species use chemical
information in their environment to facilitate adaptive responses and survival in new and
unfamiliar ecosystems. Observations are discussed in the context of relevant literature
and theory.


title: Lignin Degradation by some wood-rot fungi with emphasis on cylindrocladium camelliae

contributor:
Malek, Ladislav
Schraft, Heidi
Dekker, Robert

subject:
Lignin
Lignin degradation
Ligninolytic enzymes
Lignin decolorization
Wood-rot fungi

abstract: Thirty wood-rot fungi were screened for their ability to grow on media containing Kraft lignin with a limited amount of glucose. Of these fungi, twenty-three were tested for ligninolytic activity judged by decolorization of lignin. Four species: Absidia cylindrospora, Piptoporus betulinus, Cylindrocladium camelliae and Gleoephyllum trabeum were selected for further studies because they decolorized lignin after 3 weeks of culture by 9, 11, 26, 9%, respectively.


title: The response to frustration of physically fit and unfit individuals

contributor:
Jamieson, John
Evans, James

subject:
Stress (Physiology)
Physical fitness
Testing
Frustration

abstract: Fifty-two male and 40 female undergraduates were tested for their levels of physical fitness as determined by predicted maximal oxygen uptake. By selecting the top and bottom ten subjects for each sex a fit and unfit group for both males and females was formed. All subjects were exposed to an emotionally stressful situation involving both frustration and insult.


title: Tracking habitat use by boreal toads in disturbed forest on the boreal plain in Alberta

contributor:
Prepas, Ellie
McLaren, Brian
Hecnar, Stephen

subject:
Boreal anurans of Central Alberta
Boreal plain
Boreal toads
Radio-transmitter attachment techniques
Surgical implantation
Waistband harness

abstract:
Radio-telemetry is an effective way of collecting detailed information on the behaviour of a great many species. However, the presence of the radio-transmitter may influence the behaviour of the subject, an effect for which one cannot necessarily control. I examined the relative impact of two common radio-transmitter attachment techniques (waistband harness and surgical implantation) on Wood Frogs and Boreal Toads to determine their efficacy for these species. The acute stress of surgical implantation appeared to have less impact than the chronic stress of the waistband harnesses, but logistic constraints limited their usefulness for monitoring Boreal Toad movements. Radio-telemetry provided the means of identifying Boreal Toad refuge microsites, which likely represent a critical resource for the persistence of the species. Refugia provided favourable microclimates with elevated relative humidity compared to the surrounding habitat. Boreal Toads tended to forage at night within 15 m from
refugia. This distance was used to calculate activity centres across toad summer home ranges. This approach can be used to pinpoint critical habitat at the landscape scale, which may be of particular importance for conserving populations currently in decline.


title: The functional interpretation of quartz and amethyst artefacts from the Mackenzie I site (DdJf-9)

contributor:
Matheson, Carney
Hamilton, Scott
Gibson, Terry

subject:
Quartz and archaeology
Mineralogy
Mackenzie I site

abstract: Mackenzie I is the largest excavated archaeological site that is attributed to the Lakehead Complex, the first known occupants of the area surrounding modern day Thunder Bay, Ontario. As such, it has garnered much academic interest, including the following research, which analyzes a specific portion of the lithic assemblage to identify the function of quartz and amethyst implements. The methodological approach follows a multi-analytical framework which relies on the strengths of various residue and use-wear techniques to compose the most well-rounded functional interpretations. These techniques include: low power incident light microscopy, high power incident light microscopy, solvent removal designed to capture a wide range of molecules, a variety of biochemical tests, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high power transmitted light microscopy, and scanning electron microcopy. Since archaeological residue is often in a degraded state, in situ analysis was critical for describing and characterizing residue prior to removal to account for the likelihood that chemical analysis may not produce interpretable results for all artefacts. Despite the observed presence of residue, negative results are possible because the quantity and quality of the residue will differ between samples. In addition, the boreal forest is a harsh environment for the survival of organic material and thus all precautions must be taken to increase the chance that interpretable results are produced. The results from residue analysis were almost exclusively animal, indicating that animal processing was an important function at this site. Use-wear analysis confirmed that many of the analyzed artefacts were used and that functions were quite varied, even when morphological similarities were present. The artefacts themselves proved to be either expedient or informal, which was expected based on the presence of quartz at Lakehead Complex sites adjacent to known sources. Overall, this research proved that quartz and amethyst artefacts were used more frequently than previously understood, and this research is the first indication that amethyst could be used as a tool material by this culture. However, analysis concluded that there was no specific purpose behind the material’s use (i.e. the material was used for a variety of tasks), and thus it was likely not sought after for a specific task.


title: Effects of various additives on regulated emissions of modern diesel engines

contributor:
Roy, Murari
Wang, Wilson
Pakzad, Leila
Singh, Birbal

subject:
Compression ignition (CI) engine
Biodiesel
Regulated emissions
Emissions from biodiesel combustion

abstract: Increasingly strict emissions regulations along with man-made global warming has peaked interest in clean burning diesel engines. Renewable biofuels such as biodiesel are being investigated to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon (HC), and smoke opacity, while slightly increasing nitrogen oxides (NOx). Two modern diesel engines, a light-duty engine and heavy-duty engine, were investigated with various biodiesel blends. The heavy-duty engine was a Cummins 4-cylinder direct injection (DI) diesel engine, which was run at three idling conditions: low, medium and high idling states operated at 800 revolutions per minute (rpm), 1000 rpm, and 1200 rpm respectively. The engine was fueled with biodiesel-diesel blends with two additives. Two additives, ethanol and diethyl ether (DEE) at 5% and 15% were mixed with biodiesel-diesel blends B20, B50 and B100. B100 was produced from canola oil. The engine was tested from cold start to warm up in real world conditions. The light-duty engine was a HATZ 2-cylinder diesel engine, which was fueled with biodiesel blends with dissolved expanded polystyrene (EPS) and fuel stabilizer additive acetone. The light-duty engine was tested at three speed conditions 1000 rpm, 2100 rpm, and 3000 rpm. Each speed condition had 4 load conditions: 0%, 20%, 50%, and 80% load. EPS was dissolved at 50g/l of biodiesel and the acetone additive was tested at 100ml/l of biodiesel and 250ml/l of biodiesel. Emissions analysis was conducted for carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), smoke opacity and unburned hydrocarbons (HC). Investigation results demonstrate that for the heavy-duty engine at idle conditions, diesel-biodiesel blends with additives produce lower CO emissions than neat diesel. Ethanol and DEE additives can also reduce NOx emissions in diesel-biodiesel blends, and increasing biodiesel content reduced HC emissions. For the light-duty engine at all loading conditions biodiesel-diesel blends produced lower CO emissions, higher NOx emissions and higher smoke opacity. EPS content overall decreased CO and NOx emissions, but increased smoke opacity. At 100ml/l of biodiesel acetone decreased CO emissions, acetone at 250 ml/l of biodiesel increased CO emissions. Acetone increased NOx emissions and decreased smoke opacity.


title: Transport of Escherichia coli through soil / by Bruce Rosa.

contributor:
Leung, Kam Tin
Kjartanson, Bruce
Malek, Ladislav

subject:
Escherichia coli - Dispersal
Pathogenic microorganisms - Dispersal
Clay soils - Environmental aspects

abstract:
Sorption is an important process in the retention of pathogens by clay barriers. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to investigate the sorption of nonpathogenic 'E. coli' to illite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite clays, a natural red clay, a silt and a sand. The Freundlich isotherm model provides the best fit for the sorption data. The sorptive capacity (SC) of each soil for 'E. coli' was calculated at an equilibrium ' E. coli' concentration of 1 x 108 CFU/mL. The SC values correlate strongly with the measured cation exchange capacity (having an R 2 of 0.92), as well as the weighted average particle size (having an R2 of 0.83), of the soils. Columns of compacted and normally consolidated high plastic clay and compacted non-plastic silt soils were exposed to cycles of freezing and thawing to simulate conditions of physical weathering, in turn creating a fracture network in the specimens.  To determine bacterial transport properties, these columns, as well as intact sand, were permeated with a nonpathogenic E. coli strain suspended in a minimal salt medium in a constant head permeability mode. As a result of freezing and thawing, the
permeability of the soil columns was found to increase by one order of magnitude for the silt and two to three orders of magnitude for the normally consolidated and compacted clay columns. Full (100%) breakthrough of the E coli was observed after three pore volumes of flow in the sand, 35 pore volumes of flow in the silt, and was not
observed in both compacted and normally consolidated clay columns, even after as many as 55 pore volumes of flow. However, as many as 5 x 10[superscript 5] CFU/mL of E. coli were found to permeate through clay columns, indicating a possible public health risk from
bacterial transport through freeze-fractured soil liners. Both sorption and filtration through soil were found to be important factors in determining bacterial transport through fine grained soils.


title: The relationship between whole blood, plasma and total blood lactate at various exercise intensities

subject: Glycolysis

subject: Factors affecting blood lactate

subject: Acid-base balance

subject: Plasma volume

subject: Whole blood and plasma lactate discrepancies

subject: Mechanisms for cell to plasma lactate gradients

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lactate concentrations derived
from  three  sources:  whole  blood  (WBLa),  plasma (Pla) and total blood  (TBLa)  during  an
incremental  bicycle  test  to exhaustion.    Regression  equations  were  computed  enabling  the
prediction of one source from  another.  Thirty-two  male  subjects  (16-25  yrs) participated in
this study. Subjects performed a graded bicycle ergometer exercise test to exhaustion. Consecutive
blood samples were drawn via an indwelling venous catheter at two minute intervals throughout the
test, immediately post, and 5 minutes  post  exercise.  Blood  was  analyzed  for: WBLa, Pla, TBLa
(YSI Lactate Analyser Model 23L),  hemoglobin,
hematocrit, bicarbonate and  pH.  Correlations  were  calculated  for  all variables.   Simple  and
 multiple  regression   equations   were  computed across exercise  intensities.  A  one-way  ANOVA
 was  performed  to  determine  if  any  significant  differences  existed  between   these   three
indices. This study illustrated that WBLa, Pla and  TBLa  concentrations,  differed significantly
and as exercise intensity increased  so  did  the discrepancy. The regression equations were
PLa=1.568(WBLa) + 0.149; WBLa=0.887(TBLa)  +  0.015;  PLa=1.208(TBLa)  +  0.093.    Although highly
correlated  to  lactate  values,  the  predictor   variables:   hemoglobin, hematocrit,
bicarbonate  and  pH  did  not  enhance  the  prediction    equation.


title: Effects of positive and negative emotional states on conjugate lateral eye movements and bilateral finger pulse volume

subject:
Eye Movements
Pulse
Blood Circulation

abstract:
Lateral eye movement (LEM) and finger pulse volume
(FPV) measures were taken while subjects responded to
questions incorporating both a cognitive component,
Visuo-spatia 1 or verbal processing, and an emotional
component, excitement or fear= Initial LEMs immediately
following stimulus offset and predominant LEM direction
during a 10 second period were recorded by EOG. Both LEM
measures and FPV did not yield significant bilateral differences
as a function of either emotional or cognitive
content. Subjects displayed a propensity for left looking
across conditions.
There was an intriguing, but nonsignificant similarity
between left LEMs and increased blood flow to subjects'
left sides in response to negative questions. However, no
clear evidence was found for hemispheric effects on LEMs
or FPV.
Results are discussed in terms of the use of automation,
the possible effects of subject stress and stimulus
development and construction. Recommendations for future
research include the gathering of evidence for the connection
of hemispheric activity and LEMs at the neurophysiological
level and the continued use of corroborative
physiological measures such as FPV.


title: Some relaxation studies of molecular and intramolecular motions in glassy o-terphenyl

subject:
Dielectrics
Dielectric relaxation
Terphenyl

abstract:
In this work, the results of dielectric
studies carried out on a number of molecules of the general form y [symbol] x are presented.  These molecules have been studied mainly in two forms: as solutions of glassy o-terphenyl, Santovac [superscript R], or atactic polystyrene, and in some cases as the pure compressed solid. It is
in this latter regard that a new technique for the study
of compressed solid preparation has been developed.
Studies were carried out over the frequency range 10[superscript 2] to
10[superscript 5] Hz using a General Radio 1615A Capacitance Bridge.
The experimental data as a function of frequency
at different temperatures were analyzed by computer and
fit to the Eyring rate equation. From this analysis,
activation energy barriers for the observed dielectric
relaxation processes were obtained.
general form are presented.
Molecules studied have been chosen to
correlate such properties as symmetry and electronic and
steric effects to the observed Eyring rate parameters.


title: Experiences of seven alumni who attended Shingwauk Residential School as children 1929-1964

contributor:
McLeod, Roderick W.
Fennell, Hope-Arlene

subject: Native peoples Education Ontario Sault Ste. Marie

subject: Native peoples Ontario Sault Ste. Marie Residential schools.

abstract:
This oral history report documents the recollected experiences of seven Native"students" who attended Shingwauk Residential School between 1929 and 1964. From qualitative analyses of transcripts three general themes emerged: first, the respondents' JOURNEYS to, through, and from Shingwauk; second, the reported LOSSES incurred by the students; and, third, NEEDS. For each theme, the informants' recollections are documented compared with those found in the extant primary and secondary literature. It was observed that more traumatic memories tended to be reported by those respondents who started their Shingwauk journeys at a very early age, confirming findings reported by other researchers. Other findings include the following: the data confirm most aspects of residential school life reported in primary and secondary sources, such as the journeys to and from the school, deprivations of food and emotional  support, the "vocational" training the children received, religious training delivered to the children, and the losses the children suffered. Observed differences included perceptions of learning English, available health care, and sexual abuse. Although the loss o f the informants’ mother tongues is documented by the
respondents, the variety of Native languages brought to the school appear to have encouraged
English to serve as the lingua franca, and the informants report learning English more for their own convenience than because o f administrative rulings enforced by staff. Also, concern for health
care, although cited by other researchers as a frequent problem at other residential schools, was
mentioned by few respondents in this study. No references to sexual abuse were reported.
Further research is recommended to document the recollections of a broader representation
of students who attended this residential school, as well as those of principals and staff members.


title: Predictors of susceptibility to the diet and nutrition media

subject:
Weight loss preparations industry
Eating disorders

abstract:
Much of the information distributed by the diet and nutrition media
consists of unsubstantiated claims. Individuals who are particularly susceptible
to such sources are at risk for practicing food-related behaviours of
questionable benefit and potential harm. The present study examined whether
individuals high in dietary restraint, as measured by the Three Factor Eating
Questionnaire (TFEQ; Stunkard & Messick, 1985), or with an external locus
of control as measured by the Weight Locus of Control Scale ( Saltzer, 1982)
might be particularly susceptible to this information. Four scales were used to
measure different aspects of susceptibility to the diet and nutrition media.
These measures assessed the credibility given to commercial sources and to a
wider range of sources of health information (Worsley, 1989), beliefs about
the effects of food on behaviour (Wisocki & King, 1992), and surveyed
questionable eating behaviours in a measure which was developed for this
study.
One hundred and forty-seven female university students completed
these questionnaires and kept a 3-day record of their food and beverage
consumption. The Cognitive Restraint scale of the TFEQ was significantly
associated with a range of questionable eating behaviours (e.g. fad diets).
However, neither dietary restraint nor locus of control were predictive of perceived credibility of sources of health information, nor of beliefs about the
effects of foods on behaviour. These findings do not identify a clear profile of
individuals who are particularly susceptible to food-related information. Only
the Hunger Susceptibility scale of the TFEQ was related to the major food
consumption measures (calories, carbohydrates and fats).


title: Predicting risk of violence in a young offender population : the predictive validity of the PCL:YV and the YLS/CMI

subject: Juvenile delinquents (Psychological testing)

subject: Violence forecasting

subject: Anti-social & violent behaviour in youth

subject: Gender differences and violence

subject: Youth psychopathy

abstract:
The current study examined the predictive validity of two adolescent instruments, using outcome
measures of recidivism. The Psychopathy Checklist:Youth Version (PCL:YV) was
retrospectively coded from file information on 102 young offenders referred to an out-patient
setting for multi-disciplinary assessment; the Youth Level of Service/Case Management
Inventory (YLS/CMI) was previously completed by probation workers on the same sample. A
3% year fbllow-up period occurred prior to examination of criminal records. The predictive
accuracy of both instruments was examined using area under the curve (AUCs). AUCs for
general and violent recidivism ranged from .57 to .81, and .57 to .79, respectively. The PCL:YV
outperformed the YLS/CMI in most areas. Implications for follow-up are discussed.


title: Stem wood structure of four Ghanaian Khaya species

subject: Identification of Khaya trees

subject: Distribution of the Khaya species

subject: Influence of wood variation on identification of species

abstract:
Four closely related Ghanaian Khaya woods were studied for differences in
anatomical, chemical and physical properties to enable clear identification o f the species. The species were Khaya cmthotheca (Ka), Khaya ivorensis (Ki), Khaya grandifoliola
i (Kg) and Khaya senegalensis (Ks). Samples for the study were obtained from identified standing trees from eight Forest Districts in Ghana. Macroscopic, microscopic and ultrastructural features including physical and chemical features were examined qualitatively and quantitatively.
Qualitative description of anatomical features indicated that the four species
possess similar features with only a few differences in ray appearance of Ks and Ki. Ks
rays were relatively more rounded and rich in gum deposits while Ki contained more o f
smaller rays (uniseriate, biserite and triseriate) compared to the other species. Chemical
test for colour reaction in sapwood and heartwood of the four species failed to show
differences except with Bromcresol green. Ks heartwood at 12% m.c was stained
yellowish-green by Bromcresol green whereas the other species were only stained by the
green colour of the chemical. Some quantitative anatomical data further confirmed the
close relationship of the species since reliable differences could hardly be found using
features such as sapwood width and percentage; vessel diameter, length, and density.
Also included were fibre length, diameter, lumen size and single wall thickness as well as
ray frequency, height, width and height/width ratio. These features were either not
significantly different with t-test of 95% confidence level, or varied considerably from
juvenile to mature wood with extensive overlap between compared ranges. Hence these
features were unsuitable for identification of the four species. However, fibre lumen/wall
ratio, percentage multiseriate rays and relative density of the four species showed
significant differences with negligible variation from juvenile to mature wood and no
overlaps.
It was found that the mean fibre lumen/wall ratio in Ks, Kg, Ki and Ka were 0.4,
2.4,4.5 and 4.8 respectively. Ki had the lowest o f percentage multiseriate rays averaging
64% while the other species ranged from 80-87%. Relative density range of Ka and Ki,
i.e., 0.4-0.6 was classified as medium while that o f Kg and Ks, i.e., 0.6-0.8 was in the
high density group. Therefore, a key for differentiating the four Ghanaian Khaya woods
with a confidence level o f 99% was postulated based on fibre/lumen wall ratio,
percentage multiseriate rays, relative density and ray appearance.


title: Assessment of fuel quality changes during storage of biofibre and its effect on cost

subject:
Forest biomass
Storage
Economic aspects
Ontario, Northwestern
Wood waste as fuel

abstract: Bioenergy, energy produced from renewable biomass, can potentially replace fossil fuels and create employment in northwestern Ontario. However, the procurement of biomass for energy production can be uneconomical due to high moisture content, low thermal value and low energy density. Studies in Europe have shown that biomass can be stored in the field to improve the fuel quality. Logging residues stored in various forms was investigated to gain an understanding of the effect of storage method and duration on the fuel quality. The fuel qualities assessed were moisture content (MC), thermal value and ash content. Also a case study is presented with information on cost of processing and transporting salvaged wildfire burnt biomass, and the net energy balance of the entire operation.


title: Exploring the relationship between strengths of youth, their level of functioning, and internalizing or externalizing symptom expression

subject:
Mental health
Mental health assessment
Youth mental health assessment
Symptom evaluation
Internalizing issues
Externalizing issues

abstract: Mental health assessments produce profiles specifying the nature and severity of youths’ symptoms and impairments. Interest in developing more comprehensive mental health profiles has motivated efforts to also assess youth’s strengths. Youth mental health service recipients self-reported, and were rated by caregivers, for strengths in a comprehensive number of settings and contexts using the Strengths Assessment Inventory (Rawana & Brownlee, 2009a). Youth and observer subscale ratings had a moderate to high level of internal consistency with most sufficient for research measurement, and some approaching the level recommended for clinical purposes. Agreement between youth and caregiver ratings were greatest for youths’ strengths at school and from being involved in their community. Strengths scores were matched to youths’ archived mental health data. Logistic regression indicated internalizing youth in the sample were more likely than peers with externalizing presentation to report strengths at home, at school, relating to their use of free time and their time spent with friends. Internalizing youth were also more likely to report strengths related to being optimistic for the future, and possessing goals and dreams. Caregivers’ ratings of youths’ strengths were not found to be associated with youth’s presentation of internalizing or externalizing issues. The study demonstrates youth in clinical samples self-reported strengths in particular areas are related to the nature of their self-reported mental health symptom presentation. A number of recommendations are made for future research on quantitative strengths assessment for clinical purposes.


title: Evaluating the utility of a point of care device to assess physiological differences among wild boreal fishes

contributor:
Rennie, Michael
O'Connor, Constance
Treberg, Jason

subject:
Fish community assessments
Aquatic ecosystem
Anthropogenic impacts (Fisheries)
Fish health assessments
Fish biomarkers via blood chemistry

abstract:
With the increasing risk of anthropogenic impacts in boreal ecosystems there is a
 need for tools to rapidly assess impacts on organisms and properly inform resource
 managers. Though well-researched, the i-STAT a portable Point-of-Care device has been
 minimally validated in species and environments, especially those that represent
 freshwater species in cold, boreal environments. To determine the accuracy of the i7 STAT, blood from Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and White Sucker
 (Catostomus commersoni) was collected from the IISD Experimental Lakes Area (ELA)
 and analyses compared between traditional lab methods and results of the i-STAT POCD.
 The stability of i-STAT-based whole blood parameters was also evaluated over 3-4 hours
 for both ELA and captive Lake Trout. Finally, the i-STAT was tested in ambient
 conditions that are outside of its recommended usage (<16°C) to assess changes in
 physiological status in spawning Lake Trout across various capture and handling methods
 from five ELA lakes in October 2020. The time between capture method and blood
 sampling was also assessed for spawning Lake Trout.  [...]


title: Exercise and anxiety sensitivity: an examination of dose response, credibility, expectancy, and perceived effort

contributor:
Hayman, Gordon
Farrell, Joey
Kivi, Derek

subject: Exercise and mental health

subject: Exercise modalities

subject: Anxiety sensitivity

subject: Effects of exercise on anxiety sensitivity

abstract: Despite ongoing research examining exercise and its anxiolytic effects (Petruzello, Landers, Hatfield, Kubitz, & Salazar, 1991), our understanding of this relationship is limited. The present study evaluated the effects of exercise on anxiety sensitivity (AS), and sought to evaluate the effects of various exercise intensities as well as several potential moderating variables including perceived effort, credibility, and expectancy. It was hypothesized that exercise at both mild and moderate intensities would result in a reduction of AS compared to a no-exercise control condition. In addition, it was hypothesized that perceived effort, credibility, and expectancy would moderate the relationship between exercise, and AS. Fifty-five participants (37 females and 18 males) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) a no exercise control condition (n=18), 2) a mild exercise condition (n=19), and 3) a moderate exercise condition (n =18). All participants attended the lab a total of six times over a two week period, and completed measures for perceived effort, credibility, expectancy, and AS. Results indicate that participants in the two exercise conditions experienced a similar decrease in AS while those in the no exercise condition experienced no significant change in AS. This finding suggests that a very mild dose of exercise intervention is sufficient to improve scores of AS in an at risk population. Furthermore, the variables of expectancy, credibility, and perceived effort did not moderate the effects of exercise on AS.


title: Transient oxygen uptake response as an indicator of sports specific adaptation

subject: Oxygen Physiological transport

abstract:
A cross-sectional design examined aerobic power and transient oxygen uptake responses of four male sports groups (cyclists, runners, swimmers, and cross-country skiers). Data was collected via three modes of ergometry (treadmill running, cycling, and arm cranking), with the transient oxygen uptake responses being described via the 'half-time'
(t1/2 VO[subscript 2]on) and 'Mean Response Time' (MRT) values. The transient VO[subscript 2]on
responses were quantified via a single exponential process given as
[see document for formula] where A reflects the increment above the
previous (rest or exercise) steady state level, ss represents the steady
State or asymptotic value, TD is the time delay parameter, and T is the time constant...


title: Predator mediated indirect effects of livestock on native prey

contributor:
Morris, Douglas
McLaren, Brian
Hecnar, Stephen

subject: Livestock in protected areas

subject: Predation & indirect interactions

subject: Predation & habitat selection

subject: Domestic & native prey in protected areas

subject: Native herbivores

subject: Livestock-killing carnivores

abstract: Livestock are common in many protected areas and due to their negative effects pose a considerable challenge to protected area managers attempting to conserve native ecosystems. Negative effects include resource competition with native herbivores, habitat modification, and conflicts between pastoralists and livestock-killing carnivores. A literature review on livestock in conservation areas indicates that research has predominantly focused on negative effects which are known to be major threats to the survival of many mammalian prey and predator species. However the potential role of predator-mediated indirect interactions between native herbivores and livestock via shared predation has been overlooked or ignored in natural areas dominated by human-livestock settlements.


title: Windthrow and forest regeneration, structure, and composition in boreal forests

subject:
Boreal forest
Forest restoration
Forest ecosystem
Windthrow
Vegetation dynamics

abstract:
Windthrow is a self-identified disturbance factor in forests, which has a huge
ecological and economic impact.
This paper discusses the influence of windthrow on boreal forests and analyzes the
changes of tree ecosystems from three aspects of forest restoration, structure, and
composition. This article combines two different experiments to study boreal forests
in different regions including Europe and Canada. Through systematic quantitative
review and data analysis, the main factors of forest restoration and the influence of
pothole topography formed during windthrow inversion on forest structure and
composition were obtained.
Through the quantitative analysis of 13 boreal forest cases, the regeneration and
survival of seedlings in the forests suffering from wind disasters are studied, and
whether it promotes the regeneration of forests. This indicates that the soil
microorganisms in the forest are the main factor that promotes forest restoration,
which is also a point worthy of attention in forest management in the study of wind
disturbance, the potholes in the forest experienced by the wind increased by about
10%. After the roots are uprooted, the soil becomes loose, giving the trees and
seedlings good growth conditions. The terrain of each pothole is a
micro-environment, which contains many microorganisms and nutrients, which
provides a good growth environment for the germination of seeds and the growth of
seedlings. When the growth conditions change, the structure and composition of the
forest will also change accordingly. Therefore, windthrow affects the regeneration,
structure and composition of forests.


title: Global environmental change effects on forest dynamics: lessons from permanent sample plot networks

contributor:
Chen, Han
Shahi, Chander
Kayahara, Gordon

subject:
Boreal forest
Climate change
Forest productivity
Global environmental change
Phylogenetic diversity
Forest biomass dynamics
Tree longevity

abstract:
Global environmental change caused by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses is a major threat to forest ecosystems globally. Before we can begin to adequately mitigate these threats, we first must understand how these systems are being affected. The purpose of this dissertation is to provide an understanding of how best to estimate these effects, investigate possible mechanisms of mitigation, and provide the first ground-based global estimate of changes in forest productivity in response to global environmental change.
In my first study, I examined how the use of size-thresholds can bias estimates of forest biomass gain, loss, and net change. Permanent sample plot networks are intensively sampled, spatially extensive, and as a result often quite costly. In an effort to reduce costs of these networks, tree size-thresholds are often used which leads to measurement of solely large trees. However, it is unclear whether these size-thresholds bias estimates of the effects of global environmental change on stand biomass gain, loss, and net change. Using a network of 141 permanent sample plots from Manitoba, Canada, with all trees of >1.3 m in height repeatedly measured, I constructed three distinct data sets: using a 10 cm, 5 cm, and no diameter at breast height threshold. These three data sets were then used to demonstrate that stand biomass gain and loss were increasingly underestimated as thresholds increased. This underestimation was particularly noticeable in the relationship between biomass gain and age: the peak productivity was estimated to be 20 years later when using a 10 cm threshold in comparison to no threshold. Despite bias in estimates of stand biomass gain and loss as stands aged, there was little evidence for any bias in estimates of global environmental change effects on forest biomass gain, loss, or net change. These results suggest that, if not properly controlled for, the use of tree size thresholds can significantly bias estimates of forest biomass gain, loss, and net change.
In my second study, I examined how tree longevity has responded to global environmental change. In particular, acceleration in tree life cycles (i.e., reduced longevity in trees with faster lifetime growth rates) has been hypothesized as a cause of increased tree mortality in response to global environmental change. However, this link has never been explicitly tested. In light of this, I defined two testable hypotheses: (i) the probability of ageing driven tree mortality increases with global change and (ii) the mortality probability associated with global change is higher for faster-growing trees. To test these hypotheses, I examined the temporal changes of tree mortality probability in 539 permanent sample plots monitored from 1960 to 2009, with ages greater than 100 years at initial censuses, across the boreal region of Alberta, Canada. I demonstrated that tree longevity has been reduced as a result of global environmental change. Further, I demonstrated that this reduction in longevity was strongest for those trees with the fastest lifetime growth rates. These reduced longevities were linked to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and reduced water availability, indicating that the reductions in longevity will likely continue with future global environmental change.
In my third study, I examined the potential of enhancing niche complementarity as a way to mitigate the negative effects, or enhance the positive effects, of global change on individual tree productivity. Specifically, I hypothesized that individual trees with functionally and phylogenetically dissimilar neighbours would grow more quickly and experience less competition under global environmental change than those with functionally and phylogenetically similar neighbours.


title: Population dynamics of an exploited population of Orconectes virilis in Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Orconectes virilis.
Crayfish Ontario, Northwestern

abstract:
Exploitation of northern stocks of the crayfish Orconectes
virilis (Hagen) produced significant alterations in several
population parameters. High fishing efforts increased per capita
fecundity, young-of-year (YOY) production, and age- and sex-specific
growth, and altered mortality patterns. Climatic variation, measured as arbitrarily defined weather variables, did not influence life history parameters in the exploited population. However, short-term temperature fluctuations affected YOY production and future reproductive potential in the control lake. The control population in Shallow Lake exhibited strong
density dependence in regulating both mortality and growth rates
of pre-recruit age classes. Behavioural dominance by maturing
males (age I-to-age II) effectively controlled juvenile life
history parameters , i.e., egg-to-YOY and YOY-to-age I mortality
and growth. As a result a dynamic oscillatory relationship
existed between annual age I-to-age II male growth and female
year-class strength, which in turn correlated with cohort egg
production. Exploitation of Dock Lake's population broke down
this process so that year-class strength directly correlated with
annual growth but cohort egg production varied independently. The
amount harvested, using passive fishing gear, proportionately
increased with increases in nominal effort. However interactions
between sampling intensity, duration of harvest and behavioural
responses resulted in a upper limit to the percent of the
exploitable stock that that could be removed by this fishery.
Rlteration of life history parameters contributed to population
resilience and stability as fishing pressure increased.


title: Adaptive and phenotypic responses of white birch provenances to climate variations

subject:
Paper birch
Provenances
Adaptation
Climatic factors
Canada
Growth

abstract: Trees have adapted to their local climate, but with changes in the climate may currently, or in the near future occupy climates that are sub-optimal for growth and survival. The goal of current reforestation is therefore to establish a new generation of trees with growth adapted to future climate(s). Seed from twenty-five white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) provenances collected across Canada were grown in the greenhouse and observed for emergence time, germination and elongation.


title: Habitat use, movement patterns, and home ranges of coaster brook trout in Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior

contributor:
Mackereth, Robert
Hecnar, Stephen
Rodgers, Art

subject: Brook trout (Habitat, Lake Superior Nipigon Bay)

abstract:
Coaster brook trout are one of two salmonine species native to Lake
Superior. Abundant and widely distributed in Lake Superior a century ago, they
have been reduced to a few remnant stocks due to exploitation and habitat loss.
Twenty coaster brook trout, captured from Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior were
surgically implanted with radio transmitters and were located from June 1999 to
October 2000. Coaster brook trout locations were used to determine the
characteristics of utilized lake habitat, identify streams and the critical habitat
characteristics within them utilized for spawning, and establish home ranges and
movement patterns on a daily and seasonal time scale. A total of 638 locations
were obtained during the tracking period with 483 locations within Nipigon Bay
and the remaining 155 within tributary streams. Coaster brook trout were located
almost exclusively within the shallow nearshore areas of Nipigon Bay with 92% of
locations in areas less than 7 m deep (mean depth = 3.4 m), and 94% less than
400 m from shore (mean distance to shore = 116.1 m). Coaster brook trout
inhabited deeper areas (ANOVA, F=3.533, p=0.002) with steeper shoreline
slopes (ANOVA, F=2.562, p=0.013) during July and August when the water
temperature of shallow nearshore areas became higher than their tolerable limit.
Following selected individuals for 24 hours revealed coaster brook trout utilized
deeper areas during daylight hours and moved to extremely shallow nearshore
areas during the night (ANOVA, F=3.187, p=0.02). Home range estimates for
individual coaster brook trout using a 95% fixed kernel varied from less than 1 km
to 185 sq. km. in size. Home range size was not correlated with the number of
locations for the individual (r2=0.046), or fork length (r2=0.009). Tagged coaster
brook trout began ascending streams during late summer in both 1999 and 2000.
The mean residency time for brook trout in spawning tributary streams in 1999
was 46 days. Spawning occurred in early October with most tagged coaster
brook trout returning to Lake Superior by mid-October. Four different streams
were used by tagged coaster brook trout, with all brook trout entering streams
exhibiting strong spawning site fidelity. Catchment size of spawning streams
varied from 8.38 sq. km to 288.04 sq. km, but stream reach characteristics of
spawning areas were similar, exhibiting a moderate gradient, riffle-pool
complexes, coarse sands and gravels, and groundwater input. These results
suggest that coaster brook trout utilize specific areas depending upon the time of
year. Protection of these identified areas is critical to maintain these remnant
natural stocks.


title: Long-term Relationships between Carbon Sequestration, Hydrology, and Tephra Disturbance in a Northern Peatland (Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia)

contributor:
Pendea, Florin
Boyd, Matthew
Turvey, Rosario Adapon

subject:
Northern peatlands
Carbon sequestration
Hydrology
Disturbance
Tephra
Testate amoebae
Holocene
Kamchatka Peninsula

abstract: Northern peatlands are one of the most important carbon reservoirs, storing one-third to one-half of the world’s soil carbon pool and thus changes in their carbon balance have the potential to cause a positive feedback to climate change. While recent studies have made progress in understanding the climatic controls on the global carbon cycle, few have studied the important interaction between landscape disturbance (via volcanic eruptions), carbon accumulation, and peatland hydrology. Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East provides a unique opportunity to study long-term peatland hydrology and carbon accumulation with respect to the role of disturbance, as the area has been subjected to repeated landscape disturbance by tephra deposition over the last 10,000 years. In this study, I use a 10,000-year-old peatland record from Krutoberegovo, Kamchatka Peninsula (Russian Far East) to examine the interaction between carbon accumulation, peat surface wetness, and landscape disturbance in the form of peat surface burial by volcanic ash (tephra). I specifically ask whether tephra deposition affected the hydrological regime of the peatland, its nutrient status, and its ability to store carbon. To answer this question, I use a suite of palaeoecological and geochemical analyses as follows. First, I use 16 AMS 14C age measurements to create an absolute timescale for peatland development. Second, I use the peatland chronostratigraphy and measurements of peat carbon content to reconstruct the long-term carbon accumulation rates (LORCA). Third, I employ testate amoeba (TA) as a hydrological proxy to reconstruct peat surface wetness over time. Fourth, I reconstruct the nutrient status of the peatland by comparing the carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N), where higher nitrogen values and lower carbon values are indicative of more nutrient-rich environments and vice versa. My results show that the Krutoberegovo peatland experienced thirty-four different tephra deposition events during the last 10,000 years, of which nine were considered major regional markers, based on their thickness, unique geochemical signatures, and area of dispersal. The carbon sequestration potential of the Krutoberegovo peatland measured as long-term apparent rates of carbon accumulation (LORCA) shows a wide variability over the course of the Holocene ranging from 74.5 g C m-2 yr-1 to 7.91 g C m-2 yr-1, with a substantial decrease in accumulation rates during periods of high tephra loading. Although the mechanisms responsible for this process remain unclear, I hypothesize that changes in carbon sequestration following tephra loading of peat surface could be mediated by changes in microbial activity and wetland vegetation cover. High-resolution analysis of testate amoebae (TA) communities over the course of the Holocene shows a high degree of variability with frequent shifts in taxa dominance. The statistical analysis of testate amoeba taxa in relation to tephra-related environmental variables (total ash content and major eruptions) shows that tephra deposition explains to a large degree the shifts in TA communities. Total ash content explains 77.3% of the taxa variability, while major volcanic eruptions as discrete events explain 6.3%. However, when TA communities are grouped according to their hydrological affinities, tephra deposition does not seem to affect any particular hydrological group suggesting that tephra disturbance does not play a role in peatland hydrology. Analysis of carbon and nitrogen chemistry of the Krutoberegovo peat profile suggest that tephra loading of the peat surface induced a net loss of both carbon and nitrogen. The C/N ratios – a measure of nutrient availability in peatland ecosystems – show a variable but overall increasing trend, which may be related to an autogenic replacement of nutrient rich with nutrient poor wetland plant communities. However, periods with lower or decreasing C/N ratios seem to be associated with high tephra loading, suggesting that tephra deposition may have also played a role.


title: Static dielectric properties of an ensemble of restricted one-dimensional oscillators

subject:
Dielectrics
Clausius-Mossotti function
Molecular dynamics

abstract:
Deviations from constancy of the Clausius-Mossotti
function, C[subscript M], with changes in density and temperature are
considered on the basis of a one-dimensional oscillator
model of the atom in which the valence electrons are assumed
restricted by infinite potentials, but interact with all
others in the medium through dipolar forces.
The density-dependence of C[subscript M] is qualitatively in
agreement with experiment, but the temperature-dependence
is negligible as the excited states of an oscillator do not
represent those of real atoms. In addition, the model does
not permit the existence of the ionized state of the atom.
The analysis here suggest a more promising, threedimensional
model which admits of realistic atomic potentials,
dipolar interaction based on continuous dielectric surroundings
and repulsive potentials which ensure the existence of
delocalized electronic states with consequent screening of
the dipolar forces.


title: A critical assessment of economic reforms in the COMECON Eastern Europe and its lessons for India

subject:
India
Economic Policy
Europe, Eastern
Economic integration

abstract: The general theme of the work is to review the recent economic reforms in the COMECON Eastern Europe. Besides discussing the nature and inevitability of economic reforms in these countries, it attempts to show that contrary to the opinion of many writers on this subject, these economic reforms do not indicate the beginning of the end of socialism. It also attempts to draw certain conclusions for developing countries in general and to India in particular, in the light of recent reforms in the COMECON Eastern Europe.


title: Teacher's beliefs and perceptions about vocabulary instruction

contributor:
Kaefer, Tanya
Lovell-Johnston, Meridith

subject:
Vocabulary instruction
Reading comprehension

abstract:
Vocabulary is a fundamental component of reading comprehension. Vocabulary are
the words that are recognizable within a learner’s lexicon. Notwithstanding the well-defined
importance of vocabulary, there is limited research on useful vocabulary instructional
strategies and how the information is conveyed to students. This study addresses how
educators perceive and feel towards vocabulary and vocabulary instruction as well as the
effectiveness of commonly known strategies. The results of this study identified that
educators teaching between grades 2 and 5 believe practicing phonics, read alouds, spelling
tests, word fixes, and word sorting to be effective strategies to teach vocabulary. Educators
also believe that they should present vocabulary words and allow for practicing by learners.
This study addresses an important first step in understanding how educators approach
vocabulary instruction in the upper elementary years.


title: Some studies of dielectric relaxation

subject: Dielectric relaxation

abstract:
A general correlation function is firstly reviewed in line
with Kubo's formulation (Chap. 1, (a)), and dielectric relaxation
processes together with some fundamental properties are
considered with the help of the function (Chap. 1, (b)). The
Introduction of Hoffmann's site model enables us to calculate a
dielectric correlation function. This technique is applied to
the dielectric relaxation of some molecules, (Chap. 1 (c)).
Discussion with respect to the calculation of the molecular
dipole moment for a molecule which contains two equivalent
rotational groups is made (Chap. 2, (a)). The results are applied
to two convenient models, i.e., a free rotation model and a model
called "free oscillation" which is proposed in this thesis. The
latter model is employed for the cases of o-haloanisole and
o-halothioanisole,
Experimental dielectric constant and loss data were analyzed
by the Cole-Cole equation as well as Budo's equation (Chap. 3).
Rotation of the methoxy group in dimethoxy compounds was
examined by relaxation time and dipole moment. The mean relaxation
time for o-dimethoxybenzene is found to be short. (Chap. 4).
The variation of the relaxation time of the methoxy group
of anisole is considered theoretically (Chap. 4, (c)).
Mesomeric and double internal rotation mechanisms concerning
the anomalously short relaxation time of diphenyl ether are
discussed. Correlation function treatments are made based on the former mechanism.( Chap. 5).
Rotation around S-S bonds is concluded to be restrictive.
(Chap. 6). Relaxation time and dipole moment values of difuryl
mercury are explained in terms of the non-linearity of C-Hg-C
bond. (Chap. 7).


title: Early growth responses of black spruce seed sources selected for reforestation under climate change scenarios in Ontario

subject:
Climate Change
Northern Ontario
Black spruce seeds
Black spruce

abstract: Study area : Northern boreal forest: (Northeastern - Sault Ste. Marie region) ; (Northwestern : Dryden and Kakabeka regions)

abstract:
Reforestation programmes under changing climates requires an understanding of species adaptive patterns of variation. Such information is vital in identifying and matching uniquely adapted seed sources to areas of optimum growth, conserving the genetic variation of the species as well as reducing the risk of using maladapted sources. This study examined early growth responses of selected black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.)
B.S.P) seed sources identified for reforestation through the application of a portfolio theory model and planted at three climatically diverse sites in Ontario. Two sequential modeling approaches were applied; 1) the species range impact model which uses biological growth responses and climatic data to determine how well a seed source will grow at a given site under different climate change scenarios, and 2) the portfolio model which selects a set of seed sources that collectively reduce risk of maladaptation.
Significant variations were found in the growth responses of black spruce seed sources growing at the three sites. Seed sources originating from the southerly portions of the test locations demonstrated superior growth. Principal components analysis of fall height, spring height, increment and survival showed that a high proportion of the variation among the seed sources can be explained by fall height growth. Among climate variables,
minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation in the spring, summer and fall growing seasons were identified as good predictors of black spruce growth. The results suggest that black spruce seed sources are adapted to their local climates and that future climate can result in maladaptation of the species within their current ranges. The
capability of the applied models to identify well adapted seed sources and match the sources into required future climates is novel and invaluable. The results and model predictions have wide implications for biodiversity conservation efforts and may be useful in seed transfer programmes under the changing climates. The early results suggest that the combination of species range impact model and portfolio decision support model
identify an adaptive pattern of variation from multiple seed sources, and select a set of sources to succeed under a multiple climate change scenarios. Also, the result gives an indication that southern seed sources may well be suitable for future reforestation programmes in the Ontario Boreal Forest Region.


title: Diversity of life history characteristics of Lake Superior migratory rainbow trout

subject: Rainbow trout

subject: Black Bay fish community

subject: Lake Superior food availability (smolts)

abstract: Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have been present in the Great Lakes since their introduction in the late 1800’s (Clarkson et al. 1997). These fish have naturalized many streams and have established naturally reproducing populations in many of the Great Lakes tributaries. Localized adaptations have allowed for each population to thrive, given the natural conditions with which they are presented. When faced with ecological change, a population may alter life history strategies to better adapt to new conditions. We compared local adaptations in three of Lake Superior’s North Shore streams, and evaluated how life history strategies have changed in a population that has experienced significant ecological changes to better understand why certain life histories strategies are selected for given a particular set of ecological conditions. Rainbow trout were angled during their annual spawning migration (April-June) on McVicar Creek (Thunder Bay), Portage Creek (Black Bay), and the Cypress River (Nipigon River) over multiple spawning seasons. Scales were taken and, length, and sex recorded from the captured Rainbow Trout. Growth annuli from the scales were analyzed to determine the number of years spent in the stream, number of years spent in the lake prior to first spawning, age at maturity, total age, and number of spawning events. Individual Rainbow Trout were then categorized based on similar life history traits (number of years spent in the stream and number of years spent in the lake prior to first spawning). Portage Creek life histories shifted with the closure of the fishery in 1994 from an older smolting life history with later maturity to a younger smolting age with faster maturity; they then reverted to the older smolting age with slower maturity since following a massive population decline in 2007 McVicar Creek and the Cypress River life histories have stayed fairly consistent while their populations have also remained stable. The Portage Creek population collapse, and subsequent shift in life histories, is likely a result of a change in the Black Bay fish community which has led to the predation of young Rainbow Trout smolts and a reduction in the food availability in the Lake Superior once the smolts migrate to the lake.


title: Strength and risk in incarcerated youth

subject: Delinquent behaviour (risk factors)

subject: Juvenile corrections (Psychological aspects)

subject: Juvenile delinquency (Psychological aspects)

abstract:
Assessment of delinquent youth typically centers around deficits and pathologies. There is an
emerging consensus that identifying strengths and protective factors is crucial to develop
programs that adequately address the needs of troubled youth (Epstein, Rudolph, and Epstein,
2000; Hoge, Andrews, and Leschied, 1996). Strengths and protective factors may also be
important determinants of how youth respond to treatment and incarceration. Research points to
healthy family functioning, pro-social attitudes, positive peer relationships, and school
adjustment as variables which contribute to the resilience of at-risk and delinquent youth. Some
research suggests that even youth at high risk for conduct and behavioural problems, may be
resilient as a function o f the presence of important protective variables. The present study
examined the relationships between strengths in family functioning, school functioning, and
peer relations on both self-reported behaviour and staff behavioural reports o f incarcerated
adolescents. Interactions between these strengths and risk factors, in areas including family
functioning, attitudes, and personality and behaviours were also examined, to determine the
mitigating effect of strengths on risk factors. Findings indicated that risk factors, (i.e., overall
risk level, risk in personality and behaviour, and attitudes and orientation), and family and peer
relationships, specifically attachment, were related to outcome measures of self-reported
difficulties, delinquency, aggression, and staff reported behavioural incidents. The findings with
regard to formalized strength-based assessment did not implicate this assessment strategy as a
useful one for predicting youth’s behaviour while incarcerated. These findings are discussed
within the context of strength-based theory, as well as findings of research conducted on risk
and delinquency, and attachment and delinquency. Limitations and directions for future research
are also discussed.


title: Experimental testing of geomechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill (FR-CPB) under warmer curing temperature

contributor:
Cui, Liang
Elshaer, Ahmed
Wang, Wilson

subject:
Backfilling technologies
Cementitious material
Geothermal gradient
Geomechanics
Cemented paste backfill

abstract:
Backfilling techniques enable improved ore recovery and structural stability to underground mines
employing a material to fill the voids after the excavation. Fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill
(FR-CPB) is this material and it consists of mine tailings, cement, mixing, and fibers. After placed
into the underground space (called stope), FR-CPB provides sufficient ground support, enables the
exploration of larger amounts of ore since no orebody pillars are required to sustain the
excavations, and thus enhances mining production. The reinforcement technique has been
considered as a promising approach for the backfilling design. However, regarding that mining
activities may take place at a depth of more than 1000 meters, the geothermal gradient can not
only change the temperature of FR-CPB but also affect its geomechanical behaviors due to its
temperature-dependent characteristics. Therefore, the objective of this research is to
experimentally investigate compression, tension, shear, triaxial, and fracture behaviors of FR-CPB
subjected to different warmer curing temperatures (20°C, 35°C, and 45°C). Moreover, to identify
the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of geomechanical behavior, a series of mold-based
monitoring programs have been designed and performed to measure changes related to matric
suction, electrical conductivity, and temperature in FR-CPB. Additionally, to determine the
progress of binder hydration and associated microstructure change, extensive X-ray diffraction
(XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation have been conducted at the
microscale. The obtained results evidenced that warmer curing temperature can significantly affect
the fiber-CPB matrix interfacial interaction. Correspondingly, the geomechanical (including
tensile, compressive, shear, and fracture) behavior show strong temperature sensitivity from early
to advanced ages. Therefore, the obtained results from the present study can not only improve the
understanding of the geomechanical behavior of FR-CPB but also contribute to the safe design of
backfill structures in underground mines.


title: Medical workflow design and planning using Node-Red data fusion

contributor:
Mohammed, Sabah
Kim, Arnold

subject:
Clinical planning
Node-Red
Data fusion-based design
Medical informatics
Biomedical technology
Information technology

abstract:
The space of clinical planning requires a complex arrangement of information, often not
capable of being captured in a singular dataset. As a result, data fusion techniques can be
used to combine multiple data sources as a method of enriching data to mimic and
compliment the nature of clinical planning. These techniques are capable of aiding
healthcare providers to produce higher quality clinical plans and better progression
monitoring techniques. Clinical planning and monitoring are important facets of
healthcare which are essential to improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients
with chronic and debilitating conditions such as COPD. To exemplify this concept, we
utilize a Node-Red-based clinical planning and monitoring too that combines data fusion
techniques using the JDL Model for data fusion and a domain specific language which
features a self-organizing abstract syntax tree.


title: Development of graphite based nanomaterials for green chemistry applications

contributor:
Chen, Aicheng
MacKinnon, Craig
Laredo, Thamara

subject:
Graphite
Graphene based nanomaterials
Graphene oxide
Green chemistry
Electrochemistry

abstract:
Graphite is a valuable natural resource and useful carbon allotrope that has been explored for
various applications. Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) transparent material, which is the
strongest, thinnest, and most conductive substance known. Graphene-based materials are
strategic nanomaterials that have been investigated for various applications, encompassing water
contaminant remediation, energy conversion and storage, and electrochemical biosensors, and
graphite is its primary source. This MSc thesis focuses mainly on: (a) the characterization of
graphite and the study of its properties, both of which influence the quality of graphene based
materials; (b) the development of a novel and simple strategy toward the generation of high
quality graphenoids; and (c) the exploration of green chemistry applications such as
environmental contaminant remediation and energy conversion and storage. [...]


title: Groundwater contamination prevention using an electrokinetic barrier-cobalt trapping

subject: Groundwater remediation techniques

subject: Electrokinetic remediation

subject: Applications of electrokinetic phenomena

subject: Groundwater quality

subject: Inorganic contaminants

subject: Electro-osmosis

subject: Electro-migration

subject: Water electrolysis

abstract:
The quality of groundwater in many regions around the world has been compromised due to pollution from anthropogenic activities such as deposition of solid wastes containing heavy metals in landfills, industrial spills and leaching from mine tailings. Inorganic contaminants such as lead, cobalt, and cadmium have been a growing concern owing to their detrimental environmental and health effects. Several methods have been used to remediate contaminated soils and groundwater. These methods include phytoremedation, biosorption, neutralization, and chemical oxidation. These methods, however, have several limitations and disadvantages including quality control, lack of selectivity and generation of additional contamination and waste sludge.
Electrokinetic remediation is a growing technology used largely to remediate and restore soils and groundwater affected by organic and inorganic contamination. Electrokinetics is the application of a direct current to a wet soil to transport or remove water and/or ions via the soil pores. Two main phenomena are observed when a voltage gradient is applied to a wet and compacted soil. The first is the movement of the soil's pore fluid towards the cathode, known as electro–osmosis. The second is electro–migration which is the movement of ions towards the oppositely charged electrode.
Though much work reported in the literature has focused on the application of electrokinetic phenomena to remediate contaminated soils, this thesis focuses on utilizing electrokinetic phenomena to prevent groundwater contamination at an industrial mine site. The first objective of this work was to investigate the applicability of an electrokinetic barrier to prevent groundwater contamination downstream of a tailings management area at a Canadian mine site by trapping cobalt near the cathode. To meet the first objective, direct current was applied either continuously or intermittently. The second objective was to examine the fate of the cobalt accumulated in the soil after the termination of the electrokinetic barrier.
The experimental studies showed the effectiveness of the applied voltage gradient in reducing the net flow of water downstream of the barrier and diminishing cobalt concentration and mass in the effluent. Furthermore, the influences of electro–osmosis, electro–migration, and the sharp pH gradient which favored cobalt adsorption/precipitation near the cathode resulted in trapping cobalt in the cathode region near the inlet of the cell.
Additionally, using intermittent current to power the electrokinetic barrier yielded results that were generally comparable to those obtained with continuous current. This finding offered important insights for future work on the use of solar powered electrokinetic barriers.
Wash out tests in which the potential gradient was stopped midway through the test were conducted to address the second objective. The concentration of cobalt in the effluent did not increase after the termination of the potential gradient, for the duration of the test. The accumulated cobalt was retained in the soil and was not washed out of the cells.
In summary, this study demonstrated that an electrokinetic barrier can be successfully used to prevent groundwater contamination due to cobalt by taking advantage of the coupled effects of electro–osmosis, electro–migration and water electrolysis at the electrodes.


title: A kinematic analysis of the V-style ski jump

subject: Ski jumping Technique

abstract:
The purpose of the study was to identify, describe, and
quantify selected kinematic variables associated with
the successful performance of the ski jump. Secondly,
this study attempted to determine the statistical
contribution of specific kinematic variables at takeoff
and the beginning of the transition phase for the
distance jumped.
The subjects for this investigation were 60 highly
skilled competitors participating in 1994 World Cup K-
120 event. The top twenty eight jumpers were selected
from the first and second jump of the official training
day for the K-120 event.
Data were collected using two Panasonic video cameras,
one was set up to record the take-off phase, another
was set to record the transition phase, equipped with a
high speed shutter. Data for the distance jumped were
collected from the records for the two official
training jumps held the first day of official
competition.
The 2D Peak Performance Video Analysis System was used to extract the horizontal and vertical coordinates for
a 23 segment model. The centre of mass was calculated
by a model which included 14 body segments. The data
were smoothed using a second order Butterworth digital
filter and processed to compute measures for
determining linear displacements and velocities and
angular displacements and angular velocity values. A
computer program written by the author was used to
process the data calculated for the variables selected
specifically for analysis in this study.
A correlation analysis was conducted to determine the
existence and strength of any relationships between the
selected variables and distance jumped. Seven variables
were included in the multiple regression analyses. A
full regression model provided the relative
contribution of each predictor variable to the distance
jumped. A stepwise regression model eliminated those
variables which did not contribute significantly to the
regression.
Based on the results of the study, selected kinematic
variables associated with the distance jumped were
identified and described. The similarities and difference between the traditional style and the Vstyle
of jumping were discussed. The results suggested
that the jumpers who want to increase the distance
should generate as large as possible in-run speed,
create an optimal aerodynamic body position with
forward lean movement, take a guicker drive segment
extension to begin a forward lean rotation, at the same
time keep and increase continually the velocity in the
take-off phase, keep and increase the forward lean
movement of body and extension in order to create an
optimum aerodynamic body position during the transition
phase.


title: Front yard machines : interpreting cultural landscapes in Thunder Bay

contributor:
Genosko, Gary
Ariss, Rachel
Nelsen, Randle

subject: Landscape gardening (Sociological aspects)

subject: Urban beautification (Sociological aspects)

subject: Landscape assessment (Sociological aspects)

abstract:
The house and the yard have ceased to be solely functional objects. Rather, today
they are often invested with tremendous amounts of time and money resulting in objects
which transcend traditionally functional roles to become objects of expressive
communication. What follows is an investigation of the house and yard, looking
specifically at one aspect - the front yard. The term 'front yard', to cite the City of
Thunder Bay's by-laws, "means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between
the front lot line and the nearest part of any building or structure or open storage use on
the lot" (820.1.5). Or more simply put, the front yard in a broad sense defines a myriad of
objects that exist or come together in the forefront of a property or boundary. A typical
front yard has a part sectioned for grass and lawn; another part is usually set aside for
plantings (flowers, trees, shrubs, etc.); there is in many instances a defined path onto the
property, from the sidewalk and from the street, as well as a path to the entrance of the
house. For my purposes "the front yard" is the totality of objects within a particular
space defined from one edge of the property to the next, and beginning at the front edge
of an individual's private space up to but not including the front of the house.
The front yard is an artificial creation and there exist preferred genres or models
that define and structure spatial organization, construction and/or deconstruction. Thick
green carpets of grass, structured gardens and bright flowers, manicured bushes and
shrubs, and paved pathways are not natural occurrences. These objects create a geosocial
artifact, which should be recognized as a mixed medium. The front yard is created
through the selection and assemblage of choice objects; it communicates both cultural
and personal factors intentionally and unintentionally.


title: Phenotypic variation in Larix lyallii and relations in the larch genus

subject:
Forest genetics
Larches
Alpine larch

abstract:
Larix Iyallii Parl, (alpine larch) is a small to medium tree
restricted to the timberline zone of the mountainous regions
of the Pacific Northwest of the United States and the adjacent
southwest of Canada. To examine the pattern of phenotypic
variation expressed in alpine larch cones and needles, field
collections were made in 1985 and 1986 from 11 populations
covering most of the species' range. Additionally, samples
were collected from 6 populations of L. occidentalis Nutt,
(western larch) to compare these two closely related species.
Morphometric analyses were based on 45 needle and 11
cone characters. Alpine larch cones averaged 32.2 mm in
length, 14.8 mm in diameter and possessed close to 50 cone
scales. Short shoot needles were 26.0 mm long, 0.7 mm wide
and 0.5 mm thick. An average of 7.8 epithelial cells
surrounded each of the two resin canals In the needles.
Both principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant
analysis (DA) distinguished the two species. PCA of the alpine
larch needle data indicated limited differentiation between
populations. The principal components could not be correlated
to latitude, longitude or elevation. DA variation expressed in
the needle and cone characters was difficult to interpret:
neighbouring populations were often more distinct than
distant ones. Microgeographic variation in site and climate may influence alpine larch populations to such an extent that
broad geographic patterns, if present, were not detectable.
Alternatively, genetic drift may be responsible for the
variation displayed. Overall, phenotypic variation within L.
Iyallli appears to be less than that observed In L. occldentalis.
The general methodology used to examine alpine and
western larch populations was applied to herbarium specimens
made from the living collection of larches of the Arnold
Arboretum of Harvard University, representing 7 of the 10
recognized species of Larix Mill. Based on the limited number
of samples available, DA correctly classified all specimens
Into their correct species groups. The expressed pattern of
variation was loosely associated with the geographic
distribution of the species. DA, and PCA, also distinguished,
and thus provided some support for, the two proposed sections
of Larix. Multiserlales Patschke and Pauciseriales Patschke.


title: Nursing knowledge and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus : implications for community health nursing in First Nations communities [research project] / by Cheryl A. Chisholm.

subject:
Native peoples Health and hygiene.
Staphylococcus aureus
Methicillin resistance

abstract:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a serious
nosocomial and community-associated pathogen in aboriginal people in Canada
(Canadian Pediatric Society, 2005). A recent survey with First Nations employed
community health nurses (CHNs) in the Atlantic region found that nursing knowledge is
lowest in the area of emerging infections such as MRSA (Mi’kmaq Confederacy of
Prince Edward Island, 2009). The objective of this project is to review the nursing
literature on this topic and to describe the factors that contribute to low nursing
knowledge of MRSA. A search of the literature published during 2000-2008 using
Medline, CINAHL with full text, DARE, and CDSR was conducted using the following
search terms: “community-acquired MRSA”, “hospital-associated MRSA”, “hospital acquired
MRSA”, “community-associated MRSA”, “MRSA”, “community health
nursing”, “nurse” “nursing”, “antibiotic resistant organisms”, “nosocomial infections”
and “knowledge”. The search generated 48 papers for review. For each paper,
information was obtained on the study population, health care setting (acute or
community), geographic location of the research, and the study type. Publications were
sorted by topic area MRSA (CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA or both) or nosocomial infections.
The articles were also organized into key theme areas for further description. Sixty-two
and one half percent (30) of the papers referred to healthcare workers as the study
population (nurses, doctors, aides, dentists). Nurses were the primary study population in
37.5% (18) of the papers, with only three of these papers focused on community health
nurses. The research in this area has emerged from the United Kingdom (37.5%) and the
United States (35%), with a paucity of research on this topic in Canada (15%) and the rest of the world. Sixty-two and one half percent of the papers focused on MRSA with
two of the papers discussing CA-MRSA, Thirty-seven and one half percent of the papers
focused on the broader topic of nosocomial infections. Acute care is the most common
setting for research in this area (73%). Only five articles were found on this topic in a
community setting. The majority of literature available addresses MRSA knowledge
deficits and strategies to address them. There is limited literature published on the factors
contributing to low nursing knowledge of MRSA. The review suggests that a gap exists
in infection control content in nursing curriculum at the undergraduate level and between
nurses’ reported knowledge and practice. The review also suggests that nurses’ personal
way of knowing contributes to their knowledge ofMRSA. Further research is required
on these factors. Additional research on this topic is needed in Canada and in a variety of
nursing practice settings. Nurses employed in First Nations communities warrant
increased attention considering the implications of MRSA in aboriginal people.