title: A study of driving cessation and its association with satisfaction with life

contributor:
Bedard, Michel
Klein, Rupert
Wiersma, Elaine C.

subject:
Aging
Driving cessation
Older drivers

abstract:
Older drivers are the fastest growing segment of the Canadian driving population and, as a consequence, the numbers who face the experience of stopping driving will continue to rise. A review of the literature reveals that visual, cognitive, psychomotor, medical, demographic, and social factors are associated with driving cessation and the consequences are largely negative.
A recent cross-sectional study enabled the identification of several predictors of driving
cessation, an assessment sensitive to the effect of driving cessation on well-being, and factors that can moderate the impact of driving cessation on subjective well-being (Kafka, 2008). The purpose of this study was to conduct a follow-up to Kafka’s (2008) study and further explore psychological variables in relation to driving cessation. We examined life purpose, life control, openness to experience, locus of control, and coping mode in participants who are still driving and those who have stopped to determine if psychological variables differ between these groups. We also examined life outcomes in relation to driving status, and the independent contribution of driving status to life outcomes. Compared to drivers, former drivers had a more external locus of control. Attrition through death, loss of contact, and refusal to participate resulted in a small sample of former drivers which may have obscured relationships in this study. Future research is required to replicate and expand on Kafka’s (2008) results.


title: Neoarchean coastal sedimentation in the Shebandowan Group, Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Geology, Stratigraphic Archaean
Geology Ontario Lake Shebandowan Region
Geology Ontario, Northwestern

abstract:
The study interpreted depositional environments from sedimentological data present
in metasedimentaiy rocks of the Neoarchean Shebandowan Group of the Wawa
Subprovince. Outcrops in the study area contained sedimentary structures and bed
sequences consistent with shallow water, coastal sedimentation, and represents an
Important record of Archean depositional processes. Three depositional environments
are represented In the rock record; tidal strandline, the shoreface, and the offshore. The
tidal strandline was further divided Into the tidal flat and tidal channel sub-environments.
The presence of these three environments provides unequivocal evidence for the
existence of shallow-water shelves In the Archean; a period during which sedimentation
was dominated by deposition in alluvial fan, fluvial environments and deep water settings.
The three environments and associated sub-environments record processes reflective
of differing current activity which controlled and Influenced deposition. The tidal
environment was dominated by bidirectional tidal currents. Deposition In the shoreface
was predominated by unidirectional wave-produced currents which overprinted prevailing
tidal current activity, in the distal portions of the shoreface environment though,
deposition was once again controlled by tidal currents. In the offshore, deposition was
controlled by storm currents which generated distinctive beds of hummocky cross-stratification.
The tidal environment Is composed of many sedimentary structures similar to those
present In Phanerozoic and present-day tidal sequences. In the tidal flat sub-environment,
vertical sequences of flaser, lenticular, wavy and coarsely interlayered
bedding reflect current velocity fluctuations Intimately tied to spring - neap tidal cycles.
The tidal channel sub-environment lacks many of the features characteristic of tidal
channels described In the literature; such as extensive point bar development. Instead
the tidal channels of the study area appear to represent sequences deposited In relatively
straight channels.
Migration of sandwaves and dune fields deposited the cross-stratified lithofacies of
the shoreface environment. Similar to a high-energy non-barred coastline, the proximal
portion of the shoreface lacks any evidence of beach development. Instead, the
shoreface records a rapid and discontinuous transition from the tidal strandline
environment.
Hummocky cross-stratification (HCS), parallel laminated and massive sandstone beds
as well as slltstone and mudstone beds typify the offshore environment. The HCS differs
greatly In thickness and intemal structure from HCS described In the literature. The HCS
In the study area reflects restricted and/or variable sediment supply and flow conditions.
A paleotidal range was determined from the sediments of the tidal environment. The
range Indicated a mesotidal environment and is comparable to Precambrian tidal ranges
reported In the literature. Tidal rhythmites, present on the tidal flats, suggest a length of
26 days for the NeoArchean lunar month. Currents which deposited the tidal rhythmites
produced both semidiumal and diurnal sediment sequences.


title: Barriers to culturally safe care for Indigenous Peoples: a key informant perspective

contributor:
Schiff, Rebecca
Ray, Lana
Moller, Helle
Kidd, Jacquie

subject: Health inequity

subject: Cultural safety (health care)

subject: Indigenous health equity

subject: Culturally safe care for Indigenous peoples

abstract:
Health inequity for Indigenous Peoples persists on a global scale, due to the ongoing
impacts of colonization. Racism, power dynamics, and health professionals with limited
understanding of the historical context and lived realities of Indigenous Peoples are among the
many factors which create unsafe spaces in health care environments (Turpel et al., 2020;
Browne, 2017; Jacklin et al., 2017; Goodman et al., 2017). These unsafe spaces foster unsafe
care which undermines the quality of care that Indigenous Peoples receive, with detrimental
outcomes. Cultural safety is a health concept originating in New Zealand (and adopted in many
other countries such as Australia and Canada) that emphasizes provider reflexivity, facilitates
care that is free from discrimination, racism and prejudice, and empowers Indigenous patients to
define the quality of the care they receive. There is a growing body of research which suggests
that culturally safe care could have a meaningful impact on health experiences of Indigenous
Peoples when embedded into practice (Churchill et al., 2020), and supports the idea of cultural
safety being incorporated into healthcare environments (Goodman et al., 2017; Wesche, 2013;
Schill & Caxaj, 2019). However, cultural safety has not been widely implemented at an
organizational or systemic level within the health sector, and remains absent from health policy,
despite calls for its implementation (Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2015). [...]


title: In vivo assessment of leucine stimulated glucose uptake in brown adipose tissue

contributor: Lees Phenix Schraft

subject:
Positron emission tomography
Glucose metabolism
Brown adipose tissue

abstract:
Activation of brown adipose tissue in mice, through the use of the amino acid
leucine, was investigated. Brown adipose tissue has become a topic of interest in
recent years, as activation of this tissue has been proposed as a potential target
for obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment. This is because activation requires
large amounts of energy, as well as circulating glucose, and stores of
triglycerides. Previous work involving brown adipose tissue activation focuses on
drugs with a known beta-adrenergic stimulus, which is one method of activation
of brown adipose tissue, but few focus on potential dietary treatment. In order to
assess activation due to leucine, 18F-FDG uptake was measured using positron
emission tomography after treatment with leucine. Using an analysis method of
calculating standardized uptake value and maximum standardized uptake value,
the level of 18F-FDG uptake was quantified and used to judge activation. It was
shown that leucine causes an additional increase to brown adipose tissue
activation in a hyperglycaemic state. This finding opens the door for future
research involving the method of action of leucine or testing if leucine treatment
has the potential to treat hyperglycaemia.


title: Source tracking of escherichia coli in a freshwater lake in Northwestern Ontario (Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay)

subject:
Escherichia coli
Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB)
Bacteroides
Water quality
Fecal contamination

abstract: Escherichia coli is regularly used as a fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) in recreational waters but its persistence in the environment brings its use into doubt. A secondary FIB known as Bacteroides has been under a lot of research lately. Because Bacteroides can be measured with quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques easily, this makes it an effective FIB to detect fecal contamination. Boulevard Lake in Thunder Bay, Ontario experiences instances of elevated levels of E. coli throughout the summer seasons. For the 2011 season the Bacteroides 16S rDNA markers were monitored and compared with the E. coli population. As both of these FIB are found in feces, influxes of fecal contamination would see increases in both populations. The planktonic E. coli population densities exceeded the Canadian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines of 2.30 log CFU 100ml-1 two times throughout the summer season. These were measured at 2.86 and 2.38 log CFU 100 ml-1 on July 21, 2011 and September 2, 2011, respectively. The Bacteroides biomarkers did have any significant increases during these peak periods of E. coli with p > 0.05. This would suggest that the increased levels of E. coli may not have been due to fecal contaminants. Further investigations with a microbial source tracking approach will provide insights to the potential source(s) of E. coli in Boulevard Lake. For both 2010 and 2011, the planktonic E. coli population at Boulevard Lake was monitored.


title: Style of information processing in female and male youths : related to creative self-perceptions

subject:
Creative ability
Laterality
Self-perception


title: Towards identification of progressive damage in structures under non-stationary excitation

contributor:
Sadhu, Ayan
Salem, Sam
Liu, Kefu

subject:
Tensor decomposition
Large-scale infrastructure
Structural health monitoring

abstract:
Monitoring and retrofitting of large-scale infrastructure is of paramount importance specifically when they are subjected to natural hazards like strong wind, severe earthquakes or
man-made excitation. Once the rich vibration data is collected from the structures, a
robust system identification method is required to extract the hidden structural information,
and undertake necessary condition assessment and rehabilitation. Most of the traditional
modal identification methods are reliant on stationarity assumption of the vibration re-
sponse and posed difficulty while analyzing nonstationary vibration occurred due to natural
hazards. Apart from the excitation-induced nonstationarity, the inherent damages in the
structure also cause frequency-dependent nonstationarity in the response. With such combination of both amplitude and frequency-dependent nonstationary response, the modal
identification becomes a signifcantly challenging task.
Recently tensor decomposition based methods are emerged as powerful and yet generic
blind (i.e. without requiring a knowledge of input characteristics) signal decomposition
tool for structural modal identification. In this thesis, a tensor decomposition based system
identification method is further explored to estimate modal parameters using amplitude-
dependent nonstationary vibration generated due to either earthquake or pedestrian in-
duced excitation in a structure. The effects of lag parameters and sensor densities on tensor
decomposition are studied with respect to the extent of nonstationarity of the responses
characterized by the stationary duration and peak ground acceleration of the earthquake.
A suite of more than 1400 earthquakes is used to investigate the performance of the pro-
posed method under a wide variety of ground motions utilizing both complete and partial
measurements of a high-rise building model. Apart from the earthquake, human-induced
nonstationary vibration of a real-life pedestrian bridge is also used to verify the accuracy
of the proposed method.
Once the method is verified using amplitude-based nonstationary response, Cauchy
continuous wavelet transform is integrated with the tensor decomposition to track time-
varying characteristics of each modal responses and detect the progressive damage. With
such an integrated framework, the proposed method is able to identify both amplitude and
frequency-dependent nonstationary responses. The proposed technique is validated using a
suite of numerical studies as well as a laboratory experiment where the progressive damage
is simulated in the structural component with a heating torch.


title: It's better than telephone, and it's better than driving to Thunder Bay : clients' perceptions of experiences in participating in a group-based stroke self-management program using videoconference technology

contributor:
Stone, Sharon Dale
Huijbregts, Maria

subject:
Medical telematics
Ontario
Thunder Bay region
Public opinion
Stroke
Prevention & control
Cerebrovascular disease
Patients

abstract: PURPOSE: Videoconference is used in rural and remote areas to improve access to healthcare, including individual clinical assessments and the delivery of group education. Moving On after Stroke (MOST® ) is a group-based, self-management program for stroke survivors and their caregivers, which consists of information sharing, facilitated discussion, goal-setting, and exercise. The program was delivered simultaneously to local participants onsite and distant participants using videoconferencing (MOST-Telehealth Remote). This research was designed to learn about the experiences of the remote participants, their perceptions regarding perceived enablers and barriers to videoconference participation, and suggestions for improvement.                                                                                FINDINGS: All participants valued accessible programming without having to travel long distances. Many reported "feeling as if they were in the same room" but also acknowledged that there were technical limitations when participating via videoconference. They recognized a loss of subtleties in communication. Factors facilitating engagement and participation were similar to factors in face-to-face groups and included: program content; having a skilled group leader; and having a connection to another group member, rather than the videoconference environment itself. The importance of onsite coordinators, volunteers, and the presence of other local participants were highlighted. Suggestions for improved group cohesion and participation included having a preliminary face-to-face meeting, implementing technical strategies, and having onsite support.


title: The effects of nanosilver on northern pike

subject:
Nanosilver
ANOVA
Northern pike

abstract: Nanosilver (nAg) is an effective anti-microbial agent that is being increasingly used in consumer products. With such an expansive list of products incorporating nAg, the risk of environmental release is high. Studies testing the impacts of nAg have shown ranging effects on the physiology of fishes, but to date no significant impacts to growth in natural settings at environmentally-relevant exposure levels over long term (months to years) periods have been documented. A collaborative study was performed at the IISD –Experimental Lakes Area to evaluate whole-ecosystem changes in the presence of environmentally relevant levels of nAg. I evaluated changes in Northern Pike size-at-age before, during, and after nAg additions to a treatment lake (Lake 222) and compared the findings to a reference lake (Lake 239). Significant declines in fork length and weight at age over time were observed across all year groups, with the most notable declines occurring in the year 4 and 5 age groups. There were no similar changes observed in the reference lake. Body condition did not change with nAg additions. Despite reduced populations and no apparent changes in the availability of the prey community, growth of Northern Pike declined. The results of this study strongly suggest that nAg has a direct inhibitory effect on Northern Pike growth, likely caused by a reduced conversion efficiency


title: Survey of the mainland and island belts, Thunder Bay Silver District, Ontario : fluid inclusions, mineralogy, and sulfur isotopes

subject: Silver Ontario Thunder Bay Region

subject: Mineralogy Ontario Thunder Bay Region

subject: Fluid inclusions Ontario Thunder Bay Region

abstract:
The Thunder Bay Silver District is composed of two
curvilinear groups of veins, the Mainland and Island Belts. The
veins can be mineralogically divided into the barren, silverbearing,
and 5-element association veins.
During the present study, fluid inclusion, sphalerite composition, and sulfur isotopic composition were investigated, as well as some aspects of the mineralogy of the veins. Fluid inclusions in quartz, calcite, and fluorite indicate temperatures ranging from 70-450 degrees C during vein deposition could be found in veins of both geographical and all mineralogical groups. Fluid inclusions in sphalerite indicate ore minerals were deposited between 80-120 degrees C at all locations. Salinity of the hydrothermal solutions was highly variable, 1-30 equiv. wt. % NaCl. The
dominant salt in solution was CaCla.
Fe content in sphalerite indicates a log [a** ]of -18 to -25
during ore deposition at all deposits except Spar Island. At
Spar Island copper sulfide mineralogy suggests log [a**] of -14 to
-18. Sphalerite often contained trace quantities of Cd.
Sulfur isotopic composition of sulfides and barite ranged
from -9.7 to +12.2%., with two anomalous values (near +30%. ) from
supergene samples. Paired data indicate isotopic nonequilibrium
during deposition of sulfides.
The consistency of fluid inclusion, sulfur activity, and
sulfur isotopic data suggest both depositional environment and
hydrothermal fluid source were similar for all veins in the
Thunder Bay district. Heterogeneity of the deposits,
particularly the presence or absence of Ag, Ni, Co, and As may be
due to the evolution of the fluids between their inception and
entry into the depositional environment.
The source of the fluids is unknown, although their original
sulfur isotopic composition is inferred to be fairly low
(+4.7%.), suggesting a magmatic source of sulfur is possible.


title: Is the identification of moose emphasis areas well maintained in Ontario's sustainable forest licences?

subject:
Alces alces
Moose aquatic feeding area
Macrophyte

abstract:
Ontario’s Ministry of Mines, Northern Development, Natural Resources and Forestry is
responsible for wildlife data collection to support forest management throughout the province.
Moose aquatic feeding areas (MAFAs) are a seasonally important habitat feature for moose and
are classified using a standardized ranking system to assess their quality. However, throughout
the province, over 64% of MAFAs were surveyed more than 15 years ago and over 84% were
surveyed more than 10 years ago, with some sites last surveyed as long ago as 36 years. Forest
management polices relating to moose habitat have undergone relatively recent changes, such as
the requirement for identifying Moose Emphasis Areas. However, MAFA data is still regularly
used throughout the planning process. Due to natural macrophyte succession, the effects of
beavers as ecosystem engineers, and the effects of ongoing moose herbivory, dated information
on MAFAs may not accurately reflect their current state. To test the hypothesis that the quality
of MAFAs may change over time, 32 sites in the Nipissing Forest were resurveyed for
comparison. Over a third changed in quality since the last survey. Future management
considerations may include updating information on MAFAs more frequently, such as on a 10-
year basis, so that resource managers can make more informed decisions.


title: NMR study of aqueous tetraalkylammonium silicates

subject:
Silicates analysis
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Aqueous silicate chemistry
Zeolite synthesis

abstract:
Silicon-29 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been
used to investigate the equilibrium distribution and kinetics of silicate oligomers
in aqueous tetraalkylammonium silicate solutions. Certain tetraalkylammonium
cations (particularly tetramethylammonium cation) stabilize specific silicate
oligomers, such as the cubic octamer and prismatic hexamer, by forming a
protective shell that shields these oligomers from interaction with paramagnetic
ions and impedes Si-Si chemical exchange. For tetramethylammonium silicate
solutions, the dependence of the initial rate of cubic octamer formation on
alkalinity, silica concentration and tetramethylammonium cation concentration
has been investigated and a mechanism for the formation of cubic octamer
proposed.
For tetraalkylammonium silicate solutions with OH~:Si < 1:1 which
favour the cubic octamer, at least four resonances which occur down-frequency
of the cubic octamer resonance have been attributed to stable protonated
states of the cubic octamer.
Alkali-metal cations added to tetramethylammonium silicate solutions
destabilize the cubic octamer probably by displacing tetramethylammonium
cations which surround the oligomer.


title: Profile of long term degenerative hip disease patients / by Shannon Andersen. --

subject: Hip joint Diseases Patients

abstract:
The purpose ofthis study was to profile and determine the relationships among activity level, age, health status, quality of life, walking capacity and severity of degeneration in 54 (mean age 54.91 ± 16.97, range 26 to 86) long term degenerative hip disease (DHD) patients.
The relationships of these variables with respect to five classifications of DHD (derived from a medical assessment as to the origin of the disease) were also examined, and various coping strategies utilized to manage the disease were documented. Radiological and historical data, the
Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Status Questionnaire, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), a set of interview questions, a six-minute walk test, and a seven day diary were used to obtain the data on each variable. Six correlations (p < 0.05; r > ± 0.50) were produced, the strongest of which (r = -0.73) was between health status (SF-36) and physical functioning (SF-36). Physical functioning also best predicted walking capacity.
Three of the seven variables (age, general health (SF-36), and severity of degeneration) were significantly different among the groups. Analgesics were the coping strategy most recorded for both one-time usage and over a seven day period. Long-term DHD sufferers must survive with the daily limitations of their disease until surgery is warranted. Pain, stiffness and physical dysfunction associated with DHD, which are intermittent by nature, require the use of coping strategies to manage the symptoms, and help patients survive on a day to day basis. It would appear that, in this preliminary study, the DHD patients are surviving with this disease on a long
term basis. Further longitudinal research is required to examine how these patients function over time. The results from this study give concrete evidence to physicians and DHD sufferers themselves on how other, similar long term patients have managed on a day to day basis.


title: Moisture reduction and nutrient retention associated with field-drying forest harvest residues on clearcut sites in Northwestern Ontario, Canada

contributor:
Luckai, Nancy
Morris, David
Pulkki, Reino

subject:
Slash (logging)
Ontario, Northwestern
Wood waste
Forest biomass
Forests and forestry
Effect of clearcutting on
Clearcutting
Enviornmental aspects
Field-drying

abstract: The increased utilization of forest harvest residues as supplemental, inexpensive and renewable energy raises two key concerns: 1) continued removal may negatively affect long-term site productivity; and 2) because 50-60% of this material's green weight is water, transportation and burning costs of the green biomass very inefficient. Leaving the harvest residues to passively field-dry in the clearcut is a common forestry practice in the Nordic countries and is also used as a nutrient management strategy. While field-drying, nutrients are retained on site through the processes of physical foliage shedding, leaching and decomposition. The present study investigated the effects of field-drying on moisture reduction and the release of nutrients from black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.], jack pine [Pinus banksiana Lamb.] and trembling aspen [Populus tremuloides Michx.] harvest residues. Field-drying plots were established in recent clearcut sites near Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Trees of each species were felled and the limbs gathered into small biomass piles inside netted enclosures. The piles were left to dry for one year and sampled at regular intervals (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 48 and 52 weeks) for moisture content, nutrient concentration and percent foliage mass.


title: Workshop intervention approach to nursing stress management

subject:
Nurses Job stress
Burn out (Psychology)
Stress management

abstract:
This research project presented a total of six
twelve-hour stress management workshops to twenty-eight
female registered nurses. They were recruited from
general hospitals, medical offices, and nursing homes.
Topics included identifying environmental stressors and
a discussion of possible negative consequences of
stress. Personal coping skills and organizational
improvement strategies were presented as well. A
repeated measures design was utilized and participants
were presented the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI),
the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Occupational
Stress Inventory (OSI), and a demographic questionnaire.
Tests were completed prior to attending and at one week,
six weeks, and 12 weeks following the workshop. Post
testing reflected statistically significant decreases in
emotional exhaustion and role overload. An increase was
detected in self-care activities. The results tend to
support the contention that stress management workshops
are of benefit to nursing personnel.


title: Depression and anxiety in cancer patients seeking psychosocial therapy

subject:
Counseling cancer patients
Cancer (Psychological aspects)
Cancer patients mental health services

abstract:
The prevalence of mental disorders (particularly depression and anxiety) in a sample of Canadian
cancer patients who were referred to a psychosocial oncology program was investigated. Thirty-one
cancer patients filled out both the Beck Depression Inventory-11 (BDI-II) and the Beck
Anxiety Inventory (BAI) before seeing their psychosocial counselor who evaluated the patient
according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — 4th Ed. diagnostic criteria.
The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders in cancer patients was found to be 13% and
6.45%, respectively. Total BDI-II and BAI scores remained constant over time and both
instruments were found to be reliable measures of symptom severity. A number of demographic
and cancer-related variables significantly correlated with BDI-II and BAI scores. Neither the BDIII
nor the BAI appeared to be particularly good at predicting DSM-FV diagnosis.


title: Labor market outcomes of PhD graduated in Canada and the policy implications : an analysis of the national graduate survey in 1997

contributor:
Zing Lin
Sweet, Robert

subject:
Doctor of philosophy degree Canada
Job vacancies Canada Statistics
Professions Canada Statistics

abstract:
The emergence of knowledge-based economy has sparked the demand for people
who have advanced education and training. The looming faculty shortages in Canadian
and other developed countries make a study of the PhD graduates especially urgent.
By using 1997 National Graduate Survey (NOS), the thesis aims to analyze the
school to work transitions of the PhD graduates in the mid 1990s. An individual’s choice
of a field of study (FOS) is treated as a personal agency variable, and gender, visible
minority status are considered as the paramount social structure variables when the
graduate is trying to initially establish himself or herself in the labor market two years
after graduation. Criteria of successful transitions include the graduate’s income, job
continuity and job satisfaction.
Findings in this study reveal that PhD graduates were facing a tough labor market
during the mid 1990s, when their unemployment rate was not far away from bachelor
graduates, and even higher than master’s graduates. However, those PhD graduates who
can find jobs make a relatively higher income, and are more satisfied with their jobs than
those graduates at lower levels.
Contrary to the conventional wisdom, this research finds that overall PhD
graduates who have worked in academic jobs have relatively higher income than those
who have worked in non-academic jobs. Professors also tend to be more satisfied with
their jobs than those non-professors.
Women were still under represented at the doctoral level. However, this study
shows that they are increasingly present in the academic world where men have
dominated for many years, hi addition, women PhD graduates have no income gaps with their men counterpart. It is observed that visible minority PhD graduates in the 1997 NGS
had a lower annual income than the non-visible minority PhD graduates. It appears that
women’s status shows improvement at PhD level, but not those who have visible
minority status. Vocational graduates usually earn more than that of the liberal graduates.
This study suggests that the crisis of faculty shortage may be exaggerated. First, the
major indicators o f labor market outcomes for PhD graduates working in academic jobs
are better than those working in non-academic jobs. This finding is directly at odds with
one major worry about faculty shortage, which argues that non-academic labor market
provides better incentives for PhD graduates. The labor market outcome advantages will
attract future PhD graduates to enter the academic labor market. In addition, about eight
in ten 1995 PhD graduates have worked in the non-academic labor market, and they may
provide additional resources to address the faculty shortage problems. If the supply of
PhD graduates is not scarce, then the faculty shortage may not be as severe as predicted.
Second, over two in ten master graduates, and almost eight in one hundred bachelor
graduates demonstrate that they intend to pursue a PhD in the future, which suggests that
PhD candidates may be plentiful in the future. Third, the faculty shortage is not equally
distributed across different disciplines. The present research suggests that applied
sciences demonstrate more serious shortage than the areas of liberal arts. Lastly, unlike
the periods between 1950’s and 1960’s, the last three decades have witnessed the
expansion of mass university education in Canada (Lin, 1999), which has greatly
enhanced the university system’s capacity to produce PhDs. Therefore, the problem of
faculty shortage could be addressed faster than many people now believe.


title: Synthesis and electrochemical study of palladium-based nanomaterials for green energy applications

contributor:
Chen, Aicheng
MacKinnon, Craig
Mawhinney, Robert

subject:
Hydrogen economy
Fuel cells & hydrogen
Hydrogen purification
Storage properties of palladium

abstract:
Rising global energy consumption leads to increased environmental impacts. The continued use of current energy resources, e.g. fossil fuels, will exaggerate the cumulative nature of CO2 byproduct emissions in the atmosphere. The development and implementation of a hydrogen economy, as a solution to offset degradative environmental impacts, will likely enable opportunities for maintaining or improving standards of living while significantly lowering carbon emissions. Palladium has proven to be a strong contender as an enabling material that encompasses many aspects of a prospective hydrogen economy, lending promise to applications such as hydrogen purification, storage and fuel cell catalysis. In my M.Sc. study, Pd-based nanomaterials have been synthesized and examined for their applications in hydrogen storage and fuel cell catalysis. The surface properties of synthesized Pd-based nanomaterials
were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 gas adsorption/desorption. Electrochemical analysis of the fabricated materials was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) was employed to characterize the composition of the formed samples.
Hydrogen electrosorption onto activated carbon materials modified with different trimetallic dissociation catalysts (Pd-Ag-Cd) was investigated in an acidic medium. A uniform distribution of the Pd-Ag-Cd catalysts was achieved using a facile room temperature sodium borohydride reduction method. By varying the composition of the alloys, synergistic effects between the metal and carbon support resulted in drastic increases in hydrogen sorption capabilities in contrast to bi-metallic PdAg and PdCd catalysts. Utilizing electrochemical methods, the optimal composition of the Pd-Ag-Cd alloys was determined to be Pd80Ag10Cd10, with the highest hydrogen sorption capacity at a hydrogen desorption charge of 18.49 C/cm2·mg.
Further enhancement of the electroactivity of synthesized titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) was achieved using UV light and electrochemical pretreatment methods. The effects of these pretreatment methods on TiO2 NTs were systematically investigated and compared. Using Pd as a dispersed catalyst, Pd/TiO2 NT electrodes were examined in acidic medium, with both UV and electrochemical pretreatment methods revealing significant enhancements in the electroactivity of the TiO2 NT substrate. The UV pretreated samples were found to dominate, when compared to those that underwent electrochemical pretreatment, in terms of overall efficacy for hydrogen sorption and the electrooxidation of formic acid. Improvements in nanotube conductivity resulted in an effective reduction of noble metal coating loads.
Nanostructured PdPb electrocatalysts were loaded directly onto TiO2 NT substrates and tested for their activity towards formic acid oxidation. Comparative studies revealed the enhanced electrochemical oxidation of formic acid on Pd95Pb5/TiO2 NTs in comparison to Pd/TiO2 NTs, resulting in the successful reduction of Pd noble metal load. The work performed in this M. Sc. thesis project reveals that modifications to both Pd catalysts and their associated supports can drastically alter their geometric and electronic properties. This has a major influence on the development of more cost effective materials with enhanced activity for use towards the commercialization of fuel cells.


title: Effects of journaling: a study on the benefits of journaling in Chinese adolescents with anxiety

subject:
School-related anxiety
Mental health and academic achievement
Test anxiety
Journaling (benefits)

abstract:
Academic performance plays a strong role in how Chinese students perceive their
success throughout their adolescent years. As a result, this group of young people are left
vulnerable to developing anxiety-related issues as they strive to perform better academically.
The purpose of this study was to look at how journaling could potentially reduce the anxiety
experienced in Chinese secondary school environments. It was hypothesized that students
who received the journaling treatment would have lower levels of test-anxiety than those who
did not. It was also hypothesized that students who had lower levels of anxiety would achieve
higher grades than those with higher levels of anxiety. The results of this study suggest that
journaling for 20 minutes did not have any effect on lowering anxiety levels or improving
academic performance in Chinese adolescents. However, conducting a study on anxiety
during COVID-19 may have made it difficult to accurately measure anxiety, thus, the results
of this study are not supportive of previous research into this field. The potential to reduce
test anxiety through journaling should be explored in future research when the educational
environment returns to what it was prior to the pandemic.


title: Assessing community forest resources to determine potential for biomass district heating in one rural and one remote First Nation of Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Biomass
Biomass district heating
First Nations
Remote communities
Renewable energy
Wood properties

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the feasibility of using biomass in rural and remote First Nations for the purpose of supplying biomass district heating plants. The availability of forest resources, including the methods for determining biomass volumes and availability, and the policies which govern access to timber/biomass on Crown and reserve land will be assessed. The thesis is produced in conjunction with a pre-feasibility study conducted collaboratively between Confederation College and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON.
It was found that sufficient forest resources exist to supply woody biomass to a biomass district heating plant (BDHP) in both the rural and remote communities, which can provide heat and hot water to community infrastructure and home dwellings in order to offset electrical use. It was found that there was variability between thermal potential, ash content and species present in the two communities. There was also variability between the wood properties values found in this study compared to the published values for the same species. Although there was a significant difference in species volume, annual growth per hectare and species composition at 95% probability, there was not a significant difference in wood properties. There was also a significant difference between the outcomes of using the Lakehead University Wood Science Testing Facility methods compared to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Forest Resource Inventory methods related to species volume and composition reported by the different methods, while total volume was the same.
This information is not intended to replace a proper forest management plan, but to provide information to communities so that informed decisions can be made. In fact, accessing the identified available biomass would require an amendment to the forest management plan and may require additional legislated documentation and an approval process or a fibre supply agreement with the forest tenure holder.


title: Effects of depression on susceptibility to misleading postevent information / by Tracy K. Gilbert.

subject:
Emotions and cognition.
Depression, Mental.
Long-term memory Psychological aspects.


title: Older adults as volunteers in Thunder Bay

subject: Aged volunteers Ontario Thunder Bay

abstract:
This is a descriptive and exploratory study which examines
the characteristics and expressed motivations among older adults
in Thunder Bay toward volunteerism and if altruism is in fact the
main reason for why older adults volunteer. This study also
investigates the continuity theory; an explanation of why these
older adults might have an ongoing history of volunteering.
There is also a brief section on older adults' expressed
attitudes toward volunteering.
An interview schedule was used for the collection of data
during eighty-five face-to-face interviews with older adult
volunteers aged 50 and over. The results showed that the
majority of older adult volunteers in Thunder Bay are female and
mainly between the ages of 50-69. Contrary to one's assumption,
educational attainment does not seem to be as decisive a factor
in determining their characteristics, yet many did come from
"highly skilled" occupations. The combination of educational
attainment and occupation lend support to the skills and
experience these older adults bring to their volunteer
activities. The majority of these older adults are also in
"good" health, married, are Protestant, have sufficient wealth to
devote their leisure time to volunteering and have generally high
levels of life satisfaction. Some socio-demographic variables as
well as health were examined more closely in order to provide a clearer picture of the characteristics of these older adult
volunteers.
For this study, the term altruistic was re-defined to mean
that one volunteers to help others but with the realization of
receiving something in return, and the majority of older adults
in this study were found to volunteer more for "altruistic"
reasons. Those who are male, married, healthier, Roman Catholic
and retired also volunteer for "altruistic" reasons. As well,
males perform more "support" type services and females perform
more "direct" type services- Results revealed that as education
increased, older adults' reasons for volunteering for generally
altruistic reasons decreased, "skilled" older adults volunteer
for less altruistic reasons; and with an increase in income,
there was a decrease in older adults volunteering again for
altruistic reasons. What was interesting was that transportation
and the re-imbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, perceivably two
factors that might affect older adults' ability to volunteer, was
of little concern to them.
Older adults in Thunder Bay also have a history of
volunteering. This result affirms the continuation of life
processes and supports reference to the continuity theory as
explanation for why they volunteered and are not necessarily
volunteering upon retirement or the loss of a role. These older
adults are satisfied and happy in their volunteer endeavours yet
did express frustration with the amount of effort and commitment
from some other older adult volunteers.


title: "Welcome to the modern world, painted stick" : postmodern magic in educational virtual reality

subject:
Learning, Psychology of
Video games Psychological aspects
Video games and children

abstract: To view accompanying video clips, please see CD accompanying the print version of this dissertation.

abstract:
This dissertation endeavours to create a conceptual frameworkwith which to examine “video games as postmodern magic.” I begin by defining the operative understanding of postmodernism for the purpose of this analysis, focusing on representation, power, and a critique of Enlightenment assumptions, then using the work of Deleuze and Guatarri I construct a postmodern approach to the research, and suggest “resonance” as an alternative mode of evaluation and validation. I then turn to examine the concept of magic, before it was reduced and discredited by the Enlightenment, and in so doing finding another way of looking at the world, a way that privileges imagination over rationality, spirit over
materialism, and multidimensionality over linear logic. Having “reached back” to a time before the Enlightenment, I then seek to connect those insights to “visual digital culture” where image, interactivity and immersion predominate. Having created a framework that integrates the issues of postmodernism, magic, and visual digital culture, video games are analyzed within this structure. Noting that magic plays a surface role in many games, I suggest that there is a more pervasive magical element to such games, and look at how video games expand the realm of possibility through simulation and simulacra, how they challenge the meta-narrative by shifting power and control of the narrative to the player,
and finally how video games augment our appropriation of reality by synaesthetically creating experiences and a “phenomenology of magic.” The dissertation is concluded with a discussion of a possible “pedagogy of enchantment” in which the insights gained from the analysis are applied to the educational environment, narrativity, intereactivity and immersion, are placed within a virtual environment for exploration.


title: Therapeutic Riding and You : an evaluation of how a local therapeutic riding program affects the lives of riders

subject: Horsemanship Therapeutic use Ontario Thunder Bay

abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine how the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding
Association impacts the lives of the riders; to determine what aspects of the program are
most important to the riders; and to provide the participants a chance to give feedback
about the program. There were 129 questionnaires sent out to riders, parents/caregivers
and volunteers who had participated in the therapeutic riding program the previous year.
Questionnaires were completed and returned by 12 riders, 15 parents/caregivers, and 22
volunteers. The questionnaires were made up of close-ended and open-ended questions.
A focus group was also conducted to supplement the findings of the questionnaires.
There was one rider, one parent, and one volunteer participant in the focus group. The
study investigated four domains of life: physical well-being; social well-being;
development and activity; and emotional well-being. The results indicated that the
therapeutic riding program has a positive effect on all of these four domains. The
greatest effects of the program appear to be in the areas of emotional and social well-being.
This was seen in that the program provides a positive and uplifting experience;
provides social benefits to riders; and supplies a sense of accomplishment, independence
and empowerment. The two most important aspects of the program are the horses and
the volunteers. The program could be improved by having more consistency with the
volunteers and equipment; by having individual goals and a progression of skills for each
rider; and by giving more instruction and information to the volunteers. Overall, the
program is commended by many of the individuals involved and has been both enjoyable
and beneficial. Limitations to the study include that it involved a small number of
participants, that it involved a small number of rider participants, and that only people
involved in the program during the previous riding season were invited to participate.


title: Effects of depressed pH on survival, growth and reproduction of brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill)

contributor:
Momot, Walter T.
Ozburn, George
Magwood, Stanley G. A.

subject:
Brook trout
Effect of water pollution on fish

abstract:
Brook trout were continuously exposed to depressed pH values from
4.0 to 6.0, at 0.5 unit Intervals during a nine-month partial-chronic
bloassay. At all pH levels above 4.0, Juvenile fish exhibited greater
than 96 per cent survival. Although a pH of 4.0 was not acutely lethal,
juvenile survival was poor. All trout exposed below pH 5.0 showed
disturbances In acid-base balance and plasma electrolyte composition.
Juveniles did not grow or sexually mature at pH 4.0 and exhibited slower
growth at pH 4.5, compared to fish exposed at higher pH's. Inhibition
of growth at pH 4.0 was attributed to starvation rather than H-ion
concentration. Spawning occurred at all pH levels except 4.0. Eggs
produced by females held at pH 4.5 were abnormal In shape and size,
compared to those spawned by females held at or above pH 5.0. The total
number of eggs produced at pH 4.5, however, did not differ significantly
from the higher pH levels.
Embryos from parents exposed to pH 4.5 showed low viability and did
not hatch. Viability and hatchablllty of eggs held In the pH range, 5.0
to 6.0, was significantly reduced (P < .01) when compared to eggs held at
pH 7.0. Poor alevln survival occurred at all pH levels below 7.0. Data
on alevln growth at low pH was highly variable and hence Inconclusive.
Results of the present Investigation coincide with those of other
studies on fathead minnow, brook trout and flagflsh, which Indicate that
reproductive success of these species Is affected below pH 6.5.


title: Manitoulin Island in transition: an eco-epidemiological evaluation of late 19th and early 20th century mortality

contributor:
Varney, Tamara
Burke, Stacie
Hudson, Geoff

subject: Population data in research

subject: Population growth in North America

subject: Epidemiologic transition in North America

subject: Manitoulin Island

abstract:
Exploring data from the past provides insightful perspectives, particularly in health and disease causation. More recent anthropological perspectives of the epidemiologic transition revisit the significance that social factors play in disease causation and the evolution of diseases over time. Exploration of historical mortality records can reveal important insights into the health of historical societies and changes in disease trends (Defo, 2014; Mercer, 2014; Zuckerman, Harper, Barrett, & Armelagos, 2014). This study applies eco-epidemiologic concepts to extract a contextually appropriate representation of the cause of death trends as well as non-specific mortalities and their plausible risk factors using both death records from Manitoulin Island (1870-1908 and 1921-1936) and other relevant data and literature, eco-epidemiological perspectives reflecting ecologically derived reflections of epidemiologic concepts.
The analysis found the data to represent a contextual environment that experienced a period of rapid expansion of settlers and immigrants in the late 1870s to early 1880s, to a place that had prior to the 1862 Manitoulin Island Treaty been restricted to Indigenous People. The unrefined record collection techniques of this period resulted in datasets that are inadequate for most statistical interpretation methods.
The time period of study is especially interesting as it represents the transition between the colonial era and the modern, industrial era. Consideration of the epidemiologic transition model (Omran, 1971; Omran, 1977) especially highlights the influence this immense societal change had on disease impacts and the pathology of the environment. Historical ecology considers the influence humans have on their environment that in turn impacts heath trends that are notably represented geographically. To address this phenomenon in research of death trends requires multi-level approaches in order to address the complexity of factors and degree of impact. This is achieved in application by considering the intersection of disease pathways and the environment, particularly using the multi-level eco-epidemiological life course framework (Defo, 2014).
Epidemiologically, the dataset overall is more reflective of Omran’s (1971) ‘age of receding pandemics’ and possibly beginning the transition into the next age. Abridged life tables suggest a poor survival rate of 17 years at birth. Tuberculosis was the most notable cause of death with respiratory complications causing almost one third overall. The new immigrants to the island were an older population, whose survivability reflects a disease profile that is based more on a prior contextual environment that leads to chronically related diseases. The settlers, colonialists who were born in North America died at a much younger age, including a high proportion of infants. In this group, the adults and elderly were more apt to die from chronic complications, particularly a result from cardiovascular impacts.
Evaluating death trends and exploring past heath and disease impacts using artefactual documents and relevant literature, particularly death records, provides insight into overall environmental impacts on disease trends. While this analysis reflects more socio-ecological interpretations of trends in death on Manitoulin Island due to data quality, it does add to the fragmented view of Canada’s epidemiologic and demographic transitions following confederation. It also brings forwards insightful understandings into the history of Indigenous relations and the Canadian identity.


title: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing : an evaluation of single session treatment of test anxiety

subject:
Test anxiety treatment
Anxiety disorders

abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured comprehensive
therapeutic procedure that appears to desensitize the distressing emotions related to past
disturbing and traumatic events, while simultaneously restructuring related negative
cognitions and relieving accompanying physiological hyperarousal. This study evaluated
the effectiveness of a single ninety minute EMDR session in reducing the symptoms and
anxiety associated with test anxiety. It was hypothesized that EMDR would effectively
treat test anxiety by alleviating physiological distress, eliminating negative self-preoccupied
cognitions, and decreasing the fear of negative evaluation. Seventeen
second-year psychology students with test anxiety were randomly assigned to Immediate
treatment and Delayed treatment conditions. Standardized objective measures (the Test
Anxiety Inventory [TAI], the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and the State Trait
Anxiety Inventory) were taken pre- and post-treatment and at two-month follow-up.
Results showed that EMDR significantly decreased the symptoms of test anxiety and
evaluation fears of the Immediate group compared to the Delayed group, with effects
being maintained at two-month follow-up. Large treatment effects were achieved and
were reflected in large drops in percentile ranking on the TAI. The Subjective Units of
Disturbance Scale and Validity of Cognition ratings also improved significantly, showing
large treatment effects, which is consistent with Shapiro’s findings of rapid and significant
reductions in presenting complaints and anxiety. When the Delayed group received
treatment, it was found that the effects of treatment were equivalent for the two groups.
One session of EMDR appears to be an effective treatment for test anxiety for students.


title: An investigation of saccharide complexation by aqueous oxoacids. Can oxoacids mediate A1-2 quorum sensing in bacteria?

contributor:
Kinrade, Stephen
Mawhinney, Robert
Pyle, Greg

subject:
A1-2 quorum sensing
Saccharide complexation
Aqueous oxoacids

abstract:
The goal of this investigation was to determine whether it is plausible for bacterial AI-2 quorum sensing to be selectively regulated by environmentally available oxoacids. In particular, we investigated the ability of H2CO3 and H4SiO4 to bind molecules structurally analogous to the AI-2 signaling compound (a hydration product of (4S)-4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione, S-DPD) which is known to be bound to H3BO3 in the AI-2 receptor site of V. harveyi. We report the first ever evidence of mono- and di-ester linked complexes formed spontaneously between carbonic acid and aqueous polyhydroxy hydrocarbons, providing support for the hypothesis that a complex between H2CO3 and some S-DPD derivative regulates AI-2 quorum sensing in S. gordonii. The carbonate centre in these novel complexes retains three-fold coordination. Additionally, we compared the binding affinity of silicic acid to that of boric acid and carbonic acid to several different alcohols and saccharides, and determined that the formation constants generally increase as H2CO3 < H4SiO4 < H3BO3. It seems entirely plausible, therefore, that silicic acid could modulate AI-2 quorum sensing in Sirich environments such as soil solutions.
Finally, we determined that stannic acid is also complexed by a range of polyhydroxy hydrocarbons in aqueous solution and characterized of structures of many of the resulting mono-, bis- and tris-ligand complexes.


title: Stratigraphy of two late paleozoic basins : implication for the timing of final emplacement of the Meguma terrane

subject:
Geology Nova Scotia
Geology, Structural
Plate tectonics Nova Scotia

abstract:
Paleoraagnetic studies indicate the Meguma terrane's final
emplacement occurred between the Mid-Devonian and Early
Permian. Lithostratigraphic units near the boundary of the
terrane were investigated in order to provide constraints on
the timing of this compressional event.
North of the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault (Guysborough Basin),
volcanic flows, pyroclastics and related sediments are
overlain by gravelly to sandy braided fluvial and lacustrine
lithofacies. East-southeast paleocurrents and variable (non-
Meguma) clast lithologies are typical of these units. South
of the Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault (St. Mary's Basin), coarse
cobble - rich to sandy braided fluvial lithofacies are
dominant. Paleocurrents indicate flow to the north and clast
lithologies are representative of the Meguma terrane.
Post Acadian (Late Devonian) basement fragmentation and
associated volcanism modified the area north of the Cobequid-
Chedabucto Fault. Basement block rotation, east end down,
initiated Latest Devonian through Mid-Carboniferous
sedimentation in a transtensile tectonic environment. There is no lithostratigraphic evidence to suggest the presence of
the Meguma terrane immediately south of the Guysborough Basin
during this time interval. However, the Meguma terrane was
supplying sediment to the St. Mary's Basin by the Early
Carboniferous. Collision and wrench faulting probably
initiated formation of this basin in a transtensile tectonic
environment. Subsequent dextral displacement along the
Cobequid-Chedabucto Fault and transpressive tectonic
conditions resulted in the removal of slices of both the St.
Mary's and GUysborough Basins as these two distinct
assemblages were juxtaposed.


title: Habitat selection in the Common Five-lined Skink near the northern extent of its range

contributor:
Hecnar, Stephen
McLaren, Brian
Morris, Douglas

subject:
Common Five-lined Skink
Microhabitat selection
Habitat factors
Habitat selection

abstract: The study of habitat selection is vital to identify potential threats and to conserve species at risk. The consequences of living in a particular habitat can influence processes beyond the individual with observable effects on populations, species interactions, assembly of ecological communities, and the origin and maintenance of biodiversity. Northern populations of the Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) occur primarily in open areas within the eastern deciduous forest of North America. One of two Canadian populations of the Five-lined Skink, the Carolinian population, is currently listed as endangered. The comparative use of macrohabitat types available in northern populations has not been formally described. Furthermore, the relative importance of canopy structure (and associated thermal environment for skinks) when compared to other habitat factors is not well understood. My study asks (1) what macrohabitats are used most by skinks, (2) which habitat factors best predict occupancy, and (3) whether skinks show a gradual or a threshold response to increasing forest canopy cover. I conducted my study at Rondeau Provincial Park in southwestern Ontario. To measure macrohabitat use I completed visual surveys of coverboards placed in four main terrestrial habitat types available at the study site. I compared expected to observed use in each habitat type. To measure how occupancy might be affected by multiple habitat parameters, I completed visual surveys of coverboard transects and collected habitat measurements in the field and using GIS. I used Poisson regression analysis and Akaike Information Criteria to determine which variables contributed to the prediction of site occupancy. I then analysed the same data set using piecewise regression to test for abrupt changes in the relationship between site use and canopy cover. Skinks preferred dune habitat of the main terrestrial habitats available. Skink habitat use was affected most by temperature, canopy cover and moisture. Skinks exhibited a negative threshold response to canopy cover >50% for much of the active season. Habitat loss and the rate of natural succession are concerns for the remaining Endangered Carolinian populations of the Five-lined Skink. Understanding which habitats are used most by this species may assist targeted management efforts to preserve existing isolated populations and to restore areas for future translocations.


title: Modelling barred owl habitat in Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Barred owl
Call playback survey
GIS applications
Landscape management

abstract:
With its large home range, dependence on large
decadent trees for nest cavities, and association with
mature mixedwoods, the Barred Owl (Strix varia) is
vulnerable to habitat loss from forest harvesting. Study
objectives were to document Barred Owl habitat associations
and to determine whether habitat selection could be
described in terms of land cover classes derived from
satellite imagery. Owl locations were determined by call
playback survey near Fort Frances, in Northwestern Ontario.
Forest characteristics were measured on all selected and
random non-selected sites. Regression analysis identified
forest type, height and fragmentation as predictors of
Barred Owl presence. Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides),
white birch (Betula papyrifera) , red pine (Pinus resinosa)
or white pine (Pinus strobus) mixedwoods were selected. Owl
presence probability increased with canopy height and the
proportion forested in 280 ha around a site. A GIS-based
habitat map, created from satellite image-derived land
cover classes, distinguished good and poor habitat regions.
A long-term, landscape-level approach is required to ensure
a continuing supply of Barred Owl habitat in Northwestern
Ontario's working forest. This study demonstrated that
Barred Owl habitat can be characterized by forest data
widely available in digital format, and thus is well suited
to supply assessment and forecasting in a GIS (Geographical
information Systern) .


title: Cache performance of chronological garbage collection

subject: Garbage collection (Computer Science)

abstract:
This thesis presents cache performance analysis of the Chronological Garbage Collection
Algorithm used in LVM system. LVM is a new Logic Virtual Machine for Prolog. It
adopts one stack policy for all dynamic memory requirements and cooperates with an
efficient garbage collection algorithm, the Chronological Garbage Collection, to recycle
space, not as a deliberate garbage collection operation, but as a natural activity of the
LVM engine to gather useful objects. This algorithm combines the advantages of the
traditional copying, mark-compact, generational, and incremental garbage collection
schemes.
In order to determine the improvement of cache performance under our garbage-
collection algorithm, we developed a simulator to do trace-driven cache simulation.
Direct-mapped cache and set-associative cache with different cache sizes, write policies,
block sizes and set associativities are simulated and measured. A comparison of LVM
and SICStus 3.1 for the same benchmarks was performed.
From the simulation results, we found important factors influencing the
performance of the CGC algorithm. Meanwhile, the results from the cache simulator fully
support the experimental results gathered from the LVM system: the cost of CGC Is
almost paid by the improved cache performance. Further, we found that the memory
reference patterns of our benchmarks share the same properties: most writes are for
allocation and most reads are to recently written objects. In addition, the results also
showed that the write-miss policy can have a dramatic effect on the cache performance of
the benchmarks and a write-validate policy gives the best performance. The comparison
shows that when the input size of benchmarks is small, SICStus is about 3-8 times faster
than LVM. This is an acceptable range of performance ratio for comparing a binary-code
engine against a byte-code emulator. When we increase the input sizes, some benchmarks
maintain this performance ratio, whereas others greatly narrow the performance gap and
at certain breakthrough points perform better than their counterparts under SICStus.


title: Petrology of ijolites from the Prairie Lake carbonatite complex

subject:
Petrology
Mineralogy
Prairie Lake Complex

abstract:
This study investigates the major and trace element composition of minerals of the ijolite series rocks occurring at the Prairie Lake carbonatite complex, northern Ontario, together with comparative data for ijolites from the Fen complex, Norway. Trace element data (Sr, Zr, REE) were collected by LA-ICP-MS for clinopyroxene, garnet, and apatite. and in conjunction with the major element data are used to develop a petrogenetic model for Prairie Lake.
The ijolites and calcite ijolites (hollaites) of Prairie Lake carbonatite complex have been formed by magma mixing, crystal settling, solid-state deformation, and deuteric alteration. The complex represents at least three stages of intrusion by melts of differing composition. The initial stage is predominantly biotite pyroxenites and associated coarse carbonatite veins. The second stage is primarily members of the ijolite series together with solid state deformation creating meta-ijolites, with differentiation forming malignites (potassic nepheline syenites). The third major stage is the intrusion of the CII carbonatites derived from different batches of magmas. These latter rocks contain xenoliths of ijolite suite rocks, wollastonite apatitite and phoscorite.
Pyroxene compositions show an evolutionary trend from diopside in biotite pyroxenites to Fe-enriched diopside-augite in ijolites to aegirine in malignites. Clinopyroxene major and trace element data shows that clinopyroxene cores from the biotite pyroxenites formed at depth and were emplaced as part of a later event. These data are used to show that a continuously filled fractionating magma chamber was not present at Prairie Lake and that the complex formed as result of small intrusions of nephelinite magma into pre-existing ijolites. A similar style of petrogenesis is suggested for the Fen complex.


title: Does this count for marks? :  a mixed methods analysis of teacher opinion of counting a large-scale assessment toward class grades

contributor:
van Barneveld, Christina
Kajander, Ann

subject:
Grading & marking (students)
Educational evaluation

abstract: The objective of this research was to gain insights on teacher opinions related to the practice of counting a portion of a large-scale educational assessment (LSA) for students' grades. [The author] anaylized the responses of 1,203 Grade 9 teachers who responded to a question on a Teacher Questionnaire administered as part of a grade 9 LSA of mathematics. Teacher opinions were clustered according to two dimensions (1) whether the teacher opined that counting the LSA for student marks motivated the studens to take the assessment more seriously, and (2) whether the teacher comment related to characteristics of the student, student behaviours, characteristics of the text, or the value students placed on the LSA. The results were that most of the teachers (85%) opined that counting the LSA for student marks motivated students to take the test more seriuosly because it raised the value of the LSA for the students, and that translated into improved test preparation and/or effort on the test. When teachers opined that counting the LSA did not motivate students, or when the teachers were undecided, teacher comments tended to focus on characteristics of the students such as program (academic or applied), ability, and anxiety.


title: Shape variation in the talus and medial cuneiform of chimpanzees and bonobos

contributor:
Tocheri, Matthew
Knigge, Ryan
Varney, Tamara

subject: Locomotor behaviour in bonobos and chimpanzees

subject: Talus and medial cuneiform morphology (Pan troglodytes)

subject: Functional morphology

abstract:
Establishing form-function relationships between anatomy and locomotor behaviours in
extant taxa provides critical context for interpretations of extinct species. This study used 3D
geometric morphometric methods to explore talus and medial cuneiform shape variation among
taxa in Pan and to determine whether and to what extent any shape variation may be related to
differences in climbing behaviour. Current locomotor behaviour data suggest that bonobos,
western, and eastern chimpanzees do not differ from one another in total frequencies of
arboreality as much as once thought. However, these data do suggest that bonobos and eastern
chimpanzees more often use smaller diameter substrates (<10 cm) when climbing, while western
chimpanzees tend to climb larger diameter (>15 cm) tree trunks and boughs. The morphology of
the talus and medial cuneiform in Pan was predicted to reflect differences in locomotor
behaviour, showing a greater emphasis on hallucial grasping in bonobos and eastern
chimpanzees, and on an inverted foot set in western chimpanzees. This difference in emphasis
was expected to be more pronounced between bonobos and western chimpanzees, both of which
appear to climb more frequently than do eastern chimpanzees. The results of this study suggest
that the shapes of the bonobo talus and medial cuneiform covary as a functional unit that
emphasizes hallucial grasping in the medial cuneiform but not inversion at the talocrural joint.
The exact opposite pattern was observed in western chimpanzees, with features that emphasize
inversion at the ankle joint but not hallucial grasping. Eastern and central chimpanzee (and
possibly Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee) talus and medial cuneiform shapes fall in between
these two extremes. Overall, these results are reasonably consistent with the different styles of
arboreality observed in bonobos and western chimpanzees. Interestingly, the pattern of covariance observed in this study among chimpanzees and bonobos does not exist in modern
humans. If the pattern of covariance observed in Pan also characterized the Pan-Homo ancestor,
then it must have become dissociated at some point during early hominin evolution in order to
produce the combination seen in modern humans (i.e., an everted foot set combined with an
adducted hallux).


title: A Randomized Trial of a Comprehensive Training Process to Enhance Safe Driving in Older Adults

contributor:
Bedard, Michel
Kristman, Vicki
Dubois, Sacha

subject:
Driver safety
Older adults
Older automobile drivers
Traffic accident prevention
Driver training methods

abstract:
In Canada, older adult driving exposure is increasing quite drastically. However, older adult
drivers have a higher motor vehicle collision fatality risk compared to younger age groups. Therefore,
older adult driver safety is an area requiring considerable attention. Using a randomized controlled trial
study design, the present study investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive training process to
enhance safe driving in older adults. Based on their age and sex, participants (n=78), aged 65 years and
above, were block randomized to one of three driving training intervention groups: 1) in-class training
(control); 2) in-class plus on-road training (with individualized feedback); and 3) in-class plus on-road
plus simulator training (with individualized feedback). The main outcome measure was the number of
unsafe-driving actions committed before and after receiving designated driving training interventions on a
standardized on-road driving evaluation, captured by video and GPS technology, and scored by a blinded,
independent rater. Driving knowledge and driving comfort data were also collected for all participants
before and after receiving their designated interventions. Mean baseline total on-road driving scores were
similar for intervention groups, averaging 129.78 (SD=29.87) for the control group, 128.48 (SD=20.15)
for the in-class plus on-road training group, and 127.73 (SD=24.24) for the in-class plus on-road plus
simulator training group. The control group achieved an average reduction of 7.18 (95% CI [0.11, 14.26])
unsafe-driving actions; the in-class plus on-road training group and the in-class plus on-road plus simulator-training group achieved an average reduction of 41.64 (95% CI [26.21, 53.29]) and 38.69 (95%
CI [22.20, 52.16]) unsafe-driving actions, respectively, especially regarding vehicle control and
observation errors.  Driving knowledge also significantly improved from 74.4% to 83.2% of questions
answered correctly before receiving the in-class training component to after receiving the in-class training
component; however, there were no significant differences between intervention groups in post-
intervention driving comfort levels. The findings demonstrate that achieving considerable improvements
in older adults’ driving relies on on-road training, and that individualized feedback supplementation
should be the focus of more inquiry. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.


title: Phenology, growth and physiological responses to photoperiod and elevated [CO2] of boreal white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh): implications to climate change-induced northward migration

contributor:
Dang, Qing-Lai
Wang, Jian
Leitch, Mathew

subject:
Climate change
White birch
Photoperiod
Elevated CO2
Leaf senescence
Photosynthesis

abstract: With the increase in average global temperature due to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]), rapid shifts of climate envelopes are expected to lead to norward migration for boreal tree species. As a result, trees will be exposed to new photoperiod regimes and higher [CO2]. These factors will likely have interactive effects on the physiology, phenology, survival, and growth of tree species. The successful northward migration of trees will likely depend on their biological capacity (phenotypic plasticity) to cope with novel conditions. To better understand how boreal tree species will respond to changes in photoperiod and [CO2], it is critical to experimentally investigate the impact of potential changes on the physiology, phenology, and growth of individual species. The main objective of this thesis was to examine how the phenology, growth, and physiology of white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh) would respond to photoperiod and elevated [CO2] in the context of climate change-induced tree migration. To achieve this target, seedlings were exposed to ambient (400 μmol mol−1) or elevated (1000 μmol mol−1) [CO2], and four photoperiod regimes corresponding to 48 (seed origin), 52, 55, and 58º N for two growing seasons. The results showed that a moderate increase in photoperiod increased growth and biomass, CO2 elevation stimulated photosynthetic carbon uptake (Pn). However, white birch did not benefit further from even longer photoperiods. The lack of Pn stimulation by CO2 elevation was associated with the downregulation of photosynthetic capacity, the maximum Rubisco activity (Vcmax) and maximum electron transport rate (Jmax). The seedlings under longer photoperiod advanced budburst under elevated CO2, whereas photoperiod had opposite effects on budburst under ambient CO2. Further, CO2 elevation lengthened the duration of the leaf senescence process due to an earlier onset and later completion of leaf senescence. Interestingly, longer photoperiods at the two high latitudes induced an earlier onset of leaf senescence and achieved a higher level of cold hardiness than at the two lower latitudes under elevated [CO2]. Further, the photoperiod at the latitude 10º N north of seed origin enhanced the maximum stem-specific hydraulic conductivity. The interactive effects of photoperiod and [CO2] on the phenology, growth, and physiology of white birch seedlings indicate at novel conditions at higher latitudes may play a critical role in the success of climate change-induced migration.


title: Comparison of post-harvest sample designs to assess impact to organic forest soils in eastern Manitoba

subject:
Effect of logging on forest soils
Forest degradation (Manitoba)
Soil sample design

abstract:
Five sampling methods were developed, tested, and compared to assess soil impact from
harvesting equipment on organic sites in unfrozen condition. This study pointed to the
gap in the literature for such a sample design. Suitability for utilization for the methods
suggested was based on statistical and operational feasibility. The results from this study
suggested situational assessment before choosing a sample design. The five designs
within a harvested area included fixed area plots, randomly located transect intercepts,
randomly located transect cluster intercepts, and two fixed start transect intercept
designs. The fixed area plots recognized the most number of different disturbance types
and also introduced the most variance. The random transect intercept method may prove
useful and more accurate if implemented differently. The fixed start transect were not
statistically justifiable and were investigated to fulfill an industrial mandate survey
criteria. For the sites investigated, the plot design yielded the highest resolution of
information. Although a complete economic analysis was not undertaken, the plot
design may prove one of the most economical. Caution should be exercised when
applying these designs to areas other than the study sites.


title: A comparison of two ultra-brief treatments for generalized anxiety disorder symptoms

contributor:
Mazmanian, Dwight
Gotwals, John
Stroink, Mirella
Behar, Evelyn

subject:
GAD recognition
GAD treatment
GAD & worry in the medical system
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Health-related worrying
Prevention outcome studies for GAD

abstract:
Worrying is a common experience that many people engage in occasionally without issue.
However, some individuals are chronic worriers, and some develop generalized anxiety disorder
(GAD) due to excessive worry (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). People with GAD
experience significant distress and physiological issues, leading to high health care service
utilization (Bélanger et al., 2005). Two models of GAD, the Cognitive Avoidance Model
(Sibrava & Borkovec, 2006) and the Metacognitive Model (Wells, 2009), have extensive basic
and applied support. In addition, a small body of research has shown that an ultra-brief treatment
can decrease GAD symptoms and worry severity (Borkovec et al., 1983; McGowan & Behar,
2013). Yet, this research has used short follow-ups, and the relationships between change in
symptoms and cognitive factors have not been explored. The current study tested two ultra-brief
treatments based on the two models of GAD. A total of 115 participants were assigned to
receive one of the treatments, or to a control condition. Participants in the control condition were
assigned to one of the treatments after four weeks. Treatments were completed in less than 20
minutes. Participants completed a diagnostic interview and self-report measures at baseline, four
weeks, and four months post-treatment. Participants who received treatment had large decreases
on measures of GAD symptoms, worry severity, and negative affect, as well as on measures of
the proposed cognitive factors, with gains maintained at four month follow-up. While the
treatments were superior to the control condition, no differences were found between treatments.
Negative beliefs about worry and meta-worry were related to changes in GAD symptoms and
worry severity, while cognitive avoidance was related to changes in worry severity. Overall, the
results indicate that these ultra-brief treatments appear well suited for use in primary care, and
the findings provide support for both the Metacognitive Model and Cognitive Avoidance Model.


title: Handwriting : an exploration of foundational skills / by Karen Pontello.

subject:
Penmanship
Motor ability - Testing.
Visual perception - Testing.
Handwriting

abstract: "Latent Class Analyses were used to identify two Latent Classes from a sample population of 200 students with slow handwriting who were referred to occupational therapy because of difficulties keeping up with the writing demands of the classroom. The underlying foundational handwriting skills of developmental hand skills, visual perception, visual motor skills, upper limb speed and dexterity, letter motor memory, handwriting legibility and letter formation skills were used to determine that Latent Class One and Latent Class Two exist within the data gathered from the students' occupational therapy clinical files. A one way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed that Latent Class One and Latent Class Two were statistically different from each other. Univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) as follow up to the MANOVA identified that Latent Class One was different from Latent Class Two in all of the foundational handwriting skill areas except upper limb speed and dexterity. Letter motor memory skills were associated with 79% of the variance between the Two Latent Classes. Letter formation skills were associated with 37% of the variance between Latent Class One and Latent Class Two. Handwriting legibility was associated with 27% of the variance between the Latent Classes. Developmental hand skills, visual motor skills, and visual perceptual skills were associated with a smaller yet still significant percentage of the variance between the Latent Classes."--from Abstract


title: Women science teachers' experiences during a time of transition

contributor:
Fennell, Hope-Arlene
Grover, Sonja

subject:
Women in education
Science teachers
Women teachers
Feminization

abstract:
With the projected mass retirements of male secondary school teachers, Ontario
Ministry of Education statistics suggest that female teachers will - for the first time in Ontario
history - constitute the majority of Ontario Secondary School teachers. To date, most of the
research on the feminization of teaching has focused on the issue at the elementary school level
where the phenomenon had been very noticeable for decades. Feminization of an occupation
occurs when women move en masse into a profession or occupation and men leave it. Little
research exists on feminization at the secondary school level. The purpose of this qualitative
study was to determine in which ways feminization of secondary school teaching has occurred.
Six female secondary school Science teachers from two northern Ontario school boards were
interviewed. The study was framed around two focus questions: “What are the experiences of
women teaching in Science, a subject area traditionally dominated by men?” and, “In the
educational setting, how are these women treated by others?” Data provided by the women
suggest that feminization is occurring within secondary schools in northern Ontario. While
working in an increasingly feminized environment, these female Science teachers were
accepted as qualified and competent by those they worked with and encountered in the
educational setting.


title: Utilization of coal biomass fly ash in the control and treatment of acid mine drainage

subject:
Acid mine drainage
Control
Fly ash

abstract: This study investigated the feasibility of using coal/biomass fly ash (CBFA) blended with various percentages of mine tailings, bentonite, and glacial till soil to control and treat acid mine drainage (AMD). Applications included their use as a cover (cap), liner, low permeability core for dams, and flow-through reactive barriers. These materials were chosen due to their availability and their potential to be a cost effective alternative to traditional technologies and materials.


title: A Cartographic analysis of ecological boundary symbology

contributor:
Randall, Todd
Wilson, William
Johnston, Margaret
Kemp, Dave

subject:
Landscape ecology
Ecological mapping
Vegetation boundaries
Cartography
Environmental mapping

abstract:
Maps are used often in ecological boundary analysis. However, there is a
lack of research concerning the relationship between ecological boundary
research and the cartography of ecological boundaries. This multidisciplinary
study analyzes the ecology, cartography, and philosophy of ecological
boundaries. Background literature in these fields is reviewed to establish a
holistic view of ecological boundaries. Ecological boundaries are observed in the
Thunder Bay Centennial Botanical Conservatory. Observations are analyzed in a
cartographic context using a new tool, the Ecological Boundary Symbology
Matrix. The symbology matrix is a flexible research tool used for cartographic
analysis. Guidelines for ecological boundary symbology are presented. A map
series is constructed that incorporates strategies presented in the guidelines and
reflects findings of the symbology matrix. Observations and matrix analysis
established that ecological boundaries interact with a number of phenomena,
described in this study as 'modes', which may not be limited by the boundary in
the same way. The extent to which a boundary limits its modes depends on the
spatial characteristics of that boundary and the characteristics of the modes. This
means that ecological boundaries can be mapped in greater detail based on
boundary-mode characteristics. New boundary terms based on observed
boundary characteristics are presented including: definite boundary, indefinite
boundary, perforated boundary, interface boundary, and medial boundary.


title: Wizards of Motion : evaluation of a helmet intervention program / by Pamela K. Marsh.

contributor:
McPherson, Moira
van Barneveld, Christina
Montelpare, William

subject:
Helmets and children
Wizards of Motion program
Children - Head safety

abstract:
Lakehead University's Wizards of Motion program is designed to introduce students to the application of mechanics to the analysis of human motion. The Wizards Grade 7 helmet intervention module provides a unique opportunity for students to visualize the outcomes of unsafe practices while studying specific concepts within the Grade 7 Ontario Science Curriculum. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation and utilization of the Wizards Intervention module.  Methods. Seventy four students from five Grade 7 Northwestern Ontario schools participated in this quasi-experimental research study. Thirty seven students participated as the intervention group, while thirty seven students comprised the control group. The intervention group was required to complete a knowledge test of basic biomechanical concepts and helmet safety, and a survey of attitudes and frequency of helmet use pre and post intervention.  In addition, students and teachers in the intervention group completed
program satisfaction questionnaires. Students in the control group completed a knowledge test, and attitude and helmet use surveys during the same time period.
Results:  The results were organized into three themes: Program Implementation, Program Outcomes, and Value Added. The Program Implementation results indicate that the program was implemented as intended, the educational practices were incorporated effectively, and the teachers were provided with the support necessary to make the
program a success. The Program Outcome results suggest that while there was no significant difference in the pre to post test comparisons on attitude towards helmet use between control and intervention groups, there was a statistically significant increase in the level of knowledge for the intervention group. There was a significant difference in the intervention versus control group’s intention to wear a helmet in the future. The results of the Value Added theme suggest that both students and teachers found the program a valuable addition to their classroom.
Conclusions:  The success in delivering the “Wizards of Motion” program illustrates the versatility of linking real time health promotion to standardized curriculum, and invites considerations for additional program links across the curriculum. Finally, the study highlights the importance of programs designed to promote head safety and helmet use.


title: Old-growth forests and timber supply : a case study from the boreal forest

contributor:
Duinker, Peter N.
Moore, Tom
van Damme, Laird
Euler, David

subject:
Old growth forests management
Silviculture
Forestry simulation modelling
Harvest Schedule Generator (HSG)
Boreal forests

abstract:
Historically in Canada, old-growth forest preservation concerns, research, and
analyses have centred on the stately coniferous forests of British Columbia (e.g.,
Clayoquot Sound). Within the past decade, however, the forests of Ontario have
also come under scrutiny for their old-growth values. The Timmins Forest, a
Sustainable Forest License, provides the background for this case study of Ontario’s
old-growth forests. Old-growth is defined conceptually as an integral landscape
element, differentiated at the stand level by age The principal objectives of this
study were to develop and examine the temporal impact of various timber harvest
scenarios on the old-growth component of the forest. To support this analysis,
silvicultural options for the creation of old-growth structures at the stand level were
outlined for the boreal species under examination. One hundred-year simulation
scenarios were run on a forest model called HSG. HSG operates by tracking the
spatial identity of individual forest stands through time. As age and time increments
are simulated, HSG updates stand successional changes and inventories, applies
harvests, and allocates and schedules silvicultural treatments. Indicators for
analysis included long-run sustained yield versus growing stock, and the percentage
of the landscape in the old-growth condition per species. The scenarios ranged in
design from no harvests, no silviculture, to the use of “old-growth windows” (where
stands were protected from harvest) to the use of intensive silviculture. Results
show that old-growth supply is maximized across the boreal species when a
program of no harvests is undertaken. Protecting stands from harvest for a specified
number of years provided the least amount of long-run sustained yield over time.
Intensive silviculture increased harvest levels at the expense of old growth. The
Benchmark Scenario provided the best option for the provision of both inventories of
old-growth and long-run sustained yield.
Forest resource managers have the basic simulation tools necessary to measure
and manage for old growth, but need to perform additional analyses such as cost-benefit-analysis to evaluate the role of old growth in the landscape context.
Clarification and refinement of such methodologies and simulation tools will lead to
the improvement of forest policies designed to create and manage sustainable forest
management programs.


title: The prevalence of burnout in minor hockey coaches

subject:
Hockey coaches job stress
Burn out (Psychology)

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of burnout
among minor hockey league coaches as assessed by the Adapted Maslach
Burnout Inventory and Golembiewski's Phase Model of Burnout, and to identify
various factors which are related to the stages of burnout in minor hockey
league coaches. Thunder Bay Amateur Minor Hockey League Coaches (N = 229)
completed the Adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory and a Minor Hockey League
Coaches' Package via a mail survey. Both current and former coaches, who
have been out of the system for one year, were polled. The results of this
study indicate that volunteer minor hockey coaches experienced greater
personal accomplishment, less emotional exhaustion, less depersonalization and
therefore less burnout than the general (US) public, as shown in previous
studies. Variables found to be related to higher burnout scores were intra-role
conflict, emphasis placed upon winning, the perception of success, expectations
of significant others, and athlete variables. Division and level coached, along
with win/loss record, did not contribute significantly to burnout as was first
anticipated. Contradictory to other studies, age, years of experience, marital
status and education level were not found to be related to higher burnout scores
in minor hockey league coaches.


title: An investigation of the role of individual words in the comprehension of connected discourse

contributor:
Colman, Frank
Evans, James
Allan, Kenneth

subject: Psycholinguistics Reading

abstract: Two experiments exploring the role of individual words in reading comprehension are reported. In the first experiment one group of subjects processed text for comprehension and another attempted retention of text words. Results showed that highter comprehension level can be accompanied by lesser knowledge of text words, and increased text word familiarity by decreased comprehension of the material. The second experiment presented subjects with a series of texts in which nouns representing the topic or "Actor" were deleted. It's results showed that subjects can successfully fill-in such words and that the group showing superior performance in this task generated a significantly higher level of text comprehension than a comparable low performance group.


title: Time-domain steady-state analysis of circuits with multiple adaptive grids

contributor:
Christoffersen, Carlos
Natarajan, Krishnamoorthy

subject:
Electric circuits, Nonlinear
Time-domain analysis
Electric circuit analysis

abstract:
An effective adaptive algorithm to calculate the steady-state response of circuits is developed.
This algorithm offers a powerful alternative to traditional steady-state simulation techniques,
such as the shooting method or harmonic balance (HB). A favourable feature of the algorithm
is that it obtains the unknown circuit solutions by using adaptive basis functions (ABF). The
circuit equations are formulated by transformation matrices. One of the contributions of
this thesis is to use the least squares method instead of Galerkin method to solve ordinary
differential equations with ABF. Another contribution is that the proposed algorithm uses
different grid resolutions to represent each state variable simultaneously. The position of the
grid points for each state variable is adaptively controlled by an algorithm that attempts to
minimize artifact oscillations in the solutions. The algorithm is demonstrated by simulating
two circuits and comparing the results with Spice and Aplac.


title: The Correlations and the power characteristics of special classes of binary sequences for multicarrier communications

contributor:
Yu, Nam Yul
Mao, Zhiwei
Natarajan, Krishnamoorthy

subject:
Signal theory (Telecommunication)
Signal processing
Digital techniques
Local area networks (Computer networks)

abstract: In recent years, multicarrier communication has attracted considerable attention as a promising technology that enables transmission of high data rates. One of major drawbacks of multicarrier communications is the high peak-to-average power ration (PAPR) of transmitted signals. Sequences and codes can be used as a solution to handle this problem.


title: Stories of the cystorhood: exploring women’s experiences with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: implications for education, self-perception, and medicalization

subject:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Feminity
Self-esteem in women

abstract:
The overarching purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of women with PCOS
in more detail to provide further knowledge of the syndrome, to educate others, and
reduce stigma – for all women, with or without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS occurs in five to 10 percent of women, yet the greater public is generally unaware
of it. Biomedicine defines PCOS as an endocrine disorder caused by a hormonal
imbalance in women, with symptoms including: irregular or complete lack of menstrual
periods; reduced fertility; unwanted facial or body hair; and the potential for weight gain
due to insulin resistance. This study explores the experiences of women from the
following perspectives: self-perception, education, and medicalization. Using artsinformed inquiry, with the methods of painting, interviews, and life writing, these topics are explored with women with PCOS.


title: MMPI-2 profiles of Lakehead University students / Elizabeth M.R.M. Lettner.

subject: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.

abstract:
Until most recently university students were considered to
score significantly higher on the MMPI clinical and validity
scales, in terms of their mean profiles, than the original
normative non-psychiatric sample. According to the only study
by Butcher, Graham, Dahlstrom and Bowman (1990) on this
subject, this does not seem to be the case on the MMPI-2.
The present research was a study of the same type as the
Butcher, Graham, et al. (1990) study but with a Canadian
sample of university students, at Lakehead University in
Thunder Bay. The results obtained from the present study
showed significant elevations in terms of the mean profiles
for both male and female students on several of the validity
and clinical scales of the MMPI-2 in comparison to the
normative sample. The obtained differences may reflect the
younger age, as well as the socio-economic differences of the
Lakehead University sample compared to the MMPI-2 normative
group. Results also revealed that the L.U. student sample
responded, as a group, in a manner similar to the Butcher,
Graham, et al. (1990) university student sample. Similar mean
scores were obtained with only very few significant
differences. The group profiles were also compared between
these two student samples and displayed a considerable degree
of similarity. It is unclear whether the apparent contradictions between the results of the present study and
the Butcher, Graham, et al. (1990) study reflect real
differences of statistical and clinical significance, or
whether they are the result of too small samples, or the
different statistical methods and criteria. However, if these
results reflect real differences and not statistical errors,
this would suggest that, contrary to the Butcher, Graham, et
al. (1990) conclusion, the MMPI-2 norms might not be
appropriate for use with college students.