title: Novel ways to measure future-oriented cognition: Using parent-report measures and open-ended responses to explore young children’s future thinking development

subject:
child development
episodic foresight
future thinking
future-oriented cognition

abstract: Future-oriented cognition encompasses a set of key abilities that children must develop for successful functioning in daily life including, saving, prospective memory, episodic foresight, planning, and delay of gratification. These future thinking abilities are supported by memory systems (e.g., semantic, episodic), as well as constructive processes, self-projection, and executive functions. Research primarily measures young children’s future-oriented abilities through behavioural tasks, which have various limitations and may not engage future thinking. The current studies introduce new methods to overcome some of these limitations: developing a parent-report questionnaire and examining children’s open-ended responses. In Study 1 (N = 101; Mazachowsky & Mahy, 2020), 3-to 7-year-old’s future thinking was examined to establish the psychometric properties of a new parent-report measure, The Children’s Future Thinking Questionnaire (CFTQ). The CFTQ detected development of children’s future thinking and is a reliable and valid measure. Study 2 (N = 48; Mazachowsky et al., 2020) examined 3-to 5-year-old children’s episodic foresight using a novel, open-ended version of the Picture-book task. Results showed that children were able to generate items for future use and were more successful with age. Children’s explanations for their generated items were typically present-focused and included both episodic and semantic details. Expanding on Study 2, Study 3 (N = 158; Mazachowsky et al., revisions requested) explored 3-to 5-year-old’s explanations for their item choices on two episodic foresight tasks to determine the degree to which these tasks engaged children’s episodic and future-oriented processes. Children provided more future-oriented explanations on the Picture-book task compared to the Spoon task, but episodicity did not differ between tasks. Further, children’s Picture-book task explanations included more first-person personal pronouns compared to the Spoon task, but explanations did not differ in other pronoun use. Together, these studies show that use of a parent-report measure and examination of children’s open-ended responses offer unique insight into the development of young children’s future thinking and engagement in future-oriented processes.


title: Pediculus humanus capitis as a potential vector for Acinetobacter baumannii

subject: Pathogen Lice Vector Ectoparasite Bacteria

abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: The presence of bacterial pathogens in the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, has been subject to intense research in the last decade. Of particular interest, investigations from several countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa coincide in reporting Acinetobacter baumannii, a known opportunistic bacterium causing frequent health-care associated outbreaks. No reports from countries in South America have been published and is important to confirm whether this pathogen is also present in head lice in this continent.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine whether Acinetobacter baumannii was present in head lice specimens collected from three countries in Latin America.
Methods: 123 vials containing 368 head lice collected from Argentina, Colombia, and two locations in Honduras (La Hicaca and San Buenaventura), were analyzed in pools using PCR to determine the presence of A. baumannii DNA.
Results: Two vials containing 3 insects halves each from La Hicaca, Honduras were positive for A. baumannii. Since lice were analyzed in pools, it is not possible to calculate an exact frequency of infection in lice. However, based on whether per each vial one, two or all three lice were positive for A. baumannii, a range can be determined between 1.83 - 5.50%. positivity. Genetic sequencing was used to verify our positive results. The remaining lice from Argentina, Colombia, and San Buenaventura; Honduras were identified as negative for the DNA of A. baumannii under the test conditions described.
Conclusion: This study is the first to report the presence of Acinetobacter DNA in human head lice from Latin America. Further investigations are required to elucidate the significance of this finding.


title: Using the HEXACO to Capture Psychopathy: Development and Initial Validation of the Power Proxies of Psychopathic Traits

subject:
psychopathy
HEXACO
normal personality
sex differences

abstract: Psychopathy, though often considered an abnormal personality construct, has been repeatedly found to be related to “normal” personality traits, and the HEXACO model of personality is particularly capable of capturing the “dark” personality variance integral to the construct. Additionally, while previous research indicates that psychopathy can be applied to both sexes, it has been suggested that psychopathic traits are expressed somewhat differently between men and women. In Study 1, we examined the relations between the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP) and the HEXACO-60 in a student sample (n = 1,346) in order to create proxy measures for Hare’s two-factor/four-facet model of psychopathy and to investigate sex differences in the associations between the SRP and the HEXACO. We created “general” proxies for use with samples of men and women in addition to male- and female-specific proxies for potential use with samples of exclusively men or women, respectively. The proxies had good psychometric properties and had stronger correlations with several psychopathy-relevant variables than did a previous attempt to measure the SRP facets using HEXACO items. In Study 2, we investigated how the proxies would function in a youth community sample (n = 396). The proxies related to many external variables in a similar manner as that of a previously validated measure of psychopathic traits in youth, suggesting that the proxy scales can be used with younger populations. In Study 3, we used a MTurk sample (n = 471) to update the proxy scales with HEXACO-100 items and to investigate sex differences in the relations between the SRP and the new HEXACO items. Several items were added to each version of the proxy scales and, compared to the original proxies, the updated proxies displayed better psychometric properties and stronger correlations with psychopathy-relevant variables. Overall, this program of research demonstrates considerable overlap between Hare’s model of psychopathy and the HEXACO model of personality. Honesty-Humility and altruism seem to underlie all of the psychopathy scales, whereas aspects of the other HEXACO domains tend to differentiate the psychopathy scales from one another. Further, several sex differences in how psychopathic traits relate to basic personality were identified.


title: Investigating the Conditional Adaptiveness of Adolescents’ Aggression from an Evolutionary Perspective

subject:
adolescence
aggression
bullying
conditional adaptiveness
evolutionary theory

abstract: Growing evidence supports the evolutionary perspective characterizing aggression as a strategy to achieve proximate adaptive benefits which can indirectly and probabilistically contribute to ultimate evolutionary goals (survival and reproduction). However, aggression may only be adaptive under certain conditions. Therefore, this dissertation investigated various conditions that may affect the adaptiveness of adolescent aggression, namely aggression characteristics (aggressive form, function, and anonymity), target characteristics (power of victim relative to the perpetrator), and perpetrator characteristics (experience of victimization and gender). Study 1 used a person-oriented approach to investigate how proactive and reactive cyber aggression and concurrent experiences of cyber victimization were associated with evolutionarily relevant social advantages and disadvantages in a community sample. Study 2 examined differential associations between aggression involvement and evolutionarily relevant aggressive functions, considering variations in aggressive form, the target’s power relative to perpetrator, and the perpetrator’s gender in a school-based sample. Finally, in a school-based sample, Study 3 investigated (1) how the associations between anonymous perpetration and evolutionary functions of aggression varied by aggressive form and the perpetrator’s gender, (2) how the target’s power and the perpetrator’s gender related to adolescents’ use of anonymous perpetration in each aggressive form, and (3) differential associations between anonymous victimization and victims’ perceptions of harm as a function of aggressive form and gender of the victim. Results suggest that adolescents’ aggression was linked to evolutionarily relevant aggressive functions motivated by competitive (e.g., aggression deterrence, intrasexual competition), impression management (seeking status and mates), sadistic (enjoyment), and reactive (impulsive response to real/perceived threats) functions, and to social advantages (social dominance, dating behaviour) for aggressors who used reactive aggression less frequently. However, aggression involvement was differentially associated with evolutionary motives based on the form, function, or anonymity of aggression, target characteristics, and perpetrator characteristics. Moreover, aggression was associated with costs, especially for cyber aggressor-victims who frequently aggressed reactively, and for victims of anonymous aggression. Thus, adolescents’ aggression may be conditionally adaptive for a narrow range of functions, depending on the characteristics of the aggression, target, and perpetrator. By highlighting the conditional adaptiveness of adolescent aggression, this research may inform efforts to improve interventions addressing aggression.


title: Enzymatic Studies of Bromocyclohexadienediols & Semi-synthesis of Narciclasine Analogues

subject:
Semi-Synthesis
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids
Natural Products
Biocatalysis
Lipases

abstract:
This thesis describes two projects:
• cis-Diene bromo diol obtained from the microbial oxidation of bromobenzene was used as a substrate for lipase-catalyzed acylation and epoxidation reactions. The model studies showed that the regiochemistry of the acylation is solvent dependent. The chemoenzymatic epoxidation followed the expected regiochemistry when compared to the chemical epoxidation with m-CPBA, but with the unexpected formation of bromoconduritol-C, an important intermediate whose electrochemical reduction led to the short synthesis of (-)-conduritol-C.
 • A detailed description is given to the studies of conversion of natural narciclasine to its C-1 enol derivative, followed by the attempted conversion of this material to its triflate, in order to conduct cross-coupling at the C-1 position. However, it resulted in a triflate at C-6 that was successfully coupled with several functionalities. All compounds were fully deprotected and subjected to evaluation of biological activity. Only one derivative showed moderate activity as compared to those of narciclasine and pancratistatin. Spectral and physical data are provided for all new compounds.


title: Evaluating and targeting mitochondrial dynamics and plasticity in conditions of mitochondrial dysfunction

subject:
mitochondrial dynamics
barth syndrome
zinc
biodegradable materials
cardiolipin

abstract: Mitochondria represent dynamic structures which undergo various changes in morphology in order to rapidly respond to changes in cellular physiology. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics are observed in various pathological events and represent a potential target for therapeutics. In this thesis, I first investigated the role of zinc supplementation on rat aortic endothelial (RAENDO) and smooth muscle (RASMC) cell mitochondrial form and function to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which zinc prevents the development of smooth muscle neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. I discovered that zinc differentially alters the gene expression of several mitochondria-associated genes in cells treated with ZnSO4 for 7 days. In agreement with this, an increase in mitochondrial network fragmentation (fission) is observed in RAENDO cells, whereas fusion is observed in RASMC cells with zinc treatment. I determined that cell-type specific differences in zinc storage and buffer capacity necessitating different mitochondrial quality control mechanisms may underscore differential responses to zinc exposure in vivo. These results highlight mitochondria as an important target for the treatment or prevention of neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. The potential to modulate mitochondrial network morphology to alter cellular function lead to the second study of this thesis, in which a mitochondrial-targeting moiety, triphenylphosphonium (TPP), is employed to target mitochondrial lipid composition. Here, I evaluated the use of TPP-linoleic acid (TPP-LA) to modulate mitochondrial cardiolipin (CL) composition in a tafazzin knockout (TAZKO) mouse myoblast model of Barth syndrome, a disease characterized by abnormal CL composition. My results indicate that TPP-LA non-significantly enhances mitochondrial membrane potential and apparent fusion in TAZKO and isogenic wildtype (WT) cells. CL analyses reveal that TPP-LA administration for 14 days during differentiation may rescue the CL profile of TAZKO cells. TPP-LA treatment also enhances biochemical differentiation in WT cells but fails to rescue differentiation in TAZKO cells. These results highlight the complex relationship between mitochondrial lipid composition and modulation of mitochondrial dynamics. Taken together, these two projects highlight the plastic nature of mitochondria, their role in pathological conditions and potential as therapeutic targets.


title: Supporting Physical Activity in Pregnancy

subject:
Prenatal physical activity
Pregnancy
Motivational interviewing (MI)
Physical activity counseling
Experimental vignette methodology

abstract: Physical activity is considered a key therapy for reducing obstetric complications, yet more than 3 in 4 individuals fail to meet physical activity recommendations during pregnancy (Gaston & Vamos, 2012).  Differing approaches to physical activity counseling have been implemented to address this issue (Pearce et al., 2013).  This study aimed to investigate the effect of one such counseling method, termed motivational interviewing (MI; Miller & Rollnick, 2013).  It involved two approaches for communicating physical activity information – a guiding style embodying the autonomy-supportive mindset of MI, or a directing style involving specific advice and recommendations.  Each of these approaches was depicted through a written vignette, showcasing a consult between an exercise professional and a pregnant client.  Based on random assignment, participants (N = 123) read one of the two vignettes, then indicated the vignette client’s physical activity level for three time points post-consult.  Participants assigned to the guiding style (n = 56) reported higher scores on the six manipulation check items compared to those assigned to the directing style (n = 67). While the mixed model ANOVA demonstrated no significant group × time interaction effect, the analysis revealed a significant main effect of group and time on physical activity levels.  Specifically, those in the guiding style condition reported more physical activity on average than those in the directing style condition, with levels decreasing over time in both groups.  In sum, a guiding communication style, generated in accordance with MI-based evidence, shows promise for improving prenatal physical activity levels and merits further investigation.


title: (Re)presentations of Disability: Images of Persons with Down Syndrome

subject:
self-representation
disability
life-writing
social media
Instagram

abstract: Disabled people have been misrepresented by mass media for decades. The result of disability misrepresentation is the perpetuation of negative disability stereotypes and models of disability. Disability representation has rarely been informed by authentic first-hand knowledge about what disability is and who disabled people are. As such, representations of disability have been formed from an outsider perspective most commonly based on ableism. This study seeks to explore the ways in which disabled people choose to represent themselves and if this representation is consistent with or resistant to dominant disability narratives. Borrowing from Critical Disability Studies and the concept of disability life writing, this study utilized qualitative content analysis to analyze the visual images, comments, and hashtags of randomly selected data posted to four publicly accessible Instagram accounts. Findings show disabled people choose to represent themselves in ways that resist dominant disability narratives, allowing for expanded ideas of what disability is and who disabled people are.


title: Understanding the Motivations to Host: A Study of Junior Hockey Host Families

subject: Host, Billet, Hosting, Homestay, Motivation, Volunteer

abstract: In North America, junior ice hockey poses a large transitional stage for athletes who wish to pursue elite careers. In their pursuance of elite careers, many players will be housed with host or billet families (Wright et al., 2019). Within the literature focused on junior hockey, host families have been uncovered as important social support systems when studying junior hockey athlete experiences (Allain, 2004; Bruner et al., 2008; Norris, 2017). Previous research surrounding junior hockey hosting programs has focused on the experiences of athletes (Allain, 2004; Bruner et al., 2008; Norris, 2017), the psychosocial development of junior hockey players (Sturges, 2018), and group functioning between former junior hockey players, parents, and host families (Wright et al., 2019). Although host families play a vital role in the success of a junior hockey organization, there has yet to be a study focusing solely on junior hockey hosts. The purpose of this study was to understand individual’s motivations for hosting junior hockey players and the factors that influence host families to host over multiple seasons. To fulfill the study’s purpose, an inductive constructivist qualitative research design was used to study current Canadian junior hockey host families. Participants (n=13) were sampled from six Canadian junior hockey organizations across four different leagues. Data were collected through virtual semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using elements of constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2000). Through a process of initial and focused coding, four categories emerged and were divided between factors motivating individuals to host and factors contributing to long term hosting. The findings of this study could lead to continued improvement of hosting programs in junior hockey. Further research is necessary to identify factors that cause individuals to discontinue hosting and explore hosting in other sport settings.


title: What's out there? Kinesiology curriculum scan for physical activity and older adults in Ontario (Canada)

subject: Gerontology, Post-Secondary Education, Curriculum Design, Human Kinetics, Exercise Professionals

abstract:
Background: To date, no studies have conducted a curricular scan to evaluate coursework targeting older adults and physical activity in university-based kinesiology departments. The research question guiding this study was: What percentage of courses taught in kinesiology programs at universities in Ontario (Canada) focus on older adults and physical activity?
Methods: Using a list of universities (N = 29) from Ontario (Canada) as the sampling frame, this descriptive study used archival data published within undergraduate calendars by sixteen universities. Data were extracted then coded using a coding manual developed using best practice guidelines for knowledge synthesis research.
Results: Human Biomechanics and Psychomotor Learning/Neuroscience were offered in 100.0% of the undergraduate programs while 81.3% offered a course devoted to older adults and physical activity. Variability in the number of courses targeting older adults and physical activity was evident (Range = 1.0 to 4.0 courses; M = 1.5 courses; SD = 1.2 courses; Md = 1.0 courses). Two universities contained one course that focused on physical activity for chronic diseases among older adults.
Conclusions: Overall, this study provides evidence that most universities in Ontario (Canada) offer undergraduate kinesiology courses focused on older adults and physical activity. It is possible that availability of these courses is due to gerontology being an elective course listed within the admission requirements of the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario. Future research may wish to explore the number (i.e., how many?) and type (i.e., class-based vs. field-based, etc.) of courses targeting older adults and physical activity needed for training kinesiology students.


title: Virtual Teams: The Impact of Varying Levels of Virtuality on Project Team Performance

subject:
Transformational Leadership Theory
Adaptive Structuration Theory
Communication Frequency
Virtuality
Project Team Performance
Leadership Effectiveness

abstract:
Although virtual teams have existed for over two decades, in recent years the Covid-19 pandemic led to a wider adoption and transition to virtual teamwork by most organizations. Virtuality is operationalized as the proportion of work done remotely or virtually on a project. This research studies the moderating effects of virtuality in project teams on communication frequency, leadership effectiveness, and project team performance. Using the theoretical frameworks of Adaptive Structuration Theory and Transformational Leadership Theory, a survey was carried out that informed this cross-sectional study. Respondents were project team members and managers who were involved in AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) and Finance/IT projects before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This study showed that the inverted-u relationship between communication frequency and project performance was preserved in only low virtuality teams, while the shape of the curve was different for high virtuality teams. AEC project performance was also found to be more sensitive to communication frequency, as these projects exhibited inverted-u relationship with performance compared to Finance/IT projects which was more linear. Regardless of the levels of virtuality in project teams, transformational leadership leads to significantly better performance in both types of projects. This study contributes to the body of literature in project management and information systems by measuring one of several dimensions of virtuality in the proposed model and provides insights for project managers in industry to better lead their virtual project teams.


title: Taking Care: Queer Belonging and Safety in The University

subject:
Gender
Sexuality
Colonialism
Queer theory
Critical care studies

abstract:
In this research, Brock University offers a case study of the tensions that result from desires for
inclusion and the realities of pain, misrecognition, and harm many experiences. This project
explored how queer students utilize and create systems of care that are both daily acts of
nourishment required to engage with heteronormativity, and urgent critiques of neoliberalism.
Five participants were recruited, all of whom are currently enrolled at Brock University and are a
part of the LGBTQ+ community. This study used a semi-structured, open-ended methodology
for the data collection process to ask how do queer students experience care within the
university? Four individual interviews were done with the participants on Zoom. Firstly, the
participants use their identities to express their desires for care and systems of support that
recognize their identities holistically. The second theme is the life-saving effect of queer
kinship as a site of temporary relief from the stressors of navigating the heteronormative
geographies of the university. The final theme identifies the precarious nature of safety in the
classroom as experienced by queer students. I conclude that Brock University is at an impasse of
care, I propose that students require care resources that engage meaningfully with queerness,
acknowledging its implications for housing, individual pedagogy, and emotional wellbeing.


title: "The things I do for sport": Associations with mental health in student-athletes.

subject:
Student-Athletes
Sacrifice
Mental Health
Mental Well-Being
Perceived Stress

abstract: Literature concerning university sport suggests that student-athletes make a myriad of behavioural sacrifices (e.g. pain, academics, sleep) to support their participation. While willingness to sacrifice has been linked with a host of positive outcomes (e.g., cohesion), whether athlete behavioural sacrifice is linked to mental health is currently unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between behavioural sacrifice and mental health in university student-athletes. Using a non-experimental design, university student-athletes (N = 45; Mage = 20.02) completed a multi-item questionnaire tapping behavioural sacrifice, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Participants did report making sacrifices for their sport, with sacrifice of leisure activities and sleep being most common. Results of bivariate correlations between behavioural sacrifice and mental health were in directions hypothesized, yet none reached conventional levels of significance (p > .05). Further, behavioural sacrifice did not significantly predict mental health. Results of the study showcase that student-athletes do make a variety of sacrifices to accommodate the demands of university sport. Additionally, findings surrounding mental health support the need for further investigation into sacrifices made within sport to develop a better understanding of associated outcomes.


title: Waveform analysis of forearm muscle activity during dynamic wrist flexion and extension: Effects of forearm posture and torque direction

subject:
Biomechanics
Motor Control
Forearm
Muscle activity
Wrist

abstract:
Background and Aim: For both isometric and dynamic movements at the wrist, a popular analysis technique for forearm muscle activation includes averaged time-series data that may not represent changes in muscle activity throughout the task. Changes in muscle fiber length and environmental stimuli can alter forearm/upper arm muscle activity during dynamic tasks (D. A. Forman et al., 2020a). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of forearm posture and torque on forearm muscle activity using waveform analysis.
Methods: 12 participants performed a controlled wrist flexion/extension (±40°) tracking task using a wrist manipulandum. Participants were positioned in a neutral, 30° pronated, or 30° supinated forearm posture and the manipulandum applied a constant torque that resisted either wrist extension or flexion. Posture-torque combinations were performed once each, with six flexion/extension repetitions completed per condition. Wrist kinematics were tracked using the manipulandum and the movement cycle was time normalized. Surface electromyography from eight forearm/upper arm muscles were normalized to maximum voluntary contractions. Statistical non-parametric mapping analyzed waveforms for each muscle using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA for main/interaction effects (p=0.05), with post-hoc t-tests.
Results: All muscles showed main effects for both posture and torque direction. Decreases in activity were observed in non-neutral forearm postures (flexors: 53-70%, extensors: 5-23% of the cycle). Flexion torque increased muscle activity for FCR, FDS, and FCU during 0-56% and 75-100%, 9-81%, and 22-51% of the movement cycle, respectively. ED and ECU had significantly increased activity during 0-26% and 70-100% of the movement cycle during the extension torque direction. During the neutral-flexion condition, FCR activity increased compared to all other conditions during 58-70% of the movement.
Conclusion: When evaluating the entire waveform, non-neutral forearm postures decreased activity for all muscles during specific ranges. The extension torque increased ED and ECU activity at the start and end of the movement, while the flexion torque increased FCR and FDS activity for the majority of the movement.  Also, FCR was important in supporting wrist extension during the neutral-flexion condition. Waveform analysis demonstrated complex forearm muscle activity patterns that could provide insight into neuromuscular control, performance, and fatigue progression.


title: The role of mitochondrial membrane phospholipids in muscle mass homeostasis during overloading

subject: overload mitochondria muscle plantaris phospholipids

abstract: Skeletal muscle is a structurally intricate and heterogenous tissue made up of individual fibers that differ in size, metabolic and contractile properties, and differs within and between organisms. Skeletal muscle is also very dynamic and can adapt to external stimuli supported by a number of cell signalling pathways. For example, muscle cells can increase in size via a process known as hypertrophy which has been studied using different models such as tenotomy. It has been shown in a rodent model of compensatory plantaris muscle hypertrophy induced by soleus and gastrocnemius tenotomy that cardiolipin (CL, mitochondrial membrane phospholipid) content and composition and tafazzin (Taz, CL remodelling enzyme) protein expression increases. However, it is still not known if protein content changes to Taz, or enzymes responsible for CL biosynthesis, precede or follow changes to CL content and composition during this adaptive response. As such, this study examined the temporal relationship (days 3, 7, 10, and 14) between the protein content of CL biosynthetic and remodelling enzymes and CL content on the adaptive response of skeletal muscle to mechanical overload via tenotomy. There was a decrease in CL despite no change in Taz protein content. Of the CL biosynthetic enzymes examined, PGS1 and CRLS1 showed significant increases in protein content post tenotomy. The greatest fold changes in TAMM41 and CRLS1 occurred simultaneously to that of CL, while PTPMT1’s changes occurred both simultaneously and after changes in CL content. PGS1 did not show any fold changes. Finally, the content of PE and PC (substrates of Taz for CL remodeling), both did not change. Thus, it can be inferred that 14 days post tenotomy in overloaded plantaris, de novo CL biosynthesis is not required but instead may rely on currently available CL for remodelling with no required change to Taz content.


title: Synthesis and Reactivity of Low Valent Silicon and Phosphorus Compounds

subject: disilylene phosphinidene reactivity synthesis

abstract:
The research described in this thesis is focused on studying the use of phosphinoamidinato ligand NP (NP = [ArNC(Ph)NPiPr2]– (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3)) to stabilize low-valent main group element compounds.
Reduction of silane (NP)SiCl3 by magnesium allows for the high-yield preparation of base-stabilized disilylene [(NP)Si-]2. Although it is stable at room temperature, upon heating it rearranges via intermolecular N-P activation into an N,Si-heterocyclic silylene supported by a phosphine donor. The reactivity of [(NP)Si-]2 in the single bond activation of pinacolborane, phenylsilane and diphenylphosphine was tested. Additionally, the phosphidosilylene (NP)SiPPh2 that is formed in the last reaction was found to perform P-P coupling when reacted with diphenylphosphine. Experimental pursuits were taken to elucidate the mechanism of formation of disilylene [(NP)Si-]2, and some insights into its fluxionality in solution were obtained.
Disilylene [(NP)Si-]2 was reacted with Si(II) and Ge(II) chlorides to yield the products of tetrylene insertion into the Si-Si bond, the low-valent compounds [(NP)Si-Si(Cl)2-Si(NP)], [(NP)Si(Cl)2Si-Si(NP)] and [(NP)Si(Cl)2Ge-Si(NP)]. Compound [(NP)Si-Si(Cl)2-Si(NP)] is the kinetic product of the direct insertion of SiCl2 fragment into Si-Si bond of [(NP)Si-]2. The thermodynamic product of the insertion of silicon dichloride is disilylene [(NP)Si(Cl)2Si-Si(NP)] that is the consequence of migration of chlorides to terminal Si center. The reaction of [(NP)Si-]2 with GeCl2 produced only one compound [(NP)Si(Cl)2Ge-Si(NP)] that is a rear example of germylene-silylene. Interaction of [(NP)Si-]2 with SiCl4 and SiHCl3 produced a new example of acyclic disilyl silylene.
Reduction of (NP)PCl2 with potassium graphite allowed isolation of the base-stabilized phosphinidene (NP)P. Its reactivity was studied. The use of substrates with E-H bonds like pinacolborane, phenylsilane and diphenylphosphine yielded compounds (NP)Bpin (pin = (OC(CH3)2)2) and NPH, (NP)SiH2Ph and NPH, NPH-P-PPh2, respectively, which are the result of N-P and E-H bond metathesis. Upon reaction with tetrachlorobenzoquinone both phosphorus atoms of phosphinidene (NP)P underwent oxidation. (NP)P reacted with benzaldehyde and phenylisocyanate as a phospha-Wittig reagent. Additionally, (NP)P was transformed into phosphinidene oxide (NP)P=O, iminophosphine (NP)P=Np-Tol and phosphinidene sulfide (NP)P=S. Transient (NP)P=O and (NP)P=Np-Tol were captured by para-tolyl isocyanate to form compound (NP)P(N,N-(Np-Tol)2CO).
All the compounds were fully characterized by NMR and for most of them single crystal X-ray structure was obtained.


title: Does concussion history affect softball pitch recognition, swing timing, and swing decision making in collegiate softball players?

subject:
Concussion
Softball
Reaction Time

abstract: Concussions can affect an athlete’s cognitive and physical performance. The negative effects of concussion can linger beyond symptom resolution and can result in reduced sport performance and increased risk of injury upon return to play. The effect of concussion history, including time since concussion and number of concussions, on sport performance is not well understood. The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of concussion history on softball batting measures, such as pitch recognition, swing timing, and swing decision making, and to compare a computerized reaction time (RT) test to a sport-specific RT test. A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate softball batting measures among collegiate softball players. Eighteen collegiate softball players from across Ontario were recruited to participate. Participants were divided into two groups: those with previous concussion (n = 7; mean age, 20.7 years; mean time since last concussion, 3.9 years) and those without (n = 11; mean age, 20.4 years). Pitch recognition, swing timing, and swing decision making were based on participants responses to pre-recorded pitching videos. Pitch recognition, swing timing, and swing decision making were similar between groups. There was not a significant correlation between the computerized RT and swing RT. These results suggest that collegiate softball players with less than three concussions perform similarly to those without concussion for softball cognition and swing timing when tested an average of 3.9 years post-concussion.


title: Computerized Dynamic Assessment of Vocabulary Knowledge (CDA-V): Vocabulary Depth Assessment and Zone of Proximal Development

subject:
dynamic assessment
word associates test
graduated prompts
depth of vocabulary knowledge
vocabulary assessment

abstract:
This study presents the Computerized Dynamic Assessment of Vocabulary (CDA-V). The CDA-V is an existing depth of vocabulary assessment approached with Dynamic Assessment. The Word Associates Test (Read, 1993) and Graduated Prompts (Gutiérrez-Clellen & Peña, 2001), respectively. As a result of this combination, the CDA-V measures both depth and partial depth of vocabulary knowledge. The impact of the CDA-V’s Graduated Prompts was examined with 32 native English speakers. I focused on four aspects of the CDAV. The impact of mediation on the CDA-V’s duration, the usefulness of the CDAV’s scores, the types of errors produced throughout the CDA-V, and the connection between typing correctness and speed and depth of vocabulary knowledge.
Results indicated that mediation greatly impacted the CDA-V’s overall duration. To minimize this impact an appropriate cut off point maintain the benefits of mediation such as assessing partial knowledge while limiting the negatives of a longer duration.
Additionally, the results showed that CDAV’s scores were useful. Specifically, the CDAV did not produce a ceiling effect and the scores recognized the differences between individuals with similar amounts of knowledge. Also, the results indicated that collocation errors occurred significantly more than association errors. Furthermore, an analysis of typed responses in the study revealed that if typed correctly individuals are significantly more likely to answer the subsequent CDAV question quickly. In addition, the fewer number of mediations used predicts faster typing speeds. In other words, the amount of mediation significantly predicts the speed of the preceding typing task.
I argue that depth and Dynamic Assessment more accurately assesses how well an individual ‘knows a word’ than current vocabulary assessment standards. Additionally, I demonstrate that depth and Dynamic Assessment can be recognized as a potential new alternative in vocabulary assessments.
Finally, potential practical applications of the CDA-V and recommendations for further research are discussed. Ultimately, the CDA-V may be the first depth assessment approached with Dynamic Assessment, thus encouraging future unorthodox vocabulary assessments to improve the assessment of whether an individual ‘knows a word’ and the degree to which they ‘know the word’.


title: Executive and Retrospective Memory Processes in Preschoolers’ Prospective Memory Development

subject:
Development
Preschool
Executive Function
Future Thinking
Memory

abstract:
Prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember to carry out future intentions, is
critical for children’s daily functioning. The Executive Framework of PM Development predicts
that executive function should drive young children’s PM development once a sufficient level of
retrospective memory has developed. In two studies, we investigated the predictors of PM
development in 3- to 6-year-old children using behavioural and parent-reported measures.
Neither retrospective memory nor executive function predicted children’s behavioural PM in
Study 1. Retrospective memory significantly predicted parent-reported PM in Study 2. Across
both studies, executive function consistently predicted parent-reported PM regardless of the
method of measurement. Parent-report and behavioural measures may tap into different aspects
of PM, but both retrospective memory and executive processes are important to PM development
in early childhood.


title: Exploring the role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 in murine soleus unloading with real and simulated microgravity

subject:
GSK3
Skeletal Muscle
Spaceflight

abstract: Prolonged microgravity exposure causes muscle atrophy and fiber type transformations from a slow oxidative to the fast glycolytic phenotype. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) is a serine/threonine kinase and known negative regulator of NFAT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Together, NFAT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways can activate the slow-oxidative myogenic program and muscle regeneration. Part 1 of this thesis examined soleus muscles from male and female C57BL/6 mice from three separate missions (NASA RR9 [male, n=10 per group, 35 days in space], NASA RR1[female, n=4 per group, 37 days in space], BION-M1 [male, n=4 per group, 30 days in space]) to examine GSK3 activation via western blotting. I examined total and inhibitory serine9 phosphorylated GSK3 and β-catenin content in Flight, Ground Control (GC) and Vivarium control (VIV) soleus muscles. I found that ~1 month of spaceflight led to significant reductions in total GSK3. Changes in serine9 phosphorylated GSK3 varied across missions. When examining β-catenin, we found that the RR9 group showed a significant reduction in the flight group compared with GC and VIV. We also showed a collective slow-to-fast fibre type shift via MHC analysis.  Part 2 of this thesis examined the effects of muscle-specific GSK3 knockdown (GSK3mKD) in male mice during hindlimb suspension (HLS) – a simulated model of microgravity. Through western blot analysis we showed a 50% reduction of GSK3 in soleus muscles from GSK3mKD mice. After subjecting the mice to 7 days of HLS, DXA analysis showed that GSK3mKD mice maintained body weight throughout the 7 days and had more lean mass compared to GSK3flox control mice. Additionally, soleus muscles from GSK3mKD mice had greater soleus muscle mass and cross-sectional area after HLS compared with GSK3flox HLS mice; and force production was not different from mobile control GSK3flox mice. Together my thesis found that GSK3 content was consistently reduced in soleus muscles from spaceflight, and that muscle specific GSK3 knockdown can increase soleus muscle size and force production.


title: Understanding Emerging Adults’ Decision-Making Process When Selecting a Smoking Cessation Approach: A Grounded Theory Study

subject:
tobacco
smoking-cessation methods
emerging adulthood
grounded theory
decision-making

abstract: Rates of cigarette smoking have been markedly reduced in recent decades, but young adults (or emerging adults) continue to have the highest rate of tobacco use in Ontario, Canada. Though preventing smoking initiation is optimal, positive outcomes of cessation early in the lifespan make it clear that cessation support for smokers in this age group is critical. Despite research into the effectiveness of quitting approaches and smokers’ preferred approaches to quitting, it remains largely unclear how smokers characterized as emerging adults (Arnett, 2000) make and act upon “real-world” decisions about which cessation approach to use. To learn more about this important aspect of the quitting process, this study investigated emerging adults’ experiences of choosing their approach to quitting. Twenty-six recent quitters between the ages of 19-29 participated in semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory methods were used to develop a framework explaining the decision-making process successful quitters engaged in when choosing a smoking-cessation approach. The newly proposed “Choosing How To Quit” Framework shows a decision making process that includes three distinct phases: Awareness of Approaches; Personal Reflection; Making a Choice. Successful emerging-adult quitters chose a quitting approach by drawing on a variety of sources for information and exploring personal facets including their past experiences, real-life daily-living considerations and an understanding of their present and future-selves. The Framework offers emerging adults and cessation supporters new realistic avenues to consider or explore when making the decision about a cessation approach, potentially leading to a greater likelihood of success. As a preliminary theory, the CHQ Framework requires further investigation, including into which components may be most essential to the decision-making process.


title: Tracing the Colonial Dimensions of ‘Special Education’: History, Disability, and Settler Colonialism

subject:
First Nations
Settler Colonialism
Critical Disability Studies
Debility
Special Education

abstract: This thesis proposes that there are intersections between settler colonialism, disability, and education, that can help to clarify how and why national recognition of violence against Indigenous communities is a central project of the nation-state. For this reason, the exacerbating impacts of ableism and (settler) colonialism are studied for their impact on schooling and education in Canada. Using Critical Discourse Analysis as a method of inquiry, the Ontario First Nations Special Education Review Report is analyzed for its relation to history, pedagogy, and colonialism. The report is useful to investigation of the connection between current and historical conceptualizations of disability and the history/present of settler colonialism within the Canadian nation-state. The thesis is framed through the understanding that ableism and colonialism, as they appear in "special education", are intertwined forces which are often founded upon white supremacy and framed through Eurocentric discourse. As such, this thesis engages the fields of Critical Disability Studies, Settler Colonialism, Indigenous Studies, and Education, to describe how special education is informed by colonial constructs of schooling. Conclusions drawn through applying these theories to a reading of the Ontario First Nations Special Education Review Report suggested that there is an apprehension to adopt disability discourse because of the history of colonialism and the ongoing presence of Debility. As well, there is an immediate need to address the systemic issues regarding funding, resource access, and self-determination because of the historical and continued injustices that occur within First Nations education.


title: Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences

subject:
Adverse childhood experiences
Inflammation
Left ventricular mass
Baroreflex sensitivity
Orthostatic stress

abstract: This thesis is composed of three investigations which aim to identify changes in cardiovascular and inflammatory health which are present in individuals who have experienced different types of ACEs (i.e., maltreatment, household dysfunction) and the accumulation of ACEs (i.e., <4 and ≥ 4 different ACEs). First, this thesis sought to identify the effects of adversity on change in arterial stiffness and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (cvBRS) from childhood to young adulthood. Study 1 identified significant interactions between ≥ 4 ACEs and time, and maltreatment by time which were associated with a greater increase in systemic pulse wave velocity from childhood to young adulthood among those with a high ACE profile; although this effect only remained significant in maltreatment models after covariates were introduced. Study 1 also observed a significant interaction between ≥ 4 ACEs, time, and sex on the change in cvBRS from childhood to young adulthood with females driving this relationship. Study 2 aimed to determine whether childhood adversity demonstrated an effect on the heart, particularly left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular function, measured as ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). This investigation identified a unique cardiac profile present among individuals who experienced childhood household dysfunction and was characterized by a significantly lower LVM, independent of recent life stress, smoking, physical activity, and inflammation while childhood maltreatment demonstrated a negative effect on EF independent of covariates. Whether this persists into older age is unknown. Notably, Studies 1 and 2 identified the MMP proteolytic family may be involved in subclinical cardiovascular remodeling among those with ACEs and warrants future investigation. Study 3 utilized an acute 60° head up tilt (HUT) to determine whether childhood adversity influenced the hemodynamic and autonomic responses to orthostatic stress. This thesis identified enhanced blood pressure and total peripheral resistance responses and blunted RR-interval, cardiac output, and cvBRS responses to 60° HUT in individuals who experienced ≥ 4 ACEs; suggesting a reduced vagal and likely enhanced sympathetic response to orthostatic stress. Collectively, these studies provide evidence that exposure to ACEs produce unique cardiovascular changes which occur largely in the absence of covariates and enhanced inflammation.


title: Dinoflagellate cyst record and paleoceanography through the Pliocene–Pleistocene transition at ODP Site 1143, southern South China Sea

subject:
Dinoflagellate cysts
East Asian Monsoons
Pliocene–Pleistocene
South China Sea
ODP Site 1143

abstract:
Palynological analysis of 72 samples from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1143, southern South China Sea, spanning a 2.90–2.41 Ma interval across the Pliocene–Pleistocene boundary, reveals a well preserved and relatively diverse dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) record. Generally, the cysts of phototrophic (gonyaulacoid) taxa increased during interglacials whereas those of heterotrophic (protoperidinioid) taxa increased during glacials, particularly around the pronounced glacial stages MIS G6, 104 and 100. Increases of these heterotrophic taxa during glacials are consistent with 1) reduced sea-surface salinity, 2) increased nutrient levels and hence surface-water productivity due to increased river input, 3) increased sediment accumulation rate as a result of increased fluvial erosion inferred to aid the rapid burial and preservation of these heterotrophic taxa, and 4) increased winter monsoon intensity inferred to facilitate the physical erosion and transport of sediments. Terrestrial palynomorphs generally increase in abundance during the glacials and decline during the interglacials, interpreted as reflecting increased erosion and river runoff due to lowered sea level and enhanced winter monsoon during glacial stages. Strong correlation exists between the dinocyst taxa recorded in this study and published proxy data from this study site. Species score distributions produced by correspondence analysis implies strong influence of trophic conditions on the distribution of the dinocyst taxa. Notable warm-water dinocyst taxa Edwardsiella sexispinosa, Hystrichokolpoma rigaudae, Hystrichokolpoma spp., Invertocysta tabulata and Operculodinium bahamense identified in this study were not recorded from the same interval in a recently published investigation of the Sea of Japan / East Sea. In addition, Edwardsiella sexispinosa extends later in the present study (2.48 Ma) than previously recorded (2.81 Ma in the western North Atlantic) which may reflect the influence of the Western Pacific Warm Pool.
This is the first study of dinocysts and acritarchs spanning the Pliocene–Pleistocene boundary in the South China Sea, and also appears to be the first record of Edwardsiella sexispinosa, Invertocysta tabulata and Operculodinium bahamense from the Pacific region.


title: Modulation of Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels by Retinoic Acid Signaling

subject: Retinoic Acid, Calcium Channel, Potassium Channel, Neuromodulation

abstract:
Retinoic acid (RA), the active metabolite of vitamin A, has an established role in development of the nervous system, but has recently emerged as a critical regulator of  adult nervous system function. RA is important for learning and memory in both vertebrates and invertebrates. It is also important for synaptic plasticity at rodent hippocampal synapses and is known to interact with Ca2+ signaling to regulate receptor expression and influence synaptic transmission. How RA signaling might mediate plasticity in an invertebrate nervous system has not yet been studied. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaV) represent a ubiquitous means of Ca2+ entry into a cell, and which  regulate neuronal functioning (such as gene expression and neurotransmitter release).  As such, CaV channels represent a potentially important locus for inducing plasticity in both vertebrates and invertebrates.  It is not known in any species, whether RA might mediate changes in neuronal communication by influencing the functional properties of CaV channels.
Here I show, utilizing cultured neurons from the molluscan pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, that RA signaling modulates CaV channel function. RA signaling inhibited CaV channel function by shifting the voltage dependence of channel activation to more depolarized potentials. I found that RA also produced spike broadening and activity-dependent complex spiking, an effect I determined was mediated by RA-induced inhibition of delayed rectifier voltage-gated K+ channels (KV), (and enhanced inactivation of these KV channels). Paradoxically, the effect of RA to induce spike broadening and activity-dependent complex spiking, enhanced Ca2+ influx through CaV channels. However, the concurrent inhibition of CaV2 channels limited this enhanced Ca2+ influx.
I also provide evidence that constitutive/basal retinoid receptor signaling upregulates CaV channel function. I show that a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist produced G-protein-mediated voltage-dependent inhibition of CaV channels, a ubiquitous form of presynaptic plasticity that occurs at vertebrate synapses. I also show that a retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonist produced a novel G-protein-independent form of voltage-dependent inhibition of CaV channels. Overall, my study indicates that retinoid signaling diversely regulates CaV channel function in this invertebrate species and provides insights into the mechanisms by which RA signaling might mediate neuronal and/or synaptic plasticity.


title: Characterization of SERCA function in the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain from C57 and D2 mx mice

subject:
SERCA
mdx
cognition
Duchenne muscular dystrophy

abstract:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle wasting disease caused by the loss of the cytoskeletal structural protein, dystrophin. In addition to muscular deficits, approximately 30% of those affected experience cognitive deficits, specifically in learning and memory. Typically known for its role in muscle relaxation and contraction, the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is also highly expressed in the brain and therefore is suspected to play a role in the regulation of neuronal Ca2+. Proper Ca2+ homeostasis is one of the most important factors of cognition, and dysfunctional SERCA has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Moreover, recent evidence has shown that the DBA/2J (D2) mdx mouse model of DMD presents with cognitive dysfunction and a shift towards amyloid beta (Ab) production in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, this was not observed in the traditional, yet less severe model of DMD, the C57BL/10 (C57) mdx mouse. Furthermore, the exact cellular mechanisms explaining why only young D2 mdx mice (and not C57 mdx mice) present with cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology in the hippocampal and PFC regions of the brain remains unknown. Therefore, this thesis investigated whether SERCA dysfunction and dysregulation via regulatory proteins neuronatin, presenilin and heat shock protein 70 as well as protein modifications via reactive oxygen/nitrogen species can contribute to these differences. This was done by performing Ca2+ uptake activity assays, western blots, and BACE1 activity assays on homogenates of hippocampus and PFC from C57 and D2 WT and mdx mice. Ca2+ uptake was impaired in mdx mice, more so in the D2 mdx mice, even though SERCA expression was unaltered. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) expression was increased in both mdx mice, while HSP70 content was decreased in D2 mdx mice. Furthermore, the Alzheimer’s disease marker BACE1 was increased in the PFC of mdx
mice, along with pTau(Ser202) and a reduction in Ser9 phosphorylated GSK3b. However, no significant changes were seen throughout the hippocampus. Collectively, this thesis presents evidence suggesting impaired SERCA function in both C57 and D2 mdx brain – perhaps due to heightened oxidative/nitrosative stress.


title: Investigating the immediate and sustained effect of online mental health literacy training in intercollegiate sport

subject: student-athletes, mental health literacy, stigma, help-seeking, U Sports

abstract: Lack of mental health literacy (MHL) is a growing concern in university populations, specifically within the athletic departments. Participating in varsity athletics puts student-athletes at risk for experiencing severe cases of mental distress. Previous research suggests there are multiple limitations when studying MHL intervention programs in sports. These limitations make it difficult to draw clinical significance of the interventions used as they lack rigour, consistency, and online variations. The purpose of this study is to address the gaps in the literature by assessing the effectiveness over time of an online mental health in sport module in improving mental health literacy, stigma, and help-seeking behaviours in a sample of Canadian intercollegiate student-athletes. Five (4 females, 1 male) completed the revised version of the multicomponent mental health literacy measure, self-stigma of seeking help, and the general help-seeking questionnaire prior to and after participating in the “Supporting Student-Athletes Mental Wellness” online module for the student-athlete. Calculation and graphing of the means demonstrated that there was an effect of participating in the module on mental health literacy which were sustained at the 2-month follow-up. Stigma was found to have an immediate improvement after participation in the module. There were no sustained effects found for stigma and help seeking after completion of the training.


title: A Call to Action: How the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has influenced policing policy and practice in Ontario.

subject:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Calls to Action
Indigenous peoples
Police
Police training

abstract: Indigenous peoples in Canada are impacted by current socio-economic marginality, colonialism, and intergenerational trauma that perpetuates systemic racism, overrepresentation within the criminal justice system, and a paradox of over and under-policing. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) detailed the roles of colonialism and fostered an environment for reconciliation through the Calls to Action. The current research aims to examine how police policy, practice, and training in Southern Ontario has been modified to include the justice Calls for Action set out by the TRC and the extent to which police interactions with Indigenous peoples has been affected following the publication of the TRC. This research will aim to answer the main question; how do police officers understand the TRC within the context of their role in the justice system, professional training, and decision making? Using the theoretical framework of decolonization, social constructionism, and critical race theory, this research will also explore how police officers understand the TRC, how the TRC has influenced police training, how the justice principles from the TRC have been implemented into the application of the law, and how police policy can be changed to address the present overrepresentation of Indigenous adults and youth in the criminal justice system.  A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine police officers from the Kitchener-Waterloo Regional Police Service and the Halton Regional Police Service. Data analysis was conducted through thematic content analysis and coding methods found in grounded theory. The findings of this research indicate that the TRC Report and specifically Calls to Action numbers 30, 31, 38, 42, 50, and 57, have had minimal impact on influencing police policy or application of the law to correct the present overrepresentation of Indigenous adults and youth in the criminal justice system.


title: Can Muscle Specific GSK3 Knockdown Mimic and/or Amplify the Effects of Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise in Female C57BL/6 Mice?

subject:
Exercise Mimetic
Skeletal Muscle
Muscle Plasticity
Endurance Exercise
GSK3

abstract: Regular exercise improves muscle performance and overall health by increasing lean mass and favourably altering whole-body metabolism. Available literature suggests that, in muscle, the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) may mirror these effects and that exercise naturally inhibits GSK3. Thus, the effects of regular exercise may be mediated, in part, through GSK3 inhibition. To date, no study has systematically or comprehensively explored this association. This thesis examines the effects of partially knocking down GSK3 in skeletal muscle to determine whether GSK3 inhibition could mimic and/or amplify the effects of regular exercise. Female GSK3floxed (control) and GSK3 muscle knockdown (GSK3mKD) mice were randomly placed into a sedentary or voluntary wheel running group (VWR) for 7 weeks (n=6 per group). The results found that VWR enhanced whole-body and soleus fatigue resistance as well as improved glucose homeostasis in GSK3floxed and GSK3mKD mice alike. In the soleus, VWR increased muscle force production to a greater extent in GSK3mKD mice, indictive to amplify the effects of VWR. In the EDL, there was no effect of VWR on muscle force production, however, GSK3mKD mice produced more force than GSK3floxed mice. This increase in force production was primarily due to increased muscle cross-sectional area. These results suggest that although partial GSK3 KD did not improve fatigue resistance or glucose homeostasis beyond the benefits observed with VWR, it did increase muscle size and force production. Future work will examine the role of sex based differences with a partial and full GSK3 KD after VWR exercise training.


title: “We are a family that works with our hands” or uterus: An exploration of first-generation female   university students’ academic journey

subject:
habitus
first generation student
gender
class
social mobility

abstract: Working-class children are not as likely to obtain higher education, and the preeminent factor is their parents’ level of education. Thirty percent of all Canadian students are first-generation and are defined as students whose parents did not complete a four-year university degree. First-generation students (FGSs) who are female tend to be researched separately but with little focus on the intersections of class and gender, making this topic ripe for research. There is a gap in the literature regarding FGS’s narratives from a class-based perspective that examines the connection between family history and academic decision-making. The barriers first-generation female students (FGFSs) face are unique, intersecting with low socioeconomic status, race and gender. To address these barriers is to alleviate economic inequality and interrupt intergenerational poverty. This qualitative study explored the academic journey of six FGFSs using focus groups and photo-elicitation interviews combined with an autoethnographic voice. This research addresses the following question: How do FGFSs experience their journey to and through higher education? Using critical feminist theory and Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, I analyze the challenges, intersecting complexities, and achievements of FGFSs. This study aims to describe FGFS’s academic journeys, generates and recounts their lived experiences and expand understanding and interpretation of this intersectional and heterogeneous population. This knowledge is valuable for childhood educators, teachers, guidance counsellors, professors, parents, and FGS programs to ensure equitable support and opportunities for all children. Unaddressed, girls from working-class homes can be set up for a future of precarious work, limiting personal potential and repeating a generational cycle of low socioeconomic status.


title: Evaluating Virtual Training for Increasing Clinicians’ Fidelity of Implementation of the Facing Your Fears Curriculum

subject:
facing your fears
behaviour skills training
self-monitoring
fidelity of implementation
cognitive-behavioural therapy

abstract: Evidence indicates that Facing Your Fears (FYF), a manualized, group-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) that utilizes graded exposures, is effective for reducing anxiety and increasing emotion regulation in children with autism. Treatment fidelity, or the accuracy of treatment delivery, is a critical component for sustainable implementation and positive child outcomes. Few studies have focused on clinicians' fidelity implementing FYF and lack of follow-up data raises questions about maintenance of accuracy over time for clinicians with limited CBT experience. While evidence shows that the usual didactic teaching used for clinician CBT training has poor maintenance of fidelity over time, it is unknown how the FYF training-as-usual (i.e., a combination of didactic teaching, role-plays, and experiential activities) fares over time. To our knowledge, no research has examined the impact of virtual behaviour skills training (BST) with self-monitoring on clinicians’ fidelity implementing FYF. In a multiple-baseline design across three clinicians, we evaluated the efficacy of the training for increasing fidelity of FYF graded-exposures skills (preparing for and conducting exposures), identified by the clinicians. All clinicians met the fidelity mastery criterion (i.e., 90% across two sessions) within three sessions, and their performance maintained at two- and six-month follow-up. Clinicians rated their confidence and competence of FYF implementation pre-and post-training, and at six-month follow-up. All clinicians’ ratings increased post-training and maintained at follow-up. Clinicians reported that the training procedures were acceptable on a social validity measure administered at post-training and six-months follow-up. Incorporating evidence-based training to improve FYF treatment fidelity could optimize training and improve child outcomes.


title: The Effect of Sclerostin on Myotropic Response to Exercise

subject: Sclerostin Muscle Bone Hypertrophy Exercise

abstract: This study is the first to examine the effect of exogenous sclerostin injection on myotropic responses to sedentary behaviour and an aerobic exercise intervention. Specifically, changes in myosin heavy chain isoform distribution, muscle mass and myofiber cross sectional area were studied in response to sedentary behaviour and to a 5-week aerobic exercise intervention. Mice (n=24) were assigned to either remain sedentary (SED, n=24), or assigned to a 4-week exercise training program (EXT, n=24) and further spit into their final groupings with sedentary control (SED+C) and exercise control (EXT+C) groups receiving saline injections and sedentary sclerostin (SED+S) and exercise sclerostin (EXT+S) groups recombinant sclerostin. Soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscle were then extracted and analyzed via fluorescent immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Sclerostin injection led to a significant reduction in soleus MHCI, MHC1/IIA, MHCIIA/X and MHC IIB cross-sectional area (p < .5) along with trending declines in MHC IIA (p = .1). In contrast to this, there was no effect of sclerostin injection on MHC IIX or MHCIIXB CSA. In EDL tissue there was a trend towards a decrease in tissue necropsy weight in the sclerostin injection group (p = .1). Sclerostin appeared to have no effect on total MHC protein content or in the examined markers of Wnt signaling (GSK3β, β-catenin) as detected in both soleus and EDL muscle tissue via western blot. Our findings demonstrate that sclerostin negatively influences muscle tissue via decreases in myofibril cross-sectional area and these decreases trend towards a significant reduction in muscle mass.


title: The Sport Related Concussion Experience (SRCE): A Phenomenological Study

subject: Stigma Masculinity Concussion Sport Recovery

abstract: Social science research can traverse research domains that make up our understanding of concussion in sport. Hitherto, the full scope of the Sport Related Concussion Experience (SRCE) has never been explored through a social constructivist phenomenological approach. The need for this type of research is well documented and fills a necessary gap in understanding the holistic concussion experience of an athlete. The athlete identity can be drastically impacted by a SRCE because it signifies the uncovering of everything they're taught to mask. By seeking to understand the unique interplay between an athlete’s socialization (hegemonic masculinity) and personal health beliefs, we can begin to conceptualize this experience.


title: Exploring the Transition of University Professors to Positions of Additional Responsibility (PAR)

contributor: Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education

subject:
transition
academic administrators
academic leadership
higher education
Deans
Associate Deans
Department Chairs
Program Directors

abstract: Effective leadership by academic administrators is an area of significant relevance to self-governing institutions of higher education (Dean et al., 2021; Weaver et al., 2019). Universities’ success depends upon a high degree of competent performance from professors and researchers of varying ranks, particularly those who assume positions of additional responsibility (PAR), including deans, associate deans, department chairs, and program directors. Most universities do not adequately prepare faculty for the challenges of PAR, leading newly appointed academic administrators to experience needless stress and to be less effective administrators, particularly in their early years in PAR (Armstrong & Woloshyn, 2017). Although the higher education literature contains an abundance of research about university presidents, academic deans, and department chairs (White, 2014), studies that focus specifically on these role transitions are sparse. This study explores six faculty members’ transitional experiences to PAR at a southern Ontario university, how they were prepared for their administrative roles, what challenges they faced, and how they were supported in their role. Participants revealed that they were unprepared for their respective PAR, they faced challenges related primarily to “human and people” and budget administration, and the support they received was varied and lacking. Participants also provided recommendations regarding how universities can better support their transitions.


title: Diverse Belongings: An Improvisational Inquiry Into Newcomer Worlds, Worldings, and the Literacies of Belonging

subject: belonging newcomers language literacy posthumanism affect translanguaging worlding Borderlands

abstract: In an era of unprecedented global forced displacement, this artistic, multimodal dissertation explores experiences of belonging with a group of four adult newcomers to Canada. Using a post qualitative approach, the study couples the theoretical concepts of worlding and wonder with the work of Borderlands poets — non-western authors who write from the margins — to explore the creative texts created by the bi- and multilingual English learners from a decolonial stance. The study’s setting, during the Covid-19 pandemic, was an online translanguaging space, in which the participants’ linguistic, artistic, and multimodal repertoires were leveraged in meaning- making and artmaking, including drawings, paintings, digital photography, video and dual language poetry. Poetic transcripts were generated to re-present the participants’ resettlement stories. The findings reveal how affective and resonant worldings emerged through the serial immersion in experiences of belonging, not-belonging, and deeply felt liminal spaces between- belongings. Unworlding stories exposed disturbing examples of the participants’ loss of voice, of silencing in dominant English spaces, even among newcomers with English language proficiency. This inquiry seeks to contest dominant forms of academic knowledge and expand creative approaches within the post-qualitative paradigm to open new avenues for creative inquiry in language, literacy, and arts-based research.


title: A Multi-Method Examination of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model Among Adolescents: Testing the Unique Role of Online (Dis)Connection

subject:
Perfectionism
Adolescence
Social Connection
Social Media
Depression

abstract:
The purpose of the current bi-phasic, multi-method study was to provide a comprehensive and rigorous test of the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) among adolescents, with a focus on the role of online connection. According to the PSDM, perfectionism is thought to be linked with a lack of social connection which, in turn, predicts higher levels of psychopathology. In Phase One, adolescent self- identified perfectionists were compared to non-perfectionist adolescents with respect to themes relating to social media use and social connection, coded from semi-structured interviews. The findings provided valuable insight into adolescent perfectionists’ experiences of connection and disconnection, both online and in-person. Importantly, these findings offered support for the PSDM whereby most perfectionists felt disconnected in online spaces – mirroring the pattern of their in-person relationships. To extend the findings of Phase One, a longitudinal quantitative test of the PSDM, including indicators of both online and in-person social connection, was conducted among a community sample of Ontario adolescents in Phase Two. The findings from the second phase of the current work supported the predictions of the PSDM, by demonstrating that each form of perfectionism was indirectly linked to depression via in-person social connection. Altogether, the findings of the present work provided support for the theoretical tenets put forth by the PSDM among a sample of community adolescents.
More specifically, the results of the current work highlight the central role of perfectionistic self-presentation in the experiences of social disconnection among adolescents. Implications for theory as well as intervention and prevention efforts were discussed.


title: Bridging the Gap: Examining Perceptions of a Telemedicine Network for Pediatric Emergency  Medicine

subject:
Telemedicine
Emergency Medicine
Pediatrics
Resuscitation
Critical care

abstract:
This research aimed to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of a telemedicine program
(Peds-TECH) in delivering care to critically ill pediatric patients in the emergency department by
exploring the experiences of parents/caregivers and physicians. Sequential explanatory mixed
methods were employed, in which quantitative methods of inquiry were followed by qualitative
methods. Data was collected through the use of a survey and semi-structured interviews, in
accordance with positivist and constructivist-interpretivist paradigms respectively. Results
outline perceptions of telemedicine within 5 themes developed for each participant group.
Among parents/caregivers themes were: Confident in the Care Environment, Forever Grateful,
The Way of the Future, The Experience of Being Transferred, and Trouble Connecting. Among
physicians themes were: Support and Validation, Team Effort, Providing Visual Perspective,
Institutional Understanding, and Communicating Expectations. The findings describe positive
perceptions of telemedicine for emergency department pediatric care, as well as barriers and
facilitators to its use. The research also discusses implications for practice and policy, with
recommendations for overcoming barriers and leveraging facilitators when implementing
telemedicine programming.


title: Is the association between sleep and internalizing symptoms mediated by student and parent-related pressures?

subject:
Sleep duration
mental health
adolescence
internalizing symptoms
cross-lagged panel model

abstract:
Objectives: Inadequate sleep has been afforded relatively little attention, despite known declines over adolescence, a critical period for the onset of mental ill-health. There remains a need for population-level longitudinal studies to better understand links with internalizing symptoms and in managing relevant pressures among adolescents. We examined the bidirectional relationships between sleep and depression and anxiety symptoms, and whether the relationships are mediated by school- and parent-related pressures.
Measures: We used 2-year linked prospective data from 25,722 Canadian secondary school students that participated in the COMPASS study in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. Path analysis models tested autoregressive and cross-lagged relationships between sleep duration and depression and anxiety symptoms. Bootstrap method of indirect effects was used to test school and parent pressures as mediators.
Results: Results supported the hypothesized bi-directional relationships between sleep duration and depression and anxiety symptoms across one year. Shorter sleep predicted greater internalizing symptoms, and vice versa. In females, both parental and school pressures mediated the association between sleep duration and depression and anxiety symptoms, and in the reverse direction, parental but not school pressures mediated the association between depression and sleep. In males, school pressures mediated the association between sleep and depression symptoms.
Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the nature and directionality of associations between sleep and internalizing symptoms over time and differences by sex. Results further strengthen calls that short sleep should be taken seriously. Interventions promoting regular sleep schedules in adolescence may help mitigate risk for stress-related psychopathology.


title: Is the association between sexual minority status and suicide-related behaviours modified by rurality? A discrete-time survival analysis using longitudinal health administrative data

subject:
suicide
sexual minority
rurality
health disparity

abstract:
While self-reported data shows that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals have a greater risk of suicide-related behaviours (SRB), little is known about how rurality may amplify the risk of SRB associated with sexual minority status. Sexual minority individuals in rural areas may experience unique stressors due to stigma and a lack of LGB-specific social and mental health services. This is the first study to use a population-representative sample to investigate the contribution of sexual minority status and rurality on clinical SRB outcomes, and whether rurality modifies the association between sexual minority status and SRB risk.
A nationally representative survey linked to administrative health data was used to construct a cohort of individuals (unweighted n=169,091; weighted n=8,778,115) in Ontario, Canada, and captured all SRB-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths between 2007-2017. Rural status was captured using three measures which reflect different dimensions of rurality: the Rurality Index of Ontario, the Metropolitan Influenced Zones classification, and the Index of Remoteness. Sex-stratified discrete-time survival analyses were used to examine the interaction between rurality and sexual minority status on SRB risk while controlling for potential confounders.
Sexual minority men had 2.18 times higher odds of SRB compared to their heterosexual counterparts (95%CI 1.21 to 3.91), while sexual minority women had 2.07 times higher odds (95%CI 1.48 to 2.89). The Rurality Index of Ontario and the Index of Remoteness were associated with the odds of SRB in a dose-response manner. No significant interactions were observed between rural status and sexual minority status.
Rural status and sexual minority status both independently contribute to an elevated likelihood of SRB. Differences in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas appears to be strongly associated with SRB in both sexual minority and heterosexual populations. Future studies should consider incorporating measures of urban-rural status that capture access to healthcare, such as the Rurality Index of Ontario, to predict rural health disparities. This study highlights the need to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and policies to reduce SRB in both rural and sexual minority populations.


title: Post-Activation Potentiation and Potentiated Motor Unit Activation Patterns in Boys and Men

subject:
Neuromuscular Physiology
Pediatric Physiology
Post-Activation Potentiation
Motor Unit Activation Patterns

abstract:
Post-activation potentiation (PAP) describes the enhancement of twitch torque following a conditioning contraction in skeletal muscle. In adults, PAP is greater in muscles with a higher percentage of type-II fibres and PAP-related augmented contractility is accompanied by a decrease in motor unit (MU) firing rates (MUFRs). Children may have lower PAP due to lower type-II muscle fibre composition and lower activation of their higher-threshold (type-II) MUs compared to adults. Changes in potentiated MU activation have not been examined in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether there are child-adult differences in PAP and MU activation patterns of the potentiated knee extensors.
Twenty-three boys (10.5±1.3 years) and 20 men (23.1±3.3 years) completed familiarization and experimental sessions. In the experimental session, knee extensor maximal volitional contraction (MVC) torque (Biodex System 3) was first determined. Maximal isometric evoked-twitch torque (Digitimer stimulator model DS7AH) and MU activation patterns during submaximal contractions (20% and 70% MVC) were then recorded before and after a conditioning contraction (5s MVC). PAP was calculated as the percent-increase in evoked-twitch torque after the conditioning contractions. MU activation patterns were examined during submaximal contractions before and after a 5s MVC, using Trigno Galileo surface electrodes (Delsys Inc) and decomposed into individual MU action potential (MUAP) trains (NeuroMap, Delsys Inc).
PAP was higher in men than in boys (98.3±37.1% vs. 68.8±18.3%, respectively; p=0.002). In both the 20% MVC and 70% MVC contractions, boys and men displayed a reduction in MUFRs for a given MU size (MUAPamp), specifically in the higher-threshold MUs. This reduction was greater in the boys than the men in the 70% MVC contractions, and may be due to their greater fatigue resistance, as well as to a lower impact of potentiation at higher intensities.


title: Reliability of Isometric Knee Extensor Strength and Evoked Outcomes in Boys and Men

subject: Torque, Evoked Outcomes, Men, Boys

abstract: Volitional and evoked strength are outcomes often used in both adults and children. However, the reliability of these measurements is sparse. Emerging reliability studies utilize a robust analysis, which includes “consistency” of scores and “stability” of group means. This study aimed to assess the reliability of volitional and evoked muscle strength outcomes of the knee extensors in boys and men. Twelve boys and twelve men participated in the study. Participants completed ten maximal isometric knee extensions (MVCs) on three separate days. On days two and three, quadriceps muscle belly stimulation was introduced in the 6th-10th MVC. The stability of group means was determined through a repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model, while consistency was determined through a fully nested ANOVA model. High reliability was observed in both, men and boys in volitional torque production, as reflected by the ICCs (Men R = 0.97 and 0.98, boys R = 0.91 and 0.92) and true score variance. The group means were stable in both, men and boys, especially in 1st-5th MVC.  Twitch amplitudes were stable across days and demonstrated good reliability, as reflected by high ICCs (Pre-MVC twitch: men R = 0.78 and 0.83, boys R = 0.98 and 0.99; post-MVC twitch: men R = 0.84 and 0.85, boys R= 0.98 and 0.99), and true score variance. PAP demonstrated acceptable reliability in both boys and men, although it was lower compared to the other outcomes. PAP in the 1st-5th MVCs in men showed low reliability, while PAP in the 6th-10th MVCs showed high reliability in men and boys, as reflected by the high true score variance, ICC, and stable means.  The results support using volitional torque and evoked outcomes in adults and children. Future research could examine the reliability of other evoked variables and different volitional exercise protocols.


title: The Effect of Self-Controlled Versus Fixed Post-KR Delay on Motor Performance and Learning

subject:
post-KR delay
self-controlled KR
inter-trial interval

abstract: Previous research has explored the effects of participants self-controlling components of practice, but little evidence exists as to the relationship between self-control and post-KR delay duration. The purpose of this study was to identify whether motor learning and performance are differentially impacted by having control, versus not having control, over the post-KR delay duration. Participants performed a five key serial-timing task with a goal time of 2500ms for 80 acquisition trials following a 10-trial no-feedback pre-test. They then returned after 24-hours for a 10-trial retention test, a 10-trial sequence transfer test, and a 10-trial duration transfer test, all performed without feedback. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a preliminary sample was collected, and the results based on descriptive statistics of the self-controlled KR + self-controlled post-KR delay group follows. Findings showed that participants decreased their absolute constant error and variable error compared to their pre-test. Participants had longer decision durations prior to requesting KR, while the opposite was found in the post-KR delay where participants had a longer duration after requesting KR. Participants also preferentially requested KR after lower absolute constant error trials. These results are incongruent with self-reports whereby they reported requesting KR after both perceived good and bad trials equally, while also spending a shorter duration in the post-KR delay after perceived good trials. These findings add novel contributions to the post-KR delay and inter-trial interval literature, highlighting dynamic contextual changes in post-KR delay durations. However, due to limitations presented by Covid restrictions, further research is required.


title: Using Self-Compassion and Teacher Identity to Examine the Transition from Teacher to Teacher Educator

subject: Teacher Educator, Self-Compassion, Professional Transitions, Teacher Identity, Self-Study

abstract:
There has been considerable research regarding teacher identity and the challenges
involved with the transition from teacher to teacher educator, yet there is little existing literature
that addresses how to manage or mitigate these challenges. In my research, I describe the
influences on my identification process and use the concept of self-compassion as a tool to
support the transition from teacher to teacher educator. Self-compassion “involves offering
nonjudgmental understanding to one’s pain, inadequacies and failures, so that one’s experience is
seen as part of the larger human experience” (Neff, 2003b, p. 87). Data gathering and analysis
were informed by self-study methodology and consisted of personal reflections and
conversations with a critical friend. From the ensuing analysis, I developed three themes. First,
the challenges I faced included differentiating pedagogy, returning to academia, and my
perspectives of others’ perceptions. Each of these factors influenced my identification process
during my transition. Second, through conversations with a critical friend, we came to see my
product over process mindset, which prompted a new way of conceptualizing and acting upon
these challenges. Lastly, supportive others and engaging with self-study provided a means to
better understand how I practiced self-compassion and shift my mindset about challenges in new
ways. Implications for this research may resonate with others who undergo similar transitions;
the findings may also be informative to others making personal and professional transitions in a
broader context.


title: Exploring people-place relationships through place attachment and subjective wellbeing in the context of the abrupt social and ecological change associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

contributor: Environmental Sustainability Research Centre

subject:
community assets
subjective wellbeing
place attachment
COVID-19
natural areas

abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted patterns of daily life and drastically altered social norms. The ensuing stresses have impacted mental health and wellbeing. As a key driver of positive mental health, human-place interactions have assumed increasingly important roles. Simultaneously, complex, and abrupt change emerged in places due to COVID-19 restrictions and mandates. This thesis aims to understand if and how the abrupt changes associated with COVID-19 impacted human relationships with place through place attachment, wellbeing, and the valuation of community assets. To address this question, two studies of people-place relationships were conducted in two separate settings. The first study was conducted in the Town of Lincoln, a municipality in Niagara. The second study was conducted within the Niagara Parks, a series of protected areas used for outdoor recreation. In the Town of Lincoln, a greater proportion of individuals indicated the way in which they value assets had changed since the onset of the pandemic. This was supported by pre- and post-pandemic data, which found that two categories of community assets, both indoor community assets, were valued less in 2021 than they were in 2019, whereas other community assets were valued comparably from 2021 to 2019. Two categories of community assets were found to contribute most to both place attachment and wellbeing: waterfront/beaches and recreational trails/pathways. In Niagara Parks, 85% of natural area users described observing changes to the natural areas since the onset of the pandemic. Of these participants, 61% found that system change in the natural areas impacted their experience of wellbeing while using the natural areas, and 33% of individuals reported that their attachment to the place was impacted. This thesis explores if and how change can influence the relationship between person and place. With the system variability of climate change already experienced locally and globally, it is increasingly important to understand the dynamics of people-place relationships.


title: Understanding the Mental Health Experiences of Student-Athletes Throughout University

subject:
Student-Athlete
Mental Health Experiences
Help-Seeking
University
Year of Study

abstract:
There are many factors that contribute to the mental health experience of student-athletes such balancing school and varsity sports, the transitioning process from high-school to university and creating social relationships with a variety of groups. These factors can lead to negative experiences such as stress, anxiety, and depression, but also positive experiences like belonging, confidence and excitement. Generally, there are limited studies that discuss the changes of these experiences throughout a period of time, specifically through four years of a post-secondary institution. Thus, this study took a thematic analysis approach based on the model by Braun and Clarke (2006) to explore the various experiences of student-athletes that affected their mental health across all four years of university. Those experiences were organized into themes that defined each year to demonstrate how those contexts related and affected the mental health experiences of student-athletes. Nine student-athletes were recruited (4 male and 5 female) to participate in a semi-structured interview that lasted an average of twenty-five to thirty-five minutes. Nine themes arose and were organized into each year where they were most prominent. Themes included the transitioning experience (first year), establishment on team (second year), growth as a student-athlete (third year) and responsibilies with athletic experience (fourth year).
Additional themes included dealing with Covid-19 and online learning, and help-seeking.  Overall, the experiences of student-athletes are unique and worthwhile to look into further, especially when considering the challenges they face throughout four years of university.


title: Economic Evaluation of the Pediatric Tele-resuscitation Intervention Pilot Study

subject:
Telemedicine
Economic Evaluation

abstract:
Background: Pediatric Telemedicine Connecting Hospitals (Peds–TECH), a pediatric tele-resuscitation
intervention, was developed in partnership with Niagara Health, Brock University and McMaster
Children's Hospital. This network aims to enhance pediatric outcomes for infants and children who
present to NH hospitals' emergency departments using telemedicine (TM).
Objectives: This study aimed to (i) identify out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and time/productivity losses for
parents of pediatric patients seeking care at the emergency department (ED); (ii) calculate financial
spending within the Peds-TECH intervention and estimate health resource utilization (HRU)
costs; (iii) determine the clinical effectiveness of the Peds-TECH intervention on emergency transfers to
a tertiary care hospital, and survival/mortality outcomes; and (iv) estimate an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of Peds-TECH intervention compared to usual care (i.e., conventional means of
providing resuscitation in ED).
Methods: A mixed methods quasi-experimental research design was used for this project that included
quantitative and qualitative methods in the economic evaluation. This study used qualitative research in
the form of interviews, to explore OOP expenses incurred by parents of pediatric patients treated with
the Peds-TECH intervention, and quantitative research when determining costs related to health
technology and HRU. The ICER represents the incremental costs (Canadian dollar) relative to the years of
life lost (YLL) averted in the intervention compared to usual care. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold
of $50,000 was considered to interpret the cost-effectiveness of the Peds-TECH intervention.
Results: Qualitative interviews with parents revealed OOP expenses pertinent to personal
transportation, food/meal, and time/productivity losses. In terms of OOP costs, the largest category in
terms of both overall cost ($435) and response rate (5/5) was travel/parking costs. The next most
common response to expenses incurred was the cost of food/meals ($80) with a response rate of 3/5.
One participant did report paying for hotel accommodations for one day ($120). The odds ratio (OR) for
mortality among cases was 0.498 (95% CI, 0.173, 1.43) compared to controls (i.e., usual care), indicating
that the intervention was protective against mortality. An ICER of $64.61 per YLL averted was
determined from the CEA, which represents the cost for an additional life-year saved in the intervention
group compared to the control. In the deterministic sensitivity analysis, the ICER ranged as low as (-
138.72) and as high as (489.75) per YLL averted. The probabilistic analysis indicated 96.1% probability
that Peds-TECH is cost-effective under a $5K WTP threshold, which is much lower than the standard
$50K WTP threshold.
Conclusion: This study acknowledged gaps surrounding the OOP costs associated with pediatric
emergencies in the Niagara Region. The Peds-TECH intervention is considered clinically effective in
preventing mortality among pediatric patients compared to usual care. As well, it was determined that
the Peds-TECH intervention is highly cost-effective with an ICER of $64.61 per YLL averted. Further
research is warranted to assess the long-term costs and health outcomes of pediatric patients
undergoing the Peds-TECH intervention.


title: Mobile Learning Activities for Students’ English Learning Engagement in China

subject:
mobile-assisted language learning
engagement
motivation
active learning
English as a foreign language

abstract: Although mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) activities have the potential to foster student engagement, few studies have investigated the influence of such activities on undergraduate students’ engagement in College English learning in China, particularly in a newly developed, post-pandemic hybrid learning environment. This study adopted a mixed methods design to examine the influence of mobile learning on student engagement and explored students’ lived experiences of using MALL activities for English learning. For the study’s quantitative data collection, 206 students completed an online questionnaire that included questions regarding motivation and active learning strategies. Ten students participated in the photo-production visual method and semi-structured personal interviews. Findings show that MALL activities enabled a unique opportunity to enhance students’ active engagement and knowledge construction by multiple ways of information sharing and language practices. Easy access and effective ways of communicating on learning apps intrinsically motivated students to participate in language learning. Through mobile learning platforms, students were scaffolded by their instructor or more knowledgeable peers in a more instant, visual, specific, and affective manner. Collaboration among students was not exemplified among undergraduate learners and the challenge of self-regulation in using cellphones was uncovered. These findings are significant for educators and decision-makers to lessen the stereotype of cellphones for learning and recognize the benefits of making use of personal devices for catering to individual learners’ needs, fostering connections, elevating engagement, and increasing English skills. A new MALL model is put forward.


title: Fog Connectivity Clustering and MDP Modeling for Software-defined Vehicular Networks

subject:
MDP
Cloud Computing
Vehicular Clustering

abstract: Intelligent and networked vehicles cooperate to create a mobile Cloud through vehicular Fog computing (VFC). Such clouds rely heavily on the underlying vehicular networks, so estimating communication resilience allows to address the problems caused by intermittent vehicle connectivity for data transfers. Individually estimating the communication stability of vehicles, nevertheless, undergoes incorrect predictions due to their particular mobility patterns. Therefore, we provide a region-oriented  fog management model based on the connectivity through vehicular heterogeneous network environment via V2X and C-V2X. A fog management strategy dynamically monitors nearby vehicles to determine distinct regions in urban centres. The model enables a software-defined vehicular network (\Gls{SDVN}) controller to coordinate data flows. The vehicular connectivity described by our model assesses the potential for vehicle communication and conducts dynamic vehicle clustering. From the stochasticity of the environment, our model is based on Markov Decision Process (MDP), tracking the status of vehicle clusters and their potential for provisioning services. The model for vehicular clustering is supported by 5G and DSRC heterogeneous networks. Simulated analyses have shown the capability of our proposed model to estimate cluster reliability in real-time urban scenarios and support effective vehicular fog management.