title: Does Gamma-aminobutyric acid function as a plant resistance mechanism against phytophagous insect activity? /

subject:
GABA.
Phytophagous insects.
Plants

abstract:
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAB A) is a ubiquitous non-protein amino acid synthesized via
the decarboxylation of L-glutamate in a reaction catalyzed by the cytosolic enzyme L-glutamate
decarboxylase (GAD). In animals it functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. In plants it
accumulates rapidly in response to various stresses, but its function remains unclear. The hypothesis
that GABA accumulation in leaf tissue may function as a plant resistance mechanism against
phytophagous insect activity was investigated.
GABA accumulation in response to mechanical stimulation, mechanical damage and insect
activity was demonstrated. In wt tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Samsun), mechanical stimulation
or damage caused GABA to accumulate within 2 min from mean levels of 14 to 37 and 1~9 nmol
g-l fresh weight (FW), respectively. In the transgenic tobacco strain CaMVGAD27c overexpressing
Petunia GAD, the same treatments caused GABA to accumulate from 12 to 59 and 279 nmol g-l FW,
respectively. In the transgenic tobacco strain CaMVGADilC 11 overexpressing Petunia GAD lacking
an autoinhibitory domain, mechanical stimulation or damage caused GABA to accumulate from 180
to 309 and 630 nmol g-l FW, respectively. Ambulatory activity by tobacco budworm (TBW) larvae
(Heliothis virescens) on leaves of CaMVGAD27c tobacco caused GABA to accumulate from 28 to
80 nmol g-l FW within 5 min. Ambulatory and leaf-rolling activity by oblique banded leaf roller
(OBLR) larvae (Choristoneura rosaceana cv Harris) on wt soybean leaves (Glycine max cv
Harovinton) caused GABA to accumulate from 60 to 1123 nmol g-l FW within 20 min. Increased
GABA levels in leaf tissue were shown to affect phytophagous preference in TBW larvae presented
with wt and transgenic tobacco leaves. When presented with leaves of Samsun wt and CaMVGAD27c plants, TBW larvae consumed more wt leaf tissue (640 ± 501 S.D. mm2
) than
transgenic leaf tissue (278 ± 338 S.D. mm2
) nine times out of ten. When presented with leaves of
Samsun wt and CaMVGAD~C11 plants, TBW larvae consumed more transgenic leaf tissue (1219
± 1009 S.D. mm2
) than wt leaf tissue (28 ± 31 S.D. mm2
) ten times out of ten.
These results indicate that: (1) ambulatory activity of insect larvae on leaves results in
increased GABA levels, (2) transgenic tobacco leaves with increased capacity for GABA synthesis
deter feeding, and (3) transgenic tobacco leaves with constitutively higher GABA levels stimulate
feeding.


title: Educational issues perceived by expectant lesbian couples /

contributor: Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education

subject:
Childbirth
Lesbian mothers
Lesbian mothers

abstract:
Despite the increasing public profile of lesbian childbearing, public health resources for
expectant women often bear heterosexist assumptions and create barriers to accessing
information relevant to lesbian mothering experiences. This descriptive, exploratory study
examined one lesbian couple's perceived educational needs for effective support, barriers to
access, strategies for locating care, and the impact of childbearing on their lives, as well as their
reflections on inviting ways to offer supportive practices in a public health context.
A case study approach used feminist ethnographic methodology and purposeful
convenience sampling. A prenatal and a postnatal open-ended interview were completed with 1
white, middle-class, able, lesbian childbearing couple, each ofwhom has birthed as coparent and
biological mother in this couple relationship.
Despite this couple's immense situated privilege, they struggled to locate the support they
sought for childbearing in a way that offered optimal emotional and physical care from the
preconceptual to postpartum stages and which maintained confidentiality or anonymity as
desired. They created meaningful care through personal networks. The findings were framed
using invitational and feminist theories: how people, places, programs, processes, policies, and
politics contributed to educational support. A three part conceptual framework emerged which
identified components of access to support: perceived safety of resources, disclosure status,
situated privilege, and public or private availability of information. The consequences of lack of
public access to comprehensive childbearing care for lesbian women and their communities are
described. Educational possibilities addressed systemic heterosexism through the development of
sensitive educators, meaningful curriculum, program planning, explicit policies, community
partnerships, and political leadership with respect to both institutional and research venues.


title: The effect of calculators on the numerical problem-solving skills and attitudes of primary students towards mathematics /

subject: Calculators. Mathematics Mathematics

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that calculators have
on the attitudes and numerical problem-solving skills of primary students. The
sample used for this research was one of convenience. The sample consisted of
two grade 3 classes within the York Region District School Board. The students
in the experimental group used calculators for this problem-solving unit. The
students in the control group completed the same numerical problem-solving unit
without the use of calculators.
The pretest-posttest control group design was used for this study. All
students involved in this study completed a computational pretest and an attitude
pretest. At the end of the study, the students completed a computational posttest.
Five students from the experimental group and five students from the control
group received their posttests in the form of a taped interview. At the end of the
unit, all students completed the attitude scale that they had received before the
numerical problem-solving unit once again. Data for qualitative analysis included
anecdotal observations, journal entries, and transcribed interviews. The constant
comparative method was used to analyze the qualitative data. A t test was also
performed on the data to determine whether there were changes in test and
attitude scores between the control and experimental group.
Overall, the findings of this study support the hypothesis that calculators
improve the attitudes of primary students toward mathematics. Also, there is some
evidence to suggest that calculators improve the computational skills of grade 3
students.


title: The effect of social condition and diet on the frequency of male-male agonistic displays in the field cricket, gryllus bimaculatus /

subject:
Gryllus bimaculatus
Gryllus bimaculatus

abstract:
The frequency and type of agonistic displays involved in male-male encounters should
be significantly influenced by the presence of females. Discrete agonistic displays vary in
energy expenditure and risk, and therefore should be dependent on available resources. The
influence of live females and the scent of females, on the frequency of male agonistic displays
was observed in a laboratory terrarium using the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. The effect
of energy constraints on display frequency was also determined. Half the males were fed a diet
high in protein and fet; the other males were fed a lower quality diet, for a 7-11 day period.
The frequency of five individual displays and mating frequency were recorded using an Event
Recorder and notebook. Each group of males was presented with three experimental
conditions, over three days, involving the presence or absence of live females and female scent.
The presence of females elicited an increase in all displays except antennation; female
scent increased the frequency of antennations, mandible flares and grapples, but to a lesser
extent than did live females. The frequency of grapples significantly increased for males fed
the high quality diet; however diet did not influence the other displays. The combined
influence of diet and condition was significant for mandible flare only. Mating frequency was
not influenced by diet. However, the frequency ofthe displays were positively correlated with
mating frequency for high quality fed males. Escalated displays involving high costs, such as
grapple and mandible flare, increased in frequency when the benefits of winning contests were
high in G.bimaculatus. Escalation to grapple behaviour was less evident for males fed the
lower quality diet as this imposed energy constraints on high cost displays.


title: Effects of computer-mediated communication and face-to-face communication on the quantity and quality of discourse produced by English as a second language students /

subject:
English language
English language
Interpersonal communication.
Discourse analysis.

abstract:
The effects oftwo types of small-group communication, synchronous computer-mediated
and face-to-face, on the quantity and quality of verbal output were con^ared. Quantity
was deiSned as the number of turns taken per minute, the number of Analysis-of-Speech
units (AS-units) produced per minute, and the number ofwords produced per minute.
Quality was defined as the number of words produced per AS-unit. In addition, the
interaction of gender and type of communication was explored for any differences that
existed in the output produced. Questionnaires were also given to participants to
determine attitudes toward computer-mediated and face-to-face communication. Thirty
intermediate-level students fi-om the Intensive English Language Program (lELP) at
Brock University participated in the study, including 15 females and 15 males. Nonparametric
tests, including the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test, Mann-Whitney U test, and
Friedman test were used to test for significance at the p < .05 level. No significant
differences were found in the effects of computer-mediated and face-to-face
communication on the output produced during follow-up speaking sessions. However, the
quantity and quality of interaction was significantly higher during face-to-face sessions
than computer-mediated sessions. No significant differences were found in the output
produced by males and females in these 2 conditions. While participants felt that the use
of computer-mediated communication may aid in the development of certain language
skills, they generally preferred face-to-face communication. These results differed fi-om
previous studies that found a greater quantity and quality of output in addition to a greater
equality of interaction produced during computer-mediated sessions in comparison to
face-to-face sessions (Kern, 1995; Warschauer, 1996).


title: Effects of female postmating odour on male sexual behaviour, in Heliconius butterflies /

subject:
Nymphalidae.
Butterflies.
Sexual behavior in animals.

abstract:
The effects of the female postmating odour on male sexual behaviour were examined in
Heliconius erato and H. charithonia (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Predictions from the antiaphrodisiac
hypothesis were tested using the two reproductive strategies of these species. Within the pupal mating
strategy, results from behavioural experiments quantified and statistically tested dispersal rates of
pupal-perched males to the presence of stimuli with and without the postmating odour. Results do not
support an antiaphrodisiac function to the postmating odour. Similarly, within the adult courtship
strategy, behavioural test results indicate that males do not alter their expenditure of energy in terms of
either the duration or frequency of courtship behaviours elicited by females with and without the
postmating odour. The data from both experiments did not support the antiaphrodisiac hypothesis for
the function of the female postmating odour. A novel hypothesis predicting that the postmating female
odour acts as an oviposition-deterring pheromone is presented.


title: Effects of a hydroxy-cinnamoyl conjugate of spermidine in the neuromuscular junction of crayfish /

subject:
Spermidine
Polyamines
Neuromuscular blocking agents.

abstract:
N'-coumaroyl spermidine (NlCSpd) is a plant derived chemical which is proposed to
belong to a class of low molecular weight neuroactive substances called phenolic polyamines.
NlCSpd is stnicturally similar to glutamate receptor blocking toxins found in certain spiders and
wasps, such as JSTX-3 and NSTX-3 found in Nephila spiders.
The goal of the present study was to determine if plant-derived phenolic polyamines act
like other structurally related chemicals found in Arthropod venoms, such as JSTX-3, and
whether they can be classified in the same pharmacological group as the spider and wasp toxins.
A comparison was made to determine the relative potencies of various phenolic polyamines fi-om
plants and insect venoms. This comparison was done by measuring the effect of various
concentrations ofNlCSpd on the amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) elicited
in muscle of the crayfish Proccanbarus clarkii. NlCSpd was also tested on L-glutamate induced
potentials to determine if a postsynaptic component to sj^naptic block occurs.
NlCSpd and an analogue with an a longer polyamine chain, NlCSpm, blocked EPSPs in a
dose dependent manner, NlCSpd having an IC50 of lOOnM. NlCSpd also blocked L-glutamate
induced potentials. The two main components of the NlCSpd molecule alone are insufficient for
activity.
NlCSpd acts postsynaptically by interfering with crayfish glutamatergic synaptic
transmission, likely blocking glutamate receptors by interacting with the same site(s) as other
phenolic polyamines. Certain moieties on the polyamines molecule are necessary for activity while
others are not.


title: Electrophysiological and behavioural correlates of facial identity and expression perception deficits following a closed head injury /

subject:
Social interaction.
Perceptual disorders.
Head


title: Electrophysiological analysis of the sleep onset period : a comparison between subjects with long term insomnia complaints associated with mild traumatic brain injury and matched controls /

subject: Sleep Electrophysiology. Insomniacs. Brain

abstract:
The purpose of the current undertaking was to study the electrophysiological
properties of the sleep onset period (SOP) in order to gain understanding into the
persistent sleep difficulties of those who complain of insomnia following mild traumatic
brain injury (MTBI). While many believe that symptoms of post concussion syndrome
(PCS) following MTBI resolve within 6 to 12 months, there are a number of people who
complain of persistent sleep difficulty. Two models were proposed which hypothesize
alternate electrophysiological presentations of the insomnia complaints of those
sustaining a MTBI: 1) Analyses of standard polysomnography (PSG) sleep parameters
were conducted in order to determine if the sleep difficulties of the MTBI population
were similar to that of idiopathic insomniacs (i.e. greater proportion ofREM sleep,
reduced delta sleep); 2) Power spectral analysis was conducted over the SOP to
determine if the sleep onset signature of those with MTBI would be similar to
psychophysiological insomniacs (characterized by increased cortical arousal). Finally,
exploratory analyses examined whether the sleep difficulties associated with MTBI could
be explained by increases in variability of the power spectral data.
Data were collected from 9 individuals who had sustained a MTBI 6 months to 5
years earlier and reported sleep difficulties that had arisen within the month subsequent
to injury and persisted to the present. The control group consisted of 9 individuals who
had experienced neither sleep difficulties, nor MTBI. Previous to spending 3 consecutive
uninterrupted nights in the sleep lab, subjects completed questionnaires regarding sleep
difficulties, adaptive functioning, and personality.


title: ERP and cardiovascular correlates of source memory discrimination in older and younger adults /

subject:
Evoked potentials (Electrophysiology)
Brain
Memory.

abstract:
There is much evidence to support an age-related decline in source memory
ability. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this decline are not well
understood. The current study was carried out to determine the electrophysiological
correlates of source memory discrimination in younger and older adults.
Event-related potentials (ERPs) and continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) data
were collected from younger (M= 21 years) and older (M= 71 years) adults during a
source memory task. Older adults were more likely to make source memory errors for
recently repeated, non-target words than were younger adults. Moreover, their ERP
records for correct trials showed an increased amplitude in the late positive (LP)
component (400-800 msec) for the most recently presented, non-target stimuli relative to
the LP noted for target items. Younger adults showed an opposite pattern, with a large
LP component for target items, and a much smaller LP component for the recently
repeated non-target items.
Computation of parasympathetic activity in the vagus nerve was performed on the
ECG data (Porges, 1985). The resulting measure, vagal tone, was used as an index of
physiological responsivity. The vagal tone index of physiological responsivity was
negatively related to the LP amplitude for the most recently repeated, non-target words in
both groups, after accounting for age effects.
The ERP data support the hypothesis that the tendency to make source memory
errors on the part of older adults is related to the ability to selectively control attentional
processes during task performance. Furthermore, the relationship between vagal tone and ERP reactivity suggests that there is a physiological basis to the heightened reactivity
measured in the LP response to recently repeated non-target items such that, under
decreased physiological resources, there is an impairment in the ability to selectively
inhibit bottom-up, stimulus based properties in favour of task-related goals in older
adults. The inconsistency of these results with other explanatory models of source
memory deficits is discussed. It is concluded that the data are consistent with a
physiological reactivity model requiring inhibition of reactivity to irrelevant, but
perceptually-fluent, stimuli.


title: Evaluating three self-help smoking cessation interventions for post-secondary smokers : a randomized controlled trial on six Ontario campuses

subject:
Smoking cessation
College students

abstract:
Objective. Smoking prevalence is highest among the young adult cohort. Postsecondary
students are no exception. Although many students intend to quit smoking, no
research has established what methods best promote reductions in, or complete
abstinence from smoking. This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of
three self-help smoking cessation interventions.
Method. On six post-secondary campuses, 483 smokers who voluntarily accessed
Leave The Pack Behind (a tobacco control initiative) were randomly assigned to one of
three smoking cessation interventions: One Step At A Time (a 2-booklet, *gold standard'
program for adults); Smoke|Quit (a newly-developed 2-booklet program for young adult
students); and usual care (a 'Quit Kit' containing a booklet on stress management,
information about pharmacological quitting aides and novelty items). All participants
also received one proactive telephone support call from a peer counsellor.
During the study, 85 participants withdrew. The final sample of 216 students who
completed baseline questionnaires and 12-week follow-up telephone interviews was
representative of the initial sample in terms of demographic characteristics, and smokingquitting-
related variables.
Results. Whether participants quit smoking depended upon treatment condition,
^(2, N=2\6) = 6.34, p = .04, with Smoke|Quit producing more successfijl quitters
(18.4%) than One Step At A Time (4.5%) or the Quit Kit (1 1.4%). On average,
participants had quit 53.46 days, with no significant difference across treatments. Selfefficacy
also increased. Use of the intervention or other quitting aides was not associated
with treatment condition.
Among the 191 participants who did not quit smoking, treatment condition did
not influence outcomes. Overall, 46.2% had made a quit attempt. Significant decreases in
weekly tobacco consumption and increases in self-efficacy to resist smoking were
observed from baseline to follow-up.
Conclusion. Post-secondary institutions represent a potentially final opportunity
for age-targeted interventions. Self-help resources tailored to students' social and
contextual characteristics will have considerable more impact than stage-only tailored
interventions. Both reduction and abstinence outcomes should be emphasized to
positively support students to stop smoking.


title: An examination of the mediation process as it is used to resolve sexual harassment complaints in Canadian universities /

subject: Sexual harassment in universities and colleges

subject: Sexual harassment

subject: Universities and colleges

abstract:
The ways in which the process of mediation affected
those involved in the resolution of sexual harassment
complaints in Canadian universities were explored.
Questionnaires were sent to forty- six Canadian
universities and interviews were conducted with fifteen
advisors. An analysis of the twenty- two questionnaires
returned indicated that mediation was utilized in 11% of
the sexual harassment complaints and effected a
successful resolution in 67% of these. Both complainants
and those con^lained against were reported to have
spoken more favourably than unfavourably about the
process and outcome of mediation. Questionnaire
respondents in general found mediation a slightly less
than satisfactory method of complaint resolution. Those
respondents who had successfully used mediation;
however, describe its usefulness within a university
context.


title: Examining current facilitative practices and projections of activity-based physical education degree programs regarding the participation of individuals with disabilties /

subject: Physical education and training

subject: Physical education and training

subject: Physical education for people with disabilities.

subject: College students with disabilities.

abstract:
Individuals with disabiliiies are increasingly accessing post secondary education
opportunities to further develop their educational and career goals. This study examines
the current facilitative practices of Canadian university activity-based physical
education degree programs on the participation of individuals with disabilities. A
critical orientation and descriptive/interpretative approach allows insight into unique
stories and experiences of physical education practitioners and special needs
professionals as they attempt to provide equitable educational experiences within a least
restrictive environment. Leading practitioners are used to triangulate and strengthen the
validity of the data while providing direction and advocacy for future development and
inclusion of individuals with disabilities. The study concludes with seven recommendations, each providing university activity-based physical education degree
programs with viable opportunities for helping create equitable opportunities for
individuals with disabilities.


title: Explicit/implicit training of cooperative learning with junior elementary students /

subject:
Group work in education.
Academic achievement.

abstract:
This experimental study examined the effects of cooperative
learning and expliciUimpliGit instruction on student achievement and
attitudes toward working in cooperative groups. Specifically, fourth- and
fifth-grade students (n=48) were randomly assigned to two conditions:
cooperative learning with explicit instruction and cooperative learning with
implicit instruction.
All participants were given initial training either explicitly or
implicitly in cooperative learning procedures via 10 one-hour sessions.
Following the instruction period, all students participated in completing a
group project related to a famous artists unit. It was hypothesized that the
explicit instruction training would enhance students' scores on the famous
artists test and the group projects, as well as improve students' attitudes
toward cooperative learning.
Although the explicit training group did not achieve significantly
higher scores on the famous artists test, significant differences were
found in group project results between the explicit and implicit groups.
The explicit group also exhibited more favourable and positive attitudes
toward cooperative learning. The findings of this study demonstrate that
combining cooperative learning with explicit instruction is an effective
classroom strategy and a useful practice for presenting and learning new
information, as well as working in groups with success.


title: An exploration of the experience of implementing the second step violence prevention curriculum in one primary general learning disabilities class /

subject:
School violence
Aggressiveness in children.
Children and violence
Conflict management.

abstract:
Violence has always been a part of the human experience, and therefore, a
popular topic for research. It is a controversial issue, mostly because the possible
sources of violent behaviour are so varied, encompassing both biological and
environmental factors. However, very little disagreement is found regarding the
severity of this societal problem.
Most researchers agree that the number and intensity of aggressive acts
among adults and children is growing. Not surprisingly, many educational
policies, programs, and curricula have been developed to address this concern.
The research favours programs which address the root causes of violence and
seek to prevent rather than provide consequences for the undesirable behaviour.
But what makes a violence prevention program effective? How should educators
choose among the many curricula on the market?
After reviewing the literature surrounding violence prevention programs
and their effectiveness, The Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum
surfaced as unique in many ways. It was designed to address the root causes of
violence in an active, student-centred way. Empathy training, anger management,
interpersonal cognitive problem solving, and behavioural social skills form the
basis of this program. Published in 1992, the program has been the topic of
limited research, almost entirely carried out using quantitative methodologies.The purpose of this study was to understand what happens when the
Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum is implemented with a group of
students and teachers. I was not seeking a statistical correlation between the
frequency of violence and program delivery, as in most prior research. Rather, I
wished to gain a deeper understanding of the impact ofthe program through the
eyes of the participants.
The Second Step Program was taught to a small, primary level, general
learning disabilities class by a teacher and student teacher. Data were gathered
using interviews with the teachers, personal observations, staff reports, and my
own journal. Common themes across the four types of data collection emerged
during the study, and these themes were isolated and explored for meaning.
Findings indicate that the program does not offer a "quick fix" to this
serious problem. However, several important discoveries were made. The
teachers feU that the program was effective despite a lack of concrete evidence to
support this claim. They used the Second Step strategies outside their actual
instructional time and felt it made them better educators and disciplinarians. The
students did not display a marked change in their behaviour during or after the
program implementation, but they were better able to speak about their actions,
the source of their aggression, and the alternatives which were available.
Although they were not yet transferring their knowledge into positive action,a heightened awareness was evident. Finally, staff reports and my own journal led
me to a deeper understanding ofhow perception frames reality. The perception
that the program was working led everyone to feel more empowered when a
violent incident occurred, and efforts were made to address the cause rather than
merely to offer consequences. A general feeling that we were addressing the
problem in a productive way was prevalent among the staff and students involved.
The findings from this investigation have many implications for research
and practice. Further study into the realm of violence prevention is greatly
needed, using a balance of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Such a
serious problem can only be effectively addressed with a greater understanding of
its complexities. This study also demonstrates the overall positive impact of the
Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum and, therefore, supports its
continued use in our schools.


title: Exploring the events that engage graduate students in transformative learning /

subject:
Learning, Psychology of.
Critical thinking.
Transfer of training.
Adult learning.
Adult education.

abstract:
This research explored the events that engaged graduate students in
transformative learning within a graduate program in education. This context was
chosen because one objective of a graduate program is to facilitate critical thinking and
transformative learning. The question ofhow adult learners perceive and experience
learning steered the direction ofthis study. However, the purpose ofthis research was
to study critical incidents that led to profound cognitive and affective changes as
perceived by the graduate students. Specifically, the questions to be answered were
what critical incidents happened to graduate students while in the Master ofEducation
program, how were the incidents experienced, and what transformation resulted?
The research design evolved over the course of a year and was highly
influenced by previous empirical studies and criticisms oftransformative learning
theory. The overall design was qualitative and phenomenological. A critical and
interpretive approach was made to empirical data collected through a critical incident
questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Inductive analysis allowed theory to be built
from the data by making comparisons. New questions emerged and attention was given
to social context, the passage oftime, and sequence ofevents in order to give meaning
and translation ofthe participants' experiences and to build the interpretive narratives.
Deductive analysis was also used on the data and a blending ofthe two forms of
analysis; this resulted in the development ofa foundational model for transformative
learning to be built.The data revealed critical incidents outside ofthe graduate school program that
occurred in childhood or adult life prior to graduate school. Since context of
individuals' lives had been an important critique of past transformative learning models
and studies, this research expanded the original boundaries of this study beyond
graduate school to incorporate incidents that occurred outside of graduate school.
Critical incidents were categorized into time-related, people-related, and circumstancerelated
themes. It was clear that participants were influenced and molded by the stage
oftheir life, personal experiences, familial and cultural conditioning, and even historic
events.
The model developed in this document fiom an overview ofthe fmdings
identifies a four-stage process of life difficulty, disintegration, reintegration, and
completion that all participants' followed. The blended analysis was revealed from the
description ofhow the incidents were experienced by the participants. The final
categories were what were the feelings, what was happening, and what was the
enviromnent? The resulting transformation was initially only going to consider
cognitive and affective changes, however, it was apparent that contextual changes also
occurred for all participants, so this category was also included. The model was
described with the construction metaphor of a building "foimdation" to illustrate the
variety of conditions that are necessary for transformative learning to occur. Since this
was an exploratory study, no prior models or processes were used in data analysis,
however, it appeared that the model developed from this study incorporated existing
models and provided a more encompassing life picture oftransformative learning.


title: Exploring the experiences of male spousal caregivers for their wives with alzheimer disease in their homes : the lived experience and the men's perception of support groups /

subject:
Male caregivers.
Male caregivers
Alzheimer's disease

abstract:
This research is qualitative in nature and has explored, by means of interviews, the '^^
experiences of 10 men in their roles in caring for their spouses with Alzheimer Disease
(see glossary) in their homes. Additional data were collected by attending 3 formal
support group meetings and one informal meeting of a group of men who brought their
wives to a support group meeting for their wives with AD. The data retrieved supported
the assumption that education about the disease, utilization of formal community support
services, and attendance at caregiver support groups or programs can assist healthy male
caregivers in caring for their wives with AD in their homes.


title: Exploring multiracial/cultural identities through mothers' voices /

subject:
Racially mixed children
Multicultural education.
Mothers.

abstract:
This study explored the experiences of mothers of multiracial/cultural children
within the context of family, school, and community. Three categories of mothers of
multiracial/cultural children were interviewed privately and then invited to meet as a group
to explore some of their reflections and experiences. The categories consisted of 4 mothers
with multiracial/cultural children presently attending elementary school, 2 mothers of
multiracial/cultural children who are now adults and 3 mothers from my own
multiracial/cultural family. The study explored the researcher's personal quest for a
multiracial/cultural identity and combined interviews with her daughter, her sister, and her
mother to reveal the multiracial/cultural experience from a personal perspective.
Content analysis of the narratives revealed that multiracial/cultural children
produce their own culture and establish new and personally relevant priorities as they
develop their self-identities. Findings further indicated that present-day, mainstream
mothers from the dominant majority group of Canadians, tell a different story than similar
mothers of previous cohorts, and that although sociopolitical and economic changes have
influenced the experiences ofthese women, their stories remain remarkably similar across
racial and cultural lines.
The findings from this study may promote the development of multicultural
programs in Canada as they offer both prospects and challenges to multiracial/cultural
children and multicultural educators. It is hoped that this study will provide a better
understanding of multiculturalism and encourage educators to heighten their racial and
cultural awareness as they strive to critically examine their own cultural stories and realign
their praxis within the evolving Canadian mosaic.


title: Factors affecting a woman's decision to leave an abusive relationship : the theory of planned behaviour /

subject:
Abused women.
Behavior modification.

abstract:
The present study tested the appHcabiUty of Ajzen's (1985) theory of
planned behaviour (TPB), an extension of Fishbein and Ajzen's (1975)
theory of reasoned action (TRA), for the first time, in the context of abused
women's decision to leave their abusive relationships. The TPB, as a
means of predicting women's decision to leave their abusive partners' was
drawn from Strube's (1988, 1991) proposed decision-making model based
on the principle that the decision-making process is a rational, deliberative
process, and regardless of outcome, was a result of a logical assessment of
the available data. As a means of predicting those behaviours not under
volitional control, Ajzen's (1985) TPB incorporated a measure of perceived
behavioural control. Data were collected in two phases, ranging from 6
months to 1 year apart.
It was hypothesized that, to the extent that an abused woman held
positive attitudes, subjective norms conducive to leaving, and perceived
control over leaving, she would form an intention to leave and thus,
increase the likelihood of actually leaving her partner. Furthermore, it
was expected that perceptions of control would predict leaving behaviour
over and above attitude and subjective norm. In addition, severity and
frequency of abuse were assessed, as were demographic variables.
The TPB failed to account significantly for variability in either
intentions or leaving behaviour. All of the variance was attributed to
those variables associated with the theory of reasoned action, with social
influence emerging as the strongest predictor of a woman's intentions.
The poor performance of this model is attributed to measurement
problems with aspects of attitude and perceived control, as well as a lack of
power due to the small sample size. The insufficiency of perceived control
to predict behaviour also suggests that, on the surface at least, other factors
may be at work in this context. Implications of these results, and
recommendations such as, the importance of obtaining representative
samples, the inclusion of self-esteem and emotions as predictor variables
in this model, a reevaluation of the target behaviovu" as nonvolitional,
and longitudinal studies spanning a longer time period for future research
within the context of decision-making are discussed.


title: Families of the traumatically brian-injured : a case study approach to perceptions of quality of service, degree of satisfaction, and family needs /

subject:
Brain damage
Brain
People with disabilities

abstract:
The purpose of this qualitative research study was to foster an understanding of the
rehabilitation counselling practice offamilies of the brain-injured. Specifically, the study
explores the perceptions of stakeholders in regards to the degree of satisfaction with the
quality of service received. Questionnaires were administered, and semi-structured, openended
interviews were conducted, with six participating families (n=8). Preliminary data
were collected via two instruments: (i) the Family Participant Questionnaire, consisting of
participants' sample characteristics, information pertaining to the history of the family,
details of the injury, and information relating to the type, use, and need offamily services
utilized; and (ii) the Community Integration Questionnaire, a measurement of the degree
of social displacementllevel of community integration of the injured family member.
Utilizing the procedural steps outlined by Colaizzi's (1978) method of protocol analysis,
recommendations for a future program based on related and current family needs are
discussed in detail. Substantiating and supporting information are offered to rehabilitation
practitioners, educational planners, and policymakers alike, concerning the degree of
satisfaction with rehabilitative service, and the means of improving upon the overall
quality of health care to families of the brain-injured. Implications for clinical practice and
research are also raised for discussion.


title: Far infrared reflectance and optical properties of organic superconductor (TMTSF)2ClO4 /

subject:
Organic superconductors.
Reflectance spectroscopy.
Organic superconductors

abstract:
Polarized reflectance measurements of the quasi I-D charge-transfer salt (TMTSFh CI04
were carried out using a Martin-Puplett-type polarizing interferometer and a 3He refrigerator
cryostat, at several temperatures between 0.45 K and 26 K, in the far infrared, in
the 10 to 70 cm- 1 frequency range.
Bis-tetramethyl-tetraselena-fulvalene perchlorate crystals, grown electrochemically and
supplied by K. Behnia, of dimensions 2 to 4 by 0.4 by 0.2 mm, were assembled on a flat
surface to form a mosaic of 1.5 by 3 mm. The needle shaped crystals were positioned
parallel to each other along their long axis, which is the stacking direction of the planar
TMTSF cations, exposing the ab plane face (parallel to which the sheets of CI04 anions
are positioned). Reflectance measurements were performed with radiation polarized
along the stacking direction in the sample.
Measurements were carried out following either a fast (15-20 K per minute) or slow
(0.1 K per minute) cooling of the sample. Slow cooling permits the anions to order near
24 K, and the sample is expected to be superconducting below 1.2 K, while fast cooling
yields an insulating state at low temperatures.
Upon the slow cooling the reflectance shows dependence with temperature and exhibits
the 28 cm- 1 feature reported previously [1].
Thermoreflectance for both the 'slow' and 'fast' cooling of the sample calculated relative
to the 26 K reflectance data indicates that the reflectance is temperature dependent,
for the slow cooling case only.
A low frequency edge in the absolute reflectance is assigned an electronic origin given its strong temperature dependence in the relaxed state. We attribute the peak in the
absolute reflectance near 30 cm-1 to a phonon coupled to the electronic background.
Both the low frequency edge and the 30 cm-1 feature are noted te shift towards higher
frequcncy, upon cntering the superconducting state, by an amount of the order of the
expected superconducting energy gap.
Kramers-Kronig analysis was carried out to determine the optical conductivity for the
slowly cooled sample from the measured reflectance. In order to do so the low frequency
data was extrapolated to zero frequency using a Hagen-Ru bens behaviour, and the high
frequency data was extended with the data of Cao et al. [2], and Kikuchi et al. [3].
The real part of the optical conductivity exhibits an asymmetric peak at 35 cm-1, and
its background at lower frequencies seems to be losing spectral weight with lowering of
the temperature, leading us to presume that a narrow peak is forming at even lower
frequencies.


title: Federal-provincial relations and the environment : attaining sustainable development through cooperation /

subject:
Federal-provincial relations
Sustainable development.
Environmental policy.

abstract:
A study of intergovernmental relations in the area of the environment will determine
whether the current Canadian federal structure represents a dangerous impediment to the
promotion of sustainable development. This paper examines the interjurisdictional quagmire that
has developed from the fact that authority over the environment is a functionally concurrent field
for the two orders of government. A history of federal-provincial relations in the area of
environmental protection is followed by an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages
associated with competitive and cooperative federalism. For the purpose of this paper,
cooperative federalism is characterized by the presence of a formal institutional system to
facilitate interaction between politicians and bureaucrats from both orders of government.
Competitive federalism is defined as a system that lacks a formal institutional structure to
promote discussion and coordination between federal and provincial officials in a specific field
of interest. Last, I examine thirty sustainable development issues following the structure
established in Agenda 21 to determine the impact of the present federal system on the
development of these objectives. This study concludes that Canadian federalism is not a
dangerous impediment to the promotion of sustainable development. Cooperative federalism in
a form that does not eliminate the ability of governments to revert to competition promotes the
emergence of an institutional system that facilitates information-sharing and discussion between
the two orders of government, thus leading to coordinated efforts in the field of the environment.
Respect for the current division of powers in this area is also essential to the cohesiveness of
Canadian society. Policy-makers and advocates for a sustainable society should focus on
working within the present system.


title: Female administrators and the mentors who give them full support /

subject:
Women school administrators.
Mentoring in education.

abstract:
A looming attrition rate, a steady increase in the number of women in
administration, and a lack of Canadian research all provided the rationale for this study.
The problem in this study was to investigate the needs and challenges of new female
administrators and to examine the role that mentors play in addressing these issues. This
study also explored the perceived benefits of having a mentor.
This study examined the inductive year of 33 female administrators from 3
Ontario school boards. It was a qualitative and quantitative design, using questionnaire
and interview data. It was found that the majority felt that they struggled with biases and
expectations that were gender specific. The challenges that were perceived to be most
prevalent were categorized into 4 thematic areas: Maintaining Balance, Feeling
Pressured, The Perceptions of Others, and Being Challenged by Others. Regarding the
benefits of mentoring, the participants perceived mentoring to be most beneficial in terms
of professional growth, followed by learning how to run a school, and then career
advancement.
The significance of this study was threefold: it had theoretical implications as well
as implications for practice and future research. Suggestions included: facilitating
longitudinal relationships, having the board become more actively involved in facilitating
the relationship, and implementing an internship program. This study attempted to extend
the current literature by theorizing that a mentorship is cyclical in nature. Future research
could include program design and implementation, as well as providing consistent and
accessible mentoring opportunities for all.


title: Flow injection analysis (FIA) determination of lead by hydride generation in banded coral skeletons /

subject:
Atomic emission spectroscopy.
Hydrides.
Scleractinia.
Lead toxicology.

abstract:
A flow injection hydride generation direct current plasma atomic emission
spectrometric (FI-HG-DCP-AES) method was developed for the determination of lead at
ng.ml-l level. Potassium ferricyanide (K3Fe(CN)6) was used along with sodium
tetrahydroborate(III) (NaBH4) to produce plumbane (PbH4) in an acid medium. The
design of a gas-liquid separator (hydride generator) was tested and the parameters of the
flow injection system were optimized to achieve a good detection limit and sample
throughput.
The technique developed gave a detection limit of 0.7 ng.ml-l(3ob). The precision
at 20 ng.ml"* level was 1.6 % RSD with 1 1 measurements (n=l 1). Volume of sample loop
was 500 |J.l. A sample throughput of 120 h"^ was achieved. The transition elements, Fe(II),
FeOH), Cd(n), Co(II), Mn(n), Ni(II) and Zn(n) do not interfere in this method but 1
mg,l'l Cu(II) will suppress 50 % of the signal from a sample containing 20 ng.ml'l Pb.
This method was successfully applied to determine lead in a calcium carbonate
(CaC03) matrix of banded coral skeletons from Si-Chang Island in Thailand.


title: Foraging ecology and parental behaviour in the common tern (Sterna hirundo)

subject:
Common tern
Common tern
Seafood gathering

abstract:
One component of successful parenting is related to efficiency in foraging
behaviour. The relationships among chick feeding, the size and type of food package, and
length of parental foraging trips has not been well studied in seabirds. In addition,
relatively few data have been collected on the activities of seabirds when foraging away
from the nest site. The objectives of this study were: (1) to contrast productivity, feeding
rate, and attendance patterns of individuals carrying a novel transmitter with a control group
of birds; (2) to use radio-telemetry to assess the variability in foraging locations within and
between individual male Common Terns; (3) to determine the seasonal variation in chick
diet; (4) to determine for each transmittered bird, the relationships among the foraging
patterns, parental behaviour, and seasonal reproductive success.
The study took place over two years (1990-91) on a concrete breakwater 1 km
offshore on Lake Erie near Port Colbome, Ontario. Ten pairs of terns in 1990 and 12 pairs
in 1991 were radio-tracked by boat or car during the chick rearing stage. Concurrent
behavioural observations documented the time each sex spent foraging or at the nest. The
frequency and prey species composition of feeds to chicks were also recorded.
The transmitters had negligible effects on the feeding frequency and brood
attendance patterns of transmitter carrying birds. Peak nesting transmittered birds in 1990
and 1991 exhibited some inter-individual variability in foraging locations, however intraindividual
variability was low. Birds foraged primarily to the west and northwest of the
colony. Late nesters exhibited greater inter-individual variability, however intra-individual
variability remained low for most birds. Neither group demonstrated sufficient variability
to support the regular use of this colony as an "information centre".
Individual transmittered birds had unique and predictable foraging patterns, and
corresponding differences in feeding frequencies and brood attendance patterns, yet
productivity was essentially equal between nests due to the impact and importance of stochastic events. Individuals that were recaptured in 1991 exhibited very similar foraging
patterns to 1990, suggesting littie variability between years. Conservation of foraging
patterns between years may have potential implications for mate choice decisions in future
breeding seasons.
Prey species delivered to chicks differed between morning and evening for peak
and late nesters in 1990, but not 1991. Peak nesters in 1990 fed significantiy more
Rainbow Smelt fOsmerus mordM) than Emerald Shiner (Notropis atherinoidesV this trend
was reversed for late nesters who also fed large numbers of unidentified larval fish. No
significant differences were found in 1991. Seasonal changes in prey species delivered to
chicks is believed to be attributable to the temperature tolerances of the smelt and shiners,
and the presence of large schools of larval fish during the late nesting season.


title: From Fordism to neoconservatism : free trade and Canadian industrial policy in an era of globalism /

subject:
Free trade
Industrial policy
International trade.

abstract:
Nothing today affects the lives of people in countries throughout
the industrialized and developing world as much as international
trade. Nowhere is this more true than in Canada. Canada's
involvement in international trade has a long history dating back
to 1854 when it was a British colony.
As a major trading country, Canada has always adopted a proactive
industrial policy which has been largely responsible for its
relative economic prosperi ty. But, wi th businesses now free to
invest and divest under the terms of the CUFTA and the NAFTA, the
most fundamental concerns for Canadians, in a borderless world, are
what powers will the Canadian government have to shape industrial
policy, and to what extent can Canada continue as a viable nationstate
if it can no longer control its national economy? These are
important concerns because, in world without borders, the
adjustment process becomes more volatile and more difficult to
manage.
The CUFTA and the NAFTA not only create the rules for
conducting trade, but they also establish a set of new rules for
the Canadian government that will diminish its power. As a member
of a new North American trading bloc, Canada will find itself
subject to a set of forces requiring analysis beyond participation
in a conventional free trade area. Because many of the traditional
levers of government will now be subject to external control
imposed by these agreements, Canada will not be able to mount
certain policies in the future that it has relied on in the past.
This reality limits the pro-active role of the Canadian state to
use policies and programmes for the country's immediate national
development.
What this thesis attempts is an examination of the evolution
of Canadian industrial policy, in effect, the transi tion from
Fordism to Neoconservatism, and an assessment of Canada's future
as a nation-state as it tries to find security and improved access
in a free trade arrangement. Unless Canada takes steps to
neutralize the asymmetry of power between itself and the United
States through adjustment programmes, it is the contention of this
thesis that its economic future is anything but stable.


title: From protest to powerlessness : a Marxist analysis of the Ontario NDP /

subject:
New Democratic Party of Ontario.
Socialism

abstract:
Using Marxist state theory as an analytical framework, this
thesis explains the problems faced by the Ontario New Democratic
Party government (1990-1995) in implementing a social democratic
agenda. Not only was the government constrained in its ability to
implement progressive policy, but it was also pushed to implement
a Social Contract (involving legislated wage cuts to public sector
employees) that alienated the party's base of support, making it
more difficult for the party to organize in the future. Although
this study relies predominantly on a reinterpretation of existing
research on the topic, some primary research is used in the
analysis, including interviews with members of the labour movement
and former MPPs and analysis of the news media's treatment of the
party/ government. Historical and class analytical perspectives are
used to explain the evolution of the ONDP's structure and policies,
as well as to assess the relative strength of the working class and
its ability to support a social democratic political agenda. It
was found that the ONDP' s unwillingness to develop a long term plan
for social democracy, and its inability to act as a mass party or
to build a strong working class movement, made it more difficult
for the party to succeed when it formed the government. Moreover,
the class nature of the capitalist state, along with pressure
exerted by a well mobilized capitalist class, worked to limit the
government' s options.


title: FT-IR and MAS NMR analysis of montmorillonite K10 supported MF2 reagents and their activity as catalysis /

subject:
Chemical tests and reagents.
Catalysis.
Montmorillonite.
Nuclear magnetic resonance.
Metallic oxides.

abstract:
ZnF2, CdF2, and CUF2 have been adsorbed onto the surface
of montmorillonite K10, and the infrared and 19F, 27 AI, and 29Si MAS
NMR spectra of the reagents over a range of loadings have been
obtained. CUF2 was observed to attack the Si02 layer and form the
complex CuSiF6, Zn F2 tends to attack the aluminium oxide layer, in
which Zn isomorphously replaces AI, and forms AIF3 and AIF4 -
complexes. All the spectroscopic evidence ruled out the formation
of any AI-F and/or Si-F free species as CdF2 is adsorbed on the
surface of montmorillonite K10. The reactivity of MF2-K10 reagents
towards Friedel-Crafts benzylation of benzene with benzyl chloride
varied from one reagent to another. ZnF2-K10 was observed to be
the most reactive and CUF2 was the least reactive.


title: Gaining a better understanding of how Outward Bound Western Canada course outcomes are achieved : a research study /

subject:
Outward Bound Western Canada.
Outward bound schools
Outdoor education.
Wilderness survival

abstract:
This study examined how Outward Bound Western Canada (OBWC) course
outcomes are achieved by exploring the relationships among course components,
students' characteristics, and course outcomes. OBWC is a wilderness-based
adventure education organization that helps students achieve outcomes such as
increased self-awareness, self-confidence, motivation, interpersonal skills, concern for
others, and concern for the environment. This study explored the ways in which the
various components of courses and the characteristics of students contribute to
determining the outcomes students experience as a result of their courses. The purpose
of the study was to gain a better understanding of how OBWC course outcomes are
achieved in order to strengthen adventure education theory, enhance practice at
OBWC and other adventure education organizations, and provide a foundation for
further research on this topic.
As an interpretive case study, this study sought to describe how OBWC course
outcomes are achieved and to provide interpretations of the research findings. Data
was gathered from OBWC students and instructors using the quantitative and
qualitative data collection techniques of questionnaire, interview, and observation.
Data collected from 98 participants ensured a considerable breadth to the study, while
interviews with a number of participants also enabled the collection of in-depth data.
Analysis and triangulation of the data from the various sources allowed discernment of
the research findings.
A comprehensive and detailed picture of how course outcomes are achieved
emerged from the findings. Twenty-nine course components were found to influence course outcomes, including various aspects of course activities, the physical
environment, instructors, and the group. The findings indicated that certain course
components were most influential in determining increases to students' self-awareness,
self-confidence, self-reliance, self-esteem, self-concept, motivation, self-responsibility,
interpersonal skills, concern for others, and concern for the environment. A number of
course components were found to indirectly contribute to positive course outcomes by
helping maximize the effectiveness of other components, by increasing students'
motivation while on course, or by facilitating the processing and transference of new
information. The findings also suggested that several course components either
directly or indirectly affected course outcomes in negative ways. In addition, the
gender, age, population, and expectations of students were found to play a role in
determining the course outcomes they experienced and in determining which course
components caused those outcomes.
Interpretation of the findings resulted in the generation of research-based
theory. The main theoretical argument derived from the results of the study was that
course outcomes are influenced by a combination of course components and
characteristics of students. More specifically, the theory generated by the study
indicated that five groupings of factors contribute to course outcomes, including
course activities, the physical environment, instructors, the group, and students'
characteristics. The study was considered in relation to existing adventure education
literature and larger theoretical issues. The generated theory and research findings
were then used to develop suggestions for improving practice at OBWC and other
adventure education organizations, as well as for enhancing future research studies.


title: Geochemistry and mineralogical association of heavy metal contaminants in fine grained sediment, Welland River, Southern Ontario /

subject:
River sediments
Heavy metals
Sediment transport
Water

abstract:
This investigation of geochemistry and mineralogy of heavy metals in fine grained
(<63^m) sediment of the Welland River was imdertaken to: 1) describe metal dispersion
patterns relative to a source, identify minerals forming and existing at the outfall region and
relate sediment particle size to chemistry; 2) to delineate sample handling, preparation and
evaluate, modify and develop analytical methods for heavy metal analysis of complex
environmental samples.
Ajoint project between Brock University and Geoscience Laboratories was initiated
to test a contaminated site of the Welland River at the base of Atlas Speciality Steels Co.
Methods were developed and utilized for particle size separation and two acid extraction
techniques: 1) Partial extraction; 2) Total extraction.
The mineralogical assessment identified calcite, dolomite, quartz and clays. These
minerals are typical of the carbonate-shale rock basement of the Niagara Peninsula. Minerals
such as, mullite and ferrocolumbite were found at the outfall region. These are not typical of
the local geology and are generally associated with industrial pollutants.
Partial and total extraction techniques were used to characterize the sediments based
on chemical distribution, elemental behaviour and analytical differences. The majority of
elements were lower in concentration in the partial extraction technique; suggesting these
elements are bound in an acid extractable phase (exchangeable, organic and carbonate phases).
The total extraction technique yielded higher elemental concentrations taking difficult oxides
and silicates into solution.

Geochemical analyses of grain size separates revealed that heavy metal (Co, Ni, V,
Mn, Fe, Ba) concentrations did not increase with decreasing grain size. This is a function of
the anthropogenic mill scale input into the river. The background elements (Sc, Y, Sr, Mg,
Al and Ti) showed an increase in concentration to the finest grain size suggesting that it is
directly related to the local mineralogy and geology.
Dispersion patterns ofmetals fall into two distinct categories: 1) the heavy metals (Co,
Cu, Ni, Zn, V and Cr), and 2) the background elements (Be, Sc, Y, Sr, Al and Ti). The
heavy metals show a marked increase in the outfall region, while the background elements
show a significant decrease at the outfall. This pattern is attributed to a "dilution effect" ofthe
natural sediments by the anthropogenic mill scale sediments. Multivariant statistical analysis
and correlation coefficient matrix results clearly support these results and conclusions.
These results indicate the outfall region ofthe Welland River is highly contaminated
with to heavy metals from the industrialized area of Welland. A short distance downstream,
the metal concentrations return to baseline geochemical levels. It appears, contaminants
rapidly come out of suspension and are deposited in close proximity to the source. Therefore,
it is likely that dredging the sediment from the river may cause resuspension of contaminated
sediments, but may not distribute the sediment as far as initially anticipated.


title: Grade nine teachers' perception of how teachers, parents, peers, administrators, and community members affect the development of the grade nine student /

subject:
Ninth grade (Education)
Junior high school teachers
Junior high school students

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine grade nine teachers' perception of
how teachers, parents, peers, administrators, and community members influence
the overall development of grade nine students. Ten grade nine teachers (four
male and six female) participated in the study which consisted of the completion
of a one hour, tape-recorded interview.
The central findings were as follows: 1) the grade nine student has evolved;
2) peers have an important impact on the four developmental areas (physical,
emotional, social, and academic) of the grade nine student; and 3) the role of the
grade nine teacher appears to have dramatically changed over the last
seventeen years.
Suggestions and recommendations for future research in this field are based
on findings related to the enhancement of the secondary school experience for
the grade nine adolescent.


title: Gray's motivational systems, inhibitory control and attention allocation : behavioral and electrophysiological correlates of behavioral inhibition and activation /

subject:
Gray, Jeffrey Alan.
Electrophysiology.
Human behavior
Motivation (Psychology)
Inhibition.


title: The human rights dilemma : an east-west encounter : Germany and China in 1996 /

subject:
World politics
Human rights.

abstract:
Conflicts over human rights in relations between East Asia and the West have
increased since the end of the Cold War. Western governments express concern about
human rights standards in East Asian countries. In the East, these expressions have
been perceived as interference in internal affairs. Due to dramatic economic
development, East Asian nations recently have gained in pride and self-confidence as
global actors. Such development is observed with suspicion in the West. Concerned
about the decline of global U.S. influence, some American scholars have re-invented
the notion of "culture" to point at an alleged East Asian threat. Also East Asian
statesmen use the cultural argument by claiming the existence of so-called 'Asian
values', which they allege are the key to Eastern economic success.
This thesis argues that issues of human rights in East-West relations are not
only a consequence of well-intended concern by Western governments regarding the
human rights and welfare of the citizens of East Asian nations, but are in fact
dominated by and used as a pawn in interplay with more complicated questions of
global power and economic relations between East and West.
The thesis reviews the relevance of culture in East-West relations. In the West,
particularly Samuel P. Huntington with his prediction of the Clash of Civilizations
stands out. Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew has been very vocal on the Eastern side.
Whereas the West tries to cope with its decrease of global influence, after hundreds of
years under Western hegemonism, the East believes in an Asian way of development
without interference form the West. Most of this dispute revolves around the issue of
human rights. The West claims the universality of rights which in fact emphasizes
political and civil rights. Western countries critizise poor human rights standards in
East Asia. The East, in return, accuses the West of hypocritical policies that seek
global dominance. East Asian governments assert that due to a different stage of
development they have to stress first their rights to development in order to assure
stability. In particular, China argues this way. The country's leadership, however,
shows concern about human rights and has already improved its human rights record
over the past years. This thesis analyses the dispute over human rights in a case study
on Germany and China. Both countries have a mutual interest in trade relations
which has conflicted with Germany's criticism of China's problematic human rights
record. In 1996, the two countries clashed after the German parliament passed a
resolution condemning China's treatment of Tibet. This caused a lot of damage to the
Chinese-German relationship which in the course of the year went back to normality.
In the light of these frictions a German human rights policy that focuses on
unspectacular grass-roots support of China, for example in strengthening China's legal
system, would be preferable. Such co-operation must be based on mutual respect.


title: Hydration, conformational states and kinetics of yeast hexokinase PII /

subject:
Glucokinase.
Hydration.
Chemical kinetics.

abstract:
The kinetic study of the coupled enzymatic reaction involving monomeric yeast
hexokinase PII (HK) and yeast glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) yields a Michaelis
constant of 0.15 ± 0.01 mM for D-glucose. At pH 8.7 HK is present in monomeric form. The
addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), to the reaction mixture increased the affinity of HK for
glucose, independent ofMW of the PEG from 2000 to 10000. The osmotic stress exerted by PEG
can be used to measure the change in number of water molecules that accompany enzyme
conformational changes (Rand, et al., 1993). Results indicate that the G-6-PDH is not osmotically
sensitive and thus, the change in the number of PEG-inaccessible water molecules (ANw)
measured in the coupled reaction is only the difference between the glucose-bound and glucosefree
conformations of HK. ANw ~ 450 with PEGs of MW > 2000 under conditions for both
binding (Reid and Rand, 1997) and kinetic assays. The contribution water may play in the binding
of ATP (Km = 0.24 + 0.02 mM) has also been examined. It was found that in this case ANw =
(for osmotic pressures < 2.8x10* dynes/cm^), suggesting no additional numbers of waters are
displaced when ATP binds to HK. Osmotic pressure experiments were also performed with
dimeric HK. It was determined that both the monomeric and dimeric forms of HK give the same
ANw under low pressures. If this large ANw is due to conformational flexibility, it would appear
that the flexibility is not reduced upon dimerization ofthe enzyme.


title: Implicit and explicit functions in the acquisition of a phonics rule in the word recognition of learning disabled and non learning disabled students /

subject:
Learning disabled children.
Education.
Word recognition.
Reading

abstract:
One group of 12 non learning disabled students and two groups of 12 learning
disabled students between the ges of 10 and 12 were measured on implicit and
explicit knowledge cquisition. Students in each group implicitly cquired
knowledge bout I of 2 vocabulary rules. The vocabulary rules governed the
pronunciation of 2 types of pseudowords. After completing the implicit
acquisition phase, all groups were administered a test of implicit knowledge. The
non learning disabled group and I learning disabled group were then asked to
verbalize the knowledge acquired during the initial phase. This was a test of
explicit knowledge. All 3 groups were then given a postlest of implicit
knowledge. This tcst was a measure of the effectiveness of the employment of the
verbalization technique. Results indicate that implicit knowledge capabilities for
both the learning disabled and non learning disabled groups were intact. However.
there were significant differences between groups on explicit knowledge
capabilities. This led to the conclusion that implicit functions show little
individual differences, and that explicit functions are affected by ability
difference. Furthermore, the employment of the verbalization technique
significantly increased POStlest scores for learning disabled students. This
suggested that the use of metacognitive techniques was a beneficial learning tool
for learning disabled students.


title: Incidence of resistance to benzimidazole fungicides in a field population of Venturia inaequalis /

subject:
Fungicide resistance.
Polymerase chain reaction.
Gene amplification.

abstract:
The allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen for
the presence of benomyl resistance, and to characterize their levels and frequencies
in field populations of Venturia inaequalis during two seasons. Three hundred
isolates of V. inaequalis were collected each season from infected leaves of MalusX
domestica. Borkh c.v. Mcintosh. The trees used were sprayed in the year prior to
collection with five applications of benomyl, its homologue Azindoyle, or water.
Monoconidial isolates of V. inaequalis were grown on 2% potato dextrose agar
(PDA) for four weeks. Each isolate was taken from a single lesion from a single
leaf. Total genomic DNA was extracted from the four week old colonies of V.
inaequalis, prepared and used as a template in PCR reactions. PCR reactions were
achieved by utilizing allele-specific primers. Each primer was designed to amplify
fragments from a specific allele. Primer Vin was specific for mutations conferring
the ben^^"^ phenotype. It was expected to amplify a 171 bp. DNA fragment from the
ben^"^ alleles only. Primers BenHR and BenMR were specific for mutations
conferring the ben"" and ben'^'' phenotypes, respectively. They were expected to
amplify 172 bp. and 165 bp. DNA fragments from the ben"" and ben"^" alleles,
respectively.
Of the 953 isolates tested, 414 (69.9%) were benomyl sensitive (ben^) and
179 (30.1%) were benomyl resistant. All the benomyl resistant alleles were ben^"",
since neither the ben"" nor the ben"" alleles were detected. Frequencies of
benomyl resistance were 23%, 24%, and 23% for the 1997 collections, and were
46%, 26% and 38% for the 1998 collections for benomyl, Azindoyle and water treatments, respectively.
Growth assay was performed to evaluate the applicability of using PCR in
monitoring benomyl resistance in fungal field populations. Tests were performed on
14 isolates representing the two phenotypes (ben^ and ben^"'' alleles) characterized
by PCR. Results of those tests were in agreement with PCR results. Enzyme
digestion was also used to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of PCR products.
The mutation associated with the ben^"'' phenotype creates a unique site for the
endonuclease enzyme Bsh^236^ allowing the use of enzyme digestion. Isolates
characterized by PCR as ben^'^'^ alleles had this restriction site for the SsA7l2361
enzyme.
The most time consuming aspect of this study was growing fungal isolates on
culture media for DNA extraction. In addition, the risk of contamination or losing the
fungus during growth processes was relatively high. A technique for extracting DNA
directly from lesions on leaves has been used (Luck and Gillings 1 995). In order to
apply this technique in experiments designed to monitor fungicide resistance, a
lesion has to be homogeneous for fungicide sensitivity. For this purpose, PCR
protocol was used to determine lesion homogeneity. One hundred monoconidial
isolates of V. inaequalis from 10 lesions (10-conidia/ lesion) were tested for their
phenotypes with respect to benomyl sensitivity. Conidia of six lesions were
homogeneous, while conidia of the remaining lesions were mixtures of ben^ and
ben^ phenotypes. Neither the ben" nor the ben' phenotype was detected.


title: The infared optical properties of Sr2RuO4 and SmTiO3 including an object-oriented resistivity interface /

subject:
Perovskite.
Ruthenium compounds
Titanium compounds
Magnetoresistance.

abstract:
The perovskite crystal structure is host to many different materials from insulating
to superconducting providing a diverse range of intrinsic character and complexity. A
better fundamental description of these materials in terms of their electronic, optical and
magnetic properties undoubtedly precedes an effective realization of their application
potential.
SmTiOa, a distorted perovskite has a strongly localized electronic structure and undergoes
an antiferromagnetic transition at 50 K in its nominally stoichiometric form.
Sr2Ru04 is a layered perovskite superconductor (ie. Tc % 1 K) bearing the same structure
as the high-tem|>erature superconductor La2_xSrrCu04. Polarized reflectance measurements
were carried out on both of these materials revealing several interesting features
in the far-infrared range of the spectrum. In the case of SmTiOa, although insulating,
evidence indicates the presence of a finite background optical conductivity. As the temperature
is lowered through the ordering temperature a resonance feature appears to
narrow and strengthen near 120 cm~^ A nearby phonon mode appears to also couple to
this magnetic transition as revealed by a growing asymmetry in the optica] conductivity.
Experiments on a doped sample with a greater itinerant character and lower Neel temperature
= 40 K also indicate the presence of this strongly temperature dependent mode
even at twice the ordering temperature. Although the mode appears to be sensitive to
the magnetic transition it is unclear whether a magnon assignment is appropriate. At
very least, evidence suggests an interesting interaction between magnetic and electronic
excitations. Although Sr2Ru04 is highly anisotropic it is metallic in three-dimensions at
low temperatures and reveals its coherent transport in an inter-plane Drude-like component
to the highest temperatures measured (ie. 90 K). An extended Drude analysis is
used to probe the frequency dependent scattering character revealing a peak in both the
mass enhancement and scattering rate near 80 cm~* and 100 cm~* respectively. All of
these experimental observations appear relatively consistent with a Fermi-liquid picture
of charge transport.
To supplement the optical measurements a resistivity station was set up with an event
driven object oriented user interface. The program controls a Keithley Current Source,
HP Nano-Voltmeter and Switching Unit as well as a LakeShore Temperature Controller
in order to obtain a plot of the Resistivity as a function of temperature. The system
allows for resistivity measurements ranging from 4 K to 290 K using an external probe
or between 0.4 K to 295 K using a Helium - 3 Cryostat. Several materials of known
resistivity have confirmed the system to be robust and capable of measuring metallic
samples distinguishing features of several fiQ-cm.


title: The influence of investigator disturbance on aggressive behaviour and breeding success of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) /

subject:
Ring-billed gull
Sea birds
Gulls

abstract:
Increased losses of eggs and chicks resulting from human
intrusion (investigator or other) into seabird colonies has been well
documented. In 1990/91, I studied the effects of investigator
disturbance on aggressive behaviour and breeding success of
individual pairs of ring-billed gulls nesting at two colonies near
Port Colborne, Ontario. The insular colony was on an artificial
breakwall, associated with the Welland Ship Canal, approximately 1
km off the north shore of Lake Erie. The mainland colony was
adjacent to the canal approximately 1 km east of the breakwall. The
frequencies of adult threat and assault behaviours, chick movement
and adult attacks on chicks were recorded by continuous scan
sampling 30 min prior to, 30 min during and 60 (2 X 30) min after
investigator disturbance. The frequency of threat and assault
behaviours increased during the period of investigator activity in
the colony while the duration of wingpulls and beakpulls decreased.
Significantly more chicks ran ("runners") from their natal
territories during disturbances and "runners" were more frequently
attacked than "territorial" chicks. No chicks were fatally attacked
during disturbance and "runners" returned to their natal territories
quickly after disturbance.
Breeding success was determined for pairs nesting in study
plots subjected to two levels of disturbance (normal and moderate).
The disturbance level of each plot differed in visitation frequency
and activities performed on each visit. Investigator disturbance had
no effect on the hatching success or fledging success (taken as 21
days of age) of ring-billed gull study pairs at either colony.


title: An international investigation on the validity of the CSAPPA scale in screening for developmental coordination disorder /

subject:
Developmental disabilities
Developmentally disabled children
Motor ability in children
Behavioral assessment of children.

abstract:
The main objective of the present investigation was to continue the research initiated by
Hay and colleagues (2004) in examining the efficacy of the Children's Self-Perceptions
of Adequacy in and Predilection for Physical Activity (CSAPPA) scale as a proxy for the
short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP-SF) in
screening for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in children. To better
appreciate DCD knowledge outside Canada, the measurements of this investigation were
expanded in Greece. A translated Greek CSAPP A scale and the BOTMP-SF were
administered for the first time in Greek children. A second objective was to investigate
the relationship between DCD and various risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD)
in Canadian and Greek children. A sample of 591 (Ms=322; Fs=269) Canadian and 392
(Ms=211; Fs=181) Greek children, aged 9 to 13 years, consented to the BOTMP-SF,
CSAPP A Scale, participation in physical activity questionnaire, Leger 20-meter
Multistage Shuttle Run test, and body fat using bioelectric impedance. Prevalence of
DCD in Canada and Greece was 8% and 19%, respectively. Significant agreement
(p<O.OOI) was confirmed when comparing the CSAPPA scale to the BOTMP-SF test in
both countries. Canadian children revealed significantly lower percent body fat, CSAPPA
scores, and participation in physical activity, as well as higher aerobic fitness levels and
BOTMP-SF compared to their Greek peers. Clumsiness was associated with increased
percent body fat and low aerobic fitness values. Physical activity was a significant
mediator in the clumsiness-aerobic fitness relationship. It is concluded that the CSAPPA
scale is an accurate, practical, and inexpensive screening tool for DCD, and that motoric
competence is associated with aerobic fitness through physical activity participation.


title: Interrogating the signs of culture in learning experiences of undergraduate students in disability studies and adapted physical education courses

subject: Discrimination in education.

subject: Physical education teachers

subject: Physical education for people with disabilities.


title: Intramolecular carbenoid insertions : the reactions of [alpha]-diazoketones derived from furanyl, thienyl, benzofuranyl and benzothienyl acetic acids with rhodium (II) acetate /

subject:
Carbenes (Methylene compounds)
Ring formation (Chemistry)
Organometallic compounds.

abstract:
A number of synthetically useful ring systems can be prepared via the
intramolecular insertion of a metal-stabilized carbenoid into a heteroaromatic systems.
The chemical outcome of these reactions are dependent not only on the nature of the
heteroatom but also on the length of the aliphatic tether linking the carbenoid moiety with
the aromatic fragment. Our work with furanyl and thienyl systems containing a single
methylene tether have allowed for some rather atypical chemistry. For example, treatment
of l-diazo-3-(2-thienyl)-2-propanone (6) with catalytic rhodium (II) acetate yields 5,6-
dihydro-4^-cyclopenta[Z>]thiophen-5-one (3) while, the isomeric l-diazo-3-(3-thienyl)-2-
propanone(15) gives a spiro-disulphide (20).
Novel chemistry was also exhibited in the analogous furanyl systems. While
treatment of l-diazo-3-(3-furanyl)-2-propanone (52) with Rh2(OAc)4 resulted in the
expected 2-(4-Oxo-2-cyclopentenyliden)acetaldehyde (54), isomeric l-diazo-3-(2-
furanyl)-2-propanone (8) undergoes vinylogous Wolff rearrangement to give a mixture of
6a-methyl-2,3,3a,6a-tetrahydrofuro[2,i-^>]furan-2-one (44) and 2-(2-methyl-3-furyl)acetic
acid (43).
Rhodium acetate catalyzed decomposition of l-diazo-3-(3-benzofuranyl)-2-
propanone (84) and l-diazo-3-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-propanone (69)also allows for
vinylogous Wolff rearrangement, a chemistry unseen in benzofuranyl systems with longer
tethers. A number of interesting products were isolated from the trapping of intermediate
ketenes. Decomposition of l-diazo-3-(3-benzothienyl)-2-propanone (100) resulted in the
formation of 2,3-dihydro-l//-benzo[^]cyclopenta[^thiophen-2-one (102). However, in
addition to (102), a dimer was also generated from the decomposition of l-diazo-3-(2-
benzothienyl)-2-propanone (109).
The insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of the above reactions are provided
by molecular modeling at a PM3 level.


title: An investigation into the functional role of the D1:1 and D1:2 polypeptides in photosystem II in cyanobacteria : the effect of changing PSI/PSII ratio on photoinhibition in Synechococcus sp. PCC7942 /

subject: Photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria.

abstract:
The cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 (Anacystis
nidulans R2) adjusts its photosynthetic function by changing one
of the polypeptides of photosystem II. This polypeptide, called
Dl, is found in two forms in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942.
Changing the growth light conditions by increasing the light
intensity to higher levels results in replacement of the original
form of D 1 polypeptide, D 1: 1, with another form, D 1 :2. We
investigated the role of these two polypeptides in two mutant
strains, R2S2C3 (only Dl:l present) and R2Kl (only Dl:2 present)
In cells with either high or low PSI/PSII.
R2S2C3 cells had a lower amplitude for 77 K fluorescence
emission at 695 nm than R2Kl cells. Picosecond fluorescence
decay kinetics showed that R2S2C3 cells had shorter lifetimes
than R2Kl cells.
The lower yields and shorter lifetimes observed in the D 1 and Dl:2 containing cells.
containing cells suggest that the presence of D 1: 1 results in more
photochemical or non-photochemical quenching of excitation
energy In PSII. One of the most likely mechanisms for the
increased quenching in R2S2C3 cells could be an increased
efficiency in the transfer of excitation energy from PSII to PSI.
However, photophysical studies including 77 K fluorescence
measurements and picosecond time resolved decay kinetics
comparing low and high PSI/PSII cells did not support the
hypothesis that D 1: 1 facilitates the dissipation of excess energy by
energy transfer from PSII to PSI.
In addition physiological studies of oxygen evolution
measurements after photoinhibition treatments showed that the two mutant cells had no difference in their susceptibility to
photoinhibition with either high PSI/PSII ratio or low PSI/PSII
ratio. Again suggesting that, the energy transfer efficiency from
PSII to PSI is likely not a factor in the differences between Dl:l
and Dl:2 containing cells.


title: An investigation into the physical and psychological stress factors that elementary teachers experience : recommendations to boards and personal calming strategies /

subject:
Elementary school teachers
Stress management.

abstract:
The prlmaiy objective of this study was to Identify and describe
the physical and psychological stress factors that elementary school
teachers experience and how teachers cope with stress. A secondary
objective was to offer boards and teachers potential coping strategies
counteracting stress and the effects of stress.
The sample consisted of 120 elementaiy teachers from southern
Ontario. Ten elementaiy schools were randomly chosen.
The Teacher Stress Inventory questionnaire (Flmian, 1989) was
used. Data were analyzed using a variety of statistics. Test norms and
interpretations were performed based on standard results obtained from
the author of the questionnaire (Flmian, 1988).
Overall, the results indicated that work-related stressors were the
main factor for teacher stress. This Included such factors as
caseload/class is too big, too much administrative paperwork, and
having little time to prepare lessons. Implications for further research
and practical suggestions for further reseairch are discussed. Also a
variety of recommendations to boards and for individual use are
discussed. Some recommendations are having counselling available for
teachers, workshops on how to handle stress, and learning how to
breathe and using calm visualization.


title: An investigation of adolescent constructs of stress and academic achievement /

subject:
Stress in adolescence.
Academic achievement.

abstract:
The present study was a phenomenological investigation of adolescent constructs
of stress and academic achievement. The study utilised a modified version of George
Kelly's Repertory Grid Technique to provide direct insight into adolescent stress and
academic achievement.
The premise of the study was that only students who exhibited extreme cases of
stress and academic achievement levels would be examined. The investigation identified
and examined the adolescents who exhibited these extremes and explored the underlying
constructs that defined these differences. It was expected that if adolescents were able to
identify the stressors in their lives, how these stressors affect their lives, and how these
stressors affect their academic performance, then suggestions could be made to help
students to better cope with stress and to improve their academic achievement level.
Further, based on the results of the study, the pedagogical implications for
classroom research are provided. Phenomenological inquiries, using modified, and less
complex versions of the repertory grid, can be conducted pre-, mid-, and postacademic
terms, to determine and to monitor the stressors and the academic performance of the
students in a classroom. Specific assessments for individual students will help teachers to
better exercise their knowledge and understanding of the realm of teaching and learning
strategies (e.g., Gardiner's Multiple Intelligences) that exist.


title: The investigation of the reduction mechanism of the 5a-reductase enzyme of Penicillium decumbens /

subject:
Penicillium decumbens.
Enzyme inhibitors.
Enzymes
Reduction (Chemistry)

abstract:
The 5a-reductase of Penicillium decumbens ATCC 10436 was
used as a model for the mammalian enzyme to investigate the
mechanism of reduction of testosterone to 5adihydrotestosterone
. The purpose of this study was to search
for specific 5a-reductase inhibitors which antagonize
prostate cancer
.
In a whole-cell biotransformation mode, this organism
reduced testosterone (1) to 5a-dihydrosteroids (8) and 5aandrostane-
3, 17-dione (9) in yields of 28% and 37%
respectively. Control experiments have shown that 5aandrostane-
3, 17-dione (9) can be produced from the
corresponding alcohol (8) in a subsequent reaction separate
from that catalysed by the 5a-reductase enzyme . Androst-4-
ene-3, 17-dione (2) is reduced to give only (9) with a
recovery of 80%
The stereochemistry of the reduction was determined by
500 MHz ^H NMR analysis of the products resulting from the
deuterium labelled substrates. The results were obtained by
an analysis of the NOE difference spectra, double-quantum
filtered phase sensitive COSY 2-D spectra, and ^^c-Ir 2-D
shift correlation spectra of deuterium labelled products.
According to the unambiguous assignment of the signals due to
H-4a and H-4Ii in 5a-dihydro steroids, the NMR data show
clearly that addition of hydrogen to the 4{5)K bond has
occurred in a trans manner at positions 413 and 5a. To Study the reduction mechanism of this enzyme, several
substrates were prepared as following; 3-methyleneandrost-4-en-
17fi-ol(3), androst-4-en-17i5-ol(5) , androst-4-en-3ii, 17fi-diol (6)
and 4, 5ii-epoxyandrostane-3, 17-dione (7) . Results suggest that
this enzyme system requires an oxygen atom at the 3-position of
the steroid in order to bind the substrate. Furthermore, the
mechanism of this 5a-reductase may proceed via direct addition
of hydrogen at the 4,5 position without involvement of a
carbonyl group as an intermediate.


title: Investigation of regio- and sterochemistries of microbial biotransformation /

subject:
Biotransformation (Metabolism)
Hydrolysis.
Aziridine.
Fungi.

abstract:
Epoxides can be hydrolyzed by fungi to produce chiral diols. The first part of this thesis presents
an investigation of the microbial hydrolysis of aziridines comparable in structure to epoxide
biotransformation substrates. Biotransformation of the aziridines 1 -methyl-2-phenyl aziridine, 2-
phenylaziridine and N-methyl-7-aza bicyclo[4.1.0] heptane was studied using Beauveria
sulfurescens, Aspergillus niger and Diplodia gossypina but no evidence for enzymic hydrolysis
was obtained.
The hydroxylation reaction performed by the fungus Beauveria sulfurescens ATCC 7159 has been
studied for many years and several models describing the hydroxylating pattern exhibited by this
fungus have been proposed. The second part of this thesis presents a test of the proposed models.
The ability of Beauveria sulfurescens to hydroxylate thirty potential substrates was examined, and
the data suggest that none of the earlier proposed models accounts for all of the bioconversion
results. A possible explanation is proposed, suggesting that there is more than one enzyme
responsible for the hydroxylation reactions performed by Beauveria sulfurescens.


title: Investigation of single tryptophan proteins encapsulated in TEOS-derived sol-gel matrices by fluorescence spectroscopy /

subject:
Tryptophan.
Proteins.
Glass fibers.

abstract:
In the work reported here, optically clear, ultrathin TEOS derived sol-gel slides
which were suitable for studies of tryptophan (Trp) fluorescence from entrapped proteins
were prepared by the sol-gel technique and characterized. The monitoring of intrinsic
protein fluorescence provided information about the structure and environment of the
entrapped protein, and about the kinetics of the interaction between the entrapped protein
and extemal reagents. Initial studies concentrated on the single Trp protein monellin which
was entrapped into the sol-gel matrices. Two types of sol-gel slides, termed "wet aged", in
which the gels were aged in buffer and "dry-aged", in which the gels were aged in air
,
were studied in order to compare the effect of the sol-gel matrix on the structure of the
protein at different aging stages. Fluorescence results suggested that the mobility of
solvent inside the slides was substantially reduced. The interaction of the entrapped
protein with both neutral and charged species was examined and indicated response times
on the order of minutes. In the case of the neutral species the kinetics were diffusion
limited in solution, but were best described by a sum of first order rate constants when the
reactions occurred in the glass matrix. For charged species, interactions between the
analytes and the negatively charged glass matrix caused the reaction kinetics to become
complex, with the overall reaction rate depending on both the type of aging and the charge
on the analyte.
The stability and conformational flexibility of the entrapped monellin were also
studied. These studies indicated that the encapsulation of monellin into dry-aged monoliths
caused the thermal unfolding transition to broaden and shift upward by 14°C, and causedthe long-term stability to improve by 12-fold (compared to solution). Chemical stability
studies also showed a broader transition for the unfolding of the protein in dry-aged
monoliths, and suggested that the protein was present in a distribution of environments.
Results indicated that the entrapped proteins had a smaller range of conformational
motions compared to proteins in solution, and that entrapped proteins were not able to
unfold completely. The restriction of conformational motion, along with the increased
structural order of the internal environment of the gels, likely resulted in the improvements
in themial and long-term stability that were observed.
A second protein which was also studied in this work is the metal binding protein
rat oncomodulin. Initially, the unfolding behavior of this protein in aqueous solution was
examined. Several single tryptophan mutants of the metal-binding protein rat oncomodulin
(OM) were examined; F102W, Y57W, Y65W and the engineered protein CDOM33 which
had all 12 residues of the CD loop replaced with a higher affinity binding loop. Both the
thermal and the chemical stability were improved upon binding of metal ions with the
order apo < Ca^^ < Tb^"^. During thermal denaturation, the transition midpoints (Tun) of
Y65W appeared to be the lowest, followed by Y57W and F102W. The placement of the
Trp residue in the F-helix in F102W apparently made the protein slightly more
thermostable, although the fluorescence response was readily affected by chemical
denaturants, which probably acted through the disruption of hydrogen bonds at the Cterminal
end of the F-helix. Under both thermal and chemical denaturation, the engineered
protein showed the highest stability. This indicated that increasing the number of metal
ligating oxygens in the binding site, either by using a metal ion with a higher coordinatenumber (i.e. Tb^*) which binds more carboxylate ligands, or by providing more ligating
groups, as in the CDOM33 replacement, produces notable improvements in protein
stability.
Y57W and CE)OM33 OM were chosen for further studies when encapsulated into
sol-gel derived matrices. The kinetics of interaction of terbium with the entrapped
proteins, the ability of the entrapped protein to binding terbium, as well as thermal stability
of these two entrapped protein were compared with different levels of Ca^"*^ present in the
matrix and in solution. Results suggested that for both of the proteins, the response time
and the ability to bind terbium could be adjusted by adding excess calcium to the matrix
before gelation. However, the less stable protein Y57W only retained at most 45% of its
binding ability in solution while the more stable protein CDOM33 was able to retain 100%
binding ability. Themially induced denaturation also suggested that CDOM33 showed
similar stability to the protein in solution while Y57W was destabilized. All these results
suggested that "hard" proteins (i.e. very stable) can easily survive the sol-gel encapsulation
process, but "soft" proteins with lower thermodynamic stability may not be able to
withstand the sol-gel process. However, it is possible to control many parameters in order
to successfully entrap biological molecules into the sol-gel matrices with maxunum
retention of activity.


title: Investigations into phosphorus removal by constructed wetlands : root bed media modifications /

subject:
Sewage
Water
Constructed wetlands.

abstract:
A study has been conducted focusing on how the phosphorus renrx)val
efficiency of a constructed wetland (CW) can be optimized through
the selective enrichment of the substratum. Activated alumina and
powdered iron were examined as possible enrichment compounds.
Using packed glass column trials it was found that alumina was not
suitable for the renx)val of ortho-phosphate from solution, while
mixtures of powdered iron and quartz sand proved to be very
efficient.
The evaluation of iron/sand mixtures in CWs planted with cattails
was performed in three stages; first using an indoor lab scale
wetland, then an outdoor lab scale wetland, and finally in a small
scale pilot project. For the lab scale tests, three basic
configurations were evaluated: using the iron/sand as a pre-filter,
in the root bed. and as a post filter. Primary lagoon effluent was
applied to the test cells to simulate actual CW conditions, and the
total phosphorus and iron concentrations of the influent and effluent
were nfK)nitored. The pilot scale trials were limited to using only a
post filter design, due to in-progress research at the pilot site.
The lab scale tests achieved average renrK>val efficiencies greater
than 91% for all indoor configurations, and greater than 97% for all
outdoor configurations. The pilot scale tests had an average renK)val
efficiency of 60%. This relatively low efficiency in the pilot scale
can be attributed to the post filters being only one tenth the size of
the lab scale test in terms of hydraulic loading (6 cm/day vs. 60
cm/day).