title: The Role of Canadian Municipal Open Data: A Multi-city Evaluation

contributor:
Donald, J. Betsy
Geography

subject:
Open Data
Technology
egovernment
e-government
GIS
Cities
Community Engagement
Municipal

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geography) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-12 11:27:50.037

abstract:
In this thesis I undertake a study of Canadian municipal open data initiatives in order to assess the current state of the programs and to gauge the role(s) that these initiatives may play in regards to improving public engagement in local government issues.  After an initial literature review, I adopt two separate approaches.  The first approach involves the creation of an inventory and evaluation of the contents of all twenty three (23) Canadian municipal open data catalogues in existence during the summer of 2012.  The second approach involves asking questions of key informants in the field through the execution of nineteen (19) semi-structured interviews with open data experts from both government and civic realms in ten (10) case study cities across the country.
The results of the research illustrate the major differences and similarities between the structure, output, and roles of open data initiatives in various Canadian cities.  The data provided by these programs mostly consists of politically neutral geographic data, though there are a few exceptions.  I find two major program structures in Canadian cities: (1) The first type of open data program is created and operates within a specific municipal department and the (2) second type of program operates across a number of departments.  Each approach has its own benefits and challenges.  The open data initiatives across Canadian cities also appear to have different approaches to public engagement.  Several cities have developed strong collaborative relationships with local open data advocates which are explored in some detail.  Larger themes about the current state of open data, its current and future role, and the challenges faced by operators and users, are also described in this thesis.   I conclude with some recommendations for improving municipal open data initiatives in the future.

abstract: M.A.


title: A Pilot Study of Sprawl Repair Potential in Kingston, Ontario

subject:
urban planning
retrofit
sprawl
greyfield

abstract: This study compares three study areas in Kingston, Ontario for their potential to be redeveloped, or retrofitted, based on measures of urban form.


title: Essays on Rollover Risk, Bank Loans, and Financial Regulation

contributor:
Milne, Frank
Wang, Wei
Economics

rights: This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.

subject: Rollover risk

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Economics) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-12 14:59:23.32

abstract:
My dissertation consists of three chapters that address the issues of rollover risk, shareholders' risk taking, and financial regulation, from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.

The first chapter surveys the literature on rollover risk, the q theory of investment, and the dynamics of capital
structure. When the market liquidity shocks intensify, equity holders' rollover losses become substantial, which
amplifies the agency conflict between creditors and equity holders. The marginal value of liquidity plays an important
role in determining corporate cash management, financing, hedging, payout and investment policies, especially when the
level of internal cash is extremely low. All these variables are endogenous, as a result of which they together
characterize a firm's optimal capital structure.

The second chapter focuses on rollover risk in the context of corporate finance. In this chapter, I identify a special
channel (the long-term debt maturity structure) through which the credit crisis of 2008 affected corporate investment.
I provide empirical evidence of shareholders' risk-shifting behavior in the investment decisions by exploiting the real
effects of ex-ante heterogeneity of long-term debt maturity structure. The first hypothesis, which examines the
relationship between financial frictions and risk-shifting behavior. The second hypothesis, which studies the
effectiveness of debt covenants in mitigating agency conflicts.

 In the third chapter, I investigates the effectiveness of the Federal Reserve Bank's Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF) in restoring the stability of large and complex financial institutions.
 Using hand-collected data from the Federal Reserve Board, I evaluate the consequences of the Fed's intervention in the short-term credit market.
  I first show that (recipient) banks with access to the Commercial Paper Funding Facility earned significantly higher abnormal returns than those without this access.
  Second, my empirical findings indicate that liquidity backstop facilitated lending from recipient banks to their relationship borrowers.
  In terms of bank loans, CPFF lenders increased the quantity of loans provided and charged lower yields for firms with which they had strong past relationships.
My analysis highlights the important implications of explicit government guarantees in providing timely short-term credits to systemically
important institutions and reducing their rollover risks.

abstract: PhD


title: Lossless Coding of Markov Random Fields with Complex Cliques

contributor:
Mansouri, Abdol-Reza
Linder, Tamás
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Markov Random Fields
Applied Probability
Belief Propagation
Reduced Cutset Coding
Information Theory
Complex Cliques
Computer Science

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-12 14:50:00.596

abstract: The topic of Markov Random Fields (MRFs) has been well studied in the past, and has found practical use in various image processing, and machine learning applications.  Where coding is concerned, MRF specific schemes have been largely unexplored.  In this thesis, an overview is given of recent developments and challenges in the lossless coding of MRFs.  Specifically, we concentrate on difficulties caused by computational intractability due to the partition function of the MRF.  One proposed solution to this problem is to segment the MRF with a cutset, and encode the components separately.  Using this method, arithmetic coding is possible via the Belief Propagation (BP) algorithm.  We consider two cases of the BP algorithm:  MRFs with only simple cliques, and MRFs with complex cliques.  In the latter case, we study a minimum radius condition requirement for ensuring that all cliques are accounted for during coding.  This condition also simplifies the process of conditioning on observed sites.  Finally, using these results, we develop a systematic procedure of clustering and choosing cutsets.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Affectionate Contact and Theory of Mind Abilities of Parent-Child Dyads

contributor:
Sabbagh, Mark A.
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
Theory of Mind
Affectionate Contact
Oxytocin

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-15 14:13:54.174

abstract:
This study was conducted to investigate the extent to which affectionate physical contact (i.e., cuddling) affects preschoolers’ and parents’ abilities to engage in theory-of-mind reasoning. We explored the hypothesis that if affectionate contact affected theory-of-mind, then preschoolers and parents who cuddled would outperform those who did not. To test this hypothesis, we recruited 44 preschool aged children (3.8-4.6-year-olds) and their primary caregivers. We found that children who cuddled with their primary caregiver during a storybook reading task performed significantly better on theory-of-mind tasks compared to children who did not receive a cuddle. Importantly, our findings support the contention that affectionate contact affected children’s performance on theory-of-mind related tasks specifically, but not performance on executive functioning or non-mental representation tasks.
A secondary goal of this study was to explore whether any effects of affectionate contact would be mediated by functional polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). Although we were unable to obtain a sample size that was sufficient to directly test this hypothesis, we found that parents homozygous for the G allele at rs2254298 were significantly better at decoding the affective mental states of others compared to those who carried at least one A allele. Thus, our results support the hypotheses that affectionate contact promotes children’s theory-of-mind reasoning abilities and that adult’s mental state decoding skills can be predicted by allelic variations on the OXTR gene. This study offers preliminary support for the role of affectionate contact and, separately, the oxytocinergic system on tasks related to theory-of-mind reasoning. These claims are discussed with respect to possible alternative explanations for our findings, as well as future directions to directly test the extent to which such experiential and psychobiological factors can affect theory-of-mind reasoning.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Acquisition and Generalization of Pitch Probability Profiles

contributor:
Cuddy, Lola L.
Troje, Nikolaus F.
Psychology

subject:
Music Cognition
Learning
Pitch

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-13 16:26:46.099

abstract: Krumhansl (1990) has proposed that our sense of tonality is based, in part, on the perception and internal representation of the hierarchies of pitch class salience in music. It has further been proposed that regularities in pitch patterns may be acquired through statistical learning. To further explore this proposal, we conducted two experiments in which musically untrained participants were exposed to tone sequences generated from one of two pitch profiles: Lydian or Hypophrygian. Tone sequences were randomly generated from event frequency profiles computed by Huron and Veltman (2006), with frequencies converted to probability of occurrence. Exposure trials consisted of 100 sequences generated from one mode for half the participants and from the other mode for the remaining participants. Sequences generated from the unexposed mode appeared in test trials only. Following the exposure trials, testing involved pairing exposed and unexposed tone sequences at each of three levels of distinctiveness. Versions of the tone sequences were constructed to be more or less distinctive following an algorithm described by Smith & Schmuckler (2004). In Experiment 1, participants were asked to record which pair member they preferred and in Experiment 2, participants were asked to record which pair member was more familiar. In both experiments, both groups received the same test pairs. Results of Experiment 1 indicated no preference for any tone sequence type. However, results of Experiment 2 revealed participants had acquired knowledge of the exposed pitch distribution, and were able to generalize to the more distinctive level. The findings support those of Loui, Wessel, and Hudson Kam (2010) in terms of a dissociation between recognition and preference. We suggest this may be due to methodology, stimulus-type and participant strategy. The findings also support Krumhansl (1990), as salient pitches appear to be important in the recognition of pitch probability profiles.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Changes in frontal lobe electroencephalographic (EEG) activity recorded during the performance of a spatial working memory task in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

contributor:
Reynolds, James
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
Executive Function
Electroencephalogram
Saccade
Band Power
Fetal alcohol

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-14 20:22:10.995

abstract:
Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure causes behavioural, growth and central nervous system deficits in the offspring, termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Our lab has previously shown that structured saccadic eye movement tasks probe executive functioning and can be used to measure cognitive dysfunction in children with an FASD, because performance of these tasks reflects the structural integrity of brain areas shown to be vulnerable to prenatal alcohol exposure. Recently developed portable electroencephalographic (EEG) devices record brain activity using a single dry-sensor electrode. Our objectives were: 1) to assess attention and working memory via a delayed memory-guided saccadic eye movement task of varying mnemonic load and 2) to explore the use of a portable single-channel EEG recording device in measuring differences in frontal lobe activity in children with FASD during the performance of this eye movement task. Methods: A total of 18 children with an FASD diagnosis and 19 typically developing control children performed a memory-guided saccadic eye movement task with one, two or three target stimuli. During the task, frontal lobe EEG was recorded using the Neurosky Mindwave Mobile® portable recording device.
Results: In the delayed, memory-guided task when two or three target stimuli were required to be held in working memory, children with an FASD performed the task correctly less often than children in the control group. During task performance, children with FASD exhibited a reduction in theta frequency band power, and in alpha frequency band power only at higher mnemonic loads, suggesting that children with FASD recruited more cognitive resources to complete the task.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that a portable EEG recording device can be used to assist in the recognition of underlying neural mechanisms of executive functioning deficits in children with FASD. Portable devices offer greater user comfort than typical EEG recording equipment as well as flexibility for use outside the laboratory. This could greatly facilitate the study of children with FASD, and other groups who may be less tolerant of typical laboratory environments.

abstract: Thesis work is being published next month but hasn't been published yet.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Functional Interrogation of microRNA-375 in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

contributor:
Tron, Victor
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

subject:
microRNA
miR-375
Merkel Cell Carcinoma

abstract: Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-15 09:59:09.832

abstract:
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but highly aggressive neuroendocrine cutaneous cancer whose molecular biology is poorly characterized. Our broad research objective is to identify microRNAs (miRNA) that are biologically and/or clinically important in MCC. While attempting to establish an MCC-specific miRNA signature, we observed that microRNA-375 was the most highly expressed miRNA in primary MCC tumours relative to normal skin – an observation that I propose reflects miR-375’s specific association with neuroendocrine (NE) and secretory subpopulations within normal tissues.
	Here, I report that miR-375 is strikingly elevated in a range of NE tumour types compared with tissue-matched cancers of non-neuroendocrine origin. Furthermore, I show that miR-375 is expressed abundantly in a subset of MCC cell lines that possess the biochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics of NE cells, but is silenced in cell lines that fail to retain these markers. I demonstrate that the enforced expression of miR-375 induces a NE gene expression signature – a phenomenon that is mechanistically driven by the post-transcriptional repression of multiple Notch pathway components by miR-375. This work identifies the Notch pathway as a novel mechanistic link between the association of miR-375 and a NE cell fate, provides new insights into the cellular ancestry of MCC, and suggests that miR-375 could facilitate clinicopathological diagnosis of MCC and other NE tumours as a novel biomarker.
	 miR-375 is silenced in “variant” MCC cell lines, and inversely correlates with cell doubling time and overall aggressiveness. Therefore, despite its high expression in most MCC tumours, I propose that miR-375 is an endogenous tumour suppressor. I show that the enforced expression of miR-375 inhibits cell viability, impairs cell migration and invasion, can oppose survival under stress, and represses the AKT pro-survival signaling pathway. Only siRNA-mediated inhibition of Notch2 and Recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJ) phenocopied the effects of miR-375 overexpression. Because variant (miR-375low) cell lines originate from more aggressive tumours in both MCC and small cell lung carcinoma, I postulate that miR-375 silencing occurs in a subset of MCC patients and might predispose them to a highly virulent clinical course through the disinhibition of Notch signaling.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Optimization of Batteries for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

contributor:
Strong, David S.
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject: PHEVs Batteries

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-16 15:19:20.333

abstract:
This thesis presents a method to quickly determine the optimal battery for an electric vehicle given a set of vehicle characteristics and desired performance metrics. The model is based on four independent design variables: cell count, cell capacity, state-of-charge window, and battery chemistry. Performance is measured in seven categories: cost, all-electric range, maximum speed, acceleration, battery lifetime, lifetime greenhouse gas emissions, and charging time. The performance of each battery is weighted according to a user-defined objective function to determine its overall fitness.
The model is informed by a series of battery tests performed on scaled-down battery samples. Seven battery chemistries were tested for capacity at different discharge rates, maximum output power at different charge levels, and performance in a real-world automotive duty cycle. The results of these tests enable a prediction of the performance of the battery in an automobile. Testing was performed at both room temperature and low temperature to investigate the effects of battery temperature on operation.
The testing highlighted differences in behavior between lithium, nickel, and lead based batteries. Battery performance decreased with temperature across all samples with the largest effect on nickel-based chemistries. Output power also decreased with lead acid batteries being the least affected by temperature. Lithium-ion batteries were found to be highly efficient (>95%) under a vehicular duty cycle; nickel and lead batteries have greater losses.
Low temperatures hindered battery performance and resulted in accelerated failure in several samples. Lead acid, lead tin, and lithium nickel alloy batteries were unable to complete the low temperature testing regime without losing significant capacity and power capability. This is a concern for their applicability in electric vehicles intended for cold climates which have to maintain battery temperature during long periods of inactivity.
Three sample optimizations were performed: a compact car, a, truck, and a sports car. The compact car benefits from increased battery capacity despite the associated higher cost. The truck returned the smallest possible battery of each chemistry, indicating that electrification is not advisable. The sports car optimization resulted in the largest possible battery, indicating large performance from increased electrification. These results mirror the current state of the electric vehicle market.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Memorial Museums and Material Witnesses: Framing Objects as Witnesses to Trauma

contributor:
Naaman, Dorit
Cultural Studies

subject:
Phenomenology
Trauma
Memory
Material Culture
Memorial Museums
Witnessing

abstract: Thesis (Master, Cultural Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-17 11:27:55.134

abstract: In this thesis, I will examine how objects are given narrative voices by memorial museum curators, and how these narrative qualities facilitate ethical and critical relations between museumgoers and traumatic histories. My two main points of contention arise out of these questions: 1. What does it mean for an object to be a witness in the context of trauma? 2. What might the material dimensions of witnessing accomplish in regards to museumgoers understanding of and ability to respond to their memorial museum experience? Instead of being silent witnesses to the past, I propose that objects can become contact points of ethical engagement and understanding when it concerns traumatic events in history. The ability and necessity of seeing objects as more than mere things to be manipulated by language and curatorial framing is crucial in cases of trauma, as they can become portals that can help overcome the “constitutive failure of linguistic representation in the post-Holocaust, post-Hiroshima, post-Vietnam era” (Leys, p. 267f). This thesis will contribute to the theoretical and museological conversation concerning objects and their representation in the aftermath of trauma, with an emphasis on interobjectivity as a tool to combat consumptive empathy. Stressing the dialogic and relational functions of material witnesses will underscore the ultimate responsibility of the museumgoer to take on the role of secondary witness, a position that is perhaps fraught with unclear obligations, but is nevertheless crucial in the transmission of difficult histories.

abstract: M.A.


title: Quadriceps Avoidance Characteristics of Persons with a Reconstructed Anterior Cruciate Ligament during a Forward Lunge

contributor:
Costigan, Patrick
Kinesiology and Health Studies

rights: Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada

rights: ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement

rights: Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University

subject: Knee

subject: Biomechanics

subject: Physical Rehabilitation

subject: Kinetics

subject: nterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

subject: Anterior Cruciate Ligament

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2015-08-24 15:12:57.497

abstract:
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are injuries that often require surgery and physical therapy. Previous research have shown that patients after ACL reconstruction develop a compensatory mechanism called quadriceps avoidance where the use of the quadriceps is avoided and greater knee flexion is demonstrated during gait. Quadriceps avoidance is considered to be an abnormal movement pattern that can have negative effects after ACL reconstruction especially when it is adopted for a long time. While quadriceps avoidance has been well documented in gait, it has not been researched much in more strenuous functional movements such as the forward lunge that often comprise physical activity.
The knowledge about the quadriceps avoidance characteristics that an ACL reconstruction brings about during functional movement is limited; thus not much is known regarding the long-term functional outcomes of ACL reconstruction. Thus, the main purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively examine the quadriceps avoidance characteristics of an ACLR group during four phases of a forward lunge by comparing them to the same characteristics of a healthy control group and the uninvolved group.
Nineteen participants (13 healthy control, 6 ACLR) were recruited for this study. Reflective motion capture markers were attached to participants who completed 10 repetitions of the forward lunge onto a force platform with each leg alternating leading legs with their arms across their chest. Using marker and force platform data, the moments about the knee in three dimensions were computed. There were no differences between control and ACLR participants in any of the knee moment outcome measures in any of the four phases along the sagittal, frontal, and transverse anatomical planes that were investigated (p > 0.05). No differences in knee moments indicate that ACLR limbs exhibited a level of quadriceps avoidance that was not different than the level exhibited by healthy control or uninvolved limbs when lunging forward. These findings suggest that current treatment methods are able to restore normal quadriceps avoidance characteristics and the injury risk posed by these characteristics to ACLR individuals are no greater than the risk posed to healthy individuals when participating in full physical activity after surgery.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Ultrasound to CT Registration of the Lumbar Spine: a Clinical Feasibility Study

contributor:
Mousavi, Parvin
Abolmaesumi, Purang
Computing

subject:
computed tomography
registration
multi-vertebrae
ultrasound
spine

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-19 12:50:54.521

abstract:
Spine needle injections are widely applied to alleviate pain and to remove nerve sensation through anesthesia. Current treatment is performed either blindly having no image guidance or using fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT). Both CT and fluoroscopy guidance expose patients to ionizing radiation. Alternatively, ultrasound (US) guidance for spine needle procedures is becoming more prevalent since US is a non-ionizing and more accessible image modality. An inherent challenge to US imaging of the spine is the acoustic shadows created by the bony structures of the vertebra limiting visibility.

It is challenging to use US as the sole imaging modality for intraoperative guidance of spine needle injections. However, it is possible to enhance the anatomical information through a preoperative diagnostic CT. To achieve this, image registration between the CT and the US images is proposed in this thesis. Image registration integrates the anatomical information from the CT with the US images. The aligned CT augments anatomical visualization for the clinician during spinal interventions.

To align the preoperative CT and intraoperative US, a novel registration pipeline is presented that involves automatic global and multi-vertebrae registration. The registration pipeline is composed of two distinct phases: preoperative and intraoperative. Preoperatively, artificial spring points are selected between adjacent vertebrae. Intraoperatively, the lumbar spine is first aligned between the CT and US followed by a multi-vertebrae registration. The artificial springs are used to constrain the movement of the individually transformed vertebrae to ensure the optimal alignment is a pose of the lumbar spine that is physically possible.

Validation of the algorithm is performed on five clinical patient datasets. A protocol for US data collection was created to eliminate variability in the quality of acquired US images. The registration pipeline was able to register the datasets from initial misalignments of up to 25 mm with a mean TRE of 1.17 mm. From these results, it is evident that the proposed registration pipeline offers a robust registration between clinical CT and US data.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: A Feasibility Analysis of Site-Level Stormwater Reuse for Commercial Developments in Canada

contributor:
Filion, Yves R.
Civil Engineering

subject: Modeling Stormwater SWMM Industry Commercial Rainwater Harvesting Management On-Site Treatment Reuse Conservation Development

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-19 14:44:23.024

abstract: Municipalities are experiencing a growing water management challenge as a result of population growth in water-dependent communities. The rising cost of potable water, in addition to limits placed on stormwater discharges, provide opportunities for the wide-scale implementation of stormwater reuse. This thesis presents a feasibility analysis of a novel site-level stormwater reuse concept for commercial developments in Canada. Historical rainfall data and SWMM 5.0 were used to evaluate the hydrologic potential of the reuse system to replace potable water for end-use demands of toilet flushing and garden irrigation on single- and multi-tenant commercial sites. Performance criteria were used to evaluate: (i) the volume and percent potable water replaced with reclaimed stormwater, (ii) the volume and frequency of potable water ‘top-ups’ to the reclaimed stormwater storage facility, and (iii) the volume and frequency of overflows in the reclaimed stormwater storage facility. A discounted payback method was used to determine the length of time (in years) required for annual water savings to equal the initial capital investment of the stormwater reuse system. The analysis was performed from the perspective of the private landowner in six Canadian locations, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Quebec City. The methodology and results presented is intended to provide insight to landowners and municipal bodies on the potential of site-level stormwater reuse to aid large-scale adaption and implementation. The results suggest that regions with high average annual rainfall depths produce high potable water replacement rates ranging from 64% to 99% while cities that experience seasonal arid conditions and lower average annual rainfall depths achieve lower potable water replacement rates in the range of 30% and 83%. The test locations of Vancouver and Quebec achieved longer payback periods of 10 years to 26 years due to the relative low cost of potable water. The Saskatoon and Regina locations produced shorter payback periods ranging from 3 to 6 years due to the higher potable water prices. Toronto was found to have relatively short payback periods ranging from 4 to 5 years on account of its high potable water replacement rates and high potable water prices.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Plasticity of Adrenal Chromaffin Cell Function During Inflammation and Exposure to Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns

contributor:
Lomax, Alan E.
Physiology

subject:
Sympathetic Nervous System
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Lipopolysaccharide
Sepsis

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-20 17:15:23.945

abstract:
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is part of an integrative network that functions to restore homeostasis following injury and infection. The SNS provides negative feedback control over inflammation through the secretion of catecholamines from postganglionic sympathetic neurons and adrenal chromaffin cells (ACCs). Central autonomic structures receive information regarding the inflammatory status of the body and reflexively modulate SNS activity. Evidence suggests that inflammation and infection can also directly regulate ACC function. However, the precise alterations in ACC function that occur in response to regional inflammation, systemic inflammation and exposure to bacterial products have yet to be fully characterized. The present thesis was therefore performed to test the hypothesis that gastrointestinal (GI) and systemic inflammation modulate ACC Ca2+ signaling, and that ACCs possess the ability to directly detect microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs).
     Ca2+ signaling was assessed in single ACCs isolated from control mice and mice with GI or systemic inflammation using Ca2+ imaging and perforated patch clamp electrophysiology. Acute and chronic GI inflammation consistently reduced high-K+-stimulated Ca2+ transients in ACCs through an inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ current. In contrast, systemic inflammation significantly enhanced high-K+-stimulated Ca2+ transients and catecholamine secretion through an increase in Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum. Incubation of control ACCs in serum obtained from mice with systemic inflammation produced a similar increase in Ca2+ signaling, suggesting that circulating mediators play an important role in this response.
     To determine whether ACCs can directly detect MAMPs, Ca2+ signaling, excitability and neurotransmitter release were assessed in control ACCs and ACCs incubated in media containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Unlike GI and systemic inflammation, LPS did not affect ACC Ca2+ signaling. However, LPS dose- and time-dependently hyperpolarized ACC resting membrane potential and enhanced large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ currents. Consistent with membrane hyperpolarization, LPS reduced ACC excitability and inhibited neuropeptide Y release. These effects were mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB.
     In summary, GI and systemic inflammation produce opposite effects on ACC Ca2+ signaling through distinct mechanisms, and ACCs can directly detect MAMPs. These findings extend our knowledge of the complex integration performed by the immune system-nervous system network during health and disease.

abstract: One of the chapters of my thesis is awaiting publication.

abstract: PhD


title: Novel Methods in SEMG-Force Estimation

contributor:
Morin, Evelyn
Hashtrudi-Zaad, Keyvan
Mousavi, Parvin
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Parallel cascade identification
Joint angle based calibration
EMG-force estimation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-20 20:46:56.897

abstract:
An accurate determination of muscle force is desired in many applications in different fields such as ergonomics, sports medicine, prosthetics, human-robot interaction and medical rehabilitation. Since individual muscle forces cannot be directly measured, force estimation using recorded electromyographic (EMG) signals has been extensively studied. This usually involves interpretation and analysis of the recorded EMG to estimate the underlying neuromuscular activity which is related to the force produced by the muscle. Although invasive needle electrode EMG recordings have provided substantial information about neuromuscular activity at the motor unit (MU) level, there is a risk of discomfort, injury and infection. Thus, non-invasive methods are preferred and surface EMG (SEMG) recording is widely used. However, physiological and non-physiological factors, including phase cancelation, tissue filtering, cross-talk from other muscles and non-optimal electrode placement, affect the accuracy of SEMG-based force estimation. In addition, the relative movement of the muscle bulk and the innervation zone (IZ) with respect to the electrode attached to the skin are two major challenges to overcome in force estimation during dynamic contractions.

The objective of this work is to improve the accuracy of SEMG-based force estimation under static conditions, and devise methods that can be applied to force estimation under dynamic conditions. To achieve this objective, a novel calibration technique is proposed, which corrects for variations in the SEMG with changing joint angle. In addition, a modeling technique, namely parallel cascade identification (PCI) that can deal with non-linearities and dynamics in the SEMG-force relationship is applied to the force estimation problem. Finally, a novel integrated sensor  that senses both SEMG and surface muscle pressure (SMP) is developed and the two signal modalities are used as input to a force prediction model.

The experimental results show significant improvement in force prediction using data calibrated with the proposed calibration method, compared to using non-calibrated data. Joint angle dependency and the sensitivity to the location of the sensor in the SEMG-force relationship is reduced with calibration. The SEMG-force estimation error, averaged over all subjects, is reduced by 44\% for PCI modeling compared to another modeling technique (fast orthogonal search) applied to the same dataset. Significantly improved force estimation results are also achieved for dynamic contractions when joint angle based calibration and PCI are combined. Using SMP in addition to SEMG leads to significantly better force estimation compared to using only SEMG signals.

The proposed methods have the potential to be combined and used to obtain better force estimation in more complicated dynamic contractions and for applications such as improved control of remote robotic systems or powered prosthetic limbs.

abstract: PhD


title: Application of Fibre Optics on Reinforced Concrete Structures to Develop a Structural Health Monitoring Technique

contributor:
Hoult, Neil A.
Civil Engineering

subject:
Reinforced Concrete
Field Testing & Monitoring
Strength and Testing of Materials
Fibre Optic Sensors
Strain Gauges
Fibre Optics
Sensor Evaluation
Monitoring
Field Tests
Strain Measurement
Instrumentation
Load Tests
Experiments
Load Distribution
Concrete Structures

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-21 11:56:53.276

abstract:
To better manage deteriorating infrastructure, quantitative data about the performance of infrastructure assets is required. Rayleigh based distributed fibre optic strain sensing (FOS) is a technology that has the potential to offer this type of data and unlike traditional strain sensors it can measure the strain along the full length of the structure.
	A series of experiments were undertaken to develop installation techniques and evaluate sensor accuracy for typical civil engineering materials: steel, concrete and reinforced concrete. The results of these experiments showed that the choice of sensing fibre and adhesive was dependent on the material being monitored. When the sensing fibre and adhesive are chosen correctly, the Rayleigh system can provide the same accuracy as a strain gauge for steel and concrete, and useful measurements can be obtained even in areas of concrete cracking.
	The FOS technique was utilized to determine whether distributed strain measurements could be used to detect and quantify localized deterioration of the steel reinforcement (localized area reductions of 0-30%) at service loads. A series of specimens was tested, the sensing system was able to detect the presence of localized deterioration with embedded nylon and polyimide fibres, but the nylon fibre cannot quantify large strain gradients due to slip within the sensing fibre. The strain profiles gave insights to the failure mechanism occurring in the reinforced concrete specimens. The strain profiles for both test series indicated that the tension reinforcement was acting as a tension tie and the strain profiles suggested the presence of compressive struts indicative of an arching mechanism in the specimens.
	The Black River bridge in Madoc, Ontario was instrumented with fibre optics sensors to determine whether the use of FOS is both practical and beneficial for reinforced concrete bridge assessment when compared to conventional instrumentation. The FOS showed reasonably good agreement with conventional sensors. The fibre optic strain results are used to calculate curvature, slope and displacement but careful consideration of the boundary conditions is required. The results from the fibre optic sensors can be used to show the bridge load distribution and give insights into the support conditions of the beams.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Studies on Dictyostelium Discoideum Myosin-I and Myosin-II Heavy Chain Kinases

contributor:
Côté, Graham P.
Biochemistry

subject:
MHCK-A
Dictyostelium discoideum
PakB
dAbp1

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-21 14:02:30.015

abstract:
PakB is a p21-activated kinase that phosphorylates and activates class I myosins in the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. PakB co-localizes with myosin-I to actin-rich regions of the cell, including macropinocytic cups and the leading edge of migrating cells. Here we show that the cellular localization of PakB depends on the N-terminal region which contains an actin filament binding module and two proline-rich motifs that  interact with the SH3 domain of actin-binding protein 1 (dAbp1).  dAbp1 co-localized with PakB to actin-rich sites, but in PakBˉ (PakB null) cells dAbp1 adopted a diffuse cytosolic distribution. Overexpression of dAbp1 in PakBˉ cells produced SH3 domain-dependent defects in early development, cell polarization and chemotaxis. We conclude that PakB plays a critical role in regulating the cellular functions of the dAbp1 SH3 domain.
PakBˉ cells exhibited a disrupted cortical actin layer and were extremely sensitive to external stresses induced by compression and electroporation. PakBˉ cells showed severe chemotaxis defects when forced to migrate under agarose.  The defects were rescued by expression of full-length PakB but not an N-terminal fragment of PakB. The results suggest that loss of PakB kinase activity is responsible for the cortical defects. Immunoblot analysis showed that phosphorylation of MyoD at the TEDS site was significantly reduced in PakBˉ cells.  We propose that activation of myosin-I motor activity by PakB plays a critical role in stabilizing the cortical actin cytoskeleton.
D. discoideum myosin-II heavy chain kinase A (MHCK-A) is a member of the alpha-kinase family.  Competition experiments with Mant-ADP showed that MHCK-A bound ATP with Ki values of 18 and 160 µM in the presence and absence of Mg2+, respectively.  ADP and AMP bound 3-fold and 9-fold more weakly than ATP, respectively. The results show that Mg2+ and the nucleotide phosphoryl groups substantially contribute to binding. Mutations of residues in the Pi-pocket and N/D-loop reduced the binding affinity for MgATP, showing that both regulatory sites are coupled to the active site.  Phosphorylation of SPOT peptide arrays with MHCK-A revealed a consensus sequence of T-φ/K-φ/K-K/R and showed also phosphorylation of non-Thr-containing peptides.

abstract: Some data havn't been published and we are writing papers about those data now.

abstract: PhD


title: Overcoming Fragmentation? Labour-Community Alliances and The Complexity of Movement Building in Cape Town

contributor:
McDonald, David A.
Global Development Studies

subject:
Geography
Labour
Social Movements
Development Studies

abstract: Thesis (Master, Global Development Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-21 15:52:00.612

abstract:
This thesis explores processes of social movement organizing in response to the neoliberal restructuring of public services in South Africa. Through a case study of an alliance of municipal workers and community activists collaborating to contest public service commercialization in Cape Town, this thesis examines the limits and possibilities of contemporary efforts to build labour community alliances.
In many parts of the world, particularly Latin America, broad coalitions including community organizations and labour unions have formed to defend public services and propose alternatives to market delivery. Despite widespread discontent, rising levels of poverty, increasing inequality and the success of anti-privatization coalitions elsewhere in the world, a sustained and successful movement has not emerged in South Africa.
Situated in the debates within social geography on South African neoliberalism and those in the labour and social movement literature on labour-community alliances, this thesis argues that several factors serve to frustrate coalition formation in the present. These include the organizational and institutional complexities and heterogeneity of partner organizations, the fragmenting effect of a diverse and problematic socio-cultural context, and the disabling political economy of South Africa at the fore of which is the enduring hegemonic project of the ANC.
Highly interrelated, these factors ultimately continue to thwart attempts to build a social movement to effectively challenge and move beyond the neoliberal restructuring of public services in Cape Town. However, this thesis argues that openings and spaces for the emergence of labour-community alliances and deep coalitions do exist, and concludes that the outlook for the emergence of transformative movements in Cape Town is not so bleak as the complexity and fragmentation of the present may suggest.

abstract: M.A.


title: Energy Considerations for Pipe Replacement in Water Distribution Systems

subject:
Sustainability
Life-Cycle Energy Analysis
Water Distribution
Sensitivity Analysis
Energy

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-21 16:51:18.963

abstract:
Water utilities are facing pressure to continue to provide high-quality potable water in an increasingly energy constrained world; managing the ageing infrastructure that exists in many countries is a challenge in and of itself, but recently this has been coupled with political and public attention to the environmental impacts of the distribution system. Utility managers need to take a holistic approach to decision-making in order to determine all of the impacts of their plans.

The intention of this thesis is to present a set of considerations for utility planners and managers to provide clarity to the trade-offs associated with any pipe replacement decision. This research has examined the energy relationships between operational energy reduction and the embodied energy tied to replacing deteriorated pipes in water distribution networks. These relationships were investigated through the development and application of a life-cycle energy analysis (LCEA) for three different pipe replacement schedules developed with the intent to reduce leakage in the system. The results showed that the embodied energy for pipe replacement is significant even when compared against the large amount of energy required to operate a large-scale water utility. The annual operational energy savings of between 8.9 and 9.6 million kWh achieved by 2070 through pipe replacement comes at a cost; 0.88-2.05 million kWh/mile for replacement with ductile iron pipes with diameters of 6” to 16” respectively. This imbalance resulted in a maximum energy payback period of 17.6 years for the most aggressive replacement plan in the first decade. Some of the assumptions that were used to complete the LCEA were investigated through a sensitivity analysis; specific factors that were numerically queried in this chapter include the break rate forecasting method, pumping efficiency, the leakage duration and the flow rate per leakage event.

Accurate accounting of energy requirements for pipe replacement will become even more important as energy and financial constraints continue to increase for most water utilities, this thesis provides guidance on some of the complex relationships that need to be considered.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Improving the Left Degree Distribution of Fountain Codes in the Finite-Length Regime

contributor:
Yousefi, Shahram
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Fountain codes
Left degree distribution (LDD)
LT codes

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-22 19:40:59.885

abstract:
Fountain codes were introduced to provide higher reliability, lower complexities, and
more scalability for networks such as the Internet. In this thesis, we study Luby-
Transform (LT) codes which are the  realization of Fountain codes. In the LT
codes, a sparse random factor graph is dynamically generated on both the encoder
and decoder sides of the communications channel. The graph is generated from an
ensemble degree distribution. The LT codes are also known as rateless codes, in the
sense that they can generate potentially limitless codeword symbols from original data
and self-adjust to channels with different erasure probabilities. LT Codes also have a
very low encoding and decoding complexities when comparing with some traditional
block codes, e.g., Reed Solomon (RS) codes and Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC)
codes. Therefore, LT Codes are suitable for many different kinds of applications such
as broadcast transmission. LT codes achieve the capacity of the Binary Erasure Channel (BEC) asymptotically and universally. For  finite lengths, the search is continued to  nd codes closer to the capacity limits at even lower encoding and decoding complexities. Most previous work on single-layer Fountain coding targets the design via the right degree distribution. The left degree distribution of an LT code is left as Poisson to protect the universality. For finite lengths, this is no longer an issue; thus, we focus on the design of better codes for the BEC and noisy channels as well at practical lengths.
We propose two encoding schemes for BEC and noisy channels by shaping the left
degree distribution. Our left degree shaping provides codes outperforming regular LT
code and all other competing schemes in the literature. For instance, at a bit error
rate of 10_{-7} and k = 256, our scheme provides a realized rate of 0.6 which is 23.5% higher than Sorensen et al.'s scheme over BEC. In addition, over noisy channels
our proposed scheme achieves an improvement of 14% in the released rates at k = 100
and 30 Belief Propagation (BP) iterations.

abstract: Some of the contributions have to be published.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Neuroimaging attentional control in the Stroop task

contributor:
Garcia, Angeles A.
Neuroscience Studies

subject: aging fMRI attention neuroimaging neuroscience cognition

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-22 11:33:32.418

abstract:
Attention is a cognitive process essential to daily function.  As attention encompasses an extremely broad array of cognitive subprocesses, there remains much to be discovered about the brain regions related to attention with neuroimaging.  This thesis presents two studies that used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine neural activity associated with different forms of attentional control.
In the first study, we scanned healthy young adults while they performed the Stroop task, which measures selective attention, to investigate neural responses underlying unanticipated conflict detection.  We found several regions across the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes that became more active during states of unanticipated conflicts, relative to states of anticipated conflicts.  These regions included the anterior cingulate, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, angular gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, precuneus, lingual gyrus, and fusiform gyrus.  Activity in these regions has previously been associated with attentional processes such as conflict detection, attention, orientation, and oddball detection.   Our results therefore suggest that widespread areas of the cortex serve several cognitive processes involved in successfully monitoring and responding to unanticipated conflicts.
In the second study, we tested young and cognitively healthy older adults with the Stroop task to determine whether aging affects the neural mechanisms underlying attentional lapses, defined as relatively longer response times.  Like previous studies in young adults, we found regions in the default mode network exhibited greater activity as reaction time to stimuli increased.  Attentional lapses were also preceded by decreased activity in regions related to attention, including the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices.  Most importantly, young adults showed greater positive reaction time-modulated activity in default mode areas, while older adults exhibited greater positive reaction time-modulated activity in more prefrontal areas.  Our results suggest that the neural correlates of attentional lapses change with healthy aging, reinforcing the idea of functional plasticity to maintain high cognitive function throughout the lifespan.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Role of Cobalt-60 Source in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: From Modeling Finite Sources to Treatment Planning and Conformal Dose Delivery

subject:
Finite Size Source
Conformal Radiation Therapy
Tomotherapy
Cobalt-60 IMRT
Photon Dose Calculations

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-22 11:34:14.861

abstract:
Cobalt-60 (Co-60) units played an integral role in radiation therapy from the mid-1950s to the 1970s.  Although they continue to be used to treat cancer in some parts of the world, their role has been significantly reduced due to the invention of medical linear accelerators. A number of groups have indicated a strong potential for Co-60 units in modern radiation therapy. The Medical Physics group at the Cancer Center of the Southeastern Ontario and Queen’s University has shown the feasibility of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) via simple conformal treatment planning and dose delivery using a Co-60 unit.
In this thesis, initial Co-60 tomotherapy planning investigations on simple uniform phantoms are extended to actual clinical cases based on patient CT data. The planning is based on radiation dose data from a clinical Co-60 unit fitted with a multileaf collimator (MLC) and modeled in the EGSnrc Monte Carlo system. An in house treatment planning program is used to calculate IMRT dose distributions.  Conformal delivery in a single slice on a uniform phantom based on sequentially delivered pencil beams is verified by Gafchromic film. Volumetric dose distributions for Co-60 serial tomotherapy are then generated for typical clinical sites that had been treated at our clinic by conventional 6MV IMRT using Varian Eclipse treatment plans. The Co-60 treatment plans are compared with the clinical IMRT plans using conventional matrices such as dose volume histograms (DVH). Dose delivery based on simultaneously opened MLC leaves is also explored and a novel MLC segmentation method is proposed.  In order to increase efficiency of dose calculations, a novel convolution based fluence model for treatment planning is also proposed.
The ion chamber measurements showed that the Monte Carlo modeling of the beam data under the MIMiC MLC is accurate. The film measurements from the uniform phantom irradiations confirm that IMRT plans from our in-house treatment planning system are deliverable. Comparing the Co-60 dose distributions and DVHs to the IMRT plans from the clinic indicates that Co-60 is able to provide similar dose conformality to targets and dose sparing to critical organs.  The results of the novel MLC segmentation algorithm and the photon fluence model proposed in this work compared well with the Monte Carlo calculations.
In summary, the investigations presented in this thesis confirm that Co-60 tomotherapy is indeed capable of providing state-of-the-art conformal dose delivery. We have shown that the perceived beam limitations often identified with Co 60 (e.g., lower penetration, source size artifacts under small field collimation, and larger penumbra) are negligible when using intensity modulated techniques.

abstract: PhD


title: Promoting equity in introductory physics: An identity perspective on learning physics and learning to teach

subject:
Community of practice
Physics identity
Physics education
Gender
Equity
Teacher professional development

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-23 13:18:26.328

abstract: If the goal of teaching introductory physics is to help every student have successful learning experiences, then we need to answer at least two key questions to achieve this goal. First, what instructional strategies will promote equitable success for students? And second, how can we prepare instructors to use these teaching strategies effectively? Prior research demonstrates a persistent gender gap in introductory physics; however, we find that physics identity mediates the impact of gender on both conceptual understanding  and  retention in physics programs. Therefore, we apply Wenger's framework of identity development in communities of practice to hypothesize that collaborative, community-building instructional strategies can promote equity by enabling women's identification with physics. Through meta-analysis of results from 26 courses, we find trends in three different models of equity that support this hypothesis. To address our second question, we apply a similar community-based model to  TA professional development. We find that teaching communities of practice can yield statistically significant improvements in TAs' identification as physics educators and make qualitative changes to TAs' teaching approaches.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Occultism in Robertson Davies’s The Deptford Trilogy

contributor:
Ware, Tracy
English

subject:
Robertson Davies
The Deptford Trilogy
the occult

abstract: Thesis (Master, English) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-22 16:35:50.33

abstract: Through an examination of Robertson Davies’s The Deptford Trilogy, this thesis analyses the influence of the international Theosophical movement (with close attention to the Toronto Theosophical Society) and psychoanalysis to the moral world presented in these three Davies novels. Chapter One outlines the context of nineteenth-century Western belief in Theosophy, the most powerful occult movement in the world at the time, with special attention to Toronto as the center for Theosophy in Canada. Chapter Two looks at the occult influence of psychoanalysis, specifically Freud’s uncanny, in Fifth Business, Jung’s theory of individuation in The Manticore and Davies’s growing understanding of Gnosticism in World of Wonders. This second chapter is supported with reference to Davies’s personal library, now housed at the W.D. Jordan Special Collections and Music Library at Queen’s University. I conclude by arguing, with evidence from the novels, that Davies was aware of and influenced by the teachings of the Theosophical Society, which along with his study of Jung, brought him into sympathy with modern Gnosticism. I present evidence that Davies placed numerous hidden references to occult themes within The Deptford Trilogy for the enlightened reader to discover, and that these references offer a new perspective on Davies analysis not yet part of the critical record.

abstract: M.A.


title: Examining the Experiences of Athletes in Adult-led and Peer-led Youth Sport

contributor:
Côté, Jean
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Youth Sport
Play and Practice
Positive Youth Development
Adult-Led and Peer-Led Activities

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-22 17:29:14.363

abstract: Participation in a combination of adult-led and peer-led activities appears to lead to favourable outcomes in sport (Côté, Erickson, & Abernethy, 2013). However, very little is known regarding the potential differences in how youth experience these distinct activities. Thus, the purpose of this project was to investigate the subjective and objective experiences of the same individuals across adult-led and peer-led sport activities. Recreational male soccer players (n = 27; Mean Age = 10.11) were examined using direct observation and experience rating scales in an effort to shed light on the impact that adult-led and peer-led sport activities have on the same athletes. The results clearly illustrated that the experiences of youth across these two activities are very different. In the adult-led activities, youth experienced high levels of effort and concentration, and spent more time being physically or mentally engaged. However, antisocial behaviours were also more frequent in the adult-led activities. Meanwhile, youth experienced high rates of prosocial behaviours, sport-related communication, as well as general communication during the peer-led activities. These findings suggest that rather than one approach being comparatively superior to the other, both adult-led and peer-led sport activities have the potential to yield unique benefits towards children’s experiences in sport. The results from the present study may have important practical implications if sport programs can utilize the benefits of both adult-led and peer-led activities to offer youth a sport experience which combines the best of both worlds.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Short Term Characteristics and Environmental Aging of Bio-Resin GFRP Tested in Tension and for Confinement of Concrete Cylinders

contributor:
Fam, Amir Z.
Civil Engineering

subject:
GFRP
Tensile Strength
Confinement
Bio-Resin
Axial Strength
Modulus
Durability
Concrete Cylinders

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-24 00:02:25.683

abstract:
Conventional fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) require polymers such as epoxies that are not biodegradable, which have a significant impact on the environment. The first phase of the thesis aims at replacing conventional polymers with sustainable bio-polymers. The tensile mechanical properties of glass-FRP (GFRP) laminates using two types of organic furfuryl alcohol bio-resins extracted from renewable resources, such as corncobs, were investigated. Results are compared to control specimens fabricated using conventional epoxy resin. It was shown that by careful selection of viscosity of bio-resin, and type and dosage of catalyst, similar mechanical properties to epoxy-GFRP can be achieved.
The second and third phases consisted of durability testing of the bio-resin GFRP. A total of 160 tension coupons and 81 unconfined and confined concrete cylinders wrapped with bio-resin-GFRP were studied. Conditioning was achieved by immersion of the specimens in saline solutions with 3% salt concentration, at 23, 40 and 55 degrees Celcius, for up to 300 days. Specimens were compared to epoxy-GFRP specimens aged in the same environment. Deterioration was quantified by tensile testing of the coupons and compression testing of the cylinders at various stages of exposure. The bio-resin-GFRP showed 33% less tensile strength retention than the epoxy-GFRP. The epoxy-GFRP and bio-resin-GFRP wrapped cylinders had the same un-aged confined axial compressive strength (fcc’), essentially a strengthening ratio (fcc’/fc’) of 2.24. After 300 days, the (fcc’/fc’) ratio retentions for the bio-resin-GFRP was 73% at all temperatures. Using the Arrhenius model, it was predicted that 61% retention in tensile strength of the bio-resin-GFRP and 65% retention of the compressive strength of wrapped cylinders would occur after 100 years in an environment with a mean annual temperatures of 10 degrees Celcius.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Culture, Public Appearances, and Threat Perception in Competitions

contributor:
Ji, Li-Jun
Psychology

subject: Culture Competition Perception

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-23 12:21:29.71

abstract: The present research examined cultural differences between Euro-Canadians and Chinese in threat perception in competitive settings. Based on past cultural psychological research on self and thinking, we predicted that, compared to Chinese, Euro-Canadians would perceive greater correspondence between public appearances and reality – inferring an opponent as competent and threatening if he or she appears competent. As predicted, Euro Canadians perceived greater threat than did Chinese in an opponent who appeared competent or domineering, whereas Chinese perceived greater threat than Euro Canadians in an opponent who appeared non-distinct or ordinary (Studies 1 to 4). Consistent with my predictions, these cultural differences were partially mediated by perceived unpredictability associated with different appearances (Study 3) and fully mediated by the more general beliefs that appearances can be unreliable reflections of reality (Study 4). The results have important implications for judgment and decision making in competitions.

abstract: PhD


title: Sex, estrogen and the role of cardiac vasoactive gene systems in the modulation of cardiac hypertrophy in ANP gene-disrupted mice

contributor:
Pang, Stephen C.
Anatomy and Cell Biology

subject:
Estrogen
Heart
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Mouse
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Anatomy & Cell Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-23 14:21:45.324

abstract: Sex dimorphism in the prevalence, onset, development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized.  Sex-specific differences in adaptation to cardiac pathological progressions such as cardiac hypertrophy (CH), and the extent to which they are attributable to sex hormones requires further delineation.  The objective of this dissertation was to determine which cardiac vasoactive systems are responsible for sex-specific differences in CH modulation using the atrial natriuretic peptide gene-disrupted (ANP-/-) mouse model.  First, sex-specific differences in the expression of the cardiac natriuretic peptide (NP) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) systems were evaluated.  Next, the influence of 17β-Estradiol (E2) on the expression and signaling of the cardiac NP and NOS systems was determined in ovariectomized (OVX) female ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice.  Finally, sex-specific differences in cardiac adaptation to Angiotensin II (ANGII) pressure overload were elucidated in male and intact female ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice.  These studies revealed that males predominantly use the NP system and females predominantly use the NOS system.  Sex-specific differences in the cardiac NOS system were further enhanced by E2 in OVX female ANP+/+ and ANP-/- mice.  In the female ANP-/- mouse, E2 was found to signal through the NOS system to significantly increase plasma cGMP.  Finally, male and female differences were demonstrated in the sex-specific patterns of cardiac vasoactive gene system expression and development of cardiac dysfunction in response to ANGII treatment. Sex dimorphism was observed in the expression of BNP and NPR-A in male and female ANP-/- mice treated with ANGII.  Female ANP+/+ and ANP-/- ANGII-treated mice exhibited elevated E/E’ ratios that were not found to the same extent in genotype matched ANGII-treated male mice, demonstrating that female mice developed ANGII-mediated mild left ventricle diastolic dysfunction. Based on the results of this dissertation, we conclude that sex-specific differences do indeed exist in the cardiac adaptation to pathological stresses.  These data support the understanding that a progression towards sex-specific CVD treatments is warranted, with a particular emphasis on the potential benefits of female-specific targeting of the cardiac NOS system.

abstract: Selected contents of this thesis still have yet to be published in a scientific journal.

abstract: PhD


title: The performance and feasibility of three brief alcohol screening tools in a senior population

contributor:
Olmstead, Mary C.
Psychology

subject:
alcohol screening
geriatric

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-23 15:11:13.165

abstract: Screening is the first step in identifying and treating alcohol-related problems among the senior population. This study was designed with two purposes. The first was to cross-validate the Senior Alcohol Misuse Indicator (SAMI) with two commonly used screening tools - the CAGE and the Shortened Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test – Geriatric version (SMAST-G). The second purpose was to examine the feasibility of using these tools within a front-line health care worker’s clinical protocol. The effectiveness of each screening tool was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) for each screening tool with a sample of seniors recruited from clinical and community sources (N=87). Participants were classified into different types of drinker with a structured clinical interview (i.e., the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV and a medical history, including medication list). Seven problem drinkers, 36 at-risk drinkers, 25 non-problem drinkers, and 19 non-drinkers were identified. Among the three screening tools, the SAMI had the highest sensitivity (83.72%) in identifying at-risk drinkers and problems drinkers and best overall performance with the greatest AUROC (0.710), whereas the SMAST-G had the highest specificity (95.45%) in ruling out an alcohol-related problem among participants classified as non-problem drinkers and non-drinkers. Six outreach mental health care workers tested each screening tool at least three times with their senior clientele and rated each tool on a number of characteristics. An ANOVA and post-hoc analyses using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) compared these ratings among the three screening tools. The SMAST-G and CAGE were cited as the easiest to score (p=0.002), while the SMAST-G was cited as the screening tool providing the most clinical information (p=0.047) and the most comprehensive (p=0.019) of the three tools. These results point to the overall effectiveness of the SAMI and the user-friendliness of the SMAST-G as appropriate screening tools for identifying alcohol-related problems among the senior population. Future studies may further examine these two screening tools among as-yet-untested clinical populations (i.e., geriatric mental health outreach patients, cognitively impaired, collateral informants) and how to improve screening tool usage among health care providers.

abstract: PhD


title: Automated Mineral Analysis of Mine Waste

contributor: Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering

subject:
Mineral Liberation
Characterization
Mineralogy
Lead
Nickel
Mine Waste
SEM-EDS
Scanning Electron Microscopy
MLA
Tailings

abstract: Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-24 08:13:18.722

abstract:
Mineral Liberation Analyzer (MLA) is an automated mineralogical system originally developed to characterize ore and mill feeds for the metallurgical processing industry. Its ability to quantitatively characterize solid and particulate material, including whole rock thin sections, waste rock, tailings, soil, and sediments, has led to increasing applications in other industries. The software uses back-scatter electron imagery and energy dispersive X-ray analysis to analyze each particle’s shape, size, and mineralogical information. Energy dispersive X-ray data are compared to a user-generated Mineral Reference Library consisting of known phases and corresponding EDS spectra to classify each particle. MLA is used in this study to provide quantitative assessments of mining-related environmental samples to answer questions regarding mineralogical controls on bioaccessibility, metal leaching/acid rock drainage potential, and anthropogenic influence.
Six tailings samples from the New Calumet Mine in Quebec, Canada, were analyzed using MLA. Gastric Pb bioaccessibility testing and total metal content performed on these samples indicated that Pb bioaccessibility in the <250 micron size fraction was not directly correlated with the total Pb concentration. This suggested that there were mineralogical and/or physical controls on bioaccessibility. MLA was used to quantify the relative proportions of cerussite, a highly bioaccessible Pb carbonate, and galena, a lower bioaccessibility Pb sulfide. Liberation and particle size were also analyzed as controls on bioaccessibility. Sample GD-VEG1 (highest bioaccessibility) has the highest ratio of cerussite to galena, the smallest particle size, and the most liberated Pb-bearing particles.
The New Calumet tailings were also analyzed using static testing, a suite of laboratory tests used by environmental scientists and mine operators to operationally define acid rock drainage and metal leaching potential. Modal mineralogy obtained from MLA analysis was used to calculate neutralization potential (NP) and acid potential (AP), taking into account the presence of iron carbonate minerals and iron-bearing sulfides other than pyrite. Results are within several units of those obtained by static testing.
Two Ni-impacted soil samples collected from the region of Kalgoorlie, Australia were characterized using MLA. Previous studies had focused on bioaccessibility and sequential extraction testing and minor mineralogical work. Preliminary XANES characterization conflicted with mineralogy predicted from sequential extraction and EMPA and MLA were used to quantitatively characterize major Ni-bearing phases and resolve previous discrepancies.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Tunable and High Refractive Index Polydimethylsiloxane Polymers for Label-Free Optical Sensing

contributor:
Brown, R. Stephen
Chemistry

subject:
Volatile Organic Compound Sensors
Tunable Refractive Index Polymers
Solid-Phase Microextraction
Polydimethysiloxane
Refractive Index

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-24 11:45:57.642

abstract: There is a need for chemical sensors for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air.  Acute and chronic inhalation of toxic VOCs can cause adverse health effects in humans, so monitoring these analytes is important for ensuring that their concentrations are maintained below maximum permissible levels.  Chemical sensors using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to extract VOCs with partial selectivity, coupled with label-free optical detection methods based on refractive index, can overcome the limitations of conventional VOC detection methods.  A variety of tunable and high refractive index PDMS materials were developed by incorporating a range of titanium and zirconium concentrations (2.5 – 30 mol % and 2.5 – 15 mol %, respectively) using a simple sol-gel synthesis and by incorporating a range of titanium concentrations (2.5 – 10 mol %) into naphthyl-functionalized PDMS.  These materials ranged in refractive index from 1.4023 ± 0.0002 to 1.5663 ± 0.0001 at 635 nm and 1.3942 ± 0.0003 to 1.5510 ± 0.0007 at 1550 nm.  The ability to use tunable refractive index PDMS films to differentiate between m-xylene and cyclohexane was demonstrated by monitoring changes in refractive index and thickness following absorption of these analytes using a refractometer at 1550 nm.  The sensitivity of the refractive index response to an analyte using a particular PDMS film was dependent upon the difference between the refractive index of the analyte and film, as well as the film-air partition coefficient of the analyte.  The detection limits for m-xylene and cyclohexane were 81 ppm and 4940 ppm, respectively, using PDMS-titanium-oxo nanocomposites with 5 and 10 mol % Ti, respectively.  A simple planar waveguide sensor with an input grating coupler was developed to monitor changes in refractive index of the cladding through shifts in peak resonance wavelength.  Using high refractive index PDMS materials as the waveguide core, we monitored changes in refractive index arising from absorption of VOCs into the grating.  Here, the sensitivity of the waveguide response was dependent upon the difference in refractive index of the analyte and polymer, as well as the film-air partition coefficient of the analyte.  The detection limits for m-xylene and cyclohexane were 1980 ppm and 18000 ppm, respectively.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Social Production and Distribution of Risk: Theorizing Class and Risk Society

contributor:
Taylor, Marcus
Sociology

subject:
Risk
Ulrich Beck
Risk Society
Social Theory
Sociology of Finance
Class

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-26 11:44:32.979

abstract: Socially produced risks – ranging from financial crises to climate change – are of fundamental importance to contemporary economic, political, and social life.  Given the central importance of these risks, the development of frameworks that analyze the relation between risk, power, and inequality is a key task for sociology.  Ulrich Beck’s theory of risk society is a leading and powerful framework for analyzing the growing social production and distribution of risk, but it has fundamental problems in its understanding of the relation between risk and class.  Beck has argued that class relations will be dissolved due to the increasingly equal and catastrophic nature of risks, while, in response, his critics have shown that increasing risk does not undermine class.  This thesis explores the important, but as yet unasked, question: if class does continue to be a central factor, will it become even more important due to the changes associated with risk society?  In pursuing this question, this study shows how the theory of risk society has conceptual resources and explanatory implications that both Beck and his critics have misapprehended.  Firstly, it is argued that the processes associated with risk society tend to exacerbate class inequalities rather than simply dissolving or reproducing them.  Secondly, it its argued that the theory of risk society is not antithetical to class analysis, but can actually make an important contribution to theorizing the dynamics of existing class relations.  By analyzing how the distribution of environmental bads and the social production and distribution of financial risk tend to intensify class inequalities, this thesis substantiates this re-theorization of risk society and class.  It thereby makes a fundamental intervention into contemporary understandings of the relation between risk, inequality, and power in the twenty-first century.

abstract: This thesis is restricted because it is being prepared for publication as a manuscript.

abstract: PhD


title: In Vitro Simulation of In Vivo Performance of Oral Dosed Nanoparticulate Insulin

contributor:
Neufeld, Ronald J.
Chemical Engineering

subject: Insulin Delivery

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-26 13:02:50.837

abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors, which affect insulin release and stability in simulated gastrointestinal fluid that ultimately will reduce the bioavailability of insulin in a nanoparticulate oral delivery system. The focus was on nanoparticulate carriers developed by C. Reis, which have the highest level of bioavailability reported in the literature thus far.
Particles observed by TEM were spherical and particle analyzer data showed that the peak of the distribution was 10 nm. Entrapment efficiency of insulin was 85%. Insulin retention/release was evaluated in both enzymatic and enzyme-free simulated digestive ﬂuids. HPLC measurement showed that insulin was stable in acid condition in presence and absence of pepsin. By changing the pH to 6.8 in an intestinal simulation, the amount of insulin decreased such that at the end of the 5 h simulation, 71% of the insulin was measureable in simulated GI fluid in presence of enzymes.
Insulin release profile from nanoparticles was low in gastric condition. After changing the pH to 6.8, an initial release of insulin occurred in the first 1h followed by plateau state in the remaining 2h. After a total of 5h in acidic followed by neutral pH medium, the formulation retained 48% of the insulin in the particles in simulated GI fluid in presence of enzyme. As confirmation of the amount of retained insulin, after 5h, particles were dissolved and the formulation was shown to fully retain up to 45% of the insulin in extended simulated gastrointestinal condition in the presence of enzymes.
 Insulin release behavior was investigated in different simulated small intestinal media by incorporating phosphate buffer or bicarbonate buffer and physiological electrolytes. The release rate from particles in the phosphate buffer was faster compared to bicarbonate buffers. KBB-C showed a release profile that was very different from other media, with about 10% released in the first 30 min and 70% of the insulin remaining entrapped within the particles at the end of the experiment. Release in this buffer was reduced due to the decreased sodium to calcium ratio compared to the other KBB media.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Global Resource Utilization for Synergetic Wireless Sensor Networks

contributor:
Hassanein, Hossam S.
Computing

subject:
Linear Optimization
Novel Paradigm
Multiple application overlay
Resilient Topologies
Dynamic Wireless Sensor Network
Resource Reutilization

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-27 04:44:14.556

abstract:
In a domain with diverse multi-disciplinary views of what a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is, tracking progress and developing efficient WSNs is inherently a complex process. The main motivation of this work is advancing state-of-the-art WSNs by adaptively utilizing their components, and enlisting the utility of resources in network vicinity. As WSNs increase in density and expand in scale, we continue to witness an increase in overlapped deployments that serve independent applications. In most scenarios, new networks are deployed for new applications without considering previous or neighboring WSNs.
This thesis presents the resource reuse (RR-WSN) paradigm. Adopting a generic framework for resource utilization, we achieve synergy between heterogeneous sensing systems. We abstract the view of a WSN in terms of functional capabilities, and offer a component-based view to boost sensor node (SN) potential and contribution to WSN operation. Thus SNs provide resources. On the other hand, we formally derive a set of functional requirements per application. The design and deployment of WSNs thus converges to an optimal assignment of functional requirements to resources.
Two mainstream designs of WSNs are addressed in this thesis. The first involves WSNs with static deployments of nodes, whereby multiple applications run on networks in a given vicinity, yet the resources and applications share an owner (e.g., on a University Campus). We then present a Binary Integer Programming formulation to find the optimal assignment of resources to these functional requirements, while minimizing the energy impact of running each functional request.
We further extend our scope to include WSNs that depend on transient nodes, such as smartphones, in a dynamic (DRR-WSN) paradigm, which could contribute significantly to the resource pool. Intuitively, multiple-owners are involved as resource providers and require different applications. Thus, we address the valuation of resources as they are shared across network owners. We finally present a maximal matching problem of finding the lowest cost for running each application, based on the available resource pool in the vicinity required. Extensive performance evaluation depicts the impact of RR-WSN design on WSN operation and longevity in various scenarios.

abstract: PhD


title: Functional Characterization of Teleost Intrinsic Photosensitive Dermal Chromatophores

contributor:
Hawryshyn, Craig
Biology

subject:
Opsin
Photoresponse
Visual Pigment
Light Sensitivity
Fish
Chromatophore

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-27 09:57:22.907

abstract: Mammalians process their photoreceptions through lateral eyes; however, non-mammalian vertebrates and invertebrates possess additional extraretinal photoreceptors over their bodies to detect light stimuli. Chromatophores, i.e. dermal specialized pigment cells, play important roles in the regulation of body patterns. Since chromatophores derive from neural crest, they share the common embryonic origin with retina. Recent evidence shows that they are light-sensitive due to opsin expression. In the present study, the expression of seven cone opsins was detected in tilapia caudal fin tissues. Moreover, distinct photoresponses were found in two chromatophore types. Regardless of stimulating wavelengths, melanophores tend to disperse and maintain cell shape at dispersion stage by shuttling pigment granules. Conversely, erythrophores respond to light in a wavelength-dependent manner. The opsin expression profiles of melanophores and erythrophores imply SWS1 and RH2 group genes may play important roles in chromatophore photoresponses. Through measuring photosensitivity, I suggest the two opsins play opposite roles in light-induced translocations of pigment granules within erythrophores: SWS1 for aggregations at UV and short wavelength regions and RH2b for dispersion in middle/long wavelengths. An antagonistic interaction occurs in the overlapping of the absorbance spectra of the two opsins. I also found that the photoresponses take place along with the occurrence of the change of cell membrane potential. In addition, the effect of different light backgrounds (broad spectrum, short wavelength-rich, and red-shifted light conditions) on the photosensitivity of tilapia erythrophores was investigated. I found that the major opsin classes (SWS1 and RH2b) responsible for photoresponses remain constant in three groups of erythrophores. Together, I postulate that melanophores may serve as a light filter in integumentary tissues, and the chromatically antagonistic mechanism enables tilapia erythrophores to sense the subtle change of environmental photic condition and to fine-tune pigmentation. I also investigated the ontogenetic change of photoresponses of rainbow trout melanophores. Distinct photoresponses were found in parrs and smolts. Furthermore, smolt melanophores responded to light in a wavelength-dependent manner. Since the change of coloration and visual system during smoltification of salmonids is regulated by thyroid hormone (TH), I suggest that the development of melanophore photosensitivity is associated to TH as well.

abstract: PhD


title: The Development and Performance Evaluation of an Energy Harvesting Backpack

contributor:
Li, Qingguo
Liu, Yan-Fei
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

subject:
Producing Electricity while walking
Energy Harvesting

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-27 10:46:27.16

abstract: In the past decade, society has become increasingly dependent on portable electronic devices that are almost exclusively powered by batteries. The performance and duration of operation of these devices are constrained by the limited energy per unit mass of batteries. Recent advances in the field of energy harvesting have led to the development of efficient and sustainable technologies that are capable of collecting mechanical energy from human motion, and producing the electrical power required to operate portable devices. This thesis focuses on the design and evaluation of a motion-based biomechanical energy harvester that collects energy from the user’s lower limbs. Two lower-limb energy-driven harvesting backpacks, a belt-driven prototype and a gear-driven prototype, were developed. Human treadmill walking testing showed that the belt-driven prototype was able to produce 19.3-12.2W of electrical power with a device efficiency of 34.4-48.4%. The belt-driven prototype had a low metabolic cost of carrying the device, approximately 18W, but had a large metabolic cost of producing electrical power, approximately 188W. This large metabolic cost of energy production is likely a consequence of the large mechanical power required to drive the device, namely to overcome the moment of inertia and the frictional loss of the device. Preliminary testing of the gear-driven prototype showed that the device was able to produce 7-11.2W of electrical power with a device efficiency of 58-78%. A theoretical model was developed that was able to predict the harvester0s electrical power output and the respective load on the user, from a given input motion wave-form. This model was able to predict the peak voltage and peak force with a percent difference of 2% ± 2% and 6.4% ± 4% respectively. Further reduction of the volume, weight, and number of parts of the energy harvester is essential in making the harvester a viable commercial product for powering portable devices.

abstract: The content in this thesis is being patented (Biomechanical Electrical Power Generation System, US Provisional Patant Application No. 61/837,800)

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: The Mechanistic Role of Pain Appraisals and Behavioural Coping Strategies between Pain and Quality of Life in Chronic Prostatitis/ Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS)

contributor:
Tripp, Dean A.
Psychology

subject: Catastrophizing

subject: Mediation Models

subject: Behavioural Coping

subject: Depression

subject: Pain

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-27 17:07:11.853

abstract: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent, refractory pelvic pain condition characterized by pain in the pelvic area and urinary frequency, largely unresponsive to medical interventions. This study used multiple mediations to test the associations of validated pain appraisal and behavioural coping strategies between pain and quality of life. Patients (N = 175) were recruited from tertiary care urology clinics and completed questionnaires. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted on four individual measures (Chronic Pain Coping Inventory, Survey of Pain Attitudes – Control subscale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale), then on the empirically derived factors that produced four factors to be used in regression and multiple mediation models: illness-focused behavioural coping, catastrophizing, wellness-focused behavioural coping, and depression. In regressions, CP/CPPS patient symptoms (p < .01), illness-focused behavioural coping (p < .01) and wellness-focused behavioural coping (p < .05) predicted physical quality of life, while catastrophizing (p < .01) and illness-focused behavioural coping (p < .05) predicted mental quality of life. Mediation analyses showed that illness-focused behavioural coping strategies partially mediated the relationship between pain and physical quality of life, whereas catastrophizing and illness-focused behavioural coping strategies both fully mediated the relationship between pain and mental quality of life. These results identify catastrophizing and illness-focused coping as key psychosocial targets for interventions for patient quality of life in CP/CPPS.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Insider Perspectives: Disability Identity Formation of Two Teachers with Disabilities

contributor:
Hutchinson, Nancy L.
Education

subject:
teachers with disabilities
disability identity formation

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-28 00:52:34.69

abstract:
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to provide a descriptive account of the experiences of two teachers with disabilities in order to report how disability influences them both personally and professionally. My research questions were as follows. Firstly, how do participants understand themselves as adults, adults with disabilities, and as adults with disabilities who are teachers? Secondly, how does disability contribute to their pedagogy and how do their experiences as educators contribute to their understanding of disability? Thirdly, for these teachers with disabilities, what is the nature of their relationships in both educational and workplace contexts? Fourthly, what is their perspective on accommodations? Finally, what is their advice to aspiring teachers who have disabilities, including myself? I conducted interviews that addressed these research concerns with two participants, both experienced teachers with self-identified disabilities. For data analysis, I used the method of constant comparison to create codes and find themes within the data collected from the interview, based on disability identity and self-advocacy theories. It is discussed that individuals with disabilities face unique identity-related challenges aside from the physical and mental aspects of having a disability. A key finding is  that participants were shaped by prior experiences in childhood and in the education system that were related to their disability which now influence their teaching. Other findings include: their independence, resilience and ability to strategize led to their creation of their own accommodations: they found an environment that honoured their own strengths. Both teachers found that disclosing their own disability helped their students to better relate to them. However, at the same time, they were not as aware of accommodations for themselves as they were for their students. Teachers with disabilities serve an important role in schools as they are not only representatives of what inclusive societies can achieve: they also have unique experiences and skills that are an asset to their students. Recommendations to expand upon Gill’s (1997) disability integration model as well as to create more inclusive environments for teachers with disabilities are also discussed.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Examining Altered NF-κB Signalling Following 1,4- Benzoquinone Exposure in HD3 Cells

contributor:
Winn, Louise M.
Pharmacology and Toxicology

subject: Toxicology

abstract: Thesis (Master, Pharmacology & Toxicology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-28 12:07:26.393

abstract:
In utero exposure to benzene, a known environmental contaminant, is associated with
increased risk of childhood leukemia. We have previously shown that in utero benzene exposure can alter the redox sensitive transcription factor NF-κB, which is up-regulated in leukemia. We hypothesize that this is through benzene-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production
interfering with the signalling pathway involving NF-κB, p38-MAPK and c-Myb. The objectives were to determine if ROS and p38-MAPK mediate benzoquinone (BQ) induced changes in NF-κB activity, and if downstream targets of NF-κB are altered after BQ exposure. HD3 chicken erythroblast cells were transfected with either a c-Myb or an NF-κB luciferase linked reporter plasmid and exposed to 25 μM BQ for 2-24 hours. C-Myb and NF-κB activities were determined using luciferase transcription factor activity assays, Western blotting was conducted to assess changes in protein levels in non-transfected cells, immunofluorescence was used to determine nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the presence of ROS was determined via DCFDA assays. A TaqMan qRT-PCR kit was used to assess mRNA changes of c-myc and bcl-2, two targets of NF-κB. NF-κB activity was significantly increased following 16 and 24 hours of BQ exposure in
HD3 cells. DCFDA assays and pre-treatment with antioxidants indicated that BQ-mediated ROS production was responsible for increased NF-κB activity. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting indicated that NF-κB translocates into the nucleus after BQ exposure. P38-MAPK was activated through a ROS dependent pathway after 8-24 hours of BQ exposure, and pre-treatment with the p38-MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, attenuated BQ-mediated increased NF-κB activity,
partially due to increased IκB-α protein expression. At this point, the chosen downstream targets were not significantly different compared to control. Future studies should continue to evaluate
the role of p38-MAPK in this pathway as well as look at epigenetic changes in key signalling proteins. Evaluating the effects of toxicant exposure on cell signalling pathways is vital for understanding mechanisms of xenobiotic-induced toxicity.

abstract: Waiting for manuscript acceptance.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Role of Communication Channels for Knowledge Mobilization in a Community-Based Organization

contributor:
Latimer-Cheung, Amy
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Diffusion of Innovations
Knowledge Mobilization
Physical Activity
Spinal Cord Injury
Community-Based Organization
Knowledge Translation
Communication Channels

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-28 17:27:32.841

abstract:
Knowledge mobilization has been described as putting research in the hands of research users.  Few studies have examined knowledge mobilization within community-based organizations (CBOs).  To address this research gap, this dissertation examines knowledge mobilization within a CBO that supports people with spinal cord injury (SCI).  Research suggests that communication channels, or the means by which a message is delivered, may affect knowledge mobilization.  This dissertation presents four manuscripts examining how communication channels were used by the CBO to disseminate physical activity guidelines and intervention strategies to people with SCI.
	Manuscript 1 investigated reach and effectiveness of an event-based knowledge mobilization initiative delivered by the CBO using interpersonal communication channels to disseminate the guidelines to people with SCI.  Results indicated that the event-based knowledge mobilization initiative was effective for initial dissemination of the guidelines.  However, further long-term efforts are needed.
	Manuscript 2 describes how the event-based knowledge mobilization initiative was implemented by the CBO.  Recognizing that support personnel are important messengers, the reach and effectiveness of the initiative for persuading support personnel to disseminate the guidelines was examined.  Results indicated that an event-based knowledge mobilization initiative can be implemented by a CBO and may be an effective strategy for CBOs to disseminate information to support personnel.
	Manuscript 3 further examined the role of communication channels in the process of knowledge mobilization within the CBO using network analysis.  Results indicated that CBO staff and volunteers’ integration within interpersonal communication channels was associated with greater knowledge of evidence-based physical activity resources and engagement in physical activity promotion behaviours.
	Manuscript 4 examined the feasibility of training peers with SCI to learn an evidence-based approach to physical activity promotion called Brief Action Planning.  Findings indicated that Brief Action Planning is a tool that can be feasibly learned and potentially used by peers to promote physical activity to their mentees through interpersonal communication channels.
Overall this dissertation contributes to a small but emerging body of literature examining knowledge mobilization in CBOs. Findings indicate that through a community-university multidisciplinary partnership and appropriate communication channels, a CBO can effectively and feasibly disseminate evidence-based physical activity information.

abstract: Manuscripts within the dissertation have not yet been published and are currently under review at peer reviewed journals.

abstract: PhD