title: Balance control of a five-DOF robot leg

subject:
Biped robot
Humanoid robot
Robot kinematics and dynamics
Trajectory generation
System stability and balance control
Trajectory tracking
Control system

abstract:
A biped robot, also known as a humanoid robot, is built to resemble the shape and perform
the actions of the human body. While functioning, a biped robot interacts with surrounding
human environments. Currently, various robots have been developed to resemble many parts
of the human body, such as the head or torso. This material focuses on the development of
one robotic leg. Research in humanoid robots will expand knowledge of the human body, while
producing greater understanding of the precise motions of the human gait. The  eld of research
in biped robots is very interesting, and creating something similar to that of the human body
is a challenging task. The concept of walking robots is motivating and interesting enough, to
perform research in the  eld.
There are two di erent robot designs, one for the simulation based purposes and the other
for real-time data collection. The simulations will be used to help understand the formulas
that were developed and researched, in order to control a biped robot. These methods include
the Denavit-Hartenberg parameters, Newton-Euler Recursion, Trajectory Generation, Center of
Mass and Zero Moment Point.
The second robot design, which provides real-time data collection, will be done on a single
 ve degree of freedom legged robot. This robot leg is equipped with a motor and encoder at each
joint that will be used to move and track its position. The foot has four force moment sensors
on the bottom of the foot that will be used to help balance the robot leg in the upright position.
Since its only a single legged robot, balance is its primary objective.


title: Intelligent systems for active vibration control in flexible engineering structures / by Ji Xiaoxu.

contributor:
Wang, Wilson
Tayebi, Abdelhamid
Liu, Kefu
Siddiqui, Sultan

subject:
Vibration Control
Intelligent control systems
Fuzzy logic
Neural-fuzzy controllers

abstract:
Vibration arises in almost all moving structures. Vibration control is important to many applications such as robotic arms, aircraft wings, buildings in wind, vehicle transmission systems,to  name but a few. The objective of this thesis is to develop more efficient intelligent controllers
for vibration suppression, mainly for time-varying flexible structures.
At first, based on TSO and TSl fuzzy models, novel neural-fuzzy (NF) controllers are developed for active vibration control of the flexible structures. The NF control paradigms are intended to integrate the advantages from both fuzzy logic and neural networks while overcoming their respective limitations. The control reasoning is undertaken by fuzzy logic whereas the fuzzy control system is optimized by neural network related training algorithms. A new strategy is suggested to simplify the architectures of the classical NF controllers so as to make the control process computationally efficient for real-time applications. A recurrent
identification network (RIN) is developed to adaptively identify system dynamics of the timevarying flexible structures. When system dynamics (e.g., mass, stiffness, and damping) varies, the proposed RIN and NF controller can effectively recognize the system’s new dynamics and
perform corresponding control operations. A novel hybrid training technique based on real time recurrent learning (RTRL) and least square estimate (LSE) is suggested for real-time training of the RIN scheme to optimize its nonlinear input-output mapping.
The effectiveness of the developed intelligent controllers and the related techniques has been verified by online experimental tests of corresponding fixed and time-varying dynamic conditions. Test results have shown that the developed adaptive NF controller outperforms the classical controllers (e.g., PD) and other related intelligent control strategies.


title: Intelligent states for angular momentum and Su(3) observables / by Benjamin R. Lavoie.

subject:
Angular momentum
Harmonic oscillators
Su(3) (Lie group)
Su(2) (Lie group)

abstract: We generate expressions for all of the su(2) and su(3) intelligent states. To do so we combine well known coupling methods with unitary transformations; the construction is simple and efficient, and can be extended to generate intelligent states for any su(N) algebra. We also present a discussion of some of the properties of the su(2) and su(3) intelligent states.


title: Lived experiences of seven senior high school students in a french immersion program

contributor:
Blaikie, Fiona
McLeod, Roderick W.

subject: French immersion programs

subject: French language Study and teaching (Secondary) Ontario Immersion method

subject: Education, Bilingual Canada

abstract:
This qualitative study investigated the lived experiences of seven senior high
school students in a French Immersion program. The participants, four females
and three males in grades eleven and twelve in a dual-track composite high
school, provided insightful and compelling phenomenological descriptions which
reflect the nature of this educational alternative. The semi-structured interviews
focused on the main research question: What is your lived experience as a senior
high school French Immersion student? Findings indicated the strong sense of
“family” that characterizes the immersion experience, the factors that have
contributed to the participants’ success in the program, the participants’ reasons
for remaining committed to the program, perceptions of French Immersion
students, and challenges that are unique to the immersion experience.


title: Effect of spacing management on growth and commercial logging of red pine

subject:
Spacing management (tree planting)
Stand yield
Afforestation density
Pruning and wood density
Logging (Red Pine)

abstract:
To maximize utilization of the forest resource, spacing management always plays an important
role in tree planting. It will influence tree height, diameter, mortality, self-pruning, and most
importantly, early growth rate of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) which will affect its logging time.
Although the general nature of the effects of various spacings is fairly well understood, the magnitude
of those effects is not. For example, if the spacing is too wide, reduced self-pruning will result in
more and larger knots. Branch pruning may be required as a result and thus increase the commercial
cost. However, proper spacing providing maximum growing space and directly affect the early
growth rate of red pine, and thus benefit commercial logging. The purpose of this thesis is to use the
data collected by the OMNR and USDA to determine the effects that spacing has on the growth and
stand yield of red pine at varied spacing distances. We conclude that the abundant spacing provides
trees with enough resources to survive and create crown closure.


title: Making meaning of whiteness : explorations by white community college faculty / by Frances Trowsse.

contributor:
Russell, Connie
Korteweg, Lisa

subject:
White teachers - Attitudes.
Discrimination in education
Race awareness

abstract: This study examines Whiteness from the perspectives of White college faculty. The participants in this study responded to a letter of invitation to volunteer for this study. A total of 12 White faculty participated in this study, including the researcher. Nine participants were female, and 2 were male; 9 participants had 15 years or more of work experience with the college, and 2 participants had less than 5 years. Data were collected through discussions with two focus groups. The data were coded first by a word analysis and followed by a text analysis to support and identify themes. The findings are presented in six themes: (a) colour prevails - right/White way; (b) privilege with a small "p"; (c) ethnicity and colour; (d) sameness - be like "us"; (e) immigrant syndrome; and (f) expectations of the education system.  The focus group sessions also produced six recommendations : (1) there should be a preparation process for faculty offering diversity courses; (2) administrators should consider the experience and background of faculty being assigned courses with content on diversity issues and, if needed, offer professional development that thoroughly examines Whiteness and diversity issues; (3) all faculty should engage in a discussion of Whiteness that could better prepare faculty to deal with issues of diversity and build relationships with students of colour; (4) discussions of Whiteness should be expanded to include all staff and students, perhaps as a responsibility of the Diversity Committee, a subcommittee of Academic Council; (5) a specific course on Whiteness could be offered in all programs; and (6) the college could develop a well-constructed media campaign that speaks a clear message of acceptance.


title: Set-based computations

subject: Set theory

abstract:
The representation of uncertain information and inference with such information
are some of the fundamental issues in uncertainty management. Conventional methods
for uncertainty management usually use a single value with the exception of
interval-based approaches. In interval-based approaches, an interval is used to represent
the uncertain information. It is assumed that the true, possibly unknown, value
lies in an interval. However, in order to use interval-based methods, there must exist
an order relation on the set of data values.
The main objective of this thesis is to extend single-valued and interval-valued
methods by introducing a framework of set-valued computations. In this model,
uncertain information is described by a set without any further restrictions. Basic
issues of set-based computations are investigated. Operations on set values are defined
based on the corresponding point-based (i.e., single-value-based) operations on their
members. The properties of set-based computations are examined in connection to
the corresponding properties of the point-based computations. Within the proposed
framework, a critical analysis of a number of existing set-based computation methods
is presented. This provides further evidence supporting the proposed model. To a
large extent, the present study may be regarded as a more explicit re-examination of
methods that have been implicitly used in many studies, using a unified notion. The
results of such an investigation will be useful in establishing a framework for more
systematic study of set-based computations.


title: Conversion of crude glycerol from the biodiesel industry to value added products

contributor:
Rakshit, Sudip Kumar
Fatehi, Pedram
Liao, Baoqiang

subject: Biodiesel and its production

subject: Heterogeneous catalyst used in biodiesel industries

subject: Crude glycerol from biodiesel industry

subject: Impurities in crude glycerol

abstract:
Crude glycerol is a major by-product of the biodiesel industries. For every 100 kg of biodiesel produced, approximately 10 kg of the byproduct glycerol is generated. With the large increase in biodiesel production, there is a glut in the glycerol produced. Presently crude glycerol is purified to its purer marketable form, burnt as a fuel or mixed with animal feed. However, none of these options contribute considerable revenues to the concerned biodiesel industry. Additionally, some of these routes are not environmentally friendly. It has thus become imperative to find ways to convert crude glycerol to some value-added products.
Bioconversion of crude glycerol to microbial lipids is one possible way to valorize it. However, impurities like methanol, salts and soap present in crude glycerol inhibit the growth of microbes used for such conversions. The research work carried out in this thesis addressed these issues and developed tangible alternatives to overcome these problems.
Initially the possible use of a heterogeneous catalyst Calcium oxide (CaO) attached to support alumina (Al2O3) for the production of biodiesel was studied. We found that the use of such a catalyst improves the purity of biodiesel and the glycerol produced. Crude glycerol obtained using such insoluble catalysts contained lower levels of impurities and can be converted relatively easily to other useful products. With CaO anchored on Al2O3 as catalyst, the purity of biodiesel and glycerol were found to be 97.66% and 96.36% respectively. The unanchored heterogeneous catalyst CaO resulted in purities of 96.75% and 92.73% respectively. As the byproduct glycerol containing smaller amount of impurities, the use of anchored heterogeneous catalyst is recommended. The potential use of ash from various sources as a cheap alternative heterogeneous catalyst was also studied. With the use of ash from birch bark and fly ash from wood pellets as catalysts, biodiesel and glycerol with purity in the ranges of 88.06%-99.92% and 78.18%-88.23% respectively were obtained. Since such catalysts are cheap and reusable, their application can reduce expenses and the use of environmentally unsafe compounds.
The crude glycerol used in all experiments was obtained from a biodiesel producer in Ontario (Canada). It was found to contain 44.56 wt.% glycerol and many impurities including 13.86 wt.% methanol, 32.97 wt.% soap and 4.38 wt.%. After the characterization of the sample it was converted to microbial lipids using an oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides ATCC 10788. When this strain was grown on crude glycerol, double the biomass (21.16 g/L) and triple the lipid concentration (11.27 g/L) was obtained compared to growth on pure glycerol media. The capacity of this strain to grow on crude glycerol with high levels of impurities and produce large amounts of lipids proves its robustness. Investigation of the effect of individual components on the lipid production ability of this strain showed it to be capable of using soap as a sole carbon source. This was also the reason for enhanced lipid production even in the presence of other impurities present in crude glycerol. The lipids obtained were rich in oleic acid (47.16%), a mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA). Feedstock rich in MUFA are considered suitable for biodiesel production. Thus, the process of conversion of crude glycerol to microbial lipids can be integrated to existing biodiesel plants. This will help in the management of crude glycerol produced during biodiesel production, save transportation and disposal costs and contribute to the revenues of such industries.


title: Photo-induced reactions of a photochromic fulgide in polymer matrices and in solvents

subject:
Photochromic polymers
Photochromism
Photochemistry

abstract:
A photochromic fulgide, coimnonly known as
Aberchrome 540, is amber in its ring-opened E (see document) dimethyl -3- furylethylidene) (isopropylidene) succinic
anhydride] and z (see document) furylethylidene) (isopropylidene) succinic anhydride]. The E
form is dispersed in various polymer matrices to form thin
solid films on quartz plates by a solution-cast technique.


title: "We're rapping, not trapping": hip hop as a contemporary expression of Métis culture and a conduit to literacy

contributor:
Desmoulins, Leisa
Korteweg, Lisa

subject:
Indigenous hip hop in Canada
Métis education
Hip hop pedagogies
Hip hop culture

abstract: There exists a common essentialized discourse about Indigenous peoples in Canada that has communities frozen in time, leaving Métis culture represented through sashes, jigging, and the fur trade. However, across the country, Métis youth are expressing themselves through hip hop culture. This thesis explores the impacts that being involved in hip hop culture, particularly the creation of hip hop, can have for the Métis young adult participants and the implications for education. It asks how hip hop culture and hip hop pedagogies can have a stimulating effect on Métis students’ educational experiences. The study uses an Indigenous métissage methodology (Donald 2009), and qualitative interview methods along with participants’ hip hop creations –rapping, beatboxing, and graffiti art—to story their hip hop engagements. Three themes emerged: how hip hop can 1) be a vehicle for identity and identifying, 2) build relationships and community, and 3) connect students to school. This study demonstrates the value that hip hop creation and consumption can hold for Métis students, and contributes to the growing body of work surrounding Indigenous hip hop in Canada.


title: Self-esteem : the experience of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) adolescents

subject: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescence

subject: Self-esteem

abstract:
This study examines the levels of self-esteem of 10 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Grade 8 adolescents. It researches, through an examination of the existing literature and the means
of statistical analyses, the relationship among levels of self-esteem and student experiences of
ADHD. Two sample sizes were used. N1 (10) is the total size of the sample. These 10 adolescents'
scores were used to calculate the mean, scores, and variance. N2 (8) represents the adolescents
whose results were used to calculate the   scores
for the total score and the six clusters. The results of N1 and N2 are compared to the normative
population provided by Piers (1984) of N = 485. Even though the terms self esteem and self-concept
are used interchangeably throughout this paper, the focus of the
researcher is to determine levels of self-esteem because self-concept is too broad in scope for the
purposes of this research study. Levels of self-esteem are determined by using the Piers-Harris
Children's Self-Concept Scale (Piers). The scale is referred to as the Piers Harris in this study.
Six aspects of self-esteem were studied through six cluster scores: behaviour, intellectual and
school status, physical appearance and attributes, anxiety, popularity, and happiness and
satisfaction. The hypotheses formulated by this researcher, inextricably linking ADHD and
self-esteem, are supported by the research results. Taking into account the implication of small
sample sizes and recognizing the robust nature of the
tests used, this research demonstrates the relationship between ADHD and self-esteem.


title: Examining the relationship between sport-based perfectionism and perceptions of parenting styles among male youth hockey players

contributor:
Gotwals, John
Farrell, Joey

subject: Perfectionism and parenting style within youth sport

subject: Perspectives on perfectionism

subject: Parenting styles and perfectionism

abstract:
In the past, most studies investigating parenting in youth sport have failed to
include the athlete’s perspective and the possible influence his/her individual
personality traits might have on those perceptions. This study addressed this concern by
examining whether perceptions of parenting styles differ in relation to youth athletes’
perfectionist orientations. Given the multiple roles that parents play in their child’s
athletic career, that sensitivity to parental expectations and criticism are central
characteristics of perfectionism, and that sport is an environment conducive to the
development of perfectionist tendencies, the importance of parental criticism and praise
may be exaggerated in the case of perfectionist athletes. However, there are different
approaches to the conceptualization of perfectionism (i.e., the categorical approach vs.
the dimensional approach), with each leading to different predictions as to how
perfectionists perceive significant others. Additionally, the only other study to examine
the association between perfectionism and parenting style within youth sport (i.e.,
Sapieja, Dunn, & Holt, 2011) was limited in that it focused on only one of Baumrind’s
(1991) three primary parenting styles and only sampled youth athletes from the sport of
soccer. The present study took these points into account by a) using an analytical
technique (i.e., cluster analysis) that allowed for the consideration of both categorical
and dimensional approaches to perfectionism, b) assessing perceptions of Baumrind’s
authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting styles, and c) examining if
Sapieja et al.’s (2011) results generalize to athletes from the sport of ice hockey. A total
of 93 male youth hockey players (M age = 16.21 years; SD = 1.41) completed multiple
measures of sport-based perfectionism and a measure of perception of parenting styles.
Cluster analyses conducted on the self-report perfectionism data produced multiple cluster solutions. The final three-cluster solution was chosen based on fit indices and
alignment with the dimensional approach to perfectionism. The three independent
clusters were labelled high strivings-high concerns, moderate strivings-moderate
concerns, and moderate strivings-low concerns perfectionists. Inter-cluster comparisons
revealed that high strivings-high concerns perfectionists perceived authoritarian
parenting to a greater degree than moderate strivings-low concerns perfectionists. High
strivings-high concerns perfectionists also perceived authoritative parenting to a greater
degree than moderate strivings-moderate concerns perfectionists. When considered
alongside past research (e.g., Hewitt, Flett, & Singer, 1995; Kawamura, Frost, &
Harmatz, 2002; Sapieja et al., 2011) these results suggest a complex relationship
between perfectionism and perceptions of parenting style among youth athletes. To add
clarity to this relationship, future research should consider: incorporating the
perspectives of female youth athletes, determining whether relationships differ when
perceptions of a single parent’s parenting style is considered, and investigating if results
extend to perceptions of coaching style.


title: Comparing Canonical and Dicer Substrate Small Interfering RNA and Their Effects on the Silencing of Two Common Human Papillomavirus 16 E6 Variants

contributor:
Zehbe, Ingeborg
Law, David
Phenix, Chris
Chattopadhyaya, Jyoti

subject:
Gene silencing
Human papillomaviruses (HPV)
RNA interference
small interfering RNA (siRNA)

abstract: High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), such as HPV16, cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer as well as a number of head and neck cancers. Over expression of the E6 oncoprotein helps drive the malignant phenotype, therefore making it a promising therapeutic target. There are two common HPV16 E6 variants, Asian-American (AA) and European Prototype (EP), that differ by six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) resulting in AA having greater oncogenic potential than EP. Oncogene-specific down regulation mediated by RNA interference (RNAi) is an efficient approach that uses synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target and degrade E6 mRNA. Several E6 siRNAs were designed based on previously validated data, the Rosetta siRNA Design Algorithm, and Dicer substrate siRNA Design Algorithm. After transfection with the oligonucleotides in CaSki cells, Rosetta siRNA and Rosetta dicer substrate siRNA (DsiRNA) showed the highest E6 knockdown, having IC50 values of 7 ± 13 nM and 3 ± 2 nM, respectively. However, the differences between siRNA and DsiRNA were not statistically significant. Rosetta siRNA and Rosetta DsiRNA were then transfected into primary human foreskin keratinocytes (PHFKs) previously transduced with AA and EP, resulting in IC50 values of 3 ± 2 pM and 6 ± 3 pM respectively, for AA, and 72 ± 69 pM and 38 ± 2 pM respectively, for EP. E6 protein levels in both variants after treatment with either Rosetta siRNA or Rosetta DsiRNA were no longer detectable so to validate downstream process restoration once the E6 protein was knocked down, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA and p53 protein levels were measured. Throughout this study, there was no significant difference between cells transfected with Rosetta DsiRNA and Rosetta siRNA when E6 mRNA, E6 protein, p53, and hTERT levels were measured by either RT-qPCR or western blot. After transfection with 6.75 nM of either Rosetta siRNA or Rosetta DsiRNA, p53 levels increased and hTERT levels decreased compared to negative controls. These findings suggest that Rosetta DsiRNA and Rosetta siRNA do not differ in downstream process restoration when targeting HPV16 E6 in vitro but may have an effect on duration of knockdown or stability of E6 mRNA in vivo.


title: The correlation between fire and boreal forest soil degradation: a review of the effects of forest fire on soil properties

subject:
Boreal forest
Soil degradation
Forest fire

abstract:
The boreal forest has a vast area, and its types are distributed in a belt around the
polar regions. The soil types of boreal forests are also different due to different
vegetation types and climatic conditions in the boreal region. Fire is one of the common
disturbances in boreal forests, and it is also one of the methods of boreal forest
management. As we all know, fire is one of the causes of soil degradation. Therefore, the main purpose of this article is to explore the correlation between fires and soil
degradation in boreal forests by reviewing the effects of forest fires on soil properties. After research, severe fires are one of the causes of forest soil degradation. However, severe fires will cause regional degradation of some soil types in the boreal forests, and
the soil degradation of the boreal forests also depends on natural and human factors
after the fire.


title: Low temperature pyrolysis of wood waste materials

subject:
Pyrolysis
Wood waste
Wood distillation

abstract:
The pyrolysis of jack pine bark, jack pine sawdust,
and cellulose powder has been studied by thermogravimetric
(TG), and isothermal weight-loss methods in both inert and
oxidizing atmospheres. The effects of particle size,
solvent extraction, and a number of additives on the low
temperature pyrolysis of jack pine bark have also been
examined.
Samples were analysed by low-temperature gas adsorption
and the bark characterized by infrared spectroscopy.
Residues were analysed for CHN contents and structural changes
which occurred on heating were examined by scanning electron
microscopy.
The TG characteristics of bark were affected only
slightly by particle size, solvent extraction, and additives.
Isothermal decomposition data for bark and sawdust were
similar and closely resembled established kinetic expressions
associated with inorganic decomposition reactions controlled
by diffusion processes. The data for cellulose were described
by at least tv70 kinetic stages with the second or principal
region resembling a standard kinetic expression for a phaseboundary
controlled reaction.
The pyrolysis data were found to fit a reaction rate
compensation curve, often associated with oxidation processes
but more generally with heterogeneous catalytic reactions.  The compensation curve also relates the kinetic parameters
found by other workers for a large variety of wood-derived
materials.


title: Efficacy of a customized approach to computer assisted instruction / by Bart Matthew Guthrie.

subject: Computer-assisted instruction

subject: Biomechanics Study and teaching Computer programs.


title: Variability in women's perception of potential female rivals: effects of fertility, mating orientation, and revealing dress biases

subject:
Perceptions of women
Biases of revealing dress
Menstrual cycle
Short-term mating orientation
Competitor derogation
Mate rival
Sexual selection

abstract: Two studies were conducted to better understand individual difference factors that influence women’s mating-relevant perceptions of other women. In Study 1, biases about revealing dress were examined and the extent to which mating-relevant individual differences variables are associated with these biases. Study 2 examined whether jealousy and perceptions of potential mating rivals and style of dress change with fertility across the menstrual cycle. Results from the first study revealed that women judged more revealingly dressed women to be more attractive, feminine, promiscuous, and flirtatious; and less trustworthy, nice, and intelligent than less revealingly dressed women. Other revealing dress biases included a non-friend bias, a jealousy bias, and a rival bias (i.e., the report that one’s partner would be more attracted to her). Characteristics of the observing women (e.g., relationship status, virginity status, and hormonal contraceptive use) were significantly associated with specific revealing dress biases. In addition, compared to women with low short-term mating orientation (STMO), women with high STMO showed more of the attractiveness revealing dress bias; and less of the untrustworthy, not-nice, unintelligent, promiscuous, flirtatious, and not-friend revealing dress biases. In Study 2, women viewed revealingly dressed women more negatively when fertility was high versus low. Women were also more jealous of all potential rivals (regardless of clothing style) at higher versus lower fertility cycle phases. In addition, women low on STMO were more jealous of all potential rivals at higher versus lower fertility days, while women high on STMO showed the opposite pattern. The results from these studies have implications for understanding individual differences in women’s perceptions and attributions about other women based on style of dress and provide support for the existence of mating-relevant evolutionary mechanisms in revealing dress biases.


title: Investigation of health promotion programs on food and nutrition in rural and First Nations communities of Northwestern Ontario [research project]

subject: Native peoples Food Ontario, Northwestern

subject: Native peoples Nutrition Ontario, Northwestern

subject: Native peoples Health and hygiene Ontario, Northwestern

abstract:
Purpose: To discover the status of health promotion programs based on food and nutrition
in rural and First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, and the challenges,
successes, and methodologies behind providing them. Background: Rural communities
typically have lower health status than urban communities, and Aboriginals have lower
health status than non-Aboriginals in Canada. Contributing factors for these disparities
are discussed with a particular emphasis on the role of food and nutrition. Results: There
are many programs involving food or nutrition in this area. Programs proved successful
in using participatory models for intervention planning and delivery, having adequate
training and ongoing support for interveners, delivering clear messages, using a rural
lens, and using an Aboriginal focus. There were many challenges for health
professionals, often surrounding food security, cost, and availability of food. Challenges
did not always have solutions. More research is needed on the theoretical base of
programs, and the challenges that face communities, their processes, and resulting health
consequences in Northwestern Ontario specifically.


title: Constructing two-dimensional molecular networks on metal and semiconducting surfaces : a scanning tunneling microscopy study

contributor:
Gallagher, Mark
Reznik, Alla

subject:
Two-dimensional organic nanostructures
Materials science
Nanotechnology
Molecular networks

abstract:
The synthesis of two-dimensional organic nanostructures on metal and semiconducting surfaces is studied under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions. Three halogenated organic molecules are investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on both metal and semiconducting substrates.
The first system studied is the adsorption of brominated tetrathienoanthracene (TBTTA) molecules onto the Si(111) √3×√3 R30°-Ag (Si(111) √3-Ag) surface at room temperature. STM images reveal that at low coverage, the molecules readily migrate to step edges and defects in the √3 overlayer. With increasing coverage, the molecules eventually form compact supramolecular structures. At higher coverage (0.4 - 0.6 monolayers), the spatial extent of the supramolecular structures is often limited by defects in the underlying √3 layer. Our results suggest that the √3-Ag surface provides a relatively inert substrate for the adsorption of TBTTA molecules, and that the supramolecular structures are held together by relatively weak intermolecular forces.
The second organic molecule investigated is 2,4,6-tris(4-iodophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TIPT). Molecules are deposited onto two related surfaces, Ag(111) and Si(111) √3-Ag. On the Ag(111) surface, TIPT molecules dehalogenate spontaneously upon deposition and form organometallic structures at room temperature. Gentle annealing at ~ 100 °C leads to a more ordered molecular network characterized almost exclusively by hexagons and polymerization was confirmed after further annealing at ~135 °C. On the Si(111) √3-Ag surface TIPT molecules remain largely intact and readily diffuse to step edges and defects in the √3 overlayer. At low coverage, most images display regularly spaced “fuzzy lines” which indicate molecular diffusion at room temperature. At higher coverage (0.4 – 0.8 monolayers), supramolecular domains are formed. The geometry of the cell is similar to an energy optimized 2-d free-standing TIPT layer determined by DFT indicating that de-halogenation does not occur on the Si(111) √3-Ag surface at room temperature and that the supramolecular domains are characterized by zig-zag rows of intact monomers held together primarily by I···H hydrogen-like bonding.
Finally, the adsorption of 2,6,10-tribromo-4,8,12-trioxa-3a2-azadibenzo[cd,mn]pyrene (TBTANG) molecules is detailed on both Au(111) and Si(111) √3-Ag surfaces. Dosing TBTANG molecules onto a Au(111) surface at room temperature leads to the self-assembly of intact molecules while deposition onto a hot Au(111) surface yields a complete polymer layer. On the Si(111) √3-Ag surface the molecules display high mobility. With increasing coverage, TBTANG exhibits long-range self-assembly of intact molecules. As the coverage approaches one monolayer, the self-assembled layer extends over the entire surface. Defects in the √3-Ag substrate affect the integrity of domains, but do not limit the size. Preliminary annealing experiments do not lead to polymerization of the TBTANG layer. Rather, annealing at ~ 90℃ leads to disordered regions which nucleate primarily at step edges.


title: Comparative analysis of alternative models of moose habitat carrying capacity

subject:
Wildlife modelling
Forest simulation
Moose habitat suitability index models

abstract:
The focus of the project was to compare the performance of several alternative
models in predicting the potential impacts of timber harvesting on a moose
population northwest of Edmonton, Alberta, in terms of moose density. The results
would be used in strategic forest management planning for the area under study.
Four models that estimate density were compared and contrasted for their
suitability in prediction of timber harvesting impacts on the moose population. The
final model results were compared to known moose population values from the area
as a validation technique.
Two of the models tested were habitat suitability index models, another was a
habitat carrying capacity model, and the fourth was a population energetics model.
The four models were applied to a 10,495 ha study area where timber harvest was
simulated using Harvest Schedule Generator 3.0 over a 200-year time period.
Three timber harvesting simulations were applied to the landscape using a
philosophy of long-run sustained timber yield . A basic harvest level was developed
to represent the way the present forest grows using normal timber yield curves.
The second simulation represents a higher long-run sustained timber yield gained
through intensive silviculture. The last simulation was designed to act as a control
and it simulated the forest growth and development when no timber harvest takes
place.


title: Deep learning based image super resolution

contributor:
Du, Shan
Yang, Yimin

subject: Image super resolution

subject: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)

abstract:
Image super resolution is one of the most significant computer vision researches
aiming to reconstruct high resolution images with realistic details from low resolution
images. In the past years, a number of traditional methods intended to produce
high resolution images. Recently, Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNNs)
have developed rapidly and achieved impressive progress in the computer vision area.
Benefiting from DCNNs, the performance of image super resolution has improved
compared with traditional methods. However, there still exists a large gap between
the results of current methods and the real-world high resolution quality.

In this thesis, we leverage the techniques of DCNNs to develop image super res-
olution models for generating satisfactory high resolution images. There are several

proposed methods in this thesis to satisfy different super resolution scenarios. Our
proposed methods are based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), leading
to powerful generative ability and effective discriminative learning. To breakthrough
current bottlenecks, we design novel architectures for generator and discriminator,

and involve new optimization strategies to improve the learning stability of the mod-
els. In order to improve the generalization ability of proposed methods, we conduct

two mainstream super resolution tasks, namely face image hallucination and natu-
ral image super resolution. All the proposed components of our methods result in

promising super resolution performance for these tasks.
Not only handling the supervised super resolution task, we also investigate the
more challenging problem, namely the unsupervised image super resolution task where
the paired high resolution image and low resolution image data are unavailable. To

evaluate the performance of our methods in different scenarios, we conduct exten-
sive experiments on several benchmark datasets to study each method separately.

Compared to state-of-the-art methods, our methods are able to achieve superior per-
formance both quantitatively and qualitatively.


title: Perspectives on climate change education and actions from environmentally conscious youth in British Columbia

subject:
Climate change education
Youth climate change activism
Climate emergency
Youth participatory action research
Climate change curriculum

abstract:
This thesis employs mixed methods consisting of an initial survey followed by a focus
group looking into the views of youth aged 16-20 regarding climate change education.
The guiding question of this research is: What are the views of environmentally
conscious youth in British Columbia on climate change education and action?
Participants included in this research study are currently in secondary school or had
recently graduated from the province of British Columbia’s K-12 system and are
currently, or have recently been, involved in environmental organisations. This research
employed the methodology of participatory action research with youth as
co-researchers from the initial crafting of survey questions through to member checking
findings in a focus group. Data were collected using a survey style Google Form which
was distributed to environmental group leads around British Columbia and circulated
through word of mouth at activist events such as the September, 24th, 2021 School
Climate Strike hosted by Fridays4Future-BC. Data revealed youth are disheartened by
the current state of climate change and would like climate change to be incorporated
into K-12 schooling starting in elementary school with topics to be focused on the
science behind climate change as well as solutions. Findings include youth perspectives
on schooling and government that are relevant for educators and policymakers involved
in climate change education and action. Areas to build on this research include
broadening the participants to a general population as a comparison and to extend this
research across Canada for interprovincial comparisons.


title: The social experiences of depression among Lakehead University students

subject:
Depression
Mental health
Depression (University students)
Stigma

abstract:
While depression is known to be prevalent among university students (Ibrahim et al. 2013), there
has been little research on how students deal with this in day-to-day life. Drawing on 21 semistructured interviews with university students who have a medical or self-diagnosis of
depression, this qualitative study aims to explore the social experiences with the condition. This
study has four main objectives: to learn if university students with depression experience stigma
and the impacts of this experience, if and how they decide to open up to people about their
depression, how depression impacts their daily lives, and how media depictions of depression
impact student comprehension of their own depression. Schutz’s (1967) and Berger and
Luckmann’s (1966) notion of “typifications” is used to explore how students encounter and
interpret mass media representations of depression. The mass media was considered influential
in shaping peer understandings of depression and in turn their relationships with others. I draw
on Goffman’s (1963) theory of stigma to understand how students decide whether to conceal
their depression from others or disclose it in order to receive support. I conclude by discussing
the implications for understanding the impact of depression in everyday life as well as policy
recommendations for student services.


title: Hall effect investigations in n-InSb under pressure

subject:
Hall effect
Indium antinomide crystals
High pressure (Science)

abstract:
Low field electrical transport properties of n-InSb in the
temperature range 6.4K-300K have been studied under pressures up
to 15 kbar using Hall measurements. The pressure dependence of
the carrier concentration, the intrinsic gap and the extrinsic gap
have been studied. The extrinsic gap, E[subscript D], is found to increase
approximately exponentially with increasing pressure. This is
responsible for carrier freeze-out under pressure. The scattering
process at temperatures above lOOK is dominated by a combination
of polar optical and electron-hole scattering while at temperatures
below 40K it is dominated by neutral impurity and ionized impurity
scattering.


title: Motivating the baby boomer generation: an application of the theory of planned behaviour, exercise behaviour, and stages of change on physical activity intentions

contributor:
Taylor, Jane
Farrell, Joey
McKee, Margaret

subject:
Baby boom generation
Physical activity
Baby boomer physical activity
Physiological changes with age
Psychological changes with age
Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)

abstract:
The Baby Boom Generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is creating a
shift in Canada towards an aging population. In 2031, 22.8% of the population will be over the age of 65, compared to 14.1 in 2011 (Statistics Canada, 2010). Although it is well known that physical activity is an integral aspect of healthy aging (Swan, Friis, & Turner, 2008) and that the benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks, less than 50% of baby boomers participated in regular physical activity in 2010 (Statistics Canada, 2011). Theoretical research using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Stages of Change Model (SCM) has been used extensively in the behavioural health field. To our knowledge, no study has focused on the baby boom population specifically and their behaviour and intentions toward physical activity. Method: One-hundred and seventy male and female baby boomers (aged 45 to 66) participated in the study. Using questionnaires, stage of change (SCM), demographics, attitudes, subjective
norm, perceived behavioural control, behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs
(Theory of Planned Behaviour; TPB) and exercise behaviour (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire; GLTEQ) were assessed. Results: Stepwise regression analyses indicated that the TPB constructs predicted 35.6% of physical activity intention, and intention predicted 29.4% of physical activity behaviour. Statistical differences were seen between the SCM contemplators and preparers and the action and maintainers on the TPB constructs. Conclusions: The TPB produced important theoretical insight into the physical activity intentions and behaviours of baby boomers based on participants’ stage of change. PBC and attitudes were the strongest predictors of intention. These findings suggest that these constructs should be targeted in interventions designed to increase physical activity participation in the baby boom population.


title: The effects of success and failure on self-esteem and locus of control

contributor:
Taylor, T. A.
Jamieson, John

subject: Personality

abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of success and failure on self-esteem, locus of control and the relationship
between these two variables. One hundred and four introductory
psychology students were divided into three groups. The first group was administered easy anagrams that allowed for correct solutions
which resulted in an experience of success. The second group was given impossible anagrams which resulted in a failure experience. The third group was used as a control group, and was given a neutral experience which did not entail success or failure.


title: A literature survey: the effects of forest fire on ecology and regeneration

subject:
Forest fire
Regeneration (forestry)
Effects of forest fire on ecology

abstract:
The extreme natural disturbance could destroy the structure and the composition of the
forest (Chen 2009). The damage caused by forest fire can be divided into three parts: natural
resources, ecological factors and the cost of rescuing the burned areas (Zhou 2007). The average
burned area in Canada in the past 25 years was 2.3 million ha per year. But the forest fire has two-sided
effects. On the one hand, the light or periodic forest fire can facilitate the flow of nutrients
and energy, improving the stability and maintain the biodiversity in the forest ecosystem, which
also can increase the productivity of the stand. On the other hand, severe forest fire not only cause
damage to resources and the environment but also bring economic losses and even casualties to
people. However, planned fires are also part of forest sustainable management (Bigelow 2012).
The purpose to classify the effects of forest fire is to improve the process of management during
regeneration and make prescription to prevent damage to forest resources.
The first part of this thesis is a literature review of information on the effects of forest fire
on ecology. The second part is to illustrate the impact of the forest fire in the stand on ecology and
regeneration. It can provide the diagnostic keys to determine what kind of forest management plan
should be implemented. The final part is to discuss the effects of different intensity of forest fire
on ecology and regeneration.


title: Exploring wild blueberries as a place-based socio-economic development opportunity in Ignace, Ontario

contributor:
Shahi, Chander
Nelson, Connie

subject:
Community development
Economic diversification
Non-timber forest products
Social enterprise
Wild blueberries
Market survey

abstract: Wild blueberries are an important food source in rural communities of Northwestern Ontario, and can be used as a possible alternative to diversify their economic resource base. This study explores the socio-economic development opportunity through wild blueberries in and around the township of Ignace in Northwestern Ontario through two research papers. The first paper demonstrates the economic viability of a wild blueberry business by exploring the market demand and willingness-to-pay for wild blueberries picked by rural and First Nation communities, and developing an economic profile of a pilot wild blueberry picking and selling business in and around the township of Ignace in Northwestern Ontario. The second paper explores through a community case study how a complex adaptive system’s theoretical lens can facilitate an understanding of the challenges associated with alternative development opportunities in communities, where growth and economic development are limited to primary resource industries such as mining and forestry. From a complexity lens, the resilience and adaptation of local communities in sustainable diversification of resource based businesses are explored. The results of market survey and conjoint analysis support wild blueberries as a viable food source for economic development and strengthening food security in the region. The complex relationship and challenges demonstrate that such challenges may be better understood and overcome through a complexity approach.


title: Modulation of Listeria monocytogenes biofilms by Pseudomonas spp. secreted substances / by Lauren Davey.

contributor:
Schraft, Heidi
Leung, Kam
Law, David

subject:
Listeria monocytogenes
Pseudomonas
Biofilms

abstract:
Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen associated with severe disease, forms resistant biofilms which enable it to persist in food processing environments. Recently, surface active compounds and other microbially secreted substances have been reported to antagonize biofilm formation (Irie et al. 2005. FEMS Microbiol Lett 250, 237-243; Valle et al. 2006. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103, 12558-12563). These findings led us to investigate the use of secreted substances as a method for Listeria biofilm reduction. We screened isolates obtained from paper mill slimes for novel surfactant producing organisms, but were unable to find an isolate of interest. We then turned our investigation to the interactions between pseudomonads and Listeria. Conflicting reports regarding the influence of pseudomonads on the growth of Listeria biofilms led us to investigate the effect of substances secreted by Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 on L. monocytogenes EGDe biofilms.
Listeria biofilms were grown on stainless steel and polystyrene at 22, 30, and 37°C and exposed to conditioned medium prepared from either P. Putida or P. aeruginosa. P. putida was found to secrete substances that significantly enhance Listeria attachment at 37°C. In contrast, P. aeruginosa was found to inhibit biofilm formation and disperse mature biofilms at temperatures < 30°C. Treatment with P. aeruginosa conditioned medium reduced biofilms on stainless steel by 1.65 Log CFU/cm2 and virtually eliminated all biofilm on polystyrene. The influence of temperature suggests that this reduction in biofilm formation may involve the flagella of Listeria.


title: Dating preferences in later life

subject:
Mate selection
Man-woman relationships
Dating (Social customs)

abstract:
Proponents of evolutionary theory assert that mate selection preferences are affected by
the biology of reproduction, and that sex differences in mate preferences reflect
biological differences regarding reproduction. On the other hand, the life-span
developmental model sees development as a dialectical process in which the individual
changes in response to societal demands. The life-span developmental model pays
attention to social context to explain differences in the time of onset, direction, and
duration of developmental stages. The current study utilized personal advertisements to
examine and explore differences in mate preference throughout the life span, and to
determine which theory was most fitting to dating in later life. Overall, results indicated
that both evolutionary theory and the life-span developmental model could be used to
explain trends in dating preference


title: Movement, resource use, and life history strategies of Black Bay Walley (Sander vitreus)

contributor:
Rennie, Michael
Mackereth, Rob
Dunlop, Erin

subject:
Black Bay Walleye
Movement patterns (ecology)

abstract:
Resource distribution across the landscape can drive movement strategy selection, from sedentary to highly mobile individuals. When paired with other forms of analysis, movement ecology can provide insight into the resource use, habitat selection, and life history strategies of fish. Acoustic telemetry has greatly improved our understanding of fish movement in the Laurentian Great Lakes, and Walleye (Sander vitreus), as a fish of great economic and social importance, have been intensively studied. While the degree of migration through the Great Lakes has been assessed, there remains a knowledge gap surrounding within-population variation in this movement.
Black Bay once supported the largest commercial fishery for Walleye on Lake Superior, until its collapse in the late 1960s, and the recovery of this population has become a management priority on the lake. Management decisions have however, lacked precise information on the spatial extent, resource use, and life history of Black Bay Walleye. My thesis makes use of a two year acoustic telemetry study to assess Walleye movement within Black Bay and into the main body of Lake Superior. This was done with the goal of identifying Walleye movement patterns, and the influence of thermal-optical habitat and forage availability on these movement patterns.
Black Bay Walleye have distinct migratory and resident groups, where migrators leave Black Bay during part of the year, and residents remain within Black Bay all year. Using a traditional Von-Bertalanffy model to describe growth, I found that migratory Walleye achieved a greater asymptotic length than residents, but that the curvature of these growth patterns did not differ between groups. Thermal-optical habitat conditions outside of Black Bay influence occupancy of this region by migrants, but occupancy of the north end of Black Bay is not limited by available thermal-optical habitat. Migratory and resident Walleye from Black Bay did not differ in prey use (assessed using stable isotopes), and forage availability did not differ between regions within and outside of Black Bay. Historical differences in coregonid abundance between Black Bay and the region outside of the bay may, however, have led to the disparity in movement strategies still observed today.


title: Mitigating the impact of decompression latency in L1 compressed data caches via prefetching

subject:
Cache compression
Power consumption
Cache prefetching techniques

abstract:
Expanding cache size is a common approach for reducing cache miss rates and increasing performance in processors. This approach, however, comes at a cost of increased static and dynamic power consumption by the cache. Static power scales with the number of transistors in the design, while dynamic power increases with the number of transistors being switched and the effective operating frequency of the cache.
Cache compression is a technique that can increase the effective capacity of cache memory without experiencing the same gains in static and dynamic power consumption. Alternatively, this technique can reduce the physical size and therefore the static and dynamic energy usage of the cache while maintaining reasonable effective cache capacity. A drawback of compression is that a delay, or decompression latency, is experienced when accessing the compressed data, which affects the critical execution path of the processor. This latency can have a noticeable impact on processor performance, especially when implemented in first level caches.
Cache prefetching techniques have been used to hide the latency of lower level memory accesses. This work aims to investigate the combination of current prefetching techniques and cache compression techniques to reduce the effect of decompression latency and therefore improve the feasibility of power reduction via compression in high level caches.
We propose an architecture that combines L1 data cache compression with table-based prefetching to predict which cache lines will require decompression. The architecture then performs decompression in parallel, moving the delay due to decompression off the critical path of the processor. The architecture is verified using 90nm CMOS technology simulations in a new branch of SimpleScalar, using Wattch as a baseline, and cache model inputs from CACTI. Compression and decompression hardware are synthesized using the 90nm Cadence GPDK and verified at the register-transfer level.
The results of our verifications demonstrate that using Base-Delta-Immediate (BΔI) compression, in combination with Last Outcome (LO), Stride (S), and Two-Level (2L) prefetch methods, or hybrid combinations of these methods (S/LO or 2L/S), provides performance improvement over Base-Delta-Immediate (BΔI) compression alone in L1 data cache. On average, across the SPEC CPU 2000 benchmarks tested, Base-Delta-Immediate (BΔI) compression results in a slowdown of 3.6%. Implementing a 1K-Set Last Outcome prefetch mechanism improves slowdown to 2.1% and reduces the energy consumption of the L1 Data Cache by 21% versus a baseline scheme with no compression.


title: Evaluation of the efficacy off a compu-check-form for reducing computational and clerical errors on WAIS-R protocols

subject:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Intelligence tests

abstract:
A systematic procedure for checking computational
and clerical components of scoring (Compu-Check-Form;
CCF) was developed and evaluated for the Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale - Revised (WAIS-R; Wechsler, 1981).
Senior undergraduates and M.A. graduate students were
trained to score fictitious WAIS-R protocols. Sixty
percent of the students made errors and approximately
30% of the protocols contained errors. These errors
frequently resulted in IQ discrepancies. Most IQ
inaccuracies were small, although 10% of the summary
IQs on protocols with errors deviated between 4 and 12
points. A subsample of the students were also trained
to use the CCF. Changes in error rates and corrections
to summary IQs also supported the utility of the CCF.
In a field trial, 6 of 7 practitioners who used the CCF
detected errors on 15 of 47 WAIS-R protocols selected
from their clinical files. Methodological issues and
implications of the results are discussed.


title: Structure, biomass production and dynamics of four white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) plantations near Thunder Bay, Ontario

subject: White spruce Ontario Thunder Bay Region

subject: White spruce Growth Ontario Thunder Bay (Ont. : District)

subject: Forest biomass production

subject: Trembling aspen growth and yield

subject: White spruce growth and yield

subject: North central Ontario

abstract:
Stand structure, biomass production and dynamics of
white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) were investigated
in four plantations, ages 4, 10, 18, and 28 years,
respectively, on similar lacustrine soils. Dry matter
partitioning of the white spruce component at the individual
tree and stand levels and under varying densities of
trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) was analyzed.
A general pattern of stand development tied to: (1)
the timing and severity of site preparation preceding
plantation establishment; (2) the nature and distribution
of the post-cut vegetation; (3) soil and site conditions;
and (4) the successional processes in the tree strata, was
proposed which may also be applicable to plantations other
than those in the study.
Major differences in stand structure, biomass
partitioning and distribution, within the white spruce
populations of each plantation existed. This variation was
attributed to differences in micro-site condition and the
density of trembling aspen and other herbaceous vegetation
surrounding the planted white spruce. Severe scarification
using a modified V-plough prior to establishment of the two
youngest plantations resulted in highly variable early
height and diameter growth and survival of the planted white
spruce.
Both planted white spruce and second-growth aspen
produced maximum height growth and biomass on micro-sites
with deep surface horizons (Ah) where mixing of organic
matter with the surface mineral soil has occurred. The
presence of trembling aspen, graminoids, wild raspberry
(Rubus idaeus L.), prickly rose fRosa acicularis Lindl.),
and other woody tall shrubs during the stand initiation and
the stem exclusion stage were correlated with the decreased
height and diameter growth of the surviving planted white
spruce.
Total standing crop for all species and the white
spruce component of the plantations each increased with
plantation age; partitioning of biomass to stemwood and
foliage on individual spruce trees was significantly reduced
under high aspen densities and where the standing crop
biomass of graminoids, herbaceous plants and woody shrubs
was greatest.
Spruce foliage efficiencies for wood production
generally increased with stand age, decreasing aspen density
and increasing dominance (crown class). A clearly defined
and fully integrated biological model relating foliage
efficiency of the individual white spruce growing in
association with trembling aspen could not be developed.
However, white spruce foliage, stemwood and total tree dry
weights were explained in multiple regression models which
incorporated the biomass of competing species, soil/site
characteristics, and a measure of the percent cover of the
spruce seedling by competing vegetation.


title: Silviculture, growth and yield of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) plantations in northern Ghana

subject:
Neem Growth Ghana
Neem Yields Ghana

abstract:
The silviculture and growth and yield of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) grown
in individual and community plantations in the Tamale Forest District of Northern Ghana
was investigated in 1995. Owing to rising populations and an increasing demand for
agricultural land, shortages of wood for poles, rafters and fuel are increasing. Plantations
of neem and other exotic species were rapidly expanded from 1989 to minimize the effect
of the forthcoming shortage and to guarantee wood products for village communities. The
current silviculture for neem in Northern Ghana is adequate for present levels of plantation
establishment but will have to improve as the area planted expands. The principal changes
will be seed collection from superior phenotypes, improvement in nursery and outplanting
practice, closer initial spacing, and thinning . The measurement o f 120 temporary sample
plots in 30 plantations varying in age from one to nine years in the Tamale Forest District
provided the data for the construction of local and standard volume table equations and the
development of an empirical yield table. The Yield Table showed that the mean annual
increment o f Site Class I, II and in neem plantations was 12.9, 8.1 and 4.3 m3/ha on
biologically optimum rotations of 5, 7 and 11 years respectively. The three-parameter
Weibull probability density function, the Normal and the Log-normal distributions were
used to fit the diameter distributions of the neem plantations. Comparisons of the observed
and predicted diameter frequencies indicate that the Log-normal distribution gave the best
description of the diameter distributions, though the Weibull function was also found to
be suitable.


title: The impact of unilateral versus bilateral ankle bracing on lower extremity kinetics, kinematics, and performance in volleyball players

contributor:
Kivi, Derek
Sanzo, Paolo
Zerpa, Carlos

subject: Volleyball players

subject: Ankle bracing

subject: Injury prevention & performance deficits

subject: Ankle sprains (sports)

abstract:
As athletes, volleyball players strive for optimal performance while avoiding the
incidence of injury. Ankle braces, which are most commonly used by volleyball players to
minimize the risk of injury are the Ankle Stabilizing Orthosis© EVO (ASO) lace up and Active
Ankle© T2 (T2) rigid braces. Volleyball players wear ankle braces either unilaterally or
bilaterally, but there no previous research has evaluated this comparison. It has been reported
that ankle braces reduce the risk of initial and recurring injury, however, the impact that wearing
ankle braces has on vertical jump height and agility time is inconclusive. The purpose of this
study was to evaluate the impact that unilateral and bilateral ankle bracing has on kinetic and
kinematic measures while wearing the ASO and T2 ankle braces. Competitive female and male
volleyball players (n=22) from Lakehead University and Thunder Bay Competitive Volleyball
League were recruited. Each participant attended two sessions; the first test day included either
the vertical jump test or the agility T-test and the second test day included whichever test they
did not complete the first session. During the each of these two testing sessions, the participants
completed testing trials while wearing the ASO and T2 braces, unilaterally (UNI) and bilaterally
(BI), as well as unbraced (UB). The 2D-kinematic analysis system recorded peak joint angles at
the hip, knee, and ankle, while ground reaction forces (GRF) were collected with an Advanced
Mechanical Technologies Incorporated® (AMTI) force platform. Vertical jump height was
assessed utilizing the VertecTM apparatus and agility times were measured using a Brower timing
system. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVAs. [...]


title: Intelligent sliding mode control in flexible structures

contributor:
Wang, Wilson
Ismail, Basel I.

subject: Sliding mode control

abstract: The first objective of this work is to develop an intelligent sliding mode controller for vibration control in flexible structures. The proposed control consists of two processes: system identification and sliding mode control. System identification is performed based on a neural fuzzy (NF) approximator. A novel extended gradient method and a modified least square estimate (LSE) algorithm are proposed for neuro-fuzzy system training. The training is performed in a hybrid approach: the nonlinear parameters in the NF approximator are updated using the extended gradient method while the linear parameters are optimized by the modified LSE. In system control, an enhanced sliding mode (ESM) control system is developed to promote the control effort for active vibration suppression especially in flexible structures. Based on experimental investigation, when the principle of the terminal attractor is used in the classical gradient descent algorithm or sliding mode control systems, it causes implementation problems because the initial condition should be nonzero. The proposed training techniques provide faster convergence while avoiding the associated implementation problems. The stability of the proposed training techniques is demonstrated by the Lyapunov analysis. The effectiveness of the developed techniques is verified experimentally with a flexible structure experimental setup. Test results show that the suggested hybrid training technique can effectively improve the convergence of the NF approximator; the ESM controller can efficiently perform vibration suppression in flexible structures and easy to implement.     The commonly used global search method is genetic algorithm (GA). The problems in the classical GA are low convergence speed and lack of fast global search capability for complex search space. The second objective of this work is to develop a more efficient global training approach, called enhanced genetic algorithm (EGA) for system training and optimization applications. Two approaches are proposed: Firstly, a novel group-based branch crossover operator is suggested to thoroughly explore local space and speed up convergence. Secondly, an enhanced MPT (Makinen-Periaux-Toivanen) mutation operator is proposed to promote global search capability for complex search space. The effectiveness of the developed EGA is verified by simulations based on a series of benchmark test problems. Test results show that the branch crossover operator and enhanced MPT mutation operator can effectively improve the convergence speed and global search capability. The EGA technique outperforms other related GA methods with respect to global search efficiency and operation efficiency.


title: An investigation of the role of the amygdala in taste aversion learning

subject:
Taste
Amygdaloid body

abstract: Contemporary theories of amygdaloid function postulate that the amygdala is involved in the association of events with aversive consequences or in the inhibition of responses. Experiment 1 investigated the possibility that the amygdala is necessary for the learning of a conditioned taste aversion, a task requiring the association of taste with gastric distress and subsequent response inhibition. The performance of a group of intact rats was compared with that of two groups of rats with basolateral or corticomedial amygdaloid lesions. Since the groups of rats with amygdaloid lesions were impaired in the task, it was suggested that the amygdala is involved in the successful acquisition of a conditioned taste aversion.


title: Structure and magnetic fabric of the Quetico metasedimentary rocks in the Calm Lake - Perch Lake area, near Atikokan, Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Geomagnetism Ontario Perch Lake Region
Geomagnetism Ontario Calm Lake Region
Geology Ontario Calm Lake Region

abstract:
The Quetico metasedimentary rocks are the metamorphosed
equivalents of a turbidite sequence, comprised of a repetative
interstratification of sandstones and mudstones. The rocks are
metamorphosed to lower greenschist facies, but metamorphic grade
increases progressively from north to south. Anchimetamorphosed
phyllites and slates in the north part of the present study area grade
progressively into biotite schists in the south part.
Interpretation of structural features in the study area, mainly
bedding(S0) -cleavage(S1) relationships and structural facing
directions, has led to the delineation of a number of major folds.
These are tight to isoclinal, asymmetric sheath folds, with axial
planes arranged en echelon and slightly oblique to the dominant eastwest,
vertically-dipping, structural trend. The orientation, geometry
and disposition of the F1 folds suggest the Quetico rocks of the
present study area have experienced a regional dextral transpressional
tectonic evolution, with components of north-south
regional shortening and east-west regional dextral shear, with a
possible component of vertical (south side up) displacement.
The Quetico metasedimentary rocks have a polyminerallic
magnetic mineralogy comprised of significant proportions of a
ferrimagnetic (magnetite and pyrrhotite) and a paramagnetic
(chlorite, biotite, muscovite) component. The rocks possess a
predominantly tectonic magnetic fabric, which consists of a
deformational, and a metamorphic, magnetic fabric. In some
rocks (especially coarse-grained sandstones with wide-spaced
cleavage planes) a depositional magnetic fabric is partially
preserved. The complexities involved in having component
deformational, metamorphic and depositional magnetic fabrics
Indicate that the principal magnetic susceptibility directions of the
rock's magnetic susceptibility anisotropy cannot be considered
reliable Indicators of principal finite strain directions in the Quetico
metasedimentary rocks. Great care must be taken in interpreting the
significance of principal magnetic susceptibility directions.


title: Variable ratio schedule control of dispersion in a patchy environment

subject:
Animal behavior
Animal populations
Operant behavior

abstract: Current ecological theory suggests that foraging animals are controlled by the distribution and abundance of food resources. Contemporary ecological research focuses on optimizing resources through the maximization of cost-benefit trade-offs. Operant psychological research suggests an alternative, but not mutually exclusive approach. Dispersion patterns, foraging processes, and animal distribution, are the products of naturally occurring contingencies of reinforcement. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether population patterns could be controlled and explained by operant procedures and principles. The study was designed to examine the effects of an ascending series of variable ratio schedules on the dispersion patterns of a colony of 8 male hooded rats in an environment in which the resources were patchily distributed.


title: Assessing progress toward an effectively managed, representative, and well-connected global protected area network

contributor:
Amishev, Dzhamal
Crowe, Kevin

subject:
Biodiversity
CBD Aichi targets
Conservation
Protected area
Connectivity in forest landscapes

abstract:
Protected areas are a cornerstone of conservation efforts to prevent biodiversity
loss. Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity called for the area of
protected areas to be increased to 17% of terrestrial and inland water and 10% of coastal
and marine areas. It also called for those protected areas to be effectively managed,
representative, and well-connected by 2020. These three qualities are crucial to
conserving biodiversity within protected areas. This literature review has critically
assessed the status of each of these qualities for the global protected area network.
This review examined why these qualities are vital to biodiversity conservation,
how they are measured, their current extent of implementation, what the gaps in the data
are, and what barriers are impeding their progress. Overall, studies indicate that the
quality of protected areas has not kept up with the quantity. Approximately one-fifth of
protected areas have effective management, just over half of the protected areas could be
considered connected, and approximately one-third of ecosystems have adequate
representation. This is to the detriment of effective biodiversity conservation.
For protected areas to realize their potential in biodiversity conservation, the
qualities of the current and expanding protected area network need to be improved. It is
recommended that efforts be concentrated toward increased collaboration and
communication, increased financial resources, improved data quality, and the use of
systematic conservation planning.


title: Municipal ownership town : the organization and regulation of urban services in Port Arthur, 1875-1914

subject: Municipal services Ontario Port Arthur History

subject: Municipal ownership Ontario Port Arthur History

subject: Public utilities Ontario Port Arthur History

abstract:
Municipal enterprise was an innovation born of necessity in the
hinterland regions of Europe and North America. In an era of rapid
industrial and population growth, urban governments struggled during the
late Victorian period to respond to enormous pressure to establish and
expand urban services. The nature of this reponse was determined
primarily by the ability of private enterprise to satisfy public demand for
running water, natural gas, electric generation, electric lights, a street
railway and telephone service. Consequently, the greatest manifestation
of municipal enterprise was in aspiring hinterland towns and cities where
private enterprise had failed to provide these urban services.
Port Arthur (a small frontier town at the ‘head’ of Lake Superior) was
a pioneer of municipal ownership in North America. While the scarcity of
finance capital in the region prevented utility entrepreneurs from
providing urban services, the sense of urgency generated by inter-urban
rivalry led to indirect municipal intervention (bonuses), and eventually to
municipal enterprise. This process was greatly facilitated by an
atmosphere of inter-class cooperation conducive to collective action, and
to public confidence in the municipal administration. A false dichotomy
has been created between the municipal ownership of urban services and private enterprise because historical interpretation respecting utility
organization and regulation In large metropolitan cities have been applied
to all urban centres. This thesis reconsiders this assumption and
responds to several fundamental questions which have yet to be explored.
Why did Port Arthur pioneer municipal enterprise in North America? How
did the legal environment Influence the scope of municipal activity? Was
the municipal administration controlled by a booster-orientated economic
elite? How did the municipal ownership of urban services differ from
private ownership?


title: Personality factors and treatment response in hospitalized male alcoholics

subject: Alcoholism Treatment

abstract: The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the relationship between the personality of male alcoholics and their response to an in-patient treatment program. Twenty male alcoholic in-patients were tested on admission and at discharge from a 21 day structured treatment program using a combination of Forms A and B of the 16 PF and the Bell Alcoholism Scale of Adjustment (BASA). Three months after discharge a follow-up questionnaire was sent to the patients.


title: Prevalence of the dually diagnosed in an institution for the developmentally handicapped

subject: Mentally handicapped Ontario Thunder Bay

subject: Mental illness Diagnosis

abstract:
With government mandates to deinstitutionalize it is
important to investigate the prevalence of dual diagnosis
(developmental handicap with accompanying mental illness) in
institutional settings for persons with a developmental handicap.
Assessment for mental illness of 71 institutionalized
developmentally handicapped adults was done using the Reiss
Screen for Maladaptive Behavior (Reiss, 1988). Prevalence of
dual diagnosis, identified by the Reiss Screen, was 69%. The
most frequent categories of dual diagnosis were Aggression
disorder. Sexual problems. Self-injurious behaviour, and
Stealing. The Reiss Screen identified a much higher prevalence
of dual diagnosis than either previous or current psychiatric
diagnosis. There was a high level of dual diagnosis regardless
of level of functioning; however, the type of pathology varied
considerably across levels of functioning. Despite lack of
validation of the Reiss Screen by previous and current
psychiatric diagnosis, the Reiss Screen may in fact be a useful
and valid instrument for measuring those maladaptive behaviours
that prevent dually diagnosed and other developmentally
handicapped persons from successful community placement. The
high prevalence of persons with these behaviours has implications
for planning and implementing support services in the community.


title: Suicide discourse in Canada : analysis and implications for prevention

subject:
Suicide (Canada)
Suicide (Prevention)

abstract:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1999) someone in the world
dies by suicide every forty seconds. The age group most likely to opt for suicide at this
time is young adults, and among the 105 countries that provided data, suicide is now one
of the three leading causes of death for young adults aged 15 to 35. This is a significant
change, as it has historically been understood as a greater concern for the elderly
population who, until the 1950s, died by suicide in greater numbers than any other age
cohort. Among the industrialized countries that provide data to WHO, Canada has me of
the highest rates of suicide in the world. The phenomenon of suicide has created
controversy, debate, and interest that have resulted in copious amounts of literature being
produced from a variety of disciplines. The phenomenon has been moralized,
criminalized, and most recently medicalized in attempts to control a behaviour that is
deemed unacceptable by ‘civilized countries.’ A Center for Suicide Prevention (SlEC),
based in Calgary Alberta, has a database of over 100,000 documents on suicide that can
be and are accessed at an average rate of 7,000 requests per month.
The subject of suicide has been a personal and professional interest of mine for
over two decades. 1 have experienced loss by suicide and was a coordinator for a suicide
prevention program in Alberta during the implementation of the Alberta Model that was
established by the Boldt Task Force in the early 1980s. Since that time 1 have continued
to provide training to the professional community. Additionally, 1 have been a member of
several community suicide prevention networks, and 1 have written a program for those
bereaved by suicide. 1 have always been intrigued by the apparent reluctance of the political community to commit itself to the amelioration of this phenomenon. The issue in
question that continued to present itself was the reluctance for pursuing a more
affirmative approach. The analysis that I chose was based on a decision to focus on what
these political forces and professional communities are being told vis-à-vis the discourse,
in an effort to offer an understanding as to why they respond as they do. The construction
of knowledge which is promoted in federal government documents will be analyzed in an
effort to expose potential influences and consequences.


title: Religion, modernity and homosexual ordination in a liberal protestant denomination

subject: United Church of Canada

subject: United Church of Canada Clergy

subject: Homosexuality Religious aspects United Church of Canada

abstract:
The United Church of Canada's General Council
determined that all members could be considered for
ordained ministry regardless of sexual orientation
in 1988.
The membership was not unanimous in this matter.
This research tests the hypothesis that the response
to homosexual ordination will reflect social differences
which are related to modernity.
The research involved a survey questionnaire completed
by members/adherents of a United Church of Canada
congregation in Thunder Bay, Ontario.


title: The consequences of alcohol measure: psychometric evaluation of a new measure of positive and negative consequences of alcohol use

contributor:
Mushquash, Christopher
Mazmanian, Dwight
Schmidt, Fred

subject: Alcohol use in university students

subject: Alcohol related consequences

subject: Sex differences in consequences

subject: Current measures of alcohol consequences

abstract:
Alcohol is a widely used substance among university students. There are several measures that
are used to assess the consequences of alcohol consumption. However, current instruments fail to
capture several behavioural consequences established in literature. Negative consequences
missing from existing measures are related to sexual behaviour, suicidal and non-suicidal selfinjury,
and criminal and delinquent behaviour. In addition to negative consequences, positive
consequences have been neglected from these measures. The goal of this research was to develop
a new measure that addresses these gaps. In Study One, items from current and widely used
measures in research and clinical applications, as well as newly developed items, were
administered to a sample of undergraduate students. Factor analysis and item performance
indices (e.g., item to total scale correlations, item variance, relationship to desirable responding)
were used to construct a new scale. In Study Two, the new scale was administered to assess
indices of reliability and validity. Although many of the new behavioural consequences (e.g.,
suicidality, eating behaviours, and aggression) were eliminated from the scale through empirical
methods of item retention, the final scale was found to perform well across nearly all indices;
there was strong evidence of construct, concurrent, and convergent validity. The final scale was
comprised of positive and negative consequences, with an index for valence ratings.


title: Improving Indigenous access to healthcare services through interprofessional collaboration

contributor:
Agbo, Seth
Drake, Susan
Berger, Paul

subject: Indigenous healthcare access

subject: Interprofessional collaboration

subject: First Nation communities healthcare access

abstract: In northwestern Ontario, interprofessional collaboration is needed to improve access to healthcare services for Indigenous people. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada identified 94 Calls to Action, four of which guided the design of this community action research project (No.18: acknowledge previous health policy is responsible for Indigenous health, No.19: identify appropriate health services, No.22: recognize the value of traditional health practices; No.23: provide competency training for health professionals). The purpose of this study was to examine whether the teaching of six interprofessional competencies to healthcare teams servicing northern First Nation communities enhances: 1) interprofessional collaboration and 2) Indigenous healthcare access. A two-eyed seeing approach supported an interprofessional collaboration (IPC) training intervention involving 30 participants. A convergent parallel mixed methods design, including a post-post test design survey and second-order narratives, supported the generation of community action-oriented goals. A statistically significant difference in each of the six interprofessional competency domains was found following the training. Qualitative analysis demonstrated that access to healthcare services does improve following collaboration training. The mixed analysis demonstrated that sustainable community resources focused on healthcare access were developed as a result of the action-oriented goals. Northern First Nation communities can benefit directly and indirectly from interprofessional competency training for the purpose of improving access to healthcare services. By incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing within a community action research framework, Calls to Action can be enacted.


title: Girl-child sexual abuse as a public health issue in Accra, Ghana

subject:
Child sexual abuse
Public health
Ghana, Accra

abstract: Girl-Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) constitutes an alarming social phenomenon. Heavily influenced by social and cultural factors, CSA is understood and dealt with differently by different societies. Ultimately, survivors are left to bear the indelible consequences of the abuse. The impact of this traumatic experience on their health and subsequent quality of life is well documented. These health effects range from the immediate physical scars to long-term psychosocial, emotional and physical problems (Finkelhor, 1993). Unfortunately, the dearth of research seeking to illuminate the socio-cultural context within which CSA flourishes, has led to the creation of CSA prevention and response systems that are inadequate and ineffective in many parts of the world.


title: Investigation of the impact of impurities on the properties of nitride semiconductors grown by RPECVD

subject:
optical properties
semi-conductors
nitrides

abstract:
Progress toward the improvement of optical emission from InGaN optical active region devices is made through a combination of the tailoring of p-type gallium nitride growth recipes and bandstructure calculations on a graded InN-GaN bandstructure that provides insight into the causes of anomalous electroluminescence observations.
Using a 7nm thick amorphous aluminum nitride buffer layer, the quality of certain thin film,
~150nm thick GaN growths performed at 550C at 1360mTorr by nitrogen plasma RPECVD is increased fourfold. Growths of buffered GaN show an XRD intensity increase by four times with smaller FWHM, half the droplet roughness on the surface as identical recipe unbuffered GaN growths, and are believed to show superior electrical properties. An increase to lateral growth, crystallite nucleation and nitrided metal coalescence from the buffer layer are believed to account for the improvements.
The same buffer layers also improve the quality of p-type GaN fourfold, when grown by similar recipes to the GaN. A low carrier concentration is identified by Hall effect, which seems to indicate that the solubility limit of magnesium in gallium droplets is being reached; since at this limit and room temperature the hole concentration after this doping should be of the magnitude of the background electron concentration of GaN grown by the system. AFM smoothness figures also show improvement, with optical transmission characteristics indicating an empty conduction band edge.
Finally, calculation is performed using the linear combination of atomic orbitals method (LCAO) of the electron band structure of intermittent stoichiometry values between various types of primitive cells occurring in InGaN growths contaminated with background oxygen. The intermittent stoichiometry bandstructure between InN and GaN is important because it represents the bandstructure of the gradient of diffusion of indium into GaN at phase separation boundaries
7
between isolated phases of InN and GaN in InGaN growths. Calculations of oxygen on intermittent InN stoichiometries identifies it as a viable culprit for the yellow electroluminescence defect seen in InGaN light emitting devices. Calculations of the real part of dielectric susceptibility are performed on InGaN contaminated with oxygen; as well as in indium rich conditions of InGaN with indium substituted for nitrogen in the cell


title: Evaluating the attention network test and its ability to detect cognitive decline

subject: Assessing fitness to drive in senior population

subject: Attention Network Test

subject: Driving research

subject: Cognitive decline

abstract: The current study involved an evaluation of the Attention Network Test (ANT) as a neurocognitive tool for assessing fitness to drive in the senior population. The ANT measures three distinct functions of attention: alerting, orienting and executive control. This test has been successfully utilized in a variety of clinical and research settings. Few studies have applied the ANT to driving research and none have examined the psychometric properties of the ANT over multiple time points. The participants in this study were senior drivers from the Candrive study. Overall, the ANT was found to have strong psychometric properties. Specifically, the ANT has good test-retest reliability demonstrated high convergent and divergent validity with other commonly used measures (i.e., MoCA, MMSE, Trails A and B, MVPT-3 and SIMARD-MD). In our sample, only Trails A, the SIMARD-MD and alerting scores showed significant change over time. Although the ANT was not more sensitive to cognitive decline as predicted, the cognitive changes were not redundant with other neurocognitive assessment tools. This high functioning sample of seniors coupled with only three annual measurement points may have limited our ability to detect drastic cognitive decline. Nonetheless, the current study provided valuable insight into the utility of a test of attentional processes, the Attention Network Test.


title: Rural women and the high forest of Ghana : a case study of the Nkawie forest district / by Edith Abruguah.

subject: Forests and forestry Ghana Nkawie Region

subject: Rural women.

subject: Ghana (Nkawie Region)

subject: Forest conservation.

subject: Deforestation.

subject: Taungya farming.


title: Monitoring of training and recovery in elite cross-country skiers

contributor:
Thayer, Robert
McPherson, Moira
McAuliffe, Jim

subject:
Cross-country skiing Training
Cross-country ski racing Training

abstract:
The purpose of this investigation was to monitor and assess the training program of elite cross-country
skiers over an eight week period in order to develop a comprehensive profile of elite crosscountry
skiers. This was performed by: i) observing the training responses of skiers over time to
physiological, biochemical and performance variables; ii) examining the relationship between the
Overstress Monitoring Inventory to both resting values of heart rate and blood pressure; iii)
observing the contrasting effects of physiological, biochemical and performance variables over a four
and eight day period of reduced training. Ten (8 male, 2 female) elite cross-country skiers (19-27
yrs.) participated in the study and performed endurance training 10-24 hours per week. Following
eight weeks of training, subjects were divided into two groups (N=4, N=6), and reduced training
volume by 50% for four and eight days respectively. Physiological measurements consisted of
evaluating peak and threshold (at TLac) VO2 resting heart rate and blood pressure, blood lactate,
lactate threshold (TLac), maximal heart rate, heart rate at TLac, %V02 (at TLac), %VO2 at OBLA
(onset o f blood lactate accumulation) and treadmill time to exhaustion. Biochemical measurements
consisted of evaluating white and red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum
urea, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cortisol and testosterone.
Psychological measurements were assessed with the use of a 29 question inventory prepared by
Cross-country Canada. Performance evaluations consisted of both a mini timing study and
technique analysis. Subjects were required to ski using the free techniques a 5 km course and were
videotaped while skiing for one complete cycle (pole plant to pole plant) up a 5% grade for 30
meters. Tapes were then digitized using the peak 2D system and analyzed for kinematic parameters
of cycle rate, time and length.
Significant differences were found in maximal heart rate (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin (p < 0.01)
levels following 4 and 8 weeks o f endurance training, respectively. Mean values of CPK decreased
significantly (p < 0.05) following 4 weeks of training. Cortisol concentrations demonstrated an
increasing trend throughout 8 weeks of training, however, no significant variations (p < 0.05) were
observed during training or between groups following 4 and 8 days of reduced training. Testosterone
levels profiled a similar response as cortisol, however, marked variations (p < 0.05) between groups
after 4 and 8 days reduced training were demonstrated. Treadmill time to exhaustion increased
significantly (p < 0.05) following 8 days of reduced training, although mean race time decreased
following 4 days of reduced training. Mean scores of kinematic parameters failed to identify any
significant variations throughout the period of the investigation. Similarly, correlational examination
of the stress inventory and resting systolic blood pressure and heart rate also failed to illustrate any
particular trends throughout the study. It was concluded that the elite skiers examined in the study
demonstrated improvements in physiological, biochemical and performance evaluations following
8 weeks o f endurance training. Specifically, 8 days of reduced training (a 50% decrease in training
volume) illustrated a greater improvement in physiological, biochemical and performance
evaluations when compared to 4 days of reduced training.


title: Books and readers, 1583; a survey and analysis of all books printed in England or in English abroad during the year 1583

subject:
Bibliography
Early printed books
16th century
English literature
Early modern, 1500-1700
History and criticism

abstract: This thesis constitutes a survey and analysis of all the works printed in England or in English abroad between January 1, 1583 and December 31, 1583.


title: Immanants and their applications in quantum optics

subject: Quantum optics

abstract:
The regular representation of Sn appears quite naturally in the combinatorial problem
of the redistribution of quantum particles though an n-channel interferometer. By using
tools from representation theory, it has been shown that the coincidence rate can expressed
in terms of linear combinations of permuted immanants of the scattering matrix that
describes the interferometer. This thesis introduces the delay matrix, whose entries are
functions of the relative time delays between particles. The delay matrix is used with
Gamas’ theorem to determine exactly which immanants appear in the coincidence rate
for a given set of time delays, which improves our understanding of the Hong-Ou-Mandel
effect for many-particle systems. Both bosonic and fermionic systems are considered in
this thesis.


title: Cystathionine gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide system and glucose homeostasis

contributor:
Wang, Rui
Yang, Guangdong
Schraft, Heidi
Leung, Kam

subject:
Hydrogen sulfide
Cystathionine gamma-lyase
Insulin secretion
Glucose regulation
Diabetes

abstract:
Research in the last twenty years has transformed the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) being perceived from a toxic gas to a gaso-transmitter with diverse physiological and pathological significance. Cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) is the major enzyme responsible for the endogenous production of H2S in pancreatic β cells and liver cells, which are two key types of cells to regulate glucose level. The hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus consist of insulin resistance, pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, and increased endogenous glucose production by liver. Pathophysiological implications of the CSE/H2S system in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as diabetic complications have been reported before.
Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that endogenous H2S mainly produced from CSE inhibited insulin release via activating KATP channels and decreased H2S production was observed after exposure to elevated glucose level in pancreatic β cells. However, the effect of glucose on CSE gene expression in pancreatic β cells and the underlying mechanism have not been thoroughly explored. Liver, an important organ to control glucose level, has relatively high amount of H2S production compared to other organs and CSE has been reported to be the major enzyme responsible for it. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of glucose on CSE expression in INS-1E cells (insulin-secreting β cells) and the role of H2S on basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis and gluconeogenesis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells as well as the underlying mechanisms.