title: Wind load evaluation on photovoltaic modules with flow deflector

contributor:
Tarokh, Ali
Ismail, Basel
Pakzad, Leila

subject:
Photovoltaic technology
Renewable energy
Solar energy
Wind load (solar systems)

abstract:
The wind load on a photovoltaic system and the effects of adding a flow deflector around
the panel are studied. The deflector is a reinforce measurement aiming to reduce the
aerodynamic wind loads over the PV system, which can lower the collapsing risk when the
system is under extreme weather conditions. Simulations of wind flow over both standalone and arrayed PV modules are performed by using the SST k-w turbulence model
based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The inlet velocity profile is
specified to describe the conditions representing the flows over a PV system located on a
large open terrain with the atmospheric boundary layer. The calculations are compared to
the data from the published wind flow simulations of the drag and lift force coefficients
along the centerline of the module, and to the net pressure coefficient on the PV module.
Further, the wind load over the PV system are compared for both stand-alone PV module
and arrayed PV system with and without a flow deflector placed around it. The effects of
the wind directions, the PV module inclination angles, the shapes of the deflector, and the
spacings between the deflector and the module are investigated. The results show that when
the inclination angle of the PV module is fixed to 25°, placing the deflector around the
stand-alone module can generate a wind load reduction of up to 40%. For an arrayed PV
system, the wind load is reduced by 8% on the first-row modules under the wind direction
of 0°. Thus, the deflector offers an economical solution for reducing the wind load on the
existing PV projects without modifying the modules or installation arrangements.


title: Experimental evaluation of a solid-state organ-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) camera

subject:
Positron emission tomography (PET)
Gamma Detectors for PET
Radialis PET camera
PET/MRI system

abstract:
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with an organ-targeted approach has a potential to
significantly improve the diagnosis of a variety of diseases through higher detection efficacy and
a reduced dose of radioactivity than when conventional whole-body (WB) PET systems are used.
The application of functional imaging with organ-targeted PET to breast-cancer screening and
diagnosis brings with it the benefits of visualizing malignant growths at the early stages of the
disease as well as being unaffected by dense breast tissue. This acts as a workaround to one of the
most notable current issues with anatomical X-ray imaging techniques for breast cancer of having
a lower specificity of detection because of masking effects of dense cancerous tissues with a
similarly dense tissue background.
Experimental evaluation of a novel solid-state PET detector technology, called the Radialis PET
camera, has demonstrated that through the modular architecture of PET flat-panel detectors,
system performance parameters including spatial resolution, sensitivity, and detector count rates
can be improved significantly. In clinical settings these improvements are translated into accurate
detectability of small cancerous lesions even at a 10-fold reduction in radiotracer activity in
comparison with standard WB PET dose and therefore, will ultimately allow for the
implementation of organ-targeted low-dose PET imaging to breast cancer screening, diagnosis,
and treatment follow-up. [...]


title: Variability of ionic magnesium

contributor:
Newhouse, Ian
McAuliffe, Jim
Montelpare, William

subject:
Electrodes, Ion selective
Magnesium ions
Magnesium in the body

abstract:
With the invention o f the ion-selective electrode, ionic magnesium (iMg), the
biologically active form of Mg, is a common blood assay. There is some evidence that iMg
has considerable within subject variability. To further assess this, blood samples were
collected from 13 healthy volunteers 6X/day (7:00 - 22:00, every 3 hours) for 3 consecutive
days and analysed for iMg (NOVA Stat 8 Analyser). Individual ranges averaged .08 mmol/L
(range .05 to .14). Coefficients of variation (CV) ranged from 3% to 7% (mean 4%) while
analytical variation was determined to be 2.3%. Biological variability thus accounts for
almost half of the variability which is clinically significant as 9 of the 13 subjects recorded
at least one value below a reference range of .46 - .60 mmol/L. A significant within day
variation (p<.001) was noted, with differences between 7:00 and 10:00 as well as 10:00 and
22:00. Between day variations were not significant (p=.56). A plausible explanation of this
data is that iMg has a circadian rhythm, but a sinusoidal curve of best fit computed for each
subject did not correlate highly to iMg (r=.20). Thus, cautious interpretation of iMg values is
warranted until future research determines the nature of iMg variability.


title: Impact and relation between proximity of two individual trees and their general development

subject:
Tree growth and development
Artificial and natural regeneration
Forest regeneration

abstract:
The intend of the following study is to understand and analyse a trend which marks the
relationship between proximity of two trees and their general development. In this study
we will examine two types of regeneration techniques, Artificially and Naturally
regenerated even age stands. For recording the data in regard to the artificially
regenerated stand, Ekant Park was chosen as a location and Manav Sangrahalay was
chosen for the naturally regenerated stand. At both locations several plots of 5 *5
squared meter plots were marked and the data pertaining to the preferred tree species
was recorded. This included soil texture, average DBH, canopy cover, tree mortality
ratio and temperature. Putranjiva (Putranjiva roxburghii), Gulmohar (Delonix regia)
and Beeja tree (Pterocarpus marsupium) were the preferred species in Ekant park.
Nilgiri (Eucalyptus) and Babool tree (Vachellia nilotica) were the preferred species in
Manav Sangrahalay. A considerable amount of change in growth and development can
be seen when comparing the stands with higher tree density to the stands with lower tree
density. In other words, a trend where increasing distance between the trees resulted in
an increase in the tree heights and DBH`s can be seen.


title: Geochemistry and PGE mineralization of the Kitto intrusion :  a product of Mesoproterozoic plume magmatism through fault bounded archean crust, East Nipigon Embayment, Northern Ontario

subject:
Geochemistry
Mineralogy
Petrology
Northwestern Ontario
Kitto Intrusion

abstract: The Kitto intrusion is a Mesoproterozoic 1117.7 ±1.8 Ma peridotitic to gabbroic intrusion, that formed as a result of plume magmatism and was emplaced along Mesoproterozoic and Archean faults in the East Nipigon Embayment of northern Ontario. The plume signature for the Kitto intrusion is suggested by five samples with OIB (ocean island basalt)-like primitive mantle normalized multielement patterns in the lherzolite-olivine websterites. In the southern part of the intrusion, the sequence of lithologies from top to bottom is lherzolite, olivine websterite, vari-textured pyroxenite, pyroxenite and melanogabbro. The basement is banded iron formation and mafic metavolcanic rocks. Lithologies on surface are dominantly lherzolite, with olivine websterite present in the area of the Phoenix mineralized occurrence. The Kitto intrusion is dominated by lherzolite that exhibits cumulate to pyroxene-poikilitic textures dominated by olivine with lesser clinopyroxene and poikilitic orthopyroxene.


title: The Fine root dynamics after stand-replacing fire and clearcutting in the boreal forest of central Canada

subject:
Taiga ecology
Ontario, Northwestern
Trees
Roots
Forest dynamics
Effect of fires on
Forest ecology
Effect of logging on
Forest fires
Environmental aspects
Clearcutting

abstract: In boreal forest ecosystems, stand age is a key driver of forest ecosystem productivity, carbon storage/sequestration, and other ecosystem functions. The age-related decline of aboveground productivity is well known in secondary forests after stand-replacing disturbances, however, how belowground root system changes with stand age is not well understood. Both fire and harvesting (mostly mechanical clearcutting) are also well known to be two main disturbances in boreal forests. These two disturbances are two distinct processes in terms of ecological effects, one is a natural disturbance, and the other is an anthropogenic one, resulting in different regeneration substrates, coarse woody debris structures, and understory vegetation communities. However, direct comparisons of belowground root dynamics between these two disturbance types within the same region are not common. In this present study, a boreal forest chronosequence in northern Ontario that spans over 200 years (3-, 1 0-, 29-, 94-, 142- and 205-year old for postfire stands and 3-, 1 0-, and 29-year old for post-clearcutting stands) was used to study how ecosystem functions such as the dynamics of fine roots (::S2 mm in diameter) vary with stand ages and disturbances.


title: Efficacy of group therapy of learned helplessness, locus of control and current functioning with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse / by Nancy K. Montgomery.

subject: Group psychotherapy Evaluation.

subject: Adult child sexual abuse victims Care Evaluation.

subject: Adult child sexual abuse victims Effect of group psychotherapy on.

abstract:
Increasing numbers of adult survivors of childhood sexual
abuse are coming forth to seek aid for problems stemming from
their abuse experiences. Long-term consequences for survivors
are believed to affect every facet of human functioning. The
efficacy of one therapeutic group on learned helplessness,
locus of control and current levels of functioning with female
survivors of childhood sexual abuse was investigated.
Subjects were comprised of female volunteers, recruited from
the Catholic Family Development Centre in Thunder Bay,
Ontario. The Multimodal Life History Inventory (Lazarus &
Lazarus, 1991), the Modality Analysis of Current Problems
(adapted from the Multimodal Life History Inventory), the
Attributional Style Questionnaire (Seligman, 1990), the Social
Reaction Inventory (Rotter, 1966) and a Satisfaction
Questionnaire designed for use in this investigation served as
psychometric tools. The results indicated significant change
between first and last testings on behavior descriptors,
personal belief statement scores (cognition modality) and
level of helplessness scores. The remaining modalities and
the locus of control scores were statistically nonsignificant.
Subjects were generally satisfied with the
therapeutic group. The major criticism reported by subjects
concerned the relatively brief duration of the therapy group.
Several proposals for future areas of investigation were
recommended.


Tensional nature of John Fowles : existentialist and moralist / by Peter Michael Borich.


title: Interaction of lignin derivatives with polymers, ions and soft surfaces in aqueous systems

contributor:
Fatehi, Pedram
Aledresse, Adil
Liao, Baoqiang
Rezaei, Ebrahim
Boffito, Daria

subject:
Lignin
Lignin-derived polymers
Lignocellulosic biomass

abstract:
Lignin is one of the most abundant biopolymers on earth which has recently gained considerable
attention due to its unique potentials to be used in many applications. Many efforts have been made
in improving the compatibility and reactivity of lignin for different applications. Although
different methods have been suggested to ameliorate lignin properties, there has been a continuous
demand for finding effective and new ways of revealing the beneficial uses of this polymer. To
address the lack of fundamental understanding of lignin modification pathways in generating
lignin-based products, the chemical reactions conducted via grafting functional groups of lignin
has been comprehensively reviewed in this thesis. Also, the recent progress on lignin reactions as
well as advantages and disadvantage, challenges associated with the product development process,
and the reaction procedures have been discussed comprehensively in this work. Also, from the
commercial point of view, products such as vanillin and phenol have been commercially available
since 1933 and 2015, respectively, with equal or lower prices to their fossil-based counterparts.
Lignin-based carbon fiber is also estimated to be produced commercially in 2020-2025. Overall,
by reviewing different reactions performed on lignin in this chapter and revealing the possible ones
that could be implemented, lignin-based polymers with improved properties could be generated to
pave the way to even more commercial products from lignin.


title: Estimating tanager densities in chakra agroforests in relation to plant species diversity and area of chakra

subject:
Tanager species
Chakra agroforests

abstract: Chakra agroforests in the community of Verde Sumaco, Ecuador were surveyed to estimate tanager densities. Distance sampling using transects was the methodology used to record presence of tanager species. Using the data collected, tanager counts were entered into a program called Distance and tanager density was calculated for each individual chakra. The results from this study showed that chakras are suitable habitat for tanagers and provide ample resources required by each species.


title: Inter-occupational and inter-industry empirical analysis of labour market segmentation in Canada

subject:
Labor supply Canada
Labor economics Canada

abstract:
The theory of labour market segmentation represents an assault
on the conventional tenets held by the neoclassical school of labour
economics. Essentially, the segmentation approach views the economic
structure of the labour market as consisting of distinct sectors
within which workers operate under fundamentally different rules and
conditions, affecting both the distribution of employees among jobs,
as well as the distribution of wages. These sectors act as barriers
which prevent competitive forces from narrowing wage and earnings
differentials. As a result, segmentation theory sees the poverty of
the working poor as being mostly the fault of the economic system, as
opposed to the individual workers themselves.
This study empirically examines the importance of non-competing
labour markets for males in Canada, as hypothesized by a refined
version of labour market segmentation theory. Using survey data from
the Canadian National Mobility Study, semi-logarithmic earnings
equations for each identified segment are specified and tested. The
results produced demonstrate that statistically significant differences
in labour force earnings are for the most part, present across both
occupational and industrial labour market sectors. Specifically,
differences in earnings were found across the primary upper tier and
secondary segment within both the core and periphery sectors. In
addition, substantial variation was also present across the core and
periphery sector's primary upper and lower tiers. Overall, these findings are interpreted as evidence which both support and extend
the hypothesis that Canadian labour markets are segmented.
In consequence, past public policies which solely emphasized
labour supply adjustments through human capital development have failed
in improving the earnings and working conditions of disadvantaged
workers because in themselves, they have not assisted those in the
secondary and periphery segments to enter the primary and core sectors.
Hence, a re-direction of policy which addresses the structural aspects
of labour demand is required in order to remove the labour market
barriers created by segmentation. Ultimately, a combination of both
labour supply and demand policies are needed if we are to expect
significant improvements in the earnings capacity of disadvantaged
workers in Canada.


title: Studies related to the chemistry and environmental persistence of methoxychlor and its derivatives

subject: Methoxychlor.

abstract:
An Investigation of some of the chemical and biological
factors Influencing the environmental fate of methoxychlor
( 1 , 1, 1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-methoxyphenyl) ethane) has been
conducted.
Methoxychlor is an organochlorine insecticide which
is used extensively in Canada and has been proposed as a
potential DDT replacement. It has been reported in the literature that methoxychlor exhibits a low toxicity towards most
mammals and is also partially degraded by these organisms.
Although much information exists on the interaction of this
insecticide with higher animals, less information is available
on the interaction between this compound and organisms at
lower tropic levels, especially the microorganisms. Methoxychlor, because of its use as a larviclde in and around natural water systems, has the potential to interact directly with nontarget
aquatic biota. Therefore an investigation concerning
the interaction between methoxychlor and aquatic microorganisms
was initiated. The microorganisms chosen for this study were
common species of green algae, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and
Chlorella vulgaris. The biological effects of methoxychlor
have been studied in vitro using axenic cultures of the test
algae .
Known metabolites and derivatives of methoxychlor
required for this study were synthesized. The extensive modification of the literature methods for the preparation of
these compounds has resulted in improved yields and purer products for virtually all compounds synthesized. The
synthesis of 1-monochloro-2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) ethylene,
a known methoxychlor metabolite, has been developed and
almost completed. The synthesis of this compound has not
been reported in the literature before. The product of the
previously reported base-promoted rearrangement of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) ethane has been identified and
a mechanism for its formation postulated.
Also, to aid in the selection of solvents used for
the extraction of the polar metabolites of methoxychlor from
aqueous samples, the p-values (ie. extractability) and solubilities (in water and organic solvents) of these compounds have been determined.
The toxicity of methoxychlor and hydroxychlor (1,1,1-
trichloro-2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethane) towards both
species of algae was assessed. Although both species are
tolerant of relatively high concentrations of these compounds,
the hydroxy analogue was much more toxic than the parent
insecticide. Growth rate studies revealed that both methoxychlor and hydroxychlor had little effect on the overall growth
of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, The growth of Chlorella vulgaris
was however, significantly depressed by methoxychlor, while
on the other hand hydroxychlor stimulated the growth of this alga. Recovery experiments indicated that the uptake of
methoxychlor and hydroxychlor by Chlorella pyrenoidosa is
mainly due to physical adsorption. In the case of Chlorella
vulgaris very little of the added methoxychlor could be recovered. Recovery experiments conducted with Chlorella vulgaris and hydroxychlor suggest that at least some of this compound is reductively dechlorinated by this organism.


title: An exploration of mathematics discourse in a reform-oriented classroom and its role in the development of strategies and big ideas in early addition and subtraction

subject: Teaching mathematics

subject: Children's mathematical understanding & proficiency

subject: Mathematics curricula

subject: Curriculum and evaluation standards for school mathematics

subject: Social and mathematical learning community

abstract:
The focus of this video case study was to analyze the role of social norms (discourse in a
learning community), sociomathematical norms (math discourse in a learning
community), and my teaching in facilitating these norms on the development of strategies
and big ideas in early addition and subtraction in a Grade 1 classroom. Three students
from the class were purposely selected to be the focus of this study because of their high
level of participation in discussions and their different levels of conceptual
understanding. An independent task was given to all the students in the class pre- and
poststudy that paralleled the addition and subtraction problems used during the study.
The model of the arithmetic rack was used in the context of the double-decker bus, on
which the students applied their strategies directly and indirectly. The teaching unit and
numeracy continuum (The Landscape of Learning) used, supported students in their
development of the big mathematical ideas surrounding early addition and subtraction.
The frequency of talk, the direction of talk, the type of talk, and the teacher’s talk in
relation to the students under study were analyzed. Although students’ movement along
the landscape was not dramatic, it was evident that the discussions helped to deepen their
understanding. Recommendations are discussed.


title: Study of the effect of drama education on social interaction in high school students

contributor:
Blaikie, Fiona
Fennell, Hope-Arlene
Epp, Walter

subject: Drama in education

subject: Drama Study and teaching (Secondary) Social aspects

subject: High school students Effect of drama on

abstract:
The primary purpose of this qualitative study is to examine high school students’ perceptions
o f being involved in creative drama, and the effect o f this involvement on their social interactions.
All data was collected, analyzed and interpreted using qualitative research techniques. Interviews
and non-participant observations were used for data collection. Participants were selected via
purposive sampling, and included two male students, four female students, and three teachers.
Findings o f this study provide insights into common attitudes and behaviours in daily
interpersonal relatedness among students who are involved in creative drama education. Overall,
this study reveals that in many cases, drama education enhances social interaction. Thus,
curricularists may be encouraged to integrate drama into a wide range of school subjects such as
history, religion, health science, and family studies.


title: Teacher perspectives on community engagement in an international school context

contributor:
Helyar, Frances
Gonzalez, Ismel

subject:
International school
Community engagement (education)
International education

abstract:
This qualitative case study explores teacher perspectives on community engagement
efforts at the International School of Dakar (ISD) in Dakar, Senegal. It examines how teachers
define meaningful and reciprocal community engagement, as well as barriers to engagement and
proposed solutions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six teachers, two from each
of the elementary, middle and high school departments at the International School of Dakar.
During the interviews, participants discussed their experiences with community engagement at
ISD, defined meaningful and reciprocal community engagement, identified challenges, as well as
posed ideas for improvements. The interview findings were triangulated with analysis of IBO
and school policy documents, as well as a researcher reflective journal. Findings were analysed
within a postcolonial theoretical framework.
The research revealed that teachers defined meaningful and reciprocal community
engagement as engagement that is long-lasting, mutually beneficial, and that results in student
learning. Teachers largely defined community engagement as synonymous with community
service. The service model they described is consistent with a traditional service-learning model.
Teachers perceived the school’s community engagement efforts as largely lacking, identifying
personal, professional and socio-economic barriers to engagement. They proposed solutions that
involved educating teachers, fostering long-term partnerships and soliciting the expertise of the
Senegalese staff members at the school. The case study also revealed that teachers were largely
unsure or unaware of existing programs and resources available, as well as their own
responsibilities with regards to community engagement. This case study advocates for a critical
service-learning model at the International School of Dakar.


title: Controlling competing vegetation for forest regeneration

subject:
Forest regeneration
Vegetation control practices
Prescribed fire
Livestock grazing
Cover cropping
Vegetation management

abstract:
The timely regeneration of productive forests is vital to maintain timber supply
in the forest industry. However, other vegetation can severely hinder forest
regenerations. Therefore, effective measures to control the competing vegetation are
necessary to ensure the regeneration of new forests. The forest industry develops
specific measures and also adopt practices from horticulture, agriculture, and other
disciplines to depress vegetation that compete with crop trees during the regeneration
phase. Common vegetation control measures are discussed in this thesis with the
objective of helping forest manager to select effective vegetation control measures for
their specific site conditions. The vegetation control measures discussed include partial
harvesting, prescribed burns, livestock grazing, mechanical site preparation, herbicide,
mulch, cover crops, and tree shelters. Each vegetation control measure is situationspecific and includes many variables to consider, such as access, labour availability,
machinery availability, and implementation cost. By using known vegetation control
measures and by researching, developing, and innovating new vegetation control
measures, foresters will ensure the success of forest regeneration and steady timber
supplies.


title: The Effects of the knowledge economy on women and resource dependent communities in Northern Ontario

contributor:
Southcott, Chris
Stone, Sharon Dale
Beaulieu, Michel
Leach, Belinda

subject:
Women employees
Ontario, Northern
Social conditions
Economic conditions
Resource-based communities
Company towns
Employment

abstract: Historically women have often been confined to the home while their husbands were expected to earn a living to support their families. This was particularly true in resource communities as little job diversity existed, particularly for women, as the forestry and mining sectors have always been male dominated. These gender roles however are changing as we move into a post-industrial era characterized by the advancement of the knowledge economy. The knowledge economy is defined by the shift from an economy centered on the production of goods to the production and distribution of knowledge.


title: Seasonal changes in gas exchange and foliar nitrogen of three conifer species growing on an Ontario boreal mixedwood site

subject: Ecophysiology (Ontario, Northwestern)

subject: Seedling growth

subject: Photosynthesis

subject: Stomatal conductance

subject: Foliar nitrogen concentration

subject: Nitrogen use efficiency

subject: Canadian boreal forest

subject: Mixedwood management

abstract:
Jack pine, black spruce and white spruce are three vital species of the
Ontario boreal mixedwood forest. The purpose of this study is to compare and
contrast the ecophysiological characteristics of each species and to examine
changes that occur in these characteristics over a growing season.
Ecophysiological measurements (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and
transpiration) were taken on six trees each of jack pine, black spruce and white
spruce from three blocks, at three times during the growing season (July, August
and September). Foliar N concentration was also determined for each
measured seedling in July and September. For all three species, photosynthetic
rates were highest in September and lowest in July. Overall, rates were
consistently highest for jack pine, even in partially shaded conditions. White
spruce had its best performance in the lower light conditions, likely due to its
shade tolerance. Black spruce performed in between the jack pine and white
spruce. Jack pine had the lowest specific leaf areas, nitrogen use efficiencies
and the highest water use efficiencies. For all three species, water use
efficiency was lowest in July. Foliar nitrogen concentration and photosynthesis
were only weakly correlated in this study.


title: Is Ruggedness a Key Habitat Feature for Woodland Caribou Along the Lake Superior Coast?

subject:
Woodland caribou
Lake Superior Coast Range
Pukaskwa National Park
Refuge habitat

abstract: Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou Gmelin) in the Lake Superior Coast Range are at risk, having been extirpated in portions of their range including Lake Superior Provincial Park and Pukaskwa National Park (PNP). A resource selection function has yet to be formulated for this population. I chose to examine the population between Terrace Bay and Marathon, Ontario, where the most recent observations of mainland individuals has occurred, hypothesizing that rugged terrain was a mechanism for caribou to escape predation from wolves (Canis lupis L.). These animals do not appear to use rugged terrain, as they were found to be spaced away from rugged areas. Ruggedness is likely important at the landscape scale, segregating caribou from moose (Alces alces L.) and consequently wolves. At the finer scale caribou probably avoid rugged terrain to lower energetic costs. Alternatively, refuge islands appear to act as the primary means of spatial segregation between caribou, moose and wolves. Heavy selection for these features is not a viable long-term survival strategy for caribou in the LSCR, as shown by an extirpated population in PNP. I suggest that caribou will be extirpated from the LSCR, as populations on Michipicoten and Slates Islands which have likely sourced the mainland coast have recently become extirpated or nearly so.


title: Correlates and select quality of life measures among individuals with schizophrenia and comorbid diabetes compared to individuals with schizophrenia only / by Sean Griffith.

contributor:
Martin, Lynn
Stones, Michael

subject:
Quality of life
Schizophrenia
Comorbidity
Diabetes

abstract:
Individuals with schizophrenia are at an increased risk for developing diabetes and experience rates of diabetes two to five times higher than the general population. The limited number of studies that have been conducted in the area of schizophrenia and comorbid diabetes have been inconsistent in demonstrating whether individuals with schizophrenia and comorbid diabetes differ significantly in terms of personal factors,
functional and clinical characteristics, social involvement and service utilization. Nor have these studies consistently shown the impact of comorbid schizophrenia and diabetes on quality of life. An examination of the various measures that differentiate individuals with schizophrenia and comorbid diabetes from those without diabetes were explored.
The prevalence of diabetes among persons with schizophrenia was 4.75%. Persons with comorbid diabetes differed on a number of personal factors, functional and clinical characteristics, social involvement and service utilization. Of note, individuals with comorbid diabetes were more likely to be female, have a BMI in the obese/overweight range, were more likely to be married/partnered and more likely to be unemployed. They were also more likely to experience cognitive deficits, impaired self-care, fewer positive symptoms, a greater number of physical health problems and medical co-morbidities than individuals without diabetes. Individuals with diabetes were more likely to experience more lifetime psychiatric admissions and were admitted for longer periods of time. With
respect to quality of life, individuals with diabetes were more likely to have poor-self rated health (0R=1.61), more likely to report having a confidant [1.27) and more likely to be unemployed (0R=2.64).
The low prevalence of diabetes is consistent with under-detection of diabetes among individuals with schizophrenia and must be investigated and remedied. Addressing diabetes before full on-set through lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy should be further explored. The underlying reasons for the disparities [i.e. poor self-rated health,
service utilization, reduced self-care abilities) found should be the focus of future research to determine methods to reduce the impact of diabetes on individuals with schizophrenia.


title: The relationship of gambling to health, social functioning, and life satisfaction in older adults

subject:
Gambling behaviour
Public health approach to gambling
Motivations for gambling behaviour
Gambling prevalence in older adults
Gambling & health
Problem gambling

abstract: The health, social functioning, and life satisfaction of older adults, age 50 and older were explored across levels of gambling activity as measured by the National Opinion Research Centre DSM Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS). Three hundred and nine participants were recruited from two different geographic locations in Ontario. Self-rated measures consisted of two widely-used gambling screens, and measures of general health, mental health, social functioning, and life satisfaction. Alcohol consumption, the use of prescription medication, and pain were also assessed. Both recreational gamblers and non-gamblers reported significantly better health and greater life satisfaction than problem gamblers. Problem gamblers reported significantly higher anxiety and depression than both of the other groups and poorer social functioning. Higher gambling expenditures, more frequent gambling, and participation in more types of gambling activities were associated with problem gambling. Sex differences were noted in gambling activities and certain problem gambling behaviours. Residing in a household with others that gambled and not having a current marital partner emerged as predictors of problem gambling risk. The findings provide further support for the relationship between problem gambling and poorer health.


title: Improved anti-melanoma and anti-melanogenic effects of birch bark triterpenes delivered in ethosomes

contributor:
Rakshit, Sudip
Suntres, Zacharias

subject:
Skin cancer
Melanoma
Skin aging
Betulinic acid
Transdermal drug delivery

abstract: North American birch species of the boreal forest contain significant amounts of pentacyclic triterpenes in their outer bark. Betulin (BE) and betulinic acid (BA), pentacyclic triterpenes readily extracted from outer birch bark, have been reported to exhibit a wide array of therapeutic effects, including selective inhibition against melanoma, and the inhibition of key enzymes involved in skin aging and melanogenesis. Despite their promising therapeutic effects and lack of toxicity towards healthy cells, their use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics has been limited by their poor hydrosolubility. Ethosomes are lipid vesicles that have been successfully employed to encapsulate hydrophobic compounds and enhance their drug delivery and bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of ethosomes as a delivery system for triterpenes and evaluate their anti-melanoma and anti-melanogenic effects. BE, BA, and a triterpene extract from Betula papyrifera (TE) were successfully incorporated into an ethosome for the first time and assessed for their anti-melanoma and anti-melanogenic effects in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Firstly, ethosomes containing BE, BA, or TE were prepared and characterized by their vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, and morphology. The cytotoxicity on B16-F10 melanoma cells was then explored. Lastly, the effect on cellular tyrosinase activity in B16-F10 cells was evaluated as a measure of anti-melanogenic effect. The ethosomal triterpenes had mean vesicle sizes ranging from 3.67 – 5.11 μm and high entrapment efficiencies ranging from 93.25 – 95.76%. The ethosomal triterpenes showed significant cytotoxicity and higher in vitro anti-melanoma effects than triterpene solutions of equivalent concentration. BE-ethosomes showed an IC50 of 2.43 μM compared to 14.38 μM in BE solutions. BA-ethosomes showed an IC50 value of 3.07 μM compared to 16.41 μM in BA solutions. TE (IC50 = 36.00 μg/mL) showed cytotoxicity comparable to both BE and BA, but its effect was not improved by the ethosomal solution (IC50 = 43.51 μg/mL). BE, BA, and TE showed significant anti-melanogenic effect, inhibiting tyrosinase more effectively than the standard inhibitor kojic acid. These findings support the use of BE, BA, and TE as therapeutic agents and outlines their potential for topical and transdermal applications for the treatment of melanomas and skin aging.


title: Molecular analysis of bacterial diversity on central venous catheters recovered from cancer patients

contributor:
Leung, Kam Tin
Schraft, Heidi

subject: Catheter contamination

subject: Catheterization, Central Venous instrumentation

subject: Nosocomial infections (Prevention)

subject: Detection of catheter-related infections

abstract:
Central venous catheters (CVC) are a known source of nosocomial blood
stream infections. However, standard cultivation methods to identify causal
pathogens of catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI) on catheters often
fail. In this study, I compare the traditional cultivation method to the cultivation-independent
PCR-DGGE method to examine bacterial colonization on central
venous catheters retrieved from cancer patients.
In order to study the biofilm communities that colonize the catheters, an
optimized sonication protocol was developed to remove biofilm bacteria from
their substratum. I showed that a sonicating power of 12 Watts for 5 minutes
could remove bacteria, such as Pseudomonas putida and Staphylococcus
epidermidis cells, from a glass surface without killing the bacteria.
Twenty-four catheters were retrieved from cancer patients and used in this
study. Five out of the 24 catheter samples (21%) showed growth in at least one
of the culture media used. The isolates recovered from the catheters belonged to
five bacterial species, including Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S.
hominis, a Staphylococcus sp., and Streptococcus agalactica.
The PCR-DGGE method showed that 100% of the catheters were
colonized by bacteria. Furthermore, unlike the cultivation assay demonstrated
that contaminated catheters were colonized by only one or two bacterial species,
DGGE analysis showed that all the catheters in this study possessed a mixed-bacterial
community of at least 4 bacterial species. By analyzing the sequences of the DGGE bands, Enterococcus faecalis (100%), E. faecium (96%) and
Roseomonas sp. (88%) were the most predominant species detected on the
catheters. Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. hominis, S. aureus, Corynebacterium
sp. and Serratia sp. were detected on 30-54% of the catheter samples. Other
bacterial species, such as E. coli, Aeroccous sp.. Micrococcus sp. and alpha
proteobacterium were detected on less than 30% of the catheters. In addition,
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the DGGE findings in that
biofilms were found on all the catheter samples. Biofilms were found in the
lumens of the catheters but rarely associate with the outer surface.
The catheters were rinsed prior to the sonication process and the rinsing
buffers were also analyzed by culturing and DGGE assays as described for the
catheter samples. None of the buffer samples showed any positive growth in the
growth media but all of them showed positive amplification by a pair of
eubacterial universal primers and showed similar DGGE profiles as their
respective catheter samples, showing that even gentle rinsing could remove
enough biofilm cells for PCR-DGGE analysis.
In conclusion, the PCR-DGGE method is a superior method in identifying
biofilm microbial communities on catheters. This method could detect and identify
“viable but non-culturable” bacteria that were missed by the conventional
cultivation methods. Furthermore, this study also revealed that some bacterial
species (such as Enterococcus, Roseomonas spp. and Serratia spp.), that have
yet been recognized as a major cause of catheter related infections, can
potentially be important catheter-associated pathogens.


title: Continuing education needs of registered nurses in Northwestern Ontario : a needs assessment approach / Laura Kokocinski.

subject: Nursing Study and teaching (Continuing education) Ontario, Northwestern.

abstract:
In Canada, there has been little progress in the
development and advancement of continuing nursing
education since World War II. The recent release of
national and provincial documents, the trend toward
specialization and the need for increased knowledge based
on technological changes in practice, supports the
importance of continuing nursing education and its vital
role in maintaining the credibility of the profession.
The purpose of this study was to investigate and
describe the continuing education needs of registered
nurses in Northwestern Ontario. A Needs Assessment‘s
Framework for Continuing Nursing Education was developed
to answer the research questions. The research design
involved mailing a questionnaire to 800 registered nurses
in Northwestern Ontario and personal interviews with ten
participants. Data was analyzed using descriptive and
correlation statistics.
Continuing education needs were defined, as well as
the factors which influence these needs. The findings
indicated that nurses in Northwestern Ontario were
interested in pursuing continuing education. However, the
majority were not currently participating in continuing education. The results suggest that geographical
location, educational preparation, area of employment and
motivational considerations affect continuing education
needs and are predictors of participation. Other
variables, such as; "valuing" of continuing education,
the need for professional upgrading, accessible
educational offerings, educational delivery methods, the
variety of educational needs and the busy lifestyles of
the nurses surveyed, suggest trends or influences which
may impact the continuing education needs of registered
nurses in Northwestern Ontario.
The present study also has several implications for
continuing nursing education in Northwestern Ontario. The
findings indicate that continuing education must be
recognized and valued by nurses, employers and the
profession as a whole. Educational offerings could then
be planned and offered in a collaborative approach to
meet the nurses needs. The results of this study also
indicate that further research is required to explore
motivational orientations, appropriate learning methods,
barriers to participation, and to investigate the
effectiveness of the voluntary model for continuing
education.


title: Method optimization and gene expression analysis for interferon Kappa mRNA in HPV-associated cervical disease / by Correne A. Decarlo.

contributor:
Zehbe, Ingeborg
Law, David
Ulanova, Marina
Leung, Kam

subject:
Papillomaviruses
Interferon
Gene expression
Cervical disease

abstract:
Interferons (IFNs) are a common biological treatment option for many cancers as well as for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated diseases, but current IFN treatments have not been optimized as disease progression subsists and treatment-limiting side effects still exist. IFN kappa (IFN-), a novel type I IFN, principally expressed in keratinocytes, may offer improvements in current IFN treatment regimes. The goal of the current study was to characterize the IFN-, IFN- and IFN- mRNA levels in normal, dysplastic and cervical carcinoma tissue, as well as microdissected cervical epithelium and stroma, to determine the effects of HPV on IFN- gene expression in relation to other common IFNs. Optimal sample handling techniques for tissue preparation and storage, RNA extraction and quantification, and target gene detection are crucial for reliable gene expression analysis. Methods for measuring mRNA levels of low-expressing genes, such as IFNs, in human cervical samples are not described in the scientific literature.   Thus, we obtained normal and dysplastic frozen and
formalin-fixed cervical biopsies from colposcopy. Histopathological diagnoses were performed by one pathologist. Cervical keratinocytes and stroma were isolated using laser capture microdissection. Immortalized keratinocytes transduced with or devoid of an HPV oncogene were used for initial method development. Human keratinocytes, cervical cancer-derived cell lines as well as patient-derived peripheral blood lymphocytes were used for supportive experiments. Here we report optimal methods for gene expression analysis of IFNs in cervical tissue as well as the comprehensive analysis of whole tissue and cell-specific IFN-y, -B and -K gene expression in HPV-associated cervical disease. IFN-K gene expression increased with
disease progression, while IFN-B gene expression decreased with disease progression. IFN-y levels remained unchanged despite HPV infection. Furthermore, IFN-K expression in cervical stroma cells was induced upon HPV infection, implicating the involvement of cervical stroma cells in the HPV-associated increase in IFN-k expression. The described optimized methods could lead to improvements in immunological profiling and disease diagnosis, techniques without which IFN-k would remain undetectable in cervical samples. Further, characterization of the IFN immune profile in patients with different stages of HPV-associated cervical disease, with
emphasis on the novel IFN-k, could help develop patient-tailored IFN treatment regimes that lead to the promotion of viral regression in women suffering from cervical disease.


title: Multiwavelength erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber laser / by Mansour Dastmalchi.

subject:
Lasers
Optical fibers
Nonlinear optics

abstract:
A fiber ring laser, using erbium-ytterbium co-doped double clad fiber is proposed and demonstrated to produce a medium power multiwavelength fiber laser. The experimental results show that the ring resonator configuration can produce more output power compared to a laser based on bidirectional pumping scheme in Fabry-Perot resonator configuration. To stabilize the lasing lines we used an unpumped erbium doped fiber as saturable absorber.  A sagnac loop interferometer is used as a filter inside the cavity and its effect has been explored. We can produce a maximum four lasing lines which are stable for more than 2 hours when observed through OSA with a resolution of 0.05 run. The maximum output power obtained from the laser is more than 100 mW. Our best result at room temperature is simultaneous oscillations of two single-mode laser
wavelengths with a maximum output power of 60 mW when observed through a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrum analyzer of resolution 27 MHz.


title: Characterizing the microbial degradation of kraft lignin and lignin-derived compounds

subject: Lignin

subject: Lignin structure

subject: Lignin biosynthesis

subject: Kraft pulping

subject: Isolating lignin

subject: Kraft lignin chemistry and structure

subject: Potential industrial uses for kraft lignin

subject: Microbial lignin degradation

subject: Lignin demethylation assays

abstract:
Analytical methods for characterizing the microbial degradation of Kraft lignin
and lignin-derived compounds were utilized with the goal of biologically generating
demethylated lignin for subsequent industrial applications. Selected ion flow tube mass
spectrometry (SIFT-MS) technology was used for the first time with both bacterial and
fungal cultures growing on lignin as a sole carbon source. Methanol and other volatile
compounds were evaluated using this method and lignin-derived compounds were
identified. Methanol oxidation products were found in the headspace of seven microbial
cultures, as well as several unknown products not present in the SIFT-MS compound
library. An assay was then developed to both confirm the results obtained by the SIFTMS
and help to understand the nature of the microbial demethylation reactions. The
Ti(III)-NTA assay was found to be an economical method for rapidly determining the
relative degree of lignin demethylation by cultures of microorganisms and their enzymes.
Using the Ti(III)-NTA assay, some fungal cultures were found to degrade lignin
monomers completely and others to metabolize methanol. Four cultures were then
selected for growth optimization; to both maximize vicinal diol generation and methanol
formation. By altering variables such as induction day, incubation length, culture
agitation, hydrogen peroxide concentration and micronutrient concentrations (known to
promote enzyme production), the effect on four fungal species was investigated.
Induction with vanillin after 1 week of growth on glucose resulted in the highest
demethylation activity. In the final study, culture media from the fungus Absidia
cylindrospora and the bacterium Sphingobium sp. SYK-6 were used to partially purify
demethylating activity. The fungal enzyme had higher specific activity than the bacterial enzyme, but was much less abundant. Further research is needed to purify these enzymes responsible for demethylation.


title: Investigation of change/stability in WAIS-R scores for 16 year olds over an 18 month period

subject:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Intelligence tests

abstract:
This study used a test-retest paradigm to
investigate change/stability in Wechsler Adult
Intelligence Scale-Revised scores of 16 and 17 year olds.
Both short (3 month) and long (18 month) retest intervals
were investigated with 26 subjects in each group. The
results of this study were quite consistent in showing
that WAIS-R retest gains for young 16 year olds were
greater over an 18 month retest period than over a 3
month retest period. This general finding was true for
males and females on mean Verbal IQ and Full Scale IQ.
Mean Performance IQ also showed this differential retest
effect but only for males. Verbal IQ gain for the long
term retest group seems largely the result of the
Vocabulary and Comprehension subtests. Some of the
results varied by gender. Although absolute retest gains
were different for the long versus short term retest
groups, test-retest reliability was high for both groups.
Absolute IQ gains for Performance and Full Scale were
significantly, but not highly correlated with initial IQ
score. Clinical and theoretical implications of these
results were discussed. Further research needs to
address change/stability of measured IQ for 16 and 17
year olds no longer attending school, and explore the
relationship between gender and IQ change for this age
group.


title: Parenting styles and adolescent problem behaviors : a search for moderating variables / Troy Dylan Dvorak. --

subject:
Parenting
Juvenile delinquency
Parent and teenager


title: Assessing above- and belowground competitive effects in pure and mixed stands of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and black spruce (Picea mariana)

contributor:
Reid, Doug
Luckai, Nancy
Morris, David
Fleming, Rob

subject:
Plant competition
Ontario, Northwestern
Jack pine
Ecology
Black spruce

abstract: Ecological principles of niche, competition and competitive reduction suggest that competition in mixed stands composed of pine and spruce may experience positive interactions through (1) vertical stratification of canopy and (2) vertical separation of roots.


title: Logging residue sampling methodology for Northeastern Ontario

subject:
Slash (Logging) Ontario, Northeastern
Sampling (Statistics)
Logging residue
Plot sampling
Line and circular transect sampling
Stratification
Poststratification

abstract:
The objective of this study was to develop and test
statistically justifiable methods of estimating logging
residue in cutover areas of northeastern Ontario. Two
sampling designs and ten sample units were chosen and tested
using computer simulation in both finite and infinite sample
frames for six cutovers with merchantable residue. All six
populations showed clustered spatial distributions. Degrees
of clumping were strongly related to residue density rather
than cutover type. Precision of estimating residue volume
was poorer than that of estimating residue density.
Measuring butts only on plots or narrow strips resulted in
poor estimation of residue density because of void sample
units. Measuring partial logs or using transects achieved
higher precision of estimation. A circular transect design
was developed for avoiding biased estimation caused by
residue orientation. The use of circular transects resulted
in better estimates than double or triangular transects.
Systematic sampling using randomly oriented transects is
unbiased but gave no advantage over simple random sampling.
Random sampling with poststratification using circular
transects and simple random sampling measuring partial logs
on narrow strips are two alternatives to single line transect
methods. However, none of the above methods could provide
precise estimates of residue pieces per hectare for cutovers
with low densities of residue. The reliable minimum estimate
method could apply to residue inspection in certain low
density cutovers, but no satisfactory results for cases with
very low density of residue (less than 17 piecesper hectare)
occurred. Alternate methods of assessing stumpage aimed at
eliminating the problem of residue should be investigated.


title: Internet use of linguistic minorities within a dominant culture : a case study of Francophones in Northwestern Ontario / by Nicole Corbett.

contributor:
Southcott, Chris
Harpelle, Ronald
Liu, Jianye

subject:
French-Canadians - Internet use
French language on the Internet
Francophone Internet users
Northwestern Ontario

abstract:
Outside the province of Québec, Francophones are often marginalized with regard to availability of products in their language. The Internet, a growing phenomenon, is marketed as a tool, which provides information and products as well as being a method of bridging social and global gaps. The purpose of this thesis is to find out how the Internet impacts Francophone communities in Northwestern Ontario. Since the thesis is preliminary in nature with regards to the topic and relevance of the area, the focus of the
thesis must concentrate on finding the impact of the mother tongue, education and social capital on both Internet use and French-language Internet use. -- Introduction


title: Effect of harvest intensity on soil carbon and nutrients across global forests: a meta-analysis

subject:
Boreal forest
Harvest intensity
Harvest residue management
Logging residue

abstract: Logging residues can retain important nutrients for tree growth after biomass harvesting. However, increasing the harvest intensity may decrease soil nutrient stores stocks and affect biomass productivity. Using 2207 observations from 51 published studies and 2207 observations in boreal, temperate and tropical forests, we assessed how soil carbon (C) and macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) of regenerating stands respond to increasing harvest intensity from double slash (DS) to stem-only harvesting (SOH) to whole-tree harvesting (WTH). Our meta-analysis reveals that forest harvesting has diverse effects on soil C, N and P, depending on elements, stocks vs. concentrations, soil layer, and harvesting intensity. We found that compared with SOH, WTH reduced carbon C and nitrogen N stocks in the forest floor, but not in the mineral soil, and had similarly negative effects on the concentrations of phosphorus P in the forest floor and mineral soil; DS had stronger positive effects on Magnesium concentrations in mineral soil compares to SOH.


title: Interaction of Pseudomonas putida and Listeria monocytogenes in mixed culture biofilms / by Greg Kepka.

contributor:
Schraft, Heidi
Leung, Kam
Ulanova, Marina

subject:
Pseudomonas
Soil microbiology
Listeria monocytogenes

abstract: "Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes problems in many food processing plants because it produces biofilms and thus is difficult to control by regular cleaning and sanitizing procedures. It has been stated that the growth of L. monocytogenes is enhanced in mixed culture biofilms, but little information is available that provides a mechanistic explanation for this. Mixed culture biofilms with Pseudomonas putida (labeled with green fluorescent protein) and L. monocytogenes EGD were examined to determine whether one organism would enhance growth of the other. Mono and mixed culture biofilms were grown on glass cover slips, in M9 1x minimal salt medium supplemented with 1mM glucose at 22C for 24 hours using a flow cell. Images were taken using a scanning electron microscope and with a confocal scanning laser microscope, after staining Listeria cells with a Texas Red-X conjugate of wheat germ agglutinin. Confocal images captured at inlet, middle and outlet of the flow cell were analyzed with the novel biofilm program PHLIP for total biovolume and mean thickness. At the inlet, almost all biofilms produced highest total biovolume and mean thickness; this was significant for P. putida (P < 0.05). In mixed culture biofilms at the inlet of the flow cell, biovolume contributed by L. monocytogenes cells, though not statistically significant, was higher than in monoculture L. monocytogenes biofilms (532% increase). In contrast, in mixed biofilms in the middle section and at the outlet, biovolume contributed by P. putida cells was much lower than in monoculture P. putida biofilms, with reductions of 183 % (middle) and 793% (outlet).


title: Biology of the gastro-intestinal helminths of woodland and barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus)

subject:
Caribou
Helminths
Barren ground caribou

abstract:
Twenty-one species of helminths were recovered from wild and captive caribou (Rangifer tarandus). Woodland caribou of the Slate Islands, barren-ground caribou of the Beverly herd and captive woodland caribou were parasitized by 7, 7 and 16 species of gastro-intestinal helminths respectively. The predominant nematode recovered from all wild caribou was Ostertagia gruhneri. The lung worm, Dictyocaulus viviparus, was recovered from both wild and captive woodland caribou.  The large number of species recovered from captive caribou suggested that cross
transmission of parasites between captive caribou and a variety of other ungulates was common.
Ostertagia gruhneri appears to be a polymorphic species with O. arctica
representing its minor form. The minor form never comprises more than 10% of the total number of male Ostertagia, has stout, heeled spicules and Sjoberg’s organ.
The wide spread occurrence of polymorphism among the Ostertagiinae suggests that a re-evaluation of the characters used to define genera and species is required.
The average number of adult abomasal nematodes (3247) recovered from caribou of the Slate Islands was higher than reported for other wild cervids in North America. The number of abomasal nematodes present in animals was related to herd density. Adult worms were more numerous during the spring and fall (x=4370) than in the winter (x=1280). Inhibited fourth-stage O. gruhneri were found in wild caribou from the Slate Islands and comprised up to 85% of the total worm burden during the winter. No apparent disease caused by any helminth was observed in wild caribou. Captive caribou subjected to various forms of stress developed heavy infections of abomasal nematodes (>20000) which appear to have been partially
responsible for the death of two animals.
Seasonal fluctuations in the number of nematode eggs passed in the feces of wild and captive caribou were evident. Fecal egg counts from Slate, Pic and Otter Islands and captive adult caribou were similar during the spring and summer. Peak egg counts were observed in wild and captive animals during the fall. The low number of Ostertagia sp. eggs passed in the feces of caribou during the winter months is due to the presence of fewer, less fecund worms.
The free-living stages of Nematodirella spp. were more resistant to freezing
and dessication than those of Ostertagia spp.. Eggs of Nematodirella frozen for 11 months or more hatched, while those of Ostertagia would not hatch after freezing for 1 day. Infective larvae of Nematodirella longissimespiculata also appeared to withstand freezing and dessication better than those of Ostertagia spp.
Caribou appear to develop a well marked immunity to nematodes of the genera Nematodirella, Nematodirus and Dictyocaulus. Calves are usually the only animals infected. Immunity to O. gruhneri was also evident. Worms recovered from caribou calves of the Slate Islands were longer and more fecund than those recovered from adults at the same location. The relationship between host age, herd density and worm morphology suggested that woodland caribou of Pic Island are not as heavily
parasitized as caribou from the Slate Islands. Stresses of the rut, injury or
relocation appear to compromise acquired immunity to gastro-intestinal nematodes.
Anthelmintic treatment of captive caribou with Ivomec eliminated patent
infections of Ostertagia spp., Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp. and Oesophagostomum venulosum. Ivomec was not effective against Nematodirus sp.. Treatment appeared to be effective against inhibited larvae of abomasal nematodes. Ivomec may be useful as a prophylactic measure when transferring wild caribou.
Wild moose {Alces alces) from northwestern Ontario were parasitized by two species of gastro-intestinal helminths. Ninety-six percent of moose examined were infected with Nematodirella alcidis. The average number of worms recovered from wild moose was 111, considerably lower than recorded in caribou. The majority of worms recovered in most infections were immature. This appears to be the first report of inhibited fourth-stage N. alcidis. Abomasal nematodes were not recovered from wild moose of northwestern Ontario.


title: Sustainability analysis of carbon dioxide emissions on combustion of biomass for electricity

subject:
Renewable energy
Bioenergy
Decarbonization
Carbon-neutral
Net primary production (NPP)
CO2 emissions
Life cycle analysis
Global warming
Climate change

abstract:
The transition towards renewable, low-carbon energy is a fundamental element of climate
change mitigation. Many countries around the world have set their decarbonization strategies to
reduce emissions. The European Union has already declared bioenergy to be carbon-neutral,
which has prompted other countries to expand their production. Bioenergy can only reduce
atmospheric CO2 over time through post-harvest increases in net primary production (NPP),
defined as the rate at which all the autotrophs in an ecosystem produce net useful chemical
energy using inorganic substances, such as CO2. Therefore, the climate impact of bioenergy
depends on CO2 emissions from the combustion of biomass, the fate of the harvested land, and
the dynamics of NPP. This study uses the dynamic bioenergy lifecycle analysis model, which
tracks the carbon stocks and fluxes in the atmosphere, biomass, soils, and oceans. The model is
used to simulate the substitution of coal for wood in electric power generation, estimating the
parameters governing NPP and other fluxes using data for the Canadian boreal forest. Our
dynamic analysis revealed that the first impact of displacing coal with wood is an immediate
increase in the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.  [...]


title: Patterns of allozyme variation in tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) from northern Ontario

subject:
Tamarack
Variation (Biology)

abstract:
Roots from approximately 30 trees from each of 44 populations across the range of tamarack (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) in northern Ontario were analyzed electrophoretically for allozymic variation in 14 enzyme
systems coded by 20 loci. A low level of variability was found in this conifer. On average, 22.7 - 28.8% of the loci per population were polymorphic depending on the criterion of polymorphism, with a mean of 2.60 alleles per polymorphic locus. Expected and observed heterozygosity per population were 0.091 and 0.087, respectively. G-tests for allelic homogeneity among populations indicated genetic heterogeneity (p < 0.05) at four loci. Approximately 4% of the total genetic diversity resided among populations. The mean genetic distance over all pairs of tamarack was 0.0045.  Genetic distance was significantly related to geographic distance, and the latter accounted for 9% of the variation
in genetic distance. Seven significant (p < 0.05) canonical discriminant functions accounted for 67.4% of the total variation at the polymorphic loci. Genetic variation in tamarack appeared to be affected by the environmental variables. An evolutionary bottleneck might be responsible
for the low variability. The relatively short colonization since glaciation seemed the most likely factors causing the relatively low differentiation among populations.


title: Use of musical reinforcement to improve practice behaviors of competitive swimmers

subject:
Music Psychological aspects
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Swimming Training

abstract:
The rationale for the study was to determine if music
could be used as an effective reinforcer for increasing
appropriate practice behaviors, and reduce problem behaviors
in the competitive swimming environment. The effects of
musical reinforcement were examined with six competitive
swimmers. The swimmers were selected by the coach as
individuals who did not consistently make effective use of
practice sessions. The swimmers were randomly assigned to
either a contingent reinforcement group or a noncontingent
reinforcement group. A reversal replication ABAB design, was
used to compare the groups to standard coaching prodecures.
A portable stereo cassette unit was used to present
instances of contingent and noncontingent musical
reinforcement during the treatment phases. During the
noncontingent reinforcement phase, music was presented to the
swimmers regardless of the behaviors emitted during the dry
land training sessions. Music was only presented in the
contingent reinforcement phase if 20 percent of appropriate
behaviors was achieved. Differences in performance levels
during the contingent and noncontingent phases were recorded
and compared.
Since the experimental design in this study was based on
the steady state method, departures from the baseline were used to evaluate the treatment. Results indicated that
there was a large and immediate effect shown during the
contingent reinforcement conditions for all subjects when
compared to the baseline phases. Slight improvements were
noted during the noncontingent phase for two of the subjects,
however a much larger and more consistent effect was
demonstrated with these subjects when they were later
switched to the contingent phase.
At the conclusion of the study, social validation
questionnaires were distributed to the swimmers and the
coach. The questionnaires asked the athletes and coach to
evaluate the goals, procedures and results produced by the
intervention. Social validation measures indicated that 3
out of 4 subjects rated the procedure positively, felt the
procedure improved the dry land training period and wished to
have the procedures continued in the future.
Data suggests possible benefits of using a musical
reinforcement condition might be obtained in other sports
settings and could be investigated further.
The results of this study suggest that the contingent
reinforcement condition produced improved time usage during
the dry land training sessions. Results indicated an increase
in the percentages of appropriate behaviors per session and a
decrease in the frequency of inappropriate behaviors occurred
when the independent variable was applied.


title: Open Access Publishing in the Social Sciences and Humanities in Canada

subject: Open access publishing in the digital age

subject: Academic literature and communication networks

subject: Open access publishing practices

subject: The emergence of open access publishing

abstract: The publishing practices of scientists and academics have profound effects on the way that science and academia internally progress and influence external public debates. The culmination of empirical, theoretical, and reflexive work provides the foundation of an academic discipline. Those who are able to access this stock of work may come to do something with it, such as contribute to the discipline or apply these disciplinary-based insights to some applied problem. Contemporary digital networks enable information to flow freely, enabling interested people to become knowledgeable about some particular subject. Peer-review is a basic component of the information that is published under the auspices of science, social science, or the humanities. Such standards of peer-review are considerably less strenuous in popular publications, thus providing a rationale for the higher quality of scientific and scholarly research articles. However under the current system, research articles that abide by standards of peer-review, are, by and large, accessible only to those with university library credentials or with a personal subscription. Personal subscriptions to scientific periodicals are often too expensive, even according to the academics who need them, and a majority of individuals do not have access to a university library. Thus, many interested readers of recently published work in the sciences and humanities are effectively excluded from accessing such information.


title: Local variation of trace element concentrations in Usnea subfloridana

contributor:
Gottardo, Christine
Fralick, Philip
McCarthy, Daniel
Stewart, Robert

subject:
Balsam fir
Ontario
Thunder Bay region
Usnea subfloridana
Trace element content
Lichens

abstract:
A mensurative study into the local variability of trace element concentrations in
the lichen Usnea subjloridana was conducted. Samples were collected from an Abies
balsamea located in the Thunder B y region away from any known point sources of
pollution. One-thousand and thirty-seven samples were collected and individually
weighed. These samples were subsequently grouped into 97 grouped samples, based on
their aspect, height on the tree, and weight. Elemental concentrations were determined by
inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Data analyses were conducted
on AI, B a, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn concentrations. Two main
wind directions were present at the study site; lichens were grouped according to which
pattern they were nearest when creating the grouped samples. All elements except Mn
were significantly different in concentration at p < 0.00 1 between the two aspect groups.
Comparison of the variation around the mean for each element's experimental results and the literature values, indicate local variation can be equal to or greater than what has been found in regional studies. Linear regression models suggest that strict guidelines can
reduce this variation for some elements. In conclusion it is found that the common
practice of low sampling density over large regions may not be a suitable technique
because of the large local variation which is seen in this study. Researchers must know
the local variability before making quantitative comparisons at a regional level with few
samples.


title: Vision-based control and autonomous landing of a VTOL-UAV

subject:
Robot vision
Drone aircraft
Vertically rising aircraft
Automatic control
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Vertical take-off and landing

abstract:
In recent years the popularity of quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has increased. Today, UAVs are widely used by military and police forces for surveillance. They are used by industry for such tasks as traffic monitoring, infrastructure inspection or even delivery of goods. They are used by individuals for hobby flying and aerial photography. It is currently of great interest in the research community to improve the level of autonomy of the UAV for these and future uses. One particular problem is the ability to stabilize over and land on a moving platform. This situation can easily arise for a quadrotor returning to a ship at sea or even a landing pad affixed to a vehicle. Many current techniques rely on knowledge of the platform and its motion, or a predictive model. This information is not always available or accurate. A solution that does not require knowledge of the target is desirable. This thesis deals with practical implementation of optical flow based position stabilization and autonomous landing algorithms for a quadrotor UAV.
The quadrotor used is a common low cost platform with a large open source community. Firstly, non-linear estimation and control techniques are implemented for the attitude stabilization using low-cost sensors and limited computational power. Some methods for the system parameters estimation are presented and some challenges related to the implementation are discussed. Despite the ability of the attitude controller to stabilize the orientation of the quadrotor, hovering and landing precisely over a specific area is not possible without a position stabilization scheme. In applications where GPS signals are not available and the hovering target is a priori unknown, it is common to rely on visual information. In this context, this thesis aims for the development of an efficient optical-flow-based position stabilization and autonomous landing scheme for the quadrotor UAV.


title: Effects of mental imagery on free throw performance of varsity basketball players during practice and competition

subject:
Imagery (Psychology)
Basketball Training

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mental
imagery in practice and in competition on the free throw shooting
performance of basketball players. The subjects were 3 male
university caliber basketball players. A single subject multiple
baseline design was implemented. Each subject was introduced to the
imagery rehearsal intervention at different times during the 14 week
competitive basketball season. Free throw data was collected during
50 practice sessions and 32 games. Results in both practice and
competitive situations were examined using a graphed means
comparison. In the practice condition an increase in free throw
performance for all 3 subjects during the post treatment intervention
was found. In the game condition, Subjects A and B indicated post
treatment improvement. Mental imagery can be an effective strategy
to improve free throw performance of some basketball players.
Further research in this area should involve controlled group
examination using a larger sample size across a variety of tasks.


title: Positron/electron annihilation via the two-photon pathway

subject:
Annihilation reactions
Photons
Positron annihilation

abstract:
When a positron/electron pair annihilate via the two-photon pathway, the emitted photons are momentum correlated. This correlation ensures that they move along a straight line path in opposite directions. An experiment performed in 2004 by Dr. V.D. Irby measured the time interval between
detection of the photons. He observed a decay in the number of counts with increasing detection time interval, which he described using a Lorentzian, the line width of which at full-width half-maximum is
measured to be 120ps. The data collected by Irby is interesting because current theory predicts that because the source is so localized (the effective source width used by Irby is safely within 5rnrn) the photons should be detected within a time interval of 􀀶t=d/c where d is the thickness of the source. This time interval corresponds to 17ps. This thesis fits the results to an exponential, and shows that this exponentially decaying nature of the coincidence time interval is characteristic of the entanglement of the two photons. We find that the wavefunctions of the photons decoheres in space according to how long the particle pair took to decay (which is exponential), and that the probability of simultaneous
detection depends on the exponential of the product of the lifetime of positronium and the detection time interval.


title: Literature review of aquatic invasive species management in the Great Lakes region

subject:
Aquatic invasive species
Invasive species management
Round goby
Asian clam
Asian carp

abstract: Invasive species are foreign organisms which out-compete and take over new landscapes and are ranked as one of the most destructive forms of habitat degradation (McCormick et al. 2009). Aquatic invasive species specifically have the potential to disrupt not only ecosystem services, but the commercial industries, and recreational activities as well. The great lakes, located between Canada and the United States, are one of the largest sources of fresh water which supports the majority of North American populations. These lakes have been subject to numerous invasive species, with new species constantly threatening to invade. The purpose of this study is to assess the current level of management of invasive species from the bordering provinces and states. A literature review was conducted focusing on three species as case studies; the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), species which are currently established in the great lakes, and Asian carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Mylopharyngodon piceus) a newly threating species coming from the United States. The established species were found to have the greatest number of publications focused on their physical (round goby) and chemical (Asian clam) control, with little publications found on their prevention or eradication. Asian carp management was centered around their prevention, with little to no studies found on control or eradication methods. The final assessment on the level of invasive species management within the great lakes, based on further research of the practicality of each method, was relatively satisfactory given current states. The suggested improvement includes the focus on creating cohesive international policies, as well as the improving public outreach programs.


title: Chloroplast-based in vitro translation systems

subject:
Plant genetics
Chloroplasts

abstract:
Intact chloroplasts from 8-9 day old pea seedlings were
capable of translating mRNA into proteins at high rates. Such
metabolically active chloroplasts were lysed and fractionated further in
order to develop a chloroplast-based in vitro translation system usable
in the analysis of chloroplastic protein synthesis.
Three in vitro systems were utilized for these studies: 1)
lysed chloroplasts, 2) thylakoid bound polysomes supplemented with
post-ribosomal supernatant of stroma, 3) low speed supernatant
(30,000xg) alone. The chloroplast lysates and low speed supernatant
(30,000xg) were capable of translating polyurydilic acid at high rates.
Relatively low rate of short-lived translation,comparable to published data, was observed when translation was driven by endogenous mRNA.
Addition of mRNA from phage MS2 to the system significantly inhibited
translation. Results are discussed in relation to possible lack of
re-initiation or Interaction with added RNA.


title: Prediction of world records in athletics and swimming by a time-series analysis

subject:
Sports records
Forecasting
Time-series analysis

abstract:
In an age of a flourishing emphasis on sports and a high frequency
of individual record breaking, a detailed description of performance
trends would provide a better understanding of what might happen in
the future. In this study, world records in swimming and athletics
were analyzed to relate the time of occurrence to their magnitude in
order to predict future record performances. Records were considered
from 1945, or the earliest date after 1945, to 1977 and subjected to a
time-series analysis (Box-Jenkins method) to determine predicted values
for 1978 through 1984. Predictions and their confidence limits were
developed for all events. A 5% error rate was considered as the widest
acceptable degree of error. Only some track events fell within this
criterion range and therefore, contained adequate predictions. Swimming
and field events were mainly unacceptable in light of the predictions which were made. Several variables affecting predictions were
discussed. Otherwise the prediction of world record performance trends
in swimming, track, and field was found to be unsatisfactory when world
records served as source data.


title: Humoral immunity in patients with chronic kidney disease and their response to pneumococcal immunization

contributor:
Ulanova, Marina
Lees, Simon
Schraft, Heidi

subject:
Chronic kidney disease
Humoral immunity
Haemophilus influenzae
Streptococcus pneumoniae

abstract:
In northwestern Ontario the Indigenous First Nations (FN) population have an increased
prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is an increased rate of infectious disease
caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Haemophilus influenzae in the FN
population. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) and 13-valent
pneumococcal protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV13) are used to prevent
pneumococcal disease in Canada. Since the implementation of H. influenzae type b (Hib)
vaccine programs, invasive H. influenzae type a (Hia) disease has replaced invasive Hib disease
in the FN population. However, there is no vaccine to prevent disease caused by non-Hib strains.
To maintain immunological memory in adults, stimulation of pre-existing memory is
achieved through immunization. To determine if patients with CKD have the ability to respond
to conjugate vaccines specific for Hia or pneumococcus, naturally acquired humoral immunity
against these pathogens must be evaluated. Immunization with PPV23 is recommended for
adults with CKD, however PPV23 is suboptimal at inducing antibody responses in adults with
CKD compared to healthy adults. PCV13 is recommended for certain immunocompromised
adults, but only two studies evaluated the immunogenicity of PCV13 in adults with CKD with
conflicting results. To determine if PCV13 is immunogenic in patients with CKD and the effect
of previous PPV23 immunization on subsequent immunization with PCV13, quantification of Bcell subpopulations, pneumococcal specific B cells and their relationship with antibody
responses to PCV13 must be evaluated.
The results suggest that the increased prevalence of invasive disease caused by
pneumococcus and Hia in the FN population is not due to decreased numbers of B cells or
concentrations of naturally acquired antibodies. The increased prevalence of diseases such as CKD causing immune dysfunction in a higher proportion of the FN population increases their
risk for invasive disease. Results suggest that a new Hia-conjugate vaccine may be immunogenic
in adults with CKD, as it will potentially re-activate Hia specific immunological memory. Our
findings suggest that previous immunization with PPV23 has a negative effect on the humoral
immune response that results in long-term changes in B-cell subpopulations and decreases
antibody responses to subsequent immunization with PCV13 in patients with CKD.


title: Comparison of heart rate recovery from physical and mental stress

subject:
Heart beat
Stress (Physiology)

abstract:
The present study evaluated a new paradigm for identifying
individuals who show exaggerated, delayed physiological
recovery following mental stress. Siibjects first performed
a mental task, a face-to-face quiz, wliile heart rate was
recorded. Ten minutes later they performed a physical task,
squeezing a hand dynamometer, with the force varied in order
to produce a heart rate elevation identical to the mental
task. Each task was followed by a ten minute recovery
period. Twenty seven subjects satisfied the criterion for
equivalent heart rate elevations to both stressors.
A difference score, reflecting relatively slower recovery
from the mental stressor (relative to the physical task),
was significantly correlated with the Anger-Out subscale of
the Anger Expression scale (Sp i.e Iber ger, Johnson, Russell,
et al,, .1 985 ) for the first five minutes of recovery from
the mental stressor. In contrast, residual recovery heart
rate scores, controlling for resting and stress response
level, were correlated with reported levels of physical
fitness, but not personality factors. These results
indicate the value of combining this new difference score
paradigm with the standard residual score analysis of
recovery to identify which factors are affecting recovery
through psychological versus physiological mechanisms.


title: Membrane fouling and its control in drinking water membrane filtration process

contributor:
Liao, Baoqiang
Leung, Kam Tin

subject:
Drinking water production
Water treatment
Membrane filtration
Membrane fouling
Ultrafiltration membranes
Polyvinylidiene fluoride (PVDF)

abstract:
Treatment of surface water in the presence of natural organic matters (NOM) becomes a challenging issue to meet stringent rules of Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Ultrafiltration (UF) membrane is emerging as an efficient technology for the purpose of potable water production. However, membrane fouling, ageing and chemical cleaning affect its performance and properties.
The effects of ageing and chemical cleaning on performance and properties of the membrane were studied using UF membrane from full scale drinking water membrane filtration plant and simulated chemical cleaning sequences in laboratory. Organic and inorganic foulants, and membrane properties such as tensile strength, membrane morphology and surface functional groups were characterized using various analytical tools. The results from simulated chemical cleaning experiments were consistent with those from a full-scale plant, in terms of the effects of chemical cleaning on membrane properties. The results show that membrane ageing deteriorated the tensile strength and membrane integrity, and led to accumulation of foulants. Hypochlorite cleaning resulted in a decrease in membrane tensile strength, while citric acid cleaning had limited effect on membrane tensile strength. The decrease in membrane tensile strength correlated to a decrease in intensity of functional groups measured by FTIR. The results suggest that hypochlorite concentration and cleaning time should be minimized to reduce their impacts on membrane properties.
Additionally, membrane cleaning strategies (cleaning agents’ concentration, cleaning time, pH, backwash frequency, and production time) currently used in Bare Point Water Treatment Plant were studied using a ZW-1000 pilot scale plant. The membrane performance in terms of permeability recovery was assessed using the recorded data; and organic and inorganic foulants were analyzed using Total Organic Carbon analyser (TOC) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). In sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) cleaning, lower concentrations combined with longer soak time achieved higher permeability recovery, with TOC results indicating that the major foulants responsible for permeability decrease were organic. Similarly, the results of citric acid cleaning suggest that lower pH was more effective in permeability recovery.
Furthermore, the effect of production cycle or backwash frequency on the membrane performance was also studied to optimize water recovery; the results revealed that the membrane performances, fouling rate in terms of rate of change of TMP, recovery (%), and organic fouling depended on permeate cycle length or back wash frequency. This research concludes with the hypothesis that membrane fouling and ageing deteriorate membrane performance, whereas chemical cleaning agent (NaClO) enhances membrane performance and properties, respectively.


title: TO DIE A 'CANADIAN': How Nineteenth-Century European Immigrants Influenced the Culture of Death in Canada

subject:
Death - Social aspects
Immigration to Canada

abstract: To understand the mystery of why modern attitudes toward death assumed their current forms, it is necessary to explore their socio-historical roots. This thesis focuses specifically on the cultural interpretations of death shared by the Finns, the Ukrainians, and the Greeks, for each group represents a region in Europe affected by the developments of the Canadian immigration policy, and in turn influenced the cultural landscape of present-day Thunder Bay.


title: “Sometimes we get stuck in our ruts”: exploring the utility of a mentorship program for daily physical activity delivery among elementary school teachers

contributor:
Pearson, Erin
Cameron, Erin
Gotwals, John

subject: Daily Physical Activity (DPA) policy

subject: Physical and health education (Ontario)

subject: Mentorship-based PE and PA programs in schools

abstract:
Background: The Daily Physical Activity (DPA) policy in Ontario states that elementary
students should receive at least 20 minutes of physical activity (PA) daily during instructional
time. Yet, studies show that this goal is rarely achieved. Given the pressures teachers experience
regarding the coverage of academic curricula, coupled with low confidence and training for
delivering DPA, innovative strategies to promote PA-related teaching skills are needed. In the
context of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the satisfaction of a teacher’s Basic Psychological
Needs (BPN; autonomy, competence, relatedness) has been deemed valuable for implementing
and sustaining school-based PA-programs. University students studying kinesiology are
inherently equipped to assist with the delivery of PA initiatives. In light of the known benefits of
mentorship models applied in educational contexts, combined with the utility of interventions
grounded in theory, a collaborative kinesiology student-teacher-based program could be a viable
health promotion strategy to combat low (D)PA rates. To date, no studies exploring the BPN in
the context of a mentorship-based DPA program exist.
Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the utility of a 6-week mentorship
program designed to assist early career teachers with DPA delivery using Ontario Physical and
Health Education Association (OPHEA) curricula. Administered by a MSc kinesiology student,
this involved assessing: I) the participants’ DPA engagement, practices and program-based
experiences through the lens of SDT’s BPN; II) the utility of the 6-week program from
structural, logistical, and experiential perspectives; and III) participants’ recommendations for
future DPA mentorship studies.


title: Physico-chemical properties of soils associated with logged forest and areas converted to teak (Tectana grandis Linn. F)

contributor:
Meyer, Lense
Brown, K. M.
Carmean, W. H.

subject:
Tectona grandis Linn. F.
Logged forest
Physio-chemical properties

abstract: This rapid and extensive introduction of teak to satisfy a predicted wood shortage in Ghana has given rise to the question of the short/long-term effects that management of teak plantations might have on soil properties. No research data is currently available to answer this question.


title: Self-silencing, depressed mood, and anger expression and the meanings behind self-silencing within intimate relationships

subject:
Anger
Women (Mental health)
Depression in women
Sex differences in depression

abstract:
The present study investigates the silencing the self theory (STS, Jack, 1991) which proposes that
more women than men are depressed (Benazzi, 2000) because of their greater tendency to self-silence
in relationships to preserve harmony and to adhere to the traditional female role. The
silencing the self theory as a model of depression in women suggests that the standards of
behaviour, which are informed by culture, ethnicity, family, and situational context, are
internalized as moral precepts for appropriate female behaviour and responsibilities within
relationships. These influence the cognitive schemas of some women such that they silence certain
aspects of themselves in favour of the relationship and of others. Particularly when women
perceive that there is little choice in their situation or when their relationship efforts are not
reciprocated, their self-silencing activities contribute to lower self-esteem, greater self-negation,
and a sense of the loss of self, resulting in a divided self that is outwardly compliant but inwardly
angry. This leads to occasional anger outbursts and displacement and eventually to increased
vulnerability for depression as the relationship further deteriorates. Although men have been
found to self-silence more than women, the link between self-silencing and depression in women
is stronger (Thompson, 1995) suggesting that self-silencing might hold different meanings for the
two sexes. The present study used quantitative and qualitative paradigms to investigate (a)
relationships among self-silencing, anger suppression, anger expression, and depression and the
differences between women and men, and (b) sex differences in the meaning of self-silencing
among high self-silencers. Results showed that compared to men, women were more depressed,
and more active in their silencing to attain and maintain harmony within their relationships than
men. However, the consequences of silencing within one’s intimate relationship advanced by the STS model (self-silencing, anger suppression, divided self, then depression) were not upheld as
unique to women. Only the tendency to judge the self by external standards predicted depression
in both sexes with no significant sex difference. The qualitative findings strongly suggested that
self-silencing in men is not for the purpose of control or maintaining power in favour of the man
within the relationship. However, the findings did support the idea that silencing in men is an
avoidance or withdrawal behaviour that may have unintended detrimental consequences for the
relationship and for the individual man. Overall this study did not support the silencing the self
theoiy as a gender specific or uniquely female pathway to depression for women.


title: Strategies to reduce the decline of wild bumble bees in North America: are they working?

subject: Entomology

subject: Bumble bees

subject: Bumble bee population (North America)

subject: Conservation and recovery of native bumble bees

subject: Habitat preservation and creation (bees)

subject: Bumble bee health & resource availability

abstract: Bumble bees are major pollinators of the world’s agricultural crops and wild plants and, as such, play a key role in maintaining economic prosperity and biodiversity. The decline of wild bumble bees in North America has been well-documented. However, the efficacy of strategies to prevent further decline have not been investigated thoroughly. This thesis involves a comprehensive literature review to examine the extent of, and reasons behind, the decline of wild bumble bee populations in North America and explore whether strategies implemented to prevent further decline are working. Results of this literature review revealed numerous stressors affecting bumble bee populations, but also indicated that reactions may differ between bumble bee species. The necessary species assessments are difficult to conduct because data pertaining to temporal and spatial occurrence are hard to obtain. Novel approaches to collecting bumble bee population data, such as the citizen science program Bumble Bee Watch, are important in augmenting the data collected by researchers. It is essential that existing databases be maintained to support ongoing monitoring. Long term conservation strategies must be established to preserve these important pollinators to ensure strong ecosystems have the necessary biodiversity to support the planet and its inhabitants. Essential areas of focus include habitat preservation and creation, bumble bee health and resource availability, use of pesticides, management of diseases and invasive species, building capacity through partnerships, education and training, research and effective monitoring programs. This information will be important in assessing the success of current mitigation strategies in the conservation and recovery of native bumble bees.


title: Analysis of spatial harvest constraints on ecological (wildlife habitat) versus economic (timber harvest) objectives

subject: Caribou Habitat Ontario, Northwestern

subject: American marten Habitat Ontario, Northwestern

subject: Ovenbird Habitat Ontario, Northwestern

subject: Timber supply modeling

subject: Wildlife habitat supply modeling

abstract: The effects of alternative forest management scenarios and spatial constraints were modeled.  Specific study area: Nakina North Forest (allocated to Buchanan Forest Products Ltd.)

abstract:
On a northwestern Ontario forest management unit, the effects of alternative
forest management scenarios and spatial constraints on both the supply of suitable
wildlife habitat and the ability to achieve non-spatially defined timber harvest volume
objectives were modeled. The results include a decision surface model that identifies
thresholds in the ecological (wildlife habitat) and economic (timber harvest) response
variables, and allows managers to determine the “spatial domain” where both ecological
and economic objectives converge. Such a model may be a useful approach for initial
policy screening in an adaptive management cycle. The Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources’ (OMNR) Strategic Forest Management Model (SFMM), a linear
programming optimization model, and Remsoft’s Stanley, a spatial harvest allocation
program, were used to explore alternate forest management scenarios. Timber supply
and habitat supply for both interior and ecotone wildlife species were examined after
five 10-year terms of harvest using various spatial constraints (cut block size, proximity,
and green up delay). Habitat Analyst and Patch Analyst, models developed by Dr. R.
Rempel at the Center for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research, were used to evaluate
habitat supply in both non-spatial and spatial analyses. Consistent with other studies, a
green-up constraint had an adverse effect on the amount of available harvest area that
could be allocated and blocked spatially. Forest management scenarios using a caribou
stratification process of restricting harvest in large (>10,000 ha) blocks had an adverse
effect on the amount of available harvest area that could be allocated and blocked
spatially. A case study using the application of the caribou stratification constraint and a
green up delay of one 10 — year term found the convergence of both economic and
ecological objectives when maximum block size was between 200 and 1000 hectares
and proximity was between 400 and 1000 meters. This combination of variables also
produces a block size distribution approaching the natural disturbance pattern for the
area. The study also found that while the use of the caribou stratification constraint
improved habitat availability for caribou, it also improved habitat availability for moose
and may undermine efforts to conserve caribou.