title: Three-Dimensional Modelling of Lake Ontairo Hydrodynamics Near Port Hope and in the Upper St Lawrence River

contributor:
Boegman, Leon
Yerubandi, Ram
Civil Engineering

subject:
Intake Protection Zones
Kingston Basin
Three Dimensional Hydrodynamics
North Shore
Lake Ontario
Spectral analysis

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-17 11:41:54.68

abstract:
The Ontario Clean Water Act (2006) mandated that eight and two municipal drinking water intakes in the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) and the Ganaraska River Source Protection Agency (GRSPA) jurisdictions respectively, be protected from contaminants released into the surrounding waters through the delineation of Intake Protection Zones (IPZs).
Toward these objectives, the Estuary and Lake Computer Model (ELCOM) was applied to simulate the hydrodynamics and contaminant transport in the eastern Lake Ontario and upper St. Lawrence River. Model hydrodynamics were comprehensively validated against field data collected during April-October, 2006. The flow was found to be predominantly wind induced in the southwestern lacustrine portion of the domain and hydraulically driven in the northeastern riverine portion with storm events resulting in river flow reversals. The modeled surface currents were applied to delineate IPZs surrounding the drinking water intakes. Passive tracers were simulated as surrogates for combined sewer outflows, tributary flows, municipal/wastewater and industrial discharges identified by CRCA as threats to drinking water intakes. Wind was found to be the most dominant forcing to transport contaminants, both in the Kingston Basin and the St. Lawrence River, whereas the St. Lawrence River outflow was found to influence the transport of contaminants along the river.
The hydrodynamics and contaminant transport in the near-shore region of Lake Ontario, from Port Hope to Cobourg was also simulated using ELCOM and the results were comprehensively validated against field data collected during April-September, 2010. Upwelling and downwelling events caused by south-westerly and north-easterly winds were found to be the predominant hydrodynamic process. These events generated barotropic geostrophic alongshore currents or ‘coastal jets’ of ~20 cm s-1. Discharges from river plumes and sewage treatment plants were simulated as tracer releases.
The tracer concentrations were primarily influenced by the close proximity of the intakes to the effluent release points, the volume and direction of the discharge from the intakes and the physical processes driving the flow dynamics.

abstract: PhD


title: Combustion Wave Propagation Regimes in a Channel equipped with an Array of Cross-flow Cylindrical Obstacles

contributor:
Ciccarelli, Gabriel
Mechanical and Materials Engineering

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

subject:
Flame Acceleration
Detonation
Deflagration
Combustion
Hydrogen-Air

abstract: Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-18 21:13:40.436

abstract:
Flame propagation through a channel equipped with obstacles was studied experimentally. Two types of obstacle geometries were investigated, i.e., wall-mounted cross-flow cylinders and fence-type obstacles mounted on the top and bottom channel surfaces. The motivation for this research is its applications to both high-speed propulsion and industrial explosion safety.

The effect of obstacle distribution and blockage ratio on flame acceleration was investigated in a 2.54cm x 7.6cm “narrow” channel with wall-mounted cross-flow cylindrical obstacles. The cylinders were arranged in a “staggered” or “inline” pattern, with blockage ratios of 0.5 and 0.67. Schlieren images were used to study the flame shape and its leading edge velocity for a range of fuel-air mixtures compositions. It was determined that initial flame propagation occurs faster in higher blockage ratios due to the higher frequency perturbation to the flow. Flame acceleration led to different quasi-steady flame and detonation propagation regimes. In general, higher final steady flame velocities were reached in the lower blockage ratios, and detonation limits were found to be influenced by the geometry.

The influence of channel width on flame acceleration was also determined using fence-type obstacles with a single blockage ratio. Experiments were performed in a 2.54cm x 7.6cm and 7.6cm x 7.6cm channel. Schlieren images were again used to study the flame shape and to obtain leading edge velocity. The flame tip was found to have a parabolic profile across the channel width for the narrower channel and flatter profile in the wider channel. It was determined that the channel width has a weak effect on the flame velocity down the channel length. As such, flame acceleration was initially only slightly more pronounced in the narrow channel before the reverse became true later in the wide channel.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Multiple Memory Systems in People With Schizophrenia: Possible Effect of Atypical Anti-Psychotic Medications

contributor:
Beninger, Richard J.
Neuroscience Studies

subject:
Schizophrenia
Atypical Anti-Psychotic
Multiple Memory Systems
Non-Declarative Memory
Aripiprazole
Olanzapine
Risperidone
Neuroscience

abstract: Thesis (Master, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-23 15:09:21.55

abstract: Patients with schizophrenia are normally treated with one of several antipsychotic medications that differ from one another in the areas of the brain they affect including the dorsal striatum, a subcortical section of the forebrain, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC), located in the anterior part of the frontal lobes.  Two different tests of implicit memory, the probabilistic classification learning (PCL) and the Iowa gambling task (IGT), have been shown to rely on the dorsal striatum and the PFC, respectively. Studies have previously shown that patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics that affect the dorsal striatum (e.g., risperidone), have altered performance on the PCL, and those treated with antipsychotics that affect the PFC (e.g., clozapine), have altered performance on the IGT.  We tested the hypothesis that patients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine would have a poorer performance on the IGT, but not the PCL, when compared with controls. This study aimed to clarify conflicting results from prior experiments observing the effects of olanzapine on implicit memory in people with schizophrenia. We also hypothesized that performance of patients taking aripiprazole would be comparable to those taking risperidone, or an FGA; however, we were unable to recruit a sufficient amount of participants to test this hypothesis. Patients with schizophrenia, a mental disorder characterized by a breakdown in relation between thoughts, emotion, and behavior, treated with olanzapine were recruited through local psychiatric clinics or using a newspaper ad.  Administration of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) preceded a brief questionnaire of demographic information.  Participants were tested on the PCL and the IGT using a personal computer.  Results revealed poorer performance on both the MMSE and BPRS for patients when compared with controls. Patients taking olanzapine were impaired in learning the PCL but not the IGT when compared with controls. Results suggest that olanzapine acts on the PFC to augment IGT performance but further studies are needed.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Investigations into the Biomechanics of Head-Bobbing Pigeons

contributor:
Troje, Nikolaus F.
Biology

subject:
Biomechanics
Gait Cycle
Head-Bobbing
Pigeon

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-22 23:11:41.557

abstract:
Walking pigeons display a characteristic behaviour: head-bobbing. Head-bobbing consists of two phases, the hold phase during which the head is kept stable in space, and the thrust phase during which the head is quickly moved forward. But why do pigeons and so many other birds head-bob? Two theories have been developed to answer this question. First, head-bobbing may have a visual function, namely object detection during the hold phase and depth perception during the thrust phase. Second, head-bobbing may have the biomechanical function of increasing the stability.
The present study aimed to gain further insight into why pigeons head-bob. A gait cycle analysis of walking pigeons revealed that the hold phase starts at a specific point in the gait cycle and is not dependent on the walking speed. The point in the gait cycle at which the hold phase starts indicates a potential increase in stability during the single stance phase, as it leads to a longer period of time during which the center of mass is above the base of support. The end of the hold phase, however, is dependent on the walking speed, specifically the step length for a given walking speed. I found that the thrust phase duration is constant for all walking speeds and the distance the head travels during that time is equal to the step length. With increasing walking speed the head moves faster during the thrust phase and the hold phase duration is decreased leading to a higher head-bobbing frequency. With fast enough walking speed the hold phase is eventually eliminated, marking the transition point from walking with head-bobbing to fast walking without head-bobbing. The exact velocity of this transition point was predicted for each individual and was dependent on the maximal step length of each pigeon. All head-bobbing parameters could be described with the step-frequency, the thrust phase duration, and the maximal step length, indicating that head-bobbing behavior is individual for every pigeon and depends on its body size.

abstract: The results presented in the thesis are not published yet. In order to publish the data and results this thesis shall be restricted until the results are available through a peer reviewed journal. The expected duration of the restriction will be one year.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Associations Between Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Abdominal Obesity With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Inactive Obese Women

contributor:
Ross, Robert
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Visceral Adipose Tissue
Physical Activity
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-23 13:46:57.088

abstract:
Over the past several decades abdominal obesity and physical inactivity have increased at an alarming pace. Since both are related to adverse health risk it is important to determine their independent influence. It is well established that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, the ability to perform physical activity) and physical activity (PA) are negatively associated with cardiometabolic risk factors (commonly obtained risk factors for disease, e.g: TG, HDL, etc.). In other words, the higher a person’s levels of PA and fitness, the lower that person’s likelihood of developing cardiometabolic risk factors. Abdominal obesity is positively associated with cardiometabolic risk factors which means the more abdominally obese a person is, the more prone that person is to develop cardiometabolic risk factors. However, it is unknown whether PA influences cardiometabolic risk factors independent of fitness level and/or abdominal obesity. My study objective was to examine whether PA is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors independent of cardiorespiratory fitness and/or abdominal obesity in inactive abdominally obese women.
The study enrolled 141 inactive abdominally obese women. PA, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiometabolic risk profile were measured in all participants. A novel feature of this study was the use of the accelerometer to objectively measure PA and to divide exercise into different levels of intensity, such as: low PA, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), etc. My findings revealed that abdominal obesity was positively associated with cardiometabolic risk independent of PA or CRF.  I also observed that CRF was inversely related to cardiometabolic risk independent of PA or abdominal obesity. MVPA explained cardiometabolic risk factors by itself, but with insulin resistance measurements (2-hour glucose, and homeostasis model of assessment) this relationship was abolished when abdominal obesity and CRF were also taken into consideration.
The findings of this study provide further support for the recommendation that waist circumference and CRF be included as routine measures screening for cardiometabolic risk factors in inactive obese women. Our findings also support the suggestion that even modest amounts of daily MVPA that are below the recommended threshold of 30 minutes/day convey health benefit.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The morphology, neurochemistry, and consequences of sympathosensory plexuses

contributor:
Kawaja, Michael D.
Neuroscience Studies

subject: injury p75NTR sympathetic ganglia NGF

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-23 18:51:47.902

abstract:
The development, maintenance, and survival of neurons depend on the function of neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (NGF).  One population of neurons that rely heavily on NGF for axonal growth and survival is the postganglionic sympathetic neurons.  Trauma or disease resulting in injury to the peripheral nervous system causes an increase in the levels of this neurotrophin.  This augmentation promotes the collateral sprouting of postganglionic sympathetic axons into those tissues having elevated levels of NGF.  Often, NGF-induced sympathetic sprouting occurs in tissues that are normally innervated by these fibers however, high levels of NGF can also promote sprouting of axons into tissues that are normally devoid of sympathetic fibers, such as the sensory ganglia.  When postganglionic sympathetic axons grow into the environment of sensory ganglia, they can converge and wrap around a subset of somata (i.e., cell bodies) belonging to primary sensory neurons.  This phenomenon, referred to as sympathosensory plexuses is observed in adult mice and rats following peripheral nerve injury, and is also seen in adult transgenic mice that ectopically over express NGF.
	The overall aim for this project is to examine the morphological and neurochemical features, as well as the overall consequence of sympathosensory plexuses in nerve-injured adult mice and in adult transgenic mice that over express NGF.  We hope that this novel information will add to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms associated with the formation of sympathosensory plexuses that occur following injury.

abstract: manuscripts to be published

abstract: PhD


title: Glycosylation of Prostate Cancer Cell Lines and Glycosyltransferase Characterization and Inhibition

contributor:
Brockhausen, Inka
Biochemistry

subject: Biochemistry Glycosyltransferases

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-23 21:19:36.197

abstract:
Altered glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer and can be used to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells. This thesis shows a comprehensive study of glycosylation on a variety of human prostate cell lines.  Cell surface glycans were analyzed using lectins and antibodies. Glycans were also released from glycoproteins, purified and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. The enzymatic activities and expression levels of glycosyltransferases responsible for the syntheses of N- and O-glycans have been determined and correlated with glycan structures. We found that prostate cells are capable of synthesizing complex N-glycans and core 1 based O-glycans, and that each cell line has characteristic glycosylation pathways. Elevated levels of truncated O-glycans including sialyl-T and di-sialyl-T antigens were detected in prostate cancer cell lines. Complex O-glycans without sialic acid residues constituted the major O-glycans in normal prostate cells, but sialyl-T antigens were prevalent in the most aggressive prostate cancer cells derived from bone metastasis (PC-3). The expression and activity of sialyltransferase ST3Gal-I, responsible for the synthesis of sialyl-T antigens, were up-regulated in PC-3 cells, providing a mechanism for sialyl-T expression. Forced down-regulation of ST3Gal-I by RNA interfering technology as well as neuraminidase treatments of cells were employed to modify cellular glycosylation, and indicated a critical role of sialic acid in the regulation of apoptosis. These observations facilitate the identification of prostate cancer markers and help to understand the importance of glycans in cancer progression.
To elucidate mechanisms of glycosylation and develop glycosyltransferase inhibitors, we characterized recombinant soluble human Gal- and GlcNAc-transferases that synthesize O-glycan cores 1 to 4, critical for the overall structures of O-glycans. The biochemical properties and substrate specificities of these enzymes were determined using synthetic acceptor substrate analogs. These collective results were used to develop novel glycosyltransferase inhibitors, including acceptor substrate analogs and bivalent imidazolium salts. These compounds inhibited selected glycosyltransferases, and thus have the potential to modify cellular glycans for functional studies. Glycosyltransferase inhibitors could also be used in biotechnology and in therapeutic applications to increase the apoptotic potential of prostate cancer cells.

abstract: It includes one manuscript that hasn't been published yet.

abstract: PhD


title: Fatigue Performance of a Hybrid CFRP/STEEL Splice  Detail for Modular Bridge Expansion Joints

contributor:
MacDougall, Colin
Civil Engineering

subject:
CFRP
Fatigue
Splice Detail
Hybrid Performance
Modular Bridge Expansion Joints
S-N Curve
Steel

abstract: Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-24 11:28:19.728

abstract:
As traffic demand on bridges increases, loading cycles on critical components will increase, reducing their service life. Modular bridge expansion joints, which are imperative to allowing the bridge superstructure to move, are susceptible to fatigue damage at their field splice.  These splices are used to connect segments of the total joint, during staged construction.  Current splice designs are either bolted or welded connections, which allow stress concentrations to induce pre-mature fatigue failure.  This thesis examines the use of a hybrid FRP/steel design under fatigue loading for use as a splice detail.

The splice detail consists of steel plates bolted to steel beam webs and CFRP pultruded plates adhesively bonded to the underside of the steel beam flanges.  Two different moduli of CFRP were examined: Normal Modulus and Ultra High Modulus.  Two beams of each modulus were tested under static conditions and six under constant amplitude fatigue loading.  A testing rig was used to simulate similar bending moments experienced in bridge joints.

In the static tests, slippage of the web plates caused considerable stiffness loss and the slippage load varied drastically between CFRP moduli.  For the fatigue tests, the intention was to reach two million cycles at the different constant load ranges.  Stiffness degradation was noticed during the fatigue process, and was likely due to bolt pre-tension loss and/or plastic deformation of the adhesive.  Specimens that reached two million cycles were monotonically loaded to failure.  Once the CFRP had failed, a secondary mechanism was observed for reserve load capacity.

Simple beam mechanics were used to create prediction models for the initial spliced beam stiffness and peak CFRP load.  Flexural and shear deformations of the spliced system were considered for beam stiffness. For the CFRP failure load prediction, a design peak strain in the CFRP was used to account for shear lag effects in the material and variability of the splice detail.  While the model was inaccurate for beam stiffness, it provided a good approximate of the peak CFRP load.  Based on the presented test data, the Normal Modulus CFRP hybrid splice detail showed better fatigue performance than conventional steel connection details.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Surface Mesh-Based Ultrasound Simulator For Spinal Interventions

contributor:
Fichtinger, Gabor
Computing

subject:
Simulation
Surface Mesh
Training
Ultrasound

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-24 12:28:57.201

abstract:
Purpose: Ultrasound is prevalent in image-guided therapy as a safe, inexpensive,
and widely available imaging modality. However, extensive training in interpreting
ultrasound images is essential for successful procedures. An open-source ultrasound
image simulator was developed to facilitate the training of ultrasound-guided spinal
intervention procedures, thereby eliminating the need for an ultrasound machine from
the phantom-based training environment. Methods: Anatomical structures and surgical
tools are converted to surface meshes for data compression. Anatomical data
is converted from segmented volumetric images, while the geometry of surgical tools
is available as a surface mesh. The pose of the objects are either constants or live
measurements from a pose tracking device. Intersection points between the surface
models and the ultrasound scan lines are determined with a binary space partitioning
tree. The scan lines are divided into segments and filled with grey values determined
by an intensity calculation accounting for material properties, reflection, and attenuation
parameters defined in a configuration file. The scan lines are then converted to
a regular brightness-mode ultrasound image. Results: The simulator was tested in a
tracked ultrasound imaging system, with a mock transducer tracked by an Ascension
TrakStar electromagnetic tracker, on a spine phantom. A mesh model of the spine
was created from CT. The simulated ultrasound images were generated at a speed
of 50 frames per second, and a resolution of 820 x 616 pixels on a PC with a 3.4
GHz processor. A human subject trial was conducted to compare the learning performance of novice trainees with real and simulated ultrasound in the localization of
the facet joints of a spine phantom. With 22 participants split into two equal groups
and each participant localizing 6 facet joints, there was no statistical difference in the
performance of the two groups, indicating that simulated ultrasound could indeed
replace the real ultrasound in phantom-based ultrasonography training for spinal
interventions. Conclusion: The ultrasound simulator was implemented and integrated
into the open-source Public Library for Ultrasound (www.plustoolkit.org) and
SlicerIGT (www.SlicerIGT.org) toolkits

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Sit-to-stand performance in people with stroke and the effect of constraint-induced movement strategies on sit-to-stand performance

contributor:
Culham, Elsie
Rehabilitation Science

subject: biomechanics stroke

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Rehabilitation Science) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-24 13:30:53.585

abstract:
Asymmetry of weight-bearing and impaired ability to maintain centre of pressure in midline contribute to an increased fall risk during sit-to-stand in people with stroke. The main objective of this thesis was to investigate the effect of constraint-induced movement strategies on affected limb weight-bearing and measures of balance in people with stroke.  Four studies were conducted to achieve this objective.  Study one and two investigated the methodology for describing sit-to-stand performance in people with stroke and reliability of measures of sit-to-stand performance. Findings from study one demonstrated that methods for describing sit-to-stand performance in healthy adults are not feasible in people with stroke and established a method for describing sit-to-stand performance in subsequent studies. Findings from the second study demonstrated within and between day reliability of temporal, weight-bearing and displacement measures of sit-to-stand performance in both groups.
The third study of this thesis described impairments of sit-to-stand performance in people with stroke when compared with healthy age and sex matched adults. The findings confirmed results from previous studies and further described sit-to-stand performance by demonstrating a shift in the frontal plane centre of pressure and centre of mass position toward the unaffected limb at seat-off in people with stroke.  The final study investigated the effect of three constraint-induced movement strategies on sit-to-stand performance in people with stroke. The results demonstrated increased affected limb weight-bearing and a shift of the centre of pressure and centre of mass toward midline with all of the strategies.  Only two of the strategies altered centre of pressure and centre of mass displacement in the sagittal plane.
Findings from this body of research provide new information regarding the methodology of describing sit-to-stand performance in people with stroke and the reliability of measures of sit-to-stand performance. The results also provide an advanced understanding of sit-to-stand performance in people with stroke and the effect of constraint-induced movement strategies on sit-to-stand performance.  Additional research using constraint-induced movement strategies in a randomized controlled trial will inform clinical practice and may reduce the fall risk in people with stroke.

abstract: PhD


title: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Organizational Factors and the Learning Experiences of International Graduate Students

contributor:
Levine-Rasky, Cynthia
Education

subject:
Higher Education
Graduate Students
Policy
Internationalization

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-24 14:42:45.681

abstract: Many higher education institutions in Canada are enrolling international graduate students as part of their internationalization strategy. However, once international graduate students arrive at their host institution, they often experience tensions in the classroom. There is a lack of critical examination concerning how these students are treated once they are admitted (Lee, 2007b). Much of the existing research frames international students as having to acclimate to their institution rather than examining the institutional structures in place to support these students. There is a paucity of studies that explores the relationship between international graduate students, university administrators, and policymakers in the context of internationalization. This qualitative study sought to extend the research on internationalization and the academic experiences of international students in Canada by examining: (1) The classroom experiences of international graduate students at a higher education institution in relation to internationalization; (2) University administrators’ understandings of international graduate students’ classroom experiences in relation to internationalization; (3) Existing university policies and initiatives that address the classroom experiences of international graduate students in relation to internationalization; and (4) The relationship between university policies, administrators’ understandings of international graduate students’ classroom experiences, and international graduate students’ actual experiences in relation to internationalization. This study used a grounded theory approach. An expanded critical race theory lens was used to illuminate students’ experiences. Overall, a disjunction was found between the policies and reports, university administrators’ understanding of international graduate students’ experiences in the classroom and international graduate students’ actual experiences. Four key findings emerged from the interview data and document analysis, which were reflected across the data sets: (1) Lack of inclusive practices within the classroom environment; (2) Absence of international perspectives and content within the curriculum and pedagogy; (3) Language and accent discrimination; and (4) Lack of initiatives to create a welcoming and inclusive campus climate. This study will add to the literature on international graduate students and extend existing theories on this population. It will also expand future research on organizational factors that influence international graduate students’ academic experiences.

abstract: Thesis is restricted since I will be publishing from it.

abstract: PhD


title: Essays on Corporate Governance

contributor:
Salterio, Steven
Management

subject:
Comply or Explain
Corporate Governance
Firm Value
Archival
Financial Reporting Quality
Auditor-Client Management  Negotiation
Audit Fee

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-26 11:29:18.86

abstract: In this thesis I investigate the economic determinants and consequences of corporate governance (broadly defined) in Canadian “comply or explain” governance disclosure regime. I find that the quality of governance in firms varies in the cross-section and is associated with firm value as economic theory suggests. Furthermore, I find the effectiveness of board and audit committee has a strong impact on the auditor-client management relationship in their negotiation over financial reporting. Such relationships then influence financial reporting quality and audit fees. Overall, my results support that the theorized advantages of “comply or explain” allow firms greater flexibility in tailoring their governance practice to their specific circumstances. Such tailored governance practice is more efficient and cost-effective and serves the interests of shareholders by 1) improving firm value; 2) constraining managerial opportunism; and 3) improving audit quality without incurring higher audit fees.

abstract: PhD


title: Lossless Triangle Mesh Compression

contributor:
Rappaport, David
Computing

subject: Lossless Compression Mesh

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-27 18:49:44.051

abstract: Triangle meshes have been widely used in many fields such as digital archives, computer-assisted design and in the game industry. The topic we are particularly interested is triangle mesh compression for fossil models. This thesis explores the research area of triangle mesh compression and implements a good compressor for our data set. The compressor is mainly based on a previously proposed algorithm, Edgebreaker, with modifications and improvements. The details of the implementation and our improvements are described in detail in this thesis.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Online Sharing of Human Milk: A Content Analysis

contributor:
Sears, Kim
Nursing

subject:
Content analysis
Cross-Feeding
Human Milk Sharing
Internet Based Human Milk Exchange

abstract: Thesis (Master, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-27 20:26:30.206

abstract:
The benefits of human milk are well-known, as human milk provides optimal nutrition in facilitating the growth, health, and development of infants and children.  There are circumstances when a mother’s breast milk may be unavailable due to maternal illness, insufficient milk supply, contraindications, or geographical barriers (Dempsey & Miletin, 2010).  Global recommendations support the use of donor human milk in situations where a mother’s own breast milk is unavailable (World Health Organization, 2009).  Due to the limited supply, the pasteurized product is allocated to high risk infants within the hospitalized setting (Human Milk Bank Association of North America, 2008).  Based on the allocation priorities, many individuals are unable to access donor human milk.
In response to the growing demands for donor human milk, Internet based organizations have facilitated peer to peer human milk sharing.  Given the fact that sharing human milk has been practiced as a covert activity, there is a lack of prevalence data (Thorley, 2008).  To date, minimal research has examined this phenomenon.
The purpose of this study was to explore the description of sharing human milk utilizing an online commerce-free approach.
Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 research participants and analyzed using an inductive approach to qualitative content analysis.  Qualitative content analysis was selected based on the recognition of the importance of obtaining a rich description when exploring this phenomenon.
Outcomes generated from the research study resulted in emerging concepts and categories.  The concepts from the data analysis consisted of the following: commitment to human milk; virtual nature of relationships; and making the private public.  The identified categories include: 1) infant feeding practices; 2) experience with sharing human milk; 3) selection of donors or recipients; 4) relationships among donors and recipients sharing human milk; 5) shared doctrine; 6) use of the Internet to share human milk; and 7) informing health care professionals and others regarding sharing human milk.
Findings generated from this study provide an increase in understanding of this phenomenon.  The cultivated knowledge will assist health care professionals in working in partnership with families to ensure optimal outcomes.

abstract: MNSc.


title: Rethinking the Migration-Conflict Nexus: Insights from the Cocoa Regions in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana

contributor:
Grant, J. Andrew
Political Studies

subject:
Ghana
autochthony
migration
cocoa
International Relations
Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
conflict

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Political Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-29 15:25:50.931

abstract:
In recent years, International Relations scholars have begun to consider migration as an explanatory variable, recognizing its potential role in contributing to the outbreak of violent conflict. Despite the theoretical and empirical contributions resulting from this scholarship, the growing literature privileges a narrow category of migrants – involuntary migrants – failing to capture the role of the millions of voluntary migrants that might be part of the migration-conflict nexus. While some efforts have been made to explore the broader relationship between migration and security, this work focuses on developed countries, national security, and international migration. In short, this has led to the development of a new research agenda that bears little relevance to the African context (and other developing regions) where internal security and internal migration are much more prominent issues.
This dissertation addresses these gaps by examining the migration-conflict nexus in the cocoa regions in two West African countries − Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. These countries are excellent candidates for comparative analysis as both have a great deal in common in terms of their natural resources, geographies, cultures and relations to the world market. These countries also provide fertile ground for comparison as although they share similar migration histories, there have been fundamentally different outcomes in terms of migration-producing conflict. Whereas there have been violent outbreaks of conflict targeting migrants in Côte d’Ivoire leading to a protracted civil war, instances of violent conflict in Ghana’s cocoa growing regions are rare.
By analyzing and contrasting the different migration-conflict trajectories across these cases, the dissertation develops an empirically-informed model for explaining migration-conflict dynamics in Africa and beyond. While the findings highlight the need to take migration seriously as a security issue in its own right, they also reveal the critical role of the following intervening variables in influencing the diverging outcomes: differences in state-society relations; diverging land tenure regimes; variations in state capacity and exogenous shocks; and contrasting experiences with autochthony discourses. Notwithstanding the empirical focus on migration-conflict dynamics in the Ivoirian and Ghanaian cocoa regions, the model developed herein provides important insights beyond these regional contexts.

abstract: To facilitate the publication of the dissertation as a book manuscript

abstract: PhD


title: Air pollution and health: distribution and determinants of exposure in Montreal, Quebec with a focus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon assessment

contributor:
Aronson, Kristan J.
Chen, Dongmei
Community Health and Epidemiology

subject:
Biomarker
Environmental Equity
Air Pollution
Assessment
Geographic Information System
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Community Health & Epidemiology) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-30 10:41:50.321

abstract:
Background: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a carcinogen, and specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as probable carcinogens. Urban air pollution is one source of PAH exposure. These facts provided motivation to pursue three thesis objectives: 1) to critically review environmental inequity research in Canada and methods used in previous studies; 2) to determine associations between socio-demographic factors and residential traffic exposure; and, 3) to assess correlations between two PAH biomarkers and their relationship with a newer geographic information system (GIS) method (a proxy of PAH exposure measurement), and explore determinants of these two PAH biomarkers.
Methods: The first objective was achieved through an extensive and critical literature review. The second and third objectives were achieved through conducting a cross-sectional study in Montreal where 107 female and 93 male volunteers completed a questionnaire and provided a urine sample for measurement of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide (1-OHPG). GIS-based distance-weighted traffic density (DWTD) at participants’ residences and time- and distance-weighted traffic density (TDWTD) for all participants’ locations in the 48 hours before urine collection were calculated.
Results: Participants with lower household income and unemployment/student status were more likely to be exposed to higher traffic density at their residence. DWTD was related to self-reported living within 100 meters of highway/major roads. Detection rates for the two biomarkers were over 95%, and females have higher 1-OHP and 1-OHPG levels (exp β: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.09; exp β: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.11, respectively) than males. Smoking in the 48-hour period before urine collection significantly predicted levels of biomarkers, and among non-smokers barbecued/grilled meat consumption was implicated in increases in 1-OHP.
Conclusions: Those with lower household income and unemployment/student status experienced increased traffic exposure, while education, marital status and ethnicity were not associated with traffic exposure. While higher levels among females and an interaction with sex needs further study, PAH biomarkers are useful in capturing recent PAH exposure from smoking, and barbecued/grilled meat consumption. PAH biomarkers can be easily used in epidemiologic studies to assess general population exposures.

abstract: In this thesis, we used many innovative methods to conduct sampling and GIS based traffic density calculation. Thus, we would like to choose that this thesis is to be restricted.

abstract: PhD


title: Cultural Differences in Opportunity Cost Consideration

contributor:
Ji, Li-Jun
Psychology

subject:
Decision-Making
Culture
Opportunity Cost Consideration

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-01 15:22:09.816

abstract: I conducted two studies to explore cultural differences between Chinese and European Canadians in considering opportunity cost while making purchase decisions.  In Study 1, participants (121 Euro-Canadians and 119 Chinese) read a scenario in which they would decide whether to buy a single product (e.g., a backpack) or not.  Participants were randomly assigned to either a condition in which opportunity cost information was made salient or a control condition in which opportunity cost was not mentioned.  I found that participants in the opportunity cost salient condition displayed a higher level of opportunity cost consideration than did participants in the control condition.  When individual differences in the habit of considering opportunity cost and spending habits were controlled for, Chinese participants’ purchase decisions revealed a higher degree of opportunity cost consideration than those of European Canadians.  Chinese were also more likely to mention opportunity cost thoughts than did European Canadians while making the decision.  In Study 2, participants chose one of two laptops to buy (one was cheaper but had less memory than the other).  The results demonstrated that Chinese living in Canada displayed a higher degree of opportunity cost consideration by opting more often for the cheaper laptop, than did European Canadians.  However, the culture main effect was confounded by cultural differences in family income.  Study 2 also replicated the results of Study 1 that Chinese were also more likely to mention opportunity cost thoughts than European Canadians while making the decision.  Although inconclusive, these results suggest that opportunity cost consideration varies, at least to some extent, across cultures.  Implications of the current research for consumer behavior and directions for future research are discussed.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Digitally Assisted Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits

contributor:
Saavedra, Carlos E.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Microwave
RF
Integrated Circuits
Digital Assist
Electrical Engineering

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-30 12:02:50.668

abstract:
In this thesis, three radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) were digitally assisted for varying signal power, frequency or both.  Performance paramters were 'optimized' in the sense of obtaining the best performance improvement possible through the methods used.  The digital assist method used a lookup table (LUT) of optimal bias points measured through extensive sweeps and linear interpolation to determine the optimal bias point of the chip between measured points.

A Gilbert Cell was fabricated in 0.13 μm CMOS.  Transistor gate bias voltages were swept with input power to find the optimal bias voltages for intermodulation distortion (IMD) performance.  A power detector was on-chip for the digital assist.  Linear interpolation was used to optimize biases for any input power between initially measured points.  Whereas distortion generally increases with input power, the digitally assisted device reduced the distortion of large signals.  The IIP3 was 2.83 dBm from -3.11 dBm, and the P1dB was -3.33 dBm from -12.06 dBm.  The RF bandwidth was measured as 1 to 12 GHz and DC power consumption varied from 2.06 to 3.27 mW.

A noise cancelling low noise amplifier (LNA) was designed and fabricated in 0.13 μm CMOS.  A feedback capacitor was used to boost the gain of the input transistor for lower DC power and better S11.  An on-chip frequency detector was implemented for the digital assist.  The gain rolled off gradually from 1 GHz until the 3 dB cutoff at 7 GHz.  The average noise figure was 4.1 dB and less than 5 dB across the band.  With digital assist, the gain curve was flattened at about 15 dB with to a broader 8 GHz bandwidth without negatively affecting the noise figure.  The S11 was below -12 dB.

A power amplifier (PA) previously designed in 0.8 μm Gallium Nitride (GaN) used third order IMD cancellation by derivative superposition effective at a fixed frequency and output power.  Digital assist eliminated the extreme sensitivity to variations.  Digital assist and bilinear interpolation maintained a 10 dB improvement in OIP3 over the entire 1 to 6 GHz band for varying output power between 21 and 24 dBm.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Mouse Uterine Natural Killer Cell Functions During Early Pregnancy

contributor:
Croy, B. Anne
Anatomy and Cell Biology

subject: Early Pregnancy

subject: Whole Mount in Situ Immunohistochemistry

subject: Intra-uterine Growth Restriction

subject: Uterine Natural Killer Cells

subject: Angiogenesis

abstract: Thesis (Master, Anatomy & Cell Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-02 08:42:06.487

abstract:
Early pregnancy is characterized by complex interactions between blood vessels, leukocytes, and conceptus-derived trophoblasts within the gestational uterus. Uterine Natural Killer (uNK) cells become the most abundant leukocyte during decidualization and produce a wide array of angiogenic factors, yet little is known regarding their early pregnancy functions. To characterize the role(s) of uNK cells, whole mount in situ immunohistochemistry of live early implant sites was performed.
	A timecourse examination of murine early pregnancy (virgin, and gd4.5-9.5) implantation sites was performed. Comparison of Gd6.5, 8.5 and 9.5 implant sites from BALB/c+/+ controls (BALB/c) and BALB/c-Rag2-/-Il2rg-/- (alymphoid) identified anomalies that result from the absence of lymphocytes. In alymphoid decidua basalis, mesometrial angiogenesis was widespread but pruning of nascent vessels within alymphoid decidua basalis was deficient. As early gestation progressed, vessels of alymphoid decidua basalis showed no evidence for remodeling. Alymphoid implantation sites showed ~24h delay in uterine lumen closure and embryonic development.
To determine if uNK cells would normalize the anomalies observed in alymphoid implantation sites, adoptive cell transfer of NK+ B- T- marrow to alymphoid mice was performed. All of the above anomalies were reversed by adoptive transfer of NK+B-T- marrow.
	My results suggest that uNK cells support vascular growth and development which ensures the decidua can support the growing conceptus early in pregnancy prior to formation and function of the placenta. Human decidual NK cells may fill similar roles and be important targets for strategies designed to correct intra-uterine growth restriction.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Elucidation of the interactions between the transcription factor E2A and the transcriptional co-activator CBP/p300

contributor:
Smith, Steven P.
Biochemistry

subject:
Biochemistry
Leukemia
Protein Interactions
Biophysics

abstract: Thesis (Master, Biochemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-06 13:52:28.248

abstract: E2A is a transcription factor that plays a particularly critical role in lymphopoiesis. The chromosomal translocation 1;19, disrupts the E2A gene and results in the expression of the fusion oncoprotein E2A-PBX1, which is implicated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Both E2A and E2A-PBX1 contain two activation domains, AD1 and AD2, which comprise conserved ΦxxΦΦ motifs where Φ denotes a hydrophobic amino acid. These domains function to recruit transcriptional co-activators and repressors, including the histone acetyl transferase CREB binding protein (CBP) and its paralog p300. The PCET motif within E2A AD1 interacts with the KIX domain of CBP/p300, the disruption of which abrogates the transcriptional activation by E2A and the transformative properties of E2A-PBX1. The generation of a peptide-based inhibitor targeting the PCET:KIX interaction would serve useful in further assessing the role of E2A and E2A-PBX1 in lymphopoiesis and leukemogenesis. An interaction between E2A AD2 and the KIX domain has also been recently identified, and the TAZ domains of CBP/p300 have been shown to interact with several transcription factors that contain ΦxxΦΦ motifs. Thus the design of an inhibitor of the E2A:CBP/p300 interaction requires the full complement of interactions between E2A and the various domains of CBP/p300 to be elucidated. Here, we have used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine that AD2 interacts with KIX at the same site as PCET, which indicates that the E2A:KIX interaction can be disrupted by targeting a single binding site. Using an iterative synthetic peptide microarray approach, a peptide with the sequence DKELQDLLDFSLQY was derived from PCET to interact with KIX with higher affinity than the wild type sequence. This peptide now serves as a lead molecule for further development as an inhibitor of the E2A:CBP/p300 interaction. Fluorescence anisotropy, peptide microarray technology, and isothermal titration calorimetry were employed to characterize interactions between both TAZ domains of CBP/p300 and the PCET motif and AD2 of E2A. Alanine substitution of residues within PCET demonstrated that the ΦxxΦΦ motif is a key mediator of these interactions, analogous to the PCET:KIX interaction. These findings now inform future work to establish possible physiological roles for the E2A:TAZ1 and E2A:TAZ2 interactions.

abstract: Thesis includes data awaiting publication in scientific journals

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The molecular mechanism of TAZ-induced mammary tumorigenesis

contributor:
Yang, Xiaolong
Pathology and Molecular Medicine

subject:
Cell migration
Breast cancer
Hippo
Chemotherapeutic resistance
TAZ

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-01 23:59:08.68

abstract:
TAZ (Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) is a WW-domain containing protein recently identified as a downstream component of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway and mediator of biologically important processes (mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, embryonic stem cell renewal, mechanotransduction). Recently, loss of LATS1/2, a negative regulator of TAZ, has been observed in ~50% of breast cancers. However, whether and how TAZ is also involved in breast cancer has not been investigated. Therefore, this study explores the cellular functions of TAZ in breast cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
	The cellular functions of TAZ were investigated using overexpression studies in an immortalized mammary epithelial cell line (MCF10A). Compared to control vector-only expressing cells (MCF10A-WPI) TAZ overexpression (MCF10A-TAZ) promotes enhanced cell proliferation, cell migration and cell-ECM adhesion, induces transformation and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and confers resistance to chemotherapeutics (paclitaxel, cisplatin). Together, these findings strongly suggest TAZ functions as an oncogene in the development, progression and drug resistance of breast cancer.
	As a transcriptional co-activator, TAZ likely mediates these cellular functions through the transcriptional activation of downstream genes. By screening a 44K human genome microarray we have identified and characterized Cyr61 and CTGF, mediators of paclitaxel resistance, and BMP4, a regulator of cell migration. Through stable shRNA-mediated knockdown, we show that loss of Cyr61/CTGF expression in MCF10A-TAZ cells can rescue TAZ-induced paclitaxel resistance. Similarly, shRNA-mediated knockdown of BMP4 can significantly attenuate TAZ-induced cell migration. Therefore, these findings demonstrate that Cyr61/CTGF and BMP4 are functionally significant mediators of TAZ-induced paclitaxel resistance and cell migration, respectively. The clinical relevance of our in vitro findings were also validated by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays containing human breast cancer samples. TAZ levels were highly expressed in 66.6% of clinical samples further suggesting TAZ may be an important oncogene in breast cancer.
	Our study has characterized TAZ as an oncogene in breast cancer and elucidated two novel mechanisms underlying paclitaxel resistance and cell migration. These findings highlight the importance of TAZ during the development, progression and drug resistance of breast cancers and the potential use of TAZ as a therapeutic target to treat TAZ-expressing breast cancers.

abstract: Would like to withhold preliminary data.

abstract: PhD


title: Defoe, Dissent, and Typology

contributor:
Lock, Fred
English

subject:
Dissent
Robinson Crusoe
Practical Religion
Daniel Defoe
Nonconformity
Typology

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-01 15:48:01.785

abstract: This dissertation investigates how Dissenting writers, among them Samuel Annesley and Richard Baxter, influenced the religious thought of Daniel Defoe. Though some critics, most notably G. A. Starr and J. Paul Hunter, have positioned Defoe within a broad "Puritan" tradition, his religious ideas are more properly understood within the specific circumstances of post-Restoration England, as the unique pressures engendered by the Interregnum impelled many Dissenting writers to privilege "Practical Religion" over abstract theology. The aversion to "doubtfull disputations" that Defoe inherits from this discourse informs not only the modes of argument Defoe employs, but also the genres through which he engages with theological questions. Throughout his writing, however, his attachment to Biblical typology, which is informed by his dependence on the Bible as a stable locus of indisputable “plainness,” comes into conflict with his political tenets, as Scripture provides no firm precedent for the mode of contractual kingship introduced by the Glorious Revolution. At first seeking to mute the incongruities between "Hebrew times" and "modern" circumstances, Defoe is eventually impelled to reconceptualise typology, formulating a theory that both acknowledges the authority of the Bible while allowing William, and the mode of contractual kingship he represents, to surpass Scriptural types. This attitude towards typology fundamentally underpins the narrative of Robinson Crusoe (1719), which systematically repudiates Biblical narratives. Rather than adhering to prefigurative Biblical patterns, the novel is built on a series of divergences, first personal and then political, from Scriptural models. Anchored in his specific geographic and economic circumstances, Crusoe’s conversion is markedly distanced from Biblical types, represented as a process unique to his situation, rather than an iteration of an existing pattern. Ultimately, this dissertation contends that Defoe’s religious thought, specifically his commitment to "Practical Religion" and the typological hermeneutic this discourse underpins, is fundamentally informed by his relationship with post-Restoration Dissent.

abstract: I intend to publish much of this as a book in the next two years.

abstract: PhD


title: A Method of Detecting Total Viable Organisms in Water Based on Solid-Phase Microextraction and Fluorescent Signal Detection

contributor:
Brown, R. Stephen
Chemistry

subject:
Solid Phase Microextraction
Water Quality
Total Viable Organisms
Fluorescent Signal
Bacteria Detection

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-01 18:03:54.111

abstract:
Microorganisms are monitored as a key indicator of water quality.  Measurement of “total viable organisms” (TVO, similar to “heterotrophic plate count”, HPC) is used to indicate the general hygiene level of the water, and is often used to assess water treatment.  Automated, instrumental TVO detection in water samples using an enzyme reaction method shortens the detection time compared to conventional HPC methods. A method that can detect TVO without interference in water samples by monitoring enzyme activities through fluorescent signals in small custom sample cells was developed.

In this method, fluorogenic substrates were cleaved by specific enzymes to make fluorescent products, which then partitioned into a non-polar siloxane polymer film on the bottom of the sample cell. A miniature spectrometer monitored fluorescence in the polymer to give a present/absent result for bacteria. There is no interference from sample color and turbidity because the light never passes through the sample matrix.

Eight substrates that can be converted by six different enzymes were characterized. These had fluorescent products coupled to glucose, glucuronic acid, galactose, phosphate, sulfate and alanine. Four different products were produced, providing detection of some enzymes simultaneously but independently, depending on the substrates chosen. Candidate fluorescent products were first tested with different siloxane polymers and two dimethyl-siloxane polymers were identified to detect all the products separately.

Fifteen laboratory bacteria strains (including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were added individually to a substrate solution containing minimal nutrients and incubated.  All bacteria types were successfully detected by at least one substrate, with most detected by several substrates.

Sterility of water samples from lake water, treated lake water and tap water were tested with those eight substrates separately or in combination. The lake water had the highest bacteria level and included coliforms and possibly E. coli. Treated lake water and tap water were E. coli and coliforms free, and were safe for drinking. Treated lake water had higher TVO levels than tap water, indicating a lower hygiene level. The results of combined substrate tests matched the corresponding single substrate tests, suggesting specific bacteria strains can be distinguished in a single test.

abstract: Patent application in preparation

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Fear and Loathing in the Hookup Culture:  A Study of Female Engagement in Non-Relational Sex on a University Campus

contributor:
Sacco, Vincent F.
Sociology

subject:
Hooking Up
Techniques of Neutralization
Undergraduate Students
Dating
Canadian Hookup Culture
Sexual Intercourse
Sexual Relations

abstract: Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2013-07-31 19:46:46.027

abstract: Recent empirical evidence suggests that we have entered a new period of courtship known as the hookup era. Contemporary research which explores hooking up has confirmed the prevalence of this dating script, particularly within post-secondary institutions. The relevant literature has focused on a variety of important issues including the conceptual meaning of hooking up and the identification of potential correlates and consequences of these behaviours. Despite this increase in scholarly interest, several problems remain unaddressed. Principal among these is the way(s) in which young women mediate the self-perceived risks involved in the sexual exchange known as the hookup, so as to facilitate their participation in this culture. The current paper examines the controversy that is female hookup participation by investigating the risks – and subsequent negotiation of these risks – which women face in the hookup culture. Specifically, this paper makes use of detailed qualitative data gathered from a sample of female undergraduate students at a medium-sized Canadian university, in order to uncover the social processes by which female proponents of the hookup culture account for their actions to themselves and to others, in this the seemingly risky courtship script.

abstract: M.A.


title: Standing the Test of Time: the Role of Teachers and Administration in the Sustenance of a School’s Culture

contributor:
Kutsyuruba, Benjamin
Education

subject:
School Culture
Positive
Case Study
Appreciative Inquiry
Retrospective

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-03 14:26:59.744

abstract: Schools develop organizational cultures of their own; these cultures establish traditions and norms that guide everyday life in schools.  The purpose of this case study was to examine teachers’ and administrators’ perceptions of how a positive school culture has been shaped, maintained, and sustained over the past four decades at one midsized Catholic high school in Southeastern Ontario. The qualitative research design combined document analysis and qualitative interviewing with the aim to establish a greater understanding of the school’s history. The interviews were conducted with current and former teachers and administrators who have worked at the school between 1970 and 2013.  By looking at this school as a case study, I have attempted to gain a deeper insight to the subjective experiences that different teachers and administrators have had with the school over the course of its recent history, and have thereby developed an understanding of the motivations and actions undertaken to both preserve and change the school’s normative structure over the course of time.                 The results of the study indicate that the school has been able to maintain and sustain a positive culture over the past forty years.  The findings have determined the school’s cultural manifestations at each of the three levels of organizational culture, and recognize the fundamental importance of the role of selected stakeholders in projecting, and reflecting the existing culture in order to preserve core underlying assumptions in the process of adaptation to internal and external changes.  The school’s long-standing history, tradition of excellence, and strong focus on Catholic education and “educating the whole person” have allowed for the establishment of a close community network within the school.  From an ecological perspective (recognizing schools as living systems) these networks, supported by strong leadership, have served to sustain the healthy elements of the school’s culture allowing it to evolve over time.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: Large-Scale Empirical Studies of Mobile Apps

contributor:
Hassan, Ahmed E.
Computing

subject:
Ads
Advertisement
Mobile apps
Ad libraries
Advertisement libraries
Software reuse
Rating system
Android

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-04 22:03:54.577

abstract:
Mobile apps (or apps) are software applications developed to run on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, among other devices. The number of apps has grown tremendously since Apple opened the first app store in 2008. For example, in March of 2009 the Google Play app store (formerly known as Android Market) had only 2,300 apps, and by mid of 2013 there were more than 800,000 apps. Given the accelerated rate of growth in the number of apps, new software engineering challenges have emerged in order to help ease the software development practices of app developers. In this thesis we examine three examples of these challenges, namely code reuse in mobile apps, app ratings, and the use of ad libraries within apps. We carry out our case studies on thousands of Android apps from the Google Play market.

We find that code reuse in mobile apps is considerably higher than in desktop/server apps. However, identical copies of mobile apps are rare. We find that the current ratings system is not able to capture the dynamics of the evolving nature of apps. Thus, we were able to show the need for a more elaborate rating system for the apps. Finally, we observe that a considerable number of free-to-download apps are dependant on ads for their revenue. Our findings suggest that "ad maintenance" is a tough challenge that developers of mobile apps have to face.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The Facing-the-Viewer Bias in the Perception of Depth Ambiguous Human Figures

contributor:
Troje, Nikolaus F.
Psychology

subject:
Convexity bias
Facing-the-viewer bias
Visual perception
Biological motion

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-08 19:06:06.84

abstract: Orthographically-projected biological motion point-light displays generally contain no information about their in-depth orientation, yet observers consistently prefer the facing-the-viewer (FTV) interpretation (Vanrie, Dekeyser and Verfaillie, 2004). This bias has been attributed to the social relevance of such stimuli (Brooks et al., 2008) although local stimulus properties appear to influence the bias (Schouten, Troje and Verfaillie, 2011). In the present study we investigated the cause of the FTV bias. In Experiment 1 we compared FTV bias for various configurations of stick-figures and depth ambiguous human silhouettes. The FTV bias was not present for silhouettes, but was strongly elicited for most stick-figures. We concluded that local attitude assignments for intrinsic structures of stick-figures are subject to inferences about the flexion of body surfaces, and that a visual bias that assumes surfaces to be convex drives the FTV bias. In Experiment 2 we manipulated silhouettes to permit local attitude assignments by using point-lights on emphasized flexion points. As predicted, the inclusion of intrinsic structures produced FTV bias for silhouettes. The results help to unify various findings regarding the FTV bias. We conclude that the FTV bias emerges during the 2 ½-D sketch stage of visual processing (Marr and Nishihara, 1978).

abstract: I am restricting this thesis so that I can work on publishing the data in an article that I am preparing currently along with my thesis supervisor, Dr. Nikolaus Troje. Once my article has been published in a journal, I would be happy for the thesis restriction to be lifted.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Romancing Children into Delight: Promoting Children's Happiness in the Early Primary Grades

contributor:
Upitis, Rena
Education

subject:
Aims of Education
Pedagogy
Well-Being
Affect in Education
Early Primary Education
Waldorf Education
Froebel Education
Curriculum and Instruction
Montessori Education
Happiness
Public Education
Independent Education
Elementary Schools

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-02 11:13:05.998

abstract: Happiness should be a fundamental aim of education. This philosophical assertion raises the practical question of how teachers generate happiness in their classroom programs while operating under the current paradigm of educational accountability. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perspectives of early primary teachers, students, and parents on what makes a happy classroom. Data were collected through interviews of 12 teachers from public, independent, Waldorf, Froebel, and Montessori schools; over 72 hours of observation in eight early primary classrooms; interviews with 23 students (ages 3 to 8), drawing and photography with 64 students (ages 3 to 8); 66 parent surveys, and eight teacher exit interviews. Four cycles of analysis, including descriptive and conceptual approaches, resulted in the identification of five core conditions of happy classrooms: (a) relational pedagogy, (b) embodied learning, (c) pedagogical thoughtfulness (d) an ethos of happiness, and (e) an ethos of possibility. These five conditions were supported by 17 facets, which describe practical and conceptual ways to support pedagogical thinking and decision-making about children’s happiness in the complex worlds of busy classrooms. Five of the facets are spotlighted: (a) kids need to play, (b) stepping in stepping out, (c) sounds shape feelings and experience, (d) rhythms and routines, and (e) romancing children into delight. In addition, student and parent participants identified that play, positive friendships, time outdoors, experiences involving the arts, and experiences of positive feelings make children happy at school and when they are learning. The discussion centers on the role of teachers in establishing the tone of happy classrooms, considers the notion of strong pedagogy, discusses the generation of happiness in early primary classrooms in the form of lessons to be learned from different pedagogical traditions, and argues that, above all, children’s interests, needs, and development should be a teacher’s first point of consideration for all decisions about instruction and learning in the classroom. The discussion concludes with implications for teaching professionals and offers suggestions for future research.

abstract: PhD


title: The Effect of Lying on Self-Control Depletion

contributor:
Jacobson, Jill A.
Psychology

subject: Self-Control Lying

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-02 22:32:53.067

abstract: The goal of the current research was to investigate the impact of lying on self-control depletion. I hypothesised that lying would require more self-control than would truth telling. In Study 1, participants were assigned one of two topics, a favourite movie or a personal problem, about which they lied or told the truth in counterbalanced order on camera for two minutes. Following the first video in which they either told the truth or lied, participants completed an anagram task that served as the measure of self-control depletion. I found that participants in the movie condition did not differ as a function of lying or telling the truth although the means were in the expected direction. Also, contrary to my predictions, participants who lied about a personal problem were significantly less depleted than were participants who told the truth about their personal problem. In Study 2, participants were assigned to either deny or confess possession of an object in two interviews, but they actually possessed the object in only one interview creating the lie versus truth-telling manipulations. After both interviews, participants’ reaction times were recorded for the Stroop task, which served as the measure of ego- depletion. I did not find a significant difference between participants who lied first versus participants who told the truth first. Furthermore, participants assigned to deny versus confess to possessing the object did not differ on the Stroop task reaction times. Possible explanations for why the results did not support the hypothesis that lying is ego- depleting are discussed.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Drawn Together: How the Heavily Tattooed Build Social Capital in "Third Places"

subject:
third places
heavily tattooed
social capital

abstract: Thesis (Master, Sociology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-02 18:45:32.617

abstract: This thesis puts forth an ethnographic, social constructionist account of tattoo shops with the aim of examining how heavily tattooed individuals negotiate positive social meaning in a constructed society. This research assumes that heavily tattooed individuals may be viewed as deviant, which can create problems associated with labeling and stigma. Consequently, these individuals need to develop ways to cope, and can do this by seeking out the company of like-minded people who can help them define away stigma. The central focus of this research will be on the social structures of the space (tattoo shops) and the individuals who visit it - more specifically on their interactions, conversations and experiences. Data were collected from both participant observation and semi-structured open ended interviews with participants. The results from this study demonstrate that tattoo shops are environments that can be interpreted as ‘new third places.’

abstract: M.A.


title: Flame Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of Photocatalytic Titanium Dioxide Coating on Aluminium Fin Stock

contributor:
Ramsay, Juliana A.
Docoslis, Aristides
Chemical Engineering

subject:
CVD
Titanium Dioxide
Flame
Aluminum
Photocatalyst
TiO2

abstract: Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-02 23:11:16.825

abstract: Unavailable

abstract: The industrial sponsor (Novelis Inc.) would like to seek patent protection and the thesis and abstract contains sensitive information that could impede patent protection.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Analysis-Driven Design of Parallel Floating-Point Matrix Multiplication for Implementation in Reconfigurable Logic

contributor:
Manjikian, Naraig
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Reconfigurable logic
Parallel
FPGA
Floating-point
Matrix multiplication

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-03 12:46:13.484

abstract:
The objective of this research is to design an efficient and flexible implementation of parallel matrix multiplication for FPGA devices by
analyzing the computation and studying its design space. In order to adapt to the FPGA platform, the design employs blocking
and parallelization. Blocked matrix multiplication enables processing arbitrarily large matrices using limited memory capacity, and reduces the bandwidth requirements across the device boundaries by reusing available elements. Exploiting the inherent parallelism in the matrix multiplication computation improves the performance and utilizes the available reconfigurable FPGA resources.

The design is constructed by identifying the main design decisions and evaluating the alternatives for each one. The considered design decisions include the scheduling of block transfers, the scheduling of arithmetic operations in a block multiplication, the extent to which the parallelism is exploited, determining the block sizes and shapes, and the use of double buffers for storing matrix blocks. The choices offered by each decision are evaluated analytically in terms of their performance and utilization of FPGA resources. Based on this analysis, a detailed, flexible design that accommodates various alternative design choices is described. The design is optimized for matrices of floating-point elements, and for the FPGA target platform. Prior work is analyzed based on the considered design choices in order
to identify the similarities and the differences.

The proposed design is implemented using the VHDL hardware description language. The implementation is used to verify the correctness of the design and to confirm the analysis of the design decisions. Correctness is verified both by simulation using the ModelSim logic simulator, and in hardware through compiling the implementation using the Altera Quartus II CAD software and testing it on the Altera DE4 board, featuring a Stratix IV EP4SGX530C2 FPGA device. The implementation supports a range of parameters to facilitate the experimental evaluation of design choices.

Experimental results show that the design scales linearly with respect to the consumed resources. Although increasing the system size reduces the maximum operating frequency, it also increases the parallelism, resulting in a higher performance. For instance, with 8 floating-point arithmetic units, the system runs at 320 MHz, which corresponds to a performance of 4 GFLOPS, whereas with 64 arithmetic units, it runs at 160 MHz, which corresponds to a performance of 16 GFLOPS. It is also shown that using a transfer schedule based on inner products reduces the transfer time by up to 50% compared to other schedules. Although using square blocks minimizes the number of required block multiplications, other non-square blocks minimize the transfer time, resulting in better total times.

abstract: PhD


title: A Generalized Software Solution for the Estimation of Joint Moments: an Application to Lifting

contributor:
Costigan, Patrick
Kinesiology and Health Studies

subject:
Lumbar Spine
Lower Back Pain
Lifting
Biomechanics

abstract: Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-03 15:05:03.257

abstract:
Objective: To develop modular software to assess angular impulse and to determine the effect of a reduced dataset on the net angular impulse acting at the L5/S1 joint.
Background. With the prevalence and incidence of lower back pain increasing annually, accurate assessment of physical job demands is needed. Many lab based approaches exist to measure the moments acting on the lower back, but require advanced and sensitive testing equipment. Of the methodologies currently used in industrial settings, most require significant contributions of time or money to be implemented. There is a need for cost and time effective methods to record a worker’s kinematic data over their whole shift.
Methods: Twelve participants performed 12 consecutive lifts under five lifting conditions: SQ00 (squat 0kg); SQ04 (squat 4kg); SQ10 (squat 10kg); FP04 (fast squat 4kg); ST04 (stoop 4kg). Kinematic data of the upper limbs, head, and trunk was recorded with external load data and kinetic analysis was performed by implementing an extension of the Hof (1992) method called the lined-segment engine (LSE) to calculate the angular impulse (N•m•s) acting on the L5/S1 joint.
Results: The LSE was sensitive to changes in load, lifting speed, and lifting posture (p < 0.05). There was no difference in dynamic, quasi-static, or static models when calculating angular impulse, but there was a difference in the L5/S1 angular impulse when the upper limbs were removed from the dynamic LSE model (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The LSE requires further refinement, but could be a generic approach to kinetic calculations. A scaled no-arms model for calculating the angular impulse acting on the low back could be used to assess field based lifting studies with 5.8% error.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: SimITK: Model Driven Engineering for Medical Imaging

contributor:
Mousavi, Parvin
Abolmaesumi, Purang
Cordy, James R.
Gobbi, David
Computing

subject:
Medical Imaging
SimITK
ITK
Model Driven Engineering

abstract: Thesis (Master, Computing) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-05 10:15:16.607

abstract:
The Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit (ITK) is a highly utilized open source medical imaging library. Written in C++, ITK provides chiefly the functionality to register, segment, and filter medical images. Although extremely powerful, ITK has a very steep learning curve for users with little or no background in programming. It was for this reason that SimITK was developed. SimITK wraps ITK into the model driven engineering environment Simulink, a part of the Matlab development suite. The first released version of SimITK was a proof of concept, and demonstrated that ITK could be wrapped successfully in Simulink. Very few segmentation and registration functions were available and the system was based on ITK version 3 with a semi-automatic wrapping procedure.

In this thesis a new version of SimITK is presented that includes thirty-seven image filter, twelve optimizer, and nineteen transform classes from ITK version 4 which are successfully wrapped and tested. These classes were chosen to represent a broad range of usability (in the case of the filters) and to allow for greater flexibility when creating registration pipelines by having more options for optimizers, transforms, and metrics. Many usability improvements were also implemented for the registration pipeline, including providing the user with the metric value while executing a registration model and allowing the output image size to be specified for certain filters. In order for SimITK to transition to a usable research tool, several usability improvements were needed. These included transitioning from wrapping ITK version 3 to ITK version 4, fully automating the wrapping process, and usability modifications to the registration pipeline including a metric value output.

These implementations of an automated wrapping procedure for ITK version 4, and improved usability of the registration pipeline have propelled SimITK on a path towards a usable research tool. The author will be creating a release of these changes, updating installation documentation, and updating tutorials which are available at www.SimITKVTK.com

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Neurophysiological Responses and Behavioural Intentions to Schizophrenia-Associated Communication Abnormalities

contributor:
Bowie, Christopher R.
Psychology

subject:
Communication Abnormalities
Stigma
n400
Schizophrenia

abstract: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-08 21:15:41.691

abstract:
Background: Little is known about how abnormal communication from someone with schizophrenia is perceived by those interacting with the individual. The N400 event-related potential (ERP) is an index of how difficult it is to process incongruent words and is sensitive to context about the identity of the speaker. Knowledge of an individual’s diagnosis provides such context, and responses to a diagnosis have typically been examined from a stigma framework.
Purpose: The current study aimed to examine the effect of context regarding the speaker, on the N400 ERP in the listener in response to speech that contained schizophrenia-associated communication abnormalities, and the relationship between the N400 and stigma.
Methods: 73 first year undergraduate students listened to segments of conversation between two people while continuous EEG was recorded. Participants were told that the responder in the conversation was either a university student, had a stroke, had schizophrenia (and had recovered), or had schizophrenia (and symptoms were emphasized). The last word of the response in the conversation was varied to be a typical ending, a word approximation, or a neologism.
Results: A significant N400 was observed over centro-parietal electrode sites in response to word approximations and neologisms when participants were told that the responder was a university student, but not in the other conditions. The amplitude of the N400 was significantly greater in response to neologisms than in response to word approximations. Participants also rated that they would be more likely to continue speaking to someone using typical words, than word approximations, and in both cases, more like than someone using neologisms. There was no significant relationship between the amplitude of the N400 and any of the stigma measures.
Discussion: Telling participants either about the functional symptoms of schizophrenia, the diagnosis, or both resulted in a significantly reduced N400. This suggests a processing bias in which knowledge of either the symptoms or diagnosis of schizophrenia reduces the difficulty of integrating atypical speech. This does not appear to be a result of stigmatizing attitudes per se, but may be the result of an expectancy for someone with schizophrenia to communicate in abnormal ways.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Subspace Bootstrapping and Learning for Background Subtraction

contributor:
Greenspan, Michael A.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject: Computer Vision

abstract: Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-07 15:42:26.205

abstract:
A new background subtraction algorithm is proposed based on using a subspace
model. The key components of the algorithm include a novel method for initializing
the subspace and a robust update framework for continuously learning and improving
the model. Unlike traditional subspace techniques the proposed approach does not
require supervised or lengthy training data upfront, but instead is bootstrapped using
a single background frame and exploiting spatial information in place of temporal
data to generate pixel statistics for the model. The update framework allows for
intelligently updating the model and re-initialization if required as determined by the
algorithm. Experimental results indicate that the proposed subspace algorithm out
performed traditional subspace approaches and was comparable to and sometimes
better than leading standard pixel-based techniques on several standard background
subtraction data sets.

abstract: M.A.Sc.


title: Trials, Triumphs, and Transitions: Examining Perceptions of New Teacher Induction in Relation to Mentoring and School Culture

subject:
Teacher Induction
New Teacher Induction Program
New teachers
Mentoring

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-07 20:46:39.579

abstract: It is a well-known fact that entering the teaching profession can be a challenge for nearly anyone (Kronowitz, 2004). Recently, the discussion has shifted to looking at strategies to assist the new teachers in making the transition (Portner, 2005; Sweeny, 2008), with an attempt in the province of Ontario through the implementation of a provincially mandated New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) legislated 2006. Yet, since programs like Ontario’s NTIP are still fairly new, concerns exist as to the effectiveness and ideal structure of induction programs (Glassford & Salinitri, 2007; Tait, 2005; Cherubini, 2009; Robinson, 1998; Johnson & Kardos, 2010), with little recognition of the role of school culture only peripherally addressed within induction literature. Therefore, the intent of this study was to examine the experiences of new teachers who have previously completed the Ontario NTIP program in order to understand the impact of induction programs on the process of new teacher socialization. In order to carry out this study, a combination of document analysis and individual interviews was used. The findings reveal an emphasis upon evaluation within the program documents, unclear roles, the absence of school culture, and little information to ensure proper implementation of the program. Three themes emerged from the interviews. First, the participating new teachers identified the need for support beyond the first year of teaching. Secondly, there seemed to be a general confusion about NTIP with regards to elements, outcomes, and roles among the participants. Finally, responses indicated that mentoring was important for a teacher to feel comfortable in his or her role. Implications of this research extend to the design and long-term support specifically needed for new teachers, establishing the need for direct consideration of school culture and teaching context upon a new teachers’ transition. This research suggests that NTIP documentation be revised to consider all elements more appropriately and for school boards and schools to recognize the role of a new teacher within the environment, and attempt to establish a mentoring culture.

abstract: M.Ed.


title: The Causes and Effects of Inferences of Impression Management in Consumption

contributor:
Ashworth, Laurence
Management

subject:
Impression Management
Impression Formation

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, Management) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-09 16:37:13.87

abstract: Observers frequently make inferences of what consumers are like based on the products they use. The general view in social cognition is that the consumption behavior of others is taken at face value, where observers do not question the image being portrayed by product users. This assumption persists even though it is well known that consumers use products to manage the images they create. This dissertation aims to enrich our understanding of this issue by arguing that, under certain conditions, observers will make the inference that consumers use products to deliberately try to create certain impressions (i.e., perceptions as being phony, fake, or a poseur).  Specifically, these inferences will undermine the impression, creating more negative attitudes towards the consumer. In fact, this dissertation argues that this inference can also play an important role in consumer decision making, impacting product evaluations directly (i.e., when consumers avoid products because they are concerned that others will infer they are impression managing). Five experiments examined elements of the product, the target, the situation, and the observer themselves to better understand the causes and effects of inferences of impression management. Taken as a whole, this dissertation highlights the central roles of the product’s contribution towards the target’s appearance, the attractiveness of their appearance, product functionality and feelings of observer threat in shaping impression management inferences. In doing so, it contributes to the impression management and impression formation literatures, both in marketing and more broadly, by offering an organizing theoretical framework for understanding the bases of impression management judgments.

abstract: PhD


title: Regulation of the Human Ether-à-Go-Go-Related Gene (hERG) Channel by RAB4 Through Neural Precursor Cell-Expressed Developmentally Downregulated Protein 4-2 (NEDD4-2)

contributor:
Zhang, Shetuan
Fisher, John T.
Physiology

subject: Rab4

subject: LQTS

subject: Nedd4-2

subject: Ion Channel Trafficking

subject: hERG

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-09 12:11:27.938

abstract:
The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the pore-forming α-subunits of the Kv11.1 channel that is responsible for the cardiac rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr), which plays a critical role in cardiac repolarization. Dysfunction of hERG causes long QT syndrome (LQTS), a cardiac electrical disorder that can lead to severe cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death (Mitcheson et al., 2000a; Roden, 2004; Maier et al., 2006; Misner et al., 2012). The overall function of hERG channels is dependent on the channel density at the plasma membrane as well as proper channel gating. Previous work from our lab demonstrated that degradation of hERG protein in the lysosome is regulated by ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2-mediated monoubiquitination (Sun et al., 2011; Guo et al., 2012). However, whether the internalized hERG proteins can be recycled back to the plasma membrane remains to be determined.
     In the present study, we investigated the regulatory effects of various Rabs on hERG channels using Western blot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), whole-cell patch clamp and immunofluorescence microscopy. The data revealed that, among hERG, human Kv1.5 (cardiac ultra-rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ channel), and human EAG (ether-à-go-go gene) potassium channels, Rab4 selectively decreased the mature hERG protein expression on the plasma membrane. Mechanistically, Rab4 did not directly target the internalized hERG protein for recycling. Instead, Rab4 increased the expression level of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 (Neural Precursor Cell-expressed Developmentally Downregulated Protein 4-2), which has been shown to mediate hERG ubiquitination and degradation (Guo et al., 2012). Nedd4-2 binding site mutations ∆1073 (binding site is removed) and Y1078A (binding site is modified) in hERG completely abolished the effect of Rab4. It has been shown that Nedd4-2 undergoes self-ubiquitination after targeting substrates (Bruce et al., 2008). My data further demonstrated that Rab4 decreased the degradation rate of Nedd4-2 and increased the rate of recycling. The increased Nedd4-2 then decreases hERG expression at the plasma membrane by targeting the PY-motif in the C-terminus of hERG channels.
     In summary, the present study showed that Rab4 decreases the expression and function of hERG potassium channels on the plasma membrane through enhancing the recycling of the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: The  Serum-‐  and  Glucocorticoid-‐Inducible  Kinase  SGK1  and  SGK3  Regulate  hERG  Channel   Expression  via  Ubiquitin  Ligase  Nedd4-‐2  and  GTPase  Rab11

contributor:
Zhang, Shetuan
Physiology

subject: hERG SGK

abstract: Thesis (Master, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-14 16:01:43.951

abstract: The  rapidly  activating  delayed  rectifier  potassium   channel  (IKr)  encoded  by  the  human  ether-a-go-go  related  gene  (hERG)  is  a  crucial   component  of cardiac  repolarization  of  the  action  potential.  The   gating  kinetics  of  the  channel  and  the  number  of  channels  on  the  membrane  determine  the   degree  of  current  flowing  through  hERG  channels.  Membrane  channel  density  is  directly   related  to  a  balance  between  protein  trafficking  and  degradation.  While  hERG  channel   trafficking  has  been  studied  in  the  past  decade,  recently  our  lab  and  others  have  made  new   discoveries  regarding  hERG  degradation.  These  studies  show  that  Neural  Down  Regulated   Gene  4  subtype  2  (Nedd4-‐2)  is  the  ligase  that  covalently  attaches  ubiquitin  to  the  hERG   channel  and  facilitates  degradation  (Albesa  et  al.,  2011;Guo  et  al.,  2012).  Given  these   findings,  my  goal/objective  was  to  study  the  molecular  mechanisms  that  control  the   destructive  effects  of  Nedd4-‐2  on  the  hERG  channel.  In  the  present  study,  I  demonstrated   that  overexpression  of  the  stress-‐responsive  serum-‐  and  glucocorticoid-‐inducible  kinase   (SGK)  isoforms  SGK1  and  SGK3  increase  the  current  and  expression  level  of  the  membrane-‐ localized  mature  proteins  of  hERG  channels  stably  expressed  in  HEK  293  (hERG-‐HEK)  cells.   I  have  found  that  the  overexpression  of  SGK1  and  SGK3  increased  Nedd4-‐2   phosphorylation,  which  is  known  to  inhibit  Nedd4-‐2  activity.  Furthermore,  the  synthetic   glucocorticoid,  dexamethasone,  increased  the  current  and  abundance  of  mature  ERG   proteins  in  both  hERG-‐HEK  cells  and  neonatal  rat  cardiac  myocytes  through  the   enhancement  of  SGK1  but  not  SGK3  expression.  Additionally,  disruption  of  Rab11  proteins   led  to  a  complete  elimination  of  SGK-‐mediated  increase  in  hERG  expression.  These  results   indicate  that  SGK  enhances  the  expression  level  of  mature  hERG  channels  by  inhibiting   Nedd4-‐2  as  well  as  by  promoting  Rab11-‐mediated  hERG  recycling.

abstract: M.Sc.


title: Undoing Addiction: The Biopolitics of Social Suffering in Contemporary Canadian Fiction

contributor:
McKegney, Sam
English

subject:
Canadian Literature
Addiction

abstract: Thesis (Ph.D, English) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-09 16:42:38.782

abstract: Biomedical and popular discourses for understanding addiction persistently essentialize behaviors labelled “addictive” as signifying individual dysfunction and aberrance; the Canadian novels examined in this study expose how such dominant interpretive discourses strategically obfuscate the role of systemic inequalities in producing and replicating social suffering, which becomes stigmatized as “addiction.” By evoking and subverting dominant tropes of addiction narratives, these novels attest to the ways that such tropes work to sustain class, gender, and racial inequalities through a sacrificial disavowal of those who call attention to the inevitable human costs of disciplinary power. This study therefore tracks the ways in which selected Canadian addiction narratives challenge the pathologizing nature of dominant literary and cultural discourses of addiction, foreground the logic of sacrifice those discourses demand, and denaturalize the biopolitical circuitry in which those discourses appear. Undoing Addiction ultimately proposes that an emergent genre of Canadian writing about addiction conditions a new cultural literacy—one that fosters alternative interpretations of addiction that account for and struggle against the systemic inequalities by which addiction is engendered and sustained.

abstract: I will seek publication in the near future.

abstract: PhD


title: Students’ Beliefs About Learning and Intelligence: an Examination of Academic Stream, Gender, LD Status, and Achievement

contributor:
Hutchinson, Nancy L.
Education

subject:
Streaming
Gender
Motivation
Achievement
Learning Disabilities

abstract: Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2013-08-12 09:01:56.34

abstract:
In the present study, the researcher examined the motivational variables of students within the Ontario Secondary School system, where groups based on course stream, LD status, gender, and achievement level were compared. This research was partially exploratory, where the researcher aimed to validate existing research on gender, LD status, and achievement, as well as to examine how motivational variables relate to course stream. Past research has shown that endorsing an entity theory of intelligence, having a preference for performance goals, attributing success to ability rather than effort, and having low confidence in one’s ability to self-regulate are all associated with lower achievement, and with the presence of a learning disability (e.g., Baird, Scott, Dearing & Hamill, 2009).
A total of 243 secondary school students (127 male, 116 female) from one rural school in Ontario participated in this study. The participants completed a 28-item questionnaire made up of several subscales, including the Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale (Dweck, 1999), the Learning vs. Performance Goal Preference Scale (Dweck, 1999), the Effort Attribution Scale (Dweck & Leggett, 1988), and the Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning Scale (Zimmerman et al., 1992). Regarding stream, an independent t-test revealed that students in the university English course had significantly more confidence in their ability to self-regulate than their peers in the college English course. A MANOVA revealed that individuals who had received a mid-term English grade of A (80-100%), regardless of stream, had significantly more confidence their ability to self-regulate than students who received lower grades. Finally, an independent t-test revealed that participants with a learning disability were more concerned with their personal growth than their performance when compared to participants without a learning disability. No differences in motivational variables were found between males and females. These findings suggest that educators and parents should place more emphasis on helping students to develop confidence in their self-regulatory abilities, as this appears to be an important variable in students’ achievement, as well as related to the academic stream in which they are enrolled.

abstract: M.Ed.