title: X-ray diffraction of a gram-negative bacterial membrane mimetic

subject: Endotoxins. Antibiotics--Research.

abstract:
This thesis applies x-ray diffraction to measure he membrane structure of lipopolysaccharides and
to develop a better model of a LPS bacterial melilbrane that can be used for biophysical research on
antibiotics that attack cell membranes. \iVe ha'e Inodified the Physics department x-ray machine
for use 3.'3 a thin film diffractometer, and have lesigned a new temperature and relative humidity
controlled sample cell.\Ve tested the sample eel: by measuring the one-dimensional electron density
profiles of bilayers of pope with 0%, 1%, 1G :VcJ, and 100% by weight lipo-polysaccharide from
Pse'udo'lTwna aeTuginosa.
Background
VVe now know that traditional p,ntibiotics ,I,re losing their effectiveness against ever-evolving
bacteria. This is because traditional antibiotic: work against specific targets within the bacterial
cell, and with genetic mutations over time, themtibiotic no longer works.
One possible solution are antimicrobial peptides. These are short proteins that are part of the
immune systems of many animals, and some of them attack bacteria directly at the membrane of
the cell, causing the bacterium to rupture and die. Since the membranes of most bacteria share
common structural features, and these featuret, are unlikely to evolve very much, these peptides
should effectively kill many types of bacteria wi Lhout much evolved resistance.
But why do these peptides kill bacterial cel: '3 , but not the cells of the host animal? For gramnegative
bacteria, the most likely reason is that t Ileir outer membrane is made of lipopolysaccharides
(LPS), which is very different from an animal :;ell membrane. Up to now, what we knovv about
how these peptides work was likely done with r !10spholipid models of animal cell membranes, and
not with the more complex lipopolysa,echaricies, If we want to make better pepticies, ones that we
can use to fight all types of infection, we need a more accurate molecular picture of how they \vork.
This will hopefully be one step forward to the ( esign of better treatments for bacterial infections.


title: Zero-sum problems in finite cyclic groups

subject:
Combinatorial number theory.
Combinatorial analysis.
Game theory.

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate some open problems in the area of
combinatorial number theory referred to as zero-sum theory. A zero-sequence in a
finite cyclic group G is said to have the basic property if it is equivalent under group
automorphism to one which has sum precisely IGI when this sum is viewed as an
integer. This thesis investigates two major problems, the first of which is referred
to as the basic pair problem. This problem seeks to determine conditions for which
every zero-sequence of a given length in a finite abelian group has the basic property.
We resolve an open problem regarding basic pairs in cyclic groups by demonstrating
that every sequence of length four in Zp has the basic property, and we conjecture
on the complete solution of this problem. The second problem is a 1988 conjecture
of Kleitman and Lemke, part of which claims that every sequence of length n in Zn
has a subsequence with the basic property. If one considers the special case where n
is an odd integer we believe this conjecture to hold true. We verify this is the case
for all prime integers less than 40, and all odd integers less than 26. In addition,
we resolve the Kleitman-Lemke conjecture for general n in the negative. That is, we
demonstrate a sequence in any finite abelian group isomorphic to Z2p (for p ~ 11
a prime) containing no subsequence with the basic property. These results, as well
as the results found along the way, contribute to many other problems in zero-sum
theory.


title: Show me, help me, let me : supporting teachers' changing conceptions of reading assessment and reading instruction

contributor: Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education

subject:
Language arts teachers--Training of.
English teachers--Training of.
Language arts (Elementary)
Reading (Elementary)

abstract:
This qualitative inquiry used case study methodology to explore the change
processes of 3 primary-grade teachers throughout their participation in 7 -month
professional learning initiative focused on reading assessment and instruction.
Participants took part in semimonthly inquiry-based professional learning community
sessions, as well as concurrent individualized classroom-based literacy coaching.
Each participant's experiences were first analyzed as a single case study,
followed by cross-case analyses. While their patterns of professional growth differed,
findings documented how all participants altered their understandings of the roles and
relevancy of individual components of reading instruction (e.g., comprehension,
decoding) and instructional approaches to scaffold students' growth (e.g., levelled text,
strategy instruction), and experienced some form of conceptual change. Factors identified
as affecting their change processes included; motivation, professional knowledge,
professional beliefs (self-efficacy and theoretical orientation), resources (e.g., time,
support), differentiated professional learning with associated goal-setting, and
uncontrollable influences, with the affect of each factor compounded by interaction with
the others. Comparison of participants' experiences to the Cognitive-Affective Model of
Conceptual Change (CAMCC) and the Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional
Growth (IMTPG) demonstrated the applicability of using both conceptual models, with
the IMTPG providing macrolevel insights over time and the CAMCC microlevel insights
at each change intervaL Recommendations include the provision of differentiated teacher
professional learning opportunities, as well as research documenting the effects of teacher
mentorship programs and the professional growth of teacher educators.
ii


title: An exploratory study for the discovery of non-invasive hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers among high-risk hepatitis C virus infected patients

subject:
Liver--Cancer--Diagnosis.
Liver--Cancer--Risk factors.
Hepatitis C--Patients.

abstract:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a major healthcare problem, representing the third
most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Chronic infections with Hepatitis B
virus (HBV) and/or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major risk factors for the development of
HCC. The incidence of HBV -associated HCC is in decline as a result of an effective HBV
vaccine; however, since an equally effective HCV vaccine has not yet been developed, there are
130 million HCV infected patients worldwide who are at a high-risk for developing HCC.
Because reliable parameters and/or tools for the early detection of HCC among high-risk
individuals are severely lacking, HCC patients are always diagnosed at a late stage where
surgical solutions or effective treatment are not possible.
Using urine as a non-invasive sample source, two different approaches (proteomic-based
and genomic-based approaches) were pursued with the common goal of discovering potential
biomarker candidates for the early detection of HCC among high-risk chronic HCV infected
patients. Urine was collected from 106 HCV infected Egyptian patients, 32 of whom had already
developed HCC and 74 patients who were diagnosed as HCC-free at the time of initial sample
collection. In addition to these patients, urine samples were also collected from 12 healthy
control individuals. Total urinary proteins, Trans-renal nucleic acid (Tr-NA) and microRNA
(miRNA) were isolated from urine using novel methodologies and silicon carbide-loaded spin
columns.
In the first, "proteomic-based", approach, liquid chromatography coupled with tandem
mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify potential candidates from pooled urine
samples. This was followed by validating relative expression levels of proteins present in urine
among all the patients using quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR). This approach revealed that
significant over-expression of three proteins: DJ-1, Chromatin Assembly Factor-1 (CAF-1) and
11
Moemen Abdalla HCC Biomarkers
Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60), were characteristic events among HCC-post HCV infected
patients. As a single-based HCC biomarker, CAF-1 over-expression identified HCC among HCV
infected patients with a specificity of 90%, sensitivity of 66% and with an overall diagnostic
accuracy of 78%. Moreover, the CAF-lIHSP60 tandem identified HCC among HCV infected
patients with a specificity of 92%, sensitivity of 61 % and with an overall diagnostic accuracy of
77%.
In the second genomic-based approach, two different approaches were processed. The
first approach was the miRNA-based approach. The expression levels of miRNAs isolated from
urine were studied using the Illumina MicroRNA Expression Profiling Assay. This was followed
by qRT-PCR-based validation of deregulated expression of identified miRNA candidates among
all the patients. This approach shed the light on the deregulated expression of a number of
miRNAs, which may have a role in either the development of HCC among HCV infected
patients (i.e. miR-640, miR-765, miR-200a, miR-521 and miR-520) or may allow for a better
understanding of the viral-host interaction (miR-152, miR-486, miR-219, miR452, miR-425,
miR-154 and miR-31). Moreover, the deregulated expression of both miR-618 and miR-650
appeared to be a common event among HCC-post HCV infected patients. The results of the
search for putative targets of these two miRNA suggested that miR-618 may be a potent
oncogene, as it targets the tumor-suppressor gene Low density lipoprotein-related protein 12
(LPR12), while miR-650 may be a potent tumor-suppressor gene, as it is supposed to downregulate
the TNF receptor-associated factor-4 (TRAF4) oncogene. The specificity of miR-618
and miR-650 deregulated expression patterns for the early detection of HCC among HCV
infected patients was 68% and 58%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity was 64% and 72%,
respectively. When the deregulated expression of both miRNAs was combined as a tandem
biomarker, the specificity and the sensitivity were 75% and 58% respectively.
111
Moemen Abdalla HCC Biomarkers
In the second, "Trans-renal nucleic acid-based", approach, the urinary apoptotic nucleic
acid (uaNA) levels of 70ng/mL or more were found to be a good predictor of HCC among
chronic HCV infected patients. The specificity and the sensitivity of this diagnostic approach
were 76% and 86%, respectively, with an overall diagnostic value of 81 %. The uaNA levels
positively correlated to HCC disease progression as monitored by epigenetic changes of a panel
of eight tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) using methylation-sensitive PCR.
Moreover, the pairing of high uaNA levels (:::: 70 ng/mL) and CAF-1 over-expreSSIOn
produced a highly specific (l 00%) multiple-based HCC biomarker with an acceptable sensitivity
of 64%, and with a diagnostic accuracy of 82%. In comparison to the previous pairing, the uaNA
levels (:::: 70 ng/mL) in tandem with HSP60 over-expression was less specific (89%) but highly
sensitive (72%), resulting in a diagnostic accuracy of 64%. The specificities of miR-650
deregulated expression in combination with either high uaNA content or HSP 60 over-expression
were 82% and 79%, respectively, whereas, the sensitivities of these combinations were 64% and
58%, respectively. The potential biomarkers identified in this study compare favorably with the
diagnostic accuracy of the a-fetoprotein levels test, which has a specificity of 75%, sensitivity of
68% and an overall diagnostic accuracy of 70%.
Here we present an intriguing study which shows the significance of using urine as a noninvasive
sample source for the identification of promising HCC biomarkers. We have also
introduced new techniques for the isolation of different urinary macromolecules, especially
miRNA, from urine. Furthermore, we strongly recommend the potential biomarkers indentified
in this study as focal points of any future research on HCC diagnosis. A larger testing pool will
determine if their use is practical for mass population screening. This explorative study identified
potential targets that merit further investigation for the development of diagnostically accurate
biomarkers isolated from 1-2 mL urine samples that were acquired in a non-invasive manner.


title: Delineation of within-site terroir effects using soil and vine water measurement. Investigation of Cabernet Franc

subject: Wine and wine making--Ontario--Niagara Peninsula.

subject: Terroir--Ontario--Niagara Peninsula.

subject: Viticulture--Ontario--Niagara Peninsula.

abstract:
. The influence of vine water status was studied in commercial vineyard
blocks of Vilis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Franc in Niagara Peninsula, Ontario from 2005 to
2007. Vine performance, fruit composition and vine size of non-irrigated grapevines were
compared within ten vineyard blocks containing different soil and vine water status.
Results showed that within each vineyard block water status zones could be identified on
GIS-generated maps using leaf water potential and soil moisture measurements. Some
yield and fruit composition variables correlated with the intensity of vine water status.
Chemical and descriptive sensory analysis was performed on nine (2005) and eight
(2006) pairs of experimental wines to illustrate differences between wines made from
high and low water status winegrapes at each vineyard block. Twelve trained judges
evaluated six aroma and flavor (red fruit, black cherry, black current, black pepper, bell
pepper, and green bean), thr~e mouthfeel (astringency, bitterness and acidity) sensory
attributes as well as color intensity. Each pair of high and low water status wine was
compared using t-test. In 2005, low water status (L WS) wines from Buis, Harbour Estate,
Henry of Pelham (HOP), and Vieni had higher color intensity; those form Chateau des
Charmes (CDC) had high black cherry flavor; those at RiefEstates were high in red fruit
flavor and at those from George site was high in red fruit aroma. In 2006, low water
status (L WS) wines from George, Cave Spring and Morrison sites were high in color
intensity. L WS wines from CDC, George and Morrison were more intense in black
cherry aroma; LWS wines from Hernder site were high in red fruit aroma and flavor. No
significant differences were found from one year to the next between the wines produced
from the same vineyard, indicating that the attributes of these wines were maintained
almost constant despite markedly different conditions in 2005 and 2006 vintages. Partial
ii
Least Square (PLS) analysis showed that leaf \}' was associated with red fruit aroma and
flavor, berry and wine color intensity, total phenols, Brix and anthocyanins while soil
moisture was explained with acidity, green bean aroma and flavor as well as bell pepper
aroma and flavor.
In another study chemical and descriptive sensory analysis was conducted on nine
(2005) and eight (2006) medium water status (MWS) experimental wines to illustrate
differences that might support the sub-appellation system in Niagara. The judges
evaluated the same aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel sensory attributes as well as color
intensity. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component
analysis (PCA) and discriminate analysis (DA). ANOV A of sensory data showed
regional differences for all sensory attributes. In 2005, wines from CDC, HOP, and
Hemder sites showed highest. r ed fruit aroma and flavor. Lakeshore and Niagara River
sites (Harbour, Reif, George, and Buis) wines showed higher bell pepper and green bean
aroma and flavor due to proximity to the large bodies of water and less heat unit
accumulation. In 2006, all sensory attributes except black pepper aroma were different.
PCA revealed that wines from HOP and CDC sites were higher in red fruit, black currant
and black cherry aroma and flavor as well as black pepper flavor, while wines from
Hemder, Morrison and George sites were high in green bean aroma and flavor. ANOV A
of chemical data in 2005 indicated that hue, color intensity, and titratable acidity (TA)
were different across the sites, while in 2006, hue, color intensity and ethanol were
different across the sites. These data indicate that there is the likelihood of substantial
chemical and sensory differences between clusters of sub-appellations within the Niagara
Peninsula
iii


title: Investigating a dynamic modular framework for subjective well-being

subject: Well being.

abstract:
According to Diener (1984), the three primary components of subjective well-being
(SWB) are high life satisfaction (LS), frequent positive affect (P A), and infrequent
negative affect (NA). The present dissertation extends previous research and theorizing
on SWB by testing an innovative framework developed by Shmotkin (2005) in which
SWB is conceptualized as an agentic process that promotes and maintains positive
functioning. Two key components ofShmotkin's framework were explored in a
longitudinal study of university students. In Part 1, SWB was examined as an integrated
system of components organized within individuals. Using cluster analysis, five distinct
configurations of LS, P A, and NA were identified at each wave. Individuals' SWB
configurations were moderately stable over time, with the highest and lowest stabilities
observed among participants characterized by "high SWB" and "low SWB"
configurations, respectively. Changes in SWB configurations in the direction of a high
SWB pattern, and stability among participants already characterized by high SWB,
coincided with better than expected mental, physical, and interpersonal functioning over
time. More positive levels of functioning and improvements in functioning over time
discriminated among SWB configurations. However, prospective effects of SWB
configurations on subsequent functioning were not observed. In Part 2, subjective
temporal perspective "trajectories" were examined based on individuals' ratings of their
past, present, and anticipated future LS. Upward subjective LS trajectories were
normative at each wave. Cross-sectional analyses revealed consistent associations
between upward subjective trajectories and lower levels of LS, as well as less positive
mental, physical, and interpersonal functioning. Upward subjective LS trajectories were
biased both with respect to underestimation of past LS and overestimation of future LS,
demonstrating their illusional nature. Further, whereas more negative retrospective bias
was associated with greater current distress and dysfunction, more positive prospective
bias was associated with less positive functioning in the future. Prospective relations,
however, were not consistently observed. Thus, steep upward subjective LS trajectory
appeared to be a form of wishful-thinking, rather than an adaptive form of selfenhancement.
Major limitations and important directions for future research are
considered. Implications for Shmotkin's (2005) framework, and for research on SWB
more generally, also are discussed


title: Physical activity of children with developmental coordination disorder in the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder : does gender matter?

subject: Clumsiness in children.

subject: Motor ability in children.

subject: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

subject: Child development.

abstract:
Baerg, S., Cairney, J., Hay, J., Rempel, L. and Faught, B.E. (2009). Physical
Activity of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder in the Presence of
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Does Gender Matter? Brock University,
St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA.
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have difficulties in
motor coordination. Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is considered
the condition most co-morbid with DCD at approximately 50%. Children with
DCD are generally less physically active (PA) than their peers, while children with
ADHD are often considered more physically active. It is not known if the physical
activity patterns of children with DCD-ADHD resemble those of children with
primarily DCD or that of their healthy peers. The primary objective of this
research was to contrast physical activity patterns between children with DCD,
DCD-ADHD, and healthy controls. Since boys are generally reported as more
physically active than girls, a secondary objective was to determine if gender
moderated the association between groups and physical activity. A sample of
males (n=66) and females (n=44) were recruited from the Physical Health Activity
Study Team (PHAST) longitudinal study. The Movement Assessment Battery for
Children (2nd Ed.) was used to identify probable cases of DCD, and Connor's
Revised Parent Rating Scale- Short Version to identify ADHD. Subjects (mean
age=12.8±.4 yrs) were allocated to three groups; DCD (n=32), DCD-ADHD
(n=30) and control (n=48). Physical activity was monitored for seven days with
the Actical® accelerometer (activity count, step count and energy expenditure).
Children completed the Participation Questionnaire (PQ) during the in-school
session of data collection for the PHAST study. Height, weight and body mass
index (BMI) were also determined. Analysis of variance showed significant group
differences for activity count (F(2,56)=5.36, p=.007) and PQ (F(2,44 )=6. 71,
p=.003) in males, while a significant group difference for step count
(F(2,37)=3.55, p=.04) was found in females. Post hoc comparison tests (Tukey)
identified significantly lower PQ and activity count between males with OCD and
controls (p=.004) and males with DCD-ADHD and controls (p=.003). Conversely,
females with DCD-ADHD had significantly more step counts than their controls
(p=.01). Analysis of covariance demonstrated a gender by DCD groups negative
interaction for males (activity count) (F(2,92):;:3.11, p=.049) and a positive
interaction for females (step count) (F(1,92)=4.92, p=.009). Hyperactivity in
females with DCD-ADHD appears to contribute to more physical activity,
whereas DCD may contribute to decreased activity in males with DCD and DCDADHD.
Further research is needed to examine gender differences in physical
activity within the context of DCD and ADHD.


title: Active living in municipal parks and recreation : a case study

subject: Outdoor recreation--Canada--Administration|vCase studies.

subject: Recreation areas--Canada--Administration|vCase studies.

subject: Parks--Canada--Administration|vCase studies.

abstract:
If quality of life is an important recreation outcome, then municipal parks and
recreation management's efforts have to change because:·
Over one-third of all the little kids in schools will be diabetic in their lifetime if
the trends we are looking at continue. The average loss of life is about 15 years,
and there is an average reduction in quality oflife by about 20 years (Jackson,
2007).
This thesis is about municipal parks and recreation, an agency that controls and limits
physical activity opportunity. It is also about active living; from an ecological
perspective, a multi-disciplinary approach to incorporate physical activity into more
111
people's daily lives. In particular, this thesis examines one case --'. the Donutville Case - .
with the intent of providing an explanation of how municipal parks and recreation can
advance its management efforts to improve health outcomes of people suffering from
daily physical activity deficits. More specifically, how can the tension between external
and internal environments to municipal parks and recreation be better balanced to affect
the change needed?
Given that changing the current social reality is through making decisions,
decision-making functions connected with systems theory helps identify how recreation
authorities can more effectively influence environmental physical activity determinants. ,
Sallis et al.' (2006) ·social ecological model provides the a priori focus on active living
decision-making. An integrated analogous emerging logic model is developed and
presented as an efficacious strategy for how municipal parks and recreation decisionmakers
can affect change.
Keywords: physical activity, benefits outcomes, healthy livable community, quality of
life, systems thinking, social ecological model, deci~ion-making, logic modeling,
municipal parks and recreation, active living.


title: Bone speed of sound in overweight and normal-weight girls and adolescents

subject:
Bones--Growth.
Bone densitometry.
Osteoporosis--Prevention.
Obesity in children.
Obesity in adolescence.

abstract:
Over the last two decades, the prevalence of obesity in the general population has
been steadily increasing. Obesity is a major issue in scientific research because it is
associated with many health problems, one of which is bone quality. In adult females,
adiposity is associated with increased bone mineral density, suggesting that there is a
protective effect of fat on bone. However, the association between adiposity and bone
strength during childhood is not clear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare
bone strength, as reflected by speed of sound (SOS), of overweight and obese girls and
adolescents with normal-weight age-matched controls. Data from 75 females included
normal-weight girls (G-NW; body fat:::; 25%; n = 21), overweight and obese girls (GOW;
body fat ~ 28%; n = 19), normal-weight adolescents (A-NW, body fat:::; 25%; n =
13) and overweight and obese adolescents (A-OW; body fat ~ 28%; n = 22). Nutrition
was assessed with a 24-hour recall questionnaire and habitual physical activity was
measured for one week using accelerometry. Using quantitative ultrasound (QUS;
Sunlight Omnisense™), bone SOS was measured at the distal radius and mid-tibia. No
differences were found between groups in daily total energy, calcium or vitamin D
intake. However, all groups were below the recommended daily calcium intake of 1300
mg (Osteoporosis Canada, 2008). Adolescents were significantly less active than girls
(14.7 ± 0.6 vs. 6.3 ± 0.6% active for G and A, respectively). OW accumulated
significantly less minutes of moderate-to-very vigorous physical activity per day
(MVPA) than NW in both age groups (114 ± 6 vs. 57 ± 5 min/day for NW and OW,
i
respectively). Girls had significantly lower radial SOS (3794 ± 87 vs. 3964 ± 64 mls for
G-NW and A-NW, respectively), and tibial SOS (3678 ± 86 vs. 3878 ± 52 mls for G-NW and A-NW, respectively) than adolescents. Radial SOS was similar in the two adiposity
groups within each age group. However, tibial SOS was lower in the two overweight
groups (3601 ± 75 mls vs. 3739 ± 134 mls for G-OW and A-OW, respectively) compared
with the age-matched normal-weight controls. Body fat percentage negatively correlated
with tibial SOS in the study sample as a whole (r = -0.30). However, when split into
groups, percent bo~y fat correlated with tibial SOS only in the A-OW group (r = -0.53).
MVPA correlated with tibial SOS (r = 0.40), once age was partialed out. In conclusion,
in contrast withthe higher bone strength characteristic of obese adult women, overweight
and obese girls and adolescents are characterized by low tibial bone strength, as assessed
with QUS. The differences between adiposity groups in tibial SOS may be at least
partially due to the reduced weight-bearing physical activity levels in the overweight girls
and adolescents. However, other factors, such as hormonal influences associated with
high body fat may also playa role in reducing bone strength in overweight girls. Further
research is required to reveal the mechanisms causing low bone strength in overweight
and obese children and adolescents.


title: Investigating the effects of arousal state on cognitive performance in individuals with and without mild head injury

subject:
Cognitive neuroscience.
Arousal (Physiology)
Head--Wounds and injuries.
Brain--Concussion.

abstract:
We examined the cognitive and emotional sequelae following mild head injury
(MHI; e.g., concussion) in high-functioning individuals and whether persons with MHI
pre~ent, both physiologically and via self-report, in a manner different from (i.e.,
underaroused) that of persons who have no history of head injury. We also investigated the
effect arousal state ~as on the cognitive performance of this population. Using a quasiexperimental
research design (N = 91), we examined changes in attention, working
memory, and cognitive flexibility (subtests ofthe WAIS-III, 1997,WMS-III, 1997, &
DKEFS, 2002) as a function of manipulated arousal (i.e., induced psychosocial
stress/activation; reduced activation/relaxation). In addition to self-reported arousal and
state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Speilberger, 1983a) measures, physiological
indices of arousal state (i.e., electrodermal responsivity, heart rate, and respiration activity)
were recorded (via Polygraph Professional Suite, 2008) across a 2.5 hour interval while
completing various cognitive tasks. Students also completed the Post-concussive Symptom
Checklist (Gouvier et aI., 1992). The results demonstrate that university students who
report a history ofMHI (i.e., "altered state of consciousness") experience significantly
lower levels of anxiety, were physiologically underaroused, and were less responsive to
stressors in their environment, compared to their non-~HI cohorts. As expected, cognitive
flexibility (but not other neuropsychological measures of cognition) was advantaged with
increased stress, and disadvantaged with reduced stress, in persons with reported MHI, but
not for those without reported MHI which provided limited support for our hypothesis.
Further, university students who had no complaints related to their previous MHI endorsed
a greater number of traditional post-concussive symptoms in terms of intensity, duration
and frequency as compared to students who did not report a MHI.
The underarousal in traumatic brain injury has been associated with (ventromedial
prefrontal cortex) VMPFC disruption and may be implicated in MHI generally. Students
who report sustaining a previous MHI may be less able to physiologically respond and/or
cognitively appraise, stressful experiences as compared to their no-MHI cohort and
experience persistent, long-lasting consequences despite the subtle nature of a history of
head injury.


title: Living between two cultures : personality and adaptation in Chinese immigrant youth /

subject: Teenage immigrants -- Cultural assimilation -- Canada.

subject: Chinese -- Cultural assimilation -- Canada.

subject: Bashfulness -- Social aspects -- Canada.

abstract:
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between shyness and
acculturation modes of Chinese immigrant youth in Canada and whether shyness
moderates the relationship between acculturation and adaptation. In addition, I examined
whether shyness, in conjunction with sociability, moderates the relationship between
acculturation and adaptation. Ninety-nine young Chinese immigrants (42 men), ranging
in age from 16 to 26 years old, completed a questionnaire that assessed their demographic
information, acculturation modes, shyness, sociability, psychological adaptation Oife
satisfaction, self-esteem, and depression), and socio-cultural adaptation.
Results showed that Chinese orientation was significantly and negatively
correlated with age, generation status, English proficiency, and length of residence in
Canada. In contrast, Canadian orientation was significantly and positively correlated with
generation status, English proficiency, and length of residence in Canada. Canadian
orientation was also significantly and negatively correlated with shyness and positively
correlated with sociability and psychological and socio-cultural adaptation. Participants
who were shyer were more likely to have poorer psychological and socio-cultural
adaptation, and to report lower life satisfaction and self-esteem and higher depression.
Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that Chinese
immigrant youth who were separated had higher scores on shyness than those who were
integrated and assimilated. There were no significant differences in shyness between
youth who were separated and youth who were marginalized, nor were there differences
between youth who were integrated and those who were assimilated. Furthermore,
integrated Chinese youth reported significantly higher scores in sociability than those
who were separated and marginalized but not significantly higher than those who were
assimilated.' Shyness did not moderate the relationship between acculturation modes and
psychological and socio-cultural adaptation. Unfortunately, the hypothesis to examine if
shyness, in combination with sociability, moderated the relationship between
acculturation and psychological adaptation could not be tested in the present study
because of limitations in cell sizes.
The findings suggested that how Chinese immigrant youth acculturate in the
receiving country might not be the crucial factor in determining their adaptation. Instead,
other factors, such as personality characteristics and nature of the acculturating group,
may playa more crucial role. Shyness may have important ramifications for the
acculturation and adaptation of young Chinese immigrants to a new society.


title: "I might be a duck, but I'm human" : an analysis of clothing in Disney cartoons

subject:
Clothing and dress--Social aspects.
Disney characters.
Clothing and dress on television.
Clothing and dress in motion pictures.

abstract:
Mickey Mouse, one of the world's most recognizable cartoon characters, did not wear a
shirt in his earliest incarnation in theatrical shorts and, for many years, Donald Duck
did not wear pants and still rarely does so. Especially when one considers the era in
which these figures were first created by the Walt Disney Studio, in the 1920s and
1930s, why are they portrayed without full clothing? The obvious answer, of course, is
that they are animals, and animals do not wear clothes. But these are no ordinary
animals: in most cases, they do wear clothing - some clothing, at least - and they walk
on two legs, talk in a more or less intelligible fashion, and display a number of other
anthropomorphic traits. If they are essentially animals, why do they wear clothing at
all? On the other hand, if these characters are more human than animal, as suggested
by other behavioral traits - they walk, talk, work, read, and so on - why are they not
more often fully clothed?
To answer these questions I undertook three major research strategies used to gather
evidence: interpretive textual analysis of 321 cartoons; secondary analysis of interviews
conducted with the animators who created the Disney characters; and historical and
archival research on the Disney Company and on the times and context in which it
functioned. I was able to identify five themes that played a large part in what kind of
clothing a character wore; first, the character's gender and/or sexuality; second, what
species or "race" the character was; third, the character's socio-economic status; fourth,
the degree to which the character was anthropomorphized; and, fifth, the context in
which the character and its clothing appeared in a particular scene or narrative. I
concluded that all of these factors played a part in determining, to some extent, the
clothing worn by particular characters at particular times. However, certain patterns
emerged from the analysis that could not be explained by these factors alone or in
combination. Therefore, my analysis also investigates the individual and collective
attitudes and desires of the men in the Disney studio who were responsible for creating
these characters and the cultural conditions under which they were created. Drawing on
literature from the psychoanalytic approach to film studies, I argue that the clothing
choices spoke to an idealized fantasy world to which the animators (most importantly,
Walt Disney himself), and possibly wider society, wanted to return.


title: "Man of science, man of faith" : Lost, consumer agency and the fate/free will binary in the post-9/11 context

subject: Free will and determinism.

subject: Popular culture--United States--History|y21st century.

abstract:
In 2004, Lost debuted on ABC and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Its
postmodem take on the classic Robinson Crusoe desert island scenario gestures to a
variety of different issues circulating within the post-9II1 cultural consciousness, such
as terrorism, leadership, anxieties involving air travel, torture, and globalization. Lost's
complex interwoven flashback and flash-forward narrative structure encourages
spectators to creatively hypothesize solutions to the central mysteries of the narrative,
while also thematically addressing archetypal questions of freedom of choice versus
fate. Through an examination of the narrative structure, the significance of
technological shifts in television, and fan cultures in Lost, this thesis discusses the
tenuous notion of consumer agency within the current cultural context. Furthermore, I
also explore these issues in relation to the wider historical post-9/II context.


title: "The whole earth as village" : a chronotopic analysis of Marshall McLuhan's "Global Village" and Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner

subject:
Internationalism.
Mass media--Social aspects.
Communication--Social aspects.
Information technology--Social aspects.

abstract:
Marshall McLuhan's "global village", and his theories on communications and
technology, in conjunction with Patrick McGoohan's television series The Prisoner
(ATV, 1967-1968) are explored in this thesis. The Prisoner, brainchild of McGoohan, is
about the abduction and confinement of a British government agent imprisoned within
the impenetrable boundaries of a benign but totalitarian city -state called "The Village".
The purpose of his abduction and imprisonment is for the extraction of information
regarding his resignation as a government spy. Marshall McLuhan originally popularized
the phrase "the global village" in The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making o/the Topographic
Man (1962), asserting that, "The new electronic interdependence recreates the world in
the image of a global village" (p. 31). This thesis argues that valid parallels exist between
McGoohan's conception of "village", as manifested in The Prisoner, and McLuhan's
global village.
The comprehensive methodological stratagem for this thesis includes Marshall
McLuhan's "mosaic" approach, Mikhail Bakhtin's concept ofthe "chronotope", as well
as a Foucauldian genealogicallhistorical discourse analysis. In the process of
deconstructing McLuhan's texts and The Prisoner as products of the 1960s, an historical
"constellation" (to use Walter Benjamin's concept) of the same present has been
executed. By employing this synthesized methodology, conjunctions have been made
between McLuhan's theories and the series' main themes of bureaucracy as dictatorship,
the perversion of science and technology, freedom as illusion, and the individual in
opposition to the collective.
A thorough investigation of the global village and The Prisoner will determine
whether or not Marshall McLuhan and/or Patrick McGoohan visualize the village as an
enslaving technological reality.


title: A black-focused school : black Canadian youth and the mainstream curriculum

subject:
Students, Black--Canada.
Discrimination in education--Canada.

abstract:
ABSTRACT
When asked about the proposal for a black-focused school, black youth from the Greater
Toronto Area (GTA) voiced their agreement with elements of the proposal, but resisted the idea
of implementing the proposal by creating a separate school. Although media representations and
Dei (1996, 2006) provide insight into what Torontonians' reactions are to the proposed blackfocused
school there has been no such information documented on what black youth in the GTA
think about the project. This is the first known study that attempts to fill that gap by providing a
representation of black youths' voices obtained via focus groups. The study examines what
black youth know and think about the proposal, and why they largely disagree with the blackfocused
school proposal. While the findings of this study indicate that the participants saw many
positive elements of the proposal, they did not support the implementation of a black-focused
school as they saw the creation of a separate space for the school as a negative thing. The youth
had trouble conceptualizing 'black-focused schooling' as an alternative approach to mainstream
education, which had an impact on whether they choose to, or could, respond to questions that
precisely related to the black-focused school project. The study concludes that the youth could
not visualize what the school would look like and how it would operate because they draw on
liberal racist discourses (e.g. colour-blindness, blaming the victim, and equal opportunity) when
thinking about their educational experiences; however, there was a clear contradiction in the
way the youths' voices reflected an awareness of the role of race in education experiences. It
was evident when they talked about fear of stigmatization, but when using liberal discourses the
youth discounted the role of race, and seemed not to be aware of its role in educational
experiences. These findings pose important implications for educators, would-be educators,
administrators, the TDSB and proponents of the black-focused school.


title: Active isolated stretching : an investigation of the mechanical mechanisms

subject: Stretching exercises.

abstract:
The Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) technique proposes that by
contracting a muscle (agonist) the opposite muscle (antagonist) will relax through
reciprocal inhibition and lengthen without increasing muscle tension (Mattes,
2000). The clinical effectiveness of AIS has been reported but its mechanism of
action has not been investigated at the tissue level. Proposed mechanisms for
increased range of motion (ROM) include mechanical or neural changes, or an
increased stretch tolerance. The purpose of the study was to investigate changes
in mechanical properties, i.e. stiffness, of skeletal muscle in response to acute
and long-term AIS stretching for the hamstring muscle group.
Recreationally active university-aged students (female n=8, male n=2)
classified as having tight hamstrings, by a knee extension test, volunteered for
the study. All stretch procedures were performed on the right leg, with the left leg
serving as a control. Each subject was assessed twice: at an initial session and
after completing a 6-week AIS hamstring stretch training program. For both test
sessions active knee extension (ROM) to a position of "light irritation", passive
resisted torque and stiffness were determined before and after completion of the
AIS technique (2x10 reps). Data were collected using a Biodex System 3 Pro
(Biodex Medical Systems, NY, USA) isokinetic dynamometer. Surface
electromyography (EMG) was used to monitor vastus lateralis (VL) and
hamstring muscle activity during the stretching movements. Between test
sessions, 2x10 reps of the AIS bent knee hamstring stretch were performed daily
for 6-weeks.


title: An analysis of the systemic aspects of rights training for people with intellectual disabilities

subject: People with mental disabilities--Civil rights--Canada.

subject: Civil rights--Study and teaching--Canada.

subject: People with mental disabilities--Services for--Canada.

subject: Community mental health services--Canada.

abstract:
Individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) as a group have been subject to abuse.
Individuals with ID need to be made aware of their rights. The 3Rs: Rights, Respect and
Responsibility Human Rights Project is promoting rights awareness in individuals with
ID, their caregivers and family members. To be effeCtive, abuse prevention must include
support from the whole organization and its processes. This research evaluated the
impact of the 3Rs initiative on the organization. It focused particularly on descriptions of
organizational change perceived by full-time staff and managers in response to the
initiation of the 3Rs Project. Behavioural interviews were conducted and a thematic
analysis was used to describe changes in the organizational culture and behavioural
mechanisms maintaining these changes. Systemic barriers to change were also explored.
The results indicate that the Association is effectively implementing and supporting the
rights-based philosophy.


title: An examination of the effects on learning seen in children afforded the opportunity to control the order of repetitions for three novel spatiotemporal sequences

subject: Motor learning.

subject: Motor ability in children--Psychological aspects.

abstract:
Children were afforded the opportunity to control the order of repetitions for three
novel spatiotemporal sequences. The following was predicted: a) children and adults in
the self-regulated (SELF) groups would produce faster movement (MT) and reaction
times (R T) and greater recall success (RS) during retention compared to the age-matched
yoked (YOKE) groups; b) children would choose to switch sequences less often than
adults; c) adults would produce faster MT and RT and greater RS than the children
during acquisition and retention, independent of experimental group. During acquisition,
no effects were seen for RS, however for MT and RT there was a main effect for age as
well as block. During retention a main effect for practice condition was seen for RS and
failed to reach statistical significance for MT and RT, thus partially supporting our first
and second hypotheses. The third hypothesis was not supported.


title: Benefits, challenges, and limitations of fair trade as a social justice movement

contributor: Social Justice and Equity Studies Program

subject: International trade--Moral and ethical aspects--Canada.

subject: Competition, Unfair--Moral and ethical aspects--Canada.

subject: Social justice.

subject: Anti-globalization movement.

abstract:
This thesis answers some important questions about how Fair Trade is experienced and
perceived by some Northern sellers, consumers, activists, advocates, practitioners, and an
importer. As it relates to sellers, I focus only on small scale independent businesses (i.e. I do not
include large corporate businesses in my interview sample). Fair Trade works to establish a
dignified livelihood for many producers in the South. Some of the most important actors in the
Fair Trade movement are the people who buy, sell, and/or advocate for Fair Trade in the North.
Fair Trade is largely a consumer movement which relies on the purchase of Fair Trade products.
Without consumers purchasing Fair Trade products, retailers providing the products for sale, and
activists raising awareness of Fair Trade, the movement, as it is presently constituted, would be
non-existent. This qualitative research is based on 19 in-depth i.nterviews with nine interviewees
involved with Fair Trade in Canada. I focus on benefits, challenges, and limitations of Fair
Trade in the context of their involvement with it. I describe and analyze how people become
involved with Fair Trade, what motivates them to do so, what they hope to achieve, and the
benefits of being involved. I also describe and analyze how people understand and deal with any
challenges and limitations associated with their involvement with Fair Trade. I also explore
whether involvement with Fair Trade influences how people think about other products that they
purchase and, if so, in what ways. I focus mainly on the commodity of coffee, but my discussion
is not limited to this single commodity. Interviewees' experiences with and participation in Fair
Trade vary in terms of their level of involvement and interest in the broader Fair Trade
movement (as opposed to just participating in the market component). This research reveals that
while Fair Trade is a small movement, sellers, consumers, and activists have had much success
in the advancement of Fair Trade. While challenges have not deterred interviewees from
continuing to participate in Fair Trade, analysis and explanation of such challenges provides the
opportunity for Fair Trade practitioners to develop effective solutions in an effort to meet the
needs of various Fair Trade actors.


title: Bonds away : baseball mythology and the 2007 home run chase

subject: Baseball players--Rating of--United States.

subject: Baseball--Social aspects--United States.

abstract:
In 2007, Barry Bonds hit his 75 6th home run, breaking Hank Aaron's all-time record for
most home runs in a Major League career. While it would be expected that such an
accomplishment would induce unending praise and adulationfor the new record-holder,
Bonds did not receive the treatment typically reserved for a beloved baseball hero. The
purpose of this thesis is to assess media representations of the 2007 home run chase in
order to shed light upon the factors which led to the mixed representations which
accompanied BOlTds ' assault on Aaron's record. Drawingfrom Roland Barthes ' concept
of myth, this thesis proposes that Bonds was portrayed in predominantly negative ways
because he was seen as failing to embody the values of baseball's mythology.
Using a qualitative content analysis of three major American newspapers, this
thesis examines portrayals of Bonds and how he was shown both to represent and oppose
elements from baseball's mythology, such as youth, and a distant, agrarian past.
Recognizing the ways in which baseball is associated with American life, the media
representations of Bonds are also evaluated to discern whether he was portrayed as
personifYing a distinctly American set of values.
The results indicate that, in media coverage of the 2007 home run chase, Bonds
was depicted as a player of many contradictions. Most commonly, Bonds' athletic ability
and career achievements were contrasted with unflattering descriptions of his character,
including discussions of his alleged use of performance-enhancing substances. However,
some coverage portrayed Bonds as embodying baseball myth. The findings contribute to
an appreciation of the importance of historical context in examining media
representations. This understanding is enhanced by an analysis of a selection of articles
on Mark McGwire 's record-breaking season in 1998, and careful consideration of, and
comparison to, the context under which Bonds performed in 2007. Findings are also
shown to support the contemporary existence of a strong American baseball mythology.
That Bonds is both condemned for failing to uphold the mythology and praised for
personifYing it suggests that the values seen as inherent to baseball continue to act as an
American cultural benchmark.


title: Comparison of strength gains over 13 and 26-weeks of resistance training in children

subject:
Exercise for children.
Physical fitness for children.
Isometric exercise.

abstract:
The primary aim of this study was to determine if there were significant strength gains
achieved by children participating in the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board
Sport Academy Program. The secondary aim was to determine if the children
participating in the 26-week program achieved greater gains or if a plateau in strength
adaptations occurred following the 13-week session. The tertiary aim was to determine if
there were varying levels of response to the training stimulus between grade 7, grade 8
and grade 9 subjects. Ninety-eight (98) subjects completed a13-week RT program. 6RM
strength testing of the chest press, seated row and leg press were conducted prior to the
program. Subjects were tested following the 13-week training stimulus to determine if
strength gains were achieved and to assess the variation in strength adaptations between
the groups. Forty seven (47) subjects completed 26 weeks ofRT. Subjects' strength was
tested prior to starting the program, at week 13 of the program and at week 26 of the
program to determine the variation in adaptation over a 13 week program versus a 26-
week RT program. There were significant (p<O.05) gains across strength measures in the
sample following 13 weeks ofRT. Strength adaptations were not significantly (p<O.05)
different between groups. The 26-week RT program results showed a significant
improvement in all strength measures from pre intervention to 13 weeks. From 13 weeks
to 26 weeks grade 8 subjects showed significant gains in both the chest press and seated
row exercises while grade 9 subjects showed significant gains across the 6RM seated
row, chest press, and leg press measures.


title: Decreased motor unit firing rate in the potentiated tibialis anterior in humans

subject:
Muscle strength.
Muscle contraction.
Action potentials (Electrophysiology)

abstract:
With repeated activity, force production, rate of force production, and relaxation time are
impaired. These are characteristics ofa fatigued muscle (Vandenboom, 2004). However,
brief bouts of near maximal to maximal activity results in the increased ability of the
muscle to generate force, termed post activation potentiation (P AP)(V andervoort et aI.,
1983). The purpose of the present study was to characterize motor unit firing rate
(MUFR) in the unfatigued, potentiated tibialis anterior (TA). Using a quadrifilar needle
electrode, MUFR was measured during a 5s 50% MVC in which the TA was either
potentiated or unpotentiated; monopolar electrodes measured surface parameters. A lOs
MVC was used to potentiate the muscle. Firing rate decreased significantly from
20.15±2.9Opps to 18.27±2.99pps, while mean power frequency decreased significantly
from 60. 13±7.75 Hz to 53.62±8.56 Hz. No change in root mean square (RMS) was
observed. Therefore, in the present study, MUFR decreases in response to a potentiated
TA.


title: Effects of naringenin on glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle cells

subject: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes--Treatment.

subject: Insulin--Metabolism--Regulation.

subject: Flavonoids.

abstract:
Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of inadequate insulin action and consequent
high blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of cases of the
disease and is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
resulting in metabolic deregulation. It is a complex disorder to treat as its
pathogenesis is not fully understood and involves a variety of defects including ~-cell
failure, insulin resistance in the classic target tissues (adipose, muscle, liver), as well
as defects in a-cells and kidney, brain, and gastrointestinal tissue. Present oral
treatments, which aim at mimicking the effects of insulin, remain limited in their
efficacy and therefore the study of the effects of novel compounds on insulin target
tissues is an important area of research both for potentially finding more treatment
options as well as for increasing our knowledge of metabolic regulation in health and
disease.
In recent years the extensively studied polyphenol, resveratrol, has been
reported to have antidiabetic effects showing that it increases glucose uptake by
skeletal muscle cells and prevents fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in vitro and in
vivo. Naringenin, a citrus flavonoid with structural similarities to resveratrol, is
reported to have antioxidan.t, antiproliferative, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory
properties. Effects on glucose and lipid metabolism have also been reported including
blood glucose and lipid lowering effects. However, whether naringenin has insulinlike
effects is not clear. In the present study the effects of naringenin on glucose
uptake in skeletal muscle cells are examined and compared with those of insulin.
Naringenin treatment of L6 myotubes increased glucose uptake in a dose- and time
dependent manner and independent of insulin. The effects of naringenin on glucose
uptake achieved similar levels as seen with maximum insulin stimulation and its
effect was additive with sub-maximal insulin treatment. Like insulin naringenin
treatment did not increase glucose uptake in myoblasts. To elucidate the mechanism
involved in naringenin action we looked at its effect on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase
(PI3K) and Akt, two signalling molecules that are involved in the insulin signalling
cascade leading to glucose uptake. Naringenin did not stimulate basal or insulinstimulated
Akt phosphorylation but inhibition of PI3K by wortmannin partially
repressed the naringenin-induced glucose uptake. We also examined naringenin's
effect on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a molecule that is involved in
mediating glucose uptake by a variety of stimuli. Naringenin stimulated AMPK
phosphorylation and this effect was not inhibited by wortmannin. To deduce the
nature of the naringenin-stimulated AMPK phosphorylation and its impact on glucose
uptake we examined the role of several molecules implicated in mod.ulating AMPK
activity including SIRTl, LKB 1, and ca2+ Icalmodulin-dependent protein kinase
kinase (CaMKK).
Our results indicate that inhibition of SIRTI did not prevent the naringeninstimulated
glucose uptake Of. AMPK phosphorylation; naringenin did not stimulate
LKB 1 phosphorylation; and inhibition of CaMKK did not prevent naringeninstimulated
glucose uptake. Inhibition of AMPK by compound C also did not prevent
naringenin-stimulated glucose uptake but effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of
AMPK suggesting that AMPK may not be required for the naringenin-stimulated
glucose uptake.


title: Fungal biotransformation of morphine alkaloids

subject:
Morphine--Synthesis.
Microbial biotechnology.
Enzymes--Biotechnology.
Biotransformation (Metabolism)

abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine the ability of certain fungi to
biotransform morphine alkaloids into medicinally relevant intermediates. Fungal
strains screened for their ability to affect biotransformation of morphine alkaloids
include Cunninghamella echinulata, Helicostylum pirijorme, Pycnoporus sanguinea,
Pycnoporus cinnabarina, Curvularia lunata and Sporotrichum sulfurescens. The
research demonstrated that Cunninghamella echinulata N-demethylated thebaine,
hydrocodone, codeine, oripavine and oxycodone into corresponding nor-compounds in
varying yields.
The study further focused on the characterization of the enzyme responsible for
the biotransformation of thebaine into northebaine by Cunninghamella echinulata. The
study clearly showed that incubation of the fungal culture with thebaine over a period
of 48 hours was required to activate the biotransformation process.
The biotransformation studies with [14C] labeled thebaine showed that Ndemethylation
by Cunningham ella echinulata does not involve O-demethylation
followed by methyl group transfer as suggested in previous studies.


title: Global migration : patriarchy, propoganda and the well- being of women and children

subject: Women immigrants--Economic conditions.

subject: Women immigrants--Social conditions.

subject: Immigrant children--Economic conditions.

subject: Immigrant children--Social conditions.

subject: Emigration and immigration--Social aspects.

subject: Women in motion pictures--Social aspects.

subject: Children in motion pictures--Social aspects.

abstract:
This critical analysis explores the conflicted position of women as ''trailing
spouses" and the effects on families who relocate globally under the auspices of a
multinational corporation, by utilizing a discursive analysis of two contemporary films
and available literature. Current portrayals of women and children in contemporary media
provide emotional yet conflicting images of the perfect woman, wife, mother, child and
family. The basic tenets of a North American patriarchal economic system are being
televised around the world. Technological advancements have made it possible to
advertise political agendas on a global television screen. Much of what we see is
propaganda couched in films and advertisements that are designed to romantic~e the
practice of deriving profits from the unpaid labor of woman and invisibility of children
and child rearing. I intend to show that the materiality of trailing a spouse globally
conflicts with these romanticized images and supports feminist literature that asserts the
notion that mothers and children are oppressed and managed for the benefit of capital.


title: Human skeletal muscle pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase activity and expression : the effect of aerobic capacity

subject:
Dehydrogenases.
Striated muscle--Metabolism.
Exercise--Physiological aspects.

abstract:
Activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), which converts pyruvate into acetyl-CoA,
is accomplished by a pair of specific phosphatases (PDP 1 & 2). A cross-sectional study
investigating the effect of aerobic capacity on PDP activity and expression found that: 1)
PDP activity and PDP! protein expression were positively correlated with most aerobic
capacity measures in males (n=lS), but not females (n=12); 2) only males showed a
positive correlation between PDP activity and PDPl protein expression (r=0.47; p=O.05),
indicating that the increase in PDP activity in males is largely explained by increased
PDPl protein expression, but that females rely on another level for PDP activity
regulation; and 3) PDP} and Ela protein expression increase in unison when expressed
relative to the E2 core. These data suggest that with increased aerobic capacity there is
an increased capacity for carbohydrate oxidation through PDH, via El a, and an increased
ability to activate PDH, via PDP, when exercising maximally.


title: Iridium(I) complexes of phenanthroline-derived benzimidazolylidenes : synthetic, structural and catalytic studies

subject: Carbenes (Methylene compounds)--Synthesis.

subject: Heterocyclic compounds--Synthesis.

abstract:
N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have undergone rapid development in recent years.
Due to their strong a-electron donation and structural variability properties, NHCs are
becoming a major class of ligands in organometallic chemistry.
Compared with the other two types of NHCs (imidazolylidenes and
imidazolinylidenes), benzimidazolylidenes have not been well represented. Limited
synthetic approaches may impede the development ofbenzimidazolylidenes.
This thesis is focused on the synthesis of phenanthroline-derived benzimidazolylidene
ligands and their metal complexes. A series of benzimidazolylidene-iridium complexes
were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and crystallographic ally. All of the
new complexes showed varying degrees of catalytic activity and enantioselectivity toward
transfer hydrogenation and asymmetric hydrogenation. The best results were achieved in
hydrogenation of methyl-2-acetamidoacrylate, which afforded
(-)-(R)-methyl-2-acetamidopropanoate in 97% yield and 81 % ee.


title: Ontological constructivism : Negri and the philosophical foundations of a future communism

subject:
Communism.
Ontology.
Constructivism (Philosophy)
Political science--Philosophy.

abstract:
As we find in Empire and Multitude, Antonio Negri's political project IS a
thoroughly Marxist analysis and critique of global or late capitalism. By modifying and
updating Marx's conceptual tools, he is able to provide a clear account of capitalism's
processes, its expanding reach, and the revolutionary potential that functions as its motor.
By turning to Negri's philosophical works, however, we find that this political
analysis is founded on a series of concepts and theoretical positions. This paper attempts
to clarify this theoretical foundation, highlighting in particular what I term "ontological
constructivism" - Negri's radical reworking of traditional ontology. Opposing the long
history of transcendence in epistemology and metaphysics (one that stretches from Plato
to Kant), this reworked ontological perspective positions individuals - not god or some
other transcendent source - as the primary agents responsible for molding the ontological
landscape.
Combined with his understanding of kairos (subjective, immeasurable time),
ontological constructivism lays the groundwork for opposing transcendence and
rethinking contemporary politics.


title: Patterns in space : a regional study of motif in Minoan wall painting

subject:
Mural painting and decoration, Minoan.
Art, Minoan.

abstract:
This thesis consists of a quantitative analysis of the regional prevalence of certain
artistic motifs as they appear in Minoan wall painting of the Neopalatial period. This will
help to establish the relative degree of artistic autonomy exercised by each of the sites
included in this study. The results show that the argument for itinerant artists during this
time period is a strong one, but the assumption that these travelling artists were being
controlled by any one palace-centre is erroneous. Rather, the similarities and differences seen suggest that the choices were predicated either by the specific patrons, or by the function of the associated building or room. Thus, the motifs found within this study
should be understood as constituting a cultural identity, with greater or lesser degrees of regional homogeneity, which act as one facet of a number of cultural indicators that can be used to better understand the role of artists and regional dynamics on the island during the Bronze Age.


title: Produced subjectivities and productive subjects : locating the potential of the self-reflective blog

subject:
Blogs--Political aspects.
Blogs--Social aspects.
Self-perception.

abstract:
Blogging software has popularly been used as a mode of writing about everyday life to interact
with others. This thesis examines the political potentials that are opened up by self-reflective
blogging. The self-reflective blog is a synergy of self-reflective practices and computer-mediated
communication. A genealogy of the history of computer-mediated communication and various
public self-reflective practices is conducted to uncover affect as the utility of various economies
of subject production. Efforts made to blog-like the efforts made to interact online in other
CMCs-are positioned as a kind of affective labor. Adapting Hardt and Negri's (2005)
theorization of the multitude, whereby affective labor-the production of social relationshipsis
a kind ofbiopolitical production, affect will be determined as a kind ofbiopolitical power that
exists in everyday life.


title: Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in response to skeletal muscle contraction at two stimulation frequencies in pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 knockout mice

subject:
Muscles--Metabolism.
Pyruvate kinase.
Muscle contraction.

abstract:
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) plays an important role in regulating carbohydrate
oxidation in skeletal muscle. PD H is deactivated by a set of PD H kinases (PD K 1-4) with
PDK2 and 4 being the predominant isoforms in skeletal muscle. PDK2 is highly sensitive
to pyruvate inhibition, and is the most abundant isoform, while PDKI and 4 protein
content are normally lower. This study examined the PDK isoform content and PDHa
activation in muscle at rest and 10 and 40 Hz stimulation from PDK2 knockout
(PDK2KO) mice to delineate the role of PDK2 in activating the PDH complex during
low and moderate intensity muscle contraction. PDHa activity was lower in PDK2KO
mice during contraction while total PDK actitvity was -4 fold lower. PDK4 protein was
not different, however PDKI partially compensated for the lack of PDK2 and was -56%
higher than WT. PDKI is a very potent inhibitor of the PDH complex due to its
phosphorylation site specificity and allosteric regulation. These results suggest that the
site specificity and allosteric regulatory properties of the individual PDK isoforms are
more important than total PDK activity in determining transformation of the complex and
PDHa activity during acute muscle contraction.


title: Relative importance of body composition, osteoporosis- related behaviours and socioeconomic status on bone SOS in adolescent females

subject:
Osteoporosis in women--Epidemiology.
Bone densitometry.
Bones--Growth.
Obesity in adolescence--Health aspects.
Oral contraceptives--Side effects.

abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between bone speed of
sound (SOS) and body composition, osteoporosis-related health behaviours, and
socioeconomic status (SES) in adolescent females. A total of 442 adolescent females in
grades 9-11 participated. Anthropometric measures of height, body mass, and percent
body fat were taken, and osteo-protective behaviours such as oral contraceptive use
(OC), physical activity and daily calcium intake were evaluated using self-report
questionnaires. Bone SOS was measured by transaxial quantitative ultrasound (QUS)
at the distal radius and mid-tibia. The results suggest that fat mass is a significant
negative predictor of tibial SOS, while lean mass is positively associated with radial
SOS scores and calcium intake was positively associated with tibial SOS scores
(p<O.05). Additionally, users of OC had higher radial SOS. No significant correlation was
found between physical activity and bone SOS. Therefore bone strength measured by
QUS is reduced in adolescents with an increased fat mass, and influenced positively by
OC use, calcium intake and lean mass.


title: (Re)Thinking bodies : Deleuze and Guattari's becoming- woman

subject:
Human body--Philosophy.
Feminist theory.

abstract:
Abstract
(Re)thinking Bodies: Deleuze and Guattari 's becoming-woman seeks to explore
the notion of becoming-woman, as put forth by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari in their
collaborative 1982 text, A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia, and as
received by such prominent feminist theorists as Rosi Braidotti and Elizabeth Grosz.
Arguing that the fairly decisive repudiation of this concept by some feminist theorists has
been based on a critical misunderstanding, this project endeavors to clarify becomingwoman
by exploring various conceptions of the body put forth by Baruch de Spinoza,
Friedrich Nietzsche and Simone de Beauvoir. These conceptions of the body are
indispensible to an appreciation of Deleuze and Guattari's notion of a body lived on both
an immanent and transcendent plane, which, in turn, is indispensable to an appreciation
of the concept of becoming (and, in particular, the concept of becoming-woman) as
intended by Deleuze and Guattari.


title: Scales, networks and uncertainty : an examination of environmental policy-making in Ontario

subject:
Environmental policy--Ontario.
Environmental protection--Ontario.

abstract:
Through a case-study analysis of Ontario's ethanol policy, this thesis addresses a number
of themes that are consequential to policy and policy-making: spatiality, democracy and
uncertainty. First, I address the 'spatial debate' in Geography pertaining to the relevance
and affordances of a 'scalar' versus a 'flat' ontoepistemology. I argue that policy is
guided by prior arrangements, but is by no means inevitable or predetermined. As such,
scale and network are pragmatic geographical concepts that can effectively address the
issue of the spatiality of policy and policy-making. Second, I discuss the democratic
nature of policy-making in Ontario through an examination of the spaces of engagement
that facilitate deliberative democracy. I analyze to what extent these spaces fit into
Ontario's environmental policy-making process, and to what extent they were used by
various stakeholders. Last, I take seriously the fact that uncertainty and unavoidable
injustice are central to policy, and examine the ways in which this uncertainty shaped the
specifics of Ontario's ethanol policy. Ultimately, this thesis is an exercise in
understanding sub-national environmental policy-making in Canada, with an emphasis on
how policy-makers tackle the issues they are faced with in the context of environmental
change, political-economic integration, local priorities, individual goals, and irreducible
uncertainty.


title: Steeltown scene : genre, performance and identity in the alternative independent music scene in Hamilton, Ontario

subject: Popular music--Hamilton (Ont.)

abstract:
This thesis examines the independent alternative music scene in
the city of Hamilton, Ontario, also known, with reference to its
industrial heritage, as "Steeltown." Drawing on the growing
literature on the relationship between place and popular music,
on my own experience as a local musician, direct observation of
performances and of venues and other sites of interaction, as
well as ethnographic interviews with scene participants, I focus
on the role of space, genre and performance within the scene,
and their contribution to a sense of local identity. In particular, I
argue that the live performance event is essential to the success
of the local music scene, as it represents an immediate process, a
connection between performers and audience, one which is
temporally rooted in the present. My research suggests that the
Hamilton alternative music scene has become postmodern,
embracing forms of "indie" music that lie outside of mainstream
taste, and particularly those which engage in the exploration and
deconstruction of pre-existing genres. Eventually, however, the
creative successes of an "indiescene" permeate mass culture
and often become co-opted into the popular music mainstream, a
process which, in turn, promotes new experimentation and
innovation at the local level.


title: The effects of postural threat on cognitive strategies used to maintain upright stance

subject:
Standing position.
Posture.
Neurophysiology.

abstract:
It is well established that postural threat modifies postural control, although little
is known regarding the underlying mechanism(s) responsible. It is possible that changes
in postural control under conditions of elevated postural threat result from alterations in
cognitive strategies. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of elevated
postural threat on cognitive strategies and to determine the relationship between postural
control, psychological, and cognitive measures. It was hypothesized that elevated
postural threat would cause a shift to more conscious control of posture. It was also
expected that a relationship between fear of falling and postural control would exist that
could be explained by changes in conscious control of posture. Forty-eight healthy young
adults stood on a force plate at two different surface heights: ground level (LOW) and
3.2m above ground level (HIGH). Center of pressure (COP) summary measures
calculated to quantify postural control were the mean position (AP-COP MP), root mean
square (AP-COP RMS) and mean power frequency (AP-COP MPF) in the anteriorposterior
direction. Trunk sway measures calculated in the pitch direction were trunk
angle and trunk velocity. Psychological measures including perceived balance
confidence, perceived fear of falling, perceived anxiety, and perceived stability were self
reported. As a physiological indicator of anxiety, electrodermal activity was collected.
The cognitive strategies assessed were movement reinvestment and attention focus. A
modified state-sp-ecific version of the Movement Specific Reinvestment Scale was used
to measure conscious motor processing (CMP) and movement self-consciousness (MSC).
An attention focus questionnaire was developed to assess the amount of attention directed
to internal and external sources. An effect of postural threat on cognitive strategies was observed as participants reported more conscious control and a greater concern or worry
about their posture at the HIGH postural threat condition as well as an increased internal
and external focus of attention. In addition changes in postural control, psychological,
and physiological measures were found. The participants leaned away from the edge of
the platform, the frequency of their postural adjustments increased, and the velocity of
their trunk movements increased. Participants felt less confident, more fearful, more
anxious, and less stable with an accompanying increase in physiological anxiety.
Significant correlations between perceived anxiety, AP-COP MP, and cognitive measures
revealed a possible relationship that could be mediated by cognitive measures. It was
found that with greater conscious motor processing, more movement self-consciousness,
and a greater amount of attention focused externally there was a larger shift of the mean
position away from the edge of the platform. This thesis provides evidence that postural
threat can influence cognitive strategies causing a shift to more conscious control of
movement which is associated with leaning away from the edge of the platform. Shifting
the position of the body away from the direction of the postural threat may reflect a
cognitive strategy to ensure safety in this situation due to the inability to employ a
stepping strategy when standing on an elevated platform.


title: The impact of wine closure and packaging type, and light and temperature exposure on the concentration of 3-alkyl-2 -methoxypyrazines and other key constituents of wine

subject:
Wine and wine making.
Bottle corks--Evaluation.
Wine bottles--Evaluation.

abstract:
3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines (MPs) are grape- and insect-derived odor-active compounds
responsible for vegetative percepts that are detrimental to wine quality when elevated. This study
tested both the effect of closure/packaging types and light/temperature storage conditions on
MPs (isopropyl-, secbutyl-, and isobutyl-MP) in wine. An MP-emiched wine rapidly (after 140
hours) and significantly decreased in MP concentration after natural and synthetic cork contact
(immersion of closures in wine). This decrease was greatest with synthetic closures (70% - 89%
reduction) and secbutyl-MP. Subsequently storage trials tested the effects of commercial
closure/packaging options (natural cork, agglomerate cork, synthetic corks, screwcaps and
TetraPak® cartons) on MPs in MP-emiched Riesling and Cabernet Franc over 18 months.
Regardless of packaging, isobutyl-MP was the most altered from bottling. Notably, all MP levels
tended to decrease to the greatest extent in TetraPak® cartons (~34% for all MPs) and there was
evidence of contribution ofisoproyl- and secbutyl-MP from cork-based closures (i.e. ~30%
increase in secbutyl-MP after 6 months) or from an unidentified wine constituent. To test the
effects of various light/temperature conditions (light exposed at ambient temperature in three
different bottle hues, light excluded at ambient temperature and light excluded at a "cellar"
temperature (14°C)), MP-emiched Riesling and Cabernet Franc were also analyzed for MP
concentrations over 12 months. MPs did not vary consistently with light or temperature. Other
odorants and physico-chemical properties were tested in all wines during storage trials and
closely agree with previous literature. These results provide novel insights into MPs during
ageing, interactions with packaging and storage conditions, and assist in the selection of storage
conditions/packaging for optimal wine quality.


title: The influence of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation on the contractile performance of fatigued mammalian skeletal muscle

subject:
Muscle contraction.
Myosin.

abstract:
ABSTRACT
The myosm regulatory light chain (RLC) of type II fibres is
phosphorylated by Ca2+ -calmodulin dependent myosin light chain kinase
(skMLCK) during muscular activation. The purpose of this study was to explore
the effect of skMLCK gene ablation on the fatigability of mouse skeletal muscles
during repetitive stimulation. The absence of myosin RLC phosphorylation in
skMLCK knockout muscles attenuated contractile performance without a
significant metabolic cost. Twitch force was potentiated to a greater extent in
wildtype muscles until peak force had diminished to ~60% of baseline (37.2 ±
0.05% vs. 14.3 ± 0.02%). Despite no difference in peak force (Po) and shortening
velocity (Vo), rate of force development (+dP/dt) and shortening-induced
deactivation (SID) were almost two-fold greater in WT muscles. The present
results demonstrate that myosin RLC phosphorylation may improve contractile
performance during fatigue; providing a contractile advantage to working muscles
and protecting against progressive fatigue.


title: The influence of recreational ball hockey play on cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary males

subject:
Coronary heart disease--Risk factors.
Coronary heart disease--Prevention.
Coronary heart disease--Sex factors.
Field hockey--Physiological aspects.
Men--Diseases.

abstract:
Introduction: The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is ever increasing in
western industrialized societies. An individuals overall risk for CAD may be quantified
by integrating a number of factors including, but not limited to, cardiorespiratory fitness,
body composition, blood lipid profile and blood pressure. It might be expected that
interventions aimed at improving any or all of these independent factors might improve
an individual 's overall risk.
To this end, the influence of standard endurance type exercise on cardiorespiratory
fitness, body composition, blood lipids and blood pressure, and by extension the
reduction of coronary risk factors, is well documented. On the other hand, interval
training (IT) has been shown to provide an extremely powerful stimulus for improving
indices of cardiorespiratory function but the influence of this training type on coronary
risk factors is unknown. Moreover, the vast majority of studies investigating the effects
of IT on fitness have used laboratory type training protocols. As a result of this, the
influence of participation in interval-type recreational sports on cardiorespiratory fitness
and coronary risk factors is unknown. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate
the effectiveness of recreational ball hockey, a sport associated with interval-type activity
patterns, on indices of aerobic function and coronary risk factors in sedentary men in the
approximate age range of 30 - 60 years. Individual risk factors were compiled into an
overall coronary risk factor score using the Framingham Point Scale (FPS). Methods:
Twenty-four sedentary males (age range 30 - 60) participated in the study. Subject
activity level was assessed apriori using questionnaire responses. All subjects
(experimental and control) were assessed to have been inactive and sedentary prior to
participation in the study.
The experimental group (43 ± 3 years; 90 ± 3 kg) (n = 11) participated in one season of
recreational ball hockey (our surrogate for IT). Member of this group played a total of 16
games during an 11 week span. During this time, the control group (43 ± 2 years; 89 ± 2
kg) (n = 11) performed no training and continued with their sedentary lifestyle. Prior to
and following the ball hockey season, experimental and control subjects were tested for
the following variables: 1) cardiorespiratory fitness (as V02 Max) 2) blood lipid profile
3) body composition 5) waist to hip ratio 6) blood glucose levels and 7) blood pressure.
Subject V02 Max was assessed using the Rockport submaximal walking test on an
indoor track. To assess body composition we determined body mass ratio (BMI), % body
fat, % lean body mass and waist to hip ratio. The blood lipid profile included high density
lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels; in addition, the ratio of
total cholesterol to high density was calculated. Blood triglycerides were also assessed.
All data were analyzed using independent t - tests and all data are expressed as mean ±
standard error. Statistical significance was accepted at p :S 0.05. Results: Pre-test values
for all variables were similar between the experimental and control group. Moreover,
although the intervention used in this study was associated with changes in some
variables for subjects in the experimental group, subjects in the control group did not
exhibit any changes over the same time period.
BODY COMPOSITION: The % body fat of experimental subjects decreased by 4.6 ±
0.5%, from 28.1 ± 2.6 to 26.9 ± 2.5 % while that of the control group was unchanged at
22.7 ± 1.4 and 22.2 ± 1.3 %. However, lean body mass of experimental and control
subjects did not change at 64.3 ± 1.3 versus 66.1 ± 1.3 kg and 65.5 ± 0.8 versus 64.7 ±
0.8 kg, respectively. In terms of body mass index and waist to hip ratio, neither the
experimental nor the control group showed any significant change. Respective values for
the waist to hip ratio and body mass index (pre and post) were as follows: 1 ± 0.1 vs 0.9 ±
0.1 (experimental) and 0.9 ± 0.1 versus 0.9 ± 0.1 (controls) while for BMI they were 29 ±
1.4 versus 29 ± 1.2 (experimental) and 26 ± 0.7 vs. 26 ± 0.7 (controls).
CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS: In the experimental group, predicted values for
absolute V02 Max increased by 10 ± 3% (i.e. 3.3 ± 0.1 to 3.6 ± 0.1 liters min -1 while
that of control subjects did not change (3.4 ± 0.2 and 3.4 ± 0.2 liters min-I). In terms of
relative values for V02 Max, the experimental group increased by 11 ± 2% (37 ± 1.4 to
41 ± 1.4 ml kg-l min-I) while that of control subjects did not change (41 ± 1.4 and 40 ±
1.4 ml kg-l min-I).
BLOOD LIPIDS: Compared to pre-test values, post-test values for HDL were decreased
by 14 ± 5 % in the experiment group (from 52.4 ± 4.4 to 45.2 ± 4.3 mg dl-l) while HDL
data for the control group was unchanged (49.7 ± 3.6 and 48.3 ± 4.1 mg dl-l,
respectively. On the other hand, LDL levels did not change for either the experimental or
control group (110.2 ± 10.4 versus 112.3 ± 7.1 mg dl-1 and 106.1 ± 11.3 versus 127 ±
15.1 mg dl-1, respectively).
Further, total cholesterol did not change in either the experimental or control group
(181.3 ± 8.7 mg dl-1 versus 178.7± 4.9 mg dl-l) and 190.7 ± 12.2 versus 197.1 ± 16.1
mg dl-1, respectively). Similarly, the ratio of TC/HDL did not change for either the
experimental or control group (3.8 ± 0.4 versus 4.5 ± 0.5 and 4 ± 0.4 versus 4.2 ± 0.4,
respectively). Blood triglyceride levels were also not altered in either the experimental or
control group (100.3 ± 19.6 versus 114.8 ± 15.3 mg dl-1 and 140 ± 23.5 versus 137.3 ±
17.9 mg dl-l, respectively).
BLOOD GLUCOSE: Fasted blood glucose levels did not change in either the
experimental or control group. Pre- and post-values for experimental and control groups
were 92.5 ± 4.8 versus 93.3 ± 4.3 mg dl-l and 92.3 ± 11.3 versus 93.2 ± 2.6 mg dl-1 ,
respectively.
BLOOD PRESSURE: No aspect of blood pressure was altered in either the experimental
or control group. For example, pre- and post-test systolic blood pressures were 131 ± 2
versus 129 ± 2 mmHg (experimental) and 123 ± 2 and 125 ± 2 mmHg (controls),
respectively. Pre- and post-test diastolic blood pressures were 84 ± 2 and 83 ± 2 mmHg
(experimental) and 81 ± 1 versus 82 ± 1 mmHg, respectively. Similarly, calculated pulse
pressure was not altered in the experimental or control as pre- and post-test values were
47 ± 1 versus 47 ± 2 mmlHg and 42 ± 2 versus 43 ± 2 mmHg, respectively.
FRAMINGHAM POINT SCORE: The concerted changes reported above produced an
increased risk in the Framingham Point Score for the subjects in the experimental group.
For example, the pre- and post-test FPS increased from 1.4 ± 0.9 to 2.7 ± 0.7. On the
other hand, pre- and post-test scores for the control group were 1.8 ± 1 versus 1.8 ± 0.9.
Conclusions: Our data confirms previous studies showing that interval-type exercise is a
useful intervention for increasing aerobic fitness. Moreover, the increase in V02 Max we
found in response to limited participation in ball hockey (i.e. 16 games) suggests that
recreational sport may help reduce this aspect of coronary risk in previously sedentary
individual. On the other hand, our results showing little or no positive change in body
composition, blood lipids or blood pressures suggest that one season of recreational sport
in not in of itself a powerful enough stimulus to reduce the overall risk of coronary artery
disease. In light of this, it is recommended that, in addition to participation in recreational
sport, the performance of regular physical activity is used as an adjunct to provide a more
powerful overall stimulus for decreasing coronary risk factors. LIMITATIONS: The
increase in the FPS we found for the experimental group, indicative of an increased risk
for coronary disease, was largely due to the large decrease in HDL we observed after
compared to above one season of ball hockey. In light of the fact that cardiorespiratory
fitness was increased and % body fat was decreased, as well as the fact that other
parameters such as blood pressure showed positive (but non statistically significant)
trends, the possibility that the decrease in HDL showed by our data was anomalous
should be considered.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS: The results of this study suggesting that recreational sport may
be a potentially useful intervention in the reduction of CAD require to be corroborated by
future studies specifically employing 1) more rigorous assessment of fitness and fitness
change and 2) more prolonged or frequent participants.


title: The Princeps Optimus : towards a new reading of Velleius Paterculus' history

abstract:
Abstract
This thesis works towards a new reading ofVelleius Paterculus' survey of Roman
history, published in AD 29 or 30. Modem scholarship has tended to condemn Velleius as
historian and stylist. Though opinions have started to change in the last few decades, even
the most recent works generally treat him as a passive and perhaps unconscious conveyor
of Roman cultural ideals and Augustan ideology. This thesis argues that the historian is,
in fact, manipulating these themes to make definite political points. It focuses on the
negativity of the history's conclusion as it stands in stark contrast to the preceding
narrative celebrating the principates of Augustus and Tiberius. The thesis tentatively
concludes that Velleius was trying to express concern over Rome's future, and
specifically to influence Tiberius to return to Rome from his retreat on the island of Capri
and curb the power of his "assistant," Sejanus.


title: The reliability of an isometric test based on constant perception of effort

subject:
Applied kinesiology.
Isometric exercise.

abstract:
To date there is no documented procedure to extrapolate findings of an
isometric nature to a whole body performance setting. The purpose of this study
was to quantify the reliability of perceived exertion to control neuromuscular
output during an isometric contraction.
21 varsity athletes completed a maximal voluntary contraction and a 2 min
constant force contraction at both the start and end of the study. Between pre
and post testing all participants completed a 2 min constant perceived exertion
contraction once a day for 4 days.
Intra-class correlation coefficient (R=O.949) and standard error of
measurement (SEM=5.12 Nm) concluded that the isometric contraction was
reliable. Limits of agreement demonstrated only moderate initial reliability, yet
with smaller limits towards the end of 4 training sessions.
In conclusion, athlete's na"ive to a constant effort isometric contraction will
produce reliable and acceptably stable results after 1 familiarization sessions has
been completed.


title: The role of intrapartum intravenous therapy and method of delivery on newborn weight loss : challenging the 7% rule

subject:
Birth weight, Low--Canada.
Intravenous therapy.

abstract:
It is common practice to initiate supplemental feeding in newborns if body weight
decreases by 7-10% in the first few days after birth (7-10% rule). Standard
hospital procedure is to initiate intravenous therapy once a woman is admitted to
give birth. However, little is known about the relationship between intrapartum
intravenous therapy and the amount of weight loss in the newborn. The present
research was undertaken in order to determine what factors contribute to weight
loss in a newborn, and to examine the relationship between the practice of
intravenous intrapartum therapy and the extent of weight loss post-birth. Using a
cross-sectional design with a systematic random sample of 100 mother-baby
dyads, we examined properties of delivery that have the potential to impact
weight loss in the newborn, including method of delivery, parity, duration of
labour, volume of intravenous therapy, feeding method, and birth attendant. This
study indicated that the volume of intravenous therapy and method of delivery
are significant predictors of weight loss in the newborn (R2=15.5, p<0.01). ROC
curve analysis identified an intravenous volume cut-point of 1225 ml that would
elicit a high measure of sensitivity (91.3%), and demonstrated significant Kappa
agreement (p<0.01) with excess newborn weight loss. It was concluded that
infusion of intravenous therapy and natural birth delivery are discriminant factors
that influence excess weight loss in newborn infants. Acknowledgement of these
factors should be considered in clinical practice.


title: The role of physical activity and perceived adequacy on cardiorespiratory fitness in children with developmental coordination disorder

subject: Motor ability in children--Physiological aspects.

subject: Motor ability in children--Psychological aspects.

subject: Physical fitness for children.

abstract:
Evidence suggests that children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD)
have lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) compared to children without
the condition. However, these studies were restricted to field-based methods in
order to predict V02 peak in the determination of CRF. Such field tests have
been criticised for their ability to provide a valid prediction of V02 peak and
vulnerability to psychological aspects in children with DCD, such as low
perceived adequacy toward physical activity. Moreover, the contribution of
physical activity to the variance in V02 peak between the two groups is unknown.
The purpose of our study was to determine the mediating role of physical activity
and perceived adequacy towards physical activity on V02 peak in children with
significant motor impairments. This prospective case-control design involved 122
(age 12-13 years) children with significant motor impairments (n=61) and healthy
matched controls (n=61) based on age, gender and school location. Participants
had been previously assessed for motor proficiency and classified as a probable
DCD (p-DCD) or healthy control using the movement ABC test. V02 peak was
measured by a progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Perceived
adequacy was measured using a 7 -item subscale from Children's Selfperception
of Adequacy and Predilection for Physical Activity scale. Physical
activity was monitored for seven days with the Actical® accelerometer. Children
with p-DCD had significantly lower V02 peak (48.76±7.2 ml/ffm/min; p:50.05)
compared to controls (53.12±8.2 ml/ffm/min), even after correcting for fat free
mass. Regression analysis demonstrated that perceived adequacy and physical
activity were significant mediators in the relationship between p-DCD and V02
peak. In conclusion, using a stringent laboratory assessment, the results of the
current study verify the findings of earlier studies, adding low CRF to the list of
health consequences associated with DCD. It seems that when testing for CRF
in this population, there is a need to consider the psychological barriers
associated with their condition. Moreover, strategies to increase physical activity
in children with DCD may result in improvement in their CRF.


title: Toward a grounded theory of trigger events and leadership development in early adulthood

subject: Leadership--Psychological aspects.

subject: Life change events--Psychological aspects.

abstract: The purpose of this research study was to develop a conceptual model through the use of a grounded theory approach, which explains how trigger events are related  to leadership development. Trigger events are experience that cause developmental growth and may result in an increased ability to lead (Luthans and Avolio (2003). In  this study, there were two phases of  data collection. First participants completed the Washington University Sentence Completion Test (WUSCT), where their respective leadership developmental stage was measured. Second, participants were involved in two in-depth interviews where an understanding was reached as to how various trigger events have impacted their leadership development. From these data, a conceptual model was developed to explain the relationship between trigger events and leadership development. Participants described trigger events as being important developmental periods, during which time they grew as people and became more capable leaders.


title: Towards automated derivation in the theory of allegories

subject:
Allegories (Mathematics)
Computer algorithms.

abstract:
We provide an algorithm that automatically derives many provable theorems
in the equational theory of allegories. This was accomplished by noticing
properties of an existing decision algorithm that could be extended to
provide a derivation in addition to a decision certificate. We also suggest
improvements and corrections to previous research in order to motivate further
work on a complete derivation mechanism. The results presented here
are significant for those interested in relational theories, since we essentially
have a subtheory where automatic proof-generation is possible. This is also
relevant to program verification since relations are well-suited to describe the
behaviour of computer programs. It is likely that extensions of the theory of
allegories are also decidable and possibly suitable for further expansions of
the algorithm presented here.