title: Breastfeeding and postpartum depression: assessing the influence of breastfeeding intention and other risk factors

contributor:
Mazmanian, Dwight
Bedard, Michel
McQueen, Karen

subject:
Postpartum depression
Breastfeeding

abstract: Risk and protective factors for postpartum depression have been extensively studied, and more recently an association between breastfeeding and maternal mood has been reported. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression by assessing if women who did not breastfeed were at greater risk of postpartum depression compared to women who attempted to breastfeed, and if intent to breastfeed or other known risk factors influenced the association. The association between breastfeeding duration and postpartum depressive symptoms was also examined. Breastfeeding information, demographic information, and scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were examined from the Canadian Maternity Experience Survey. This survey contains data collected from 6421 Canadian mothers between October 2006 and January 2007, and 2848 women between five and seven months postpartum were included in the current analyses. In contrast to previous research and the hypotheses of this study, logistic regression analyses revealed that breastfeeding attempt and duration were not associated with postpartum depression at five to seven months postpartum. Although a relationship between the prenatal intention to combination feed and postpartum depression was observed, these variables were no longer related once other potential risk factors were controlled for. Factors that were associated with postpartum depression included lower income, higher perceived stress, lower perceived social support, no history of depression, or no recent history of abuse. These findings suggest that the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression reported by previous researchers may in fact be due to alternative risk factors.


title: Causes and consequences of population changes in Black Bay Steelhead, Lake Superior

contributor:
Rennie, Mike
Dunlop, Erin
Shuter, Brian
George, Jon

subject: Fisheries resource management

subject: Fish species composition (Lake Superior)

subject: Black Bay fish

subject: Steelhead population (Black Bay)

subject: Predation and competition (ecology)

abstract: Understanding species interactions is an important component of fisheries resource management. Like the other Great Lakes, Lake Superior’s fish species composition (and therefore interactions among species) has been changing for many decades. One of the largest changes in fish species composition in Lake Superior has taken place in Black Bay, with an increase in Walleye abundance since 2002 and a decrease in Steelhead abundance since 2008. However, changes in species interactions associated with this new species composition in Black Bay are unknown. I examined the potential interactions between Walleye and Steelhead in Black Bay using stable isotope analysis and life history theory. My results suggest a complex set of interactions both in stream and lake environments that may act to suppress current Steelhead populations. Specifically, I found shifts in Steelhead smolting strategies within Black Bay not observed elsewhere in Lake Superior that are consistent with size-specific increased juvenile mortality, possibly due to predation on smolts in Black Bay. Niche overlap analysis from stable isotope results showed evidence of some competition between Walleye and adult Steelhead as well as possible predation of smolts by mature Walleye in Black Bay. Furthermore, long-term analysis of Steelhead parr stable isotopes suggests significant changes in Steelhead resource use in the stream environment, possibly resulting from competition with Brook Trout


title: Data-driven traversability estimation for  mobile robot navigation

subject:
Mobile robot
Traversability estimation
Convolutional neural networks
Path planning (robotics)

abstract:
Mobile robots have a promising application prospect as they can assist or replace
humans to perform laborious, repetitive or dangerous tasks in various scenarios. There
has been a large number of studies for mobile robot navigation since 1980s, while
terrain traversability estimation is an important topic in this field — estimating if
an area is traversable and how long will it take to drive through is necessary for
navigating the robot and planning paths.
However, most existing terrain traversability estimation methods are designed
based on simple fixed rules and manually tuned parameters, suffering low accuracy

and poor generalization due to their simplicity of structure and biases to the environ-
ment where they are tuned. To address this problem, we proposed a set of data-driven

traversability estimation methods based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN),
which are trained and tested them in different simulation environments.
There are 3 main goals for our methods:
1. High accuracy. Accuracy of the result is the core of an traversability estimation
method.

2. Low computational cost. Since most mobile robots are equiped with very lim-
ited computing power and energy, a practical traversability estimation method

should be able to work with a low computational cost.
3. Good generalization. A good traversability estimation method should generalize
to different type of environments or provide a function to automatically fit to a
new environment instead of manual tuning.
In this thesis, we first reviewed some representative conventional terrain

traversability estimation methods and introduced several related fields including mo-
bile robot path planning, localization and map building. Then we proposed our

CNN-based methods, demonstrated how to build the simulation framework and col-
lect terrain samples with driving data. Finally we compared the performance of our

work with benchmark methods in both classification and regression traversability es-
timation tasks on the collected datasets and proved the improvements made by our

methods.


title: Reproductive performance of Ring-billed gulls in relation to nest location

subject:
Ring-billed gull
Birds (Behavior)
Birds (Eggs)

abstract:
Reproductive performance of Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) in relation to nest location was investigated on Granite Island, northern Lake Superior, in 1976 and 1977. To determine whether any differences existed in the hatching and fledging success of central and peripheral areas of the colony in 1976 and 1977, only 3-egg clutches initiated early in the season were used. This eliminated two variables that may also affect success; they are clutch size and time of clutch initiation. In both years, 25 3-egg clutches in the center of the colony were exchanged with 25 3-egg clutches on the periphery. Twenty-five 3-egg clutches were marked concurrently in each area as controls. In both years, there was no significant difference in hatching success (86%), or fledging success (58%) between exchange and control nests.  These results indicated the ability of the gulls to hatch eggs and raise young was not related to nest location. Ten clutches from each area which were artificially incubated, had essentially equivalent hatching success.
To determine if there was a difference in attentiveness in the two areas, 25 nests in each area were monitored photographically for 6 days during the incubation period. In both years, over 90% of the gulls incubated a minimum of 90% of the time regardless of nest location.  In 1977, histories were known for all nests in the study area. Hatching success and clutch size were not
correlated with incubation attentiveness. In both the center and periphery of the colony, eggs laid before or at the peak of clutch initiation had a hatching success of 60%, 30% higher than eggs laid after the peak.
Hatching success was significantly related to clutch size, 3-egg clutches being the most common (54%) and the most successful (76%) in both areas.  On Granite Island, reproductive success was related to time of clutch initiation and clutch size rather than nest location. The possible reasons for this are discussed.


title: The systems thinking paradigm and higher-order cognitive processes

subject: The systems thinking paradigm

subject: The psychological construct of systems thinking

subject: Measuring systems thinking

subject: Psychometric intelligence and personality

subject: Fluid intelligence

subject: The serial order effect in creative responding

abstract:
The present study examined a new psychological construct we have coined “The Systems
Thinking Paradigm.” The systems thinking paradigm describes a cognitive style with which one
is more likely to understand that complex phenomena in the world are comprised of multiple
interconnected components and that change in any of these components can elicit oftenunpredictable
variation in other parts of the system. We investigated systems thinking and its
relationship to older psychological mechanisms in order to refine the systems thinking paradigm
and explore its relationship intelligence, personality, and cognitive complexity. Results
suggested that systems thinking, while related to verbal intelligence, openness to experience, and
attributional complexity, makes unique contributions to creativity and to some extent to how
people construe complex social problems. This study also found preliminary evidence for the
notion that systems thinking, while related to other psychological processes, is likely to be a
distinct construct.


title: Type A behavior pattern : relationship to personality and psychopathology

subject:
Typology (Psychology)
Personality
Psychology, Pathological

abstract:
Controversy exists around whether the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS),
a questionnaire measuring the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern,
correlates with measures of pathology. The present study investigated
this question by administering the JAS (form T) and the MMPI
(Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) to 2 samples of University
students, summer and fall. Experiment 1 served as a pilot
study with the administration of Form R of the MMPI (399 items) and
the JAS with a group of summer students. Although some significant
correlations were obtained, the results of Experiment 1 indicate
that traditional measures of psychopathology are generally unrelated
to the JAS. A more rigorous examination of the relationship between
the MMPI and the JAS was sought in the second experiment using the
long form of the MMPI (566 items) and a much larger sample size.
Contrary to Experiment 1, the results of Experiment 2 indicate a
strong relationship between the Speed and Impatience subscale of
the JAS and psychopathology, particularly for females. In addition,
the large number of significant correlations and the large number
of Type A's evidencing elevated MMPI scales (T-scores >70), suggests
that the Type A behavior pattern may be associated with psychopathology.


title: Enhanced TB surveillance efforts in British Columbia First Nation children : a framework for evaluation

subject: Native children Health and hygiene British Columbia

subject: Native children Medical care British Columbia

subject: Tuberculosis in children British Columbia

abstract: Evaluation of programs and implications for public health for First Nations on-reserve children since discontinuation of Bacille-Calmette-Guerine (BCG) vaccine in 2003.

abstract:
In 2003, British Columbia (BC) opted to discontinue routine Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
vaccination for First Nation children and replace this with enhanced tuberculosis (TB) control
activities as recommended by First Nations and Inuit Health, Health Canada (Public Health
Agency of Canada, National Advisory Committee Statement on BCG, 2004). BCG is the most
widely administered vaccine in the world and is used to prevent serious forms of TB in children,
most notably TB meningitis and miliary TB (Fine, P., Carneiro, T, Milstien, J. & Clements, C.J.,
1999). Evaluation of reports detailing serious adverse events caused by the BCG vaccine in some
First Nation children raised concerns that the routine neonatal BCG immunization program may
well be associated with unforeseeable and unacceptable health risks (Public Health Agency of
Canada, 2004a). The decision to shift from mass vaccination of infants to selective vaccination
of high risk groups is guided by criteria established by the International Union against
Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (lUATLD) (World Health Organization, 2004). Of significant
importance to meeting these criteria, there must be an efficient notification system in place to
monitor, case find and treat active TB cases.
BC Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) is the centralized health authority for maintaining
communicable disease registry and services for the province of British Columbia. All core TB
services are delivered by BCCDC in partnership with First Nation & Inuit Health, Pacific
Region. To monitor and improve TB control efforts with First Nation reserves, an enhanced
surveillance and screening program was developed and implemented in June 2004.
Effective evaluation of the enhanced surveillance program will help facilitate future direction for
TB control initiatives and priorities with First Nation communities and provide additional
research for public health policy.


title: Abundance, transportation, and preservation of Mysis diluviana eDNA in freshwater ecosystems

contributor:
Rennie, Michael
Paterson, Michael
Thomson, Ashley

subject:
Biological diversity
Biodiversity monitoring
Environmental DNA
Aquatic ecosystem
Aquatic biological systems
Freshwater ecosystems

abstract:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has proven to be a valuable tool in detecting rare or
invasive species, particularly within the Great Lakes and surrounding aquatic ecosystems.
Recent work has shown that sedimentary eDNA (sedDNA) can reveal temporal changes
in ecological community composition and can potentially be used to provide restoration
guidelines for impacted ecosystems. However, uncertainties currently exist regarding the
application of eDNA techniques in both sediment and aquatic freshwater ecosystems. For
example, little is known regarding how diel movements affect the short-term persistence
and transport of invertebrate eDNA within freshwater lakes and streams. In this study, I
examined the effectiveness of both aqueous eDNA and lake sedDNA sensitivity to the
presence of Mysis diluviana, a keystone macroinvertebrate species. Water and sediment
samples were collected from five lakes at the IISD-Experimental Lakes area in
Northwestern Ontario. Mysis sedDNA was extracted from sections of both freeze and
gravity cores and tested using quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) to evaluate
preservation and down-core presence. Day and night eDNA samples were analysed
during the fall and compared across the epilimnion, metalimnion, and hypolimnion to
assess the short-term persistence within a stratified lake. Water samples were collected
between June until October of 2019 from a stream connecting two of the study lakes to
examine the effect that seasonal variation within a stream may have on downstream
sedDNA distribution. My results demonstrated that the occurrence of Mysis eDNA in
dated sediment freeze cores closely matched known historical distributions. Further, the
absence of significant day/night differences in Mysis eDNA between thermal layers in the
fall indicates the persistence of eDNA in water over short time intervals. Similarly, high
concentrations of Mysis eDNA in streams during fall compared to summer months
provided further evidence for persistence as well as transport among lakes during certain
time periods. My work demonstrates a valuable method to reconstruct past occupation
histories and provide restoration guidelines of impacted ecosystems when applied to
sediments by indicating candidate lakes for potential biological reestablishment, as well
as indicates spatiotemporal factors that should be considered in the design of eDNA
surveys.


title: Interpretive study of four secondary level male music teachers in Northwestern Ontario

subject: Music teachers (Ontario, Northwestern)

subject: School music (Instruction and study Ontario, Northwestern)

subject: High school teachers (Ontario, Northwestern)

abstract:
The relative dearth of qualitative studies on characteristics
of exemplary secondary level music teachers buttressed the need for
this thesis. I selected four secondary male music teachers deemed
exemplary by members of their communities. Within the context of
their environments, and via extensive conversations, I recorded
their responses to the following question: "What is the experience
of being an exemplary music teacher?" From their responses the
most significant qualities emerged in the form of themes and
thematic strands, which I then compared with the characteristics of
exemplary music teachers found in the literature.
The participants agreed that one must be prepared to work many
hours beyond what is contractually required if one is to achieve
exemplary status. Associated with this time commitment is the fact
that one must exert a great amount of energy in his music teaching
activities. Next, the participants discussed the attachments they
develop with their students as well as the sacrifices they must
make in their personal lives with respect to relationships.
Finally, the last three main themes deal with the need for
financial prudence, a comprehensive knowledge base, and an
underlying love for music. A strong correlation exists between the
findings and the literature.


title: Antipsychotic medications and disruptive behavior in long term care : a path analysis / by Annie Roy.

contributor:
Stones, Michael
Mazmanian, Dwight
Netley, Charles
Kelley, Mary Lou

subject: Long-Term Care.

subject: Antipsychotic Agents therapeutic use.

subject: Long-term care of the sick - Psychological aspects

abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the frequencies and structure of score on Minimum Data Set 2.0 (MDS 2.0) items relevant to disruptive behaviour and antipsychotic medications in Ontario LTC home residents. These items consisted of delirium, restraint use, activities of daily living (ADLs), depression, cognitive impairment and bladder incontinence. Lisrel Path analysis was used for the analysis. Significant positive effects were found between delirium and disruptive behaviour, cognitive impairment and delirium, disruptive behaviour and antipsychotic medication, depression and disruptive behaviour, depression and delirium, restraint use and delirium, cognitive impairment and antipsychotic medication, ADLs and antipsychotic medication, ADLs and restraint use, cognitive impairment and restraint use. Significant negative effects were found between antipsychotic medication and disruptive behaviour, ADLs and antipsychotic medication, and disruptive behaviour and delirium.


title: Primary industries and Canadian economic development

subject:
Canada
primary industries

abstract: The significance of primary industries in Canadian economic development is examined and the relevance of the staple theory of development to Canadian experience in the years 1840 to 1970 is considered. The evolution of the staple theory and the literature on its relevance and limitations is reviewed. Specific instances of development in Canada, viz. the Timber trade of 1840-1870 and the Alberta oil boom of 1946 to the present are examined in the light of modern staple theory. A brief examination is made of the significance of tariffs for primary industries and for development. It is suggested that the more-limited-versions of the staple theory are strongly relevant to past and possible future development of the Canadian economy. The "succession-of-staples" modification of the theory appears applicable to Canadian in contrast to Australian experience of development. The view that the theory is applicable to "the atypical case of the new country" seems to require modification unless the frontier is always new country:  It appears useful to apply the theory to less-developed regions in an aggregate such as Canada.  It appears questionable whether the income from the Alberta oil boom of 1946 and since is more than a temporary feature, and whether this income has been used to best effect in preparing for the next staple boom which can generate real development of the Alberta economy. The U.S. tariff is view as likely to be much less a barrier in the future than in the past for Canadian processed materials.  The view is offered that tariff and other restrictions in Asia are important in restricting development of Canadian trade and primary manufacturing but have special importance in that they sustain U.S. dominance of Canada's export trade.


title: Diversity, phenology, and host associations of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila) in Thunder Bay, Ontario

contributor:
Henne, Don
McLaren, Brian
Hughes, Janice

subject:
Agriculture
Biodiversity
Conservation
Land use
Wild bees

abstract:
Although extremely important to the functioning of productive ecosystems, wild
bee communities are at risk due habitat loss and agricultural intensification. Wild bee
species surveys provide valuable information on the health of wild bee communities,
especially in agricultural areas where these bee species are vulnerable; however, many
regions are under studied. For example, northwestern Ontario lacks a comprehensive
wild bee survey, and many of the species that inhabit this area are unknown. The aim of
this study was to inventory wild bee species, the flowers they visit, and their periods of
activity in Thunder Bay in northwestern Ontario to fill in gaps in our knowledge of wild
bee species that occur in this region, while also investigating the diversity of wild bee
communities at three representative flower-rich sites in the area. I collected 64 wild bee
species throughout this survey. Twenty-two of these species had not previously been
documented in northwestern Ontario, and one (Nomada alpha) is a newly documented
species to Canada. Additionally, this study found that at an agricultural site wild bee
diversity was the lowest, and wild bee community composition was the most uneven
compared to two other sites, supporting evidence that agricultural land use may
negatively affect wild bee diversity in this region of Canada.


title: Constructing local culture in a near media monopoloy

contributor:
Dunk, Thomas
Stone, Sharon Dale
Southcott, Chris

subject: Radio broadcasting (Social aspects)

subject: Local radio news

subject: Governmental policies that influence the creation of ‘local news’

abstract:
The main objective of this thesis is to examine how the local radio news media in
Thunder Bay construct local culture. Two paradigms are used to explain this process:
instrumentalism and structuralism. Although other theories can better explain how audiences
interpret messages, this study was not intended for that purpose. The goal was to determine how
local culture was constructed by the media despite their organizational limitations. Since this
study looks more at the internal structure of these radio news media, it is necessary to review
their history and to analyse the governmental policies that influence the creation of ‘local news’.
Two hundred and four newscasts were recorded and transcribed from local radio stations
CBQT, CKPR, CJLB, and CJSD. Each story was classified geographically and thematically
indicating trends and differences between publically and privately owned media. Many themes
rank similarly between the public and privately owned media, however, there is greater
duplication of stories on the privately owned radio stations, raising questions about governmental
policies that attempt to maintain diversity in the news. To address these issues, there is an in-depth
historical analysis: (1) to review policies concerning the stations’ commitment to local
news content, and (2) to provide a context for understanding how the governing body has
contributed to a monopolistic media setting in this region. This research concludes that
journalists appear to construct local culture based on a predetermined set of stereotypes. The
media construct local culture as a predominantly white, heterosexual population that beholds a
‘pioneering’ spirit towards the region.


title: Social dimensions of forestry road management : a study of Wawa district residents

subject: Forest roads Ontario Wawa Region Public opinion

subject: Forest roads Ontario, Northeastern Public opinion

abstract:
This study explores the social dimension of forestry road access management in the Ontario
Ministry ofNatural Resource's Wawa District (northern Ontario). Road access restrictions in the
District are often implemented for the protection of remote tourism values, and many
recreationists have expressed strong opposition to these restrictions. This study examines the
issue from two perspectives. First, it determines residents' satisfaction levels with current
forestry road management, and explores how satisfaction varies with user characteristics.
Second, it determines residents' evaluations of the desirability of specific road access tools and
controls, such as signs, gates, and physical impediments, and explores how these evaluations
vary. The user characteristics considered include age, community of residence, use frequency,
familiarity, environmental beliefs, and recreational activities pursued. The results provided
varying degrees of evidence for the relationships between the user characteristics and satisfaction
and management tool evaluations. However, although all user characteristics considered were
shown to have some predictive ability, there was low support for all models and much variation
was left unexplained for both satisfaction and management tool evaluations, suggesting that there
remain other unidentified factors influencing these social dimensions of forestry road
management.


title: Correspondence rules in SU (3)

subject:
Quantum mechanics
Wigner function
Quasi-distribution functions

abstract:
In this thesis, I present a path to the correspondence rules for the generators of the su(3) symmetry and
compare my results with the SU(2) correspondence rules. Using these rules, I obtain analytical expressions
for the Moyal bracket between the Wigner symbol of a Hamiltonian H , where this Hamiltonian is written
linearly or quadratically in terms of the generators, and the Wigner symbol of a general operator B.
I show that for the semiclassical limit, where the SU(3) representation label tends to infinity, this
Moyal bracket reduces to a Poisson bracket, which is the leading term of the expansion (in terms of the
semiclassical parameter ), plus correction terms. Finally, I present the analytical form of the second order
correction term of the expansion of the Moyal bracket.


title: Bimodal discrimination tasks involving different hierarchical processing levels reveal a late stage interaction between multisensory integration and attention

subject: Integration of multisensory information

subject: Role of the CNS in multisensory integration

subject: Behavioral studies of multisensory integration

subject: Multisensory integration and attention

abstract:
Multisensory integration and attention have been studied independently and a vast
amount of literature exists for both phenomena. Researchers have recently raised
questions, however, as to how these two processes interact. For example, does
multisensory integration occur automatically without the need for attention; or does
integrative processing require attention for it to occur? If the latter, do attention and
integration act in parallel throughout all information processing levels, or does one
operation need to exist to advance the other? The present study sought to answer these
questions through a series of within-subject tasks spanning multiple layers of the
processing hierarchy. Forty-five participants completed three tasks involving audiovisual,
integrated stimuli in which they discriminated the location of a visual target stimulus
from nontarget distractors while being simultaneously presented with congruent auditory
tones. The first task involved the discrimination of shapes and was shown to be preattentive
in nature, with no facilitatory effect being observed in response to
simultaneously presented visual and auditory stimuli. The second task involved the
discrimination of die-point stimuli, which required high attentional demand. A trend
towards intersensory facilitation was observed in this task, but was not significant. The
third and final task involved the discrimination of integrated shapes and die-points, which
also required a high attentional load. Findings from this conjunction search revealed a
surprising reversal of intersensory facilitation. These results suggest that attention has a
limited capacity in terms of multisensory processing, and that specific intersensory
facilitation requires a unique amount of attentional involvement. Results are discussed in
terms of feature integration theory, the perceptual load hypothesis, and attentional inhibition. This study also highlights the need for multisensory research to pay close
attention to the influence of methodology, task sensitivity, and cognitive hierarchy when
interpreting results.


title: A case for the commercial harvest of wild edible fungi in Northwestern Ontario

subject:
Wild edible fungi
Non-timber forest products
Edible mushrooms
Wild mushroom commerce
Forest ecology

abstract:
This undergraduate thesis explores the feasibility of a commercial wild edible mushroom
industry in Northwestern Ontario. Commercially relevant fungi reviewed in this thesis include
chanterelles, matsutake, boletes, lobster mushrooms and morels. The commercial harvest of wild
edible fungi has occurred in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and British Columbia since the
early 1990’s. The productivities (kg/ha) of wild edible fungi in Northwestern Ontario are
comparable to those in Northwest Territories, Yukon and British Columbia. A number of factors
that might hinder a commercial harvest of wild edible fungi in Northwestern Ontario include
limited accessibility to harvest sites, perishability of fruiting bodies, lack of local markets, lack
of local harvesting traditions, and a lack of entrepreneurship in this endeavour.


title: Comparison of balance performance between boys with and without developmental coordination disorder

contributor:
Taylor, Jane
Bauer, Tony
McAuliffe, Jim

subject:
Motor ability in children Testing
Equilibrium (Physiology) Testing

abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the performance of 6 to 13 year old boys with
and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) on two balance tasks: balance space
and quiet standing. The participants were 40 boys, assigned to either a control or an
experimental group, based on initial screening by teachers with the Motor Behavior Checklist,
and subsequent testing conducted at Lakehead University School of Kinesiology Motor
Development Clinic using the Movement ABC (MABC). Final group assignment was based on
the MABC Total Impairment Score and Total Balance Score. Boys were tested in a subsequent
session in 20 second trials using an AMTI force plate with the sampling frequency set at 100 Hz,
gain at 4000x, 5x, and electronic filter at 10.5 Hz using the CAS stability Program to measure the
following dependent measures: anterior-posterior sway, lateral sway, path length and area of
sway. The study incorporated a 2 (age) x 2 (condition) completely randomized factorial design.
The data analysis incorporated MANOVA, factorial ANOVA, planned comparisons and Pearson
correlations, with the significance level at alpha level p< .05. The results of the study indicated
that boys" without DCD and balance difficulties were more effective in the balance space task
than boys with DCD and balance difficulties. There was no difference between the groups in the
quiet standing tasks. Developmentally, older boys performed much better than the younger boys.
A significant interaction effect based on balance space indicated that the older boys from the
control group perceived their tolerance region significantly better than any other group (F (4,32)
= 3.27, E < .05). It was postulated that: older boys with DCD exhibited anticipatory postural
behavior similar to those of boys with no DCD who were 2 to 3 years younger, and that this gap in balance performance between boys with and without DCD increased with age. Further study
of a longitudinal nature is required to confirm this hypothesis. Although the balance space task
proved to be more sensitive to differences in balance performance, participants exhibited a
similar pattern of behavior in both tasks. More skilled balancers scored high on balance space
tasks and low on quiet standing tasks, while the reverse behavior was evident in the performance
of less skilled balancers. It appears that the quality of feedforward balance responses relates to
the quality of feedback based mechanisms as control children who experienced balance
difficulties related to voluntary balance mechanisms also experienced difficulties with
involuntary balance control. In terms of balance control and vision, children with DCD
performed significantly poorer than the control group with eyes open but not with eyes closed. It
was postulated that the absence of visual input may be a facilitating factor for boys who cannot
effectively respond to a multisensory environment Although further study is needed, it was
concluded that the balance space task is most effective at showing condition, developmental and
interaction effects, whereas the quiet standing task is more sensitive to balance control
differences due to age. It was recommended that for future studies both tasks be incorporated, so
that the relationship between the postural mechanisms they represent can be studied further.


title: Enriching Communities with Community-based Arts Education

contributor:
Sameshima, Pauline
Berger, Paul

subject:
Community arts organizations
Art in education
Textile art
Felted wool art

abstract:
This research aims to describe the value of community-based arts education.
Community-based arts organizations focus on community concerns and issues as well as support individual development (Hoffman Davis, 2010), yet encounter challenges related to funding and support and are continuously asked to prove the value of their work. This research looks specifically at the arts education programming of three community-based organizations in the Thunder Bay area. This research uses narrative inquiry to interpret the stories of the leading figures in these organizations by looking specifically at their experiences working and participating in community-based arts education from an out-of-school context. This research describes how these organizations enrich this particular city and the communities within it by bringing mentorship, access to safe spaces and valuing care in arts education. Despite challenges with funding, space, and support, the leaders of these organizations are driven and inspired by the people with whom they work, the collaboration possible, and the changes observed and experienced. This research examines the ways in which community-based art organizations respond to the need for an education that supports well-being by valuing “community consultation” (Kay, 2000). Concurrently, as a form of arts-informed indwelling of the data, the author presents a personal art series that visually represents the themes within this research. This research provides recognition to community arts and community-based arts education within the City of Thunder Bay. Furthermore, this research advocates for the continued positive impact of, and ongoing research on, community-based arts education.


title: From paper to practice: educator understanding and facilitation of self-regulation in the kindergarten classroom

contributor:
Mastrangelo, Sonia
Lawson, Alex

subject:
Self-regulation
Kindergarten educators
Neurophysiology
Student-teacher relationships
Classroom environment
Professional development

abstract:
There is growing concern about the mental health and resilience of today’s students (McCain,
Mustard, and Shanker, 2007) and difficulties with self-regulation as part of human development
are implicated in educational outcomes, cognitive problems, internalizing problems such as
depression and anxiety, externalizing problems such as aggression, and physical health
problems (McCain et al, 2007; Shanker, 2010). Self-regulation is a growing topic of interest in a
variety of disciplines including education. With over 42 961 peer reviewed journal articles which
use the term “self-regulation”, it is not surprising that there are 447 different interpretations of
what self-regulation means in the literature (Burman et al., 2015), which makes it difficult for
educators to interpret and apply it in their respective classrooms. Due to recent advances in
neuroscience, the Ontario Ministry of Education shifted towards a neurophysiological framework
on the Self-Regulation and Well-Being Frame of the Kindergarten Program. The current study
examined which frameworks kindergarten educators were using by analyzing the ways they
described and facilitated self-regulation in the classroom within a school board in northern
Ontario through surveys, interviews, progress reports, and classroom observations. Findings
revealed that educators: have little experience and training with resources aligned with the
Kindergarten Program’s approach to self-regulation, describe self-regulation as self-control, and
facilitate self-regulation using a learning strategies approach. Educators were observed using
fewer than a third of ministry self-regulation recommendations in the classroom. Implications
and recommendations for aligning educator practices with the Kindergarten Program’s
framework are discussed, including the limitations of pre-packaged programs currently in use
and the advantages of adopting a neurophysiological approach to understanding self-regulation.


title: Performing (and) identity in Angela Carter's Nights at the Circus and, Wise Children

abstract:
In her last two novels, Nights at the Circus and Wiise
Children, Angela Carter examines some of the complex factors
involved in the construction of identity, both within the
fictional world, and for readers in their interaction with the world of the fiction. Of these factors, gender is of primary importance. The thesis shows that identity is a
product of the interaction between individuals and their
audience, informed by the multiple contexts surrounding
them. Individuals create identities through performance and
are simultaneously created by the reception/perception of
their performances.
The thesis also argues that the relationship between
performer and audience is similar in many ways to the
relationship between the texts and their readers. Through a
number of different techniques. Carter's novels make readers
aware of the ways in which the story is told, and draw them
into an active relationship with the texts. In these ways.
Carter's novels question authority and destabilize meaning,
both through narrative technique, and the questions about
the nature of identity posed by the fictional characters.
The first chapter examines identity in Nights at the
Circus, particularly the ways in which Fevvers disrupts the
category of Woman and resists having her identity reduced to appearance only. The second chapter looks at the narrative,
examining the rhetorical strategies used by both Fewe r s and
Carter to keep readers actively engaged with the text.
The third chapter turns to Wise Children and the way in
which Dora comes to understand herself in relation to her
status as a twin and her position within her various
families. The final chapter demonstrates that Dora blurs
genre boundaries and distinctions between high and low
cultute in order to give voice to her biological and
artistic illegitimacy.


title: Synthesis of muramyl dipeptide analogues as immunomodulatory agents

subject:
Peptidoglycan
Immune system
Innate immune system
Muramyldipeptide

abstract: Peptidoglycan occurs naturally in cell wall structures of almost all types of bacteria. Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is a fragment of peptidoglycan, which consists of N-acetylmuramic acid that is attached to a dipeptide of L-alanine and D-iso-glutamine. Peptidoglycan is a potent immunostimulant and MDP has been identified as the minimal structure required of peptidoglycan for activating the innate immune system. MDP engages the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) receptor and activates the receptor. Importantly, MDP shows a promising vaccine adjuvant property. However, high toxicity, hydrophilicity, rapid elimination from the biological system, and other drawbacks associated with MDP prevent it from being used in clinics. In this study, novel MDP analogues have been designed and synthesized in order to improve the molecule’s biological activity. The modification in these analogues was applied within the dipeptide component, that is, using an artificial aromatic amino acid residue in place of the D-iso-glutamine residue in natural MDP. N-acetylation of 4-amino-3-nitrobenzoic acid was the starting point of the synthesis pathway. Next, the nitro group was reduced and coupled with L-alanine to form the main building block 14. The incorporation of different lengths of lipid chains at the C-terminal of the dipeptide mimic 14 resulted in lipophilic dipeptide analogues 11, 12 and 13. The dipeptide mimics 11 - 14 were then coupled with an N-acetylmuramic acid derivative 36 to provide protected MDP analogues 37 - 40. The first set of MDP analogues 4 - 6 were obtained by applying 37, 38, and 39 under the global deprotection reaction using Pd/C as the catalyst in a hydrogen atmosphere to remove both benzyl and benzylidene groups. The second set of analogues 7 - 9 were formed by treating 37 - 39 with trifluoroacetic acid to remove only the benzylidene group. Attempts at forming hydrophilic mimics 2 and 3 were not entirely successful due to a technical obstacle during the last step of the deprotection reactions. Ultimately, biological evaluation will determine the potential of these analogues to act as ligands for NOD2 and their immune-modulatory/stimulatory property.


title: Critical evaluation of the long-term validity of the risk/need assessment and its young offender typology

subject: Indian youth Psychological testing Ontario

subject: Juvenile probation Ontario

subject: Juvenile delinquents Psychological testing Ontario

abstract:
Risk and need assessments have become an essential part of managing juvenile
offenders by determining each individual’s likelihood to recidivate. At the present time,
juvenile delinquents in Ontario are assessed by the Ministry of Community and Social
Service’s Risk/Need Assessment. This instrument was developed and normed in
Southern Ontario, yet, applied to Northern Ontario which is unique in its
overrepresentation of Native young offenders. The short-term validity of the Risk/Need
Assessment was previously evaluated through an examination of 250 young offender’s
criminal records to determine if they had re-offended within six months following their
assessment (Jung, 1996). Analysis revealed that the Risk/Need was robust to ethnicity,
gender and criminal status in its prediction of recidivism. This present study examined
195 of these youth to determine if the Risk/Need Assessment could predict recidivism for
a longer term, by evaluating their criminal records two years post assessment. All eight
of the Risk/Need factors were found to predict overall recidivism for the young offenders,
regardless of gender and ethnicity, and certain offence types. Higher rates of recidivism
were found to be associated with high scores on the prior and current offences/disposition
factor, high scores on the education/employment factor and low scores on the substance
abuse scale. Further, all eight Risk/Need factors were able to differentiate between low
risk, moderate risk and high risk offenders. These findings support the contention that the
Risk/Need Assessment can adequately identify the level of risk of recidivism for young offenders. The conclusion can be drawn, therefore, that the Risk/Need Assessment Form
can predict recidivism over a two year period and is robust to gender and ethnicity. The
implications of these findings are elaborated upon.


title: Diagnostic and treatment approaches to fibromyalgia management: quantification of peripheral blood mononuclear cell function and evaluation of radial shockwave therapy

contributor:
Lees, Simon
Sanzo, Paolo
Schraft, Heidi

subject: Fibromyalgia

subject: Comorbid conditions (fibromyalgia)

subject: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell function in fibromyalgia

subject: Radial shockwave therapy

subject: Fibromyalgia treatment methods

abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder that affects many individuals worldwide. The lack of a definitive diagnostic method and highly successful treatment approaches make it an interesting area of research. In the present study, the effectiveness of quantifying cytokine concentrations from stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in pre-intervention FM patients as a new diagnostic approach for FM, and the effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy (RSWT) as a FM treatment option to improve the function of PBMC cytokine release from pre- to post-interventions were investigated. Evaluating cytokine concentrations released from stimulated PBMCs allows the capacity of PBMCs to release cytokines and the function of the immune system to be assessed. This was done by isolating PBMCs from blood samples of healthy controls (HCs) and FM participants taken before and after receiving the treatment or placebo intervention, dividing the amount of cells in media from each sample into wells of a cell culture plate, and stimulating half of the cells with the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin protein (PHA-P) to release cytokines. The concentrations of interleukins 6 and 10 (IL-6 and IL-10, respectively) released from stimulated and unstimulated PBMCs were determined from the cell culture supernatants in pre-intervention FM participants and HCs. IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations released from stimulated and unstimulated PBMCs were also determined from the cell culture supernatants before and after FM participants received the treatment or placebo intervention. The effective change ratios for both IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines were also calculated by dividing the cytokine concentration released from stimulated PBMCs by the cytokine concentration released from unstimulated PBMCs for each FM participant. The effective change ratios from pre-intervention FM participants were compared to the effective change ratios from HCs. The effective change ratios from FM participants were also compared pre- and post-intervention for the treatment and placebo groups, and to effective change ratios from HCs. The correlation of IL-6 and IL-10 delta effective change ratios from the difference in effective change ratios pre- to post-intervention was also determined for each FM participant. The results indicated there were no significant differences between HCs and FM participants for the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines released from stimulated and unstimulated PBMCs. There were also no significant differences between HCs and FM participants for both the IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine effective change ratios.


title: Impacts of Mysis diluviana extirpation on a whole lake ecosystem

contributor:
Rennie, Mike
Paterson, Michael
O'Connor, Constance

subject:
Aquatic ecosystem
Mysis diluviana
Freshwater shrimp
Canada’s freshwater ecosystem
Lake 223 acidification
Keystone species

abstract:
Understanding species interactions is critical to predicting the ecosystem-level
impacts of anthropogenically-caused species extirpations. In particular, the loss of
keystone species - those that have exceptionally large effects on their environment
relative to their abundance - would be expected to have dramatic and cascading effects
throughout an ecosystem. Following the experimental acidification of Lake 223 at the
IISD-ELA in the early 1980’s, all species that had been extirpated due to the experiment
have since returned to the lake with the notable exception of the freshwater shrimp, Mysis
diluviana. Mysis have had dramatic impacts when introduced into non-native habitats, but
the role Mysis in structuring ecosystems in their native habitat is unclear. Through this
unique opportunity to study and compare two different time periods where the only
difference was the presence and absence of Mysis in the same ecosystem, I evaluated the
impacts of Mysis on the community structure of Lake 223. My results suggest that Mysis
may serve as a keystone species in their native environment, having significant impacts
on the biomass of both fish and zooplankton species; in the absence of Mysis,
zooplankton species composition shifted towards dominance of Chaoborus and large
cladocerans. Stable isotope analysis suggests that Chaoborus, the largest predatory
zooplankton species in the absence of Mysis, represent an energetic bottleneck that has
resulted in lake trout having slower growth rates, lower total biomass, and lower
recruitment compared to when Mysis were present in the lake. This work demonstrates
the importance of Mysis diluviana in structuring aquatic food webs in which they are
native and provides support for considering re-establishment of Mysis into
atmospherically acid-damaged lakes as a potential recovery strategy.


title: Differential treatment of boreal forest biome by forest stewardship council

subject:
Forest Stewardship Council
FSC certification
Certification of forestry practices
Boreal forest biome

abstract:
This thesis examines the conduct of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) regarding the
certification stringency in the boreal biome. Certification is less stringent in Russia as
compared to other boreal nations; Canada, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Further, it will
elaborate on Motion 65 by FSC on how it relates to the main topic. According to recent
studies, FSC certification auditing is less thorough in Russia as compared to Canada and
Nordic Countries. In Canada and Nordic countries, FSC is a very stringent and
scrupulous body, making certificate holders work hard to keep their status. In 2014,
FSC has released its Motion 65 to protect Intact Forest Landscapes, and a set of
recommendations followed in late 2016. If approved, Motion 65 would unequally affect
Canada and Nordic Countries as compared to Russia. Forest Code of the Russian
Federation does not recognize IFLs, which are key principle of Motion 65. This thesis
concluded that part of the problem is that while forestry regulations of Canada and
Nordic countries are in tandem with FSC guidelines, Russia’s laws conflict with them.
Another part of the issue is lack of equity distribution in Russia as compared to Canada
and Nordic Countries. The thesis suggests that FSC needs to develop a strategy
specifically tailored to Russia, in order to achieve levels of compliance and
socioeconomic equity similar to Canada and Nordic Countries.


title: The use of remote sensing in monitoring blue whale habitat features – a literature review

subject:
Acoustic remote sensing
Satellite remote sensing
Sea surface temperature
Chlorophyll-a
Blue whale (habitat, population)

abstract:
Quickly changing environmental factors due to climate change are expected to have
devastating consequences on blue whale populations. The use of acoustic and satellite
remote sensing permits the monitoring of environmental factors essential to blue whale
habitat. Determining areas with established levels of prey abundance, chlorophyll-a
concentration, sea surface temperature, and bathymetric features has the potential to
identify biological hotspots for blue whales. This thesis is a literature review of the use of
acoustic and satellite remote sensing when monitoring blue whale habitat features. With
climate change increasingly altering know blue whale habitats, conservation efforts must
be made to maintain blue whale population levels.


title: Bisphenol A : how media and special interest groups influenced the ban on BPA

subject:
Bisphenol A Toxicology
Public healtn Environmental aspects
Health risk assessment

abstract:
Recently, there has been great dispute about the effects of bisphenol A (herein referred to
as BPA) leaching into baby bottles. This led to Canada being the first country to ban
BPA in baby bottles in April of 2008 (CBC, 2008). This decision elicited criticism from
the USA Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) but according to Health Ministry
Tony Clement, “it is better to be safe than sorry” (CBC, 2008). It is this uncertainty of
the effects due to the exposure of BPA that has fueled an interest for the topic of this
paper. The purpose of this paper is to do a policy analysis in regards to BPA and the
effects of industry sponsored research, specialty groups and the role of the media
(newsprint). The next section of this paper looks at the methodology employed to
identify sources, followed by a detailed look at how policy analysis is conducted in
Canada and the key research findings on BPA from special interest groups coupled with
the role that the media played in the decision to ban BPA in Canada. The last section
describes the relevance and implications of the role played by these sources in public
health and the future significance that these findings will have on public health practice,
policy and research.


title: Wood properties of city street trees for utilization in forest products

subject: Urban forest management

subject: Modulus of rupture

subject: Use of city street trees for wood products

subject: Mechanical properties of city trees

abstract:
Forest products are an essential part of the Canadian economy. Maximizing the
number of trees we can use to make forest products will be a crucial part of
continuing to produce forest products. The objective of this study is to determine
the viability of using city street trees for forest products based on mechanical
and physical properties.


title: Study on the effects of therapist contact on progressive muscular relaxation training for mixed migraine and tension headaches

subject:
Migraine
Headache (treatment)
Relaxation

abstract:
The effectiveness of home-based relaxation and therapist-contact
relaxation treatment for headaches were evaluated in comparison to a
waiting list control group. A group of 30 subjects diagnosed as suffering
mixed migraine without aura and episodic tension headache were
randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: home-based
progressive muscular relaxation, therapist-contact progressive muscular
relaxation, or waiting list control. Results indicated that there was no
significant effect of treatment for any of the groups on objective
measures of headache severity, frequency, and duration. Subjects also
subjectively rated changes in their headaches, and it was found that
there was no difference between any of the three groups on subjective
ratings of changes in headache severity or duration. However, on
subjective ratings of changes in headache frequency and a global rating
of headache, the therapist-contact relaxation group rated themselves as
significantly more improved than either of the remaining two groups.
These findings were discussed in terms of treatment and cost
effectiveness.


title: Elastic and inelastic scattering of conduction electrons from oscillating impurities in semiconductors

subject:
Contamination (Technology)
Semiconductors
Electrons Scattering

abstract:
Elastic scattering and inelastic scattering of conduction
electrons by oscillating ionized impurities in semiconductors
have been analyzed on the assumption that the scattering potential
is the Coulomb potential between the conduction electrons
and the excess charge of the impurity ions and that the electrons
are non-degenerate and have a simple spherical energy bands.
Two possible cases for impurity oscillations by thermal agitation
are considered; (i) ionized impurities oscillating with a localized
oscillating frequency [symbol] , widely separated from the normal
acoustic and optical modes of the crystal, and (ii) ionized
impurities oscillating with frequencies common to those of host
lattice.


title: Analysis of the child and adolescent needs and strengths assessment in a First Nation population

subject: Social determinants of health

subject: Mental health needs in First Nations' children

subject: Mental wellness services

abstract: First Nations youth are one of the fastest growing demographics in Canada, yet they are more likely to experience adverse health and life circumstances than non-Indigenous Canadians. Developing and implementing appropriate interventions for mental health is a priority area in decreasing this health gap, and requires the incorporation of First Nation models of mental wellness. Mental Wellness for First Nations’ youth is tied to interpersonal and cultural factors such as relationships with caregivers and the greater community, caregiver and/or community access to necessary resources, and cultural identities. Examining these wider sociocultural factors, in combination with youth characteristics and strengths, provides a more comprehensive understanding of how to address mental health needs in First Nation communities. Working in collaboration with a First Nation based community health provider, the Child and Adolescents Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment was analyzed for 178 First Nation children to identify specific mental health intervention needs and explore predictors of mental health needs. The CANS is a reliable measure that assesses youth mental health needs, caregiver needs, individual strengths, environmental strengths, as well as many other factors. The most commonly reported mental health intervention needs were seen for Anxiety, Mood, Emotional Control, and Adjustment to Trauma. Hierarchical regression identified referents’ age, sex, Functioning, Individual Strengths, and Family/Caregiver Needs and Strengths domain scores as predictive of mental health intervention needs. Age and Functioning domain scores were robust individual predictors of mental health needs across most models, yet sex was not individually predictive in any model.


title: Establishing norms on the Auditory Comprehension Test among a sample of first year university students

subject: Auditory Comprehension Test

abstract:
This study seeks to establish a wider normative sample
base for the Auditory Comprehension Test (ACT) (Green
and Krammer, 1983)» The ACT is effective in
differentiating between individuals who have a binaural
deficit in speech comprehension and those who do not.
One hundred and three first year University
students were tested on the ACT (seventy- three females
and thirty males). Three out of this number (2,91%)
were found to have binaural deficits.
No significant differences were found to exist
between males and females on Left, Right, and Both ear
scores of the ACT.
Significant differences were found to exist
between performance on each ear condition for this
current study in comparison with an earlier study
(Green & Kramer, 1984) with a smaller sample. This
indicates a need for more exhaustive methods of
standardising the administration and scoring of the
ACT, as well as testing with larger and more varied
population groups.
Ear plug testing with one of the three subjects
found to have binaural deficits indicated a 27 point
improvement (21,78%) when the ear plug was fitted in V
the weaker ear as compared to the open field binaural
no~ear plug condition.
An interview conducted with the same subject
revealed a preference for visual or audio-visual modes
of assimilating environmental stimuli in comparison to
auditory inputs alone.
This subject showed extreme elevations on the
Hypomania scale of the MMPI,
The Emotional Perception Test (Green & Severson,
1986) did not reveal any differences in the same
subject’s ability to discriminate emotions in
comparison to the test norms, although there was a
relatively more frequent overestimation of the sadness
emotion by this subject in comparison to the normative
sample.
The promise of the ACT both as a diagnostic and
therapeutic tool is emphasized. The need for a
comprehensive scoring manual is emphatically indicated.


title: Native conceptions of giftedness / by J. Karen Reynolds.

subject: Indians of North America Education.

subject: Indians of North America Ontario, Northern.

subject: Gifted children Education.

abstract:
This study seeks to determine the relevance of
"giftedness" in an isolated north-western Ontario
Ojibway community and school. Specifically, Renzulli's
(1986) model of "giftedness" is examined.
This study begins with the community as the
central element in its design. Qualitative research
methods are used and include participant-observation,
informally structured interviews, and document
analysis. Elders, parents, teachers, and students,
represent the participants. Data-collection took place
during two, two-week visits to the site. Data analysis
and interpretation was ongoing throughout the research
process.
The findings suggest that "giftedness" is a Euro-
Western construct which is irrelevant and even in
conflict with the norms of Sweetgrass community and
school. This study does not recommend the use of the
Renzulli (1986) model for "giftedness" in Sweetgrass,
or in any focus for Native education which reflects the
beliefs and perceptions of the participants in this
community. Instead, culturally relevant enrichment
strategies need to be developed and integrated
throughout all aspects of curricula.


title: How does environmental variation effect fitness of density-dependent habitat selectors? / by Jody T. MacEachern.

contributor:
Morris, Douglas
Hecnar, Stephen
McLaren, Brian

subject:
Habitat partitioning (Biology)
Spatial behavior in animals
Habitat selection by animals
Ideal despotic distribution theory

abstract:
The spatial distribution of animals can arise through a variety of habitat-selection strategies. It is unclear which habitat characteristics lead to the evolution of one of these strategies over another. Thus I use an individual-based model of habitat selection to assess how the mean and standard deviation of breeding-site quality in a landscape of two habitats influence the geometric mean fitness of ideal free, ideal pre-emptive and ideal
despotic habitat-selection strategies. Computer simulations revealed little difference in fitness among strategies. Most simulated habitats supported large populations that saturated breeding sites and fluctuated around their carrying capacities. Despotism yielded the highest geometric mean fitness when more-or-less homogeneous sites were of low average quality. The rank order of strategies by fitness depended on density and was consistent across all simulations. Despotic habitat selectors consistently possessed the highest geometric mean fitness at low density suggesting that despotism can invade other pure strategies. The results imply that multiple habitat-selection strategies may coexist in the same population. Coexisting strategies are most likely to occur at high population density or under conditions that cause frequent variation in population size.


title: A multiomic approach to paleogenetic investigation of ancient North American bison

contributor:
Matheson, Carney
Law, David
Hamilton, Scott

subject:
Structure and nature of DNA
Ancient DNA
Structure of protein
Proteomics
Multiomics
Bison in North America

abstract: Twelve ancient bison bone samples from north-central North America were examined using genetic and proteomic sequencing to determine relationships to other bison populations. Mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest a genetic affinity that most closely matches populations from contemporaneous bison populations located in central North America. Proteomic sequencing by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry could only resolve relationships to broad taxa and could not determine intra-specific relationships. Also, a novel multiple and simultaneous extraction protocol is presented to extract material suitable for both genetic and proteomic analysis from the same bone sample. It was also found that human serum albumin can be used as a replacement for bovine serum albumin as an effective additive to improve DNA amplification. In addition, chloroform alone can be used as an efficient organic solvent for the purification and separation of protein.


title: More than just a 'value' : views of aboriginal people in Northern Ontario on aboriginal values in Ontario's forest management planning

subject: Aboriginal values (Forestry Ontario, Northern)

subject: Geographic information systems

subject: Cultural property (Protection Ontario, Northern)

subject: Forest management planning mapping

subject: Virtual reality GIS

abstract:
The last decade has seen an introduction of Aboriginal values into Ontario’s
forest management planning. Ontario forest management regulations and forest
management research, however, are lacking spatial definitions of Aboriginal values and
directions about how they should be protected. The protection designation that does
occur in forest management is a mixture of local initiatives and guidelines for cultural
heritage sites. The objectives of the thesis are fourfold: (1) to obtain views from
Aboriginal people in northern Ontario about important aspects in defining and protecting
Aboriginal values in forest management, and specifically, to obtain views on how
individual Aboriginal values such as trapping, a trapper’s cabin, a burial site, and a
spiritual site should be defined and protected; (2) to obtain views from Aboriginal
people in northern Ontario on the use of different mapping media and Virtual Reality
GIS in particular in representing and discussing Aboriginal values; (3) to review and
analyze pertinent forest management planning regulations in Ontario for their treatment
and impact on Aboriginal values; and (4) to make recommendations to improve the
process of Aboriginal values identification and protection in forest management
planning in Ontario.
To achieve the thesis objectives, Aboriginal people from six Aboriginal communities in
northern Ontario were interviewed and Ontario forest management regulations and
policies examined. The chosen research method for the thesis is qualitative, with focus
groups and individual interviews as research instruments and subsequent grouping of
data into themes and categories as the method of qualitative analysis. Research results
show that (1) Aboriginal people take an encompassing and holistic view when
discussing Aboriginal values, including concerns about cumulative impacts from natural
resource developments, social and cultural ramifications, wildlife resources, and broad
landscape protection of potential burial sites; (2) individual Aboriginal values are
sometimes spatially defined as more than the physical objects that represent them; (3)
Aboriginal values are in effect expressions of Aboriginal land use and might be more
appropriately mapped by using methods already existing in Traditional Land Use and
Occupancy Studies; (4) typical forestry maps can be seen as confusing by Aboriginal
people, and Virtual Reality GIS media can be an effective alternative to traditional
mapping media in discussing Aboriginal values; and (5) within the paradigm of
ecosystem forest management, there is a need for the presence of definitions, protection
provisions and management objectives for Aboriginal values in Ontario’s forest
management regulations.


title: Online competency-based resident assessment for the discipline of anesthesiology: a needs assessment

contributor:
van Barneveld, Christina
Ellaway, Rachel

subject:
Competency-based medical education
Competence by Design
Anesthesiology programs

abstract:
In Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) are
implementing a model of competency-based medical education (CBME) for all specialty-training
programs called Competence by Design (CBD). Anesthesiology is an RCPSC discipline that is
represented at all medical schools in Canada and is among the first specialties to adopt CBD. The
RCPSC model of CBD includes frequent observations and assessment of resident performance;
competence committees review this data in order to make decisions on resident progress. Electronic
portfolios are an important enabler in moving to CBD given the volume of assessment data, the
complexity of data generated, and the need for comprehensive reporting of resident competence.
The purpose of my study was to describe the perceived data needs and challenges of
anesthesiology programs when implementing CBD. In stage 1 of my study, stakeholders were
interviewed regarding their needs and challenges in handling CBD assessment data. Stakeholders in
stage 1 included 13 experts from the RCPSC CBD working group charged with defining the
competencies for anesthesiology at the national level. The findings from this stage were used to
help structure questions for stage 2 of my study, which included three focus groups. The resident
focus group comprised of 4 residents, the faculty focus group comprised of 3 faculty members, and
CBD focus group comprised of 5 CBD experts. Participants were recruited from across Canada.


title: Fuzzy adaptive control of a two-wheeled inverted pendulum

subject:
Fuzzy logic
Two-wheeled inverted pendulum (TWIP)
TWIP robot
Control design

abstract:
Recently, the two-wheeled inverted pendulum has drawn the attention of robotic community
in view of a plethora of applications, such as transport vehicles: Segway, teleconferencing
robots, and electronic network-vehicle. As a widely-used personal transportation vehicle, a
two-wheeled inverted pendulum robot has the advantages of small size and simple structure.
Moreover, with the advent of modern control technology, these kinds of platforms with
safety features and sophisticated control functions can be cost down, so that they have high
potential to satisfy stringent requirements of various autonomous service robots with high
speed. At the same time, it is of great interest from control point of view as the inverted
pendulum is a complicated, strongly coupled, unstable and nonlinear system. Therefore, it
is an ideal experimental platform for various control theories and experiments.
To understand such a complex system, the Lagrangian equation has been introduced to
develop a dynamic model. And following the mathematical model, linear quadratic regulator
control and fuzzy adaptive method are proposed for upright stabilization, velocity control
and position control of the system. However, sometimes these kinds of robots need to move
on a slope, so an advanced linear quadratic regulator controller and a modified fuzzy adaptive
controller have been proposed to achieve position control on a slope for the robot while
stabilizing its body in balance. In addition, trajectory tracking control using proportional
integral derivative control and sliding mode control with fuzzy adaptive backstepping method
is also designed to make the robot autonomously navigate in two dimensional plane.
Simulation results indicate that the proposed controllers are capable of providing appropriate
control actions to steer the vehicle in desired manners. Then, a couple of real time experiments
have been conducted to verify the the effectiveness of the developed control strategies.


title: Determining genetic resistance to jack pine budworm defoliation in jack pine from different geographic seed sources across Ontario

subject:
Jack pine budworm
Defoliation
Climate change
Assisted migration
Seed source

abstract:
Jack pine budworm is an outbreak insect that defoliates jack pine forests across Canada.
While it is a native species, the outbreaks can have severe economic impacts, such as
loss of timber volume and increased risk of severe forest fires, and may also require
expensive spray programs to keep the budworm in check. With the climate warming at a
rapid rate, it is expected that the cycle of forest disturbances may increase drastically,
therefore increasing the duration and severity of outbreaks and decreasing the time
between jack pine budworm outbreaks. In this study, I analyzed the defoliation patterns
in a jack pine provenance trial in the Red Lake area in northwestern Ontario which had
recently been the victim of the start of a jack pine budworm outbreak. The original trial
was created in order to see how well certain seed sources would do under the current
rapidly changing climatic conditions. Sources from north-western, central, and southern
Ontario were used in the original provenance trial. In my study, I compared defoliation
severity between the three source locations. I found that seed sources from the north
tolerated jack pine budworm defoliation significantly better than both the central and
southern sources, and that seed sources from central Ontario performed better than the
south as well. The results of this study imply that forest managers should proceed very
cautiously when attempting to start an assisted migration program in hopes to negate the
effects of climate change. While it may seem like a good idea to get ahead of the rising
temperatures, planting foreign seed sources may have devastating unintended
consequences.


title: Comparative study of forest restoration projects in China and Philippines

subject:
Forest restoration
Agriculture sustainability
Community-based forestry
Rural economic development

abstract:
This article mainly compares two restoration projects in developing
countries, one in China and the other in the Philippines. Both developing countries are located in Asia and have similar population
densities, and both have destroyed large tracts of forests because of large
numbers of crops. But the plans and processes of these two projects are quite
different. The restoration project in the Philippines applied the traditional
method of returning farmland to forests to plant fruit trees on the land. In China, a large area of abandoned wasteland has been transformed into a park full of
greenery for people to relax and entertain. Therefore, this article will compare
these two projects with similar premises and backgrounds but completely
different practices through the follow-up development of the project, ecology
and economy, and select a restoration project that is more in line with the local
conditions and benefits the local people.


Constitution of Cyprus and the Cyprus conflict : a historical analysis of dependency


title: Public communication about pandemic influenza : a critical public health ethics analysis / by Laena Maunula.

subject:
Influenza - Prevention
Epidemics - Prevention
Pandemic communication

abstract:
The purpose of this research was two-fold: two-fold: firstly, to critically analyze, using a critical public health ethics perspective, public communication directed toward the population of Ontario regarding a future influenza pandemic and compare this communication with information needs and interests of a sample of this population, and secondly, to examine public preferences for engagement in pandemic planning. First, public communication/education materials developed by Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario) and Health Canada concerning pandemic influenza were analysed using a four
step coding process. Next, survey data was collected regarding general pandemic knowledge, informational needs, desires and expectations, including opinions regarding public engagement from a First Nations and a university sample. Results from the document analysis and survey were compared and analysed using a critical public health ethics lens.
Results indicated that; (a) Considerable overlap exists between the most important topics as identified by respondents and the topics most covered in documents, although several areas in which information desired by respondents was not included in documents, (b) Respondents
underestimated the projected scale and impact of influenza pandemic, (c) Respondents were largely unaware of government pandemic plans including Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan, although expressed great interest in pandemic plans, (d) Respondents were in favour of having
involvement in pandemic decision making at some level, and indicated their preferred methods of participation, (e) Communication documents largely portrayed pandemic influenza as a biomedical issue, and pandemic planning as within the Jurisdiction of experts. Prevention, particularly self-protection behaviours on the part of the individual, was also a dominant theme.
The author posits practical suggestions for improving future public communications.

Study sampling from 2 populations in Northwestern Ontario : students, faculty, staff at Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) and the Lac des Milles Lacs First Nations band (Aboriginal or Native peoples).


title: Towards machine learning enabled future-generation wireless network optimization

contributor:
Choudhury, Salimur
Du, Shan

subject:
Radio-frequency identification networks
Mobile edge computing
Wireless ad-hoc networks
Machine learning

abstract:
We anticipate that there will be an enormous amount of wireless devices connected
to the Internet through the future-generation wireless networks.  Those wireless devices vary
from self-driving vehicles to smart wearable devices and intelligent house- hold electrical
appliances.  Under such circumstances, the network resource optimization faces the challenge of
the requirement of both flexibility and performance.  Current  wireless  communication  still
relies  on  one-size-fits-all  optimization  algorithms, which  require  meticulous  design  and
elaborate  maintenance,  thus  not  flexible  and cannot meet the growing requirements well.  The
future-generation wireless networks should be “smarter”, which means that the artificial
intelligence-driven software-level design will play a more significant role in network
optimization.
In this thesis,  we present three different ways of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and
machine learning (ML) to design network optimization algorithms for three wireless Internet of
things network optimization problems.  Our ML-based approaches cover the use of multi-layer
feed-forward artificial neural network and the graph convolutional  network  as  the  core  of
our  AI  decision-makers.   The  learning  methods are supervised learning (for static
decision-making) and reinforcement learning (for dynamic decision-making).  We demonstrate the
viability of applying ML in future- generation  wireless  network  optimizations  through
extensive  simulations.  We  summarize our discovery on the advantage of using ML in wireless
network optimizations as the following three aspects:
1.  Enabling the distributed decision-making to achieve the performance that near a centralized
solution, without the requirement of multi-hop information;
2.  Tackling with dynamic optimization through distributed self-learning decision- making agents,
instead of designing a sophisticated optimization algorithm;
3.  Reducing the time used in optimizing the solution of a combinatorial optimization problem.
We envision that in the foreseeable future, AI and ML could help network service
designers and operators to improve the network quality of experience swiftly and less
expensively.


title: Separating the recollective and automatic influences on memory using simultaneous judgements about fame and memory for prior occurrence / by Christine J. Kivi

subject: Memory Testing.

abstract:
Two experiments evaluated the utility ofreconstructing exclusion and inclusion
responses which are used in the process dissociation procedure (Jacoby, 1991) from
simultaneous subject responses about fame and recollective memory. In Experiment 1,
subjects studied 60 nonfamous-names with full or divided attention. In Experiment 2,
subjects studied both 60 nonfamous and 60 famous-names under the same attention
conditions. Subjects were tested using either a) separate inclusion and exclusion
judgements offame as described in the process dissociation procedure or b) simultaneous
judgements offame and prior occurrence. In the simultaneous conditions, subjects
responded using a forced-choice paradigm with four choices: A) famous and studied, B)
not famous and studied, C) famous and not studied, or D) not famous and not studied.
I
Inclusion responses were constructed by summing across responses A, B and C, while
exclusion responses were constructed using only response C. Comparisons were made
between reconstructed and actual inclusion and exclusion responses and estimates of
recollective and automatic memory for both test conditions. In addition, the use of
simultaneous judgements provided means to directly calculate the relation between
estimates ofrecollective and automatic memory. In both Experiment 1 and 2 the use of
simultaneous judgements qualitatively replicated findings from separate judgements. For
both test groups, it was found that relative to full attention, divided attention reduced
estimates ofrecollective memory but had no effect on automatic memory performance.
Experiment 1 found negative dependence between the factors ofrecollection and fame
judgements in the simultaneous groups (attributed to a responses bias based on subjects’ knowledge that no famous names were included on the study list), while Experiment 2
found independence between recollective and automatic memory in the simultaneous
groups.


title: Using vehicular traffic count data to estimate the factors driving water-based recreation use in northwestern Ontario, Canada

contributor:
Hunt, Len
McIntyre, Norm
Yuan, Michael

subject:
Lakes
Recreational use
Ontario, Northwestern
Fishing
Outdoor recreation
Boats and boating

abstract: Within Canada's publicly owned forests (i.e., Crown forests), little information is available about how and when people use lakes and rivers for recreation. I report an example of using traffic monitoring to identify both the spatial and temporal patterns of water-based recreational trips for a set of lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canda. To gather recreational trip data, monitoring devices were strategically located along roads and trails that access lakes. I used information about the lakes, roads and trails and user days to help examine variations in spatial and temporal patterns of recreation demand. A fixed effects negative binomial regression model was used to estimate the effect of physical and temporal attributes on daily traffic counts at the water-based sites.


title: Curriculum change in the classroom : a teacher-based inquiry / by Connie Morrice.

subject: Curriculum change Ontario

subject: Elementary schools Ontario Curricula

subject: Elementary school teachers Ontario Attitudes

abstract:
This is an enthnographic study of six elementary classroom teachers in a large
southern Ontario school board of over 100 schools. The study addresses the
problem of reconciling commonly assumed theories in the field and the theories-inaction
that guide the daily practice of teachers in their classrooms by attempting to
ascertain what teachers' practical and theoretical knowledge looks like, and how it
is applied in the arena of educational change. The main purpose of the study is to
develop an in depth understanding of the teachers' personal and professional stance
with regard to curriculum change in the classroom. Qualitative methods are
employed for exploring the teachers' perceptions of change. Interviews are used
primarily for data collection. The study indicates that the teachers deal with
multiple changes within commonly-defined elements of program. They approach
change through four dispositions or frames of mind: the procedural, practical,
personal and perceptional. A conceptual framework is developed that represents an
organizer that is immediately applicable and relevant to the classroom. Implications
for teacher-practitioners are to build capacities for focussing on the manageable
aspects of change through the four dispositions. Theorists need to acknowledge an
expanded role for teachers as decision-makers, self-directed learners and leaders.
Therefore, implications for the field include support through resource allocation,
personalization of staff development, flexibility of choice and structure, and
integration of theory with practice.


title: Walleye (Sander vitreus) movement ecology in Lake Winnipeg, Canada

contributor:
Rennie, Michael
O'Connor, Connie
Shuter, Brian

subject: Walleye (Sander vitreus)

subject: Freshwater ecosystems

subject: Management & conservation (aquatic species)

subject: Freshwater fish (migration)

abstract:
Identifying differences in movement behaviour and the variance in behavioural
strategies that may exist across a single species occupying a heterogeneous landscape
can provide valuable ecological and evolutionary insights; taking movement
heterogeneity into account in management and conservation efforts may ultimately
improve the sustainability of species with significant economic and ecological value,
such as walleye (Sander vitreus). Lake Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) supports the
second largest commercial fishery for walleye in North America. The lake is divided into
two relatively separate basins connected by an intermediate channel, which differ
dramatically in both abiotic and biotic features. Despite this, little is known about
whether (or how) walleye move or use variable habitats throughout the lake.
Historical mark-recapture models from tagged walleye revealed low but
measurable rates (0.3-1.2%) of movement annually between the north and south basins
of Lake Winnipeg. Contemporary estimates using acoustic telemetry data detected a
greater but comparably low rate of transition between the basins annually for walleye
(7-8.5%). Both historical and current models revealed that movement was more likely to
occur in a south to north direction. Additionally, annual survival across both basins of
the lake was higher historically (54%) then it is currently (37%).
To further investigate contemporary patterns of inter-basin movement, I
assessed female walleye tagged across the south. I uncovered repeatable patterns of
individual fish movement, where migratory walleye consistently travelled into the north basin for a period of time, and resident walleye remained within the south basin. I found
that migrants significantly increased home (95%) and core (50%) ranges during the
summer and fall associated with a northern shift in latitudinal distribution. Finally,
putative repeat spawning in the year following tagging appeared to be greater for
migrants (65%) compared to residents (40%). This thesis describes the first formal
description of walleye movement in Lake Winnipeg, and suggests connections between
movement patterns (i.e., migrants and residents) to potential differences in life history
(i.e., differential probability of repeat spawning). Direct movement results presented
here should prove useful to fisheries management and policy for both commercial and
recreational activities across the separately managed basins of Lake Winnipeg.


title: The Coming and Going of Eugenics in Alberta: A Discarded History, 1928 to 1972

contributor:
Stevenson, Michael
Beaulieu, Michel

subject: Eugenics

abstract:
Eugenics. The term brings to light a dark history. From 1928 to 1972, Canada, specifically
Alberta, championed eugenic programs as a means to control and eliminate feeblemindedness
within society. Influenced by the theories of Francis Galton and the actions of other countries
such as the United States, Alberta championed eugenics and introduced the Sexual Sterilization
Act in 1928. Over a forty-four year period, the Eugenics Board approved the sterilization of
thousands and operated on roughly half of those approved. These individuals were targets of
circumstance and until recently largely forgotten.
In the past, historians have mainly studied eugenics in Alberta from a top-down perspective. In
doing so, they have focused more on the Sexual Sterilization Act itself and the institutions that
not only housed those deemed mentally unfit, but carried out operations. This thesis, however,
takes a bottom-up approach. In doing so, more focus is placed on the individuals affected by this
atrocity. Moreover, importantly the voices of the survivors willing to tell their story, either
through documentation found in the Provincial Archives of Alberta or through personal
interviews found on the newly created Living Archives on Eugenics in Western Canada website,
rise above the institutional histories.


title: A Case Study of Journey Mapping to Create a Palliative Care Pathway for Naotkamegwanning First Nation: An Analysis and Lessons Learning using Participatory Action Research

contributor:
Kelley, Mary Lou
Wiersma, Elaine C.

subject: Community-based palliative care

subject: Naotkamegwanning First Nation

subject: End-of-life care in First Nations communities

abstract: There is little known about how to conduct an effective journey mapping process to design a care pathway for First Nations community members who would benefit by having access to local, community-based palliative care programs. This research analyzed a unique journey mapping process that was developed and implemented collaboratively by a Leadership Team of community members in Naotkamegwanning First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, and the members of an EOLFN Research Team based at Lakehead University. The purpose of the journey mapping process was to create the care pathway to guide providing integrated palliative home care for community members who choose to die at home. This thesis analyzes that journey mapping process and offers lessons learned and promising practices that may be applicable for use in other First Nations communities.


title: A mechanism for simplified scanner control with application to MRI-guided interventions

abstract:
Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI)-guided interventions involving percutaneous biopsies of
lesions, or trajectory alignment with prospective stereotaxy are conducted in real time using rapid
image acquisition. A mechanism of passively localizing a device and calculating its orientation
is desired to improve interventional outcomes in these situations. In this work, we propose and
evaluate an image-based technique to determine the position and alignment of a linearly shaped
interventional device within an ex-vivo tissue specimen. Low resolution 3D orientation scan data
is processed to produce a virtual line  tting using principal component analysis. The line  tting
algorithm was incorporated into a biopsy needle tracking system implemented with an MRscanner
operated using a footswitch. A GUI application was written to collect foot pedal input
and display automated visualization of device placement inside the scanner room. Placement time
trials (N=3) conducted with this system using porcine muscle and phantom samples suspended
in rigid frames with inserted gadolinium-enhanced targets. The mean targeting error across
all directions was 3:6 mm and 5:1 mm for the phantom trials and ex-vivo trials respectively.
The average entry-to-target time was 247 sec. Device localization during trials was adequate to
contain a 11-gauge titanium biopsy needle within a visualization slice volume of 10 mm after
93:8% of alignments over insertion lengths between 30 mm to 110 mm at insertion angles between
1:4  to 20  from the static magnetic  eld and frequency encoding axes. Practical considerations
were identi ed and occupational exposure measurements were collected as part of determining
the system's overall feasibility.


title: The Whitesand River: An assessment of brook trout habitat suitability following mine site closure

subject: Acid neutralizing capabilities

subject: Brook trout ecology

subject: Effects of mining activities on water resources

subject: Mine influenced waters

subject: Waterbody biological health

abstract:
The Winston Lake Mine operated from 1988-1999 within the Whitesand
River watershed located near Schreiber, ON. Operations resulted in releases of
elevated cations and anions from tailings pond discharges above Cleaver Lake.
The lake entered a period of meromictic stagnation but has since been reported
to be experiencing seasonal turnover as a product of natural remediation. The
overall goal of environmental studies in the watershed is to determine the
likelihood of a successful reintroduction of brook trout. Suitable habitat within
Cleaver Lake and the outflow into the Whitesand River is required for this to
occur. This thesis involved the Whitesand River. Water quality data provided by
First Quantum Minerals was used to assess the potential effect of heavy metals,
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, temperature and
water hardness on survivability of brook trout. Comparison of pre-operational
data and recent water quality records indicated the return of examined water
quality and benthic invertebrate populations to conditions statistically similar to
the historical habitat. Rising seasonal temperatures were identified as an area of
concern having potential to impact future health of cold-water fish communities in
the river.


title: Effects of depressed pH on reproduction, growth and survival of flagfish, Jordanella floridae (Good and Bean)

subject:
Flagfish
Fishes Physiology
Hydrogen-ion concentration

abstract:
Breeding communities of flagflsh {Jordanella floridae) were exposed
to adjusted pH levels of 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5 and 4.0 for 21 days.
Control water (pH 7.5) received no acid treatment. Egg production was
significantly reduced (p<.05) at pH 6.0 relative to control, and a termination,
of spawning occurred below this test level. Control eggs
were Incubated at test levels where spawning had not occurred. Hatching
success was Impaired at pH 4.5 with a significant decrease (p<.01)
at pH 4.0. Hatching time was variable but no significant relationship
was found between hatching time and hydrogen ion activity.
Fry mortality was significantly increased (p .01) with decreasing
pH between treatment groups pH 6.0, 5.5 and 5.0. All fry died within
72 hours at pH 4.5 and no fry survived the first 24 hours at pH 4.0.
The final mean weights and lengths of the fry were significantly reduced
(p<.01) at pH 5.5 relative to control.
Spawning resumed within three days following the return of the pH
4.5 test levels to control conditions. A histological examination of
the ovaries from the control and pH 5.5 females revealed no obvious
differences.
Results of the present study concur with other reproductive Investigations
of flagflsh, brook trout and fathead minnows Indicating
a pH decline below 6.5 may result in reproductive impairment.


title: Assessing patterns of family functioning and family strengths in the families of preschoolers with developmental delays, behaviour problems, and both / by Jessica Franks.

subject: Family assessment

subject: Children with disabilities - Family relationships

subject: Preschool children - Family relationships

subject: Family strengths

abstract:
Theories of family functioning, which identify important processes or components of family structure and interactions, have a common flaw of bipolarity, with 'functioning well' at one end of the spectrum and 'dysfunctional' at the other end. This results in the loss of important information about the positive characteristics of families, family strengths. Prior research has indicated that families of preschool aged children with behaviour problems or developmental delays demonstrate distinct patterns of family functioning characteristics. Though little research has explored family strengths, there is some indication that patterns of family strengths differ between families facing different challenges.  The present study attempted to clarify and explore the distinct characteristics of family functioning and family strengths that occur in the families of
preschool aged children with behaviour problems, developmental delays, and both. Participants were 34 primary caregivers of 3 to 6 year old children recruited through the public school system and two clinical agencies. Participants completed the Family Assessment Measure (FAM-111), the Family Functioning Style Scale (FFSS), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), to assess family functioning, family strengths, and behavioural problems respectively. Results of this study suggest that both severity of behavioural problems and presence of developmental delay
are sigmficantly related to the overall level and specific characteristics of family functioning and family strengths in the preschool population.


title: Ontogeny of the fetal immune response to maternal smoking in relation to allergic asthma

subject:
Pregnant women Tobacco use
Allergy in infants
Fetus Effect of tobacco on

abstract: The relationship between maternal smoking and the prenatal origins of allergic disease was studied in 78 mothers (in Thunder Bay, Ontario) and their newborns with a sensitive test for interleukin-4, interferon-y, and cotinine as a biological marker to validate smoking data.

abstract:
The relationship between maternal smoking and the prenatal origins of allergic disease
was studied in 78 unselected mothers and their corresponding newborns with a sensitive
test for interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-y (IFN-y), and cotinine as a biological marker to
validate smoking data. For both maternal [F(3, 74) = 26.43, g < .0001] and cord blood
cotinine [F(3, 74) = 25.2, p < .0001] significantly higher levels were observed for
smokers compared to non-smokers in a dose-response pattern and a high correlation was
found between maternal and cord blood cotinine serum, r = .87, g < .0001, indicating a
good method to confirm the presence of maternal smoking. No association was observed
between cord blood IL-4 and maternal smoking, maternal serum cotinine, or cord blood
cotinine, respectively. An association was observed between maternal IL-4 and cord
blood IL-4, r = .37, g < .01, suggesting a maternal-fetal cytokine interaction. Newborn
birth weight significantly decreased as a function of daily maternal smoking, and
maternal and cord blood cotinine, in a dose-response manner. Data on maternal smoking
effects on selected perinatal variables are reported. Discussion of the pertinence of
additional studies required to elucidate mechanisms involved in prenatal sensitization in
relation to maternal smoking are discussed.