title: The Relationship Between Borderline Personality Features and Depressive and Generalized Anxiety Symptoms in a Sample of Treatment-Seeking Perinatal Women

contributor:
Frey, Benicio
Neuroscience

subject:
borderline personality disorder
borderline personality features
perinatal period
perinatal mental health

abstract:
Introduction: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by emotion dysregulation, interpersonal dysfunction, and poor impulse control. Little research has investigated BPD in the context of major life events. The perinatal period (pregnancy until 12 months postpartum) is an important milestone that involves major role transitions and novel challenges. This thesis examined the associations between borderline personality features (BPF) and depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms in a sample of treatment-seeking perinatal women.

Methods: 74 perinatal women were recruited from the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic (WHCC) at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Canada, and enrolled in the WHCC Registry study. Participants were sent online intake questionnaires to collect data about demographic, personality, and other psychosocial variables. They also completed three self-report mental health measures: the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Logistic regression was used to determine whether a positive MSI-BPD screen (score ≥ 7) was associated with a higher likelihood of screening positive on the EPDS or GAD-7 (score ≥ 13).

Results: A positive screen on the MSI-BPD was significantly associated with an almost eighteen-fold increase in the odds of screening positive on the EPDS in our treatment-seeking perinatal sample (OR 17.84, 95% CI[2.11, 218.80], p<0.05). A positive screen on the MSI-BPD was not associated with higher odds of screening positive on the GAD-7, rather only childhood trauma and a positive screen on the EPDS emerged as significant predictor variables. Our findings may reflect the greater symptomatic overlap observed between BPD and perinatal depression as well as the comparatively lower comorbidity observed between GAD and BPD in non-perinatal research.

Conclusions and Future Directions: The use of self-report measures, low statistical power, and a treatment-seeking sample are limitations to consider when interpreting our findings. To our knowledge, this research study offers one of the first explorations into the relationship between BPD and generalized anxiety symptoms during the perinatal period. Future research should aim to better characterize perinatal BPD and investigate its relationship with other mental health conditions.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: The perinatal period (pregnancy until 12 months postpartum) represents a time of heightened vulnerability to poor mental health. Prior research has mainly focused on perinatal depression and anxiety, while perinatal personality disorders have received comparably less attention. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with diminished ability to regulate emotions, disturbances in self-image, troubled interpersonal relationships, and impulsive behaviour. This thesis investigated the relationship between self-reported borderline personality features (BPF) and depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms in a sample of perinatal women seeking treatment at a psychiatric clinic. We hope that this research sheds light on the nature of perinatal BPD, as well as its associations with other mental health conditions, to improve both immediate and multi-generational maternal and infant well-being.


title: A DNAZYME-LINKED SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION ASSAY FOR BACTERIAL BIOSENSING

contributor:
Brennan, John D.
Chemical Biology

subject: Functional Nucleic Acids, Rolling Circle Amplification, Isothermal Amplification, Bioassays, Biosensing

abstract: RNA-cleaving DNAzymes (RCDs) are a class of functional nucleic acids that can bind various targets ranging in size from small molecules to large proteins, which results in activation of cleavage activity. The activation of RCDs results in the cleavage of a ribonucleotide site in an otherwise all-DNA substrate, leading to two cleavage fragments. In this work, a previously identified DNAzyme that binds to a protein biomarker endogenous to Helicobacter pylori (J99) crude extracellular matrix was evaluated for coupling to an isothermal amplification method termed rolling circle amplification (RCA) as a way to improve the originally reported detection limit. Three RCD constructs were designed with the goal of generating a cleavage fragment that could act as a primer to initiate RCA. The first method used the original HP DNAzyme, which liberated a short cleavage fragment that could be used as a primer. However, the primer fragment was rapidly digested by the bacterial matrix, preventing RCA. A second method evaluated use of a circularized substrate and separate RCD to generate a primer, however this system was not capable of generating a cleavage fragment. A final method redesigned the original RCD to move the substrate region from the 3’ to the 5’ end of the RCD, causing the longer RCD-containing fragment to be the primer for RCA. In this case, target-triggered cleavage was observed and the resulting primer was sufficiently resistant to digestion to allow its use as a primer for RCA. Preliminary characterization of the rearranged RCD showed that it retained selectivity similar to the original RCD, but that the cleavage rate was slower. In addition, the RCA based reaction, while successful, did not produce improved detection sensitivity relative to unamplified assays. Methods to further improve RCA performance are discussed for future work.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Identifying Epidemiological and Genetic Factors Underlying the Disparity in Incidence and Outcomes of Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC) in Women of African Ancestry (WAA)

title: Triple Negative Breast Cancer and African Ancestry

contributor:
Daniel, Juliet
Biology

subject:
breast cancer
triple negative breast cancer
women of African ancestry
racial disparities
Kaiso
whole exome sequencing
bioinformatics
epidemiology
systematic review
meta-analysis

abstract:
Breast cancer (BCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related female deaths worldwide and is a complex disease consisting of many different subtypes with varying clinical course and outcomes. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive and highly metastatic subtype, is most prevalent in women of African ancestry (WAA) but the causes of this disparity are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and genetic profiles in ancestrally-related WAA in Barbados and Nigeria to advance knowledge and lay the foundation for development of improved or novel BCa therapeutics.
To gain insight about TNBC across the African continent, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. TNBC frequencies on average across Africa were estimated at 26.8% but were highest in West African countries (46.0%). We also sought to identify the epidemiological profile of BCa in Barbados—a Caribbean island with significant West African ancestry. We reviewed pathological reports for BCa from the sole public hospital in Barbados and compared those data with USA population-based data. We found a high prevalence of high prevalence of TNBC amongst women diagnosed with breast cancer in Barbados (25%), compared to 21% in non-Hispanic Black and 10% in non-Hispanic White women in the USA for the 2010-2016 period. We also investigated the somatic mutational profile of WAA with TNBC in Barbados and Nigeria using whole exome sequencing (WES) of formalin-fixed paraffinembedded TNBC tissues. This investigation revealed novel and pathogenic variants in well-known cancer-associated genes such as TP53, BRCA1 and MDC1. The somatic mutation signature in Nigerian tissues correlated with aflatoxin signature, implying a role for environmental factors influencing the genomics profile in this cohort. Copy number variants were revealed at high frequencies for PIK3CA, FGFR2 and HIF1AN genes. Collectively, these findings uncovered novel epidemiological and genetic trends in WAA
with high prevalence of the aggressive TNBC subtype

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Breast cancer (BCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Although Caucasian women are diagnosed with BCa more than women of African ancestry (WAA), more WAA unfortunately die from BCa. The reasons for this disparity are currently unknown, however, a higher proportion of WAA are diagnosed with an aggressive type of BCa called triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This might partially explain the high cancer death rate in WAA. To understand this disparity in BCa incidence and outcomes, we investigated TNBC disease trends across the African continent and in Barbados (a Caribbean island with predominantly African ancestry) and found a high proportion of TNBC diagnoses in Barbados and West African countries. We also discovered a novel genetic profile within these groups that may be useful to develop new cancer therapies that would decrease TNBC aggressiveness and death in these populations.


title: CIRCULATORY AND SKELETAL MUSCLE EXOSOME RESPONSE IN OLD PARTICIPANTS FOLLOWING A 12-WEEK RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM

contributor: Medical Sciences (Cell Biology and Metabolism)

subject: Sarcopenia, aging, exercise, exosomes, extracellular vesicles, miRNA

abstract: Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive loss of skeletal muscle (SkM) mass, function, and strength. It has been well elucidated that resistance exercise can attenuate the development of sarcopenia. A population of extracellular vesicles, termed ‘exosomes’ (EXO), can contain microRNA and facilitates intercellular communication, including within SkM, though the response to prolonged training is not well understood. Given the potential role of SkM-derived exosomes in the response to exercise, we examined older adults (n = 30, OLD) before (PRE) and after a 12-week (POST), resistance training program. Healthy, young controls (n = 12, YNG) were used for comparison of baseline measures. Exosomes were isolated from platelet-free plasma using size exclusion chromatography in combination with ultracentrifugation (SEC-UC) and characterized via western blotting, nanoparticle tracking analysis and electron microscopy. To assess exosome biogenesis and miRNA synthesis in skeletal muscle, biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis. Circulating EXO-enclosed and SkM miRNA expression was measured using RT-PCR.  In SEC-UC isolates, EXO-markers CD81 and CD9 were significantly lower in PRE compared to YNG (p<0.05) but did not change with training. At baseline, ALIX, TSG101 and CD63 (markers of exosomes) were not altered with aging as compared to YNG; however, their expression significantly increased with training (p<0.05) Circulating EXO-derived mir-1, -133, -23 and -27a were significantly lower in expression of OLD participants as compared to YNG. Following resistance training, their expression significantly increased (p<0.05), returning to a YNG phenotype. Next, we aimed to investigate the contribution of skeletal muscle in the exosome responses. Our data indicate that a small fraction of circulatory exosomes may originate from skeletal muscle. In addition, in biopsy-derived SkM tissue, expression of proteins involved in EXO and miRNA biogenesis (Alix, XPO-5, DICER) were significantly higher in PRE compared to YNG (p<0.05), and further increased with resistance training (POST, p<0.05). Expression of Rab27a, a marker of exosome trafficking, was significantly higher in PRE (p<0.05) but did not respond to training. In conclusion, here we show alterations in circulating EXO content and cargo with age and resistance training partially restores the values to a younger phenotype.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS)

abstract: Aging is the slow and time-dependent process that our organs, down to the cellular level, deteriorate in function reducing the biological fitness of our bodies. Aging specific to skeletal muscle, or sarcopenia, is especially important because skeletal muscle makes up 40% of our weight, is essential for posture, balance, locomotion and breathing.  Sarcopenic individuals have low muscle mass, strength, and function and as a result are associated with low independence in activities of daily living and increased risks of falls and fractures. Exercise, and in particular resistance training, has been shown to be beneficial and cost-effective in treating sarcopenia and delaying aging throughout the body. Part of the underlying mechanism regarding how exercise affects us in a multi-systemic manner is not well understood. We know that skeletal muscle releases a multitude of molecular factors during exercise. Amongst them, extracellular vesicles and specifically exosomes are worth investigating because they have been shown to function in intercellular communication by delivering molecular signals, called microRNAs, from origin cells to recipient cells throughout the body. In this thesis project, we investigate exosomes in circulation of older individuals before and after a 12-week resistance training program. We found that aging alters the exosome pool in circulation as well as their miRNA content. After resistance training, many of miRNAs altered with age, return to levels comparable to young. In addition, we showed that at the skeletal muscle level, aging and resistance training affect exosome biogenesis and miRNA expressions. In conclusion, we provide evidence that aging significantly alters circulatory exosomes and miRNA and show that resistance training normalizes the miRNA profile to levels seen in exosomes derived from young plasma. How exosomes and their molecular signals change with aging and how exercise affects them gives us an insight on how exercise elicits multi-systemic benefits against aging and sarcopenia.


title: Quantification of Low-Level Cyanobacteria Using A Microflow Cytometry Platform for Early Warning of Potential Cyanobacterial Blooms

title: A Microflow Cytometry Based Platform For Biosensing

contributor:
Xu, Changqing
Biomedical Engineering

subject:
Microflow cytometer
Cyanobacterial blooms
Early warning
Microfluidic devices
Bacterial Filtration
Pre-enrichment process

abstract:
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae for a long time, are the most ancient and problematic bloom-forming phylum on earth. An alert levels framework has been established by World Health Organization(WHO) to prevent the potential harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Normally, low cyanobacteria levels are found in surface water. 2000 cyanobacterial cells/mL and 100,000 cyanobacterial cells/mL are established for WHO Alert Level 1 and 2, respectively. However, eutrophication, climate change and other factors may promote the spread of cyanobacteria and increase the occurrence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in water on a global scale. Hence, a rapid real time cyanobacteiral monitoring system is required to protect public health from the cyanotoxins produced by toxic cyanobacterial species.
Current methods to control or prevent the development of harmful cyanobacterial blooms are either expensive, time consuming or not eﬀective in the long term. The best method to control the blooms is to prevent the formation of the blooms at the very beginning. Although emerging advanced autoﬂuorescence-based sensors, imaging ﬂow cytometry applications, and remote sensing have been utilized for rapid real-time enumeration and classiﬁcation of cyanobacteria, the need to accurately monitor low-level cyanobacterial species in water remains unsolved.
Microﬂow cytometry has been employed as a functional cell analysis technique in past decades, and it can provide real-time, accurate results. The autoﬂuorescence of cyanobacterial pigments can be used for determination and counting of cyanobacterial density in water. A pre-concentration system of an automated cyanobacterial concentration and recovery system (ACCRS) based on tangential ﬂow ﬁltration and back-ﬂushing technique was applied to reduce the sample assay volume and increase the concentration of target cells for further cell capture and detection. In this project, a microﬂow cytometry platform with a microﬂuidic device and an automated pre-concentration system was established to monitor cyanobacteria and provide early warning alerts for potential harmful blooms.
In this work, quantiﬁcation of low-level cyanobacterial samples (∼ 5 cyanobacterial cells/mL) in water has been achieved by using a microﬂow cytometer together with a
pre-concentration system (ACCRS). Meanwhile, this platform can also provide early warning alerts for potential harmful cyanobacterial blooms at least 15 days earlier before reaching WHO Alert Level 1. Results have shown that this platform can be applied for rapid determination of cyanobacteria and early warning alerts can be triggered for authorities to protect the public and the environment.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Engineering (DEng)

abstract:
Harmful cyanobacterial blooms have been a rising risk to the public heath across the world in recent decades. Alert levels of cyanobacteria in water has also been established. In this case, a rapid on-side monitoring system for cyanobacteria is required. In this thesis, a microﬂow cytometer platform combined with a bacterial concentration and recovery system was built to quickly monitor the relatively low level of cyanobacteria for early warning alerts. A pre-enrichment system based on tangential ﬂow ﬁltration and back-ﬂushing technique was applied to increase the concentration levels of microbial samples and a microﬂuidic device capable of collecting phycocyanin ﬂuorescence was designed to count cyanobacterial cells. The limit of quantiﬁcation for cyanobacterial concentration based on the microﬂow cytometry platform was as low as ∼ 5 cells/mL. We can claim that the microﬂow cytometry platform can provide useful early warning alerts for the decision-makers to control the potential harmful
cyanobacterial blooms at the very early stage and protect the aquatic animals and public health.


title: TRANSCRIPTOMIC AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIVIRAL EFFECTS OF ESTRADIOL ON HSV-2 INFECTION IN HUMAN VAGINAL EPITHELIAL CELLS

contributor:
Kaushic, Charu
Medicine

subject: HSV-2 Estrogen Antiviral Virus Hormones

abstract:
Background:
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the primary cause of genital herpes, is one of the most widespread, lifelong sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Incidence is disproportionately higher in women compared to men, so a better understanding of vaginal transmission, the primary mode for HSV-2 infection in women, is crucial for developing preventative strategies. Female sex hormone, estrogen (E2), has been shown to play a protective role against sexually transmitted viral infections and previous studies have shown that vaginal epithelial cells treated with E2 are protected against HSV-2 infection; however, the underlying mechanism of E2 protection remains unclear, so a transcriptome analysis followed by functional studies was performed.

Method of Study:
In this study, VK2/E6E7 (vaginal epithelial) cells were used to study HSV-2 entry, infection and replication. VK2s were grown in Air-Liquid-Interface (ALI) cultures, allowing for their proliferation and stratified layer formation in transwells; closely mimicking physiological conditions. Media was supplemented with no hormone (NH) or physiological concentrations of E2, P4 and MPA for 7 days. After 24 hours of HSV-2 infection in these cultures, VK2 cells were lysed and processed for RNA isolation. We performed a comprehensive genome-wide microarray to profile gene expression of VK2 cells pre-treated with and without E2, prior to, and following HSV-2 infection. For data analysis, “R” software was used to perform all pre-processing steps and normalization. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify potential cellular pathways regulated by E2 after infection using the Hallmark database, relative to NH conditions. Immunofluorescence staining was used for functional analysis to confirm transcriptomic data. After selecting a pathway for investigation, small-molecule inhibitors and activators of this pathway were used in combination with NH or E2. Vero plaque assay and HSV-2-GFP infection were used to identify examine the protective effects of E2 and the selected pathway. In addition, we also used siRNA to specifically knockdown proteins part of the pathway and investigate the specific effects on protection against HSV-2.

Results:
Microarray analysis indicated that exposure to HSV-2 in the presence of E2 resulted in differential transcriptional profile compared to NH and P4. GSEA assigned one of the highest enrichment scores to the p53 pathway compared to other pathways under the influence of E2 compared to NH, following HSV-2 infection. Studies to correlate bioinformatic results with functional analysis showed significant increase in p53 protein expression after E2 treatment compared to NH. Vero plaque assay demonstrated 10-fold decrease in viral replication following E2 treatment as well as by direct activation of p53 in absence of E2. In contrast, p53 inhibition even in the presence of E2 resulted in 100-fold increased viral replication compared to E2 alone, suggesting that the p53 is involved in E2-mediated protection. We deduced that E2 particularly affects HSV-2 replication and not entry into VK2 cells. We also found that BST2 is strongly regulated by E2-mediated p53 and also contributes to protection against HSV-2. Lastly, we demonstrated that E2 demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects that correlate with its increase in barrier integrity seen with VK2s.

Conclusions:
With bioinformatic and functional analysis, we found that E2 provides protection through the p53 pathway, as well as through downstream BST2. Our data provides the first comprehensive overview of host cellular responses to HSV-2 and female sex hormones at a transcriptional level and highlights the protective role of E2-mediated p53 pathway. This study is the first to deduce the antiviral mechanism of E2 against HSV-2 infection in human vaginal epithelial cells.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Misreporting of coverage and cost-related non-adherence to prescription drugs: an analysis using the Canadian Community Health Survey

contributor:
Guindon, G. Emmanuel
Sweetman, Arthur
Anderson, Laura
Health Research Methodology

subject: Misreporting prescription drug insurance

subject: Cost-related non adherence

abstract:
Background: Canada is the only developed country with universal healthcare but no universal prescription drug coverage. Prescription drug coverage in Canada is often described as a “patchwork” system; eligibility for coverage varies by province and influenced by circumstance. Subsets of the population are eligible for partial or full provincial coverage for their prescription medications through public and/or private coverage.

Methods: The extent and factors associated with misreporting of drug insurance and cost-related non-adherence (CRNA) to prescribed medicines were investigated in three study populations: Ontario seniors 65 and over, Quebec seniors 65 and over, and Quebec adults 25-64 using pooled data from the 2015/2016 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).  The rationale for these study cohorts was that the vast majority had partial or full coverage for prescription medications from a public and/or private source. The factors associated with CRNA to prescribed medicines were also explored in these three subgroups.

Results: There is a degree of misreporting of drug insurance among Ontario seniors (17%), Quebec seniors (18%) and Quebec adults (9%). Quebec adults who declared CRNA to prescribed drugs had twice the odds of misreporting prescription drug coverage (OR 2.1 95% CI 1.3-3.4). Lower-income earners among Ontario seniors (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.6), Quebec seniors (OR 1.7 95% CI 1.2-2.6), and Quebec adults (OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.3-5.1) were more likely to misreport coverage. Quebec seniors were more likely to misreport if they had less than a secondary school education (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8). Ontario seniors who were immigrants were more likely to misreport coverage (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.8), as were Quebec seniors who were immigrants (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.5). Ontario seniors who had a flu shot in the past 12 months (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-9.9) and Quebec adults who had visited a GP in the past 12 months (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.45,0.77) were less likely to misreport coverage. CRNA to prescribed drugs was reported by Ontario seniors (3.3%), Quebec seniors (2.5%), and Quebec adults (5.3%). Low-income Ontario seniors (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-5.7) and Quebec adults (2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.8) were more likely to report CRNA to prescribed medicines. Quebec adults with chronic conditions (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4) and those in self-reported poor health (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.4) were also more likely to report CRNA to prescribed drugs.

Conclusions: There appears to be a socio-economic gradient in misreporting and CRNA among Ontario seniors, Quebec seniors, and Quebec adults. Given most of these subgroups will have coverage, we hypothesize a degree of measurement error among responses. More specifically, respondents who report CRNA to prescribed medicines may reflect measurement error.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract:
Canada is a country that prides itself on universal healthcare yet lacks an important component - universal prescription drug coverage. Hence, it is often described as a “patchwork system” whereby Canadians must rely on a combination of public and private drugs plans depending upon circumstance. As a result, a proportion of Canadians lack prescription drug coverage and may be unable to afford prescription medications.

This study aimed to investigate self-reported knowledge of prescription drug insurance in three populations: Ontario seniors 65 years and over, Quebec seniors 65 years and older, and Quebec adults 25-64 years old. The determinants of misreporting of drug insurance among these study populations was the primary objective of this analysis. The association between cost-related nonadherence (CRNA) to prescribed drugs and misreporting was a key variable in the analysis. Although only a small proportion of respondents reported CRNA to prescribed drugs, Quebec adults 25-64 were more likely to misreport drug coverage if they also reported CRNA.

This study has provided some clarity on the factors that influence misreporting of drug insurance by Ontario seniors, Quebec seniors, and Quebec adults. Given health policy decisions are often guided by studies based on this data, researchers may consider a degree of misreporting in responses. Policy should aim to reduce misunderstandings about their drug coverage.


title: Surfactant-Enhanced Gallium Arsenide (111) Epitaxial Growth for Quantum Photonics

contributor:
Lewis, Ryan
Engineering Physics

subject: Gallium Arsenide (111)

subject: Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED)

subject: Epitaxial growth

subject: Molecular beam epitaxy

subject: Bismuth

subject: Surfactants

subject: Quantum Photonics

subject: Quantum Dots

subject: Quantum Nanostrcutures

abstract:
In this thesis, the effect of surfactants (Bi /Sb) on GaAs(111) is explored, particularly
in regards to modifying the surface morphology and growth kinetics. Both molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD)
techniques are discussed in this context. InAs/GaAs(111) quantum dots (QDs) have
been promoted as leading candidates for efficient entangled photon sources, owing
to their high degree of symmetry (c_3v). Unfortunately, GaAs(111) suffers from a
defect-ridden homoepitaxial buffer layer, and the InAs/GaAs(111) material system
does not natively support Stranski{Krastanov InAs QD growth. Surfactants have
been identified as effective tools to alter grown surface morphologies and growth
modes, potentially overcoming these obstacles, but have yet to be studied in detail
in this context. For MBE, it is shown that Bi acts as a surfactant when employed in
GaAs(111) homoepitaxy, and eliminates defects/hillocks, yielding atomically-smooth
surfaces with step-flow growth, and RMS roughness values of 0.13 nm. The effect
is more pronounced as the Bi flux increases, and Bi is suggested to be increasing
adatom diffusion. A novel reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED)-based
experiment was also designed and performed to measure the desorption activation
energy (U_Des) of Bi on GaAs(111), yielding U_Des = 1.74 ± 0.38 eV. GaAs(111) homoepitaxy was also investigated using MOCVD, with GaAs(111)B exhibiting RMS roughness values of 0.09 nm. Sb is shown to provoke a morphological transition from
plastically-relaxed 2D to 3D growth for InAs/GaAs(111)B, showing promise in its
ability to induce QDs. Finally, simulations for GaAs-based quantum well (QW) photoluminescence were conducted, and such QWs are shown to potentially produce very
sharp linewidths of 3.9 meV. These results enhance understanding of Bi surfactant
behaviour on GaAs(111) and can open up its use in many technological applications,
paving the way for the realization of high efficiency/viable QD entangled photon
sources.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: SATELLITE CELLS AND MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY TYPE 1 (DM1)

title: CHARARACTERIZATION OF SATELLITE CELLS AND ASSOCIATED MYOGENIC DEFECTS IN DM1 WITH AEROBIC TRAINING

subject: DM1, muscle stem cells, myotonic dystrophy type 1, satellite cells, aerobic training, exercise

abstract: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant and progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by the CTG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 3’ untranslated region of the DMPK gene. Clinical manifestations include extensive atrophy of skeletal muscle (SkM) concomitant with muscle weakness, that develops in a distal to proximal fashion. Central to muscle plasticity is the satellite cell (SC), a muscle specific stem cell that, upon activation, facilitates muscle repair and regeneration. To date, SCs have yet to be elucidated in DM1; therefore, the aim of the present study was to extensively characterize the PAX7+ SC population, along with other indices of muscle quality in SkM. DM1 patients (6 women, 5 men) performed stationary cycling 3 times per week for 12wks, with biopsies taken from the Vastus lateralis pre- (PRE) and post-endurance exercise intervention (POST). Age-matched, healthy controls (CTRL) were used for comparison of baseline measures. Type 1 and 2 myofiber-specific PAX7+ cells were significantly greater in DM1 patients (PRE), in comparison to CTRL (2.24- and 1.84-fold, respectively), with type 2 SC content further increasing following training (p<0.05). In addition, protein expression of myogenic regulatory factors PAX7 and myogenin were significantly higher in DM1 compared to CTRL, with no training effects observed. Both immunohistochemical and immunoblotting analysis showed that activated MYOD+/PAX7+ cells did not significantly differ in DM1 vs. CTRL. FISH- IF analysis of CUG repeats show that 30% of SCs in DM1 were positive for these inclusions.  Muscle capillarization was significantly lower in type 2 fibers in DM1 vs CTRL, which was fully rescued with training (p<0.05). At baseline, DM1 muscle showed the presence of de novo and fat infiltrated fibres, as well as fibrosis, that were relatively non-existent in the CTRL. In vitro results show patient-derived myoblasts exhibit a proliferation defect. Furthermore, myoblasts showed impairments in both glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, with the latter being completely normalized to CTRL in myotubes. Our novel findings display an increased, albeit non-functional, SC pool in DM1 SkM indicated by disturbances in the myogenic program and overall poor muscle quality. We show that both SCs and SkM remain responsive to exercise training, suggesting therapeutic potential. We also suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction may underpin these impairments in the myogenic program.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults worldwide affecting 1:8000 individuals, with certain areas in northeastern Quebec having a higher prevalence of 1:600 individuals. DM1 is caused by an autosomal dominant genetic mutation that leads to muscle weakness, respiratory insufficiency, cataracts and cardiac conduction block, ultimately resulting in poor quality of life and shortened lifespan. Preliminary evidence suggests that the maintenance of muscle health can greatly improve quality of life and life-span of these individuals, making an in-depth research focus on this therapeutic intervention extremely important. Optimal muscle health is maintained by the functionality of muscle stem cells, that aid in muscle repair and facilitate adaptations in muscle following exercise interventions. These cells are shown to be dys- or non-functional in various muscular dystrophies which coincide with the observation of poor muscle health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the number and functionality of muscle stem cells, and physiological factors of muscle health in DM1. In addition, we also aimed to explore whether exercise has therapeutic potential to alleviate poor muscle quality in DM1. In general, we found that DM1 patients have a higher proportion of muscle stem cells; however, they are inherently dysfunctional but did respond to exercise. Consistent with the latter observation, we found poor muscle quality metrics in DM1 patients, with aerobic training leading to improvements in muscle health. Altogether, our results provide in-depth analysis that underscores muscle dysfunction observed in DM1 and the benefits of exercise interventions.


title: Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Review of Observational Data

contributor:
Busse, Jason
eHealth

subject: cannabis, restrospective, mobile application, medical

abstract: Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects 1 in 5 adults globally. An increasing number of people living with chronic pain are using medical cannabis for symptom relief, however, the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis for treating chronic pain is debated. We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining cannabis use for the management of chronic pain using anonymous archival data obtained from the medicinal cannabis tracking app, Strainprint®. Multilevel models were used to analyze data from 741 users in which inhaled, and orally consumed cannabis was used to treat symptoms of chronic pain. In our adjusted model, greater pain relief was associated with male sex vs. female (-0.69 cm on a 10 cm visual analogue scale [VAS]; 95%CI -0.46 to -0.91 cm), joint pain vs. muscle-related pain (-0.05 cm; 95%CI -0.01 to -0.08 cm), and high THC vs. high cannabidiol [CBD]) products (-0.08 cm; 95%CI -0.01 to -0.14 cm); but no significant association with age (-0.008 cm; 95%CI 0.09 to -0.10 cm), nerve pain vs. muscle pain (-0.03 cm; 95%CI 0.02 to -0.08 cm), or the route of administration (inhaled vs. oral, -0.05 cm; 95%CI 0.002 to -0.1 cm). There was a significant interaction with duration of use and product type; specifically, greater pain relief was associated with prolonged use of balanced products (THC & CBD) vs. high CBD products (-0.009 cm; 95%CI -0.003 to -0.01 cm). Overall, medical cannabis provided large improvements in chronic pain symptoms.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Evolutionary Algorithms for Model-Based Clustering

contributor:
McNicholas, Paul D.
McNicholas, Sharon M.
Statistics

subject:
Evolutionary Algorithm
Model-based Clustering
EM Algorithm

abstract:
Cluster analysis is used to detect underlying group structure in data. Model-based
clustering is the process of performing cluster analysis which involves the fitting of
finite mixture models. However, parameter estimation in mixture model-based approaches
to clustering is notoriously difficult. To this end, this thesis focuses on the
development of evolutionary computation as an alternative technique for parameter
estimation in mixture models. An evolutionary algorithm is proposed and illustrated
on the well-established Gaussian mixture model with missing values. Next, the family
of Gaussian parsimonious clustering models is considered, and an evolutionary
algorithm is developed to estimate the parameters. Next, an evolutionary algorithm
is developed for latent Gaussian mixture models and to facilitate the flexible clustering
of high-dimensional data. For all models and families of models considered in
this thesis, the proposed algorithms used for model-fitting and parameter estimation
are presented and the performance illustrated using real and simulated data sets to
assess the clustering ability of all models. This thesis concludes with a discussion
and suggestions for future work.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Ruck, Muck, and a Closed System of Truth: Science, Spiritualism, and the Negotiation of Knowledge in Nineteenth-Century England

contributor:
Kehler, Grace
English and Cultural Studies

subject:
Nineteenth-century
science history
spiritualism
print media
education systems
literacy
feminist criticism
knowledge
epistemology
subjectivity

abstract:
This project examines how the confluence of nineteenth-century England’s educational reform, periodical literature, and scientific community growth contributed to a public dialogue between science and spiritualism that positioned the two as antithetical. I argue that this media-borne dialogue entrenched in the public consciousness a scientific domain claiming authority through masculinized, exclusionary language that effectively enclosed knowledge within objective measurement, while dismissing spiritualist notions of embodied knowledges based in affect. In doing so, I locate the under-recognized bridge between the printed medium of the debate itself and its durable influence on public discourse, occurring as it did at precisely the moment to best influence the broadest public.
The first chapter examines the confluence of educational reform, burgeoning print culture, and rising science professionalization that formed the ideal delivery platform for the promulgation of a cultural narrative pitting objective knowledge against the subjective. The second chapter examines contemporary newspaper and journal articles to find science repeatedly metaphorized as solid ground, “objective”, and masculinized, while spiritualism is shadowy, irrational, and feminized. Metaphors of light and landscape recur from both sides, with spiritualist voices further claiming unquantifiable and communal experience as of equal value to the material “useful knowledge” privileged by science and institutional schooling. The final chapter analyzes texts from George Eliot, Robert Louis Stevenson, Marie Corelli, and Richard Marsh for representations of science, scientists, and those deemed outside their circles. There I discern a reflection of the media debate that finds unexpected – if unsettling – compatibilities between spiritualism and science, rejecting the alleged incompatibility of objective and subjective knowledge. All the texts speculate as to the parameters of human physical and mental life, but notably, none resolve the argument.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: This project examines the ways nineteenth-century England’s educational system, periodical literature, and growing science community contributed to a public dialogue between science and spiritualism. The knowledge and practices privileged by science were repeatedly framed as more valuable than, and irreconcilable with, the subjective, personal knowledges of spiritualism, which posited a spiritual human self beyond the limits of the material body. This paper uses examples from contemporary newspaper and journal articles to study the dialogue between science and spiritualism, and finds science metaphorized as solid ground, “objective”, and masculinized, while spiritualism is shadowy, irrational, and feminized. These positions became entrenched enough in the public mind to affect the era’s speculative fiction, but in analyzing texts from George Eliot, Robert Louis Stevenson, Marie Corelli, and Richard Marsh, the author also finds an embrace of science and spiritualist themes as sometimes compatible, blurring the simple “sides” of the media conversation.


title: Influence of environmental variation on sexual dimorphism in Drosophila morphology among adaptively diverged populations and in an inter-specific comparative context.

contributor:
Dworkin, Ian
Biology

subject:
Evolution
Sexual Dimorphism
Canalization
Plasticity
Condition Dependence
Drosophila

abstract: Environmental variation, an important source of phenotypic variation, can influence phenotypes, fitness and even rates of evolution. My thesis explores the effects of evolutionary change on the response to different types of environmental variation. In the first study, I examined the evolution of environmental canalization in adaptively diverged populations of Drosophila melanogaster that vary in degree of genetic canalization. I use these populations to test the congruence hypothesis which predicts that genetic canalization is a co-product of the evolution of environmental canalization and thus should be correlated. My results show that, despite adaptive evolutionary changes in morphology and genetic canalization, these populations have similar degree of variability due to environmental variation. In the second study, I explore how both variation in temperature and food quality during development influence patterns of sexual dimorphism in wing morphology in adaptively diverged populations of Drosophila melanogaster. I compare the relative contributions of adaptation, food availability and temperature on sexual size and shape dimorphism of the Drosophila wing. In particular, I focus on how these factors influence size-shape allometry both in general and in a sex-specific manner. My results show that despite the large adaptive divergence and a strong influence of environmental manipulation on wing size and shape, sex-specific patterns of condition dependence remain relatively consistent between the two populations. In the third study, I explore the evolutionary patterns of condition-dependent sexual size dimorphism among 27 different species from the melanogaster species group with varying degrees of sexual size dimorphism. Using food availability manipulations during development, I examine how sexual size dimorphism changes in response to condition at both the intra-specific and the inter-specific level. The results of this study suggest that, although we see a correlation between sexual size dimorphism and condition dependence among traits within most species, sexual dimorphism and condition dependence do not seem to have a correlated evolution among species of the melanogaster species group.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Transgenerational Effects of Kin Recognition in Plants: Soil Conditioning by an Invasive Plant

contributor:
Dudley, Susan
Biology

subject: Kin Recognition, Invasive Plant, Sulfur Cinquefoil, Transgenerational, Invasion, Soil Conditioning, Rhizosphere, Root Exudates

abstract: Monospecific stands of invasive plant species are found in nearly all known ecosystems and can cause permanent lasting ecosystem damage via deleterious effects in soils. These deleterious soil effects are a proposed mechanism which drives invasions by plants and are known to be influenced by kin recognition in plants. Uncovering whether invasive species utilize kin recognition to facilitate their own ecological persistence via soil conditioning will allow us to better understand the drivers of plant invasions and help combat them. In my master’s thesis, I examined the role of kin recognition and kin selection on soil effects. I grew groups of Potentilla recta in groups of maternal half-sibs or strangers to condition the soil. I then grew a second generation of plants in that conditioned soil to determine the impacts of soil conditioning effects on plant performance. I found soil conditioning by groups of plants affected the performance of a second generation of plants based on the relatedness of the conditioning plants. Further, these soil effects of conditioning selectively benefit future individuals of a subsequent generation based on their relatedness. Moreover, these soil effects only existed in soil that has not been sterilized, indicating these soil effects depended on soil microbes.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Biological Science (MBioSci)

abstract: Invasive plants form dense stands of same-species individuals that can cause lasting deleterious effects to the soil. These deleterious soil effects have been proposed as a mechanism driving plant invasions. In my master’s thesis, I examined the role of kin recognition and kin selection on soil effects. I first grew groups of Potentilla recta in groups of maternal half-sibs or strangers to condition the soil, and then grew a second generation of plants in that conditioned soil to determine the impacts on plant performance. I found that soil influenced by groups of related plants affect increased the performance of a second generation of plants, particularly if the second generation was related to the first. Moreover, these soil effects only existed in soil that has not been sterilized, indicating these soil effects depended on soil microbes. I found that these soil effects of conditioning selectively benefited future individuals of a subsequent generation based on their relatedness.


title: Astrocyte-mediated purinergic signalling in the Fragile X mouse cortex

title: Purinergic signalling in the Fragile X mouse cortex

contributor:
Scott, Angela
Neuroscience

subject:
Fragile X syndrome
autism
purinergic signalling
astrocyte
cerebral cortex

abstract: Disordered communication between cortical neurons and glia underlies many of the characteristics of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common monogenic form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite extensive research, no effective treatments exist to comprehensively mitigate ASD- or FXS-related cognitive and motor disabilities, sensory hyperresponsivity, seizures, and other excitation-related symptoms. Glial-glial and glial-neuronal communication can be facilitated by purinergic signalling pathways, which utilize ATP, UTP, and their metabolites to influence both short-term and longer-term activation. The overall objective of this thesis work was to establish whether purinergic signalling is dysregulated within cortical astrocytes derived from the Fmr1 KO mouse model of FXS, and furthermore, to determine whether astrocyte purinergic dysregulations contribute to aberrant Fmr1 KO neuronal-glial interactions. Collectively, these studies provide the first reported evidence that P2Y receptor-driven purinergic signalling is elevated in Fmr1 KO cortical astrocytes, and suggest that this impacts the formation and activity of neuronal circuitry in a manner consistent with FXS symptomatology. Fmr1 KO cortical astrocyte dysregulations included elevated expression of P2Y2 and P2Y6 purinergic receptors, increased intracellular calcium release following P2Y activation, aberrant levels of intracellular purinergic signalling molecules, and increased ectonucleotidase glycosylation. UTP treatment promoted excess Fmr1 KO astrocyte expression and secretion of the synaptogenic protein TSP-1 to potentially influence neuronal connectivity, as well as increased phosphorylation of transcription factor STAT3 to likely drive cortical immune responses. Both exogenous UTP and the presence of Fmr1 KO astrocyte secretions promoted neurite outgrowth, while Fmr1 KO astrocyte-neuron co-cultures demonstrated elevated neuronal burst frequency that was normalized through chronic and selective P2Y2 antagonism. Together, these findings indicate novel and significant astrocyte P2Y-mediated purinergic upregulations within the Fmr1 KO mouse cortex, and suggest that astrocyte purinergic signalling should be further investigated in the search for innovative FXS treatments.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have become a serious health concern in recent years due to rapidly rising rates of diagnosis. Despite extensive research, there are still no effective treatments for these disorders of brain development. It is therefore important that we study the cellular events contributing to ASDs in order to design new therapeutic strategies. The most common inherited form of ASD is Fragile X syndrome (FXS), which is characterized by cognitive and motor disabilities, sensory hyperresponsivity, attention deficits, hyperactivity, and seizures. Using the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS, recent research has shown that many of these symptoms are related to disordered communication between brain cells within the cerebral cortex; specifically, between neurons and the helper-like cells known as astrocytes. One form of cellular signalling that supports this communication is known as the purinergic signalling pathway. Collectively, this thesis work is the first to show that purinergic signalling is increased in Fmr1 KO mouse cortical astrocytes and that it impacts FXS neuronal connections. Specifically, Fmr1 KO cortical astrocytes demonstrated increased communication using purinergic signalling, due to greater expression of P2Y2 and P2Y6 purinergic receptors and altered levels of the molecules that stimulate these receptors. Activation of Fmr1 KO astrocyte P2Y receptors promoted expression of the neuronal connection-forming protein TSP-1 and stimulated additional astrocyte signalling pathways. As a result of these changes, when Fmr1 KO neurons were grown in the presence of Fmr1 KO astrocytes, they grew longer extensions and demonstrated greater activity than wildtype controls, in a manner consistent with the excitation-related symptoms of FXS. Selectively targeting P2Y2-driven purinergic pathways with drug treatments corrected this activity, thereby revealing a potential new therapeutic approach for FXS. Understanding excess astrocyte P2Y-driven purinergic communication within the brain may therefore provide a foundation for the future development of new FXS treatments.


title: There is Mind All Over the Body: Immortalist and Transhumanist Futures

contributor:
Badone, Ellen
Religious Studies

subject:
transhumanism
immortalist
immortality
anthropology
biosocial
life extension

abstract:
Members of People Unlimited Inc, maintain that they are proof that physical immortality is possible, despite the death of their founder. In this dissertation, I address the paradox of immortalist lifeworlds: how can members of People Unlimited maintain that they are immortal, yet also claim that members are still susceptible to death? This dissertation is about how imagined futures make up the present for radical life extension (RLE) activists, who form part of an emergent immortalist biosocial landscape where anticipation acts as a way of recognizing the future as a model for the present. Understanding how immortalists can claim to be physically immortal in the present, yet always working toward immortality, requires consideration of the cultures and communities within the broader RLE movement, human relationships to finitude, relationships between science and religion, and biomedical imaginaries.
Since little ethnographic data exists on these communities, the goal of my research is to provide a general overview of the contemporary social phenomena of immortality, with an ethnographic focus on People Unlimited and Alcor Life Extension, both in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the broader RLE community that attends the yearly Revolution Against Aging and Death Festival (RAADfest) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dissertation argues that RLE is an emergent form of biosocial citizenship among healthy individuals, whose present biological limitations are overcome by an orientation towards the future.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Members of People Unlimited Inc, maintain that they are proof that physical immortality is possible, despite the death of their founder. In this dissertation, I address the paradox of immortalist lifeworlds: how can members of People Unlimited maintain that they are immortal, yet also claim that members are still susceptible to death? I argue that for many immortalists, anticipation acts as a way of recognizing the future as a model for the present. I explore how radical life extension activists, including immortalists, transhumanist, cryonicists, and others, create immortal futures through self-care regimens in the present. I connect their future and present by examining the promissory and hopeful discourses of modern bioeconomies, and the forms of affect used in the creation of immortal biosocial worlds.


title: Revegetation with Native Plants: a Test of Best Practices

subject:
Ecological Restoration
Native Plants
Bees
Invasive Plants
Seeds

abstract: My research findings have implications for applied ecology and restoration policy in Ontario. I my discussions, and final chapter, I offer suggestions for the practitioner.

abstract:
Restoration practitioners are tasked with recreating ecosystems using appropriate plant material that will provide ecological goods and services. However, best-practices for this type of intervention are not well developed for the southern Ontario landscape. Therefore, we evaluated approaches from four different aspects of seed-based restoration. First, we quantified the impact of seeding rate and application method on the success of grassland recreation. We also measured the impact of this restoration on the local bee community. Next, we compared a suite of native and nearly native wetland plants for their potential to prevent the establishment of invasive Phragmites australis. We measured the effect of competition on Phragmites across soil moisture and salinity gradients. Finally, we sought evidence for local specialization in a grassland forb, Monarda fistulosa, that would warrant policies to prevent the transfer of grassland seed for revegetation.
In re-creating grasslands from seed, we found an interaction between seeding rate and application method. At a high rate, both methods had the same outcome, but at a low rate, a two-phase application method produced better results than a single-phase method. However, we also found that a single-phase method produced target plant cover with a higher floristic quality index after three years. In one study region, restored sites supported a greater bee abundance than un-restored sites, but bee abundance did not change after restoration in all regions. Of all the native species tested, Phragmites was supressed most by Bidens frondosa, a fast growing annual. We also found evidence that Phragmites may be less competitive at low soil moisture, and more competitive at high soil salinity. Finally, we found no evidence of local adaptation in M. fistulosa at the watershed scale; instead, we see independent effects of site and seed origin. This implies that current site conditions may not be favorable to the offspring of relic populations, and that local genotypes may not always be the best choice for restoration.

abstract: Dissertation

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: I tested four approaches to seed-based restoration. First I found that a two-phase hydroseeding method can be more efficient at a low seeding rate. Second, I found that the response of the bee community to local restoration may depend on broader landscape factors. Next, I found that Monarda fistulosa is not locally adapted at a watershed scale. Finally, I found that native annuals may be best at resisting invasion from Phragmites, and that some native species actually can facilitate invasion.


title: A Privacy Score for Anonymous Databases

contributor:
Boden, Hans U.
Computational Engineering and Science

abstract:
In this thesis, we present a quantitative measure called the Database Privacy
Score to assess the level of privacy in an anonymous database. Individuals in an
anonymous database are still at risk of having personal information uncovered
about them in a linkage attack. A privacy score is assigned to each individual
in the database, measuring the risk of an adversary gaining new knowledge
about them in a linkage attack. This requires looking at a set of attributes
K and determining which additional attributes can be inferred from knowing
K. This is where the bulk of the computational work occurs, and we present
algorithms for computing this. C++ source code is included in the Appendix
for all computations involved in computing the Database Privacy Score. We
also show that under certain assumptions, applying k-anonymity to a database
cannot worsen the privacy score, although there is no guarantee that it will
improve the score. We also look at privacy from a topological perspective, and
propose a solution for removing inferences that come from topological holes in
the Dowker Complex representing our database.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Experimental Investigation of Controlled Rocking Cross-Laminated Timber Walls

contributor:
Wiebe, Lydell
Civil Engineering

abstract:
Controlled rocking timber walls are being developed to resist earthquake loads without major structural damage. These systems respond to seismic loading through partial uplift from the foundation, dissipating energy through rocking impact and supplemental energy dissipation elements. Initial research and construction of these walls typically used Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL); however, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is increasing in popularity for controlled rocking timber walls, particularly in the North American market. Since the use of CLT in a rocking system is relatively new, it is important to understand how CLT behaves in this application. In particular, the area near the rocking toe is a critical region in a controlled rocking CLT wall, and the local deformations and strain distributions around the rocking toe are not yet well understood.
To address this issue, this thesis presents the results of an investigation of large-scale controlled rocking CLT walls subjected to quasi-static reverse-cyclic loading. The test specimens vary in terms of aspect ratio and applied axial load, so as to quantify how these differences affect the strain distribution in the rocking toe region at increasing levels of drift. The  ndings from this experimental procedure will aid in the understanding of current design models, as well as the development of better numerical models of the rocking toe, which are critical for the design and analysis of controlled rocking CLT walls.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: DEVELOPMENT OF CONTROLLED ROCKING REINFORCED MASONRY WALLS

contributor:
Wiebe, Lydell
Ezzeldin, Mohamed
Civil Engineering

subject: Controlled rocking, Experimental testing, Numerical modeling, Self-Centering, Reinforced masonry

abstract:
The structural damage after the Christchurch earthquake (2011) led to extensively damaged facilities that did not collapse but did require demolition, representing more than 70% of the building stock in the central business district. These severe economic losses that result from conventional seismic design clearly show the importance of moving towards resilience-based design approaches of structures. For instance, special reinforced masonry shear walls (SRMWs), which are fixed-base walls, are typically designed to dissipate energy through the yielding of bonded reinforcement while special detailing is maintained to fulfill ductility requirements. This comes at the expense of accepting residual drifts and permanent damage in potential plastic hinge zones. This design process hinders the overall resilience of such walls because of the costs and time associated with the loss of operation and service shutdown.

In controlled rocking systems, an elastic gap opening mechanism (i.e., rocking joint) replaces the typical yielding of the main reinforcement in conventional fixed-base walls, hence reducing wall lateral stiffness without excessive yielding damage. Consequently, controlled rocking wall systems with limited damage and self-centering behavior under the control of unbonded post-tensioning (PT) are considered favorable for modern resilient cities because of the costs associated with service shutdown (i.e., for structural repairs or replacement) are minimized. However, the difficulty of PT implementation during construction is challenging in practical masonry applications. In addition, PT losses due to PT yielding and early strength degradation of masonry reduce the self-centering ability of controlled rocking masonry walls with unbonded post-tensioning (PT-CRMWs). Such challenges demonstrate the importance of considering an alternative source of self-centering.

In this regard, the current study initially evaluates the seismic performance of PT-CRMWs compared to SRMWs. Next, a new controlled rocking system for masonry walls is proposed, namely Energy Dissipation-Controlled Rocking Masonry Walls (ED-CRMWs), which are designed to self-center through vertical gravity loads only, without the use of PT tendons. To control the rocking response, supplemental energy dissipation (ED) devices are included. This proposed system is evaluated experimentally in two phases. In Phase I of the experimental program, the focus is to ensure that the intended behavior of ED-CRMWs is achieved. This is followed by design guidance, validated through collapse risk analysis of a series of 20 ED-CRMW archetypes. Finally, Phase II of the experimental program evaluates a more resilient ED-CRMW is evaluated, which incorporates a readily replaceable externally mounted flexural arm ED device. Design guidance is also provided for ED-CRMWs incorporating such devices.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Elements of musically conveyed emotion: Insights from musical and perceptual analyses of historic preludes

contributor:
Schutz, Michael
Psychology

subject: emotion, perception, mode, musicology, psychology, commonality analysis, musicology, corpus analysis, cluster analysis, accumulated local effects, preludes, Well-Tempered Clavier

abstract: This thesis comprises two manuscripts prepared for scholarly journals. Chapter 2 comprises an article entitled “Exploring Historic Changes in Musical Communication: Deconstructing Emotional Cues in Preludes by Bach and Chopin.”, which examines emotion perception in historic prelude sets by J.S. Bach and F. Chopin. This work connects psychological research on perceived musical emotion to musicological research describing changes in music structure. Using a technique called commonality analysis to deconstruct cues’ individual and joint roles in predicting participants’ perceived emotions, the chapter clarifies how music’s conveyed emotion can differ in compositions from different eras. Chapter 3 comprises an article entitled “Parsing Musical Patterns in Prelude Sets: Bridging Qualitative and Quantitative Epistemologies in Historical Music Research”. This chapter bridges gaps between qualitative and quantitative research on music history through an analytical approach engaging with both fields. Specifically, cluster analyses of Bach and Chopin’s preludes reveal notable differences in the composers’ expressive toolkits, consistent with work from historical and empirical music research. Through a novel analytical framework, the chapter illustrates a method for detecting groups of pieces demarcated by salient musical differences, assessing cues’ importance within these groups, and determining the most influential cue values for each group. Together, these articles provide new insight into the subtle sonic relationships influencing musical meaning and emotion perception.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: Music’s capacity to express emotion has received considerable attention in psychological and musicological research. Whereas efforts from psychology clarify the musical cues for emotion through perceptual experiments, efforts from musicology track changes in compositional practice over time—finding changing relationships between music’s cues for emotion in historically diverse compositions. To date, the implications of these changing musical relationships for emotion perception remain unclear. This thesis analyzes musical scores and listeners’ emotion ratings to gain insight into music’s structural changes throughout history and their implications for perceived emotion. By applying statistical techniques to (i) detect musical patterns in prelude sets by J.S. Bach and F. Chopin and (ii) clarify how cue relationships influence emotion perception, this thesis sheds light on the relationship between music’s historic context and its emotional meaning.


title: Origin, Sedimentological Characteristics, and Paleoglacial Significance of Large Latero-Frontal Moraines in Deglaciating Regions of Perú and Iceland

contributor:
Eyles, Carolyn H.
Earth and Environmental Sciences

subject:
Cordillera Blanca, Perú
Moraines
Glacial Sedimentology
Iceland
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
Glacial Lake
Uncrewed-Aerial Vehicle

abstract:
This thesis investigates the origin, sedimentological characteristics, and paleoglacial significance of large latero-frontal moraines and moraine-dammed glacial lakes and their potential to generate glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú and Iceland.  This topic is particularly important as the potential for GLOF events in high altitude regions is increasing as ongoing global climate warming causes rapid glacier recession and the growth of lakes impounded by unstable moraines.
The first chapter of this thesis introduces the characteristics of moraine dammed lakes and GLOFs and provides details of the study areas in Perú and Iceland that were selected for this work (Chapter 1).  Chapter 2 investigates the glacial history of the Cordillera Blanca, Perú through the compilation, mapping, and analysis of dated moraines in the region.  The formation of moraines by different glaciers in the same region at approximately the same time is interpreted to indicate a period of regional climate conditions that were favourable for glacier expansion and/or equilibrium. Six stages of glacial activity are identified from this analysis, ranging in age from older than 35 thousand years (Stage 1) to modern (Stage 6).
The third chapter of this thesis identifies the geomorphic and sedimentologic characteristics of a moraine-dammed supraglacial lake (Llaca Lake) in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú. The combined use of imagery collected with an uncrewed-aerial vehicle (UAV), field sedimentological observations and geomorphological mapping allowed the creation of a landsystem model that summarizes the current geomorphic and sedimentologic environment of Llaca Lake (Chapter 3). This is the first study to describe the landform-sediment assemblages in a tropical moraine-dammed supraglacial lake and provides a framework for further landsystem analysis of growing supraglacial lakes that are at risk of GLOF events.
The fourth chapter of this thesis describes the sedimentary architecture of the eastern lateral moraine of Gígjökull in southern Iceland. An uncrewed-aerial vehicle was used to acquire high resolution photographs of an exposure through the lateral moraine that allowed the identification of seven lithofacies types and three lithofacies associations. Documentation of the sedimentary architecture of the eastern lateral moraine of Gígjökull enhances understanding of moraine development and the identification of areas of hydrogeological weakness that can reduce the structural integrity of the moraine.
The research findings presented in this thesis utilize a glacial sedimentological and geomorphological approach to investigating the relationship between current and past glacial processes in the study areas, and the role that these processes play in determining the characteristics and stability of large ice marginal moraines that impound glacial lakes.  This work also furthers our understanding of the dynamic surface processes at work in high altitude regions such as the Cordillera Blanca. Identifying and determining the relationships between current and past processes, sediments and landforms will enhance understanding of the role of large moraines damming glacial lakes in other high-altitude regions such as the Himalayas, British Columbia, Patagonia, and New Zealand and the associated risk of GLOF events.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Science  (PhD)


title: Machine Learning Predictions of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) in Canada: From Emergency Department to the in-Hospital Stage

contributor:
Zargoush, Manaf
Computational Engineering and Science

subject:
machine learning
alternate level of care
delayed discharge
ALC
prediction
older adults

abstract: In Canada, patients who occupy hospital beds but do not require that intensity of care are called Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients. ALC has numerous negative implications on patient health and the health care system. Early identification of patients who are at risk of becoming ALC could help decision-makers better manage the situation and alleviate this problem. This thesis evaluates the use of various ML algorithms in predicting ALC at two different time points in the patient’s trajectory. Moreover, it identifies the most important predictors of ALC in each time point and provides insights on how adding more information, at the expense of time for decision-making, would improve the predictive accuracy.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Selective oxidation and reactive wetting of an Fe-0.15C-5.5Mn-1.17Si-1Al advanced high strength steel (AHSS) during hot-dip galvanizing

contributor:
McDermid, Joseph
Materials Science and Engineering

subject: Selective oxidation and reactive wetting of advanced high strength steel (AHSS) during hot-dip galvanizing

abstract:
Third-generation advanced high-strength steels (3G AHSS) are being developed to assist in vehicle light weighting so that fuel efficiency may be improved without sacrificing passenger safety. 3G-AHSS have received significant interest from the automotive industry as a critical candidate for their unique combination of high strength and ductility. However, due to selective oxidation of the principal alloying elements such as Mn, Si, Al, and Cr at the steel surface during the annealing stage prior to immersion in the galvanizing Zn(Al, Fe) bath, the process of continuous hot-dip galvanizing of these steel is challenging. This thesis determined the influence of annealing process parameters such as oxygen partial pressure and annealing time, on the selective oxidation and reactive wetting of an Fe-0.15C-5.56Mn-1.17Si-1Al (wt%) prototype 3G AHSS during intercritical annealing as well as continuous galvanizing.
Simulated annealing and galvanizing were conducted on the prototype Fe-0.15C-5.56Mn-0117Si-1Al (wt%) 3G steel; Intercritical annealing heat treatments were carried out at 690˚C in a N2-5 vol pct H2 process atmosphere under dew points of 223 K (–50 °C), 243 (–30 °C) and 268 K (–5 °C). MnO was the major oxide formed at the outmost layer of the external oxides on all annealed samples. The experimental parameters, on the other hand, had a substantial impact on the morphology, distribution, thickness, and surface oxide coverage.
The greatest Mn surface concentration as well as maximum surface oxide coverage and thickness was obtained by annealing the panels under the 223 K (–50 °C) and 243 (–30 °C) dp process atmospheres. The oxides formed under these process atmospheres largely comprised coarse, compact, and continuous film nodules. In contrast, MnO nodules formed under the 268 K (–5 °C) dewpoint process, exhibited wider spacing between finer and thinner nodules, which was consistent with the internal oxidation mode, while under 223 K (–50 °C) dp process atmosphere, generally external oxidation took place.
	Poor reactive wetting was obtained for the panels annealed under the 223 K (–50 °C) dp process atmosphere for both the 60 s and 120 s holding times as well as the 243 K (–30 °C) dp process atmosphere for 120 s. This was attributed to the formation of a thick, compact oxide layer on the steel surface, which acted as a barrier between the substrate and Zn bath, preventing Fe dissolution from the substrate surface for the formation of the desired Fe2Al5Znx interfacial layer. However, a well-developed interfacial Fe-Al intermetallic layer was formed under the 268 K (–5 °C) and 243 (–30 °C) dp process atmospheres for intercritical annealing times of 60 s, which is indicative of a good reactive wetting since the thinner and nodule-like oxides on the steel surface after annealing encourage the reactive wetting. External oxides morphology plays a dominant role in facilitating the contact between Zn-alloy bath and the substrate via different mechanisms such as aluminothermic reduction which occurred for the sample annealed under the 268 K (–5 °C) dp process atmosphere.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Targeting the Dectin-1 Receptor via Beta-Glucan Microparticles to Modulate Alternatively Activated Macrophage Activity and Inhibit Alternative Activation

title: INFLUENCING PROFIBROTIC MACROPHAGE POLARIZATION AND ACTIVITY USING YEAST-DERIVED MICROPARTICLES

contributor:
Ask, Kjetil
Medical Sciences

subject: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF, Alternatively activated macrophage, M2, M1, Classically activated macrophage, Interstitial lung disease, Fibrotic lung disease, Bone-Marrow Derived Macrophage, IHC, TGF-B, Transforming growth factor beta, beta-glucan, microparticle, yeast-derived beta glucan, bleomycin

abstract:
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating respiratory disorder that is characterized by a progressive decline in lung function. Originating through unknown etiology, it is essentially an unchecked wound healing response that causes the build-up of
excessive scar tissue in the lung interstitial tissue with a heavy toll on the patient’s respiratory capacity. Pro-fibrotic alternatively activated macrophages (M2) have been linked as an important contributor to the fibrotic remodeling of the lung. Previous Ask
research indicates that targeting M2 macrophages is possible through the use of the Dectin-1 receptor, a transmembrane cell surface receptor found in high abundance on M2 macrophages. Activating the Dectin-1 receptor through the use of beta-glucan, a ligand the receptor has a high affinity for, initiates a pro-inflammatory response within the naturally immunosuppressive macrophage and can alter its activity to be less fibrogenic. Our data suggest that M2 polarization of naïve macrophages can be inhibited in vitro by beta-glucan microparticles. Additionally, we have found that polarized M2 macrophages adopt M1-like characteristics when treated with beta-glucan microparticles, in a process that is largely Dectin-1 dependent. M2 cell surface marker CD206, increased
levels of which are associated with rapidly progressing IPF, shows significantly decreased frequency of expression in M2 macrophages treated with beta-glucan microparticles. Our assessment for cell-specific uptake of beta-glucan microparticles suggests an important role of the Dectin-1 receptor for significantly increased uptake in murine wild-type M2 macrophages relative to their Dectin-1 knockout counterpart. The use of beta-glucan microparticles as a potential anti-fibrotic therapeutic was assessed in the bleomycin model of fibrotic lung disease. Mice given bleomycin and treated with beta-glucan displayed decreased soluble collagen content and TGFB expression within lung homogenate relative to fibrotic bleomycin control mice. Overall, these results
provide insight into the use of beta-glucan as a potential activity modulator of macrophage function in IPF and the possibility of its use as a therapeutic.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Lewis Acid Mediated N-aryl Nitrone Synthesis from Benzyl Alcohols

contributor:
Magolan, Jakob
Chemical Biology

subject: Nitrone, Antibiotic, Medicinal Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry

abstract: A novel approach to access N-Aryl nitrones via copper catalyzed coupling of benzyl alcohols with nitrosobenzenes is described. The results of mechanistic studies are conflicting but suggest this reaction proceeds through either redox process or a nucleophilic nitroso hydrate intermediate formed in situ, which was previously unprecedented.  The unique electronics of this process allow access to nitrones with excellent step and atom economy, which are otherwise difficult to make using conventional methods. In this work, a total of 22 nitrones have been made. 15 of which from pure starting materials with yields ranging from 26 - 89 % and another 7 from two step, one pot reactions where the nitrosobenzenes were made in situ from commercially available anilines and reacted in a subsequent step to produce the nitrone in 8 - 46 % yield. In addition to the nitrone forming reaction occurring in the second step of a two-step sequence, we have also shown that subsequent reactions can be done on newly formed nitrones in one pot. This was demonstrated with a newly synthesized nitrone and a donor-acceptor cyclopropane in a [3+3] annulation reaction forming the cycloadduct in 90% yield.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: With over 250 000 cases of resistant bacterial infections reported, and more than 5 400 directly causing Canadian deaths in 2018, we are currently facing an antibiotic crisis[67]. A particularly worrying class of resistance involves Gram-negative bacteria, as their highly impermeable outer membrane poses added complexity to their evolved resistance mechanisms[68]. The outer membrane restricts the chemical matter able to cross, making the bacteria intrinsically resistant to small molecule antibiotics and other compounds which may have intracellular targets[69],[70]. This barrier is therefore a major bottleneck for cellular mechanistic studies and compound mechanism of action, as these small molecules cannot gain entry to the cell. To circumvent this issue, outer membrane permeabilizing compounds must be discovered so that these systems can be more effectively studied. Commonly used membrane active compounds such as colistin and its derivatives, interact with both the outer and inner membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, and are toxic to cells[71]. Therefore, molecules that are outer membrane selective and nontoxic to Gram negative bacteria would be useful tools to expedite the study of biological systems.


title: You Taught Me to Hate Myself, Let Me Show You How You Did That: An Autoethnography about Navigating Accessibility Services as a Black Woman with a Disability

contributor:
Ion, Allyson
Social Work

subject:
Disability
Black Woman

abstract:
Despite there being enormous amounts of research on disability, and how disability is experienced, when parameters such as higher education, race and gender are considered alongside disability, the research documented becomes limited; and even more so when each of these parameters are in combination with each other.
The aim of this study is to use Critical Disability Theory, Feminist Theory, and Intersectionality to better understand how I have experienced accommodation as a Black woman with a disability within an academic environment. I use Autoethnography to detail my own lived experience to investigate if the institutional response (of providing accommodations and its practices along with it) aligns with my lived experience as the student on the receiving end. The findings from this study suggest that there is misalignment between the institutional response and the student experience thus causing a struggle of identity outside of the medicalized identity recognized by Accessibility Services.
It is my hope that those who read this thesis adopt a ‘nothing about us, without us’ attitude towards Accessibility Services. I hope readers will see that students with disabilities need to be included in the conversation of accommodations with Accessibility Services offices in post-secondary institutions because stories like mine (as a Black woman with a disability and a life-long service user of this school provided service) demand to be acknowledged and be felt as the “supposed” benefactors of this service. Because without us, this service would not exist. And yet, without our voices heard this service continues to exist as it does. Our voices, bodies and lived experiences should be validated as appropriate “measures” to determine accessibility, accommodation and learning needs.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Mechanical Property Development and Galvanizing of a Medium-Mn Third-Generation Advanced High Strength Steel

abstract:
Medium-Mn third-generation advanced high strength steels (3G AHSS) are promising candidates for vehicle lightweighting due to their desirable balances of specific strength and ductility. However, the continuous galvanizing of these steels is challenging because their thermal processing routes are not always compatible with existing continuous galvanizing line (CGL) infrastructure and the selective oxidation of the main alloying elements during annealing can prevent reactive wetting of the substrate by the galvanizing bath. The conflicting objectives of achieving the desired mechanical properties and high-quality galvanized coatings were addressed in this work on a prototype 0.15C-5.6Mn-1.9Al-1.1Si (wt%) steel.
The alloy achieved the general mechanical property targets for 3G AHSS using a two-stage CGL-compatible thermal cycle. The martensitic pre-treatment resulted in a 80% martensitic-20% ferritic microstructure with no detectable retained austenite. Subsequent intercritical annealing for 120 s resulted in significant (0.2-0.3) volume fractions of lamellar retained austenite whose chemical composition was a strong function of intercritical annealing temperature. Hence, several combinations of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and total elongation (TE) were obtained due to differences in TRansformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) kinetics. An intercritical annealing temperature of 710°C resulted in the highest UTS × TE combination, which was attributed to these samples having a retained austenite chemical composition which enabled gradual exhaustion of the TRIP effect as well as extensive mechanical twinning. This processing route was selected for subsequent selective oxidation and reactive wetting trials.
The evolution of the selective oxide morphology, distribution, and chemistry during each annealing stage was determined as a function of process atmosphere pO2. After the martensitic pre-treatment at dew points of –30°C, –10°C, and +5°C, a compact and complex external oxide layer (approximately 200 nm thick) was formed. An extensive internal oxide network ranging from
v
6-10 μm deep was also formed, depleting the local matrix of solute and leaving a metallic Fe surface layer that was populated with extruded Fe nodules. Flash pickling with a hydrochloric acid-based solution dissolved the external MnO, MnSiO3, and Mn2SiO4, leaving only dispersed MnAl2O4 nodules (approximately 50 nm thick) remaining on the surface. No significant evolution of the selective oxides occurred during intercritical annealing due to the large diffusion distances through the solute-depleted layer to the surface from the bulk matrix.
The experimental steel was successfully reactively wetted by a conventional 0.2 wt% Al (dissolved) galvanizing bath held at 460°C after an immersion time of 4 s. The primary wetting mechanism was direct wetting of the solute-depleted metallic Fe surface layer (which was aided by the additional surface area provided by the extruded Fe nodules). Evidence of several secondary reactive wetting mechanisms (such as oxide wetting, oxide lift-off, and bath metal infiltration) was also documented, showing that the antecedent MnAl2O4 nodules were not deleterious to reactive wetting in this case. The coatings were high-quality and adherent, as they resisted cracking or flaking after bending. Overall, this research shows that the two-stage processing route is promising for the production of Zn-coated third-generation advanced high strength steels.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: A Contribution to the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Chatbot Communication

contributor:
Lapointe, Sandra
Philosophy

subject:
Artificial Intelligence
Philosophy
Philosophy of Language
Linguistics

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to attempt to answer the question why chatbot computer programs are often not very good at communicating in human natural language. It is argued that one possible reason why chatbots are often not good conversationalists is because they model communication in terms of only encoding and decoding processes. Human communication, however, involves making inferences about the mental states of others.
Chapter one begins by exploring a popular theory about how communication works called the code model of communication. The code model describes human communication as having to do with speakers encoding thoughts into utterances and listeners decoding utterances to recover a representation of the thought that the speaker wanted to communicate. A variation on the code model is also explained; this is referred to as the information-theoretic code model. Two arguments against the code model will then be presented. Finally, an alternative to the code model is considered, called the ostensive-inferential model of communication.
Chapter two begins with an explanation of how chatbots work. Chatbots are made up of several different components. The language model component provides chatbots with the ability to produce and interpret utterances. Next, an explanation of how language models work, and how chatbots can represent the meanings of words is provided. The chapter concludes by documenting the fact that chatbots communicate using only encoding and decoding processes – that is, that chatbots communicate within the paradigm of the code model of communication.
Chapter three explains how the fact that chatbots communicate using only encoding and decoding processes can help explain why chatbots often cannot communicate effectively in human natural language. The poor conversational abilities of chatbots are a result of the fact that chatbots only access linguistic context, whereas listeners need access to non-linguistic context to be able to grasp utterance meaning. The question of whether chatbots are able to make inferences about non-linguistic properties of context at all is also considered. It is argued that they cannot, precisely because the neural language models that they rely upon for their linguistic competence are natural codes that merely associate percepts with output behaviours using encoding and decoding processes.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Philosophy (MA)

abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the question why chatbot computer programs are often not very good at communicating in human natural language. It is argued that one possible reason why chatbots are often not good conversationalists is because they model communication in terms of only encoding and decoding processes. Human communication, however, involves making inferences about the mental states of others.


title: Be Like the Running Water: Exploring the Intersections of Health and Water Security with Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation

contributor:
Moffat, Tina
Martin Hill, Dawn
Anthropology

subject:
medical anthropology
indigenous health
water security
co-creation
water contamination
gendered health
political ecology
biocultural approach

abstract:
This doctoral dissertation examines the holistic health and wellbeing of a First Nation community to understand several factors relating to environmental racism and water contamination that support and hinder community health and wellbeing to inform future policy. This dissertation incorporates a mix of methodological approaches across three interrelated research studies to better understand the direct and indirect factors influencing water security and community health and wellbeing.
Study 1 consists of a theoretical approach to co-creating knowledge between Indigenous collaborators and medical anthropologists. It highlights the importance of community-based participatory research in medical anthropology and frames the co-creation of a health survey through three phases as a boundary object that can create dialogical space for Indigenous and settler-scholar pedagogies and priorities. It demonstrates how CBPR and co-creation work allows for the reciprocal development of long-term partnerships that work in solidarity with the Two-Row Wampum (Kaswentha) treaty established by the Haudenosaunee Nation and European settler nations.
Study 2 presents an analysis of household water access, quality, and use, specifically how E. coli and mercury contaminations of household tap water are related to reported household health conditions for a sample of 66 households (representing 226 individuals) living in Six Nations First Nation. Logistic regression models were built to identify possible associations with water use and treatment variables for mental health, eczema, and gastroenteritis, with a second model adding contaminants as predictor variables. In the second model, E. coli was found to be a significant predictor for the presence of mental health conditions within the household, and households primarily purchasing bulk bottled water were more likely to report mental health conditions. Those using bleach/chlorine to treat their tap water were more likely to report gastroenteritis. Reported tap water uses indicated that 57% of contaminated tap water was still being used for activities that may heighten exposure risks (such as washing produce). Investigating household tap water uses beyond drinking water demonstrates alternative pathways for contaminant exposures for Six Nations Peoples, who have deep cultural relationships with water.
Study 3 contains a mixed methods approach to investigate the effects of water access, satisfaction, and experiences of water insecurity for the sample of 66 households in Six Nations of the Grand River First Nations, to inform culturally effective ways of assessing water insecurity for Indigenous Nations experiencing long term water shortages, contamination, and other water- related concerns. Water security was measured using the Household Water InSecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale and Likert-scale questions on water access at household, community, service, and environmental levels, and contextualized using interviews. Results demonstrate a high level of water insecurity in the sample of Six Nations households (57.5%, n=38); women were more dissatisfied with their drinking water (p=0.005), and younger participants were more likely to report contamination issues (p=0.02) and higher monthly water costs (p=0.03). Qualitative interviews informed these results, revealing that experiences of water insecurity and poor health were shaped by the degradation of traditional lands. This posed specific barriers for Six Nations women, who face physical and geographical barriers to household and community water access while caretaking for their communities and fulfilling their roles as water protectors.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: The goal of this doctoral dissertation was to explore the connections between water security and health with Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, to explore the nuanced factors that inform perceptions of drinking water and better understand who in the community faces higher challenges and barriers throughout the water crisis. This project was co-created research using Indigenous Knowledge (IK) with medical anthropology approaches to understand water security, satisfaction, quality, and relationships as they relate to Haudenosaunee health. Water security was explored through tap and well water contamination tests, survey data, and interviews and focus groups. Water insecurity was reported for 57.5% of 66 households in this sample, with 21.2% having E. coli contamination in their tap water, 25.4% having mercury in their tap water exceeding provincial drinking water limits, and 77% of households relying primarily on bottled drinking water rather than their tap water. While water insecurity experiences were quite high in this study, Western metrics are not able to capture the crucial elements of Indigenous water relationships, such as community and cultural relationships with the land, environmental racism, and the consequences of environmental degradation, such as grief or poor mental health, relating to water and climate crisis. Water insecurity experiences are best understood as highly localized experiences that have mental health, physical health, and environmental consequences for Indigenous communities. To fully untangle the specific cultural, spiritual, racial, and colonial landscapes or structures that have shaped Six Nations experiences and perceptions of their local water, co-created and flexible place- based methodologies are needed.


title: Global Distribution, Epidemiology and Genetics of Infectious Yeast Cryptococcus deneoformans and Other Soil Yeasts

title: Global Distribution and Genetics of Soil Yeasts

contributor:
Xu, Jianping
Biology

subject:
Yeasts
Molecular Genetics
Microbiology
Epidemiology
Ecology
Infectious yeasts

abstract: Yeasts, broadly defined as unicellular fungi, have a disproportionate impact on human health and economy despite comprising less than 1% of the fungal kingdom. Soil is a primary yeast habitat where they play essential roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling and as food sources for other soil dwellers. Cryptococcus deneoformans is a basidiomycetous yeast commonly found in soil in association with pigeon droppings. As an opportunistic pathogen of humans, it contributes to 181,000 deaths caused by cryptococcosis and fungal meningitis worldwide every year. Significant intraspecific variation in melanin synthesis, an essential virulence factor of C. deneoformans, is observed in natural populations, with its genetic basis remaining largely unknown. My thesis investigated global patterns in soil yeast diversity where we identified mean annual precipitation and international human travel as two, strong predictors of soil yeast diversity worldwide. We discovered a novel C. deneoformans population in Saudi Arabian desert soils, likely a recent introduction to the region facilitated by anthropogenic activities. Using bulk segregant analysis and gene expression assays, we identified six, novel candidate genes that potentially contribute to intraspecific melanin variance in C. deneoformans. Finally, we investigated genome-wide allele distribution patterns in hybrid strains derived from mating between C. deneoformans and its sister species, C. neoformans. Significantly skewed allele distributions we detected in hybrid genomes highlight the genomic incompatibilities between the two species and support their classification into two, distinct species which has been a topic of much debate. Overall, my PhD thesis makes several contributions to our understanding of soil yeast communities, genetics of virulence factors in C. deneoformans, and outcomes of hybridization between fungal lineages.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Candidate in Philosophy

abstract: Yeast species have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries, with earliest evidence of yeast-fermented beverages dating back to 7000 B.C. Soil is a primary yeast habitat where yeasts with diverse profiles, including those infectious to humans, reside. Cryptococcus deneoformans is a soil yeast that infects people via the respiratory tract to cause serious systemic infections, resulting in 181,000 deaths worldwide every year. C. deneoformans’s ability to produce melanin pigments is a crucial factor in its success as an infectious agent. My thesis investigated global patterns in soil yeast diversity, with a focus on the genetic factors that regulate melanin synthesis in C. deneoformans. I explored the potential impacts of anthropogenic activities on soil yeast communities, as exemplified by the ongoing hybridization between C. deneoformans and its sister species, which were previously geographically isolated. Findings of my thesis advance our knowledge on yeast biology, infections, and genetics research.


title: Mental Health and Assessment Tools: Perspectives from Healthcare Workers

contributor:
Fudge Schormans, Ann
Social Work

subject:
mental health
assessment
psychosocial
biomedical
strengths
deficits

abstract:
Background: Research literature suggests that assessment tools are primarily biomedically oriented, prioritizing the assessment of clients’/patients’ problems and deficits.  Some literature suggests that assessment tools may be improved with the inclusion of psychosocial content and a focus on clients’/patients’ strengths and values.  There is limited research on healthcare workers’ opinions of the assessment tools they use.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to collect data from healthcare workers to see how their opinions on assessment tools may interact with the existing literature.

Methods: Healthcare workers of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton were recruited to complete an online survey comprised of 27 questions asking about the assessment tool they use most.  Data was then analysed using descriptive statistics.

Findings: Participants generally believe that the assessment tools they use are limited in their engagement with strengths, values, and many relevant biopsychosocial issues, and should increase their engagement with these subjects.

Implications: Further research is needed to understand if - like the participants of this study - a larger sample of healthcare workers also feel that the assessment tools they use should change the extent to which they address certain issues.  Furthermore, research is needed to understand reasons why healthcare workers may feel this way.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)