title: The Poet-Priests of the Oxford Movement

contributor:
Ferns, John H.
English

subject:
english
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature

abstract:
The Oxford Movement is a fact of history. It aimed at the restoring to the Church of England the Catholic ideals of the seventeenth-century Anglican divines. The Movement's chief goals were the defence of the Church of England as a Divine institution tracing its origin (through Apostolic Succession) to New Testament times, and the maintaining of a rule of faith through the usage of the Book of Common Prayer.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the poetry of four priests: John Keble, Isaac Williams, John Henry Newman and Frederick W. Faber-- who were actively engaged in the development of the Oxford Movement-- to determine to what extent, if any, their poetry was affected by the changing conditions of their lives as the Movement expanded. Their backgrounds differed. They began as men of one mind; history records that their paths diverged-- in some cases radically. This study will try to determine if the changes they underwent reflect in their poetry and, if so, did each poet have a similar experience. If it is found that their poetry, throughout their lives and among themselves, did not show any significant change in their thought, then their collective poetic expression would seem to support the contention of Aristotle in On Poetics that "poetry is something more philosophic and of greater import than history, since its statements are of the nature of universals, whereas those of history are singulars" because the Oxford Movement, in time, achieved each of its stated goals but only after much bitter debate. To be specific to the argument, it took well over a century of history to achieve the unanimity which was evident in the poetry of the poetpriests from the beginning.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: A controlled cluster randomized pilot study of the effect of a new smoking cessation management module on rates of initiation and continuation of smoking counselling in Ontario primary care practices using P-PROMPT Chronic Disease Management System (CDMS)

contributor:
Sebaldt, Rolf J.
Health Research Methodology

subject:
Health Research Methodology
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract:
Multi-faceted interventions that include some form of a clinical information system have been shown to improve primary care physicians' management of chronic diseases. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a cluster randomized controlled trial of a multi-faceted intervention, which includes a clinical information system, to improve the management of the chronic disease of tobacco use by physicians. Feasibility was assessed with respect to the use of a measurement tool (Smoking Status Identification Card) and use of a new smoking cessation management module in the clinical information system.

Letters of invitation were sent out to the 65 primary care physicians (in 38 primary care practices) who were subscribed to the web-based clinical information system (P-PROMPT CDMS). Five physicians from 5 primary care practices agree.d to participate, who were stratified and then randomized to the intervention (2 primary care practices) or control group (3 primary care practices).

Following the 12-week study period, SSIC completion reached the 90% threshold success criterion in 2 of the 5 primary care practices (one each from the intervention and control group). The intervention group demonstrated basic use of the new smoking cessation management module that reached 21.9% and 19.0% in each of the respective practices, which was below the 30% threshold success criterion. A preliminary evaluation of physician delivery of smoking cessation counselling demonstrated a trend to a higher percentage of Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) physician service billing codes submitted among the physicians in the intervention group, which may be indicative of greater smoking cessation counselling.

It is concluded that a randomized controlled trial to test a multi-faceted intervention is not feasible with the current study design. Significant modifications to the current study design are required that can potentially be tested prior to progression to a larger trial.

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: Justice Foreknowledge, and Fate in the Cilappatikāram

contributor:
Younger, Paul
Sivaramph, K.
MacQueen, Graeme
Religious Studies

subject:
Religious Studies
Religion
Religion

abstract:
Cilappatikāram is a classical Tamil work in verse interspersed with prose, of uncertain date, composed between the 3rd and 6th centuries C.E. It is ascribed to lḷañkō, a prince of the cēra dynasty who became an ascetic, abandoning the prerogatives of wealth and power.

The thesis examines ideas of fate, justice and apotheosis. On the surface, fate appears to be pervasive. Guilt is identified as an instrument for the working out of fate and a certain kind of knowledge is sought to be the solution to worldly woes. The notion of aṇuñku, affliction, is seen to have, as it were, a life of its own as the dynamic net of relations which binds characters and their actions together, providing channels for the action of fate.

Asking whether lḷañkō provides a viable religious solution to the breach between the experience of raw suffering and ideas of salvation, in the apotheosis of his protagonist, Kaṇṇaki, he is found to fail in precisely the way he is most generally appreciated as having succeeded. However, lḷañkō hints at a transcendental vision which provides a better prospector for success in the battle with sorrow.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Analysis of Non-Linear Non-Stationary Oscillations

contributor:
Gladwin, A.S.
Electrical Engineering

subject:
Electrical and Electronics
Electrical and Electronics

abstract:
The behaviour of certain non-linear oscillatory systems are studied analytically. These systems are of the "separable" type i.e. they can be modelled using linear frequency-dependent networks, frequency independent non-linear resistive networks, and non-linear reactive networks.

When the time-lags in an oscillatory system are negligibly small, the system may be described by a non-linear differential equation. If the time-lags cannot be ignored, the system may be described by a non-linear difference-differential equation.

The exact analytical solutions of non-linear differential or difference-differential equations are not known, except in rare cases. However, with appropriate restrictions, analytical approximations may be found.

In this work, analytical approximations are developed for treating second-order, forced or unforced weakly non-linear oscillatory systems, as well as a restricted class of unforced highly non-linear systems. These systems may be of the degenerative or regenerative type. Also, the case when time-lags exist in the system, has been studied analytically.

The analytical results are verified either experimentally or by numerical simulation.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Transport of Young in the Norway Rat

contributor:
Leon, Michael
Psychology

subject: Psychology Psychology

abstract:
During the first two to three weeks of their life, the altricial young of the Norway rat remain in a nest constructed by the mother. If this nest is distributed, the mother will abandon it and transport her young individually to a new location.

When the nests of lactating rats were destroyed daily from the day of birth (day 0) through day 30 of lactation, it was found that the probability of transport of young was high until the beginning of the third week postpartum. After day 14, the probability of transport began to decrease, and 90% of mothers had ceased transporting entirely by day 20.

When the nest box of a day 4 or day 12 mother was not disturbed, or when a concealing paper nest remained after the cover of the box was removed, the probability of transport was very low. However, exposure of the mother and young, destruction of the nest, and flooding of the nest were found to be sufficient to elicit transport.

The elimination of pup distress signals by anesthetization of the litter did not decrease the probability, nor increase the latency of transport. Therefore, mothers appear to be responding directly to the characteristics of the disturbance itself, rather than to the distress of the pups.

Although distress signals from the young are not necessary for the elicitation of transport behavior, they are sufficient to increase the probability of transport when the mother and young remain concealed by a paper nest after the nest box cover is removed. Distress cries emitted by a single pup induced the mother to transport the entire litter. No preference was shown for the pup emitting the cries.

The young also facilitate their transport to a safe nest by exhibiting a characteristic transport response in which all of their extremities are tucked in close to the body. This pup transport response is normally elicited by the tactile stimulation of the skin received from the mother's teeth. Grasping the skin of almost any area on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body was sufficient to elicit the transport response, and mothers were observed to carry pups by grasping the skin anywhere in these areas.

The pup transport response develops gradually over the first 10 days of life, and then can be reliably elicited until the end of the third week postpartum. After this time, the response becomes more difficult to elicit.

The ontogeny of the pup transport response suggests its function; that is, the response is seen during the time that mothers will still carry larger pups which may be unwieldy. The elimination of the pup transport response by light anesthesia does not impede the transport behavior of the mother on day 5, when pups are relatively small. On day 12, however, when pups have become relatively large, elimination of the transport response causes the pups limbs to drag along the ground, interfering with the mother's locomotion and increasing the time necessary to transport young, either through a tunnel or in an open runway.

The rat mother and young thus interact on several levels to ensure the safety of the litter after nest site disturbance.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Mythic Qualities of Space and Time in John Milton's Paradise Lost

contributor:
Roebuck, W. G.
English

subject:
English
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature

abstract:
John Milton's presentation of his epic, Paradise Lost, represents an attempt to extend to the seventeenth-century reader an explanation of a world in need of understanding. In religion, politics and science there was perceived, justifiably, an uncertainty due to transition and innovation. An epic, by definition, purports to relate the decisive, paradigmatic event of human history. Utilising the Bible as his primary source, and with the addition of other forms of discourse as diverse as classical allusion and contemporary science, Milton attempts to render the chaotic calm, the inexplicable explicable, through a belief system proffered in the form of myth. Thus, Paradise Lost can be read as both emerging from a sense of anxiety in the seventeenth century, and as an attempt to alleviate that anxiety.

The extraordinary complexity and density of Paradise Lost would seem to require a careful, close reading of the text. Thus, it is necessary to thoughtfully select representational passages from Milton's epic in order to observe how this seventeenth-century anxiety is being addressed. A consideration of these passages will reveal patterns and strategies delineating how certain devices and aspects of the text can be read metaphorically. In turn, these metaphors can be seen as being in service of the myth which Milton is presenting to assuage the anxiety of the contemporary reader. The two aspects of the text to be discussed in this thesis are space and time.

The metaphorical strategies that John Milton applies toward his creation of myth are evident in any number of the disparate aspects which constitute Paradise Lost. Space and time, while crucial, are representative elements of an overall, comprehensive scheme on the part of the poet. Space, and the dermition of this term, undergoes a significant metamorphosis in the text. Paradise Lost is a text which contains cosmic themes, and the historical evolution of the understanding of space as "a distance between two separate points" to space as "the firmaament beyond the Earth's atmosphere" is demonstrated in this text. Milton is eager to derme knowledge and the limits placed on the acquisition of knowledge in order to provide his reader with a means of understanding reality. Both dermitions of space, described above, provide the poet with opportunities for his pedagogy. Time, along with being a concept naturally complementary to space, is of utility for understanding the structure of Milton's myth. How the poet addresses the anxiety inherent in an awareness of human mortality, combined with discussing the importance of linear time in relation with human history, is instructive. The prelapsarian world was one of circular time, with with the possibility of change being viewed optimistically. The postlapsarian world initiates linear time. This concept of human history as linear, and the consequences that this linear time has with respect to man's mortality, are incorporated in Milton's retelling of the Christian myth.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Gender and the Transformation of the Pastoral in the Seventeenth century

contributor:
Bowerbank, Sylvia
English

abstract:
Although the seventeenth-century pastoral has generated much literary analysis, little has been written about gender and its significance in the employment of this genre. This work addresses this need. However, due to the restrictions of time and space, its scope is necessarily limited to an examination of six poets.

This thesis compares how the male and female writers perceived the retired life and the role of the poet throughout this tempestuous century as England moved from feudal to modern political, social and economic principles. Inasmuch as the male writers used the pastoral to address the destruction of England's former 'edenic' state, the feudal hierarchy, the female poets employed the pastoral to re-define their representation by the patriarchy and to develop their literary identity. My examination attempts to address the transformation of the pastoral during the seventeenth century by its male and female poets.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Trafficking in Women in Africa: Analysis of Approaches to Policy

contributor:
Lee, Bill
Social Work

subject:
Social Work
Social Work

abstract:
Trafficking in women has been identified as one of the worst forms of human rights violations. Heightened awareness points to the increasing scope of this phenomenon that extends into almost every part of the world. Despite a lack of available, reliable research, Africa has recently been recognized as a region in which the incidence of trafficking in women is particularly alarming. This paper contends that as African govemments currently face the challenging task of developing policies to prevent and suppress trafficking in humans, an analysis of current approaches used to address the problem is of critical importance. This is especially crucial since many criticize current anti-trafficking measures as not only inadequate and ineffective, but as further exacerbating situations of abuse and further undermining fundamental human rights of the women who are trafficked. This study argues that any viable policy developed in Africa with the intention of combating trafficking must have the needs of the victims of trafficking front and centre.

This paper lays the foundation for analysis by first exploring the current situation and relevant issues pertaining to trafficking in women, with a focus on Africa. It then analyzes four different approaches to developing anti-trafficking measures by considering different conceptualizations of trafficking, by exploring the strategies proposed under each approach, by unmasking underlying political motives, and by examining whose needs, whether those of the state or those of the women, are ultimately addressed. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach are identified. This paper contends that reframing current studies on trafficking in women based on this type of analysis establishes the necessary groundwork for the needs of women trafficked to be meaningfully considered. Finally, this paper highlights areas of future consideration. It emphasizes ways in which gender-responsive and rights-based perspectives might be integrated in order that measures taken should not adversely affect those women who are trafficked.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Politics Outside the "We": Foucault, Habermas, and the Foundations of Politics

contributor:
Allen, Barry
Philosophy

subject: Philosophy Philosophy

abstract: In this thesis, I attempt to rectify certain misunderstandings which typically have characterized contributions to the so-called HabermaslF oucault debate, and I propose a resolution to that debate. First, I clarify what I call "the Habermasian challenge" to Foucault--that is, Habermas's contention that Foucault must provide an account of the "normative foundations" of his political criticism, but, at the same time, that no such account can be consistent with Foucault's genealogical work--and show why attempts to answer that challenge on Foucault's behalf are unsuccessful. Second, I elaborate Habermas's own purported normative foundations--his "discourse ethics"--and I show why they cannot function in the way that they must for his challenge to Foucault to retain its point. Third, I argue that Foucault must reject foundationalism because foundationalism is incompatible with his ethics: both with his philosophical ethic of "parrhesia", and with his political ethic as someone identifying with those outside what I call the "central 'we'" of the society of which he is a member.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Liberal Egalitarianism: An Examination of the Theories Of John Rawls and Ronald Dworkin

contributor:
Waluchow, Wilfred J.
Philosophy

subject: Philosophy Philosophy

abstract:
In this thesis, I will contrast the theories of John Rawls and Ronald Dworkin with a view to showing that Dworkin presents a theory of distributive justice which is superior to Rawls' theory of distributive justice. The reason for this is that Dworkin's theory incorporates considerations of individual choice and responsibility into the assessment of distributive justice to a greater extent than Rawls' theory.

The two theories are contrasted on four points:

(1) Assessing the relative values of sets of primary goods which differ in character,

(2) Providing for those with handicaps,

(3) Allowing for individual initiative,

(4) Protecting the interests of those who are better-off. Dworkin's theory, so I argue, is able to provide a more satisfactory account of how a theory of distributive justice should deal with each of these four issues.

For this reason, it represents an important advance over Rawls' theory of distributive justice.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: "Whatever Happens, This Is": Lesbian Speech-Act Theory and Adrienne Rich's "Twenty-One Love Poems"

contributor:
York, Lorraine
English

abstract: Throughout both her poetry and prose, Adrienne Rich acknowledges "the dynamic between poetry as language and poetry as a kind of action, probing, burning, stripping, placing itself in dialogue with others out beyond the individual self" (Blood. Bread, and Poetry 181). J.L, Austin's speech-act theory provides a means by which to read the linguistic "action" in Rich's poetry. Austin's concept of performative language defines the power of words that "do things," words whose articulation is an act of creation. By combining lesbian and speech-act theory, the linguistic challenges facing a lesbian whose experience has never been expressed in language can also be understood. This theoretical framework highlights many important themes of the "Twenty-One Love Poems," such as silence, music, and writing as living, and also helps to define a specific lesbian poetic aesthetic.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: A 'Curious Mixture': The Reader and Hierarchy in John Milton's Paradise Lost

contributor:
Silcox, Mary
English

abstract:
This thesis has a two-fold purpose: to explore the criterion used by the reader to hierarchically arrange the epic's characters and to examine the discrepancy between the reader's preconceived and actual interpretations of the hierarchy within Paradise Lost. Since I believe that each reader experiencing the epic expects its characters to maintain certain attributes, the crux of my thesis will be to determine if the reader can reconcile his or her expectations about the nature of hierarchy with the actual hierarchy as presented in Milton's text. To better understand Paradise Lost in a way that has not hitherto been studied, I have developed a new perspective- the cognitive paradigm- which centers around the way in which readers structure their experiences. This approach encourages readers to re-structure their current interpretations of the epic's events when new information or schema is presented to them. Although Fish describes the poem's methods as a "programme of reader harassment" (1967: 4), I maintain that Paradise Lost invites its readers to embrace the opportunity to re-visit our old assumptions in order to fully experience the text.

Chapter One sets forth the dual task of outlining my area of interest and positing an alternative framework for which to analyze the text. Chapter Two focuses on exploring the different attributes of Adam and Eve to determine if the traditional hierarchical reading is supported, whereby Adam possesses superior qualities to his female counterpart. Chapter Three examines the divine and demonic entities of God and Satan and prompts us to consider how Milton's portrayal of these characters affects our understanding of the hierarchy. Chapter Four concludes with a brief overview and offers its readers future points to consider.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Irony, Metafiction, and The Female Ouixote

contributor:
Walmsley, Peter
English

abstract: This thesis discusses the relationship of irony and metafiction in Charlotte Lennox's 1752 novel The Female Quixote. Though it is a very early work of metafiction, The Female Quixote draws attention to itself as a literary construct, questioning the relationship between romance and the novel through the complicated interplay of ironies. While it is ostensibly a novel in which the quixotic heroine Arabella ultimately learns the error of her ways, The Female Quixote nevertheless contains a number of romance elements in its plot and characters, which undercuts the apparent defeat of romance at the end. Furthermore, Arabella's immersion in her heroic world draws a number of characters supposedly rooted in the "real" world of the novel into similarly quixotic situations, thus generating other layers of "reality," or fictional worlds-within-worlds. The recontextualisation of romance language and behaviour is the major mechanism in the production of these worlds-withinworlds. These fictional layers are metafictional in the sense that they foreground the contrasts and similarities between the novel's "real" world and Arabella's fantasy world. The more fictional layers generated in the text, the more apparent it becomes to the reader that they are all merely constructs, as is the "real" world of the novel. The first chapter of the thesis examines The Female Quixote as a romance, and also discusses the text's portrayal of romance as an ironic mode. The second chapter focuses on Arabella's world of romance, with particular emphasis on the creative power of ironically recontextualised romance language. The third chapter discusses the ways in which Glanville and Sir George both attempt to manipulate Arabella's world for their own purposes, in turn generating other fictional layers or worlds in which they become entangled. The fourth chapter compares the approaches of the Countess and the Doctor to getting Arabella to readjust to the novel's "real" world, examining these attempts to alter Arabella's perception of the world in relation to language, irony and romance. The concluding chapter analyses the metafictional implications of the topics discussed in the previous chapters, also locating Lennox's questioning of the nature of genre and fiction within the contexts of irony and literary history.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Matematics Far From Home: International Graduate Students Struggle to Succeed in Canadian Universities

contributor:
Lovric, Miroslav
Lozinski, David
Haskell, Deirdre
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
International Graduate students
Struggle
mathematics
Canadian Universities
Succeed
Courses
Science and Mathematics Education
Science and Mathematics Education

abstract: Mathematics departments at Canadian universities accept yearly many international graduate students, who are aiming for the MSc and PhD degrees offered by those departments. This study seeks to understand the difficulties faced by some of those students at English-speaking Canadian universities. Its main aim is to determine why some international graduate students struggle with mathematics courses at a graduate level, even though their academic achievement in their home countries may have been high. In this study we want to know whether this problem is related to language barriers, to the time gap between the last acquired degree and the current one, to the educational systems to which students have been exposed in their countries of origin, or to other reasons. I interviewed twelve international graduate students fromMcMasterUniversityandUniversityofGuelphas well as three faculty members from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics atMcMasterUniversity. The students who participated come from different countries:Russia,Belarus,Slovakia,Pakistan,India,Bangladesh,Turkey,Iran,China, andSaudi Arabia. While some of those countries seem to have similar cultures and life styles, others are distinctly different. The interviews helped me to draw a deeper perspective about the problem by exploring the reasons that hamper some of those students from succeeding in their courses, and asking the participants to provide their suggestions to other students and faculty members on how to eliminate these obstacles. This study helps to improve the academic graduate programs of the department of mathematics by adjusting to students’ needs and enhancing their learning outcomes. It also suggests to international graduate students to discover and examine their weaknesses and prepare themselves academically to fulfill the requirements of their programs.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Feasibility of Using Dredged Bottom Sediments as an Agricultural Soil

contributor:
Kramer, J.R.
Geology

subject: Geology Geology

abstract:
The utilization of contaminated bottom sediments as agricultural soil was investigated as a new approach of the dredged sediment disposal.

Bottom sediments collected from Hamilton Harbour~ Humber Bay Port Stanley~ Detroit River Mouth~ and Lake St. Clair were used for the determination of chemical, physical and biological properties considered important for the evaluation of bottom sediments as agricultural soil.

It was proved in leaching experiments and lysimeters that the concentrations of elements, released from the bottom sediments dispersed in water ~ were Imver than those recommended for water for public use with the exception of manganese and nickel. (Cd < 0.001 mg/I, Cr < 0.2 mg/l, Cu 0.08 mg/l, Fe 0.08 mg/l, pb < 0.001 mg/I, Mn 2.9 mg/l, Hg < 0.05 mg/l, Ni 0.07 mg/l, Zn 1.1 mg/l). The suitability of contaminated bottom sediments from Hamilton Harbour, Humber Bay and Detroit River as agricultural soil was verified in greenhouse experiment by -planting tomatoes and corn with a good crop yield. The crop yield of the Humber Bay tomato plants was best, follmved by those of Hamilton Harbour and Detroit River.

Tomato plants and corn did not take up various elements in the proportions in which the elements occurred in the sediments, but exerted a selective action, absorbing greater amounts of some elements than others. Tomato plants took up nutrients and trace elements only to a certain limiting concentration characteristic for individual plant organs. The concentrations were comparable with those found by soil scientists studying the uptake of elements from soils.

Following maximum concentrations were determined for tomato fruit grown in Humber Bay sediment: K 37,000 mg/kg, Mg 2,100 mg/kg, Ca 1,750 mg/kg, Zn 40 mg/kg, Sr 30 mg/kg, Cu 23 mg/kg, Pb 12 mg/kg, Co 7 mg/kg, Cd 2 mg/kg - Arsenic, molybdenum, manganese, chromium, nlckel and mercury were below the levels of detection.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Analysis and Modelling of the Electrical Control Activity in Human Colon

contributor:
Sarna, S.K.
Electrical Engineering

abstract:
The electrical control activity in human colon was analyzed using an interactive processor, which was developed and implemented on a NOVA 830 minicomputer, for the analysis of a biological rhythm. The characteristics of the human colonic electrical control activity varied in time and space. The colonic control waves were continuously present with waxing and waning of their amplitudes and they were not continuously phase-locked in either the longitudinal or the circumferential directions. Furthermore, multiple fundamental frequencies along with harmonic frequencies were present whereby the intensity, of a harmonic frequency could be larger than that of a fundamental frequency.

An interactive processor for modelling of a biological rhythm by a population of coupled relaxation oscillators was developed and implemented on a NOVA minicomputer, whereby each oscillator could be selectively stimulated.

A tubular structure of bidirectionally coupled rings of bidirectionally coupled synthesized relaxation oscillators was used to model the human colonic electrical activity. The computer model qualitatively reproduced the observed characteristics of human colonic electrical control activity. A mathematical investigation of a population of coupled synthesized relaxation oscillators elucidated the nature of waxing and waning of the amplitudes of control waves. Furthermore, it provided the conditions of synchronization of the population which led to the derivation of conditions of entrainment of a synthesized relaxation oscillator by different external stimuli.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: An Adaptive Maximum Likelihood Receiver for Rayleigh Fading Channels

contributor:
Taylor, Desmond P.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering

abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to develop a practical receiver for Rayleigh fadin?; channels. which does not exhibit the error floor found for conventional receivers in this channel. A model of a general time and frequency-selective channel is developed, and the opt.imal receiver structure for a time-selective channel is derived for general signalling. The theoretical performance of a standard and maximum likelihood receiver is analyzed for the case of f\Iary differential phase shift keying. A recursive, channel adaptive version of the optimal receiver is derived, and through simulation, its performance is compared to theoretical expectations . Results indicate that such a receiver will reduce the receiver error floor severnl orders of magnitude at typical channel signal-to-noise ratios.

abstract: Master of Engineering (MEngr)


title: A History of the Theory of Types with Special Reference to Developments After the Second Edition of Principia Mathematica

contributor:
Moore, Gregory H.
Mathematics

subject: Mathematics Mathematics

abstract:
This thesis traces the development of the theory of types from its origins in the early twentieth century through its various forms until the mid 1950's. Special attention is paid to the reception of this theory after the publication ofthe second edition of Whitehead and Russell's Principia Mathematica. We examine how the theory of types declined in influence over four decades. From being in the 1920s the dominant form of mathematical logic, by 1956 this theory had been abandoned as a foundation for mathematics. The use and modification of the theory by logicians such as Ramsey, Carnap, Church, Quine, Gode and Tarski is given particular attention. Finally, the view of the theory of types as a many-sorted first-order theory in the 1950's is discussed.

It was the simple theory, as opposed to the ramified theory of types that was used almost exclusively during the years following the second edition of Principia. However, it is shown in this thesis that in the 1950's a revival of the ramified theory oftypes occurred. This revival of ramified-type theories coincided with the consideration of cumulative type hierarchies. This is most evident in the work ofHao Wang and John Myhill. The consideration of cumulative type-hierarchies altered the form of the theory of types in a substantial way. The theory was altered even more drastically by being changed from a many-sorted theory into a one-sorted theory. This fmal "standardization" of the theory of types in the mid 1950's made it not much different from first-order Zermelo-Fraenkel set-theory. The theory of types, whose developments are traced in this thesis, therefore lost its prominence as the foundation for mathematics and logic.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Assailing "As": A Study of Wole Soyinka's Drama

contributor:
Goellnicht, Donald
English

subject:
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature

abstract:
I must be honest and admit that I was only introduced to the name of Wole Soyinka in November 1986, in connection with his controversial Nobel acceptance speech at the Swedish Academy. For this reason, I have chosen to accurately represent my developing awareness with respect to this man and his writing, by viewing his work through the magnifying glass of that very political address, delivered three years ago. Since the germination of this study, I have discovered that I would not want to approach Soyinka ' s work from any other perspective than one that primarily considers the playwright's political analysis, his sense of social responsibility, and his commitment to human liberty and justice, as the foundations for an investigation of his plays.

The title of this thesis refers to a fictional philosophy of tyranny developed and attacked in Soyinka's powerful postCivil War play, Madmen and Specialists, but is relevant to the major themes explored in nearly everything the Nigerian has written, and is particularly central to the four plays examined here. Madmen and Specialists is considered, in this thesiS,in the second chapter, along with the later political farce, A Play of Giants, while the other two plays in the study, The Strong Breed and Death and the King's Horseman, are analysed in the first chapter, and linked by their tragic treatments of similar issues. Illuminated by the content of Soyinka's Nobel address which is discussed briefly in the opening chapter, this study aims to examine these plays which place the playwr'ight in his appropriate context as an African writer committed to the liberation of his people, his continent and the rest of humanity.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Role and Function of the Ontario Ombudsman

contributor:
March, R. R.
Political Science

subject:
Political Science
Political Science

abstract:
The purpose of this thesis will be to examine and evaluate the office of the Ombudsman in the province of Ontario since it was created in May, 1975. We suggest that this is a unique mechanism of administrative control over bureaucracy. The significance of the Ombudsman's office is twofold. First the Ombudsman bridges the gap between government and the people by providing the citizens of Ontario with an office where they can lodge their complaints against unfair administrative decisions and through which they can get their grievance redressed.

Secondly, the Ombudsman's office promotes the general efficiency of administration whereby the Ombudsman's recommendations and admonitions correct administrative -malpractices and prevent their recurrence by acting as a set of guidelines for government officials. In this manner, through the improvement of government administration and thereby preventing the recurrence of administrative injustice, the Ombudsman provides both direct and indirect protection a gainst unfoun ded and unjust administrative decisions.

Hence, as the range of such democratic institutions widens, the need for an understanding of its aims and principles becomes more pressing. It is with the hope of making some contribution to the understanding of the Ombudsman's office, particularly in the province of Ontario, that this thesis is being written.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Hart Crane: A Study of the Bridge

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Problems of the Ultimate Consumer in Canada

subject:
Political Economy
Other Political Science
Political Science
Other Political Science

abstract: Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: Vocational Guidance In Elementary And Secondary Schools With School Reference To Canada

abstract: Very old and light writing copy available.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Development of biomarkers for evaluating phosphate stress in Thellungiella salsuginea

contributor:
Weretilnyk, Elizabeth A.
Cameron, Robin
Jacobs, Roger J.
Biology

subject:
Thellungiella
Phosphate
Arabidopsis
Biomarkers
Yukon
Shandong
Plant Biology
Plant Biology

abstract:
Phosphorus is a macronutrient required for plant growth and reproduction. Insufficient supplies of phosphate will adversely impact plant growth. In an effort to supply adequate phosphate to crops, large quantities of phosphate-rich fertilizer are applied to fields but much of the phosphate can leach from the soil as run-off, impacting water systems. Therefore, proper management of phosphate and the development of phosphate efficient genotypes of plants are strategies needed for a sustainable agriculture industry.

This thesis project focused on the development of biomarkers of phosphate stress in Thellungiella salsuginea, a plant highly tolerant to salt, cold and water deficit. Biomass determinations and real-time quantitative PCR were used to determine the gene expression of several genes selected as known phosphate-responsive genes from studies of phosphate starvation of the related genetic model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

 Thellungiella seedlings were grown on 5 and 500 µM phosphate media. The expression of several genes (RNS1, At4, Pht1;1, Pht1;4, Pht1;5, Siz1, PHR1, WRKY75, and Pht2;1) were assayed for their response to media phosphate content. RNS1 and At4 expression was estimated from cDNA prepared from shoot tissues while At4, Pht1;1 and Pht1;5 expression was determined from root tissues. In all tissue sources, significantly increased expression of RNS1, At4, Pht1;1 and Pht1;5 was observed under 5 µM phosphate exposure.

 Two natural accessions of Thellungiella were used in this study with one originating from the Yukon Territory, Canada and the second from Shandong Province, China. Seedlings of both ecotypes were grown on defined media plates containing various concentrations of phosphate (0, 25, 125, 250, 500, and 2000 µM). For both accessions, the addition of as little as 25 µM phosphate led to significant increases in root and shoot biomass. Gene expression levels corresponding to RNS1, At4 and Pht1;1 were the highest in Yukon and Shandong Thellungiella grown on 0 µM phosphate media. The addition of 25 µM phosphate to the media was enough to significantly decrease transcript abundance of RNS1, At4 and Pht1;1. In a test using the transfer of Yukon Thellungiella seedlings from high (500 µM) to low (5 µM) phosphate the expression of At4 in roots and shoots increased 30-fold over a five-day period and only Pht1;1 expression increased in the roots over the same time period.

RNS1 and At4 share attributes that make them suitable biomarkers for phosphate stress in plants. Both genes are expressed in the shoots making it easier to remove tissue for monitoring gene expression, and both genes show readily discernible increases in transcript levels for determination by qPCR. At present, however, the role for their products in phosphate assimilation by plants is uncertain. This lack of knowledge is a deterrent to adopting these genes for widespread use as biomarkers. In particular, more work needs to be done to characterize factors that elicit their expression to test the specificity of their response to phosphate stress in Thellungiella.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Ordered Hjelmslev Planes

contributor:
Lane, N. D.
Mathematics

subject: Mathematics Mathematics

abstract:
There are two equivalent ways to define order on ordinary affine planes; however generalizations of these definitions to A.H. planes yield two distinct definitions. We investigate the relationship between ordered A.H. planes and their ordered coordinate biternary rings. We introduce two new order relations: projective orderings of A.H. planes which are shown to be equivalent to strong orderings of the coordinate biternary rings of these planes and almost-strong orderings of biternary rings which are equivalent to strong orderings of the corresponding A.H. planes. In addition, we extend the axioms of order for projective planes to P.H. planes and discuss the properties of these order relations.

We now show that an A.H. plane embedded in an ordered P.H. plane is itself ordered.

We consider the projective completions constructed by Artmann, coordinatize them by means of biternary rings with additional ternary operations and prove various properties of the new ternary operators. We then show that although there exist strongly ordered projectively uniform A.H. planes which do not have ordered projective completions, we can always construct ordered projective completions of projectively ordered projectively uniform A.H. planes.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Electronic Strategies to Enhance Venous Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Medical Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

contributor:
Douketis, James
Cook, Deborah
Crowther, Mark
Health Research Methodology

subject:
knowledge translation
medical patients
anticoagulants
venous thromboembolism
cluster randomization
electronic orders
Hematology
Medicine and Health Sciences
Preventative Medicine
Hematology

abstract: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which encompasses deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is the most preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. Due to its high mortality, morbidity, and cost, health care providers are obligated to not only effectively diagnose and treat VTE, but also to prevent it if possible. This has been reinforced by a number of national and international quality initiatives to prevent hospital-acquired VTE. Despite the existence of well-accepted clinical practice guidelines on VTE prophylaxis, 1 in 3 hospitalized medical patients receives an inappropriate VTE prophylaxis strategy. Both underuse of prophylaxis in patients with VTE risk, and overuse of prophylaxis in patients without VTE risk are problems. The use of inappropriate VTE prophylaxis strategies is likely due to the complexity and heterogeneity of hospitalized medical patients, and the difficulty of applying “one size fits all” practice guidelines to this group. Institution-wide knowledge translation strategies are required to close the gap between evidence and practice, and promote evidence-based VTE prophylaxis strategies in hospitalized medical patients. The objective of this thesis is to design a cluster randomized controlled trial to determine if a standardized electronic order set, with an embedded computerized decision support system and audit and feedback component, affects the use of appropriate VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized medical patients. The unit of randomization in this study is the hospital, which serves as the cluster. The unit of observation in this study is the individual patient. The primary outcome of this study is the proportion of in-hospital days during which appropriate VTE prophylaxis is administered, in intervention versus control hospitals. Secondary outcomes are the rates of hospital-acquired VTE, major bleeding and mortality, in intervention versus control hospitals. Design, analytic and ethical challenges unique to cluster randomized trials will also be discussed. Strategies to overcome them in this trial will be presented.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: ADAPTED EXERCISE INTERVENTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH PROGRESSIVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

contributor:
Hicks, Audrey L.
Kinesiology

subject:
multiple sclerosis
exercise
rehabilitation
walking
quality of life
fatigue
Exercise Science
Nervous System Diseases
Other Kinesiology
Other Rehabilitation and Therapy
Exercise Science

abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated neurodegenerative disease that results in a myriad of physical and mental symptoms. Current disease-modifying therapies do not prevent long-term disability accumulation and are particularly ineffective for patients with a progressive disease onset. Exercise may represent an alternative strategy for managing symptoms and disability accumulation, particularly in progressive MS.

Whereas the benefits of exercise have been established primarily in ambulatory MS patients with a relapsing disease course, few studies have investigated the benefits of exercise for patients with progressive MS with greater impairment. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to determine the short-term, long-term, and maintenance effects of adapted exercise interventions for patients with progressive MS of high disability which was addressed by conducting two adapted exercise interventions.

The first intervention examined the effects of 24 weeks of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on outcomes of physical and mental functioning, fatigue, quality of life, and brain health. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks following the intervention, and again 12 weeks post-intervention. The second intervention evaluated and compared the effects of 12 weeks of total-body recumbent stepper training (TBRST) to BWSTT on outcomes of safety, physical and mental functioning, fatigue, quality of life, and equipment preference.

Safety of BWSTT and TBRST was established. Significant improvements in fatigue and QoL were observed with both training modalities; however, neither significantly improved physical function. There was some evidence to suggest long-term BWSTT may improve cognitive performance and brain health, and that TBRST was the preferred exercise modality. Furthermore, most beneficial effects of long-term BWSTT tended not to be maintained when exercise was discontinued.

This dissertation established evidence for the potential benefits of BWSTT and TBRST in patients with progressive MS with high disability. BWSTT and TBRST may represent viable alternative strategies for disease management.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: INSIGHTS INTO PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AND ITS DOSIMETRY USING A DYNAMIC MODEL FOR ALA-PDT OF NORMAL HUMAN SKIN

contributor:
Patterson, Michael S.
Medical Physics

subject:
Photodynamic therapy
ALA-PDT
Dosimetry
Fluorescence
Photobleaching
Singlet oxygen
luminescence
SNSPD
Medical Biophysics
Medical Biophysics

abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a rapidly developing clinical treatment modality involving a light-activatable photosensitizer, tissue oxygen and light of an appropriate wavelength to generate cytotoxic reactive molecular species - primarily singlet oxygen (1O2). Singlet oxygen readily reacts with surrounding biomolecules leading to different biological effects and subsequent therapeutic outcomes. Over the last decades, many standard PDT treatments have been approved worldwide to treat different medical conditions ranging from a variety of cancer conditions to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Meanwhile, many active clinical trials and pre-clinical studies are underway for other clinical indications. The therapeutic outcomes of PDT are difficult to predict reliably even with many years of research. The fundamental cause for this is the inherent complexity of PDT mechanisms. As PDT involves three main components, the outcomes of PDT are determined by the combination of all components. Each component varies temporally and spatially during PDT, and the variations are mutually dependent on each other. Moreover, components such as the photosensitizer can have great variations in their initial distribution among patients even before PDT treatment. Given this, no well accepted standard PDT dose metric method has been recognized in clinics, although different approaches including explicit, implicit and direct dosimetry have been studied. To tackle the inherently complicated PDT mechanism in order to provide insights into PDT and PDT dosimetry, a theoretical one-dimensional model for aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)-PDT of human skin was developed and is presented in this thesis. The model incorporates major photophysical and photochemical reactions in PDT, and calculated temporal and spatial distributions of PDT components as well as the detectable emission signals including both sensitizer fluorescence and singlet oxygen luminescence (SOL) using typical clinical conditions. Since singlet oxygen is considered to cause PDT outcomes, the correlations of different PDT dose metrics to average reacted (1O2) "dose" and "dose" at different depths were examined and compared for a wide range of varied treatment conditions. The dose metrics included absolute fluorescence bleaching metric (AFBM), fractional fluorescence bleaching metric (FFBM) and cumulative singlet oxygen luminescence (CSOL), and the varied treatment conditions took into account different treatment irradiances and wavelengths, varied initial sensitizer concentration and distribution, and a wide range of optical properties of tissue. These investigations and comparisons provide information about the complicated dynamic process of PDT such as the induction of tissue hypoxia, photosensitizer photobleaching and possible PDT-induced vascular responses. It was also found that the CSOL is the most robust and could serve as a gold standard for the testing of other techniques. In addition to these theoretical studies, recent progress on the assessment of a novel, more efficient superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) for singlet oxygen luminescence detection will be introduced and the current photomultiplier tubes (PMT) system will be briefly described as well. The author participated in the experimental assessments of the SNSPD and analyzed the results shown in this thesis.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Validation DSL for client-server applications

contributor:
Carette, Jacques
Computing and Software

subject:
domain-specific language
input validation
input preprocessing
internal DSL
embedded DSL
groovy DSL
Programming Languages and Compilers
Programming Languages and Compilers

abstract: Given the nature of client-server applications, most use some freeform interface, like web forms, to collect user input. The main difficulty with this approach is that all parameters obtained in this fashion need to be validated and normalized to protect the application from invalid entries. This is the problem addressed here: how to take client input and preprocess it before passing the data to a back-end, which concentrates on business logic. The method of implementation is a rule engine that uses Groovy internal domain-specific language (DSL) for specifying input requirements. We will justify why the DSL is a good fit for a validation rule engine, describe existing techniques used in this area and comprehensively address the related issues of accidental complexity, security, and user experience.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: LATERAL DIFFUSION LPE GROWTH OF SINGLE CRYSTALLINE SILICON FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

contributor:
Kitai, Adrian H.
Rafael. N. Kleiman and Ray. R. LaPierre
Engineering Physics

subject: Liquid phase epitaxy

subject: single crystalline silicon

subject: photovoltaics

subject: solar cells

subject: lateral diffusion

subject: Electrical and Electronics

subject: Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing

subject: Semiconductor and Optical Materials

subject: Electrical and Electronics

abstract:
A modified liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) technique, called lateral diffusion LPE (LDLPE), is invented for low cost and high efficiency solar cell applications. Potentially, LDLPE is able to produce single crystalline silicon wafers directly from the raw material, rather than cutting wafers from single crystalline silicon ingots, therefore reducing the cost by avoiding the cutting and polishing processes.

By using a traditional LPE method, the silicon is epitaxially grown on the silicon substrate by cooling down the saturated silicon/indium alloy solution from a high temperature. The silicon precipitates on the substrate since its solubility in the indium solvent decreases during the cooling process. A SiO2 mask is formed on the (111) substrate with 100µm wide opening windows as seedlines. Silicon is epitaxially grown on the seedline and forms thick epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) layers on the oxide mask. The ELO layers are silicon strips with an aspect ratio of 1:1 (width: thickness), approximately. The strip grows both laterally in width and vertically in thickness.

The concept of LDLPE is to intentionally block the silicon diffusion path from the top of the seedline, but leave the lateral diffusion path from the bulk indium melt to the seedline. Theoretically, by using the LDLPE method, the silicon strip should have a larger aspect ratio, because the laterally growth in width is allowed but the vertical growth in thickness is limited. In addition, single crystalline silicon wafers can be achieved if the strip grows continuously.

A graphite slide boat is designed to place a plate over the seedline to block the diffusion path of silicon atoms from the top of the seedline. After one growth cycle, silicon strips grown by LDLPE are wider than LPE strips but have similar thicknesses. The aspect ratios are increased from 1:1 to a number larger than 2:1. A Monte-Carlo random walk model is used to simulate the change of LDLPE strip aspect ratio caused by placing a plate over the seedline.

Wetting seedline by indium melt is very critical for a successful growth. Due to the small space between the plate and seedline and the surface tension of the indium melt, the indium melt cannot flow into the small space. A pre-wetting technique is used to fill the space prior to loading the graphite boat into the tube furnace and solve the wetting problem successfully.

The structure of a LDLPE silicon strip is characterized by X-ray diffraction. The electrical properties are characterized by Hall Effect measurement and photoconductive decay measurement. LDLPE silicon strips are (111) orientated single crystal and are the same orientation as the substrate. For the growth temperature of 950°C, the LDLPE strip has an estimated effective minority carrier lifetime of 30.9µs. The experimental results demonstrate that LDLPE is feasible for photovoltaic application if continuous growth and scaling up can be achieved.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Storied Displacement, Storied Faith: Engaging Church-Based Activism in Canada with Refugee Fiction and Diaspora Studies

contributor:
Coleman, Daniel
O`Brien, Susannah
Nyers, Peter
English

subject: Refugee Fiction

subject: Refugee Advocacy

subject: Religion and the State

subject: Canada

subject: Refugee Representation

subject: Christian Humanitarianism

subject: Other Race, Ethnicity and post-Colonial Studies

abstract: This dissertation gives a number of answers to the following two research questions: given the storied nature of faith and displacement, what does literary studies have to offer church-based refugee activists in religious diasporas? And what might church-based activists, who are involved in daily struggles to interpret cultural, ethnic, and religious stories for the sake of cultural transformation, have to offer literary studies of displacement? The analysis of this thesis uses literary and cultural theory (diaspora studies, postcolonial theorizations of the exotic, discursive analysis, formalist textual examination, and more) to understand interethnic church-based refugee activism taking place within a specific religious diaspora, the Christian Reformed Church in Canada. The formation of diasporas and faith groups through shared allegiances to communal stories makes literary studies a fitting vantage point from which to examine a religious diaspora. Because religious diasporas have explicitly storied identities, their discourses are open to the potential of stories to effect communal change. Refugee novels and other cultural texts that are valued in diaspora and refugee studies can have a part in shaping the storied identity out of which church-based refugee activism is done, helping religious diasporas to more deeply understand the experiences specific to refugee-ed people and to more closely align their activism with the stated desires of refugee-ed people.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The adaptive response to exercise training: implications for radiation protection and bone marrow transplantation

contributor:
Parise, Gianni
Kinesiology

subject:
hormesis
apoptosis
hematopoietic stem cell
niche
reactive oxygen species
mitochondria
Exercise Science
Exercise Science

abstract: Radiation is a prominent source of environmental oxidative stress that can have deleterious consequences for health. Despite its well-known negative effects, radiation is commonly employed clinically for disease treatment and diagnosis. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT), used in the treatment of a variety of diseases, is preceded by a myeloablative regimen that usually involves radiation. Mortality associated with BMT is quite high and the aggressive radiation pre-treatment regimen contributes to these high rates of mortality. Interventions that inhibit the negative consequences of irradiation and promote BMT success would have significant implications for public health. Exercise-induced adaptations in numerous body tissues have been associated with amelioration of a variety of pathologies, particularly those associated with oxidative stress, and an overall improvement in health. Whether these adaptations can protect from damage induced by an external source of oxidative stress, such as a high dose of radiation, or promote BMT success is unknown. The purpose of this thesis was to determine if the adaptive response to exercise training could inhibit the negative effects of irradiation in skeletal muscle and bone marrow, and promote BMT success. To apply these adaptations to BMT, we examined the response of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and their niche to exercise. We report that muscle from exercise trained mice exhibits an enhanced response to radiation characterized by increased antioxidant and mitochondrial metabolic enzyme activity. Extending these findings to cells in the bone marrow, we demonstrated that exercise training inhibited radiation-induced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. With respect to BMT, exercise training increased HSC quantity with no effects on HSC function; however, preconditioning BMT recipients with exercise training resulted in improved probability of survival and enhanced hematopoietic regeneration. Collectively, results from the studies presented herein suggest that exercise training may be a successful therapeutic intervention to inhibit the damaging effects of radiation and improve BMT outcomes.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The ribosomal function and GTPase activity of Escherichia coli EngA

contributor:
Brown, Eric
Biochemistry

subject:
ribosome biogenesis factor
chemical genetics
rRNA reporter
HTS
Der
YfgK
Biochemistry
Biochemistry

abstract:
Ribosome biogenesis is a major metabolic expense of bacteria and a promising target for antibacterial drug discovery. Trans-acting proteins, called ribosome biogenesis factors, aid this complex and cooperative process. EngA (YfgK, Der) is a widely distributed bacterial GTPase that is shown here to be important for normal ribosome biogenesis. EngA is an attractive antibacterial target because it is essential for viability in bacteria but is absent in humans.

The GTPase activity and cellular function of EngA was investigated in Escherichia coli. Depletion of EngA caused accumulation of 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits at the expense of 70S ribosomes, showing for the first time that EngA is important for normal ribosome biogenesis. Mutation of either of the tandem GTPase domains of EngA led to abnormal ribosome profiles, cell death and loss of GTPase activity, revealing that the two GTPase domains act cooperatively to carry out an essential function. EngA bound the 50S subunit of the ribosome in cells and in vitro. Depletion of EngA resulted in sensitization to aminoglycoside antibiotics, which bind at the aminoacyl-tRNA binding site of ribosomes. To search for an inhibitor of ribosome biogenesis, a high-throughput screen of the GTPase activity of EngA was developed. A specific inhibitor was not identified, however, this robust screen can be extended to other compound libraries. Thus, we showed that the GTPase domains of EngA have a cooperative function in ribosome biogenesis, probably in maturation of the 50S subunit, and that EngA is an amenable target for further inhibitor screens.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: EXPLOITING GLYCOPEPTIDE TAILORING ENZYMES AS AN APPROACH TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE

contributor:
Wright, Gerard
Elliot, Marie
Coombes, Brian
Biochemistry

subject:
Biochemistry
glycopeptide
antibiotic
natural product
resistance
biosynthesis
Biochemistry
Biochemistry

abstract:
The glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin is used as front line treatment for serious Gram-positive infections and resistance to this drug is widespread. Three genes are essential for resistance, vanHAX, which are controlled by a two-component regulatory system VanR and VanS. Here, glycopeptide resistance is found to be ancient and diverse in the environment. A vanA open reading frame from 30 000 yr old DNA was identified and the enzyme was shown to be as functional as comparable to modern day VanA homologs. In the environment resistance is found to be diverse and widespread. For example, the organism Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51 VanH was shown as non-essential in conferring inducible resistance. Furthermore in the glycopeptide producer Amycolatopsis balhimycina harboring the classic vanHAX, a functional VanA homolog is described as an orphan gene outside of any recognizable gene cassette .

Glycopeptides are natural products made by members of the Actinomycete family and are modified by different types of tailoring enzymes. Of particular interest is the glycopeptide A47934, which is ‘aglyco’, and sulfated. The sulfotransferase StaL will transfer not only a sulfate group to A47934, but a sulfamide and fluorosulfonate group. Focusing on additional tailoring enzymes, the biosynthetic cluster of the sulfated glycopeptide UK68597 was sequenced. This cluster has provided a resource for glycopeptide tailoring enzymes for use to modify the A47934 backbone. Sulfation was the first focus and the substrate promiscuity of StaL was explored to expand the chemical diversity A47934 and vancomycin. This work has led to the discovery that glycopeptide sulfation will antagonize the activation and expression of vanHAX. A new sulfated vancomycin derivative was created with this antagonizing activity in the clinical pathogen Enterococcus faecium of the VanB phenotype. Implications of these results and the further use of tailoring enzymes to modify glycopeptides to antagonize resistance will be discussed.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ADJOINT BASED EVOLUTIONARY OPTIMIZATION OF ANTENNAS

contributor:
Bakr, Mohamed H.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

abstract:
This thesis proposes a novel evolutionary approach in antenna design optimization. In this approach using the adjoint sensitivity, readily available in electromagnetic simulation software, a gradient-based optimization process is implemented. In this method coordinates of some control points are used as the optimization variables, and the antenna structure evolves through the optimization process to satisfy the appropriate constraints. This method has been illustrated by design of a number of microstrip antennas.

In the next step this method has been modified using constraints on angles between some hypothetical lines in the antenna structure to keep the antenna structure physical during the optimization process.

Also a new optimization problem has been defined to reduce the spacing between antenna elements in an antenna array for MIMO systems. The initial antenna structure to solve this problem is one of the antenna structures designed previously in this work. A 1 by 2 and a 1 by 3 antenna array for MIMO systems have been designed using this method and measurement of the fabricated antenna verifies the simulation results.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Political Information Channels in an At-Large Municipal Electoral System (City of Guelph 1972 and 1974)

contributor:
Burghardt, A. F.
Geography

subject: Geography Geography

abstract:
This thesis develops a model of political information flow appropriate to the under-studied at-large, non-partisan, multi-candidate municipal electoral system. The model integrates those three elements usually treated as separate entities, namely the candidates, the channels and the electors. Focus is on the many channels, both social and media, which link the candidates and the electors. Candidates make information inputs into channels which they select on the basis of their perception of the channels and their available resources. Elector reception of information is dependent upon their customary use of information channels, candidate use of the channels and the ability of the channel to effect contact. It is suggested that elector output, the vote, is a function of elector response to the information and to the channel which conveys it. One personal channel, neighbours, emphasised in the literature as a significant explanatory variable is selected for detailed study. The contribution of neighbours as a political information channel to the Neighbourhood Effect and the Friends-and-Neighbours Effect is investigated.

The integrated, multi-channel political information model is successfully developed and tested by applying it to the 1972 City of Guelph, Ontario municipal election. It is used to evaluate channel utilisation strategies, channel contact effectiveness and channel influence. Both social and media channels are found to be important, but those long term social and media contact channels linking electors and candidates are found to be most significant. These favour the incumbents and those non-incumbents who have been able to develop and utilise these channels over a prolonged period. In the particular context of the Guelph municipal election the local newspaper, and the social channels of work associates, business contacts and friends are found to be especially effective in making contact between candidate and elector and influencing the outcome, or vote. Neighbours are of less significance as a channel than the literature had indicated.

When a Neighbours' Model was developed and tested, by application to the 1974 Guelph municipal election, neighbours were found to be less important than friends and other social channels. The exception was when a local candidate was involved. Then considerable differences were identified between areas that were superficially similar. In the older stable residential neighbourhoods, neighbours were familiar with, discussed and supported their local candidate, but in the newer areas non-local candidates were as well or better known than the local candidate, more discussion took place with friends and work associates and non-local candidates elicited equal or higher levels of support. The contribution of the neighbours' social contact channel to the Neighbourhood Effect and the Friends-and-Neighbours Effect is more variable and more complex than the existing literature has indicated.

The integrated multi-channel model and the neighbours model are here developed and applied specifically to illumine the functioning of the at-large, non-partisan electoral system, but could prove useful in comparative studies of partisan and non-partisan, ward and at-large systems at the municipal level. The integrated multi-channel model could also provide an integrative framework for the study of the partisan systems at higher governmental levels.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Reward and Punishment in Pseudo-Philo's Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum

contributor:
Schuller, Eileen
Religious Studies

subject:
covenantal nomism
rewritten Bible
Second Temple period Judaism
covenant
moral causality
Jewish Scriptures
Biblical Studies
Biblical Studies

abstract: I was not sure how to list my committee members on this form. Dr. Schuller is my advisor and Drs. Westerholm and Machiela are committee members. I do not have a "co-supervisor." Please correct this form if needed.

abstract:
Almost every narrative in Pseudo-Philo’s Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum (L.A.B.), a late first or early second century C.E. rewriting of scriptural texts and traditions, deals in some way with issues of reward and punishment, a prominent theme in early Jewish literature. In 1917, M. R. James observed that two “truths” were “foremost” among the “great truths” in L.A.B.: (1) “the indestructibility of Israel” and (2) Israel’s “duty of faithfulness to the one God” (Biblical Antiquities, 34). Most studies of reward and punishment in L.A.B. emphasize one of these two “great truths” to the virtual (or complete) exclusion of the other. This has resulted in sharply contrasting conclusions concerning the concepts of reward and punishment within Pseudo-Philo’s ideology.

A promising perspective from which to reconsider the concepts of reward and punishment in L.A.B. is the view of reward and punishment, which, according to E. P. Sanders’s theory of covenantal nomism, was pervasive within Judaism of the first centuries of the Common Era (Paul and Palestinian Judaism, 75, 421‒423, 426). Such an investigation will be the focus of this thesis. Scholars such as Heikki Räisänen (Paul and the Law, 180 n. 92), Frederick J. Murphy (Pseudo-Philo: Rewriting the Bible, 233 n. 18), and Sanders (Judaism: Practice and Belief, 263‒275) have contended that L.A.B. exemplifies covenantal nomism but this premise has never been examined thoroughly. In this study, through a side-by-side analysis of L.A.B. and scriptural texts and traditions, we will identify the changes that Pseudo-Philo made to the scriptural account and then extract Pseudo-Philo’s ideology through a careful analysis of these changes. The recognition that L.A.B. is a late Second Temple period rewriting of scriptural texts and traditions is central to this examination.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Factors that Attract and Retain Registered Nurses in the First-Line Nurse Manager Role

contributor:
McKey, Colleen
Nursing

subject:
first-line nurse manager
attract
retain
Nursing Administration
Nursing Administration

abstract:
ABSTRACT

In healthcare organizations, the first–line nurse manager role is pivotal. The role links management and employees, and has a direct impact on organizational performance, including quality of care, financial stability, and patient satisfaction (Gallo, 2007). The first-line nurse manager interfaces with a variety of professions including physicians, and is expected to be clinically proficient, and to demonstrate non-nursing knowledge in areas such as labour relations, information technology, financial and business management (Gould, Kelly & Maidwell, 2001). When retirement projections are applied to the first-line nurse manager population, Canada will face a serious nursing management shortage this decade (CNA, 2009). In light of the paucity of research studies pertaining to this subject, an exploratory descriptive qualitative research study was conducted in a large regional health care organization in Central South Ontario to determine the factors that attract and retain Registered Nurses in this role. The findings revealed a discrepancy between the factors that attract and retain Registered Nurses in the first-line nurse manager role, underscored the importance of the mentor role, and confirmed the challenges encountered by first-line nurse managers practicing in the current healthcare environment. Several recommendations are presented at the individual, program, organization and policy levels to inform Registered Nurses who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing management, and to assist healthcare leaders to create environments that attract and support Registered Nurses in this important role.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FULL LENGTH GCD AND INTERNAL TRUNCATIONS OF TGCD

contributor:
Li, Yingfu
Nodwell, Justin
Junop, Murray
Biochemistry

subject:
antimicrobial peptides
bacteria
Biochemistry
Biochemistry

abstract: No Comment

abstract: The increase in antibiotic resistance has accelerated the search for novel antibacterial agents. As proteins with toxic properties appear to be less susceptible to common resistance mechanisms, they may serve as potential substitutes for current antibiotics. The present study focuses on a toxic peptide called tGcd derived from the Escherichia coli genome that can cause cell death when it is expressed. To better understand the mechanism of tGcd and to decipher the sequence determinants for its toxic phenotype, sequence analyses of this peptide were conducted. First, we conducted growth analysis for two full-length Gcd constructs to test whether the observed growth suppression was caused by the overexpression of tGcd in E. coli cells. We also generated a series of truncation mutants to determine the minimal sequence required for toxicity. Finally, to test whether tGcd’s toxicity was due to differences in expression levels, Western blot analysis was conducted. This study reveals that full length Gcd does not have an effect on bacterial growth when overexpressed. We also observed that some internal amino acids of tGcd can be truncated without the loss of the toxicity to the E. coli cells. Finally, Western blot analysis showed that the toxicity of this peptide is independent on its expression levels. These findings offer additional insights into properties common to membrane targeting antimicrobial peptides in Gram negative microbes, and contribute to the discovery of small bacterial peptides that may be useful for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: THE EFFECTS OF HYPOMORPHIC SIALIDASE EXPRESSION ON ATHEROSCLEROSIS

abstract: Atherosclerosis is a complex multifactorial disease which is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality related to coronary heart disease and stroke in humans. Both lipoprotein metabolism and inflammation are related to atherosclerosis. Sialidase, a hydrolytic enzyme that is present in viruses, bacteria and vertebrates and catalyzes the removal of terminal sialic acid residues from glycoproteins, glycolipids and oligosaccharides, has impacts on the activities of many blood cells and lipoproteins. Therefore, we aim to determine the effects of hypomorphic sialidase expression on atherosclerosis. Our first objective has shown that hypomorphic sialidase expression alters lipoprotein metabolism in C57Bl/6 mice. We have dissected the mechanism showing that sialidase-deficient B6.SM mice have decreased hepatic cholesterol production via decreased microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) expression. We have further shown that a decrease in sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) expression is responsible for the decreased expression of MTP. Our second objective has shown that hypomorphic sialidase expression confers atheroprotection in apoe-/- mice as seen by the rescue of hypercholesterolemia cholesterol profiles and a decreased migration and infiltration of leuckocytes into atherosclerotic lesions. We have further shown that hypomorphic sialidase expression specifically in blood cells is sufficient to affect atherogenesis. Most importantly, we have discovered that treating apoe-/- mice with 2-deoxy-2,3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA), a sialidase inhibitor, is a potent treatment for atherosclerosis. Our third objective has shown that hypomorphic sialidase expression confers atheroprotection via an increase in monocytic cholesterol uptake and macrophage cholesterol efflux to HDL. Taken together, hypomorphic sialidase expression is atheroprotective in C57Bl/6, ApoE-deficient and LDLR-deficient mouse models. Overall, these studies suggest that sialidase is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis in humans and may set the stage to investigate the contribution of genetic variation within the sialidase gene to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in humans.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: TEMPORAL PATTERN OF TYPE II FIBRE-SPECIFIC SATELLITE CELL EXPANSION TO EXERCISE CORRELATES WITH HUMAN MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY: POTENTIAL ROLE FOR MYOSTATIN

contributor:
Parise, Gianni
Stuart Phillips, Martin Gibala
Kinesiology

subject:
Satellite cell
myostatin
human
hypertrophy
exercise
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiology

abstract: The extent of skeletal muscle hypertrophy in response to resistance training is highly variable in humans. To explain the nature of this variability, we focused on the myogenic stem cell population, the satellite cell (SC) as a potential mediator of hypertrophy. Twenty-three males (aged 18-35yrs) underwent 16wk of progressive, whole body resistance training, resulting in changes of 7.9%±1.6 (range of -1.9 – 24.7%) and 21.0%±4.0 (range of -7.0 to 51.7%) in quadriceps volume and myofibre cross-sectional area (CSA) respectively. The SC response to a single bout of resistance exercise (80% 1RM), resulted in an expansion in type one fibre associated SC (MHCI-SC) content of 43.7%±10.4 24h post-exercise pre-training, that shifted, post-training, to an increase in type two fibre associated SC (MHCII-SC) content of 47.6%±21.2 72h post-exercise. Analysis of individual SC responses revealed a correlation between the relative change in MHCII-SC content between 24-72h pre-training and the percentage increase in quadriceps lean tissue mass assessed by MRI (r=0.663, p=0.001). The proportion of SC co-localized with MSTN decreased progressively in the acute time-course following exercise and correlated with SC expansion between Pre-24h (r=0.563, p=0.012) and Pre-72h (r=0.454, p=0.045) in the pre- and post-training time-courses. In conclusion, the SC response to exercise appears to become more specific with training; while individual capacity to invoke the SC response is predictive of training induced muscular hypertrophy and may be limited by the degree of MSTN co-localization.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Art in Medicine - Treatment Decision-Making and Personalizing Care: A Grounded Theory of Physicians' Treatment-Decision Making Process with Their (Stage II, Stage IIIA and Stage IIIB) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in Ontario

contributor:
Brouwers, Melissa
Peter Ellis, Mita Giacomini
Health Research Methodology

subject:
decision-making
lung cancer
lung neoplasm
cancer
conceptual models
treatment selection
and physician-patient interaction
clinical practice guideline
physicians’ practice patterns
guidelines
guidelines in use
guideline adherence
and guideline implementation
Clinical Epidemiology
Health Services Research
Knowledge Translation
Oncology
Clinical Epidemiology

abstract:
Introduction: In Ontario alone, an estimated 6,700 people (3,000 women; 3,700 men) will die of lung cancer in 2011 (Canadian Cancer Society, 2011). A diagnosis of cancer is associated with complex decisions; the array of choices of cancer treatments brings about hope, but also anxiety over which treatment is best suited for the individual patient (Blank, Graves, Sepucha et al., 2006). The overall cancer experience depends on the quality of this decision (Blank et al., 2006). Clinical practice guidelines are knowledge translation tools to facilitate treatment decision-making. In Ontario, guidelines have been developed and disseminated with the purpose to inform clinical decisions, improve evidence based practice, and to reduce unwanted practice variation in the province. But has this been achieved? To study this issue, the purpose of the current study was to gain an in-depth understanding and develop a theoretical framework of how Ontario physicians are making treatment decisions with their non-small cell lung cancer patients. The following research questions guided the study: (a) How do physicians make treatment decisions with their stage II, stage IIIA and stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer patients in Ontario? (b) How do knowledge translation tools, such as Cancer Care Ontario guidelines, influence the decision-making process?

Methods: A qualitative approach of grounded theory, following a social constructivist paradigm outlined by Kathy Charmaz (2006), was used in this study. 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted; 16 interviews with physicians and 5 with health care administrators. The method of analysis integrated grounded theory philosophy to identify the treatment decision-making process in non-small cell lung cancer, from the physician perspective.

Findings: The theory depicts the treatment decision-making process to involve five key “guides” (or factors) to inform the treatment-decision making process: the unique patient, the unique physician, the family, the clinical team, and the clinical evidence.

Conclusion: Decision-making roles in lung cancer are complex and nuanced. The use of evidence, such as, clinical practice guidelines, is one of many considerations. Information from a large number of sources and a wide array of factors, people, emotions, preferences, clinical expertise, experiences, and clinical evidence informs the dynamic process of treatment decision-making. This theory of the treatment decision-making process (from the physician perspective) has implications relevant to treatment decision-making research, theory development, and guideline development for non-small cell lung cancer.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: THREE ESSAYS IN CORPORATE FINANCE

contributor:
Chamberlain, Trevor
Sarkar, Sudipto
Qiu, Jiaping
Business

subject: Corporate Governance

subject: Debt Covenant Violations

subject: Cost of Debt

subject: Accrual based and real earnings management

subject: Corporate Finance

subject: Finance and Financial Management

subject: Corporate Finance

abstract:
This thesis focuses on three important topics in corporate finance: corporate governance, management efforts to avoid debt covenant violations and the cost of such violations. The thesis adds to these aspects of the finance literature and the findings are reported in chapters two, three and four.

The second chapter focuses on the role of corporate governance in determining the interactions between financial leverage and profits and attests to the validity of the trade-off theory of capital structure. It examines management’s financing choice behaviour in distinctly different corporate governance settings to ascertain the effect of governance mechanisms on such behavior. The estimation methodology allows for financial leverage, profits and governance to be determined jointly, using an instrumental variable approach. The results of the paper demonstrate that leverage is increasing in profits when controlled for agency problems, and good governance firms exhibit the results predicted by the trade-off theory of capital structure.

The third chapter examines management’s earnings manipulation activities around debt covenant violation through accrual manipulation and real earnings management. Covenant restrictions are expected to influence these activities in the quarters surrounding and the quarter of the violation. Cross-sectional analyses reveal the use of such strategies to report higher earnings in the periods surrounding the covenant violation. The results also show disparity in the use of accrual based and real earnings management techniques.

The fourth chapter investigates the relation between debt covenant violation and the cost of new borrowing from three different aspects: the incidence of violation, the timing of violation and the frequency of violation. The results show that there are significant benefits to not violating a debt covenant and violators are penalized by the creditors for not upholding the contractual restrictions.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: THE ROLE OF NEUTROPHILS IN SEVERE ASTHMA

contributor: Medical Sciences (Division of Physiology/Pharmacology)

subject: Neutrophils

subject: severe asthma

subject: airways

subject: activity

subject: numbers

subject: Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity

subject: Circulatory and Respiratory Physiology

subject: Medical Sciences

subject: Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract:
Various studies have shown an association between neutrophilic airway inflammation and severe asthma, but have failed to establish a causal relationship. In these studies airway neutrophilia could be due to high steroid doses, an airway infection, an epiphenomenon of severe asthma or a combination of these. We have examined the role of neutrophils in severe asthma in patients on optimum steroid doses with controlled eosinophilic airway inflammation and chemotactic activity of IL-17 as one potential mechanism of neutrophil recruitment to the airway.

We examined the number, viability and activity of neutrophils in blood and sputum of three groups of asthma subjects divided on the basis of asthma severity. We also compared direct migration of blood neutrophils towards IL-17 between non-asthmatics and severe asthma subjects.

Viability and survival at 24 hours was measured by examining apoptotic and non-apoptotic cells. Activation was examined by measuring the production of hydrogen peroxide and the expression of primary and secondary granule proteins. In migration study, migration of neutrophils towards IL-17 was measured.

Blood neutrophils were increased in severe asthma subjects as compared to moderate and mild asthma subjects. There was no difference in sputum neutrophil numbers. There was no difference in viability, although blood neutrophil 24 hour survival was increased in severe asthma subjects as compared to moderate asthma subjects. There was no difference in the level of activation amongst the three groups.

IL-17 was not a chemotactic stimulus for neutrophils. The study results show that sputum neutrophil numbers and activation are not increased in severe asthma as compared to less severe asthma. Therefore, the study results do not support a causal relationship between airway neutrophilia and severe asthma.

Airway neutrophilia observed in previous studies might be due to airway infections or high doses of steroids taken by study subjects.

abstract: Master of Health Sciences (MSc)


title: In vivo detection of gadolinium by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis: An investigation of the potential toxicity of gadolinium-based contrast agents used in MRI

contributor:
McNeill, Fiona E
Medical Physics

subject:
Medical Physics
Radiation
prompt gamma rays
characteristic X rays
Physics
Physics

abstract: This thesis describes the development of a method to measure in vivo gadolinium (Gd) content by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA). PGNAA is a quantitative measurement technique that is completely non-invasive. Gadolinium has the highest thermal neutron capture cross section of all the stable elements. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are widely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The primary intention of this work is to quantify in vivo Gd retention to investigate the potential toxicity of these agents. This study involves the optimization of the McMaster University 238Pu/Be PGNAA facility for Gd measurements. Monte Carlo simulations were performed in parallel with the experimental work using MCNP version 5. Excellent agreement has been demonstrated between the Monte Carlo model of the system and the experimental measurements (both sensitivity and dosimetry). The initial study on the sensitivity of Gd demonstrated the feasibility of the measurement system. The Monte Carlo dosimetry simulations and experimental survey measurements demonstrated consistently that the radiation exposures for a single measurement were quite low, with an effective dose rate of 1.1 µSv/hr for a leg muscle measurement, 74 µSv/hr for a kidney measurement, and 48 µSv/hr for a liver measurement. The initial studies confirmed the Gd measurement feasibility which ultimately led to an in vivo pilot study on 10 healthy volunteers. The pilot study was successful with 9 out of 10 volunteers having measureable Gd in muscle above the in vivo detection limit of 0.58 ppm within 1 hour of administration, and the remaining participant had detectable Gd 196 minutes post administration. The concentrations measured ranged from 6.9 to 56 uncertainties different from zero. The system has been validated in humans and can now be used in future studies of short or long-term retention of Gd after contrast administration in at risk populations, such as those with reduced kidney function, patients with multiple exposures over the treatment period, and patients who are prescribed higher dosages. In addition, experiments and simulations were extended to another high neutron absorbing element, samarium (Sm).

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Composite Electrodes for Electrochemical Supercapacitors

contributor:
Zhitomirsky, Igor
Materials Science and Engineering

subject:
Material
Conducting polymer
PPY
CNT
Supercapacitor
Polymer and Organic Materials
Polymer and Organic Materials

abstract:
The development of all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles requires the use of advanced energy storage devices with high power. Dedicated for energy storage, electrochemical supercapacitors (ES) offer the advantage of high power density. High power ES can provide load-leveling for batteries and fuel cells during starting, acceleration, hill climbing and braking. ES are important for reducing cycling of batteries, thus extending their lifetime by energy storage and delivery during fast transient operations such as in braking (storage) or start up and acceleration (supply).

The interest in polypyrrole (PPY) for the application in ES is attributed to the high specific capacitance (SC) of this material. The possibility of PPY deposition on stainless steel substrates is important for the practical applications of PPY films in ES, using low cost stainless steel current collectors. The important task is to avoid anodic dissolution of the substrates during PPY electropolymerization. Polypyrrole (PPY) films were electrochemically deposited on stainless steel substrates or Ni plaque from aqueous pyrrole solutions containing anionic additives. The method resulted in the formation of adherent and uniform films. The deposition yield was investigated at galvanostatic conditions. It was found that anionic additives can be used for the dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and fabrication of composite PPY–MWCNT films. The deposition yield was studied under galvanostatic conditions. The mechanism of PPY–MWCNTs deposition was discussed. The incorporation of MWCNTs into the PPY during electropolymerization resulted in the formation of porous films. The films were investigated for the application in electrodes of electrochemical supercapacitors. Electrochemical testing in the 0.5M Na2SO4 electrolyte solutions showed a capacitive behaviour in a voltage window of -0.5 to +0.4 V versus a saturated calomel electrode. The results indicated that the PPY–MWCNT films deposited on the stainless steel and nickel plaque substrates are promising electrode materials for ES.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Tectonic Evolution of a part of the English River Subprovince, Northwestern Ontario

contributor:
Clifford, P.M.
Geology

subject: Geology Geology

abstract:
The English River Subprovince of Northwestern Ontario is an Archean gneissic terrain flanked by the greenstone-granite terrains of the Uchi and Wabigoon Subprovinces. Detailed and regional investigations have unravelled the complex question of the relative ages of rocks within these subprovinces.

Three tectonic rock assemblages have been defined. Tectonic assemblage I occupies the southern and central parts of the English River Subprovince and forms part of the English River Plutonic complex. This assemblage is dominated by severely deformed granitoid gneisses containing isoclinal D1 folds within the gneissic banding which are hence considered to be the oldest rock unit present (Cedar Lake gneisses).

Amphibolitic enclaves within the gneisses may represent an early supracrustal assemblage or a dyke swarm intruded into the gneisses. A subsequent tectonic event (D2) has produced isoclinal folds in both gneissic banding and amphibolite enclaves.

Strongly foliated tonalites and granodiorites of the Clay Lake Granitoid suite do not contain isoclinal (D2) folds and appear to have intruded the Cedar Lake gneisses and their associated amphibolites. This cannot be demonstrated unequivocably however due to later deformation and the Clay Lake Granitoid Suite is hence included in Tectonic assemblage I.

Tectonic assemblage II underlies the northern part of the English River Subprovince and forms part of the English River Metasedimentary Migmatite Complex. The assemblage is dominated by garnet and cordierite bearing metasedimentary gneisses with a high proportion of granitoid leucosome. Metavolcanic rocks are restricted to a narrow belt at the southern margin of the complex.

It has been demonstrated elsewhere that rocks of tectonic assemblage II may be traced laterally into metasediments and metavolcanic rocks of the Uchi Subprovince with which they are partly coeval. A metaconglomerate at Perrault Lake contains clasts of foliated tonalite similar to rocks of the Clay Lake Granitoid Suite. Rocks of tectonic assemblage II have never been found as inclusions within rocks of tectonic assemblage I. This implies that tectonic assemblage II was deposited, at least in part, on a sialic basement of tectonic assemblage I.

The Twilight Gneisses of the Clay Lake area and pillow lavas and banded iron formation of the Cliff Lake area are correlated with rocks of Tectonic assemblage II. These rocks do not contain isoclinal (D2) folds but have been affected by a period of strong layer-normal compression (D3). The occurrence of Twilight gneisses in the cores of later domal structures, below rocks of tectonic assemblage I, indicates that the D3 event was associated with subhorizontal tectonics causing interleaving of "basement" and "cover".

The D3 deformation was the first event to affect rocks of tectonic assemblage II. It was accomplished by a high grade regional metamorphism producing upper amphibolite facies mineral assemblages over wide areas of the English River Subprovince. Granulitic mineral assemblage were produced in the Clay Lake area under conditions estimated to be in the range 650-750°C and 4.5 to 7.0 kb.

The D3 tectonic event was succeeded by intrusions of tectonic assemblage III which range from equigranular tonalites through porphyritic granodiorites to equigranular pink granites. These intrusions were emplaced throughout the English River Subprovince and are probably temporal equivalents of the "diapiric granitoid intrusions" of the Uchi and Wabigoon Subprovinces. The presence of both foliated and massive varieties of all compositions suggests that several phases of emplacement occurred. Trace element data suggests that the intrusive rocks were not generated from rocks compositionally similar to those of tectonic assemblage I.

Intrusion of tectonic assemblage III produced a variety of interfering minor structures in pre-existing rocks. Major dome and basin structures were produced in the Cedar-Clay Lakes area and the prevaling vertical attitude of pre-existing foliations was accomplished throughout the English River Subprovince at this time.

Major faulting at the southern boundary of the English River Subprovince appears to predate intrusions of tectonic assemblage III.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Using Small Molecules to Alter Secondary Metabolism in Streptomyces

contributor:
Nodwell, Justin R.
Nathan A. Magarvey, Michael G. Surette
Biochemistry

subject:
Streptomyces
secondary metabolism
antibiotics
synthetic molecules
Microbial Physiology
Microbial Physiology

abstract: Secondary metabolites produced by bacterial species serve many clinically useful purposes such as anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and immunosuppresive agents. Actinobacteria, particularly the genus Streptomyces, have been an abundant source of such metabolites for the past half century. The production of secondary metabolites is controlled through vast regulatory cascades, but the activation and control of these pathways is still poorly understood. This leads to the inability to isolate all of the secondary metabolites that Streptomyces are capable of producing. This study focuses on the comparison of synthetic small molecules, which were found to alter the production of secondary metabolites in S. coelicolor. A comparative analysis of two of these molecules, ARC2 and ARC6, shows they modulate secondary metabolites in different ways. In a separate study, ARC2 was shown to achieve this phenotype through the inhibition of a target in fatty acid biosynthesis. The results of this study suggest that ARC6 does not have the same target, although it may target the same metabolic system. Furthermore, these two molecules also have opposite effects on S. coelicolor development. The cumulative results of this study suggest that ARC2 and ARC6 can act as separate chemical tools in enhancing the understanding of secondary metabolism.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)