title: The impact of a digital children's literature program on primary students' reading motivation

subject: Reading (Primary)

subject: Motivation in education

subject: Media literacy -- Study and teaching (Primary)

abstract:
This qualitative study stemmed from a concern of the perceived decline in students'
reading motivation after the early years of schooling, which has been attributed to the
disconnect between the media students are accustomed to using outside the classroom
and the media they predominantly use within the classroom. This research documented
the effectiveness of a digital children's literature program and a postreading multimedia
program on eight grade 1 students'  reading motivation, word recognition, and
comprehension abilities. Eight students were given ten 25-minute sessions with the
software program over 15 weeks. Preprogram,  interim-program, and postprogram
qualitative data were collected from students, teachers, and parents through
questionnaires, interviews, standardized reading assessment tools, classroom
observations, field notes, and student behaviour observation checklists. Findings are
summarized into 3 themes. The motivational aspects and constructivist styles of
instruction in the digital reading programs may have contributed to 5 student participants'
increased participation in online storybook reading at home. Qualitative data revealed
that the digital children's literature program and multimedia postreading activities
seemed to have a positive influence on the majority of grade 1 student participants'
reading motivation, word recognition, and listening comprehension skills. These findings
suggest the promise of multimedia and Internet-based reading software programs in
supporting students with reading andlor behavioural difficulties.  In keeping with current
educational initiatives and efforts, increased use of media literacy practices in the grade 1
curriculum is suggested.


title: Chemoenzymatic synthesis of amaryllidaceae alkaloids and their C-1 analogues : symmetry based approach to total synthesis of thebaine

subject: Alkaloids -- Synthesis

abstract:
Described  herein  is  the  chemoenzymatic  total  synthesis  of  several
Amaryllidaceae constituents and their unnatural C-I  analogues.  A new approach
to  pancratistatin  and  related  compounds  will  be  discussed  along  with  the
completed total synthesis of 7 -deoxypancratistatin and  trans-dihydrolycoricidine.
Evaluation  of all  new  C-l  analogues  as  cancer  cell  growth  inhibitory  agents  is
described.
The  enzymatic  oxidation of dibromobenzenes by Escherichia coli 1M  109
(pDTG60 1)  is presented along with conversion of their metabolites  to  (-)-conduritol
E.  Investigation  into  the  steric  and  functional  factors  governing  the  enzymatic
dihydroxylation of various benzoates  by  the  same  organism  is  also  discussed.  The
synthetic  utility  of these  metabolites  is  demonstrated  through  their  conversion  to
pseudo-sugars, aminocyclitols, and complex bicyclic ring systems.
The current work on the total synthesis of some morphine alkaloids is also
presented.  Highlighted will be the  synthesis of several model systems  related  to
the efficient total synthesis of thebaine.


title: Bio-inspired optimization & sampling technique for side-chain packing in MCCE

subject:
Proteins -- Synthesis
Combinatorial optimization

abstract:
The  prediction  of proteins'  conformation  helps  to  understand  their  exhibited  functions,
allows  for  modeling  and  allows  for  the  possible  synthesis  of the  studied  protein.  Our
research is focused on a sub-problem of protein folding known as  side-chain packing.  Its
computational complexity has  been proven  to be NP-Hard.  The motivation behind our
study  is  to  offer  the  scientific  community  a  means  to  obtain  faster  conformation
approximations for  small to  large proteins over currently available methods.  As  the size
of proteins  increases,  current  techniques  become unusable due  to  the exponential nature
of the problem.  We investigated the capabilities of a hybrid genetic algorithm / simulated
annealing  technique  to  predict  the  low-energy  conformational  states  of  various  sized
proteins  and  to  generate  statistical  distributions  of  the  studied  proteins'  molecular
ensemble  for  pKa predictions.  Our  algorithm  produced  errors  to  experimental  results
within  .acceptable margins  and  offered  considerable  speed  up  depending  on  the protein
and on the rotameric states' resolution used.


title: Anti-Oedipus en-procés : a comparative analysis of Kristeva and Deleuze & Guattari

subject: Deleuze, Gilles, 1925-1995 -- Criticism and interpretation

subject: Guattari, Félix, 1930-1992 -- Criticism and interpretation

subject: Kristeva, Julia, 1941- -- Criticism and interpretation

subject: Subjectivity

abstract:
The present thesis is an attempt to bring into dialogue what appear to be two radically different
approaches of negotiating subjectivity in late Western Modernity. Here the thought of Julia Kristeva as
well as Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari are fully engaged. These thinkers, the latter two being
considered as one, have until now remained strangers to one another. Consequently much confusion has
amassed concerning their respective philosophical, as well as social/political projects. I take up the
position that Deleuze and Guattari's account of subjectivity is a commendable attempt to understand a
particular type of historical subject:  late modern Western man. However I claim that their account comes
up short insofar as I argue that they lack the theoretical language in order to fully,  and successfully, make
their point. Thus I argue that their system does not stand up  to its own claims. On the contrary, by
embracing the psychoanalytic tradition - staying rather close to the Freudian and Kleinian schools of
thought - I argue that it is in fact Kristeva that is better equipped to provide an account of this particular
subject. Considerable time is invested in fleshing out the notion of the Other insofar as this Other is
central to the constitution of subjectivity. This Other - insofar as this Other is to be found  in Kristeva's
notion of the chora -- is something I claim that Deleuze and Guattari simply undervalued.


title: Field effectiveness of stimulus equivalence for teaching reading skills to children with autism

subject:
Pattern perception
Autistic children -- Education
Reading -- Remedial teaching

abstract:
Stimulus equivalence involves teaching two conditional discriminations that
share one stimulus in common and testing all possible conditional discriminations not
taught (Saunders & Green, 1999). Despite considerable research in the laboratory,
applied studies of stimulus equivalence have been limited (Vause, Martin, Marion, &
Sakko, 2005). This study investigated the field-effectiveness of stimulus equivalence in
teaching reading skills to children with Autism. Participants were four children with
Autism receiving centre-based intensive behavioural intervention (lBI) treatment. Three
of the participants, who already matched pictures to their dictated names, demonstrated
six to eight more emergent performances after being taught only to match written words
to the same names. One participant struggled with the demands of the study and his
participation was discontinued. Results suggest that stimulus equivalence provided an
effective and efficient teaching strategy for three of the four participants in this study.


title: Leisure connections : a case study to understand facilitation techniques with survivors of trauma

subject:
Psychic trauma -- Treatment
Leisure -- Therapeutic use

abstract:
Leisure-based therapy is a potentially effective approach to supporting survivors
of trauma in their healing. The purpose ofthis qualitative case study was to describe the
recreation therapist's facilitation techniques of Leisure Connections, a unique leisurebased psycho-educational group for survivors of trauma, and explore how the facilitation
was experienced by participants. Qualitative case study design, following the methods of
Yin (1994) was used. One two week, three session Leisure Connections group was
observed. Six participants completed the Group· Therapy Alliance Scale (pinsof &
Catherall, 1986) and reflection cards. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with the recreation therapist and four participants. Six themes emerged
describing group leader interventions, recreation therapist's actions, recreation therapist's
preparation and reflections, group members' experience of a therapeutic alliance, group
cohesion, and prior influences and assumptions. Therapeutic alliance and group cohesion
were influenced by the recreation therapist's group leader interventions (drawing out,
processing, protecting) and actions. The context of the group within a therapeutic
community milieu was an important influence.


title: Personal soundtracks on public transit : personal listening devices and socio-spatial negotiations of students' bus journeys

subject: Transportation -- Social aspects

subject: MP3 players -- Social aspects

subject: iPod (Digital music player) -- Social aspects

abstract:
One way of exploring the power of sound  in  the experience and constitution of space is
through  the phenomenon of personal  listening devices (PLDs) in public environments. In  this
thesis, I draw from  in-depth  interviews with eleven Brock University students in S1.
Catharines, Ontario, to  show how PLDs (such as MP3 players like the iPod) are used  to
create personalized soundscapes and mediate their public transit journeys. I discuss how my
interview participants experience the space-time of public transit, and show how PLDs are
used to mediate these experiences in  acoustic and non-acoustic ways. PLD use demonstrates
that acoustic and environmental experiences are co-constitutive, which highlights a
kinaesthetic quality of the transit-space. My empirical findings show that PLDs transform
space, particularly by overlapping public and private appropriations of the bus. I use these
empirical findings to discuss the PLD phenomenon in  the theoretical context of spatiality,
and more specifically, acoustic space. J develop the ontological notion of acoustic space,
stating that space shares many of the properties of sound, and argue  that sound is a rich
epistemological tool  for understanding and explaining our everyday experiences.


title: Assessment done write : using collaboration to reculture teacher learning

contributor: Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education

subject: Group work in education

subject: English language -- Rhetoric -- Study and teaching

abstract:
This study examined the impact that collaborative learning had on the assessment
and evaluation of writing practices of a group of teachers as they engaged in a
community of learners. The study explored the development of teacher knowledge and
perceptions as well as the implementation of effective assessment strategies in writing
for students in grades 4 to 8 that could be achieved through collaboration. Teachers'
perceptions of the value of collaboration were also embedded within the study. Multiple
methods of data collection were used to gather rich and descriptive data. Those methods
included interviews, observation, and documentation of meetings and of participants'
perceptions of their assessment and evaluation practices. Five preexisting themes
describing desired outcomes of change were used to analyze the data. These themes
included: knowledge, attitude, skill, aspiration, and behaviour. While it was difficult to
identify definitively the degree oflearning achieved by the participants, conclusions can
be drawn that the participants experienced learning and some change in the areas of
knowledge and skill, attitude, aspiration, and behaviour. What was notable was the
continued belief on the part of the participants of the value of collaboration as a means of
learning.


title: Teaching sexual abuse prevention skills to two children with intellectual disabilities through game play

subject: Child sexual abuse -- Prevention -- Study and teaching

subject: Children with mental disabilities -- Abuse of -- Prevention -- Study and teaching

abstract:
The current study examined the effectiveness of a sexual abuse prevention program
developed locally for children with intellectual disabilities. The program package included a
board game with informational storybooks that were designed to be used in a family setting.
Additionally, this research sought to determine if parents could be effective at presenting the
sexual abuse pr~vention materials to their children. A multiple baseline across behaviours design
was used with two participants with a diagnosis of autism. Through role play scenarios as well as
verbal knowledge tests, it was determined that the program was effective at teaching the
participants the skills presented for self protection. It was also determined that the skills learned
were generalized to scenarios that were untrained during the game play. Finally, with additional
supports, it was determined that parents were able to effectively teach their children the required
skills.


title: A case study investigation of the learning needs of the Niagara grape and wine community

subject: Grape industry -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

subject: Wine industry -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

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

subject: Wine and wine making -- Study and teaching -- Ontario -- Niagara Peninsula

abstract:
The Niagara Grape and Wine Community (NGWC)  is an industry that has
undergone rapid change and expansion as a result of changes in governmental regulations
and consumer preferences. As a result of these changes, the demands of the wine industry
workforce have changed to reflect the need to implement new strategies and practices to
remain viable and competitive. The influx of people into the community with little or no
prior practical experience in grape growing (viticulture) or winemaking (oenology) has
created a need for additional training and learning opportunities to meet workforce needs.
This case study investigated the learning needs of the members of this community
and how these needs are currently being met. The barriers to,  and the opportunities for,
members acquiring new knowledge and developing skills were also explored.
Participants were those involved in all levels of the industry and sectors  (viticulture,
processing, and retail), and their views on needs and suggestions for programs of study
were collected. Through cross analyses of sectors, areas of common and unique interest
were identified as well as  formats  for delivery. A common fundamental component was
identified by all sectors - any program must have a significant applied component or
demonstration of proficiency and should utilize members as peer instructors, mentors,
and collaborators to generate a larger shared collective of knowledge.
Through the review of learning organizations, learning communities, communities
of practices, and learning networks, the principles for the development of a Grape and
Wine Learning Network to meet the learning needs of the NGWC outside of formal
institutional or academic programs were developed. The roles and actions of members to
make such a network successful are suggested.


title: Books on the border land : a Mennonite woman's memoir of reading and remembering the sacred

subject:
Children -- Books and reading
Autobiography in literature

abstract:
This arts-based thesis, written from my perspective as a Manitoba Mennonite
woman and English Language Arts educator, is a memoir of books and reading. As a
voracious reader, I am dismayed by the general perception of literacy in public schools as
being a set of measureable tasks, and I have found that reading, in particular, has become
divorced from  its traditional link to  life-giving and sacred things.  In this thesis, I used life
writing to share some of my reading history to  illustrate, in part, the degree to which
books may enrich our lives by helping us understand the past, present, and future - but
only if we allow them to do so.


title: Stock market reactions to changes in the FTSE SmallCap and S&P/TSX SmallCap indices

subject:
Stock price indexes
Stock exchanges
Liquidity (Economics)

abstract:
Stocks  added  to  (deleted  from)  the  Russell  2000  and  the  S&P  600  indexes
experience positive  (negative)  abnormal  returns  following  the  announcement. However,
researchers disagree on whether these abnormal  returns  are permanent or temporary and
offer competing  explanations.  I  address  this  controversy by examining market  reactions
for  firms  that are  added  to  or deleted  from  the FTSE Small Cap  index  (the main testing
sample) and the S&P/TSX SmallCap index (the comparison sample). For the main testing
sample,  all  stocks  except  pure  additions,  experience  a  permanent  price  change  that  is
accompanied by a permanent change  in  liquidity. However,  for  the  comparison  sample,
abnormal returns over the announcement period  fully  reverted within 30 days. In  further
examination  of stock  liquidity  for  the  main testing  sample,  sample stocks  experience
permanent  change  in  liquidity.  Taken  together,  the  observed  results  support  the  price
pressure and liquidity hypotheses.


title: Promoting parent-therapist collaboration in intensive behavioural intervention programs : exploring estrategies to improve teamwork

subject: Behavior therapy

subject: Child psychotherapy -- Parent participation

abstract:
This qualitative study investigated senior level staff (Senior Therapists), front-line staff
(Instructor Therapists), and parent perspectives on parent-therapist collaboration within Intensive
Behavioural Intervention settings. Two senior staff interviews, two parent interviews, and a
focus group with therapists were conducted to examine how parents and therapists currently
interact within IBI settings, parent and therapist expectations of each other, factors that promote
and barriers that impede parent-therapist collaboration, and how parent-therapist collaboration
might be improved. A constant comparative analysis by question within and across cases
revealed five prominent themes of 'Role Definition',  'Perspective-taking/Empathy', 'Trust',
'Open Communication', and  'Consistency'. Additional similarities and differences were
discovered between parent and therapist perspectives such as the need for clear parentprofessional boundaries, the importance of maintaining client privacy, and respect.  Implications
of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.


title: A comparison of functional behaviour assessment rating scales in a sample of children and youth with autism spectrum disorders

subject:
Autism spectrum disorders
Autistic children -- Treatment
Autistic youth -- Treatment

abstract:
This study sought to compare the results of the Motivation Assessment Scale
(MAS; Durand & Crimmins,  1988), Questions About Behavior Function Scale (QABF;
Matson & Vollmer,  1996) and Functional Analysis Screening Tool  (FAST;  Iwata &
Deleon, 1996), when completed by parent informants in a sample of children and youth
with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who display challenging behaviour.  Results
indicated  that there was low agreement between the functional hypotheses derived from
each of three measures.  In addition, correlations between functionally analogous scales
were substantially lower than expected, while correlations between non-analogous
subscales were stronger than anticipated. As  indicated by this study, clinicians choosing
to use FBA questionnaires to assess behavioural function, may not obtain accurate
functional hypotheses, potentially resulting  in  ineffective intervention plans. The current
study underscores the caution that must be  taken when asking parents to complete these
questionnaires to determine the function(s) of challenging behaviour for children/youth
with ASD.


title: Perennial negotiations/elemental encounters autoethnographic perspectives on approaching food sovereignty

contributor: Social Justice and Equity Studies Program

subject:
Food sovereignty
Food supply -- California

abstract:
This thesis uses a multifaceted process to engage with the topic of food sovereignty in
California. It employs diverse methods, including critical and creative prose, photography,
autoethnographic mixed media, storytelling and poetry.  I am particularly concerned with the
"
"
challenges of approaching food sovereignty, a radical praxis that combines subsistence practices
with anti-capitalist resistance, while in my own "skin," which is thoroughly embedded in white,
urban, middle classed culture and in corltextualizing ecological relationshipslkinships via
cultural, historical and economic trajectories. The project utilizes a processual methodlology
drawing substantially from the work of Brian Massumi to explore these issues through four
creative narrative pieces which coalesce around the elemental metaphors of air, fire, water and
earth. Following Deleuze and Guatarri's concept ofrhizomatic plateaus, the thesis narratives are
comprised of many non-hierarchical layers and can be read from many angles. Each is offered
"in process" rather than as  a finished piece, thus practically validating the concept of the ongoing
work of research and suggesting the equally omnipresent possibility of change and mutation in
the formation relationally based knowledges. Cultivating ecological ethic and healing on
multisensory levels, as well as commitment to emergent and re-productivist worldviews are
goals of this project's research.


title: Child care by choice or by default? : examining the experiences of unregulated home-based child care for women in paid work and training

subject:
Famiy day care -- Ontario
Child care -- Ontario
Working mothers -- Ontario

abstract:
This thesis aims to uncover the dynamics, causes and outcomes of women's
reliance on unregulated home-based child care  in Ontario, Canada, and the implications
ofthis form of care for women's equality. Drawing on a longitudinal qualitative study,  I
examine the diverse experience of 14 women using home-based child care and engaged
in  both paid work/training and care work for children under the age of six, and draw
comparisons with users of other forms of child care.  I argue that home-based child care
involves high  levels of instability for continuity of care and  is chosen  largely as a default
position based on  economic considerations.  It represents a compromise between the
demands of social  reproduction and paid work/training that entangles mothers in
relations of exploitation with care providers. Doing so  leaves both mothers and care
providers socially and economically vulnerable and  relying on social networks to fill  in
the gaps.


title: Flow regime prediction via froude number calculation in a rock-bedded stream

subject:
Stream measurements
Streamflow

abstract:
Mathematical predictions of flow conditions along a steep gradient rock bedded stream
are examined.  Stream gage discharge data and Manning's Equation are used to calculate
alternative velocities, and subsequently Froude Numbers, assuming varying values of
velocity coefficient, full depth or depth adjusted for vertical flow separation.  Comparison
of the results with photos show that Froude Numbers calculated from velocities derived
from Manning's Equation, assuming a velocity coefficient of 1.30 and full depth, most
accurately predict flow conditions, when supercritical flow  is defined as Froude Number
values above 0.84.  Calculated Froude Number values between 0.8 and 1.1  correlate well
with observed transitional flow, defined as the first appearance of small diagonal waves.
Transitions from subcritical through transitional to clearly supercritical flow  are
predictable.  Froude Number contour maps reveal a sinuous rise and fall  of values
reminiscent of pool riffle energy distribution.


title: Creativity and the schizophrenia spectrum unveiled : the similarities and the differences

subject: Creative ability -- Psychological aspects

subject: Schizophrenia -- Psychological aspects

abstract:
This study examined the commonalities and the differences between creativity and the
schizophrenia spectrum.  The variables measured as potential commonalities and differences were
creativity, schizotypy, cognitive inhibition, spatial ability, balancing skills, positive and negative
presence, absorption, mystical experiences, childhood abuse, and neuroticism.  Three community groups
were recruited, consisting of 31  artists, 10 people with schizophrenia, and 31  comparisons matched for
gender and age with the artists.  A larger student group consisting of 102 students was also recruited in
order to examine the correlations among the same variables within a larger, more normative, group.
The largest commonality between the artist and the schizophrenic groups, who represented the
extreme end of the schizophrenia spectrum, was the propensity to mystical experiences.  The greatest
differences between the artist and the schizophrenic groups were that the artists were higher in creativity,
performed better on spatial abilities, had better balance, had more positive states of presence, and were
lower in neuroticism than the schizophrenic group.  In the student group, creativity was correlated with
spatial ability, positive presence, absorption, and mystical experiences.  In addition, creativity was
significantly related to two facets of schizotypy, unusual experiences and impulsive nonconformity.  In
other words, students high in certain facets of schizotypy, who may share certain characteristics with
those who have schizophrenia, are higher in creativity, but people who are on the extreme end of the
schizophrenia spectrum, who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, are not.
The differences between the artist and schizophrenic groups on spatial ability, balance, sense of
presence, and neuroticism may help to determine whether mystical experiences help to integrate creative
work or destabilize and disorganize the sense of self.  It may be that mystical experiences can be used
more positively by the creative individuals than people with schizophrenia, in that artists and people high
in creativity were higher in positive traits such as positive presence and lower on negative variables such
as neuroticism, and introvertive anhedonia.


title: Search engine advertising in web retailing : an efficiency analysis

subject: Web search engines

subject: Internet advertising

subject: Retail trade -- Computer network resources

abstract:
This  study  examines  the  efficiency  of search  engine  advertising  strategies  employed by  firms.
The  research  setting  is  the  online  retailing  industry, which  is  characterized by extensive use  of
Web  technologies and high competition for market share and profitability.  For Internet retailers,
search  engines  are  increasingly  serving  as  an  information  gateway  for  many  decision-making
tasks.  In particular,  Search  engine  advertising  (SEA)  has  opened  a new marketing  channel  for
retailers to  attract new customers and improve their performance.  In addition to natural (organic)
search  marketing  strategies,  search  engine  advertisers  compete  for  top  advertisement  slots
provided by search brokers such as Google and Yahoo!  through keyword auctions. The rationale
being that greater visibility on a search engine during a keyword search will capture  customers'
interest in a business and its product or service offerings. Search engines account for most online
activities today. Compared with the slow growth of traditional marketing channels, online search
volumes  continue  to  grow  at  a  steady  rate.  According  to  the  Search  Engine  Marketing
Professional Organization,  spending  on  search  engine marketing  by North American  firms  in
2008 was estimated at $13.5 billion.
Despite the significant role SEA plays in Web retailing, scholarly research on the topic  is
limited.  Prior  studies  in  SEA  have  focused  on  search  engine  auction  mechanism  design.  In
contrast, research on the business value of SEA has been limited by the lack of empirical data on
search advertising practices. Recent advances in search and retail technologies have created datarich  environments  that  enable  new  research  opportunities  at  the  interface  of marketing  and
information technology. This research uses extensive data from Web retailing and Google-based
search advertising  and  evaluates Web  retailers'  use of resources,  search advertising techniques,
and  other relevant  factors  that contribute  to  business performance across  different metrics.  The
methods  used  include  Data  Envelopment  Analysis  (DEA),  data  mining,  and  multivariate
statistics.
This  research  contributes  to  empirical research by analyzing  several Web  retail  firms  in
different industry sectors and product categories.  One of the key findings  is that the dynamics of
sponsored search advertising vary between multi-channel and Web-only retailers. While the key performance metrics for multi-channel retailers include measures such as online sales, conversion rate  (CR),  c1ick-through-rate  (CTR),  and  impressions,  the  key  performance metrics
for Web-only retailers  focus  on organic  and  sponsored ad ranks.  These  results  provide a useful
contribution  to  our  organizational  level  understanding  of search  engine  advertising  strategies,
both  for  multi-channel  and  Web-only  retailers.  These  results  also  contribute  to  current
knowledge  in  technology-driven  marketing  strategies  and  provide  managers  with  a  better
understanding of sponsored search advertising and its  impact on various performance metrics  in Web retailing.


title: Conflicting ideologies in early childhood education : an exploration of Reggio-inspired practice

subject: Early childhood education

subject: Reggio Emilia approach (Early childhood education)

abstract:
Within the field of early childhood education, the ideologies of child development and its
parent discipline, developmental psychology, dominate both theory and practice. In recent years,
educators have attempted to reconceptualise early childhood education by adopting more
progressive approaches to teaching and learning. The aim of this present research study was to
critically examine the experiences of early childhood educators who have adopted a Reggioinspired approach to educating young children. To explore their experiences, an institutional
ethnography was employed involving seven educators from a large child care organization in
Hamilton, Ontario.  In line with the intent ofthis study, qualitative data were collected through
in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant-observations and textual analyses to explore the
presence of developmental-psychological ideologies within early childhood education and
Reggio-inspired practice. The present study also examined the challenges faced by educators
who have adopted a Reggio-inspired approach. The results of this study indicate that ideologies
associated with the developmental-psychological paradigm dominate the practice of early
childhood educators and that the conflicting ideologies that surround Reggio educators may play
a role in some of the challenges educators experience. The findings of this study thus
demonstrate a need to adopt alternative approaches toward understanding both children and
childhood, in both early childhood educational theory and practice.


title: Expanding the research horizon in higher education : master's students' perceptions of research assistantships

subject: Research -- Study and teaching (Graduate)

subject: Graduate students -- Attitudes

abstract:
This study explores how effectively current research assistantships impart
research methods, skills, and attitudes; and how well those experiences prepare the next
generation of  researchers to meet the evolving needs of  an ever-expanding, knowledge-
based economy and society. Through personal interviews, 7 graduate student research
assistants expressed their perceptions regarding their research assistantships. The open-
ended interview questions emphasized (a) what research knowledge and skills the
graduate students acquired; (b) what other lessons they took away from  the experience;
and (c) how the research assistantships influenced their graduate studies and future
academic plans. After participants were interviewed, the data were transcribed,
memberchecked, and then analyzed using a grounded theory research design. The
findings show that research assistantships are valuable educational venues that can not
only promote research learning but also benefit research assistants' master's studies and
stimulate reflection regarding their future educational and research plans. Although data
are limited to the responses of  7 students, findings can contribute to the enhancement of
research assistantship opportunities as a means of  developing skilled future researchers
that in tum will benefit Canada as an emerging leader in research and development. The
study is meant to serve as an informative source for (a) experienced researchers who have
worked with research assistants; (b) researchers who are planning to hire research
assistants; and (c) experienced and novice research assistants. Further, the study has the
potential to  inform future  research training initiatives as well as related policies and
practices.


title: Impact of social constructs on administrator understanding of social justice

subject: Social justice

subject: School administrators -- Professional ethics

subject: Educational leadership -- Moral and ethical aspects

abstract:
Educational administrators are expected to relate social justice considerations to
their actions and to the theoretical foundations of their practice. At the same time, social
constructs-including those related to administrative practice, social justice, and societal
norms-are important in helping administrators understand, frame, and describe
administrative issues. Furthermore, as part of socially constructed language, these
constructs represent discursive practices and accepted ways of knowing, valuing, and
experiencing the world. Drawing on the multidimensional methods of critical discourse
analysis as articulated in the writings of Michel Foucault, Norman Fairclough, and Allan
Luke, and using deconstruction as a strategic device for reading and interpreting texts,
this exploratory qualitative study examined how administrator knowledge, values, and
experiences impact their understanding of social justice within the context of delivering
social justice for students who experience bullying. Study findings reveal that school
administrators interpreted social justice as equitable distribution, action, and results;
fairness; and equity. Constructs embedded in these interpretations assumed common
things such as universal acceptance of norms of social relations and conveyed
administrator intent to secure the kind of social relations that enabled individuals to enjoy
greater equality within existing social arrangements.


title: The expression and development of teachers' capacities within two learning communities : a participant-observer case study

subject:
Teacher effectiveness
Teachers -- Training of

abstract:
The learning community model has been an integral component of teacher
development in Ontarian schools and beyond. This research was conducted to understand
how teachers' personal capacity and professional, interpersonal, and organizational
competencies are developed and expressed within this context. Nineteen elementary
teachers and administrators participated in the study from November through January
2007. A qualitative case study methodology was used to investigate the role ofteachers'
capacities and competencies in learning communities. Combined data sources from
semistructured interviews, research journals, and document review were used to gather
data about teachers' capacities and competencies. The study included 3 phases of
analysis. In the final phase the analysis provided 3 qualities of the teachers at Jude and
Mountain Schools (pseudonyms):  identification as professionals, investment in others,
and institutional affiliation that may explain how they differed from other educators. The
data revealed these three themes, which provided an understanding of educators at Jude
and Mountain Schools as dedicated professionals pushing practices to contribute to
school life and address student learning needs, and as teachers who reflected on practices
to continue expanding their skills. Teachers were heavily invested in creating a caring
culture and in students' and team members'  learning. Educators actively participated in
solving problems and coplanning throughout the school levels and beyond, assumed
collective responsibility for all pupils, and focused on generating school-wide consistent
practices. These qualities and action patterns revealed teachers who invested time and
effort in their colleagues, who committed to develop as professionals, and who affiliated
closely with every aspect of school living.


title: The effects of upper extremity functional electrically stimulated (FES) exercise training on upper limb function in individuals with tetraplegia

subject: Quadriplegia -- Physical therapy

subject: Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation

subject: Exercise therapy

abstract:
Functional Electrically Stimulated (FES) ami cycle ergometry is a relatively new
technique for exercise in individuals with impairments of the upper limbs. The purpose of
this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of FES arm cycle ergometry on upper
limb function and cardiovascular fitness  in individuals with tetraplegia. F!ve subjects
(4M/1F; mean age 43.8 ± 15.4 years) with a spinal cord injury of the cervical spine (C3-
C7; ASIA B-D) participated in 12 weeks of3 times per week FES arm cycle ergometry
training. Exercise performance measures (time to fatigue, distance to fatigue, work rate)
were taken at baseline, 6 weeks, and following  12 weeks of training. Cardiovascular
measures (MAP, resting HR, average and peak HR during exercise, cardiovascular
efficiency) and self reported upper limb function (as determined by the CUE, sf-QIF,
SCI-SET questionnaires) were taken at baseline and following  12 weeks of training.
Increases were found in time to fatigue (84.4%), distance to fatigue (111.7%), and work
rate (51.3%). These changes were non-significant. There was a significant decrease in
MAP (91.1 ± 13.9 vs.  87.7 ± 14.7 mmHg) following  12 weeks ofFES arm cycle
ergometry. There was no significant change in resting HR or average and peak HR during
exercise. Cardiovascular efficiency showed an increase following the 12 weeks ofFES
training (142.9%), which was non-significant. There were no significant changes in the
measures of upper limb function and spasticity. Overall, FES arm cycle ergometry is an
effective method of cardiovascular exercise for individuals with tetraplegia, as evidenced
by a significant decrease in MAP, however it is unclear whether 12 weeks of thrice
weekly FES arm cycle ergometry may effectively improve upper limb function in all
individuals with a cervical SCI.


title: The role of Stl1p in glycerol accumulation in osmotically stressed icewine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae K1 V1116

subject: Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- Metabolism

subject: Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- Physiology

subject: Wine and wine making -- Microbiology -- Canada

subject: Fermentation

abstract:
The high sugar concentration in Icewine juice exerts hyperosmotic stress in the
wine yeast causing water loss and cell shrinkage. To counteract the dehydration,
yeast synthesize and accumulate glycerol as an internal osmolyte. In a laboratory
strain of S.  cerevisiae, STLl encodes for Stllp, an H+ /glycerol symporter that is
glucose inactivated, but induced upon hyperosmotic stress.
STLl, was found to be a highly upregulated gene in Icewine fermenting cells
and its expression was 25-fold greater than in yeast cells fermenting diluted Icewine
juice, making it one of the most differentially expressed genes between the two
fermentation conditions. In addition, Icewine fermenting cells showed a two-fold
higher glycerol production in the wine compared to yeast fermenting diluted
Icewine juice.
We proposed that Stllp is  (1) active during Icewine fermentation and is not
glucose inactivated and (2)  its activity contributes to the limited cell growth
observed during Icewine fermentation as a result of the dissipation of the plasma
membrane proton gradient.
To measure the contribution ofStl1p in active glycerol transport (energy
dependent) during Icewine fermentation, we first developed an Stllp-dependent
(14C]glycerol uptake assay using a laboratory strain of S.  cerevisiae (BY 4742 and
LiSTLl) that was dependent on the plasma membrane proton gradient and therefore
energy-dependent. Wine yeast K1-Vll16 was also shown to have this energy
dependent glycerol uptake induced under salt stress.  The expression of STLl and Stllp activity were compared between yeast cells
harvested from Icewine and diluted Icewine fermentations. Northern blot analysis
revealed that STLl was expressed in cells fermenting Icewine juice but not
expressed under the diluted juice conditions. Glycerol uptake by cells fermenting
Icewine juice was not significantly different than cells fermenting diluted Icewine
juice on day 4 and day 7 of Vidal and Riesling fermentations respectively, despite
encountering greater hyperosmotic stress. Furthermore, energy- dependent
glycerol uptake was not detected under either fermentation conditions.
Because our findings show that active glycerol uptake was not detected in
yeast cells harvested from Icewine fermentation, it is likely that Stllp was glucose
inactivated despite the hyperosmotic stress induced by the Icewine juice and therefore did not play a role in active glycerol uptake during Icewine fermentation.


title: Beyond child's play : wealth, status, and the death of children in the MH-LH I periods of the Argolid, Greece

subject: Burial -- Greece -- Argolis Peninsula

subject: Argolis Peninsula (Greece) -- Antiquities

abstract:
This study explores the mortuary remains of children from the MH-LH I periods
of the Argolid, Greece.  This examination concentrates on how the child in death acted as
a tool for wealth and status display.  Here, children are understood to have perpetuated,
maintained, and reinforced status distinctions between families in their community.  The
analysis of one hundred child burials that date to these periods illustrates how the burials
of children were important opportunities used by the families of children to display
wealth and status. Thus, children can be viewed as important factors in the reorganization
of social structure in the transition from the Middle to Late Helladic.


title: Association between adolescent leisure, peer social capital and academic performance among Canadian youth

subject: Leisure -- Social aspects -- Canada

subject: Teenagers -- Social networks -- Canada

subject: Friendship in adolescence -- Canada

subject: Peer pressure in adolescence -- Canada

subject: Achievement motivation in adolescence -- Canada

abstract:
Previous research shows discrepant findings between youth leisure programming
(before and after school programs, structured summer program, day camp, overnight
camp), academic performance and other youth developmental outcomes. Studies
underscores the importance of family,  community and school social capital in educational
success of youth,  investigation of peer social capital in the leisure context and academic
performance outcomes is  limited. This study uses a sample of 10 and 11  year olds
(N=1764) from  the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth
(NLSCY) Cycle 6,  to study the association between youth leisure programming, peer
social capital and academic performance. Ordinal logistic regression models consistently
showed a positive association between overnight camp and academic performance even
after controlling for determinants of health, and measures of family,  school and
community social capital. Similarly, the measure of peer social capital was positively
associated with academic performance. Most importantly, the interaction between
overnight camp participation and peer social capital was significantly associated with
academic performance. Study findings, highlight overnight camp opportunities and peer
social


title: Deconstructing a discourse : broadening understandings of teenage girls' "resistance"

subject: Resistance (Psychoanalysis) in adolescence

subject: Teenage girls -- Attitudes

subject: Mass media and teenagers

subject: Popular culture

abstract:
Popular culture has a strong influence on youth, and the creation of meanings associated
with youth. Representations within popular culture, specifically film, branch beyond
entertainment and become discourses that construct how we perceive our world. Youth
resistance is commonly represented in films geared towards the teenage gene{ation. Yet,
the discourse of resistance has positioned females as non-resistors. This thesis addresses
representations of teenage girl resistance within popular culture due to the strong
influence film has on teenage girls today. This thesis will specificaIJy examine three films
directed at North American teenage girls: Thirteen, Ghost World and The Sisterhood of
the Travelling Pants. Through a feminist poststructurallens utilizing discourse analysis,
this thesis will examine teenage girl resistance as it is represented in the aforementioned
films. This thesis repositions teenage girl resistance as a multi-dimensional concept,
allowing for resistance to branch beyond the traditional meaning associated with it.


title: Opioid poisoning and availability of specialized medical care in Ontario, 2002-2006

subject:
Opioid abuse -- Ontario
Opioids -- Therapeutic use -- Ontario

abstract:
The prescription of opioid analgesics has risen sharply in North America over the past
two decades.  This increase has been accompanied by a rise in overdoses.  The
present study draws on administrative data collected from emergency department
contacts to describe the epidemiology of opioid overdose in Ontario b~tween 2002
and 2006 and to examine the role of regional variation in availability of specialist
care.
The number of poisonings increased from 1250 (10.9 per 100,000) in FY2002 to
1816 (15.2 per 100,000) in FY2005.  Local concentration of specialist physicians was
significantly associated with the incidence of opioid overdose, inversely at most
levels of availability, but positively at very high levels.  Regional variation in
incidence was also associated with demographics, median family income, and the rate
of other drug poisonings.  Policy options for limiting opioid-related harms are limited,
but improvements in monitoring and clinical management may prove valuable.


title: The nesting biology of Ceratina (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Niagara Region : new species, nest site selection and parasitism

subject:
Bees -- Nests
Bees -- Behavior

abstract:
One of the most common bee genera in the Niagara Region, the genus Ceratina
(Hymenoptera: Apidae) is composed of four species, C.  dupla,  C.  calcarata,  the very rare
C.  strenua,  and a previously unknown species provisionally named C.  near dupla.  The
primary goal of this thesis was to investigate how these closely related species coexist
with one another in the Niagara ~ee community.  The first necessary step was to describe
and compare the nesting biologies and life histories of the three most common species, C.
dupla,  C.  calcarata and the new C.  near dupla, which was conducted in 2008 via nest
collections and pan trapping.  Ceratina dupla and C.  calcarata were common, each
comprising 49% of the population, while C.  near dupla was rare, comprising only 2% of
the population.  Ceratina dupla and C.  near dupla both nested more commonly in teasel
(Dipsacus sp.) in the sun, occasionally in raspberry (Rubus sp.) in the shade, and never in
shady sumac (Rhus  sp.), while C.  calcarata nested most commonly in raspberry and
sumac (shaded) and occasionally in teasel (sunny).  Ceratina near dupla differed from
both C.  dupla and C.  calcarata in that it appeared to be partially bivoltine, with some
females founding nests very early and then again very late in the season.
To examine the interactions and possible competition for nests that may be taking
place between C.  dupla and C.  calcarata, a nest choice experiment was conducted in
2009.  This experiment allowed both species to choose among twigs from all three
substrates in the sun and in the shade.  I then compared the results from 2008 (where bees
chose from what was available), to where they nested when given all options (2009
experiment).  Both C.  dupla and C.  calcarata had the same preferences for microhabitat and nest substrate in 2009, that being raspberry and sumac twigs in the sun.  As that
microhabitat and nest substrate combination is extremely rare in nature, both species must
make a choice.  In nature Ceratina dupla nests more often in the preferred microhabitat
(sun), while C.  calcarata nests in the preferred substrate (raspberry).  Nesting in the
shade also leads to smaller clutch sizes, higher parasitism and lower numbers of live
brood in C.  calcarata,  suggesting that C.  dupla may be outcompeting C.  calcarata for the
sunny nesting sites.
The development and host preferences of Ceratina parasitoids were also
examined.  Ceratina species in Niagara were parasitized by no less than eight species of
arthropod.  Six of these were wasps from the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera),
one was a wasp from the family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) and one was a
physogastric mite from the family Pyemotidae (Acari).  Parasites shared a wide range of
developmental strategies, from  ichneumonid larvae that needed to consume multiple
Ceratina immatures to complete development, to the species from the Eulophidae
(Baryscapus) and Encyrtidae (Coelopencyrtus),  in which multiple individuals completed
development inside a single Ceratina host.  Biological data on parasitoids is scarce in the
scientific literature, and this Chapter documents these interactions for future research.


title: The carbon disclosure project, an evolution in international environmental corporate governance : motivations and determinants of market response to voluntary disclosures

subject: Carbon Disclosure Project

subject: Greenhouse gases -- Economic aspects -- Canada

subject: Social responsibility of business -- Canada

subject: Carbon dioxide mitigation

subject: Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Canada

abstract:
This  paper  examines  the  factors  associated with  Canadian  firms  voluntarily disclosing  climate
change  information  through  the  Carbon  Disclosure  Project.  Five  hypotheses  are  presented  to
explain  the  factors  influencing  management's  decision  to  disclose  this  information.  These
hypotheses include a response to shareholder activism, domestic institutional investor shareholder
activism,  signalling,  litigation  risk,  and  low  cost  publicity.  Both binary  logistic  regressions  as
well as a cross-sectional analysis of the equity market's response to the environmental disclosures
being made were used to test these hypotheses.  Support was  found for  shareholder activism,  low
cost publicity,  and  litigation  risk.  However,  the  equity market's  response was  not  found  to  be
statistically significant.


title: Ten years after : a qualitative study of students' experiences in a high school theatre company

subject: Drama in education

subject: College and school drama

subject: Theater -- Study and teaching (Secondary)

subject: Theater -- Psychological aspects

abstract:
This qualitative study explored 4 former students' perceptions of the learning
associated with their involvement in a high school theatre program and the contextual
factors they linked to their perceived development. The study involved 4 adult
participants, 2 male and 2 female, who had participated extensively in a high school
theatre company from 1996 to 2001 when they were students in a large Ontario school
board.  Data were collected from January to August, 2007, when the 4 former students
took part in two in-depth, open-ended interviews.  The focus of investigation was
participant perspectives.
Data analysis revealed that the 4 participants' involvement in high school theatre
produced both wide-ranging and enduring developmental benefits across personal, social,
and cognitive domains. Participants achieved these benefits through interactions among 3
related contexts: (a) rehearsal and performance practices, (b) the world of the play, and
(c) characteristics of the high school theatre company.


title: A Study of Nonfans and Fans of the National Lacrosse League's Edmonton Rush

subject: Sport Marketing and Consumer Behviour

abstract:
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is floundering. In an attempt to understand why NLL fans attend games and other sport fans do not, the NLL’s Edmonton Rush were studied. To best address the NLL’s attendance woes, two primary research questions were developed: 1) Why do fans of the Oilers and Oil Kings choose not to attend Edmonton Rush games? 2) Why do fans of the Edmonton Rush attend games? To answer these questions an online focus group along with a document analysis of Rush media, and a telephone interview were used to collect data.
The data collection methods mentioned above assisted in answering the primary and secondary research questions, which allowed three major themes along with sub-themes to inductively emerge. The nonfans of the Rush do not attend Rush games because of the connection they have with hockey and the disconnection they have with lacrosse, some are simply not interested or were not entertained, as well as the lack of exposure the Rush receive. The Rush fan participants attend Rush games because of Edmonton community pride, the entertainment value they get out of attending a game, it is a great alternative new sport experience and it either is a substitute or a compliment to hockey. Both the nonfan and fan participants of this study believe that different marketing approaches can be utilized in order to attract nonfans to attend games.


title: Deception in Sport: A Conceptual and Ethical Analysis

subject:
deception
ethical permissibility
gamesmanship
competitive
sport

abstract: In 1973, Kathleen Pearson offered a pivotal first step into understanding deception in competitive sport and its many intricacies.  However, the analysis falls short of truly deciphering this widespread phenomenon.  By creating a taxonomy based on Torres (2000) understanding of various types of skills in an athletic contest, a wider array of deceptive practices are encompassed.  Once the taxonomy is put forth, weighing the categories against the three-pronged ethical permissibility test established utilizing elements from formalism, conventionalism and broad internalism sheds lights on what deceptive practices should be deemed ethically permissible for use and which tactics should not be a part of an athlete’s repertoire.  By understanding which categories of deception are permissible, the most fair and athletically excellent contest can be created between the opposing players of teams.


title: Effects of age on learning a spatial motor task in younger and older adults individualizing their knowledge of results schedule

subject:
self-control
knowledge of results (KR)
younger adults
older adults
motor learning

abstract: Self-controlled KR practice has revealed that providing participants the opportunity to control their KR is superior for motor learning compared to participants replicating the KR schedule of a self-control participant, without the choice (e.g., yoked). The purpose of the present experiment was two-fold. First, to examine the utility of a self-controlled KR schedule for learning a spatial motor task in younger and older adults and second, to determine whether a self-controlled KR schedule facilitates an increased ability to estimate one’s performance in retention and transfer. Twenty younger adults and 20 older adults practiced in either the self-control or yoked condition and were required to push and release a slide along a confined pathway using their non-dominant hand to a target distance. The retention data revealed that as a function of age, a self-controlled KR schedule facilitated superior retention performance and performance estimations in younger adults compared to their yoked counterparts.


title: The Relationship between Participation in an Exercise Program and Body Image in Post-Menopausal Women Self-Reporting Osteoporosis

subject:
exercise intervention
osteoporosis
body image
post-menopausal women

abstract: The current study investigated body image differences in post-menopausal women who self-reported having (SRO) or not having (SRN) osteoporosis and the impact of a 16-week exercise program on body image in these groups. Participants completed a measure of body image, and were randomly assigned to a 16-week exercise program or control group, stratified by self-reported osteoporosis status. After 16 weeks, they completed the same body image measure. There were no differences in body image between the two osteoporosis groups. The exercise intervention had a positive impact on body image for both the SRO and SRN groups. The exercise groups showed increases in fitness and health orientation and body areas satisfaction from baseline to 16-weeks, while the non-exercise group showed decreases in appearance and health evaluation, health orientation and body areas satisfaction. The results suggest an exercise program for post-menopausal women can lead to improvements in body image, regardless of osteoporosis status.


title: Managing Volunteers in Canadian Community Sport Organizations

subject:
human resource management
community sport organizations
volunteers

abstract: This study examined the use of human resource management (HRM) practices with volunteers in Canadian Community Sport Organizations (CSOs). Using the Volunteer Management Inventory (VMI; Cuskelly, Taylor, Hoye & Darcy, 2006), 219 leaders of associations in basketball, curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing, swimming, and volleyball participated in this study and identified current trends in HRM practices and perceived issues in the retention of volunteers. Data collected was analyzed using mean and descriptive statistics, T-tests, ANOVAs, and regression analyses. Results indicate that there is a varying use of HRM practices amongst the organizations, and also a significant correlation between the use of HRM practices and the retention of volunteers, particularly board members. Implications and future research directions are discussed regarding how HRM practices and principles may be applied to CSOs.


title: The Structural and Functional Changes of Blood Vessels during Aging

subject: Adventitia Endothelin Aging Hypertension Fibroblast

abstract: The vascular adventitia is recognized as a dynamic mediator of vascular structure and function, yet its role in aging is not understood. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the age-related changes of the vascular adventitia and determine the underlying mediators responsible. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were aged to 15, 30, 50 and 80 weeks before being anesthetised and euthanized by exsanguination. Thoracic aortas, mesenteric and pudental arteries were isolated, formalin fixed, and embedded in paraffin then sectioned at 5μm. Vessels were examined by microscopy and protein expression was determined by indirect immunofluorescence. The thickness of the adventitia increased dramatically with age. Immunofluorescence revealed a robust expression of endothelin system proteins in the adventitia. Additionally, extracellular matrix proteins collagen and fibronectin, and the proliferation marker Ki67 showed strong adventitial origin. The changes observed in the vascular adventitia with aging clearly demonstrate an important role in the process of vascular aging.


title: The Development of a Survey to Assess the Type of Capacity within Nonprofit Sport Organizations

subject: Survey Development Capacity Types

abstract:
The topic of organizational capacity and organizational capacity-building has gained importance among Canadian nonprofit sport organizations. This is illustrated by practitioners calling for increased attention to the capacity-building matters of nonprofit organizations, and two critical Canadian federal government documents outlining strategic direction for the nonprofit sport sector. Consequently, the purpose of this quantitative research study was to develop a valid and reliable survey to categorize nonprofit sport organizations into capacity types identified by Stevens (Stevens, 2006).
This quantitative research study offers a preliminary development towards achieving a reliable and valid tool for assessing types of nonprofit sport organizational capacity. This research provides interesting insight into what capacity means by organizing the all-encompassing literature into an easy to understand framework. In addition, it sets the stage for future researchers to build upon this survey development process to achieve a reliable and valid capacity measuring tool.


title: Extending relAPS to first order logic

subject:
Relation algebras
Computer science -- Mathematics.

abstract:
RelAPS is  an interactive system assisting in proving relation-algebraic theorems.
The aim of the system is to provide an environment  where a user can perform a
relation-algebraic proof similar to doing it using pencil and paper. The   previous version of RelAPS  accepts only Horn-formulas. To extend the  system to first order logic, we have defined and implemented a new language based on theory of allegories as well as a new calculus.  The language has two different kinds of terms; object terms and relational terms, where object terms are built from  object constant symbols and
object variables,  and relational terms  from  typed relational constant  symbols, typed relational variables, typed operation symbols and the regular operations available in
any allegory. The calculus is a mixture of natural  deduction and the sequent calculus.
It is formulated in a sequent style but with exactly one formula on the   right-hand side.  We have  shown soundness and completeness of this new  logic which verifies that  the underlying proof system of RelAPS is  working correctly.


title: The relation between video game violence and aggression

subject:
Video games -- Psychological aspects.
Video games -- Social aspects
Aggressiveness

abstract:
Experimental research has shown that playing violent video games produces higher levels of
aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and aggressive behavior (in the
short-term)  than non-violent video games (see Anderson, Gentile &  Buckley, 2007).  However,
there are two major limitations with these studies. First, the majority of  experimental studies that
have compared the effects of  violent versus non-violent video games on aggression have failed to
equate these games in terms of  competitiveness, difficulty, and pace of  action.  Thus, although
the common finding is that violent video games produce higher levels of  aggression than nonviolent video games, other unmatched factors beyond the actual violent content may be
responsible for the elevated levels of  aggression.  Second, previous experimental studies have
tended to use a measure of  aggression that may also measure competitiveness, leading to
questions about whether violent video games are related to aggression or  competitiveness.  The
present thesis addressed these two issues by fIrst equating a violent and non-violent video game
on competitiveness, difficulty and pace of  action in Experiment  I ,  and then comparing the effect
of  each game on aggressive behavior using an unambiguous measure of  aggressive behavior (i.e.,
the Hot Sauce Paradigm).  We found that video game violence was not sufficient to elevate
aggressive behavior compared to a non-violent video game.  Practical implications and directions
for future research are discussed.


title: Examining the potential application of childhood stature in assessing adolescent overweight and obesity

subject:
Obesity in children
Stature

abstract:
Background:  Increasing  Overweight  and  Obesity  (OwOb)  prevalence  in
pediatric populations is becoming a public health concern in many countries. The
purpose  of   this  study  was  to  determine  if  childhood  stature  components,
particularly  the  Leg  Length  Index  (LLI  =  [height  - sitting  height]!  height),  were
useful in  assessing  risk of  OwOb in adolescence.
Methods:  Data  was  from  a  longitudinal  study  conducted  in  south  Ontario  since
2004.  Approximately  2360  students  had  body  composition  measurements
including  sitting  height  and  standing  height  at  baseline.  Among  them,  1167
children  (573  girls,  594  boys)  who  had  weight  and  height  measured  at the  5
th
year follow-up,  were included  in this analysis.  OwOb was defined  using  age and
sex  specific  BMI  (kg!m
2
)  cut-off  points  corresponding  to  adults'  BMI  ~ 25.
Results:  Overall,  34%  (n=298)  of  adolescents  were  considered  as  OwOb.  The
results from  logistic  regression  analysis indicated that with  1 unit increase in  LLI
the odds of  OwOb decreased 24% (Odds Ratio,  [95% Confidence Interval], 0.76,
[0.66-0.87]) after adjusted for age,  sex and  baseline waist circumference.  Further
adjusting  for  birth  weight,  birth  order,  breastfeeding,  child's  physical  activity,
maternal  smoking, education,  mother's  age  at  birth  and  mother's  BMI,  did  not
change the  relationship. Our results  also  indicated that mother's  smoking  status
is associated with  LLI.
Discussion:  Although  LLI  measured  at  childhood  in  this  study  is  related  to
OwOb risk in  adolescents, the underlying mechanism is unclear and further study
is  needed.


title: A needs assessment of public health professionals: supporting the implementation of Ontario 2010 revised elementary health and physical education curriculum

subject: School health services -- Ontario

subject: Public health -- Ontario

subject: Physical education and training -- Ontario

abstract:
Based on the Comprehensive School Health framework, Ontario's Foundations
for  a Healthy School (2009) outlines an integrated approach to school health promotion.
In this approach the school, community and partners (including public health) are fully
engaged With a common goal of  youth health. With the recent introductions of  the
Ontario Public Health Standards (2009) and the revised elementary health and physical
education curriculum (2010), the timing for a greater integration of  public health with
schools is ideal.  A needs assessment was conducted to identify the perceived support
required by public health professionals to implement the mandates of  both policy
documents in Ontario. Data was collected for the needs assessment through facilitated
discussions at a provincial roundtable event, regional focus groups and individual
interviews with public health professionals representing Ontario's 36 public health units.
Findings suggest that public health professionals perceive that they require increased
resources, greater communication, a clear vision of  public health and a suitable
understanding of  the professional cultures in which they are surrounded in order to
effectively support schools. This study expands upon these four categories and the
corresponding seventeen themes that were uncovered during the research process.


title: The metacognitive cue of fluency on taste perception

subject:
Labels
Branding (Marketing)
Brand name products
Consumer behavior

abstract:
The  relative ease tha t  a person experiences while performing cognitive operations,
namely processing fluency, affects a broad range of  judgments such as product  evaluations. For
example, an increase in fluency through repeated exposure to product  packages enhances attitude
toward the brand (Janiszewski  1993). This thesis examined the effect of fluency on taste
perception and demonstrated where the  fluency created an advantage or disfluency created a disadvantage for taste evaluations. Experiment 1 examined the  effect of perceptual fluency on taste perception. It  was found that  perceptual  disfluency derived from r eading the labels (i.e.,
font) lowered taste evaluations only when it was experienced be for the sensory experience.
Experiment 2 examined the effect of linguistic fluency (i.e., pronunciation) on taste perception.
However  there was  no evidence for the effect of  linguistic fluency on taste perception. Thus, it  is concluded that either  the effect size of  linguistic fluency is lower than perceptual  fluency, or
participants discounted their  linguistic fluency experience because  they realized that  the brand
names  used in Experiment  2 were not real brand names.
To sum up, it  was found that  perceptual  disfluency created by presenting a difficult to
read product-related information created a disadvantage for taste perception compared to when
no information was presented. Therefore, this thesis provides the first evidence for the effect of
the metacognitive cue of  fluency on sensory evaluations.


title: Contraband tobacco on post-secondary campuses in Ontario

subject: College students -- Tobacco use -- Ontario

subject: Cigarettes -- Taxation -- Ontario

subject: Smuggling -- Ontario

abstract:
In Ontario 27% of  young adults smoke, and annual surveillance data suggests tobacco use
is plateauing after years of  decline. The availability of  inexpensive contraband tobacco
products maybe contributing to this situation. Limited research has been conducted on the
use of  contraband tobacco and despite the increasing availability of  contraband 'Native
cigarettes', no studies to date have examined their use among young adults. Accordingly,
this study examines:  (a) what proportion of  cigarette butts discarded on post-secondary
campuses are contraband; and (b) whether the proportion of  contraband butts varies
between colleges and universities, across seven geographical regions in the province and
based on proximity First Nations reserves.  In March and April 2009, discarded cigarette
butts were collected from the grounds of  25 post-secondary institutions across Ontario. At
each school, cigarette butts were collected on a single day from four locations. The
collected cigarette butts were reliably sorted into five categories according to their filtertip logos: legal, contraband First NationslNative cigarettes, international and suspected
counterfeit cigarettes, unidentifiable and unknown. Contraband use was apparent on all
campuses, but varied considerably from school to school. Data suggest that contraband
Native cigarettes account for as little as  1 % to as much as 38 % of  the total cigarette
consumption at a particular school. The highest proportion of  contraband was found on
campuses in the Northern part of  the province. Consumption of  Native contraband was
generally higher on colleges compared to universities. The presence of  contraband
tobacco on all campuses suggests that strategies to reduce smoking among young adults
must respond to this cohort's use of  these products.


title: The role of leaders in building organizational learning capacity

subject:
Organizational learning
Knowledge management
Organizational change

abstract:
In a world in which social, economic, and environmental circumstances are
continuously evolving and increasingly complex, leaders face the challenging prospect of
navigating their organizations through unpredictable operating conditions. Finding a way
to tap into the learning capacity of  the people who comprise their organizations may be
the answer to adapt and to survive. This qualitative research study explored the role of
leaders in building this organizational learning capacity.
The literature identified three domains of  personal, interpersonal, and
organizational capacity for learning in an organizational setting. Interviews with three
senior leaders who had successfully built learning capacity in their respective
organizations revealed four elements of  leader commitment: (a) to the process of  building
learning capacity, (b) to organizational objectives and results, (c) to personal actions and
behaviours, and (d) to the people of  the organization. Each of  the four elements of  leader
commitment spans the three domains of  learning capacity that can guide leaders as they
build organizational learning capacity.


title: An exploration of interdisciplinary practice through an examination of specific disciplinary interpretations of stereotypic behaviour

subject:
Stereotyped behavior (Psychiatry)
Behavioral assessment

abstract:
As identified in the literature, a lack of  understanding of the functional properties and
triggers of stereotypic behaviour exists. When looking at this behaviour from an Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) framework, limitations are evident around identifying specific sensory modalities and functional properties of such behaviour. Antecedents particularly are difficult to identify and interpret. Therefore an interdisciplinary approach to assessment using two types of professional services commonly received by individuals with autism was proposed.
However before this approach could be investigated the current interpretations of Stereo typic behaviour by each professional must  be  examined along with perceptions of interdisciplinary collaboration. The purpose of this study was to use an in-depth qualitative analysis to reveal the
interpretations of  stereotypy and collaboration from the perspectives of two particular professionals. The results of the study demonstrated that occupational therapists and behaviour analysts likely have different interpretations of the same behaviour,that consultation is the common model used to interact with other disciplines, and that professionals may have mixed feelings toward interdisciplinary practices as an approach to stereotypic behaviour. Strengths and
limitations of the study were highlighted along with specific directions for future research.


title: Left ventricular structure in children with developmental coordination disorder

subject:
Motor ability in children.
Clumsiness in children
Heart -- Left ventricle

abstract:
Developmental coordination disorder (p-DCD) is a neuro-developmental disorder
featuring impairment in developing motor coordination.  This study  examined left ventricular  mass (LVM) in children  with p-DCD (n=63) and  controls (n=63). LVM was
measured using echocardiography.  Body  composition was determined  using BOD POD and peak  oxygen uptake (peak V02) was measured by a progressive exercise  test.
Height, weight and blood  pressure were also measured.  LVM was not significantly elevated in  p-DCD compared to controls.  Peak V02 was lower and SBP, BMI, HR,  and BF(%) were significantly higher in p-DCD.  They also demonstrated elevated stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), end-diastolic volume, and ventricular diameter in diastole.  In regression  analyses, p-DCD was a significant predictor of  SV and CO after accounting for height, FFM, V02FFM,  and sex. These differences in children with p-DCD indicate obesity related  changes in the left ventricle and may represent early stages of
developing hypertrophy of  the left ventricle.


title: Baroreflex sensitivity and developmental coordination disorder

subject:
Motor ability in children.
Clumsiness in children
Aorta -- Diseases

abstract:
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a motor  coordination disorder that  is characterized by impairment of motor skills which leads to challenges with performing activities of daily living. Children with DCD have been shown to be less physically active and have increased body fatness. This is an  important finding since a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. One indicator of  cardiovascular health is  baroreflex sensitivity (BRS),  which is a measure of short term BP regulation that is accomplished through changes in HR. Diminished BRS is predictive of cardiovascular
morbidity and mortality.  The purpose of this study was to investigate BRS in 117 children aged 12 to 13 years with probable DCD  (pOCO) and their matched controls with normal coordination. Following 15 minutes of supine rest, five minutes of continuous
beat-by-beat blood pressure (Finapres) and RR  interval were recorded  (standard ECG). Spectral indices were computed using Fast Fourier Transform and transfer function analysis was used to compute BRS. High frequency and low frequency power spectral
areas were set to 0.15-0.6 Hz and 0.04-0.15 Hz,  respectively. BRS was compared between groups with an independent  t-test and the difference was not significant.  It is likely that a difference in BRS was not  seen between groups since the difference in BMI
between groups was small.  As well, differences in BRS may not have manifested yet at this early age.  However, the cardiovascular health of  this population still deserves attention since differences in body composition and fitness were found between groups.


title: Predictors of primary health care utilization by former residents of institutions in Ontario

subject: Primary health care -- Ontario

subject: People with disabilities -- Care -- Ontario

subject: People with mental disabilities -- Deinstitutionalization -- Ontario

abstract:
For years institutionalization has been the primary method of  service delivery for
persons with developmental disabilities (DD). However, in Ontario the last institution
was closed on March 31, 2009 with former residents now residing in small, communitybased homes. This study investigated potential predictors of  primary health care
utilization by former residents. Several indirect measures were employed to gather
information from 60 participants on their age, health status, adaptive functioning level,
problem behaviour, mental health status and, total psychotropic medication use. A direct
measure was used to gather primary health care utilization information, which served as
the dependent variable. A stepwise linear regression failed to reveal significant predictors
of  health care utilization. The data were subsequently dichotomized and the outcomes of
a logistic regression analysis indicated that mental health status, psychotropic medication
use and, an interaction between mental health status and health status significantly
predicted higher primary health care usage.


title: Smart girls : a deconstructive discourse analysis of smartness

subject:
Gifted girls.
Schoolgirls
Women -- Identity

abstract:
This project is a deconstructive discourse analysis of smart girlhood. From a feminist
post structural framework, with a focus on discourse and performative identity, I scrutinize three
dominant discourses of smartness that are prevalent and academic and popular press. These
constructions frame smart girls as being either Losers, Have-It-All Girls, or Imposters. By
conducting semi-structured group interviews with six self-identified smart girls, I explore the
question of how smart girls perform their smart girl identities in their current sociocultural context. After analyzing the data from the group interviews, I outline five themes that seem to be
prevalent in the stories told by the smart girls in this thesis.  Finally, I discuss how the
performative identities of  the smart girls in my thesis appear to be much more complex, multiple
and rhizomatic than the discourses under review allow.


title: Far infared reflectance along the C-axis of the charge stripe superconductor La1.875Ba0.125CuO4.

subject:
Polarization (Light)
Spectrum analysis

abstract:
Reflectance measurements  along the c-axis of La1.875 Bao.125CU04 at temperatures
above(6K) and below(O.5K)  the bulk superconducting transition temperature(3K)
were performed using a Bruker rapid scan spectrometer and a Martin-Puplett polarizing spectrometer.  It was found that when polarized light reflected from a sample the  Bruker rapid scan spectrometer has a low frequency cutoff of lOcm-1 while the Martin-Puplett polarizing spectrometer has  a low frequency cutoff of 6cm-1 A superconducting pla ma edge was absent in all measurements taken.  It was  concluded
that if a superconducting plasma edge exists in La1.875Bao.125CU04 it is below 6cm-1.


title: Novices' learning from the Internet : an exploration of navigation behaviours, learner-related factors, and mental effort

subject:
Internet in education
Educational technology

abstract:
The current study was an exploration of  why some novices are more successful
than their peers when learning from the Internet by examining the relations among time
spent with relevant information and changes in invested mental effort during Internet
navigations as well as achievement. Navigation behaviours and learner characteristics
were investigated as predictors of  time spent with relevant information and changes in
mental effort. Undergraduates (N = 85, Mage  = 20 years, 5 months) searched the Internet
for information corresponding to a low knowledge topic for 20 min while their eye gaze
and pupil size were recorded. Pupil diameter was used as an objective, continuous
measure of  mental effort. Participants also completed questionnaires or  computer tasks
pertaining to s e l f-regulated learning characteristics (general intrinsic goal orientation and
effort regulation) and cognitive factors (working memory control, distractibility and
cognitive style). All analyses controlled for general mental ability, reading
comprehension, topic and Internet knowledge, and overall motivation. A greater
proportion of  time spent with relevant information predicted higher scores on an
achievement test.  Interestingly, time spent with relevant information partially mediated
the positive relation between the frequency of  increases in invested mental effort and
achievement. Surprisingly, intrinsic goal orientation was negatively related to time spent
with relevant information and effort regulation was negatively related to the frequency of
increases in invested mental effort. These findings have implications for supports when
novices guide their own learning, especially when using the Internet.


title: Surface effect ferromagnetism in pure and reduced strontium titanate

subject: Spintronics Ferromagnetism

abstract:
A room temperature ferromagnetic hysteresis  is observed in single crystal strontium titanate  substrates as purchased  from several manufacturers. It was  found that polishing all sides of the substrates  removed this observed hysteresis, suggesting that the origin of the   ferromagnetic behavior   resides on the surface of  the substrates. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray spectra were measured however they were unable to detect any impurity phases. In similar semiconducting oxides it was previously
suggested that ferromagnetism could originate in oxygen vacancies or from disorder
within the single crystal.  To this end substrates were annealed in both air  and vacuum in a range of  temperatures (600°C  to  1100°G) to both create  bulk oxygen vacancies and to heal surface damage.  Annealing in vacuum was  found to create a measureable number of oxygen vacancies however their creation could not be correlated to the  ferromagnetic signal of the substrate. Annealing in air was found to effect  the remnant moment of the  substrate as well as the width of the x-ray diffraction peaks on the unpolished face, weakly  suggesting a relation between surface based disorder and ferromagnetism.  Argon ion  bombardment was employed to create a layer of surface disorder in the  polished crystal, however  it was not found to induce  ferromagnetism.
It was found that acid  etching was sufficient to remove the ferromagnetism  from as purchased samples  and similarly simulated  handling with stainless steel tweezers was sufficient to re-create the ferromagnetism. It is  suggested that the origin  of this ferromagnetism in SrTi03 is surface contaminants (mainly iron).


title: Spin labile conducting metallopolymers : a new architecture for hybrid multifunctional materials

subject:
Polymerization
Magnetic materials
Metal catalysts
Organic compounds -- Synthesis

abstract:
The  synthesis  of  3-ethynylthienyl- (2.07),  3-ethynylterthienyl- (2.19)  substituted  qsal
[qsalH  =  N-(8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine]  and  3,3'  -diethynyl-2,2' -bithienyl  bridging  bisqsal (5.06) ligands are  described along with the preparation and characterization of  eight
cationic  iron(III)  complexes  containing these  ligands  with  a  selection  of  counteranions
[(2.07)  with:  SCN- (2.08),  PF6- (2.09),  and CI04- (2.10);  (2.19)  with PF6
- (2.20);  (5.06)
with:  cr (5.07), SeN- (5.08), PF6- (5.09), and CI04- (5.10)].  Spin-crossover is  observed
in the solid state  for  (2.08) - (2.10)  and  (5.07) - (5.10), including a ve ry rare S =  5/2 to
3/2 spin-crossover in complex (2.09).  The unusal reduction of  complex (2.10) produces a
high-spin iron(I1) complex (2.12).
Six iron(II)  complexes  that  are  derived  from  thienyl  analogues  of  bispicen  [bispicen  =
bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-diamine]  [2,5-thienyl  substituents  =  H- (3.11),  Phenyl- (3.12),  2-
thienyl  (3.13)  or  N-phenyl-2-pyridinalimine ligands  [2,5-phenyl  substituents  =  diphenyl
(3.23),  di(2-thienyl)  (3.24),  4-phenyl  substituent  =  3-thienyl  (3.25)]  are  reported
Complexes (3.11),  (3.23)  and (3.25) display thermal spin-crossover in the solid state and
(3.12)  remains  high-spin  at  all  temperatures.  Complex  (3.13)  rearranges  to  form  an
iron(II) complex (3.14) with temperature dependent magnetic properties be s t  described as
a  one-dimensional  ferromagnetic  chain,  with  interchain  antiferromagnetic  interactions
and/or ZFS  dominant at low temperatures.  Magnetic  succeptibility and Mossbauer data
for complex (3.24) display a temperature dependent mixture of  spin isomers. The  preparation  and  characterization  of   two  cobalt(II)  complexes  containing  3-
ethynylthienyl- (4.04)  and  3-ethynylterhienyl- (4.06)  substituted  bipyridine  ligands
[(4.05):  [Co(dbsqh(4.04)];  (4.07):  [Co(dbsq)2(4.06)]]  [dbsq =  3,5-dbsq=3,5-di-tert-butylI ,2-semiquinonate]  are  reported.  Complexes  (4.05)  and  (4.07)  exhibit thermal  valence
tautomerism in the solid state and in solution.
Self assembly  of  complex  (2.10)  into  polymeric  spheres  (6.11)  afforded  the  first  spincrossover,  polydisperse,  micro- to  nanoscale  material  of  its  kind.  . Complexes  (2.20),
(3.24)  and  (4.07)  also  form  polymers  through  electrochemical  synthesis  to  produce
hybrid metaUopolymer films  (6.12),  (6.15) and  (6.16), respectively. The films  have been
characterized by EDX, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy.  Variable-temperature magnetic
susceptibility measurements  demonstrate  that  spin  lability is  operative  in the  polymers
and conductivity measurements confirm the electron transport properties.  Polymer (6.15)
has a persistent oxidized state that shows a significant decrease in electrical resistance.


title: Deinstitutionalization and community inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Ontario : a case analysis

subject: People with mental disabilities -- Deinstitutionalization

subject: People with mental disabilities -- Housing

subject: Group homes for people with mental disabilities -- Standards -- Ontario

abstract:
In the last few decades, there have been significant changes in the way people
with intellectual disabilities (ID) live in many countries around the world. Large isolated
institutions have been replaced by community-based housing. This study examined the deinstitutionalization process in Ontario and it's effects on the lives of three individuals with ID.  A case analysis approach was used allowing for in depth evaluation of  the quality of life of these participants following their discharge with a focus on family involvement, community engagement, and choice making. A discrepancy analysis between the Essential Elements Plan (EEP), constructed when they were entering the community placement, and the current living arrangements was also done. The results of
this study suggested that with community living comes improvements in family
interactions, community engagement, and decision-making. However, these improvements were found to be minimal. Also, little discrepancy was found between the EEPs and their actual placements.


title: Closing the summer learning gap for vulnerable junior kindergarten students

subject:
Summer schools
Language arts (Early childhood)
Literacy -- Canada.

abstract:
Under current academic calendars across North America, summer vacation creates a
significant gap in the learning cycle. I t  has been argued that this gap actually decreases student
achievement levels over the course of  the summer. In a synthesis of  39 studies Cooper, Nye,
Charlton, Lindsay, &  Greathouse (1996) indicated that summer learning loss equaled at least one
month of  instruction as measured by grade level equivalents on standardized test scores whereby
children's test scores were at least one month lower when they returned to school in the fall than
scores were when students left in the summer. Specifically, Cooper et aI.,  (1996) found that the
summer learning loss phenomena may be particularly troublesome for less advantaged children
including those with speech and language delays, children at-risk for reading disabilities,
children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and children learning English as a second
language. In general, research illustrated clearly that the summer learning gap can be particularly
problematic for vulnerable children and furthermore, that literacy skills may be the area of
achievement that is most affected.
A foundational pillar to this research project is including primary caregivers as authentic
partners in a summer literacy program designed to support their children's literacy needs. This
pillar led the research team to use the Learning Begins at Home: A Research-Based Family
Literacy Program Curriculum designed by Antoinette Doyle, Kathleen Hipfner-Boucher, and
Janette Pelletier from the Ontario Institute for the Studies of  Education. The LBH program is
designed to be flexibly adapted to suit the needs of  each individual participating family. As
indicated by Timmons (2008) literacy interventions are most powerful when they include
authentic family involvement. Based on this research, a requirement for participating in the summer literacy program was involvement of  a child and one of  their primary caregivers. The
participating caregiver was integrally involved in the program, participating in workshop
activities prior to and following hands-on literacy work with their child. By including primary
caregivers as authentic partners, the research team encouraged a paradigmatic shift in the family
whereby literacy activities become routine within their household.
5
Participants in this study were  14 children from junior kindergarten classrooms within the
Niagara Catholic District School Board. As children were referred to the program, they were
assessed by a trained emergent literacy specialist (from Speech Services Niagara) to identify
whether they met the eligibility requirements for participation in the summer program. To be
eligible to participate, children demonstrated significant literacy needs (i.e. below 25%ile on the
Test of  Preschool Early Literacy described below). Children with low incidence disabilities (i.e.
profound sensory impairments, severe intellectual impairments, developmental disabilities, etc)
were excluded as participants. The research team used a standard pre- and posttest design
whereby all participating children were assessed with the Test of  Preschool Early Literacy
(Lonigan et aI.,  2007), and a standard measure of  letter names and sounds. Pretests were
administered two weeks prior to the commencement of  the program and the first set of  posttests
was administered immediately following the program. A second set of  posttests was
administered in December 2009 to measure the sustainability of  the program.
As a result of  the program, all children scored statistically significantly higher on their
literacy scores at the post-program assessment point immediately following the program and also
at the Dec-post-program assessment point.  These results in general indicated that the summer
family literacy program made an immediate impact on the emergent literacy skills of  participating children.  All participating children demonstrated significant increases in print and
phonological awareness as well as their letter sound understanding.


title: Examining the influence of the coach athlete relationship on motivation and performance in female rugby players

subject:
Rugby football
Coach-athlete relationships
Sports for women

abstract:
The purpose of  the study was two-fold; first, the association between
interpersonal coaching styles and self-determined motivation was examined, followed by
the investigation of  the motivation-performance relationship. Participants included 221
female Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) rugby players, aged sixteen to thirty-three
(M= 20.1: SD =  2.26), who reported the number of  years they played CIS rugby (M=
2.3:  SD = 1.37) and organized rugby (M= 5.9: SD = 2.31).
Multiple and bivariate regressions were employed with autonomy-support,
structure, and involvement accounting for  17%, 41 % and 22% of  the variance of
competence, autonomy and relatedness. The three basic needs accounted for 40% of  the
variance of  motivation, and motivation accounted for 2% of  the variance of  athletes'
perceptions of  performance. Findings indicated that autonomy-support emerged as a
predictor of  all three basic needs, involvement predicted relatedness and competence,
autonomy predicted motivation, and motivation predicted athletes' perception of performance.


title: Role of family eating practices on daily nutrient intakes, dietary patterns and measures of body composition in peri-adolescents

subject:
Obesity in adolescence
Nutrition
Food -- Social aspects
Families

abstract:
Although  family  eating  practices  (FEPs)  playa  role  in  the  formation  of   eating
practices  in  children,  there  is  a  lack  of  evidence  regarding  the  role  of  FEPs  on
obesity  (DB)  risk.  The  purpose  of  this  thesis  was  to  assess  the  role  of   child,
mother 'and  father  eating  practices  (CEPs;  MEPS;  FaEPs)  on  nutrient  intakes,
dietary  patterns  and  body  composition.  Data  were  collected  on  approximately
2,400  peri-adolescents  (s250  with  complete  covariate  data).  Dietary  patterns
were  assessed  using  scores  that  reflected  how  closely  participants  followed
DASH  and  Health  Canada  (HC)  recommendations.  In  girls,  poor  CEPs,  MEPs
and  FaEPs were associated with increased  BMI  and  risk of  overweight and  poor
dietary  patterns  according  to  DASH,  and  DASH  and  HC,  respectively.  In  boys,
poor  CEPs  and  FaEPs  were  associated  with  increased  monounsaturated  and
trans fat,  and Vitamin  C  intakes,  respectively. These findings  suggest  FEPs  are
associated with DB risk,  particularly in girls.


title: Perceived parental monitoring, adolescent disclosure, and adolescent depressive symptoms : a longitudinal examination

subject:
Parent and child.
Adolescence.
Parenting.
Control (Psychology)
Depression in adolescence

abstract:
Parental monitoring has long been stressed as an important parenting practice in reducing
adolescent susceptibility to depression. An extensive review by Stattin and Kerr (2000), however,
,  revealed that researchers had confounded perceptions of  parental monitoring (i.e., parental solicitation
and control) with parental knowledge, and neglected to consider the role of  adolescent willingness to
disclose. In the present study, adolescents (N = 1995; 51.3% female) were surveyed at two time points
(grade 10 and 11). To disentangle the role of  perceived parenting, three central issues were addressed.
First, the present study examined whether parental knowledge, adolescent disclosure, and parental
monitoring (i.e., parental solicitation and control) in grade  10 predicted adolescent depression in grade
11. Second, the predictive value of  adolescent depression in grade lOon parental knowledge,
adolescent disclosure, parental solicitation and parental control in grade  11  was considered. Lastly,
associations among parental knowledge, adolescent disclosure, parental solicitation and parental
control were examined over time. Findings indicated that higher levels of  parental knowledge were
associated with subsequent lower levels of  depressive symptoms, and that depressive symptoms
predicted lower levels of  parental knowledge over time. Both adolescent willingness to disclose and
parental control predicted higher parental knowledge. These findings underscore the role of  adolescent
and perceived parent contributions to parental knowledge, and highlight the importance of  perceived
parental knowledge in predicting reduced adolescent susceptibility to depression.


title: Ontario's curriculum for individuals with disabilities : a textual analysis

subject:
Students with disabilities
Special education -- Ontario

abstract:
The purpose of  this study was to examine the disability discourses present in Ontario
elementary schools curriculum. The study used a critical social analysis perspective to employ a
textual discourse analysis on the Planning [title of  subject] Programs for Students with Special
Education Needs (PPSSEN) section of  the curriculum. The present study utilized Parker's (1992)
seven criteria for distinguishing discourses and discovered five main discourses; Independent,
dependent, legal, scientific and agency discourses. The second step to this research was the
placement and discussion of  these five discourses on three diverse texts, Paulo Freire's (2008)
Pedagogy o/ the  Oppressed, Psychiatry Inside Out, Selected writings of  Franco Basaglia, written
by Scheper-Huges and Lovell (1987) and Aronowitz and Giroux's (1985) Education Under
Siege:  The Conservative,  Liberal and Radical Debate over Schooling. These unique perspectives
were used as methods of  analysis tools to further analyze the dominate disability discourses. The
texts provided textual support in three major areas; dialectics, critical education and structural
conditions of  power and language of  traditional roles and responsibilities. The findings and
discussions presented in this project contain significant implications for anyone involved with
students with disabilities in any education system.