title: The Detection and Management of Hypertension in Family Practice: A Practice Audit

contributor:
Viveros-Aguilera, R.
Statistics

subject: hypertension

subject: detection and management of hypertension

subject: detection of hypertension

subject: management of hypertension

subject: family practice

subject: practice audit

abstract:
1.The prevalence of hypertension in the Stonechurch Family Health Centre (S.F.H.C.) was 18%. This is higher than the prevalence of 15% for Ontario (p-value <0.05).22 Using logistic regression analysis, age was highly significant (p-value <0.0001), while sex was not (p-value = 0.584). Another 10% had raised B.P. readings. While no patient had hypertension under the age of 30, the prevalence of hypertension rose dramatically to approximately 50% at age 70.
2. 34% of patients with diagnosed hypertension (and receiving medication) were not controlled. This is higher than values reported in other studies (27% & 19%).32,38
3. The controlled rate for treated patients 60 and older (64%) was higher than the rate for untreated patients 60 and older (22%) (p-value = 0.025). In particular, 80% of women under 60 were controlled compared with 53% for those 60 and older (higher, p-value = 0.046). 88% of the uncontrolled hypertension in the 60 and older group, was isolated systolic hypertension (I.S.H.). It appears that the clinic did not have a consistent policy for the management of I.S.H. in the elderly. Women were particularly affected.
4. 80% of women under 60 were controlled, compared to 57% for men under 60 (higher, p-value = 0.108). Strategies for improved surveillance and management are needed for men under the age of 60.
5. The implementation of health maintaining interventions for men appears problematic. 75% of women attended at least once in 1994, compared to only 64% of men (higher, p-value <0.05). Women attended much more (83%) during their child-bearing and child-rearing age. They visited more often, 3.9 visits/year compared to 2.9/year for men (higher, p-value< 0.05). During child-rearing age, the rate was 4.7 for women. While women attend for health maintenance (e.g. breast examinations, Pap smears, and contraception), there are no significant gender specific interventions for men.
6. 19% of men never had their B.P. taken, compared to only 8% of women (higher, p-value < 0.05). Using logistic regression analysis, both age and sex were highly significant (p-value < 0.0001). In the previous five years, at age 20, 54% of men and 18% of women, did not have their B.P. taken.
7. In the previous year only 44% of the practice had their B.P. taken (within two years: 61%; and five years: 80%). The clinic's 44% coverage for B.P. readings is lower than the 70-75% reported by others.29,32,33 Dunn reported that 83% of patients who visited their doctor in two years had their B.P. taken.34
8. While 82% of Canadians reported visiting a G.P. in the previous year, 70% of the S.F.H.C.'s patients visited in a year.22 There is a turnover of 84% in two years and 96% in five years. Therefore in general, opportunistic interventions could be run at two or five year cycles (coverage of 84% and 96% respectively).
9. 70% of patients used 100% of the services (visits) in a 1994. 27% of patients accounted for 70% of all visits to the S.F.H.C.
10. Recommendations are made to improve both provider and patient compliance. A Hypertension Flow Chart with accompanying management protocols derived from the Canadian Consensus on Hypertension Management 1984-1992, and a Coronary Artery Disease Risk Prediction Chart, are provided.25 It is an accessible up-to-date instrument for consistent and effective management. Family physicians are in the best possible position for on-going population surveillance, opportunistic intervention, early diagnosis, and management of hypertension.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title:
Roles for TGF-β in Pulmonary Disease
TGF-β1 in Fibrosis

contributor:
Gauldie, Jack
Biochemistry

subject:
TGF
TGF-β
TGF-β1
pulmonary disease
fibrosis
transforming growth factor
transforming growth factor beta
transforming growth factor beta one

abstract: Fibrosis is a disease where the normally transitory wound healing response enters a chronic state. Bleomycin and Adenovector models of pulmonary fibrosis have implicated TGF-β1 in this disease. Concern regarding a synergistic combination of TGF-β1 with an adaptive immune response within the Adenovector model prompted its use within mice devoid of T Lymphocytes, Balb/c SCIDs. The lack of an adaptive immune response within these mice did not affect the severity of fibrogenesis, as compared to Balb/c data in a hydroxyproline assay. TGF-β1 is a pluripotent cytokine with key roles in wound healing, immune regulation, and development, making it a dangerous molecule to therapeutically modulate directly. Future strategies will likely focus on downstream fibrotic molecules uninvolved in immune regulation, such as CTGF. While CTGF has been associated with fibrosis and is likely activated by TGF-β1, no conclusive evidence is available within an animal model. TGF-β1 stimulates cells by binding its receptor and signaling through the Smad signal transduction pathway. Smad3 knockout mice were used to examine the regulation of CTGF by TGF-β1, and study its role in pulmonary fibrosis. We show that these mice produce dramatically less CTGF in response to TGF-β1 than littermates expressing Smad3, and they show protection against TGF-β1 induced pulmonary fibrosis, using the Adenovector system. TGF-β1 can alter lung development, and is thought to be a causative agent in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, a disease affecting immature lungs. Utilizing the Adenovector system, we developed a neonatal rat model of BPD that closely resembles the human disease, providing researchers with a system to study the disease course. TGF-β1 is part of a family of growth factors, of which TGF-β3 is also a member. What role TGF-β3 plays in pulmonary fibrosis has not been evaluated. To allow future in vivo studies on the effect of TGF-β3 on lung morphology, we constructed a replication deficient Adenovector expressing constitutively active TGF-β3.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Electrogastrography

contributor:
deBruin, H.
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
electrogastrography
gastric electrophysiology
gastric function
neural control of gastric function
gastric motility
gastric electrical activity
electrical activity of the stomach
electrophysiology

abstract: Electrical activity of the stomach is one determining factor of gastric motility by controlling and coordinating contractions of the gastric musculature. These contractions, both tonic and phasic, are responsible for the storing, mixing, and emptying of food. Gastric electrical activity is therefore a very important factor for normal stomach function. The development of a multi-channel, bandlimited, signal amplifier and recording system, provides a means to record this electrical activity. Many practical issues are addressed to provide a signal of acceptable quality and several basic signal processing techniques are applied to increase the quality of these signals and provide extraction of important information regarding power and frequency content. Gastric electrical activity is recorded from the stomachs of several rats in various experiments. The recorded activity in different regions of the stomach, responsible for different functions, is compared and evaluated with respect to known cellular events. By introducing several stimuli and observing changes in recorded activity, the nervous control of the stomach via mediation of the electrical activity is also examined and modeled briefly.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: The Alkaloids of Lycopodium Annotinum L.: A Study of Diphenylannotinine and Two of the Minor Alkaloids

contributor:
MacLean, D.
Chemistry

subject:
alkaloids
Lycopodium annotinum L.
diphenylannotinine
alkaloids of Lycopodium annotinum L.
minor alkaloids

abstract:
Part (i) -The Minor Alkaloids: Annotoxine, C32H44O5N2, has now been isolated from a Canadian source. It has been separated into the alkaloids acrifoline, C16H23O2N, and annotine (alkaloid L 11), C16H21O3N. Both alkaloids have been shown to possess one hydroxyl group, one carbonyl group and one centre of unsaturation. The lack of reactivity of the third oxygen function of annotine suggests that it is present in an ether linkage. The identity of O-acetylacrifoline with alkaloid L 12 has also been proved.
Part (ii) -Diphenylannotinine: Diphenylannotinine has been shown to be C28H33O3N. It possesses two hydroxyl groups, the third oxygen is present in an ether linkage. The exact nature of the ether linkage could not be ascertained on the basis of the experimental evidence.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Reproducibility, Circadian Variability and the Effects of Stress

title: The Effects of a Stress on Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

contributor:
McCartney, Neil
Kinesiology

subject: heart rate

subject: heart rate variability

subject: heart

subject: coronary artery disease

subject: effects of stress on heart rate variability

subject: effects of a stress on heart rate variability

subject: circadian variability

abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD): reproducibility, circadian variability and the effects of stress (coronary angiogram). Sixty-one patients who had a coronary angiogram underwent 48-hour Holter monitoring during a period of high stress beginning 4-hours post-angiography (Day 1 and 2), and again two weeks later during a period of low stress (Day 3 and 4); both 24-hour time domain and power spectral measures were computed. To determine reproducibility, intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated for both time and frequency domain indices on Days 3 and 4. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the standard deviation of normal RR-intervals over 24-hours (SDNN) was 0.91, while the standard deviation of the mean of all 5-minute segments of normal RR-intervals for 24-hours (SDANN) was 0.85. The most reproducible time domain measure was pNN50 (defined as the percentage of differences between adjacent normal RR-intervals that are greater than 50 ms computed over 24-hours) with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95. As for the frequency domain measures including low frequency (LF) area, high frequency (HF) area, low frequency to high frequency area ratio (LF:HF area), LF central frequency (cf), and total area (TA), intraclass correlations were found to be the best at 0300-hours and the worst at 1500-hours. Circadian pattern was determined on Day 4 of Holter monitoring. A main effect for time was found for heart rate (HR), LF area, HF area, and TA of the power spectra. Over a 24-hour period, HR, LF area, HF area and TA were the lowest at 0300-hours compared to all other times. There was also a main effect for myocardial infarction (MI) for the frequency domain indices LF area, HF area, LF:HF area ratio, and LFcf. Low frequency area and LF:HF area ratio were significantly elevated (both p<0.05), while both HF area (p<0.05) and LFcf (p<0.01) were reduced in patients with a prior Ml compared to those with no MI. As well, a significant interaction between time of day and Ml, and time of day and beta-blocker therapy was observed. Patients with coronary artery disease and a prior Ml demonstrated a reduced circadian pattern over 24-hours for HR. Likewise, the circadian pattern of HR for those on beta-blockers was also attenuated. The effects of stress was determined by comparing Day 1 to Day 4 of ambulatory Holter monitoring. The time domain measure SDNN was found to be significantly reduced during Day 1 (mean ± SEM; 111.67 ± 6.13 ms) compared to Day 4 (121.54 ± 6.94 ms; p<0.05). Patients with normal left ventricular function (LVF) showed a significant increase from Day 1 to 4 for both SDNN (p<0.01) and SDANN (p<0.05). In contrast, those with LV dysfunction had an attenuated response. Similarly, those CAD patients on beta-blockers demonstrated a significant increase for the time domain measure SDNN (p<0.05), unlike those not on beta-blockers. In the frequency domain, LF:HF area was significantly greater on Day 1 (1.74 ± 0.09) compared to Day 4 (1.64 ± 0.09; p<0.05). These findings suggest that HRV measures are reproducible, that a circadian pattern for HRV exists in patients with CAD, and that stress induced by an invasive procedure such as a coronary angiogram enhances sympathetic input to the SA node in the heart and thereby alters the sympathovagal balance, which is restored two weeks later.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Survival Analysis of Dialysis Data: Comparison of a Parametric and three Non-parametric Techniques

title: Survival Analysis of Dialysis Data: Comparison of Techniques

contributor:
Shannon, H.
Statistics

subject:
survival analysis of dialysis data
survival analysis
dialysis
dialysis data

abstract: Survival data was obtained from a regional dialysis clinic. The data was divided into two groups, diabetic and non-diabetic. This data was compared to see if the survival rates of the two groups differed significantly. They were compared using the life-table, Kaplan-Meier and proportional hazards methods. Also a parametric comparison based on the Weibull distribution, was performed. The data of the diabetic patients was further split into adult-onset and juvenile-onset diabetes. These groups were compared using the three non-parametric methods and were found not to be significantly different. Thus the two types of diabetics could be treated as one group when comparing diabetics and non-diabetics. It was found that the non-diabetics had a significantly higher survival rate than the diabetics. The cofactors that were found to influence survival in an adverse way were the presence of diabetes and the age at initial dialysis.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: In Vitro Sensitivity of Murine Fibrosarcoma Cells to Photodynamic Therapy, Ultraviolet Light, and Gamma-Rays

contributor:
Rainbow, Andrew
Biology

subject: murine fibrosarcoma

subject: murine fibrosarcoma cells

subject: photodynamic therapy

subject: ultraviolet light

subject: gamma rays

subject: in vitro sensitivity of murine fibrosarcoma cells

abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new form of cancer treatment that uses the localized delivery of light and a photosensitizing drug, which is selectively retained in tumor tissue, to cause photochemically induced cell death. Although PDT mediated by the sensitizer Photofrin (Ph-PDT) is currently in Phase III trials for a number of human cancers, the exact mechanism(s) involved in PDT induced cytotoxicity is not fully understood. Also, Photofrin has a number of drawbacks including extended cutaneous photosensitization and low absorption in the red region of the spectrum. This has lead to the search for improved sensitizers. In vitro, tumor cells resistant to PDT have been developed from PDT sensitive cell lines to examine the mechanism(s) of PDT action. In this work, the sensitivity of RIF-1 murine fibrosarcoma cells and RIF-1 derived Ph-PDT resistant RIF-8A cells was examined following several damaging agents including PDT mediated by the novel Ruthenium phthalocyanine photosensitizer JM2929 (JM2929-PDT), UV, gamma-radiation, and hyperthermia. Gamma-radiation sensitivity of two other RIF-1 derived Ph-PDT resistant variants, CPR-C1 and RIF-P16CL8, was also examined. RIF-8A cells showed cross resistance to UV but increased sensitivity to gamma-rays compared to RIF-1 cells. RIF-1 and RIF-8A cells showed similar sensitivity to JM2929-PDT and hyperthermia. It is possible that Ph-PDT induces a "UV -like" component of damage and/or there is some overlap in the pathways for the repair of UV and Ph-PDT induced damage, but not JM2929-PDT, hyperthermia, and ionizing radiation damage in RIF-1 and RIF-8A cells. A cross resistance to gamma-rays was observed for CPR-C1 but not RIF-P16CL8 cells. Since Ph-PDT resistant CPR-C1 cells, but not RIF-8A cells or RIF-P16CL8 cells, show a cross resistance to gamma radiation, these results suggest that the cellular changes required for RIF-8A, RIF-P16CL8, and CPR-C1 cells to become resistant to Ph-PDT are different. Survival of RIF-1 and RIF-8A cells following gamma-rays in the presence of either Photofrin or JM2929 was also examined. Results suggest sensitization of RIF-1 cells, but not RIF-8A cells, to gamma-radiation in the presence of Photofrin. Gamma-radiation in the presence of JM2929 had no sensitizing effects on the survival of RIF-1 and RIF-8A cells. DNA repair of a UV-damaged reporter gene was also examined in untreated as well as Ph-PDT, JM2929-PDT, UV, cisplatin, and hyperthermia pretreated RIF-1 and RIF-8A cells. Results suggest an increased repair of UV damaged DNA in untreated RIF-1 cells compared to untreated RIF-8A cells. Ph-PDT, JM2929-PDT, and UV pretreatments resulted in an increased reactivation of a UV damaged reporter gene in RIF-1 cells compared to RIF-8A cells. Enhanced reactivation of a UV damaged reporter gene was not observed in either RIF-1 or RIF-8A cells following cisplatin or hyperthermia pretreatment. Enhanced expression of an undamaged reporter gene was greater in RIF-8A cells compared to RIF-1 cells following Ph-PDT pretreatment, but similar to RIF-1 cells following pretreatment with all other agents. These results suggest that the relation between survival, DNA repair of an actively transcribed gene, and transcriptional enhancement of an actively transcribed gene, varies in RIF-1 and RIF-8A cells depending on the damaging agent used. However, decreased reactivation of a UV damaged reporter gene in RIF-8A cells may be related to Ph-PDT and UV resistance seen in RIF-8A cells.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Residual Inhibition, Hearing Loss and the Neural Basis of Tinnitus

title: Residual Inhibition, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

contributor:
Roberts, L
Psychology

subject:
hearing loss
tinnitus
residual inhibition

abstract: The phenomenon of residual inhibition, whereby the phantom sensation of tinnitus is suppressed following the presentation of a masking stimulus, has significant implications for understanding the neural basis of tinnitus itself. By using novel psychoacoustic techniques and three computer-based tools developed and applied specifically to measure tinnitus sensation and residual inhibition, a pattern emerges in which the depth and duration of tinnitus suppression relates to the center frequency of the band-passed noise masking stimulus. A correspondence between the region of hearing loss, the tinnitus spectrum and the masking stimuli most effective in suppressing tinnitus is revealed. These results suggest that cortical reorganization observed in animal models of tinnitus is not the principal basis of tinnitus, and provide a baseline for optimizing residual inhibition in individual cases and for further experiments.

abstract: Note:  Pages 17-23 in this thesis were replaced with a citation due to copyright issues.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Unethical Manipulation of Participants in Clinical Trials

contributor:
Emerson, Claudia
Gedge, Elisabeth
Philosophy

subject:
Bioethics
Research Ethics
Vulnerability
Manipulation

abstract: Discussion of manipulation as a form of undermining the consent of participants in clinical reserach, and specifically pregnant women who are HIV positive..

abstract: I will argue that the relationship between the clinician scientist and the participant in the ACTG 076 trials involved unethically manipulative elements. My question of unethical manipulation examines the relationship between the clinician scientist and the participant. My first chapter establishes manipulation as follows, ‘A manipulates B if and only if A motivates B to make a decision or perform an action that bypasses B’s rational capacities by means of deception, emotional pressure, or exploitation of B’s ego depleted state.’ I argue that manipulation is prima facie unethical because it violates one’s autonomy. In the second chapter I examine the concerns of illness, gender roles, pregnancy, and HIV status, which can cause ego depletion and increase the participants’ vulnerability to manipulation. After analysis, I conclude that, although none of these elements can be eliminated as concerns for the clinician scientist, if they are not adequately accounted for, the clinician scientist has unethically manipulated the participant to enter and remain a part of the trial. I suggest that an adequate account would involve special consideration of how these vulnerabilities interact within the specific context of the trial. My third and final chapter will relate my conclusions to the current and upcoming research that is actively incorporating pregnant women as participants.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)

abstract: This thesis will examine the need to include the term “manipulation” into current ethical guidelines for Western bioethics because manipulation is a concept that is separate from concepts such as “coercion,” “force,” “exploitation,” or “undue influence” which appear in current Western bioethical guidelines. Manipulation is an unethical influence of another’s decision-making that undermines their autonomy, whereas autonomy is a key feature of Western bioethics and must be fostered rather than undermined or hindered. This thesis will discuss a clinical case in which pregnant women with HIV were enrolled in a clinical trial and I will discuss how illness, gender, pregnancy, and HIV status can cause one’s ego to be depleted so that they are more vulnerable to manipulation than other clinical participants. Finally, I will recommend that states, ethics boards, and researchers are the primary actors responsible for ensuring that participants are not manipulated in clinical research settings.


title: The Healthy or Chronically Ill Immigrant: A Longitudinal Comparative Analysis of Canadian Immigrant and Native-Born Stress and Mental Health, Chronic Condition, and Age Effect Characteristics Utilizing the National Population Health Survey (NPHS)

contributor:
Newbold, K. Bruce
Geography

subject:
National Population Health Survey
NPHS
immigrant
immigrants
healthy or chronically ill immigrant
healthy immigrant
chronically ill immigrant
Canadian immigrant
healthy or chronically ill immigrants
healthy immigrants
chronically ill immigrants
Canadian immigrants
stress
mental health
chronic condition
age effect characteristics
chronic illness
chronically ill

abstract: Utilizing the longitudinal component of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) (1994/1995-2000/2001), designed to collect comprehensive information on the health status of the Canadian population and related socio-demographic information, differences in health status between immigrants and non-immigrants (i.e., native-born individuals) were explored. Specifically, the analysis investigated how chronic conditions influence the health of immigrants, the role of stress and mental health upon immigrant health status, and the influence and role of previously underrepresented variables such as age and arrival cohorts on foreign-born health status. The conceptual approach of this project draws upon a 'population health' perspective, which suggests that the most influential determinants of human health status are non-medical in nature, but rather can be identified as the social and economic characteristics of individuals. Analysis was completed through the use of ordinary least squares stepwise regression and logistic stepwise regression in association with descriptive stochastic methodologies. Analysis of the mental health and stress variables suggests that, contrary to what has been expressed in literature in the past, both immigrants and the native-born do not perceive stress, distress, or depression to be major problems or health concerns in their lives. Furthermore, the analysis indicated, as was expected, that older immigrants are at greater risk of developing more chronic conditions relative to younger groups, and that arrival cohorts, the period in which an immigrant entered the nation, do exert a considerable influence on the health status of the foreign-born. Surprisingly, this analysis indicates that the Healthy Immigrant Effect (HIE), which proposes that recent immigrants, regardless of country of birth, tend to be in better health than the Canadian-born population upon entering the nation, may be more apparent than real, especially when investigating mental health and stress conditions amongst the foreign-born.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: "Know Your Enemies:" Rhetorical Semantics in the Epistle of Jude

contributor:
Westfall, Cynthia
Land, Christopher
Christian Studies

subject:
know your enemies
"Know Your Enemies"
rhetorical semantics
Jude
Epistle of Jude

abstract: Scholarship addressing rhetoric in the Epistle of Jude has tended toward descriptions of the writer's tactic in terms of Greco-Roman rhetorical categories, or as evidence of a predetermined context. Such historical-critical concerns have unduly influenced rhetorical analyses and have not convincingly explained the writer's rhetorical strategy. One means of alleviating this deficiency is to understand rhetoric as a quality of the semantics created through grammar. This thesis develops a systemic functional linguistic methodology, which details many fundamental ways in which these rhetorical semantics are communicated through Koine Greek grammar in order to begin describing the rhetorical tactic of the writer. By explicating the LOGICAL and INTERPERSONAL semantics in the Epistle of Jude, it is demonstrated that the writer attempted to identify enemies of the addressed Christian community by their conduct, and to motivate the addressees of the epistle to "contend for the faith" by marshaling together in mutual support and by demonstrating mercy to these enemies.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Ecology of Health Service Utilization In Grenada, West Indies

contributor:
Taylor, S.M.
Geography

subject:
Grenada
Grenada, West Indies
West Indies
health service ultilization
ecology of health service utilization

abstract: It is widely accepted that the home environment may act as a socio-geographic focus of both disease transmission and of learned health behaviour. Households also appear to be units of convergence for factors identified in the literature as relating to the utilization of health services. This thesis is devoted to an examination of the role of the home environment, as well as of personal characteristics and accessibility, in the utilization of health services in Grenada, West Indies. The theoretical framework that informs this work is a holistic systems-orientated Socio-Ecological Model of Utilization. The empirical analysis draws upon the results of a detailed household survey conducted in five communities on the western portion of the island. Visits to homes containing children less than eight years of age isolated socio-demographic characteristics and information pertaining to residential mobility, household physical and behavioural environment, accessibility, self-reported morbidity and self-reported utilization. Records of patient visits over the previous two years for non-trauma events were abstracted from the medical records of area clinics, hospitals and physicians attending to the sample communities. Bivariate analyses between components of variables were conducted at both household and individual service use levels. These indicated that 1) service utilization was highly clustered around "high user" households and individuals; 2) considerable discrepancies emerged between self-reported and actual utilization; 3) the complexity of relationships between elements of the home environment was highlighted; and 4) there was a consistency with which certain elements of the home environment were statistically associated with health service use across a wide spectrum of illnesses. These observations were further confirmed in multivariate analyses, in which a small number of variables were able to retrospectively predict the presence or absence of service use by both adults and children with a high degree of model specificity and sensitivity. The implications of this work for development and health care planning in Grenada is discussed. The meaningful application of this work in Grenada is seen to hinge upon the extent to which relevant variables are amenable to change or act as proxy variables whose underlying nature of association with utilization remains to be adequately explored. A number of suggestions are advanced concerning the manner in which the study of health service utilization might be approached in the future.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Health Care and the British Navy, 1689-1713

contributor:
Alsop, J.D.
History

subject:
health care
healthcare
British Navy
Navy
British
Britain
1689-1713
17th century
18th century
17th century health care
18th century health care

abstract: This study examines the health care system which existed for the men of the British Navy between the years 1689 and 1713. The first half of this work considers the administrative side of the health care system, including both government offices and health care personnel. The second half presents the way in which the system actually functioned, with an emphasis on the rates of morbidity and mortality as they appear in a sample of ship's muster books. The majority of the conclusions reached in the course of this work are based upon unpublished primary sources held in various libraries in London, England.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Comparative Use of Helper-Dependent and First-Generation Adenoviruses for Rescuing Sialidase Deficiency Using In Vitro and In Vivo Model Systems

title: Adenoviral Vectors as a Treatment for Sialidosis

contributor:
Igdoura, S.A.
Biology

subject: helper-dependent and first-generation adenoviruses

subject: adenoviruses

subject: sialidase deficiency

subject: helper-dependent adenoviruses

subject: first-generation adenoviruses

subject: rescuing sialidase deficiency

subject: sialidosis

subject: adenoviral vectors

abstract: Sialidosis is caused by the accumulation of the ganglioside GM3 and other sialoglycoproteins within the cells of the liver, kidney and brain. Currently there is no treatment for sialidosis, while other lysosomal storage disorders are being treated through enzyme replacement therapy or bone marrow transplantation. The helper-dependent, or "gutless" adenovirus system (HD) has recently been improved upon with reportedly less immunogenicity than its first-generation (FG) predecessor and lifelong transgene expression produced in its hosts. To this end, the complete mouse lysosomal sialidase gene was cloned into a HD-vector (AdmsialHD) and a FG-vector (AdmsialFG) in an attempt to rescue the sialidase deficiency and associated phenotype in B6.SM fibroblasts and in the SM/J mouse. Lysosomal sialidase levels were increased to normal levels in vitro following both AdmsialHD and AdmsialFG infections while SM/J mouse infections at doses of 5 x 10^9 particles/mouse did not yield any increase in lysosomal sialidase activity or correct the associated phenotype. Interestingly, AdmsialHD only up-regulated sialidase to high levels in sialidase-null cells whereas AdmsialFG up-regulated sialidase significantly in all cell lines tested. Together, these data suggest that the therapeutic dose for both AdmsialFG and AdmsialHD should be elevated at least 10-fold in order to achieve phenotypic rescue and that FG-vectors possess some viral property, perhaps the E4 gene products, enabling them to attain greater transgene expression relative to HD-vectors.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Decreases in breathlessness with training

contributor:
Oldridge, N.B.
Adapted Human Biodynamics

subject:
exercise training
breathlessness
coronary artery disease
exercise
training
decreases in breathlessness
decreased breathlessness

abstract: The functional capacity of patients with coronary artery disease is often limited by breathlessness. The intensity of breathlessness is primarily determined by respiratory muscle effort, which increases as the pressures generated by the inspiratory muscles approach maximum capacity. Exercise training can potentially decrease breathlessness by inducing adaptations that reduce the ventilatory demand and increase the maximum capacity of the respiratory muscles. This study examines the extent to which the physiological adaptations occurring with exercise training contribute to reductions in breathlessness in patients with coronary artery disease. The pre- and post-training results were compared in 21 patients participating in the McMaster University Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Respiratory parameters were measured at rest and during a progressive maximal exercise test. The intensity of breathlessness was measured by psychophysical techniques using the Borg scale. Following training, the capacity to generate maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and maximum inspiratory flow (Vimax) improved by 22%, 18% and 5%, respectively, with no significant change in vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and maximum expiratory flow. Exercise capacity improved by 14%, with an 11% decrease in the maximum intensity of breathlessness experienced. Although maximum ventilation (Ve) did not change significantly, Ve per unit workload decreased by 10% and breathlessness per unit Ve decreased by 13%. At the highest similar workload between the 2 tests (850 kpm), breathlessness decreased by 34%, with a 19% reduction in Ve. Breathing frequency, mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti), inspiratory flow generated during exercise in relation to maximum inspiratory flow (Vi%max), and time of inspiration in relation to total duty cycle (Ti%Ttot) decreased significantly by 20%, 15%, 20% and 4%, respectively. The decreases in breathlessness were significantly related to the reduction in ventilation associated with training. A significant decrease in breathlessness remained after removing the variance accounted for by Ve, reflecting the improvements in respiratory muscle performance. The decreases in breathlessness were better correlated with improvements in the dynamic measure of Vimax than the static measure of MIP. The decreases in breathlessness were best correlated to the changes in Vi%max, which accounts for decreases in ventilatory demand and increases in respiratory muscle performance. Decreases in breathlessness primarily occurred in patients who achieved a training effect. Exercise training decreases breathlessness in patients with coronary artery disease largely through decreases in Ve, with improvements in respiratory muscle performance contributing to a lesser degree.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Global Evaluation of the Escherichia coli Proteome during Stationary Phase

contributor:
Schellhorn, Herb
Biology

subject:
E. coli
Proteomics
Stationary Phase
Long-term growth
Differential Expression
Tandem Mass Tags
Mass Spectrometry

abstract: Escherichia coli survives in both nutrient rich nutrient-limited environments. As such, understanding the gene and protein level activity that occurs during stationary phase is considered an important aspect of bacterial survival. Escherichia coli has been studied for decades providing substantial insight into gene expression profiles in exponential phase and recently, during adaptation to stationary phase. This led to the discovery of RpoS as a growth phase-dependent sigma factor. Further studies indicated that there are many genes that are expressed in an RpoS-independent but stationary phase-specific manner. However, proteins represent the functional molecules of the cell. Additionally, protein expression does not always correlate with the corresponding gene expression patterns. Therefore, to obtain an in depth understanding of the proteins that play a role in long-term growth in E. coli, TMT- (Tandem Mass Tags) based quantitative proteomic analysis was performed to identify proteins that are preferentially expressed during prolonged starvation. We identified proteins that were both positively and negatively regulated by RpoS during stationary phase, such as GadA and TnaA, respectively. RpoS levels peaked during early stationary phase and declined thereafter. However, proteins that were RpoS-dependent continued to increase during prolonged stationary phase. Additionally, we identified proteins that were expressed in an RpoS-independent manner during stationary phase. This suggests that protein expression during early stationary phase is distinct from prolonged stationary phase. Furthermore, RpoS-independent proteins may also play an important role during long-term growth.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: Escherichia coli adapts to shifts in nutrient availability using the alternative sigma factor RpoS which controls morphological and physiological changes. Although gene expression during growth has been extensively studied, comparable information regarding changes in protein abundance during prolonged incubation is not available.  We employed a quantitative proteomics approach to identify proteins that are preferentially expressed during stationary phase in E. coli. We identified classes of proteins that are upregulated and downregulated by RpoS in addition to proteins regulated independently of RpoS. Global analysis of protein expression during growth can aid in understanding the adaptation of E. coli under starvation conditions.


title: The Role of Community Development in Community Heart Health Promotion in Ontario

title: The Role of Community Development in Heart Health Promotion

contributor:
Elliot, Susan
Geography

subject: community development

subject: community heart health promotion

subject: health

subject: health promotion

subject: community health promotion

subject: heart

subject: heart health

subject: heart health promotion

subject: Ontario

subject: heart health promotion in Ontario

subject: community heart health promotion in Ontario

subject: health promotion in Ontario

abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents a large portion of the burden of illness for industrial nations, and biomedical research has implicated lifestyle choices and socioeconomic conditions as primary determinants of CVD. There has been a resultant shift from curative to preventive and population health promoting strategies to reduce this burden of illness. The present research is part of a larger research program, the Canadian Heart Health Initiative-Ontario Project (CHHIOP), a two-stage (quantitative and qualitative) longitudinal study designed to investigate and strengthen community-based heart health activities in both the formal and informal public health systems. This study builds upon CHHIOP's qualitative findings to examine how community relationships and community development approaches play out in local contexts to shape the reality of (heart) health promotion practice. Although community development is a central concept in heart health policy there has been no analysis of its understanding, support or use among community health stakeholders. In order to address these questions thirty key informant interviews were conducted with community heart health stakeholders from eight of the 42 health unit areas across Ontario. The findings reveal that three patterns of community heart health practice appeared across the communities, illustrating a continuum of collaboration. These patterns are typfied by different community atmospheres for collaboration, the divergent nature of agency inter-relations, and distinct composites in the use of community (development) approaches. Central themes across communities illustrated the importance of local community contexts, the lack of a common understanding of community development, and the emergence of a shift in health agencies' ways of doing business. Local perspectives and the dynamics of intra-community relations were allowed to emerge and highlight the need for place-sensitive implementation of health promotion strategies at the community level.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Structured Cellulose Nanocrystal Composite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

contributor:
Cranston, Emily Dawn
Hoare, Todd
Chemical Engineering

abstract:
Tissue engineering aims to regenerate living tissues using biomaterial scaffolds; a successful
scaffold should effectively mimic the native microenvironment of a particular tissue, promoting the proliferation, differentiation, and natural integration of new functional cells. Hydrogels are a particularly interesting class of biomaterial scaffolds due to their high water content, controllable porosity, tissue compatibility in a range of biological environments, and relative chemical tailorability. However, traditional bulk hydrogels exhibit several shortcomings that limit the potential clinical translation of such materials. This thesis aims to solve some of these critical shortcomings, namely (1) enabling minimally invasive delivery, (2) enhancing mechanical performance, and (3) facilitating tailorable network structuring/anisotropy.
Herein, we demonstrate a platform of composite hydrogels based on synthetic poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) and rigid, anisotropic cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), prepared via several different techniques. First, by functionalizing POEGMA with aldehyde and hydrazide moieties, the resulting hydrogels are rendered injectable via kinetically bio-orthogonal hydrazone bond formation upon extrusion through a double barrel syringe. By physically incorporating CNCs into the POEGMA mixture, the resulting injectable hydrogels display drastically enhanced mechanical properties. Furthermore, by employing preparation techniques such as thermal shrinking and freeze casting, the POEGMA-CNC hydrogel network structure can be controlled from 2D to 3D. Finally, we demonstrate in situ magnetic alignment of CNCs within POEGMA hydrogels to prepare scaffolds that are simultaneously injectable, mechanically strong, and anisotropic. The effects of CNC and POEGMA concentrations, POEGMA composition, CNC orientation, and crosslink density are studied to determine their effects on hydrogel properties such as mechanical strength, swelling, gelation time, network structuring, cell adhesion, and inflammatory tissue responses. We believe that the formation of mechanically and structurally
tunable POEGMA-CNC composite hydrogels offers immense opportunity as an intelligent, high
strength biomaterial capable of engineering various tissue types.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Materials which can mimic the structure and physical properties of biological tissue are extremely important for tissue engineering – a process which aims to regenerate or repair damaged tissues. Hydrogels, which are highly swollen polymer networks, are a promising class of materials for use in tissue engineering applications. In general, most hydrogels are compatible with native tissues and have a high water content and porous structure similar to biological tissue. However, it is currently challenging to prepare hydrogels that match the strong mechanical properties and oriented structure of tissues such as muscle and cartilage. This work investigates hydrogels prepared from injectable synthetic polymers and rigid rod-shaped particles made from cellulose for tissue engineering applications. By mixing these polymers and particles together, composite hydrogels can be formed with increased mechanical strength compared to hydrogels prepared with polymers alone. Furthermore, by preparing these materials in different ways such as heating, freezing, or placing between a magnet, we demonstrate control over the resulting hydrogel network structure. The ability to control the strength and structure of hydrogel networks is an important advancement for developing better materials for tissue engineering.


title: Toward a Functional Description of New Testament Greek Conditionals with Special Reference to the Gospel of John

contributor:
Porter, Stanley
Long Westfall, Cynthia
Christian Theology

subject:
New Testament
New Testament Greek conditionals
Greek conditionals
Gospel of John

abstract: Historically, the study of NT Greek conditional statements has predominantly set its focus on the Mood and Tense of the protasis. More recently, semantic approaches based on the speaker's viewpoint, or attitude, have also been adopted, to classify conditionals either as statements of assertion or projection. As such approaches are based on a limited number of linguistic features and functions, they offer only a partial understanding of conditionals. Most grammarians also largely ignore the wider contexts of the biblical texts and conditionals' rhetorical function. The purpose of this study is twofold: to critically examine current methods of describing and classifying conditionals to propose a new method based on theory of language and the analytical framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL); and to apply the proposed interpretive framework to analyze selected conditionals found in the Gospel of John, exploring how Jesus uses conditionals to persuade his audience and how conditionals serve the persuasive purpose of the Gospel. Instead of following the conventional lines of investigation, this thesis adopts Systemic Functional Linguistics' multi-stratal structure and multi-functional concept of language. Structurally, the interpretive framework expands from the units of words and clauses to those of clause complexes. All three major functions of language (ideational, interpersonal, and textual) are included as part of the total meaning. An analytical interpretive framework is then set up and applied to selected conditionals in John 3-11. Based on the evidence such as the choice of the Mood, thematic structure, logico-semantic relation, grammatical intricacy, clustered and consecutive conditionals, and conditionals as topic and summative statements, it is concluded that the conditionals Jesus uses present a strongly persuasive case for the author's purpose of writing. On one hand, the conditionals that Jesus uses rebut the Jews' charge of blasphemy and make a convincing case for his Christological claim. On the other hand, conditionals by Jesus also provide his audience and the reader of John with a different viewpoint (an alternate world) to understand the deeper meaning of faith and discipleship. Johannine conditionals perform the function of persuading the reader of John toward faith and spiritual growth in Jesus (20:31).

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: It’s Complicated: A Mixed Methods Study of the Professional Identity of Massage Therapists in Ontario

contributor:
Dore, Kelly
Health Research Methodology

abstract:
Background
          Professional identity is a way in which individuals assign meaning to themselves and their contributions to society. The body of literature from across healthcare professions suggests that the sense of belonging that comes with a strong professional identity influences practitioners to act professionally and adhere to regulatory standards.  Although all members of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) call themselves (registered) massage therapists, there is disagreement about what they value and believe.  Research that describes the professional identity of massage therapists in their own words may illuminate commonalities and form a shared model of identity.
Methods
     An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was chosen to investigate the professional identity of massage therapists in Ontario.  Qualitative description and quantitative survey methodologies were used, followed by a mixed analysis of both data sets.
Results
     In the resulting description of professional identity, massage therapists believe they are healthcare providers.  They value competence and currency with profession-specific knowledge and skill.  They believe in the importance of communication to establish trust, create comfort, and empower patients.  They are passionate about providing safe, effective, and individualized care.  This study also confirmed that variation in professional identity exists within the profession that impacts values and beliefs.
Conclusions
     This description is the first of its kind and will inform future research.  Massage Therapy stakeholders can use this description to engage in discussions regarding whether these features adequately represent massage therapists’ beliefs and values.  Variation in professional identity occurred due to differences in gender, practice setting, length in practice, and additional education, roles within the profession, and designation as healthcare professional.  These variations present opportunities for future research to further the understanding of professional identity.  Much remains to be discovered in this field of study, due to the complexity of professional identity.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Professional identity is a way in which individuals assign meaning to themselves and their contribution to society.  Massage Therapy has been described as a profession divided and in need of articulating its identity.  This research study was undertaken to describe massage therapists’ identity in Ontario.  The research design consists of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, followed by a mixed analysis of both data sets.  The resulting description is the first of its kind in the literature.  Massage therapists are passionate about their profession, and value competence, the therapeutic relationship, individualized care, and patient empowerment.  They desire to be recognized for their role within the healthcare system.  While several areas of unity were identified, variation that impacts massage therapists’ values and beliefs was also discovered.  These variations present opportunities for future research to further the understanding of professional identity.  Much remains to be discovered in this field of study, due to the complexity of professional identity.


title: ADAPTIVE VERTICAL SEISMIC ISOLATION FOR EQUIPMENT

contributor:
Tait, Michael
Civil Engineering

subject: earthquake, seismic risk, seismic protection, equipment isolation, fragility curve

abstract: Seismic isolation systems are widely recognized as beneficial for protecting both acceleration- and displacement-sensitive nonstructural systems and components. Furthermore, adaptive isolation systems have been shown to enable engineers to achieve various performance goals under multiple hazard levels. These systems have been implemented for horizontal excitation, but there has been very limited research on isolation for vertical excitation. Thus, this paper seeks to evaluate the benefit of adaptive vertical isolation systems for component isolation, specifically for nuclear plants. To do this, three vertical isolation systems are designed to achieve multiple goals: a linear spring and a linear damper (LSLD), a linear spring and a nonlinear damper (LSND) and a nonlinear spring and a linear damper (NSLD). To investigate the effectiveness of the proposed systems, a stiff piece of equipment is considered at an elevated floor within a power plant. A set of 30 triaxial ground motions is used to investigate the seismic response of the equipment. The maximum isolation displacement and equipment acceleration are used to assess the effectiveness of the three isolation systems. While all systems significantly reduce the seismic accelerations on the equipment compared to the fixed-base case, a LSND system is shown to exhibit superior seismic performance across multiple hazard levels.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Influence of BWSTT For Individuals With Incomplete SCI: Metabolic Demands and EMG Profiles

title: Metabolic Demands and EMG Profiles of BWS Treadmill Walking in Persons with SCI

contributor:
Hicks, Audrey
Kinesiology

subject: BWSTT

subject: BWS treadmill walking

subject: body weight supported treadmill training

subject: spinal cord injury

subject: incomplete spinal cord injury

subject: SCI

subject: incomplete SCI

subject: metabolic demands

subject: EMG profiles

subject: electromyography

subject: EMG

subject: BWS treadmill training

subject: body weight supported treadmill walking

subject: electromyography profiles

abstract:
Body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) is being promoted as an effective means of restoring ambulatory abilities among individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The emphasis of this thesis is on the description of the metabolic demands and the EMG profiles of able-bodied persons and individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) while walking under the identical conditions on a body weight support (BWS) treadmill. The secondary purpose was to contrast the metabolic and muscular responses between the two groups. Two separate chapters describing the metabolic demands and EMG profiles respectively follow the review of the literature. The metabolic results indicate that raising the speed and/or decreasing the amount of BWS increase the intensity of BWS treadmill walking, with speed having a more profound effect. The SCI group was less efficient and they had greater metabolic rates of oxygen consumption than the controls for all conditions examined. This led to the conclusion that walking on the treadmill, for the SCI group can provide an effective aerobic exercise stimulus. The EMG profiles suggest that speed and BWS affect the phasic characteristics of the muscular activity while walking for both groups. Furthermore, abnormalities, omissions and inappropriate levels of activity were observed in the SCI group when compared to the controls. These irregularities suggest that the SCI participants have adopted altered motor strategies while walking, relative to the control group. Nonetheless, the SCI participants showed evidence of appropriate modulations in their EMG activity to meet the demands of the task as they changed from one condition to the
next.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: A METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF TOOL AND WORKPIECE INTERACTIONS

contributor:
Veldhuis, Stephen
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Machining
Friction
Heavy-load high temperature tribometer
PVD coating

abstract:
Friction in machining is a complex phenomenon that can directly affect cutting productivity and product quality. Currently, different coatings are developed for machining applications which can increase tool life in the machining processes. Since performing a real machining test to quantify the friction is expensive and time-consuming, developing a bench scale testing method to simulate the friction in machining can reduce the cost and help researchers and industries select a suitable coating for their specific applications.
The goal of this work was to study the adhesion between the tool and workpiece material under machining conditions by simulating them using a heavy-load high-temperature tribometer. A high normal load was applied to plastically deform the workpiece material.  The contact zone was then heated up using a resistance heating method. The normal load should be in the range that can generate a plastic flow on the surface of the workpiece material prior to seizure.
Three groups of in-house coatings were tested to study the effects of coating deposition parameters on the coefficient of friction.  The results of these tests showed that the coating with the lowest bias voltage and highest Nitrogen pressure had the best tribological performance.
As a next step, three different commercial coatings were selected. Super duplex stainless steel was chosen as the workpiece material and the tribometer tests were performed. To validate the tribometer results real machining tests and tool wear analysis were performed. AlTiNOS+ WC/C was observed to be a lubricious coating which reduced the cutting force and coefficient of friction during the running-in stage. However, the low hardness of the coating provided little abrasion resistance and was removed after the first pass. AlTiNOS+ TiB2 demonstrated a good combination of hardness and lubricity associated with improved coating tribological performance as well as wear resistance.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Mechanical Evaluation of an Elastomeric Cushion For Total Knee Replacement

title: Mechanical Evaluation of an Elastomer Cushion For Total Knee Replacement

contributor:
Newcombe, W. R.
Repo, R. U.
Mechanical Engineering

subject: mechanical

subject: mechanical evaluation

subject: elastomer

subject: elastomeric

subject: elastomeric cushion

subject: total knee replacement

subject: knee

subject: knee replacement

subject: cushion for total knee replacement

subject: elastomeric cushion for total knee replacement

subject: elastomer cushion for total knee replacement

subject: mechanical engineering

subject: engineering

abstract: Mechanical factors have been cited as a primary cause of total knee replacement failure. A hypothesis has been formulated stating that the introduction of a compliant interface into a total knee prosthesis would moderate excessive stresses and strains, thereby, extending joint life. A biocompatable elastomer developed by the Dow Corning Corporation was selected for mechanical evaluation as a cushioning material. Force-strain, impact, and fatigue tests were conducted on several specially designed and fabricated elastomer test shapes. Test results demonstrate that a suitably stiff and dynamically responsive elastomer cushion can be designed to handle repeated physiological knee joint loads. Physiological impacts with cadaver tibias demonstrated significant shock reduction benefits, including peak force reductions of up to 70%, with the addition of different elastomer shapes. Compressive fatigue evaluation of elastomer samples was inconclusive owing to extensive sample wear. As a result configurations or applications where the elastomer can move relative to a rigid surface are not recommended. A new, mechanically contained elastomer shape was designed and tested which greatly reduced wear. Bonding of this new shape to prosthetic joint materials is recommended for further experimental evaluation.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: Applying Skeletal, Histological and Molecular Techniques to Syphilitic Skeletal Remains from the Past

contributor:
Saunders, S.R.
Anthropology

subject: skeletal, histological and molecular techniques

subject: skeletal techniques

subject: histological techniques

subject: molecular techniques

subject: syphilis

subject: syphilitic skeletal remains

subject: skeletal remains

subject: anthropology

abstract: Many have been searching for and contemplating the origins of syphilis. By understanding its emergence as a human pathogen we will be better able to elucidate its evolution through time and space as well as shed light on its current state. Ancient DNA techniques used to isolate Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum DNA from archaeological human specimens provides direct evidence of its existence in the past. To date, only Kolman et al. (1999) have been successful in this endeavour. Along with this protocol, two other published protocols and novel allele specific techniques this thesis aims to add new cases of venereal syphilis identification from historic human remains. To accomplish this, sixteen skeletal samples from different time periods and geographic locations were collected for this project. Of importance are those dating from the Civil War time period from the United States as medical documents state these individuals suffered and/or died from the complications of syphilis. Samples from the United Kingdom are also critical to this analysis as they have confirmed pre-Columbian dates. Along with attempts to isolate bacterial DNA, endogenous DNA (mitochondrial and amelogenin) is analyzed to provide an idea of the different levels of molecular preservation. General preservation as well as the identification of syphilis are also performed using microscopic techniques. By using a tiered approach (macroscopic to microscopic to molecular), a better idea of both preservation and disease presence can be ascertained. Results indicate that although syphilis could be identified at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels for some individuals and endogenous DNA was present, treponemal DNA failed to amplify. Many different reasons are suggested, for example poor conservation methods, misdiagnosis and diagenesis, but the most important possibility is the lack of bacterial DNA in bone at later stages of syphilis which was confirmed using the rabbit model. As a result, the present techniques may not be conducive for treponemal DNA isolation from ancient human remains.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Spatial Modelling of Preterm Birth Near the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada

contributor:
Canty, A.
Statistics

subject:
preterm birth
spatial model
nova scotia, canada

abstract: The major objective of the research is to assess the risk of preterm birth associated with maternal proximity to hazardous waste and pollution from the Sydney Tar Pond sites in Nova Scotia, Canada. The design is spatial modelling of risks of preterm birth in population living in the Cape Breton regional municipality in 1996. The subjects are: 1604 observed cases of preterm birth out of total population of 17559 at risk in 1996. The analysis was done using both the frequentist and the Bayesian approaches. In the frequentist approach, the Poisson model for aggregated data was fitted using the quasi-likelihood approach to accommodate over-dispersion. Weighted regression was also used. In order to accommodate both the random effect and the anticipated spatial effects, Bayesian hierarchical modelling was also used to fit the Poisson model. The result of the Bayesian modelling shows that there is no significant spatial association of risk in the area studied. All the models also show that there is no decrease in risk of preterm birth as we move from the Tar Pond site to other region. None of the other covariates in the model show any significant association with increase risk of preterm birth either. There was no obvious clustering of risk in any region or part.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: The Geography of Albion Township

subject:
geography
albion township

abstract:
Thesis
Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: Conceptual and Instructional Changes in the Ontario Advanced Level, Grade 11 Biology

title: Advanced Grade 11 Biology

contributor:
Humphreys, D. A.
Biology

subject:
instructional change
ontario
grade 11 biology
high school biology

abstract: The introduction of the Ministry of Education, curriculum guideline in Science, 1987, precipitated changes in Hamilton’s Glendale Secondary School Biology program. The primary aims of this project is to translate the Ministry document into a viable course that would both inform the students of the basic language of biology, and make the learning process enjoyable. This project outlines the development, implementation and evaluation of the grade 11 advanced level biology course (SBi3A) at Glendale. In the development of this course, the curricular component attempted to enhance learning by moving from general to specific concepts. To aid in this process the major concepts were organized into conceptual hierarchies that progressively differentiated the major principles and created a network of ideas. The instructional component which actually moves the information to the students uses a diversity of course designs. The variety in course designs allows us to use the best features of each format to accommodate both different rates of learning and various learning styles much more effectively.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (Teaching)

abstract: This thesis is missing pages 124, 127, 128 and 159. No other copy of this thesis has these pages.


title: AIDS Education in Middle School

contributor:
Pawluch, Dorothy
Sociology

subject:
AIDS
education
middle school
AIDS education

abstract: AIDS education for adolescents has become a major concern. Not only are adolescents one of the fastest growing groups of individuals becoming infected with HIV, they are also one of the most challenging groups to reach with this vitally important information. Although previous studies have found that the content of an AIDS educational curriculum is important, they also show that teachers' presentation styles have a significant impact upon the effectiveness of lessons about AIDS. This study of twelve health and physical education teachers teaching about AIDS, looked at how their perceptions and attitudes about the task at hand influenced their teaching strategies. The study found that these twelve teachers had a variety of concerns about their roles as AIDS educators, and that their concerns impacted their level of commitment to teaching about AIDS. Through classroom observations and in-depth interviews, three distinct categorizations of commitment by the teachers were found: teachers who were "enthusiastically committed", teachers who were "unenthusiastically committed" and teachers who were "uncommitted".

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Autonomic Nervous System  Adaptations to Physical Training in Congestive Heart Failure

contributor:
McCartney, Neil
Kinesiology

subject:
autonomic nervous system
physical training
congestive heart failure

abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential differences in autonomic nervous system adaptations, as assessed by heart rate variability techniques, between a group of stabilized CHF patients randomized to either a training group (aerobic+resistance) or a control group (usual care). In a single-blind, randomized controlled trial of 3-months of supervised exercise training and a further 3-months of home-based exercise, 28 stabilized CHF patients (NYHA 1-111) were randomized to either a training (AERWT) (n=16;11M,5F; age, 64.9±2.3; LVEF, 29.4±1.7%) or usual care (UC) (n=12; 10M,2F; age, 58.0±2.8; LVEF, 24.4±2.0%) group. Upon completion of the supervised exercise program, the AERWT group increased peak oxygen uptake (V02) (13.2±0.5 to 15.5±0.84 ml/kg/min, p<0.05), and single-arm curl scores (16.2±2.8 to 19.2±3.3 kg, p<0.05) significantly compared to the UC group, without any deleterious effect upon clinical status or left-ventricular function (LVEF: 31.3±1.7 to 33.2±1.9%, p=0.99). Physical training reduced expired ventilation and carbon dioxide based on successive workloads during symptom-limited incremental cycle ergometry in the AERWT group; however, this was found to be non-significant, in addition to changes in resting heart rate, anaerobic threshold, maximal exercise duration, maximal power output, and double product following training. Supine, resting power spectral indices remained unchanged from baseline to 6-months in both groups, as did the recovery of power spectral indices during supine rest following a symptom-limited incremental cycle ergometry test. A qualitative comparison of the power spectral changes from supine to standing revealed no significant differences between groups with respect to improvements in the baroreceptor response to orthostatic stress. Time domain parameters, derived from 24-hour ambulatory bolter monitoring, were also obtained at baseline, 3-months, and 6-months. The indices believed to be largely representative of vagal modulation, SDNN-Index, r-MSSD, and pNN50, tended to increase in the AERWT group with increased participation in the training program; however, the results did not obtain statistical significance (p=0.07). In addition, there were no significant changes in mean 24-hour heart rate or NN-interval, SDNN, or SDANN in the AERWT group (p=0.21). The present investigation revealed some evidence to suggest that exercise training in selected populations of CHF patients results in favourable changes in vagal modulation and baroreceptor sensitivity; however, unlike Coats et al. (1992), the present investigation failed to note any significant alterations in HRV frequency domain indices as a result of exercise training despite identical improvements in peak V02. The lack of significant findings in both the frequency and time domain HRV data could indicate that the autonomic dysfunction is so widespread and rampant in CHF that we cannot induce alterations through training as would be demonstrated in normal, healthy controls. In effect, these findings reinforce the hypothesis that in CHF the heart is the 'slave' of the periphery, and that due to the progressive lack of neural control of both the heart and circulation, in addition to an impairment in pump function, that the only effective means of improving physiological variables is through changes at the peripheral level.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: OAC Geography Curriculum of AIDS for World Issues

title: World Issues and AIDS: A Geographical Perspective

contributor:
Beattie, C.
Ferns, J.
Teaching

subject:
OAC
geography
AIDS
world issues
geography curriculum

abstract: This project is designed to provide a teachable curriculum along with supporting materials for the OAC Geography - World Issues course, as it is taught at present in the academic stream of Ontario's secondary schools. Discussion of guideline requirements and disciplinary matters are also included. The topic is the infectious disease Acquired Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)


title: An Advanced Cardiac Care Nursing Programme

contributor:
Beattie, C.
Holder, D.
Health Care Practice

subject:
cardiac care
nursing
advanced cardiac care

abstract: This project describes the development of a curriculum for a certificate programme in Advanced Cardiac Care for Registered Nurses, developed for implementation at a large urban community college. The author describes the process of curriculum development undertaken and presents the actual curriculum designed. The implementation of one module is presented to demonstrate that the teaching of factual knowledge and skills can be integrated with the higher level skills of problem solving. An evaluation of the implementation of the module is also presented. Throughout this project emphasis is placed on educational theory and on the practising health professional as the learner.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (Teaching)


title: Women's Emotional Responses to their Unplanned Caesarean Deliveries: In Women's Words

subject:
emotional response
unplanned caesarean
caesarean section
delivery

abstract: In Canada, one in five women can now expect to deliver their baby by caesarean section. For some women, this method of delivery creates little concern, but for others, birth by caesarean causes emotional trauma that can last for years. Childbirth was historically regarded as a natural event and was undertaken with little assistance from health professionals. However, with urbanization and medical advancements, childbirth soon became a medically managed process. During the Women's Health Movement of the 1970's, women reacted to the medicalization of birth by calling attention to the emotional reactions of women following childbirth, with particular attention paid to deliveries by caesarean section. This paper discusses interviews with five women who sought the assistance of a community support and awareness group following a negative emotional response to an unplanned caesarean section. Qualitative research methods were used in order to capture the participants' unique experiences during and after childbirth. The women described feelings of fear, failure, disappointment, and loss of control. They perceived that the medical staff was generally uncaring and dismissive of their concerns. Each participant felt that the support group was instrumental in helping them to recover from the trauma of their birth experience, but also reported that they would have appreciated the opportunity to speak with a social worker following the birth.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Physical Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

contributor:
McKelvie, Robert
McCartney, Laurie
Kinesiology

subject:
quality of life
congestive heart failure
physical function

abstract:
Thesis
Master of Science (MS)


title: Measuring Quality of Life in Spouses of Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients

title: Measuring Quality of Life in Cardiac Spouses

contributor:
McCartney, Neil
Adapted Human Biodynamics

subject:
quality of life
post-myocardial infarction
patient
spouse
myocardial infarction

abstract: The purpose of this thesis investigation was to determine the responsiveness and validity of a previously developed evaluative instrument (QL-SP), purported to measure quality of life in spouses of patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. The 26 questions of the index address emotional concerns, functional limitations, sleep disturbances, and lifestyle changes; they are categorized into the Emotional Function Dimension (EFD) , and the Physical and Social Function Dimension (PSFD). Subjects (n=39) completed the QL-SP and a battery of established questionnaires during home visitations, 1-2 weeks after the patient member of the pair had been discharged from the hospital, and 8 weeks later. Predicted associations were derived according to standardized consensus methods suggesting how changes in the QL-SP dimensions should correlate with changes in the other indexes. Scores on the QL-SP between admission to the study and the second visit were improved for both the emotional function (t = 5.56, p < 0.001), and physical and social function (t = 6.11, p < 0.001) dimensions. The agreement between predicted and observed relationships, as measured statistically by a Kappa with Cicchetti weights, was significant (Kw = 0.43, p = 0.0012). The QL-SP appears to be a responsive and valid measure of quality of life in spouses of MI patients related to their partner's illness. It may be useful in clinical practice as a routine periodic assessment throughout the post-MI convalescent period, and as an evaluation tool for intervention strategies.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: A Comparison of the Predictors of Heart Health Among Immigrants and Native-Born Canadians

contributor:
Newbold, K. B.
Geography

subject:
heart health
immigrant
native-born
canadian
canada
comparison
predictor of heart health

abstract: With over 18% of the Canadian population born outside of Canada, the health of immigrants is an important concern. Heart health is of particular importance because heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in Canada. Using data from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), the purpose of this thesis is to first establish whether immigrants to Canada have lower rates of coronary heart disease (CHD), and high blood pressure (HBP) than native-born Canadians, and second to determine the lifestyle and psychosocial factors that predict heart health and compare them between immigrants and native-born Canadians. Regression and survival analyses of the NPHS data indicate that lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors such as smoking status, body mass index, alcohol consumption and depression affect immigrants and native-born Canadians similarly. Immigration variables such as length of time in the host country and country of origin are significant risk factors for HBP, however, not in the incidence of CHD. Immigrants were more likely to have HBP than native-born Canadians. However, immigrants have a significantly lower incidence of CHD than native-born Canadians. Native-born Canadians are at a higher risk of heart disease at a younger age than immigrants. These results suggest that there must be other factors relating to immigration affecting the heart health of immigrants. Due to the complexity and high incidence of heart disease in Canada, it may never be possible to ascertain all of the risk factors for heart disease. However, this study has identified several key risk factors and has excluded other variables as possible risk factors. The risk factors identified in this study can form the basis for the development of heart health programs to target all Canadians-both native-and foreign-born.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Enviornmental Factors Effects on Asthma in the National population Health Survey

contributor:
Viveros-Aguilera, Roman
Statistics

subject:
enviornmental factor
asthma
national population health survey
national population

abstract: Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases in Canada. It not only brings pain to more than 7.8% of Canadians but it also costs millions of dollars every year. In this project we study the influence that environmental factors have on asthma based on the data from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) conducted by Statistics Canada. A descriptive analysis is done first to get an initial understanding of the environmental factors' effects on asthma. Then we do a x2-test to test for the homogeneity of asthma distribution across the levels of each environmental factor. Most of the factors included in our study are significant except those representing whether living in the metropolitan areas of Montreal or Vancouver, the number of persons living in the household, and whether there are small children in the household. For ordinal variables we test for trend on asthma prevalence. The trend tests indicate that there are significant trends between asthma and most of the ordinal factors except for a few, including the number of bedrooms in the household and the number of cigarettes smoked daily by the daily smokers. Then odds ratio and relative risk analyses are done to obtain statistical insights on the relative risk of the factors. The result shows that living in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, urban areas, engaged in finance, community services, personal service, young, attend physical activities, born in Canada, white, single or widowed, separated, divorced, start smoking early, do not own the dwelling living in, female adult, male children, and overweight and underweight adult, are all contributing factors for asthma. To model and investigate the joint effect of factors on asthma prevalence, we use logistic and log-linear regression models. To avoid collinearity problems, a reduced number of predictors is used. The results suggest that environmental factors have a significant joint influence on asthma prevalence.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: AIDS: An Epidemic of Meaning the Politics of Gender and the Problematics of Desire in the Representation of a Medical Disaster

title: AIDS: An Epidemic of Meaning

contributor:
Rodman, William
Anthropology

subject:
AIDS
meaning
politics of gender
problematics
desire
medical disaster

abstract: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has emerged in the 1980's as a major health threat of epidemic quality. The panic and fear accompanying this epidemic have been more extreme than the relatively small numbers of cases might suggest, however. This paper contextualizes that panic within a discussion of the epistemological implications of AIDS as it articulates with the ideology of sexual identity and gender domination in North American culture. Based on an analysis of print media AIDS news-stories, from 1985 through 1987, books about AIDS, and AIDS urban legends, I determine that the 'epidemic of fear' that characterizes the AIDS epidemic is the inevitable outcome of AIDS complex and ineluctable corrosion of the symbolic foundations of the ideology of masculinism in North America. Through the development of a model of mass media news as revealed reality, and a discussion of the core resonant signs of that ideology, I argue that AIDS violates the meaningful integrity of the hegemonic discourse of sexual identity, gender and reproduction, and undermines the capacity for this "regime of truth" to sustain itself. By placing AIDS within the framework of a critical analysis of the significant potential for ideological transformation, I argue for a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the AIDS epidemic as a sickness event.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Land-Use Change in a Selected Area of the Niagara Fruit Belt 1954-1978

contributor:
Reeds, L. G.
Geography

subject:
land-use change
niagara fruit belt
fruit
niagara

abstract:
The thesis examines land-use changes in a selected area of the Niagara Fruit Belt between 1954 and 1978. Part of the former township of Louth was chosen for investigation because it is located in the centre of the fruit belt, and is an area affected by several urban influences. Two detailed land-use maps were produced from aerial photograph interpretation. These maps reveal the many exchanges among agricultural land uses and the actual loss to urban and urban-related uses which occurred during the time span investigated. They indicate the loss of fruit land to non-agricultural uses is less than was anticipated. Increases in grape acreages have been implemented relatively close to the city of St. Catharines and the lost peach acreage is not entirely
due to urbanization. A land-use change index was developed, based on total change per lot, for use in the quantitative analysis. The 1954 assessment roll provided the data on individual properties. Eight hypotheses were developed to account for the land-use changes. These were rejected, and it was suggested that the study area was undergoing a "normal” process of change, resulting from a combination of agricultural and urban forces. Further research is needed in order to understand more fully, the processes of land-use change in an area such as Louth.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: Perceptual Binaural Speech Enhancement in Noisy Enviornments

contributor:
Haykin, Simon
Bruce, Ian
Electrical and Computer Engineering

subject:
perceptual binaural speech
speech enhancement
noisy environments

abstract:
Speech enhancement in multi-speaker babble remains an enormous challenge. In this study, we developed a binaural speech enhancement system to extract information pertaining to a target speech signal embedded in a noisy background for use in future hearing-aid systems. The principle underlying the proposed system is to simulate the perceptual auditory segregation process carried out in the normal human auditory system. Based on the spatial location, pitch and onset cues, the system can identify and enhance those time-frequency regions which constitute the target speech.
The proposed system is capable of dealing with a wide variety of noise intrusions, including competing speech signals and multi-speaker babble. It also works under mild reverberation conditions. Systematic evaluation shows that the system achieves substantial improvement on the intelligibility of target signal, while it largely suppresses the unwanted background signal.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Spatial Analysis of Selected Reproductive Health Outcomes of Women Living in the Vicinity of the Sydney Tar Ponds, Sydney, NS

contributor:
Kanaroglou, Pavlos
Elliott, Susan
Geography and Geology

subject:
spatial analysis
reproductive health
nova scotia, canada
selected reproductive health outcome

abstract: Decades of steel production and coking in the community of Sydney, Nova Scotia, have led to severe environmental insult. Increased amounts of air pollution from Sydney Steel Corporation and toxic emissions from the Muggah Creek Watershed have been well documented in several studies of the area since the 1960s. This research examines the potential impacts of exposure to hazardous waste on the reproductive health of women living in Cape Breton Regional Municipality through the following objectives: i) to assess the spatial pattern of various types of adverse reproductive events, plausibly linked to the environmental exposure of interest; ii) to determine if this pattern is related to proximity to the Tar Ponds/Coke Ovens site. To address the first objective, point pattern analysis was applied to observations from the Atlee Perinatal Database to determine if the observed pattern exhibited any clustering. To address the second objective, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed to determine if proximity to the Tar Ponds/Coke Ovens site was an important covariate of the adverse outcomes under study (preterm births, low birthweights, congenital anomalies and stillbirths). The results of the bivariate K-function indicated that there was weak global clustering for preterm births for two different time periods, while the ratio kernel estimates demonstrated that the patterns of the outcomes were non-random even after correcting for the underlying population distribution. The results of the multinomial logistic model demonstrated that variables pertaining to maternal characteristics, pregnancy history, current pregnancy maternal diagnoses, neonatal measures were important explanatory variables in the analysis. Place of residence was an important explanatory variable for preterm births and congenital anomalies. However, due to various limitations these results must be interpreted with caution.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: A Geographical Study of Tecumseth Township

subject:
geographical study
tecumseth township

abstract:
Thesis
Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: North Bay and Region

subject:
North Bay
geography

abstract:
Thesis
Bachelor of Arts (BA)


title: The Relationship Between the Slope of the Terrain and Agricultural Productivity in Costa Rica, Central America

title: Relationship Between Agricultural Productivity and Slopes

contributor:
Wood, Harold
Geography

subject:
terrain productivity
agricultural productivity
costa rica

abstract:
An average slope index and a number of agricultural productivity indices were determined for a sample of 100 districts in Costa Rica. To establish the relationship between these variables, correlation coefficients were calculated between the average slope index, on the one hand and, on the other, total gross agricultural income, total net agricultural income and also income and yields for individual crops. These
relationships were calculated for the meseta central (the central, highly-populated area) and for areas outside of the meseta central and for the total sample taken from all of Costa Rica. Cases in which
gross agricultural incomes were much lower than predicted by the study were investigated further to identify other factors which may have influenced the results.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Evaporated Thin Film Distributed RC Networks

contributor:
Campbell, C. K.
Electrical Engineering

subject:
theoretical study
experimental study
evaporated thin film
rc network

abstract: Thin film uniform and exponential distributed RC networks were fabricated and the network responses were investigated. It was necessary to take dielectric loss into consideration in the theoretical analysis before a close agreement could be obtained between the theoretical and experimental network responses.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Engineering (ME)


title: Data Analysis for Back Pain Based on the National Population Health Survey

contributor:
Balakrishnan, N.
Statistics

subject:
data analysis
back pain
national population
health survey

abstract: Back pain is an important health and economic problem affecting a significant part of our population. It is of interest to both medical and behavioral professionals concerned with the complex role of the social and psychological factors in the etiology of somatic ailments. Although there has been much written about back injuries in military and industrial settings, little is known about the epidemiological patterns in a general population (Nagi et al., 1973). The objective of this study is to find: a) the major factors connected to back pain, b) whether the general work-stress index is related to back pain, where the general work-stress index is the sum of job stressors including psychological demands, job insecurity, physical exertion, decision latitude and the social support at work, and c) the relationship especially amongst back pain, activity restriction, age, job satisfaction and income. The National Population Health Survey (NPHS) database is used in this project. Some statistical techniques such as logistic regression and log-linear models are used for data analysis. In this project all explanatory variables in logistic regression models are treated as continuous variables; all variables when used in log-linear models are treated as categorical data. Results are compared between these different methods. They are in close agreement with each other. We conclude that age has very high impact on back pain with significance level being lower than 1 %; activity restriction also has a strong relationship with back pain; chronic stress, childhood and adult stressors all have high association with back pain; job stressor and recent life bad events are related fairly to back pain at significant level 5%; and income and job satisfaction do not have direct impact on back pain. Although there is not much that can be done to change the normal aging process of the spinal column, some of the predictors identified such as job stressors are amenable to change.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MS)


title: Instrumentalism: On the Ethics of Using Fetal Tissue in Medical Research

contributor:
Boetzkes, Elisabeth
Philosophy

subject:
instrumentalism
ethics
fetal tissue
medical research

abstract: Within the context of medical ethics the term 'instrumentalism' is broadly understood as the practice of 'using people' to achieve some end, where the end is considered to be of some good. It is a practice that has recently come under fire in light of developments in medical research that propose to use fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions. Ethicists opposed to this kind of instrumentalism usually invoke Kant's dictum that one should never treat humanity only as a means but always as an end in itself, and allege that the instrumental use of others is 'dehumanizing' and immoral. Moreover, opponents of fetal instrumentalism claim that using fetal tissue in research is a morally tainted, 'doubly' offensive practice since it depends on tissue obtained from voluntary abortions. In this thesis, I challenge both of these claims and argue that using fetal tissue in medical research constitutes an acceptable kind of instrumentalism. Furthermore, I argue that the issue of abortion and the use of fetal tissue in research are two ethically separable issues that warrant distinct ethical judgments. My project begins with an analysis of instrumentalism, which is then applied to show how using the aborted fetus to attain valuable therapeutic goals is a morally justified instrumentalism. I then proceed with an evaluation of the arguments central to the instrumentalist debate, and show how the normative separation between abortion and fetal tissue use is possible.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: A Survey of Canadian Postwar Monetary Policy 1946-1951

title: Canadian Postwar Monetary Policy

contributor:
McIvor, R. Craig
Political Economy

subject:
postwar
Canada
monetary policy
postwar monetary policy
1946-1951
1940s
1950s
Canadian monetary policy
political economy
Canada post World War II
Canada post World War Two

abstract:
A survey and assessment of Canadian monetary conditions and policies during the period
from the end of World War II to the end of 1951, with particular reference to the two periods of rapid inflation (July 1946 to December 1948 and July 1950 to December 1951).

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Electrodeposition of Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Materials

contributor:
Zhitomirsky, Igor
Materials Science and Engineering

abstract:
New electrochemical deposition methods for the preparation of organic-inorganic nanocomposite coatings were proposed. These methods are starts from the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of ceramic nanoparticles and polymers. EPD is the motion that charged particles move towards the electrode in the applied electric field. Short processing time and process simplicity are the advantages of electrochemical deposition methods. Moreover, EPD methods for the fabrication of organic-inorganic of nanocomposites like ZnO films achieved
non-agglomeration which is a promising method for the future industrial application. Electrode deposition was achieved by using 16-phosphonohexadecanoic acid (16PHA), octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA), stearic acid (SA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) is used for dispersion. The characterization can be performed by XRD, SEM, Cyclic voltammetry,
impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic studies, FTIR, TGA, DTA etc.
For those organic-inorganic nanocomposites coatings, these various coatings
are widely used in a great many aspects such as biomaterials, solar energy,
aerospace, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and quantum dots. These materials,
combine the properties of organic and inorganic components and exhibit
advanced properties, which broaden application areas and improve the
applications’ properties dramatically.
The article is trying to illustrate the new electrochemical deposition methods
for the fabrication of organic-inorganic nanocomposites and its principle.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: ISSUES IMPACTING CONTINUOUS PULSE OXIMETRY MONITORING AND WIRELESS CLINICIAN NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AFTER SURGERY

title: EVALUATION OF ISSUES IMPACTING WIRELESS CLINICIAN NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL INVOLVING POSTOPERATIVE VITAL SIGNS MONITORING AND CONTINUOUS PULSE OXIMETRY

contributor:
Thabane, Lehana
eHealth

subject:
Continuous pulse oximetry
wireless notification
issues
evaluation of issues
clinical adoption framework
remote monitoring
postoperative monitoring
false alarm
WLAN

abstract:
Background: The VItal siGns monItoring with continuous puLse oximetry And wireless cliNiCian notification aftEr surgery (VIGILANCE) study was a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the impact of continuous vital sign monitoring with alerts to nursing staff on the incidence of postoperative complications in surgical ward patients. Multiple factors interfered with the eHealth intervention implementation and conduct of the VIGILANCE study.  Through examination of these challenges, the overall aim of this thesis was to help foster an understanding of the difficulties related to eHealth intervention implementation. The specific objectives were to identify issues related to implementation of intervention system of the VIGILANCE study, and to evaluate the influence of these issues on intervention adoption.
Methods: During the VIGILANCE study, issues affecting the implementation of the intervention were documented on case report forms, alarm event forms, and a nursing feedback questionnaire. In this thesis, the issues were identified and evaluated using the Clinical Adoption Framework.
Results: The key issues identified include nursing workflow changes, patient withdrawal, wireless network connectivity, false alarms, monitor malfunction, probe issues, and wireless network standards. These issues affected the service, system and information quality. As a result, these issues impacted ‘access’ through decreased ability of nurses to make complete use of the monitors; ‘care quality’ of the trial intervention through decreased effectiveness; and ‘productivity’ through interference in the coordination of care, and thus decreased clinical adoption of the monitoring system.
Conclusion: Patient monitoring with eHealth technology in surgical wards has the potential to improve patient outcomes.  However, proper planning that includes engagement of front-line nurses, installation of appropriate wireless network infrastructure, and use of comfortable cableless devices are required to maximize the potential of continuous monitoring.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)

abstract: The VIGILANCE study was a randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of continuous vital signs monitoring with alerts to nurses on the incidence of postoperative complications in surgical ward patients.  This thesis identified and evaluated issues with implementation of wireless monitoring systems in the hospital.  During VIGILANCE study issues affecting the intervention implementation were documented on case report forms, alarm event forms, and nursing questionnaires.  Data related to these issues were explored using the Clinical Adoption Framework.  Identified issues included nursing workflow changes, patient withdrawal, wireless network connectivity, false alarms, monitor malfunction, probe issues, and wireless network standards.  The issues affected ‘access’ through decreased ability of nurses to make complete use of the monitors; ‘care quality’ of the intervention through decreased effectiveness; and ‘productivity’ by interfering in the care coordination.  Future studies should aim to include front-line nurses, appropriate wireless network, and comfortable cableless devices in their planning.


title: The Analysis of Asymptotic Rate-Distortion of Symmetric Remote Gaussian Source Coding: A Comparison of Centralized Encoding and Distributed Encoding

abstract:
Take into account a symmetric multivariate Gaussian source with ` components,
which are corrupted by independent and identically distributed Gaussian noises;
these noisy components are compressed at a certain rate, and the compressed
version is leveraged to reconstruct the source subject to a mean squared error distortion
constraint. We analyze rate-distortion performance for both centralized
encoding (where the noisy source components are jointly compressed) and distributed
encoding (where the noisy source components are separately compressed).
Among other things, it is indicated that the gap between the rate-distortion functions
associated with these two scenarios admits a simple characterization in the
high dimension.

abstract: Thesis

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)