title: Exploring the Impact of Ongoing Colonial Violence on Aboriginal Students in the Postsecondary Classroom

abstract:
Framed within an Anishnaabe method and an anti-colonial discursive framework, this thesis explores how Aboriginal students confront narratives of colonial violence in the postsecondary classroom while at the same time living and experiencing colonial violence on a daily basis. In order to garner an understanding of what pedagogies might be useful in postsecondary classrooms that cover such curricula, I explored these questions by interviewing 8 Aboriginal students and 5 Aboriginal professors who were taking or teaching courses on Aboriginal peoples and colonial history. I also engaged two Aboriginal Elders in conversations on pedagogy because they are recognized as carriers of Aboriginal traditional knowledge.
Drawing on the literature I theorize colonization as violent, ongoing and traumatic. Specifically, I trace how education for Aboriginal peoples has always been and continues to be part of the colonial regime—one that is marked by violence, abuse and a regime that has had devastating consequences for Aboriginal peoples. This thesis confirms that despite some changes to the educational system Aboriginal students and professors interviewed in this research still confront significant challenges when they enter sites such as the postsecondary classroom. The most profound finding in this thesis was the extent of racism that Aboriginal students confront and negotiate in postsecondary classrooms. These negotiations are especially profound and painful in mixed classrooms where the narrative of ongoing colonial violence is discussed. Aboriginal
iii
students also employ a number of strategies to resist ongoing colonialism and racism. The narrative of racism is not new but it does reaffirm that colonialism continues to have devastating effects on Aboriginal peoples. It also reaffirms the pervasiveness of violence in our society despite the fact that many would rather ignore or downplay the level of violence that exists. There is no doubt that the Aboriginal students interviewed in this research describe a significant psychological toll in an environment of ongoing colonialism and is especially difficult when revisiting historical and ongoing accounts of violence of their own colonial history. The thesis offers some suggestions for mitigating this impact in the classroom.


title: Cancer cell behaviour in response to chemotherapeutics - a study of docetaxel induced inflammatory cytokine production and the effect of lipopolysaccharides

subject: cancer

subject: chemotherapy

subject: cytokines

subject: taxanes

subject: docetaxel

subject: tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α)

subject: interleukin‐8 (IL‐8; CXCL8)

subject: GRO‐α (MGSA; melanoma growth stimulatory activity; CXCL1)

subject: chemotherapy resistance

subject: tumour progression

subject: paclitaxel

subject: doxorubicin

subject: carboplatin

subject: 5‐ fluorouracil (5‐FU)

subject: breast cancer

subject: MCF‐7

subject: MDA‐MB‐231

subject: ovarian cancer

subject: A2780

subject: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

subject: Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)

abstract:
The study of cancer is an ever‐evolving discipline and since the 1950's it has been driven
by fundamental scientific research using cultured human tumour cell lines isolated from human
cancer patients. Over the years it has become evident that patients with cancer of the breast,
ovaries, and several other tissues, often respond well to initial chemotherapy treatment, only
to be left with tumours that have become resistant to the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy.
This has prompted decades of cellular and mouse‐based studies to characterize the many
biomolecular processes by which tumour cells in their microenvironments survive and
reproduce in the presence of chemotherapy drugs. This dissertation discusses the role of
cytokine production in chemotherapy drug efficacy both in the laboratory and the clinic.
Cytokines are naturally released by healthy epithelial, endothelial, and immune cells to convey
important messages to other cells and tissues of the body, driving immune responses upon
recognition of pathogens or cellular damage. Cytokines have become increasingly considered
for their roles in stalling or accelerating cancer progression as well as improving or limiting drug efficacy. In this thesis, we present primary research results that provide novel insight into the
mechanism by which chemotherapy drugs induce inflammatory cytokine production and
release from human tumour cells. We show that the semi‐synthetic taxane derivative
docetaxel, as well as other structurally distinct chemotherapy drugs, induce the release of the
inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α from breast and ovarian tumour cell lines.  Constitutively
increased production and release of TNF‐α and CXCL1 from breast and ovarian tumour cells was
also observed upon their selection for survival in increasing concentrations of docetaxel.   Docetaxel‐resistant cells were less responsive to acute treatment with docetaxel than their
drug‐naive parental cell lines.  These cells exhibited increased expression of the plasma
membrane‐bound drug‐export protein, P‐glycoprotein, which promotes the efflux of docetaxel
and other drugs from tumour cells.  Interestingly, restoration of drug into the docetaxel‐
resistant cells not only restored the drugs' cytotoxic effect but also the ability of the cells to
respond to drug with increased TNF‐α release. Current paradigms suggest that this response
occurs through activation of the pathogen recognition receptor Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4),
involving direct interaction with docetaxel at the cell surface. This model appears inconsistent
with our results showing that cellular drug accumulation is necessary for the response of
increased TNF‐α release to occur.   We also show that the TLR4 agonist, lipopolysaccharides
(LPS), causes increased production of TNF‐ in the presence of docetaxel and increased
docetaxel cytotoxicity for both wildtype and docetaxel‐resistant MCF‐7 tumour cells,
representing a potential novel strategy to restore chemoresponsiveness in chemoresistant
tumours.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomolecular Sciences


title: Personalilty characteristics, locus of control, and life stress as factors in relapse and recovery in a substance abuse sample.

publisher:
Laurentian University of Sudbury
Laurentian University of Sudbury

subject:
substance abuse
personality

abstract: A set of psychometric tests were administered to a sample of individuals accessing addiction services. This study sought to 1) explore personality, locus of control, and life stress in relation to the duration of abstinence from substance abuse, and 2) determine if there were any aspects of personality that were common among those with either long or short bouts of achieved sobriety. Seventy-two chemically dependent men and women in a Northern Ontario, Canada sample participated in the study. Few differences were found between sobriety groups. Statistically significant gender differences were found on the MMPI-Repression scale and the MMPI-Masculine/Feminine scales. Significant personality differences were also found between individuals who were receiving mental health related prescription medication on the MMPI scales of Hypochondriasis, Depression, Hysteria, Psychopathic Deviant, and Psychasthenia. Further significant differences were found between individuals who had a mental health diagnosis on the MMPI scales of Hypochondriasis, Depression, Hysteria, Psychopathic Deviant, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, and Anxiety.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Flaxseed oil induces apoptosis in the aggressive murine melanoma cell line B16-BL6

subject:
flaxseed
omega-fatty acids
cancer
natural products
anti-cancer therapeutics

abstract:
Flaxseed is classified as a functional food and is renowned for its exceptional
nutrional value. These foods have the ability to either promote overall well-being and/or reduce the risk of certain diseases. Flaxseed, in the form of seed-derived oil,is the highest plant source of the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid. This nutraceutical has been credited with providing protective benefits against breast, colon and prostate
cancers. Humans are unable to synthesize omega-3 fatty acids within the body and
therefore must obtain sufficient amounts of this antioxidant through diet alone.
Currently, the Western diet is grossly deficient in omega-3 fatty acids and this is
in part due to the overwhelming presence of omega-6 fatty acids used in food processing
and manufacturing techniques. As one of the highest sources of omega-3 fatty acids,
flaxseed is often taken as a supplement to help balance the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6
fatty acids in Western cultures. Although flaxseed has been beneficial in alleviating
certain symptoms in patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer,
the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Previous animal studies have shown that a
diet supplemented with 10% flaxseed, significantly decreased tumour growth in rodent cancer models. Our studies include the treatment of malignant cells with flaxseed oil in an in vitro model. We have shown that flaxseed oil has the ability to reduce cell growth in B16-BL6 cells, an aggressive murine melanoma. Furthermore, a total of seven different oils containing high concentrations of omega fatty acids, including flaxseed oil,
olive, sunflower, canola, sesame, peanut and grapeseed, were characterized by HPLC and
GC/MS analysis for fatty acid profiles, and these oils were also used to treat B16-BL6
cells. Although all seven oils contain various amounts of omega-3, -6 or -9 fatty acids, only treatment with flaxseed oil decreased the growth of the aggressive murine melanoma cell line B16-BL6. DNA laddering, acridine-orange staining, TUNEL staining, and FACS analysis using Annexin V and propidium iodide, showed that the flaxseed-treated cells were undergoing apoptosis, a type of cell suicide. Therefore, due to its ability to
selectively inhibit malignant cell proliferation, flaxseed oil has significant potential as an anti-cancer therapeutic.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: Colonizing Northern Landscapes: Population Genetics and Phylogeography of Wood Frogs (Lithobates Sylvaticus) in the James Bay

subject:
Population Genetics
Phylogeography
Wood Frogs
Lithobates Sylvaticus
James Bay

abstract:
The genetic structuring of populations can be influenced by present processes and past events. One of the largest historical events to affect the distribution and genetic characteristics of present-day North American biota is the Pleistocene glaciation. Thus, the study of post-glacial colonization patterns of species in northern landscapes can relay important ecological information, as species had to expand their range extensively following the retreat of the glaciers and are often at the terminal end of their expansion. These species consequently exhibit the genetic fingerprints of sequential founder events, in turn decreasing the genetic variation available for adaptation. Using amphibians to investigate post-glacial range expansion is advantageous, as they have limited dispersal abilities revealing fine-scale patterns and they are thought to be one of the first vertebrates to colonize post-glacial habitat. Therefore, to model the phylogeography of a primary colonizer and the population structure of anurans in northern landscapes, population genetics analyses of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) were performed in the James Bay area.
Wood frogs were sampled from 17 localities around James Bay and genetic analyses were conducted with seven microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA sequences of the ND2/tRNATRP genes. Results show that the post-glacial recolonization of the James Bay area by wood frogs originated from the putative refugium in western Wisconsin, an area known as the Driftless Area. Two routes were taken by founders to colonize the James Bay area: one north-west of Lake Superior, colonizing western Ontario, and one through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, colonizing southern and eastern Ontario and western Québec. Interestingly, the meeting of the two lineages south-west of James Bay led to the establishment of a zone of higher genetic variation than expected under the founder effect hypothesis. Additionally, population structure analyses revealed the segregation of three genetic populations east, north-west, and south-west of the bay, the latter showing the highest genetic variation and likely representing a zone of secondary contact. This study shows that past events such as post-glacial range expansions can explain present patterns of genetic variation and population structure, and that studies in northern landscapes may be very useful in understanding genetic patterns throughout the range of a species.

abstract: Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Biology


title: Numerical analysis of porous piezoelectric materials

subject:
porous piezoelectric structures
Barium Sodium Niobate (BNN)
Barium Titanate (BaTiO3)
porRelaxor Ferroelectrics (RL)

abstract:
Three-dimensional finite element models based on unit-cell approach are developed to characterize the complete electromechanical properties of: (i) zero-dimensional (3-0), one-dimensional (3-1) and three-dimensional (3-3) type porous piezoelectric structures made of lead zirconium titanate (PZT-7A) and relaxor (PMN-PT based) ferroelectrics (RL); and (ii) 3-3 type porous piezoelectric foam structures made of several classes of piezoelectric materials such as barium sodium niobate (BNN), barium titanate (BaTiO3) and relaxor (PMN-PT based) ferroelectrics (RL).
In this thesis, finite element software named ABAQUS is used to characterize the electromechanical response of 3-0, 3-1 and 3-3 type porous piezoelectric structures. Appropriate boundary conditions are invoked for various porous piezoelectric structures (i.e. 3-0, 3-1 and 3-3 type) to ensure that the electromechanical deformation response of the unit-cell, under conditions of electrical and mechanical loading, is representative of the entire porous piezoelectric structures.
Overall, this thesis demonstrates that the microstructural features such as porosity connectivity, porosity aspect ratio, porosity volume fraction, foam shape, and material selection play significant roles on the electromechanical properties and the figures of merit of porous piezoelectric structures.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Natural Resources Engineering


title: The long road ahead: understanding road-related threats to reptiles and testing if current mitigation measures are effective at minimizing impacts

subject:
Reptile populations
road-related threats
minimizing impacts
mitigation measures

abstract: Reptile populations are suffering substantial global losses and roads are identified as one of the leading threats to their persistence. Currently, efforts to mitigate this threat are being implemented with various levels of success. I studied the effectiveness of exclusion structures (i.e., fencing) at preventing reptiles from gaining access to the road, and reducing road mortality. I also examined if population connectivity structures (i.e., ecopassages) were effective at reducing habitat and population fragmentation and allowing individuals to access habitats, resources, and mates on both sides of a major road (4 lane highway). I found that the fence was ineffective at preventing reptiles from gaining access to the road; however, reptiles were observed using the ecopassages to cross the road. Behavioural trials testing painted turtles’ (Chrysemys picta) willingness to use an ecopassage demonstrated that refusal was twice more likely than use of an ecopassage. I also examined the potential for roads to pose a physiological threat to roadside populations of reptiles by examining corticosterone (CORT), a stress hormone linked to negative health effects in cases of elevated levels over the long-term. To assess if individuals living near a major road had higher CORT levels than individuals from a less impacted population, I developed a novel means of measuring CORT from painted turtle claws in partnership with Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco (Toronto Zoo). With long-term CORT levels considered as a proxy for chronic physiological stress, I did not find evidence that populations near roads had altered stress levels. However, this seminal study will provide the framework for further examination of more species, including species-at-risk, and a better understanding of effects of anthropogenic environments on wildlife health. As road ecologists strive to expand our understanding of the threats roads pose to reptiles, it is important that this field spans multiple disciplines, so that we can both understand the direct and indirect threats that roads cause and develop effective mitigation that preserves biodiversity within our anthropogenic landscape.

abstract: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biology


title: Cultural and architectural revitalization: a reinterpretation of Chinese tradition

subject:
chinese architecture
chinatown
chinatown centre
cultural identity
ceramic screens
siheyuan reinterpretation
modern chinese architecture
chinese reinterpretation
architectural reinterpretation

abstract:
Toronto’s downtown Chinatown was once the central core of Asian
culture and business in Canada but now has been superceded by
Markham’s opening of Pacific Mall and ongoing development of suburban
neighbourhoods. As a result, Toronto’s Chinatown Centre, a mall and
landmark in the heart of Chinatown, has significantly suffered as markets,
shops and restaurants have either closed or are now deprived of business
with no sight of recovery. Through a reinterpretation of core principles of
the traditional Chinese siheyuan, this thesis explores how architecture
can become a catalyst in the revitalization of Chinatown Centre, retaining
inherent qualities of Chinese culture through a narrative which could
be understood transgenerationally and transculturally. As geopolitical,
economical and technological implications forced the outsprawl of Chinese
communities to migrate out of downtown, the same factors could play a
significant role in bringing the Chinese communities back. The project
becomes a symbol and a physical reminder of Toronto’s resilience while
bringing awareness to the serious issue of the declining Chinatown Centre.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Genetic background and environmental effects on single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NADPH pathway

subject:
Nucleotide polymorphisms
NADPH
phenotypes
genotypes

abstract:
A major focus in modern genomics is determining the connection between genotypes and
quantifying phenotypes. In this connection, many factors come into play including different
genetic backgrounds, genetic variation at a locus, and environmental conditions. Genetic
variation in Drosophila melanogaster, and specifically the simple polymorphisms within Malic
enzyme (Men), can provide insight into the pathways between genotypes and phenotypes.
Globally, there are two polymorphic sites in the malic enzyme gene. On site is near the protein
(MEN) active site and found at an allelic frequency of 50% glycine amino acid and 50% alanine
amino acid. The second polymorphism is buried within the protein and found at an allelic
frequency of 90% methionine amino acid and 10% leucine amino acid. To determine the
complexity of the pathway between genotypes and phenotypes, multiple genetic backgrounds for
each genotype, using multiple D. melanogaster lines, were included to explore and quantify
genetic background effects, and paraquat was used to induce oxidative stress. The biochemical
characteristics of the alleles varied significantly between the genotypes under benign conditions
and both polymorphic sites effected some phenotypes. The first site played a role in the MEN
Vmax and Km; the glycine allele had 14% higher Vmax activity than the alanine allele and the
glycine allele had 8% higher Km than the alanine allele. The second site influenced the Km and
Vmax/Km ratio (relative activity); the methionine allele had 34% higher malate Km than the leucine
allele the leucine allele had 52% higher relative activity than the methionine allele. Interestingly,
the protein product encoded by the rarer allele, leucine, had a higher relative activity and lower
Km concentration, having a large impact on the enzymatic phenotype. These extreme phenotypes
of that allele may be an indication of the why the allele is maintained at 10% across populations.
Different lines with the same genotype had different biochemical phenotypes, indicating the
importance of backgrounds effects influencing the final phenotype. Further, the flies’ phenotypes
differed between benign and oxidative stress conditions. Flies exposed to paraquat had a
decrease in MEN Vmax, and the MEN alleles did not significantly differ from each other. Overall,
the findings from this study suggest that the final phenotype are strongly influenced by the
polymorphisms found in MEN, the interactions between genetic background and environmental
conditions.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences


title: Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) applications in psychological suitability assessments.

subject:
Psychological suitability assessments
decision support systems
psychological decision making processes
profile outcomes
psychological data
anticipated behaviours
assessment model
MMPI-2RF
MPULSE
classification algorithm
discriminant function analysis
MANOVA analysis

abstract: Psychological suitability assessments are an integral component of public safety recruitment and selection processes. Psychological suitability assessments can benefit from the implementation of decision support systems. Providing an estimate of the likelihood for outcomes can act to support psychologists in decision making processes. This thesis critiques a content focused approach to psychological suitability assessment, develops a classification algorithm that estimates profile outcome likelihoods of several possible psychological suitability decision categories, and assesses the effect of providing estimates to psychologists on psychological decision making processes when determining profile outcomes. The critique outlines that the assessment model dimensions were developed to suit the needs of the organization at the time and connected psychological data with anticipated behaviours and activities. However, the model was not developed within a systematic process and relied heavily on subjective accounts of on duty officers. The assessment model could be improved with the implementation of new and updated tools, such as the MMPI-2RF or the MPULSE. The classification algorithm established by the discriminant function analysis accurately classified 86.75% of cases (p<0.0001) in this assessment model. In testing the effect of providing outcome estimates to psychologists to assist in their decision making processes, a MANOVA analysis was conducted. When (n=14) psychologists were presented with a likelihood estimate that was in support of the expert decision, psychologists significantly improved in their overall match accuracy (p>0.05). Experience conducting these types of assessments was a significant covariate for the time it took to render a decision, and the time it took to render a decision was not affected by the presentation of a likelihood estimate. Overall, this study suggests that decision support systems can be implemented to support a temporary clinical lead in navigating the psychological data such that candidates are evaluated more consistently for psychological suitability evaluations. Implementing a decision support system in practice can act as a guide for interpreting psychological data, reduce the error of both experienced and inexperienced assessors, and improve the integrity of the assessment.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Photonic emissions of living and non-living matter

subject:
Periodic Elements
Fixed Human Brain
Spontaneous Photon Emissions
10-12 W·m-2
Flux Density
Hameroff-Penrose “Orch-OR Theory”
Mach
Kant
Spinoza
Biophotons
Quantitative EEG (QEEG) Visualization
Corpus Callosum
Aharanov-Bohm Effect
Cellular Aggregates

abstract: Photons are known to be the product of electrochemical states of excitability. The interaction of photons between chemical and biological systems allows statistical methods to be employed to discern frequency- and time-dependent data. The present document demonstrates photon emissions sources attributed to chemical, biomolecular, and living and non-living tissues through theoretical and empirical photon counting measures. The results suggest that photon count intensity is statistically significant when measuring variance in volumes of matter. In addition, photon count measures when lagged between the cerebral hemisphere of human subject, display significant correlations. Spectral analyses revealed significant peak frequencies from living biological sources when exposed to incident photons and/or magnetic fields. The photon emissions from differing levels of discourse may exist to be used as energy sources responsible for the mechanisms that interact within open systems and their environments. Photons may reflect a form of communication within more complex aggregates of matter.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Finding patterns in student and medical office data using rough sets

subject:
Rough Set Graphic User Interface
Rough Set theory
health analytics
algorithm
predictive rules

abstract: Data have been obtained from King Khaled General Hospital in Saudi Arabia. In this project, I am trying to discover patterns in these data by using implemented algorithms in an experimental tool, called Rough Set Graphic User Interface (RSGUI). Several algorithms are available in RSGUI, each of which is based in Rough Set theory. My objective is to find short meaningful predictive rules. First, we need to find a minimum set of attributes that fully characterize the data. Some of the rules generated from this minimum set will be obvious, and therefore uninteresting. Others will be surprising, and therefore interesting. Usual measures of strength of a rule, such as length of the rule, certainty and coverage were considered. In addition, a measure of interestingness of the rules has been developed based on questionnaires administered to human subjects. There were bugs in the RSGUI java codes and one algorithm in particular, Inductive Learning Algorithm (ILA) missed some cases that were subsequently resolved in ILA2 but not updated in RSGUI. I solved the ILA issue on RSGUI. So now ILA on RSGUI is running well and gives good results for all cases encountered in the hospital administration and student records data.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: La programmation des contenus des aides à la communication avec sortie vocale chez les jeunes enfants qui ont des besoins complexes en communication

subject: vocabulaire

subject: communication avec sortie vocale (ACSV)

subject: langage

subject: cognition

subject: jeunes enfants

abstract: La présente thèse a pour objectif la découverte de pistes pour faciliter la sélection de l’aide à la communication avec sortie vocale (ACSV) et la programmation de son vocabulaire pour les jeunes enfants âgés de 4 à 6 ans qui ont des besoins complexes en communication (BCC). Cette étude a premièrement examiné le vocabulaire de base qui doit être programmé dans les ACSV des jeunes enfants francophones et bilingues qui vivent en situation minoritaire. Cinquante-sept enfants qui fréquentent une école de langue française ont participé aux enregistrements libres en salle de classe. L’analyse du corpus a révélé que 216 mots représentent 80,15% du vocabulaire utilisé par les enfants francophones de la maternelle et du jardin. L’analyse du corpus des enfants bilingues et des enfants qui ont un trouble du langage a donné des résultats comparables. Une seule liste de 200 mots a été produite en combinant le vocabulaire à fréquence et similitude élevée de trois groupes : les francophones, les bilingues et un ensemble d’enfants présentant des troubles du langage. Ces mots devraient être programmés dans les ACSV des jeunes enfants francophones et bilingues qui fréquentent une école de lange française dans un milieu minoritaire, quelle que soit leur habileté linguistique. Ces nombres sont semblables à ceux des études qui ont été effectuées en anglais aux États-Unis et en Australie, sauf que les mots ne sont pas les mêmes. D’ailleurs, seulement 61,50 % des mots de base de notre étude se trouvent sur la liste anglaise la plus récente. Une traduction n’aurait donc pas suffi et, dans cette perspective, notre étude s’avère importante. En outre, seulement 44,50 % des mots de base de notre étude se trouvent sur la liste de sélection de vocabulaire présentement utilisée chez la population francophone au Nord de l’Ontario. L’impact des facteurs cognitifs et linguistiques sur la navigation dans les ACSV a ensuite été analysé. Soixante-cinq enfants âgés de 48 à 77 mois ont participé aux évaluations cognitives, linguistiques et à une épreuve de navigation à l’aide du iPad2™. Bien que des corrélations significatives aient été trouvées entre la navigation et plusieurs facteurs cognitifs et linguistiques, il appert, en fin de compte, que le sous-ensemble pragmatique de facteurs permettant le mieux de prédire la capacité de navigation chez les jeunes enfants inclut l’attention, la catégorisation et le raisonnement. Lors de l’évaluation en suppléance à la communication (SC), les compétences d’attention, de catégorisation et de raisonnement devraient être prises en considération afin de mieux assurer la bonne sélection de l’ACSV. Les résultats de cette étude permettent d’établir les mots nécessaires lors de la programmation des ACSV pour les jeunes enfants francophones et bilingues en milieu minoritaire, et ils suggèrent que trois sous-tests du Leiter-R pourraient être utilisés pour déterminer l’habileté de naviguer dans une ACSV qui a une pagination dynamique.

abstract: Doctorat en philosophie (Ph.D.) en sciences humaines


title: Emotional facial expression recognition and emotion regulation in undergraduate students with disordered eating

subject:
disordered eating
emotion
eye-tracking

abstract:
It is generally accepted that problematic emotional processing is central in anorexia nervosa. The
current study explored emotional processing deficits in a non-clinical, restrictive disordered
eating population by investigating emotional facial expression recognition accuracy in terms of
basic emotions; level of emotion intensity; and perceptual and attentional processing through
eye-tracking. Seventy-seven females were delineated into Average (n=46) and High (n=31)
Body Mass Index (BMI) groups. BMI groups were split into high and low restricting groups via
the Dieting subscale of the EAT-26. Participants viewed 96 images and were asked to identify
the emotion. In restricting groups, results revealed no differences in recognition rates for the
Average BMI group. For the High BMI group, results revealed greater recognition accuracy than
the low restrictive group, regardless of emotion/intensity. Eye-tracking analyses revealed that the
high restricting group spent more time viewing the face, specifically the eye/brow area at low
intensities.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Critical incidents on the front-line: occupational health considerations for probation officers

subject:
occupational health and safety
front-line worker
psychosocial hazard
probation officer
probation work
occupational critical incident
grounded theory
compassion fatigue
burnout
vicarious trauma
occupational trauma exposure
critical incident stress debrief
critical incident stress management

abstract:
Probation officers (PO) are considered part of the broader criminal justice system and are
tasked with supervising offenders within a community setting. POs are guided by identified
deliverables of maintaining public safety, fostering offender rehabilitation, and ensuring
court ordered sanctions are enforced (Pitts, 2007). The organizational climate of probation
work requires these goals be achieved within the confines of increasing workload and
administrative demands, in conjunction with decreasing budgetary supports, coupled with a
changing offender population who are regarded as increasingly more high-risk and multineed (Gonzales, Schofield & Hart, 2005; Pitts, 2007). Probation work is considered a highrisk occupation (Gonzales et al., 2005; Parsonage & Bushey, 1987). POs are exposed to
direct trauma (Gonzales et al., 2005; Linder & Bonn, 1996; Lindner & Koehler, 1992;
Parsonage & Bushey, 1987; Rapp-Paglicci, 2004) and indirect trauma (Lewis, Lewis &
Garby, 2013; Severson & Pettus-Davis, 2011) within their workplace. Exposure to such
occupational hazards can result in negative psychological impacts for POs (Lewis et al.,
2012; Parsonage & Bushey, 1987).   Front-line occupations such as police and fire services,
emergency response, military, and correctional work have been notably studied within the
research in relation to the occupational health risks associated with their employment
(McFarlane & Bryant, 2007; O’Donnell & Stephens, 2001), yet probation work remains
under investigated. This lack of knowledge about the contextual realities of probation work is
significant considering the potential psychological impacts of probation work as experienced
by POs (Gayman & Bradley 2013; Lewis et al., 2013; O’Donnell & Stephens, 2001;
Severson & Pettus-Davis, 2011). Through this research I focused on investigating mental
health outcomes for POs who have been exposed to a workplace critical incident (CI).  The purpose of my study was to shed light on the phenomena of CIs and to better understand the
numerous complexities associated with this phenomenon. The intersection of PO exposure to
psychosocial occupational hazards and CIs and POs adaptations was investigated utilizing a
grounded theory methodology.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Studies


title: Sexual dimorphism and alternative reproductive tactics in the Midland Painted  Turtle (Chrysemys(picta(marginata)

subject:
functional morphology
comparative morphology
fusexual dimorphism
animal behaviour

abstract:
The reproductive strategy of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) has been described as a
combination of male courtship and female mate choice. However, in situ field
observations from a long-term study of C. picta in Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario,
Canada) suggest that males also demonstrate coercive mating tactics. Males are equipped
with prominent tomiodonts, tooth-like cusps of the upper jaw, which seemingly function
in restraining mates and result in wounding to the head and neck of females. I propose
that the tomiodonts of male C. picta serve as sexual weapons used to coerce females into
mating. This thesis has two main objectives: 1) to describe the tomiodont morphology of
C. picta, and 2) to test the functional significance of tomiodonts in the mating tactics of
male C. picta. In Chapter I, I investigate the overall cranial morphology of C. picta with
an emphasis on sexual dimorphism of the tomiodonts. I show that male C. picta have
sexually size dimorphic tomiodonts with an optimized arrangement for biting and
gripping. In Chapter II, I investigate the soft tissue wounding demographics of a C. picta
population as these wounds relate to antagonistic sexual interactions. Using a 24-year
dataset on wounding I show that large females experience the highest wounding
probability and that elevated rates of wounding occur during the late summer breeding
period. In Chapter III, I use behavioural trials during the spring and late summer
reproductive seasons to evaluate male reproductive behaviour. I show that small males
court females through titillation, whereas larger males employ coercive tactics, such as
biting and forced submergence. My findings are contrary to the female choice mating
system reported for C. picta and join a growing body of research demonstrating the
importance of coercive tactics in the reproduction of male emydid turtles.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Free will vs determinism: reconstructing the model for understanding space-time dynamics and the role of consciousness within the universe

subject:
Consciousness
free will
intention
random numbers

abstract: The thrust of this thesis was to approach the historical question of whether or not “thought” or “mind” can affect physical processes from a different perspective. Alterations in generate random numbers from PN junction which are synapse-like interfaces mediating electron movement were assessed when people intended upon altering these fluctuations while being exposed to weak magnetic fields that could affect intention. The results indicated that specific physiological patterns of transcerebral magnetic fields interacted with intention to alter random fluctuation. Paired exposure of two random number devices at non-traditional distances to these patterned magnetic fields with changing angular velocities demonstrated clear evidence of classic excess correlation or “entanglement”. As the random variation drifted in one direction for one device the variation drifted in the other direction for the other device but only when the magnetic fields were operating. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) correlates of the multiple subscales of a questionnaire by which “imaginative absorption” is inferred, indicated surprisingly strong associations between scores for specific subscales coupled to successful intention-related deviation of random numbers and low frequency power (theta-alpha range) within the right temporal lobe. However many other strong correlations were also observed. These results suggest that intention, an important traditional associate of “free will”, can affect random variations of electron-tunnelling processes but this coupling can be enhanced by externally originating pattern magnetic fields. These same fields when applied to two different spaces produce changes in random fluctuations that success excess correlation. One conclusion is that external forces that synchronize local spaces also occupied by brains could be a recondite determinant of the ultimate activity in electron movement in tissue whose correlative experience is the sense of “free will”.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Human Development


title: Surface modification of magnesium alloy AZ31 for improved biocompatibility

subject:
magnesium alloys
biocompability
AZ31


title: Self-organized inorganic-organic phyllosilicate hybrids: investigating bridging ligands and imprinting methods for heavy metal ion adsorption

subject:
metal Adsorption
bridging ligands
silicate minerals
clay minerals

abstract:
The talc-like organoclay, MgSi-b-en, was synthesized using a bridged
organosilane precursor containing the ethylenediamine moiety through the sol-gel
process. Characterization of the material revealed disordered, interconnected
phyllosilicate sheets, with a high surface area and a composition resembling natural talc.
Ethylenediamine moieties were successfully incorporated into the structure of MgSi-b-en.
The material performed well as an adsorbent of the heavy metal ions Cu(II), Ni(II), and
Pb(II). The adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were very high. Multi-component
adsorption tests revealed a specific adsorption preference of Pb > Cu > Ni. An ionimprinting
technique was performed to alter the specificity of the adsorbent. The
procedure produced organoclays with cavities matching the size of the metal ion used in
the synthesis. In the presence of larger ions, the two imprinted adsorbents, MgSi-b-en(-
Cu) and MgSi-b-en(-Ni), displayed higher adsorption capacities and selectivity
coefficients towards Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively.

abstract: Master's Thesis


title: "La compétence interculturelle : une nécessité incontournable  en milieu scolaire franco-ontarien"

subject: milieu scolaire franco-ontarien.

subject: compétence interculturelle

abstract:
Dans un contexte multiculturel, les élèves immigrants francophones africains font face à plusieurs défis en milieu scolaire franco-ontarien.
En effet, ces élèves doivent se positionner à la fois par rapport à la société d’accueil et par rapport au milieu d’origine dans l’effort d’intégration positive ; c’est ainsi qu’ils sont tiraillés entre les valeurs du pays d’origine et celles du pays d’accueil.
De plus, il convient de noter que ces jeunes vivent une triple situation minoritaire ; issus de l’immigration, minorité visible, minorité linguistique, dans une province à majorité ‘blanche’ et anglophone. À cela s’ajoute le fait que certains de ces jeunes sont victimes de guerres civiles, de génocides et de violences de toutes sortes dans leur pays ; cela les met dans une situation plus vulnérable par rapport aux autres jeunes non-immigrants.
Plusieurs écrits consultés dans le cadre de notre recherche nous font remarquer que la crise d’identité est plus marquée chez ces jeunes que chez les autres jeunes, tout comme les conflits de valeurs et de cultures ; cela les met dans une situation de plus grande vulnérabilité par rapport aux autres jeunes non-immigrants, car tous ces facteurs peuvent être source d’une souffrance interne importante dont, entre autres, la dépendance au cannabis ou les tentatives de suicide, le décrochage, ce qui a un impact direct sur leur capacité à étudier et sur leur intégration scolaire.
L’objectif de cette recherche est de souligner les besoins et les défis auxquels font face les élèves immigrants francophones africains en milieu scolaire franco-ontarien, tout en sensibilisant les professionnels qui interviennent dans les écoles de la nécessité incontournable de développer des compétences interculturelles en milieu scolaire franco-ontarien.
Cette recherche théorique consiste en une recension des écrits relatifs à la nécessité de développer la compétence interculturelle en milieu scolaire, tout en soulignant les besoins et les défis auxquels font face à la fois les élèves immigrants et les professionnels qui travaillent dans les écoles.
Les résultats de notre recherche, nous permettent de confirmer que la compétence interculturelle en milieu scolaire est une nécessité incontournable en vue de faciliter l’intégration scolaire des élèves immigrants africains francophones qui fréquentent les écoles franco-ontariennes.
Plusieurs nouvelles pistes de recherche seraient à explorer, nous en suggérons quatre :
• Quels sont les besoins de formation ou les besoins formatifs liés à la prise en compte de la dimension interculturelle dans la formation des professionnels en milieu scolaire franco-ontarien ?
• Quel serait le contenu de la formation à l’interculturel et qui devrait être formé à l’approche interculturelle en milieu scolaire franco-ontarien ?
• Quelle est la relation entre la crise identitaire des jeunes immigrants et la compétence interculturelle ?
• Recherche à faire sur les parcours des élèves immigrants africains francophones victimes de génocide afin d’outiller les travailleurs sociaux.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Effects of high intensity interval exercise versus steady state exercise with similar energy expenditures on Epoc

subject: steady state exercise (SSE)

subject: high intensity interval exercise (HIIE)

subject: energy expenditure (EE)

subject: physiological changes

abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine whether steady state exercise (SSE) or high intensity
interval exercise (HIIE) would better improve energy expenditure (EE) during 90 minutes of
excess post exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) while attempting to match EE between both
exercise protocols. We also wanted to examine physiological changes during post exercise
measurements, which included VO2, RER, VE and HR. Twelve males aged between 19 and 24
were assigned to the SSE and HIIE conditions. A VO2max and a 30s-all-out sprint set at 150% of
maximum workload was performed on a cycling ergometer interspersed by 5 minutes to ensure
sufficient recovery time. Participants randomly completed SSE or HIIE followed by 90 minutes
of EPOC. A gross efficiency (GE) of 18% was used in order to best quantify the anaerobic
attributable EE during the HIIE in order to estimate total EE. Our results indicate that the HIIE
expended less EE than SSE and from our pre-test EE estimations (p<0.05). With that being said,
HIIE was able to generate a greater EE during EPOC in comparison to SSE, while utilizing more
grams of fat during post exercise measurements (p<0.05). There was no significant difference
between both protocols when adding exercise and EPOC EE. Physiological markers such as VO2
(L.min-1), VE (L.min-1) and HR were significantly greater in HIIE during EPOC. To conclude,
our findings indicate that HIIE is a time efficient workout able to expend more EE, utilize more
fat and have greater physiological responses during EPOC when compared to SSE.

abstract: Master of Human Kinetics


title: Seismic hazard analysis using mapping techniques for underground,  narrow-vein metal mines

subject:
Seismicity
Mining
Seismic energy
Seismic moment
Apparent stress
Seismic hazard
Seismic hazard mapping

abstract:
This thesis investigates the ability to forecast the occurrence of large events through
node-based hazard mapping at KGHM’s Morrison Mine located in Levack, ON. Nodebased
hazard maps function by pasting a heat-map onto a solid model of mine workings
to identify, visually, the areas that have experienced high levels of seismicity. The notion
within this research is that it is possible to forecast the occurrence of large seismic events
with a reasonable degree of effectiveness using a trailing period of 6-months and a
forecast period of the following 2-months. Using the following parameters, each hazard
map has been analyzed over three different forecast periods:
• Cumulative Seismic Energy
• Cumulative Seismic Moment
• Number of Events > Defined Magnitude
o M > 0
o M > -0.5
o M > -1
• Number of Events > Apparent Stress, 80th percentile
The forecast periods analyzed were April – June 2016, June – August 2016, and August –
October 2016 with a success rate (the number of events successfully forecasted) between
38% and 67% and false alarm rates (the number of denoted hazard areas that did not
experience large events in the forecast period) between 41% and 65%.

abstract: Master’s of Applied Science (M.A.Sc)  in Natural Resources Engineering


title: Effect of a simulated mine rescue on physiological variables and heat strain of mine rescue workers

subject:
mine rescue team
underground emergency
mine rescuers
metabolic workloads
heart rates
physical demands
energy expenditure
recovery time
heat illness
physiological responses
mine rescue tasks
members of a mine rescue team.

abstract:
Workplace Safety North (2015) reported 945 injuries related to mining in 2014 in
Ontario, requiring the deployment of 53 emergency response teams. These statistics demonstrate
the high risks of serious injury and fatality in the mining industry. Frequently occurring accidents
include: underground fires, falls-of-ground, mobile equipment collisions, exposure to harmful
environments, and falls from heights, which often require rescue (Government of Ontario,
2015b; Handbook of Training in Mine Rescue and Recovery Operations, 2014, Workplace Safety
North Injury Statistics, 2015; Stewart, McDonald, Hunt, & Parker, 2008). Therefore, Mine
operators rely on mine rescue teams, who have specialized skills in these issues, to save lives
during an underground emergency. Mine Rescuers regularly participate in training simulations, which require teams of five
to seven members, to solve a hypothetical rescue problem while timed and observed by judges
(Handbook of Training in Mine Rescue and Recovery Operations, 2014). Simulations typically
involve trapped miners who have to be found and rescued under challenging circumstances (T.
Hanley, personal communication, December 15, 2017). Mine rescuers carry heavy gear
(approximately 100lbs), including a metal stretcher, spare breathing apparatus, hydraulic
equipment, and first aid supplies; while wearing personal protective equipment (e.g. Selfcontained
breathing apparatus (SCBA), gloves, helmet, coveralls, boots etc.) (Handbook of
Training in Mine Rescue and Recovery Operations, 2014). Research studying mine rescue
participants demonstrate metabolic workloads between 400-700 Watts, with short bouts
exceeding 1000 Watts; and often have concurrent heart rates nearing 100% of estimated
maximum heart rate (HRmax estimated) (Stewart et al., 2008; Tomaskova, Jirak, Lvoncik, Buzga,
Zavadilova, & Trlicova, 2015). In addition to extreme physical demands, underground mine conditions are often characterized by temperatures exceeding 40 °C, as well as humidity
exceeding 60%, which can exacerbate physiological loads on the mine rescue worker (Kenny,
Vierula, Maté, Beaulieu, Hardcastle, & Reardon, 2012). However, research examining the
physical demands; energy expenditure, physical activity levels, and recovery time associated
with event specific mine rescue tasks are limited. Such that current literature does not identify
differences between positions, and records data primarily during circuit-type tasks, which allow
for more than adequate rest (unlike real conditions). The present study documented heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), energy expenditure
(EE), oxygen consumption (V̇ O2), core temperature (Tc), and skin temperature (Tskin) of mine
rescuers to produce descriptive statistics and determine vulnerability to heat illness’ (heat
exhaustion, crams, syncope, and stroke) during a simulated rescue emergency. The simulation
closely mimicked a real emergency because: rest was limited, participants lacked information
about the tasks, and the rescue was performed in an operational, underground mine; which
provided realistic physiological responses. Physiological responses were documented with a
heart-rate-variability (HRV), body-worn monitor, and a Tc ingestible capsule on each team
member, which included a Captain, Vice-Captain, #2person, #3person, and #4person. They
performed the following tasks: locating and performing first aid to an unconscious casualty (task
1); building a barricade to extinguish a fire (task 2); provide advanced first aid to a conscious
casualty (task 3); and carry the casualty up a steep ramp out of the mine (task 4).  The present work highlights the physiological differences between mine rescue tasks and members of a mine rescue team. Laborious tasks were more strenuous than casualty care, however all tasks required a vigorous effort as mean HR of the entire sample exceeded 70% ofthe age predicted maximum heart rate (%APMHR). Captains exhibited a lower physiological load in comparison to Vice-Captains, #2persons, #3persons, and #4persons during the simulated
emergency scenario. Captains also elicited lower Tc compared to other team members. Heat
strain was evidenced via an increase in mean Tc to 38.6 ºC; 14 participants (non-Captain)
registered a Tc above 39 ºC.
This research is expected to lead to an improved understanding of the physiological
challenges faced by Mine Rescuers. These physiological measures affect worker fatigue and risk
of heat stress, both of which increase the risk of injury, and are therefore essential to understand
in the development of prevention strategies.

abstract: Master in Human Kinetics (MHK)


title: XRD structural assessment of peridotitic garnet with anomalous REE distribution

subject:
peridotitic garnet
rare-earth element (REE) pattern

abstract:
This thesis explored, as its major aim, the crystallographic and compositional characteristics of a particular type of peridotitic garnet associated with kimberlite. This garnet has a highly sinusoidal rare-earth element (REE) pattern as its distinguishing feature. Before the main research question could be addressed, a technique had to be developed that enabled the rapid and straight-forward acquisition of a full profile digital X-ray diffractogram from a single sub-milligram crystal fragment. After extensive experimentation and testing, successful development and realization of a method that is capable of producing such data was achieved. The next step of this research project was to empirically investigate and assess the crystal lattice strain model (CLSM) of Blundy and Wood (1994). Careful analyses of the REE present in a suite of clinopyroxenes were compared to the crystal structure data given from the XRD technique outlined above. Clinopyroxene is particularly useful for such an assessment because the radius of the M2 site in this mineral is between the largest and smallest REE, making the distribution of REE particularly sensitive to variation of the M2 site, which in turn is a direct consequence of the overall pyroxene structure. Subsequent to illustrating that XRD data could be collected on such small material and the XRD data and structural data given from the CLSM correlate strongly, peridotitic garnets with sinusoidal REE patters were investigated. The conclusions drawn in the first two contributions – namely that it was possible to collect accurate and precise XRD data from sub-milligram specimens and that the crystal structure and REE distribution were directly related – were imperative for the deduction of conclusions in the final, major research question. The XRD analysis of many garnets with and without sinusoidal REE patterns showed the presence of a small amount of an additional phase in some of these garnets. While this phase (2 out of 3 peaks indexed as possibly orthorhombic perovskite) is not present in sufficient quantities to give rise to such a strong sinusoidal segment in the garnet REE pattern, it prompted the critical step forward in formulating a working hypothesis for the otherwise inexplicable REE patterns. Specifically, I posit that many of the sinusoidal garnets may originally have precipitated as a very high pressure phase (in the mantle transition zone or deeper) that subsequently underwent a subsolidus isochemical transformation to garnet. Possible original precursor mineralogy is a combination of two perovskites or a perovskite +
 iv
 garnet assemblage. Theoretical calculation using experimental partition coefficients demonstrated that a mixture of Ca-perovskite (CaPv) and Mg-perovskite (MgPv) REE patterns in the approximate proportions of 10% CaPv and 90% MgPv produce a REE diagram that is strikingly similar to those observed in sinusoidal single phase garnet. It has been shown experimentally that with increasing depth in the mantle, garnet plus a progressively increasing CaPv component is the stable mineral assemblage. Initial precipitation of two perovskites or CaPv + garnet as cumulates from a deep magma ocean would preserve the REE distribution of these minerals. Subsequent exhumation of such an assemblage would result in the retrogressive subsolidus phase transformation to a mineral stable at conditions of T and P of the shallow mantle environment, i.e. garnet, while retaining the REE pattern of the initial precipitate mineral assemblage. While this working hypothesis will require many more tests, its proposal may have significant implications for the mantle structure.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology


title: An exploration of accident/failure at attribution and the potential implications for future research in occupational health psychology with psychiatric nurses

subject:
Attribution Theory (AT)
occupational health psychology
psychiatric nursing
occupational health and safety
accident prevention

abstract:
The current review of the literature provides an overview of Attribution Theory (AT)
and the themes, trends and gaps that have emerged for this construct within the field of
occupational health psychology. AT is a widely published area of research and has
served as a theoretical framework to investigate how individuals interpret accidents
and their causes. Within this framework, researchers have investigated cognitive
biases such as the selfserving
bias, the false consensus effect, the actorobserver
bias,
the fundamental attribution error, the ultimate attribution error, Fischoff’s hindsight
bias, the hedonic relevance bias, the optimism bias, and defensive attribution theory.
Themes and trends of this review include subjective attribution tendencies, the types
of attributions and their relation to safety behaviours, controversies regarding the
assumptions of responsibility and the importance of accurate accident appraisals.
Current gaps in the literature include somewhat dated research and only partial use of
Weiner’s AT model (1985; 2010). In addition, there seems to be a paucity of research
on AT as it applies to occupations with a high prevalence of accidents such as
psychiatric nursing. The review further describes the extent to which the theory may
be useful for occupational health and safety, accident prevention and in psychiatric
nursing where practitioners face not only the common risks inherent to the profession
but also the significant and unique risks in mental health facilities such as patient
aggression and violence. This paper concludes by suggesting avenues of possible
research as it applies to this profession, methodological challenges and the
implications for future studies.

abstract: Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Interdisciplinary Health (INDH)


title: Computer-interpretable guidelines using GLIF with Windows workflow foundation

subject:
GLIF
Guideline Interchange Format

abstract:
Modern medicine is increasingly using evidence based medicine (EBM). EBM has
become an integral part of medical training and ultimately on practice. Davis et al. [6]
describe the “clinical care gap” where actual day-to-day clinical practice differs from
EBC, leading to poor outcomes.
This thesis researches the GLIF specification and implements the foundation for a GLIF
based guideline system using Windows Workflow Foundation 4.0. There exists no
public domain computer implementable guideline system. The guideline system
developed allows a guideline implementer to create a guideline visually using certain
medical related tasks, and to test and debug them before implementation.
Chapter 5 of this thesis shows how to implement a guideline called Group A
Streptococcal Disease Surveillance Protocol for Ontario Hospitals which is of
fundamental importance for Ontario hospitals.
The workflow approach allows developers to create custom tasks should the need arise.
The Workflow Foundation provides a powerful set of base classes to implement clinical
guidelines.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: The role of bile acids in overcoming resistance to chemotherapy

subject:
cancer therapy
acquired drug resistance
anthracycline
doxorubicin resistance
AKR1C3
AKR1B10
AKR enzymes
bile acids

abstract:
In the context of cancer therapy, resistance to chemotherapy agents is a serious threat to
patient welfare. In these circumstances, patients can either present with cancers that are naturally
resistant to conventional therapy, referred to as innate resistance, or with cancers that become
resistant following treatment, referred to as acquired resistance. In this thesis, we address the
phenomenon of acquired drug resistance, involving cell lines selected for resistance to the
anthracycline, doxorubicin. In the first study, we examined the role of the aldo-keto reductases
AKR1C3 and AKR1B10 in doxorubicin resistance, enzymes that can hydroxylate doxorubicin to
a less toxic form (doxorubicinol). Additionally, these enzymes can function to promote estrogen
biosynthesis from estrone, which can have significant effects on cell growth and survival. We
demonstrated in the first study that AKR1C3 and AKR1B10 are expressed at higher levels in
doxorubicin resistant MCF-7 cells than their isogenic control counterparts. This change in
expression correlated very well with increased estrogen synthesis. siRNA-mediated reduction in
AKR1C3 and/or AKR1B10 transcript expression had no major effect on doxorubicin resistance,
suggesting that these enzymes are not sufficient to mediate the doxorubicin resistance phenotype
and that other mechanisms of doxorubicin resistance exist in these cells. We did, however, note that a pharmacological inhibitor of AKR enzymes (a bile acid termed β-cholanic acid) was
effective in reversing doxorubicin resistance in doxorubicin-selected cell lines. This prompted a
second study to investigate the mechanism for this reversal. We observed that β-cholanic acid
strongly reduced doxorubicin resistance in cell lines that express the ABC transporter ABCC1,
including doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 breast tumour cells and H-69 lung cancer cells. Reversal
of doxorubicin resistance was also observed in HEK293 cells transfected with ABCC1
expression vectors. Subsequent experiments confirmed that β-cholanic acid and another bile acid that does not inhibit the aldo-keto reductases was able to inhibit ABCC1-mediate doxorubicin
efflux from tumour cells, thereby providing a mechanism for the reversal of doxorubicin
resistance. Bile acids thus represent an important new class of compounds that could prove
useful in improving the effectiveness of doxorubicin chemotherapy in cancer patients,
specifically in recurrent tumours overexpressing the ABCC1 transporter.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomolecular Sciences


title: Effects of nickel toxicity on seed germination and expression of genes associated with nickel resistance in Populus tremuloides

subject:
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Populus tremuloides
nickel toxicity
seed germination
gene expression
RT-qPCR

abstract:
Although Nickel is an essential nutrient for plant growth in low concentrations, its excessive
amounts in soil above threshold values can result in toxicity. The main objectives of the present
research were to determine the effects of different doses of nickel on a) trembling aspen
(Populus tremuloides) seed germination and b) gene expression. This study revealed that nickel
in agarose media even at a low dose inhibits seed germination. In soil however, only the highest
dose of 1, 600 mg of Ni per 1 kg of soil has detrimental effects on germination of P. tremuloides
seeds. P. tremuloides seedlings were resistant to 150 mg /kg, 400 mg /kg, and 800 mg /kg of Ni
doses in growth chamber screening tests. At high Ni dose of 1, 600 mg /kg, differential responses
were observed as Ni- resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible genotypes were identified.
Expression of the AT2G16800 gene was repressed with increasing nickel concentration and this
effect was most significant at the 800 mg/kg Ni dose. Surprisingly, the study also revealed that
the higher concentration of potassium nitrate without nickel (800 mg/kg and 1, 600 mg/kg)
induced a significant upregulation of the NAS3 and NRAMP4 genes.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: The effects of perceptual fluency, schema congruency, and sexuality on attribute ratings

subject:
Perceptual fluency
schema
sexuality
gender

abstract:
Previous literature on schema congruency has largely found that schema incongruence is
associated with less positive attribute ratings. However, one recent study found the opposite effects
where schema incongruence was associated with more positive ratings. A potential reason for their
opposing results was that this study analyzed the schema incongruent stimuli of “a sensitive man”
and “an assertive female” as one group and did not examine for differences according to gender;
however previous literature has stated that schemas are entrenched different according to gender. The
purpose of this study was to replicate this previous study that supported a positive affect for schema
incongruence to determine whether this potential gender confound was responsible for the
inconsistent results, while also looking to see if manipulating perceptual fluency (how easy
something is to read) could mitigate this negative impact, particularly for sexuality schemas.
Despite previous robust effects, fluency did not impact attribute ratings. We suggest that this
is potentially because the schemas for sexuality are too entrenched. Congruency did impact attribute
ratings, and in almost all cases individuals who were schema congruent for sexuality were rated as
more positive than those who were schema incongruent, suggesting that gender did play a role in
previous findings.


title: Trouble concomitant de stress post-traumatique et d'utilisation des substances chez les militaires canadiens francophones : perception du fonctionnement social au terme du traitement

subject:
trouble de stress post-traumatique
trouble d’utilisation de substances
trouble concomitant
fonctionnement social
rôles sociaux
militaires canadiens

abstract:
Cette recherche vise à explorer les effets des traitements du trouble de stress post-traumatique
(TSPT) et du trouble lié à l’utilisation de substance (TUS) chez les militaires canadiens
sur le fonctionnement social et plus spécifiquement sur l’exercice des rôles sociaux.
Puisque le trouble concomitant de TSPT-TUS entraîne des conséquences majeures sur le
plan du fonctionnement social, nous avons questionné des militaires traités pour un TSPT
et un TUS sur leurs capacités à répondre aux différents rôles sociaux au terme des traitements
reçus à la clinique de santé mentale du Centre de santé Valcartier. De plus, nous
cherchions à identifier, selon l’expérience de ces militaires, la contribution ou la non-contribution
des traitements obtenus sur l’exécution des rôles sociaux auprès des membres de
la famille immédiate et de la famille élargie, auprès du réseau social et au travail.
Pour ce faire, l’analyse qualitative exploratoire a été utilisée comme méthode d’analyse et
l’entrevue semi-structurée pour la collecte de données a été privilégiée. Nos résultats nous
ont permis de constater que, bien que les traitements semblent efficaces pour la réduction
des symptômes du TSPT-TUS, des difficultés significatives demeurent en ce qui concerne
l’exécution des rôles sociaux de conjoint, de parent et au travail.
L’analyse de nos résultats, par l’application du modèle écologique, nous a permis d’identifier
certaines limites des traitements visant la réduction des symptômes du TSPT-TUS.
L’application de ce modèle, dans le contexte du traitement du TSPT-TUS, nous permet
d’accéder à une perspective plus large des interventions psychosociales à intégrer qui pourrait
améliorer le fonctionnement social. Par ailleurs, nous avons pu mettre en lumière certains
facteurs associés à la socialisation (secondaire) des hommes, et particulièrement des
hommes militaires. Des facteurs qui, par ce qu’ils influencent l’exécution des rôles sociaux
des militaires atteints de TSPT-TUS, peuvent gagner à être considérés dans la prestation des
soins auprès de cette clientèle à la clinique de santé mentale du Centre de santé Valcartier.

abstract: Maîtrise en Service Social


title: Le rôle du raisonnement contrefactuel dans la compréhension de la dissimulation des émotions chez les enfants d'âge scolaire

subject:
Compréhension
Raisonnement contrefactuel
Dissimulation
Enfants d’âge scolaire

abstract:
L’objectif de ce projet est d’étudier la compréhension de la dissimulation des enfants
d’âge scolaire et le rôle du raisonnement contrefactuel dans cette compréhension. De façon
secondaire, l’effet de la valence de l’émotion et du sexe a été examiné. Le niveau de langage
réceptif a aussi été pris en considération dans les analyses. Sur le plan méthodologique, des
histoires dans lesquelles un personnage dissimule une émotion sont lues aux enfants et ils
doivent ensuite identifier l’émotion du personnage et répondre à une série de questions. Les
résultats indiquent qu’il n’y a pas de différence significative entre les deux groupes d’âges. En
somme, dès l’âge de 6 ans les enfants sont capable de raisonner de façon contrefactuelle par
rapport à la dissimulation et cette compréhension n’est pas influencée par le sexe de l’enfant ou
la valence de l’émotion qui est dissimulée.

abstract: Maîtrise des Arts en Développement humain


title: Interdisciplinary cardiovascular health research: quantitative methods, heliogeophysical influence, demographics, and spatial trends

subject:
cardiovascular health
multivariate statistics
signal processing
spatial statistics
public health
demographics
heart rate variability
generalized linear models
time series analysis
heliobiology
space weather
nonlinear models
solar activity
geomagnetic activity
arrhythmia
hypertension
myocardial infarction
socioeconomic determinants of health

abstract: The study of cardiovascular health involves myriad scientific disciplines associated with diverse factors that contribute to health which further necessitates interdisciplinary endeavors. The current series of studies concern cardiovascular health from multiple interdisciplinary perspectives including biomedical signal processing, heliobiology, and public health, with a particular focus on quantitative methods throughout. The first study examined heart rate variability (HRV) derived from healthy and arrhythmia human electrocardiograph records. Data processed using wavelet entropy was quantitatively novel compared to traditional indices of HRV and also demonstrated significant accuracy for prediction and classification of arrhythmia. Next, heliobiological perspectives of cardiovascular physiology were examined beginning with experimental verification of previous correlational results. Artificially simulated geomagnetic impulses were associated with significant increases in participant HRV, particularly for frequency-based components. An additional pilot case study demonstrated similar effects for natural geomagnetic storms, while a nonlinear relationship was observed overall for HRV and geomagnetic activity. National data regarding mortalities due to hypertensive diseases in Canada from 1979 to 2009 were aggregated and investigated for periodic components and relationships with space weather parameters. Time-lagged linear correlations were observed along with conspicuously overlapping temporal trends, for which geomagnetic activity and solar wind pressures were identified as central sources of variance. Finally, three ecological cross-sectional studies investigated sub-provincial cardiovascular concerns across Canada at the health region level with emphasis on demography and spatial statistics. Hospitalizations due to myocardial infarction demonstrated significant relationships with socioeconomic and behavioral factors as well as significant geospatial clustering of high rates in Northern Ontario and Quebec. Aggregate rates of self-reported hypertension were similarly related to income and demographics with spatial results demonstrating high rates clustered in the North Atlantic, particularly Newfoundland. Furthermore, analyses for hypertension specifically among older adult Canadians (≥ 65 years of age) suggested that education was the strongest contributor at the health region level and there were no significant spatial relationships, in contrast to age-standardized rates. Various implications and other relevant associations are discussed throughout.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Studies


title: The role of water clarity in structuring niche dimensions and overlap between smallmouth bass and walleye

subject:
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Northern Ontario
Water clarity

abstract:
Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) have experienced substantial range
expansions in northern Ontario over the past century, with adverse consequences for
native salmonid predators. It is unclear how climate-induced water clarity shifts will
affect interactions between native dark-adapted walleye (Sander virteus) and invading
smallmouth bass in northern Ontario. This study used stable isotopes of nitrogen
(15N/14N) and carbon (13C/12C) in fish muscle tissue to investigate how resource
partitioning between walleye and smallmouth bass is related to water clarity in 34 small
(100-200 ha) Boreal Shield lakes (ranging from 1 to 8.5 m Secchi depth, and from 3.2 to
13.1 mg/L DOC). Quantitative metrics of trophic niche dimensions (based on the size,
position, and dispersion of multivariate ellipses drawn around sampled individuals in
δ15N vs. δ13C biplot space) were calculated for each individual population and used to
determine trophic interactions and niche overlap between sympatric walleye and
smallmouth bass. Linear and multiple regressions were then used to explore potential
relationships between trophic interactions and water clarity. Available habitat and fish
assemblage data was also explored for potential influences on isotopic niche dimensions
and trophic interactions of walleye and smallmouth bass. Total occupied niche space
decreased significantly with increasing water clarity for smallmouth bass as populations
occupied a narrower range of trophic levels and made greater use of pelagic resources. In
contrast, walleye trophic niche dimensions did not respond significantly to water clarity.
Isotopic niche overlap ranged from 0 to 65%, but no metric of trophic overlap was
significantly related to water clarity. Other abiotic and biotic variables, however, did have
a significant influence on the similarity between some aspects of walleye and smallmouth
iv
bass isotopic niche dimensions (but not interaction). Both species fed on more
isotopically similar carbon sources as lakes became shallower, which may be a result of a
lack of distinct littoral and limnetic habitats. Walleye and smallmouth bass niche size also
became more similar with increasing DOC but this may be a result of lower prey
diversity. Both species also occupied more similar average food web positions as yellow
perch relative abundance increased, indicating that the exploitation of yellow perch by
both species increased with perch abundance. Together with other studies that have found
little evidence for an impact of smallmouth bass on walleye fitness and abundance, this
research suggests that, unlike salmonid and cyprinid species, walleye may be resilient
against smallmouth bass invasions regardless of water clarity conditions in oligotrophic
boreal lakes.

abstract: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biology


title: An analysis of quenching and extraction techniques for performing metabolomics in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

subject:
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Acid Mine Drainage
Metabolomics
Quenching
Extraction
Leakage
Cold Shock Phenomenon
Tandem Mass Spectrometry

abstract:
I present here a protocol for accurate liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry based determination of the metabolome of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. At. ferrooxidans metabolic processes contribute to the environmentally destructive process of acid mine drainage (AMD), and metabolomic profiling can offer insight into how At. ferrooxidans contributes to these processes. Metabolism must be stopped (quenched) instantaneously while limiting the amount of cell damage. I tested a wide variety of quenching solutions and found that ammonium formate was the most effective quenching solution. An accurate metabolomics analysis also requires extraction of as large a number of metabolites as possible, with as little chemical bias (in extraction or degradation) as possible. I tested a wide variety of extraction solutions and found that
isopropanol:methanol:water was the best extraction solution. Standardizing a protocol to quench and extract metabolites in At. ferrooxidans will contribute to understanding how At. ferrooxidans contributes to the AMD phenomenon.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences


title: Surveilling ‘stigma’: reading mental health literacy as a colonial text

subject:
mental illness
madness
nationalism
racism
classism
misogyny
white supremacy
colonialism
psychiatry
feminism

abstract: The recent circulation of ‘mental health literacy’ texts in mainstream North American media conceptualizes ‘mental illness’ in medicalized terms as a response to what is referred to as ‘stigma’. This paper examines the roots of psychiatry in white supremacy to investigate the visualized juxtaposition of a racialized ‘madness’ against a normalized ‘mental illness’. First I explore theoretically the concepts of madness and mental illness, the identity politics of both concepts, and how these are framed and distinguished in dominant discourses. Second, using critical discourse analysis I suggest how Marc Lepine and Vince Li’s acts of violence are attributed to the production of racialized madness in Canadian news media. I then examine how mental illness is normalized in campaign and documentary films. Reading mental health literacy media as a colonial text, this research finds that stigma is framed as a primitive social behaviour in order to reproduce colonial pathologies rooted in psychiatry.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Interdisciplinary Humanities


title: Molecular characterization of Deschampsia cespitosa populations from metal contaminated areas in Northern Ontario: nickel and copper toxicity.

subject:
Deschampsia cespitosa
Northern Ontario
Genetic variation
Metal contamination
ISSR markers
Metal toxicity
Cytology

abstract:
The main objectives of the present study were to 1) reassess the level of genetic variation in D. cespitosa populations from three regions contaminated or uncontaminated with metals in Northern Ontario; 2) determine the degree of toxicity of nickel and copper in D. cespitosa genotypes; and 3) investigate cytological damages caused by metals in D. cespitosa plants growing in Northern Ontario. An insignificant change in the overall percent of polymorphic loci in populations from Little Current and Cobalt Cart Lake was found. On the other hand, a significant decrease was seen in the Coniston/Wahnapitae and Cobalt Nipissing Tailings sites. The degree of genetic relatedness among the populations has increased, compared to data from the analysis of samples 16 years ago. This strengthens the earlier theory that Sudbury populations of D. cespitosa might be from the Cobalt region.
The degree of toxicity of nickel and copper in D. cespitosa was investigated under controlled conditions. It was found that copper is more toxic than nickel. Neither copper nor nickel caused damage to plants at low rates of 5.6 and 9.16 mg/kg respectively, corresponding to the bioavailable amounts. Higher dosages (1600 mg/kg) of nickel and (1312 mg/kg) copper equivalent to total elements in site, caused significant damages to plants.
Cytological analysis for D. cespitosa revealed significant mitotic disruption from long term exposure of roots to high levels of metal frequently manifested through aneuploidy in metal-contaminated sites when compared to the reference sites. All plants from contaminated areas exhibited varying degrees of mixoploidy compared to the reference sites. These high levels of mitotic abnormalities did not seem to affect D. cespitosa survival and growth in highly metal-contaminated sites.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Towards modeling heat transfer using a lattice boltzmann method for porous media

subject:
Boltzmann method
porous media
fluid flow model
heat transfer model
MATLAB software
LBM model

abstract:
I present in this thesis a fluid flow and heat transfer model for porous media using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). A computer simulation of this process has been developed and it is written using MATLAB software. The simulation code is based on a two dimensional model, D2Q9. Three physical experiments were designed to prove the simulation model through comparision with numerical results. In the experiments, physical properties of the air flow and the porous media were used as input for the computer model. The study results are not conclusive but show that the LBM model may become a reliable tool for the simulation of natural convection heat transfer in porous media.
Simulations leading to improved understanding of the processes of air flow and heat transfer in porous media may be important into improving the efficiency of methods of air heating or cooling by passing air through fragmented rock.

abstract: Master's Thesis


title: A preliminary study of blunt force trauma using a new computer-controlled impact device: an exploration of force and fracture type using domestic pig juvenile ribs (Sus scrofa domesticus)

subject:
Forensic science
Forensic anthropology
Blunt force trauma
Force
Fracture

abstract:
When studying bone trauma, many questions have to be answered such as identifying the type of
trauma, the timing and the force used to cause the injury. The latter is difficult to answer, as no
previous studies have been able to provide concrete data to determine the force. This study
focuses on blunt force trauma to the ribs using a hammerhead, and studying the potential
relationship between the type of fractures and the induced force. To do so, a newly constructed,
computer-controlled impact device was utilized to strike juvenile domestic pig ribs and record
the force at the moment of impact with an incorporated load cell. A total of 20 ribs were struck
perpendicular to the long axis of the rib on the external surface, inducing 21 fractures.
Transverse fractures were the most prevalent type observed. Upon examination of the applied
force, no significant differences in the force applied were found between all of the different
categories of fractures, with the exception of transverse and oblique groups with the nonfractured
group.


title: Characterization of secreted acid phosphatase activity of a streptomyces albus clinical isolate

subject:
Streptomyces albus
Tuberculosis
Vaccines
M. tuberculosis

abstract: Due to limitations in the efficacy of the current vaccines against Tuberculosis, there are efforts currently underway exploring the possibility of using the phylogenetically related Streptomycetes as heterologous vaccine vehicles against Tuberculosis. Ideal candidates for such a vaccine should be somewhat pathogenic and physiologically similar to M. tuberculosis so as to induce an immune response capable of targeting and inactivating this pathogen. Towards establishing such a physiological relatedness, previous work in our laboratory has established a similarity profile between M. tuberculosis and a clinical isolate of Streptomyces albus at the level of secreted enzymes. Amongst these was a strong secreted acid phosphatase activity. This work reports on the characterization of the secreted acid phosphatase activity in this clinical isolate of Streptomyces albus. In this work, two enzymes with sequence homology to those encoding a protein tyrosine phosphatase and an inorganic pyrophosphatase were purified from the culture supernatant of S. albus. The calculated molecular masses of these two putative phosphatases were approximately 18 and 30 kDa, respectively. The S. albus protein tyrosine phosphatase has 50% amino acid sequence identity to the protein tyrosine phosphatase of M. tuberculosis (gi|686037535). The inorganic pyrophosphatase has 68% amino acid sequence identity with M. tuberculosis inorganic pyrophosphatase (gi|625006479). Based on our knowledge of the role of acid phosphatases in pathogenic bacteria, presence of this activity in the supernatant of S. albus further supports the physiological relatedness of M. tuberculosis and S. albus and supports the proposition of using S. albus as a heterologous vaccine against Tuberculosis.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Evolution of the Sudbury igneous complex southern metamorphic aureole and controls on anatexis

subject:
contact metamorphism
LP-HT metamorphism
metabasalts
partial melting
anatexis
phase equilibria modelling
high-field-strength elements
Zr-Hf mobility
zircon
Sudbury Igneous Complex

abstract:
The South Range metamorphic aureole around the 1.85 Ga Sudbury Igneous Complex
(SIC) is spatiotemporally connected to the world-class ore deposits of the Sudbury
mining camp. Defining the physiochemical expression and understanding the evolution
of the metamorphic aureole are therefore of economic interest to mineral exploration
efforts. The importance of studying the SIC metamorphic aureole is highlighted by new
insights into low-P/high-T (LP-HT) metamorphism of basalts including, LP-HT mineral
assemblages, partial melting, melt mobilization, phase equilibria modelling of
metabasalts at relatively LP-HT conditions, element mobility during metamorphic
processes, and retrograde zircon formation with concurrent mobilization and fractionation
of Zr-Hf.  The South Range metamorphic aureole is best preserved in Paleoproterozoic Elsie
Mountain Formation (EMF) metabasalts that form a large proportion of the immediate
footwall to the SIC along its southern margin, which also includes the Murray and
Creighton granites. Mapping of the metamorphic aureole in the EMF metabasalts defines
3 metamorphic zones: 1) an up to ca. 500 m wide pyroxene-hornfels zone (PHZ)
extending from the SIC contact and characterized by a peak metamorphic mineral
assemblage of plagioclase-clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene-magnetite-ilmenite estimated to
reflect peak temperatures of ≥925 °C; 2) a pyroxene-granofels zone (PGZ) extending
from the PHZ and up to 750 m from the SIC contact characterized by a similar twopyroxene
assemblage, but typically with abundant retrograde high-Ti hornblende; 3) a
hornblende-hornfels zone (HHZ) extending from the PGZ and to at least 1000 m from the SIC contact characterized by a hornblende-plagioclase-quartz-ilmenite ± biotite ± magnetite assemblage indicating temperatures of up to 680 °C. Field evidence for partial
melting and melt mobilization in the EMF metabasalts consist of mainly macroscopic
leucocratic patches that locally coalesce. Microtextural evidence for partial melting
includes optical continuous quartz domains containing plagioclase and pyroxenes locally
with euhedral crystal faces, and relatively low-Ca plagioclase and quartz frameworks
around mainly relatively high-Ca plagioclase representing nucleation from a melt onto
existing crystals. Phase equilibria modelling using bulk rock compositions indicate that
partial melting resulted in 10-20% melt generation in the PHZ, and probably even higher
degrees of melting is recorded locally. Compared to the granites where partial melts have
been traced as dikes for hundreds of meters injecting back into the SIC, no backinjections
were documented to emanate from the EMF metabasalts. This indicates that
while a high-T metamorphic aureole developed in the metabasalts, the granites were
continuously experiencing high degrees of partial melting preventing the development of
a metamorphic aureole even some time after solidification of the SIC. Thus, the width of
the high-T contact aureole is wider in the EMF metabasalts than in the granites. This is
also true in a comparison to the contact aureole documented in the North Range Archean
gneisses. Furthermore, the estimated peak contact metamorphic temperatures in the EMF metabasalts are in better agreement with previous thermal models that required
substantial thermomechanical erosion (800 m) of North Range footwall rocks to match
the width of the observed contact aureole. Thus, the process of thermomechanical erosion
might have been less significant in the EMF basalts and perhaps other mafic lithologies.
Trace element geochemistry of the EMF metabasalts successfully permits a
subdivision of the PHZ into Hornfels A and B zones. The Hornfels A zone defines the
metabasalts are in better agreement with previous thermal models that required
substantial thermomechanical erosion (800 m) of North Range footwall rocks to match
the width of the observed contact aureole. Thus, the process of thermomechanical erosion
might have been less significant in the EMF basalts and perhaps other mafic lithologies.
Trace element geochemistry of the EMF metabasalts successfully permits a
subdivision of the PHZ into Hornfels A and B zones. The Hornfels A zone defines the
inner most ca. 250 m, and is characterized by metabasalts that generally show relative
depletion in LILE, REE and HFSE. Thus, trace element systematics in the EMF
metabasalts of the Hornfels A zone accentuates the potential for metamorphic processes
including devolatilization reactions and partial melting to severely mobilizing not only
relatively easy mobilized elements, e.g., LILE, but also the relatively immobile HFSE.
Thus, the trace element systematics has the potential to identify high-T parts of the
metamorphic aureole where the micro- and macroscopic petrographic evidence has
subsequently experienced obliteration by tectonometamorphic events. The defining
geochemical characteristic of Hornfels A samples is a pronounced negative Zr-Hf
anomaly (Zr/Zr* < 0.67) that is associated with sub-chondritic Zr/Hf values. Furthermore,
zircon with uncharacteristic textures forming poikilitic, branching, and interstitial
networks are observed exclusively in Hornfels A samples, and yield an U-Pb age of 1850
± 24 Ma. The zircon textures, age, relation to high-T mineral assemblage, and chemistry
suggests crystallization from trapped melt films during retrograde cooling. In
combination with the whole rock trace element geochemistry these observations provides
strong circumstantial evidence that Zr-Hf was mobilized in silicate melts, and that a 250
m zone from the SIC contact experienced melt segregation. Important to mineral exploration efforts is the observation that the width
of the contact aureole in the EMF basalts appear to correlate with the thickness of the SIC
that is thought to have a primary control on the location of contact deposits. Also, the
width of the high-T contact aureole might provide a limiting factor for the extent to
which low-S Cu-PGE rich mineralization can penetrate into the footwall.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology


title: Phytoavailability, mobility, and solid-phase speciation of antimony (Sb) and lead (Pb) in brunisolic soils surrounding a Pb-Zn smelting complex, Trail, British Columbia, Canada

subject:
Trail
British Columbia
Antimony
Lead
Smelter
Emissions
Sequential extraction
Soils
Mobile
Phytoavailable
Rosiaite
Anglesite
metal oxide

abstract:
Smelting activities in the Trail, British Columbia region since the late 1890’s has emitted
metal(loid) contamination in the region (Pb, Zn, Cu, As, and Cd). The objective of this study
was to determine the potential availability, mobility and operationally defined speciation of Sb
and Pb in contaminated soils. Total Sb and Pb are strongly enriched in surface horizons in the
profile (maximum of 737 and 26 376 mg kg-1), with concentrations decreasing with depth.
Sequential extractions on soils indicate an enrichment of Sb in the operationally-defined residual
> reducible > oxidizable > easily extractable fractions (< below detection limits), whereas Pb
shows residual > oxidizable > reducible > easily extractable fractions. Electron optical and
microchemical analysis of selected magnetic grains from LFH horizons indicate the
anthropogenically derived Sb- and Pb particles to be present as discrete oxide- and sulfide/sulfate
particles. The mineralogical and morphological nature of Sb- and Pb- particulate matter is
diverse, ranging from angular massive Sn- bearing Sb- Pb oxides, euhedral and subrounded Sboxides,
and Pb-sulfides and sulfates. These results indicate that, although soils are highly
enriched in Sb and Pb relative to soil quality guidelines, minimal biological uptake and mobility
should exist for both elements.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Geology


title: Uncovering the therapeutic potential of Uncaria tomentosa using B16-BL6 mouse melanoma and 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells

subject:
Uncaria tomentosa extracts
4T1 breast cancer cells
B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells
anticancer
apoptosis

abstract:
Uncaria tomentosa (Rubiaceae), a medicinal plant native to Peru, has been
traditionally used for centuries as a treatment for a wide variety of diseases, as well as to
maintain health. It grows primarily in the Amazon rainforest and throughout South and
Central America. U. tomentosa extracts have been demonstrated to have anti-oxidant,
anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The goal of this study was to
examine Uncaria tomentosa in both in vitro and in vivo models in order to evaluate its
potential anti-cancer activity using the B16-BL6 mouse melanoma and 4T1 mouse breast
cancer cell lines. Both ethanol and PBS extracts of U. tomentosa were prepared and used
to measure the effects on cell growth and survival using several different methodologies.
Treatment of cells with ethanol extracts was much more effective at inhibiting cancer cell
growth than treatment with PBS extracts in vitro, but no significant differences in the
cancer inhibitory effects were observed in vivo. The in vitro experiments showed that
treatment with the U. tomentosa extract significantly inhibited the growth of both B16-
BL6 and 4T1 cell lines. It also inhibited the expression of the Ki-67 proliferation marker and promoted cell death as measured by increased DNA fragmentation using TUNEL
assays in cancer cells. Treatment with the ethanol extract of U. tomentosa caused a
significant increase in the fraction of apoptotic cells in flow cytometry (i.e. sub G1
peaks). Furthermore, two animal experiments were performed in order to evaluate the
effect of U. tomentosa treatment on B16-BL6 cells in C57BL/6 mice. The results of the in
vivo experiments concluded that treatment with U. tomentosa reduced tumour weight and
tumour size. Histochemical analysis of the B16-BL6 tumours showed a strong reduction
in the Ki-67 cell proliferation marker and a small but not significant increase in DNA  fragmentation in U. tomentosa-treated mice compared to the control. Further, U.
tomentosa extracts reduced staining for Factor VIII, a marker for endothelial cells,
indicating a decrease in angiogenesis in treated mice. Since U. tomentosa has been shown
to affect immune system function, the infiltration of several different immune cells into
the tumour was examined. No significant differences in the number of infiltrating T cells
(including T helper and cytotoxic T cells), B cells, or platelets were found between the
treated groups and the control. Collectively, the results in this study concluded that U.
tomentosa has potent anticancer activity that significantly inhibited cancer cell growth
both in vitro and in vivo. The discovery of new medicinal plants that are effective against
cancer cells may provide a strategy to develop cancer therapy and requires more
attention.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomolecular Sciences


title: A generalized electronic diabatic model applied to two-state reactions.

subject:
Diabatic functions
Potential energy surfaces
External fields
Semi-classical models

abstract: A generalized electronic diabatic model for chemical reactions includes a physical mechanism for the transition from a reactant-like to a product-like quantum state, namely, an external field. In our model, an external electric field couples states and modifies effective potential energy surfaces thereby allowing to treat a reaction as a fully quantum process. Through semi-classical models of two-state reactions, we show that we can control the identity of the most stable nuclear configuration by varying the form and intensity of the external field’s coupling potential. We group topologically equivalent potential energy curves in phase diagrams for a manifold of simple two-state models. We also illustrate the method’s implementation in a fully quantum-mechanical approach by considering two diabatic states in the radical HBN⇄BNH isomerization. To ensure diabaticity, these states are built on a grid of floating Gaussian orbitals and the potential energy curves are constructed by moving the nuclei.

abstract: Master's Theses