title: Electronic Medical Records Interface Design Considerations for Improving Outcomes for Diabetes Management in Primary Care: A Usability Study

contributor:
Archer, Norman P.
Ann McKibbon, Milena Head, Karl Langton
Ann McKibbon, Milena Head, Karl Langton
Business Administration

subject:
Diabetes
Electronic medical records (EMRs)
Family Physician
Primary Care
Usability
Workflow
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract:
Efficient strategies for diabetes management in primary care provide avenues through which the disease may be monitored and controlled, but systems and processes must be more than adequate. The use of Electronic Medical Record systems (EMRs) assist healthcare providers in delivering quality care to patients to help better manage chronic conditions, and integrate services throughout the healthcare system so that relevant chronic disease programs may be made available to individuals and communities. Usability issues have often been blamed for poor EMR adoption rates, underutilization of systems, endangerment of patient health and inadequacies in providing positive health outcomes for patients while improving the quality of chronic disease management.

This thesis investigates the use of EMRs in managing diabetes within primary care, and evaluates their usability and its effects in managing diabetes in patients, with special reference to patient safety, healthcare provider workflow and adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).

Existing evidence emphasizing the management of diabetes and the role of the EMR in primary care is presented, while three levels of usability and several usability guidelines are identified and investigated. Data gathered from the local environment, show the relationships between EMR usability, patient safety, clinician workflow and adherence to CPGs in managing diabetes, and three models of EMR usability are suggested.

The primary proposition for this study is that EMRs provide promise in helping to control diabetes in patients. However EMR usability may present significant hindrances in maximizing outcomes for individuals and in providing support programs and services to communities.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The Biological Effects of PET Scans with 18F-FDG in Mice

contributor:
Boreham, Douglas
Medical Physics

subject:
radiation
diagnostic imaging
PET
Trp53 mice
18F-FDG
cancer risk

abstract:
This research addresses low dose ionizing radiation exposure and risk. While it is well understood that high doses of radiation lead to deleterious health effects, there is controversy surrounding the definitive level of risk associated with exposure to low doses of radiation. These types of low level exposures are relevant to patients undergoing medical imaging procedures. This thesis considers the health effects associated with nuclear medicine, specifically positron emission tomography (PET), with the radiopharmaceutical 2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG). These effects were studied in mice to eliminate the high degree of variability among human patients.

The early response to various injection activities of 18F-FDG was first considered in terms of the DNA damage response in the haematopoietic cells of wild-type Trp53+/+ mice. The late effects of PET scans with clinically relevant doses of 18F-FDG, such as carcinogenesis, were evaluated in cancer prone Trp53+/- mice. The role of p53 in the response to low dose radiation was also investigated to explore how short term responses correlate with p53-mediated cancer risk. This work has helped to advance the understanding of low dose radiation biology and the health risks associated with medical imaging procedures.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: STRUCTURAL INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLES OF SEQA ON ORIGIN SEQUESTRATION AND CHROMOSOME ORGANIZATION

contributor:
Guarne, Alba
Justin Nodwell, Yingfu Li
Justin Nodwell, Yingfu Li
Biochemistry

subject:
E. coli DNA replication
negative regulator
DNA binding protein
SeqA
chromosome organization
Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Biochemistry

abstract: DNA replication is a fundamental process that must be precisely regulated to ensure timely and faithful transmission of genetic material for proliferation of all organisms. Replication initiation is regulated through a series of precisely timed protein–DNA and protein–protein interactions. In Escherichia coli, one regulatory mechanism of replication initiation occurs through SeqA binding to specific sequences within the oriC, resulting in origin sequestration. SeqA also plays a role in chromosome organization at the replication forks. Despite the functional importance of SeqA in E. coli, its DNA binding mechanism has remained elusive. The work described in this thesis has shown for the first time the minimal functional unit of SeqA that forms a high-affinity complex with DNA through the loss of symmetry. This is a novel observation that explains how SeqA can distinguish template versus newly replicated strand of DNA. We have also identified a protein–protein interaction surface that separates the roles of SeqA at the origin in sequestration and at the replication forks in chromosome organization. The final contribution of the thesis is in the exploration of SeqA functions in other bacterial species and demonstrating the structural and functional similarities between Vibrio cholerae SeqA and E. coli SeqA. Together our work has made a crucial connection between the structural organization of the protein and its functional ability to bind DNA.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Adiponectin Receptor 1 and Liver Kinase B1 are Downregulated in Renal Cell Carcinoma

contributor: Medical Sciences (Blood and Cardiovascular)

subject: AdipoR1

subject: LKB1

subject: RCC

subject: Medical Genetics

subject: Medical Genetics

abstract:
Obesity is the latest epidemic of the 21st century. Indeed, numerous studies have associated obesity with an increased risk of developing several health conditions, including cancer. Moreover, modest increases in body mass index increase the risk of developing cancer, especially cancer of the kidney. Although the mechanism mediating this increased risk is unknown, the plasma level of adiponectin is known to be inversely correlated with body weight and risk of developing kidney cancer.

Tumour suppression via adiponectin is believed to be mediated through adiponectin receptor-1, which activates AMPK by LKB1 and suppresses pathways upregulated in cancer by inhibiting mTOR. Consistent with the anti-tumourigenic properties of this pathway, several cancers display reduced AdipoR1 and LKB1 expression and/or increased mTOR activity. In this study we identified reduced AdipoR1 and LKB1 protein expression in patients’ renal cell carcinomas and quantified the reduction in LKB1, on tissue microarrays containing 201 RCC patients, to be significant.

Targeted knockdown of LKB1 in CRL-1932 cells (shLKB1) was accompanied by a reduction in AdipoR1, and recapitulated our observations in RCC tumours. These shLKB1 cells were unable to execute established events of adiponectin-AMPK signalling and, presented increased proliferation and invasion abilities in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that a reduced plasma level of adiponectin coupled with a downregulation of AdipoR1 and LKB1 expression, disrupts the tumour-suppressive adiponectin-AMPK signalling pathway, and rationalizes the association of obesity with the development of RCC.

abstract: Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS)


title: An Investigation of the Effects of Energy Conservation and Motivation on Self-Regulation Strength Depletion

contributor:
Bray, Steven
Kinesiology

subject:
Self-Regulation
Self-Control
Motivation
Conservation
Energy
Self-Control Strength
Other Psychology
Other Psychology

abstract: Baumeister and colleagues’ (1998) limited strength model of self-regulation was used as a framework to investigate the independent and combined effects of motivation and conservation on self-control strength depletion. Volunteer university students (N = 72; 23 males and 49 females) participated in the study. Participants completed two maximum endurance isometric handgrip trials separated by the Stroop colour word interference task. Participants were randomized to either a conservation or no-conservation condition before completion of the Stroop task. After performing the Stroop task the participants were then further separated into an autonomy support condition or a no autonomy support condition. It was hypothesized that participants (1) who were provided with autonomy support would perform better on the second endurance trial and report higher feelings of autonomous regulation, (2) who were in the conservation condition would perform worse on the Stroop task and better on the second endurance trial, and (3) who were provided with autonomy support and were in the conservation condition would perform the best on the second endurance trial, while those who were not provided autonomy support and did not conserve were predicted to perform the worst of any group on the second endurance trial. Autonomy support was associated with better performance on the second endurance trial but not greater feelings of autonomous regulation. Conservation was associated with poorer performance on the Stroop task, but not superior performance on the second endurance trial. There was no evidence supporting the combined effects of autonomy support and conservation. Findings support conclusions that people conserve self-control strength when anticipating future strength depletion and autonomy support helps people cope with self-control strength depletion and deliver superior performance on a muscular endurance task.

abstract: Master of Science in Kinesiology


title: STATISTICAL METHODS FOR VARIABLE SELECTION IN THE CONTEXT OF HIGH-DIMENSIONAL DATA: LASSO AND EXTENSIONS

contributor: Narayanaswamy Balakrishnan,  Aaron Childs

subject:
Lasso
High-Dimensional
Penalized Variable Selection Methods
Applied Statistics
Biostatistics
Statistical Models
Applied Statistics

abstract: With the advance of technology, the collection and storage of data has become routine. Huge amount of data are increasingly produced from biological experiments. the advent of DNA microarray technologies has enabled scientists to measure expressions of tens of thousands of genes simultaneously. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are being used in genetic association with a wide range of phenotypes, for example, complex diseases. These high-dimensional problems are becoming more and more common. The "large p, small n" problem, in which there are more variables than samples, currently a challenge that many statisticians face. The penalized variable selection method is an effective method to deal with "large p, small n" problem. In particular, The Lasso (least absolute selection and shrinkage operator) proposed by Tibshirani has become an effective method to deal with this type of problem. the Lasso works well for the covariates which can be treated individually. When the covariates are grouped, it does not work well. Elastic net, group lasso, group MCP and group bridge are extensions of the Lasso. Group lasso enforces sparsity at the group level, rather than at the level of the individual covariates. Group bridge, group MCP produces sparse solutions both at the group level and at the level of the individual covariates within a group. Our simulation study shows that the group lasso forces complete grouping, group MCP encourages grouping to a rather slight extent, and group bridge is somewhere in between. If one expects that the proportion of nonzero group members to be greater than one-half, group lasso maybe a good choice; otherwise group MCP would be preferred. If one expects this proportion to be close to one-half, one may wish to use group bridge. A real data analysis example is also conducted for genetic variation (SNPs) data to find out the associations between SNPs and West Nile disease.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: MATERNAL VITAMIN D STATUS DURING PREGNANCY AS A PREDICTOR OF OFFSPRING BONE MASS AT THREE YEARS OF AGE

contributor:
Atkinson, S.A.
Medical Sciences

subject: vitamin D

subject: bone

subject: pregnancy

subject: developmental origins of health and disease

subject: nutrition

subject: maternal determinants of offspring health

subject: Medicine and Health Sciences

subject: Medicine and Health Sciences

abstract: Emerging evidence indicates that in utero exposure to vitamin D metabolites may influence fetal and neonatal bone development. Bone accretion in prenatal and early postnatal life may impact peak bone mass achieved in early adolescence; and peak bone mass is a well-established predictor of osteoporosis risk in later life. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that offspring of mothers with higher serum vitamin D status during pregnancy will have higher whole body BMC z-score and bone size at 3 years of age, after adjustment for confounders. Methods: In a prospective, longitudinal study, 372 mothers with singleton birth were recruited during pregnancy, and maternal blood samples were obtained during the third trimester. Child bone outcome measures at 3 years of age included: whole body BMC, femoral and humeral lengths by DXA. We controlled for other relevant factors such as maternal nutrition, pre-pregnancy BMI, physical activity during pregnancy, maternal BMD, as well as the child’s nutrition at 6 months and 3 years, and the child’s physical activity. Results & Discussion: Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy did not predict whole body BMC z-score of the child at 3 years of age. Over 92% of Canadian women in our sample were vitamin D sufficient with mean intakes of 435 IU/day from food and supplements and mean serum 25OHD of 111.2 nM. Further, data indicate a potential negative effect on offspring bone size at maternal serum 25OHD concentrations that exceed the upper limit suggested by the most recent DRI report (>125 nM), at which adverse health effects may occur. Our findings may differ from previous studies in the United Kingdom, India and Finland that found a positive relationship between maternal vitamin D status and child bone outcomes due to the high frequency of our mothers that had optimal vitamin D status. In addition, we adjusted for most of the key covariates that were not adjusted for in previous studies, which may contribute to the different findings compared to previous investigations.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: REGULATION OF PRIMARY T CELL RESPONSES TO INTRACELLULAR INFECTION IN THE LUNG

contributor:
Xing, Zhou
Fiona Smaill, Yonghong Wan
Fiona Smaill, Yonghong Wan
Health Sciences

subject:
lung
infection
T cell
priming
influenza
Tuberculosis
Medical Immunology
Medical Pathology
Medical Immunology

abstract:
Pulmonary infections caused by viruses, bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi, are a leading cause of death world-wide. Intracellular pathogens such as influenza virus and M.tb live inside host cells, making it difficult for the host to eliminate the pathogen. Adaptive T cell immune responses are required to clear intracellular pathogens. Rapid T cell priming and recruitment of effector T cells to the lung is critical to eliminating the pathogen and ultimately host survival, however, unchecked T cell responses can be detrimental. The research in this thesis examines T cell priming during pulmonary intracellular infections and examines the consequences of impaired/enhanced T cell responses at the lung mucosa.

M.tb, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis evades detection by the host and delays T cell priming. This delay is believed to allow M.tb to establish chronic infection. We show that DAP12 deficient mice prime T cell responses days sooner than wt controls, resulting in enhanced control of virulent M.tb. Enhanced T cell priming in DAP12 deficient mice is due to increased antigen presentation by professional antigen presenting cells in the local draining lymph nodes. These findings indicate that accelerating antigen presentation in the lymph node and T cell priming can dramatically improve host resistance to tuberculosis infection.

Influenza infection in DAP12 deficient hosts also results in enhanced T cell activation however caused lethal lung pathology. We identified a previously unidentified role for CD4 T cells expressing FasL causing immunopathology. Furthermore, we show that DAP12 deficient antigen presenting cells are responsible for priming hyperactivated CD4 T cells and contribute to influenza mortality.

Because T cell responses are so important in host defence against intracellular infection we examined the feasibility of using ex-vivo manipulated antigen presenting cells as a vaccine to generate T cell responses in the lung. Collectively these findings shed light on the factors which regulate host immune responses in the lung following intracellular infection and provide evidence that antigen presenting cells can be manipulated ex-vivo to elicit protective immune responses at the lung mucosa.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Some applications of self-affine sets to wavelet theory

contributor:
Gabardo, Jean-Pierre
Stanley Alama and Walter Craig
Stanley Alama and Walter Craig
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
self-affine sets
wavelet sets
scaling sets
Harmonic Analysis and Representation
Harmonic Analysis and Representation

abstract: In this thesis, we study several applications of self-affine sets to wavelet theory. Five major topics are considered here: wavelet sets (scaling sets), multiwavelet sets (generalized scaling sets), self-affine tiles, integral self-affine multi-tiles, self-affine sets. We divide the thesis into six chapters to discuss these topics. In Chapter 1, the dimension function of a self-affine generalized scaling set associated with an $n\times n$ integral expansive dilation $A$ is studied. More specifically, we consider the dimension function of an $A$-dilation generalized scaling set $K$ assuming that $K$ is a self-affine tile satisfying $BK=(K+d_1)\bigcup(K+d_2)$, where $B=A^t$ and $A$ is an $n\times n$ integral expansive matrix with $\lvert \det A\rvert=2$. We show that it must be a constant in dimension $n=1$ or $2$ and it is bounded by $2\lvert K\rvert$ for any $n$. This result shows that all $A$-dilation self-affine scaling sets must be $A$-dilation MRA scaling sets in dimensions one and two. There exist results on the connection between the theory of wavelets and the theory of integral self-affine tiles and in particular, on the construction of wavelet bases using integral self-affine tiles. However, there are many non-integral self-affine tiles which can also yield wavelet basis. In Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, we give a complete characterization of all two dimensional $A$-dilation scaling sets $K$ such that $K$ is a self-affine tile satisfying $BK=(K+d_1)\bigcup (K+d_2)$ for some $d_1, d_2\in\mathbb{R}^2$, where $A$ is an $n\times n$ integral expansive matrix with $\lvert \det A\rvert=2$. In Chapter 2, we deal with a particular case where $0\in\{d_1,d_2\}$, i.e. a self-affine tile $K$ satisfies $BK=K\bigcup (K+d)$ for some $d\in\mathbb{R}^2$. Chapter 3 is devoted to the general case with $d_1, d_2\in\mathbb{R}^2$. Moreover, we give a sufficient condition for a self-affine tile, possibly non-integral, to be an MRA scaling set in Chapter 3. Gabardo and Yu first considered using integral self-affine tiles in the Fourier domain to construct wavelet sets and they produced a class of compact wavelet sets with certain self-similarity properties. In Chapter 4, we generalize their results to the integral self-affine multi-tiles setting. We characterize some analytic properties of integral self-affine multi-tiles under certain conditions. We also consider the problem of constructing (multi)wavelet sets using integral self-affine multi-tiles. Suppose that a measurable $\mathbb{Z}^n$-tiling set $K\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ is an integral self-affine multi-tile associated with an $n\times n$ integral expansive matrix $B$. To our knowledge, no one considered how to represent an integral self-affine $\mathbb{Z}^n$-tiling set as the disjoint union of prototiles. In Chapter 5, we provide an algorithm to decompose $K$ into disjoint pieces $K_j$ which satisfy $K=\displaystyle\bigcup K_j$ such that the collection of the sets $K_j$ is an integral self-affine collection associated with matrix $B$ and the number of pieces $K_j$ is minimal. Using this algorithm, we can determine whether a given measurable $\mathbb{Z}^n$-tiling set $K\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ is an integral self-affine multi-tile associated with any given $n\times n$ integral expansive matrix $B$. Furthermore, the minimal decomposition we provide is unique. Let $B$ be an $n\times n$ real expanding matrix and $\mathcal{D}$ be a finite subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$. The self-affine set $K=K(B,\mathcal{D})$ is the unique compact set satisfying the set equation $BK=\displaystyle\bigcup_{d\in\mathcal{D}}(K+d)$. In Chapter 6, we not only consider the problem how to compute the Lebesgue measure of self-affine sets $K(B,\mathcal{D})$, but also consider the Hausdorff measure for those with zero Lebesgue measure under the assumption that $K(B,\mathcal{D})$ is a self-similar set. In the case where $\text{card}(\mathcal{D})=\lvert\det B\rvert,$ we relate the Lebesgue measure of $K(B,\mathcal{D})$ to the upper Beurling density of the associated measure $\mu=\lim\limits_{s\to\infty}\sum\limits_{\ell_0,\dotsc,\ell_{s-1}\in\mathcal{D}}\delta_{\ell_0+B\ell_1+\dotsb+B^{s-1}\ell_{s-1}}.$ If, on the other hand, $\text{card}(\mathcal{D})<\lvert\det B\rvert$ and $B$ is a similarity matrix, we relate the Hausdorff measure $\mathcal{H}^s(K)$, where $s$ is the similarity dimension of $K$, to a corresponding notion of upper density for the measure $\mu$.

abstract: Doctor of Science  (PhD)


title: POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF NMDA RECEPTOR SUBUNIT MRNA IN AUDITORY BRAINSTEM OF RAT

contributor:
Gillespie, Deda
Foster, Jane
Neuroscience

subject:
auditory brainstem
NMDA receptor
superior olivary complex
Developmental Neuroscience
Developmental Neuroscience

abstract:
The superior olivary complex (SOC) is comprised of nuclei involved in sound localization. To compute interaural sound level differences, lateral superior olive (LSO) neurons integrate converging glutamatergic inputs from the cochlear nucleus with glycinergic inputs from the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). To compute interaural timing differences, the medial superior olive (MSO) integrates converging glutamatergic inputs from the ipsilateral and contralateral cochlear nucleus. The MSO also receives a major inhibitory input from the MNTB. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are thought to play a role in the developmental refinement of these auditory brainstem pathways. The GluN2A and GluN2B NMDAR subunits confer widely different properties on NMDARs, substantially affecting plasticity. We assessed postnatal developmental messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B subunits in the LSO, MSO and MNTB using quantitative in-situ hybridization in tissue from 10 litters, ages postnatal day 1 to 36 (P1-36).

GluN1 mRNA expression in the LSO, MSO and MNTB decreased with age. In all three nuclei, GluN2B mRNA expression was highest during the first postnatal week, dropping to low levels thereafter. In the LSO, GluN2A levels increased, then decreased to moderate levels. In the MNTB, GluN2A levels decreased from initially high levels. In the MSO, GluN2A levels increased to intermediate levels. The GluN2A/2B ratio increased 2-fold between P1 and P8 in the MNTB, whereas the ratio increased 3-fold between P8 and P15 in the LSO and MSO. The changes in GluN2A:GluN2B ratio are consistent with a developmental switch from GluN2B-containing NMDARs to GluN2A-containing NMDARs. These results are consistent with prior electrophysiological experiments that show NMDAR-mediated currents declining with age in the aVCN-MNTB, aVCN-LSO and MNTB-LSO pathways. The GluN2A subunit exhibited different developmental expression patterns in MNTB, LSO and MNTB, which suggests that GluN2A mRNA expression is locally regulated between nuclei, whereas GluN2B may be globally regulated.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Reactions of Phthalide Ortho Esters with Dienophiles: Synthesis of Naphthalenes and Homoquinones

contributor:
MacLean, D. B.
Chemistry

subject: Chemistry Chemistry

abstract:
A new reaction between phthalide ortho esters with a series of dienophiles has been studied. It was found that treatment of 1,1-diethoxyphthalan or 5,6-dimethoxy-1,1-diethoxyphthalan with activated acetylenes yielded tetrasubstituted naphthalenes. Reaction of 1,1-diethoxyphthalan with diethyl maleate afforded a mixture of enol ethers and a trisubstituted naphthalene. The enol ethers were converted into a disubstituted naphthol under acidic conditions. Treatment of phthalide ortho esters with 1,4-benzoquinone or 1,4-napththoquinone gave p-homoquinones instead of the expected linear tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic compounds.

The formation of the compounds derived from the reaction of phthalide ortho esters with dienophiles has been rationalized in terms of a mechanism that involves l-ethoxyisobenzofurans as intermediates.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: DETERMINATION OF DECHLORANE PLUS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

contributor:
McCarry, B.
Britz-McKibbin, Philip
Reiner, E.
Chemistry and Chemical Biology

subject:
Dechlorane Plus
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Physical Sciences and Mathematics

abstract:
Dechlorane Plus (DP) is a chlorinated flame retardant used in wire coatings, furniture and hard plastic connectors in computer monitors. It is manufactured in high volumes with production facilities located in the United States and China bringing into question whether the flame retardant existed in the environment. DP was detected in Lake Ontario sediments at concentrations 60-fold greater than in Lake Erie sediments; the maximum values were 586 ng g-1 and 8.6 ng g-1, respectively. These data suggest there is DP source into the Niagara River, which contributed to Lake Ontario’s DP burden. Analyses of Lake Ontario sediment core slices showed that recent concentrations were two orders of magnitude less than the core’s maximum concentration of 920 ng g-1 (1976-1980). New chemicals related to DP were also found in this core which DP’s profile, suggesting these compounds maybe impurities or side products in the manufacture of DP. The concentrations of one of the mono Diels-Alder adducts, 1,3-DPMA, was found in Lake Ontario lake trout to be two orders of magnitude greater than that of DP, suggesting the monoadduct is more bioaccumulative than DP. Analysis of a Lake Ontario food web illustrated that 1,3-DPMA was being diluted up the food chain, much like DP, while a second monoadduct, 1,5-DPMA was only detected in lower trophic species. In vitro lake trout liver microsomal exposures to the individual DPMA isomers showed that the depletion rate constant for 1,3- and 1,5-DPMA were 0.34 and 0.84 h-1, respectively, with corresponding t1/2’s of 2.02 ± 0.50 and 0.83 ± 0.18 h, respectively. The shorter 1,5-DPMA half-life was ascribed to the unsterically hindered double bond which allowed for greater enzyme attack.

Dechlorination of DP was observed during the analysis of sediment extracts and was attributed as being an artefact of dirty injector liners; care needs to be taken to insure this dechlorination does not occur during analysis of environmental samples. This was important as dechlorinated DP products were observed in Lake Ontario sediment and core extracts.

DP was shown to be a worldwide airborne contaminant from analysis of passive samplers over a period of one year. The maximum concentration was detected in Delhi, India (226 pg m-3). Middle Eastern and Indo-Asian regions exhibited the greatest concentrations in the world providing likely the result of other DP manufactures and/or that the practice of open pit burning of wires and cables was adding to the regions air burden.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Hidden Signs, Haunting Shadows: Literary Currencies of Blackness in Upper Canadian Texts

contributor:
Coleman, Daniel
Goellnicht, Donald
Searls-Giroux, Susan
English and Cultural Studies

subject: early Canadian literature; early Canadian blackness; critical race studies; black Atlantic; John Richardson; Susanna Moodie; Catharine Parr-Traill

subject: Cultural History

subject: Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

subject: Literature in English, North America

subject: Other Race, Ethnicity and post-Colonial Studies

subject: Cultural History

abstract: It might be time for critics of early Canadian literature to avoid avoiding blackness in early Canada in their work. This dissertation takes up the recurrent pattern of displacement that emerges in critical studies that recall or rediscover early Canada. It attends in particular to the displacements and subordinations of Canadian blackness, particularly those conspicuously avoided by critics or rendered conspicuously absent by authors in the literatures of Upper Canada during the height of the Underground Railroad era, between 1830 and 1860. Not only is blackness in Upper Canada concealed, omitted, derided, and caricatured, but these representational formulas shape the hegemonic common-sense of what Antonio Gramsci terms “the national popular.” I argue that canonical texts contain accounts of early Canadian blackness from the national popular and subsequent criticisms of them produce an attitude and a history that excises blackness when literary and cultural critics examine the complexities of early Canada. Informed by Stuart Hall’s concept of the “floating signifier,” I draw the tropes of blackness out from behind the backdrop of early Canadian texts and into the foreground of Canadian literary and cultural criticism as well as critical race studies; in turn, this theoretical model helps me to explain what cultural work “undefined and indefinable” blackness did in early Canada and in contemporary imaginings of it (Clarke Odysseys, 16). Working out this paradox in John Richardson’s Wacousta and The Canadian Brothers, Susanna Moodie’s Roughing It in the Bush, and Catharine Parr Traill’s The Canadian Settlers Guide, my three chapters examine how these Upper Canadian authors display as much as hide the crucial roles of blackness in the formation of Canada and Canadian national identity.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Understanding Sex/Gender in Cardiovascular Disease

contributor: Clinical Health Sciences (Health Research Methodology)

subject:
cardiovascular disease
sex/gender
angina
risk factors
qualitative methodology
statistics
Clinical Epidemiology
Epidemiology
Medicine and Health Sciences
Public Health
Clinical Epidemiology

abstract:
There has been much controversy in the cardiovascular literature regarding sex/gender differences in the presentation of coronary artery disease and downstream implications. The aim of this thesis is not to resolve this controversy, but rather to assess and critique potential sex/gender similarities and differences from a variety of perspectives, explored through various methodologies.

This thesis contains four main studies, each employing different quantitative and qualitative methods. An overarching framework was developed to contextualise each study presented in this thesis. The first main study entitled, the “RACE CAR” trial assessed physician opinion prospectively observing that women are perceived to benefit less from cardiac catheterization compared to men, while controlling for age, TIMI risk and preference for cardiac catheterization. The “Identifying women with severe angiographic coronary disease” study observed physician referral patterns retrospectively and determined that although women are less likely to have severe angiographic disease compared to men, the traditional risk factors and CCS Class IV angina are significant predictors of severe angiographic disease. This is an important finding to help physicians better identify women at risk.

The findings from these two studies identified the need for the cardiovascular research community to better define angina, particularly among women. Using qualitative methodology, a new theory of angina emerged, illustrating symptoms along a gender continuum. Based on the findings from the qualitative study, the final study of this thesis developed an assessment tool to test the symptom parameters along the gender continuum. The findings confirm that the symptoms of women and men represent more shared experiences rather than differences, particularly among patients with obstructive coronary artery disease.

These studies collectively address knowledge gaps and add new information to various stages of patient cardiac care within the sex/gender programme of cardiovascular research.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: The Role of p21-Activated Kinase in Mechanical Stress-Induced Connective Tissue Growth Factor Upregulation in Mesangial Cells

contributor:
Krepinsky, Joan
Health Sciences

subject:
mesangial cells
mechanical stress
p21-activated kinase
fibrosis
renal disease
connective tissue growth factor
Medical Cell Biology
Medical Cell Biology

abstract:
Glomerulosclerosis (GS) is the irreversible scarring of glomerular tissue which underlies the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Increased intraglomerular capillary pressure (Pgc) is a major contributor to the development of GS and can occur in both hypertensive and diabetic patients. With elevated Pgc, in vitro and in vivo evidence suggest that mesangial cells (MC) experience cyclic stretch and secrete pro-fibrotic factors such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) which contributes to GS. The signaling pathways that are activated in response to elevated Pgc and lead to extracellular matrix (ECM) production in MCs are the main focus of this thesis.

Previous data demonstrated activation of the Rho GTPase, Rac1, with cyclic stretch in MCs. Furthermore, the most characterized effector of Rac1, p21-activated kinase (PAK), has been observed to have a role in endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to mechanical stress. We thus proposed that the Rac1-PAK signaling pathway is involved in mechanical stress signaling in MCs.

Our data demonstrate that Rac1-PAK signaling was activated in response to cyclic stretch and required for stretch-induced CTGF production in MCs. RhoA activation was also regulated by Rac1-PAK signaling, and RhoA/ROCK were observed to mediate CTGF upregulation with stretch. Further investigation on the role of Rac1-PAK signaling and how it regulates CTGF in MCs exposed to stretch, will provide insight into potential therapeutic targets to delay the progression of hypertension-mediated CKD.


title: UNDERSTANDING FEMALE AGGRESSION AND MALE VICTIMIZATION FROM AN EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

contributor:
Vaillancourt, Tracy
Psychology

subject:
Female
aggression
evolution
competition
conflict
mate selection
jealousy
intimate partner violence
Personality and Social Contexts
Psychology
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social Psychology
Personality and Social Contexts

abstract:
I examine female aggression as a competitive strategy for achieving reproductive success. In Chapter 1 an evolutionary theory of female aggression is presented. In Chapter 2 intrasexual competition for mates is considered by examining longitudinal links between aggression and dating behaviour among male and female adolescents. Results indicated that indirectly aggressive boys and girls were significantly more likely to have a dating partner at 1-year follow-up. Adolescents who reported being victimized by their peers were significantly less likely to have a dating partner at follow-up.

In Chapter 3 I examine female mate-guarding behaviour. Results demonstrated that aggression toward peers and partners was greater among heterosexual females who perceived intrasexual competitors as being more attractive than them. These links were mediated by romantic jealousy. Females perceiving themselves as more attractive than peers frequently reported being targets of females’ peer-aggression. The findings of chapters 2 and 3 suggest that females actively compete to attain and retain mates.

Chapter 4 examines implications for male victims of female aggression. We found that male victims of female partner violence were lower in testosterone than were non-victimized males. Participants held more negative attitudes toward male versus female victims. Males were less likely to seek-help and were more likely to minimize their perceived victimization. These findings suggest threats to male dominance and greater stigma likely reinforce males’ minimization and concealment of victimization.

This dissertation contributes to the field of aggression by empirically demonstrating evolutionary-based motives and functions of female aggression as a strategy for bolstering reproductive fitness.

abstract: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)


title: Molecular Gas in Nearby Galaxies: Star Formation, Molecular Gas and Heating in the Antennae

contributor:
Wilson, Christine
Physics and Astronomy

subject:
Submillimeter Astronomy
Molecular Gas
Herschel Space Observatory
Nearby Galaxies
Molecular Gas Heating
External Galaxies
External Galaxies

abstract: The study of ongoing mergers is vital to understanding how intense star bursts are triggered, and how luminous infrared galaxies and ultra luminous infrared galaxies are formed. The Antennae (NGC 4038/39), at a distance of only 24.9 Mpc, represents the nearest example of a major merger between two gas rich spirals and provides us with a unique laboratory for studying molecular gas and star formation. I have obtained two fully sampled observations of the Antennae using the Herschel SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer which I have supplemented with JCMT CO J = 3 − 2 observations. I detect CO, CI and NII emission throughout both the overlap region and the nucleus of NGC 4038. I measured the integrated intensity of the CO J = 4−3 to 8−7 and find that the overlap region is brighter for all but the J = 4 − 3 line. I find that, in the nucleus of NGC 4038, the CO spectral line energy distribution peaks at the 4−3 transition, while in the overlap region it peaks at the 3−2 transition. I modelled the CO emission using the non-local thermal equilibrium radiative transfer code RADEX coupled with a Bayesian likelihood code. I find a warm (Tkin > 600K) lower density (nH2 ∼ 200cm−3) component of molecular gas in the nucleus of NGC 4038, and similarly in the overlap region (Tkin > 600 K, nH2 ∼ 300cm−3) and find widespread evidence for multiple components of molecular gas throughout the system. These warm components in both regions correspond to ~ 1% of the total molecular gas. I find no evidence of x-ray dominated regions, cosmic rays or turbulent heating being the primary source of heating throughout the galaxy, while photodissociation regions or supernova and stellar winds may be the primary source of heating throughout the galaxy.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Devolution in the United Kingdom: The Effectiveness of Scottish Non-Central Government Representation in International Affairs

contributor:
Nossal, Kim Richard
Political Science

subject:
Political Science
Political Science

abstract: This thesis explores how Scottish devolution has affected the representation of Scottish interests in the UK foreign policy process and in international affairs. The literature on non-central governments in foreign policy is used to indicate the specific motivations, methods and conditions which contribute to effective representation of NCGs' interests in external affairs. This is complemented by the literature on European integration which describes the most prominent international arena for Scottish international activity and the conditions conducive to NCG activity in it. The argument of the thesis is that the institutional arrangements for Scottish activity in the UK foreign policy and international affairs, while defining a clear role for Scotland, do not fulfill the conditions which the literature suggests will result in the effective representation of Scottish interests. This will be demonstrated through an exploration of the institutional arrangements for Scottish international activity - most clearly defined by the Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements - and the likely impact of these arrangements on the conduct of Scottish representation in the UK foreign policy process and in international affairs.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Travel behavior – built environment nexus: an investigation in the context of Halifax Regional Municipality

contributor:
Scott, Darren
Antonio Páez, Niko Yiannakoulias
Antonio Páez, Niko Yiannakoulias
Geography and Earth Sciences

subject:
Auto travel distance
built environment
spatial lag model
tour complexity
travel behavior
Human Geography
Human Geography

abstract: Land use planning has gained popularity as a travel demand management strategy for the last two decades. Many urban authorities in North America have adopted smart growth policies in order to curb auto use and promote sustainable forms of travel, namely, public transit, bicycle and walking. The purpose of this study is to examine whether someone’s travel behavior is influenced by the characteristics of the built environment where one lives and works. The study area is Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. Two aspects of travel are analyzed for a weekday: total distance travelled by auto and average tour complexity. Separate models are developed for worker and non-worker by applying ordinary least square and spatial lag modeling techniques. The built environment variables are measured near home and workplace and at different geographical scales. The average auto distance and tour complexity are separately regressed against the built environment variables while personal characteristics, household attributes, preferences for residential location and transport mode, and meteorological conditions of survey days are accounted for. The results of auto distance models suggest that people living and working in high accessibility areas with mixed land uses make shorter travel by auto, which supports the claims of smart growth proponents. The built environment variables make significant contribution to the fitness of auto distance models. In case of tour complexity models, built environment variables also appear to be significant but with lower contribution to model R2. The results suggest that non-workers, who live in poor accessibility areas, make more complex tours. Workers living in poorly accessible neighborhoods and working in highly accessible areas make complex commuting and work-based, non-work tours. It means that, workers compensate poor neighborhood accessibility by trip chaining near workplace. The findings would be helpful to evaluate the existing growth strategies in Halifax Regional Municipality. In addition, it makes several contributions to the literature.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Oral Pharmacotherapy for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Systematic Review and Indirect Treatment Comparison

contributor:
Xie, Feng
Pullenayegum, Eleanor
Goeree, Ron
Health Research Methodology

subject: multiple sclerosis

subject: relapsing-remitting

subject: fingolimod

subject: cladribine

subject: laquinimod

subject: interferon beta-1a

subject: indirect comparison

subject: Health and Medical Administration

subject: Neurology

subject: Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation

subject: Health and Medical Administration

abstract:
Background

Oral pharmacotherapy has the potential to offer multiple sclerosis patients improved clinical outcomes compared to traditional therapies.

Objectives

This review assesses the effects of oral therapies compared to placebo and interferon beta-1a in adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Search methods

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science (January 1980 to April 2011) and clinincaltrials.gov (April 2011) databases and reference lists of articles. The FDA website was also searched.

Selection criteria

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials of RRMS patients who were treated with fingolimod, cladribine, laquinimod or interferon beta-1a.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers independently assessed articles for inclusion. Data extraction and quality assessment was completed by one reviewer and verified for accuracy. Meta-analysis and indirect treatment comparison methods were used to estimate relative measures of efficacy.

Results

Although 11 trials involving 7,127 participants were included in this review, only 2,109 (30%) and 1,738 (24%) participants contributed to the direct and indirect estimates respectively, for the primary outcome, annualized relapse rate. Oral therapy and interferon beta-1a had a significantly different rate of relapse compared to placebo (Mean difference [MD] -0.21, 95% conﬁdence interval [CI] -0.27 to -0.16 , p < 0.00001 and MD -0.33 95% CI -0.65 to -0.01). There was a significant risk reduction of 37% and 19% in the number of patients with at least one relapse for oral therapy and interferon beta-1a compared to placebo respectively. Safety analysis favoured placebo for both sets of trials (p=0.002 and p=0.04). Indirect estimates were not significant for all three outcomes however; comparability between direct evidence was noted.

Conclusions

Oral pharmacotherapy and interferon beta-1a are effective compared to placebo in controlling relapse rate in patients with RRMS. The indirect measures of effect provide initial estimates of comparative efficacy and incorporation of future evidence will be necessary.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Transient Two Phase Flows: Refilling and Rewetting of a Hot Horizontal Tube

contributor:
Banerjee, S.
Nuclear Engineering

subject:
Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear Engineering

abstract:
The refilling and rewetting of a directly heated horizontal channel has been studied experimentally. The quenching characteristics and rewetting rates were obtained under different well-defined initial and boundary conditions. The parametric effects of initial wall temperature, inlet water flow rate and inlet water subcooling as well as effects of residual power input, tube insulation and dissolved air and ions in the inlet water were investigated.

The results show that, in horizontal channels, the transverse gravity forces significantly affect the hydraulic, and consequently thermal, behaviour of the system. The heat transfer mechanisms were found to vary during transients, both axially and circumferentially. This results in large differences in the pre-quench characteristics with regard to the bottom and top of the channel.

A simple physical model which can account for most of the observed characterisitcs was developed. The model consists of an inclined rewetting front and an entrained "liquid tongue" extending downstream from the rewetting front. The model was also supported by photographic studies.

The propagation of the rewetting front appears to be largely controlled by hydrodynamic mechanisms. It was found that surface quenching can occur at very different wall temperatures along the tube. Thus, there is no well defined rewetting temperature. This is contrary to the predictions of the generally accepted conduction controlled rewetting model.

Since hydrodynamic mechanisms dominate the thermohydraulic processes in the present flow situation, a simplified two-fluid model was used to analyze the processes. The wall temperature was obtained after the hydraulic equations of the liquid phase were solved. The wall was assumed to be in stable film boiling before quenching.

A quench model based on a critical water level, (hʟ)crit' determined the transition of heat transfer mode from film boiling to transition boiling and subsequent quenching of the surface. (hʟ)crit was obtained using a model based on initiation of a Kelvin-Helmholtz type instability at the vapor film-liquid interface.

The initiation of the interfacial instability is believed to be the governing mechanism that leads to surface rewetting. When the instability starts, local regions of enhanced heat transfer are assumed to form on the heater surface. This provides the necessary conditions for surface rewet. However, if the surface is highly conductive and has a high thermal capacity, these rewet spots may not grow and surface rewet may not occur. Therefore, the sufficient conditions would require that the rewet spots could grow or spread on the heating surface. For thin-walled tubes, because of low thermal capacity, rewet spots may spread once they are formed. Hence, interfacial instability is postulated to be both necessary and sufficient to quench thin-walled systems of the type studied.

The simplified two-fluid model, together with the quench model were found to be quite successful in predicting the rewetting rates and details of the quenching characteristics for the refilling and rewetting experiments.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Modulation of Airway Smooth Muscle Proliferation, Migration, Contractility and Cytokine Synthesis by Human Adipocytes

contributor: Medical Sciences (Division of Physiology/Pharmacology)

subject:
airway smooth muscle
adipocyte
human
asthma
obesity

abstract:
Introduction: Obesity is associated with asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness, though the mechanisms behind this relationship remain unclear. It is unlikely to be due to a direct effect of leptin on human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) (Nair, et al., 2009). Since adipocytes are known to produce a wide array of mediators, we hypothesized that adipocytes may directly modulate human ASMC biology.

Objectives: To determine and compare the effects of intra and extrathoracic adipocyte secretions on ASMC proliferation, chemotaxis, contractility and cytokine synthesis.

Methods: Human ASMC and human adipocytes were cultured from primary samples (intrathoracic or extrathoracic). Adipocyte-conditioned media was used as a treatment in proliferation cell count assays, Transwell migrations, muscle bath experiments and to induce interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and eotaxin production (as measured with a Bioplex). The effects of adipocyte-myocyte co-culture were also investigated on the proliferation, migration and cytokine synthesis of the ASMC.

Results: Adipocyte supernatants and co-culture did not significantly affect the growth of ASMC in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum. The adipocyte supernatants were not chemotactic, and did not affect the migration of ASMC towards platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). Similarly, co-culture did not have any effect on ASMC chemotaxis. Cytokine synthesis was also unchanged by adipocytes. Adipocyte supernatants did not have any effect on the contractile or relaxant responses of bovine tracheal smooth muscle strips. There was no significant difference between adipocyte depot location, with intrathoracic and extrathoracic adipocytes having a similar effect.

Conclusion: Human adipocytes do not directly modulate airway smooth muscle proliferation, migration, contractility and cytokine synthesis. These data point to some other cause for the association between obesity and asthma, though the role of other cells present in the adipose tissue of obese individuals cannot be ruled out.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: CHARACTERIZATION OF A GTP-BINDING DNA APTAMER

contributor:
Li, Yingfu
Paul Berti and John Brennan
Paul Berti and John Brennan
Biochemistry

subject: Biochemistry Biochemistry

abstract:
Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that can bind a wide variety of targets. The target-binding events involved structural changes of an aptamers and have been exploited to create fluorescent reporters. Aptamer-based fluorescent sensors are highly sensitive and selective and can be adapted as signaling components in detection assays. Previously, an aptamer that binds GTP was isolated by in vitro selection from a random-sequence DNA library. Guanosine-5’-triphosphates (GTP) is an important biological cofactor that is widely utilized by many biological receptors and enzymes. Assays that monitor these receptors and enzymes, such as radioactive binding assays using GTP analog [35S] GTPγS, are not homogeneous and required extensive sample treatments. In contrast, fluorescent reporters made using functional nucleic acids, such as aptamers, are convenient to use and provide real-time detection for a plethora of targets. If the latter detection method could be applied for the detection of GTP, this would provide a more simple and convenient alternative to current methods.

In this thesis, we explore the possibility of designing a novel assay that unifies aptamer characterization with structure-switching. We used this assay to analyze the sequence requirement and recognition specificity of this GTP-binding DNA aptamer. And, we found that binding activity can be retained with up to 40% of nucleotides removed and the sequence identity can be simplified to only guanine and thymine residues. The sequence information about this aptamer can facilitate the development of an efficient fluorescence-signaling aptamer for real-time detection of GTP.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Alterations in the Intestinal Microbiota Can be Detected by and Influence Specific Brain Regions

contributor:
Bercik, Premysl
Collins, Stephen
Mishra, Ram
Medical Sciences

subject:
Microbiota
brain
autonomic nervous system
vagus nerve
gastrointestinal
behavior
hippocampus
Digestive, Oral, and Skin Physiology
Digestive, Oral, and Skin Physiology

abstract: Emerging evidence indicates that the commensal microbiota communicates with the brain and influences behavior. In animal models, perturbation of the microbiota is accompanied by changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brain. However, underlying mechanisms are unknown. We investigated whether vagal-parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system are involved in the microbiota-gut-brain signalling and attempt to identify specific brain regions that are responsive to alterations in the intestinal microbiota. Specific pathogen-free Balb/c mice, with or without surgical vagotomy or chemical sympathectomy, received oral non-absorbable antimicrobials (ATM) ad libitum for 7 days. Behavior was tested on day 7 in the light/dark preference and step-down latency tests. Specific brain regions were sectioned and stained for the neuronal activation marker, c-fos. Perturbation of the microbiota significantly enhanced the exploratory behavior of mice in both tests and increased the expression of c-fos and phosphorylated c-fos in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus. c-fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract was unaffected and neither vagal-parasympathetic nor sympathetic neurotransmission were required for induction of the behavioral change following perturbation of the microbiota. Instability of the commensal microbiota enhances the activation of the hippocampal formation and influences host behavior in a manner that is independent of vagal-parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic neurotransmission.

abstract: Master of Health Sciences (MSc)


title: Cytokines as Biomarkers in Asthma

contributor:
Larche, Mark
Nair, Parameswaran
Mark Inman, Frederick Hargreave
Medical Sciences

subject:
asthma
atopic asthma
nonatopic asthma
cytokines
Allergy and Immunology
Allergy and Immunology

abstract: Asthma is a lung disease characterized by wide variations in airflow over short periods of time. Exacerbations of asthma can be accompanied by symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing; airway inflammation characterized by an influx of eosinophils and/or neutrophils; and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the airway. There is strong evidence supporting a central role for the T cell in asthma. In atopic asthma, T cells are documented components of the late-phase response to inhaled allergen, driving airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and bronchoconstriction through the release of cytokines and other mediators. T cells have also been shown to produce inflammatory cytokines in response to allergen in nonatopic asthmatics, indicating a potential role in mediating disease in this phenotype. In both atopic and nonatopic asthma, aberrant T cell responses to allergen may drive the infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils into the airway through the production of pro- inflammatory cytokines, leading to exacerbations of disease. This project has investigated the role of several T cell cytokines in driving disease and acting as biomarkers in asthma: interleukin-5, interleukin-17A, interleukin-23, interleukin- 10, and interferon-γ. We have measured allergen-induced cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and examined its ability to distinguish between different asthma phenotypes: asthma vs normal, atopic vs nonatopic asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis vs noneosinophilic bronchitis, and neutrophilic vs nonneutrophilic bronchitis. Our data shows that allergen-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell responses to allergen are not good biomarkers of disease in asthma. No differences in PBMC cytokine production are seen in patients with asthma, compared with normal controls, or between patients with different asthmatic phenotypes. It is not possible to determine a patient’s disease state, atopic status, or type of bronchitis by examining their PBMC cytokine responses to allergen.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: Effect of Surface Finish on Boiling Heat Transfer at Stagnation Point under Free Liquid Jet Impingement

contributor:
Hamed, Mohamed
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Boiling
Surface Finish
Jet Impingement
Stagnation
Heat Transfer, Combustion
Heat Transfer, Combustion

abstract:
Experiments were performed to study the effect of surface finish and jet velocity on the boiling performance at the stagnation point under a free liquid planar jet. A rectangular jet with dimensions 9 mm x 1 mm was used to impinge subcooled water on the center of a copper surface 8 mm width x 20 mm length. Jet velocities ranged from 0.9 to 2.5 m/s while the degree of subcooling was kept constant at 10 °C.

Three surfaces were prepared using emery paper #1200, #500 and #320 and the arithmetic mean square of the roughness Ra = 18.72, 401.65 and 533.53 nm.

Increasing the jet velocity has shown to increase the heat flux slightly in the single phase regime. Also by increasing the jet velocity, boiling was found to start at higher surface superheat achieving higher values of burn out heat flux BOF for jet velocities Vj ≤ 1.5 m/s. This trend agrees with studies reported in literature. Some contradicting results occurred at higher jet velocities which is attributed to the flow profile.

For jet velocities lower than 2 m/s, the surface with higher Ra was found to have a delayed Onset of Nucleate Boiling ONB, higher Burn out Heat Flux BOF, and lower rate of heat transfer in the single phase regime. Surface finish did not show significant effect on boiling performance at higher jet velocities. The contradictions observed at jet velocities higher than 1.5 m/s were attributed to the flow profile. Results regarding the effect of surface finish on heat transfer in the single phase regime under liquid jet impingement were compared to literature and a reasonable agreement was found. More studies are needed to explain the contradictions found for higher jet velocities.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: A Study About Personalized Academic Detailing - Pilot Project on Smoking Cessation

contributor:
Dolovich, Lisa
Thabane, Lehana
Levine, Mitch
Health Research Methodology

subject:
Academic detailing
Primary Care
Physicians
Nurse Practitioners
Pharmacists
Smoking Cessation
Primary Care
Primary Care

abstract:
Please insert 2 pages into the main thesis - page 39 and page 40

- 2 separate PDF attachments will be included plus the main thesis.

abstract:
Background:

  Academic detailing (AD) provides evidence-based education to healthcare professionals in their practice setting and has been found to improve knowledge and prescribing in many situations. Personalized academic detailing (PAD) is a new initiative by the Hamilton Family Health Team (FHT) in which pharmacists integrated within the FHT provide an AD service to prescribers in their office.

Objective:

To describe and determine the feasibility of a smoking cessation (SC) PAD program.

Methods:

Design: Descriptive retrospective cohort pilot project

Setting: Primary Care Setting

Participants: FHT pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs) and their patients

Intervention:

Pharmacists receive basic AD training and education (upskilling) on SC; and provide education to clinicians

Feasibility Criteria for success:

PAD coordinator time to train pharmacists <40 >hours

Average time for upskilling <20 >hours

Average time for PAD session are <60 minutes and><30 minutes for initial and follow-up>visits, respectively

Percentage of clinicians detailed within 3 and 6 months are >50% and >70%, respectively

Number of new SC referrals to the pharmacist at 3 and 6 months are >5 patients/1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) pharmacist and >10 patients/1.0 FTE pharmacist, respectively.

Results:

Eight pharmacists (5.8 FTE) received basic AD training and upskilling on SC PAD. Consent was obtained from 48/54 (88.9%) physicians and 9/10 (90.0%) NPs.

The PAD coordinator training time was 29.1 hours. The median time for upskilling was 3.1 hours. The median time for PAD session was 15 and 5 minutes for an initial visit and follow-up visit, respectively. The number of clinicians detailed within 3 and 6 months were 50/64 (78.1%) and 57/64 (89.1%), respectively. The number of new SC referrals at 3 and 6 months was 66 and 200 patients, respectively.

Conclusion:

This pilot study showed that the main study is feasible with respect to the management, resources, process and scientific components.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: A Magnificent Form?: The Shape of Domination in Henry James's Washington Square, The Portrait of a Lady, The Wings of the Dove, and The Golden Bowl

contributor:
Adamson, J.
English and Cultural Studies

subject:
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature

abstract: Using the psychoanalytic framework provided by Jessica Benjamin, this thesis examines relationships of domination in four of Henry James's novels: Washington Square, The Portrait of a Lady, The Wings of the Dove, and The Golden Bowl. Combined with triangular theories of desire, Benjamin's intersubjective model illuminates the subtle and intricate relationships of domination and submission in James's writing. For James, as for Benjamin, identity and subjectivity are negotiated in and through relationships. These relationships are not simply struggles for power, but struggles between individuals who desire both attunement and assertion. As in sadomasochistic relationships, these desires often manifest as, respectively, submission and domination. In these four novels, subjectivity is bound up with the problems of desire and freedom. The Jamesian heroine desires both recognition and attunement with others; she also both fears and desires freedom. The world through which she moves is both a world of objects and objectification, and a world of other subjects and relationships. Attempting to move through this world fraught with contradictions, the Jamesian heroine will, in the more optimistic novels, find herself in intersubjective relationships. In the darker novels, she becomes eternally caught in the sadomasochistic cycle of domination and submission.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Inferred Resolution of Ernest Hemingway's In Our Time

contributor:
Brasch, J. D.
English

abstract: This thesis looks at the first published collection of short stories by Ernest Hemingway, In Our Time. In this paper an attempt is made to bridge the gap between those critics who see unity in the collection as a whole and those who see unity in each individual piece. The approach assumed in this study believes that each piece in the collection follows a problem and solution pattern. The pattern is unified by a silent, infer.red resolution in each story. The accumulation of these unified pieces renders the whole of the collection a unity as well. The collection becomes a coherent discussion concerning itself with the nature of a subjective code of conduct in an amoral, secular world. The primary task of this paper is to carry out a consideration of each respective piece in the collection. In doing this, the inferred resolution of each story comes to the surface. The accretion of these inferred resolutions makes it possible to view the work as Hemingway's discussion of a personal ethics. This, by implication, is Hemingway's prescription for the means by which to shape one's existence in the world of the twentieth century.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: CHARACTERIZATION OF ΔM51-VSV EXPRESSING BECLIN1

contributor:
Lichty, Brian
Bowdish, Dawn
Bowdish, Dawn
Medical Sciences

subject: autophagy oncolytic viral pathogenesis apoptosis rapamycin VSV

subject: Medical Immunology

subject: Medical Pathology

subject: Medical Immunology

abstract: Autophagy is a cellular process in which cytoplasmic material is lysosomally degraded into its basic components. The primary functions of this process are cellular recycling and stress mitigation however it also has roles in both viral pathogenesis and tumourigenesis. Beclin1 is a key mediator of autophagy and is involved in its initiation. In an attempt to examine the effects of enhanced autophagy in the context of oncolytic VSV infection, a VSV mutant (ΔM51) expressing Beclin1 was constructed and characterized. It was determined through western blot analysis of autophagy marker LC3, that while VSV infection enhanced autophagy in infected cells, Beclin1 expression resulted in a transient increase in autophagy followed by markedly reduced levels of autophagy at mid to late time points. Still, Beclin1expression, either directly or possibly through altering the kinetics of VSV induced autophagy, enhanced the pathogenesis of VSV in some cell lines in vitro. However examination of the in vivo pathogenesis of VSV-Belcin1 elicited no differences from that of the parental virus. Despite enhanced pathogenesis in CT26 cells in vitro, VSV-Beclin1 displayed no improvement in the oncolysis of CT26 tumours in vivo, compared to VSV-GFP. It is hoped that the conclusions drawn from this study will help direct future research aimed at exploring the relationship between autophagy and VSV pathogenesis as well as future attempts to arm VSV with the intent of augmenting its oncolytic potential.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: The knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among post-secondary students in a southern Ethiopian city

contributor: Sheryl Boblin, Noori Akhtar-Danesh, Diana Sherifali

subject:
HIV/AIDS
Africa
Students
Gender
Knowledge
Attitudes
International Public Health
International Public Health

abstract:
Introduction: The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. Africa alone represents the majority of HIV/AIDS cases, where the young aged 16-30, are at greatest risk. In Ethiopia, the research suggests that knowledge of HIV transmission and positive attitudes among post-secondary students are decreasing. The purpose of this research is to explore the knowledge and attitudes of HIV/AIDS among post-secondary students in a southern Ethiopian city.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 college and university students. The AIDS Attitude Scale and the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire were used to measure participants’ knowledge and attitudes on HIV/AIDS. Descriptive statistics, t-test, correlation and regression analysis were used for analysis.

Results: The results from the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire revealed lower knowledge on the various sexual modes of HIV transmission. The t-test demonstrated no difference between male and female HIV knowledge scores (t=0.6, df =225, p=0.4). The correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between HIV knowledge scores and avoidant AIDS attitude scores (r=-0.2, p<0.01). The linear regression demonstrated for every one unit increase of AAS avoidant scores, HIV knowledge scores decreased 0.7 units (p<0.01); suggesting that students who scored higher in negative attitudes, achieved lower scores on HIV knowledge levels.

Conclusion: The study findings demonstrate the call to address this knowledge gap among a known population vulnerable to risky sexual behavior. Future research is needed such that HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns can be specifically tailored to the student population within the Ethiopian context.

abstract: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)


title: The Biosynthesis of Cyclopropane Fatty Acids

contributor:
MacLean, D.B.
Chemistry

subject: Chemistry Chemistry

abstract:
Mechanistic information has been obtained for biological cyclopropane fatty acid formation by L. plantarum. Deuterium labelling studies showed that when a methylene bridge is constructed across the double bond of an olefinic fatty acid, no scrambling or loss of label occurs at the vinylic or the allylic position of the olefin. One of the consequences of these results is that any mechanism whereby the olefin is activated at the allylic position has been conclusively ruled out.

Up to 18% of a d₁-cyclopropyl fatty acid was formed in feedings using methionine-methyl-d₃. It was shown that exchange had not occurred at the methionine stage. Exchange of a protonated cyclopropane intermediate is postulated to account for the production of d₁-cyclopropyl product.

An intermolecular primary deuterium isotope effect of 1.07 ± 0.04 and a minimum intramolecular primary deuterium isotope effect of 3.2 ± 0.5 was measured for the proton abstraction step. Thus, carbon-hydrogen bond cleavage is not a rate-limiting step in the biological cyclopropanation reaction.

A mechanism involving methylation of an olefin followed by 1,3-proton elimination is favoured for the biological formation of cyclopropane fatty acids.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: THE EFFECT OF MATERIAL PROPERTY AND OPEN TIME ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL HOT-MELT ADHESIVES

contributor:
Potter, David K.
Chemical Engineering

subject:
Performance
hot-melt adhesives
adhesive material property
open time
Other Chemical Engineering
Other Chemical Engineering

abstract: Hot-melt adhesives have been commercially available for a long time and they are used in a wide range of applications. The adhesive performance is governed by the adhesive material property as well as the application conditions for each type of substrate. In order to achieve a good bond between the adhesive and the designated substrate, both wetting ability and open time of the adhesive material have to be considered. Three commercial hot-melts were used in this study in order to examine the relationship between the material property and the adhesive performance. The thermal properties of the materials were obtained through Differential Scanning Calorimetry while Dynamic Analysis (DA) described their viscoelastic behaviour, and the hysteresis loop helped to characterize the flow regime from which the application conditions for the adhesive could be chosen. The adhesive performance was evaluated in term of the force required to break the bond between the adhesive and the substrate through a series of standardized pull-off tests. The effect of the time-temperature trade-off on the adhesive performance by varying the application temperature as well as prolonging the available bond-formation time was also examined. In most cases, the adhesive performance improved with extended open time. However, improved adhesive performance was also shown to be the response of shorter Maxwell characteristic time which was evaluated from the DA data. By providing the characteristic time as a linkage, a relationship between the adhesive performance and the material properties could be established. These results also offer a basis for the formulation of adhesives using structure-property parameters derived from DA.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (MASc)


title: Cultivating Change: Building on Emergency Food by Incorporating Fresh, Local Produce Into Hamilton's Food Banks to Overcome the Good Food Gap

contributor:
Moffat, Tina
Prowse, Tracy
Wakefield, Sarah
Anthropology

subject:
food banks
nutrition
community food security
fresh produce
local food
Other Anthropology
Other Anthropology

abstract:
Multilaterally, Canada’s food system is not succeeding – this is related to jurisdictional disconnect in policy objectives and outcomes between aspects of the system. This “good food gap” requires integrated, system-focused solutions.Considering an ecosystems approach to biocultural anthropology and the community food security perspective, this thesis studied food banks’ use of fresh, local produce in Hamilton, Ontario – a city particularly affected by poverty and food insecurity. Mixed methods allowed a more holistic investigation: a nutritional assessment of 108 model grocery parcels from three Hamilton food banks over a local growing season was complemented by semi-structured interviews with 13 key stakeholders including food bank staff, clients and produce suppliers and others involved in community food work in Hamilton.

Average parcel contents met or exceeded some nutritional targets, but other results were concerning: parcels contained high sodium levels, few servings of milk and alternatives and vegetable and fruit servings were seasonally-limited with fresh, local produce making a significant contribution during the harvest months. Also, parcels varied individually but those for smaller households were significantly more adequate than those for larger households. Non-nutritive benefits to food banks’ use of fresh, local produce were identified and seen to extend beyond the emergency food sector (EFS) though poor produce quality was considered a drawback. Infrastructure, knowledge and networks were the main categories of facilitating or limiting factors. These findings are situated within stakeholders’ discussions of the relationships between emergency food, food security, nutrition, culture and their future aspirations. The results support the position that overcoming the good food gap in Hamilton can be best accomplished by both improving the food bank system – such as through increasing the use of fresh, local produce – and moving beyond emergency food towards a just, sustainable, rights-based food system through the community food centre model.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: The Quaternary Sedimentology of the Severn River area, Hudson Bay Lowlands

contributor:
Eyles, C.H.
Walker, R.G.
Geography and Geology

subject:
Other Life Sciences
Other Life Sciences

abstract: Quaternary sediments exposed in the banks of the Severn River, Hudson Bay Lowlands, are interpreted as components of four distinct types of depositional complexes. Overconsolidated massive diamicts displaying strong clast fabric orientations and containing channelized, sub-glacial fluvial deposits and glacially shaped clasts, comprise the majority of sediments in the study area. These are interpreted as components of a lodgement till complex. Thin massive diamict units which often display random clast fabric orientations, and laminated fine-grained sediments containing dropstones and diamict clots often occur near the tops of sections. These are interpreted as components of either a glacio-lacustrine or glacio-mairne depositional complex is composed of fossiliferous beach contained in the sediments. An uniquely marine complex, depending on the abundances of formainifera depositional gravels, and estuarine silts and sands. This complex is found only at the very tops of sections, and was probably deposited in the post-glacial Tyrrell Sea. Three distinct ice flow orientations were defined by clast fabric analysis, and measurement of striations on boulder combining these pavements and bedrock surfaces. Three separate lodgement till complexes are identifiedby combining ice flow orientations with data on formainifera abundances, erratic clast lithologies and diamict matrix colours. These lodgement complexes were deposited by ice flowing from three separate ice domes; an earlier Patrician dome, a middle James Bay dome and a younger New Quebec dome.

abstract: Bachelor of Science (BSc)


title: Actuarial Risk Assessment and Ontario Child Welfare Transformation: A Parodox of Purpose

contributor:
Cain, Roy
Dumbrill, Gary
Greene, Sara
Social Work

subject:
Actuarial
Risk
Assessment
Ontario
Child
Welfare
Transformation
Social Work
Social Work

abstract:
When Ontario Child Welfare Transformation was initiated a new risk assessment document was implemented. This study explored the opinions of protection staff on the present risk assessment. Participants’ negative opinions about the document contrast sharply with their enthusiasm over transformation initiatives and illustrate a paradox between the document and transformation goals. Their concerns for the document and the standardized approach of the document centre on the theme of what is lost in the approach. In particular, they spoke to the present risk assessment missing assessment of the strengths and protective factors, which could mitigate risk and that it fails to capture the spirit and goals of transformation. They expressed concern that it misses the whole picture, social context and ambiguity of many situations. It fails to account for progress, adaptation and flexibility and instead focuses on static, fixed and unchangeable factors. They expressed concern for a lack of written or area for workers to explain context. Workers noted that the families’ views are absent in the fixed categories, as well they questioned claims for the documents accuracy. Workers also noted that the standardized and rigid approach of the document failed to take into account structural and anti oppressive considerations. As a result, workers felt much was lost from the document.

Workers found ways to resist their assessments being constrained. Their attempts to assess risk outside the box were varied and creative and made use of a wide range of tools, paradigms and experiences. Workers own assessments of risk, were more consistent with transformation initiatives than that of the document. Workers offered suggestions as to how they would improve risk assessments in child protection.

The shifts in paradigms in child protection, the debate over the “how to” assess for risk, and the factors presently absent on the risk assessment, highlight possibilities of other ways of assessing risk and intervening. This study offers an interpretive account of the present actuarial risk assessment document from the perspective of protection staff. The concerns raised with the document, infuse the paper with critical questions regarding the objectivity and validity of positivistic approaches, the utility and futility of standardized approaches, and existence of competing claims and discourses regarding risks to children. Their concerns beg the question, could there be other possibilities to assess risk and intervene in a manner more consistent with transformation initiatives and anti oppressive practice?

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Communal Violence, Trauma and Indian Women: Fictional Representations of Women in Manju Kapur's A Married Woman and Anita Rau Badami's Can You Hear the Nightbird Call?

contributor:
Chakraborty, Chandrima
Attewell, Nadine
O`Brien, Susie
English and Cultural Studies

subject:
communal violence
trauma
Indian women
Indian diaspora
religious identity
national identity
Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

abstract:
This thesis examines fictional representations of Indian women’s responses to trauma in the background of communal violence. It argues that fiction allows for the reimagination of women’s conditions during communal riots, and their responses to trauma as a result of those riots. While ethnographic research seeks answers from traumatized victims, a fictional text can open up spaces for debates about conditions of women and their responses to trauma in the background of communal violence. Through Manju Kapur’s A Married Woman and Anita Rau Badami’s Can You Hear the Nightbird Call?, this project examines women’s negotiations of their religious and national identities within the private and the public and their responses to trauma caused by communal violence.

The Introduction draws on texts on gender and diaspora theory as well as scholarly work on the evolution and history of communalism in India. It also looks at the historical backgrounds of two events of communal violence that underpin Kapur’s and Badami’s texts, namely, the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid controversy and the resulting 1992 riots, and Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the resulting 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Chapter 1 examines Indian women’s negotiations of religious identities in A Married Woman. Through the characters of Astha, Pipee and Sita, I argue that Kapur draws parallels between women as Other and religious minorities as Other. Her text shows the ways in which trauma crosses religious borders of Hindu-Muslim, and opens up possibilities for envisioning ways of ethically coexisting with the Other. Chapter 2 investigates communal violence in India and Canada in Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? Focusing on the characters of Bibi-ji, Leela and Nimmo, I argue that communal violence subsumes class, religion and location. Her text highlights how trauma crosses national boundaries and how the three women are torn apart by their losses.

In my Conclusion, I suggest for new avenues of research that might contribute to a further understanding of the dynamics of communal violence and trauma, and a future investigation into the negotiation of male religious identities in the background of communal violence.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA)


title: Viewpoints and Frames of Reference in Spatial Memory

contributor:
Sun, Hong Jin
Bruce Milliken, David Shore
Bruce Milliken, David Shore
Psychology

subject:
egocentric
allocentric
learning
spatial updating
multiple viewpoints
spatial properties
Cognition and Perception
Cognition and Perception

abstract: Previous human behavioral research has provided support for the existence of different frames of reference utilized during spatial processing that can be dependent or independent of the observer. These are known respectively as egocentric and allocentric frames of reference. However, it has been difficult to dissociate these two different processes under realistic conditions. Importantly, how these frames of reference are influenced by the visual and non-visual information is not well understood. Therefore, the studies of this thesis evaluated spatial processing utilizing realistic and ecologically valid stimuli in environments of different scales, while systematically manipulating the visual and non-visual information available during learning. We demonstrated that non-visual information generated by actively walking through an environment leads to more egocentric processing, whereas the same visual motion information presented passively via a video leads to more allocentric processing (Chapter 2). Further, characteristics of the visual scene can also influence how it is processed, dependent on the strength of the verbal identity of the features in the environment (Chapter 3). Specifically, in a small room environment subject’s representations of corners-to-corners (corners do not have an obvious verbal component) were not as strongly encoded relative to each other in comparison to objects-to-objects (objects with an obvious verbal identity ). Finally, we demonstrated differential influences of non-visual information dependent on whether the features in the visual scene were more allocentrically processed or egocentrically processed (Chapter Four). Specifically, when different features of layouts are made distinguishable by their identity, this lead to more allocentric processing whereas when different features are made distinguishable by their relative position, this lead to more egocentric processing. Further, non-visual information made available during spatial updating when the observer is changing viewpoints benefitted tasks focused on differentiating changes to objects’ identity and less so for differentiating changes in relative object position.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: What makes an effective computerized clinical decision support system? A systematic review and logistic regression analysis of randomized controlled trials.

contributor:
Haynes, Brian R.
Holbrook, Anne M.
You, John J.
Health Research Methodology

subject: computerized clinical decision support

subject: health informatics

subject: health information technology

subject: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment

abstract: Context: Computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) give practitioners patient-specific care advice and are considered an important increment to electronic clinical documentation and order entry systems. Despite decades of research on CCDSS, results from rigorous clinical evaluations remain mixed and systems vary greatly in design and implementation. Objective: To identify factors differentiating CCDSSs that improve the process of care or patient outcomes from those that do not. Data Sources: We searched major bibliographic databases and scanned reference lists for eligible articles up to January 2010. Study selection: 162 eligible comparisons from randomized controlled trials of CCDSS to non-CCDSS care. We deemed successful those systems that improved either 50% of reported process of care outcomes or 50% of patient outcomes. We extracted system characteristics hypothesized to impact patient care and tested them for association with system effectiveness in logistic models. Results: Our primary analysis showed that CCDSSs presented in electronic health records or order entry systems were less likely to be effective than their counterparts (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.80). Systems more likely to succeed than their counterparts provided advice for patients in addition to practitioners (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.07 to 7.17), required from practitioners a reason to override advice (OR, 11.23; 95% CI, 1.98 to 63.72), or were evaluated by their developers (OR, 4.35; 95% CI, 1.66 to 11.44). These findings remained consistent across different statistical methods, sensitivity analyses, and adjustment for other potentially important factors. Conclusions: We identified several factors that may partially explain why some systems succeed and others fail. Primary studies should investigate the impact and optimal implementation of advice provided to patients and practitioners and advice that requires reasons to be overridden. Researchers should also address the reasons for failure of advice presented within charting and order entry systems.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)


title: ON SOME INFERENTIAL ASPECTS FOR TYPE-II AND PROGRESSIVE TYPE-II CENSORING

contributor:
Balakrishnan, Narayanaswamy
Mathematics and Statistics

subject:
Multiple independent samples
Type-II censoring
Pitman Closeness
Nonparametric
Optimal censoring scheme
population quantiles
Other Statistics and Probability
Statistical Methodology
Other Statistics and Probability

abstract: This thesis investigates nonparametric inference under multiple independent samples with various modes of censoring, and also presents results concerning Pitman Closeness under Progressive Type-II right censoring. For the nonparametric inference with multiple independent samples, the case of Type-II right censoring is first considered. Two extensions to this are then discussed: doubly Type-II censoring, and Progressive Type-II right censoring. We consider confidence intervals for quantiles, prediction intervals for order statistics from a future sample, and tolerance intervals for a population proportion. Benefits of using multiple samples over one sample are discussed. For each of these scenarios, we consider simulation as an alternative to exact calculations. In each case we illustrate the results with data from the literature. Furthermore, we consider two problems concerning Pitman Closeness and Progressive Type-II right censoring. We derive simple explicit formulae for the Pitman Closeness probabilities of the order statistics to population quantiles. Various tables are given to illustrate these results. We then use the Pitman Closeness measure as a criterion for determining the optimal censoring scheme for samples drawn from the exponential distribution. A general result is conjectured, and demonstrated in special cases

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: ASSEMBLY RULES: DETERMINISM vs. RANDOMNESS IN THE FORMATION COMMUNITIES

contributor:
Kolasa, Jurek
Evans, Ben J.
Quinn, James S.
Biology

subject:
Local processes
biological interactions
alternative states
priority effects
determinism
stochasticity
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

abstract: Elucidating the mechanisms structuring communities has been a challenge for community ecology since its beginnings. One theory argues that assembly rules structure communities by means of deterministic mechanisms arising from biological interactions. Another view maintains that patterns seen in community composition and species abundance result from stochastic processes such as migration and extinction. The dilemma has yet not been resolved unambiguously. The main issue is that communities shaped by deterministic mechanisms can produce stochastic patterns via priority effects. The main goal of this study was to determine whether assembly rules structure communities. My strategy was to minimize priority effects by controlling timing of colonization. To do this I used a null community by combining communities of 17 rock pools. This null community was later divided among experimental communities. I conducted three experiments: (1) Experimental communities were exposed to the same external conditions. (2) Communities were exposed to different environments, disturbance, dispersal and habitat heterogeneity. (3) Replicated null communities were connected to allow inter-replicate dispersal. After 4 months, communities (experiment 1) formed alternative states, suggesting the lack of assembly rules control in community structure. The second experiment showed that adding factors results in more alternative states. The increasing number of alternative states among replicate communities indicates that diversified environment and migration are needed to reproduce qualitative patterns observed in nature. The last experiment (3) showed that patterns observed among connected replicate communities resemble patterns that emerged in the presence of biological interactions in unconnected communities. Similarity of patterns between connected and unconnected groups of communities suggest that local biological interactions can be sufficient to structure communities to a considerable degree. Nevertheless, the regional processes appear necessary in their role of supplying species for local communities.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: Functionally Graded Martensitic Stainless Steel Obtained Through Partial Decarburization

contributor:
Zurob, Hatem
Materials Engineering

subject: Functionally Graded Stainless Steel Decarburization Martensitic Metallurgy Metallurgy

abstract: Functionally graded materials offer a way of obtaining materials with superior properties. Decarburization has been used in other steels to create graded materials. These materials offer high strength and improved ductility when compared homogeneous materials of the same type. In this thesis, graded martensitic stainless steel was explored as a way to provide a very high strength material with medium ductility by partially decarburizing the materials. Different processing treatments were tried and the resulting materials characterized and mechanically tested to compare homogeneous and graded martensitic stainless steels. Mechanical testing demonstrated that decarburization has a positive effect on the tensile, rolling and Charpy impact properties. A model was also developed that attempted to capture the deformation behaviour of graded materials. Present data was not available to verify the models validity but the model was used to predict trends of a how different gradients affect fracture stresses and strains. These trends were used in an attempt to find optimum carbon distributions and maximize strength or ductility, as examples.

abstract: Master of Materials Science and Engineering (MMatSE)


title: A Software System for Interactively Creating Three-Dimensional Free Form Surfaces

contributor:
Siddall, J. N.
Mechanical Engineering

subject:
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

abstract:
A system for the interactive design of free form surfaces is presented. The system is best suited for creative design based on aesthetics, experience, or a number of empirical rules. The system provides the designer with a carefully integrated set of tools which permit a rapid and convenient creation of a curved 3-D surface of any type.

In addition to the uniqueness of the overall concept, there are several innovative features. These include definition of a patch by 16 surface points only; surface modification by dragging nodes to any desired location with the light pen; and a powerful technique for defining patches using plane curves on sections.

A new method for determining NC cutter path location is suggested using the developed system.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)


title: SKELETAL MUSCLE MITOCHONDRIAL CAPACITY PLAYS A MINIMAL ROLE IN MEDIATING INSULIN SIGNALING AND REGULATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH IMPAIRED GLYCEMIC CONTROL

contributor: Medical Sciences (Cell Biology and Metabolism)

subject:
Obesity
Mitochondrial Function
Endurance Exercise
Inflammation
Oxidative Stress
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

abstract: This thesis examined the biochemical role of skeletal muscle mitochondria and metabolic consequences of mitochondrial adaptations to exercise in individuals with poor glycemic control. Mitochondrial dysfunction and/or ectopic lipid accumulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic-related diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, whether mitochondrial dysfunction is the cause of insulin resistance and T2D or is a consequence of this disorder remains controversial. Alternatively, pro-inflammatory stress signals initiated through altered secretion of adipocytokines and oxidative stress may be a unifying mechanism underlying insulin resistance and T2D. Furthermore, the impact of exercise on muscle adaptation in insulin-resistant states is not well defined. At rest and prior to exercise training, no evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction or disproportionate intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) accretion was detected in obese, insulin-resistant skeletal muscle biopsy samples vs. healthy, lean age-, and fitness-matched men. In response to exercise training (12 weeks, consisting of 32 sessions of 30-60 min @ 50-70% maximal oxygen uptake [VO2peak]), there was an increase in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, mitochondrial content, and IMCL deposition with sub-cellular specificity. Exercise training also reduced both skeletal muscle and systemic oxidative damage, already elevated in the obese. The improved adipocytokine profile associated with obesity after training also coincided with improvements in glycemic regulation. Patients with genetic mitochondrial mutations, resulting in skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction have an increase prevalence of dysglycemia/T2D. However, when evaluated against age- and activity-matched normoglycemic myopathy controls, no differences in mitochondrial electron transport chain protein subunits, mitochondrial or IMCL density, or level of whole-body insulin resistance was detected. In fact, dysglycemic mitochondrial myopathy patients demonstrated higher skeletal muscle OXPHOS capacity and Akt activation, a key step in insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity as compared with normoglycemic mitochondrial myopathy patients. Interestingly, a significant impairment in β-cell function (defective insulin secretion), in the dysglycemic patients was observed coincident with elevated glucose levels during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). These findings indicate that insulin resistance does not cause skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction/IMCL accumulation or vice versa and provides evidence against a direct link between mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of insulin resistance/T2D. Perhaps, oxidative stress/inflammation and pancreatic β-cell erosion mediate the observed obesity-induced insulin resistance and mitochondrial myopathy-associated T2D, respectively? Twelve weeks of moderate endurance exercise is an effective strategy to improve mitochondrial capacity, oxidative damage, inflammation, and glycemic regulation in insulin-resistant, obese individuals, but an improvement in muscle insulin sensitivity did not appear to be required.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science)