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Characterizing Predator-Prey Relationships Of Great Lakes Fishes Using Targeted Stomach Content Dna Analyses, Matthew Richard Charron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stomach content DNA (scDNA) analyses provide important insights into feeding ecology, trophic interactions, and diet composition of predator fishes. However, previous scDNA analyses have focused on investigating a small number of predator and prey fishes using binary presence/absence data. Here, I describe the development and validation of a panel of single-species quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays targeting the polymorphic mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) region of 28 Great Lakes prey fishes. The assay panel will significantly increase the number of targeted prey species available for predator diet assessment, while at the same time improving detection sensitivity and through-put. I …

Physiological And Behavioural Responses Of Arctic-Breeding Shorebirds To Weather And Habitat Conditions, Sara Bellefontaine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Arctic-breeding shorebirds balance proximate and ultimate trade-offs in an energetically demanding environment. While these species are selective of nest sites, previous research shows that the characteristics of preferred shorebird nests do not predict increased breeding success. Thus, I aimed to identify detectable mechanisms driving nest preferences in Arctic-breeding shorebirds. Using an archival dataset, I first examined long-term nest preferences in relation to wind conditions at the East Bay Migratory Bird Sanctuary, on Southampton Island, Nunavut, Canada. I then studied energetic responses of two shorebird species to weather conditions across various nest types in a field study using non-invasive heart rate …

A Tale Of Two Mechanisms: Is The P53 Modulator Coti-2 A Zinc Chaperone Instead?, Irem Simsek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The tumor protein p53 plays a vital role in regulating protein pathways that determine the fate of cells. Any interference with p53 function can cause disruptive cell proliferation and carcinogenesis. The p53 protein experiences a high frequency of mutation in human cancers, leading to significant research efforts to target mutant p53 and restore the normal functioning of p53. The COTI-2 small molecule, developed by COTINGA Pharmaceuticals through a computational program, has entered Phase I clinical trials. Although the mechanism of action is not fully understood, it has shown considerable promise in targeting cell lines with mutant p53. COTI-2 is believed …

Regulation Of Natural Killer Cell Responses By Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells In Mouse Mammary Tumors, Mary Ibrahim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system play important roles in anti-cancer immunity. NK cell functions are regulated by inhibitory and activating receptors, which recognize specific ligands on the target cells. One example is the inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor which recognizes the ligand C-type lectin-related protein b (Clr-b). Work in our lab has shown NKR-P1B:Clr-b interactions are involved in mammary tumor immunosurveillance by NK cells. However, the cellular interactions and factors involved in modulating NK cell functions via this receptor:ligand system in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are not fully understood. This project aims to understand the role of myeloid-derived …

The Impact Of The Menstrual Cycle Phase On The Exercise-Induced Immune Response., Vito Anthony Pipitone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High-intensity exercise increases inflammation and elicits leukocytosis but may also increase infection risk. Interestingly, females have higher cell-mediated immunity than males. Estrogen fluctuates across the menstrual cycle, and the luteal phase has been linked to a more pro-inflammatory environment than the follicular phase. This study aimed to identify whether white blood cell (WBC) count and differentiation (i.e., neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils), and inflammatory markers (i.e., GM-CSF, IFN-��, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-��, and TGF-��) differed across two menstrual cycle phases following an acute bout of exercise. Eight regularly menstruating female adults completed a ��O2peak test and two …

Sport Confidence As A Mediator Between Imagery Use And Psychological Resilience In Student Athletes, Samantha Anne D'Agostino

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An athlete’s ability to buffer against negative effects of stressors has been attributed to their level of psychological resilience. Protective factors, specifically confidence, influences the development of resilience qualities. Moreover, utilizing mental skills (i.e., imagery) is beneficial for developing confidence and increasing levels of resilience-related outcomes. With confidence relevant in both resilience and imagery concepts, the purpose of the present study is twofold: (a) to investigate relationships between imagery and psychological resilience in athletes and (b) determine if this relationship is mediated by sport confidence. A sample of 243 student athletes (Mage = 21.27) competing at the varsity or club …

Rhythms In Rna And Proliferation In Intestinal Stem Cell Organoids, Kristina Skurvidayte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The circadian clock is a transcription-translation feedback loop that controls our body’s daily rhythms. Previous work in our lab has shown that the circadian clock controls regeneration in the small intestinal epithelium and that the Hippo signaling pathway may serve as a link between regeneration and the circadian clock. In order to elucidate if the circadian clock directly controls the Hippo pathway as well as the Wnt pathway, both vital for intestinal homeostasis, intestinal stem cell-derived organoids, a 3D culture system that is able to recapitulate the cell biology of the intestinal epithelium in vitro, were used to examine the …

University Of Windsor Varsity Athlete Sport Nutrition Knowledge: A Pilot Study, Brittany Van Hooft

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This pilot study evaluated sport nutrition knowledge among University of Windsor varsity athletes. A total of 57 athletes (from cross-county/track and field, football, hockey, soccer, and volleyball) completed the online Lancer Nutrition Survey from January and February, 2023. One-way ANOVAs and multiple linear regressions were utilized to analyze the associations of sport nutrition knowledge on participant demographics (gender, age, year of study, ethnicity, sport, and living situation) and specific food skills/behaviours (cooking skills, food preparation skills, meal skipping for weight loss, and fast-food frequency). Overall, sport nutrition knowledge was low (11 out of 20 points) yet was not different among …

Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviours Among University Of Windsor Lancer Men, Zach Staffell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of unhealthy weight control behaviours in the context of the food environment and time management skills among Windsor Lancer men. Men from five varsity teams (n = 40) completed an anonymous survey via Qualtrics known as the Lancer Nutrition Survey containing questions regarding their demographics, food skills, food behaviours, disordered eating, and sport nutrition knowledge. Chi-square and one-way ANOVA tests were conducted to determine if significant associations existed between unhealthy weight control behaviours and the variables measured in the food environment and time management contexts as well as weight discrepancy …

Exploring The Impact Of Src-Directed Phosphorylation On Hyvh1’S Intracellular Function, Griffin Lotze

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human hYVH1, also referred to as DUSP12, is a dual specificity protein tyrosine phosphatase that is highly conserved across species and has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in various cancerous states.1–4 Prior investigation of hYVH1 has implicated it in numerous cellular functions including stress response, cell survival, and cell cycle modulation.5–7 Recently, novel evidence has suggested that hYVH1 also plays a role in ribosome biogenesis, functioning in the maturation of the pre-60S ribosomal subunit by mediating its nuclear export and the ejection of Mrt4.8,9 Additionally, the well characterized tyrosine kinase Src has been suggested to trigger hYVH1 to localize into …

Local Forearm Heating Does Not Alter Concentrations Of Circulating Notch1 Ecd And Hspg/Cd44, Khushali Shrenik Parikh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Endothelial dysfunction underlies the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. While advances have been made for treatment and management, many gaps in knowledge remain. Recently, heat therapy has gained attention for improving vascular endothelial function, tenably through increases in antegrade shear stress (SS). However, no study has examined the molecular mechanisms associated with SS and heating. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine how local forearm heating may impact Notch1 and Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan (HSPG), which are transmembrane endothelial mechanosensors essential for preserving endothelial integrity and signalling. We hypothesized that 40-minutes of increased antegrade SS from forearm heating will increase …

The Effect Of Post-Injury Exercise Training On Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria, Samuel Jacob Girard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle exists on a continuum of pure and hybrid fibres (I ↔ I/IIa ↔ IIa ↔ IIa/IIx ↔ IIx ↔ IIx/IIb ↔IIb) which can change phenotypes via external stimuli such as chronic exercise training. The various fibre types differ across characteristics such as shortening velocity, fatigue resistance, and mitochondrial content that provide skeletal muscle the ability to meet different metabolic, physiological, and structural demands. Another feature of skeletal muscle is its innate ability to regenerate after injury, which is a period of fibre type malleability and when fibres may be more responsive to treatments that switch phenotypes. Mitochondrial content …

Evaluating Nutrient Loading From Agricultural Sources And The Biogeochemical Cycling Capacity Of Environments Connected To Agricultural Lands In Southwestern Ontario, Savannah Knorr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Southwestern Ontario is dominated by agricultural lands that are extensively tile drained throughout the region as a management practice to remove excess water from fields. While tile drainage is a common practice, the implementation of constructed preferential flow paths, along with surface runoff from agricultural lands, increases nutrient loading risks to connected and downstream environments, and receiving large lakes. Of particular concern in this region is Lake Erie which has a legacy of severely degraded water quality due to excess nutrient loading from agricultural lands within the lake’s drainage basin. While agricultural lands are a known source for nutrient loading, …

Perceived Physical Competence, Self-Esteem, And Leadership Among Young Girls: A Program Evaluation Of The Girls Organizing And Learning Sport (Goals) Program, Bailey Amy Csabai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated a leadership-based physical activity program, Girls Organizing and Learning Sport (GOALS) by assessing changes in physical activity, health behaviours, perceived physical competence, self-esteem, and leadership among the participants. Of the 224 participants who enrolled in the GOALS program, 79 (35.2%) completed a pre- and post-program survey containing questions concerning demographics, general physical activity, physical competence, self-esteem, and leadership. The GOALS program held 2-hour weekly sessions over 4 weeks (a total of 8 hours) at nine different locations across Windsor-Essex County. Paired-sample t-tests, chi-squares, and one-way ANOVA tests were utilized to analyze differences before and after the GOALS …

Exploring The Relationships Between Environmentally Influenced Foraging Behaviour, Energetics, And Breeding Decisions In Arctic Breeding Common Eiders, Erika Nissen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Migratory species breeding in polar environments face highly seasonal conditions and significant temporal and spatial constraints which can limit their ability to reproduce successfully. Effective energetic management is especially important at high latitudes, where a shortened breeding season and variable spring climatic conditions can restrict seasonal food availability, impact ability to initiate reproduction and successfully raise offspring. We explored this paradigm in marine benthic foraging common eiders (Somateria mollissima), at a long-term studied colonial nesting site at East Bay (Mitivik) Island, Nunavut, Canada. Eiders rely on marine prey to gain the energy necessary to invest in reproduction when arriving at …

The Meaning Of Competitive Sport In The Lives Of Baby Boomers Navigating Retirement, Dale Ashley Bellaire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

By the year 2030, all baby boomers will have turned 65 and will represent more than 20% of the Canadian population. Within Canada, this aging population is expected to increase healthcare costs by an estimated 50%. Many baby boomers have adopted a proactive approach to long-term health and aging which challenges historical concepts of retirement. Considered a critical time for influencing health-related behaviours, retirement may provide a window for the promotion of sport. Older adults are underrepresented in sport compared to other age groups, yet there is evidence to suggest that sport participation is increasing among the age 65+ group. …

Distribution And Relative Abundance Of Reintroduced Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar, In Lake Ontario Tributaries Using Environmental Dna, Nabeelah Lulat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plans to reintroduce Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario tributaries consists of stocking hatchery-reared fish yearly which will help to achieve a self-sustaining population. The issue with reintroduction remains in understanding the distribution of fishes after stocking. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a sensitive approach for monitoring that can offer inferences into fish distribution. I determined the distribution of stocked Atlantic salmon downstream from stocking sites using qRT-PCR and metabarcoding. I found that Atlantic salmon eDNA detection was more sensitive using qRT-PCR (51%) versus metabarcoding HTS (18.3%). However, metabarcoding provided data on fish community assemblages, which can help to monitor ecological interactions. …

The Spatial Habitat And Seasonal Prevalence Of Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) In Windsor-Essex County, On, Madison Laprise

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are important insects due to their role in carrion decomposition, myiasis, and forensic entomology. Many studies have observed generalized habitat preferences of the adult flies, such as shady and sunny, rural, and urban, and seasonal, but not explicitly based on the different nutritional resources. In contrast, this study examines the relationships between adult blow fly species prevalence across five land use types, three traffic volumes, three levels of roadkill density, and three seasons with a novel sampling protocol focused on predicted carrion resource availability. Blow flies were trapped at 44 locations across Windsor-Essex County, ON during …

Dynamic Distributed Energy Resources For Expansion Of Ontario’S Greenhouse Sector, Lysandra Naom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vegetable greenhouse sector is rapidly growing and adopting technology advances like supplemental lighting. Supplemental lighting has a dynamic impact on the demand and consumption of a greenhouse’s electricity load. There is uncertainty on the rate of adaptation of technologies and the impact this could have on the power consumption of the sector. Without electricity availability, the sectors innovation and expansion can come to a halt. This research focused on investigating greenhouse electrical load models and lighting trends to forecast demand on electricity grids and discover potential for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) applications.

This thesis presents a series of studies …

The Role Of Cort And Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (Apc/C) In Drosophila Sex Determination And Meiosis, Abuzar Sikander Malik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The E3 ubiquitin ligase, APC/C, is essential for the completion cell cycle; along with its co-activators it allows mitotic exit and maintenance of G1. APC/C marks various substrates with ubiquitin chains; marked substrates are subsequently destroyed via the 26S proteasome pathway. Cort is a Drosophila female meiosis specific activator of APC/C. Cort works within meiosis in conjunction with Fzy to mediate Securin and cyclin destruction. A C-terminal IR-tail motif and a N-terminal C-box support Cort-APC/C interaction, whereas short motifs like D-box and KEN-box on the target protein impart substrate recognition to Cort. Cort expression is tightly controlled in the female …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Probiotic Therapy For Improving Growth Performance Of Triploid Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) In Aquaculture Using A Behavioural Genomics Approach, Chelsea Frank

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With an increasing human population, there has been increased production of fish to meet nutritional needs. Commercial aquaculture accounts for a significant portion of seafood production with salmonids being the major farmed finfish in Canada. To obtain greater biomass from aquaculture with minimal drawbacks (e.g., compromised flesh quality), triploidization has been implemented, altering ploidy from 2N to 3N, to induce sterility and promote energy investment towards somatic growth. Triploid individuals experience transcriptional and behavioural changes resulting in disease, mortalities, and reduced growth. Probiotic therapies (live microorganisms) have been recommended to potentially overcome drawbacks of triploidy and improve mass due to …

The Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens Linnaeus (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): A Novel Approach To Combat Food Waste In Windsor-Essex., Patricia Obianuju Okpara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Within Ontario alone, approximately 3.7 million tonnes of organic food waste is generated yearly. This waste includes food scraps, wasted food, and plant wastes such as leaves, plant stems, and fruit. Most of it is transported to landfills for composting each year, but the use of landfills as a method of waste management is not sustainable. It adds strain to the environment by releasing harmful greenhouse gases and by demanding landfill space. The current protocols set by the Ontario government, while promising, do not address methods that support the safe disposal of organic waste and conversion into valuable end products …

Cytotoxicity And Reproductive Impairment In Rainbow Trout Cell Lines Exposed To Microcystis Aeruginosa Extracellular Metabolites, Keira Harshaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current trends in cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) demonstrate increasing risks to human health and the health of aquatic ecosystems around the globe. Expansion of algal blooms, both geographically and temporally, serve to place increasing numbers of freshwater species, including fish, in peril. Microcystis aeruginosa, one of the most common species of bloom-causing cyanobacteria, is capable of producing a vast diversity of biologically active compounds, however Microcystis studies are often dominated by microcystins. How non-microcystin metabolites contribute to Microcystis toxicity, particularly in freshwater fish, has been the subject of a limited, but growing, body of research. To contribute to …

Detection And Diagnosis Of Bacterial Pathogens In Blood And Urine Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Emma J.M. Blanchette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to expand on and improve the existing techniques used for detecting and identifying bacterial pathogens in clinical specimens with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Specifically, the existing experimental procedures, including bacterial sample preparation and data acquisition, as well as the data analysis with chemometric algorithms were investigated. Substantial reductions in LIBS background signal were achieved by implementing rigorous cleaning steps and the introduction of the use of ultrapure water. Following this, a database of LIBS spectra was acquired from specimens of E. coli, S. aureus, E. cloacae, M. smegmatis, and P. …

Biophysical Insights Into Peptide And Alcohol Perturbations On Biomimetic Membranes, Michael Hai Nguen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biological membranes exist in every domain of life. Life exists due to the presence of these special structures for which we take for granted. They are composed of fatty lipids and workhorse proteins and act as the premier interface of biological processes. Due to the sheer quantity and complexity within their thin boundary, studying their actions and properties pose challenges to researchers. As a result, simplified biomembrane mimics are employed regularly. We will use several types of biomembrane mimics to understand fundamental properties of membranes. In the present thesis, we also attempt to move beyond the canonical structure-based theories upon …

The Influence Of Administrative Timing In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatments, Emily Mailloux

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer accounts for 25% of all cancers in Canadian women, and 15-20% of these are triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), which have a poorer prognosis than other breast cancer subtypes. TNBC lacks expression of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which are common therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Due to the lack of target therapy, generalized chemotherapy treatments are used instead. The standard of care for treatment of TNBC instead consists of doxorubicin (A), cyclophosphamide (C) paclitaxel (T), and carboplatin (Carbo), that target various aspects of the cell cycle to induce cell …